Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Neighborhoods Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Draft ordinance would shift city communications duties from Department of Neighborhoods to Mayor’s office
Summary
A proposed ordinance on the April 29 work meeting would amend municipal code to move communications and certain engagement responsibilities from the Department of Neighborhoods to the Mayor’s office and create a director-level communications role; the draft includes code edits and a repeal of the Urban Livability chapter.
The Council packet included an ordinance proposing to amend multiple municipal code sections and repeal Chapter 2.42 (Urban Livability) to realign communications and community engagement responsibilities under the Mayor’s direction.
The ordinance text states the Mayor proposes removing communications-related responsibilities from the Department of Neighborhoods and placing them in the Mayor’s office, with authority to appoint a director of communications to coordinate and oversee city communications. The draft cites mayoral powers in South Salt Lake Municipal Code (2.04.030) as the authority for the proposed change.
Exhibit A to the ordinance lists revised department responsibilities, including the Department of Neighborhoods’ core livability duties (code enforcement, animal control, neighborhood planning coordination), while also adding that under the mayor’s direction the administration would "develop and oversee city communications and public relations in relation to the city's physical assets." The exhibit language frames the change as a reallocation of communications functions rather than an elimination of neighborhood services.
Exhibit B contains the Urban Livability chapter slated for repeal; that chapter enumerates functions such as weed abatements, litter and outdoor storage enforcement, and coordination with police and fire. The packet does not include a recorded Council vote in the provided pages; the ordinance includes standard enactment language making the ordinance effective upon the Mayor’s signature or after 15 days of transmittal if not signed or vetoed.
City staff identified the administrative rationale in the ordinance: to "better align the Mayor's communications responsibilities with the City code provisions" (ordinance text). The transcript excerpt presents the draft language and shows the ordinance on the work meeting agenda for discussion and possible future action by the Council.
