Orem council fills Planning Commission and advisory seats, with split votes on two appointments, as residents press for a North Union Canal trail
March 10, 2026, 3:00 p.m. · 56 North State Street, Orem
Orem opened its $21 million water reuse and nutrient removal facility on March 10. At the regular session the council appointed two Planning Commission members, one by 6-0 and one by 4-2, and approved a Natural Resources Advisory Commission appointee 3-3 with the mayor breaking the tie. More than a dozen residents asked the council to turn the decommissioned North Union Canal into a trail, and others spoke on short-term rentals.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Water Reuse and Nutrient Removal Facility opening | Discussed |
| HomeServeUSA service line insurance partnership | Discussed |
| Mountainland Association of Governments transportation briefing | Discussed |
| Consent: February 24 minutes | Approved · 6-0 |
| Natural Resources Advisory Commission appointment: Robert McFadden | Approved · 6-0 |
| Natural Resources Advisory Commission appointment: Tara Bishop | Approved · 3-3 |
| Planning Commission appointment: Micah Ladle | Approved · 6-0 |
| Planning Commission appointment: Jeff Reeves | Approved · 4-2 |
Agenda, item by item
Roads and utilities
Water Reuse and Nutrient Removal Facility opening
Discussed
The council attended a ribbon cutting for a facility that treats wastewater to Type 1 reuse standard (UV and chlorine) for irrigating Sleepy Ridge Golf Course and Lakeside Sports Park, with Springwater Park to follow, and removes phosphorus to protect Utah Lake. State rules effective January 1, 2026 cut the phosphorus limit from a historical 1.5 to 4 mg/L to 1.0 mg/L or lower; the plant can scale to 0.1 mg/L. It also treats all of Lindon's wastewater. Costs rose from a $10 million estimate to $21 million; $13.5 million came from outside funding, including a $7 million ARPA grant from the Utah County Commission and a $3 million federal appropriation, and $7.5 million from bonds repaid by utility users.
- Budget$21.0 million
- Grant$7.00 million to Utah County Commission
- Grant$3.00 million to Federal appropriation (Sen. Curtis)
- Bond$7.50 million
Contract
HomeServeUSA service line insurance partnership
Discussed
HomeServeUSA described an optional program, in partnership with the city since 2015, offering water line coverage at $4.07 a month and sewer line coverage at $6.57 a month with no deductible. About 2,500 Orem customers are enrolled and over 1,200 claims have saved residents $1.7 million. The company pays its own marketing and administrative costs. Council members supported revitalizing outreach through social media and orem.gov/serviceline.
- ContractAmount not given to HomeServeUSA
Roads and utilities
Mountainland Association of Governments transportation briefing
Discussed
MAG representatives explained the Regional Transportation Plan to 2055 and the five-year Transportation Improvement Program, and a roughly $110 million-every-two-years pot for regionally significant roads. Examples for Orem include Lakeview Parkway, a roundabout at 1200 South and 400 West and widening Center Street between I-15 and Geneva Road. Council members raised congestion from Provo Canyon commuters and the Lindon temple, and MAG discussed a regional forum on e-bikes and micromobility.
Presentation
Employee Appreciation Day
Discussed
HR Manager Amy Peterson recognized city employees, and the mayor and council members offered tributes.
Other
Consent: February 24 minutes
Approved · 6-0
The council approved the February 24, 2026 minutes.
Appointment
Natural Resources Advisory Commission appointment: Robert McFadden
Approved · 6-0
The council appointed Robert McFadden.
Appointment
Natural Resources Advisory Commission appointment: Tara Bishop
Approved · 3-3
A motion by Council Member Millett to table the appointment failed 3-4. On the appointment, Council Member Millett said she opposed the nominee because of conduct during a candidate debate at UVU, when she said the nominee interrupted her and required moderator intervention, and urged the council to choose another applicant. Council Member Mecham and Mayor McCandless said appointees should model decorum and respect. The council members split 3-3, and Mayor McCandless voted yes to break the tie.
Appointment
Planning Commission appointment: Micah Ladle
Approved · 6-0
Council Member Mecham said the mayor and council held 15 interviews and thanked Chair Madeline Komen and outgoing Vice Chair Mike Carpenter, who served past his December term.
Appointment
Planning Commission appointment: Jeff Reeves
Approved · 4-2
Council Member Millett said the commission should draw members from across the city rather than a few blocks. Council Members Muhlestein and Millett said replacing five members at once is unusual and burdens the chair with training many new members; they favored keeping experienced members during the transition.
What residents said
North Union Canal trailShort-term rentalsPlanning Commission turnoverAppointee conduct
Eight speakers urged the council to convert the decommissioned North Union Canal into a paved trail like the Murdock Canal, citing student safety, running and cycling, grants covering up to 80% of cost if the project is added to the Regional Transportation Plan, and a link toward the Provo River Trail; one asked the city to start talks with MAG and UDOT. On short-term rentals, several owners asked for regulation rather than a ban, citing licensing, hosting standards and guest limits and saying the city had earlier told them their plans were allowed; one resident described a rental housing up to 17 guests and street parking problems near UVU.