Orem council authorizes up to $11 million in sales tax bonds for fire training center and approves CDBG plan and CARE allocations
May 28, 2024, 6:00 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 56 North State Street, Orem
The Orem City Council voted unanimously to authorize sales tax revenue bonds of up to $11 million for a fire training center and Public Safety building remodel, with a public hearing set for July 9. It also adopted the FY2025 CDBG action plan ($630,037.05) and the FY2025 CARE tax allocation ($3,420,550). In the work session it heard options for the 1600 North and 400 East intersection at the Murdock Canal Trail and a UDOT update on widening 1600 North.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| 1600 North and 400 East intersection study | Discussed |
| 1600 North widening design update (UDOT) | Discussed |
| Wastewater pretreatment, local limits and water reclamation code updates | Discussed |
| Hillside nuisance petition and Cascade Elementary funding | Discussed |
| Consent items: NUVAS board appointment, 2024 schedule and Provo boundary ordinances | Approved · 5-0 |
| Public notice requirement updates | Approved · 5-0 |
| Tier 2 retirement pick-up for public safety employees | Approved · 5-0 |
| FY2024-2025 CDBG annual action plan | Approved · 5-0 |
| CARE tax allocation for FY2024-2025 | Approved · 5-0 |
| Sales tax revenue bonds, series 2024 (parameters resolution) | Approved · 5-0 |
| Closed session motion | Approved · 5-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item Work session · Roads and utilities
1600 North and 400 East intersection study
Discussed
Consultants from JUB Engineers presented five alternatives for improving safety where the Murdock Canal Trail crosses the intersection: directional crosswalks with no right turns, a relocated crossing with a HAWK signal, a grade-separated crossing, a roundabout and a pedestrian scramble. An underpass was estimated at about $10 million and a pedestrian bridge at over $14.5 million. A survey drew 518 responses, ranking the grade-separated option safest, and 60 percent supported added safety even if drivers face delays; 111 people attended an open house. The consultants recommended directional crossings or a pedestrian scramble in the short term and a grade-separated crossing long term. No vote was taken.
Item Work session · Roads and utilities
1600 North widening design update (UDOT)
Discussed
UDOT representatives said the project will widen 1600 North to a five-lane cross section with bike lanes from I-15 to State Street, generally to the south, requiring 34 property acquisitions. Design is 60 percent complete, with construction expected to start in spring 2025 and last about two years.
Item Work session · City code
Wastewater pretreatment, local limits and water reclamation code updates
Discussed
Assistant Public Works Director Reed Price reviewed a new stand-alone pretreatment ordinance and EPA-required local limits on industrial discharges; existing users would have 60 days to comply. Water reclamation code changes include sewer requirements for accessory dwelling units, a ban on discharging flushable wipes, rules for taking private sewer mains into public ownership and grease limits for restaurants and auto shops. No public comments were received, state review is complete pending final approval, and adoption is expected June 18.
Item Work session · Presentation
Other presentations
Discussed
The council tested chairs for the new City Hall, heard the annual municipal wastewater planning survey, and heard from the One Kind Act a Day organization, which said it is fully funded and needs no city money.
Item Mayor's report · Presentation
Oremfest 2024 preview and recognitions
Discussed
Staff previewed Oremfest 2024 with the theme Honor, Hope and Healing, 22 food vendors, 68 boutiques, new events including Sportsfest at Hillcrest Park, and $81,250 in cash sponsorships from 57 sponsors. The council also heard the summer reading program preview, Best of State awards, Kindness Awards and met the new Miss Orem royalty.
Item Personal appearance · Other
Hillside nuisance petition and Cascade Elementary funding
Discussed
Donna Boyd presented a petition with over 60 names asking the city to enforce nuisance rules on the hillside along 1000 West from Center Street to 100 South. Karen Turner asked residents to urge Alpine School District to keep serving Cascade Elementary students after it pulled Title I funding.
Item Consent · Appointment
Consent items: NUVAS board appointment, 2024 schedule and Provo boundary ordinances
Approved · 5-0
The council approved appointing Police Lt. Karalee Johnson to the North Utah Valley Animal Shelter board, an amended 2024 council schedule that cancels the September 10 meeting, and re-approval of three boundary adjustment ordinances with Provo City.
Item Scheduled · City code
Public notice requirement updates
Approved · 5-0
Assistant City Attorney Jon Ditto said the council's policies and city code must be updated because state law no longer requires cities to publish notices in newspapers. The council adopted both a resolution amending its policies and an ordinance amending the code.
Item Scheduled · Budget
Tier 2 retirement pick-up for public safety employees
Approved · 5-0
The council approved continuing to pay the maximum employer-paid portion of the employee contribution rate in the Utah Retirement System for Tier 2 public safety and firefighter hybrid employees, which staff said shows support for public safety and helps recruit and keep employees.
Item Scheduled · Budget
FY2024-2025 CDBG annual action plan
Approved · 5-0
Management Analyst Heather Cox said actual federal CDBG funding came in about $33,000 below last year, so joint-funded regional projects get less while Orem programs keep their funding. The Refuge's award is reduced, though staff said it can still buy the land needed. The council approved the annual action plan at $630,037.05.
- Grant$630,037
Item Scheduled · Budget
CARE tax allocation for FY2024-2025
Approved · 5-0
Finance Director Brandon Nelson presented the CARE advisory committee's allocations of $3,420,550 in CARE tax for nonprofit arts programs and city recreation programs and improvements; the council approved it by ordinance.
- Budget$3.42 million
Item Scheduled · Budget
Sales tax revenue bonds, series 2024 (parameters resolution)
Approved · 5-0
The council adopted a parameters resolution authorizing sales tax revenue bonds of no more than $11 million, with a maximum of 21 years, a maximum interest rate of 5.5 percent and a maximum 3 percent discount, letting the mayor, city manager or finance director finalize terms within those limits. The mayor confirmed the bond is for a fire training center and a Public Safety building remodel. Financial advisors from LRB and bond counsel from Gilmore and Bell presented. A public hearing is set for July 9, 2024.
- Bond$11.0 million
Other
Closed session motion
Approved · 5-0
The council voted to close the meeting to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation, the character or professional competence of an individual, or the purchase or lease of real property.
What residents said
Nuisance enforcement on 1000 West hillsideSchool funding at Cascade Elementary
Donna Boyd presented a petition from over 60 people on enforcing nuisance rules on the 1000 West hillside; Karen Turner spoke about Cascade Elementary's Title I funding.