Council Meetings - 3 August 2021

PROVO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
Work Meeting Agenda

2:00 pm, Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Business

1. A presentation regarding COVID-19 vaccines from Utah Valley Hospital. (21-089)
   COVID 19 cases have increased in the last month, at the start of July the 7-day average was 399.9 cases per day as of July 27th the 7-day average was 649.3 cases per day, a 61.55% increase in daily cases. The Delta variant now accounts for an estimated 83% of new cases in the United States, and the surge has come from mostly unvaccinated people. Researchers found that the delta variant contains 1,000 times more viral material than that of the original novel coronavirus variant that infected much of the global population during the onset of the global pandemic last year. This means the delta variant can replicate at a much faster rate than the original strain, making the mutation much more infectious, according to the study. When a person becomes infected with the delta variant, the mutation is shedding significantly more viral material, making it harder to suppress and easier to infect others. Researchers also found that on average it took approximately four days for the delta variant to reach detectable levels using a standard COVID-19 test kit compared with the six days it took for the original coronavirus strain to be detected. According to the CDC, vaccines are the best defense we have against infectious diseases, but no vaccine is actually 100% effective. Although some fully vaccinated people have still been infected with COVID-19, they are highly unlikely to become seriously ill or require hospitalization. When fully vaccinated people get infected with the coronavirus, it's known as a "breakthrough" case. A small number of such cases are expected and they're not a cause for alarm. COVID-19 vaccines work by teaching the body to recognize the virus. So, if someone is exposed to it after vaccination, their immune system should be ready to spring into action and fight it. If someone does end up getting sick despite vaccination, experts say the shots are good at reducing the severity of the illness — the main reason to get vaccinated. A motion to ask the Administration to work with community health partners to formulate a proposal to bring back to the Council in three weeks to determine how to move forward addressing this was approved 7:0. I've been very nervous about the rising cases of COVID-19 in Provo and Utah County with the rise of the Delta variant. The curve looks very similar to me to where we were at this point last year, but we actually have more cases now. On the plus side, we have a good chunk of the population vaccinated. Of concern, the Delta variant is far more infectious, and society seems less willing to take the precautions we took last year. Which will have a more significant effect? So far, it looks like Delta is winning compared to the previous year. I feared what case numbers this winter might look like. Fortunately, the Intermountain Healthcare projections show a smaller fall peak than we topped out last winter and then show the numbers falling from there. This was a relief, but not a total relief. First, projections are just that, and the actual situation might turn out to be better or worse than projected. Second, even the lower curve that Intermountain predicts reflects a lot of pain and suffering. Delta also appears to cause more severe sickness, more likely hospitalization, and higher death rates among the unvaccinated. Similar case rates this year will likely translate to higher hospitalization and death than last year. Our health care workers are exhausted. This will be a challenging fall. Please consider getting vaccinated if you haven't already.
   
   Separately, I just have to say that in my experience, personally knowing four people who were fully vaccinated and have since contracted COVID-19, seems that the breakthrough case rate is higher than what I've seen reported. Each of these cases has been relatively mild, but still, it's unnerving.
2. A presentation regarding the Development Process: "Context: How design, density, and aesthetics interact" (21-080)
   The Council has indicated that it would like to receive presentations on a variety of development issues. Staff has invited speakers on a variety of topics relevant to community development. The discussion today centers on the interconnection of design and density. This item was continued to a future Work Meeting. I really wish we could have had this presentation before we discussed the "Intent Statement" item in the evening meeting.
3. A presentation discussing a proposed ordinance for transferring private ownership of streets and utilities to public ownership of streets and utilities. (21-087)
   The City has been approached about taking ownership of a private road and utilities in a small subdivision. As the City has no ordinances or policies in directing on how or should the City assume ownership the Public Works Department is asking the Council to consider a new ordinance to address the issue of the City assuming ownership of private roads and utilities. Presentation only. I pushed to have a defined set of criteria to consider when deciding if transferring the obligations to the public is in the public's interest.
4. A presentation regarding City programs that are funded through CDBG and HOME funds. (21-050)
   Provo receives funds through CDBG and HOME, the Community and Neighborhood Services Department is responsible for administration of these different programs funded through CDBG and HOME. These programs help local business and residents the programs are:
   • Commercial Facade Improvement ProgramJ
   • Home Purchase Plus Program
   • Emergency Home Repair Program
   • Egress Window Program
   • Neighborhood Revitalization Program
   • Homeowner Rehabilitation Program
   • Including the small business loans program funded through the COVID 19 CDBG Funds
   Presentation only. This is a good orientation for these important programs.



Policy Items Referred from the Planning Commission

5. An ordinance amending the Zone Map classification of approximately 26.11 acres of real property, generally located near the access area to Slate Canyon., from Single Family Residential (R1-10) to Open Space Preservation and Recreation (OSPR) Zone. Provost Neighborhood.(PLRZ20210237)
   The Community and Neighborhood Services Department is requesting to rezone one parcel consisting of 26.11 acres in the critical hillside overlay zone to the proposed Open Space, Preservation & Recreation (OSPR) zone (14.33). There is no proposed development requesting to utilize this zone. The rezoning of this property helps to ensure protection of the critical hillside from future development and adds to the recreating opportunities in Slate Canyon. Planning Commission recommended approval. Presentation only. This item was already scheduled for the Council Meeting on August 3, 2021. I raised the request that as we create a site plan for this property and how it connects trails, parks, and public land, consideration is made if the property immediately adjacent to existing residential roads would be best used as space for new residences. This could provide more housing opportunities and help offset the cost of developing this area. Obviously, this should only be pursued if it doesn't detract from what we are trying to accomplish, but the road is already there, and residences are on both sides.
6. An ordinance amending the Provo City General Plan to adopt an Intent Statement for the Westside Development Policies and Southwest Area Future Land Use Map. Citywide (PLGPA20210242)
   The west side of Provo is growing, and residents and city staff have collaborated over the last five years to establish design guidelines to direct future development. Councilor Harding has requested that the Council adopt an intent statement that would (1) reaffirm their commitment to the Westside Development Policies (WDP) and Future Land Use map, (2) request assistance from the Planning Commission in drafting ordinances to accomplish WPD 3.a, (3) change the density of four units per acre from net to gross, and (4) clarify where WDP 3.a-d apply and give examples of desired development patterns. Planning Commission recommended denial. Presentation only. This item was already scheduled for the Council Meeting on August 3, 2021. As I was preparing for this meeting, I noticed that the draft that the Planning Commission had been given was not the updated draft that the Council had discussed before voting to ask the Planning Commission for their recommendation.



Closed Meeting

Closed meetings (aka executive meetings) are held without the public present and must meet one of the conditions listed in Utah State Code (§ 52-4-204 and 52-4-205 et. seq.). If a closed meeting is needed, it will be announced at that time. None requested.



Adjournment

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PROVO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Agenda

5:30 PM, Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Opening Ceremony

Items in this category do not involve legislative action.



Presentations, Proclamations, and Awards

Items in this category do not involve legislative action.
1. A presentation from the Provo Mayor and City Council to Karl Snow and Glee Zumbrunnen in appreciation for their work and service in changing Provo’s form of government to what it is today and for presenting a written history of those events. (21-088)
   
   
   

   Public Comment

   Instructions for making public comments at this electronic meeting can be found on the officially published agenda: agendas.provo.org.
   
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   Please state your name and city of residence into the microphone.
   
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   State Law prohibits the Council from acting on items that do not appear on the agenda.
   
   

   Action Agenda

2. A Resolution Appropriating $300,000 in the Legacy CIP Fund for a Hillside and Canyons Plan, River and Lakeshore Plan, and Gateway Plan.
   The Legacy CIP Fund was created by the Council with the intention to use the available funds for projects that would benefit the residents of Provo for years to come. The Administration recommends the appropriation of $300,000 from Legacy CIP Fund balance for long-range planning. Specifically, the resolution would appropriate funds for a Hillside and Canyons Plan, a River and Lakeshore Plan, and a Gateway Plan. The unappropriated funds remaining in the Legacy CIP Fund after this appropriation would be $429,110. Approved 7:0. Creating plans is a great way to use one-time (non-recurring) money. We have great planners in Provo, but they have fallen way behind with the resources and staffing level that they have been given. We need to be out ahead, with a clear vision that the community embraces.
3. An ordinance amending the Zone Map classification of approximately 26.11 acres of real property, generally located near the access area to Slate Canyon, from Single Family Residential (R1-10) to Open Space Preservation and Recreation (OSPR) Zone. Provost Neighborhood. (PLRZ20210237)
   This was item 5 on the Work Meeting agenda. Approved 7:0. See my report for item 5 in the Work Meeting.
4. An ordinance amending the Provo City General Plan to adopt an Intent Statement for the Westside Development Policies and Southwest Area Future Land Use Map. Citywide (PLGPA20210242)
   This was item 6 on the Work Meeting agenda. A motion to refer the correct version of the intent statement back to the Planning Commission with comments and to hold a future joint meeting with the Planning Commission was approved 7:0. The intent statement would have accomplished two things. One, it would have asked the Planning Commission and our Planning Staff to recommend clarifications to our policies and ordinances that facilitate the implementation of these policies. Two, it would have communicated with all stakeholders how the Council intended to deal with applications that we receive while the recommendations were being developed and deliberated.
   
   The Planning Commission recommended denial (though, as explained in the earlier meeting, they were not given the most up-to-date version), but they did recommend that policies be developed (which is what the intent statement called for). The most significant loose end at the moment is what to do with new proposals in the meantime.
5. An ordinance amending the Zone Map classification of approximately 23.5 acres of real property, generally located at 200 N Lakeshore Drive from Agricultural (A1.10) and (A1.5) to Residential (R1.8) and Residential Agricultural (RA) Zone. Fort Utah Neighborhood (PLRZ20210049)
   The applicant proposes R1.8 zoning for the 23+ acre subject property to develop 69 single-family lots (one lot is proposed to be zoned RA or Residential Agricultural) near 200 N and Lakeshore Drive. The subject land has historically been used for agricultural use. The subject property is bounded on the north by the Provo River and on the south and east by residential development. Agricultural land and the Provo River lie to the west of the property. A park is proposed for land north of the development and west of Lakeshore Drive west, beyond the Provo River, the land lies in unincorporated Utah County. Land lying west and south of the proposed rezone area has agricultural and residential agricultural zoning. The vast majority of land lying east and northeast of the subject land has single-family residential zoning (R1.8 and R1.10). The land lying directly north of the property has agricultural zoning. Planning Commission recommended approval. This was previously heard by the Council and continued until the Southwest Intent Statement could be heard by the Planning Commission. Approved 5:2, with George Handley and David Harding opposed.




Adjournment