Table of Contents
Mayor's & Council Messages

Election Information

Self-Defense Classes

National Night Out

Orem's Business Resource Center

Meals on Wheels Needs Your Help

Save the Bees

Garage Sale Rules & Regulations

Orem Recreation

Water Conservation Tips

Free Gardening Classes

Calendar of Events

State Street Mobility Study Open House

Orem Beautification Update

Message from
Mayor Richard Brunst
"I Like Living Here - It Feels Like Home"

This is what one resident mentioned to me about her satisfaction with living in Orem.

Two articles this year have come out to support her feelings. First, the Milken Institute ranked the Orem-Provo area as the best performing metro city area in the nation. Secondly, National Geographic came out and ranked the Orem-Provo area as the 7th Happiest place to live in the United States.

The National Geographic survey included 16 questions on physical, social, community, financial, well-being areas.  Also statistics about happiness, exercise, safety, living within your means, and being able to realize your goals were
considered.

In talking to one resident, their comments were that they loved living in Orem because they feel safe, they feel connected, they love the arts and recreation that Orem has, and they love their neighbors. Also they added that they like how close they live to schools, shopping outlets, and can get out of the city to the mountains to recreate in a quick manner.

There is a lot to love about Orem. I know that we may take it for granted about all of the good things that happen here. But I would hope that we may realize what a wonderful city it is and what a great place it is to raise a family.

We are rated one of the best cities in the nation for the amount of trees we have planted in our city. I love the beautiful areas that surround us. I like how well kept up our parks are and what a great job the city staff does in that area. I appreciate our city staff in their many functions to keep our water flowing and in good condition, to work on water treatment and storm water, our great library, our wonderful recreation,
and the many other areas of keeping our city running well.

I appreciate our road crews and how they keep our roads in good condition, even though winter can be rough on our area.  

I am thankful for our Police and Fire and Emergency first responders and the great jobs that they do. Their work is hard and very demanding. But they are there to help us with our emergencies and perform a vital work to protect the peace and safety of our community and our families.

I believe that our city truly is one of the best performing cities and one of the happiest cities in the nation.

May we be thankful for all that we have in our great community. And may we support and help all of those who help us, including our police and fire, our city staff, our business community, and our neighbors.

Mayor Brunst
Message from
Councilmember Mark Seastrand
After being on the council for a number of years, I've grown to appreciate the vision and work from previous city leadership that have been so instrumental in building what we enjoy today. 

Securing adequate water rights, protecting springs, and digging deep wells will continue to serve us far into the future. Building and maintaining our 23 neighborhood parks in cooperation with our schools brings our families together close to home. We also enjoy our ball fields, recreation facilities, the SCERA shell, and swimming pools throughout the summer. I hope that the key decisions we've made over this past decade will keep Orem as a great place to live with a positive outlook for the future.
 
Here are 10 key decisions that I believe will prove to be a positive impact on the future of Orem.
  1. Secured additional Jordanelle water rights and significant upgrades to our water and sewer systems. 
  2. Implemented the FrontRunner and the UVX Bus Rapid Transit for future transportation options.
  3. Reduced the City debt and implemented the pay as you go rate structures for debt-free capital improvements.
  4. Use of the Care Tax to improve Recreation Facilities and Cultural Arts Programs.
  5. Organized and worked with other state, county and city organizations to improve Utah Lake.
  6. Secured a vibrant economic base with the redevelopment of University Place and other shopping areas. 
  7. Worked with Utah Valley University to minimize impact yet support a wonderful education option for our children.
  8. Worked with UTOPIA to progress from a struggling concept to a successful alternative.
  9. Completed, with much public participation, a new master plan for State Street, each Neighborhood and Geneva Road.
  10. Began the addition to the Library Hall and a rebuild of the Recreation Center.
 
Time will tell if these changes will add to the overall benefit of our community but no doubt, they will make a difference as we remember the past and embrace the future.


Councilmember Mark Seastrand
2019 City of Orem Municipal Elections

Vote By Mail
  • Early voting will only be available at the Utah County Clerk’s Office
  • Ballots were mailed to ALL active registered voters approximately July 23, 2019 for the Primary Election
  • Return postage is provided so casting your vote won’t need a stamp.
  • Ballot Drop Boxes are located at the north and south ends of the Orem City Center @ 56 North State Street
  • After filling out your ballot, seal it in the envelope, sign the appropriate spaces and mail it or drop it off
  • Mailed ballots MUST be postmarked no later than August 12th. 
  • Dropped off ballots will be accepted until the close of election day, Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 8:00 pm 
  • A Service Center will be available on Election Day at the Orem City Center to assist with lost or spoiled ballots from 7 am to 8 pm. 
Self-Defense Classes
The Orem Police Department is now offering self-defense classes for both women and men. Classes are held every Thursday night starting Aug. 22 for 8 weeks.

Women go from 6:30 to 8 pm and then the men follow from 8 to 9:30 pm. All classes will be in the Orem Public Safety Building (95 E Center).

Registration is $45 and can be done online at  psclass.orem.org .
Taking place on Tuesday, Auguest 6th at 6 pm - 10:30 pm at City Center Park, National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live.

Here's a rundown on a few things we have going on:

-BBQ
-Run a Crook Out of Town 5k
-We'll have our Motors, Bike Officers, SWAT, K-9's etc. there
-Face Painting
-DJ
-Rock Wall
-Games
-Orem PD Swag

This event is entirely free. Please join us and bring the whole family. If you would like to particiate in the free 5K race, please register HERE
The Business Resource Center
Are you an Orem business owner and need help with skills to manage your business? The Business Resource Center (BRC) in Orem offers free classes and mentoring to help you! You can visit the BRC website here to learn more. You can read more about the BRC on the City of Orem Economic Development website here. I am available to help connect you to resources and strengthen your business. Please reach out to me with your questions. Kathi Beckett, Interim Economic Development Manager at kbeckett@orem.org or 801-229-7079.

Check out the Business Resource Center HERE and HERE
Meals on Wheels Needs Your Help!
Meals on Wheels needs your help! Volunteers are needed to deliver a meal and a smile to homebound senior citizens in your community for one hour a week. Weekly and substitute positions are available.

For more information, call 801-229-3821 or visit mountainland.org/volunteermow.
Save the Bees!
Did you know that bees are very important to your garden? They are pollinators & keep flowers & fruits blooming. 

It is estimated that one-third of the food that we consume daily relies on pollination mainly by bees.
  
Plants you can put in your yard specifically for bees:

  • Bee Balm
  • Lilac Bushes
  • Cone Flowers
  • Poppies
  • Sunflowers
 
Have you ever heard of a bee bath? You can easily make one (or buy one online ;))
Basically it is a shallow dish which you put pebbles or marbles into for the bees to rest on & fill with water so they can rest & rehydrate. 
Garage Sale Rules and Regulations
Were you aware that Orem City has codes regarding garage sales and signs to advertise such sales? Although Orem City doesn't require permits or have as many regulations as other surrounding cities, Orem City Code 22-14-28 does set forth regulations regarding garage sales. Check out the rules and regulations here .
The Fitness Center has officially (temporarily) moved to the Senior Friendship Center! Construction has already begun on the Fitness Center and it will be ready before you know it! Come down to the Senior Friendship Center for all of your fitness needs! Check out the schedules below to find out what classes are happening!



Upcoming Recreation Programs
Don't miss out on all the programs we have coming up! Check out our website to sign up for the following programs:

  • Flag Football (Grades 3-9 and 10-12)
  • Cross Country (Ages 7+)
  • Fall Tennis Lessons (Ages 7+; youth and adult classes available)
  • Fall Adaptive T-Ball (Ages 5+, for children with mild to moderate mental and/or physical disabilities)
  • Adult Ultimate Frisbee (Ages 18+)
For more information about and to sign up for all of our recreation classes and programs, please visit our website below.
Also, click HERE for more info about T-ball, flag football, ultimate frisbee, cross-country, and tennis!
Water Conservation Tips and Resources
Living in the seconddriest state in the country necessitates a certain amount of personal responsibility when it comes to water conservation. Below are a few statistics from the EPA to help put the seriousness of the situation into perspective.  

  • Outdoor water use accounts for more than 30 percent of total household water use, on average, but can be as much as 60 percent of total household water use in arid regions.
  • If the average sized lawn in the United States is watered for 20 minutes every day for 7 days, it’s like running the shower constantly for 4 days or taking more than 800 showers. That's equivalent to the amount of water needed for the average family to take 1 years’ worth of showers.
  • As much as 50 percent of the water we use outdoors is lost due to wind, evaporation, and runoff caused by inefficient irrigation methods and systems. A household with an automatic landscape irrigation system that isn't properly maintained and operated can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water annually.
  • When hiring a professional to install or audit your landscape irrigation system, be sure he or she is certified by a WaterSense labeled irrigation program. If the system is well managed, a household's irrigation water use can be reduced by 15 percent, or nearly 7,600 gallons of water, annually. That's the amount of water needed to take 480 showers. 
Free Gardening Classes
Were you aware there are FREE gardening and landscape classes offered right here in Orem by the Central Utah Water Conservancy District? Classes for the kids and events for the family as well! Learn some great tips on keeping Orem beautiful!

Click Here for the 2019 schedule of classe s . Registration is required. Click on the link below to do so !

Classes will be held at their new location by the mouth of Provo Canyon (instead of their old facility on University Parkway). The address is:

Central Utah Water Conservancy District 
1426 E. 750 N.
Main Floor Classroom
Orem, UT 84097 
Calendar of Events
This summer, there will be no shortage of events to keep you and your family busy! Keep up with all Orem City events by following the link below.
State Street Mobility Study Open House
The City of Orem & UDOT are working to address congestion and safety on State Street. This project will specifically focus on the intersections at Center Street and 800 North to improve crash prevention and congestion reduction.

OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, August 8 | 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Orem City Hall - Council Chamber 56 N State St - Orem 

Read the Full Document HERE for more details

A Message from the
Orem Beautification Commission
By Tanya Harmon