OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Sandy City Council Meeting on Budget, Middle School, and CAO Appointment – June 16, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, June 16, 2026
BodySandy, Utah
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, June 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:48:42

Transcript — Verbatim
0:42

Okay, everybody, we've got about a minute left.

0:44

I'm going to go ahead and start the meeting recording so our online participants can join.

0:53

Recording in progress.

1:37

Oh, yes, Madam Chair, we're ready whenever you're ready.

2:08

All right, welcome everyone who is here and has joined us both in person and online.

2:15

It is Tuesday, June 16th, 2026.

2:18

This is the Sandy City Council meeting.

2:22

We always start our meetings with prayer and the pledge.

2:27

And Shane, I wonder if you'd be kind enough to lead us in prayer tonight.

2:35

Our Father in Heaven, we come before thee this evening.

2:37

We're grateful for uh the opportunity to gather as a community.

2:41

We're grateful for the opportunity to have influence in our uh in our government.

2:46

We're thankful for our elected officials for their desire to serve the community.

2:50

We pray for them as they strive to do their best for the community.

2:54

We also pray for the members of our community that they will be protected from harm and that they will be uh able to participate fully in our government.

3:04

We say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

3:08

Thank you, Shane.

3:09

And will everyone please stand and we'll recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

3:38

Okay, we'll do some introductions next.

3:41

And Dustin, will you lead us up?

3:43

Thank you, Madam Chair.

3:44

Uh my name is Dustin Freddo.

3:45

I'm with the City Council office.

3:47

Uh in the back of the room is one other council staff member, Justin Sorensen.

3:52

Hi, I'm Tracy.

3:53

I'm counsel for the council.

3:56

Chris Edwards with the council office.

3:59

Chris Nickel, District Three.

4:01

Brooke Christensen, District One.

4:03

Cindy Sharkey at large.

4:05

Alison Stroud, District Two.

4:07

Brooke D'Souza at large.

4:08

Erin DeKaiser at large.

4:11

I'm Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski.

4:14

I'm Shane Pay, City Administrator.

4:16

Lynn Bay, City Attorney.

4:19

And I do know that Marcy Heisman, District 4, she is on her way and should be walking in the door any second.

4:26

So she'll be joining us momentarily.

4:29

All right, I want to make sure everyone's clear on how tonight is going to work, and I want to make sure everyone that's here to make a public comment is able to do so and knows when to do so.

4:41

So we have on our agenda tonight.

4:43

We'll be starting off with a special recognition of a departing um city officer.

4:48

Um we'll have three information items that we'll address.

4:52

We have one item on the consent calendar.

4:54

That'll be very quick.

4:55

Then we'll enter our public hearings.

5:00

And I suppose most of you are here to comment during the public hearing portion of the meeting, and that's here.

5:05

That's if you're here to talk about either the budget in general or any of the budget amendments or items, that will be during item number six.

5:13

That'll be our public hearing.

5:15

Um we'll also have a 6 p.m.

5:18

general citizen comment period.

5:20

So anyone that might be here to comment to the council or speak to the council on anything that isn't on tonight's agenda, or on one of the information items.

5:32

Your opportunity would to do that would be during that general citizen comment period, which is going to happen as close to 6 p.m.

5:41

as we can get there.

5:42

Generally, it lags just a little bit.

5:44

Um so hold tight if you're here for that.

5:50

All right, and if you do want to comment, I want to make sure that everyone that wants to do that knows to fill out a blue card in the back of the room.

5:57

And if you could let us know whether you're here to put um comment for the public hearing or for general citizen comment, that would be helpful.

6:05

So we know to call on you at the right time.

6:09

All right.

6:10

Starting off the meeting.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████18%
Personnel Matters██████████████████18%
Environmental Protection████████████12%
Fiscal Sustainability███████████11%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Economic Development██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Water And Wastewater Management██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Sandy City Council Meeting – June 16, 2026

The Sandy City Council met on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 5:15 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The seven-member council (7 present) voted to adopt the FY 2026-27 city budget and the Alta Canyon Recreation District budget, to approve several council-sponsored budget amendments, and to consent to the appointment of Martin Jensen as Chief Administrative Officer. The meeting also included a special recognition for outgoing CAO Shane Pace (36 years of service and UCMA City Manager of the Year), an informational update on the potential acquisition of Crescent View Middle School, and a presentation on merging Public Works and Public Utilities departments. The meeting adjourned at 11:02 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Traffic Signal Interlocal Agreement: The council unanimously approved Resolution 26-59C, authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Salt Lake County for traffic signal installation at 11700 S Wasatch.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Crescent View Middle School: Numerous speakers (e.g., Brian Noelle, Wayne Day, Taylor Miller, Mark Ciullo, Steve Van Maren) expressed strong support for the city purchasing the entire property (Scenario 1) to preserve open space and fields, even if it required a bond-funded tax increase. A few speakers opposed Scenario 2 (public-private partnership). Kelly Forbes urged giving residents a vote on the purchase. Pat Jones opposed Scenario 2, citing risks of reduced public control.
  • Central Wasatch Commission (CWC) Funding: Many residents and organizational representatives (e.g., Dani Poirier/Wasatch Backcountry Alliance, Jack Stauss/Save Our Canyons, Iva Williams, Lindsey Nielsen/CWC Director) urged continued funding of the CWC, highlighting its role in transportation, water protection, and opposition to the gondola. Doug Wismer opposed CWC funding, criticizing its effectiveness and traffic impacts.
  • Highland Drive Corridor Study: Bryan Chamberlain requested $3.5% matching funds for a federally funded study ($1M total) to evaluate extending Highland Drive across Dimple Dell. Sandra Haak opposed the study.
  • Historic Sandy Barbecue: Dawn Sidwell, Sandra Haak, and many others supported funding the barbecue, emphasizing its community-building value. Kelly Forbes and others opposed cutting press or newsletter funding.
  • Mayor's Salary and Council Compensation: Craig Ulrich, Dave Egelund, Pat Jones, and others commented on the mayor's salary, with some supporting scrutiny and others opposing any reduction. Laurellivezeg, Sandra Haak, and others urged maintaining the mayor's salary and criticized council pay increase proposals.
  • Budget Amendments: Zach Robinson supported funding a grant writer, chamber remodel, and senior center equipment. Jude Engracia opposed cutting CWC funding while increasing council discretionary funds. Several speakers urged council to avoid using fire fleet savings for other purposes.
  • General Support: Josh Chandler and others expressed support for Martin Jensen's appointment as CAO. Several residents thanked Shane Pace for his service.

Discussion Items

  • Crescent View Middle School Update (Agenda Item 2): Administration presented three scenarios: (1) City purchases entire 17-acre property ($17M, plus renovation costs $20-30M, $500K annual operating); (2) City purchases portion, sells remainder for development (net acquisition/renovation $1.5-5.7M, $150K annual operating); (3) City does nothing, property likely developed. The purchase would likely require a general obligation bond, with a deadline of mid-August to place on ballot. Council discussion highlighted timing concerns (Councilmember Christensen), the value of open space (Mayor Zoltanski), and need for public input (Councilmember Houseman).
  • Public Works/Public Utilities Merger (Agenda Item 3): City Attorney Lynn Pace presented code amendments to combine departments, noting minor updates needed for communications department. Council asked clarifying questions about enterprise funds and public utilities advisory board.
  • Year-End Budget Amendment (Agenda Item 4): Brian Kelley presented FY 2026 adjustments, including $12.6M for the Arbor Building transaction, $1M for council chamber remodel (funded from prior savings, not taxpayer money), and $200K increase for waste collection contract.
  • Budget Amendments (Council):
    • Stroud Amendment (26-69C): $50,000 for water-wise landscaping in parks, funded from fire tiller truck savings. Passed 6-1 (Sharkey opposed).
    • D'Sousa Amendment (26-70C): $5,000 increase for senior center equipment, funded from non-departmental community engagement. Passed 7-0.
    • Dekeyzer Amendment (26-71C): $100,000 for a one-year contracted grant and financial compliance position, originally a full-time FTE, amended to contract. Passed 4-3 (Nicholl, Houseman, Sharkey opposed).
    • Christensen-Nicholl Amendment (26-72C): Reduced CWC funding from $95K to $0 (reallocated to water infrastructure); increased council discretionary to $5,000; maintained $10,000 for Heritage Festival; reduced Historic Sandy Barbecue to $6,667 (average of last 4 years); funded $15,000 for quarterly newsletter; fully funded communications videographer ($215K in comms, $215K in council professional services); adjusted mayor's discretionary to $20,000; reduced fire tiller draw to $11,707. Passed 5-2 (Stroud, Dekeyzer opposed).
  • Chief Administrative Officer Appointment (Agenda Item 7): Mayor Zoltanski recommended Martin Jensen as CAO. Public comment (Sandra Haak) supported. Council unanimously adopted Resolution 26-66C consenting to appointment.

Key Outcomes

  • Budget Adoption: The council voted 7-0 to adopt Resolution 26-61C (Sandy City FY 2026-27 budget) with the amendment that the PIO position's salary and benefits be fully funded in the newly created Communications Department, and closed the public hearing. The council also voted 7-0 to adopt Resolution 26-62C (Alta Canyon Recreation District budget).
  • Council Budget Amendments: Four amendments were approved as described above.
  • Martin Jensen CAO Appointment: Unanimously approved (Resolution 26-66C).
  • Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
  • Next Steps: Administration will refine code amendments for merging Public Works/Public Utilities; the Crescent View Middle School process will involve town halls and public surveys ahead of a potential August deadline for a bond ballot question; council will consider an RDA budget at a future meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, everybody, we've got about a minute left. I'm going to go ahead and start the meeting recording so our online participants can join. Recording in progress. Oh, yes, Madam Chair, we're ready whenever you're ready. All right, welcome everyone who is here and has joined us both in person and online. It is Tuesday, June 16th, 2026. This is the Sandy City Council meeting. We always start our meetings with prayer and the pledge. And Shane, I wonder if you'd be kind enough to lead us in prayer tonight. Our Father in Heaven, we come before thee this evening. We're grateful for uh the opportunity to gather as a community. We're grateful for the opportunity to have influence in our uh in our government. We're thankful for our elected officials for their desire to serve the community. We pray for them as they strive to do their best for the community. We also pray for the members of our community that they will be protected from harm and that they will be uh able to participate fully in our government. We say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Thank you, Shane. And will everyone please stand and we'll recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Okay, we'll do some introductions next. And Dustin, will you lead us up? Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh my name is Dustin Freddo. I'm with the City Council office. Uh in the back of the room is one other council staff member, Justin Sorensen. Hi, I'm Tracy. I'm counsel for the council. Chris Edwards with the council office. Chris Nickel, District Three. Brooke Christensen, District One. Cindy Sharkey at large. Alison Stroud, District Two. Brooke D'Souza at large. Erin DeKaiser at large. I'm Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski. I'm Shane Pay, City Administrator. Lynn Bay, City Attorney. And I do know that Marcy Heisman, District 4, she is on her way and should be walking in the door any second. So she'll be joining us momentarily. All right, I want to make sure everyone's clear on how tonight is going to work, and I want to make sure everyone that's here to make a public comment is able to do so and knows when to do so. So we have on our agenda tonight. We'll be starting off with a special recognition of a departing um city officer. Um we'll have three information items that we'll address. We have one item on the consent calendar. That'll be very quick. Then we'll enter our public hearings. And I suppose most of you are here to comment during the public hearing portion of the meeting, and that's here. That's if you're here to talk about either the budget in general or any of the budget amendments or items, that will be during item number six. That'll be our public hearing. Um we'll also have a 6 p.m. general citizen comment period.

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