Sandy City Council Meeting – September 1, 2026

The Sandy City Council met on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 5:15 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included a special recognition, informational presentations on the Public Utilities management study, annual fraud risk assessment, a rezoning request, and proposed code amendments for detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The council also approved a resolution adopting an argument in favor of a general obligation bond for the former Crescent View Middle School property and selected the 2026 Civic Engagement Award recipient. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter closed session for real property discussions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Resolution 26-89C to cancel the October 27, 2026 City Council meeting.
• Approved Resolution 26-86C authorizing PTIF account management.
• Approved the August 4, 2026 draft minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Henry Butters (in-person) expressed concerns about the Mayor’s actions regarding county property, alleging a violation of county code. He stated that the Mayor broke the law and called for accountability.
• Adele Clark (in-person) spoke against the Hagan Road rezone (Item 4), stating that the property was never intended for agricultural use. She described nuisance issues from sheep on a neighboring property (noise, odor, trespassing) and argued that the rezone would negatively impact her enjoyment of her property.
• Steve Andris (written comment read into record) complained about traffic noise and speeding on his street, stating that the police have been unable to address the problem due to budget constraints. He urged the council to take action.
• Jason Nickel (written comment on Item 9) opposed the bond initiative, citing concerns about the purchase price, lack of cost estimates, and reliance on a public poll with only 46% resident responses.

Special Recognition

• Barbara Tagoa’i, Sandy City Deputy Recorder, was recognized by the Utah Municipal Clerks Association for earning the Certified Municipal Clerk designation, which required 60 educational points (120 hours of coursework) and 50 points of work experience.

Discussion Items

1. 2026 General Management and Operations Study of Public Utilities Department

• Presenters: Jen Winter and Amy Maby of Matrix Consulting.
• Key Findings: The department has strong governance, dedicated staff, safety culture, and effective master planning. Opportunities for improvement include inconsistent use of work management technology, missing standard operating procedures, reactive public communication, and lack of formal rate and reserve benchmarking policies. The study produced 58 recommendations across three functional areas: leadership/administration, engineering, and operations.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Sharkey praised the department’s performance given its enterprise fund status and buried infrastructure. Councilmember Houseman emphasized the need for an implementation roadmap; the consultants confirmed they provided a prioritized implementation plan with timelines and responsible parties. Council members noted that the city has remaining hours with Matrix to be used for additional analysis.

2. Annual State Fraud Risk Assessment

• Presenter: Brian Kelly (Administrative Services).
• Key Findings: The city scored in the “low risk” category, one point away from “very low.” Factors included staff training, policies, internal controls, and an anonymous fraud hotline.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Houseman asked about establishing an audit committee to improve the score. The presenter noted that an audit committee would add 20 points but incurred costs; he suggested that the management studies already serve an internal audit function, which may qualify the city for the “very low” category next year.

3. Hagan Road Rezone (REZ06242026-007235)

• Presenter: Jake Warner, Long-Range Planning Manager.
• Request: Rezone three parcels (1.79 acres) from R-1-20 to R-1-20A to allow farm animals. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval.
• Applicant’s Statement: Matt Grant stated that he and two neighbors seek the A designation to align with surrounding properties. He noted that the sheep are quiet, provide education for his children, and are kept in a clean pen. He argued that the rezone is fair and consistent with the neighborhood.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Christensen expressed support, citing benefits to families and quality of life. Councilmember D’Sousa opposed, warning of nuisance impacts on neighboring properties. Councilmember Sharkey asked about the historical zoning discrepancy; staff clarified that the original annexation ordinance showed R-1-20, not R-1-20A, per council motion. No vote was taken; the item will return on September 15.

4. Amendments to Title 21 – Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

• Presenter: Melissa (Community Development).
• Overview: Proposed code amendments to comply with SB 284 (effective Oct 1, 2026), allowing detached ADUs on lots ≥11,000 sq ft. The proposal also updates definitions for ADUs and Extended Living Areas (ELAs), sets standards for parking, setbacks, height, and conversion of existing structures. Planning Commission recommended modifications, including lowering minimum lot size to 10,000 sq ft and allowing breezeway connections.
• Council Discussion: Council members expressed varied views:
  • Councilmember Christensen: Opposed front-yard ADUs, parking reduction near transit, and balconies/decks. Supported keeping 11,000 sq ft minimum and adding penalties for non-compliance.
  • Councilmember Houseman: Favored flexibility for homeowners, including breezeway connections, 10,000 sq ft threshold, and conversion allowances. Called for a future review date with data metrics.
  • Councilmember Stroud: Preferred starting with state minimums and revisiting later, citing high construction costs and risk of unintended consequences.
  • Councilmember Sharkey: Agreed with a conservative approach, keeping 11,000 sq ft and no parking reduction near transit. Opposed allowing ADUs taller than the primary dwelling.
  • Councilmember DeKaiser: Supported a station area exception for lot sizes and parking tied to bedrooms rather than square footage.
  • Councilmember Nickel: Questioned special use permit process and asked for clarification on definitions.
  • Councilmember D’Sousa: Raised concerns about bedroom limits, transferability of permits, and confusing terminology. Suggested capping total square footage, not just footprint.
• Outcome: The council provided feedback; staff will refine the ordinance for a vote on September 15.

Key Outcomes

• Vote 1 (6-1): Adopted Resolution 26-90C, approving the argument in favor of the general obligation bond for the Crescent View Middle School property, with amendments made during the meeting. (Councilmember Sharkey voted no.)
• Vote 2 (6-0): Approved Resolution 26-85C, selecting Rebecca Cadell as the 2026 Sandy City Council Civic Engagement Award recipient.
• Directives: Staff will incorporate council feedback into the voter information pamphlet and submit it to bond counsel for review. The ADU code amendments will be brought back for a decision on September 15. The council also directed staff to provide an update on the Arbor building occupancy and move status.
• Closed Session: The council voted 6-0 to enter closed session to discuss the purchase, exchange, or lease of real property.