Orem council weighs two options for campaign finance reporting without deciding; work session covers home-height rules and 1600 North intersection fix
July 8, 2025, 3:00 p.m. · 56 North State Street, Orem
The Orem City Council discussed two options, and a hybrid, for changing when elected officials file campaign finance disclosures but reached no decision. In the work session, staff proposed ideas to address tall flat-roofed homes in residential zones and described a first phase of safety work at 400 East and 1600 North. Council Member Chris Killpack joined the work session by Zoom and was absent from the regular session.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item W1 · Roads and utilities
Amendment to interlocal agreement with Utah County for the 1600 North 400 East project
Discussed
Assistant City Manager Ryan Clark said the city will do Phase One of a two-phase plan at the intersection, a project of about $460,000 with a 6.77% city match, using boulders to direct pedestrians and cyclists to a safer crosswalk and discourage diagonal crossings. A roundabout was considered earlier, but public input favored a bridge, which would be Phase Two if funding is found. The resolution amending the 2022 agreement was to go on the consent agenda and a contractor is in place.
- Contract$460,000
Item W2 · City code
Allowable heights of primary buildings in residential zones
Discussed
Community Development Director Gary McGinn and Planning Manager Jared Hall said a specific 35-foot flat-roofed home prompted complaints. Residential height limits are 35 feet (up to 45 feet for part of the roof in R-12 and R-20), and state law limits regulation of roof pitch or color. Ideas include stepped setbacks as height increases, required architectural features such as porches and multiple facade planes, and a different way of measuring height. Mayor Young asked for more examples of problem homes; legal review is needed.
Item W3 · City code
Amendment to city code section 2-3-4 on campaign disclosures
Discussed
City Attorney Steve Earl presented Option 1, moving the single reporting deadline from June 30 to December 31, and Option 2, keeping two annual reports with candidates in a primary year filing seven days before the primary and a January 15 report for outgoing officials. Council Member Millett also raised requiring candidates to identify donations from 501(c)(4) organizations, which do not disclose donors; Earl will research other cities. The council reached no consensus and ran out of time.
Item R1 · Presentation
Recognitions
Discussed
Staff announced the 2025-26 Build a Better Orem scholarships for employees, recognized City Recorder Teresa McKitrick for earning the Certified Municipal Clerk designation, and presented Best of State awards to the mayor, the Parks and Recreation department and the police Mental Health Unit.
Item 10.1 · City code
Ordinance amending city code section 2-3-4, campaign finance disclosures
No action
Earl presented the same two options. Council Member Gale favored the simpler Option 1 to reduce administrative burden but could support any transparency measure. Mayor Young, who is running for re-election, Council Member Millett and Council Member Lambson favored Option 2, saying aligning incumbents with other candidates' schedules creates an even playing field. Council Member Macdonald proposed a hybrid of the single report with the final report for outgoing officials. Millett recalled the June deadline was set in 2023 for transparency at the start of election season and to match the fiscal year, and raised 501(c)(4) disclosure again, with Lambson agreeing candidates should be able to identify and refuse such contributions. The council made no decision.
Item 10.2 · Zoning
Ken Garff rezone, 134 East and 110 East 1200 South: R8 to C2, subject to development agreement (as recorded in the minutes)
Approved with conditions · 5-0
The minutes record a motion to approve the Ken Garff rezone of about 1.05 acres from R8 to C2 subject to a development agreement, passing with all present voting yes. The wording is identical to the May 13, 2025 motion approving the same rezone, and the item has no presentation or discussion recorded, so this may be a duplicated entry (needs human check).
What residents said
Housing affordabilityShort-term rentals in Geneva HeightsCode enforcement practicesGrowth and neighborhood character
A resident said new construction and cheap housing are eroding Orem's character. A Geneva Heights resident thanked Public Works for road and sidewalk repairs and asked about the city's plans for regulating growing numbers of short-term rentals bought by investors in the neighborhood. A resident urged allowing accessory dwelling units and backyard cottages, smaller lots, duplex conversions and faster approvals to address housing affordability. A resident criticized the Neighborhood Improvement Team's code enforcement as punitive and poorly communicated, citing notices with unrealistic deadlines. Another resident thanked the city for street resurfacing.