Sandy City Council Meeting – August 18, 2026

The Sandy City Council met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 5:15 PM in the Council Chambers for a regular meeting. The agenda included informational presentations on the Creek Road safety update and the 11000 South/1000 East intersection study, approval of prior meeting minutes, public comments, council member reports, and an update on recent flooding. General citizen comment began at 6:00 PM. The meeting adjourned at 7:01 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of July 28, 2026 Draft Minutes – Approved unanimously.
• Approval of August 11, 2026 Draft Minutes – Approved unanimously.
• Motion made by Councilmember Cyndi Sharkey, seconded by Councilmember Brooke D'Sousa; carried by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Henry Butters expressed appreciation for the Council’s responsiveness and raised concerns about truck parking and the conduct of the Mayor, stating that a county code violation had occurred and that the matter was not properly investigated.
• Dave Egelund thanked the Council, Mayor, and staff for the community meeting on the 11000 South/1000 East intersection. He noted that he initially opposed a roundabout but changed his mind after the meeting and now considers it the best option. He also thanked residents for helping neighbors during the recent flood.
• Craig Ulrich thanked the Council for their diligent work, acknowledged Public Works Director Ryan Kump for addressing a speed sign issue, and suggested that a visual mock-up of the proposed roundabout be made public. He expressed concern about potential land acquisition needs for the roundabout.

Discussion Items

Creek Road Safety Update (Informational Item 26-412)

• Ivan Hooper, Public Works, presented results of a joint study with Cottonwood Heights on the nearly four-mile Creek Road corridor. Key findings included nine existing crosswalks, many installed without city oversight and not meeting safety standards. Community input (May 6 Open House and online survey) highlighted concerns about speeding, lack of sidewalks, and drivers failing to yield. Crash data showed five pedestrian/bicycle crashes over six years, with several involving secondary collisions when one car stopped for a pedestrian and another rear-ended it.
• Short-term recommendations: Move three crosswalks, install two new crosswalks (both in Cottonwood Heights), and add low-level treatments (flashing beacons, bulb-outs, lighting) at two other locations.
• Long-term recommendations: Full sidewalk coverage, ADA/ProWAG-compliant upgrades, improved lighting, and speed management measures including possible removal of two-way left-turn lanes and addition of center medians.
• Council questions addressed safety at the Four Bush intersection (Councilmember Sharkey – concerned about turning drivers not seeing pedestrians; Councilmember Stroud – noted the need for continued partnership with Cottonwood Heights). Councilmember Dekeyzer questioned the use of 85th percentile speed data (new MUTCD guidelines dropped it) and advocated for speed limit reductions, citing resident safety concerns. Public Works Director Ryan Kump noted that simply lowering speed limits does not change driver behavior; engineering treatments are more effective. Councilmember D'Sousa raised bicycle safety concerns with bulb-outs. No action was taken; the presentation was informational.

11000 South and 1000 East Intersection Study (Informational Item 26-413)

• Ivan Hooper presented a consultant study of the intersection by Alta High School, following a fatal crash in January 2026. The study analyzed existing conditions (peak hours, pedestrian counts, crash history), a safe system approach, and alternatives including all-way stop, traffic signal, and roundabout.
• Key data: Average 3.5 crashes per year over six years; over half were angle crashes correctable by signal or roundabout. Peak pedestrian activity was school-related (120-130 crossings in AM/post-school). A 20-year net safety benefit analysis showed the roundabout would save $6.7 million in societal costs compared to a traffic signal. The roundabout also had fewer conflict points (8 vehicle, fewer pedestrian) and lower emissions (37% less than all-way stop). The intersection did not meet warrants for a traffic signal.
• Recommended alternative: A single-lane roundabout, similar to the one at Brighton High School, with pedestrian amenities (lighting, splitter islands, fencing, Z-crossings, flashing beacons). Design would push the roundabout north to minimize property impacts; only one parcel (northwest corner) would require negotiation. The city has secured a WFRC grant with a 7% city match (approximately $300,000). Design and land acquisition would take one year, construction the next, with completion in two years.
• Council questions addressed cyclist safety (yellow rating), land acquisition, and visibility of the center island. Public Works clarified that the roundabout would be single-lane, similar to a small Draper roundabout, and that the center island would be designed for clear line-of-sight. Councilmember Stroud confirmed the roundabout would be single-lane, not multi-lane like some in Draper. No action was taken.

Council Reports and Administrative Updates

• Council Director Dustin Fratto reminded council members of the Youth Council and Youth Court installation scheduled for the following week, with an early dinner at 4:00 PM. He introduced new Communications Director Matt Perry (formerly with Stanford University and Intermountain Health).
• Councilmember Cyndi Sharkey reported on meeting with economic development consultants, attending the Pink Box Donuts grand opening, and hosting Wasatch Front Regional Council at an RSL game.
• Councilmember Brooke Christensen reported on Arts Guild (sold-out performance of Frozen, upcoming Tuck Everlasting), Historic Committee meeting (mining railroad presentation), and hosting South Valley Chamber Women in Business. She expressed condolences to Arts Guild leader Merle on the passing of his wife.
• Councilmember Alison Stroud updated on the Heritage Festival (September 19), thanked the Police Chief for addressing an animal control issue, and welcomed Pink Box Donuts.
• Councilmember Kris Nicholl attended the Hale Centre Theatre cultural event (Pacific Islands performance) and met a camel named Wednesday.
• Deputy CAO Ryan Mecham and City Engineer Richard Benham provided an update on the severe storm and flooding on August 13, 2026. Rainfall rates exceeded 4-6 inches per hour in a localized area, approaching a 200-year storm event. Over 100 manhole covers were displaced. Flooding occurred in multiple areas, including Tramway (one house flooded) and Savannah Drive (multiple houses). Recent improvements at Savannah Drive helped reduce flooding. The administration thanked residents, police, fire, and public works for their response. Chief Jeff Nigbur’s swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for August 26.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved unanimously.
• No formal votes or decisions were taken on the two informational presentations; they were presented for discussion and future planning.
• Next steps for Creek Road include partnering with Cottonwood Heights and UDOT on trail funding, implementing low-cost short-term improvements within existing budgets, and presenting higher-cost projects in future budget cycles.
• Next steps for the 11000 South/1000 East intersection include proceeding with roundabout design and land acquisition (using WFRC grant), with a goal of construction completion in two years, pending final council decision.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:01 PM.