Salt Lake City residents ask Council to fund traffic safety projects and hire union workers. 

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Traffic safety and road maintenance remained major topics of discussion during Tuesday’s Salt Lake City Council meeting, which was primarily dedicated to discussion of the annual budget. Several residents provided comments on the more than $500 million in proposed allocations for city services.

Traffic Safety
A recurring topic was the city’s Capital Improvement Program grants, or CIPs. Residents are allowed to propose projects for their neighborhoods and receive limited funding, allocated from a general pool.

One such proposal came from Esther Hunter, an East Central resident. Hunter provided a seven-page handout to the City Council outlining a 10-year greenspace plan for the neighborhood. She noted this was her fourth CIP proposal in 12 years.

If approved, Hunter’s CIP request would protect and expand greenspace in East Central by maintaining curbs, planting trees and repairing sprinklers, primarily along 1200 East.

“We have a lot of people that live there that are a workforce in this city,” Hunter said. “We have the highest density in the city per square mile. We would like your help to maintain and protect our green loop, established in 1913.”

Road maintenance funding was also requested by Kimball Young, chairperson of the Foothill/Sunnyside Community Council, and John Westy, who described himself as the “unofficial mayor” of South Texas Street, located east of Sugar House and to the south of the Bonneville Hills neighborhood.

Young said that the health and wellbeing of the city is reflected in the condition of its streets, while Westy encouraged the Council to pursue new funding sources, if necessary.

“My father would be rolling in his grave to hear me say this,” Westy said, “but raise taxes if you need to.”

Tina Hernandez of District 7 provided a first-hand account of a particularly dangerous street crossing at the intersection of South Richmond Street and East Zenith Avenue. The intersection provides access to her 1-year-old daughter’s daycare, but often sees vehicle traffic well over the posted speed limit.

Despite the presence of a crosswalk sign and flashing light, Hernandez described the intersection as a blind corner. And she recounted an experience where the first driver at the intersection stopped, only to be rear-ended and pushed into the intersection as Hernadez crossed the street with her young daughter.

Hernandez grew emotional as she asked the council for funding for a “HAWK” signal, or high-intensity activated crosswalk.

“I no longer feel safe to use this crossing by foot,” she said.

Following the residents’ comments, Councilmember Sarah Young said that CIP is one of her favorite city programs, because it empowers community members to advocate for local solutions.

“It is so powerful to see our residents coming forward and saying ‘this is what will make our city and my community safer,’” Young said.

And Councilmember Darin Mano noted that while this round of budget discussions will approve the total amount of funding allocated to the CIP pool, specific project approval will not be determined until July.

Union Labor
Following discussion of the city budget, Utah Carpenters Local Union 801 requested that the Council consider union labor for upcoming city construction projects, such as for schools and libraries. Eduardo Guzman addressed the Council while members of the union stood in solidarity.

“We have worked hard, completing our apprenticeships and developing the construction knowledge and skills necessary to complete our tasks,” he said. “But unfortunately, labor practices have left some of our members without work in this city, despite being fully qualified and willing.”

Additional comments came from Vidal Miranda, a union member with more than 10 years of carpentry experience. Miranda asked that city construction contracts be awarded to union laborers, and stated the more than 1,000 members of the local carpenters union were excited to work on city projects.

Salt Lake City officially recognizes only three unions—the police union, fire union and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. There is an ongoing labor battle between the state Legislature and its constituents—but targeting Salt Lake City in particular—over whether unions should be allowed to collectively bargain.