Neighborhood Districts

District 5 Neighborhood Meeting, March 20, 2024 Link to all slides presented at the meeting: Heading (provo.org) 27 neighbors signed in at the meeting and 12 people attended on Zoom. Board members in attendance included Laura Leavitt, Dylan Cindrich, Jason Ream, Daniel Friend, David Harding, Art Occon, Sariah Hillam, and Leo Lines (on Zoom). It is to be noted that Maria Winden resigned her position on the board in February. Erik Davis and a colleague were there to represent BYU, which neighborhood area has joined our District. 1. Update on matching grant project Rob Slater talked about progress toward tearing up and landscaping the asphalt parking strip by Fresh Market on Center Street and 500 South to help have a better entrance to our city. He submitted plans that Provo City is in favor of. It got through the city approval but then he found out that UDOT would also have to approve the project, so he is working through that application. We may need a bond and liability insurance, and Rob is seeing if we can use the matching grant money up front for those costs. There is a Google doc for the matching grant that anyone can enter in service hours spent beautifying the neighborhood with about 145 hours logged so far. Raking leaves, cleaning out gutters, shoveling neighbors’ snow all can count. (Link to sheet here) The strip itself is owned by the city, as are all parking strips throughout Provo, but is to be maintained by the owner of the parking lot. That is owned by Elks Lodge, and they have agreed to maintain the parking strip once done. Rob had talked to some nurseries to see if we could get some discount on plants but so far hasn’t had much luck and asked if we had any connection to ask BYU, and Erik Davis said he could check with BYU Grounds. Rob has also spoken with the city forester to obtain trees. They are planning on having 3-gallon planter pots with foliage. We are hoping to start demolition of the asphalt and preparing of soil by May 1st, and the city has offered equipment and backhoe (with operators). We will use community volunteers to put the plants in. Trash cleanup and My Hometown hours spent on things visible from the street from July 1st 2023 to June 30th 2024 can also be included in the matching grant hours that will pay for expenses on the project. Art Occon will work on figuring out the My Hometown hours logged during that time that would qualify. If we push up on the maximum amount for one project we can break it into two. 2. Provo School District Update Gina Hales shared the top priorities that came up in surveys for the district strategic plan, noting that the different groups (teachers versus parents, etc) had different #1 priorities, but all the top 5 were in the top 5 for all groups. Working on the plan has been a lot of wordsmithing. She warned us to pay attention to some ballot amendments that will be coming up in the November elections this year. Some lawmakers want to remove the Utah State Constitutional earmark for all income tax to go toward education. It is a complex issue, as they are trying to tie this to a removal of the food tax. Utah is presently 49th in the nation in education spending. Another separate Constitutional amendment on the ballot involves Trust Land Funds, which are dispersed according to the decisions of individual school community councils and could be used to help increase teachers’ salaries. Gina addressed other happenings such as the fact that there was a lot of support to keep Camp Big Springs running, so they voted to continue with the summer camp program as long as the infrastructure is okay. They are working on it with the city because it is city land. Shoreline Middle School is on track to open Fall 2024. They are still deciding what to do with the Dixon Middle School property, and have heard the feedback that the neighborhood does not want apartment buildings there. The district is working on figuring out how to limit electric self-propelled transportation on the high school campuses. They want to encourage alternatives to cars but are concerned with pedestrian safety. They are working with a group where there will be two students on the board, one from Timpview and one from Provo boundaries. The district has been going through a lot of restructuring but has been able to retain many employees, and took the employees’ wishes into account in moving or keeping them at certain schools. There are now two vice principals at each elementary instead of having so many administrative staff at the district. 88 education bills were passed during this past legislative session, and it can be difficult making sure that our district is in compliance with them all. On the Wasatch Elementary school update, Megan Van Wagenen, a school board member and resident of our district also in attendance, said that the new school is planned to be finished in December 2024, at which point they will have a mid-year move. They are doing what they can to have a safe school with the impressive retaining wall because it is difficult to dig into the side of a mountain. A question was asked about what is going in across the street from the new Wasatch school, and it was noted that land is private, not belonging to the district but that they thought a residential development was going in. Another question asked about how the student would be getting to the school, concerned with the state or lack of sidewalks in that area. Meg said that the city is working on areas, specifically for Oak Cliff and others are figuring out the budget, since that is costly infrastructure. The school’s safety committee has been working with the city for the past 1 ½ years to troubleshoot on this issue, discussing crosswalks, bulbouts and other possibilities. It is in the forefront of their minds and still in process. Daniel Friend asked for clarification on the previously mentioned possible ban on electric self-propelled vehicles and whether hoverboards would be included. Meg said that they are still figuring out micromobility issues, since they still want to encourage kids to get to school not just in cars. They have an all-day district board meeting on March 29th. One neighborhood resident asked about state funds that go toward supporting UEA, and a teacher clarified that no state funds go towards their teacher union, which is the UEA. Gina mentioned that the state legislature does fund the USBE, and if you want more money to go to teachers, to vote for the trust funds to go to community councils to use for this. She stated that there is a chunk of money earmarked for education that is just sitting there and being used for other special projects. 3. Selection of Chair and Vice Chairs Ballots were distributed with the names of all board members who had not asked to be removed from consideration. Rachel Breen explained that attendees could mark three people, and that the person receiving the most would be chair and the second & third most would be vice chairs. Laura Leavitt as the current chair would not be eligible for chair but could still be a vice chair. Each of the board members in attendance who were on the ballots gave a short statement, and the votes were counted while the next agenda item was discussed. Board members statements can be found in the meeting recording at 32:40. 4. Discussion on parking in Joaquin (6:45-7:15 PM) – Rachel Breen In February the City Council set their priority to explore the idea of a parking plan in Joaquin. Laura Leavitt chaired the discussion and Rachel Breen noted that she would type up the responses to give to the Council for their consideration. Rob Slater noted that he owns rental properties in Joaquin and there is a problem with Liberty Square and Villages where they charge for the ample parking lot but some students don’t want to pay and so they clog the streets instead. He noted there could be a change where cars would be allowed to park on the property in front. A resident mentioned his concern with how close many cars park to the intersection, which makes it difficult to see cars coming down the road. At 400 East and 500 North you have to pull into the road to see. He suggested we could pull the No Parking starting areas back. Another resident noted that people park almost into residents’ driveways. Abinadi Borja, city staff, asked if we thought that parking enforcement should be more strict or lenient, and the answer was a definite yes more ticketing to teach the students would be good. Daniel Friend was concerned about the high cost of getting boots off or a vehicle back from towing when students are poor. It was clarified that most of that happens in private lots. The city gives out tickets only on streets and don’t boot. A car is towed only after so many warnings. The second warning is given on an orange sticker which states the car will be towed after 3-4 days. The fee is $68-$75 for a 14 day period. Another resident noted that has a one car household, UVX being free has made a huge difference and it incentivizes fewer cars. She is concerned that the free period is coming to an end but was told that if there is enough outcry it could influence UTA’s decision. Jason Ream noted that there is an inherent cost in bringing a vehicle to school. Dave Harding mentioned that in his last few years on the City Council he wanted to put in a parking program but failed. He is encouraged that the Council is looking at it again. The research done in his time opened his eyes, noting that where there is high demand, you can choose two of three factors: convenience, quantity, and cost. The free stadium parking lot has quantity and low cost but is not as convenient, while the streets in Joaquin are presently low cost and convenient but low quantity. Supply and demand determine what landlords charge for, and he sees the biggest problem as when the city subsidizes on street parking for landlords that are not providing it off the street. He sees the current parking policies limiting redevelopment, and notes that all want the great experience of allowing friends to visit and to be able to pick up a date. A resident noted that parking is a good way to encourage development, and that Joaquin has 2 of the 5 most dense population areas in the entire state, Salt Lake included. David Keller said he hoped the Council would look at guidance from Joaquin’s neighborhood plan and their study done about five years ago, which he felt showed the issue better than the city studies. A lot of data is out there but it is still a problem. Brent Hutchinson from Franklin asked if there has been any dialogue with BYU about paying for parking? He felt the parking was too low a price for vehicle owners. Laura said she knows it has been discussed and multiple others confirmed that BYU does charge for parking. Dave Harding said that is a separate issue unless BYU opens its lots for overnight parking. He also noted that there has been significant changes in the past few years in technology for parking meters and that there are now fairly affordable digital ones. Daniel Friend wondered about other ways to incentivize NOT bringing cars to campus. Another resident mentioned that there are plenty of people living in Provo without a car who have been doing it for years. He also said would not want parking in yards, as that would destroy the beauty of the neighborhood, and asked if we had seen the heavy traffic on 500 North. Wayne Leavitt noted it is easier and nicer to move around without a car, more interesting to see things without a car around you. A resident mentioned that active transportation is a priority for the Council and that Joaquin is only going to get more dense. Another mentioned that if we prioritize safety for bikers and pedestrians, there is a cost to drivers and it is a frame of mind change that is needed. Yet another thought one issue is overoccupancy enforcement and thought the city should go after landlords. Someone suggested that the city could work with BYU on messaging to prospective students about the walkability of Provo, emphasizing that they don’t need to bring a car to decrease the number of cars coming in. Evelyn Hoover said how in the old days there was red paint on the curbs and lines so students could know where not to park. Laura said she has been in Joaquin 8 ½ years and would fully support paid parking. Art suggested that BYU could only issue parking permits for people who live farther away from campus. Laura mentioned that BYU does have a shuttle bus. Jason Ream, who represents a number of landlords in Joaquin, said that he can’t speak for all but that many sell ALL their parking places with a wait list, and that there is a problem with commuters taking their spots. Carol Hurst, a longtime Joaquin resident and the only permanent resident in her area of Joaquin, suggested that the city and BYU could build a high-rise parking structure. Jason mentioned that it costs about $38,000 per stall to build a parking structure. Another resident mentioned that they have for the BYU business school. 5. Announcement of Chair & Vice Chairs Rachel Breen announced that Sariah Hillam will be the new chair and Daniel Friend and Laura Leavitt will be the new vice chairs. 6. Selection of Secretary Ballots were distributed with the names that had been willing to serve as secretary; those already elected to chair or vice chair were crossed out. Rachel Breen stated to mark one name for secretary. 7. Public Comment (7:20-7:30 PM) --Mr. Hutchinson, secretary representing the Frankin PTA came because there has been a dog poop issue on their school for quite a while. Students are getting sick from exposure and contamination on the school fields, which has become a de facto dog park. They asked if perhaps providing dog waste stations at the school might help. Teri McCabe said that the district and city have a plan for having those at schools and parks throughout the city and may have purchased some but is not sure when they will be installed. These can help with opportunity and convenience, but we also need awareness on the part of dog owners who may not realize the impact to others. She sees a need for a campaign to help educate them, perhaps through social media. Sariah suggested that having a contest for children to draw illustrations for that could be effective. A resident mentioned that Memorial Park is where she sees most off leash dogs. Another mentioned kids have accidents where they fall into dog poop. Sariah noted that there has been a lot of dog poop she has been picking up within just a few blocks of her home in Maeser and Joaquin, and that time spent doing so can count toward matching grant service hours. It was mentioned in the mayor’s meeting that police can ticket on these issues, and some remembered a police officer mentioning that they had given out 9 tickets and 9 warnings for off leash dogs trying to raise awareness. --Members of the South Franklin Advisory Board noted speeding at 900 and 600 West, and want to petition for a more protected crossing at 700 West and 300 South, where they have seen accidents next to Franklin Elementary school. There are lots of kids and a blocking of the street and a stop sign in a place that does not make sense. Multiple people suggested they talk to Vern Keeslar, and Sariah mentioned that he had addressed similar issues within our district at our prior meeting and asked that other issues be brought to him. 8. Announcement of Secretary Rachel Breen announced that Dylan Cindrich will be the new secretary. 9. Adjournment The next District 5 Neighborhood Meeting will be held Wednesday, June 5th. Sariah Hillam will not be in attendance because she will be on Trek, so either Laura Leavitt or Daniel Friend will conduct.