What's Up? - 12 September 2017

Background information on the agenda items is given in the meeting's preview. This meeting report focuses on the thinking behind the votes.

As always, the documents are all available to the public. Click here for more information on how to access them.

What Was Up?

COUNCIL WORK MEETING

12:00 Noon, Tuesday, August 8th, City Conference Room, 351 West Center

1. A discussion on a conservation easement for Rock Canyon
   Presentation only.
   There appears to be a general consensus that a conservation easement is appropriate, given the private donations which contributed to the purchase. There are just some details to work out on the right level of conservation.
2. A discussion on the Economic Development Department's efforts in workforce development, startups, and women, minority and underserved populations
   Presentation only.
   It was a good tour of the many entrepreneurial efforts in our city and how the City can help foster the right conditions and encourage the process.
3. An update on the General Plan review
   Presentation only.
   Work is carrying on behind the scenes of this project.
4. A discussion on fee updates for Stormwater, Wastewater, Utility Transportation Fund, and the Fire Department
   Presentation only.
   Overall, the fees are aligned with the costs to provide the services, but some adjustments are warranted.
5. A discussion on the Stormwater Fee Schedule
   A motion to continue this discussion at the September 19, 2017 Work Meeting was approved 6:0, with Council member Kay Van Buren excused.
   Due to my objection to the step-wise fees, the Council chose to continue this item to the next meeting and Public Works will propose a different fee structure.
6. A presentation and discussion on Budgeting for Outcomes
   Presentation only.
   I think everyone is on board with improving our overall use of performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of our programs. I believe Provo360, a unified computer platform now coming online, will help with this immeasurably. How fully we implement some sort of performance-based budgeting strategy may depend on many things, including the eagerness of the incoming administration.
7. A discussion on the Zoning Committee's recommendation to amend Provo City Code 6.26.150
   Presentation only. This item will be scheduled for a first hearing at the September 19, 2017 Council Meeting and a second hearing and vote at the October 3, 2017 Council Meeting.
   There was a general consensus from all the stake holders participating in the Zoning Committee that this proposal would be helpful. The apartment owners association said that it is a best practice for landlords anyway. This should help protect tenants who have borne the brunt of zoning enforcement in over-occupancy cases. The association of Realtors clarified that they support replacing the zoning disclosure requirement with this requirement, but I see those as separate issues. I received a number of letters from young, single professionals with concerns about the proposal. In discussing their concerns, I felt that there were frustrations much deeper than just with this proposal. In response to this, Dave Sewell and I are holding a Town Hall Meeting for young single professionals this Wednesday, September 13th, at the Provo Rec Center from 7pm to 9pm. All are invited, but the evening will be focused on hearing from this demographic and trying to increase understanding.
8. A discussion on the Council's goals concerning minimum unit size requirements
   Discussion only.
   Community Development wanted to better understand our desired outcomes from the minimum unit size ordinance we passed a couple months ago. The Council had discussed the preponderance of single bedroom units going in Downtown. Community Development suggested that if that is the factor that we are concerned about, we might get better results from limited the proportion of single bedroom units, rather than unit size.
9. A discussion on possible code changes regarding signage
   Discussion only. This item will be brought back for another discussion at the September 19, 2017 Work Meeting.
   The thought behind this is that an appropriately used electronic sign is no more obtrusive than a backlit sign. This proposal would allow static (no animations, changing no more often than 8 seconds 3 times a day [thanks for the catch, Dave Sewell]) electronic signs to be used anywhere that backlit signs are currently allowed. In general, I agree, though I'm not sure I'm comfortable with signs switching every 8 seconds.
10. A discussion involving the Utah Municipal Power Agency (UMPA) and the Hunter Power Plant Assignment
    Presentation only. This item is scheduled for the September 19, 2017 Council Meeting.
    I consider this a simple correction of an oversight.
11. A discussion on funding and appropriations related to an airport improvement project including issuance of sales tax revenue bonds, execution of a Tax Increment Pledge Agreement and development agreement by the Redevelopment Agency, and a resolution appropriating $11,529,568 in the Airport Fund for infrastructure improvements
    Presentation only. This item was already scheduled for the August 29, 2017 Council Meeting.
    We went through the details of the funding and appropriations. This will be the fulfillment of many committments previously made.
12. LaVorn Sparks requests an Ordinance Amendment to Section 14.17.020 to add to Conditional Uses SLU #4603 Long-term Vehicle Storage including autos, trucks, and boats (on unimproved lots when non-contiguous to residential zones) within Public Facilities Zones. Citywide impact.
    Presentation only. This item is scheduled for the September 19, 2017 Council Meeting.
13. Closed Meeting
    A closed meeting was held.

COUNCIL MEETING

5:30 PM, Tuesday, August 8th, Council Chambers, 351 West Center

1. A resolution of the Provo City Municipal Council and Mayor sitting as The Board of Canvassers accepting the election returns and declaring and certifying the results of the municipal primary elections held in Provo, Utah on August 15, 2017.
   Approved 7:0, with Council member Kay Van Buren excused.
   The 7:0 count with one excused is because the Mayor also sits on the Board of Canvassers. The City-Wide I Council race was close enough to allow the third place finisher to call for a recount. The recount was completed a week later and the order did not change, but 150 previously untallied ballots were discovered. The County has asked for more time to get to the bottom of what happened. I'll post here when we get more news.

1. A presentation from the Provo Bicycle Committee of the Golden Spoke Award to the Police Department's Bike Patrol.
   Presentation only.
2. An introduction of the new Provo Bay Neighborhood Chair
   Presentation only.
   Public Comment
3. A resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of up to $6 million aggregate principal amount of sales tax revenue bonds for the purpose of financing certain airport infrastructure facilities; and related matters.
   Approved 6:0, with Council member Kay Van Buren excused.
4. A resolution appropriating $11,529,568 in the Airport Fund, Airport Improvement Project Division for funding infrastructure improvements to the airport applying to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018.
   Approved 6:0, with Council member Kay Van Buren excused.
5. A resolution authorizing the execution and delivery of a Tax Increment Pledge Agreement and a development agreement relating to the construction and financing of certain airport infrastructure facilities; and related matters.
   A motion to continue this item to the September 19, 2017 Council Meeting was approved 6:0, with Council member Kay Van Buren excused.
   Items 3-5 are all related to the infrastructure and incentive package worked out with Duncan Aviation as part of their expansion at the Provo Airport.
6. A resolution approving an Environmental Assessment and a proposed Land and Water Conservation Fund Property Conversion.
   Approved as amended 6:0, with Council member Kay Van Buren excused.
   Some land was purchased almost 40 years ago using money from a federal program. Five years ago it was disposed of, but not following the requirements of the federal program. This oversight wasn't noticed until recently. This assessment considers the proposed action to remedy the situation. A parklet is proposed at roughly 300 N and 2950 W, on the banks of the Provo River.
7. A resolution authorizing the mayor to approve an application for a Byrne Justice Assistance Grant and to execute an interlocal cooperation agreement with Utah County relating to the 2017 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program.
   Approved 6:0, with Council member Kay Van Buren excused.The grant will be used to help replace aging tasers. Why do we need to enter into an interlocal agreement if the County is not getting any of the grant? It is required to show that the County won't be given any portion of the grant.
8. An ordinance granting Mobilitie a nonexclusive franchise in order for it to operate a telecommunications network in Provo City, Utah.
   Approved 6:0, with Council member Kay Van Buren excused.This is mainly a standard contract that we have entered into with a number of companies.
9. An ordinance amending Provo City Code to make city noticing requirements consistent with State law. Citywide impact.
   Approved 6:0, with Council member Kay Van Buren excused.
10. An ordinance amending the zone map classification of approximately 58.6 acres of real property, generally located at 1500 South State Street, from Light Manufacturing (M-1) to One-Family Residential (R1.10). Spring Creek Neighborhood.
    Approved 6:0, with Council member Kay Van Buren excused.
    We first heard this proposal at a Council Meeting six weeks ago. This rezone is an important step in implementing the new Southeast Area Master Plan. It is a bold move, and one that had some property owners in the area concerned. During the 6-week period between meetings, property owners had the opportunity to research what the proposal would mean and the tone was very different in this meeting.
11. An ordinance amending Provo City Code Section 14.20.160 to increase the size of signs permitted in the Regional Shopping Center (SC3) zone. Citywide impact.
    Approved 6:0, with Council member Kay Van Buren excused.
    This change will accommodate the sign upgrades that Provo Towne Centre mall is planning.
12. An ordinance amending Provo City Code to eliminate the façade step-back for buildings in the General Downtown (DT1) zone. Downtown Neighborhood.
    Approved 4:2, with Council members David Harding and George Stewart opposed and Council member Kay Van Buren excused.
    The proposed mixed-use apartment building was touted as a 'bookend' on the historical stretch of Center Street. Since when are bookends twice as tall as the books they support? I was never convinced that the previous design standards which required floors above the third be set back far enough to maintain the historic feel of the Street.
13. An ordinance amending Provo City Code to reduce the average apartment square footage from 800 feet to 600 feet in the General Downtown (DT1) and Downtown Core (DT2) zones. Downtown Neighborhood.
    Approved as amended 5:1, with Council member George Stewart opposed and Council member Kay Van Buren excused.
    I would still prefer to give density bonuses for good designs, but these minimums are more conducive for the type of housing that will help our Downtown flourish.
14. An ordinance amending the Stormwater Service District Fee Schedule.
    This item was continued to the September 19, 2017 Work and Council Meetings as approved during the Work Meeting.
    See item 5 in the earlier meeting.