OREM CITY COUNCIL/ALPINE SCHOOL DISTRICT

SPECIAL JOINT MEETING

58 North State Street, Orem, Utah

November 7, 2007

This meeting was for discussion purposes only. No official action was taken.

CONDUCTING Mayor Jerry Washburn
OREM ELECTED OFFICIALS Councilmembers Margaret Black, Les Campbell, Dean Dickerson, Karen McCandless, Mark Seastrand, and Shiree Thurston
OREM STAFF Cami Gray, Office Clerk
ALPINE BOARD OF EDUCATION JoDee Sundberg, President; Chrissy Hanneman, and Debbie Taylor

ALPINE SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMIN. Vern Henshaw, Superintendent and Rob Smith, Assistant Superintendent

INVOCATION JoDee Sundberg

Call to Order

Mayor Jerry Washburn opened the meeting at 12:26 p.m.

Items of Common Interest

Mayor Washburn reported on the Orem Municipal Election results. The three Councilmembers that were elected are Margaret Black, Mark Seastrand, and Carl Hernandez III.

Ad Hoc Committee

Mr. Campbell inquired about the current ad hoc committee on equalization. He wondered what the status of the process is because it could be a significant issue for the City.

Mr. Smith stated a task force will be bringing recommendations back for legislative consideration. He then reviewed three bills being drafted by the State Legislature pertaining to statewide building authority, creation of new districts, and property taxes. Mr. Smith stated he would bring more details to the next meeting.

Mr. Seastrand asked about the property tax increase for some and the decrease for others. He wondered whether they are trying to get a common statewide property tax rate. Mr. Smith stated there is a basic tax rate statewide that all districts would have to levy, but in doing so, it pushes other rates down.

Mayor Washburn noted there is a possibility of redistribution of property tax dollars in Utah County to be spent in other counties. A form of a statewide property tax will be formed, but it needs to be levied the way it is now and then the formula for distribution will be legislatively imposed.

Mr. Smith stated that everyone levies a uniform rate statewide, but the dollars are pulled and then distributed by a formula to those who qualify.

Mayor Washburn asked whether it is seen as an attempt to equalize property tax dollars independent of the school district split boundaries or whether it is in conjunction with the district split concept.

Mr. Smith commented that he believes the district split is driving the discussion, but the proposal is somewhat independent and moves more toward a statewide policy. There should be equalization in property tax if there is equalization in income tax. This is a way to start being fair with capital dollars.

Ms. Hanneman noted that generally the Legislature likes more local control, and this is the reason for a district split. She questioned how they are controlling it. Mr. Smith responded that the first item on the recommendation list is to maintain local control and authority because of this very issue.

Mr. Henshaw stated that Mr. Smith has pushed for local districts to retain the authority to bond and levy the vote of leeway. The current formulas being looked at show that all the dollars received for state capital improvement would be about half of what is currently being used through the bond.

Mayor Washburn observed that most school districts are not “flush” and are trying to raise dollars through property tax.

Mr. Smith stated the bill is an effort to provide tax relief by redistribution in areas that have needs rather than new revenue sources. Mayor Washburn noted that tax relief is a good concept if there is excess to provide relief without creating a crisis somewhere else.

Mr. Smith mentioned a proposal that suggests additional revenues be partially taken out of property tax, income tax, and impact fees. The response of the committee was that new money would come from the local board in raising taxes to compensate and provide new revenue.

Mayor Washburn explained the City went through a similar philosophical situation with roads, and it is painful for anybody to raise taxes. The reallocation of funds and property taxes does not solve the problem. Someone at a different level from the Legislature has to go to the tax payers and raise additional money.

Mr. Smith indicated when trying to provide equity, winners and losers are created unless more revenue is provided using a variety of sources.

Mayor Washburn stated those who raise taxes are the donors, and the recipients could have more revenue because their taxes would go down. The tax levy needs to go back to where it was, and donors have to figure out how to make up what has just been redistributed. Mr. Smith agreed and stated that it is the current proposal.

Mayor Washburn questioned who is serving on the Capitalization Task Force Committee. Mr. Smith responded that the following make up the committee: Senators Dan Eastman - chair, Howard Stevenson, D. Chris Buttars, Michael Waddoups, Lyle Hillyard, Scott McCoy, Wayne Neiderhauser, and Representatives Dave Clark - chair, Aaron Tilton, Carol Moss, Carl Wimmer, and Merlynn Newbold.

Mayor Washburn asked whether property taxes are too low, and if it is an untapped resource. Mr. Smith noted that with the valuations there are problems and disparity with three particular counties. It cannot be said that they are an untapped resource.

Mr. Smith indicated that the Revenue Taxation Committee has been looking at ways to reappraise and factor annually so there is not a massive redistribution as seen with the three counties this year. This is very positive and needs to happen. There are two proposals being considered to address it next year.

Mr. Campbell said he was grateful they did not put the school district split on the ballot last November.

Updates

Mr. Smith reported that Paul Overson, sound engineer, came to Orem High and looked at some options to help the sound. The Safety Committee held their first meeting, and the District held met twice with Paul Goodrich, Orem City Transportation Engineer, to discuss crosswalk issues at Foothill Elementary. The Oak Canyon Junior High issue is being considered, and Orem Junior High’s kitchen issue was addressed. The students were moved from the common area. The Orem High School project will start in the spring as planned, but it will now be a two-year construction project instead of taking three years. The welding and drafting programs will be consolidated with Mountain View High School, which would allow Orem High School to tear down the shop area and move things along quicker with the boiler.

Mrs. Thurston wondered how much class time it would take to transport students. Mr. Henshaw noted that there are students that go between the two high schools now, but the two administrations will need to work together on how the classes will be placed to allow enough time for transportation.

Mayor Washburn questioned what the impact will be on the students, the surrounding neighborhoods, traffic, and parking during the construction period. Mr. Smith noted that the first issue in ground breaking is parking. There will be new parking in the front of the school, more parking by the Tiger Center, and parking on the east. There will be the same number of parking stalls, if not more, than is currently available.

Mrs. Thurston asked whether the staging areas for construction and room for the cranes has been taken into consideration. Mr. Smith replied that they have.

Mr. Campbell questioned whether the bus routes could be expanded. Mr. Smith responded that they could if it is necessary, but it may not be necessary. Parking is the first thing to be done other than moving the cell tower that also services the radio station. One structure will be eliminated by replacing a light pole with the cell tower and then attaching the lights, radio transmitters, and the cellular transmitters.

Mayor Washburn wondered whether there are any commercial carriers on the tower, because the Council is looking to have as many carriers on one tower as possible. Mr. Smith said the carrier is TMobile and stated he would bring the idea of multiple carriers back to the City staff, so there will be no more structures going up.

Mr. Seastrand mentioned there are groups trying to attach to radio station frequencies that are not being used year round, and schools are a major target. There may be some opportunities to work together and have community announcements on the station and at the same time help protect the rights of that radio station.

Mrs. Black suggested using the radio station in emergency situations.

Transportation

Mrs. McCandless indicated the Orem City transportation engineers are holding an open house to discuss signalization and some circulation changes on November 8, 2007, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the multipurpose room at the City Center. They will be presenting ideas and answering questions.

Mr. Smith noted they met with Mr. Goodrich instead of attending the meeting, and City staff has been great to work with. The road that runs parallel to 800 North will be closed off, and the bus route will go through the parking lot. Restriping will need to be done. There are some challenges but not any that are insurmountable. He questioned the status of the road that will connect on the north with the senior and assisted living project across the road next to the hospital. Mrs. McCandless said she understands that the signalization is not immediate, but it will happen at some point in the future.

Charter School Traffic

Mrs. Thurston pointed out that the Liahona Academy is in the building across the street from Orem High School. The people in the community are concerned about the traffic with the two schools so close to one another. There have also been traffic issues with the charter school around the corner. She mentioned that it would be a good idea for the schools to coordinate their schedules and not release students at the same time.

Mr. Smith noted that he was not aware that the Academy was leasing the building from the church.

Mr. Henshaw stated he thinks that the Liahona Academy is just leasing the building, while they build another facility.

Mrs. Black remarked there are a lot of traffic problems with Scera Elementary and Noah Webster getting out at the same time.

Mrs. Thurston stated there are more traffic issues with charter schools because children are not being bused and cannot walk.

Mayor Washburn indicated the problem needs to be addressed, and it is the City’s responsibility to observe and assess the traffic at the Liahona Academy and Noah Webster Academy.

Emergency Management

Mayor Washburn brought up emergency preparedness and correlation during emergencies, inquiring if Alpine School District has a written plan in place for emergencies and whether the City has access to those plans. The City is trying to refine a plan and wants to know how to interface with the School District.

Mr. Seastrand asked whether each individual school has its own plan or whether there is a standardized plan for the whole district. The City has an emergency coordinator, Lamar Woods, and Mr. Seastrand wondered whether Alpine School District has someone to be a part of the team in developing and planning.

Mrs. McCandless stated plans are in place; they just need to get everybody together to share and communicate.

Mrs. Thurston pointed out that a school would be bigger than a church when trying to house people on an emergency basis.

Mr. Henshaw said the Alpine School District would coordinate with the Council and let them know what they have. The district puts out a template that every school should have, but because of the uniqueness of every school, the plans are all going to be a little bit different.

Mr. Smith indicated there can be a written plan, but it needs to be tested on a regular basis in order to be valid. Coordination with the City, fire, law enforcement, and the City’s emergency response teams should be done. The district has been working with Mr. Goodrich on the search sheds and their location, the type of construction, what the needs are, what meets the emergency response needs, and the equipment storage that is there. The project is currently being worked on at Northridge Elementary.

Mr. Campbell mentioned that religious organizations and many others need to be included to make sure everyone is moving in the same direction.

Mayor Washburn questioned who the emergency preparedness coordinator from the school district is that could meet with the City’s emergency coordinator. Mr. Henshaw stated that the first person to go through would be Mr. Smith. He would then coordinate with the individual who would be in charge of that.

Mrs. Thurston said there is much to learn from all the situations and challenges going on in different parts of the country and the world.

Mr. Seastrand questioned how the plans would get to the residents, children, parents, and the City. He suggested having magnets for the refrigerator or a card for the wall with the emergency plans, contact numbers, or specific radio stations to tune in to for updated information, when there is an emergency. The only available information for emergency plans is on the City’s website and many people do not look at the emergency process. The drill concept creates a greater awareness within the community.

Mrs. Black communicated that the information needs to be given to the people instead of having them try to search for it.

Ms. Hanneman wondered whether the underlying philosophy is to get the children back to their parents or what facilities would be available.

Mrs. Black stated that all of the above applies. There needs to be a general plan that each organization contributes specific responsibilities to. The plan needs to include schools, churches, CERT, the city, and residents.