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Puy, Carlsen to Lead Salt Lake City Council in 2026

Council members unanimously selected the Chair and Vice Chair during annual January meeting.

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 13, 2026– The Salt Lake City Council has selected new leadership for 2026, appointing Alejandro “Ale” Puy as Council Chair and Erika Carlsen as Vice Chair. Their appointments also mark a milestone for representation, with leadership forming a fully queer and Latino leadership team, a reflection of Salt Lake City’s growing diversity.  

Puy, an immigrant who represents District 2 on the city’s Westside, joined the Council in 2023 and brings a strong focus on equitable investment, affordable housing and community engagement to the role of Chair. 

“I am grateful for the trust of my colleagues and honored to serve as Council Chair,” said Chair Puy. “In the year ahead, I look forward to working with residents, Council members and city partners to ensure city decisions reflect the people and neighborhoods that make Salt Lake City what it is.” 

Council Member Erika Carlsen, who represents District 5, steps into Council leadership during her first year on the Council, bringing a new collaborative approach and a focus on transparency, neighborhood issues and responsive city services.  

“I’m honored to serve as Vice Chair and to work alongside Chair Puy,” said Vice Chair Carlsen. “Representation matters, and so does delivering real results for our communities. 

In their capacity as Community Reinvestment Agency (C.R.A.) Board members, Council members also selected Council Member Dan Dugan as Board Chair and Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez to serve as Board Vice Chair. 

Together, the Council and C.R.A. leadership will help guide Council discussions in tackling issues affecting the city today and creating solutions that build a secure future.  

To view the Council’s 2026 meeting schedule, click here. 

Recognition of Chris Wharton as 2025 Council Chair 

The Council recognized Council Member Chris Wharton for his second term as Council Chair. “You approached this year with humility and a fierce belief that Salt Lake City can always do better for residents, business owners, and visitors,” said fellow Council Member Alejandro “Ale” Puy.

Highlights

The Council was briefed on the following items: 

• Potential City impacts during the 2026 Utah State Legislative Session. Salt Lake City’s Legislative Affairs Team will provide updates to the Council throughout the Utah Legislature’s 45-day session. 
• Cost increases associated with the USA Climbing National Training Center Project. Located in the C.R.A.’s Rio Grande District project area, the project is an adaptive reuse of the former Salt Lake Mattress Company building. The Council, as the CRA Board, discussed various options for the project and will continue exploring solutions at the board meeting in February.
• A proposed amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget to manage responses to natural disasters (including wildfires), improvements to the former home of The Leonardo, additional staff for the Salt Lake City Justice Court, a pedestrian bridge and additional infrastructure improvements. 

Updates from the Administration  

Homelessness: 

Unsheltered Utah needs volunteers for their Code Blue Movie Nights! “Code Blue” is a response to an extreme and emergent weather event when temperatures dip to 15 degrees or below, including windchill. Learn more and sign up.

Volunteers are also needed for the Point-In-Time (PIT) Count. The PIT Count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness. Residents are encouraged to form teams of 3 to 4 people with their friends, family and coworkers to sign up together.

Homeless Resource Centers saw a 107.8% occupancy rate from Jan. 5-9. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing or is at risk of experiencing homelessness, call 801-990-9999.

Next Meeting 

Tuesday, January 20

The Council meets for their work session at 2 p.m. and their formal meeting begins at 7 p.m., ending upon the conclusion of items listed on the agenda.

Council staff can provide parking validations for the City Library.

*Please confirm meeting times on agendas 24 hours in advance* 

Votes & Hearings Scheduled 

The Council added the items below to the Tuesday, January 20, meeting agenda: