Regular
City Council · 2022-03-22
Orem City Council Meeting - 3.22.22
Decisions
3
5 motions in all
Split votes
0
at least one no
Discussion
–
no recording
Residents spoke
–
introduced themselves
Agenda items and what happened
| Item | Outcome | Source |
|---|---|---|
| DISCUSSION - Budget: Operational, Fleet and IT work session |
discussed only | p.1 |
| DISCUSSION - Sewer Rate Philosophy work session |
consensus | p.2 |
| DISCUSSION - Water Fee Abatement Program work session |
continued to next council meeting work session |
p.3 |
| RESOLUTION - Voter Participation Areas regular session |
approved | p.4 |
| PUBLIC HEARING / RESOLUTION - CDBG CARES Act CDBG-CV Funding, Substantial Amendment to 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan regular session |
approved | p.5 |
| APPOINTMENT TO THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE - Joshua Daughetee regular session |
approved | p.6 |
| APPOINTMENT TO THE OREM NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION - Cinzia Noble regular session |
approved | p.6 |
| MONTHLY FINANCIAL SUMMARY - February 2022 regular session |
not reached | p.6 |
Items and outcomes were extracted from the agenda and minutes by Claude (Anthropic); each links to the minutes page. The minutes are authoritative.
| Motion | By | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| To approve the consent agenda as listed. | David Young 2nd LaNae Millett |
✓ Passed | p.5 |
| By resolution to receive Public Comments on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Projected Use of Funds for CARES ACT CDBG-CV funding and consider approval of a substantial amendment to the 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan. | David Spencer 2nd Jeff Lambson |
✓ Passed | p.6 |
| To appoint Joshua Daughetee to serve on the Beautification Committee. | Tom Macdonald 2nd David Spencer |
✓ Passed | p.6 |
| To appoint Cinzia Noble to serve on the Orem Neighborhood Commission. | LaNae Millett 2nd David Young |
✓ Passed | p.6 |
| To adjourn. | Tom Macdonald 2nd David Spencer |
✓ Passed | p.7 |
Text extracted from the minutes PDF (scanned pages via OCR). The PDF is the official record.
City Council Minutes – March 22, 2022, (pg.1) A complete video of the meeting can be found at www.orem.org/meetings CITY OF OREM CITY COUNCIL MEETING 56 North State Street Orem, Utah March 22, 2022 3:00 P.M. WORK SESSION - CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM CONDUCTING Mayor David A. Young ELECTED OFFICIALS David Spencer, LaNae Millett, Terry Peterson, Jeff Lambson, Debby Lauret, and Tom Macdonald APPOINTED STAFF Jamie Davidson, City Manager; Brenn Bybee, Assistant City Manager; Steven Downs, Deputy City Manager; Heather Schriever, City Attorney; Ryan Clark, Development Services Director; Charlene Crozier, Library Director; Steve Earl, Deputy City Attorney; Chris Tschirki, Public Works Director; Brandon Nelson, Finance Director; Bryce Merrill, Recreation Director; Keri Rugg, HR Director; Mark Sanderson, Fire Chief; Jason Bench, Planning Division Manager; and Nathan Nelson, Deputy City Recorder NOTE: The referenced report and presentation documents for each discussion may be viewed at orem.org/meetings under “City Council Presentations” DISCUSSION – Budget: Operational, Fleet and IT Mr. Nelson introduced the item and presented the council with the revenue and expenditure overview, which consisted of general fund revenue adjustments. He followed by explaining various fund increases and decreases. General discussion ensued regarding fund figures as well as the expected increased and decreases in revenue. Mr. Nelson continued to present to the council with proposed operational expansions and went over the expansion request process with the council. He then presented planned General Fund expansions. City Council Minutes – March 22, 2022, (pg.2) A complete video of the meeting can be found at www.orem.org/meetings General discussion ensued regarding General Fund figures, three new firefighter positions, police and fire expenditures, as well as fleet vehicle retention. Mr. Lazalde presented the Council with the Orem Information Technology (IT) team’s update and reviewed team highlights from the past year as well as major upcoming projects. Mr. Carter presented the Council with various proposed fleet expansions and replacements. These included fleet vehicles for the Fire Department, Development Services, Police, street lighting, and various water departments. General discussion ensued regarding ambulance cost and fees, as well as vehicle leasing. DISCUSSION – Sewer Rate Philosophy Mr. Tschirki began by presenting the council with background on Orem’s sewer and water rate implementation plan and went through current and proposed rates. Mr. Macdonald stated he is not in favor of raising sewer rates on accessory dwelling units, and expressed doing so could push more rentals to become unregistered and hidden from the city. General discussion ensued regarding fee rates and implementation. Mr. Davidson asked the council if they agree with how sewer fees are being implemented now, or if they would like to change the process. He stated if sewer fee implementation was kept the way it was, all resident’s sewer rates would go up around 30 cents per month. Or alternatively, the council could change it, and have just the 311 registered accessory dwelling units pay around $11 dollars more per month. Mr. Spencer suggested the council discuss this issue in private and go from there. Mr. Davidson responded and stated this conversation should be held publicly. The council expressed their support for changing sewer rate fee implementation so that only the 311 registered accessory dwelling units are charged, but asked staff to look into having an option where residents could declare themselves as non-renting and wouldn’t be charged the $11 dollars per month when not renting. DISCUSSION – Water Fee Abatement Program City Council Minutes – March 22, 2022, (pg.3) A complete video of the meeting can be found at www.orem.org/meetings The council agreed to continue this item to the next council meeting work session. AGENDA REVIEW & PREVIEW OF UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS The City Council reviewed the evening’s agenda and discussion ensued regarding the scheduled items that would be considered. 6:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION - COUNCIL CHAMBERS CONDUCTING Mayor David A. Young ELECTED OFFICIALS David Spencer, Terry Peterson, LaNae Millett, Jeff Lambson, Debby Lauret, and Tom Macdonald APPOINTED STAFF Jamie Davidson, City Manager; Brenn Bybee, Assistant City Manager; Steven Downs, Deputy City Manager; Heather Schriever, City Attorney; Joshua Adams, Police Chief; Ryan Clark, Development Services Director; Charlene Crozier, Library Director; Steve Earl, Deputy City Attorney; Chris Tschirki, Public Works Director; Brandon Nelson, Finance Director; Bryce Merrill, Recreation Director; Keri Rugg, HR Director; Mark Sanderson, Fire Chief; Jason Bench, Planning Division Manager; and Nathan Nelson, Deputy City Recorder CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION / INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT – Stephanie Visnaw PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Kathryn Christensen MAYOR’S REPORT/ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCIL PERSONAL APPEARANCES Vanessa Rucker stated how she felt there are multiple issues with the choker islands that were installed on Palisade Drive. She expressed that the choker islands are unsightly, force cyclists into the middle of the road, and are easily hidden by snow. Ms. Rucker concluded by asking the City Council Minutes – March 22, 2022, (pg.4) A complete video of the meeting can be found at www.orem.org/meetings council to remove the choker islands and speed tables from Palisade Drive, and replace them with standard speed bumps. Cissy Rasmussen encouraged the council to invite questions from, and include teachers and parents in the investigation of splitting off from the Alpine School District. Ms. Rasmussen also asked the council to include more information regarding the potential split on the City’s website. Jenna Hyatt asked the council to not make a decision on the feasibility study before having conversations with parents, teachers, and PTA representatives. She went on to state how declining student numbers could raise taxes on Orem residents because we will rely solely on our own property taxes. Abby Farrows expressed how residents in the Palisade area were not properly informed on the speed mitigation devices that were being installed in their neighborhood. She then expressed how she feels the survey Palisade area residents received could be bias, and 11 of the 13 questions had to do with pedestrian safety in general, instead of the choker islands specifically. Benjamin Brooks expressed how he felt the choker islands were placed too close to corners, which could cause cars to hit them accidentally. He also went on to state the choker islands can also force cyclists into the center of the road, creating danger for both them and drivers in the area. Andrea Driggs stated the choker islands can be hard to see, especially in snowy conditions. She also stated how she felt the choker islands are unsightly and there are too many of them. Ms. Driggs then concluded her statements by expressing her support for the removal of the choker islands. Dave Johnston expressed that Palisade Drive is one of eight main streets used for north and south travel within Orem, and then questioned why it is the only one of those streets that has a significant number of speedbumps and other traffic calming measures installed. CONSENT ITEMS ● APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES ○ Minutes of City Council Meeting – March 9, 2022 ● Resolution – Voter Participation Areas City Council Minutes – March 22, 2022, (pg.5) A complete video of the meeting can be found at www.orem.org/meetings Mayor David Young moved to approve the consent agenda as listed. Mrs. Millett seconded the motion. Those voting aye: David A. Young, David Spencer, Debby Lauret, Tom Macdonald, Jeff Lambson, Terry Peterson and LaNae Millett. The motion passed. SCHEDULED ITEMS PUBLIC HEARING / RESOLUTION - The City will receive Public Comments on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Projected Use of Funds for CARES ACT CDBG-CV funding and consider approval of a substantial amendment to the 2019- 2020 Annual Action Plan Ms. Mathews and Mr. Ransom presented the Council with usable CDBG funds and stated that in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant provided the City of Orem with a second CDBG allocation of $287,940 to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. The CDBG Advisory Commission recommended the Orem City Council allocates $7,000 of the previously allocated $106,181.68 in CDBG-CV public services funding to United Way of Utah County to help purchase seven water filling stations for their three buildings to help prevent and mitigate COVID-19, $3,253.00 to Community Action Services and Food Bank to help those affected by COVID-19 to receive financial counseling and resources, and $25,000 to MAG Aging Services for their Meals on Wheels program to help provide meals to an increasing amount of homebound seniors facing food instability because of the effects of COVID-19. General discussion ensued regarding funding uses as well as the timeline for receiving and spending these funds. Mayor Young opened the public hearing at 6:33pm Karen McCandless, the CEO of Community Action Services and Food Bank expressed her thanks to the council for supporting the recommendations. She then stated this funding will be used to provide financial counseling and budget classes for low-income residents. She concluded her comments by updating the council on the food pantry at the Orem Senior Friendship Center, which they approved funding for in a past meeting. Jeremy Pearson, the Nutrition Program Manager for Mountainland Association of Governments stated the funding they will receive will pay for around 8,000 meals for the Meals on Wheel program. General discussion ensued regarding the Meals on Wheels program funding. City Council Minutes – March 22, 2022, (pg.6) A complete video of the meeting can be found at www.orem.org/meetings Gary Henderson, the Budget and Contract Manager for Mountainland Association of Governments stated that as the community continues to recover from the pandemic, and when ARPA funds run out, the association has plans to fundraise for the deficit they put on due to around a 100 percent increase in Meals on Wheels service numbers during Covid. Bill Hulterstrom from United Way expressed his thanks to the council for considering the proposed funding recommendation and stated the drinking stations it will fund will benefit volunteers and staff that provide transportation for Orem seniors. Hearing no further comments, Mayor Young closed the public hearing at 6:40 pm and brought the item back to the council for further discussion. Mr. Spencer moved by resolution to receive Public Comments on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Projected Use of Funds for CARES ACT CDBG-CV funding and consider approval of a substantial amendment to the 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan. Mr. Lambson seconded the motion. Those voting aye: David A. Young, David Spencer, Debby Lauret, Tom Macdonald, Jeff Lambson, Terry Peterson and LaNae Millett. The motion passed. APPOINTMENT TO THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE Joshua Daughetee - Appointment Mr. Macdonald moved to appoint Joshua Daughetee to serve on the Beautification Committee. Mr. Spencer seconded the motion. Those voting aye: David A. Young, David Spencer, Debby Lauret, Tom Macdonald, Jeff Lambson, Terry Peterson and LaNae Millett. The motion passed. APPOINTMENTS TO THE OREM NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION Cinzia Noble - Appointment Mrs. Millett moved to appoint Cinzia Noble to serve on the Orem Neighborhood Commission. Mayor Young seconded the motion. Those voting aye: David A. Young, David Spencer, Debby Lauret, Tom Macdonald, Jeff Lambson, Terry Peterson and LaNae Millett. The motion passed. COMMUNICATION ITEMS No communication items at this time. City Council Minutes – March 22, 2022, (pg.7) A complete video of the meeting can be found at www.orem.org/meetings CITY MANAGER INFORMATION ITEMS Mr. Davidson updated the council on various projects taking place in the city. These included Rocky Mountain Power replacing select water meters, general contractor bid submittals for the Hillcrest Park project, the purchasing of a bus for the Senior Friendship Center, and the surveying process regarding the speed tables and choker islands installed on Palisade Drive. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Macdonald moved to adjourn. Mr. Spencer seconded the motion. Those voting aye: David A. Young, David Spencer, Jeff Lambson, Terry Peterson, Debby Lauret, Tom Macdonald, and LaNae Millett. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM. JoD’Ann Bates, City Recorder Approved: April 12, 2022