[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]