Citizens Agenda for Meetings on June 2, 2020

Citizens Agenda

Council meeting agendas are often difficult for people to navigate. Filled with jargon and legal requirements on how an item must be listed, it can be a challenge to determine what Council members are actually discussing or deciding on.
What follows is a staff interpretation of the agendas.
The official published agendas and supporting materials can be found here:  http://agendas.provo.org

Due to the risks of public gathering associated with the spread of COVID-19, these meetings will be conducted entirely via electronic means. For information on how to view the meetings and how to contribute public comments, visit our blog: http://www.provocitycouncil.com/2020/03/virtual-provo-city-council-meetings.html

PROVO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
Work Meeting Agenda
1:30 pm, Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Work Meetings are designed to be a less formal venue for discussion among Council Members. Generally, no public input is taken during the meeting.

Business

1. A presentation from the Provo School District. (20-092)
   
   • The Superintendent of Provo School District will be giving an update about what is happening with the district. He will talk about the impacts the district is dealing with and how they plan to move forward in fall with classes.
2. A discussion on the proposed FY 2021 budget. (20-008)
   
   • The Council has adopted the FY 2021 tentative budget and continues to review items in the budget. One item of discussion is the Tier II retirement enhancement for public safety, and the City’s contribution to that.
3. A discussion regarding beer licensing regulations and density restrictions. (20-077)
   
   • Staff is working with Council on their preferences in regard to the different proposals put forth by the brewpub licensing subcommittee. The goal of this discussion is to give direction to the subcommittee so they can move forward.
     

Summary of Action | Meetings on May 19, 2020

PROVO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

Work Meeting
12:00 PM, Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Electronic Meeting

Summary of Action

Business

1.  A discussion regarding the Tentative Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. (20-008) A motion to create a Budget Policy subcommittee with David Shipley as chair, Dave Harding as a committee member, with the mission statement “within next 2 weeks come back with a proposal, having engaged with the Administration to update the budget policies, particularly as regards surplus money at the end of the budget year,” was approved 7:0.

Redevelopment Agency

2.  A discussion regarding Interlocal Agreements for Tax Increment for The Mix Community Development Project Area. (20-085, 20-086, 20-087, 20-088, 20-089) Presentation only. This item was already scheduled for the Council Meeting on May 19, 2020.

3.  A discussion regarding the creation of a Public Infrastructure District for the medical school and associated housing. (20-090) Presentation only. This item is anticipated to return to the Council Meeting on June 2, 2020.

4.  A discussion regarding the creation of a Small Business Loan Program in response to COVID-19. (20-081) Presentation only. This item was already scheduled for the Council Meeting on May 19, 2020, but the Council moved to continue the items to the subsequent Council Meeting.

Citizens Agenda for Meetings on May 19, 2020

Citizens Agenda

Council meeting agendas are often difficult for people to navigate. Filled with jargon and legal requirements on how an item must be listed, it can be a challenge to determine what Council members are actually discussing or deciding on.
What follows is a staff interpretation of the agendas.
The official published agendas and supporting materials can be found here:  http://agendas.provo.org

Due to the risks of public gathering associated with the spread of COVID-19, these meetings will be conducted entirely via electronic means. For information on how to view the meetings and how to contribute public comments, visit our blog: http://www.provocitycouncil.com/2020/03/virtual-provo-city-council-meetings.html

PROVO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
Work Meeting Agenda
Time, Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Work Meetings are designed to be a less formal venue for discussion among Council Members. Generally, no public input is taken during the meeting.

Business

1. A discussion regarding the Tentative Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. (20-008)
   
   • This is a follow-up to the Budget Retreat held May 12, 2020. Topics for discussion include debt, General Plan update funding, Joaquin Parking program, wastewater projects and fees, unfunded supplementals, budget intent statements, summary of the Stormwater Special Service District budget, and summary of the Redevelopment Agency budget.

Redevelopment Agency

2. A discussion regarding Interlocal Agreements for Tax Increment for The Mix Community Development Project Area. (20-085, 20-086, 20-087, 20-088, 20-089)
   
   • The Mix, the former Plumtree Plaza shopping center on University Parkway, is seeking tax increment financial assistance to help pay for the infrastructure required to redevelop the site into a mixed-use center that would include retail, hospitality and residential uses.
3. A discussion regarding the creation of a Public Infrastructure District for the medical school and associated housing. (20-090)
   
   • The developer of the medical school and associated housing would like to speak with the Council about creating a Public Infrastructure District (PID) to provide a financing mechanism for the removal of former landfill debris and the installation of utilities and infrastructure. The letter of intent and the draft policy document for the consideration for creating PIDs (included in the supplemental materials) was reviewed in a CRC meeting on May 6, 2020 that was attended by all of the development review departments. None of them expressed any concerns. There was a question about scope and size of these types of developments. The answer is that this type of funding mechanism really only makes sense for large developments – such as a medical school and associated multiple family housing. It was also noted that should Provo consider the creation of PIDs, that single-family detached residential development would not likely be considered for approval. The Council has heard a presentation on the creation of Public Infrastructure Districts to create discrete districts to apply to specific parcels of ground that, with the creation of the PID, self-impose an additional property tax levy, the proceeds of which are used to construct public infrastructure such as water, sewer, storm drain and roadway improvements.
4. A discussion regarding the creation of a Small Business Loan Program in response to COVID-19. (20-081)
   
   • This item is continued from the Council Meeting on May 5, 2020. In response to the negative impacts to the local economy (particularly to small businesses) caused by COVID-19, the Economic and Redevelopment Staff are recommending the creation of a Small Business Loan Fund. The purpose of the fund is to help small businesses stay in business during this difficult economic time. These would be small loans ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 dollars each. The available funding identified is from a Tax Increment Financing fund generated from an existing Community and Redevelopment Area.

Summary of Action | Meetings on May 5, 2020, and May 12, 2020

PROVO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

Work Meeting
1:00 PM, Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Electronic Meeting

Summary of Action

Approval of MinutesJanuary 21, 2020 Work Meeting
March 5, 2020 Council Retreat
Approved by unanimous consent.

Business

1.  A discussion regarding beer licensing regulations and density restrictions. (20-077) Presentation only.

2.  A discussion regarding the Council Code of Ethics and the use of social media during Council meetings. (20-082) A motion was approved 7:0 to adopt the following statement and to insert it at an appropriate place within the Provo City Municipal Council Handbook as the policy of the Council, applicable to Council members, the Municipal Council Executive Director and full-time employees in the Council Office:
"The Municipal Officers' and Employees' Ethics Act" (Utah Code §10-3-1301 et seq.), applies to municipal councilors and the municipal council's staff. The Council considers it a best practice to revisit and remind the councilors and council staff of the limits and responsibilities of our unique positions. It is the policy of the Provo City Municipal Council that every Council member, the Municipal Council Executive Director, and all full-time employees of the Municipal Council complete and file annually with the City the Administrative Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Gift & Conflict of Interest Disclosure forms provided by the Administration generally to city officers and employees.


3.  A discussion regarding Provo City’s goal of renewable energy. (20-043) A motion to adopt into the Council Handbook, and refer to the Energy Board, a goal of achieving 60% green, renewable, and carbon-free power sources by 2030 was approved 7:0.

Town Hall Information

The Provo City Council will hold a virtual Town Hall on Foothills Protection on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held via electronic means and is available to the public for live broadcast and on-demand viewing at: youtube.com/provocitycouncil.

To listen or ask a question via phone, dial 346 248 7799. Enter Meeting ID 846-8612-3368 and press #. Press # for participant ID. Once connected, press *9 to indicate that you would like to ask a question.

Questions during the Town Hall can be submitted here: https://bit.ly/Hillside572020

Map of the proposed zone
Full text of the proposed Critical Hillside Overlay. 

Some questions were submitted in advance at https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/258/Issue_8746. It also has options to provide comments to the City Council.

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Comment below (requires Google account), on our Facebook page, through our online comment form, or by contacting Council Members directly. Comments/input on items appearing on an upcoming meeting agenda will be compiled and provided to Council Members the day before the meeting. **Note - your comments will be part of the public record.

Annual Budget Timeline - 2020

The timeline for approving Provo City's budget is set by Utah State Code.

• The Mayor presents the proposed budget to the City Council at their first meeting in May. (This year it is the May 5 meeting).
• Council votes to tentatively adopt the proposed budget. This vote will occur at the May 19 meeting.
• All municipal final budgets must be adopted before June 30, or, in the case of a property tax increase, before September 1. The Council's vote on adopting the budget is expected to happen at the June 16 Council Meeting this year.
• The tentative (proposed) budget is available to the public at least 10 days before the adoption of the final budget. You can view the proposed budget in person at the office of the City Recorder. It is available online. The Finance Office has also provided a document with highlights from the tentative budget. Budgets from recent years are also available on the Finance Department's website.
• A public hearing must be held before adopting the budget. The dates for the hearings will be formally set when the budget is tentatively adopted on May 19. According to Utah State Code, "All interested persons in attendance shall be given an opportunity to be heard, for or against, the estimates of revenue and expenditures or any item thereof in the tentative budget of any fund." 
• If a property tax increase was included in the proposed budget this year and Council decides to move forward with the increase, a Truth in Taxation hearing would be required. The date for the hearing is set by Utah County and would most likely be held in August. (No property tax increase was proposed this year)

In between the Mayor presenting the budget and the Council adopting the final budget there are usually some extra Work Meetings where Council Members examine the budget in greater detail, ask questions of department directors, and hear presentations and analysis from Council staff. Watch the Council's Facebook page for updates.

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Comment below (requires Google account), on our Facebook page, through our online comment form, or by contacting Council Members directly. Comments/input on items appearing on an upcoming meeting agenda will be compiled and provided to Council Members the day before the meeting. **Note - your comments will be part of the public record.

We're Still Open

Mayor Kaufusi announced today a shift toward recovery plans for Provo City in line with Governor Herbert's move from "high" to "moderate" risk for the state. Our city will Proceed with Caution as some previously closed City facilities will reopen with restrictions.

One area that isn't seeing much in the way of new changes is the Council office. Although the State's COVID-19 guidelines moved Council and other meetings online, the Council office itself has been open to the public this entire time. At least one of our staff is there in the office to help as needed and the rest are working from home. Councilors and staff continue to be reachable by phone call and email.

With the shift in risk level there will be a gradual move to more work happening in the Council office and the City Center building instead of remotely. Extra precautions will be taken to maintain social distancing and clean high touch surfaces like tables, doors, light switches, etc. We will, of course, be keeping an eye on things to make adjustments as needed to protect the health of our employees and the public.

Council meetings scheduled for May and June will continue to be held remotely. The same is also true for neighborhood meetings. Please follow the Council's Facebook page to keep up with the latest information.

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Comment below (requires Google account), on our Facebook page, through our online comment form, or by contacting Council Members directly. Comments/input on items appearing on an upcoming meeting agenda will be compiled and provided to Council Members the day before the meeting. **Note - your comments will be part of the public record.

Citizens Agenda for Meetings on May 5, 2020

Citizens Agenda

Council meeting agendas are often difficult for people to navigate. Filled with jargon and legal requirements on how an item must be listed, it can be a challenge to determine what Council members are actually discussing or deciding on.
What follows is a staff interpretation of the agendas.

The official published agendas and supporting materials can be found here:  http://agendas.provo.org

PROVO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
Work Meeting Agenda
1:00 pm, Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Work Meetings are designed to be a less formal venue for discussion among Council Members. Generally, no public input is taken during the meeting.

Business

1. A discussion regarding beer licensing regulations and density restrictions. (20-077)
   
   • In the Work Session on April 14, 2020, the Council advised the Alcohol Licensing Committee to continue to look into density regulations. The committee will now return with two proposals -- one regarding density for all alcohol outlet types based on weight and one regarding further regulations for the Class "F" (brewpub) license. The two proposals are not mutually exclusive. The committee would like the Council's feedback on the directions of these policies.
2. A discussion regarding the Council Code of Ethics and the use of social media during Council meetings. (20-082)
   
   • There are State laws that require Councilors to report conflicts of interest. For the benefit of the Council, there will be a review of the Code of Ethics and when and how a Councilor is required to report a conflict of interest.
   • Since moving to electronic meetings we have had members of the public use social media to make comments regarding issues before the Council. Our policy is to have members of the public use our Zoom meeting protocols and call into the meeting if they want to comment on an issue before the Council. In order to not complicate GRAMA requests and not increase the workload of staff, it would be best if Councilors refrain from using social media while the Council is meeting to conduct Council business.
3. A discussion regarding Provo City’s goal of renewable energy. (20-083)
   
   • The Council has had a presentation from Travis Ball the Director of Energy regarding the increased use of renewable energy in Provo’s electricity production portfolio. In the near future some of the coal fired plants that produce electricity for Provo are going to be taken offline, this will give Provo a chance to replace this production with new clean renewable energy. The Council had discussed in the past what percentage of electricity the city uses should come from renewable sources.