Orem council adopts campaign-finance disclosure rule and keeps working on its Transportation Master Plan
September 26, 2023, 4:00 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 56 North State Street, Orem
The Orem City Council voted 7-0 to adopt an ordinance requiring elected officials to file an annual campaign finance disclosure, and 7-0 to approve a Healthy Utah Community resolution. It continued the Transportation Master Plan to Oct. 10 after a long discussion that followed more than a dozen residents asking for bike and pedestrian improvements. A work session covered a new city flag ceremony, the county ballot center and proposed sewer-code changes.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Orem's mayor is a voting member of the seven-member council. The minutes count the six council members in each tally and record the mayor's vote beside it, so a council vote of 6-0 with the mayor voting yes is 7-0 with the mayor.
In brief
4 items came up for a decision or discussion: 2 approved, 1 continued, and 1 discussed.
1 item here is tracked in the city's development tracker.
This write-up links 3 source documents and the meeting video.
7 members were present.
Residents raised bike and pedestrian safety, transportation master plan, library displays, and crosswalk signal timing.
The previous City Council meeting was on September 19, 2023: Orem council certifies primary election results after residents raise complaints about a political committee
The next one was on October 10, 2023: Orem council rezones Hillcrest Ridge site for office use and adopts updated Transportation Master Plan
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Resolution for Healthy Utah Community designation | Approved · 7-0 with the mayor |
| Transportation Master Plan resolution | Continued · 7-0 with the mayor |
| Ordinance: campaign financial disclosure for elected officials | Approved · 7-0 with the mayor |
| Proposed sewer code update (work session) | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item Consent · Other
Resolution for Healthy Utah Community designation
Approved · 7-0 with the mayor
The council approved a resolution to pursue the Healthy Utah Community designation, a state program to help cities improve resident health. Assistant City Attorney Gary McGinn presented it.
Roads and utilities
Transportation Master Plan resolution
Continued · 7-0 with the mayor
City Engineer Sam Kelly presented the update of the 2015 Transportation Master Plan, which also amends the General Plan. Planning Commission recommendations include removing the 800 East and 1600 North widenings and the 800 South and 1200 North overpasses. Kelly said the city agrees on 800 East and 1600 North but sees merit in the others, and that the plan only identifies future needs and studies would come before any project. Council Member LaNae Millett said she was not comfortable with 800 East on the plan, opposed removing parking on 1600 South and supported an updated active-transportation plan. Council Members Terry Peterson and Mayor Young said they opposed the overpasses; Peterson supports the Planning Commission's suggestions, and the mayor and Millett wanted state or regional funding sought for State Street connectivity and beautification. Council Member Debby Lauret asked about Vineyard growth and an updated bike plan. Staff opposed some of the Planning Commission's proposed wording as subjective, though the council favored it, and Peterson asked for a cleaned-up version.
City code
Ordinance: campaign financial disclosure for elected officials
Approved · 7-0 with the mayor
The ordinance amends Orem City Code 2-3-4 to require candidates to follow state disclosure rules and to require each elected official to file an annual statement on contributions and expenditures not previously disclosed. Late filings can be accepted with a fine, and after a grace period become an infraction with a fine of up to $750. Council members suggested adjusting the first filing date and the late-fee schedule (for example $250 a week); the adopted text is Exhibit A, which the minutes do not reproduce.
City code
Proposed sewer code update (work session)
Discussed
Assistant Public Works Director Reed Price outlined changes to the Water Reclamation Code (Chapter 20): updated definitions, moving pretreatment rules into their own section, sewer requirements for accessory dwelling units, a ban on discharging flushable wipes, rules for accepting private sewer mains into public ownership and stronger rules on fats, oils and grease. The council asked that residents be told what is appropriate to put in the sewer.
Presentation
Utah County ballot center virtual tour (work session)
Discussed
The city showed a recorded tour of the Utah County Ballot Center. A county representative answered questions on ballot sorting, security, signature verification and results reporting.
What residents said
Bike and pedestrian safetyTransportation Master PlanLibrary displaysCrosswalk signal timing
About a dozen residents spoke, most asking for bicycle and pedestrian safety to be built into the Transportation Master Plan and for the 2010 bike plan to be updated (including speakers for Bike Orem). Others raised the library's displays, the timing of a crosswalk signal near Winco, two petitions on light pollution and cell-tower rules, and online civility after the prior meeting.