I've read about confusing being caused by elected officials sending out conflicting information regarding the current pandemic. I'm not a medical doctor nor a public health expert, so I won't even try. I fully support the guidelines being released by our federal, State, and County officials, and I fully support the City's 4 STEP COMMUNITY SAFETY PLAN.
I've seen some false information circulating social media, so please be careful of the sources of the information you consume. One site that I have been looking at recently is by a global health research center at the University of Washington. It uses a model to predict the peak day of the outbreak for each U.S. state and the Country, and projects the kind of hospital bed and ventilator shortages we are facing. It predicts the peak of the outbreak in the U.S. will be in two weeks. Currently, the death toll in the U.S. is 2,405. The model predicts this will be about the daily death rate at the peak. That sounds crazy, but the total number of deaths, country-wide, is predicted to level off midsummer around 82,000 (ranging between 40k and 140k). This is similar to the numbers our President was talking yesterday when he said we will have done a good job if we keep that number below 100,000.
The prediction for Utah is better, but still dire. It forecasts our peak to be on the 27th of April with 16 deaths per day. The bad news is that we may be asked to "Stay Safe, Stay Home" for another month. The good news is that we still have time to bend the infection curve down even more to beat the predictions.
Well, on a lighter note, we have a full day of Council meetings tomorrow. In keeping with the health guidance, the meeting will be held virtually. Here are all the details if you would like to participate. I actually don't see anything too juicy being discussed. The Alcohol Licensing Committee will give a status update and look for some direction from the Council, but nothing will be voted on until our next meeting in two weeks. Joaquin Parking will be discussed, but again, it's more of a status update. Finally, there is a rather large appropriation, but it is a long-term investment into our Airport, similar to several that have been made over the years that have turned out to be wise.
PROVO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
Work Meeting Agenda
12:00 pm, Tuesday, March 31, 2020
- A presentation on Provo City's Vehicle Replacement 5 Year Plan. (20-007)
The Vehicle Replacement Fund is utilized as an internal service funding mechanism for the purchase of vehicles for all City Departments. Purchases of General Fund vehicles have historically been repaid as 5 year loans back to the bank. The Fleet Advisory Committee with representatives from several departments have met and vetted each General Fund departments' priorities for replacements for the next 5 years. These priorities and associated additional funding requirements will be explained to the Council. "The bank" here is an internal fund. The City self-finances for our smaller, routine vehicle purchases. I think this is a wise way to safeguard tax dollars. It sounds like there will be a request to set aside more money for this fund. The cost of vehicles continue to go up. I will be interested to see what the Administration thinks about trying to get to the point that even our larger, non-routine purchases, like fire fighting apparatus, can be self-financed. A motion to decide as a Council to do as Mr. Harding has suggested and bring to the next Work Meeting a proposed paragraph regarding the policy direction for alternative fuel vehicles to discuss, amend to their satisfaction, and send forward was approved 7:0. - A presentation to the Municipal Council in order to provide information regarding Public Infrastructure Districts (PIDs). (20-063)
The developers of the medical school and medical school housing at the golf course will be building a public road as a part of the access off of Lakeview Parkway. A significant portion of this new road, which will also include several utility lines, will pass through the former golf course, which is also a former landfill. It has been determined that all former landfill material within the road right of way profile will be required to be removed and hauled away. It is estimated this will cost upwards of $10 Million. The developer is looking for ways to pay for this large cost item and spread the payment of this work over time. Utah Senate Bill 228 (Public Infrastructure Districts Act) became effective May 14, 2019. This legislation created a funding mechanism for land developers to fund public infrastructure and attach the cost of said improvement to the property tax assessment through the creation of an independent taxing entity. The purpose of this item is to inform the Municipal Council of the implication and issues revolving around this funding mechanism. This is a new tool that the State has authorized to help finance infrastructure that is necessary for a development to go forward. This infrastructure needs to be paid for by the developer and using this tool doesn't change this. It needs local approval, but it doesn't affect the credit of the local entity. Presentation only. - A discussion regarding licensing for restaurants with ancillary breweries. (20-057)
In the Work Meeting on March 10, the Council created the Alcohol Licensing Committee. The committee has reviewed best practices, state requirements, Provo City Code, and other cities' policies regarding beer licensing. The committee is now ready to bring their proposals for a new Class "F" Beer License and other potential code amendments to the Council and receive feedback as they prepare their proposals for the Council Meetings in April. The sub-committee has made a lot of progress and is looking to get a feel for the Council's preferences on how we move forward with refining our proposal. A motion to instruct the Alcohol Licensing subcommittee to create a proposal for a class F brewpub license before April 14; and after April 14, to create a proposal that would conform the Class B and C licenses to state code and address any other necessary or desired updates before October 1, failed 3:4, with George Handley, David Harding, William Fillmore, and David Sewell opposed. A motion that the Council direct the Alcohol Licensing subcommittee to come forward by April 14 with a proposal that would create a class F license to address brewpubs and to align and streamline city code to more closely match the state code was approved 6:1, with William Fillmore opposed. - A presentation from the Joaquin Parking Committee. (20-074)
The Joaquin Neighborhood Parking Steering Committee approached the Council to address parking in Joaquin – one of the most diverse and densely populated neighborhoods in Provo. Since then, the Joaquin Parking Committee has put out a public survey, researched how other university towns manage their parking, held several focus groups, and talked with students, landlords, residents, business owners, and representatives from BYU. The committee has drafted a comprehensive parking management program that includes permit parking, paid visitor parking, and additional parking spaces. The program does have some startup costs, which will be addressed in the budget requests for the Community and Neighborhood Services Department. Ongoing costs will be covered by revenue from the program, with any remaining funds reinvested in neighborhood improvements. The program has been reviewed with Parking Enforcement and the Joaquin Neighborhood Chair. The next steps for the committee are to meet with department heads and present the program at a neighborhood meeting. This effort stalled a bit with the change of the Council. I am hopeful that we can get this across the finish line. Presentation only. - A discussion regarding updating the General Plan. (20-068)
The long-range planners have requested to attend a Work Session and update the Council on the General Plan. They have also requested high-level direction as they begin strategizing about how best to approach updating and revising the General Plan. I recognize the need for a "substantive" update to the General Plan. I support the proposal to streamline the document. Presentation only. - A resolution appropriating $4,900,526 in the Airport Fund for the acquisition of land near the airport, applying to fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. (20-067)
The Administration is recommending the purchase of 29.64 acres of property adjacent to the airport. The property is located immediately east of Duncan Aviation and shares the property line with the Airport on the east, west, and south. The purchase price for the property is $165,000 per acre (appraised value) with a total purchase price (including closing costs) of $4,900,526 to be appropriated in the Airport Fund. The funding will come from a transfer from the General Fund. The current owner of the property has a number of agricultural leases on the property and suspects that there are people living on the property. There have been reports of illegal activities occurring on the property including actions that violate the standards of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The proposed purchase of the property will qualify to be used as a match for future FAA airport projects. The land currently owned by the City that is available to be used as a match for future projects is $400,000, and it is expected it would be used very quickly with the terminal and other airport expansion projects on the horizon. If the proposed property purchase is not approved, the City would need to provide a cash match for future FAA airport projects once the $400,000 is used. This is an important opportunity to invest in our airport and will pay direct dividends for a decade. There are so many good reasons to do this. The only thing that makes me nervous is the uncertainty of local finances as we deal with the raging pandemic. A motion to request that staff bring back a proposal for an inter-fund loan from the Energy Department to fund this land purchase and that the Council consider it in an upcoming meeting was approved 7:0. - An update on the City Center Project. (20-013)
Scott Henderson will update the Council about the designs for the new City Center Building, the proposed budget, location of the fire station, and the redevelopment of the current City Hall site. Construction will begin soon. Presentation only. - A brief explanation and overview for the Municipal Council on the Central Corridor Transit Study. The Transportation and Mobility Advisory Committee is also invited to participate with the Council. (20-065)
Region 3 Utah Department of Transportation has commenced an evaluation process to study the purpose and needs of a central corridor to connect Provo to Lehi and all cities in between via a potential mass transit mechanism. This evaluation process is in collaboration with the Utah Transit Authority, Horrocks Engineering, and Parametrix Consultants. Lehi, American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Lindon, Vineyard, Provo, and Orem are all participating in this process. Up to this point there is a technical committee consisting of both engineers and planners from the respective cities and an elected officials committee made of city mayors and/or administrators. The effort has mostly consisted of determining a purpose and need to move people from Provo to Lehi in the most effective and efficient manner, not necessarily using cars or I-15. This sounds a lot like BRT, but connecting Provo to Lehi. I support developing sensible and attractive transportation alternatives to give our community members more transportation options. Presentation only. - An ordinance amending the Provo City General Plan relating to The Transportation Master Plan. Citywide Application. (PLGPA20200038)
Continued from the meetings on March 10, 2020. The Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is an appendix to the General Plan and provides guidance on future transportation needs within the City. The TMP provides information on current and future transportation conditions to be taken into consideration when reviewing future development projects and capital improvements. The Public Works Department has contracted with Parametrix to revise and update the TMP, which was adopted in 2011, to reflect existing and future conditions. There have been a lot of good discussions since we continued the item. Part of the deliberations is about what to include now and what to include after we have completed the General Plan update. Presentation only. This item will be brought back to a future Council Meeting.
Business
Policy Items Referred from the Planning Commission
Closed Meeting
Adjournment
PROVO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Agenda
5:30 PM, Tuesday, March 31, 2020
- 2020 Census Complete Count presentation. (20-028)
Every household should respond. Check out https://2020census.gov/ Presentation only. - 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.
- A resolution to amend the Planning Commission bylaws to permit electronic public hearings. Citywide application. (PLOTA20200095)
- A resolution appropriating $2,184,800 in the general CIP fund for the implementation of a Human Capital Management System and authorizing an interfund loan from the Energy Fund to the ERP Debt Service Fund as a funding source. (20-062)
- An ordinance amending the zone map classification of approximately 0.34 acres of real property, generally located at 164 s 400 w, from Residential Conservation (RC) to Low Density Residential (LDR). Franklin Neighborhood. (PLRZ20200041)
- An ordinance amending Provo City Code to allow for permeable driveways and parking lot surfaces. Citywide application. (PLOTA20190411)
- ***CONTINUED*** Daniel LaFontaine requests a Zone Change from R1.10 to Low Density Residential for 1.07 acres for a townhome development, located at 50 E 3900 N. Riverbottoms Neighborhood. (PLRZ20190265)
- ***CONTINUED*** An ordinance amending the Provo City General Plan relating to The Transportation Master Plan. Citywide Application. (PLGPA20200038)
- ***CONTINUED*** Comm. & Nbhd. Services Dept. requests ord. amend. to City Code 15.20.090--Parking Lot Landscaping. Request seeks to increase the min. canopy coverage & landscaping arrangement within new parking areas. Citywide appl. (PLOTA20190433)
- ***CONTINUED*** A resolution appropriating $4,900,526 in the Airport Fund for the acquisition of land near the airport, applying to fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. (20-067)