Council Meetings - 10 July 2018

How should we meet the need for more office space for City operations? Our Police, Fire, and Dispatch are in a particularly dire need.

PROVO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
Work Meeting Agenda

12:30 PM, Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Work Meetings are designed to be a less formal venue for discussion among Council Members. Generally, no public input is taken during the meeting.

Business



1. A discussion regarding public feedback on potential financing options for office space for police, fire, dispatcher, and other Provo City personnel. (18-073)
   Y2 Analytics conducted a series of surveys designed to gauge levels of public’s support for building new office space for police, fire, dispatcher, and other Provo City personnel. Representatives from Y2 Analytics will share the survey results, and the Council will discuss various options for moving forward, if desired. Provo's City Center -- the City Hall and City Offices -- were built in the 70's when we had half the population that we do now, and has about half the space that we need. The maintenance costs keep rising, and the building is overdue for a major renovation. Many of the mechanical systems are beyond their useful life. City officials have been studying this for a decade, but we haven't found any easy solutions. The situation gets more urgent every year. The most critical needs are in public safety, primarily for our Police Department. I am convinced that something has to be done very soon to address this situation. The question now is what is the best way forward? Do we build onsite, or move? Do we expand and renovate, or do we tear down and rebuild? Who are we as a city? What do we want our government seat to look like? Are we more of a Salt Lake or a South Salt Lake, or somewhere in between?
   
   
   Presentation only. This item sure has caught the public's attention, and rightly so. I have a whole separate blog post on this one.
2. A discussion on a police compensation proposal (18-069)
   Recent discussion during the budget approval process identified a change in priorities in the Police Department to address compensation changes to attract and retain officers. A proposal supported by the Administration and the Police Chief will be presented. It would eliminate the five new Police Department positions and a position in the Economic Development Department to provide increased starting pay for police officers, add an additional career series for senior officers, and adjust compensation for the management level. We have underfunded our Police Department for many years. Our staffing level stretches our officers too thin and affects the coverage and service they are able to provide the City. This year we were hoping to begin to address their staffing needs by adding 5 new positions. Late in the budget process, the Chief requested that we direct the resources into adjusting the compensation rather than adding new positions. Because of the officer shortage around the country and especially in the State, our experienced officers are being recruited away. This action would make the requested changes. Presentation only. This item was already scheduled for the July 10, 2018 Council Meeting. As advertised (see preview). There is a desire among at least some of the Councilors to see if we can't scrape enough money together to fund a couple of new officers.
3. A discussion on the 3rd Quarter Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2018 (18-074)
   Quarterly Financial Reports provides unaudited summary information about Provo City’s revenue and expenses for the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, ended March 31, 2018. The report includes information about the City’s General Fund, Special Revenue funds (Library), and Enterprise funds (Golf Course, Water, Waste Water, Energy, Storm Drain, Sanitation). This report ensures that the City Municipal Council and City Administrators can consistently monitor the City’s financial and budgetary transactions, providing timely and transparent financial information that can lead to educated decisions about the City’s present and future. The Provo City Budget Office is generally very conservative with the budget forecast, meaning they generally underestimate the revenues for the coming year. This requires the Administration and Council to pass a balanced budget that smaller than it would otherwise be. This means that there is usually more money coming in during the year which is useful for when urgent, unforeseen issues come up. It also means that our Quarterly Financial Reports usually look really good, because our revenues exceed the budget.
   I do have a technical question that I will be asking: Why does the second quarter amounts drop on a couple of the funds? Everything else appears to be cumulative. Presentation only. Our General Fund balance is $2M larger than it was last year. This is when we started questioning why we shouldn't direct some of that toward hiring a couple new police officers. And the 2Q drops were a typo.
4. A discussion on the Real Estate Purchase Agreement and Development Agreement for a medical school at the golf course (17-136)
   The Administrative Staff and the developers of the new medical school (being built on the a portion of the golf course property) have now exchanged draft agreements several times and are now ready to bring a substantially complete agreement to the Council for review, discussion and verification that the documents substantially conform to the direction and discussion that transpired in the January 2018 Municipal Council meeting. It looks like most of the details have been worked out, but both sides may be returning to the Council for some policy decisions and may be requesting some small changes to the original deal points. Motion: George Handley moved to include in the development agreement the language “WHEREAS, the Council has no intent to expand development beyond the Northern Wedge Property” and that the Council intends to continue the operation of the remainder of the property as a golf course, and for the Council to pursue a separate resolution and General Plan language expressing that intent. Seconded by George Stewart.
   Roll call vote: Approved 6:1, with David Harding opposed.
   Motion: George Stewart moved to retain in the draft real estate purchase agreement the provision for the right of first refusal, with an offer defined as value and terms of payment. Seconded by David Harding.
   Roll call vote: Approved 5:2, with Gary Winterton and Kay Van Buren opposed. I support declaring our intentions that the Golf Course remain in perpetuity through a separate resolution and even in amending the General Plan. I don't support adding a non-binding statement directed to current residents and future City officials into a legal contract with a third party.
   
   It looks like the Right-of-First-Refusal will remain, but the Right-to-Dictate-Future-Zoning will not be added. My one lingering question is what protections are expiring in 15 years?
5. A presentation on recommendations regarding a budget committee (18-075)
   Since January 2018, the Council’s Budget and Audit Committee has not met, partially because members of the Council have been satisfied with budget explanations from the Administration, and partially because the Mayor’s Office, as the fulfillment of a campaign promise, put together an ad hoc committee to make recommendations regarding the composition and function of a citizens’ budget committee. In other words, there was a committee in place whose purpose was to research and discuss budget committees. Administration will present the recommendations regarding the citizens’ budget committee. For six months now, we've been in a bit of a limbo with regards to Council created committees. Our Budget Committee didn't even meet throughout the whole budget season this year. I am hopeful that we can soon come to a resolution that (1) serves the Administration's needs, (2) serves the Council's needs, and most importantly (3) best serves the public's interests. Presentation only. This item was continued to a future Work Meeting.
6. A discussion on a proposal related to Neighborhood Housing Services of Provo and homes purchased with CDBG/HOME Dollars(18-076)
   Several years ago, Neighborhood Housing Services (now known as NeighborWorks) purchased and rehabbed several houses using funds borrowed from the Redevelopment Agency that originally came from the Federal Government. Based on the type and amount of funding used, the homes were required to remain affordable for specific durations of time. Recently, there has been interest in forgiving some of the loans. The RDA is concerned that should some of these houses no longer remain affordable, the Federal Government (HUD) could demand the funds back from Provo that were originally used to rehab them. It's been a while since I looked more deeply into this issue, but I know that there is more than one perspective, and it is not a straight-forward as discussed in the documents. I am looking forward to the discussion. Continued to a future Work Meeting.



Policy Items Referred from the Planning Commission



7. A discussion on a proposed zone change from A1.5 to Low Density Residential to accommodate a subdivision of 5,000 square-foot lots, located at approximately 2100 West 820 North. Lakeview South Neighborhood. (17-0018R)
   This request is to rezone the 3.1 acre site to LDR to allow development of 16 single-family detached dwellings. Planning Commission recommended denial. From what I know of this area, and from the documents presented, my current opinion is that it is decidedly NOT in the public's interest to rezone this plot. Continued prior to the meeting at the developer’s request.
8. A discussion on adopting the Timp Neighborhood Plan as an addition to Appendix 'H' (Neighborhood Plans) of the General Plan. Timp Neighborhood. (PLGPA20180168)
   Beginning in 2017, residents of the Timp neighborhood began meeting to discuss the future of their neighborhood, important values they wanted to protect, and how they envisioned the future of the neighborhood progressing. After establishing a framework, residents requested that the Provo City Community Development Department commit staff time to helping the neighborhood begin to construct a formal neighborhood plan. This process began in September of 2017 with additional support also being contributed from a group of students attending Brigham Young University. Collectively, the City staff, neighborhood residents, and student participants have developed the following recommended text to be considered for adoption as the Timp Neighborhood Plan. Planning Commission recommended approval. This proposed plan is a bold and clear vision for the future of this neighborhood. I applaud the efforts of all involved. There are a couple places where I'm not fully comfortable with the recommendations, but that isn't unusual for a large document like this. Presentation only. This item was already scheduled for the July 10, 2018 Council Meeting. This is a pretty cool story. This neighborhood was anxious to get going on their neighborhood plan so they got things going themselves. They organized a committee with a cross section of residents and business owners and began organizing their ideas and vision. Some BYU students in the neighborhood turned it into a class project and put the ideas onto paper. City planners were available for guidance, but much of the creation of the plan was done by residents and volunteers. Great job to everyone involved.



Closed Meeting



9. The Municipal Council or the Governing Board of the Redevelopment Agency will consider a motion to close the meeting for the purposes of holding a strategy session to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation, and/or to discuss the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property, and/or the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual in conformance with § 52-4-204 and 52-4-205 et. seq., Utah Code.
   Closed meetings (aka executive meetings) are held without the public present and must meet one of the conditions listed above. A closed meeting was held.

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PROVO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Agenda

5:30 PM, Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Opening Ceremony

Items in this category do not involve legislative action.
• Approval of Minutes

Presentations, Proclamations, and Awards

Items in this category do not involve legislative action.

1. Presentation of the new Miss Provo Court
   Presentation only.
2. Recognition of individuals for services related to the Ice Sheet
   Presentation only.



Public Comment

• This public comment period is intended to allow comment on matters that do not appear on the agenda. Each speaker will generally be limited to two minutes. Fifteen minutes has been set aside for this comment period.
• For items on the agenda requiring a public hearing, time to comment will be provided, after the item is presented, for all those who wish to speak.
• For items not requiring a public hearing, public comment will still be taken following presentation of the item, but will be limited to a ten minute total comment period.




Action Agenda



3. An ordinance amending Provo City Code to adopt provisions of the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act by reference, comply with the appeals board composition required by the act, and clarify the application of the act to Provo City. (18-072)
   Provo’s ordinance regarding information requests is being updated to provide continuity and consistency with state law. The language makes sure Provo is in compliance even when changes are made at the state level. I classify this as code clean-up. The State GRAMA statute has changed. Rather than changing our City code each time the Legislature updates the statute, our Code will now basically refer to the State Statute. Approved 7:0. This is a good change.
4. An ordinance amending Provo City Code to allow an ad hoc deputy recorder to perform city recorder duties as needed. (18-071)
   The City Recorder is allowed to appoint deputies to assist in their duties. Some changes are being requested in the guidelines for the Deputy Recorder. This is a small, sensible change that will allow the City Government to be more efficient. Approved 7:0. No brainer.
5. A resolution appropriating $116,643 in the General Fund, Police Department to increase police compensation applying to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 (18-069)
   Recent discussion during the budget approval process identified a change in priorities in the Police Department to address compensation changes to attract and retain officers. A proposal supported by the Administration and the Police Chief will be discussed in the work session. It would eliminate the five new Police Department positions and a position in the Economic Development Department to provide increased starting pay for police officers, add an additional career series for senior officers, and adjust compensation for the management level. See my Preview for Agenda Item #2 in the earlier meeting. Approved 7:0. See my report for Agenda Item #2 in the earlier meeting.
6. An ordinance amending the zone map classification of approximately 3.1 acres of real property, generally located at 2100 West 820 North, from Agricultural (A1.5) to Low Density Residential (LDR). Lakeview South Neighborhood. (17-0018R)
   This request is to rezone the 3.1 acre site to LDR to allow development of 16 single-family detached dwellings. Planning Commission recommended denial. As I said earlier, I do not believe this would be in the best interest of the public. Continued prior to the meeting at the developer’s request.
7. A resolution to adopt the Timp Neighborhood Plan as a component of the Provo City General Plan. Timp Neighborhood. (PLGPA20180168)
   Beginning in 2017, residents of the Timp neighborhood began meeting to discuss the future of their neighborhood, important values they wanted to protect, and how they envisioned the future of the neighborhood progressing. After establishing a framework, residents requested that the Provo City Community Development Department commit staff time to helping the neighborhood begin to construct a formal neighborhood plan. This process began in September of 2017 with additional support also being contributed from a group of students attending Brigham Young University. Collectively, the City staff, neighborhood residents, and student participants have developed the following recommended text to be considered for adoption as the Timp Neighborhood Plan. Planning Commission recommended approval. See my Preview for Agenda Item #8 in the earlier meeting. Approved 7:0. See my report for Agenda Item #8 in the earlier meeting.
8. CONTINUED TO A FUTURE COUNCIL MEETING: VP Homes request a Zone Change from A1.5 to R1.6PD for approximately three acres, located at 1138 N Geneva Road to allow for a twelve-lot subdivision (Lakeview Meadows). Lakeview North Neighborhood. (PLRZ20180089)
   This was not ready to be heard at the Council meeting.



Adjournment