Orem council votes 6-0 to remove Palisade Drive choker islands; residents split over school district split study contractor

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Public safety

   Neighborhood Improvement Team update (work session)

   Discussed

   The team, one police officer and three civilian employees, said it addressed 687 cases since July 1, obtained compliance in 442, and saw 70 percent of cases resolved within 30 days. Junk accumulation and parking violations are the most common nuisances. Mayor Young suggested a broader education program for residents.

2. Taxes and fees

   Water fee abatement program (work session)

   Discussed

   Deputy City Manager Steven Downs described the existing program with Community Action Services, which can help families pay up to $300 in late utility bills, and a new proposal giving qualifying low-income families an extra $10 monthly credit. The council expressed support.

   • Fee$10 Proposed monthly water bill credit per qualifying low-income family

3. Public safety

   Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan (work session)

   Discussed

   Staff reviewed wildfire, mudslide, storm and earthquake risks in Orem and possible projects such as relocating water pipes away from fault lines, retrofitting facilities, drills, and a water reuse facility at Sleepy Ridge Golf Course. The council discussed an emergency preparedness center in the new City Center.

4. Budget

   Capital improvement projects budget (work session)

   Discussed

   City Engineer Sam Kelly presented planned park, transportation, facility, water, street and lighting projects for the coming fiscal year, totaling $31,385,186.

   • Budget$31.4 million Planned capital improvement projects, FY2022-23

5. Roads and utilities

   Remove bulb-out traffic calming devices on Palisade Drive and 500 East

   Approved · 6-0 · Palisade Drive from 800 North to Center Street; 500 East from 800 South to 1150 South

   Mayor Young said the council concluded the bulb-outs should be removed while keeping the speed tables. City Manager Jamie Davidson said all bulb-outs, including the attached delineators, will be removed and speed-mitigating striping may be explored. Council Member Terry Peterson relayed a concern that only two of the 13 questions in the city's neighborhood survey concerned the devices and said council should review such surveys beforehand. Council Member Jeff Lambson asked about signs discouraging mall traffic on neighborhood streets.

   Moved by Council Member LaNae Millet, seconded by Council Member David Spencer. Vote: 6-0

   Follow Palisade Drive traffic calming in the development tracker →

6. Budget

   Public hearing: fiscal 2022-23 CDBG use of funds

   No action

   The city expects about $684,750 in 2022-23 CDBG funds plus $24,808.16 in program income and an estimated $65,645.95 in unspent prior funds, about $775,214 total. The CDBG Advisory Commission recommended allocations including Code Enforcement $115,000, Senior Friendship Center roof replacement $196,733.45, Administration $136,950, Critical Home Repair $100,000, a Section 8 loan payment $94,000, Victim Services $30,000, and smaller awards to Utah Valley Family Support, Kids on the Move, Community Health Connect, Mountainlands Community Health Center, Homeless Services and Neighborhood Preservation. No one spoke and no vote was taken.

   • Grant$115,000 to City of Orem Code Enforcement CDBG recommended allocation. Recommended by CDBG Advisory Commission. Paid from CDBG (federal)
   • Grant$196,733 to Orem Senior Friendship Center Roof replacement. Recommended by CDBG Advisory Commission. Paid from CDBG (federal)
   • Grant$136,950 to City of Orem CDBG Administration Program administration. Recommended by CDBG Advisory Commission. Paid from CDBG (federal)
   • Grant$100,000 to City of Orem Critical Home Repair and Rehabilitation Home repair program. Recommended by CDBG Advisory Commission. Paid from CDBG (federal)
   • Payment$94,000 to Section 8 loan payment Loan payment. Recommended by CDBG Advisory Commission. Paid from CDBG (federal)
   • Grant$30,000 to City of Orem Victim Services Victim services. Recommended by CDBG Advisory Commission. Paid from CDBG (federal)
   • Grant$26,580 to Utah Valley Family Support CDBG public service. Recommended by CDBG Advisory Commission. Paid from CDBG (federal)
   • Grant$19,745 to Mountainlands Community Health Center CDBG public service. Recommended by CDBG Advisory Commission. Paid from CDBG (federal)
   • Grant$13,290 to Community Health Connect CDBG public service. Recommended by CDBG Advisory Commission. Paid from CDBG (federal)
   • Grant$8,860 to Kids on the Move CDBG public service. Recommended by CDBG Advisory Commission. Paid from CDBG (federal)
   • Grant$5,000 to City of Orem Neighborhood Preservation Neighborhood preservation. Recommended by CDBG Advisory Commission. Paid from CDBG (federal)
   • Grant$4,238 to City of Orem Homeless Services Homeless services. Recommended by CDBG Advisory Commission. Paid from CDBG (federal)

7. Appointment

   Appointments: Arts Council, Transportation Advisory Commission and Senior Citizens Advisory Commission

   Approved · 6-0

   The council approved five Arts Council appointments (Michael Smith, La Beene, Alex Malone, Scott Swain, Mike Ramsey), two Transportation Advisory Commission appointments (Laura Redford, Jay Przybyla) and five Senior Citizens Advisory Commission appointments (Joyce Ottens, Kathleen Thrugood, Sarah Paulson, Verl Hooley, Craig Huish).

   Arts Council: moved by Council Member Debby Lauret, seconded by Council Member Tom Macdonald; Transportation: moved by Council Member Jeff Lambson, seconded by Council Member LaNae Millet; Senior Citizens: moved by Council Member David Spencer, seconded by Council Member Tom Macdonald. Vote: 6-0

8. Other

   Alpine School District split feasibility study contractor (public comment and council response)

   Discussed

   The council had earlier voted to direct a feasibility study; speakers addressed the choice of Discovery Education Consultants. Cissy Rasmussen presented a petition, which she said had over 1,200 signatures in two days, asking the council to cancel the contract and find another firm. Others, including teachers and a school board member, raised concerns about the firm's experience and about possible tax and staffing effects; supporters said the study only tests feasibility and cited a possible $500 million district bond. Resident John Barrick said the roughly $30,000 study cost was small against about $55 million in Orem taxes paid to the district. Mayor Young said a group of residents opposed each council initiative, said he saw no factual basis for claims such as a 35 percent property tax increase, and asked why the district was working to stop the study. Council Member David Spencer listed the consultants' qualifications. No vote was taken.

   • Contract$30,000 to Discovery Education Consultants School district split feasibility study (amount as stated by a resident speaker). Selected by Legislative Counsel under council direction

What residents said

Palisade choker islandsAlpine School District split studyOccupancy limitsHome settling near new wellsWater conservation

Alan Johnson, Ralph Olsen and others asked to remove the Palisade choker islands and said neighbors were not informed. Jim Hadlock urged water conservation by the city, school district and other large users. Douglas Vertell said neighbors oppose a development near 400 West and 1600 South and invited council members to a neighborhood meeting. Lori Tolman asked the city to investigate homes settling in the Springwater Park neighborhood, which neighbors link to new wells. A renter asked the council to review the three-unrelated-adult occupancy limit; Davidson said the rule is consistent with state law. About 14 residents spoke for and against the split study contractor.