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Press Releases
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Provo City to Residents: “THANKS A BILLION!” Provo Hires Wayne Parker as City C.A.O. Feed America Thursday Provo Police to Enforce Parking Restrictions During Mayor Billings Names New Department Heads And Chiefs Two Suspects with Felony Warrants Shot Commercial Entertainment Ordinance Provo Mayor Announces Appointment of Interim Provo Mayor Urges Caution, Preparedness Plan for the Enhancement of Zoning Enforcement Mayor Billings to Sign Sister City Agreement in Meissen, Germany |
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Press Release |
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PROVO, UT Feed America Thursday, a new, nationwide effort to help hungry and homeless people, will be launched Thursday, November 7, in Provo. Feed America Thursday is a program where all Americans are asked to skip two meals on the Thursday before Thanksgiving and donate the money they would have spent on food to a group or organization that provides meals and assistance to homeless people and others in need. The event will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Food & Care Coalition of Utah Valley, located at 60 North 300 West in Provo. The idea for Feed America Thursday began with Dr. David Perry, a Provo resident, who felt that Americans needed do more to help those in need. His plan is to encourage all Americans to skip two meals on the Thursday before Thanksgiving and donate the money they would have spent on food to organizations, churches or groups that provide assistance to families and individuals in need. Several organizations have united to support this humanitarian proposal. Recently the United States Senate adopted a bipartisan resolution, sponsored by Senator Orrin Hatch (R) Utah and Senator Harry Reid (D) Nevada, that urged support for Feed America Thursday. Utah Governor Mike Leavitt has also declared a "Feed America Day" in Utah and as a result, Provo Mayor Lewis K. Billings will officially declare November 21, 2002 as "Feed America Day" in Provo. Mayor Billings has sent letters to over 1,400 Mayors in Utah and throughout the United States asking them to support Feed America Thursday. Local agencies that help families in need and the homeless are actively supporting Feed America Thursday. "As time passes, Feed America Thursday can be a great way to help the homeless," said Brent Crane, Director of the Food & Care Coalition of Utah Valley. Myla Dutton, Executive Director of Community Action, which includes the Timpanogos Regional Food Bank, noted that "the needs of the working poor in Utah County are very great, especially at this time of year." She said that every dollar donated to a regional food bank generates 17 lbs. of food. "A lot of people may not realize that their friends and neighbors are in need," Dutton concluded. Last year more than 97,759 meals were served by the Food & Care Coalition of Utah Valley. The Timpanogos Regional Food Bank provided enough food to families and individuals to make a million meals. "We’re anxious for people in Provo and around the nation to learn more about Feed America Thursday," Mayor Billings said. "During the time of year when we offer Thanksgiving for our blessings, this plan can be a great way to help provide food for those in need," he concluded. (For more information, contact Michael Mower at (801) 852-6103 or (801) 319-4708.) |
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Provo Police to Enforce Parking Restrictions During B.Y.U. Football Games |
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Provo, Utah Provo City Police will begin actively monitoring for parking violations on streets near LaVell Edwards Stadium during Brigham Young University home football games and other special events held there. However, motorists will now be able to legally park in areas near the Stadium that have been posted as "No Parking" zones in the past. These include:
The "No Parking" signs that are posted along these streets will be covered up a few hours before and during the game and motorists will be allowed to park there. Except for special events when the "No Parking" signs are covered up by the Provo City Police Department, these areas will remain closed to parking. "In short, if the sign says "No Parking," it means no parking," said Provo Chief Craig Geslison. "Unless the "No Parking" sign has been covered up by the Police Department, it is still in effect. Also, if you park in an area closed by a barricade, you will receive a ticket," he added. In addition to "No Parking" signs, barricades will be placed defining areas where motorists cannot park. These include areas close to turning lanes, narrowed painted shoulders and where parking would impede pedestrian safety or the safe flow of traffic. Some areas will still remain closed to parking. For example, the University Avenue south of 1990 North will remain closed due to the need to park UTA busses along them during the game and also because of the heavy pedestrian traffic in this part of the University Avenue area before and after the game. "The safety of pedestrians and motorists is our first concern, followed by facilitating a smooth and safe flow of traffic before and after the games," said Provo Mayor Lewis K. Billings. In the past, parking enforcement in this area during B.Y.U. football games and other special events has been somewhat sporadic. However, parking problems in the area adjacent to LaVell Edwards Stadiums have intensified over the past few years, in part due to the increased number of games played on week nights as well as a growing number of motorists who parked in areas designated as "No Parking" zones. Provo Police will increase parking enforcement near the Stadium beginning with the game against the University of Nevada at Las Vegas this Saturday. Courtesy notices will be given to motorists who do not follow parking restrictions. However, parking tickets will be issued to motorists with obvious and flagrant violations. In the future, the Provo Police Department will no longer issue courtesy notices and parking violators will receive tickets. Mayor Billings added, "We are glad to welcome visitors to Provo. Our goal with increased enforcement is to make certain visitors are safe and that traffic flows smoothly and in a timely manner." (For more information contact Michael Mower at |
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MAYOR BILLINGS NAMES NEW DEPARTMENT HEADS AND CHIEFS September 30, 2002 PROVO, UTAH - Provo Mayor Lewis K. Billings announced today the appointment of J. Craig Geslison as Provo City Police Chief, Coy D. Porter as Provo City Fire Chief, Gary A. McGinn as the Director of Community Development, and Dr. Robert J. Ridge as Director of Provo's Information Services Department. "All of these new leaders are experienced, capable and talented," Mayor Billings said. "We are very fortunate to be able to add them to the Provo City Administrative team," he added. Mayor Billings will formally present these names to the Municipal Council during the Council's October 1 meeting. Provo Police Chief Craig Geslison, Provo Fire Chief Coy Porter and Gary McGinn have been serving as interim department heads in their respective departments. Dr. Robert Ridge has been president of a communications consulting firm based in Colorado. They will formally assume their new assignments upon council ratification of their respective appointments. Chief Craig Geslison is a 24-year veteran of the Provo Police Department. He was hired in April of 1978. Chief Geslison served four years as a patrolman and then spent two years as the Provo Police Department's first full-time Crime Prevention and Community Relations officer. Chief Geslison was promoted to Sergeant in 1984 where he served in detectives, patrol and dispatch divisions. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1988, where he served as a watch commander, and was appointed a Captain in 1994. Geslison became Provo's first Assistant Chief of Police in 1997 and was directly responsible for Support Services, the Patrol Division and had oversight of the Police Department's budget. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Provo Fire Chief Coy Porter, like Provo Police Chief Geslison, has risen through the ranks of his department. A Provo native, Chief Porter was hired as a Provo City Firefighter in 1977. He has served as a Firefighter, EMT, Paramedic, Captain, Battalion Chief, and Deputy Chief. Chief Porter graduated as a National Fire Academy (NFA) Executive Fire Officer in 1998 and has completed 23 NFA Courses. Among many other duties and responsibilities, Chief Porter served as the Fire Commander of the Peaks Ice Arena during the 2002 Winter Games. Gary McGinn, new Director of Provo City Community Development, served as a Provo Assistant City Attorney specializing in land use and planning, construction and property law before his appointment as that department's Interim Director. McGinn received a B.A. from Brigham Young University and a juris doctorate degree from the University of Houston Law Center. He is a member of the Utah and Texas Bar Associations. He was hired by the Provo City Attorney's Office in 1994 after having worked for the Utah County Public Defenders Association and as a law clerk for 4th District Court Judge Boyd Park. Dr. Robert Ridge is Provo's new Information Systems Department Director. Dr. Ridge has most recently served as the President of Physitech Corporation, a consulting firm specializing in computers and telecommunications technology. He also has been a consultant to Provo on the City's telecommunications project. Dr. Ridge was raised in Provo and received a B.S. in Physics from Brigham Young University and a Masters and PhD. in Physics from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). A reception to welcome the new department leaders will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2002 between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at Provo City Hall. The public is welcome. (For more information about this press release or for photos of the new directors, please contact Michael Mower at 852-6103 or 319-4708.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Provo City Press Release |
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Commercial Entertainment Ordinance Provo City Press Release PROVO, UTAH: Provo Mayor Lewis K. Billings has announced the appointment of Deputy Fire Chief Coy Porter as Interim Fire Chief and Assistant Police Chief Craig Geslison as interim Chief of Police for the City of Provo. The appointments will become effective later this Summer, upon the departure of Fire Chief Scott Alvord and Police Chief Greg Cooper, who recently announced their intention to leave Provo City to pursue other opportunities. PROVO CITY PRESS RELEASE DATE OF RELEASE: Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001 PROVO, Utah - Provo Mayor Lewis K. Billings urged that citizens “remain calm but be cautious” in light of the several attacks of domestic terrorism this morning, including the devastating collapse of the twin World Trade Center Towers in New York City. “As a City we do not have reason to believe we would be a target at this time of any terrorist,” the Mayor noted, “however it is imperative that we be extra-cautious and always prepared any time there is any possibility of harm to any citizen.” Mayor Billings has ordered all Provo City Department heads to review their security measures. Provo Police Chief Greg Cooper is coordinating police department contacts with building security, schools and businesses in Provo. Again, while there have been no reported of threats in Provo, all due caution is being taken by Provo City emergency personnel. |
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ADMINISTRATION’S PROPOSED PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF ZONING ENFORCEMENT IN PROVO CITY January 2001 |
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Based on discussion and comment from those who participated in the Provo City Enforcement Summit, held on November 3, 2000, the Administration has carefully evaluated and reviewed the current practices and guidelines relating to Zoning Enforcement, and now proposes the following enhancements to that process. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staffing and Administration
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Additional Enforcement Officers - We proposed the immediate hiring of two new Code Enforcement Officers. This would bring the total number of enforcement personnel to 8, including supervisory officers Officer Specialization - Upon the hire of the new officers, we propose to create specialization’s within the Code Enforcement Officer Division. The areas of specialization would be as follows:
Pioneer Neighborhoods - In conjunction with the Municipal Council’s desire to make a significant difference in the Pioneer Neighborhoods and given the large number of issues present in these neighborhoods, we propose to assign one Enforcement Officer exclusively to these neighborhoods. The responsibilities of this position will be in addition to the other enforcement activity that will occur in these neighborhoods, provided by other enforcement personnel. |
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Training - The tasks we ask our enforcement personnel to perform are difficult and challenging. There is a clear need for ongoing, regular training for all enforcement personnel. Such training will be planned and coordinated under the direction of the Zoning Administrator and the Director of Community Development. The topics for ongoing training will include: Dealing with Difficult People, Customer Service Skills, General Diversity Training, Small Claim Court Procedures, Mechanics of Establishing a Legal Case, Preparing to be an Expert Witness, etc. Automation of Critical Records - Provo City Information Services personnel have created a new computer data base wherein we are entering all building permits and other related case file data we have on file, in paper form, from 1950 1986 (all records since 1987 are automated). It is estimated that this project will require 3 to 6 months to complete. Once complete, zoning personnel will be able to search all city records with greater efficiency and accuracy. Resident Awareness and Education Provo Resident Welcome and Information Guide - We want to welcome people into our community and to inform new and existing residents as to the key resources and responsibilities they have as residents here. We are preparing an Information Guide to be mailed to every utility customer in Provo, explaining the basic laws of the City in terms of common code compliance, including occupancy, prohibition on outside storage of junk and debris, issues like not sweeping leaves into storm drains, where to call if you have questions or want more information, etc. Educate, Educate, Educate - Through the use of the monthly Update newsletter, newspaper articles, presentations in neighborhoods and Municipal Council meetings, we need to reinforce the expectation that zoning laws are to be complied with and obeyed and that City Officials are committed to the effective and uniform enforcement of the same. Partnerships - We propose to work in cooperation with local Realtors, Home Builders, Mortgage Lenders, Property Management Associations and Neighborhood Chairs so as to broaden our outreach, which is intended to inform all Provo residents and prospective residents, regarding zoning laws in Provo and our commitment to uniform enforcement. Fines and Penalties Remove Cap on Fines - The current fine for a Notice of Violation that is not corrected in 20 days, is $30 per day per violation, up to a minimum of $600 per violation. The Administration proposes that the cap now be removed and that the fine be allowed to accrue until the owner proves that he/she is in compliance. (Title 17). Attorney Fees - Currently the Ordinance has no provisions allowing the City to recoup attorney fees. The Administration proposes that the Ordinance be amended to provide that a violating owner pay attorney fees plus any costs associated with collection of fines (also Title 17). Fines for Second Offenders - Currently, a repeat offender at the same address is assessed the same fine as a party committing a first offense. The Administration proposes that the ordinance be amended whereas fines would double for repeat violators at the same address, thus the fine would be $60 per day per violation (also Title 17). Authority to Subpoena - Currently, when a property owner in violation refuses to do anything, the City does not have the authority to compel that individual to appear before the Administrative Hearing Officer. The Administration recommends that such authority be given by ordinance, thus providing greater ability to deal with difficult cases, where violators are repeatedly not cooperative. Reports and Feedback Feedback to Reporting Parties - In the near term, our system will continue to be a complaint based system. We feel it is important that we appropriately respond to all complaints/reports in the most timely manner possible. The Zoning Administrator will establish a method whereby the reporting party will receive a brief written response from the Zoning Enforcement Official responsible to investigate their report/complaint. Monthly Reports - The Administration will prepare and present a simple one page Monthly Enforcement Report to members of the Municipal Council. The Administration recommends that Municipal Council schedule 10-15 minutes monthly, in one of their public meetings, to receive a verbal report from the Zoning Administrator. Such reports could focus on some of the more difficult cases, greater successes, and would generally serve to heighten community awareness of enforcement and zoning issues. Review and Followup - The Administration recommends that all of the above be fully implemented without delay. We also recommend that the Municipal Council and Mayor set aside time during the month of July 2001, to review the resulting progress and status, and then to discuss further actions that should be implemented |
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MAYOR BILLINGS TO SIGN SISTER CITY AGREEMENT IN MEISSEN GERMANY |
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Provo, Utah - Mayor Lewis K. Billings, Representative of B.Y.U., Utah State Economic Development Department, and a delegation from Provo, will be traveling to Meissen, Germany in July 2001 for the signing of a Sister City agreement between the two cities. With the assistance and support of the descendants of Karl G. Maeser, Provo City and Meissen City Saxony, Germany have been discussing the established of a Sister City relationship since the Fall of 1998. Meissen, Germany is the birthplace of Karl G. Maeser, and the Maeser family has been instrumental in developing a relationship with the officials of the City of Meissen. The Maeser family obtained the funding and commissioned a reproduction of the Karl G. Maeser statue that is on the Brigham Young University campus. The statue will be dedicated in Meissen at the time of the formal signing of the Sister City agreement. A delegation of Meissen City officials, business leaders and members of the Maeser family residing in Germany will travel to Provo in July to attend the Freedom Festival. The Meissen delegation will participate in several Festival events as well as a signing ceremony for the Sister City agreement. The formal signing will occur on the 4th of July at the Academy Library. At the invitation of the Mayor of Meissen City, Mayor Billings, Utah State Economic Development Representatives and a delegation of government, business, and education leaders will travel to Meissen. There will be opportunities to meet with counterparts in Meissen and promotes Provo in a “Doing Business With Utah” forum scheduled on Thursday, July 12, 2001. There will also be a series of events to formalize the Sister City relationship. Mayor Billings stated “We look forward to establishing a strong relationship in Meissen that will benefit residents of both cities”. He added, “We appreciate the work of Provo’s Maeser family in helping to make this Sister City relationship possible”. While in Meissen, the City of Meissen will provide hotel accommodations and meals for Mayor Billings. The Mayor, as well as the invited delegation (business and community leaders), will be paying all other expenses. For further information regarding this media advisory, please contact
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Provo City Mayor’s Office
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