COUNCIL - The Salt Lake Tribune

Vote on gay Scouts at emotional moment for Utah, nation

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:11:21 MDT

Vote on gay Scouts at emotional moment for Utah, nation

Staff and wire reports

Updated May 23, 2013 04:11PM MDT

In a vote that will resonate in Utah, where thousands of boys participate in the Boy Scouts of America, selected leaders of the organization are deciding Thursday whether to allow gay Scouts to join. An announcement of the results is expected after 4 p.m. Fifteen Great Salt Lake Council members have joined the 1,400 members voting on the BSA proposal, which would allow gay youth but continue to exclude gay adults. Currently, the BSA — one of the nation’s oldest youth organizations, with million...

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West Jordan Council votes intent to expand mayor’s job

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:29:57 MDT

West Jordan Council votes intent to expand mayor’s job

By cathy mckitrick The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 23, 2013 12:29AM MDT

West Jordan • City Council members in Utah’s fourth largest city voted Wednesday to draft intent language that would reclassify the mayor’s job to reflect its full-time nature. However, they reached no agreement on how much the expanded role should pay. The 5-to-1 vote — Council member Clive Killpack voted against the motion and Councilman Chad Nichols was absent — came after vigorous discussion about the mayor’s role and what the change would signify. During public comments, former councilman ...

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West Valley City to alter how it reviews its police

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:36:23 MDT

West Valley City to alter how it reviews its police

By pamela manson The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 22, 2013 07:36PM MDT

West Valley City • A board that reviews complaints against police will begin issuing quarterly and annual reports on its operations under changes approved Tuesday by the City Council. In addition, citizens will be able to comment at the beginning of monthly meetings of the West Valley City Professional Standards Review Board (PSRB), the police will no longer have a role in appointing the body’s members and all seven members will be civilians. The police department had been appointing one of the ...

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Website sues Salt Lake County for booking photos

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:31:08 MDT

Website sues Salt Lake County for booking photos

By Mike Gorrell The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 23, 2013 12:31AM MDT

The operator of a website that publishes jail-booking pictures sued Salt Lake County on Tuesday for refusing his request for photographs of people admitted to the Salt Lake County Jail during 17 days in January. Kyle Prall and his company, Information Freedom, LLC, are asking a 3rd District Court judge to overturn a County Council decision April 9 that upheld Sheriff Jim Winder’s rejection of an application — through the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) — for 1,388 “mug shot...

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Salt Lake County set to create ‘mutual commitment registry’

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:50:06 MDT

Salt Lake County set to create ‘mutual commitment registry’

By Mike Gorrell | The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 22, 2013 12:50PM MDT

Salt Lake County is poised to create a “mutual commitment registry” that could help an individual in a nontraditional relationship obtain access to his or her partner’s benefits — including a family pass at county recreation centers. The County Council voted 7-0 Tuesday to give preliminary approval to an ordinance instructing the county clerk to set up a “registry for adult relationships of financial dependence or interdependence.” That registry, said sponsoring Democratic Councilman Arlyn Brad...

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Council says no records for mother of Utah woman shot by West Valley City officers

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:58:21 MDT

Council says no records for mother of Utah woman shot by West Valley City officers

By Janelle Stecklein The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 21, 2013 07:58PM MDT

The Salt Lake County district attorney’s office will not have to release records related to the Danielle Willard officer-involved fatal shooting, the Salt Lake County Council decided Tuesday. The council voted 7-1 to deny a request by Melissa Kennedy’s attorney for records pertaining to the November shooting in West Valley City. Jon Williams, who represents Kennedy, Willard’s mother, argued that the denial of the records was “inappropriate” and that his client has already waited 6 ½ months for a...

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We need a new attitude toward adoption

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:14:48 MDT

We need a new attitude toward adoption

By Nina Easton The Washington Post

Updated May 22, 2013 12:14PM MDT

In today’s America, a single woman facing a surprise pregnancy is likely to consider just two options: abortion or single motherhood. The third choice, adoption, carries such a social stigma that domestic placement of infants has plummeted — even as the number of parents desperate for a baby grows. Birth mothers choose life, and a family, for their child. But this choice is rarely celebrated. Women routinely face family, friends and even health-care providers who think that adoption equals aband...

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West Jordan City Council to discuss full-time pay for mayor

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:47:08 MDT

West Jordan City Council to discuss full-time pay for mayor

By Cathy McKitrick The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 21, 2013 10:47PM MDT

On Wednesday, the West Jordan City Council will discuss changing the mayor’s position from part-time to full-time without changing the city’s current form of government. At present, West Jordan functions under the Council-Manager form of government where the city manager serves as the city’s chief executive and the mayor is a voting member and head of the City Council. To change to a Mayor-Council form of government would require placing the issue on the ballot for a public vote. Melissa Johnso...

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Worrisome typo

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:01:04 MDT

Worrisome typo

Updated May 21, 2013 01:01AM MDT

A humorous typo in “After streetcar sprint, time for a plaza pause” (Tribune, May 15) reported that the Salt Lake City Council “unanimously agreed more pubic outreach is necessary for the plaza proposal.” Perhaps after outcry over the 1100 East streetcar line, council members are considering more personal and lascivious tactics to promote their agenda. Hopefully, they won’t be going door to door. Hazel Roehrig Salt Lake City

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Civics Central: West Valley City considers police review board changes

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:26:02 MDT

Civics Central: West Valley City considers police review board changes

The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 20, 2013 05:26PM MDT

Here’s your weekly roundup of what local city councils, school boards and other government entities are tackling during regularly scheduled meetings. Government agencies have until 24 hours before a meeting to post their agendas, so check back as this schedule will be updated. All meetings are open to the public, and citizens are welcome to voice their opinions during designated times. If you do wish to speak at a particular meeting, you may need to sign up in advance. Centerville City Counci...

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Ruining 1100 East

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:32:41 MDT

Ruining 1100 East

Updated May 18, 2013 10:32AM MDT

Many times I have thought about writing to the Public Forum. “City Council: Sugar House Streetcar will run on 1100 East” (Tribune, May 8) finally pushed me to write. I live in Midvale and commute to the Avenues. After a particularly difficult day at work, I find myself heading toward 1100 East on my drive home. It is out of my way, and not the quickest route, but it is a peaceful drive. I love the atmosphere of 1100 East in Sugar House. There are so many cute, interesting little shops whose ow...

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Your town in brief: Meet Holladay officials

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:05:51 MDT

Your town in brief: Meet Holladay officials

Updated May 15, 2013 04:05PM MDT

Holladay Meet your elected officials • Town meetings are scheduled for Wednesday at City Hall, 4580 S. 2300 East, to update residents on issues and answer questions. The District 3 meeting, hosted by council member Pat Pignanelli, will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in council chambers; the meeting hosted by District 5 council member Jim Palmer will be 7 to 8 p.m. in the Little Cottonwood Room. Midvale Recognize outstanding achievement • Nominations are being taken for native or adopted sons and...

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Salt Lake City Council slow on Sugar House Monument Plaza

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:54:01 MDT

Salt Lake City Council slow on Sugar House Monument Plaza

By Christopher Smart The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 15, 2013 09:54AM MDT

Fresh from its brouhaha over alignment of the streetcar, the Salt Lake City Council maneuvered on Tuesday into a go-slow posture as it considers its next big initiative for Sugar House — the Monument Plaza. The plaza, as much as the streetcar, would change the face of Sugar House and run from McClelland Avenue to Highland Drive (1100 East) on the south side of 2100 South. It would encompass about 20,000 square feet and require permanently closing the diagonal right-turn lane on the southwest cor...

Salt Lake County’s new HR director passes oral exam

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:38:23 MDT

Salt Lake County’s new HR director passes oral exam

By Mike gorrell The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 14, 2013 11:38PM MDT

The questioning was nothing like Chuck Hagel endured earlier this year when he was grilled by U.S. senators during his confirmation hearing to become secretary of defense. But on Tuesday, Michael Ongigko became the first McAdams administration official put on the hot seat since the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing inspired Salt Lake County Council members to become more diligent in providing “advice and consent” to mayoral appointees. Ongigko, Mayor Ben McAdams’ selection to be the county...

Civics Central: Salt Lake County discusses Kennecott slide, several cities adopt budgets

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:05:39 MDT

Civics Central: Salt Lake County discusses Kennecott slide, several cities adopt budgets

The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 14, 2013 04:05PM MDT

Alta mayor, councilman vow to seek re-election despite legal challenge

Mon, 13 May 2013 22:08:30 MDT

Alta mayor, councilman vow to seek re-election despite legal challenge

By Christopher Smart The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 13, 2013 10:08PM MDT

It’s not wildflower season yet in Little Cottonwood Canyon, but it’s still the season of wild politics in Alta. Despite a legal challenge, Alta Mayor Tom Pollard and City Councilman Paul Moxley said Monday they will seek re-election. They must declare candidacy during the first week of June. Their decisions come in the wake of a declaration by the Town of Alta that a claim by Mark Haik under Utah’s government liability act is without merit. The claim calls into question the legality of Pollard’...

Not too narrow

Sun, 12 May 2013 23:07:56 MDT

Not too narrow

Updated May 12, 2013 11:07PM MDT

Re “City Council: Sugar House Streetcar will run on 1100 East” (Tribune, May 8): To those concerned about the narrowness of 1100 East for the just-approved streetcar line, visit San Francisco. A streetcar is not nearly as large or as fast as a TRAX train, and it makes more frequent stops with traffic. I spend a lot of time in the Bay Area, where I jog along streetcar routes that traverse roads even narrower than 1100 East. Along Hyde and Powell streets, streetcars safely run in residential are...

West Valley City Council members and staffers holding neighborhood meetings

Sat, 11 May 2013 08:17:03 MDT

West Valley City Council members and staffers holding neighborhood meetings

By Pamela Manson The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 11, 2013 08:17AM MDT

City Hall is coming to a park near you this spring and summer. West Valley City Neighborhood Services has organized four Meetup gatherings throughout the community where residents can ask questions of staffers and council members, get information on municipal events and enjoy some refreshments. Staffers will bring chairs, tables, canopies and information on services to the parks in West Valley’s Meet Up trailer. “Rather than hoping everyone comes to city hall, we thought we’d hit the road and ...