What's Up? - 28 May 2016

What Was Up?

This post covers three meetings held on May 17th. The green text is from the summary on the Council's blog. In preparing this report, I noticed that the Council was unanimous in every vote taken throughout the day. I'm not sure how often that happens.

JOINT MEETING WITH PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD

12:30 PM, Tuesday, May 17, City Conference Room, 351 West Center

Council met with members of the Parks and Recreation Board prior to the regular work session. Topics of discussion included the East Bay Golf Course, the desire for a regional sports park, and the recreation, arts, and parks (RAP) tax.

COUNCIL WORK MEETING

12:30 PM, Tuesday, May 17, City Conference Room, 351 West Center

1. A discussion on an amendment to a Development Agreement, removing the requirement that each dwelling unit be occupied by the owner(s). (06-0004DA)
   This item will be placed on the June 7, 2016 Council Meeting. Applicant was asked to address the questions raised in the Work Meeting, speak to a bank and come back with prepared language to present to the Council.
   My impression was that the Council is supportive of the proposed twin home, but is reluctant to completely waive the owner-occupation requirement unless it is completely necessary. The reasons for my reluctance are that I don't want to set the precedence of changing agreements without a really good reason, and I'm cautious to change something that I don't fully understand. Why did the Council at that time and the developer at that time decide to enter into that agreement? Maybe there was a really good reason that I am unaware of. What has changed that necessitates a change to the agreement? 
2. A discussion on citizen access to and participation in the policy-making process. (16-042) Council Member David Sewell moved to ask staff to bring this item back to the Council.
   Rachel Stone, former Council Intern and current IS Staff, presented research into software platforms that the Council could integrate to facilitate easier citizen engagement with the Council. The research was conducted by several people, including Council Staff and Interns. Three platforms were presented and the Staff recommendation was for Open Town Hall.
3. A discussion on the Council Staff Budget Review Process. (16-059)
   Report Only.
   Various aspects of the Budget will be reviewed by different members of Council Staff.
4. A discussion on the Vision 2050 update by the Policy Governance Committee. (16-051)
   Karen Tapahe was asked to set up the five Neighborhood Area Council Meetings. Also to have an article precede the meetings to get the word out to residents.Discussion continues on Provo City's vision document (Vision 2030) and how it will be updated. The Community Development Department will work with the Neighborhood Program to hold meetings this summer in five different areas of the city, inviting Provo residents to give input, ask questions, and discuss the document.
   I am pleased with the Policy Governance Committee's recommendation for aggressively reaching out for public feedback on the the update to Vision 2030. If done right, the new document, Vision 2050, will guide the decision making by City leaders and residents.
5. A discussion on the Fire Department Apparatus needs. (16-060)
   Council Member David Sewell moved to hear this item at the June 21, 2016 Council Meeting.
   My pre-meeting description still applies, "All of the Department's ambulances and fire trucks are more than 10 years old. The last vehicle purchase was in 2006 and included 9 vehicles. The Department is proposing that vehicles be replaced on a staggered schedule to avoid infrequent but large purchases."
6. A discussion and update on the 820 North Corridor Study. (16-061)
   Report Only.
   This was a fairly high-level, coarse-grained study of travel demand along the corridor over the next 40 years. The needs were assessed and the public was asked to state their preferences about how these needs are met. The level of public participation was quite good for this type of survey. Results can be found here: Low-Res, High-Res. The survey didn't ask the public about their opinion on the number of proposed lanes, but focused on other elements of the proposed roadway.
7. A discussion on a section of the City Center Roof Replacement. (16-062)
   Council Member George Stewart moved to hear this item at the June 7, 2016 Council Meeting where Council will consider an appropriation from fund balance. Seconded by Council Member Vernon K. Van Buren. Approved 7:0.
   The City has been reluctant to put any significant money into the current City Center building because it is nearing the end of its useful life. But with no plans in the works for replacing it, some investments need to be made to keep it functional.
8. A discussion on the Recreation Center Capital Projects. (16-064)
   Council Member David Harding moved to have a resolution drafted appropriating the requested funds back to the Parks and Recreation Department for the described projects and to be heard at the June 7, 2016 Council Meeting. Seconded by Council Member David Sewell. Approved 7:0.
   The Rec Center has been wildly popular. The level of usage has exceeded all expectations. The revenue from passes (including day-passes) have exceeded yearly projections and more than cover the operating budget. Rec Center management are requesting the use of some of that surplus revenue to be reinvested into the operation to improve efficiency and to improve patron experience at the higher usage levels. For an efficiency example, mobile computing (tablets) are requested for some staff members so that they can better respond to customer needs throughout the facility without needing to return to desks to look up or record information. For a user experience example, more pool-side furniture is requested to accommodate the greater number of people using the outdoor pools.
9. A discussion on the reprogramming of CDBG Funds. (16-065)
   Council Member George Stewart moved that the appropriation of money for the 400 West Street sidewalk be heard at the June 7th Council Meeting. Council Member David Knecht moved that in regards to the transformer, it be heard at the June 7, 2016 Council Meeting with the option of instead of the City paying the full $50,000, have the financing of half this amount be added to the existing loan already owed increasing the loan by $25,000 and the city paying half. Other options are welcome as well. Seconded by Council Member David Harding. Approved 7:0.
   Rather than operate a City-run tech/start-up incubator, the City previously decided to support "other groups who are working directly with early stage and start up groups like – 1 Million Cups, Startup Dojo, Startup Building, Braid, Startfest, etc." The results of the tech-space provided at the Startup Building are impressive. This request would be part of our ongoing support in this area.
10. A discussion on a resolution of the Governing Board of the Redevelopment Agency of Provo City Corporation approving the signature of a Collateral Assignment of the Parking Lease to Key Bank, a Collateral Assignment of the Joint Development Agreement, and an accompanying Estoppel Certificate. (16-063)
    Council Member George Stewart moved to approve to have this item on tonight’s Council agenda. Seconded by Council Member Gary Winterton. Approved 7:0.
    From before: "The 63 East developers would like to buy out the City's investment/interest in the project." The Collateral Assignment will allow tenants continued access to the parking garage even if the developer defaults to their lender.
11. The Provo City Community Development Department requests approval of the Provo City Moderate Income Housing Plan for 2014-2015. City Wide Impact. 16-0003GPA, Brian Maxfield, 801-852-6429
    This item will be heard at the June 7, 2016 Council Meeting.
    From the Executive Summary: "Within 25 years (2040), Provo City is projected to have a population of over 150,000 people; a 32 percent increase over the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2014 population estimate. The current need for Moderate Income Housing in Provo is broad, and the future demand will be even greater if Provo fails to properly address the provision of such housing as a necessity." This plan is required by the State, and is actually more of a report on Moderate Income Housing activities over the past two years.
12. Susan Christensen requests an Ordinance Text Amendment to Section 14.32 of the Provo City Code to allow for reuse of an existing commercial building in the Residential Conservation Zone. Although this application has city wide implications, the specific address for this request is 389 East 200 North. Joaquin Neighborhood and City Wide Impact. 15-0020OA, Robert Mills, 801-852-6407
    This item will be heard at the June 7, 2016 Council Meeting. 
    The Zone Text Amendment would allow small, neighborhood grocery stores, and bike repair/sales shops in existing commercial buildings inside of the RC zone. There are only two properties which fit this description. The applicant owns one of these properties and was looking to put in a neighborhood grocery store, but is now working with the Provo Bicycle Collective to allow them to move to a larger location. Though this affects only two properties, I hope it is the start of a trend to allow useful, neighborhood-scale commercial offerings in our neighborhoods, in a way to minimizes conflicts and serves our residents.
13. Kevin Reisch, representing Remmer Properties LLC, requests a zone change from Residential Conservation (RC) zone to the Del Coronado PRO (PRO-20) Zone for 0.34 acres located at 177 South 1000 West. Franklin Neighborhood. 15-0013R, Aaron Ardmore, 801-852-6404
    This item will be heard at the June 7, 2016 Council Meeting.
14. Kevin Reisch, representing Remmer Properties LLC, requests an Ordinance Amendment to Provo City Code Section 14.50(20).040 to reduce the minimum project area size from 0.9 acre to 0.34 acre in order to build a new duplex on .34 acres located at 177 South 1000 West, in the Residential Conservation (RC) Zone. Franklin Neighborhood. 15-0014OA, Aaron Ardmore, 801-852-6404
    This item will be heard at the June 7, 2016 Council Meeting.
    From before: "I remember this item from last year when a four-plex was proposed and denied. The proposal this time around is for the dilapidated single-family detached home be replaced by a duplex. "
15. IHC Health Services requests a Zoning Map Amendment from the One Family Residential (R1.6A) Zone to the Health Care Facilities (HCF) Zone, for the UVRMC campus expansion, comprising of approximately 0.46 acres of IHC Health Services owned property only, generally located between 800 North and 880 North and between 250 West and 440 West. North Park Neighborhood. 16-0006R, Dustin Wright, 801-852-6414
    This item will be heard at the June 7, 2016 Council Meeting.
16. IHC Health Services requests approval of a Street Vacation for 250 West and 880 North, generally located between 800 North to 940 North and between 300 West to Freedom Boulevard, adjacent to property owned by IHC Health Services for future hospital expansion located in the One Family Residential (R1.6A) and Health Care Facilities (HCF) Zones. North Park Neighborhood. 16-0001SV, Dustin Wright, 801-852-6414
    This item will be heard at the June 7, 2016 Council Meeting.
    There are no plans to close 300 W and per policy, the property under the vacated streets will be transferred to the adjacent property owners without cost. From before: "IHC has acquired three of the last four lots on the two blocks and would like them rezoned as "Health Care Facilities". They are also asking for the vacation (removal) of two smaller streets. The property all around these streets is owned by IHC. I believe IHC has been a great part of our community and we are being served by their expansion. I will be asking if they have any plans to request the closure of 300 W. Also I'm curious if they are paying the City for the property on which the streets currently reside"
    Closed Meeting 
17. A closed meeting was held.

COUNCIL WORK MEETING
5:30 PM, Tuesday, May 17, City Conference Room, 351 West Center

1. A presentation by Kena Jo Mathews regarding Habitat for Humanity
2. Presentation for Employee of the Month of March, 2016 - Rylee Snelson, Parks and Recreation Department
3. Presentation for Employee of the Month of April, 2016 - Suelen Whetten, Police
4. Public Comment 
5. A resolution tentatively adopting a proposed budget for Provo City Corporation for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017. (16-054)Approved 7:0.
   Here is the tentatively approved budget that we will be considering over the next few weeks. We welcome public feedback.
6. A public hearing on a resolution approving the 2016-2017 Annual Action Plan, an update to the 2015-19 five-year Consolidated Plan, for submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (16-033)Approved 7:0.
   This item has raised the alarm of some of our residents. The concern centers around a new HUD rule called, "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing." We asked the Administration about these concerns. I invite anyone who is concerned about this rule to read it at https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/affh/.
7. A resolution tentatively adopting a proposed budget for the Redevelopment Agency of Provo City Corporation in the amount of $4,292,168 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017. (16-055)Approved 7:0.
   This is part of the budgeting process.
8. A resolution of the Governing Board of the Redevelopment Agency of Provo City Corporation approving the signature of a Collateral Assignment of the Parking Lease to Key Bank, a Collateral Assignment of the Joint Development Agreement, and an accompanying Estoppel Certificate. (16-063)Approved 7:0.
   This is the same item as #10 in the Work Meeting above.
9. A resolution of the Governing Board of the Redevelopment Agency of Provo City Corporation consenting to the Collateral Assignment of Tax Increment Financing documents and authorizing the Chief Administrative Officer to sign the accompanying Estoppel Certificate. (16-066)Approved 7:0.
   This affects the Provo Towne Centre Mall. From before: "This was not a request for more incentives, just approval to recognize the new owner for the existing incentives."
10. A resolution tentatively adopting a proposed budget for the Provo City Storm Water Special Service District in the amount of $4,196,475 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017. (16-056)Approved 7:0.
    This is part of the budgeting process.
11. An ordinance amending Provo City Code Section 2.50.130 (Executive Director of the Municipal Council – Assignment of Duties) to clarify language regarding the duties of the Executive Director of the Municipal Council. (16-046)Approved 7:0.
    From before: "This is a fairly straight forward clean up of City code related to the duties of our Executive Director. The most important change adds an explicit duty of facilitating an annual review of priorities and strategies from the General Plan."
12. An ordinance amending the Consolidated Fee Schedule with regard to Community Development fees. (15-118)Approved 7:0.
    From before: "This action raises some of the Community Development fees related to developments. These fees were studied and were found to be below the cost to provide the services and below the average of what surrounding communities were charging. The effective date is set to correspond to the new budget cycle and will allow time for the development community to be aware and adjust their plans if necessary."