Sandy City Council Meeting January 20, 2026

The Sandy City Council met on January 20, 2026, at 5:15 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a range of topics including an annual update on the Medically Vulnerable People (MVP) Facility, a 2025 community events recap, first readings on campaign finance disclosure and elected official compensation, a public hearing on a proposed annexation, and voting items on an Automall zone code amendment, a sales tax revenue bond for the Arbor Building purchase, and interlocal agreements for an affordable housing land sale and a Housing Transit and Reinvestment Zone (HTRZ). The council also heard public comments on a recent fatal traffic accident and discussed safety improvements at the intersection of 1100 South and 1000 East.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Josh Karr (neighbor near Alta High School): Representing the community, he spoke about the tragic accident at 110th South and 10th East and urged the Council and Mayor to expedite safety enhancements at that intersection. He provided a petition signed by nearly 700 residents requesting immediate improvements.
• Carl Lujan: Read the oath of office and discussed the pledge and fidelity of service by elected officials.
• Kellie Forbes (virtual comment): Expressed disappointment regarding Item 4 (compensation limitations for elected officials) and stated she does not want the Mayor's salary or car allowance reduced.
• Jude Engracia (email read into record): Expressed support for Council Member Dekeyzer's proposals on campaign finance disclosures and contribution limits.
• Heather Oakeson (virtual comment): Stated she was not informed that her property was included in the Summerhays Annexation and requested the item be tabled until a title issue among property owners is resolved. She said she is not opposed to annexing but wants time to understand the impact on her property.

Discussion Items

• Medically Vulnerable People (MVP) Facility Annual Update (Item 26-017): Lauri Hopkins, Executive Director of Shelter the Homeless, presented the 2025 Year in Review. Key statistics: 464 individuals served (20% increase from 2024, average age 62), 57 moved to permanent housing or long-term care (double 2024), 266 volunteers serving 678 hours. Trina Taylor, Outreach Director for Fourth Street Clinic, reviewed 2025 successes and requested an amendment to the MOU to allow enhanced on-site services two days per week (instead of one day via mobile clinic). Council requested biannual updates going forward.
• 2025 Community Events Recap and 2026 Preview (Item 26-019): Katie Atkinson, Community Affairs Director, reported 60 events in 2025 with an estimated 103,000 attendees, 400+ vendors, and 700+ volunteers. Sarah Dalling, new Event Manager, previewed 2026 events under the theme "Sandy Rising," including America 250 and Utah 250 commemorations and the 25th anniversary of the Healing Fields. Council discussed the Trunk or Treat event being dropped last year due to budget constraints; some council members expressed a desire for earlier input on such decisions.
• First Reading: Campaign Finance Disclosure and Contribution Limits (Item 26-018): Council Member Aaron Dekeyzer proposed additions to Chapter 2-1 of the Sandy Municipal Code to require disclosure of independent expenditures and set campaign contribution limits. Council discussion revealed mixed positions: some members supported or were open to the disclosure requirement but had legal and policy concerns about contribution limits, arguing they could reduce transparency, create barriers to running for office, and disproportionately benefit self-funded candidates. Staff (Tracy Cowdell, Council Attorney) noted that while contribution limits are legal, the council must make findings about the influence of money to justify them. No vote was taken.
• First Reading: Compensation Limitations for Elected Officials (Item 26-016): Council Member Kris Nicholl proposed adding a section to Chapter 4-5 of the Municipal Code stating elected officials would not be eligible for merit pay, incentive pay, spot awards, vehicle allowances, phone allowances, tuition reimbursements, and PTO. They would remain eligible for salary (set by council), COLA adjustments, and standard health/retirement benefits. Council discussion included debate over the mayor's car allowance and cell phone; some members argued these tools are necessary for the full-time mayoral role. Mayor Zoltanski stated the position is full-time (70 hours/week) and that the allowance is more cost-effective than a city-provided vehicle. No vote was taken.
• Traffic Safety at 1100 South and 1000 East (Mayor's Report): Mayor Zoltanski announced the city is dedicating full resources to evaluate safety at the intersection where a pedestrian was killed by an impaired driver on January 15. Police Chief Jon Arnold reported the driver was booked for DUI, later amended to vehicular homicide. Public Works Director Ryan Kump stated the intersection has an accident rate of 0.76 crashes per million vehicles and that a roundabout is currently funded for 2030, but the city will immediately engage WFRC to accelerate funding for either a roundabout or a traffic signal. Council member Houseman requested to be on a working group for this issue.
• Arbor Building Purchase and Bond Parameters (Item 26-020): Brian Kelley, Administrative Services Director, presented Resolution 26-05C to authorize up to $8 million in sales tax revenue bonds to finance the purchase of the Arbor Building ($12 million purchase price, with $5 million from the RDA). The city has a contract with a due diligence deadline of February 19, 2026, and a closing date of March 2, 2026. Council discussion included amending the bond parameters to increase the project area to include Council Chambers capital improvements. The maximum principal amount was amended to $9 million.

Key Outcomes

• Table Summerhays Annexation (Item ANX1118202): Council voted 7-0 to table the proposed annexation of 2935 E. Dimple Dell Road after a title dispute among property owners was raised. The council urged the parties to resolve the issue and return quickly.
• Adopt Automall Zone Land Use Amendments (Item CA09232025-0007044): Council voted 7-0 to adopt Ordinance 26-01, amending Title 21, Chapter 8 of the Land Development Code to revise the list of allowed uses in the Automall Zone.
• Adopt Bond Parameters Resolution 26-05C (Item 26-020): Council voted 6-1 (Sharkey opposed) to adopt Resolution 26-05C as amended, authorizing up to $9 million in sales tax revenue bonds for the Arbor Building purchase and Council Chambers improvements. The final vote was 6-1, with Council member Cyndi Sharkey voting no.
• Adopt Interlocal Agreement for Land Sale Near America First Field (Item 26-012): Council voted 7-0 to adopt Resolution 26-03C, approving the interlocal agreement for the sale of approximately one acre of city-owned land to the RDA for an affordable housing project.
• Adopt Interlocal Agreement for HTRZ Tax Increment Conveyance (Item 26-013): Council voted 7-0 to adopt Resolution 26-04C, approving the interlocal agreement for conveyance of tax increment to the RDA consistent with the HTRZ Act.
• RDA Meeting: Council recessed to convene as the RDA and voted 7-0 to adopt RD 26-01 (land sale interlocal) and RD 26-02 (HTRZ interlocal).
• Consent Calendar: The minutes note that the consent calendar was not separately listed; however, routine approvals and reports were handled without objection.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 10:16 PM.