What's Up? - 16 July 2016

What's Coming Up?

JOINT WORK MEETING with AIRPORT BOARD

11:00 AM, Tuesday, July 19th, City Conference Room, 351 West Center

1. Airport Master Plan
2. Terminal update
3. Commercial Airline Status

(There are no supporting documents for this meeting.)

COUNCIL WORK MEETING

12:30 PM, Tuesday, July 19th, City Conference Room, 351 West Center

1. A discussion on an ordinance amending the notice requirements for certain public hearings before the Planning Commission to mirror State Code and allowing amendments to the General Plan more often than twice per year. City-wide Impact. (16-0007OA)
   With this being the first item on the agenda, we actually might get to it this time. This is what I wrote when it was on the agenda a month ago: "Utah Code requires a 10 day notice before the Planning Commission hears General Plan amendments. Provo currently requires a longer period: 14 days. Provo also restricts amendments to the General Plan to two defined times each year. General Plan amendments can be heard at other times, but only if the Mayor, a Councilmember, or City Staff are willing to sponsor the amendment.
   To understand the rationale behind the semiannual restriction, look to the high bar required to make amendments to our US Constitution. While our General Plan isn't as foundational as the Constitution, it should contain the blueprint for our future. Changes to our plan should be deliberate and carefully thought out. Our plan should be at a high enough level that it shouldn't need to change for every proposed development.
   I think the problem is that parts of our General Plan are too specific, particularly the land use map, and that some aspects of our future plan have been purposely left out of the Plan. In some ways, our General Plan has been used as a secondary zoning map, rather than a plan describing the envisioned future use of land. Because of this, too often development proposals which are aligned with our vision and expectations of how an area should be used, will not only require a change to the zoning, but also a change to the General Plan.
   I think that it is reasonable to restrict changes to our overall plan to just twice a year, but I don't think it is reasonable to restrict changes to our zoning to twice a year, but in many cases that is what we have have in effect. To get around this, savvy developers know to go directly to the Mayor or Councilmembers to sponsor the General Plan amendments.
   In my opinion, the requested amendment addresses the symptoms of the problem, but not the problem itself. I would prefer to fix the General Plan and Land Use Map so that it is sufficiently general and at a high enough level, so that development proposal that are inline with that City's vision don't require a General Plan amendment."
2. A report on the possible funding mechanisms for the infrastructure improvements at the Provo Municipal Airport for Duncan Aviation. (16-085)
   This is how I reported on this item after the last Work Meeting: "Several years ago we courted Duncan Aviation to be the location of their western operations. The negotiations were successful and their operation will bring several hundred well paying jobs. We committed to help pay for the infrastructure that would be needed for their expansion (as well as other development out by the airport). "After a delay due to the recession, Duncan is now ready to move forward. Some capital has been saved up for the infrastructure, but more is needed. The Council discussed three options for funding the construction: delaying other infrastructure projects, borrowing against future federal grant money (Community Development Block Grants), borrowing from other City funds.
   "After years of working towards getting on top of our pressing infrastructure needs, the first option looks like a non-starter with this Council. The second option makes sense as this type of infrastructure is one of the purposes of the CDBG program. But we are already making good use of the CDBG money each year funding things like sidewalk replacement. Another downside is that we would need to pay interest on the loan. And there are prepayment penalties. By borrowing against other City funds, we would be paying the interest to ourselves, and would have full flexibility about repayment.
   "The administration will be bringing back some funding options to our next Work Meeting."
   This will be their report on possible funding options.
3. A discussion on an ordinance amending Chapter 8.02 (Animal Control Generally) with regards to keeping of swine. (16-084)
   We heard this item as well in the last Work Meeting and asked for a couple of adjustments. This is how I reported on it: This item is a potentially complimentary or supplementary ordinance to the "farm animal adjacent to residential zones" ordinance that was discussed in the previous Work Meeting. Instead of addressing all farm animals, this one focuses solely on pigs. The proposal was to require all pig sties to be located at least 300 feet from any residence. This would include the residence of the property owner. After discussion, we are now contemplating language that would restrict sties away from any property line."
   Here is the new lauguage: "Swine shall be confined within a secure outdoor enclosed area located at least three hundred 36 (300) feet from any boundary line."
4. A discussion on how the Community Housing Trust is working in Park City. (16-083)
   No information has been provided.

COUNCIL MEETING

5:30 PM, Tuesday, July 19th, City Conference Room, 351 West Center

1. Employee of the Month for the month of June - Tony Fieldsted, Energy 
2. A presentation by the Covey Center - OLIVER
   
   Public Comment
3. A public hearing on a resolution authorizing submission of a final Urban Deer Control Plan, authorizing implementation of the plan, and appropriating funds for the first year of the plan. (15- 076)
   We have around 500 mule deer living year-round in Provo. Around 150 of them are killed each year in Provo by being struck by automobiles. These deer are no longer wild and are a safety hazard and cost millions of dollars in property damage (mostly to repair vehicles). Provo is considering a program of controlled lethal removal (rather than the uncontrolled lethal removal that is happening now with our automobiles). This program has been successful in other Utah County cities.
   http://www.provocitycouncil.com/2016/07/urban-deer-control-program.html
   http://provomayor.com/2016/07/06/oh-deer/
   http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865657758/Provo-considers-killing-or-relocating-deer-to-tackle-growing-population-troubles.html?pg=all
4. A discussion on a resolution ratifying a letter of commitment to Duncan Aviation for the installation and construction of certain utilities and infrastructure at the Provo Municipal Airport. (16-085)
   This is related to Item 2 of the Work Meeting.
5. A discussion on a resolution adopting: (1) A Sewer System Management Plan, (2) A System Evaluation and Capacity Assurance Plan, and (3) The Municipal Wastewater Planning Program Self-assessment Report for Provo 2015.
   The State requires an in-depth plan and assessment for municipal waste-water systems. The presented plans and report are nearly 100 pages and give much detail on the current system, future plans, and looks at how well the City is implementing best practices and our plan. Overall I'm impressed at the professionalism and the care we take in managing our waste water.
6. A discussion on a resolution authorizing the preparation of a draft Parkway Plaza Redevelopment Community Reinvestment Project Plan Area. (16-087)
   This vote would just authorize the RDA to prepare a draft plan. There is no commitment involved. From the Staff Report: 
   
   • Plumtree Plaza has been a property in trouble for some time now. Located on a highly traveled corridor between Orem and Provo, its position makes it attractive for retail but that same position also makes it problematic for retail. The center has difficult ingress and egress and the layout and structures are showing their age. As retail transitions, older spaces developed to an earlier standard require more resources to try and bring them to a more productive reuse.
   • Recently, Plumtree Plaza has changed owners and the new owners, recognizing the need to reinvest in the center and the opportunity to address ingress and egress issues with the Bus Rapid Transit system design, have approached Provo City Redevelopment to discuss the center’s overhaul and potential rebranding. The new owners feel that focusing solely on retail is not a winning strategy for the center and are looking to add hospitality (hotel), residential and office elements to the center. They do believe retail uses will still have a place in the new center but those uses will be a supporting role and not the driving force behind the rehabilitation of the complex.
   • The new owners plan to completely demolish the portions of the center they own and begin to reestablish the center. They have requested help with the construction of the parking structures required for the project. Tonight’s action is the first step in creating a Community Reinvestment Project Area under the new provisions of the Utah Community Reinvestment Act.
   • It is important to note approval of this resolution does not commit the Agency or any taxing entities future tax increment to a project. Commitment of tax increment would require the affected taxing entities to enter into voluntary agreements with the Agency.
   • Staff recommends that the Redevelopment Agency Board approve the attached resolution authorizing and directing the preparation of a draft project area plan for the proposed Parkway Plaza Community Reinvestment Project Area" 
7. A public hearing on an ordinance amending the notice requirements for certain public hearings before the Planning Commission to mirror State Code and allowing amendments to the General Plan more often than twice per year. City-wide Impact. (16-0007OA)
   This is related to Item 1 in the Work Session.
8. A discussion on an ordinance amending Chapter 8.02 (Animal Control Generally) with regards to keeping of swine. (16-084)
   This is related to Item 3 in the Work Session.