What's Up? - 5 December 2016

The item generating the most feedback from the public is Item #9 in the Council Meeting regarding the authorization to pursue eminent domain. I've been surprised that I haven't heard anything recently about the South East Neighborhoods Plan, which we are being asked to adopt in Item #13. Perhaps most of the concerns have been addressed.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out Provo's Open City Hall, the new platform for engaging with and providing feedback to the City Council.

Here are the links to the documents for tomorrow's meetings (all ~550 pages).
Work Meeting
Council Meeting
If either link is broken, you can go here for instructions on how to access the documents.

What's Coming Up?

COUNCIL WORK MEETING

12:00 PM, Tuesday, December 6th, City Conference Room, 351 West Center

1. Rules Committee Policy Evaluation: A discussion on amendments to Chapter 4 of the Council Policies and Procedures Handbook
   The Council Rules Committee is recommending a fairly significant overhaul to Chapter 4 of the Council Policies and Procedures Handbook. Some of the changes make the Handbook much easier to understand, and other changes will make our meetings flow more efficiently and effectively. I really appreciate the work of the Committee, particularly the Committee Chair Dave Sewell, and Council Attorney Brian Jones.
2. A discussion on recommendations of potential committee members for the Impact Fee process and review
   At our last Work Meeting, we decided to move ahead with forming this committee. It appears that we will be discussing potential members for the committee. The document packet does not contain the names of the nominees. It only has the documents that we reviewed last time.
3. A discussion on sections of the proposed Vision 2050
• Section 7 - Public and Non-Profit Partnerships
• Section 8 - Safety
• Section 10 - Diversity and Unity
• Section 11 - Governance

I feel like a couple of these sections need to be polished a bit more. I wasn't always clear what was trying to be communicated, and in a few instances I'm pretty sure what was written wasn't what was intended.
4. A discussion on a proposal to create an Arts Council
   We haven't had a functioning Arts Council for a while now, and with the new RAP tax, we need some leadership from our art community to ensure the best impact from our public investment.
5. A discussion on an appropriation for Fire Department equipment and software
   There are three components to the proposed appropriation: dispatch software, department operations software, and personal firefighting gear. At the last budget cycle, I was appalled at how underfunded our 911 center was. I'm hoping this new software will help ease the stress and demand on our dispatch personnel. The operations software was already approved but delays in the implementation pushed it into a new fiscal year. The firefighting equipment purchase would be taking advantage of a warranty replacement of some gear to get all of the gear updated.
6. A bi-annual report from the Sustainability Committee
   There is no information in the document packet for this item. It is the regularly scheduled opportunity for Don Jarvis and the Sustainability Committee to report on current issues and efforts related to sustainability and environmental stewardship in the City.
7. A discussion regarding Provo City's Driveway Standard
   There is a short description of this item in the document packet, but it doesn't disclose what changes are proposed to our Driveway Standard. Currently, the Standard is to "not allow access from residential properties on collector and arterial streets unless approved by the City Engineer."
8. A discussion on a request for an amendment to the Provo City Major Street Plan for the extension of 620 North Street from Lakeshore Drive to Lakeview Parkway. Lakeview South Neighborhood.
   This is the next step in connecting the Lakeview Parkway to the rest of our street system. It will be an important link to help our students get to the new high school location.
9. A discussion on an ordinance text amendments to Chapter 14.20, Regional Shopping Center (SC3) Zone, to allow for mixed-use redevelopment of the Plum Tree Shopping Center, located at 2230 North University Parkway. City-Wide Impact.
   I am excited about this development, but I was a little worried about how changes to the SC3 zone might unintentionally affect other properties in Provo with this zoning designation. In reading through the material I was encouraged that the staff also had this concern and had put considerable thought into how the proposed changes might affect the Provo Towne Centre and Riverwoods properties.
10. A discussion on a request for amendments to the Provo City Sign Ordinance (Chapter 14.38) to increase signage allowances in the DT1, DT2, ITOD, Gateway, and West Gateway Zones. Downtown, Dixon, Franklin, Franklin South, and East Bay Neighborhoods.
    In response to current businesses, Provo Economic Development is proposing some "modest" changes to our sign regulations in Downtown (and Center Street to the freeway) zones. It mostly affects non-ground-floor businesses and businesses who share a common entrance.

COUNCIL MEETING

5:30 PM, Tuesday, December 6th, Council Chambers, 351 West Center

1. A special Citizen Recognition for Sally Breeden presented by the Mayor.
2. A Presentation of Handel's Messiah - Amy Norton, Wasatch Chorale
3. Provology Graduation
4. An audit report from Hansen, Bradshaw, Malmrose, & Erickson and a presentation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
   I admit that I did not read all 120 pages of the Report, though I read through the first twenty or so and skimmed the rest. I applaud the competence and professionalism of our finance department. I invite any who are interested to dive into the report. 

Public Comment


5. An ordinance amending Provo City Code Chapter 2.28 (Metropolitan Water District) to change the number of board members and rules for removal.
   The changes include moving from five members to seven members, and will now include two members of City Staff instead of one. The chair will now be selected by the Municipal Council.
6. A resolution appointing individuals to the Metropolitan Water Board of Provo.
   We will be appointing individuals to the board.
7. A resolution adopting the 2017 Council regular meeting schedule.
   It's pretty much the same schedule, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, with a few changes to accommodate holidays and other events.
8. An ordinance amending Provo City Code Section 2.50.010 (Municipal Council Rules) regarding the procedure to adopt, suspend, or repeal Council rules.
   This is the same item as Item #1 from the earlier Work Meeting.
9. A resolution authorizing eminent domain proceedings on the properties generally located on 3110 West from 435 South to Center Street and west along Center Street to 3240 Center Street in order to acquire right of way for Phase 1 of the Lakeview Parkway.
   Being asked to authorize eminent domain (should it be deemed necessary) is one of the most difficult aspects of council service. It is always hoped that negotiations will be successful and that eminent domain will never be used, and that is still the hope in this case. It is in the public interest to have streets in the proper location, and for the streets to be put in before other development. Just consider the difficulties surrounding 620 North (the subject of the next item) and 820 North. Lack of foresight and street alignment for connectivity has put us in a position where there are no good options. The Lakeview Parkway alignment in Phase 1 is not needed right now, but it will be in the future. Now is the time to secure the alignment.
   
   Much of the concern is related to the bisecting of the Corn Maze. I have met with the owners and had a very good conversation with them. Their operation is exactly the kind of agricultural use I want to see continue and thrive in West Provo. I am hopeful that we can continue to work together to find workable solutions for all parties.
10. A resolution amending the Major and Local Street Plan to extend 620 North Street from Lakeshore Drive to Lakeview Parkway. Lakeview South Neighborhood.
    This is the same item as Item #8 in the earlier Work Meeting.
11. An ordinance amending the Zone Map Classification of approximately 6.4 acres of real property, generally located at 54 West 4200 North from Agriculture (A1.5) to One-Family Residential (R1.10). Riverbottoms Neighborhood.
    This was Item #7 from the November 15th Work Meeting. Here is what I said about it then: "The rezone is requested to accommodate a new extended cul-de-sac with 14 lots for single family residences."
12. An ordinance amending Provo City Code Chapter 14.20 (SC3 - Regional Shopping Center Zone), to allow Mixed-Use development within the zone. City-wide Impact.
    This is Item #9 from earlier in the day.
13. A resolution to adopt the Southeast Neighborhoods Plan as a component of the Provo City General Plan.
    Two years in the making, the Southeast Neighborhoods Plan is ready for a vote by the City Council. I recommend interested parties read the plan.