Sandy City Council Meeting Summary – June 10, 2025

The Sandy City Council held a regular meeting on June 10, 2025, at 5:15 PM in City Hall and online. The meeting included a closed session on litigation, informational items, a public hearing on the FY 2025-26 budget, and voting on a rezone and a policy amendment. Key discussions focused on budget amendments prioritizing personnel over other expenses, a proposed Council Code of Conduct, and the extension of legal services.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The council unanimously approved the draft minutes from May 13, May 20, and May 27, 2025, via a single consent calendar vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pat Jones (granted 5 minutes): Expressed support for the proposed Council Code of Conduct, requesting clearer language on non-partisanship and fiduciary duty. She cited a previous council meeting where remarks were perceived as partisan, urging the council to avoid divisiveness.
• Kris Nicholl (granted 5 minutes): Expressed support for extending the legal services agreement with Cowdell Law. During the budget public hearing, she thanked the council for prioritizing city employees over other costs, such as the approximately $200,000 remodel of the Mayor’s Office Suite, and for detailing Mayor’s expense line items including jewelry, stickers, and belt buckles.
• Steve Van Maren (via online): Commented on the Public Utility department’s deferral of water rate increases, arguing that any planned increase should be accounted for in the FY26 budget. He also commented on the proposed real property manager position and noted that the carpet at the Sandy Senior Center needs replacement.

Discussion Items

• Closed Session (5:19 PM – 5:58 PM): The council convened a closed session to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation. The motion passed 7-0.
• FY26 Certified Property Tax Rate (Item 2): Brian Kelley, Administrative Services, presented that the certified tax rate from the county could generate a little over $600,000 in additional revenue if frozen, representing a ~3.9% property tax increase. Net available after 12% fund balance set-aside would be approximately $528,000. This was informational only.
• Council Legal Services Agreement Extension (Item 3): Dustin Fratto presented a one-year extension (Amendment 3) with Cowdell Law for FY26, including a 2% rate increase (to ~$145/hour, well below the firm’s standard $300-350/hour). The council expressed support and directed staff to bring it back as a voting item at the next meeting.
• Council Code of Conduct (Item 4): Fratto presented a comprehensive draft Code of Conduct, noting that only about one-third of neighboring cities have such a policy. The council discussed wording refinements, including changing "actively participate" to "actively, effectively, or appropriately participate" in the impairment recusal section. Council members expressed strong support and directed staff to bring it back for a vote at the next meeting.
• FY 2025-26 Budget Public Hearing (Item 5):
  • Houseman-Robinson Proposal: Council Members Houseman and Robinson proposed amendments focusing on personnel: funding critical positions (real property manager, animal services officer), reclassifying an executive assistant, restoring funding for management studies and council meetings, and reallocating audit services. Funding sources included reductions in fleet, communications/marketing, community engagement, and special programs.
  • Stroud Proposal: Council Member Stroud proposed amendments including $100,000 one-time for hazardous concrete repair, an additional animal services officer (ongoing), and $5,000 ongoing for police ammunition. Funding sources included reductions from the newsletter, community engagement activities, decorative lighting, and other line items.
  • The council discussed the proposals extensively. There was broad support for the animal services officer but division on the real property manager, with some members preferring to use funds for one-time capital projects or existing needs. The public hearing was continued to the June 17, 2025 council meeting.
• Jordan Credit Union Rezone (Item 9): The council adopted Ordinance 25-14, rezoning approximately 0.98 acres at 9260 S 300 E from R-1-8 to PO (Professional Office District), following a positive recommendation from the Planning Commission. The vote was unanimous (7-0).
• Policies and Procedures for Participation in Events by City Officials (Item 10): The council adopted Resolution 25-25C, amending the policies and procedures for participation in events by city officials. The vote was unanimous (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Closed Session: Held 5:19-5:58 PM to discuss litigation (7-0 vote).
• Legal Services Extension: Directed staff to bring the Cowdell Law contract extension to the next meeting for a vote.
• Code of Conduct: Directed staff to incorporate suggested edits and bring it back for a vote at the next meeting.
• FY26 Budget: The public hearing was continued to the June 17, 2025 council meeting. Council members Houseman/Robinson and Stroud presented proposals that will be combined with additional proposals (including one from Council Member D'Sousa expected next week). The council must set a tax rate by the June 24 meeting.
• Jordan Credit Union Rezone: Ordinance 25-14 adopted unanimously (7-0).
• Event Participation Policy: Resolution 25-25C adopted unanimously (7-0).
• Next Meeting: June 17, 2025, which is the last formal meeting before the tax rate must be set.