City Council

Minutes of the Millcreek City Council Special Meeting Tuesday, March 21, 2017 Councilmembers present Jeff Silvestrini – Mayor Silvia Catten – Council District 1 Dwight Marchant – Council District 2 Cheri Jackson – Council District 3 Bev Uipi – Council District 4 Others present Leslie Van Frank – Acting Recorder Rita Lund – Deputy Recorder Members of Mt. Olympus Community Council (joint meeting with MOCC) The meeting was called to order by Mayor Silvestrini at 7:15 p.m. 1. Call to Order – Pledge of Allegiance Mr. David Baird, the chair of the Mt Olympus Community Council, noted that the City Council was joining the regular Mt. Olympus Community Council meeting. He welcomed the residents and gave a description of the boundaries of the community council area. He explained that the Community Council meets twice monthly and invited the audience to attend the meetings. Mr. Baird then introduced the community council members, Joy Goddard, Pasu Pasupathi, Bill Blatter, Richard Williamson, John Knoblock, Ken Smith, Kumar Shah and Joan Haven, each of whom was in attendance. He explained a regular community council agenda includes information that should be of interest to all residents, including reports from the UFA and the UPD. Mr. Baird then led the Pledge of Allegiance and introduced Mayor Silvestrini. 2. Pilot parking program in neighborhood near Grandeur Peak trailhead Mayor Silvestrini welcomed the residents and thanked the community council for allowing the City Council to use their meeting time and space. He thanked the volunteers on the community council and invited greater participation from the community. The mayor gave a presentation on the history of the program, a pilot program that was implemented on a trial basis upon receipt of a petition from the neighbors. The City Council now has the responsibility as to whether to continue the program, modify the program of let the program expire. The mayor asked residents to visit www.Millcreek.Utah.Gov to submit comments. The comment period will be closed on Friday evening at 5:00 PM and the City Council will be considering the pilot program at their City Council meeting on Monday, March 29th at 7:00 PM. The mayor additionally invited residents to sign up for the city electronic newsletter and to attend the City Council meetings held each Monday. The mayor outlined the agenda for the evening, introducing John Miller, UPD Chief Steve DeBry, and UFA Fire Marshal Brad Larsen each of whom will be presenting information. After those presentations, the public comment period will be opened. He requested that the audience be respectful and limit their comments to two minutes with the exception of Jemina Keller, who has prepared a PowerPoint and intends to speak in favor of the program, and anyone else who wanted to speak against the program, who would be given equal time. 2.1 John Miller from Salt Lake County Engineering The mayor introduced John Miller, Associate Director of Public Works, who gave a brief history of the issue. The petition was received in September 2014; the County Council approved the pilot project in July of 2015; permits were issued and signs placed in July 2015; the parking study was completed in October 2015; an additional petition to add 8 properties to the permit area was received in July 2016; a public hearing was held in August 2016; and the pilot program was extended by the County Council until ninety days into 2017, after the Millcreek City incorporation. An additional 15 stalls were added along Wasatch Boulevard in September 2016. The parking study that was conducted determined that there was a need for an additional 23 parking stalls for peak periods. Mr. Miller than outlined the various options that had been proposed by the consultant in the parking study. Of these options, the addition of parking along Wasatch Boulevard was utilized. 2.3 Representative of Unified Police Department Mayor Silvestrini introduced Chief Steve DeBry of the UPD who presented a history of the issue. He described that there was discussion with Salt Lake City to allow the UPD to provide enforcement for Parleys Park. The UPD has combined Parleys, Grandeur, Suicide Rock, Shooting the Tube and other trailhead concerns in an enforcement program led by Officer Brent Davis, the supervisor over extra duty enforcement for the area. Chief DeBry related that crime happens, cars are broken into, drugs, alcohol, litter and there are parking issues. Many people come to the area to recreate and thereby create the parking concerns. Chief DeBry has been in discussion with Councilmember Jackson about cameras that might in installed in the area. He discussed crime statistics that have been collected for the area. Crime has gone up due to increased population. The UPD will continue to work with the Millcreek City Council to resolve issues and concerns. Parking is at a premium and residents need a place to park. This is a very unique area and has unique issues. Chief DeBry offered to distribute the crime statistics that had been developed. 2.4 Representative of Unified Fire Authority Mayor Silvestrini then introduced UFA Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal Brad Larsen. Chief Larsen detailed the UFA resources available to the Millcreek area. Chief Larsen has evaluated the area considered for resident only parking and found that the permit parking meets the minimum standards of the fire code, the crews have had very few instances of concerns that they have encountered. Mayor Silvestrini requested that Chief Larsen address the widths of the road. Fire code that has been established has a minimum width requirement of 20’, a street width of 28’ is required if parking is allowed on one side and a street width of 36’ is required if parking is allowed on both sides of the street. Wasatch Boulevard areas that have been striped for parking allow adequate room for emergency vehicle access. Along the side streets, the width also allows for adequate access so long as there is not parking on both sides of the road. As an example, the width of Cascade Circle is 28’. By code, parking can only be allowed on one side of the street, although the resident parking program is not a problem if the cars are staggered. John Knoblock asked if there was adequate width for parking along both sides of Wasatch Boulevard. Mr. Miller responded, and advised he would evaluate the question. 2.5 Members of the Public Mayor Silvestrini then opened the meeting for public comment. Virginia Jensen, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, told the council that her back yard faces the bike trail and her front yard is on Warr Road. Neighbors were promised if they would support the proposal for acquisition of the open space, that there would not be parking on Wasatch Boulevard, that the gate would be locked at 10:00 PM and opened at 7:00 AM, and there would be enforcement. Strangers from all over the valley were parking along Warr Road and her family could not park along their own road. Vandalism occurred on two occasions. She is in favor of continuing the resident only parking program. Jemina Keller, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, gave a history of the Grandeur Peak open space. She distributed handouts and gave a powerpoint presentation which she offered to provide to the council. Ms. Keller discussed the development of the Parleys Trail, the threat of development of the area that would have limited access, and the purchase of the property by Salt Lake County with $500,000. The neighbors have taken care of the area, painting over graffiti and participating with community events. Pressure factors that exist include Google maps showing the trailhead parking, population growth, heavier enforcement in Parleys, and media coverage. There are resident parking programs in Salt Lake City, Holladay, Cottonwood Heights and Sandy City. There are 26 homes in the permit area and 89% of the residents have signed the petition. She is in favor of continuing the resident only parking program. Julie Peck-Dabling, a resident of Holladay and Open Space Coordinator for Salt Lake County, spoke as an open space user. The master plan for this area was developed over a decade ago and took thousands of hours and many dollars involving cities, residents, community councils and others. It took compromise and work for the plan for the Shoreline Trail. In that plan, from Parleys to Draper there are 18 access points in neighborhoods. The plan was developed to have access points all along the trail. If neighborhood access points are closed, the city and county will have spent millions of dollars for the lucky few who find a parking space or additional parking locations will need to be developed somewhere. The next problem could be at Crestwood Drive, the land above there was just purchased for $100,000 for the benefit of all residents and should be able to be enjoyed by other residents who do not live in the immediate area. Parking is being pushed to neighbors further south and then they push it further south. Then when people want to come to a park to enjoy the public open space, can they no longer park in the area. There are bigger issues surrounding this. Ms. Peck-Dabling does not want to diminish the resident concerns but hopes the council considers visitor parking needs. Clay Northrop, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, outlined his concerns that this just relocates the problem a block further down. Mr. Northrop participated in the process and understood throughout that this wasn’t his personal park. For 19 years he has known that people park on the street to access the open space and it hasn’t been a problem. Crime is not brought on by people parking to use the open space. And since there is an increase in crime as reported by Chief DeBry, resident only parking has not changed that concern. Strong proponents in the neighborhood of the permit program have parked trailers, contractors, etc. on the street at times without permits. Terra Reilly, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, told the council that in her profession she understands the power of spin. You can choose to live where you want, but when you live at the base of a beautiful mountain, people will come. Ms. Reilly moved to the neighborhood for the trails and has not seen problems. The resident only project is creating a space that does not feel neighborly and does not reduce crime. Pushing recreationists out of the neighborhood, neighbors being pushed out, those are the neighbors who call and report crime. If crime is used as a reason, we need to look at the actual statistics. Andrew Berk, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, told the council his property is right up against the trail parking lot. Problems come with the benefit of living close to a beautiful trail. He does not have problems on the Warr Road side of his property but does on the side next to the parking lot. He is in favor of the resident only parking program and is opposed to parking along Wasatch Boulevard. People are not obeying the rules. Eve Rain, a Murray resident, made her comments as a Wasatch Mountain Club representative. The club will support any decision made and will assist in education efforts. Ms. Rain personally uses trail and has encountered parking problems. When the club utilizes the trail as a group they have found the need to shuttle and feels shuttles could be an important way to solve parking problems. Jeff Roach, a Grandeur Peak neighbor stated his property is located where Gateway & Cascade meet. He has consistently seen three or four people parking in front of his property. He was warned in advance of purchase of his home that there were parking issues. Mr. Roach feels the solution is additional parking on Wasatch Blvd and is in favor of the resident only parking program. Bob Payle, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, stated he has noticed a significant improvement with a reduction in parkers and booming sounds all night. He hasn’t noticed any reduction in access and feels the open space is being overused. He stated he uses a private driveway when he accesses Hughes Canyon in Sandy. Access is very important and is against closing the last block from Cascade Way. Mr. Payle is in favor of the resident parking program. Marcia Cleason, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, stated she had hoped that the petitioner had included everyone, if that had been done there would have been better solutions. Would like to see compro- mise—possibly there could be resident parking on one side, or a fire lane with no parking on one side. Quite a few people on Warr Road depend on health care providers and have had tickets on caregivers’ cars. If the resident only parking is kept or a compromise is created, she asked where does the signage end. She would like the council to guarantee that it doesn’t come to her house she doesn’t want to deal with the passes. Ms. Cleston feels that homeowners who are fortunate enough to live next to such a beautiful place need to share the burden of the parking. Janelle Williamson, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, said she had reviewed policies in other jurisdictions and areas where resident parking is needed. She feels her neighborhood fits all criteria outlined for the other areas and the parking permit program has helped. Ms. Williamson would like the council to retain the permit program and add 3 residential permits and 3 guest permits for residents to have on site and the availability of additional visitor passes. John Knoblock, who lives in the Mt Olympus area, spoke representing a Grandeur Peak neighbor who supports putting 13 additional parking spaces on Wasatch Boulevard. He has talked to the two neighbors whose property faces the boulevard and they are in favor of the additional parking. Provision of additional parking on Wasatch Blvd. would prevent some of the illegal parking in the other areas. Andrea Barrs, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, told the council that the neighborhood is changing dramatically to a neighborhood with kids. She is grateful for the changes the pilot program created, as her children were being awakened at night. She thanked the UPD for enforcement. The city will grow, there is no more land but there will be more people and there is a need to find balance. Resident only parking has solved the parking problem in the front of her home. Ms. Barrs supports the resident only parking program. Deloy Peterson, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, stated that this is not a new problem, we are lucky to live in the area. Demands will be increased. Mr. Peterson was planner for UDOT when the park & ride concept began and he feels there is a need to find some land where people can park and ride. Is in favor of retaining the resident parking only program. Steve Sturdevant, a Grandeur Peak resident, indicated that he is against the resident parking program but not against the neighbors. He feels the way this was handled has been poorly done, notification was not given to those in opposition. He stated he doesn’t care if someone parks in front of his house and reaffirmed that he is against the resident parking program. Caroline Keller spoke as a representative of Don & Linda Call, Grandeur Peak neighbors, stating they are in favor of the resident only parking program because the streets should be for residents and their guests. Ling Lui, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, told the council she has seen good changes since the program was established. Prior to that she had problems with her driveway being blocked, which created problems for her children with medical issues. She is in favor of retaining the resident parking only program. Joe Condor, a Mount Olympus resident, stated he jogs 1 ½ miles to get to the area and has had problems finding parking. Would like to see additional parking at Eastwood. He has heard that the Illegal activities happen at night and suggested possibly an overnight parking ban. Tereasa Coon, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, said the neighborhood has not conspired to deny access. She thanked the neighbors for the preservation of the open space. She is concerned with crime and supports the resident only parking project. A statement from John and Trish Varwaller, a Grandeur Peak resident was read. Their concern is that the area attracts people who hike all day and are possibly involved in drug activity. The resident only parking program has provided them a great feeling of security and they are in favor of continuing the program. Greg Coombs, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, feels the permit parking program has made a good change. Two CERT officers and hot shot teams couldn’t get access to the gate because cars were parked. People have been parked in front of a fire hydrant. The wheat grass that was planted causes fire hazard. People will be blocked in if fire personnel need to access and homes will be lost. Audra Peterson, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, stated she has lived there since 1951 and has had search and rescue people park in her lot to conduct rescues. If people are here for exercise, it will not hurt them to walk a few extra blocks. She is in favor of the resident only parking program. Jeff Keller spoke for Ernie Phillips who supports resident parking. Steep roads cause problems with provision of services. Mr. Phillips supports the resident parking only program as it keeps the roads clear. Even Coon, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, stated he supports the resident parking program. He feels safer since project was established. He is young, and doesn’t feel comfortable with strangers parking in front of his home. Tosh Kano, works with Holladay City indicated that since 1999, Holladay has been protecting 66 home with restricted parking. It is lots of work but the program is working around Olympus High School. Mr. Kano suggest Millcreek urge the county to finish the Bonneville Shoreline in order to provide additional access points. Shonnie Hayes, a Mount Olympus resident, reported that she had previously lived near the U of U and had serious problem in that area. The entire neighborhood went to resident parking, it was good solution for that neighborhood and forced the students to pay to utilize the parking lots on campus. She is sympathetic to the neighbors, but in this case there are not adequate parking facilities. Ms. Hayes indicated she was interested in the ideas to increase parking that were suggested by John Miller and would like a study. Gail Sturdevant, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, stated the neighbors were not asked about the petition and feels the project was shoved down their throat. It’s created a fight in the neighborhood, used to be a nice neighborhood. She is unhappy that she can’t have company. She asked the council to think about adding extra parking at end of Cascade Way, this would relieve 95% of the problem. Let’s make more parking to ease the fighting. Or park on one side, other side restricted. The Webb family representative stated they are happy with the parking, have used temporary permits several times and has worked well. Sundays in the spring are the busiest days and Mr. Webb had visited the parking lot every hour last Sunday, had counted parking spots available and prepared graph showing parking availability that he presented to the council. Barbara Hansen, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, stated that is important to remember that the Parleys park gully was donated to the city as a nature preserve. People come from across the valley and the parking by the gully is congested, so Parleys park users are parking in the Grandeur Peak area. People have driven on her lawn, breaking sprinklers. One used her front hose to clean a dog and left it on. She stated she is not a fan of the parking permits but it has been a solution to reduce partying all night. Vincent Liu, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, stated he does respect people enjoying open space but what is his right to enjoy his property? Before the permit there were issues and problems but he feels things have been resolved. Population is growing and the ultimate problem is parking. He suggested the city & county work together to find a solution for the future. Mr. Liu supports the resident parking program. Mary Clemmens, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, asked the council to address questions of night time parking restrictions. She suggests that the area is dealing with different populations. Hikers, dog walkers and bikers are very respectful but some others are not. She stated the nighttime population is who causes the problems, they are not respectful. David Baird, a Mt Olympus resident and the chair of the Mt Olympus Community Counci,l stated that this is a work in progress. If parking is forbidden, there needs to be discussion as to other parking solutions. The Mt Olympus Community Council at this point encourages continuation of the program and the use of parking at Eastwood Elementary. Ken Smith, a Mt Olympus resident, reminded the council that the shoreline was a shoreline before a trail was developed and became a major item of concern. Organizations that planned trails have a responsibility to help try and find parking areas and this is not a major access point. He supports parking at Eastwood Elementary. Virginia Jensen spoke on behalf of her husband, a Grandeur Peak neighbor. She stated they were being awakened at night by kids. Kids shooting the tube caused problems with many cars parked right by their bedroom windows. Since parking has been added on Wasatch Boulevard, cars are parking illegally further south and on the east side. She says the residents were promised a red line would be painted on the east side of Wasatch and would like to see that done. Jemina Keller, a Grandeur Peak neighbor, spoke again stating that she had knocked on every door in the survey area and that everyone has had opportunity to comment. She additionally stated that Utah Open Lands holds a conservation easement that would preclude a parking area at the top of Cascade Way. 3. Adjournment Mayor Silvestrini thanked everyone for their input and adjourned the meeting at 9:00 PM.