At today’s Council and RDA Meetings

• The Council received a briefing about a proposed Public Utilities budget for 2021-22, which marks the beginning of the annual City budget discussions for the coming fiscal year.
• The Council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency Board, reviewed a community-driven ‘visioning process’ that supports revitalization of Japantown Street.
• The Mayor reported on assistance from community partners for the Fleet Block encampments, and later closure.

Council Work Session items

The Council was:

• briefed about a resolution that would authorize approval of an interlocal cooperation agreement between the City and Salt Lake County for the transfer of County corridor preservation funds. The funds would be used for certain transportation projects within the County and the City relating to the re-construction of 700 South Street, which includes a partial re-alignment. It is planned for completion next year. Tentative Council action on this item is Tuesday, April 20.
  
  
• briefed about the Mayor’s recommended budget for the Department of Public Utilities for Fiscal Year 2021-22. Water, sewer, and stormwater rate increases for utility bills are proposed. Much of the money would be used for capital needs and debt retirement of utility structures. Discussion among the Council included encouraging water conservation and usage with rate increases, funding for outside legal help, an update on the 4^th Ave Well project, federal assistance for large capital projects, and other topics.  This presentation is part of the annual discussion of the City budget proposals by the Mayor’s Office for the next fiscal year. Public hearings are planned in the months ahead on the overall budget before a Council vote in June. More on the budget process: https://fy22-slc-budget-slcgov.hub.arcgis.com/.
  
  
• briefed about the Mayor’s funding recommendations and an appropriations resolution for the one-year Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant & Other Federal grants for Fiscal Year 2021-22. Discussion among Council included shifting funds between various recommendations. Tentative Council action on this item is Tuesday, April 20.
  
  
• briefed about a proposal that would amend off-street parking regulations. The proposal would update parking requirements to better reflect demand; simplify parking regulations; and establish a responsive ordinance to the City’s changing development patterns. Discussion among Council included the Central Ninth area, commercial corridors, and other issues. Further Council discussion will be scheduled on this proposal.
  
  
• briefed about a resolution approving the City’s renewed application to the Utah Recycling Market Development Zone Program for certain City zones. The State program assists qualifying businesses that use or produce recycled materials in their manufacturing operations, or compost, by providing State income tax credits. Council voiced support for moving ahead and tentative Council action is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20.

Other Agenda items

The Council received:

• an informational update on recent efforts on various projects related to racial equity and policing in the City. Council staff noted the Racial Equity in Policing (REP) Commission continues to meet regularly, usually weekly. The next full REP meeting is scheduled for April 21 at 5 pm. Read: More on the Commission
  
  
• an informational update on relieving the condition of people experiencing homelessness. The Mayor reports the encampments in the Fleet Block area will be closed on Wednesday, April 14. People there have been offered assistance from community partners through the Community Commitment Program and the accompanying Resource Fairs.
  
  
• an informational update on the pandemic in the City. The Mayor reports Covid numbers have plateaued and stopped declining. A Covid variant is picking up speed.
  
  
• an informational update on recent sensory inclusive training for first responders.

SPECIAL LIMITED FORMAL MEETING*

The Council adopted an ordinance extending a temporary land use regulation to allow a temporary overflow homeless shelter at approximately 2333 West North Temple (Airport Inn). The extension adds two more months to the temporary land use regulation.

*a Limited Meeting does not usually include public comment. This meeting was scheduled for only one item.

Redevelopment Agency meeting items

The Board:

• received an update about potential creation of the University of Utah Research Park Project Area, possibly 300-plus acres in size. In 2020, the Board adopted a boundary survey resolution which started the process to determine whether project area development is feasible within the survey area. RDA staff updated the Board on creating a draft Community Reinvestment Area plan (CRA) and other next steps to analyze any future development. Discussion among the Board included steps the Board might take, other equitable locations located throughout the city for project areas, and benefits for the RDA/City partnership in this CRA. It is hoped the first draft of the plan would come later this year at which point the Board can decide whether to move forward.
  
  
• received an overview of the Japantown Design Strategy. The Design Strategy was funded by the Board as a starting point for supporting revitalization of Japantown Street (100 South between 200 and 300 West). The Design Strategy reflects more than three years of community engagement, research and prioritization for future investment and management of the cultural and historic assets in this area. A consultant displayed street concepts for festivals, placemaking ideas for the area, costs for maintenance, and an ongoing leadership structure for long term success. Discussion among the Board and others included a potential evolution of the festival process, neighborhood involvement, and the importance of this visioning process for Japantown.
  
  
• received a written update of the finalized design and cost estimate of the 650 South Main TRAX Station.

All agenda-related comments received through any source are shared with the Council and added to the Council public meeting record.

Visit the Council’s agenda page for meeting documents and video or view an archive of prior meeting recaps.