Orem council approves AT&T cell facilities at two high schools and gravel parking strips on 4-3 votes
March 14, 2023, 3:00 p.m. · Orem City Center, 56 North State Street, Orem
The council approved AT&T cell equipment on field lights at Orem and Timpanogos high schools and allowed gravel parking strips in residential zones, each on a 4-3 vote. It also approved joining the North Utah County Aquifer Council and the Lakeview Parkway agreement with Utah County, and amended the current budget. In the work session members heard the first 2023-24 budget presentation and a proposal to rename Summerfest as Oremfest. Council Member LaNae Millett attended the regular session by Zoom.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Budget
Fiscal 2023-24 budget: revenue and employee compensation (work session)
Discussed
Finance Director Brandon Nelson gave the first presentation on the 2023-24 budget. Interest earnings are up and are a significant revenue source; he projected a conservative decrease in sales tax, said property tax figures would not be available until mid-June, and said building permit revenue is below budget. Recreation proposed simplifying fee schedules (charging per game or class rather than per season and removing refundable deposits), and Fire proposed lower individual inspection rates with higher overall revenue. Management Services Director Keri Rugg and Jennica Jones outlined compensation plans, including expanded hybrid step programs, apprenticeships, hard-to-fill incentives and merit and market increases. Council Member David Spencer said he was concerned about equal percentage increases across the city.
City code
Pediatric palliative care facility as a conditional use in the R7.5 zone (work session)
Discussed
Assistant Development Services Director Jason Bench presented a proposed code amendment creating a new land use, Pediatric Palliative Care Facility, as a conditional use in the R7.5 zone. The change would let Brades Place use the former care facility at 370 W 500 N; the facility would have 26 beds, as the previous one did, and need state and city licensing. A neighborhood meeting raised no concerns. Council Member Jeff Lambson had raised the idea at an earlier meeting. The Planning Commission was to take it up March 15.
Parks
Gold Star Family monument (work session)
Discussed
Jenny Taylor of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation presented a proposed Gold Star Family monument, part of a national program of the Woody Williams Foundation. Three sites were proposed: Nielsen's Grove Park, Orem City Center Park and Cemetery Field; Taylor recommended the City Center courtyard. The estimated cost is $75,000 ($55,000 for granite and $20,000 for a plaza), to be raised through nonprofit fundraising, donated materials and labor, and grants. Council Member Debby Lauret proposed using CARE funding for the $20,000 and raising the rest.
- Budget$75,000
Other
Summerfest renamed Oremfest (work session)
Discussed
Peter and Jacob Brooks of Brooks Advertising told the council that Summerfest is trademarked and the city can no longer use the name. They proposed Oremfest and showed logo options.
Other
Waste Management plastic film recycling pilot (work session)
Discussed
Blake Leonelli of Waste Management said Orem would be a pilot city for a program using new technology to recover plastic film, which would allow plastic bags and film in residential recycling bins. Recyclables still could not be bagged. He said the pilot would not currently change recycling costs and a start date would be given later.
Presentation
Beautification Commission annual report
Discussed
Commission chair Jared Goble and members reviewed 2022 activities, including a parade entry, Beautification Awards and Holiday Spirit Awards, and said winners now keep their signs. They said they will promote the commission on Facebook and in the Summerfest parade.
Other
Joining the North Utah County Aquifer Council
Approved · 6-0
On the consent agenda, the council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement to join the North Utah County Aquifer Council.
Appointment
Chris Tschirki appointed to North Pointe Solid Waste board
Approved · 6-0
On the consent agenda, the council approved appointing Public Works Director Chris Tschirki to the North Pointe Solid Waste Service District board of directors.
Roads and utilities
Lakeview Parkway interlocal agreement with Utah County
Approved · 6-0
On the consent agenda, the council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with Utah County for the design and construction of the Lakeview Parkway project.
Item 7.1 · Public hearing
Community Development Block Grant projected use of funds for 2023-24 (public hearing)
Continued · 6-0
The council voted to postpone the hearing on the projected use of CDBG funds to March 28. Later in the meeting Mr. Earl said it needed to move again, and the council voted to reschedule it to April 11, 2023.
Item 7.2 · Development
AT&T cell facility on a field light at Orem High School
Approved · 4-2
The council approved a conditional use permit for an AT&T telecommunications facility co-located on a field light at Orem High School, 175 South 400 East in the RS zone. The school is rebuilding its snack shack and replacing the light pole. The Planning Commission had recommended approval. Council Member Terry Peterson said he was concerned about placing cell towers at schools and suggested tabling the item for more discussion; the council voted instead. Staff said Mr. Bench would lead a future discussion on changing the telecommunications ordinance.
- Applicant: AT&T
- Zone: RS
Item 7.3 · Development
AT&T cell facility on a field light at Timpanogos High School
Approved · 4-2
The council approved a conditional use permit for an AT&T telecommunications facility co-located on a field light at Timpanogos High School, 150 East 1430 North in the RS zone. The Planning Commission had recommended approval.
- Applicant: AT&T
- Zone: RS
Item 7.4 · City code
Gravel parking strips and RV and trailer parking in residential zones (public hearing)
Approved · 4-2
The council amended Sections 22-6-10 and 22-14-7(B)(2) of the city code on parking and storage of trucks, trailers and RVs in residential zones. The change would allow gravel parking strips as a second option to concrete, while the main driveway must be concrete. Residents who spoke asked for more options, such as fencing or parking on grass or dirt, and a simpler ordinance; one suggested a weed ordinance. Council Member David Spencer said he would prefer a 2-inch rather than 4-inch gravel depth.
Item 7.5 · Budget
Amendment to the fiscal 2022-23 budget (public hearing)
Approved · 6-0
The council amended the current budget. Finance Director Brandon Nelson said the changes cover technical corrections, grants and donations, rent from UPS for a public works parking lot, impact-fee-eligible projects, interest on unspent funds and higher janitorial wages, along with adjustments to library and recreation fees. No one spoke at the hearing.
Item 7.6 · Other
Ordinance creating the Management Services Department
Discussed
City Attorney Steve Earl presented an ordinance creating a Management Services Department. Brenn Bybee said it consolidates executive staff and the city manager's department, so a deputy city manager position would not need to be replaced, and that staff supported the change with pay adjusted where duties grew. The minutes' recorded motion and vote repeat the wording of the budget amendment, so the actual result on this ordinance is not clear from the minutes and should be checked against the video.
What residents said
School closuresCell towers at schoolsGravel parking strips
Six residents spoke about Alpine School District's closure of more schools, including Sharon Elementary, and a proposed new school bond. Several criticized the district, one asked the city to file a formal complaint with the district, and one asked the council to commit to supporting Orem schools; one speaker thanked council members who supported forming an Orem school district.