Sandy City Council Meeting – July 21, 2026

The Sandy City Council convened on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 5:15 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting featured a work session with Galloway Architects to gather initial council goals for remodeling the Council Chambers and Executive Suite, a second reading and adoption of Ordinance 26-53 regarding surplus real and personal property, and standing reports. The meeting adjourned at 6:53 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Henry Butters spoke about parked cars without license plates and asked the city to consider an ordinance addressing the issue. He also mentioned an unresolved matter with the mayor's office.

Work Session

• Work Session: Galloway Architects – Council Chambers and Executive Suite Remodel
  • Scott Holmes (project manager), Jim Child (project architect), and Annette Coleman (senior interior designer) presented examples of their past municipal projects (Bountiful, West Jordan, Bluffdale, St. George) to illustrate design concepts focused on flexibility, accessibility, security, future-proofing, and public engagement.
  • Council members provided feedback on their vision for the space:
    • Council Member Kris Nicholl emphasized that the current chambers were originally designed for community theater but are now underused, and asked staff to consider flexible use. She noted the need for more square footage for council staff offices.
    • Council Member Marci Houseman stressed designing to budget (approximately $1 million) and prioritizing security. She expressed preference for stadium seating for comfort and eye contact, but acknowledged she might be outvoted on flattening the floor.
    • Council Member Brooke D'Sousa advocated for flexibility to future-proof the space, including modular seating, a flat floor for multiple uses, improved accessibility for wheelchairs, better egress and security for council and staff, and thoughtful layout for staff workflow (e.g., separate side tables for administrative staff). She opposed stadium seating due to accessibility and space efficiency concerns.
    • Council Member Alison Stroud echoed prioritizing flexibility and budget, and emphasized the need for a space that can host open houses, workshops, and collaboration. She also highlighted the importance of virtual participation integration.
    • Council Member Aaron Dekeyzer supported flexibility and a circular or horseshoe dais for better work sessions. He also requested a larger presentation-style lectern to accommodate groups of presenters.
    • Council Member Cyndi Sharkey valued flexibility for open houses and tabletop workshops, and stressed the need to optimize the virtual experience and consider security for staff offices.
  • The architects will return with design options based on the council's feedback, focusing on balancing budget, security, flexibility, and capacity.

Council Voting Items

• Second Reading: Ordinance 26-53 – Surplus Real and Personal Property
  • Council Member Brooke D'Sousa presented the ordinance, which amends Title 7 of the Sandy Municipal Code regarding disposition of surplus real and personal property, acquisition, and inventory. She noted minor changes from the first reading: reducing the threshold for significant parcels from $250,000 to $200,000, and updating subsection H1 (the staff report incorrectly stated $250,000, but the redline is correct).
  • No public comment was received.
  • Motion by Kris Nicholl, seconded by Brooke D'Sousa to adopt Ordinance 26-53.
  • Vote: 6 in favor (Alison Stroud, Kris Nicholl, Marci Houseman, Cyndi Sharkey, Brooke D'Sousa, Aaron Dekeyzer), 0 opposed, 1 excused (Brooke Christensen). Motion carried.

Standing Reports

• Agenda Planning Calendar & Council Office Director's Report – Justin Sorenson noted next week's agenda will include a presentation on the MVP shelter, discussion on recreation center membership rates, and an update on Crescent View Middle School property. The Recreation Center Construction Report was placed on the agenda erroneously and will resume next week.

Council Member Business

• Council Member Kris Nicholl informed the public about the 2024 Sandy Parks Master Plan and an Alta Canyon Recreation Center study, both available on the city website, to help residents understand park and recreation planning.
• Council Member Cyndi Sharkey recommended webinars by the League of Cities and Towns, and thanked fellow council members and staff for a successful Royals game suite event with city partners.
• Council Member Marci Houseman invited the council and public to the Sandy Club Carnival on July 30, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
• Council Member Alison Stroud reported on the Sandy Youth Club volunteering at the carnival, ribbon cuttings for Smoked Taco and Bell Canyon Park Playground, a badge pinning ceremony at Fire Station 31, and a well-attended community meeting on Crescent View Middle School. She also thanked staff for addressing resident concerns.
• Council Member Marci Houseman outlined three decisions the council faces regarding the Crescent View Middle School proposal: 1) whether to put the proposal on the ballot, 2) the bonding amount and ballot language if so, and 3) the education campaign. She requested the administration compile all community feedback for the council.
• Council Member Brooke D'Sousa asked for clarity on the ballot options and shared gratitude from the Senior Center Advisory Board for council funding support. She also invited the community to the Senior Center Annual Car Show and Fundraiser on September 10, 2026, and noted the Sandy Youth Council will volunteer. She requested that the Senior Center be included in future Sandy Beautification Day efforts.

CAO Report

• Martin Jensen, CAO, reported that staff is compiling feedback from resident surveys and community meetings on the Crescent View Middle School proposal and will provide it to the council by July 22 or 23, 2026. The city has also submitted a request to ban fireworks city-wide for the July 24 holiday, coordinating with neighboring east bench cities.

Adjournment

• The council unanimously agreed to adjourn at 6:53 PM.