Orem council hears legislative briefings and ethics training; postpones approving minutes
January 13, 2026, 3:00 p.m. · 56 North State Street, Orem
The new Orem council spent its January 13 work session on a Utah League of Cities and Towns legislative update, open meetings and ethics training and emergency preparedness. At the regular session it heard state lawmakers, recognized public works crews for a December water main break response, and approved routine appointments and a revised 2026 schedule. No zoning or development items were on the agenda.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Presentation
League of Cities and Towns 2026 legislative update
Discussed
Cameron Diehl, executive director of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, previewed the 2026 session, including HB 184 (land use revisions that would make starter homes and accessory dwelling units permitted uses with a 30-day city review window), HB 68 (consolidating state housing programs), HB 234 (an added Truth-in-Taxation hearing), possible limits on local property tax authority, and a fix for the Armenta decision on immunity for 911 medical calls. Orem receives 10.6% of a resident's property tax bill. The council named Mayor McCandless and Council Member Muhlestein as its voting members on the league's Legislative Policy Committee, with Council Members Lambson and Millett on housing and child-related subgroups.
Other
Open meetings and ethics training
Discussed
City Attorney Steve Earl gave the annual training on the Open and Public Meetings Act, closed meeting rules (a two-thirds vote is needed and no final action may be taken), records rules and the Municipal Officers and Employees Ethics Act, including recusal for direct financial conflicts and a recommended practice of declining gifts over $50.
Public safety
Emergency preparedness briefing
Discussed
Emergency Manager Heath Stevenson and Fire Chief Marc Sanderson described the city's emergency structure from incident command to the Emergency Operations Center at City Hall, thresholds for declaring a local emergency, mass gathering permits and the Everbridge alert system. They said the annual city drill drew over 45,000 participants and neighborhood preparedness courses run jointly with Provo have grown to as many as 120 attendees.
Presentation
Legislative report from Representatives Shepherd and Shallenberger
Discussed
Representatives Lisa Shepherd and David Shallenberger described House majority priorities including property tax and gas price relief, a drug-contamination decontamination bill, and a bill replacing a $40 recreation fee in the Orem foothills wildlife management area with a voluntary donation. Council Member Millett thanked them for a joint letter defending Orem's zoning authority over station areas.
Roads and utilities
Water main break response recognition
Discussed
Public Works reported nine water main breaks west of I-15 beginning the first week of December, traced to corrosion in ductile iron pipe installed in the early 1990s, with more than 25 employees working shifts of 30 to 40 hours. Five employees were recognized. Staff are coordinating with Engineering on a long-term replacement of the affected lines using existing funding. The city spends about $3 million a year on water repairs from a $24 million water budget.
- Budget$3.00 million
Presentation
2026 City Council retreat recap
Discussed
Communications Manager Pete Wolfley outlined six strategic focus areas from the retreat: alignment with legislators and the school board, neighborhood livability (short-term rental rules and public art), an economic development 'tiger team', infrastructure (active transportation plan, congestion work with UDOT and UTA, urban tree planting), community-focused government, and workforce development. Council Members Lambson and Mecham praised the process; the mayor asked that the plan be posted on the city website.
Appointment
Updated 2026 council schedule, Utah Lake Authority representative and Events Advisory Commission appointment
Approved · 6-0
On the consent agenda the council approved a revised 2026 schedule, appointed Mayor Karen McCandless as the city representative on the Utah Lake Authority governing board and appointed Taylor Fox to the Events Advisory Commission. Approval of the December 9, 2025 minutes was tabled.
What residents said
Unloading trucks blocking trafficLandlord licensing for family-occupied homesNatural gas supply costsWater main breaks
A resident asked to place a memorial bench for a family member at Timpanogos Park near the Provo River. Two Summit Energy representatives proposed returning the wastewater plant and fitness center to a third-party natural gas supply program, estimating about $90,000 in savings next year; the city manager said the 2024 decision to leave would need re-evaluation. A resident described hazards from car carriers and a delivery company unloading in travel lanes on State Street and Center Street and asked the city to enforce unloading on private property. A property owner asked whether a landlord license (a $55 fee) should apply to a house occupied by a family member who pays no rent.