Orem council hears plan to combine green and regular waste pickup and backs Hillcrest Park master plan direction
March 9, 2022, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, 56 North State Street, Orem
The March 9 meeting was mostly briefings: Waste Management proposed combining green waste with regular trash, staff reviewed fiscal 2022 revenues, fee changes and compensation, and a consultant presented the Hillcrest Park conceptual master plan. The council approved only appointments and consent items, all unanimously. The Orem Giving Machines raised $1.23 million.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Orem's mayor is a voting member of the seven-member council. The minutes count the six council members in each tally and record the mayor's vote beside it, so a council vote of 6-0 with the mayor voting yes is 7-0 with the mayor.
In brief
6 items came up for a decision or discussion: 5 discussed and 1 approved.
1 item here is tracked in the city's development tracker.
This write-up links 3 source documents and the meeting video.
7 members were present.
Residents raised alpine school district split, water conservation, community events, and green waste collection.
The previous City Council meeting was on February 22, 2022: Orem council rezones State Street districts to pre-2018 zones and cuts C2 height limit to 48 feet, 4-0
The next one was on March 22, 2022: Orem council allocates COVID relief CDBG funds to water stations, financial counseling and Meals on Wheels
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Combining green waste and regular waste collection (work session) | Discussed |
| Budget: revenue and compensation (work session) | Discussed |
| Public noticing (work session) | Discussed |
| Hillcrest Park conceptual master plan (work session) | Discussed |
| Voter participation areas (work session) | Discussed |
| Board and commission appointments | Approved · 6-0 among council members |
Agenda, item by item
Contract
Combining green waste and regular waste collection (work session)
Discussed
Waste Management's Mr. Leonelli said the company wants to combine green and regular waste pickup because demand for compost from the North Pointe plant is low, green waste in landfills produces methane that can be captured for energy, and mixing saves truck space, labor and road wear. Assistant City Manager Brenn Bybee reviewed green waste options for residents. Pricing was discussed.
Budget
Budget: revenue and compensation (work session)
Discussed
Finance Director Brandon Nelson presented fiscal 2022 revenues to date and proposed fee changes compared with other cities. Council Member Tom Macdonald asked whether a 16.7 percent drop in water revenue came from lower rates or drought-driven lower use; Nelson said it could be both. The HR Director presented employee compensation, turnover and recruitment data.
City code
Public noticing (work session)
Discussed
Planning Division Manager Jason Bench reviewed state noticing rules and said the city wants to print notices on half sheets instead of quarter sheets, at higher cost. Online noticing was discussed.
Parks
Hillcrest Park conceptual master plan (work session)
Discussed
Cory Shupe of Blue Line Designs presented the conceptual master plan. The council supported the direction, discussed a ridable train, and asked staff to design a robust water park feature and a walking path around the whole park rather than a quarter-mile track.
Other
Voter participation areas (work session)
Discussed
City Recorder JoD'Ann Bates said state law requires cities of Orem's size to divide into eight contiguous voter participation areas of nearly equal population after each census. The Utah County Clerk provided a new map, and the council supported it. A resolution followed on the March 22 consent agenda.
Presentation
Giving Machine presentation
Discussed
Presenters said the Orem Giving Machines raised $1.23 million, with half staying in Utah County, and thanked University Place and the Woodbury family. Mayor Young presented checks to three charities.
Presentation
Sleepy Ridge Golf Course annual report
Discussed
Recreation Director Bryce Merrill described services and activities at Sleepy Ridge.
Presentation
Walter C. Orem Awards
Discussed
The council presented Walter C. Orem Awards to relatives of Postmaster Clyde E. Weeks and to the Orem office of the U.S. Postal Service.
Appointment
Board and commission appointments
Approved · 6-0 among council members
The council approved Ott Dameron to the Board of Adjustments, reappointed Denee Tyler and Stacy Goulding and appointed Shiona MacKay to the CARE Advisory Board, appointed Christie Ekins to the Summerfest Advisory Committee, and reappointed four members to the Beautification Advisory Commission. A Library Advisory Commission item in the minutes lists the same four names as the Beautification item, which looks like a copy error.
What residents said
Alpine School District splitWater conservationCommunity eventsGreen waste collection
Jim Hadlock asked for uniform water conservation policy among the largest water users, more Latino police officers, and more help for low-income and homeless residents. John Barrick thanked the council for studying a split from Alpine School District. Scott Swain proposed a weekly community event at the SCERA Shell; Council Member Debby Lauret noted the Monday summer concert series.