City Council Study Meeting

MINUTES OF COUNCIL STUDY MEETING – NOVEMBER 24, 2020 -1- THE WEST VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MET IN ELECTRONIC STUDY SESSION ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2020 AT 4:30 P.M. THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER AND CONDUCTED BY MAYOR BIGELOW. THE MEETING WAS HELD ELECTRONICALLY VIA ZOOM. THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY: Ron Bigelow, Mayor Lars Nordfelt, Councilmember At-Large Don Christensen, Councilmember At-Large Tom Huynh, Councilmember District 1 (arrived as noted) Steve Buhler, Councilmember District 2 Karen Lang, Councilmember District 3 Jake Fitisemanu, Councilmember District 4 STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY: Wayne T Pyle, City Manager Nichole Camac, City Recorder Paul Isaac, Assistant City Manager/ HR Director Nicole Cottle, Assistant City Manager/General Counsel/ CED Director Eric Bunderson, City Attorney Colleen Jacobs, Police Chief John Evans, Fire Chief Jim Welch, Finance Director Layne Morris, CPD Director Russ Willardson, Public Works Director Nancy Day, Parks and Recreation Director Sam Johnson, Strategic Communications Director Steve Pastorik, CED APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 17, 2020 The Council considered the Minutes of the Study Meeting held November 17, 2020. There were no changes, corrections or deletions. Councilmember Lang moved to approve the Minutes of the Study Meeting held November 17, 2020. Councilmember Fitisemanu seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken and all members voted in favor of the motion.  MINUTES OF COUNCIL STUDY MEETING – NOVEMBER 24, 2020 -2- REVIEW AGENDA FOR REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 24, 2020 Upon inquiry by Mayor Bigelow, members of the Council had no further questions or concerns regarding items listed on the Agenda for the Regular City Council scheduled later this night. COMMUNICATIONS A. SOCIAL WORKER/MENTAL HEALTH COURT UPDATE Sergeant Arnold, Police Department, presented a PowerPoint Presentation summarized as follows: - WVC Mental Health Court Update o The WVC Mental Health Court is a collaborative effort between law enforcement, criminal justice, and mental health organizations to provide additional avenues for treatment and mental health assistance to violators with qualifying offenses and a qualifying mental health diagnosis. o Qualifying Offenses: Class B Misdemeanors and below. Some Class A Misdemeanors with City Attorney approval. o Qualifying Diagnoses: Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Schizoeffective Disorder, Major Depression, Bi-Polar o How does someone qualify for Mental Health Court?  Violation of Law, Case referred by CIT Detectives, City Prosecutors Office/Justice Court Judges, Public Defenders Office, SL County Probation, and Cornerstone Counseling.  LSCMI Evaluation by SL County Probation: Determines risk of reoffending. MHC only accepts Medium to High.  Mental Health Diagnosis from Cornerstone Counseling  Subject pleas into Mental Health Court and is placed on MHC Probation. o MENTAL HEALTH COURT PROBATION (4 PHASES)  Supervised by Det. Ray Wilhelm, who completes weekly compliance checks with all probationers.  Mandatory group and individual counseling through Cornerstone Counseling  U/A through SL County Probation  Meetings with Judge Gilmore  Fines and fees waived in Phase 3  Graduation Project in Phase 4 o 2020 Statistics MINUTES OF COUNCIL STUDY MEETING – NOVEMBER 24, 2020 -3- In March of 2020, there were 9 MHC probationers being actively supervised and 5 additional probations out to warrant. Currently we have 13 MHC probationers being actively supervised and three probationers out to warrant.  27 addition referrals have been made to the court in 2020, with 6 new plea ins. COVID-19 restrictions on the court would allow for referrals; however, between March and September 2020, referrals were not allowed to observe or plea into the court to address their charges.  1 new MHC Graduation in 2020, with a second pending for December 2020. 1 termination due to non- compliance, charges referred to justice court for disposition. o Success Stories  Female probationer, severe mental health crisis combined with drug abuse. On track to graduate in December with 0 violations, an extremely difficult violation.  Female probationer. Started 2020 out to warrant. Mental Health crisis due to trauma, suicidal behavior. Attending programs to address mental health and sobriety. Currently compliant with Judge Gilmore noting change in demeanor and attitude. - LCSW Program Update o Our LCSW: Tori Yeates  Over 20 years experience working with mental health and substance abuse issues.  Employee of University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute, contracted employee as of 11/15/2019  Worked with MCOT, Suicide Hotline, SafeUT,  Mental Health Coordinator for CIT Metro  President and acting chair of Utah Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention o Mental Health Court  Responds with MHC Detective on follow-ups and compliance visits to MHC probationers to assess homelife, provide resources, intervene if probationer is experiencing mental health crisis MINUTES OF COUNCIL STUDY MEETING – NOVEMBER 24, 2020 -4-  Works with local treatment providers and case managers to assist with probation compliance and treatment services.  Coordinate with outpatient treatment or medical providers to provide clinical feedback o Roles and Responsibilities  Homeless Outreach: Conducts in person contact with transient individuals to provide resources. Works with Homeless Outreach detectives in COP.  Assists in developing training for officers  Reviews CIT/Mental Health reports from CIT Tier 2 Officers  Reviews ALL involuntary commitments completed by WVCPD Officers (“Pink Sheets”)  Responds with CIT Detectives on follow-ups with MH consumers to provide resources to consumers and caregivers.  Consults with Crisis Negotiations Team on active negotiations  Assists in conducting Threat Assessments o Stats November 2019 through November 2020  Assigned Cases: 376. These are reviews of all involuntary commitment cases to ensure officers have followed policy and state law to assist in limiting the department liability.  Homeless Outreach Contacts: 20. This was limited this year due to COVID-19  Threat Assessments: 20. These vary from threats to businesses, city entities, individuals, law enforcement, etc.  Has assisted in locating multiple missing persons through her access to local medical/treatment databases. - Why is this all important? o WVC CIT and Mental Health Court surpasses best practice standards established by CIT International. o WVC has become a model program for other agencies: Multiple agencies have reached out and are either utilizing part of our program or are working to incorporate what we do into their own agencies, both inside of Utah and outside. o Puts us “ahead of the curve” when it comes to Police/Mental Health Reform  MINUTES OF COUNCIL STUDY MEETING – NOVEMBER 24, 2020 -5- o Helps reduce law enforcement/mental health contacts, uses of force, and liability. Councilmember Tom Huynh arrived at 4:39 PM. Councilmember Buhler asked how the department feels about staffing levels for this type of program. Sergeant Arnold stated that the City is almost fully staffed but more mental health care workers will be needed as the program evolves and grows. Mayor Bigelow asked how substance abuse relates to mental health issues. Sergeant Arnold stated that mental health court requires that individuals follow treatment. Councilmember Nordfelt stated that this is a great program and he is thankful for all the work that is put into it. B. OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOLLOW-UP Steve Pastorik, CED, presented a PowerPoint presentation summarized as follows: - Replace the term “Open Space” with “Recreation Space” - Define Recreation Space to include: o Outdoor space shared in common by residents of a residential development for passive and active recreation. Examples include terraces, courtyards, plazas, shared roof decks, sports courts, sports fields, open lawn areas, private parks, swimming pools, hot tubs, tot lots, picnic areas, fire pits and trails. o Indoor space shared in common by residents of a residential development for passive and active recreation. Examples include fitness rooms, libraries, computer labs, swimming pools, hot tubs, sports courts, lobbies, clubhouses, social rooms, classroom space, community centers, recreation centers, community game rooms and theater rooms. o Private outdoor space provided only for the use of the residents of the dwelling unit to which it is attached. Examples include rear yards, front porches, patios, balconies, decks and roof decks. - Define Recreation Space to exclude: o public right-of-way o private curb, gutter and roadway improvements o parking and maneuvering areas o any building roofs that do not cover a porch or that do not have a roof deck that is accessible for recreation use o storm water retention areas o storm water detention areas where the slope exceeds 30% and the depth exceeds 2’ from surrounding areas MINUTES OF COUNCIL STUDY MEETING – NOVEMBER 24, 2020 -6- - Maintain the definition of Landscaping as “the improvement of property through the addition of plants and the eradication of weeds and other deleterious material, including the installation of trees, shrubs, lawn, and vegetative or nonvegetative permeable groundcover.” - Examples- Erin Hills Townhomes o Total Project Area: 12 acres o Total Number of Units: 130 o Density: 10.8 Units/Acre o Landscaping: 27.7% o Recreation Space and Landscaping: 52.3%  Common areas including tot lot, sports court, pavilion and landscaped areas and private outdoor spaces including patios, decks and roof decks - Examples- Pinnacle at Highbury Apartments o Total Project Area: 13 acres o Total Number of Units: 290 o Density: 22.3 Units/Acre o Landscaping: 34.3% o Recreation Space and Landscaping: 43.3%  Common areas including pool, tot lot, clubhouse and landscaped areas and private balconies and patios - Examples- Residences at Fairbourne Station Phase 2 o Total Project Area: 2.9 acres o Total Number of Units: 201 o Density: 69.9 Units/Acre o Landscaping: 11.9% o Recreation Space and Landscaping: 56.1%  Common areas including lower court, upper terrace, roof deck, recreation center, community center and landscaped areas and private balconies and patios - Planned Unit Development Definition o Planned Unit Development means an integrated design for development of residential, commercial or industrial uses, or combination of such uses, in which one or more of the regulations, other than use regulations, of the district in which the development is to be situated, is waived or varied to allow flexibility and initiative in site and building design and location in accordance with an approved plan and imposed general requirements as specified in this Title. In exchange for design flexibility, A a planned unit development may be shall include: MINUTES OF COUNCIL STUDY MEETING – NOVEMBER 24, 2020 -7-  a. The development of compatible land uses arranged in such a way as to provide desirable living environments that may include private and common open Recreation sSpaces and/or common Landscaping for recreation, circulation and/or aesthetic uses; and  b. The conservation or development of desirable amenities for residential uses, Amenities not otherwise possible by typical development standards.; and  c. The creation of areas for multiple use that are of benefit to the neighborhood. o Planned Unit Development means an integrated design for development of residential, commercial or industrial uses in which one or more of the regulations, other than use regulations, of the district in which the development is to be situated, is waived or varied to allow flexibility and initiative in site and building design and location in accordance with an approved plan and imposed general requirements as specified in this Title. In exchange for design flexibility, a planned unit development shall include:  a. common Recreation Spaces and/or common Landscaping and  b. for residential uses, Amenities not otherwise possible by typical development standards. - Open Space Research o Lehi  PUDs  Open Space: 10% of gross project area set aside for parks, playgrounds, and open space  Amenities: # required based on number of units. 5 categories of amenities (picnic area, sports court, playground, clubhouse, pool/tennis court/splash pad) o SLC  Standard Multi-Family Zones  Open Space: No minimum requirement, only a maximum building coverage requirement; depending on the density of the project, maximum 40 - 60% lot coverage  Amenities: N/A  Mixed Use with Multi-Family MINUTES OF COUNCIL STUDY MEETING – NOVEMBER 24, 2020 -8-  Open Space: At least 20% open space (landscaped yards, plazas, courtyards)  Amenities: N/A  Transit Oriented Multi-Family  Open Space: One square foot of open space for every 10 square feet of land area included in the development; open space areas include landscaped yards, patios, public plazas, pocket parks, courtyards, rooftop and terrace gardens  Amenities: N/A  Multi-Family Projects Requiring Design Review  Open Space: If provided, public spaces shall include at least 3 of the following 6 elements: at least one sitting space for each 250 sq. ft. of plaza space, shade areas, trees, water feature or public art, outdoor dining areas, others not listed that provide public benefit  Amenities: N/A - Ogden o PUDs, Standard Multi-Family Zone  Open space: 40% Open Space  Amenities: N/A o Multi-Family in Commercial Zone  Open Space: 20% open space and amenity areas (landscaping in required setbacks excluded, interior amenities included); cannot be located facing a public street; reduction can go down to 10% if the development is within .25 miles of a .75 acre public park (no reduction to interior amenities)  Amenities: There must be at least 3 amenities in open space (playground, gas fire pit, 3 or more benches, 2 or more tables and chairs, water feature, artistic display, permanent game area, community garden, outdoor grill, fenced dog park, rec field or court, outdoor pool); For projects with more than 16 units, a min of 400 sq ft of interior amenity space required + 10 sq ft additional for every unit over 40 units (includes fitness center, spa, indoor swimming pool, hot tub, group cooking/dining area, library/study, game room, lounge); o Multi-Family Group Development (more than one building in project) MINUTES OF COUNCIL STUDY MEETING – NOVEMBER 24, 2020 -9-  Open Space: shall include a centrally located usable exterior plaza or gathering area of at least 400 sq. ft. for the first 10 dwelling units; additional plaza or gathering areas of at least 400 sq. ft. for every 20 additional units that can either be combined w/ or separate from initial space;  Amenities: These areas are to include at least 3 of the following: 300 sq. ft. playground, gas fire pit, 3 or more benches, 2 or more tables and chairs, water feature, artistic display, permanent game area, community garden, outdoor grill - Layton o Condo and Townhouse Development  Open Space: 35% of the site shall be open space, common area, and/or landscaping areas; open space shall include usable areas for social gathering and recreation; common areas may include outdoor limited common areas associated with individual residential units; if dev. includes outdoor limited common areas this area shall be a min of 200 sq. ft. per residential unit and include 4 to 6' solid fencing or walls; programmed open space activities such as playground equipment, picnic/seating areas and exercise facilities shall be provided within common open space areas  Amenities: N/A Mayor Bigelow stated that when townhomes are mixed with apartments, greenspace is typically included for the whole project. He stated that townhomes often have more space around the units than apartments. He indicated that he would like to see these standards separated in the Code. Mayor Bigelow stated that he would like to find a way to make the City more environmentally green. He indicated that he would like to do this by requiring the number of trees in a project to be increased. He also suggested increasing the percentage of landscaped areas but noted that this would be difficult to accomplish in many projects because it would eliminate parking or cause the project to be lower density. Mayor Bigelow suggested 1 tree per 1500 square feet. Councilmember Lang stated that she is okay with less units but more landscaping. She indicated landscaping is essential to high density projects. Mayor Bigelow discussed different types of high-density projects and how ordinances could impact them differently. Councilmember Lang, Councilmember Fitisemanu, and Councilmember Christensen agreed to increase the number of trees. Councilmember Nordfelt expressed concern about creating  MINUTES OF COUNCIL STUDY MEETING – NOVEMBER 24, 2020 -10- difficulties for developers. Councilmember Buhler stated that he isn’t sure this is a necessary change and is unsure if there is a problem that needs to be solved at this point in time. Mayor Bigelow stated that he feels it’s making a change that will better future developments. Councilmember Huynh stated that he is concerned that changes will create a problem. Mayor Bigelow stated that making the City greener is a goal that he wants to accomplish, and he feels these changes will help do this. Mayor Bigelow verified that the Council is comfortable with the proposed definitions. Councilmember Lang replied yes. She noted that she thinks minimum landscaping on larger projects needs to be 25% and not 10%. Councilmember Buhler stated that he would like to see what the City’s standards are in comparison to other Cities. C. COUNCIL CALENDAR Mayor Bigelow referenced a Memorandum previously received from the City Manager that outlined upcoming meetings and events. Mayor Bigelow asked if he could have an email stating what events are “drive thru”. Mayor Bigelow stated that he would like to see an update to the memo. Councilmember Huynh stated that he would like to know if Trees of Diversity is still on. Paul replied yes. Councilmember Christensen stated he thought events at the Cultural Center had been canceled. Paul replied he would find out more information. Members of the City Council had no further questions regarding the Council Update. NEW BUSINESS A. POTENTIAL FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Councilmember Christensen stated he received a call from Janice Fisher regarding a zone change. Nichole Camac, City Recorder, stated that this item has been through the Planning Commission and is in process to the Council. B. COUNCIL REPORTS MAYOR BIGELOW- HUNTER HIGH SCHOOL RIBBON CUTTING Mayor Bigelow indicated that there was a ribbon cutting at Hunter High school for their new addition. He indicated it looks good and the event was well done. Mayor Bigelow stated that he has attended ChamberWest and will request a list of bills to be sent to the Council upon completion. MOTION TO ADJOURN Upon motion by Councilmember Fitisemanu all voted in favor to adjourn.  MINUTES OF COUNCIL STUDY MEETING – NOVEMBER 24, 2020 -11- THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS OF THE WEST VALLEY COUNCIL THE STUDY MEETING ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2020 WAS ADJOURNED AT 5:30 PM BY MAYOR BIGELOW. I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true, accurate and complete record of the proceedings of the Study Meeting of the West Valley City Council held Tuesday, November 24, 2020. _______________________________ Nichole Camac, CMC City Recorder