Orem council moves Planning Commission appointments to the council and creates its own legal counsel office, 5-2
January 11, 2022, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, 56 North State Street, Orem
The City Council voted 5-2 on Jan. 11 to shift appointment of Planning Commission members from the city manager to the mayor and council, and 5-2 to create an Office of Legislative Counsel with a director who reports to the mayor and council. Council Members Debby Lauret and Tom Macdonald voted no on both. In an earlier work session, the council discussed replacing speed bumps on Palisade Drive with speed tables and heard residents split over the choker islands.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Roads and utilities
Palisade Drive traffic calming (work session)
Discussed
City Engineer Sam Kelly said about 20 years ago residents asked for speed control and nine speed bumps were installed; recent complaints included trouble for emergency vehicles. After an open house, the city chose speed tables and raised crosswalks with choker islands. A resident who helped pay for the original bumps asked the city to keep its pledge to maintain them. Resident Bruce Cameron said cyclists are pushed into the lane by the choker islands, said more than 100 neighbors share the concern, and asked the council to keep the speed tables but remove the chokers. Council Member David Spencer asked whether the chokers could be removed while keeping the white poles on them. The council decided on a broader survey, and Development Services Director Ryan Clark said the city's contracted PR firm could gather opinions door to door.
City code
Utah Fit Premises Act (work session)
Discussed
Deputy City Manager Steven Downs re-presented the state Fit Premises Act, which sets livability standards rental properties must meet, because the council had changed. He showed examples of substandard rentals, including mold in an Orem apartment complex. The council discussed reporting, enforcement and repairs. Mayor Young worried landlords might raise rents on tenants who report problems.
Other
Lawsuit update: Wright Development v. Orem (work session)
Discussed
Deputy City Attorney Steve Earl told the council the judge dismissed one of the two claims Wright Development brought against the city and, for now, ruled in the city's favor. He described the next steps in the case.
Item Ordinance · City code
Planning Commission appointment, removal and compensation (Orem City Code 2-15-4, 2-15-6, 2-15-10)
Approved · 4-2
The ordinance moves appointment of Planning Commission members from the city manager to the mayor with council majority approval, as amended on the record by City Attorney Heather Schriever. Mayor Young said the council would have to approve appointments by majority vote. Council Member Terry Peterson said the council, not the mayor alone, would choose members. Council Members Macdonald and Debby Lauret said they were comfortable with the current system and valued the commission's independence and diversity of views. Council Member Spencer said he felt the commission had recently been rude to residents and supported council appointment. Council Member LaNae Millet said the council would ensure members were diverse and qualified. Several residents spoke against the change.
Item Resolution · Other
Establish the Office of Legislative Counsel and appoint its director
Approved · 4-2
The resolution creates a full-time legal counsel office serving the mayor and council, with a named director, as amended on the record. Mayor Young said it would align residents, council and management and that the director would attend meetings and brief the council; he summarized the appointee's resume and called him well qualified. Peterson and Millet said additional legal perspective was needed, citing the moratorium lawsuit. Lauret said she did not want to hire someone she had never met without an open hiring process, and Council Member Jeff Lambson said he did not want to hire someone sight unseen. Macdonald said he opposed it but thought the votes were there to pass it.
Other
City manager update
Discussed
City Manager Jamie Davidson updated the council on Hillcrest Park, the water tank project on 400 West, COVID testing at Timpanogos Hospital, city center upgrades and city rebranding.
What residents said
Planning Commission independenceLegislative counsel hiring processHigh-density housingPalisade Drive choker islands
Residents Ken Messmer, Murry Lowe, Fred Johnson and others spoke in favor of the new council and the legislative counsel office; Lowe said the city should focus on renewal rather than high growth. Blaine Lavenstock opposed more high-density or low-income housing. Fred Axelgaurd, Margret Black and Quinn Mecham opposed the Planning Commission change and the legislative counsel appointment, saying the commission should stay independent and the appointment was not made through a proper process.