Sandy City Council Meeting - June 17, 2025

The Sandy City Council met on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 5:15 PM in City Hall and online. The meeting included a continued public hearing on the FY 2025-26 budget, with multiple council member proposals and public comments. Other items included an informational presentation on adding Herriman City to Trans-Jordan Landfill, approval of a short-term rental management certification program, extension of the council legal services agreement, adoption of a council code of conduct, and reappointment to the CDBG committee. The meeting adjourned at 8:43 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Reappointed Joel Frost to serve as a regular member of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Committee (Resolution 25-29C). Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Merae Kimball (Sandy resident) expressed concern that Alta Canyon Sports Center does not offer a disability membership, requiring her to pay three times more than at other recreation centers and also pay for her assistant. She requested a disability membership or reduced fees for assistants.
• Steve Van Maren (Draper resident) noted that he did not see a specific tax rate in the budget resolution.
• Kathy Spuck (Sandy resident) supported a higher water rate to avoid future water main breaks and sinkholes, citing a recent water main break on Highland Drive. She stated she would rather pay more now than pay for insurance claims and inconvenience later.
• Heather Franze (Wasatch Animal Rescue) expressed support for adding an animal services officer position, stating that the position being eliminated is the only one that advocates for animal enrichment and well-being. She urged the council to preserve it.

Discussion Items

• Trans-Jordan Landfill Amendments (Informational): Ryan Kump, Public Works Director, presented two items: a resolution to add Herriman City as a member of Trans-Jordan Landfill, and a resolution appointing Martin Jensen as Sandy's alternate board member. Jaron Scott, Executive Director, explained that Herriman brings 20,000 tons of curbside waste and 14,000 resident visits annually. The buy-in would be $5.52 million (one-eighth of the landfill's valuation) paid over 14 years. Council questioned the timeline and potential downsides. No vote taken; will return for action on June 24.
• FY 2025-26 Budget Public Hearing (Continued): Finance Director Brian Kelley noted the budget must be adopted by June 30. Council members presented and debated several amendments:
  • Councilmember Stroud proposed three items: (A) $100,000 for hazardous concrete repair (additional 1,500 feet of sidewalk or 20 ADA ramps), (B) funding for an animal services officer (road officer), and (C) $5,000 ongoing increase for police ammunition. She broke them into separate exhibits. After discussion, Exhibit A passed unanimously, Exhibit B passed 5-2 (Councilmembers Sharkey and Mecham dissenting), and Exhibit C passed unanimously.
  • Councilmember D'Sousa proposed three items: (A) $100,000 for council chamber remodel (from unspent public works project at Cassawary Drive), (B) $1,700 increase to the Risk Fund, and (C) $30,000 increase for council meetings and management studies. All three passed unanimously.
  • Councilmember Sharkey proposed extending the stormwater rate increase timeline from 10 years to 15 or 20 years, reducing the proposed $2.50/month increase (42%) to 28% or 21% respectively. Public Utilities Director Tom Ward argued that delaying would increase risk and costs, citing past flooding incidents and the need to be proactive. Council discussed but did not vote on Sharkey's proposal; it was not included in the final amendment package.
  • Councilmember Houseman and Robinson proposed a budget amendment that included funding for a real property manager (reallocation of an existing position), cutting fleet funding for two unmarked detective vehicles (to be addressed in carryover), and other items. Passed 5-2 (Councilmembers Sharkey and Mecham dissenting).
  • Councilmember Dekeyzer proposed $25,000 for a public art program (utility box art). After discussion, the motion failed 4-3 (Councilmembers Dekeyzer, Mecham, and Stroud in favor).
  • The council also set tax rates: Resolution 25-27C (Sandy City) and 25-28C (Alta Canyon Recreation District) both passed 7-0.
• Short Term Rental (STR) Management Certification Program: Brian McCuiston, Community Development, presented an 8-minute educational video and a 25-question test (80% pass required) for STR owners. The video was shown. Council praised the collaborative effort and the quality of the video. Unanimous approval.
• Council Legal Services Agreement: Dustin Fratto, Council Director, presented Amendment 3 to extend the agreement with Cowdell Law for one year (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026) with a 2% increase. Tracy Cowdell thanked the council. Unanimous approval.
• City Council Code of Conduct: Dustin Fratto presented the final version (Resolution 25-30C) with redline changes. Unanimous approval.

Key Outcomes

• Public hearing continued to June 24, 2025, for final budget adoption (motion carried 7-0).
• Budget amendments approved (see Discussion Items for details):
  • Stroud Exhibit A (hazardous concrete repair) – unanimous.
  • Stroud Exhibit B (animal services officer) – 5-2.
  • Stroud Exhibit C (police ammunition) – unanimous.
  • D'Sousa Exhibit A (council chamber remodel) – unanimous.
  • D'Sousa Exhibit B (risk fund increase) – unanimous.
  • D'Sousa Exhibit C (council meetings/management studies) – unanimous.
  • Houseman-Robinson proposal (real property manager, fleet cuts, etc.) – 5-2.
  • Dekeyzer public art proposal – failed 4-3.
• Tax rates set for Sandy City and Alta Canyon (both 7-0).
• STR certification program approved (7-0).
• Legal services agreement extended with Cowdell Law (7-0).
• Code of Conduct adopted (7-0).
• Consent calendar approved (unanimous).