As told to Jessica Neal, Orem News
What has been your favorite “Mayor Memory” from the past month?
I had a seventh grader job shadow me for an afternoon and it was so fun taking her and showing her the city. She had the opportunity to learn how our 311 (Orem’s non-emergency information service) works; she had a concern about playground equipment in the park. I took her over there and she put the information into our maintenance system. She had some good ideas about things for the city from a kids’ perspective.
What’s one thing you’ve learned this month?
I knew our city employees were dedicated, but I got to see the different departments and learn more about what was happening in the city. We have such a great team here. The residents are very fortunate to have the quality of employees that we have.
What’s something big that you did in March?
The (city managers) and I went to Washington D.C. to meet with our congressional delegation … I was able to meet in person with three of the four congress members … that was very productive. I’m grateful for the funding that they get for us. They’ve helped us with a number of projects over the years and most recently we received money to help with our water reuse plant and we’re working on some traffic pedestrian safety things. This past month, we also appointed residents to boards and commissions. I’d like to thank those who served previously and welcome those who are now serving.
What issues are you currently focusing on?
We as a council are focusing on finishing and getting a short term rental ordinance adopted. We’ve been meeting with residents, they come to city council meetings during public comment and give feedback on that. I’ve been studying the issue, I know other council members have been too, and have been working with our attorney’s office.
How have things as mayor been going this month?
This month, I feel like I’m kind of beginning to get into a schedule, a rhythm. The first couple of months it was a fire hose with the legislative session and a lot of different events, I didn’t settle into a routine until March probably. That was when I felt like things began to get a balance of being here in the office and taking care of things at home. I’m still working on it, but I feel like I’m settling into a rhythm.
What are you looking forward to in April?
One thing that we’re starting to do in April that I’m really looking forward to is on the first Monday of the month, council members and I are going to attend lunch with the seniors at the Senior Friendship Center. We want to make that a monthly event. One other thing that we’re working on is with the North Union Canal. Residents have been coming and visiting with us about the possibility of an additional trail on the North Union Canal property.