[0:25] Hello,

[14:06] everybody. Thank you for being here. We're going to go ahead and get started.

[14:14] As you'll find this is very echoey in here. So just try to keep that in mind as we make our way through the program. I am Chris Wharton. I am the chair of the Salt Lake City Council and I have a distinct honor of calling this very special meeting of the council to order.

[14:33] We are going to begin with the presentation of colors by the Salt Lake City Police Department Motor Squad, followed by the

[14:40] National Anthem, which will be performed by the West High Choir.

[14:44] Would everyone please stand?

[15:38] Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[16:04] Sorry, the National Anthem, please.

[18:15] Thank you to our Salt Lake City Police Department Motor Squad and the West High Quire for being part of this ceremony. And I just have to do a quick plug because West

[18:25] High is located in my City Council District.

[18:28] This March, they're actually going to be singing at Carnegie Hall in New York, so we're very excited for them.

[18:34] Yes,

[18:38] so we're lucky to have just a little taste of their performance.

[18:43] Again, I want to welcome you to this special meeting of the Salt Lake City Council,

[18:48] where we're going to be swearing in or re-elected and newly elected members into their offices.

[18:56] A warm welcome to the families and guests of council members and council member elect as well as to the elected officials, community leaders, residents and city employees joining us today.

[19:09] Thank you for being here to support those who will serve the people of Salt Lake City.

[19:13] Today, we recognize four elected officials who will take the oath of office.

[19:17] As part of our ceremony, we are privileged to welcome

[19:20] Yut Elder Forest Cush, a member of the UN2 Band of the Yut Indian tribe,

[19:26] who will now offer a prayer for our newly elected council members.

[19:45] Since I stood before a government podium,

[19:49] since I retired 14 years ago from the position of director of

[19:55] Internet Affairs for the state of Utah, so it's been a while.

[20:00] The indigenous people of this valley are the yut, Shoshone and Yut.

[20:09] Although all of these tribes shared this valley from time to time, I'm told that the yut

[20:15] occupied the city creek canyon numerous times because of the presence of fresh water,

[20:21] wild game, and other food sources, and its lofty height provided the outlook and protection

[20:28] from enemy tribes. At the base of the valley was the sacred hot mineral spring. In 1884, the

[20:37] measles began spreading among the people, and they went to the hot springs, but it did not cure them.

[20:45] 36 youth people died at the springs that day, and Mormon pioneers buried them along with their dogs.

[20:54] This spring is sacred for this reason. It is now referred to as Wasatch Warmspring.

[21:03] Originally there were six bands of youth living in Utah. As with the Tempunogus band which

[21:10] was exterminated in the Fort Utah War of 1850, all other bands were eventually exterminated.

[21:18] to that today there is only one ban left, the euinta, of which I am proud to be a member

[21:27] of. It is therefore fitting for me to address you today as a representative of this band.

[21:34] It is also fitting for me to pray for healing for all our people because of the great amount

[21:39] of suffering that occurred here and in order to completely heal the truth must be told.

[21:47] I serve on the board of the Wasatch Warm Springs Alliance and our greatest goal is to preserve

[21:54] this site and use it for educational, cultural healing, 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, we ask that you be with us today,

[22:22] Father, the special occasion, and these two bless these new leaders who will be an installed

[22:28] father. We ask that you bless their families, all their relatives, and extend that blessing

[22:36] out to all the citizens of the state of Utah and the city of this great state, Salt Lake City.

[22:46] We ask that you extend this blessing throughout the state and throughout the entire country,

[22:54] the United States, and extend the blessing out to all the world as this reflected in

[23:02] the medicine will.

[23:04] We ask that you carry out all of the powers of healing to all nations, especially during

[23:12] difficult times like this father.

[23:14] So, be with us today and I say this and ask this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ,

[23:21] our Lord.

[23:22] Amen.

[23:22] Thank you.

[23:29] Thank you, Elder Cush, for that meaningful prayer.

[23:33] We'll now proceed with the administration of the oath of office.

[23:38] Each council member, as your sworn in, will take the oath and be given a key to the city

[23:43] pin.

[23:44] You'll then sign your oath of office certificate right here at the podium and following

[23:49] Having that, each council member will have an opportunity to share brief remarks.

[23:53] We will begin with District 1 council member Victoria Petro.

[23:57] Her oath of office will be administered by City Recorder Keith Reynolds.

[24:01] Accompanying Victoria are Augustus Eschler, Juliana Eschler, Lucien Eschler, and Kelsey Randall.

[24:09] Would you please join me at the podium?

[24:34] Ms. Rehand?

[24:36] Aye, Victoria, Elisa Petro?

[24:39] Aye, Victoria, Elisa Petro.

[24:42] Do solemnly affirm that I will support Obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Utah and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity to

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

[26:03] was exciting. Now to repeat the honor, and to particularly repeat it at this moment in history,

[26:12] it's not just an honor, but it's humbling in a way I couldn't have seen last time.

[26:18] I started last time with gratitude, and it seems that once again, that is the only place for me to start.

[26:25] I want to start in an unlikely place, and I want to thank my opponent Stephen Otterstrom.

[26:30] You see, I represent an area of the city where people have a more difficult time believing

[26:36] that their voice is important and should be heard.

[26:40] And the things that we've collectively witnessed and allowed to happen to them recently only

[26:46] exacerbate that.

[26:48] And I have an opponent who knocked on doors, who showed up, who didn't phone it in, and

[26:55] made sure that the West side and indeed everyone who has chosen to pursue the American dream

[27:01] is worth time, investment, and energy.

[27:06] And so wherever he is, and I'll see him tonight, I want to thank Stephen.

[27:11] I want to thank Tom Desirant because he's the only reason I get anything done in a campaign.

[27:17] I want to thank the unions who stood arm in arm with me as I commit I will now continue

[27:23] you to stand arm in arm with you, reinforcing my commitment to working families and to my neighbors.

[27:30] I want to thank those who chose to support me, hi, Kiko.

[27:34] You're the only West Side who's not related to me that I see here.

[27:37] But thank you, and Representative Romero.

[27:41] Thank you to all of my supporters and people who, even though it was difficult for me to show up at your doorstep

[27:46] this time because homelessness campuses and

[27:50] rates and SNAP benefits may have kept me from it.

[27:54] You still, oh, sorry former council member Christensen, he's also a OS cider.

[28:00] I'm Mr. Wilson, I'll look for a partner ball over the place.

[28:03] Thank you all.

[28:05] I appreciate you.

[28:06] I appreciate the grace you extended when I had to prioritize other things.

[28:10] And I appreciate that you even trusted me with the advocacy for our beloved home for

[28:15] the next four years.

[28:16] I want to thank my work family at the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for me to take

[28:21] on that role while doing a campaign was daunting.

[28:24] Thank you.

[28:25] I want to thank my friends who unrelentingly show up with love for me.

[28:30] Hi guys.

[28:33] I want to thank my friends who act as family because outside of the ones I gave birth to I don't

[28:38] have any family here.

[28:39] Your love and support means more to me than I can ever communicate.

[28:43] And I want to thank my family who hopefully got the YouTube link to work and are watching

[28:47] me from various places around the country.

[28:49] I love you, mom and dad, and I stand here only because of the sacrifices of Robert John

[28:54] Pietro's senior.

[28:56] But this time I need to move beyond gratitude to commitment.

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

[29:07] No matter what mandates come down asking me to see you as a statistic or a document or

[29:15] another, I commit to you that your dignity is my guiding principle.

[29:21] That we the people isn't a cute little slogan that you pop on a truck in some cool

[29:27] calligraphy, but it is a call for how we treat each other.

[29:32] There is no them, there is no us, there is we.

[29:36] and that is my commitment. I commit myself to you in that I will pursue

[29:42] substance over symbols while I love a good flag. I am going to

[29:49] substantively work for the betterment of this city. Whether that means making

[29:54] sure you feel confident as you're riding down a road, both in the integrity of the

[29:59] road.

[30:00] Or the response of the people who you might need as you travel down that road? Or whether that means you're trying to build something really special in this city and need to know where the city stands consistently so you can conduct your business. I will substantively show up for this city. I'm going to make sure that we move beyond conversations like affordable housing to actual affordability. And that means I'm going to ask the people who come in and do work here and profit

[30:29] off of our infrastructure are educated populists in our environment that they invest in our workforce

[30:36] with equal measure. I commit true responsiveness over simply hearing you. It doesn't mean I'm going

[30:43] to conform to everything you ask me to do. There's plenty of people in this room who will tell you

[30:47] that they've got an axe to grind with me. It means I did the first four years right. But I will be

[30:54] responsive. I promise to you that discomfort is something I'm very comfortable with.

[31:02] And I'm intending to get a lot more uncomfortable as the times call for it. If we don't get

[31:08] a little snow, we're all going to be uncomfortable. So we better get it real comfortable with advocating

[31:12] for some environmental interventions that are substantive.

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

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

[31:22] I have this radical notion that while politics have torn us apart,

[31:28] there is no good thing that can't be accomplished through good policy.

[31:32] So anything I'm advocating for, whether it's the dignity of my neighbors who are nervous that they're going to be stopped, because the color of their skin or how they speak, I can make the policy argument to you, and I will always come back to policy.

[31:46] I will not be looking for neither will I be responding to trite social media answers

[31:53] that fit into 30 second reels that act like there are simple answers.

[31:58] There are no simple answers.

[31:59] This is a complex moment in history the paradigm is shifting the century has shifted.

[32:06] I commit to rising to the occasion not trying to simplify the problems and making someone

[32:12] else the issue.

[32:14] I commit myself to creative pathways on dynamic issues, whether it's how tall we go with

[32:20] a building or how we engage with our police force to make sure that we're retaining the

[32:26] best talent in cultivating the culture we want.

[32:29] I promise to bring creativity that the issue demands.

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

[32:37] you cannot expect easy answers. I will not expect an easy workload. There will be no

[32:44] shying away. There will be difficult conversations. There will be healthy conflict,

[32:53] but there

[32:54] will also be the building of consensus. Whether you're talking to me about the bar in my

[32:59] district that you're nervous about, or whether we're talking about the council pay ordinances,

[33:05] or come what may because I certainly didn't see a hockey team coming last time I sat here

[33:09] so who knows what comes in these four years.

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

[33:18] salt lakers, anyone who chooses to call this place a home and to respect its rules and its

[33:25] inhabitants are my guiding principle, my true north, they are to whom I commit myself and they will

[33:33] be centered. So to my neighbors, I continue to offer myself when I can't make it to a community

[33:38] council meeting, a disproportionate number of you have my phone number and you're welcome

[33:42] to continue using it and I will show up in as many places as I can.

[33:45] To the larger city outside of my district, last time I didn't recognize fully my commitment

[33:51] to you, but I offer to you a deliberative partner that cares, that will offer you the same

[33:58] responsiveness, whether we're talking about hotels on the border of Sugar House Park,

[34:03] or trails up in the foothills, or whatever else it is that I need to learn about.

[34:08] We are building a city, and I commit to you that I will care about it all, and

[34:12] work with you to find the solutions required.

[34:14] Our shared home will remain my priority.

[34:18] So in closing, I get to do something I didn't do last time, I get to thank a partner.

[34:23] Adam, thank you for offering me a partnership that liberates me to do this job even better.

[34:30] And to my children, not just the ones who I gave birth to, because Augie, Gigi, and Luca,

[34:36] you're the greatest ideas I never had.

[34:39] But also to the one who found her way to me later, by someone else, to Kelsey, who's here.

[34:45] And hers, husband Tyler, who found me by marriage, and now Kylie, who we're grafting in because

[34:51] my family just keeps growing. I want to thank you all for liberating me from the impulse

[34:57] to use this position as a means of building my legacy. The work I do here is too important

[35:03] to build just my legacy. You all are my legacy. You are the best thing I will ever do with

[35:11] my life. So instead of the pressure to make this my legacy, this now is just an opportunity

[35:17] I have to pass on to you all something better than the way I found it.

[35:22] Thank you to my co-counselors and to the mayor, who allow me to say hard things, who

[35:28] receive me with grace, and who share so many of the same priorities.

[35:36] This holiday I was sitting down with my Gen Z son-in-law.

[35:40] As you may imagine, he's not as in love with our institutions as a Gen XRM is.

[35:46] He hasn't had the benefit of them protecting as many people as I did.

[35:51] And as he told me it sounded like a trite comment when I told him all boats rise on a tide

[35:56] and we got to stay in this.

[35:58] We had a really deep and difficult conversation.

[36:00] He said that just sounds like a saying, but I'm telling you I'm convinced.

[36:06] The only way through this is together and so my commitment to you is to stay here with

[36:13] you together and to pull us through to something better. Thank you for sending me back.

[36:32] Okay. Thank you, Council Member Pietro. With the first oath of office complete, I now turn

[36:39] the time over to the second most senior council member, Dan Dugan, to chair this portion

[36:45] of the meeting.

[36:53] Happen here. Just to three, Council Member Chris Wharton is next to take the oath of office

[37:00] administered by the City of Recorder, Keith Reynolds.

[37:03] Cup in him will be Chris Jensen, Ella,

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

[37:26] They're coming.

[37:54] Thank you, thanks for your patience while we get situated.

[38:00] I, Chris Wharton.

[38:01] I, Chris Wharton, do solemnly affirm that I will support Obey and defend the Constitution

[38:11] of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Utah and the Constitution

[38:17] of the State of Utah and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity and

[38:22] that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.

[38:25] Congratulations.

[38:26] It's

[39:40] fitting that we hold our oath of office ceremony here at the main library.

[39:44] Libraries have always been an important part of Salt Lake City's history.

[39:48] The city library system started in 1898 just across the street from here in the city and county building on the top floor.

[39:57] The main library moved to the state street location in 1905, and then back here to the Civic Center in 1960 with the old library building.

[40:05] and then to this beautiful building in 2003.

[40:10] 128 years ago, the city library had nearly 12,000 books.

[40:16] Today, this building alone holds half a million books,

[40:20] periodicals, and media materials.

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

[40:26] From their architecture to their ever-changing and expanding collections,

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

[40:32] and they provide a place for us to imagine its future.

[40:37] As the longest serving member of the council, I've, and having just come off the count and

[40:43] pay in trail for my third run, given a few of these speeches before, but as some of you may

[40:50] know, over a year ago I became a father, and like many parents, I can't help but see the

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

[41:00] Ella, my daughter, is the seventh generation in our family to call Salt Lake City home.

[41:07] So today, while she was sitting in the audience, while she runs through the halls, I want

[41:16] to do something a little different and share a letter that I've written to Ella about

[41:23] my hopes for her future and the future of all Salt Lakers.

[41:31] Dear Ella, by the time you're old enough to read this, you'll have heard me talk many

[41:37] times about being a six-generation salt-laker and you being the seventh generation in our

[41:43] family to call this place home.

[41:46] I was excited to have your dad and four of those generations of our family stand with me

[41:51] today as I took the oath of office for my third term, including you, your grandma Cindy

[41:57] Andy and your great grandma Janet or Gigi,

[42:01] I hope you always feel safe here and I'm

[42:05] not just talking about physical safety.

[42:07] I hope you always feel safe to be who you are and to live the life that you want to live.

[42:13] As you get older, you're going to hear a lot about what life was like in 2026.

[42:18] It's not a time when everyone feels safe in our community or in our country because of hate,

[42:24] fear and greed.

[42:26] but there are so many of us that are working hard every day to make sure that truth,

[42:33] equality, and justice prevail and that love conquers all.

[42:41] I hope the work that we're doing, sorry, to address climate change means that you won't have to worry about red air days.

[42:50] I hope you see the great Salt Lake restored to its natural levels

[42:54] And that exploring its ecosystems teaches you the importance of caring for our planet.

[43:02] I hope you learn to drive on our streets, and that you always, always go the speed limit.

[43:08] But

[43:11] I hope that when you go meet up with friends, or go shopping at 9th and 9th, probably with grandma.

[43:21] But it's just as easy to take public transit or a bike instead of driving.

[43:30] Thank you.

[43:31] I

[43:34] hope you love our parks.

[43:36] I imagine you taking turns on the slide at Warm Springs Park, sharing at the splash pad at Liberty Park and making new friends as you climb on the Sandhill Crane at Glendale Park.

[43:51] I hope you learned to ride a bike down the Jordan River Trail and I hope you're never tired of God.

[43:59] So it's so much easier in rehearsal and that you never tire of the views from hiking

[44:08] in our foothills.

[44:13] I hope you think that our parks, I think that our parks and our public lands are some

[44:19] of the city's most important and incredible assets.

[44:23] And I'm working hard to make sure that we take good care of them today so that you and future

[44:30] generations down the road can enjoy them as much as I have. I hope your summers are filled

[44:36] with drone shows and parades through downtown.

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

[44:43] make you feel the Christmas spirit. I hope you know that these and other traditions are

[44:48] part of what makes Salt Lake City special, that they're part of keeping communities together.

[44:54] I hope you'll be enriched by world-class art, culture, and entertainment.

[45:00] Amendment right here in your hometown. I see you spending days with your dad at the Art Museum, sitting on the edge of your seat at the Echo Theater and cheering your heart out at the Delta Center.

[45:14] I was actually the least emotional location for me. I don't know why.

[45:23] I hope you're inspired by the 2023 Olympics and that welcoming people from different places and with different abilities always comes naturally to you.

[45:33] So, you already love ambling through rows of books at the Marmalade Library, your eyes

[45:39] darting from one volume to another, and I hope that curiosity and wonder never goes

[45:45] away for you.

[45:47] I hope you'll have the take of your career in whatever you want to pursue, and that you'll

[45:53] never have to worry about whether you can afford to live in Salt Lake City,

[45:58] and that the work

[45:59] that me and my friends are doing on the Council and in the Mayor's Office makes

[46:07] you want to choose

[46:09] to make your home here rather than having the market make that decision for you.

[46:16] Naturally, I hope you'll stay here forever after you've grown up

[46:21] except of course for the eight years that you'll serve in the White House as president

[46:25] but

[46:29] after or wherever you choose to live, I hope you'll always be proud to be from Salt Lake City.

[46:35] a place that defies expectations and punches above its weight, a place that welcomes people

[46:41] of different cultures, nationalities, and faith traditions, a place that's always been

[46:46] a little different, a place that elected a majority queer, a majority minority, and as

[46:53] of today a majority woman city council to lead us through this one of the most crucial

[47:00] times in our history.

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

[47:06] know that I'm working hard to make these hopes and wishes a reality for you,

[47:10] for our family and for all soul-lakers.

[47:14] I love you, baby girl,

[47:17] with all my heart.

[47:19] Daddy,

[47:22] thank you to my husband, Chris, for supporting me through all this work

[47:27] and through three election cycles.

[47:31] Thank you to the amazing campaign team at Elevate

[47:37] I really wanted to name all of you but I'm already over on time.

[47:42] Thank you to my family, friends and supporters.

[47:46] Thank you very sincerely to the residents of District 3 for trusting me to be your voice in City Hall.

[48:05] District 5 Council Member-elect, Erica Carlson is next to take the oath of office,

[48:13] Administered by City Recorder Keith Reynolds.

[48:17] Accompanying Erica is Maria Panetta and Stella Pareia.

[48:22] Would you please come to the podium?

[48:49] Chris is teller than me.

[48:56] I

[49:00] am Erica Carlson.

[49:01] I am Erica Carlson.

[49:03] Do solemnly affirm.

[49:05] Do solemnly affirm.

[49:07] To support, to support, obey and defend.

[49:10] to support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Utah and the Constitution of the State of Utah.

[49:21] And to discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.

[49:24] And to discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.

[49:27] Thank you

[50:21] all so much for being here today. It truly means so much.

[50:27] I thought that I could get through this without tearing up, but Councilmember Wharton already got us all in tears.

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

[50:40] gracias a misabelitos por ser inmigrantes.

[50:46] Sus sueño, su trabajo,

[50:49] y la familia que crearon valió la pena.

[50:53] Thank you to my family, my Thea Marty, Theoepi, Gabby, Bill, Have, my mom, Kevin my

[51:07] brother, dad and dean your love truly gave me wings to fly.

[51:16] Thank you to Rosa my

[51:17] best friend my refuge my partner. I'm deeply grateful to Seth, my campaign manager

[51:26] trusted advisor and friend, and to Delaney, Jackie, Gabby, Tia, the Benz, and

[51:35] every volunteer who knocked on doors made a donation and showed up with heart.

[51:43] Thank you to my neighbors and friends, Frazier, Ray, Jordan, Missy, Gina, Bill, and

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

[51:55] and please join me in thanking Councilmember Mono for his steadfast service to our city.

[52:12] Most importantly, thank you to the voters of District 5.

[52:16] Thank you for placing your trust and your faith in me.

[52:22] I accept this role with humility and with a deep sense of responsibility and accountability to you.

[52:33] Now, many of you know that I'm a deeply spiritual person and that I find a lot of solace in Buddhism as a tradition.

[52:44] There's a story from Buddhism that I return to often.

[52:51] There once was a forest filled with plants and animals and rivers.

[52:58] One day, a great forest fire broke out and frightened the animals of the forest all ran

[53:06] for their lives, all except one small parrot.

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

[53:18] She swooped into a nearby river, soaked her feathers, and then she flew above the fire,

[53:25] and she shook her body to drop what little water she could on the fire and then

[53:32] she did this again and again. Her feet burned. The smoke filled her lungs and

[53:42] still she returned. Now in this world there are many gods and one of them watching

[53:51] from above, saw this tiny parrot and wanted to understand what was going on.

[53:58] So he transformed himself into a large eagle, and he flew alongside the exhausted parrot.

[54:06] And he said to her, my God, what are you doing?

[54:13] you'll never make a difference in the exhausted little parrot replied that's not the point the point

[54:26] is that I try moved by the tiny parrot's determination and compassion the God became a great

[54:35] rainstorm and put the fire out I share this story because here in district five in across Salt Lake

[54:44] city were facing fires of our own, the rising cost of living, home ownership that feels further

[54:53] and further out of reach, aging infrastructure, homelessness, water scarcity and saving the

[55:02] great salt lake, small businesses that are struggling to stay open, the east, west, divide.

[55:10] And whether you rent or own, whether you've lived here for generations like Ella, now

[55:17] 7th generation, or you just arrived, whether you walk your neighborhood every morning, or

[55:23] you own a small business on 9th South, on any of these challenges, it's so easy to think.

[55:31] I'm just one person.

[55:32] What difference can I make?

[55:38] The point is that we try. And I believe deeply that together,

[55:47] we can make a difference. One small act leads to another. Home ownership programs that support

[55:58] family and neighborhood stability, seeds planted along the green loop, grow into shade and beauty,

[56:07] adults who helped create safe neighborhoods where young people feel loved and accepted and

[56:15] less likely to fall through the cracks and end up on our streets. A coffee shop that becomes the

[56:23] of belonging and connection and city employees who ensure our local government remains responsive and worthy of the public's trust.

[56:38] As I begin these next four years of service, I've been thinking a lot about legacy.

[56:47] I mentioned my grandparents earlier, my avuela is 90 years old.

[56:55] And she is my elder, my ancestor, the one who came before,

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

[57:09] Every person seated here today will be an ancestor someday too.

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

[57:24] what does it mean to be a good ancestor to Salt Lake City,

[57:33] to be a good

[57:33] ancestor to this land that we share to the neighborhoods of District 5 to

[57:40] those who will come after us. Now I pledge to do my part to work stead

[57:50] to run towards our fires, and to lead with long-term vision,

[57:58] determination, love, and accountability.

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

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

[58:12] the people who have had the privilege and the responsibility

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

[58:19] And my hope is that 100 years from now, those who call Salt Lake City home will say,

[58:30] I'm so grateful they lived when they did and that they made the hard choices that allowed people and place to flourish.

[58:45] The decisions of the next four years are a small bridge from one generation to the next.

[58:55] As your council member, I pledge to make thoughtful decisions grounded in community voices.

[59:03] Those here today and those still to come.

[59:08] And I know that my service will be measured not by words but by budgets past, trade-offs

[59:16] based honestly, and decisions made with care even when they're difficult.

[59:23] Thank you for the trust you've placed in me.

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

[1:00:21] Thank you, councilmember Carlson, for those inspiring words, and for giving me a chance to recover. Really need that break. District 7, councilmembers, Sarah Young is next to take the oath of office, administered by City Recorder, Keith Reynolds, accompanying Sarah, our Mike Roberts, and Jake Young. Would you please step up to the podium?

[1:01:08] District 7 lives in the party, so we also have full of my sisters, Elizabeth Cugge and Rachel Reeves, along with my dad Will Reeves.

[1:01:22] I, Sarah Young, do solemnly affirm, to support, obey, and defend, to support, obey, and defend, the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the United States,

[1:01:36] And the Constitution of the State of Utah.

[1:01:38] And the Constitution of the State of Utah.

[1:01:40] And to discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.

[1:01:43] And to discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.

[1:01:47] Thank you.

[1:02:10] Thank you.

[1:02:10] I don't hate it.

[1:02:15] All

[1:02:18] right.

[1:02:41] I know I'm batting clean up, but you're in luck.

[1:02:44] I am the fastest-talking council members,

[1:02:46] so I am going to keep us moving.

[1:02:49] So thank you, I too want the opportunity to start with gratitude for so many individuals.

[1:02:57] I really want to start off by thinking the residents of District 7 for the opportunity

[1:03:01] to serve and represent our neighborhood for Sugar House and to represent that voice

[1:03:07] as part of the Greater Salt Lake City Council.

[1:03:10] To my team of campaign experts who helped my reelection by pushing me to build skills, I didn't

[1:03:17] think I had while also being willing to honor my lens and voice as a part of the

[1:03:23] process. Young Sugar House for life.

[1:03:29] My husband, Mike, and my son, Jake, for

[1:03:33] taking the journey with me. You don't serve alone when you've served in these

[1:03:38] roles, and I'm proud to have both of you by my side. Also, these two happen to be

[1:03:44] the most honest district seven residents who take full advantage of the dining room table

[1:03:51] to make sure that they're advocating whether it's about safety in our parks or a pothole

[1:03:57] that needs to be fixed. I'm going to take this opportunity to remind them and the rest of you

[1:04:03] of the My SLC app. You don't have to sit at the table. You too can participate in making sure

[1:04:10] Third, the city has the right information to meet the needs.

[1:04:14] So thank you to those of you who run the MySLC app.

[1:04:18] I hope to see more engagement from my household alone.

[1:04:24] Finally, to my family, my amazing sisters who are here today and my little brother.

[1:04:31] Growing up, team Reeves made me the person I am today.

[1:04:36] No heated debate in chamber or public comment period will ever compete.

[1:04:41] with having my underwear hung in the window as an elementary schooler for everyone to see on the walk home from school or spending hours at the family table waiting for every single person to eat their vegetables.

[1:04:58] I'm fortunate to have my best friends show up at every family function.

[1:05:03] Team A Ridge will always be interesting.

[1:05:07] And to my dad and mom who raised the crew of us,

[1:05:11] not only to care for each other but also to care for the community that we belong to,

[1:05:16] I carry that expectation into my role of serving for District 7 here for Salt Lake City.

[1:05:23] So last time I was up here, I had the opportunity to highlight that even though

[1:05:28] there are so many major events that are happening in the world around us,

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

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

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

[1:05:41] And today will be no different.

[1:05:44] And it involves Salt Lake Fire.

[1:05:47] So we're on brand team.

[1:05:49] I'd like to introduce a couple of individuals,

[1:05:53] one who is here with me today,

[1:05:55] but a family that is from Sugar House,

[1:05:59] that means the world to me.

[1:06:02] In

[1:06:08] case you haven't met these wonderful and amazing Salt Acres, I could spend my entire

[1:06:13] speech talking just about George, a veteran of the Vietnam War, a retired public safety

[1:06:20] servant here in Utah, and a star of NPR's Moth Radio.

[1:06:26] He is truly an incredible member of our community and represents the different individuals that

[1:06:33] we have that are truly treasures here in Salt Lake.

[1:06:37] George, I'm so glad you're here today, but today is actually about Tina.

[1:06:43] So I'm going to ask you to make sure that this message gets back to her so that she can be a part

[1:06:50] of a celebration that has been years in the making. Tina has cared about her community for her whole

[1:06:56] life, studying at Westminster in District 7, former pre-KA, the current scene and VP of

[1:07:05] the program at the League of Women Voters in Utah, and finally, a former senior human

[1:07:12] resource consultant right here in Salt Lake City.

[1:07:16] Now among the many things that Tina contributed to, she was involved in the city's 2018 effort

[1:07:23] to update our city policies, to make sure that we were recruiting more diverse candidates into the city workforce.

[1:07:31] And that workforce included Salt Lake City Fire.

[1:07:35] Now we had previously had women and diverse candidates serving our great city, but

[1:07:41] this was a small change in policy and an effort to set a goal to make sure that it wasn't just happenstance that these individuals were a part of the city workforce community.

[1:07:52] but that it was intentional, and we wanted to make sure that our city represented the

[1:07:58] great tapestry that we call Salt Lake. Although this action alone deserved great accolades

[1:08:05] and like so many things here in the city, it was noted in a few articles and then we moved

[1:08:11] onto the next great need or thing happening across the state of Utah.

[1:08:15] Now fast forward to the summer of 2025, and I have found myself at the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building getting ready for my right along with our chat team.

[1:08:29] These are our Salt Lake City Fire Emergency Medical Response Team that includes a social worker to be able to meet the various needs and safety responses that we need to be able to address here across our city.

[1:08:43] After a pretty intense first call that landed me in a mandatory coffee meeting with Chief

[1:08:50] Leib to make sure that everything was okay, we were often about to our next call in District

[1:08:56] 7 and this was right off of Douglas Street and 2,100 South.

[1:09:02] We arrived to find a resident with special needs who had fallen in her bathroom and she

[1:09:09] was declining help from the male first responders who were first on the scene because of the amazing

[1:09:17] women of chat. She was able to receive help and protect her dignity. Through the kindness and

[1:09:27] expertise of Holly, Sophie, Lauren, Natasha and the other members of the first responder team,

[1:09:35] They were able to calm her down and give her the assistance to get back in her room where

[1:09:41] she felt safe.

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

[1:09:46] And when the resident expressed concern about paying for the service, they quickly responded.

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

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

[1:09:59] The women of CHOP for SLC Fire are here today if you guys could stand so we could all thank you for this small act of kindness and the great work you do on behalf of the city.

[1:10:17] Now we want you to see standing for just a moment because George, it is important to me that Tina has the chance to see these women

[1:10:28] And to know that they're a part of the countless individuals who help to address the needs across the city,

[1:10:38] whether in public safety, public lands, the work we do in public utilities or elsewhere,

[1:10:46] she helped pave the way for our workforce.

[1:10:49] And although there is no monument or plaque, I wanted to take this day to honor Tina as a representative of all of not just the big acts, but those that are small, that really contribute to our city.

[1:11:06] If you can help me send it to the universe to think Tina for her example of leading in

[1:11:14] small ways for Salt Lake City that happen every day across this great city in every department

[1:11:21] with the thousands of people who work for our amazing Salt Lake City, I'd appreciate it.

[1:11:39] So as we look forward to our future, although I'm just as excited as everyone for the big

[1:11:47] actions, like exploring a new city campus, a new and improved Fairmont Park, the Ball

[1:11:54] Park Necks Project, and the future Salt Lake City Olympic Games. One more time, the Salt

[1:12:05] Lake City Olympic Games that are coming.

[1:12:13] It's the little things that are going to make

[1:12:16] the bigger difference. We won't get affordable housing with one big act. It takes steps on a daily

[1:12:25] basis by the team here in Salt Lake City, not just your elected officials but those who work here

[1:12:30] every day that will help to address one of the greatest needs our city faces. It is not me as an

[1:12:38] elected official who is going to save the great Salt Lake but the small acts that take place across

[1:12:45] the entire city, valley, county, and state of Utah that are really going to make the difference.

[1:12:53] I'm really excited to be a part of that future.

[1:12:58] And so I think each and every one of my fellow council members,

[1:13:01] the amazing staff and council office, the mayor, and her team of Team Salt Lake,

[1:13:08] and all of the citizens of Sugar House, the best is yet to come.

[1:13:13] Thank

[1:13:23] you, Council Member Young.

[1:13:25] This concludes the Administration of the Oath of Office of our newly elected officials.

[1:13:31] As we begin the new year, the Council looks forward to working together in service to

[1:13:36] the residents of Salt Lake City.

[1:13:38] We welcome the dedication and leadership of new and returning members and everything that

[1:13:44] look forward to in the year ahead.

[1:13:46] Thank you again to all family members, colleagues, community leaders and residents for joining

[1:13:51] us and being a part of this location.

[1:13:54] And if you enjoyed this season opener of the Salt Lake City Council meetings, I hope

[1:13:59] you will continue to join us.

[1:14:01] We meet most Tuesday nights right across the street, and you can tune in online as well.

[1:14:06] Please join us across the street after this for a reception on the third floor.

[1:14:12] This concludes our meeting at the Oath of Office ceremony.

[1:14:15] We will stand adjourned.

[1:14:17] Thank you.

Salt Lake City Oath of Office Ceremony - 01/05/2026

Transcript