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Sandy City Council adopts resolution honoring longtime CDBG volunteer Don Gertie
Summary
The Sandy City Council unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing Don Gertie’s more than 25 years of volunteer leadership on the Community Development Block Grant committee and the $10.5 million in CDBG funding the council said the committee helped direct to community projects.
The Sandy City Council on May 13 adopted a resolution recognizing the life and service of Don Gertie, a longtime chair of the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) committee.
The resolution says Gertie served the community more than 25 years and “was instrumental in helping direct approximately $10,500,000 in CDBG funding to vital community projects,” including the Sandy Senior Center and infrastructure projects. Council members read the resolution aloud and presented it to Gertie’s family at the meeting.
Council members said Gertie’s steady leadership shaped CDBG decisions on housing stability, homeless support, domestic violence services, food assistance, senior care and medical and mental-health services. Council Member Allison Stroud, one of the speakers who led the reading, recalled his institutional knowledge and personal approach: “Don was an incredible individual. I remember every time he went into CDBG and he'd have his little half inch 3 ring binder and he brought that in every time,” she said.
Why it matters: The resolution makes an official record of the council’s appreciation for a volunteer who helped guide how federal CDBG dollars were allocated in Sandy. The council also signaled it will continue to elevate volunteer contributions: Council Member Zach Robinson said he and Stroud plan to return to the council with a separate resolution establishing a “Don Gertie award for volunteerism.”
How the council acted: Robinson moved to adopt the resolution at the meeting; the motion received a second and passed on a roll-call vote. Recorded yes votes included Robinson, Stroud, Hausman, Sharkey, Mecham and T'Souza; the meeting minutes state the motion carried 6–0. The resolution states it takes effect upon signing and notes the date as May 13, 2025.
Background and context: The resolution credits Gertie with helping to direct CDBG funds to local services and facilities, and several council members said his approach fostered respectful deliberation on the committee. Multiple councillors and family members attended the public presentation and photo opportunity after the reading.
Council follow-up: Robinson said he and Stroud will bring back a formal proposal to create a Don Gertie volunteer award and will share details with the Noel Bateman committee and the council in coming weeks.
Ending: The item concluded with council members’ remarks and the formal adoption of the resolution. The council moved on to other agenda items after closing the recognition.
