Orem council approves Provo dispatch agreement and names new city recorder; residents press library concerns
February 28, 2023, 3:00 p.m. · Orem City Center, 56 North State Street, Orem
The council approved a dispatch services agreement with Provo City, appointed Teresa McKitrick as City Recorder and adopted a water reclamation capital facilities plan, all on unanimous votes. In the afternoon work session members heard that Utah County would move up $14.7 million for the Lakeview Parkway project and that Orem would need to move up $1 million in matching funds. About nine residents spoke during the regular session, mostly about the city library.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Roads and utilities
Lakeview Parkway: county funding and Orem's required match (work session)
Discussed
In the work session, a presenter (Mr. Kelly in the minutes) updated the council on the Lakeview Parkway project. The minutes say the project was approved to move up in schedule to take advantage of construction timing, that Utah County approved moving its funding forward and approved the interlocal agreement, and that the county would contribute $4,000,000 for 2023 and $10,698,200 for 2024. Orem would have to move up its matching contributions of $500,000 in fiscal 2024 and $500,000 in fiscal 2025, and a resolution was to come back to the council. Members discussed construction costs, right-of-way costs, access points, the temple entrance and construction dates.
- Grant$14.7 million to Utah County
- Budget$1.00 million
Other
North Utah County Aquifer Council: proposal to join (work session)
Discussed
Mr. Price explained that the North Utah County Aquifer Council was created in 2017 to coordinate groundwater planning, including aquifer storage and recovery. Members include the Central Utah Water Conservancy District and cities such as Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Highland, Alpine, Lehi, Cedar Hills, Lindon, Vineyard, Saratoga Springs and Provo. Staff recommended Orem join and place the item on a coming consent agenda. He said the only downside is a yearly cost based on population, which he called reasonable.
City code
Proposed changes to the landscaping ordinance (work session)
Discussed
Mr. Bench presented possible amendments to the landscaping ordinance. Members discussed the share of yards required at full growth, grant amounts, funding, maintenance, which areas the rules cover, and water conservation. The proposed review schedule ran through the Natural Resources Stewardship Committee (Feb. 23), the Planning Commission (March 15) and the City Council (March 28, 2023). The council generally agreed members could contact Mr. Bench with questions.
Other
Ordinance creating a Management Services Department (work session)
Discussed
Mr. Earl described plans to create a Management Services Department that would combine several departments into divisions that work together, citing efficiency. Members discussed cost-effectiveness, employee engagement, organizational responsibilities, upward mobility and department structure.
Presentation
Utah Valley drug prevention and SHARP survey results (work session)
Discussed
Mrs. Wright reviewed results of the SHARP student survey and answered questions about differences by age, substance use, survey timing, mental health, overdose rates, the Sources of Strength program and other school programs.
Presentation
Impact fee study (work session)
Discussed
The agenda lists an impact fee study presentation; the minutes record no details of it.
Appointment
Reappointments and appointments to city boards and commissions
Approved · 6-0
The council approved reappointing Dave Blackinton and John Reinhard to the Arts Council, reappointing Tod Hadley to the CARE Commission, appointing Mike Whimpey to the Public Works Advisory Commission and appointing Debbie Smith to the Library Commission. Each motion passed with every member voting yes.
Appointment
Appointment of Teresa McKitrick as City Recorder
Approved · 6-0
Acting City Manager Brenn Bybee introduced Teresa McKitrick and praised her work for the city. The council approved her appointment as City Recorder.
Contract
Dispatch services agreement with Provo City
Approved · 6-0
The council approved a resolution approving a dispatch services provision agreement between Orem and Provo City and authorizing the mayor to sign it. The minutes give no dollar amount. The council had toured the Provo/Orem Dispatch Center earlier that afternoon.
Appointment
Brenn Bybee named city representative to regional boards
Approved · 6-0
The council approved a resolution appointing Acting City Manager Brenn Bybee as Orem's representative to the Utah Infrastructure Agency board and the Utah Risk Management Agency board, and as alternate representative to the UTOPIA board.
City code
Parapet height standard in general zone development standards (public hearing)
Approved · 6-0
The council held a public hearing on amending Section 22-8-8(A) of the city code, which sets general zone development standards on overall height for a parapet. Mayor Young opened the hearing at 7:16 p.m.; no one commented. The motion recorded in the minutes names a different matter (Chapter 4 of the General Plan on moderate income housing strategies), which appears to be a clerical error, so the exact wording of the approved motion should be checked against the video. The recorded vote was unanimous.
Roads and utilities
2022 Orem Water Reclamation Facility Capital Facilities Plan
Approved · 6-0
The council adopted the 2022 capital facilities plan for the Orem Water Reclamation Facility. The minutes give no further detail.
What residents said
Library policy and transparencyLibrary director appointmentSnow in bike lanesChild safety near schools
About nine residents spoke on the city library, the appointment of a new library director, transparency and library policies, state grant funding and state code; speakers included both critics and supporters of the library. Mayor Young and Acting City Manager Brenn Bybee responded that the council supports the library and gave no administrative instructions to staff, and the mayor said some published articles contained inaccuracies. Other speakers raised ice and snow in a bike lane and a child-safety and police-response concern near an elementary school; staff offered to follow up after the meeting. One resident thanked the council.