Orem council holds no-comment hearing on $11 million fire training facility bonds; Macdonald named mayor pro tem

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item Work session · Appointment

   Temporary justice court judges resolution

   Discussed

   Deputy City Attorney Jacob Summers previewed a resolution to appoint temporary judges to serve when the regular Orem Justice Court judge is absent or disqualified, as state code allows. The last such resolution was in 2018 and many listed judges have retired. The proposal would appoint sitting justice court judges and approved senior judges in the Fourth Judicial District, and those in adjacent counties.

2. Item Work session · Presentation

   Strategic communications plan

   Discussed

   Communications Manager Pete Wolfley presented a plan developed with Koritz Communications recommending communications policies, a research-plan-implement-review cycle, a unified team across departments, a key communicator network, media relations and crisis communications coordinated with emergency management.

3. Item Mayor's report · Parks

   SCERA splash pad and Shell wall

   Discussed · SCERA Park, 600 South and 400 East area

   Staff presented the new SCERA splash pad and a new exterior wall around the SCERA Shell, both paid for with CARE tax money. The wall replaced a chain-link fence, a flashing beacon was installed at the crossing at 600 South and 4th East, and two monument signs are planned.

4. Item Personal appearance · Other

   Traffic safety, hillside fire danger and festival invitation

   Discussed

   A Palisade Drive resident raised unsafe driving and e-bikes speeding over speed bumps. Donna Boyd said one side of a hazardous hillside area had been cleaned up but another had not, raising fire danger. Greg Carlisle invited the council to the Come Together Rock Festival on August 16-17 at City Center Park.

5. Item Consent · Appointment

   Mayor pro tem and board appointments

   Approved · 4-0

   The council approved Tom Macdonald as mayor pro tem for July through December 2024, Stephanie Goodman to the Arts Council, Sydney Dameron to the Neighborhood Advisory Commission and Britton Runolfson to the Planning Commission, and the June 18 minutes.

   Moved by Council Member Tom Macdonald, seconded by Council Member Jenn Gale. Vote: 4-0 among council members listed in the roll call (Mayor David Young also yes); Council Member Jenn Gale seconded the motion but is not in the recorded roll call

6. Item Scheduled · Public hearing

   Public hearing on sales tax revenue bonds, series 2024

   No action

   Finance Director Brandon Nelson said the council began the issuance process May 28 when it authorized up to $11 million in bonds to build a fire training facility and improve the public safety complex. The hearing, which also took input on any economic impact on the private sector, drew no comments.

   • Bond$11.0 million Fire training facility and public safety complex improvements (maximum). Paid from Sales tax revenue bonds, series 2024

   Follow Fire training center and Public Safety building remodel in the development tracker →

7. Roads and utilities

   City credit rating and water tank update

   Discussed · 400 South, Orem

   The assistant city manager reported Orem's credit rating was upgraded to AAA, which he said only 42 of 20,000 U.S. cities hold, citing budgetary flexibility, healthy reserves and strong fiscal management. He also said concrete for the new water tank is poured, a 24-inch line in 400 South is installed, and the westbound lane is expected to reopen in September.

What residents said

Unsafe driving and e-bikesWildfire danger on hillside

Residents spoke about unsafe driving and e-bikes on Palisade Drive, fire danger on a hillside area, and invited the council to the Come Together Rock Festival. No one commented at the bond hearing.