Remembering Bart Simons

Provo City lost a treasured member of its family over the weekend. Bart Simons, Water Resources Division Director, was often referred to as Provo's water expert. He was well-known to the City Council from the presentations he would make in various meetings. Simons recently was part of a tour of the Water Reclamation Facility with Council Members during the April 12 Work Meeting.

Last year, several Council Members and neighborhood leaders had a chance to climb inside Provo's oldest underground water tank to get a better understanding of the city's water system. Simons had a great way of explaining the needs and realities of managing water resources in Provo.

"Bart was kind, dedicated and hard-working," commented Kim Santiago, Council Chair. "I appreciate the time he took to help us know all we could about our city's water. His passing is a huge loss. It is hard to believe it was just a few days ago we were praising him for his great protection and care of our water resources in our Council Meeting where we honored Merril Bingham's family."

Summary of the April 19 Meetings

In the Work Session

Miss Provo Pageant
The City of Provo used to completely fund the Miss Provo scholarship pageant, which is part of the Miss Utah and Miss America program. In 2010 the City cut the funding significantly and only fund the parade float. This funding has been part of the Mayor's budget. Pageant organizers requested that the City Council fund the entire cost of the program, roughly $21,000. Council Members voted 4-3 to approve moving the funding to be in the Council's budget and oversee the program.

City Council Appoints New Executive Director

The Provo Municipal Council today appointed Clifford Strachan as its new Executive Director. Mr. Strachan has been serving in the Utah Governor’s Office of Management and Budget since 2009 where he staffs the Free Market Protection and Privatization Board and the Legislative Compensation Commission.

Strachan has over a decade’s worth of experience in local government, having served communities of various sizes in Utah and British Columbia, including several years as a chief administrative officer. A graduate of Brigham Young University and Carleton University’s School of Public Administration, he is currently enrolled in the University of Utah’s Executive MBA Program.

Strachan’s employment begins April 25, 2016. “I am excited to return to Provo where my education began and to serve the Council and community as it grows and prospers,” said Strachan.

Council Chair Kim Santiago added, “I look forward to working with Mr. Strachan and appreciate the experience he will bring to the Council.”

Executive Director

The Executive Director is appointed by Council to serve as its liaison to the Mayor and city administration, the public and the media, and to coordinate Council legislative, budget, and oversight responsibilities. The Executive Director is a full time position and works under the direction of the Chair. A list of specific duties is found in the Provo City Council Rules and Handbook.

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Provo City Council Work Meeting, April 19, 2016

Agenda  (Times have been added to the ends of the individual agenda items to help you find them in the video.)

Summary of the April 12 Meetings

In the Work Session

Water Reclamation Facility 
Council Members started the Work Meeting with a tour of Provo's Water Reclamation (aka wastewater treatment) Facility.  They were shown older and newer equipment while manager Mark Ogren explained what would need to be done to meet the expected changes to state regulations. Nitrogen and phosphorous would have to be removed from the treated water. More discussion on this was held later in the Work Meeting.


Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Update
Utah Transit Authority (UTA) and Provo City administrators updated the Council on the latest designs for the BRT route as well as the lease agreement that will be presented for consideration at the April 19 Council Meeting. View the presentation and Council discussion in the meeting video.

Provo City Council Work Meeting, April 12, 2016

Agenda  (Times have been added to the ends of the individual agenda items to help you find them in the video.)