Wayne's Daily Updates: January 2021

Thursday, January 28, 2021

January 28 2021 Update

It has been a good day today. Lots of meetings today, and there is always lots going on in the City. I had the opportunity today to meet with our partners at Google Fiber, with police and engineering on safe routes to school, with Karen Larsen on customer service issues, and with the Utah League of Cities and Towns on legislative concerns. And then I had a little time to catch up on some tougher items on my to-do list (which doesn't happen every day)

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 25,456,670 cases with 427,626 fatalities.

Utah: 342,445 cases (up 1,761 from yesterday); 13,279 hospitalizations; 1,620 deaths (no change from yesterday)

Utah County: 83,457 cases (up 453 from yesterday); 2,212 hospitalizations; 281 deaths (no change from yesterday)

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Hogle Zoo is looking for possible names for their new baby zebra! You can vote for a name in the comments of their most recent post.
Qualtrics is poised to break another Utah record with stock sales. This could bring in $1.46 billion for the Provo-based company.
One of Utah's own teachers, John Arthur, is one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year.
TSA agents in 2020 seized guns at a rate double that of previous year at Salt Lake City International Airport - 71 firearms discovered, ranking No. 10 among airports nationally.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MAYOR'S DAY

Today, Mayor Kaufusi:

Participated in a meeting on school crosswalks
Met with the Customer Service director
Participated in a meeting with a representative from the school board
Held a meeting on businesses in Provo
Met with representatives from the Fire department
Held a meeting with the Police Chief

FUN STUFF

I shouldn't love this kind of stuff, but I do! However, I can't imagine spending 5 days to build something that is gone in about 2 minutes. But it is a cool visual, and reminds me that there are tons of people who have great art skills - and patience - that I can only dream of having

Have a great weekend, and we will talk again on Monday!

Wayne

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

January 27 2021 Update

Hope your day has been going well. Things have been busy in our office as usual. I mentioned the legislative session earlier this week; I spent a good share of my day today on legislative discussions that could impact city operations. Things move fast and furious on Capitol Hill, and I really appreciate Isaac being our key liaison with our legislators. If you become aware of bills that might impact your job or your operations, feel free to reach out to us.

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 25,301,166 cases with 423,519 fatalities.

Utah: 340,684 cases (up 2,009 from yesterday); 13,217 hospitalizations; 1,620 deaths (up 7 from yesterday)

Utah County: 83,004 cases (up 442 from yesterday); 2,209 hospitalizations; 281 deaths (up 2 from yesterday)

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Today is National Holocaust Remembrance Day, on the day that the prisoners in Auschwitz were released.
A bill to drop the permit requirement for Utahns to carry a concealed firearm was approved with the specification that any unused funds from the remaining permit fees be transferred to the state’s Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health for suicide prevention initiatives and educating the public about safe storage of firearms.
The Utah Department of Public Safety announced Tuesday that it will not appeal a recent ruling that allows BYU to keep its police department.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MAYOR'S DAY

Today, Mayor Kaufusi:

Participated in a Board of Trustees meeting for UTA
Met with a City Councilor
Participated in an APPA PMC call
Held a meeting with representatives from the County Health department
Participated in the ULCT Board of Directors meeting
Met with office staff
Participated in the UMPA Board of Directors meeting

FUN STUFF

Years ago when I worked in Governor Mike Leavitt's office, I was impressed about his techniques for keeping meetings short and to the point. Often, he would have meetings in the car as he drove to commitments around the state. Or, at times I would show up for a meeting and the Gov would be in a sweat suit and walking shoes and we would go for a brisk walk through City Creek Park while we talked. But this...this is a brilliant idea. And given how much time I spend in meetings, it might even be worth it.

Thanks again for all you do, and for keeping Provo a great city and community.

Wayne

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

January 26 2021 Update

Tuesdays are always busy for me. In addition to the meetings I shared with the Mayor, I also meet with Dixon Holmes, Dave Decker, Travis Ball, John Borget, and the City's claims committee. Always good to be with our senior staff as we tackle some tough issues.

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 25,152,433 cases with 419,827 fatalities.

Utah: 338,675 cases (up 1,411 from yesterday); 13,137 hospitalizations; 1,613 deaths (up 16 from yesterday)

Utah County: 82,562 cases (up 354 from yesterday); 2,192 hospitalizations; 279 deaths (up 4 from yesterday)

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Doctors and Intermountain Primary Children's have released the nation's first long-term study on COVID complication in kids.
Sundance Ski Resort was closed over the weekend due to an avalanche, but is now reopened and accumulating snow.
A new study has been released that shows the strain that video conferencing has on the environment. They found that just one hour of videoconferencing emits up to 1,000 grams of carbon dioxide, requires 2 to 12 liters of water, and demands a land use adding up to about the size of an iPad Mini.
There is a digital rendering of a proposed new Utah flag to celebrate the 125th anniversary of statehood that the designers say “tells the story of Utah and its history”. What do you think?

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MAYOR'S DAY

Today, Mayor Kaufusi:

Meeting with the City Attorney
Participated in a meeting with members from Admin Services
Held an economic/redevelopment meeting
Met with the Finance director
Participated in a meeting with individuals from the school district
Held a visioning meeting
Attended the State of the City for Salt Lake City

FUN STUFF

Ready for another round? :) (Hat tip to Kat Linford and Devon Jensen for the last two)

Bernie Sanders Reaction:

OK - enough Bernie memes for now! That is, unless somebody is finding Bernie in a city facility in Provo.....

Wayne

Monday, January 25, 2021

January 25 2021 Update

Happy Monday everyone! I hope your weekend was good! We did a little stuff around the house, enjoyed some cooler weather walks with the dog (now with little blue boots to protect her "tender feet" from cold pavement and blisters) and participating in a couple of extended family events virtually. So, back in the saddle for another week!

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 25,018,520 cases with 417,936 fatalities.

Utah: 337,264 cases; 13,054 hospitalizations; 1,597 deaths

Utah County: 82,208 cases; 2,180 hospitalizations; 275 deaths

NEWS YOU CAN USE

It's Monday and National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day. Coincidentally, it is also National Fun at Work Day. So grab some bubble wrap and go to town.
Over the weekend, both Hank Aaron and Larry King passed away.
Rufino Rodriguez, a 65-year old respiratory therapist in UVRMC's NICU passed away over the weekend due to COVID-19. He has cared for over 35,000 babies during his 30+ years of service.
There has been talk of changing the Utah state flag, but it has been met with some concern from lawmakers.
Today is the 30th work anniversary for Provo's own Ombudsman, Tara Riddle! Congratulation to her for 30 years of excellent and dedicated service! As you all know, Tara is a superstar!