Summary of the January 5 Meetings

In the Work Session

Inauguration:
The Municipal Council Inauguration was held between the Work Session and the regular Council Meeting. Last year's Council Chair, Gary Garrett, offered the invocation. Provo High School Chamber Singers performed the National Anthem and the Provo Police and Fire Department Joint Honor Guard presented the flags. The Council Chambers were filled to overflowing as Bill Hulterstrum conducted the ceremonies. Provo Justice Court Judge Romney administered the oath of office to Gary Winterton, David Knecht, Kay Van Buren, David Harding, and George Stewart. The Mayor offered his congratulations and then each of the newly sworn Council Members gave their own remarks, thanking supporters and family, expressing their goals, and voicing their love of Provo. 

The Council also:

• Heard a proposal to have the BYU Grantwell Program conduct a benchmarking study on the best use of RAP tax dollars for arts activities. Dave Knecht was chosen as Council liaison to this group.
• Considered the creation of a proposed ad hoc Council Prosperity Committee focused on city development processes and economic development policies. This will be brought back to the next Work Meeting for additional discussion.
• Discussed the assignment of  Council Members to various committees. Each Council Member will inform Council leadership of their preferences and this will be brought back to the next Work Meeting for additional discussion and formalizing of assignments.
• Heard an update on the housing policy process. This is an ongoing research project and will be heard again at future meetings.
• Discussed an evaluation of the General Plan amendment process. No further action will be taken at this time.
• Heard an overview of the proposed Provo Downtown Streetscape Standards. This will be formally heard at the January 19 Council Meeting.
• Heard an overview of a proposed amendment to Section 14.34.24 regarding residential facilities for persons with a disability and residential facilities for elderly persons. This will be formally heard at the January 19 Council Meeting.

In the Formal Meeting

Neighborhood Spotlight:

Neighborhood Chairs have been asked to contribute the the opening ceremonies at Council meetings this year. In addition to arranging for residents to offer the invocation and lead the pledge of allegiance, Chairs will give a brief spotlight on their neighborhood. We look forward to getting to know more about each of Provo's wonderful neighborhoods! For this first meeting of 2016, the Provost South Neighborhood had a Cub Scout troop present the flags and Jim Moss shared the many things that make Provost South a great place to live.

Council Leadership:

Council Members voted for the 2016 leadership for the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency (RDA). Kim Santiago was elected as Chair and Dave Sewell as Vice Chair for the City Council. George Stewart was elected as RDA Chair and Dave Harding as RDA Vice Chair. 

The Council also:

• Approved the Mayor's appointment of Scott Henderson as the Parks and Recreation Department Director
• Held a public hearing and approved a resolution appropriating $120,000 to purchase a parcel of land just south of the trailhead for Rock Canyon. These funds will be combined with those provided by others to purchase this land as part of Rock Canyon preservation.
• Passed a resolution waiving the right of Provo City to purchase the Provo High School property.
• Held a public hearing and denied an ordinance amending the zone map classification of a property at 290 West 1625 North from Residential Conservative to Medium Multiple Residential in the Carterville Nieghborhood.
• Held a public hearing and passed an amendment to City Code section 14.50(10).030 to allow certain professional and business services within the clubhouse area of this zone in the Riverbottoms Neighborhood.
• Passed an ordinance amending Provo City Code section 2.29 (Neighborhood Advisory Board) to amend the neighborhood program. This was amended at the December 1 meeting but some minor changes were added after receiving additional feedback from Neighborhood Chairs.
• Rescinded the adoption of Ordinance 13-0005PPA, approved on December 1, 2015, which amended the zone map classification of property located at 1040 South 1000 East from Heavy Commercial and Residential Conservation to Medium Density Residential in the Spring Creek Neighborhood and authorized the developer to apply again with the application fees waived.

This is a general summary of the Council's meetings. For a more detailed agenda and minutes, please visit our public documents site: http://publicdocuments.provo.org/sirepub/meet.aspx
Video recordings:  Work Meeting and Council Meeting