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» Mhm.
» have you here with uh uh whether you are joining us in person or
online. Um we hope you continue to participate in whichever manner you feel
uh the most comfortable. Now, we're going to go to item A2, which
is the Pledge of Allegiance. Join me.
Okay. Thank you.
Before we we move through the agenda, I want to quickly go through the
registration information and share the reasoning about how and why we chair
these meetings the way we do. We welcome everyone, regardless of of
your opinion or your side of an issue. Because we will have people with varying
opinions on important issues, the council's goal is to make the meetings a
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This is the most local level of government, and it is a key value of
ours to ensure that we have created a respectful and safe environment, so no
one is intimidated out of free participation.
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scheduled city business on the scheduled public hearing item,
sorry, until the hearing is closed. For the general comment sections, we'll
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comments, please sign up and remember that it's
possible not everyone who signed up may be able to speak.
Now, we're going to move to item A4, which is approving the min- the the
meeting uh minutes for the truth and taxation meeting on August 11, 2026.
I need a motion.
» Second. >> I have a motion by Council Member
Wharton and a second by Council Member Petro.
Uh any questions or comments? Uh all of those in favor say I.
» I. >> I.
» Any opposed? Any abstentions? This motion carries
unanimously with one Council Member absent.
Um there is no scheduled public hearings today.
And we're going to move to items uh on the C agenda, potential action items.
And item C1 has been moved to a future agenda.
Um so, we have pulled that item. Uh so, item C2 is the ordinance for a 6-year
capital asset plan, and I need a motion.
» Mr. Chair, I move that the Council adopt an ordinance adopting a capital asset
plan for Salt Lake City general fund. >> Second.
» [snorts]
» So, I have a motion by Council Member uh Young and a second by Council Member
Carlson. Uh I'm going to call the question. Uh all of those in favor say
I. >> I.
» Any opposed? Uh this motion carries unanimously with
one Council Member absent. Uh item C3 is a resolution for the
capital improvement program, and I need a motion.
» Mr. Chair, I move that the Council approve a resolution adopting the
capital improvement program project specific allocations for fiscal year
2027 as shown on the attached exhibit A
funding log. >> Motion by council member Young and
seconded by council member Petro. Is there any discussion?
I'm going to call the question. All of those in favor say I.
» I. >> Any opposed?
Or abstentions? Okay, this motion carries unanimously
with one council member absent. Um there is no new or unfinished
business items. There is um
consent agenda, so I need a motion. >> Move for approval.
» Second. >> Council member uh
Wharton and Petro for the second to approve the consent agenda. Uh any
discussion? I'm going to call the question. All of
those in favor say I. >> I.
» Any opposed or abstentions? This motion carries unanimously.
Now um
that brings us uh to section G. Are there any questions for the mayor?
Any questions for the mayor? Thank you, Rachel,
for being on behalf of the mayor. Thank you.
So, now we're going to um move into the general comment portion
of our agenda. This section is for the public to
comment on any city business not scheduled for for a public hearing and
is limited to a maximum of 1 hour for those individuals who register
before 7:30. Uh our meeting rules apply to the
general comments. Just avoid disruptions or threats. Um and uh
reminder just as a reminder um the
you're going to have 2 minute uh to speak uh and when the 2 minute
um it's up uh staff will say time and your
mic microphone will be muted. If you haven't finished your comment on those
two minutes, you can reach out to us and and
you know and and make sure that you we can make uh receive the rest of your
comments. Uh if you're having technical issues and
you're online, um you can message staff support and Akshay from our staff can
assist you. Um
so the again, if you haven't finished your your comments, you can um find our
contact information at slc.gov/council.
Taylor, can you begin with our first general comment?
» Thank you, Mr. Chair. We have about six people registered. The first will be
Alex Wonder, followed by Keiko Jones, and then Jim Mataya. Alex, you may now
unmute. >> Hi, can you guys hear me okay?
» Yes, we can hear you. >> Awesome. Um so my name is Alex Wonder.
I'm the founder of Rose Park Bee Club. Um I'm a second-year awardee. Um all of
my work is through the Community Food Micro Grant. Um we primarily serve the
West Side, but our members are all throughout the valley. Um I work with
the Village Co-op, the Krishna Temple, Hive Kind, UPC, Food Not Bombs, SLC
Mutual Aid, uh the public library, and my program was featured on the mayor's
Instagram last year. Um
last year we also distributed 7.5 gallons of honey for free to the
community, um 250 peppers and tomatoes. Um about 100 people attended our annual
honey giveaway, and we hosted 22 free beekeeping classes while increasing
access to high-quality local food. Um I have three concerns for the City Council
today. Um one, I I'm concerned about uh protecting agricultural sites on the
West Side, um and the fact that we only have two protected sites. I'm not sure
who manages them, but I know one is Wheeler Farm.
Um, new industry on the west side is a loss of agricultural lands and um
reduced food choices and independence for the west side. And specifically
cutting the funding to the community food micro-grant um impacts my program
and not just me, but there's so many really cool projects impacted by the
loss of this micro-grant for next year. And um I personally cannot operate
without it. Um for some context, bees pollinate one
in three bites of food and they need about two to five acres of continuously
flowering plants for optimal health and surplus honey. And the west side
deserves beautiful spaces and reduced pollution exposure and food access that
like new industry um industry projects might um bring to us. Um and this would
also support local pollinators as well. Um I ask that the council make an effort
to please protect our agricultural spaces and food production on the west
side. Um increase and ensure the longevity
And that
Jones followed by Nadja Mathai and then Kurt M-
M- goes here in person.
» Hi council members. My name is Keiko Jones.
I live on the west side and I love my community.
Um so I go to senior centers maybe twice, three times a week.
And today was one of the special days at
Rivers Bend because uh advisory committee provided a
free pancake breakfast. And you should have seen people's faces.
It's not fancy, but I saw a lot of happy faces.
And it was made possible by Poplar Grove Community Council.
Uh earlier I reached out to some community councils on the west side
uh, to either co-sponsor or adopt a couple of events at the senior center.
And so far Popular Grove and Fair Park community councils
granted my requests. So, that was one of the events today.
Um, we may not have enough, but we do not
lack generosity. People brought, you know, juice, peaches
to share with people. Uh, so I emailed all of you a couple of
weeks ago and I got two responses
and I thought the email was largely ignored, but then
one of the liaisons um,
emailed me on behalf of all of you and I really appreciate your attention.
Regardless of the outcome, I [clears throat] really want to say thank
you for your attention and consideration.
Thank you.
» Next will be Naja Mataya followed by Kurt Midtlyng and then Brett Crane.
Naja is here in person.
» Hello, Salt Lake City Council. Uh, my name is Naja Mataya and I'm from the
Wasatch Assembly and I'm back to continue to talk about ICE and
immigration policy in Utah. Um,
again, I want to ask that uh, we appreciate Chris for responding
to our policy survey, but we still have not heard from
uh, most of you and we just want to know, are you committed to continue the
fight against ICE? Do you want the community involved in local politics in
this fight? We are um actively dedicated to supporting this in
any way, and we would love to talk to you more about it. Um
we're prepared to support those who are aligned with this.
Um We the people just need to know where you stand with small steps and symbolic
action or with real progress and sustained movements.
Um people can see right now that the state government is not
really addressing the material needs of the conditions of the people who call
the state home. There's a lot of issues of
support for the legislators dropping a little bit right now. Um
So, this is the time to be bold. Tell your constituents where you stand on key
policy items that make real change and actually have effects in people's lives.
Just to reiterate our top policies that we agreed on uh responding to
immigration and ICE. Um Stop ICE facilities from being
constructed. No 287 agreements or municipal resources to ICE, which I
know you agree with. And then the free services for constitutional rights cons-
constitutional rights violations. The rest of the policies are in the
handout, and you can contact us at wasatchassembly.org.
We're happy to meet with you to talk more about this. So.
» Next will be Kurt Middelstadt, followed by Brett Crane, and then Jason Hogew.
Kurt is here in person.
» Hi council. Good to see you again. Kurt Middelstadt um with the Wasatch
Assembly. Um
you know, just back again to talk about ICE. So, thanks for your time again. Um,
you know, I just reiterate I I believe we as a community, um, including Salt
Lake City Council, um, have a responsibility to protect the people who
live here. Um, you know, while ICE is a federal
agency, it has local effects. Um, they affect our neighbors, our
families, our friends, um, our workplaces, our schools,
um, and our communities. And I think, you know, local government has choices
about whether it helps ICE, um, ignores ICE, or actively protects, um,
its residents. Um, we continue to hear hear many
horrifying stories around the country of people being unlawfully detained,
separated from their families, with no apparent recourse, no accountability for
those at fault. Um, in fact, this happened to one of our our close family
friends, um, a little bit of time ago. Um, just to see the devastation that
brought was was heartbreaking, and that's just, you know, one one instance.
Um, so just urge you to please take action, and let's not forget, um, about
these innocent people. Their friends and family certainly won't. Um, we, their
community, certainly won't, and we'll continue to show up, um, until we see
some, you know, real action and and real results. Thanks for your time.
» Next will be Brett Crane, followed by Jason Hoku. Brett is here in person.
» Uh, hello Salt Lake City Council. My name is Brett Crane. I am a student at
the University of Utah who moved here 3 years ago.
I'm here today because I'm concerned for the safety, well-being, and belonging of
immigrants in this city. As a student watching others in my
position face removal from educational institutions and having their educations
disrupted because of their immigration status is unfair and discriminatory.
No student should have to fear the abrupt end of their education. No
student should have to worry about their parents, grandparents, or families being
sent away from their homes without just warning.
No student should feel afraid to trust their local authority.
Salt Lake City already has demonstrated its opposition to ICE expansion.
I'm asking you as a member of a community to represent our opposition.
The Wasatch Assembly has brought you a clear set of demands developed by people
in this community. Salt Lake City has a responsibility to protect the people who
live here. ICE's status as a federal agency does
not negate the profound impact it has on local communities.
Our neighbors, families, friends, and co-workers, our schools, and our
communities are all affected by ICE. Local government has choices about
whether it helps ICE, ignores ICE, or actively protects its residents from
ICE's abuse. My top priorities, my priority policies
representing the Wasatch Assembly's agenda are providing free legal services
for Salt Lake City residents whose constitutional rights are violated by
federal federal immigration enforcement. Require judicial warrants before
facilities, records, databases, or other city resources are accessed for federal
immigration enforcement. Except for access or disclosure is otherwise
legally required. And ultimately, passing a resolution
calling for the abolition of ICE. Thank you.
» And next will be Jason Hoku. Jason is here in person.
» Hello, Salt Lake City Council members. Uh my name is Jason. I've lived in Salt
Lake City all my life. And I'm also here today because I believe no one should
have to worry if they attend their next immigration appointment or are pulled
over for a broken brake light, they might be dragged off to a detention
center. Um it's unconstitutional, it's unconscionable, and it's happening in
our backyard. Um I want you to see the 30-plus people
who are forcibly flown out of our very own Salt
Lake City or Salt Lake Airport every single day. I want you to see our
Senator Luz Escamilla telling reporters that ICE told a detained mother to,
quote, drink out of the toilet. I want you to see the scared, lonely dog I saw
at Best Friends Animal Society who understood Spanish and had a little
sticker that said bilingual king. I want you to see the community
gathering I attended this summer calling for the father of one of my high school
classmates to be freed.
He was not given his critical diabetes treatment while in ICE custody. And I've
seen the work that this council and Salt Lake City have done to resist ICE's
expansion in our community, including helping to stop the ICE warehouse. Your
work so far has not gone unnoticed, but especially as ICE ramps up its attacks,
we need more action to keep everyone in our community safe. The Wasatch Assembly
has created a clear and actionable list of next steps developed by people in the
community. I want to voice my support for requiring judicial warrants
before Salt Lake City facilities, records, databases, or other city
resources are accessed by immigration enforcement. I want to express my
support for requiring the Salt Lake City departments to publicly publicly report
their interactions with ICE and other federal authorities. And also providing
free legal services for Salt Lake City residents whose constitutional rights
have been violated by ICE. When the federal government tries to take away
our neighbors' rights to justice, it's up to us to fill in the rest.
Thank you.
» And that was the final registered commenter.
» Thank you all of you that share your your thoughts.
Um, this
really concludes the Salt Salt Lake City Council meeting for today,
Um, this formal meeting stands adjourned.
» Thank you. [music]