January 21 2021 Update

We are at the end of another short week, but it didn't seem that short.  The Utah Legislature started its general session on Tuesday, and that always results in a big uptick of work for those of us in the Mayor's Office.  Isaac Paxman is the city's legislative "quarterback," and I frequently get called upon by the City and by the Utah League of Cities and Towns to help out on legislative issues.  Additionally, I have been serving on a statewide task force on justice reform with a number of police chiefs, city attorneys, city administrators and elected officials, so we are carefully watching the bills associated with police reform and related issues.  It will be a full plate for us for the next nine weeks or so.

As mentioned below, we had an update meeting with our architect on the City Hall and Public Safety Building project.  Things are coming along well.  Lots of concrete being poured for flooring and some framing beginning.  Hats off to the project manager, Scott Henderson, to Dick Blackham from Facilities, our architects and contractors, and everyone associated with the project.  It is going to be an amazing new city headquarters and "home-away-from-home" for city employees that will be located here.  I am really excited about the new public safety facilities and how they will be such a game changer for our police staff and fire administration.

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 24,323,846 cases with 404,689 fatalities.

Utah:  330,469 cases (up 2,089 from yesterday); 12,803 hospitalizations; 1,547 deaths (up 30 from yesterday)

Utah County:  80,549 cases (up 388 from yesterday); 2,135 hospitalizations; 262 deaths (up 5 from yesterday)

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• Tonight is Governor Cox's first State of the State address. It will be streamed live.
• A Utah man is honoring veterans and first responders and is asking for help from fellow Utahns to send in pictures of veteran and service men and women from our state.
• It's also National Hugging Day, so do like Utah activist Collin Kartchner recommended in his "Save the Kids" movement and take 8 seconds to hug someone close.
• Deseret News took a poll of the favorability of our new President in Utah with some interesting results.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MAYOR'S DAY

Today, Mayor Kaufusi:

• Participated in Council Leadership meeting
• Met with representatives from BYU
• Held a meeting with the Customer Service director
• Participated in a meeting on the new City Hall building
• Held a communications strategy meeting
• Met with a resident/business owner
• Held a meeting with the Assistant CAO
• Participated in a meeting on businesses in Provo
• Met with representatives from Utah County

FUN STUFF

OK - I have seen a few funny things happen during Zoom meetings as people have worked from home.  But this compilation is epic, and would have been unthinkable just a year ago.

Have a great weekend!  We'll be back on Monday!  

Wayne