SLC Council recognizes Transgender Day of Visibility; residents criticize conditions along Jordan River. 

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The Salt Lake City Council met on Tuesday night to reaffirm the city’s commitment to “championing the rights, dignity and equality of transgender and gender-diverse individuals” by recognizing March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility.

They also discussed the new Huntsman Mental Health Institute and held public hearings on two city grants.

Transgender Day of Visibility
The Council voted to adopt a joint ceremonial resolution with Mayor Erin Mendenhall recognizing March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility.

"Amidst recent legislative efforts across the nation and Utah, targeting transgender youth, it is important that Salt Lake City stand in solidarity with the transgender community and actively promote inclusion, acceptance, and celebration," Councilmember Chris Wharton read from the resolution.

He continued: “International Transgender Day of Visibility provides an opportunity for communities worldwide to acknowledge and honor the accomplishments, resilience and leadership of transgender individuals.”

Following the resolution’s adoption, Jakey Siolo, director of the Nuanua Collective, accepted the resolution and said a few words. They introduced themselves as Fa’afafine, a generations-old, third and fluid gender traditional in Samoan culture.

“We are here tonight honoring Trans Day of Visibility, all knowing that for decades, trans and gender diverse people have been under attack every legislative session,” Siolo said. “Every election cycle, lawmakers waste their time targeting a small but resilient population instead of addressing urgent and real issues. These attacks, both locally and nationally, are born out of fear.”

They also spoke on behalf of the newly formed Utah Trans+ Coalition, “a dedicated alliance of individuals and organizations committed to uplifting and advocating for the trans community in Utah.” Siolo said the coalition works together to share resources, disseminate information and create safe, inclusive spaces.

“Visibility is standing before you tonight,” Siolo continued. “It's raising the trans flag out [of] this very building. It creates safer spaces for schools, workplaces and communities. Trans visibility is essential to building an exclusive, equitable society for all.”

Huntsman Mental Health Institute
Before accepting general comments, Councilmember Dan Dugan prompted Mendenhall to explain a new mental health resource coming to Salt Lake City.

The Huntsman Mental Health Institute is scheduled to open on Monday. It’s a 24-hour crisis care facility that offers short- and longer-term treatment plans, alongside other resources.

“This is so needed, and there's been almost nowhere for anyone to go that is in need of mental health care in an acute situation,” Mendenhall said.

The three-story care facility includes an intake center on the first floor with a 30-person capacity. People can stay there for up to 23 hours.

“This is a space with low intensity areas so people can decompress and de-stimulate and get assessed for further services,” Mendenhall explained.

On the third floor of the building, 24 beds are available for longer treatment plans. On the second are dental and legal clinics and case management resources. The center is free to visit and offers help to adults 18 and over.

Those in crisis can also reach the center by dialing 988. It’s also able to dispatch crisis teams to people’s homes when needed.

The center operates from the University of Utah and is located at 501 Chipeta Way.

City Grants
The Council also held two public hearings to address grant funds in Salt Lake City. The first hearing was for a budget amendment that would include a $3.9 million grant in the 2025 budget. The grant was given for lead paint mitigation in Salt Lake City homes, and would fund exterior paint, window and kitchen repairs requiring lead-based paint removal.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, lead paint poisoning can lead to a range of effects on children and adults. Lower intelligence, learning disabilities and behavioral issues in children have all been associated with lead paint poisoning. In adults, poisoning can cause headaches, high blood pressure, dizziness and memory loss.

Lead paint was banned in 1978, according to Utah’s Department of Environmental Quality. So, houses built before then could still contain harmful paint.

Salt Lake’s Housing Stability Division will use the grant money in its Home Repair Program. Low to moderate-income residents can apply for small loans through this program to address health, safety or structural issues in their homes. The grant is estimated to help 300 homes.

The Council also held a public hearing on a grant that would fund renewable energy developments in Salt Lake. The $250,000 grant would be used to develop and deploy a funding and finance strategy in support of Utah’s Renewable Communities project. Salt Lake City is a part of this project and aims to have 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

The Council adopted the budget amendment and will consider the renewable energy grant in the consent portion of a future meeting agenda.

Jordan River
A handful of public commenters at Tuesday’s meeting spoke on what they called worsening conditions along the Jordan River. Commenters urged the Mayor and Council to follow through on their promises to improve the area.

“For years, the Mayor and City Council has promised to improve the area, but it seems those promises are only made when a local news station does a story on the problem,” Margaret Holloway said. “Once the cameras stop rolling, the City goes back to business as usual and nothing gets done.”

Speakers specifically pointed to increased criminal activity, encampments and litter along the river parkway.

Cathy Mendez, a Rose Park resident, described how she brings trash bags to her walks along the river to help clean it up. While she said she’s seen some improvements, like increased police presence or regular replacement of public trash cans, there’s still more work to be done.

“I just want to say that I'm a Salt Laker, but I'm a Rose Parker first, and I will do what I need to do to protect my home,” she said. “I will be calling in, every single day. I'll be taking pictures … I think that it's getting heated enough that something more needs to be done.”