Provo City Council: March 2017

Monday, March 27, 2017

Summary of the March 21 Meetings

In the Work Session

Vote by Mail
Every year, the City’s Finance Department presents the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Report, which gives Council members and citizens a preview of proposed projects that will take place around Provo over the next five years, based on available funding. Here are a few examples of upcoming projects from this year’s CIP Report that already have designated funding available:

Bike lanes on Bulldog Boulevard
New street and security lights in some areas of town
Improvements to a long stretch of the Provo River Parkway Trail
A new water line on Stadium Avenue to meet the water demand

Council members asked clarifying questions about various projects throughout the presentation. If you’re curious about what other projects are in the report, click here to access the document.

Water Division Presentation
The Public Works Director continued a presentation on the Water Division that he began at the last work meeting on March 7th. The Council members learned about Provo’s water sources and storage as they currently stand. In addition, they learned of future opportunities that could help ensure an adequate water supply in the future. These presentations on the Water Division will continue over the next several work meetings.

Provo City Council Work Meeting, March 21, 2017

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

Summary of the March 7 Meetings

In the Work Session

Vote by Mail
Over the past several years there has been growing interest in moving from voting at polling locations on Election Day to a vote-by-mail (VBM) election. In 2015, several cities in Utah County chose the VBM option and each of them nearly doubled their voter turnout. Although the costs were higher, the cost-per-vote was less than in previous years. In 2016, 21 out of 29 counties in Utah administered a VBM election. Utah County has opted to administer a VBM election in 2017 for any city that contracts with them. They can only administer one type of election, so the electronic voting machines will not be available.

Provo City's administration recommends contracting with Utah County for a VBM election. This option would still include one polling location where voting could be done in person. Council members asked for more input before they make a decision at the March 21 Council meeting. Provo citizens are asked to give their opinion on Open City Hall as to how they would like to cast their vote in 2017.

Water Division Presentation
Provo City's Water Division is doing a series of presentations at Council work sessions to provide information requested by the Council and the Budget Committee. The goal is to gain more insight to prepare for the upcoming budget season. The presentation at this meeting began by reviewing the Executive Summary portion of the 2010 Water System Master Plan.