Sandy City Council Meeting - July 29, 2025

The Sandy City Council met at 5:15 PM on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting. The meeting included informational presentations, a consent calendar, a major voting item on cost increases for the Alta Canyon Sports Center rebuild, and a subsequent Redevelopment Agency (RDA) meeting. The council also heard public comments on several topics.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Resolution 25-39C amending the 2025 City Council Annual Meeting Schedule.
• Approved the draft minutes from the June 24, 2025 and July 1, 2025 City Council meetings.
• All consent calendar items were approved by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Henry Butters expressed concern about a warning sticker on his parked semi-truck and asked the council for help with truck parking issues, urging a 48-hour parking allowance to comply with federal hours-of-service rules.
• Dawn Sidwell spoke against the rebuild of Alta Canyon Sports Center (ACSC), stating it does not serve District 1 residents and requesting a city-wide vote.
• Steve Van Maren supported using tax increment on recreation facility users, arguing those who use the facility should pay for it.
• Dave Egelund asked when the last city-wide poll on the ACSC was taken and urged the council to listen to the public.
• Pat Jones cited a radio program stating most recreation centers operate at a loss and require subsidies; she asked the council to listen to the people and not divert funds from other projects.
• Kim Oleary expressed full support for the ACSC rebuild, noting she and her family have used the facility for years and are willing to pay more in taxes for an upgraded center.
• Cathy Spuck opposed the ACSC rebuild, noting that in 2022, Council Members Stroud and Mecham did not list it as a top priority. She questioned the lack of a plan for future ownership and revenue generation.
• Pat Jones (second comment) reiterated her call for a city-wide survey, stating that a portion of the city does not use the ACSC and arguing against using funds from other departments.
• Steve Van Maren (virtual) said the budget principle should be that users pay for something, suggesting a bond or tax submission for the ACSC.
• Dave Egelund (virtual) noted that the word “hope” was used by council members regarding city-wide use of the ACSC and asked when the last public survey was conducted.

Discussion Items

• Household Hazardous Waste Presentation: Ryan Kump, Public Works Director, introduced Jose Carreon-Andrade from the Salt Lake County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facility, which opened in Sandy in July 2024. The facility accepts corrosive, toxic, or flammable items and operates Monday–Saturday. It has a reuse shed and accepts business waste by appointment. Disposal costs are high (e.g., $98 per propane tank). The council thanked the presenter.
• Central Wasatch Commission – Admission of Holladay: Mayor Zoltanski introduced Lindsey Nielsen, Executive Director of the Central Wasatch Commission (CWC), who presented Resolution 25-38C to admit the City of Holladay as a voting member. This was an informational item; a vote will occur at a future meeting.
• Police Evidence Room Transfers: Chief Greg Severson presented three resolutions (25-35C, 25-36C, 25-37C) for interdepartmental transfer of property from the Police Department Evidence Room to Public Works, Facilities, and Police IT. This was an informational item; a vote will occur at a future meeting.
• Alta Canyon Sports Center Cost Estimates (Voting Item): Martin Jensen, Deputy CAO, presented updated cost estimates for the ACSC rebuild, showing an approximate $4.1 million gap (from $19.5M to $23.5M). Brian Kelley, Administrative Services, outlined potential funding sources totaling over $7.3 million, including project contingency ($2.1M), additional Miller Family Foundation donation ($1M), additional TRCC grant ($1M), sale of Fire Station 31 ($1.9M), future impact fees ($200K), and temporary diversion of budgeted park projects ($825K). Council discussion focused on whether to use city-wide funds for a district facility, with Council Member Mecham opposing use of funds from other city projects and Council Member Stroud suggesting a ballot measure. After public comment, the council voted 5-2 to approve the $23.5 million design option, with Council Members Stroud and Mecham voting no.
• RDA – Centennial Village Concept Plan: The RDA board received a presentation from DB Urban and Woodbury Corporation on a mixed-use development concept for the block south of City Hall, including up to 545 residential units, 100,000 sq ft commercial space, 17 live-work townhomes, and a 750-stall parking garage in three phases. The developers emphasized market viability and a new development agreement to avoid past default issues. The board expressed general support and directed staff to continue working toward a development agreement.
• RDA – Fairbanks Property Interlocal Agreement: The RDA discussed an interlocal agreement with the city to purchase a parcel at 10200 South and State Street for the Dry Creek Trail system and a future pedestrian bridge. The purchase would be financed by RDA tax increment funds approved in the TOD project area plan. The RDA will vote on the agreement at a future meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Alta Canyon Sports Center: Motion carried 5-2 (Robinson, Houseman, Sharkey, D'Sousa, Dekeyzer yes; Stroud, Mecham no) to approve the updated cost estimate of $23.5 million and direct staff to proceed with the design option presented on July 15, 2025. Funding sources will be finalized in future budget resolutions.
• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• RDA Minutes: Approved the June 24, 2025 RDA minutes by voice vote.
• Next Steps: The council will vote on the evidence transfer resolutions, Holladay’s admission to the CWC, and the Fairbanks interlocal agreement at the next meeting (August 5, 2025). Meetings on August 12 and 19 are cancelled due to the Primary Election and the Autism Community event. The next regular meeting is August 26, 2025.