Provo City

2004 State of the City


 

Provo City
Administrative Report

For the Twelve Month Period
Ending December 31, 2004

 Provo City Administrative Team
 Lewis K. Billings, Mayor
 Wayne Parker, Chief Administrative Officer


Merril Bingham, Public Works Director
John Borget, Finance Director
Craig Geslison, Police Chief
Leland Gamette, Econ. Development Director
Kevin Garlick, Energy Director
Coy Porter, Fire Chief
Eric Mausser, Human Resources Director
Gene Nelson, Library Director
Gary McGinn, Com. Development Director
Robert Ridge, Information Systems Director
Roger Thomas, Parks and Recreation Director
Robert West, City Attorney

Presented by Mayor Lewis K. Billings
In conjunction with the State of the City Report
January 11, 2005

State of the City Report
 City of Provo, Utah
 Presented by Mayor Lewis K. Billings
 January 11, 2005

 Partial List of Accomplishments for 2004
 by Department and/or Division

 

Community Development:

  • Update of General Plan A major update and revision of the City’s General Plan was completed.
  • Implementation of "One Stop" Review Process  An improved "One Stop" services approach was implemented to enhance development review and streamline processes. An engineer was hired to assist with the "One Stop" development process.
  • Receipt of Quality Growth Community Designation  Provo City was designated as a Quality Growth Community by the Governor of Utah.
  • Improvement of Case File Program Significant improvements were made to the Case File computer program.  It is now easier to operate and contains more usable information.
  • Implementation of CrossTraining Program  A cross training program for building inspectors was developed and initiated.
  • Institution of Weekly Project Review and Division Meetings A weekly project plan review meeting and weekly division meetings were established to improve communication and ensure staff members are informed.
  • Activity of Board of Adjustment  Approximately 18 appeals were taken to the Board of Adjustment for review.
  • Processing of Residential Dwelling Licenses  Approximately 1,256 Residential Dwelling Licenses were processed during the year.
  • Conduction of Building Inspections Over 8,100 building inspections were performed.
  • Processing of Commercial Project Plans More than 70 commercial project plans were accepted and processed.
  • Review of Zoning Enforcement Cases Over 1,100 zoning enforcement cases were reviewed.
  • Issuance of Building Permits and Zone Verifications  More than 700 building permits and approximately 305 zone verifications were issued.
  • Handling of Rezonings  14 rezonings were handled.
  • Processing of Annexations  Two annexations were processed.

 

Economic Development & Redevelopment:

  • Initiation of Construction at Ironton  All necessary easements were secured by negotiation and a $4 million project to build South Mountain Vista Parkway at Ironton, including all utilities in the road, began.
  • Implementation of Leinberger Initiative/Downtown Visioning Chris Leinberger’s Provo talks on DVD were distributed to downtown stakeholders, forming the basis for a downtown strategic planning process in 2005.
  • Status of Wells Fargo Center Construction  Construction of the new Wells Fargo building is approaching completion with occupancy expected in March of 2005.   Included with the building is a 500 car parking garage to help address the parking needs in the area.
  • Creation of RDA #8 Downtown  A new one block redevelopment area was started, extending from 100 North to 200 North and University Avenue to 100 East.     
  • Expansion of Novatek Plant Facility  A major 78,000 sq. ft. expansion of the plant facility was initiated by Novatek, a firm in Ironton. This facility will manufacture "smart pipe technology" used in drilling operations.  At full buildout, the facility will add several hundred new jobs to the community.
  • Preparation of Funding Package for Cultural Arts Facility  In coordination with the Finance Department, a tax increment funding package was prepared that will bring $2 million to the construction of a new cultural arts facility at the former Provo City Library, 425 West Center.
  • Designation of Loans for Maeser School Redevelopment Approximately $500,000 in loans from federal grants was allocated to the Provo City Housing Authority for the redevelopment of Maeser School to provide 32 dwellings for the elderly.  Funds were also provided to assist with the development of 12 new owner occupied homes on the Maeser School block.
  • Initiation of Convention Center Feasibility Study  A consultant was hired to study the feasibility of a convention center and hotel facility in downtown Provo.  The study will be jointly funded by Provo City and Utah County and should be completed by June.  
  • Status of Home Ownership in the Pioneer Neighborhoods
  • a. Three additional homes were purchased, six rehabilitated or enlarged, and five sold or placed under contract to new homeowners.
  • b. Approximately 34 home buyers were assisted with 80/20 loans and a higher leveraged equity sharing loan program was initiated.
  • c. An extensive neighborhood involvement process was carried out for redevelopment of 405 South 400 West as new owner occupied housing.
  • d. Five loans for house purchase/rehabilitation and for the acquisition of sites for new housing development were received.
  • Relocation of Kuhni Rendering Plant  The Kuhni Rendering Plant in Provo was closed and a new facility began operations at the Mills exit just south of Nephi. This will benefit the entire East Bay Business Park and surrounding neighborhoods.
  • Addition to East Bay Business Center A new area will be added to the East Bay Business Center; the property next to the former Kuhni plant will become part of the business park and be sold and developed for business purposes.
  • Implementation of Business Growth Recommendations  A business incubator committee was formed and established a series of recommendations which are currently being implemented to facilitate business growth and job creation in Provo.
  • Purchase of Wells Fargo Building The Wells Fargo building at 302 West Center was purchased as part of a major redevelopment of the block just north of the City Center block.   A planning process has begun to evaluate the possible redevelopment options.
  • Addition of Parking in Center of Street  Parking stripes were painted in the center of the street from 100 East to 200 East.  This will provide additional parking spaces in the downtown area.
  • Leveraging of Funding Opportunities 
  • a. An Equity Sharing Program was implemented with Neighborhood Housing Services which offers homeownership financing.
  • b. The Pioneer Neighborhood Economic Development Initiative grant worth $994,100 was received.                    
  • c. Distressed HUD homes at 50% of their appraised value were purchased.
  • d. Approximately $525,000 in federal affordable housing grants through the Bank of Seattle was received for the Provo Housing Authority, NHS, RHDC, and RDA for the Maeser project and others.  
  • e. Approximately $155,000 in HUD American Dream down payment loans was obtained. 
  • f. Rural Housing Development Corporation’s Urban Self Help Program was discovered and is being implemented. This program allows moderate income buyers to invest sweat equity in the construction of new homes, thereby reducing the  purchase price significantly.
  • Status of Riverwoods Stabilization Project Efforts were undertaken to strengthen the tenant mix at the Shops at Riverwoods and offset the incentives given to relocate existing businesses to other communities.
  • Renegotiation of Parking Structure Lease The lease with the new owners of the Provo Town Square was renegotiated to improve utilization of the parking structure. 
  • Revision of Downtown Facade Program  The downtown facade program was updated to increase funding to $10,000 per building and offer matching grants instead of matching loans.
  • Creation of Novatek Development Agreement  An agreement with Novatek was negotiated that will establish a railroad crossing from Larson Parkway to Ironton Boulevard, enhancing circulation for Larson Parkway business.
  • Authorization of Downtown Business Improvement District  In association with the Downtown Alliance, the renewal of the Alliance’s assessment funding was secured for another three year term.
  • Study of 100 South Design Corridor A citizen based study committee was formed to evaluate what could be done to improve the look, feel, and function of 100 South from 500 West to 100 East. A landscape architect was hired and alternative plans were prepared. The funding of the proposal and alternative designs are now being considered. 
  • Allocation of Social Services CDBG Grants  In partnership with the CDBG Citizen Committee, over $300,000 was distributed to 18 organizations and programs, serving needs ranging from drug abuse counseling, to literacy, to shelter for battered women.
  • Efforts to Preserve Historic Landmarks In association with the Landmarks Committee, work began on a new program to assist in preserving Provo’s historic landmarks.
  • Continued Efforts of Business Development Corporation  Loans and business management assistance continued to be offered to young companies, creating new jobs in Provo.

 

Energy:

  • Maintenance of Existing/Competitive Rates in 2004  Rates continued to be offered at their current levels for the 16th consecutive year with retail rates maintained at below average levels in the state, while customer service marks and reliability remained high.
  • Achievement of Excellent Safety Record Over one million hours of nolosttime accidents in the work place were reached by the department.
  • Attainment of Superior Customer Service Ratings  Outstanding customer service ratings were reported in customer surveys for the utility billing division.  Extra efforts in training were made throughout the year.
  • High Reliability of Service  Unplanned outages were reduced in 2004 with an average reliability index of 99.99%. Only 11 tree related outages occurred during the year.
  • Planning of Power Supply with UMPA The next source of power to provide continued stability in wholesale power supply costs is being studied by UMPA. Nearly $5 million has been set aside in the rate stabilization fund.
  • Issuance of Bonds for Telecom Network Project  Approximately $39.5 million dollars in bonds to fund the telecom network project were issued with a favorable rating and interest rate.
  • Awarding of Telecom Contracts                                                               
  • a. A design and build contract for $15 million was awarded to the Atlantic Engineering Group.  Construction began in July, and the first customer in the new area was hooked up in November.                       
  • b. The contract for the network equipment for the telecom project was awarded to World Wide Packets after conducting a national search and procurement of the best in class.                                                       
  • c. The contract for leasing the network to a third party telecom content provider was awarded to HomeNet. After conducting a RFP for these services, HomeNet was selected based on their experience and ability to perform.  Triple play (voice, data, and video) retail services were launched in the Grandview area on December 1.                                   
  • d. A contract with Utopia for headend services was approved during the year.
  • Construction of Network Operation Center A new building to house the telecom operation was built in 2004. This building is for headend equipment, a 24 hour network operation center, studio, and offices.
  • Installation of Telecom Satellite Dish Farm  A new satellite dish farm was installed near Slate Canyon and signals were transmitted to the headend equipment in the Network Operation Center. The headend equipment is up and operating with state-of-the-art internet protocol (all digital) content programming with 200+ channels.
  • Implementation of Online Bill Pay  The department successfully completed the utility online bill pay, which was implemented January 1, 2005.  Online bill pay will allow customers to view and pay their bills for current and previous months. Payments will be posted directly to utility accounts within 24 hours.
  • Increase in Help Line/Call Center Activity Since July 2002, when the call center was instituted, a call volume increase of over 57% has been successfully handled.  From 2002 to 2003, calls increased by 37%; from 2003 to 2004, they increased an additional 20%.
  • Addition of Customers in 2004  Approximately 617 new customers (109 commercial and 508 residential) were added during the year.
  • Implementation of a New Geographic Information System  GIS mapping software was purchased and installed on a new City server. The 4DataLink software was chosen to facilitate other City GIS data accessibility through an Oracle database.  The system will be used to create work orders, model the power grid, and perform queries on system data.
  • Upgrade of Downtown Underground Vaults The underground vaults in the downtown area were upgraded with new relays and switch gear allowing lineman to switch feeds without entering the vaults.  A new feed was also installed in the downtown area improving the reliability and switching capabilities.
  • Conversion of Overhead to Underground Power Lines  The overhead power lines feeding the block from University to 100 East and Center Street to 100 North were converted to underground. A new feed from the east was also brought into the block allowing loop feed capabilities, improving reliability in the downtown area.
  • Relocation of Carterville Road Distribution Line A new 600amp distribution line was built on Carterville Road to allow widening of the road.  This will also provide a fourth feedout of the Plumtree Substation, improving reliability in the area.
  • Engineering of iProvo Telecom Make-ready Jobs  Approximately 80 overhead and underground jobs were engineered for make-ready work.  These jobs will allow the iProvo fiber installation buildout. Telecom attachment specifications and requirements were established for all new requests.  These requirements conform to the National Electric Safety Code.
  • Improvement of Meter Reader Training Program With the high turnover in part-time meter readers, new written instructions and improved testing programs were developed to maintain the quality and efficiency of the reads.  The cost per read is now $0.22 and accuracy is over 99%, a significant improvement over the past five years. Dog attacks continue to be a challenge and more remote read meters are being installed.
  • Receipt of Forestry Awards The "Tree City USA" designation was awarded to Provo City for the 20th year. Provo was one of only 16 communities nationwide to receive this honor.  The "Tree Line USA Utility" designation was also granted, marking the 8th year for receipt of the award.  Provo was one of only two communities in the state to achieve this honor.  Only 50 communities nationwide met the qualifications to receive these designations.
  • Pruning of Power Line Trees  Over 8,900 trees conflicting with the power system were pruned, exceeding the division’s annual goal.
  • Planting of Community Trees  Approximately 1,920 trees throughout the city were planted and another 520 provided to homeowners to reduce energy consumption and cooling costs. Arbor Day was celebrated with the planting of 53 twenty inch caliper trees by 350 volunteers, and seven neighborhood/Eagle projects were sponsored, planting 219 two-inch caliper trees involving 475 volunteers.
  • Change in Street Light Maintenance The efficiency of street light maintenance was studied and determined to be handled more cost effectively in-house.  A street light technician position was created, and new street light installation contracted.

 

Finance:

  • Review of Taxation and Revenue Policies  Local government taxation and revenue policies were reviewed with the Utah League of Cities and Towns’ "Tax Team."
  • Implementation of Travel Policy  A travel policy was created and implemented which enhances controls and provides the structure to save travel dollars in the future. In drafting the policy, other municipalities’ and private organizations’ policies were evaluated and Utah State travel guidelines incorporated where appropriate.
  • Creation of Investment Policy  An investment policy was created and implemented to help ensure that invested City funds will have a high degree of safety and liquidity as well as a competitive yield, while still meeting daily cash flow demands.
  • Improvement of Beer Licensing Process  An improved beer handlers licensing process was implemented in a countywide effort to reduce teenage alcohol consumption.
  • Initiation of New Management Agreement at East Bay Golf Course With the responsibility for golf course maintenance returning to the City, a new management agreement was entered into with the Head Professional at the Reserve to ensure his continued promotion of the course’s use.
  • Revision of Business License Fee Structure The cost to administer business licenses was reviewed and a comparison of the fee structure and rates of other cities was made.  The business license fee structure was then amended and fees were increased based on the results.
  • Enhancement of Online Systems  The online business license renewal system, rental dwelling license application process, and parking ticket appeals system were enhanced.  Citizens can now perform these procedures at a kiosk located near the Treasury counter without waiting in line or completing additional paper work.
  • Conduction of Cash Handling Training Cash handling training for key City personnel was held to ensure that cash is being adequately safeguarded.
  • Certification from the Government Finance Officer’s Association  Certification from the GFOA was awarded for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2003, the twelfth consecutive year this prestigious recognition has been received.

 

Fire & Rescue:

  • Acquisition of Airport Rescue Fire Fighting Vehicle  An upgraded ARFF vehicle was acquired for use at the Provo Airport.
  • Creation of Emergency Guidebooks for Schools A guidebook with "decision trees" for first aid and other emergency uses for elementary schools was created.
  • Update of Standard Operating Procedures  The Standard Operating Procedures were updated and are now available online.  This will be an ongoing, dynamic set of paperless documents.
  • Implementation of Electronic Inventory Control Electronic EMS inventory control was completed which handles materials received from outside vendors; including, current stock, reordering, use, and patient billing activities.  In addition, requirements were completed to obtain a State of Utah narcotics handler license.
  • Presentation of Risk Watch Program The Risk Watch Program as a ""Train theTrainer" was conducted in elementary schools. Amelia Earhart Elementary was the first school to receive the training.
  • Development of Physical Fitness Programs Programs to improve physical fitness levels were developed by in-house peer fitness trainers.
  • Completion of Confined Space Awareness Course  A Confined Space Awareness course was completed along with police members of the Mountain Rescue team and assisted with several Utah County search and rescue callouts.
  • Installation of Cameras  Thermal imaging cameras were placed on all front line fire apparatuses.
  • Identification as Regional Response Team Fire & Rescue’s role as a Regional Response Team in region two according to the state plan was established.
  • Completion of Multiple Employee Training/Certification Classes        
  • a. Certification through UVSC as Candidate Physical Ability Testing facilitators was received by members in the department.                     
  • b. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) recertification for all paramedics was completed.                                                                     
  • c. Pediatric Education for Pre Hospital Professionals (PEPP) training for all members was provided.                                                                     
  • d. "Medic Monthly" interactive training was implemented by Fire & Rescue.                                                                                                       
  • e. Fire Recertification through the Utah Fire & Rescue Academy was accomplished.                                                                                             
  • f. Nine members of Fire & Rescue were certified to perform Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF).                                                                  
  • g. Live fire training for each crew (10 four-hour sessions), Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) awareness, and operations training for all members were completed.                                                                       
  • h. Training was provided in the areas of Emergency Vehicle Operations, Questar Gas, Back Injury Prevention, and Wildland Safety & Tactics.                                                                                                      
  • I. Life flight landing zone and helicopter safety training for all members was completed.                                                                                              
  • j. self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) fit testing and refresher course for all members was given.

 

Human Resources:

  • Preservation of Employee Medical Benefit Plan  Faced with a significant rate increase, budget objectives for medical insurance were met and plan benefits preserved by moving to a self funded employee health plan for the new year.
  • Reduction of Overall Non medical Insurance Benefit and Administration Costs  Dental insurance costs were reduced with a two-year rate guarantee, while coverage remained the same via a change to Metlife. Basic Life costs increased slightly, but all other life products remained unchanged with a two-year rate guarantee.  The Long Term Disability plan was renewed with a decrease and a two-year rate guarantee.  Administration costs for the Flexible Spending Account, Health Reimbursement Arrangement, and Benny Card were reduced.
  • Introduction of New Disease Management and Wellness Coaching Program  The Apple Program was introduced which coaches employees with chronic illnesses and general health concerns to improve their health and, in turn, reduce medical claim costs for themselves and the City.
  • Increase in Wellness Program Participation Two health screenings were conducted and several "brown bag" presentations made with one of the highest participation levels ever.  Weight Watcher classes were offered, resulting in an average loss of 200 pounds per class. An onsite fitness trainer was provided twice per month (heavily booked) to establish fitness programs for employees.
  • Establishment of 100% Direct Payroll Deposit All employees were placed on payroll direct deposit, eliminating check printing, lost productivity for employee bank runs, lost checks, reprints, check handling costs, etc. A number of departments have also moved to electronic check stubs, creating further savings.
  • Conduction of Numerous Recruitments, Hires, and Employment Tests Over 4,500 employment applications were processed and 495 full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees hired.  Testing for entry level Police Officer, Police Sergeant, and Fire Captain was facilitated.
  • Implementation of New Time and Attendance Software A new browser based time and attendance system began implementation, enhancing managers’ and employees’ ability to track and monitor work time information. Employees now have the ability to review all hours, make leave requests, view and print check stubs, and track leave accruals and usages.  This eliminates substantial paper, tracking, and processing costs.  The system is currently "live" in the Human Resources, Information Systems, Library, Economic & Redevelopment, Energy, and Golf Maintenance departments.
  • Realization of Significant Savings on Insurance Plans                           
  • a. A reduced rate was negotiated on property coverage, eliminating the separate earthquake policy and combining it with the property policy which increased the earthquake limit from $35 million to $50 million. Also, the fine arts limit was increased from $25,000 to $250,000 and the outdoor property limit increased from $100,000 to $500,000 at no additional cost.                                                                 
  • b. As a result of negotiation efforts, the City saved $15,084 on the renewal of the boiler policy.                                                                       
  • c. Approximately $23,000 was saved on the proposed renewal for worker’s compensation coverage by negotiating full schedule credit which had been previously denied by the Worker’s Compensation Fund.  Claim costs continue to trend downward with improved employee education, safety, and risk management programs as well as aggressive monitoring of return-to-work procedures.
  • d. Approximately $42,124 were returned to the City following a WCF audit and dividend.  This is largely a result of improved employee safety and return-to-work programs.
  • e. An approximate savings of $70,000 was realized through the Risk Management Committee’s election not to renew the Environmental Liability Insurance policy.  The committee made the decision after risk review discussions with department directors and determination that the associated risk was offset by the policy’s high deductible.
  • f. Negotiations were made with the Employee Assistance Program which resulted in securing a three-year contract at a savings of $8,000 per year.
  • Implementation of Two Market Adjustments Salary adjustments from the previous year's market study for 62 separate classifications were implemented, and additional adjustments made for sworn police officers, firefighters, and electrical positions following the 2004 market analysis.  This will ensure the City remains competitive, discouraging employee turnover and increasing employee morale and productivity.
  • Absorption of Additional Duties  Assignments were shifted and staff members retrained within the department to absorb additional duties resulting from the loss of 1/4 full-time analyst position.
  • Handling of Employee Relation Matters  Numerous sensitive employee and supervisor relation matters were addressed, deaths, disciplinary problems, behavioral counseling, benefit counseling, medical concerns, injuries, morale problems, and others.
  • Success of Blood Drive A Red Cross blood drive was held and the goal of 50 pints achieved.
  • Bike Rodeo   A bike rodeo for the children in the community was organized in assistance with Liberty Mutual Insurance, Parks & Recreation, and the Police Department.
  • Insurance of Telecom Project Proper insurances for the Telecom project were structured and secured.
  • Contributions to United Way  City employees increased their participation in the annual charitable giving campaign by $1,200 to a total of $25,000 this year.  In addition, they donated 1,109 pounds of food (an increase of 482 pounds from last year), and provided three truckloads of blankets, coats, gloves, and sleeping bags.
  • Revision of Personnel Policies and Ordinances  Seven policies were updated and numerous ordinance and policy recommendations made which are currently under administrative review.

 

Information Systems:

  • Installation of Spam Filter  Approximately 99% of junk emails were eliminated by developing and installing a spam filter.
  • Completion of Internet Firewall  A new internet firewall system was installed to help eliminate the possibility of outside computer hackers.
  • Implementation of Online Phone Book  An online phone book for all City employees was developed which includes the ability to print a phone list at any time.
  • Upgrade of Public Safety Radio System  The radio system for police, fire, and dispatch was upgraded.
  • Achievement of Savings on New Enterprise Resource Planning Hardware ERP systems were migrated to new hardware, resulting in a savings of $20,474 in annual maintenance costs.
  • Elimination of Unneeded Phone Lines and Services Unneeded phone lines and services were identified and canceled, resulting in over $26,000 in annual savings.
  • Increase in Capacity of Storage System An additional terabyte of storage was added for City use and the backup system upgraded to accommodate the additional storage.
  • Addition of iProvo Customer Information Support  The ability to support customer information for the iProvo utility was added to the Banner Utility Billing system.
  • Installation of Court Information System A new and more efficient court information system for the Legal Department was developed and installed.
  • Replacement of Outdated Computer Equipment The replacement of old desktop and laptop computer systems was continued in conformance with the Computer Replacement Policy.
  • Assumption of Maintenance of EastBayGolf.com A new web server was created and the hosting of EastBayGolf.com assumed by the City.
  • Creation of Information Systems Governance Committee An information systems governance committee was instituted to enhance communication, coordinate planning, and improve service delivery throughout the City.

 

Legal:

  • Status of Rock Canyon Cases
  • a. In response to a public outcry to preserve this natural resource, prosecution of this case was pursued which brought about a judge’s decree that excavation activities cease in Rock Canyon.  The State of Utah has been actively involved in the prosecution and is demanding restoration of the damaged portion of the mountain.
  • b. An option to buy 50% interest in Rock Canyon where the mining had occurred was negotiated and drafted. Also drafted were the assignment of the option to buy, the conservation easement with Red Slab, the baseline documentation of the easement, and the Council resolutions related to these items. 
  • Formation/Success of Mental Health Court A Mental Health Court was formed and the procedures for the court established. The court provides incentive for defendants with significant mental health issues to comply with counseling recommendations and take prescribed medications, thereby decreasing the potential for further criminal incidents. The Court has been very successful, and the City will continue to actively participate in these cases.
  • Decrease in Claims A decrease in claims from 100125, the average for the past decade, to 88 last year was achieved with downward trends continuing in 2004. This reflects well on preventative law activities as well as efforts of the risk manager, safety officer and safety committee, and employees of Provo City.
  • Progress in Drug Offenses Program  Significant progress was made in misdemeanor drug offenses through the use of the plea in abeyance model (a modified version of drug court).  Through this program, offenders with little or no criminal drug history are required to obtain mandatory evaluation, counseling, and drug testing, and remain drug free during their probation. This has been an effective deterrent for those involved.
  • Participation in Utah Lake Project The Utah Lake renovation project was initiated under the guidance of Mayor Billings.  The necessary background information was prepared, and the City is actively involved in seeing the project move forward.
  • Renovation of Lover’ s Lane  Activities were implemented to develop Lover’s Lane into an enjoyable recreational trail. The majority of the owners along the lane were met with and the necessary easements and rights of way verified.
  • Creation of Informative Letters for Defendants Informative letters were developed and provided to defendants as they appear in court to assist them in complying with court orders.  These included how to deal with a no insurance citation, information about the United Way, and available assistance services.
  • Receipt of Quality Growth Commission Funds Suggested revisions/additions to the City’s application for monies from the Quality Growth Commission’s LeRay McAllister Fund were made, resulting in the receipt of $160,000.
  • Proposal of Legislation Regarding Communication Harassment   A legislative change regarding communication harassment was proposed to address a problem presented in a report sent to the City for prosecution. A bill to enact the change as well as cover other types of harassing communications; i.e., faxes, text messages, emails, etc., is now proposed for the 2005 legislative session.
  • Success of Domestic Violence Court Session Continuing progress is being made in the prosecution of domestic violence cases by processing the cases through the domestic violence court session.  This session brings together prosecutors, victims assistants, victims (who choose to attend court), and DCFS workers as cases are handled by the judge.
  • Legislation for Traffic School Needed input was given on legislation in this year’s session which resulted in the continuation of traffic school as an option for resolving citations.
  • Continuation of Connector Road Appeal  The pursuit for the new connector road between University Avenue and Canyon Road was continued. After losing the Supreme Court appeal, the county stepped forward and condemned the property.  A bill was drafted for the next legislative session that will reinstate the authority of cities to condemn property for transportation purposes, including roads.
  • Simplification of Traffic Ticket Process A more "userfriendly" approach to traffic arraignments was developed which allows an individual to have both an arraignment and pretrial at one time, resolving the ticket by coming once to court rather than multiple times.
  • Prosecution of Public Disorder Cases Several high profile public disorder cases were prosecuted, resulting in the conviction of defendants.  In one of the cases, the defendant spent time in jail, is undergoing counseling, and has ceased the offensive conduct.
  • Renegotiation of Indigent Defense Contracts  The indigent defense contracts were renegotiated which will lower the City’s costs per case.

 

Library:

  • Introduction of Literacy Program A literacy program is being presented locally, regionally, and nationally. The American Library Association requested that the Library produce a film introducing major emergent literacy concepts.  The local and regional outreach program was refined and presented to numerous groups.  Already successful storytelling programs were revised to integrate the emergent literacy concepts.
  • Number of Items Circulated Approximately 1,300,000 items were circulated through the Library.
  • Improvement of Website The image and content of the Library’s website were enhanced.
  • Increase in Efforts/Activity of Hispanic Outreach Program
  • a. Print and nonprint Spanish collections were increased.
  • b. Additional Spanish programs were implemented; including, book clubs, talk time, and computer classes.
  • c. The Feliz Navidad program was a success with approximately 1,500 in attendance.
  • Revenue Generated through Hosting of Meetings  Approximately 1,345 public and private meetings were facilitated, resulting in a revenue of $118,000.
  • Increase in Library Collection Items Approximately 35,000 items were added to the Library’s collection.
  • Upgrade of Servers and Software  The servers and software were upgraded to more cost efficient systems.
  • Service of Division Manager on Committee Carla Morris, Children’s Services Manager, served on the 2004 Randolph Caldecott Committee for the American Library Association.
  • Presentation of Children’s Programs  Over 350 children’s programs were offered with 68,504 in attendance.
  • Activity in Public Computer Use  Patrons used the Library computer system 150,000 times during the year.
  • Addition of Book Clubs Multiple children and adult book clubs were added and book club sets increased.
  • Success of Summer Reading Program  Approximately 5,087 children, adults, and teens were in attendance.
  • Installation of Computer Protection Software Software and hardware were installed on staff and patron email programs to reduce spamming and virus activity.
  • Increase in Teen Program Activity  Teen programs increased during Teen Read Week via reading games and activities.
  • Review of Children’ s Staff  The Library’s Children Staff reviewed for national review sources, School Library Journal and Children’s Literature.
  • Establishment of Governor Olene Walker Children’s Collection A special children’s collection was created in honor of Governor Olene Walker and her commitment to children’s literacy.
  • Reestablishment of Committee The Friends of the Provo City Library was reestablished.
  • Licensing of Security Guards Security guards at the Library were licensed with the State of Utah.
  • Receipt of Governor’ s Literacy Award  The Governor’s Literacy Award was presented to Carla Morris and the Children’s Department.
  • Election of Director to Utah Library Association Library Director, Gene Nelson, was elected as President of the Utah Library Association.
  • Receipt of Grant Monies  The Library received $32,000 in grant funds.

 

Parks & Recreation:

  • Implementation of Provo Senior Games The Parks Department planned, organized, and conducted the first annual Provo Senior Games in coordination with the Provo Foundation.
  • Implementation of Corporate Games Approach   A new corporate games concept was implemented to promote wellness and competition between employees of Provo City and other corporate employees. Net proceeds went towards youth sports program scholarships.
  • Progress on Arts Center Fundraising Effort Several key donations, grants, and funding sources were obtained for the Arts Center project. A brochure with renderings has been printed to help promote the center.
  • Construction of New Splash Pool  The Veterans Memorial Splash Pool design was completed, funding was secured, and construction started with a planned completion date of May 2005.
  • Transfer of Swim Team Management In response to requests from swimmer’s parents, the management of the Provo Aquatic Club competition swim team was transferred from Provo City to a parentrun organization.
  • Purchase of Property for Cemetery  The property west of the cemetery was purchased for future cemetery expansion. Weeds and debris were removed from the site.
  • Transfer of Responsibility for Golf Course Maintenance The Reserve at East Bay Golf Course management agreement with Links Management was dissolved and the maintenance responsibilities for the golf course returned to the Parks Department.  Improved golf course playability was achieved as a result.
  • Installation of Irrigation System at North Park  A new irrigation system was installed, replacing the manual system which has been ineffective for some time. The new system is much more efficient, and the quality of the turf at North Park has increased dramatically.
  • Increase in Activity at The Center   The Center usage rose substantially due to increased participation in gymnastics, tumbling, ceramics, art, guitar, yoga, kickboxing, hunters safety, dance/jazz, break dance and Feng Shui classes, three-on-three basketball tournaments, skate park competitions, the Halloween Carnival, Dart the Turkey, and Winterfest events.  Rentals, other tournaments, sports leagues, Discovery School, and a new skate park also contributed to the increase.
  • Construction of New Facilities New restrooms were constructed at Kiwanis Park and Lions Park. New playgrounds were installed at Canyon Glen Park and Wilderness Park.
  • Reclaiming of Burial Spaces  Approximately 645 cemetery burial spaces were reclaimed with a sales value of $580,000.
  • Efforts in Irrigation Conservation Park crews shifted to secondary irrigation sources where possible and installed another phase of the central irrigation system. Irrigation schedules were adjusted throughout the year to conserve water.  System efficiency audits were performed by the Utah State University Extension Service to identify inefficiencies and make corrections.
  • Pruning of Parks Trees Division productivity objectives were achieved by pruning over 1,600 trees and removing over 1,400 trees and shrubs.
  • Improvement in Aesthetics of Provo Parks Staff training, irrigation improvements, turf fertilization, weed control measures, equipment training, volunteer efforts, and overall improved maintenance techniques were implemented, resulting in great improvements in the appearance of Provo Parks.
  • Completion of Projects at Golf Course  Multiple maintenance projects were completed to increase the quality of the golf course. Fairways #1 and #9 were renovated, dead trees and dead growth within existing trees removed, mosquito problems addressed, fertigation system added to help reduce fertilization costs, fairways over seeded on the front 9, and a "moss control" application instituted on the greens.
  • Hosting of Special Health related Events   Multiple events were cosponsored by the City; including, the Caregiver’s Conference, Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, and the Senior Health Fair.
  • Sponsoring of Arts Council Events  First Fridays Downtown, the Freedom Festival Fine Arts Exhibit, Bluegrass Fiddle Fest, Blue Sky Concert Series, Band Concerts, and Candy Windows were sponsored by the Arts Council.
  • Growth in Youth and Adult Sports Programs  Participation increased in many youth and adult sports programs.  Some examples include: the Women’s Firecracker Softball Tournament (went from 6 to 10 teams), the Track Club (increased from 27 to 72 participants), Mens Flag Football (grew from 24 to 40 teams), and High School Jr. Jazz (increased from 16 teams to 24 teams).
  • Installation of Cemetery Kiosk An information center kiosk was installed at the cemetery for public use.
  • Designation of Additional Burial Plots Probing efforts to identify additional burial spaces were continued, and over 150 new areas were discovered.
  • Completion of Audits on Park Playgrounds Inspections of all city park playgrounds were performed periodically throughout the year. Meetings were held with neighbors living near Bicentennial Park to select an appropriate playground for their younger children.  
  • Development of Action Plan to Address Wilderness Park Safety Issues  Low brush and trees were cleared out of the park to improve visibility, and a lighting plan was designed. 
  • Receipt of Grant to Purchase Trees and Shrubs  A $4,500 grant was awarded by the Utah Community Forest Council and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands.  The grant will be used to purchase native trees and shrubs which will be planted on the hillside directly north of Lions Park.

 

Police:

  • Installation of Laptops in Patrol Vehicles Laptops were installed in all patrol vehicles.
  • Implementation of Internet Predator Task Force A new task force was implemented to recognize and prevent Internet predators.
  • Purchase of New Equipment  A new Bomb Squad robot, trailer, and truck were purchased.
  • Success of New Burglary Bait Car A car was donated by Brent Brown Auto Mall to be used as bait in auto burglaries. It has been very successful and has resulted in several arrests.
  • Restructure of Emergency Management Function The Emergency Management Plan was updated and a new emergency management committee organized to oversee the City Emergency Management Program.
  • Conclusion of High Profile Criminal Cases  Several high profile criminal cases were brought to a successful conclusion apartment burglaries (while occupied), bank robbery arrest, and others.
  • Management of Special Events Successful management of Fourth of July activities and traffic control of BYU football games was achieved.
  • Creation of New Statistical Quarterly Report A new quarterly report using statistical comparisons for partone crimes was implemented resulting in review of information and identifying patterns of crime in a more timely manner.
  • Deployment of New Employee/Supervisor Training Training was completed in the Patrol Division with supervisors and officers to improve communication, increase employee morale, and improve overall performance.
  • Development of New Videos  Two instructional videos to train officers about protective orders and stalking injunctions were produced.

 

Public Works:

Engineering:

  • Completion of Special Improvement District 103 Construction  The construction of Special Improvement District 103 was completed after three years of effort. The project was extremely complicated and involved hundreds of citizens and their individual needs.  It was a significant project in design, coordination, and construction and addressed pedestrian safety as well as the upgrading of many undeveloped areas of town.
  • Status of 920 South Sidewalk and Road Widening Project With major coordination between Provo City and property owners, the street at 920 South was widened between 200 West and 500 West and sidewalks were installed along the north side as well as most of the south side at the request of many neighborhood groups. This will assist in handling increased traffic volumes from the Provo Towne Centre Mall and other large growth areas of the City.
  • Design of Traffic Control Center The Traffic Control Center design is nearing completion which represents the finalization of several significant technical issues associated with Provo’s traffic signal system.  Construction will begin in early 2005, and many new and cutting edge technologies will be applied. The Center will return many dividends in the future through coordination and control of Provo’s facilities.
  • Completion of Street Rehabilitation Project  Many of the City’s arterial streets were milled and repaved during the summer months.  This involved significant coordination of all utilities including Water Resources, Storm Water Service District, Questar, and Quest, as well as business owners along these routes. The roads included 1230 North Canyon Road, 2230 North, 900 East, 3700 North, Timpview Drive, and 920 South.  The new driving surfaces should serve the city for many years to come.
  • Improvement of Traffic Signals Citywide
  • a. Fiber optic interconnect on 3700 North from University Avenue to the Canyon Road signal and fiber optic interconnect from Grandview Lane/State to Grandview Lane/Colombia Lane were completed, hooking them up to Provo’s system.
  • b. Fiber optic interconnect to the signal at 920 South 500 West from University Avenue was completed.
  • c. The signals at 1430 North Canyon Road and 180 East/East Bay Boulevard were reconstructed.
  • d. Video detection equipment was installed at 1860 South/East Bay Boulevard, Canyon Road/1430 North, and 180 East/East Bay Boulevard.
  • e. A new Wavetronics radar traffic counting station at 2230 North/250 East was installed.

Public Services:

  • Construction of New Air Traffic Control Tower  An Air Traffic Control Tower was designed and constructed at the Provo Municipal Airport.
  • Completion of Airport Rehabilitation North apron and ramp rehabilitation was performed at the airport.
  • Completion of Archeological Study  An archeological study was completed at the airport, showing no evidence of Native American inhabitants in the area the airport is built on.
  • Implementation of "Triple Play" Program  The "Triple Play" program was implemented to encourage Provo residents to recycle yard waste, paper, and plastic goods.  The program involved the introduction of curbside recycling of paper, cardboard, and plastics.  Signs advertising the program were placed on each garbage truck.
  • Transfer of Compost Station Operation  Responsibility for the operation of the compost station was transferred to the South Utah Valley Solid Waste District.
  • Installation of Historic Signs   Historic Downtown signs were installed on major arteries in the downtown Provo area.
  • Enhancement of Green Waste Recycling Services  An agreement was entered into with the South Utah Valley Solid Waste District for enhanced green waste recycling services at a lower cost to Provo residents.
  • Reconstruction of Dike Road  The dike road for air traffic control tower access was rebuilt.

Storm Water

  • Construction of Storm Drains and Outfall Ditch The 3700 North/Indian Hills storm drains and the Northwest storm drain outfall ditch were completed.
  • Completion/Implementation of Strategic Plans The Storm Water Management Plan was prepared and the Strategic Plan for City irrigation service was drafted and initially implemented.

Water Resources

  • Upgrade of SCADA System  An upgrade to the SCADA system, using wireless and fiber optic technology and providing state-of-the-art monitoring and control of the City’s water and waste water facilities and systems, was completed.
  • Status of Water Conservation Efforts A community wide reduction in water usage of 6% in comparison to the previous five-year average was achieved.
  • Attainment of Water Quality Regulations  All state and federal water quality regulations for both drinking water and waste water were met or exceeded.
  • Meeting of Water Supply Demands  Despite the near record ongoing drought conditions, community demands for culinary water were successfully met.
  • Installation of Water Mains at 500 West  Approximately 4800 feet of 24" water mains were installed and customer service lines and fire hydrants replaced between 700 North and 300 South on 500 West.