COUNCIL WORK SESSION:
1. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES:
a. COVID-19: No Zip codes are currently above the 191/100k positivity rate. Central City and West Side areas are still lagging behind east for vaccination rates. Masks are required in city facilities and by city employees.
b. HOMELESSNESS: Victory Road resource fair will be held this week but no date set for abatement. New partners in the Community Commitment Program include Ruff Haven, Green Bikes, and Advantage Services.
c. POLICING: We received an update on several noteworthy actions our police bikes squads have taken recently including 16.1 pounds of Meth which have been removed from the streets.
2. RACIAL EQUITY AND POLICING UPDATE: May 19th @ 6:00 pm is the next public listening session to be held by the REP Commission.
3. FY 20-21 BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 9: This BAM includes 19 items for a total cost of $10M. One discussion was related to the Raise Up SLC program which provides a $500 debit card to residents who did not receive a stimulus check. The new federal administration expanded stimulus eligibility which means we need to discuss whether to look for more people to provide cards to or choose to refill the cards for the existing recipients. Several other items are included BAM #9 and include police impact fees, emergency management, fire department personnel and buildout, etc.
4. SMALL CELL LICENSE & FRANCHISE AGREEMENT FOR SQF, LLC: This is the company who will be installing small cell facilities for AT&T. They are asking for a 10 year term for their agreement. This discussion also turned to digital equity, noticing requirements for permit applications, etc.
5. GOOGLE FIBER FRANCHISE AGREEMENT: Google Fiber will stop doing video (cable tv) services but will continue offering broadband services to SLC. This updated agreement with Google Fiber will recognize the change to city revenue based on how the fees are collected. Rather than receiving 5% of Google’s video service revenue, SLC will receive 2% of Google’s total revenue from city customers. This is expected to be equal to or greater than with the previous agreement.
6. HOUSING TRUST FUND LOAN AMENDMENT FOR GARDEN LOFTS (154 W. 600 S.): This loan amendment recognized the project changing from all 272 units at 60% AMI to an income averaging approach which means that most stay at 60% but some become more deeply affordable and some move to 80%, still averaging 60% AMI overall. This will allow the project to serve a broader spectrum of renters.
7. FY 21-22 BUDGET, ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW: This is the high level budget discussion. We are currently projecting revenues to be $5.2M over original budget for FY 20-21 which is mostly fueled by retail spending. Licenses and permits are over budget and helping offset decreases in parking fees and travel related income. Moving into the next fiscal year we expect a $12M revenue increase in total revenues. The total city budget for the upcoming year is set at $1.79B. Personnel increases are planned including a 1% increase in salaries across the board for city employees. There are a total of about 95 new FTEs proposed for the upcoming year.
8. FY 21-22 BUDGET, COUNCIL STAFF OVERVIEW: Council Staff also delivered a high level budget discussion and pointed out several items of interest. The Public Lands division will become a department. The Engineering division will move into The Public Services department. Youth and Family Services moved from Public Services to CAN. Emergency Management moves from Police into Fire. The Mayor Office will add an Office of Equity and Inclusion. Staff’s major caution was that there is about $21M of ongoing expenses proposed to be paid for by one time money. This has a lot to do with the fact that a large chunk of revenue will be coming from the American Rescue Plan. Items related to public safety were also discussed and I expect that we will discuss them in more detail in the coming weeks.
9. FY 21-22 BUDGET, GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY: This is a self-insurance fund for liability claims against the city. The proposed budget is $2.9M. This money pays for claims against the city as well as the costs for litigating those cases.
10. FY 21-22 BUDGET, JUSTICE COURT DEPARTMENT: Our justice court has proposed a total budget of $4.85M and employs 42 FTEs. No major changes are proposed to this department but a notable improvement is the creation of mobile justice court kits. These kits include tools to allow the court to operate at the mobile resource fairs prior to encampment abatements. There is even a kayak court where judges and lawyers kayak down the Jordan River to reach individuals camping along the banks of the river.
11. FY 21-22 BUDGET, METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT: This budget is not adopted by the council but by the Water District Board. Revenues come from property taxes, water sales, and assessments. The total proposed budget is $48.7M and water rates are proposed to increase this year and every year through 2038.
12. ELECTRONIC MEETINGS ORDINANCE: This was a discussion about some amendments to city code which will allow us to meet virtually without a local emergency in effect. This gives us flexibility to meet virtually or hybrid according to our determination. This also affects all our other boards and commissions.
SPECIAL LIMITED FORMAL MEETING:
1. ELECTRONIC MEETINGS ORDINANCE: This motion was adopted but sentiments were shared that we hope to meet in person again very soon.