City Council

Taylorsville Special City Council Meeting Minutes April 20, 2018 Page 1 City of Taylorsville Special City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 20, 2018 Utah State University – Taylorsville Campus 920 West Levoy Drive Taylorsville, UT 84123 ______________________________________________________________________________ Attendance Mayor Kristie Overson Council Members: City Staff: Chairman Chair Brad Christopherson John Taylor, City Administrator Vice-Chairman Daniel Armstrong Cheryl Peacock Cottle, City Recorder Council Member Meredith Harker Scott Harrington, Chief Financial Officer Council Member Ernest Burgess Kris Heineman, Council Coordinator Council Member Curt Cochran Tracy Cowdell, City Attorney Tiffany Janzen, Public Information Officer Mark McGrath, Community Development Director Wayne Harper, Economic Development Director Steve Porten, Building Official Tracy Wyant, UPD Precinct Chief Jennifer Andrus, Executive Assistant Blake Schroeder, Facilities Manager Nick Patterson, City Engineer City Priorities Planning Session 12:22 PM Mayor Overson welcomed those in attendance and noted that the Utah State campus facilities have been provided for the city meeting today at no cost. She described the purpose of the meeting and recognized those in attendance. Taylorsville Special City Council Meeting Minutes April 20, 2018 Page 2 12:26 PM Mayor Overson discussed the county-wide sales tax tied to transportation that will benefit the City. 12:28 PM The Mayor relayed that Kearns representatives have approached her and would like to annex a portion of Taylorsville as part of their proposed future incorporation. They have requested taking the area west of Bangerter from 5400 South to 6200 South, including the Misty Hills subdivision. Discussion ensued. It was noted that annexation involves a complex and lengthy process. 12:33 PM Chair Christopherson expressed concerns about future landscaping needed around the Performing Arts Center (PAC). He referenced funds available for this purpose from the sale of the St. Marks Emergency Center property. He said this need should be addressed sooner, rather than later, and should be done correctly. Discussion was held regarding the agreement with Salt Lake County for the PAC and the timeline for landscaping to be put in by the City. City Attorney Tracy Cowdell suggested approaching the County Mayor about any needed funds. 12:38 PM Facilities Manager Blake Schroeder discussed reasons there are problems with maintaining the grass in front of the City Center. 12:43 PM Council Member Dan Armstrong asked about UDOT’s plans for the flex lanes on 5400 South. Economic Development Director Wayne Harper indicated that there is one lane temporarily closed right now during the Bangerter Intersection construction, but UDOT is planning to keep the flex lanes. He stated that the through-turns should be removed in September or October, and then the traditional left-turn intersection will be installed. Discussion took place regarding businesses affected by the layout on 5400 South. Mr. Harper relayed discussions he has had with business owners. He acknowledged that there are some things in flux right now. City Administrator John Taylor agreed to evaluate businesses that are struggling to determine how the city can help. 12:48 PM Council Member Dan Armstrong discussed some blighted, older areas west of Bangerter in his district along 4015 West, north of Southridge Park. He asked for ideas to help improve curb appeal. Chair Christopherson suggested the potential of having a developer buy up the area and redevelop the property. Mr. Taylor suggested using code enforcement to help deal with current problems. 12:51 PM Council Member Harker stated her concerns with Taylorsville Park and Southridge Park and said the County should be approached to maintain/improve their parks. Taylorsville Special City Council Meeting Minutes April 20, 2018 Page 3 12:53 PM The Mayor referenced a potential master plan for parks and observed that the Council may want to determine funding desired to help improve parks. 12:54 PM UPD Precinct Chief Tracy Wyant asked about the population that would be taken with a potential Kearns annexation. An exact number was unknown. The Chief discussed global issues. He cited the high number of calls for service that are associated with the area west of Bangerter. Additional discussion ensued regarding the potential incorporation of Kearns. 12:58 PM The importance of the look and feel of the city was addressed. Chair Christopherson issued a reminder regarding the damaged street lights on Redwood Road. Mr. Taylor indicated that available funds for street light replacement have been impacted by recent snow storms, but said the bottom line regarding potential funding will be known soon. 1:00 PM Council Member Curt Cochran cited the importance of sidewalks. Discussion was held regarding sidewalks in general. City Engineer Nick Patterson noted that a sidewalk priority plan is currently being prepared. 1:02 PM Mr. Taylor relayed the timeline for the Redwood Beautification Plan and funding allocations. 1:04 PM Taylorsville Bennion Improvement District’s Sewer Project was discussed. The Mayor encouraged Council Members to refer questions regarding this project to Taylorsville Bennion Improvement District. 1:05 PM The city website was discussed. Council Member Curt Cochran referenced a suggestion from the Cultural Diversity Committee to provide informational videos in both English and Spanish. It was recommended that informational videos be provided on the city website in order to keep citizens informed. 1:07 PM Mayor Overson observed that public safety is critical and asked for ideas on how the city can help support public safety. Discussion was held regarding public safety. 1:09 PM Chief Wyant discussed the history of law enforcement services in Taylorsville. He relayed that there are currently 50 sworn positions in Taylorsville, plus 12 sworn positions for pooled services that are provided. He stated that his goal is 55 sworn positions specific to Taylorsville City. He proposed the potential of voter-initiative funded positions. He indicated that, in the long-term, he would like to see a police officer in every one of Taylorsville’s schools. This would mean another 11 officers (one is already provided in one of the 12 Taylorsville schools). Coordination with Granite School District and the Utah Highway Patrol was cited. Mr. Taylorsville Special City Council Meeting Minutes April 20, 2018 Page 4 Cowdell said he would like to see the Unified Police Department (UPD) pick up police services for the schools and the Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). Chief Wyant relayed background information on the Granite School District Police Department. Mr. Cowdell observed that the Taylorsville Justice Court does not see any cases from the SLCC and this concerns him. He cited issues with how the Granite School District Police Department has handled security issues. Chief Wyant acknowledged that adding officers in schools would mean about a 20% increase to the UPD contract. Chief Wyant described the current D.A.R.E. program in schools. He suggested taking the decision to fund additional officers to the voters. 1:24 PM Mayor Overson commended UPD for the services provided. Chief Wyant relayed that the Taylorsville precinct is currently down seven officers, with Salt Lake County being about 200 spots down. The Salt Lake County jail is down about 70 positions and police officer shortage is a nation-wide issue. Mr. Cowdell described the competition between cities to keep officers, as wages are being increased in other areas to attract officers. Discussion continued regarding funding and retaining police officers. Chief Wyant described the status of law enforcement equipment and indicated that the Taylorsville Precinct is in very good condition as far as those resources. 1:38 PM A recess was called at 1:38 p.m. 1:50 PM The meeting was reconvened at 1:50 p.m. The host of the Utah State University facility, Executive Director David Vernon, stepped into the meeting briefly to welcome those in attendance to the Taylorsville campus location. 1:53 PM The Mayor cited the city’s opportunity to make its voice heard with the legislature. She indicated the need for paid advocates on the Hill and said she will be asking for funds for such. 1:55 PM Mr. Cowdell agreed with the need for legislative advocates for the city. 1:59 PM Mayor Overson and Council Member Curt Cochran described efforts of the Western Growth Coalition (WGC). Mr. Harper commended WGC for implementing the Mountain View Corridor. 2:03 PM Mr. Harper gave explanation on the potential lease of the old Texas Road House Building. He described the current status of retail development. He gave an update on Amazon Fulfillment Centers. He gave additional updates on Crossroads, Legacy, the former R.C. Willey property, Meadowbrook, and the former Kmart property. Taylorsville Special City Council Meeting Minutes April 20, 2018 Page 5 2:13 PM Mayor Overson asked for input on high density housing in the city. It was noted that Taylorsville is the most high-density city in the area. Community Development Director Mark McGrath gave clarification on zoning in certain areas of the city. Chief Wyant weighed in on the direct correlation between calls for law enforcement and high density apartment complexes. 2:18 PM Mr. Harper indicated that SLCC is looking for student housing near their campus. Areas that may be desirable for high density housing were discussed. 2:23 PM Council Member Curt Cochran indicated that SLCC may become a university within the next 10 years. Mr. Harper predicted that student housing will be needed and that the three mobile home parks in the city will be phased out. 2:25 PM Mr. McGrath discussed redevelopment ideas in the blighted area near 4800 South and Redwood Road. He suggested providing some type of incentive for redevelopment, i.e. offering density. He cited the importance of design in connection with high density uses. It was observed that the city is open to high density, as long as impact to surrounding areas and design quality of projects can be controlled. 2:36 PM Chair Brad Christopherson gave explanation on property taxes and the impact related to economic development. Discussion ensued regarding taxes and many other taxing entities that have recently raised taxes. The impact on property owners was cited. 2:43 PM It was suggested that some projects that may be more expensive to do later should be done now. The importance of appropriate planning for needs and any potential tax increases was noted. 2:51 PM Mayor Overson observed that the discussions held today are beneficial for planning purposes. 2:52 PM Council Member Dan Armstrong inquired about the status of code enforcement efforts. Mayor Overson observed that the city has an excellent Code Enforcement Team. The process was described for dealing with property owners who are not willing to comply with code long-term. Council Member Dan Armstrong commended results seen through code enforcement in his neighborhood. Mayor Overson observed that Council Members who hear of current code enforcement problems may direct calls to city code enforcement personnel. 2:57 PM Mr. Schroeder commented on sidewalk maintenance along 5400 South. He explained that the city has taken responsibility for show removal on sidewalks behind the sound Taylorsville Special City Council Meeting Minutes April 20, 2018 Page 6 walls. He described a new process utilizing a contractor to remove snow on sidewalks behind sound walls. 2:59 PM Mayor Overson observed that the city does not want money from those with code enforcement violations, but simply asks for compliance. 3:01 PM Chair Brad Christopherson stated that he does not agree with the new “idle-free” law. 3:02 PM It was agreed that this was a productive meeting and should be held quarterly or perhaps twice per year. Chair Christopherson indicated that he would like to hold some additional work sessions during May and June in connection with budget discussions. 3:03 PM Council Member Brad Christopherson MOVED to adjourn the Special City Council Meeting. Council Member Dan Armstrong SECONDED the motion. Chair Christopherson called for discussion on the motion. There being none, he called for a vote. The vote was as follows: Cochran-yes, Christopherson-yes, Burgess-yes, Harker-yes, and Armstrong-yes. All City Council members voted in favor and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 3:03 p.m. ________________________________________ Cheryl Peacock Cottle, City Recorder Minutes approved: CC 05-16-18 Minutes Prepared by: Cheryl Peacock Cottle, City Recorder