February 2024

Mayor's Message: February 2024

One of the keys to Orem's sustained success over the past 100+ years is the local business community. This month, Mayor Young discusses the importance of city government working with businesses to keep Orem moving forward.

You can read the full message here.

City Council Message

from Councilmember David Spencer

A few weeks ago, I went to see the movie "The Boys In The Boat" with my family. The movie was excellent and I believe we can learn a lot from the story line.

It is set in 1936 in Seattle, Washington, during the Great Depression.

Eight men came together from different backgrounds and circumstances.

Together they learned how to row.

Not only did they learn how to row, but more importantly they became ONE in unity and purpose. When all eight men worked together, their boat was unbeatable. They went on to represent the United States in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany, and took the Gold medal defeating Italy and Germany.

While they experienced setbacks and challenges, as they worked together they were able to succeed and achieve their goal of becoming one.

After seeing the movie, my thoughts reflected back to Orem and how we as a city can be one in purpose and unity, just like the eight man rowing team. I believe that we need to put our differences aside, be positive, and work together.

Last month, we had our City Retreat where the Mayor, City Council, and the Orem Executive Staff met to set goals for our community for the coming year. I believe we are all unified in the desire to make Orem a great place to live and raise our families.

Orem is known as Family City USA and as a community family, we should treat one another with the utmost respect, remember to be kind, and look out for one another.

I am appreciative of our First Responders and the employees that work for the City. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve on the City Council and to be able to listen and represent the citizens of Orem.

In closing, I would like to encourage everyone to look for opportunities to serve and help others within our community.

-Councilmember David Spencer

Upcoming City Council Meetings

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 | TUESDAY FEBRUARY 27

You can join Orem City Council meetings in person or online. Just visit orem.org/meetings to see the agendas and start times for upcoming meetings.

Hope4Orem Annual Senior Scholarship

Mountain View, Orem, and Timpanogos High Seniors can apply for one of three $700 scholarships! All it requires is a short essay and quick form.

We may still be in the depths of Winter but in our minds we're thinking about all the fun we're going to have this Summer at Oremfest. Oremfest will be June 3 through June 8.

Applications to be part of Oremfest are officially open. If you want to participate in the following ways, just head over to oremfest.org/applications.

• Food Vendor
• Boutique Vendor
• Car Show
• Orem's Got Talent
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Hot Dog Eating Contest
• Pie Eating Contest
• Event Entertainment

Orem Gives you MORE!

Recent Recognition for Family City USA

Orem was ranked #7 most walkable city in Utah by Redfin. The areas near University Place, Orem City Center, and Nielsen's Grove Park were given especially high marks.

The study analyzed thousands of walking routes to nearby amenities and metrics such as block length and intersection density.

The Credit Review named Orem #2 in the nation best place for rapid small business growth. We love our small businesses and have been having a blast with our Small Business Saturday series. Orem is so lucky to have such a great business community. The study looked at unemployment rates, population growth, GDP per capita, new business creation, and business tax climate.

Travel + Leisure magazine named Orem the #3 best place to live in Utah.

Factoring into the ranking was access to education as the home to Utah Valley University as well as offering "a small-town feel, yet have every amenity one could look for with shopping, restaurants, and recreation."

AT THE OREM PUBLIC LIBRARY

Accessory Apartments:

Navigating the regulations surrounding Accessory Apartments can be challenging! This month, we're here to provide guidance and resources to help homeowners in Orem understand and comply with the city's regulations regarding Accessory Apartments. Development Services staff have a checklist that outlines all the requirements for creating an accessory apartment. You can find this checklist and other information here: www.orem.org/accessory-apartments

Affordable Senior Housing: 

Affordable senior housing is not just about providing a roof overhead; it's about creating age-friendly neighborhoods where our seniors can thrive. The Affordable Senior Housing Overlay Zone contributes to the overall well-being of Orem by fostering intergenerational connections, enhancing neighborhood livability, and promoting social engagement for our senior community. Learn more about the Affordable Senior Housing Zone here: www.orem.org/planning

Gold Star Family Monument Project

If you're looking for a local cause to support this year, please consider the Orem Gold Star Family monument.



At our Lights On ceremony, we heard from the Olsens, one of our Orem Gold Star families. The gold star designation is given to families that lose a family member in the armed forces in active combat. The gold star is meant to honor the sacrifice of the living.

Kim Olsen is the Gold Star mother of Lance Cpl. Nigel K. Olsen who died in combat in Afghanistan in 2010. Nigel grew up in Orem and was a graduate of Mountain View High School.



We are building this monument, which will be the first of its kind in Utah County, to make sure the sacrifices of our Orem Gold Star families are never forgotten and they will always have a place of honor in Orem.

Donations are 100% tax-deductible and can be made online here:

Orem is for Artists: Bagpipers in Orem!

by Scott Swain - Orem Arts Council

Did you know that Orem boasts two fantastic pipe bands?! Bagpipe music is epic, and it brings excitement wherever it is performed. Both bands are willing and able to play at your next event.

The Thomas Cordner Memorial Pipe Band was once the Timpanogos Pipe Band but was renamed in 2014. This award-winning pipe band started in 2001 in Orem, Utah. Pipe Major Joe Perry changed the name to honor Irish immigrant Thomas Cordner, who was the first settler to live in Orem (formerly called Provo Bench) year round. The band plays music from Ireland & Scotland. The musicians wear the Flower of Scotland tartan on their kilts, which is inclusive of anyone with Scottish heritage. The band plays at local shows, parades, funerals, weddings, college graduations, and ceremonies for the United States Military. Some of the members offer quality, private lessons for people wanting to learn to play bagpipes or drums. You can find them on Facebook & bagpipesinutah.com.

The Thomas Cordner Memorial Pipe Band is performing at Orem Library on March 14, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Salt Lake City on March 16, and the Provo Library on March 18.

Garden Valley Pipe Band is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2015, providing Utah County and the surrounding area with thrilling bagpipe music. The mission of Garden Valley Pipe Band is to build a strong future for this musical genre by sharing their love for it with communities through performing and teaching. They offer solo, small group, and full-band performance options for parties, funerals, weddings, commemorations, etc. They can often be found performing at local parades and Scottish festivals. They are also pleased to serve the community by providing free classes for anyone interested in learning to play the Great Highland Bagpipe and associated drum styles. You can find them on Facebook & www.gvpb.org.