Summary of the October 18 Meetings

In the Work Session

Public Engagement
As part of its priority to encourage public engagement, Council approved contracting with Peak Democracy to establish an online forum for Provo residents to weigh in on current issues. "Open City Hall" will regularly have topics on which citizens can give input directly to the Council.

The goal is to have Open City Hall open for registration in early November. West side planning will be the first topic open for feedback. Watch for more details soon.

Development Approval Process
Council's Development Approval Process Review Committee has been looking at the application process for development in Provo City and presented some recommendations for improving that process. Some of the recommendations would simplify or clarify, while others would speed up the process. The committee would like to have a more in-depth meeting with Council to discuss these options and determine next steps.

The Council also:

• Heard a presentation from the Governor's Office of Energy Development on proposed legislative improvements/changes to the C-PACE program.
• Heard an update on the process for updating the Vision 2030 plan to Vision 2050. The updates will be discussed over the next several Council work meetings.
• Heard a presentation from Economic Development on a potential revolving loan fund.
• Discussed a potential sales tax increment for a retail shopping center on University Parkway. This will return to a future meeting once the plans have been developed.
• Discussed a request for a zone change of .31 acres from Residential Conservation to General Downtown in the Dixon Neighborhood. This will be formally heard at the November 1 Council meeting.
• Discussed a request to amend the zoning ordinance with proposed changes to Planning Commission details. This will be formally heard at the November 1 Council meeting.

In the Formal Meeting

Solar Generation Capacity Charge:
Council member Gary Winterton requested that the Council consider rescinding the adoption of Ordinance 2016-27 (approved on October 4, 2016), which added a solar generation capacity charge to the Provo City Consolidated Fee Schedule. In addition to the rescission, his motion also included the following:

• Schedule a discussion for the November 1 work session to approve the creation and makeup of a joint commission to study the issue of rates, charges, and fees applicable to solar customers
• Ask the Energy Department Director to prepare and implement an updated net metering license agreement that will put all potential solar customers on notice of potential rate and fee changes
• Direct the proposed joint commission to report back to the Mayor and Council no later than February 7, 2017. At the February 21 Council meeting, Council will consider the recommendation of the joint commission or the original legislation.

This motion passed, giving more time to study the issue and find a rate structure that addresses the issues raised during the discussion.

The Council also:

• Passed a resolution appropriating $205,281 in the General Fund for body-worn cameras and equipment for video storage.
• Passed a resolution approving an online public engagement service provider and appropriating $10,800 in the General Fund.
• Denied a request for approval of a zoning map amendment for property at 1290 North Geneva Road (Lakeview North Neighborhood) from A1.5 (agricultural) to R1.10 (residential).

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

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