Orem council opposes Alpine School District's $595 million bond on a 4-3 vote and backs merging dispatch with Provo
September 27, 2022, 3:00 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 56 North State Street
The Orem City Council adopted a resolution opposing Alpine School District's proposed $595 million general obligation bond. The vote was 3-3 among council members, with Mayor David Young voting yes. The council also approved a resolution of intent to combine Orem's dispatch with Provo's, amended the general plan housing chapter with four moderate income housing strategies, and extended a sign zone for a church sign near I-15.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Parks
Hillcrest Park design update (work session)
Discussed
Designers from Blueline Designs presented a revised Hillcrest Park layout, moving the splash pad, pathways and hammock area to save existing trees. They said the site plan changed because of fire code and building architecture, and that the building was modified slightly to reduce cost. Demolition bids were due Sept. 29 and about 30 days were expected to bring a demolition contractor on board.
- Design firm: Blueline Designs
- Demolition bids due: Sept. 29, 2022
Other
Boards and commissions discussion (work session)
Discussed
City Manager Jamie Davidson and staff reviewed the state of the city's boards and commissions, saying most function well and the Historic Preservation Commission was just restarting. Mr. Davidson noted some boards are required to qualify for grants. The mayor and council suggested new names and types of boards.
Presentation
Library Advisory Commission annual report
Discussed
The commission chair reviewed service statistics for July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, grants received, the summer reading program, teen and tween programs and school outreach. Council Member Tom Macdonald asked whether demand would hold as services become more digital; the chair said patrons still want physical copies as well as digital ones.
Appointment
Consent: Planning Commission and Summerfest Committee reappointments
Approved · 6-0
The council reappointed Haysam Saker to the Planning Commission and Shelley Seastrand to the Summerfest Committee. Each vote was unanimous.
City code
Sign zone change for CenterPointe Church, 1550 South Sandhill Road
Approved · 6-0
The council extended Sign Zone E, which allows pole signs, to include 1480 South Sandhill Road and part of the church property at 1550 South Sandhill Road. The church wants a double-sided, pole-mounted digital sign near the southwest corner of the building facing the freeway, replacing the 10-by-10-foot banners it hangs for events. The property is currently treated as Sign Zone D, which does not allow pole signs. One resident said he favored protecting the neighborhood and liked the idea of the sign running parallel to I-15. The city attorney suggested asking the applicant whether it would build to the dimensions of the approved plan.
- Applicant: CenterPointe Church
- Sign zone: D → E (pole signs allowed)
- Public hearing 6:48 p.m.
General plan
General plan Chapter 4 (Housing) amendment with four moderate income housing strategies
Approved · 6-0
The council amended Chapter 4 of the general plan, updating demographics with 2020 Census data and existing conditions, and adopted four state moderate income housing strategies. These are accessory dwelling units (722 legal units now, about 26 more expected next year), the Affordable Senior Housing overlay (up to four units per parcel for tenants over 60 at or below 80 percent of area median income), a housing and transit reinvestment zone, and station area plans for the FrontRunner station and the Lakeview, Main Street and University Place bus rapid transit stations. Staff said a developer has approached the city about a housing and transit reinvestment zone, with a 6-to-8-month study to follow. Council Member LaNae Millett asked where owner-occupied housing was added; staff said owner-occupied twin homes are encouraged in the station area plans. No one spoke at the hearing.
- Strategies: E (accessory units), X (affordable senior overlay), Q (housing and transit reinvestment zone), V (station area plans)
- Public hearing 6:54 p.m.
Public safety
Resolution of intent to combine Orem dispatch with Provo dispatch
Approved · 6-0
Captain Sorenson said Orem dispatch is short-staffed and that the state is moving toward one public safety answering point per county, and described the shared staffing model. The council approved a resolution expressing intent to combine Orem and Provo dispatch services. The vote was unanimous.
- See Sept. 13 work session for cost figures
Other
Resolution opposing Alpine School District's $595 million general obligation bond
Approved · 3-3
Mayor Young read a resolution stating the council's opposition to the $595 million bond proposed by Alpine School District. Council Members Debby Lauret, Tom Macdonald and Jeff Lambson said the council should stay neutral and let voters decide; Ms. Lauret and Mr. Lambson said they had learned of the resolution only about a day earlier, and Mr. Macdonald said he learned of it from a reporter and could not verify the numbers. Council Members David Spencer, LaNae Millett and Terry Peterson spoke in favor, citing property taxes, inflation, the district's decision not to rebuild seismically unsafe Orem schools in its first phase and, in Mr. Spencer's view, that Orem taxes would not rise if Orem left the district. Mayor Young said the resolution was last-minute for everyone and gave his views on taxes, school seismic issues and the bond. The resolution passed with the mayor's vote in favor.
- Bond$595.0 million to Alpine School District
- Resolution is non-binding, per Council Member Macdonald
Roads and utilities
City manager report: Heritage well, Nov. 9 meeting, IT passwords
Discussed
Mr. Davidson said drilling had resumed on the Heritage well. He said the November council meeting would move from Election Day to Nov. 9 and that, because Orem has a question on the ballot, results must be formally canvassed within 14 days of the election.
What residents said
Alpine School District bondOrem school districtLibrary displaysProperty taxes
Several speakers addressed the Alpine School District bond and a possible Orem school district: Ben Wheeler thanked the council for putting a measure on the ballot and described Alpine debt and bonds; Debi Carlyle said a smaller district would give better value; Michelle Lee and Lennard Lee spoke about Alpine bond debt and its process; Scott Brady described concerns and potential benefits of leaving Alpine; another speaker described content in Alpine school libraries she found unacceptable. Six speakers discussed the Orem library, saying displays for Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and a pride display were no longer up and asking who made the decision; they said the council had not followed up on an earlier comment. Mayor Young said no displays had been banned.