Orem council approves up to $45 million in water, sewer and storm bonds and a three-unit addition at Springwater Pointe
January 26, 2021, 6:00 p.m. · Orem City Council Chambers (held electronically), 56 North State Street
The Orem City Council authorized the sale of up to $45 million in water, sewer and storm revenue and refunding bonds, with advisers expecting the final amount nearer $30 million. It also approved a revised site plan adding three twin-home units at Springwater Pointe at Sleepy Ridge and a code cleanup reflecting the renaming of a city department. An afternoon work session covered a power line rebuild, utility rates, the future of Hillcrest Park, Geneva Road and State Street districts, and pending state bills.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Roads and utilities
Work session: Rocky Mountain Power North Orem transmission line rebuild
Discussed
Rocky Mountain Power staff said about 5 miles of line need to be rebuilt because of system growth. The route runs west of the freeway along 1600 North, east to the foothills, then south to the Spanish Fork substation. An outside contractor will change out poles along roadways, shifting traffic rather than closing roads, and work on busy roads in early mornings. Completion is expected by the end of May. Council members asked about coordination with road, water and trail projects.
- Presenters: Rocky Mountain Power staff
- Timeline: build done by end of May 2021
Taxes and fees
Work session: Proposed water, sewer and storm utility rates
Discussed
Consultants from Lewis, Young, Robertson and Burningham, working with Bowen Collins and Associates on the city's master plan, presented an updated rate model that includes a debt scenario for needed capital. They reviewed recommended water rate adjustments. The City Manager said the changes reflect a shift from pay-as-you-go funding to bonding future infrastructure. Members discussed rate-schedule differences and possible bill reductions for some households tied to a community assistance program.
- Consultant: Lewis, Young, Robertson and Burningham
Parks
Work session: Future of Hillcrest Park and the former Hillcrest school
Discussed
Landmark Design and Method Studios presented three concepts for the Hillcrest Elementary property: keep the whole school building, keep part of it with more open recreation space, or remove it for an all-park design. All options include a well and a detention area. The City Manager said the council will need to decide the building's fate and that staff expect a public input process.
- Options: retain building; retain a portion; demolish
General plan
Work session: Geneva Road districts and State Street districts
Discussed
Staff reviewed the Geneva Road Master Plan, which proposes districts at Geneva Road and 1600 North (Gateway), 800 North (Geneva Crossing), Center Street (Geneva Center) and near the temple, along with a 2021 schedule. Staff also continued discussion of a possible rezone of the State Street North Village and Arts districts, including building heights and setbacks. Members discussed concerns about areas bordering existing homes and how setbacks and height limits would address them.
City code
Work session: Employee Appeals Board ordinance and state legislation
Discussed
The deputy city attorney said Article 2-22 must change to match an increase in the Employee Advisory Council from 9 to 11 members, and that it will come by ordinance at the next meeting. She also briefed the council on state bills the city is tracking: an accessory dwelling unit bill the city opposes, SB61 on converting billboards to electronic, and HB98 letting builders use their own inspectors and limiting city design requirements, which many groups oppose.
Item Consent · Appointment
Consent items: board appointments and Public Safety Advisory Commission ordinance
Approved · 6-0
The council approved appointments of Jordan Johnson to the Heritage Commission and Russ Verhoef and Marlan Coe to the Transportation Advisory Commission, and an ordinance enacting Article 2-35 to create a Public Safety Advisory Commission.
Item Public hearing · City code
Code amendment renaming Development Services and Administrative Services to Finance
Approved · 6-0
Staff said the Administrative Services Department was renamed Finance and Business Licensing, which issues home occupation permits, moved from Development Services to Finance. The ordinance updates several code sections. No one spoke at the hearing, which ran from 6:22 to 6:24 p.m.
- Sections: 22-14-15(B)-(D), 12-1-2, 12-3-1(A), 12-4-1(B), 12-5-8(B)(3), 12-7-39(B)
Item Public hearing · Development
Site plan for Springwater Pointe at Sleepy Ridge, 1900 West Golden Pond Way
Approved · 6-0
The council approved an amended site plan that adds three two-story units (Units 9-11, 33 feet 3 inches tall) to eight twin-home units approved in 2019 and now under construction. Density would be 5.88 units per acre against 8 allowed in the PD15 zone. Access moves from Golden Pond Way to a new public street, Springwater Lane, from Sleepy Ridge Drive near 1850 West 1000 South, built by the developer across city property, and a new HOA will be created. Each unit has two parking spaces plus seven visitor spaces. Council Member Debby Lauret, who lives in the area, said she was pleased and thought it would work better than the current layout.
- Zone: PD15 (Area C)
- Units: 11 twin-home units (3 new)
- Density: 5.88 units per acre (8 allowed)
- Height: 33 ft 3 in (35 ft max)
- Golf course tee box relocation and landscaping by golf course management
Item Public hearing · Budget
Water, sewer and storm revenue and refunding bonds, Series 2021 (up to $45 million)
Approved · 6-0
The council authorized issuing up to $45 million in water, sewer and storm revenue and refunding bonds. Parameters are the maximums: 30-year term, 5.5% coupon and 3% discount. The financial adviser expects the par amount nearer $30 million, final maturity around 25.5 years, a coupon near 4% and annual debt payments of about $1.86 million. A current state sewer loan would be folded into the bond. The mayor thanked residents for supporting pay-as-you-go funding that let the city save cash for projects and borrow at low rates.
- Bond$45.0 million
- Maximum term 30 years; maximum coupon 5.5%; maximum discount 3%
- Advisers: Lewis, Young, Robertson & Burningham; bond counsel Gilmore Hale
What residents said
Hillcrest Park size and amenitiesWater tank at Orem Community ParkApartment proposal near 1600 North and State StreetTraffic and neighborhood character
Written comments were read into the record. Most addressed the future of the Hillcrest Elementary property: several residents asked that all 9.3 acres become green space, suggesting pickleball courts, a splash pad, playgrounds, paths and open fields, while one asked that open grass fields be preserved. A neighborhood commission representative thanked the council for planning a park and listed amenity ideas. One resident asked about construction duration, park impacts and road use for the planned 10-million-gallon water tank at Orem Community Park. Two comments opposed a proposed apartment complex near 1600 North and State Street over traffic, safety and neighborhood character, and another asked how eastbound 1600 North and southbound State Street traffic would reach the site.