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Salt Lake City Council Celebrates Community at Annual Westside Meeting

The Council expanded its accessibility while recognizing local changemakers.

This year, the Council held its annual Westside meeting at the Fairpark while highlighting the many ways residents, local businesses and community organizations create a stronger Salt Lake City.

The Council recognized:

• Paramjit Kaur, owner of Star of India
• The Westside Coalition
• My Hometown
• Ibrahim Abdirizak of the Somali Community Self-Management Agency
• Keri Taddie and Elizabeth Montoya of the Glendale-Mountain View Community Learning Center

“Tonight was a reminder that community is not something government creates on its own,” said Council Chair Alejandro “Ale” Puy. “It is built by everyday people who are willing to show up for one another. As members and representatives of this community, we want to keep listening, keep showing up and make sure more residents have a voice in shaping the future of our city.”

The Council also joined Mayor Erin Mendenhall in recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2026, celebrating the history, culture and contributions of Salt Lake City’s Hispanic and Latino communities.

The annual Westside meeting is part of the Council’s ongoing effort to make City government more accessible to residents. For more information about how to get involved, attend meetings virtually and provide public comment can be found here.

Public Lands and Green Space Updates

The Council discussed the best implementation and timelines for:

• Future park improvements, such as a new hub for Glendale Park with public restrooms, skate rental, park ranger station and concessions. Public Lands staff also noted diversifying funding sources to expand Jordan River projects.
• The draft Vision Plan for the long-term care of Liberty Park, including elevating public gathering spaces, programming, waterwise gardens, meadows and more.
• Updates to North Temple, including planting hundreds of new trees and rose bushes.

In addition, the Public Lands Department highlighted several grand openings this fall, including:

• Steenblik Park Grand Reopening | Now Open!
• Donner Trail Park Grand Reopening | October 1 | 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
• Liberty Park Rotary Playground Grand Opening | October 26 | 4 – 6 p.m.
• Pioneer Park Grand Reopening | Early November | TBD

Community Support Briefings

The Council was briefed on the following programs and amendments to support residents:

• Indicated support for allocating $50,000 in funds to assist households affected by flooding in the Poplar Grove neighborhood.
• A review of the programs offered by the Housing Stability Division, including:
  • Home Repair Program, for residents under 80% AMI in need of health, safety and structural home repairs.
  • Minor Repair Program, for residents under 80% AMI and have an elderly or disabled member of their household.
  • Community Land Trust Program, for low to moderate-income residents looking for affordable homeownership opportunities.
  • Neighborhood Business Improvement Program (NBIP), designated for façade improvements to local businesses in targeted areas.
  • Business Stabilization Program (BSP), designated for local businesses in targeted areas to repair damage or vandalism.
• A presentation on the Youth and Family Division, which provides multiple free or low-cost services to hundreds of residents, from elementary school students to adult learning programs. Their strategic plan emphasized how they are finding unique ways to mobilize resources and track progress after federal funding cuts in 2025.

Additional Updates

The Council also:

• Accepted comment at the first of two public hearings on updates to the Public Utilities Impact Fees. The next opportunity will be Tuesday, Oct. 6.
• Discussed the status, timeline, and details of the 600 and 700 North transportation project, including improved pedestrian crossings and potential parking solutions.
• Approved a rezone to construct 22 for-sale, family-sized townhomes with two-car garages and a playground amenity.
• Interviewed and appointed another judge to the Salt Lake City Justice Court, Nick Stiles, to assist with caseload and diversion of minor criminal offenses.

Next Council Meeting

Tuesday, Oct. 6

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

Council staff can provide parking validations for the City Library.

*Please confirm meeting times and agenda items 24 hours in advance*

Scheduled Items