Orem council reallocates $64,000 in COVID relief block grant funds and approves a six-foot fence at Sun River Gardens

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Public safety

   Work session: Citygate police and fire/EMS operations assessments

   Discussed

   Consultants from Citygate Associates presented assessments of the police department (crime data, turnover, calls for service, patrol response times, investigations and support services) and the fire/EMS department (risk, service demand, response performance, station deployment and headquarters services). The police chief said the department has begun implementing recommendations and will amend its strategic plan; he named the experience of younger officers as a key issue, and members discussed training and mental health training. The fire chief said the report gives direction. The City Manager said both departments have already adjusted staffing and data practices, and the consultant said some recommendations are within immediate reach and others complex.

   • Consultant: Citygate Associates, LLC

2. Budget

   Work session: Fiscal year 2022 budget revenues and compensation

   Discussed

   Finance staff reviewed 2021 general fund revenues to date and 2022 revenue projections; members discussed the sustainability of B&C road and transportation revenue, which staff said was projected conservatively. Human resources outlined compensation changes: a third-party market study, a hybrid step program for police and fire, and pay for performance for other employees, along with turnover data by department.

3. Other

   Work session: State legislative update and City Manager items

   Discussed · Orem Community Park; 1600 North east of Wiggy Wash

   The city attorney reviewed bills affecting Orem including HB433 (infrastructure funding), HB128 (local accumulated fund balances) and HB162 (peace officer training), and bills that did not pass. The City Manager reported a fuel line leak near the Public Safety Building being cleaned up, sales tax down 2 percent in the latest figures, water tank site evaluations continuing with a pump station and well that may no longer require buying a house under earnest money, plans for a well #11 on city-owned land east of Wiggy Wash along 1600 North, and the opening of the Fitness Center and Library Hall. Members discussed COVID mask rules as the county moved to the moderate level.

   Follow Orem Community Park water tank in the development tracker →

4. Item Presentation · Presentation

   Natural Resources Stewardship Committee annual report

   Discussed

   A committee representative reviewed 2020 work on smart water meters, farmland preservation, the Provo River Delta, a bike path and brownfields, and noted reported progress including a 30 percent drop in water use per person. Priorities for 2021 include agricultural land preservation, water-wise messaging, a bike plan, brownfields, outdoor recreation at Hillcrest Park, and a fall farm festival. The mayor suggested looking into grants for its projects.

5. Item Consent · Contract

   Consent items: Utah County election interlocal agreement

   Approved · 6-0

   The council approved a resolution for an interlocal agreement with Utah County to administer the 2021 municipal elections.

   • ContractAmount not given to Utah County Administration of 2021 Orem municipal elections. Interlocal agreement; fee based on cost per ballot and registered voters (amount not stated in minutes)

   Moved by Mayor Richard Brunst, seconded by Council Member Jeff Lambson. Vote: 6-0 of council members; the mayor also voted yes

6. Item Public hearing · Budget

   CDBG-CV reallocation: substantial amendment to the 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan

   Approved · 6-0

   A second CDBG allocation of $287,940 was provided to the city for COVID-19 response. On the CDBG Advisory Commission's recommendation, the council redirected funds from the earlier $258,049.16 CDBG-CV public service allocation: $24,000 to city Victim Services for part of an advocate's salary, $5,000 to the Police Mental Health Response Team, $1,650 for a water bottle filling station at Sharon Park Elementary, $3,300 for two filling stations at Orem Junior High, and $30,000 ($27,000 direct assistance, $3,000 operations) to Community Action Services and Food Bank for mortgage assistance. No one spoke at the hearing.

   • Grant$24,000 to City of Orem Victim Services Part of one advocate's salary. CDBG Advisory Commission recommendation. Paid from CDBG-CV (CARES Act)
   • Grant$5,000 to Orem Police Department Mental Health Response Team Small resources for homeless and mental health residents. CDBG Advisory Commission recommendation. Paid from CDBG-CV (CARES Act)
   • Grant$1,650 to Sharon Park Elementary Bi-level water bottle filling station. CDBG Advisory Commission recommendation. Paid from CDBG-CV (CARES Act)
   • Grant$3,300 to Orem Junior High School Two bi-level water bottle filling stations. CDBG Advisory Commission recommendation. Paid from CDBG-CV (CARES Act)
   • Grant$30,000 to Community Action Services and Food Bank Mortgage assistance for low- to moderate-income homeowners ($27,000 direct, $3,000 operations). CDBG Advisory Commission recommendation. Paid from CDBG-CV (CARES Act)
   • Second CDBG-CV allocation: $287,940
   • Previously allocated public service funds: $258,049.16

   Moved by Mayor Richard Brunst, seconded by Council Member David Spencer. Vote: 6-0 of council members; the mayor also voted yes

7. Item Resolution · Development

   Fence modification for Sun River Gardens, 312 West 1200 North

   Approved · 6-0 · 312 West 1200 North (C2 zone)

   As a condition of a recent site plan approval for a new storage building, Sun River Gardens was to build a seven-foot masonry wall separating it from adjacent homes. The two neighboring property owners wrote that they prefer a six-foot SimTek fence, one already in place and the other replacing a chain-link fence. Staff found the request met the three code findings on buffering, appearance and shielding. A member raised precedent; staff said each request must come to the council.

   • Zone: C2
   • Requested: six-foot SimTek fence in place of seven-foot masonry wall
   • Neighbors submitted letters of support

   Moved by Mayor Richard Brunst, seconded by Council Member Tom Macdonald. Vote: 6-0 of council members; the mayor also voted yes

   Follow Sun River Gardens fence modification in the development tracker →

What residents said

Traffic on 1600 NorthHeight of proposed developmentsParking access

Three people commented. One asked that 1600 North access to I-15 be widened before more residents are added, that parking access for the large developments proposed near 1600 North and 400 North be off State Street, and for 75-foot setbacks with lower heights near homes, citing the proposed six-story height. A long-time 1600 North resident described repeated road widening and said further development would worsen traffic. A North Village resident thanked planners and the council for the 75-foot setback and said development should be pushed toward State Street.