Orem council adopts updated Parks Master Plan, massage business rules and Orem High parking permit area in outgoing mayor's last meeting

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Budget

   Fiscal year 2020-2021 audit report

   Approved · 6-0

   Finance Director Brandon Nelson said the pandemic forced the city to nearly redo the budget and that the year was financially better than expected. The auditor reviewed financial statements, internal controls and compliance with state law and federal uniform guidance. It reported one finding: the city's general fund balance exceeded the maximum state law allows, which the city will need to address. The auditor said the city is in good standing and its controls are effective.

   Moved by Mayor Richard Brunst, seconded by Council Member Tom Macdonald. Vote: 6-0 among council members; Mayor Richard Brunst also voted aye

2. Budget

   CDBG-CV projected use of funds and amendment to 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan

   Approved · 6-0 · Orem Senior Center; Westmore Elementary

   Staff recommended funds for water bottle filling stations at Westmore Elementary (amount not stated in the minutes) and $25,000 to Community Action Services and Food Bank to set up a food bank in a closet area of the Orem Senior Center. A food bank representative said the group now operates out of Provo and could use the space for refrigerated goods and cleaning supplies, and that $25,000 would be enough to start with mostly volunteer staff. The funds must be allocated by the end of 2023.

   • Grant$25,000 to Community Action Services and Food Bank Establish a food bank in the Orem Senior Center. Paid from HUD CDBG-CV (CARES Act)
   • GrantAmount not given to Westmore Elementary Water bottle filling stations (amount not stated). Paid from HUD CDBG-CV (CARES Act)

   Moved by Mayor Richard Brunst, seconded by Council Member Debby Lauret. Vote: 6-0 among council members; Mayor Richard Brunst also voted aye

3. Public hearing

   Residential parking permit area, Orem High School neighborhood

   Approved · 6-0 · Streets in the Orem High School neighborhood

   City Attorney Heather Schriever said the police chief recommended expanding the Orem High parking permit area after a traffic study. One speaker, who lives near another high school, suggested clearer signage so students do not assume a school permit allows parking in permit areas.

   Moved by Mayor Richard Brunst, seconded by Council Member David Spencer. Vote: 6-0 among council members; Mayor Richard Brunst also voted aye

4. Public hearing

   Ratifying Sunset Heights residential parking permit area (Resolution 2021-0019)

   Approved · 6-0 · Sunset Heights neighborhood

   Schriever said the council had already approved the permit area but a required public hearing was missed because of a miscommunication; holding it now ratifies the earlier action. No one spoke.

   Moved by Mayor Richard Brunst, seconded by Council Member David Spencer. Vote: 6-0 among council members; Mayor Richard Brunst also voted aye

5. Parks

   Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Master Plan update and General Plan amendment

   Approved · 6-0 · Citywide (General Plan Appendix G)

   Consultant Lisa Benson of Landmark Design said the update adds an arts and culture chapter and that residents want more trails and upgraded parks. Orem has 299.02 park acres and already meets projected needs through 2030 but would need about 57.8 more acres by 2050. Residents asked for dog parks, pickleball courts, splashpads and mountain bike trails. The plan's focus areas are expanding trails, upgrading parks and securing land. Mayor Brunst asked for a park usage survey and noted the CARE tax agreement that gives the city about $1 million a year for recreation comes up for renewal in about two years. No one spoke at the hearing.

   Moved by Council Member Brent Sumner, seconded by Council Member David Spencer. Vote: 6-0 among council members; Mayor Richard Brunst also voted aye

   Follow Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Master Plan update in the development tracker →

6. City code

   Massage establishment ordinance (Orem City Code 12-5-14)

   Approved · 6-0

   Deputy City Attorney Steve Earl said the ordinance is meant to weed out problem massage establishments. Council Member Terry Peterson said such businesses are not welcome in Orem. No one spoke at the hearing.

   Moved by Council Member Terry Peterson, seconded by Council Member David Spencer. Vote: 6-0 among council members; Mayor Richard Brunst also voted aye

7. Other

   Consent agenda: 2022 meeting schedule, opioid settlement participation and voter participation areas

   Approved · 6-0

   The council approved the 2022 meeting schedule, a resolution authorizing Orem to take part in settlements with distributors and Janssen over the opioid epidemic, and a resolution adopting the existing voter participation areas.

   Moved by Council Member Debby Lauret, seconded by Council Member Brent Sumner. Vote: 6-0 among council members; Mayor Richard Brunst also voted aye

8. Presentation

   Work session: Watt Smart Commission energy action plan

   Discussed

   The commission presented its final Communities Energy Action Plan with goals for residential and new-construction outreach, small business financing and renewable energy in city facilities. Council Member Spencer asked whether it related to HB411, and the city attorney said it did not and that Orem had chosen not to take part in that program.

What residents said

Residential parkingPark access and trails

One resident thanked Mayor Brunst and Council Member Brent Sumner for their service. One speaker at the parking hearing suggested clearer signage.