[0:46] I don't

[1:25] » [music]

[1:29] » I love

[1:35] [music]

[1:44] a la. [music]

[1:55] » [music]

[2:01] [music]

[2:07] >> Fire.

[2:11] Hey. Hey. [music]

[2:16] Heat. Heat.

[2:18] [music]

[2:31] Heat. Heat. [music]

[2:40] [music]

[2:45] Heat. Heat. [music]

[2:50] [music]

[2:59] Heat.

[3:04] [music]

[3:18] Heat.

[9:22] » [music]

[9:40] [music]

[14:02] » Okay,

[14:06] good afternoon everybody. Thank you for

[14:08] being here. We're going to go ahead and

[14:10] get started.

[14:13] Um, now, as you'll find, this is very

[14:16] echoey in here, so just try to keep that

[14:18] in mind um, as we make our way through

[14:21] the program. I'm Chris Wharton. I am the

[14:24] chair of the Salt Lake City Council and

[14:27] I have the distinct honor of calling

[14:29] this very special meeting of the council

[14:31] to order.

[14:33] Um we are going to begin with the

[14:35] presentation of colors by the Salt Lake

[14:37] City Police Department Motor Squad

[14:39] followed by the national anthem which

[14:41] will be performed by the West High

[14:43] Choir. Would everyone please stand?

[15:01] detail.

[15:24] Thank you.

[15:37] All right. Would everyone please join me

[15:39] in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge

[15:42] allegiance to the flag of the United

[15:45] States of America and to the republic

[15:48] for which it stands, one nation under

[15:51] God, indivisible, with liberty and

[15:54] justice for all.

[16:00] Okay. Um, go ahead.

[16:04] >> Oh, sorry. The national anthem, please.

[16:20] » [singing]

[16:21] >> was so proud

[16:24] » was so proud

[16:24] we

[16:26] [singing]

[16:39] for the

[16:44] » [singing]

[16:48] » And the rock

[16:54] single.

[17:06] [singing]

[17:10] stand

[17:14] [music]

[17:16] for the land

[17:18] of [singing] the free

[17:22] and the

[17:32] earth.

[17:33] [music]

[17:39] » [applause]

[17:46] » detail

[18:09] detail.

[18:15] Thank you to our Salt Lake City Police

[18:17] Department Motor Squad and the West High

[18:20] Choir for being part of this ceremony.

[18:22] And I just have to uh do a quick plug

[18:25] because West High is located in my city

[18:27] council district this March. They're

[18:29] actually going to be singing at Carnegie

[18:31] Hall in New York. So we're very excited

[18:33] for them. Yes.

[18:39] So we're lucky to have just a little

[18:41] taste of their performance. Again,

[18:44] I want to welcome you to this special

[18:46] meeting of the Salt Lake City Council

[18:48] where uh we're going to be um swearing

[18:51] in our reelected and elected, newly

[18:54] elected members um into their offices. A

[18:57] warm welcome to the families and guests

[18:59] of council members and council member

[19:01] elect, as well as to the elected

[19:04] officials, community leaders, residents,

[19:06] and city employees joining us today.

[19:09] Thank you for being here to support

[19:10] those who will serve the people of Salt

[19:12] Lake City. Today we recognize four

[19:15] elected officials who will take the oath

[19:17] of office. As part of our ceremony, we

[19:19] are privileged to welcome Ute Elder

[19:21] Forest Kush, a member of the Uenta band

[19:24] of the Ute Indian tribe, who will now

[19:26] offer a prayer for our newly elected

[19:28] council members.

[19:33] [applause]

[19:43] Thank you. It's been a while since I

[19:46] stood before a uh government podium

[19:49] since I retired uh 14 years ago from the

[19:54] uh position of director of internet

[19:56] affairs for the state of Utah. So, it's

[19:58] been a while.

[20:00] Um,

[20:03] the indigenous people of this valley are

[20:05] the Ute, Shosonyi, and Ute.

[20:09] Although all of these tribes shared this

[20:11] valley from time to time, I'm told that

[20:14] the Ute occupied the City Creek Canyon

[20:17] numerous times because of the presence

[20:19] of fresh water, wild game, and other

[20:23] food sources.

[20:25] and its lofty height provided the

[20:27] outlook and protection from enemy

[20:29] tribes.

[20:31] At the base of the valley was a sacred

[20:33] hot mineral spring. In 1884, the measles

[20:38] began spreading among the people and

[20:41] they went to the hot springs, but it did

[20:43] not cure them.

[20:46] 36 youth people died at the springs that

[20:49] day and Mormon pioneers buried them

[20:52] along with their dogs.

[20:54] This spring is sacred for this reason.

[20:58] It is now referred to as Wasatch Warm

[21:02] Spring.

[21:03] Originally, there were six bands of

[21:05] youth living in Utah. As with the

[21:09] Tempenogus band, which was exterminated

[21:12] in the Fort Utah War of 1850,

[21:15] all other bands were eventually

[21:17] exterminated.

[21:19] to today there is only one band left the

[21:22] uenta

[21:24] of which I'm am proud to be a member of.

[21:28] It is therefore fitting for me to

[21:30] address you today as a representative of

[21:32] this band. It is also fitting for me to

[21:36] pray for healing for all our people

[21:38] because of the great amount of suffering

[21:40] that occurred here and in order to

[21:43] completely heal the truth must be told.

[21:47] I serve on the board of the Wasach Warm

[21:50] Springs Alliance and our greatest goal

[21:53] is to preserve this site and use it for

[21:56] educational, cultural healing,

[21:59] cultural sharing and healing for all

[22:02] people of the state of Utah.

[22:13] Let us pray.

[22:18] Dear Lord in heaven,

[22:20] we ask that you be with us today,

[22:22] Father, this special occasion and that

[22:25] you bless these new leaders who are

[22:28] being installed. Father,

[22:30] we ask that you bless their families,

[22:33] all their relatives,

[22:35] and extend that blessing out to all the

[22:38] citizens of the state of this of Utah

[22:41] and the city of this great state.

[22:45] Salt Lake City. We ask that you extend

[22:48] this blessing throughout the state and

[22:51] throughout the entire country of the

[22:54] United States and extend the blessing

[22:57] out to all the world as is reflected in

[23:02] the medicine wheel.

[23:04] And we ask that you carry out all of the

[23:07] powers of healing to all nations,

[23:11] especially during difficult times like

[23:13] this, Father. So be with us today and I

[23:17] say this and ask this in the name of

[23:19] your son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

[23:22] Thank you.

[23:29] » Thank you Elder Kosh for that meaningful

[23:32] prayer. We'll now proceed with the

[23:34] administration of the oath of office.

[23:38] Uh each council member um as you're

[23:40] sworn in will take the oath and be given

[23:42] a key to the city pin. You'll then sign

[23:45] your oath of office uh certificate right

[23:47] here at the podium. And following that

[23:50] um each council member will have an

[23:51] opportunity to share brief remarks. We

[23:54] will begin with district 1 council

[23:55] member Victoria Petro. Her oath of

[23:58] office will be administered by city

[24:00] recorder Keith Reynolds. Accompanying

[24:02] Victoria are Augustus Echler, Juliana

[24:05] Echler, Lucian Ashler, and Kelsey

[24:08] Randall. Would you please join me at the

[24:10] podium?

[24:34] raise my hand.

[24:36] I, Victoria Alisa Petro

[24:40] >> I, Victoria Alisa Petro

[24:42] » I, Victoria Alisa Petro

[24:42] >> do solemnly affirm

[24:44] » do solemnly affirm

[24:44] >> do solemnly affirm

[24:45] » do solemnly affirm

[24:45] >> that I will support, obey, and defend

[24:48] » that I will support, obey, and defend

[24:48] >> that I will support, obey, and defend

[24:51] » that I will support, obey, and defend

[24:51] >> the Constitution of the United States

[24:53] » the Constitution of the United States

[24:53] >> the Constitution of the United States

[24:55] » the Constitution of the United States

[24:55] >> and the Constitution of the State of

[24:57] » and the Constitution of the State of

[24:57] Utah

[24:57] >> and the Constitution of the State of

[24:59] » and the Constitution of the State of

[24:59] Utah

[25:00] >> and that I will discharge the duties of

[25:02] » and that I will discharge the duties of

[25:02] my office with fidelity. and that I will

[25:04] discharge the duties of my office with

[25:06] fidelity.

[25:07] >> Congratulations.

[25:11] [applause]

[25:42] Okay,

[25:44] just sign.

[25:51] Perfect. Congratulations.

[26:01] To have had the honor to stand here once

[26:04] was exciting.

[26:06] Now to repeat the honor

[26:09] and to particularly repeat it at this

[26:10] moment in history. It's not just an

[26:13] honor, but it's humbling in a way I

[26:15] couldn't have seen last time.

[26:18] I started last time with gratitude and

[26:21] it seems that once again that is the

[26:23] only place for me to start. I want to

[26:26] start in an unlikely place and I want to

[26:28] thank my opponent Steven Otterstrom.

[26:31] You see, I represent an area of the city

[26:34] where people have a more difficult time

[26:35] believing that their voice is important

[26:38] and should be heard.

[26:40] And the things that we've collectively

[26:42] witnessed and allowed to happen to them

[26:44] recently only exacerbate that.

[26:48] And I have an opponent who knocked on

[26:51] doors, who showed up, who didn't phone

[26:54] it in, and who made sure that the West

[26:57] Side and indeed everyone who has chosen

[27:00] to pursue the American dream is worth

[27:02] time, investment, and energy.

[27:06] And so, wherever he is, and I'll see him

[27:09] tonight, I want to thank Stephen. I want

[27:12] to thank Tom Desireent because he's the

[27:14] only reason I get anything done in a

[27:16] campaign. I want to thank the unions who

[27:19] stood arm-in- arm with me as I commit. I

[27:22] will now continue to stand arm-in- arm

[27:24] with you, reinforcing my commitment to

[27:27] working families and to my neighbors. I

[27:31] want to thank those who chose to support

[27:32] me. Hi, Ko. You're the only Westsider

[27:35] who's not related to me that I see here.

[27:37] But [laughter]

[27:38] thank Oh, and Representative Romero.

[27:41] Thank you to all of my supporters and

[27:43] people who even though it was difficult

[27:45] for me to show up at your doorsteps this

[27:46] time because you know homelessness

[27:48] campus campuses and ICE raids and SNAP

[27:52] benefits may have kept me from it. You

[27:54] still Oh, sorry former council member

[27:56] Christensen. He's also a Westsider. Um,

[28:01] hi Mr. Wilson. Oh, look, they're popping

[28:02] up all over the place. Thank you all. I

[28:05] appreciate you. I appreciate the grace

[28:07] you extended when I had to prioritize

[28:09] other things. and I appreciate that

[28:11] you've entrusted me with the advocacy

[28:13] for our beloved home for the next four

[28:15] years. Uh, I want to thank my work

[28:18] family at the Utah Hispanic Chamber of

[28:20] Commerce. For me to take on that role

[28:22] while doing a campaign was daunting.

[28:24] Thank you. I want to thank my friends

[28:27] who unrelentingly show up with love for

[28:29] me. Hi guys.

[28:32] Um, I want to thank my friends who act

[28:35] as family because outside of the ones I

[28:37] gave birth to, I don't have any family

[28:39] here. Your love and support means more

[28:41] to me than I can ever communicate. And I

[28:44] want to thank my family who hopefully

[28:45] got the YouTube link to work and are

[28:47] watching me from various places around

[28:48] the country. I love you, Mom and Dad.

[28:51] And I stand here only because of the

[28:52] sacrifices of Robert John Petro, Senior.

[28:56] But this time, I need to move beyond

[28:58] gratitude to commitment.

[29:02] I commit to the dignity of all of my

[29:06] neighbors.

[29:08] No matter what mandates come down asking

[29:10] me to see you as a statistic or a

[29:14] document or an other,

[29:16] I commit to you that your dignity is my

[29:20] guiding principle.

[29:22] that we the people isn't a cute little

[29:25] slogan that you pop on a truck in some

[29:27] cool calligraphy, but it is a call for

[29:30] how we treat each other. There is no

[29:33] them, there is no us, there is we.

[29:36] And that is my commitment.

[29:39] I commit myself to you in that I will

[29:42] pursue substance over symbols. While I

[29:46] love a good flag,

[29:48] I am going to substantively

[29:50] work for the betterment of this city.

[29:53] Whether that means making sure you feel

[29:55] confident as you're riding down a road,

[29:58] both in the integrity of the road or the

[30:00] response of the people who you might

[30:02] need as you travel down that road, or

[30:04] whether that means you're trying to

[30:05] build something really special in this

[30:07] city, and need to know where the city

[30:09] stands consistently so you can conduct

[30:11] your business. I will substantively show

[30:15] up for this city.

[30:18] I'm going to make sure that we move

[30:19] beyond conversations like affordable

[30:22] housing to actual affordability. And

[30:26] that means I'm going to ask the people

[30:27] who come in and do work here and profit

[30:30] off of our infrastructure, our educated

[30:32] populace, and our environment that they

[30:34] invest in our workforce with equal

[30:36] measure.

[30:38] I commit true responsiveness over simply

[30:42] hearing you. Doesn't mean I'm going to

[30:44] conform to everything you ask me to do.

[30:46] There's plenty of people in this room

[30:47] who will tell you that they've got an

[30:48] axe to grind with me. It means I did the

[30:50] four first four first four years right.

[30:53] But I will be responsive.

[30:56] I promise to you that discomfort is

[31:00] something I'm very comfortable with and

[31:02] I'm intending to get a lot more

[31:04] uncomfortable as the times call for it.

[31:07] If we don't get a little snow, we're all

[31:09] going to be uncomfortable. So, we better

[31:10] get real comfortable with advocating for

[31:12] some environmental interventions that

[31:14] are substantive.

[31:17] And I promise you that I will commit

[31:19] myself to policy over politics. I have

[31:23] this radical notion that while politics

[31:26] have torn us apart,

[31:28] there is no good thing that can't be

[31:30] accomplished through good policy. So,

[31:33] anything I'm advocating for, whether

[31:34] it's the dignity of my neighbors who are

[31:37] nervous that they're going to be stopped

[31:38] because the color of their skin or how

[31:40] they speak,

[31:41] I can make the policy argument to you,

[31:44] and I will always come back to policy. I

[31:47] will not be looking for, neither will I

[31:50] be responding to trite social media

[31:53] answers that fit into 30 second reels

[31:56] that act like there are simple answers.

[31:58] There are no simple answers. This is a

[32:00] complex moment in history. The paradigm

[32:02] is shifting. The century has shifted.

[32:06] I commit to rising to the occasion, not

[32:09] trying to simplify the problems and

[32:11] making someone else the issue. I commit

[32:14] myself to creative pathways on dynamic

[32:17] issues. Whether it's how tall we go with

[32:20] a building or how we engage with our

[32:24] police force to make sure that we're

[32:25] retaining the best talent and

[32:27] cultivating the culture we want. I

[32:30] promise to bring creativity that the

[32:31] issue demands.

[32:34] These are 21st century problems that we

[32:36] are facing. You cannot expect easy

[32:39] answers. I will not expect an easy

[32:42] workload. There will be no shying away.

[32:46] There will be difficult conversations.

[32:49] There will be healthy conflict.

[32:53] But there will also be the building of

[32:56] consensus.

[32:57] Whether you're talking to me about the

[32:58] bar in my district that you're nervous

[33:00] about or whether we're talking about the

[33:03] council pay ordinances

[33:05] or come what may because I certainly

[33:07] didn't see a hockey team coming last

[33:08] time I sat here. So, who knows what

[33:10] comes in these four years.

[33:13] But the ultimate commitment is that the

[33:16] community,

[33:18] Salt Lakers, anyone who chooses to call

[33:21] this place a home and to respect its

[33:23] rules and its inhabitants

[33:26] are my guiding principle, my true north,

[33:30] they are to whom I commit myself and

[33:32] they will be centered.

[33:34] So to my neighbors, I continue to offer

[33:36] myself when I can't make it to a

[33:38] community council meeting. A

[33:39] disproportionate number of you have my

[33:41] phone number and you're welcome to

[33:42] continue using it and I will show up in

[33:43] as many places as I can. To the larger

[33:46] city outside of my district, last time I

[33:49] didn't recognize fully my commitment to

[33:52] you,

[33:53] but I offer to you a deliberative

[33:55] partner that cares, that will offer you

[33:58] the same responsiveness. Whether we're

[34:00] talking about hotels on the border of

[34:02] Sugar House Park or trails up in the

[34:05] foothills or whatever else it is that I

[34:07] need to learn about, we are building a

[34:09] city and I commit to you that I will

[34:11] care about it all and work with you to

[34:13] find the solutions required. Our shared

[34:15] home will remain my priority.

[34:19] So, in closing, I get to do something I

[34:21] didn't do last time. I get to thank a

[34:23] partner. Adam, thank you for offering me

[34:26] a partnership that liberates me to do

[34:28] this job even better.

[34:30] And to my children, not just the ones

[34:33] who I gave birth to, cuz Auggie, Gigi,

[34:35] and Luca, you're the greatest ideas I

[34:38] never had, but also to the one who found

[34:41] her way to me later by someone else, to

[34:43] Kelsey, who's here, and her husband

[34:46] Tyler, who found me by marriage, and now

[34:49] Kylie, who we're grafting in because my

[34:51] family just keeps growing.

[34:53] I want to thank you all for liberating

[34:56] me from the impulse to use this position

[34:59] as a means of building my legacy.

[35:02] The work I do here is too important to

[35:04] build just my legacy. You all are my

[35:07] legacy. You are the best thing I will

[35:10] ever do with my life. So instead of the

[35:13] pressure to make this my legacy,

[35:16] this now is just an opportunity I have

[35:18] to pass on to you all something better

[35:20] than the way I found it.

[35:22] Thank you to my co- counselors and to

[35:24] the mayor who allow me to say hard

[35:26] things, who receive me with grace

[35:30] and who share so many of the same

[35:33] priorities.

[35:35] This this uh holiday, I was sitting down

[35:38] with my Gen Z son-in-law.

[35:40] As you might imagine, he's not as in

[35:42] love with our institutions as a Gen Xer

[35:45] is. He hasn't had the benefit of them

[35:48] protecting as many people as I did. And

[35:51] as he told me, it sounded like a trit

[35:53] comment when I told him all boats rise

[35:55] on a tide and we got to stay in this. We

[35:58] had a really deep and t difficult

[36:00] conversation. He said that just sounds

[36:01] like a like a saying,

[36:04] but I'm telling you, I'm convinced the

[36:06] only way through this is together.

[36:10] And so my commitment to you is to stay

[36:12] here with you together and to pull us

[36:15] through to something better. Thank you

[36:16] for sending me back.

[36:24] » [applause]

[36:32] » Okay. Um, thank you, Council Member

[36:34] Petro. Um, with the first oath of office

[36:37] complete, um, I now turn the time over

[36:40] to, uh, the second most senior council

[36:42] member, Dan Dugan, um, to chair this

[36:45] portion of the meeting.

[36:53] Happy new year.

[36:56] District 3 council member Chris Wharton

[36:58] is next to take the oath of office

[37:00] administered by the city recorder Keith

[37:02] Reynolds. Accompany him will be Chris

[37:06] Jensen,

[37:08] Ella,

[37:13] Cindy Nelson, and Janet Lynn.

[37:26] They're coming.

[37:49] You want syrup.

[37:52] [laughter]

[37:55] » Thank you. Thanks for your patience.

[37:57] while we get situated.

[38:00] » I, Chris Wharton,

[38:02] >> I, Chris Wharton,

[38:03] » I, Chris Wharton,

[38:03] >> do solemnly affirm

[38:04] » do solemnly affirm

[38:04] >> do solemnly affirm

[38:06] » do solemnly affirm

[38:06] >> that I will support, obey, and defend

[38:09] » that I will support, obey, and defend

[38:09] >> that I will support, obey, and defend

[38:10] » that I will support, obey, and defend

[38:10] >> the Constitution of the United States

[38:13] » the Constitution of the United States

[38:13] >> the Constitution of the United States

[38:14] » the Constitution of the United States

[38:14] >> and the Constitution of the State of

[38:16] » and the Constitution of the State of

[38:16] Utah

[38:16] >> and the Constitution of the State of

[38:18] » and the Constitution of the State of

[38:18] Utah.

[38:19] >> And that I will discharge the duties of

[38:20] » And that I will discharge the duties of

[38:20] my office with fidelity.

[38:22] >> and that I will discharge the duties of

[38:23] » and that I will discharge the duties of

[38:23] my office with fidelity.

[38:25] Congratulations. Thank you. [applause]

[38:40] Thank you. Thank you, baby.

[39:14] That's okay.

[39:40] It's fitting that we hold our oath of

[39:41] office ceremony here at the main

[39:43] library. Libraries have always been an

[39:46] important part of Salt Lake City's

[39:47] history. The city library system started

[39:50] in 1898 just across the street from here

[39:54] in the city and county building on the

[39:56] top floor. The main library moved to the

[39:59] state street location in 1905 and then

[40:02] back here to the civic center in 1960

[40:04] with the old library building and then

[40:06] to this beautiful building in 2003.

[40:11] 128 years ago, the city library had

[40:14] nearly 12,000 books. Today, this

[40:17] building alone holds half a million

[40:19] books, periodicals, and media materials.

[40:23] Our libraries are symbols of progress.

[40:26] From their architecture to their

[40:27] everchanging and expanding collections,

[40:30] they tell the story of the city's past,

[40:32] and they provide a place for us to

[40:34] imagine its future.

[40:37] As the longest serving member of the

[40:39] council, I've um and having just come

[40:42] off the campaign trail for my third run,

[40:45] I've given a few of these speeches

[40:47] before.

[40:48] But as some of you uh may know, over a

[40:51] year ago, I became a father. And like

[40:54] many parents, I can't help but see the

[40:56] world through a lens that focuses on her

[40:58] future.

[41:00] Ella, my daughter, is the seventh

[41:03] generation in our family to call Salt

[41:05] Lake City home. So today, while she was

[41:09] sitting in the audience,

[41:11] while she runs through the halls,

[41:14] um

[41:16] I want to do something a little

[41:17] different and um share a letter that

[41:21] I've written to Ella about my hopes for

[41:24] her future and the future of all Salt

[41:26] Lakers.

[41:32] Dear Ella,

[41:34] by the time you're old enough to read

[41:35] this, you'll have heard me talk many

[41:38] times about being a sixth generation

[41:40] Salt Laker and you being the seventh

[41:42] generation in our family to call this

[41:44] place home.

[41:46] I was excited to have your dad and four

[41:49] of those generations of our family stand

[41:50] with me today as I took the oath of

[41:53] office for my third term, including you,

[41:56] your grandma Cindy, and your great

[41:58] grandma Janet or Gigi.

[42:02] I hope you always feel safe here. And

[42:04] I'm not just talking about physical

[42:06] safety. I hope you always feel safe to

[42:09] be who you are and to live the life that

[42:11] you want to live.

[42:13] As you get older, you're going to hear a

[42:15] lot about what life was like in 2026.

[42:18] It's not a time when everyone feels safe

[42:20] in our community or in our country

[42:23] because of hate, fear, and greed.

[42:27] But there are so many of us that are

[42:29] working hard every day to make sure that

[42:32] truth, equality, and justice prevail and

[42:35] that love conquers all.

[42:41] I hope the work that we're doing, sorry,

[42:44] to address climate change means that you

[42:47] won't have to worry about red air days.

[42:50] I hope you see the Great Salt Lake

[42:53] restored to its natural levels and that

[42:56] exploring its ecosystems teaches you the

[42:58] importance of caring for our planet.

[43:02] I hope you learn to drive on our streets

[43:04] and that you always, always go the speed

[43:07] limit.

[43:11] But I hope that when you go meet up with

[43:13] friends or go shopping at 9th and 9th,

[43:16] probably with grandma,

[43:20] um

[43:22] that it's just as easy to take public

[43:23] transit or a bike instead of driving.

[43:30] Thank you.

[43:34] I hope you love our parks.

[43:36] I imagine you taking turns on the slide

[43:39] at Warm Springs Park, sharing at the

[43:42] splash pad at Liberty Park, and taking

[43:46] uh and making new friends as you climb

[43:47] on the Sand Hill Crane at Glendel Park.

[43:51] I hope you learn to ride a bike down the

[43:54] Jordan River Trail. And I hope you never

[43:57] tire of God,

[44:00] this was so much easier in rehearsal.

[44:03] Um, [laughter]

[44:06] and that you never tire of the views

[44:08] from hiking in our foothills.

[44:12] Um,

[44:14] I hope you think that our parks I think

[44:17] that our parks and our public lands are

[44:19] some of the city's most important and

[44:21] incredible assets.

[44:23] and I'm working hard to make sure that

[44:25] we care and take good care of them today

[44:29] [snorts]

[44:29] so that you and future generations down

[44:31] the road can enjoy them as much as I

[44:33] have.

[44:35] I hope your summers are filled with

[44:36] drone shows and parades through

[44:38] downtown.

[44:41] I hope the lights at Temple Square

[44:43] always make you feel the Christmas

[44:44] spirit.

[44:46] I hope you know that these and other

[44:47] traditions are part of what makes Salt

[44:49] Lake City special.

[44:52] that they're part of keeping communities

[44:54] together.

[44:56] I hope you'll be enriched by worldclass

[44:58] art, culture, and entertainment right

[45:00] here in your hometown.

[45:02] I see you spending days with your dad at

[45:04] the art museum,

[45:06] sitting on the edge of your seat at the

[45:08] Eckles Theater, and cheering your heart

[45:10] out at the Delta Center. [laughter]

[45:14] That was actually the least emotional

[45:16] location for me. I don't know why.

[45:18] [laughter]

[45:22] Um,

[45:24] I hope you're inspired by the 2023

[45:26] Olympics

[45:28] and that welcoming people from different

[45:29] places and with different abilities

[45:32] always comes naturally to you.

[45:35] You already love amling through rows of

[45:37] books at the Marmalade Library. Your

[45:39] eyes darting from one volume to another.

[45:42] And I hope that curiosity and wonder

[45:45] never goes away for you.

[45:48] I hope you'll have the pick of your

[45:49] career

[45:51] um in whatever you want to pursue and

[45:53] that you'll never have to worry about

[45:54] whether you can afford to live in Salt

[45:56] Lake City

[45:58] and that the work that me and my friends

[46:00] are doing

[46:02] on the council and in the mayor's office

[46:07] uh makes you want to choose to make your

[46:10] home here rather than having the market

[46:13] make that decision for you.

[46:16] Naturally, I hope you'll stay here

[46:18] forever um after you've grown up, except

[46:22] of course for the eight years that

[46:23] you'll serve in the White House as

[46:24] president.

[46:28] But after or wherever you choose to

[46:31] live, I hope you'll always be proud to

[46:33] be from Salt Lake City, a place that

[46:35] defies expectations and punches above

[46:38] its weight. A place that welcomes people

[46:41] of different cultures, nationalities,

[46:43] and faith traditions.

[46:45] a place that's always been a little

[46:47] different.

[46:49] A place that elected a majority queer,

[46:51] majority minority, and as of today, a

[46:54] majority woman city council to lead us

[46:56] through this um one of the most crucial

[47:00] times in our history.

[47:03] On Tuesday nights, when I'm away from

[47:05] you and dad, know that I'm working hard

[47:07] to make these hopes and wishes a reality

[47:09] for you, for our family, and for Salt,

[47:12] all Salt Lakers. I love you, baby girl,

[47:18] with [snorts] all my heart. Daddy,

[47:22] thank you to my husband, Chris, for

[47:24] supporting me [laughter] through through

[47:26] all this work and through three election

[47:29] cycles.

[47:31] [snorts]

[47:32] Thank you to the amazing campaign team

[47:33] at Elevate and Lit to Seo and Landslide.

[47:38] I really wanted to name all of you, but

[47:40] I'm already over on time. Thank you to

[47:43] my family, friends, and supporters.

[47:46] Thank you very sincerely to the

[47:49] residents of District 3 for trusting me

[47:51] to be your voice in city hall.

[47:58] [applause]

[48:05] District 5 Council Member Elect

[48:09] Erica Carlson is next to take the oath

[48:12] of office. Administered by city recorder

[48:15] Keith Reynolds. [snorts] Accompanying

[48:17] Erica is Mariah Panetta and Stella

[48:21] Perea. Would you please come to the

[48:23] podium?

[48:49] Chris is taller than me.

[48:53] » Right hand

[48:55] be on this side.

[48:58] That'll work. I, Erica Carlson,

[49:02] >> I, Erica Carlson,

[49:04] » I, Erica Carlson,

[49:04] >> do solemnly affirm

[49:05] » do solemnly affirm

[49:05] >> do solemnly affirm

[49:07] » do solemnly affirm

[49:07] >> to support def to support, obey, and

[49:10] » to support def to support, obey, and

[49:10] defend

[49:11] >> to support, obey, and defend

[49:13] » to support, obey, and defend

[49:13] >> the Constitution of the United States

[49:15] » the Constitution of the United States

[49:15] >> the Constitution of the United States

[49:17] » the Constitution of the United States

[49:17] >> and the Constitution of the State of

[49:18] » and the Constitution of the State of

[49:18] Utah

[49:19] >> and the Constitution of the State of

[49:20] » and the Constitution of the State of

[49:20] Utah

[49:21] >> and to discharge the duties of my office

[49:23] » and to discharge the duties of my office

[49:23] with fidelity.

[49:24] >> and to discharge the duties of my office

[49:26] » and to discharge the duties of my office

[49:26] with fidelity. Thank you.

[49:30] >> [applause]

[49:40] » Thank you. Thank you.

[49:55] That right there.

[50:22] Thank you all so much for being here

[50:24] today. It truly means so much.

[50:28] I thought that I could get through this

[50:29] without tearing up, but Council Member

[50:31] Wharton [laughter]

[50:34] already got us all in tears.

[50:37] I want to begin by saying graciasto

[50:44] immigrantes

[50:48] sutra

[50:50] familia.

[50:56] Thank you to my family. My theati, the

[51:00] epi, Gabby, Bill, Jav, my mom,

[51:07] Kevin, my brother, dad, and Dean.

[51:11] Your love truly gave me wings to fly.

[51:16] Thank you to Rosa, my best friend, my

[51:19] refuge, my partner.

[51:23] I'm deeply grateful to Seth, my campaign

[51:26] manager, trusted advisor, and friend,

[51:29] and to Delaney, Jackie, Gabby, Tia, the

[51:33] Benz,

[51:35] and every volunteer who knocked on

[51:37] doors, made a donation, and showed up

[51:40] with heart.

[51:43] Thank you to my neighbors and friends,

[51:46] Frasier, Ray, Jordan, Missy, Gina, Bill,

[51:53] and so many others for your support.

[51:57] And please join me in thanking Council

[52:00] Member Mono for his steadfast service to

[52:02] our city.

[52:05] [applause]

[52:12] Most importantly,

[52:14] thank you to the voters of district 5.

[52:17] Thank you for placing your trust and

[52:21] your faith in me.

[52:23] I accept this role with humility

[52:26] and with a deep sense of responsibility

[52:30] and accountability to you.

[52:34] Now, many of you know that I'm a deeply

[52:37] spiritual person and that I find a lot

[52:40] of soloulless in Buddhism as a

[52:43] tradition.

[52:45] There's a story from Buddhism that I

[52:48] return to often.

[52:51] There once was a forest filled with

[52:54] plants and animals and rivers.

[52:59] One day a great forest fire broke out

[53:02] and frightened the animals of the forest

[53:05] all ran for their lives. All except one

[53:11] small parrot.

[53:14] This small parrot sprang into action.

[53:18] She swooped into a nearby river, soaked

[53:22] her feathers, and then she flew above

[53:24] the fire, and she shook her body to drop

[53:27] what little water she could on the fire.

[53:32] And then she did this again and again.

[53:37] Her feet burned, the smoke filled her

[53:41] lungs, and still she returned.

[53:46] Now in this world there are many gods

[53:50] and one of them watching from above saw

[53:53] this tiny parrot and wanted to

[53:56] understand what was going on. So he

[53:59] transformed himself into a large eagle

[54:02] and he flew alongside the exhausted

[54:05] parrot

[54:07] and he said to her,

[54:09] "My God,

[54:11] what are you doing?

[54:14] you'll never make a difference.

[54:18] And the exhausted little parrot

[54:21] replied,

[54:23] "That's not the point. The point is that

[54:27] I try."

[54:30] Moved by the tiny parrots determination

[54:33] and compassion, the god became a great

[54:36] rainstorm and put the fire out.

[54:40] I share this story because here in

[54:42] District 5 and across Salt Lake City,

[54:46] we're facing fires of our own. The

[54:49] rising cost of living, [snorts] home

[54:52] ownership that feels further and further

[54:54] out of reach. Aging infrastructure,

[54:58] homelessness,

[55:00] water scarcity and saving the Great Salt

[55:02] Lake, small businesses that are

[55:05] struggling to stay open. the east west

[55:09] divide

[55:12] and whether you rent or own whether

[55:14] you've lived here for generations like

[55:16] Ella now seventh generation

[55:19] or you just arrived whether you walk

[55:22] your neighborhood every morning or you

[55:24] own a small business on 9 south on any

[55:27] of these challenges it's so easy to

[55:30] think

[55:31] I'm just one person

[55:34] what difference can I make

[55:39] the point

[55:40] is that we try

[55:43] and I believe

[55:45] deeply that together we can make a

[55:49] difference. One small act leads to

[55:54] another. Home ownership programs that

[55:58] support family and neighborhood

[56:00] stability. Seeds planted along the green

[56:03] loop grow into shade and beauty. Adults

[56:09] who help create safe neighborhoods where

[56:12] young people feel loved and accepted and

[56:15] less likely to fall through the cracks

[56:18] and end up on our streets.

[56:21] A coffee shop that becomes a third space

[56:24] of belonging and connection. and city

[56:27] employees

[56:28] who ensure our local government remains

[56:31] responsive and worthy of the public's

[56:35] trust.

[56:38] As I begin these next four years of

[56:41] service,

[56:43] I've been thinking a lot about legacy.

[56:47] I mentioned my grandparents earlier. My

[56:51] Abuela is 90 years old.

[56:56] She is my elder,

[56:58] my ancestor,

[57:01] the one who came before.

[57:06] And here's the truth.

[57:09] Every person seated here today will be

[57:14] an ancestor someday, too.

[57:18] So the question before all of us is

[57:22] simple.

[57:25] What does it mean to be a good ancestor

[57:29] to Salt Lake City?

[57:33] To be a good ancestor to this land that

[57:36] we share, to the neighborhoods of

[57:39] District 5, to those

[57:42] who will come after us.

[57:45] Now, I pledge to do my part,

[57:48] to work steadfastly on your behalf,

[57:52] to run towards our fires,

[57:55] and to lead with long-term vision,

[57:58] determination,

[58:00] love, and accountability.

[58:04] But I can't do it alone.

[58:08] I truly believe this work belongs to all

[58:11] of us, the people who have had the

[58:13] privilege and the responsibility of

[58:16] living at this moment in time.

[58:21] And my hope is that 100 years from now,

[58:26] those who call Salt Lake City home will

[58:29] say,

[58:31] "I'm so grateful

[58:33] they lived when they did." and that they

[58:37] made the hard choices that allowed

[58:41] people and place to flourish.

[58:46] The decisions of the next four years are

[58:49] a small bridge from one generation to

[58:53] the next.

[58:55] As your council member, I pledge to make

[58:59] thoughtful decisions grounded in

[59:01] community voices.

[59:03] those here today and those still to

[59:06] come.

[59:08] And I know that my service will will be

[59:12] measured not by words, but by budgets

[59:15] passed, tradeoffs based honestly, and

[59:18] decisions made with care, even when

[59:21] they're difficult.

[59:24] Thank you for the trust you've placed in

[59:27] me.

[59:28] I'm ready to get to work.

[59:32] >> [applause]

[59:40] [applause]

[59:50] » Sorry.

[1:00:21] Thank you, Council Member Carlson,

[1:00:23] um, for those inspiring words and for

[1:00:25] giving me a chance to recover.

[1:00:28] [laughter]

[1:00:29] really needed that break. Um, District 7

[1:00:33] council member Sarah Young is next to

[1:00:35] take the oath of office. Administered by

[1:00:37] city recorder Keith Reynolds.

[1:00:39] Accompanying Sarah are Mike Roberts and

[1:00:42] Jake Young. Would you please step up to

[1:00:44] the podium?

[1:01:02] Sorry, let me just

[1:01:08] » District 7 lives in the party. So, we

[1:01:11] also have both of my sisters, Elizabeth

[1:01:14] Craig and Rachel Reeves, along with my

[1:01:16] dad, Will Reeves.

[1:01:22] I, Sarah Young

[1:01:23] >> I, Sarah Young,

[1:01:25] » I, Sarah Young,

[1:01:25] >> do solemnly affirm

[1:01:26] » do solemnly affirm

[1:01:26] >> do solemnly affirm

[1:01:27] » do solemnly affirm

[1:01:27] >> to support, obey, and defend

[1:01:29] » to support, obey, and defend

[1:01:29] >> to support, obey, and defend

[1:01:32] » to support, obey, and defend

[1:01:32] >> the Constitution of the United States

[1:01:34] » the Constitution of the United States

[1:01:34] >> the Constitution of the United States

[1:01:36] » the Constitution of the United States

[1:01:36] >> and the Constitution of the State of

[1:01:37] » and the Constitution of the State of

[1:01:37] Utah

[1:01:38] >> and the Constitution of the State of

[1:01:40] » and the Constitution of the State of

[1:01:40] Utah.

[1:01:40] >> And to discharge the duties of my office

[1:01:42] » And to discharge the duties of my office

[1:01:42] with fidelity.

[1:01:44] >> And to discharge the duties of my office

[1:01:46] » And to discharge the duties of my office

[1:01:46] with fidelity.

[1:01:47] >> Congratulations.

[1:01:48] » Congratulations.

[1:01:48] >> Thank you. [applause]

[1:02:10] Oh man.

[1:02:19] Right.

[1:02:21] This is Ella's

[1:02:34] I so appreciate it.

[1:02:40] » All right. I know I'm batting cleanup,

[1:02:43] but you're in luck. I am the fastest

[1:02:45] talking council member, so I am going to

[1:02:47] keep us moving.

[1:02:50] So, thank you. I too want the

[1:02:52] opportunity to start with gratitude um

[1:02:55] for so many individuals. Um, I really

[1:02:58] want to start off by thanking the

[1:02:59] residents of District 7 for the

[1:03:01] opportunity to serve and represent our

[1:03:04] neighborhood um, for Sugar House and to

[1:03:06] represent that voice as part of the

[1:03:08] Greater Salt Lake City Council. To my

[1:03:11] team of campaign experts who helped my

[1:03:14] reelection by pushing me to build skills

[1:03:16] I didn't think I had, um, while also

[1:03:20] being willing to honor my lens and voice

[1:03:22] as a part of the process. Young Sugar

[1:03:25] House for Life.

[1:03:28] Um to my husband Mike and my son Jake

[1:03:33] for taking the journey with me. You

[1:03:36] don't serve alone when you serve in

[1:03:38] these roles and I'm proud to have both

[1:03:40] of you by my side.

[1:03:42] Also, these two happen to be the most

[1:03:45] honest District 7 residents who take

[1:03:48] full advantage of the dining room table

[1:03:51] to make sure that they're advocating

[1:03:54] whether it's about safety in our parks

[1:03:56] or a pothole that needs to be fixed. I'm

[1:04:00] going to take this opportunity to remind

[1:04:02] them and the rest of you my SLC app. You

[1:04:06] don't have to sit at the table. you too

[1:04:08] can participate in making sure the city

[1:04:11] has the right information to meet the

[1:04:14] needs. So, thank you to those of you who

[1:04:16] run the MySLC app. I hope to see more

[1:04:19] engagement from my household alone.

[1:04:24] Finally, to my family, my amazing

[1:04:28] sisters who are here today and my little

[1:04:31] brother. Growing up, team Reeves made me

[1:04:34] the person I am today. No heated debate

[1:04:37] in chamber or public comment period will

[1:04:40] ever compete with having my underwear

[1:04:43] hung in the window as an elementary

[1:04:45] schooler for everyone to see on the walk

[1:04:48] home from school or spending hours at

[1:04:52] the family table waiting for every

[1:04:54] single person to eat their vegetables.

[1:04:59] I'm fortunate to have my best friends

[1:05:01] show up at every family function. Team

[1:05:04] Ridge will always be interesting.

[1:05:07] And to my dad and mom who raised the

[1:05:10] crew of us, not only to care for each

[1:05:12] other, but also to care for the

[1:05:14] community that we belong to. I carry

[1:05:17] that expectation into my role of serving

[1:05:20] for district 7 here for Salt Lake City.

[1:05:23] So, last time I was up here, I had the

[1:05:26] opportunity to highlight that even

[1:05:28] though there are so many major events

[1:05:30] that are happening in the world around

[1:05:32] us on the horizon for Salt Lake City,

[1:05:35] that for me, it's truly the little

[1:05:38] things that make this city great. And

[1:05:42] today will be no different. And it

[1:05:44] involves Salt Lake Fire. So, we're on

[1:05:47] brand team.

[1:05:50] I'd like to introduce um a couple of

[1:05:52] individuals. One who is here with me

[1:05:54] today um but a family that is from Sugar

[1:05:58] House that means the world to me, George

[1:06:02] and Tina.

[1:06:06] So,

[1:06:08] in case you haven't met these wonderful

[1:06:10] and amazing Salt Lakers, I could spend

[1:06:12] my entire speech talking just about

[1:06:16] George, a veteran of the Vietnam War, a

[1:06:19] retired public safety servant here in

[1:06:22] Utah and a star of NPR's Moth Radio.

[1:06:27] He is truly an incredible member of our

[1:06:30] community and represents the different

[1:06:32] individuals that we have that are truly

[1:06:35] treasures here in Salt Lake. George, I'm

[1:06:38] so glad you're here today. But today is

[1:06:41] actually about Tina. So, I'm going to

[1:06:44] ask you to make sure that this message

[1:06:47] gets back to her so that she can be a

[1:06:50] part of a celebration that has been

[1:06:52] years in the making.

[1:06:54] Tina has cared about her community for

[1:06:56] her whole life, studying at Westminster

[1:06:59] in district 7, a former prek8 at Kern

[1:07:03] St. Ans and VP of the program um at the

[1:07:07] League of Women Voters in Utah, and

[1:07:10] finally a former senior human resource

[1:07:13] consultant right here in Salt Lake City.

[1:07:16] Now, among the many things that Tina

[1:07:18] contributed to, she was involved in the

[1:07:21] city's 2018 effort to update our city

[1:07:24] policies to make sure that we were

[1:07:27] recruiting more diverse candidates into

[1:07:30] the city workforce and that workforce

[1:07:32] included Salt Lake City Fire. Now, we

[1:07:36] had previously had women and diverse

[1:07:38] candidates serving our great city, but

[1:07:41] this was a small change in policy and an

[1:07:44] effort to set a goal to make sure that

[1:07:47] it wasn't just happen stance that these

[1:07:49] individuals were a part of the city

[1:07:51] workforce community, but that it was

[1:07:53] intentional and we wanted to make sure

[1:07:56] that our city represented the great

[1:07:58] tapestry that we call Salt Lake.

[1:08:01] Although this action alone deserved

[1:08:04] great accolades and like so many things

[1:08:06] here in the city, it was noted in a few

[1:08:09] articles and then we moved on to the

[1:08:12] next great need or thing happening

[1:08:14] across the state of Utah. Now, fast

[1:08:17] forward to the summer of 2025 and I have

[1:08:21] found myself at the Salt Lake City

[1:08:23] Public Safety Building getting ready for

[1:08:26] my ride along with our chat team. These

[1:08:30] are our Salt Lake City Fire emergency

[1:08:32] medical response team that includes a

[1:08:35] social worker to be able to meet the

[1:08:37] various needs and safety responses that

[1:08:40] we need to be able to address here

[1:08:42] across our city. After a pretty intense

[1:08:46] first call that landed me in a mandatory

[1:08:49] coffee meeting with Chief Leeb to make

[1:08:51] sure that everything was okay, we were

[1:08:54] off and about to our next call in

[1:08:56] District 7. And this was right off of

[1:08:59] Douglas Street and 2100 South. We

[1:09:02] arrived to find a resident with special

[1:09:05] needs who had fallen in her bathroom and

[1:09:09] she was declining help from the male

[1:09:12] first responders who were first on the

[1:09:14] scene.

[1:09:16] Because of the amazing women of Chat,

[1:09:20] she was able to receive help and protect

[1:09:24] her dignity

[1:09:26] through the kindness and expertise of

[1:09:28] Holly, Sophie, Lauren, Natasha, and the

[1:09:32] other members of the first responder

[1:09:34] team. They were able to calm her down

[1:09:37] and give her the assistance to get back

[1:09:40] in her room where she felt safe.

[1:09:43] They were the right people to help.

[1:09:46] And when the resident expressed concern

[1:09:48] about paying for the service,

[1:09:51] they quickly responded.

[1:09:53] There's no charge.

[1:09:55] This is what we do for Salt Lake City.

[1:10:00] The women of chat for SLC Fire are here

[1:10:02] today. If you guys could stand so we

[1:10:05] could all thank you for this small act

[1:10:07] of kindness and the great work you do on

[1:10:09] behalf of the city.

[1:10:12] >> [applause]

[1:10:17] » Now, I want you to stay standing for

[1:10:18] just a moment

[1:10:21] because George, it is important to me

[1:10:24] that Tina has the chance to see these

[1:10:27] women

[1:10:28] and to know that they are a part of the

[1:10:32] countless individuals

[1:10:34] who help to address the needs across the

[1:10:38] city, whether in public safety, public

[1:10:41] lands, the work we do in public

[1:10:43] utilities or elsewhere.

[1:10:46] She helped pave the way for our

[1:10:48] workforce.

[1:10:50] And although there is no monument or

[1:10:52] plaque, I wanted to take this day to

[1:10:56] honor Tina as a representative of all of

[1:11:01] not just the big acts, but those that

[1:11:03] are small that really contribute to our

[1:11:06] city. If you can help me send it to the

[1:11:10] universe to thank Tina for her example

[1:11:13] of leading in small's ways for Salt Lake

[1:11:16] City that happen every day across this

[1:11:20] great city in every department with the

[1:11:22] thousands of people who work for our

[1:11:24] amazing Salt Lake City. I'd appreciate

[1:11:26] it.

[1:11:30] [applause]

[1:11:36] Thank you.

[1:11:39] So, as we look forward to our future,

[1:11:42] [sighs]

[1:11:43] although I'm just as excited as everyone

[1:11:46] for the big actions like exploring a new

[1:11:49] city campus, a new and improved Fairmont

[1:11:53] Park, the ballpark next project, and the

[1:11:57] future

[1:11:58] Salt Lake City Olympic Games.

[1:12:03] One more time, the Salt Lake City

[1:12:07] Olympic Games that are coming.

[1:12:10] [cheering and applause]

[1:12:13] » It's the little things that are going to

[1:12:16] make the bigger difference.

[1:12:19] We won't get affordable housing with one

[1:12:21] big act. It takes steps on a daily basis

[1:12:25] by the team here in Salt Lake City, not

[1:12:28] just your elected officials, but those

[1:12:30] who work here every day that will help

[1:12:32] to address one of the greatest needs our

[1:12:35] city faces.

[1:12:37] It is not me as an elected official who

[1:12:39] is going to save the Great Salt Lake,

[1:12:42] but the small acts that take place

[1:12:44] across the entire city, valley, county,

[1:12:48] and state of Utah that are really going

[1:12:51] to make the difference.

[1:12:53] I'm really excited to be a part of that

[1:12:56] future.

[1:12:58] And so I thank each and everyone of my

[1:13:00] fellow council members, the amazing

[1:13:02] staff and council office, the mayor and

[1:13:05] her team of the of team Salt Lake, and

[1:13:09] all of the citizens of Sugar House. The

[1:13:12] best is yet to come.

[1:13:16] [applause]

[1:13:23] Thank you, Council Member Young. This

[1:13:25] concludes the administration of the oath

[1:13:27] of office of our newly elected and

[1:13:30] reelected officials. As we begin the new

[1:13:32] year, the council looks forward to

[1:13:34] working together in service to the

[1:13:36] residents of Salt Lake City. We welcome

[1:13:39] the dedication and leadership of new and

[1:13:41] returning members uh and everything that

[1:13:44] to look forward to in the year ahead.

[1:13:47] Thank you again to all family members,

[1:13:49] colleagues, community leaders, and

[1:13:50] residents for joining us and being a

[1:13:52] part of this location. And if you

[1:13:55] enjoyed this uh season opener of the

[1:13:57] Salt Lake City Council meetings, I hope

[1:13:59] you will continue to join us. We meet

[1:14:01] most Tuesday nights right across the

[1:14:04] street and you can tune in online as

[1:14:05] well. Um please join us across the

[1:14:08] street um after this for a reception on

[1:14:11] the third floor. This concludes our

[1:14:13] meeting at the oath of office ceremony.

[1:14:15] We will stand adjourned. Thank you.

[1:14:24] » [applause]

Salt Lake City Oath of Office Ceremony - 01/05/2026

Transcript