Orem council adopts contract-extension bidding exception and sixth-strategy housing plan update
January 24, 2023, 3:00 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 56 North State Street
The Orem City Council unanimously adopted a city code exception that lets the city manager extend an existing contract without new bidding when procurement conditions are unfavorable, and amended the housing chapter of the general plan on moderate income housing strategies to answer a state notice. It also changed the Campus Drive residential parking permit area and made three board appointments. The work session included a virtual reality tour of the planned city hall and a UDOT update on Geneva Road.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Roads and utilities
City hall project update with virtual reality tour (work session)
Discussed
A Method Studio representative led a virtual reality tour of the planned new city center, with goggles for the mayor and council. Discussion covered basement space, the 311 help center, council chamber capacity, escape routes, ceiling height, training rooms, earthquake standards, materials and budget, with Layton Construction assisting.
Other
UDOT Geneva Road widening and Lakeview Parkway extension update (work session)
Discussed
A UDOT project manager said the project, from University Parkway to 1800 South, would widen Geneva Road to five lanes between University Parkway and the future Lakeview Parkway, realign a segment of Geneva Road, build the Lakeview and Geneva intersection and add bike lanes, a trail and sidewalk. The original scope was $20 million in HB 433 funding with construction in spring 2023 to late 2024; the updated schedule advertises construction in late 2023 and builds from spring 2024 to late 2025. UDOT listed benefits as avoiding rework and limiting resident impacts, and risks as timing of Orem's Lakeview Parkway design and schedule delays tied to the Orem Temple open house.
- Grant$20.0 million to Utah Department of Transportation
- Updated schedule: advertise late 2023; construct spring 2024 to late 2025
Presentation
Utah Risk Management Agency and Central Utah Water Conservancy District conservation programs (work session)
Discussed
Representatives of the Utah Risk Management Agency (URMA), which Orem helped found in 1985, described its pooled insurance, claims and litigation services. A Central Utah Water Conservancy District manager described rebates of $75 for smart controllers and $100 for toilets, landscape grants for businesses, $1 million in available grant money, and new 2023 lawn-removal incentives of $2 to $3 per square foot, plus proposed water-efficient landscaping standards for new construction. An equal opportunity plan presentation was also on the agenda.
Appointment
Appointments to Library Advisory Commission, CARE Commission and Natural Resources Stewardship Committee
Approved · 6-0
The council appointed Katrina Brittner to the Library Advisory Commission and Mary Schumacher to the CARE Commission, and reappointed Sarah Bateman to the Natural Resources Stewardship Committee. Each vote was unanimous.
City code
Bidding exception for extending existing contracts in an unfavorable procurement environment
Approved · 6-0
The council enacted Section 2-7-6(S) of the city code. It lets the city manager extend an existing contract without competitive bidding after finding in writing that unusual conditions, such as high inflation or labor or materials shortages, make new bidding impractical and an extension likely to yield significantly better terms. At the Jan. 10 work session staff said the exception has no dollar cap but is expected to be used for short extensions.
- Code: Section 2-7-6(S)
Public safety
Campus Drive residential parking permit area amendment
Approved · 6-0
The council approved a resolution amending the Campus Drive residential parking permit area. The minutes give no details; the council had been told in November and December that police recommended dissolving the Campus Drive parking district after a petition and traffic study.
General plan
General plan Chapter 4 (Housing) amendment on moderate income housing strategies
Approved · 6-0
The council amended Section 4.4.2 of the housing chapter on moderate income housing strategies. As previewed Dec. 13, the changes respond to a state letter of non-compliance and add a fifth strategy, reducing, waiving or eliminating impact fees related to moderate income housing, with an implementation plan, with a Feb. 16, 2023 compliance deadline.
- Fifth strategy: (L) reduce, waive or eliminate impact fees for moderate income housing
What residents said
Three residents (Jason Fowler, Ben Wheeler and David Dawes) were listed for personal appearances; the minutes do not record what they said.