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[3:54] » Mhm.

[3:57] » have you here with uh uh whether you are joining us in person or

[4:01] online. Um we hope you continue to participate in whichever manner you feel

[4:06] uh the most comfortable. Now, we're going to go to item A2, which

[4:10] is the Pledge of Allegiance. Join me.

[4:29] Okay. Thank you.

[4:33] Before we we move through the agenda, I want to quickly go through the

[4:36] registration information and share the reasoning about how and why we chair

[4:41] these meetings the way we do. We welcome everyone, regardless of of

[4:46] your opinion or your side of an issue. Because we will have people with varying

[4:51] opinions on important issues, the council's goal is to make the meetings a

[4:55] place where people feel safe and comfortable participating.

[4:59] This is the most local level of government, and it is a key value of

[5:03] ours to ensure that we have created a respectful and safe environment, so no

[5:08] one is intimidated out of free participation.

[5:12] This also allows us to ensure that the meetings can continue and that we can

[5:16] conduct a scheduled city business. We invite each of you to contribute to

[5:21] this space, to speak your mind, and to welcome others to do the same.

[5:26] In order to create the this welcoming and safe space,

[5:31] we'll pause the meeting at any action that causes a disruption to our ability

[5:35] to conduct the meeting, or any safety concern involving threats or unprotected

[5:39] speech. If there are repeated actions or

[5:42] comments, it may result in removal from the meeting.

[5:46] To avoid intimidating others, please avoid the use of threatening and

[5:49] discriminatory language. Do not insult others based on religion,

[5:54] ethnicity, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, or physical ability.

[6:01] Whether you agree or disagree with someone's comment,

[6:04] clapping, cheering, shouting, booing, snapping, gesturing,

[6:09] obstructing, or discouraging others from commenting is not allowed.

[6:14] As a reminder, as council members, we refrain from reacting or responding to

[6:18] allow everyone to share their opinions freely.

[6:22] This is to keep our reactions from affecting your ability to share your

[6:25] opinion freely. If you would like to follow up with any

[6:28] of us, please see our council staff, or if you

[6:32] are online, you can chat and ask for contact information.

[6:37] When making your comments, please address address the body and not any

[6:40] individual elected official. If you have a handout for the council,

[6:45] you can raise your hand and council staff can assist you and make that

[6:49] handout available to us. Council staff are available during and

[6:54] after the meeting to help with any questions or information sharing.

[6:59] The full meeting rules are listed at the door

[7:02] and our staff will post post them and the

[7:05] the link on Zoom. As a reminder, our public

[7:11] comment registration process, individuals may register to comment on

[7:15] scheduled city business on the scheduled public hearing item,

[7:19] sorry, until the hearing is closed. For the general comment sections, we'll

[7:24] accept sign-ups until 7:30 p.m. The general comment section is limited

[7:28] to a maximum of 1 hour and will only include commenters who register before

[7:33] 7:30 p.m. So, if you are here to give general

[7:37] comments, please sign up and remember that it's

[7:40] possible not everyone who signed up may be able to speak.

[7:44] Now, we're going to move to item A4, which is approving the min- the the

[7:48] meeting uh minutes for the truth and taxation meeting on August 11, 2026.

[7:55] I need a motion.

[7:58] » Second. >> I have a motion by Council Member

[8:01] Wharton and a second by Council Member Petro.

[8:04] Uh any questions or comments? Uh all of those in favor say I.

[8:08] » I. >> I.

[8:09] » Any opposed? Any abstentions? This motion carries

[8:13] unanimously with one Council Member absent.

[8:17] Um there is no scheduled public hearings today.

[8:21] And we're going to move to items uh on the C agenda, potential action items.

[8:28] And item C1 has been moved to a future agenda.

[8:32] Um so, we have pulled that item. Uh so, item C2 is the ordinance for a 6-year

[8:38] capital asset plan, and I need a motion.

[8:45] » Mr. Chair, I move that the Council adopt an ordinance adopting a capital asset

[8:51] plan for Salt Lake City general fund. >> Second.

[8:57] » [snorts]

[9:02] » So, I have a motion by Council Member uh Young and a second by Council Member

[9:07] Carlson. Uh I'm going to call the question. Uh all of those in favor say

[9:11] I. >> I.

[9:13] » Any opposed? Uh this motion carries unanimously with

[9:17] one Council Member absent. Uh item C3 is a resolution for the

[9:22] capital improvement program, and I need a motion.

[9:25] » Mr. Chair, I move that the Council approve a resolution adopting the

[9:30] capital improvement program project specific allocations for fiscal year

[9:34] 2027 as shown on the attached exhibit A

[9:38] funding log. >> Motion by council member Young and

[9:43] seconded by council member Petro. Is there any discussion?

[9:47] I'm going to call the question. All of those in favor say I.

[9:50] » I. >> Any opposed?

[9:52] Or abstentions? Okay, this motion carries unanimously

[9:56] with one council member absent. Um there is no new or unfinished

[10:02] business items. There is um

[10:05] consent agenda, so I need a motion. >> Move for approval.

[10:10] » Second. >> Council member uh

[10:12] Wharton and Petro for the second to approve the consent agenda. Uh any

[10:18] discussion? I'm going to call the question. All of

[10:20] those in favor say I. >> I.

[10:23] » Any opposed or abstentions? This motion carries unanimously.

[10:28] Now um

[10:30] that brings us uh to section G. Are there any questions for the mayor?

[10:37] Any questions for the mayor? Thank you, Rachel,

[10:42] for being on behalf of the mayor. Thank you.

[10:46] So, now we're going to um move into the general comment portion

[10:50] of our agenda. This section is for the public to

[10:53] comment on any city business not scheduled for for a public hearing and

[10:58] is limited to a maximum of 1 hour for those individuals who register

[11:02] before 7:30. Uh our meeting rules apply to the

[11:06] general comments. Just avoid disruptions or threats. Um and uh

[11:12] reminder just as a reminder um the

[11:18] you're going to have 2 minute uh to speak uh and when the 2 minute

[11:23] um it's up uh staff will say time and your

[11:28] mic microphone will be muted. If you haven't finished your comment on those

[11:32] two minutes, you can reach out to us and and

[11:36] you know and and make sure that you we can make uh receive the rest of your

[11:40] comments. Uh if you're having technical issues and

[11:42] you're online, um you can message staff support and Akshay from our staff can

[11:48] assist you. Um

[11:51] so the again, if you haven't finished your your comments, you can um find our

[11:57] contact information at slc.gov/council.

[12:02] Taylor, can you begin with our first general comment?

[12:06] » Thank you, Mr. Chair. We have about six people registered. The first will be

[12:10] Alex Wonder, followed by Keiko Jones, and then Jim Mataya. Alex, you may now

[12:16] unmute. >> Hi, can you guys hear me okay?

[12:20] » Yes, we can hear you. >> Awesome. Um so my name is Alex Wonder.

[12:24] I'm the founder of Rose Park Bee Club. Um I'm a second-year awardee. Um all of

[12:30] my work is through the Community Food Micro Grant. Um we primarily serve the

[12:35] West Side, but our members are all throughout the valley. Um I work with

[12:39] the Village Co-op, the Krishna Temple, Hive Kind, UPC, Food Not Bombs, SLC

[12:44] Mutual Aid, uh the public library, and my program was featured on the mayor's

[12:48] Instagram last year. Um

[12:51] last year we also distributed 7.5 gallons of honey for free to the

[12:55] community, um 250 peppers and tomatoes. Um about 100 people attended our annual

[13:02] honey giveaway, and we hosted 22 free beekeeping classes while increasing

[13:07] access to high-quality local food. Um I have three concerns for the City Council

[13:12] today. Um one, I I'm concerned about uh protecting agricultural sites on the

[13:19] West Side, um and the fact that we only have two protected sites. I'm not sure

[13:24] who manages them, but I know one is Wheeler Farm.

[13:27] Um, new industry on the west side is a loss of agricultural lands and um

[13:32] reduced food choices and independence for the west side. And specifically

[13:36] cutting the funding to the community food micro-grant um impacts my program

[13:41] and not just me, but there's so many really cool projects impacted by the

[13:45] loss of this micro-grant for next year. And um I personally cannot operate

[13:49] without it. Um for some context, bees pollinate one

[13:53] in three bites of food and they need about two to five acres of continuously

[13:57] flowering plants for optimal health and surplus honey. And the west side

[14:01] deserves beautiful spaces and reduced pollution exposure and food access that

[14:06] like new industry um industry projects might um bring to us. Um and this would

[14:12] also support local pollinators as well. Um I ask that the council make an effort

[14:18] to please protect our agricultural spaces and food production on the west

[14:22] side. Um increase and ensure the longevity

[14:28] And that

[14:30] Jones followed by Nadja Mathai and then Kurt M-

[14:35] M- goes here in person.

[14:39] » Hi council members. My name is Keiko Jones.

[14:42] I live on the west side and I love my community.

[14:47] Um so I go to senior centers maybe twice, three times a week.

[14:53] And today was one of the special days at

[14:59] Rivers Bend because uh advisory committee provided a

[15:04] free pancake breakfast. And you should have seen people's faces.

[15:11] It's not fancy, but I saw a lot of happy faces.

[15:16] And it was made possible by Poplar Grove Community Council.

[15:22] Uh earlier I reached out to some community councils on the west side

[15:29] uh, to either co-sponsor or adopt a couple of events at the senior center.

[15:37] And so far Popular Grove and Fair Park community councils

[15:42] granted my requests. So, that was one of the events today.

[15:49] Um, we may not have enough, but we do not

[15:54] lack generosity. People brought, you know, juice, peaches

[16:00] to share with people. Uh, so I emailed all of you a couple of

[16:06] weeks ago and I got two responses

[16:11] and I thought the email was largely ignored, but then

[16:17] one of the liaisons um,

[16:20] emailed me on behalf of all of you and I really appreciate your attention.

[16:27] Regardless of the outcome, I [clears throat] really want to say thank

[16:32] you for your attention and consideration.

[16:36] Thank you.

[16:39] » Next will be Naja Mataya followed by Kurt Midtlyng and then Brett Crane.

[16:45] Naja is here in person.

[16:51] » Hello, Salt Lake City Council. Uh, my name is Naja Mataya and I'm from the

[16:57] Wasatch Assembly and I'm back to continue to talk about ICE and

[17:02] immigration policy in Utah. Um,

[17:06] again, I want to ask that uh, we appreciate Chris for responding

[17:12] to our policy survey, but we still have not heard from

[17:16] uh, most of you and we just want to know, are you committed to continue the

[17:22] fight against ICE? Do you want the community involved in local politics in

[17:27] this fight? We are um actively dedicated to supporting this in

[17:34] any way, and we would love to talk to you more about it. Um

[17:39] we're prepared to support those who are aligned with this.

[17:42] Um We the people just need to know where you stand with small steps and symbolic

[17:48] action or with real progress and sustained movements.

[17:54] Um people can see right now that the state government is not

[17:58] really addressing the material needs of the conditions of the people who call

[18:02] the state home. There's a lot of issues of

[18:05] support for the legislators dropping a little bit right now. Um

[18:10] So, this is the time to be bold. Tell your constituents where you stand on key

[18:14] policy items that make real change and actually have effects in people's lives.

[18:19] Just to reiterate our top policies that we agreed on uh responding to

[18:24] immigration and ICE. Um Stop ICE facilities from being

[18:29] constructed. No 287 agreements or municipal resources to ICE, which I

[18:34] know you agree with. And then the free services for constitutional rights cons-

[18:40] constitutional rights violations. The rest of the policies are in the

[18:45] handout, and you can contact us at wasatchassembly.org.

[18:49] We're happy to meet with you to talk more about this. So.

[18:56] » Next will be Kurt Middelstadt, followed by Brett Crane, and then Jason Hogew.

[19:02] Kurt is here in person.

[19:07] » Hi council. Good to see you again. Kurt Middelstadt um with the Wasatch

[19:11] Assembly. Um

[19:13] you know, just back again to talk about ICE. So, thanks for your time again. Um,

[19:18] you know, I just reiterate I I believe we as a community, um, including Salt

[19:23] Lake City Council, um, have a responsibility to protect the people who

[19:27] live here. Um, you know, while ICE is a federal

[19:30] agency, it has local effects. Um, they affect our neighbors, our

[19:35] families, our friends, um, our workplaces, our schools,

[19:40] um, and our communities. And I think, you know, local government has choices

[19:45] about whether it helps ICE, um, ignores ICE, or actively protects, um,

[19:50] its residents. Um, we continue to hear hear many

[19:53] horrifying stories around the country of people being unlawfully detained,

[19:57] separated from their families, with no apparent recourse, no accountability for

[20:01] those at fault. Um, in fact, this happened to one of our our close family

[20:05] friends, um, a little bit of time ago. Um, just to see the devastation that

[20:10] brought was was heartbreaking, and that's just, you know, one one instance.

[20:14] Um, so just urge you to please take action, and let's not forget, um, about

[20:18] these innocent people. Their friends and family certainly won't. Um, we, their

[20:22] community, certainly won't, and we'll continue to show up, um, until we see

[20:26] some, you know, real action and and real results. Thanks for your time.

[20:32] » Next will be Brett Crane, followed by Jason Hoku. Brett is here in person.

[20:41] » Uh, hello Salt Lake City Council. My name is Brett Crane. I am a student at

[20:45] the University of Utah who moved here 3 years ago.

[20:49] I'm here today because I'm concerned for the safety, well-being, and belonging of

[20:52] immigrants in this city. As a student watching others in my

[20:55] position face removal from educational institutions and having their educations

[20:59] disrupted because of their immigration status is unfair and discriminatory.

[21:04] No student should have to fear the abrupt end of their education. No

[21:07] student should have to worry about their parents, grandparents, or families being

[21:11] sent away from their homes without just warning.

[21:14] No student should feel afraid to trust their local authority.

[21:17] Salt Lake City already has demonstrated its opposition to ICE expansion.

[21:21] I'm asking you as a member of a community to represent our opposition.

[21:26] The Wasatch Assembly has brought you a clear set of demands developed by people

[21:30] in this community. Salt Lake City has a responsibility to protect the people who

[21:33] live here. ICE's status as a federal agency does

[21:37] not negate the profound impact it has on local communities.

[21:41] Our neighbors, families, friends, and co-workers, our schools, and our

[21:45] communities are all affected by ICE. Local government has choices about

[21:49] whether it helps ICE, ignores ICE, or actively protects its residents from

[21:53] ICE's abuse. My top priorities, my priority policies

[21:58] representing the Wasatch Assembly's agenda are providing free legal services

[22:03] for Salt Lake City residents whose constitutional rights are violated by

[22:06] federal federal immigration enforcement. Require judicial warrants before

[22:11] facilities, records, databases, or other city resources are accessed for federal

[22:16] immigration enforcement. Except for access or disclosure is otherwise

[22:21] legally required. And ultimately, passing a resolution

[22:25] calling for the abolition of ICE. Thank you.

[22:31] » And next will be Jason Hoku. Jason is here in person.

[22:39] » Hello, Salt Lake City Council members. Uh my name is Jason. I've lived in Salt

[22:43] Lake City all my life. And I'm also here today because I believe no one should

[22:48] have to worry if they attend their next immigration appointment or are pulled

[22:52] over for a broken brake light, they might be dragged off to a detention

[22:56] center. Um it's unconstitutional, it's unconscionable, and it's happening in

[23:00] our backyard. Um I want you to see the 30-plus people

[23:05] who are forcibly flown out of our very own Salt

[23:09] Lake City or Salt Lake Airport every single day. I want you to see our

[23:13] Senator Luz Escamilla telling reporters that ICE told a detained mother to,

[23:18] quote, drink out of the toilet. I want you to see the scared, lonely dog I saw

[23:23] at Best Friends Animal Society who understood Spanish and had a little

[23:27] sticker that said bilingual king. I want you to see the community

[23:31] gathering I attended this summer calling for the father of one of my high school

[23:34] classmates to be freed.

[23:37] He was not given his critical diabetes treatment while in ICE custody. And I've

[23:42] seen the work that this council and Salt Lake City have done to resist ICE's

[23:46] expansion in our community, including helping to stop the ICE warehouse. Your

[23:51] work so far has not gone unnoticed, but especially as ICE ramps up its attacks,

[23:56] we need more action to keep everyone in our community safe. The Wasatch Assembly

[24:00] has created a clear and actionable list of next steps developed by people in the

[24:04] community. I want to voice my support for requiring judicial warrants

[24:09] before Salt Lake City facilities, records, databases, or other city

[24:12] resources are accessed by immigration enforcement. I want to express my

[24:17] support for requiring the Salt Lake City departments to publicly publicly report

[24:21] their interactions with ICE and other federal authorities. And also providing

[24:25] free legal services for Salt Lake City residents whose constitutional rights

[24:29] have been violated by ICE. When the federal government tries to take away

[24:33] our neighbors' rights to justice, it's up to us to fill in the rest.

[24:39] Thank you.

[24:41] » And that was the final registered commenter.

[24:47] » Thank you all of you that share your your thoughts.

[24:51] Um, this

[24:53] really concludes the Salt Salt Lake City Council meeting for today,

[24:57] Um, this formal meeting stands adjourned.

[25:19] » Thank you. [music]

Salt Lake City Formal Meeting - 08/25/2026

Transcript