Thursday, October 28, 2021

October 28 2021 Update

This has been a very busy week.  Seems like I have been in back to back to back meetings all week long.  A couple of highlights for today:
  • Meeting with the council chair and vice-chair and council staff
  • Discussing the current status of several challenging zoning and code enforcement cases
  • Meeting with the public works team on the airport wildlife management plan as it relates to the Provo River Delta Restoration Project
  • Meeting with our development services team on a variety of projects
  • Meeting with state, local and federal officials on the agreements for Provo's involvement in the delta restoration project
This weekend will also be a little hectic.  Our son is flying in late Friday night for a Saturday funeral and another son will be driving in for the same funeral.  We will be going to a Halloween parade on Friday with our grandkids and a Halloween event with other grandkids at the assisted living center where my father in law lives.  And then we have a funeral for my neighbor's son on Saturday.  


UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

Downtown Trick or Treating I October 30 3:00 pm
Outdoor Halloween Carnival I October 30 1:00 pm
Social Ride: Spooks and Spokes I October 29 7:00 pm
Downtown Trick or Treating I October 30 3:00 pm
BYU Young Company: Luna I November 1 7:00 pm
Learn It: Buying Your First Home I November 2 7:00 pm
Learn It: Bookbinding I November 3 7:00 pm
Provo City Library Writing Group I November 6 1:00 pm
Conversations/Conversaciones I November 9 7:00 pm
Fall Leaves for Families I November 10 6:30 pm
Harry Potter Trivia I November 10 7:00 pm
Learn It: Medicare 101 I November 16 7:00 pm
Learn It: Gluten Free Cookies I November 17 7:00 pm
Teen Dungeons & Dragons Club I November 18 6:30 pm
Joshua Creek Christmas I November 29 7:00 pm
Ryan Shupe Christmas I November 30 7:30 pm
A Christmas Carol | December 02 - December 20
Light Up Christmas! I December 3 - December 4
The Alibis I February 7:30 pm

NEWS YOU CAN USE

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

YOUR VOICE

Per tradition, the Finance department dressed up for Halloween today. What a fun tradition! Looking good, guys!



If you haven't done it yet, check out this section (on the right -->) and share your Halloween fun with us!

UPLOAD PICTURES HERE!


Here are the results of yesterday's Halloween polls:











MAYOR'S WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

This week Mayor's highlight was getting to host all of the cities in Utah County to discuss water, participating on a panel at the Utah Valley Chamber Growth & Prosperity Summit, and meeting with so many great city employees throughout the week!

FUN STUFF

The weekly edition of favorite memes - this week with a Halloween theme.









I hope your Halloween weekend is fun and that you have some family time despite everything else that seems to be going on.

Wayne

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Wednesday, October 27, 2021

October 27 2021 Update

Wednesday is here.  Our city council meeting last night was really different.  We had a packed house for the first time in almost 2 years as students and landlords came to express their opinions about some of the on-street parking strategies that are being considered by the Council.  We were also excited to celebrate the "gold medal" achievement of our parks and recreation department!  

Today has been a very interesting day.  I have attended meetings about:

  • the upcoming project to replace the University Avenue bridge (still a year or so off)
  • meeting a candidate for a position on the Provo Housing Authority board
  • getting an early look at the concept for the redevelopment of the city center block
  • meeting with mayors, city managers and engineers from cities in Utah County to discuss Provo's efforts at aquifer storage and recovery
  • discussing geotechnical concerns with potential developments in the foothills (reminding me why my lowest grade in my entire college career was in geology)
  • meeting with the City's I.S. Policy Group; and,
  • meeting with a proponent of a new energy technology.
Never a dull moment!

UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

Halloween Book Page Wreaths I October 20 7:00 pm
TrickTok or Treat I October 21 7:00 pm
AuthorLink with Brandon Mull I October 22 6:00 pm
Swing 4 Cancer Benefit Concert I October 23 4:00 pm
Teen Takeover: Magical Mayhem I October 23 6:30 pm
Paint Night I October 26 7:00 pm
Catapult I October 26 7:30pm
Learn It: All About Stress I October 27 7:00 pm
Ammon and Liahona Olayan I October 27 7:30pm
BYU Young Company: Luna I November 1 7:00 pm
Learn It: Buying Your First Home I November 2 7:00 pm
Learn It: Bookbinding I November 3 7:00 pm
Provo City Library Writing Group I November 6 1:00 pm
Conversations/Conversaciones I November 9 7:00 pm
Fall Leaves for Families I November 10 6:30 pm
Harry Potter Trivia I November 10 7:00 pm
Learn It: Medicare 101 I November 16 7:00 pm
Learn It: Gluten Free Cookies I November 17 7:00 pm
Teen Dungeons & Dragons Club I November 18 6:30 pm
Joshua Creek Christmas I November 29 7:00 pm
Ryan Shupe Christmas I November 30 7:30 pm
A Christmas Carol | December 02 - December 20
Light Up Christmas! I December 3 - December 4
The Alibis I February 7:30 pm

NEWS YOU CAN USE

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

YOUR VOICE

We would love to hear your thoughts on Halloween! Click the link below and share your Halloween thoughts and opinions with us!!

HALLOWEEN POLL

EMPLOYEE / DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHT

Today's highlight is a fun pandemic video shared by Information Systems' own Matt Dunlap:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYmSAMcwXA8

FUN STUFF

Continuing the Halloween theme, here is every kid's worst Halloween nightmare!  Truth be told, there were a couple of years when I dressed up that my kids would like to forget.  But don't even ask about the time my wife and our two kids (at the time) dressed up like Raggedy Ann and Andy (times two) and got a double take from a police officer at a stop light on our way to a family portrait.  He followed us all the way there; I'm sure he was looking for a reason for a field sobriety test.  😅


And tomorrow, our Thursday edition of Internet memes will include some of my all time favorites with a spooky theme.  Hope the rest of your day is awesome! 

Wayne

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Tuesday, October 26, 2021

October 26 2021 Update

Happy City Council Tuesday.  We are a bit off cycle this month and next given the election and other scheduling issues.  So, for the remainder of the year, we will not be on the traditional first and third Tuesdays.  The meetings will be today, November 16 and 30, and December 14.  Then, in January, we will welcome two new council members to the Municipal Council and begin a new year and be largely back on the regular schedule.

Today's meetings include topics like parking management, accessory dwelling units, funding for public art, towing fees, and a presentation from the Kem Gardner Institute at the University of Utah on building physical, human and social capital.  The presenter will be my friend and former colleague in the Leavitt Administration Natalie Gochnour.

This evening, we will also be honoring the Parks and Recreation Department for their recent national  gold medal award as well as a Provo student who received an award for her essay in a statewide "Why I Like My Community" essay contest.  

UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

1820 The Musical : August 6 - September
Authorlink with Rosalyn Eves: Beyond the Mapped Stars : August 26 7:00
Rock The Canyon : August 28 4:00 pm - 8:00pm
Lunchbox Hacks : September 1 7:00 pm
Provo City Library Writing Group : September 4 1:00 - 2:00 pm
The Alibis : September 30 - October 23
Blue Skies Concert Series : Wednesdays through September 22

NEWS YOU CAN USE

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

YOUR VOICE

Have any exciting news? Birthdays, babies, weddings, fur-babies, graduations? Share about it in the section on the right --> and upload pics below!

UPLOAD PICTURES HERE!

TUESDAY TIP

If you're putting work before all else, keep reading 

Burnout takes many forms, but some of the signs include inconsistent self-care, poor sleep, being too hard on yourself and "friction between what you do day to day and how you want to spend your life," writes Greg Carlson. Carlson offers nine starting points for reevaluating your life and taking corrective action.


FUN STUFF

Some of you may remember an "Undercover Boss" video series we did several years ago.  But Studio C outdid us with this video of a football team owner trying to find out more about what his team does and what they think about the organization.  



Hope you have a great day.  You all make my job so much easier!  

Wayne

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Monday, October 25, 2021

October 25 2021 Update

Happy Monday!  It has been a bit of a sobering weekend for us.  One of our youngest son's best friends came down with Covid-19 about a week ago and after getting his illness compounded with pneumonia lost his battle and passed away Sunday morning.  He was 28 years old, just celebrated his fourth wedding anniversary a few months ago, and leaves a wife who is expecting their first child.  This young man spent many evenings and weekends at our house during his growing up years, and was one of my scouts when I was the neighborhood scoutmaster.  Covid-19 seems not to care too much about how and when it strikes and what it costs.  It has been a solemn reminder for us that that we are not done with this disease and that we have to still take important precautions to stay safe and healthy.

Looking forward to this week, we have a council meeting tomorrow, we will be meeting with elected officials from around Utah County to talk about collaborating on aquifer storage and recovery projects, will continue work on some significant housing related issues in Provo, and just keeping our heads above water on other issues we probably haven't even heard about yet.  All in a week's work.

UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

Paint Night I October 26 7:00 pm
Catapult I October 26 7:30pm
Learn It: All About Stress I October 27 7:00 pm
Ammon and Liahona Olayan I October 27 7:30pm
BYU Young Company: Luna I November 1 7:00 pm
Learn It: Buying Your First Home I November 2 7:00 pm
Learn It: Bookbinding I November 3 7:00 pm
Provo City Library Writing Group I November 6 1:00 pm
Conversations/Conversaciones I November 9 7:00 pm
Fall Leaves for Families I November 10 6:30 pm
Harry Potter Trivia I November 10 7:00 pm
Learn It: Medicare 101 I November 16 7:00 pm
Learn It: Gluten Free Cookies I November 17 7:00 pm
Teen Dungeons & Dragons Club I November 18 6:30 pm
Joshua Creek Christmas I November 29 7:00 pm
Ryan Shupe Christmas I November 30 7:30 pm
A Christmas Carol | December 02 - December 20
Light Up Christmas! I December 3 - December 4
The Alibis I February 7:30 pm

YOUR VOICE

One of the ideas that came through the earlier survey was the desire to make the update more interactive. So, today we are asking you to check out this section (on the right -->) where we will include polls and questions for you, as well as a form where you can highlight a coworker or tell us about what you do for the city! This can range from new babies or weddings to just wanting to give a shout-out to a fellow employee. Fill out the questions on the left, then upload pictures for us to share using the link below! We will post your responses in upcoming editions of the update.

UPLOAD PICTURES HERE!

NEWS YOU CAN USE

  • Today is World Pasta day and 2 months until Christmas! Do you have your Christmas shopping done yet?
  • Afghan refugees are arriving in Utah and the Utah Muslim Civic League is one of the organizations welcoming them to our state. They are looking for volunteers and donations to help provide Halal meals, essential items including hygiene and cleaning supplies and legal help navigating the humanitarian parole process.
  • The FBI identified the remains found in the Florida preserve as Brian Laundrie's. This comes after he was a person of interest in the investigation of the murder of his girlfriend, Gabby Petito.
  • An assistant director unwittingly handed Alec Baldwin a loaded weapon and told him it was safe to use. Unfortunately, it was loaded with live rounds and while filming Alec Baldwin  fatally shot a cinematographer, and injured the director.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

HOT-BUTTON ITEMS IN PROVO

So, today let's talk winter weather and how it impacts Provo.  For clarity sake, I am just going to try to share some general observations and ways to think about snow, driving, topography and water.
  • Everybody in Utah loves or hates snow - there is no in between.  My ideal Utah winter is lots of snow in the mountains, rain in the valleys, and only starting up my snow blower a couple of times a season.  But, as we all know, we very seldom get those "designer storms," and we have to be ready for serious snow days.  Winter also on occasion brings high winds with microburst potentials.  Wind is not as bad here as in other parts of Utah, but every few years we can get hit hard with high winds.
  • We also all know how important mountain snowpack and valley rain are for our summer water supply.  With the last few years of intensifying drought, we could certainly use snowpack which helps fill reservoirs and regular snow and rain in the valley which recharge the aquifer and generally helps with groundwater.  So our public works team watches the winter moisture very carefully to help monitor water content in the soil and in the aquifer and snow in the mountains.  They also watch the snowpack carefully as spring approaches to be able to mitigate any risks of flooding that can follow very warm spring temperatures.
  • We ask our snow plow operators to take on some very hazardous conditions.  Kind of like first responders, they tend to run toward icy roads instead of staying home or trying to drive less like the rest of us do.  And with Provo's terrain, some of our city streets can get way more snow than others.  We also have to carefully monitor weather and road conditions to make sure we have adequate materials and supplies for snow and ice control.  We ask our operators to stay ready to be called back - they almost never get to head out of town for the holidays and frequently miss Christmas morning with their families so the rest of us can spend Christmas afternoon with our families.  
  • Our first responders also have winter preparations in the works.  Fire trucks and ambulances have to get to our residents in the hilliest parts of Provo whatever the weather, and more and more of our police vehicles have all-wheel or 4-wheel drive for that same purpose.  If you haven't ever seen a fire truck deploy its own tire chains, it is kind of a cool process!
  • One of the most challenging parts of snow and ice control is working closely with the school district on busing routes and school start times to try to protect the safety of drivers, students, teachers, parents, and crossing guards during winter storms.  Trying to assess all of the factors involved is almost equal parts of art and science, and our team does an amazing job year in and year out.
It is not too soon to start our own preparations for winter as individuals and families - and the city has been in preparation for several months for citywide preparation.  Here's to all of us working together to keep Provo safe during what can be challenging conditions during a Utah winter!
 

FUN STUFF

Now, I know that none of us ever makes an excuse for being late to work.  But this video shares some amazing ones, just for fun!  Hope you enjoy the creativity of these folks.  

Thanks for all you do!  Have a great evening.

Wayne

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Thursday, October 21, 2021

October 21 2021 Update

It was awesome today to meet with our City Hall Project Steering Committee and get another walk-through of the new city hall and public safety facility.  There are so many details like security, art installations, and the like to work through at this stage of the project.  But things are looking really good - thanks to Scott Henderson, Dick Blackham, the architects and the contractors.  And it was really fun to hang out with my friend and former police chief Rich Ferguson who is volunteering to serve on our internal steering committee.

UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

TrickTok or Treat I October 21 7:00 pm
AuthorLink with Brandon Mull I October 22 6:00 pm
Swing 4 Cancer Benefit Concert I October 23 4:00 pm
Teen Takeover: Magical Mayhem I October 23 6:30 pm
Paint Night I October 26 7:00 pm
Catapult I October 26 7:30pm
Learn It: All About Stress I October 27 7:00 pm
Ammon and Liahona Olayan I October 27 7:30pm
BYU Young Company: Luna I November 1 7:00 pm
Learn It: Buying Your First Home I November 2 7:00 pm
Learn It: Bookbinding I November 3 7:00 pm
Provo City Library Writing Group I November 6 1:00 pm
Conversations/Conversaciones I November 9 7:00 pm
Fall Leaves for Families I November 10 6:30 pm
Harry Potter Trivia I November 10 7:00 pm
Learn It: Medicare 101 I November 16 7:00 pm
Learn It: Gluten Free Cookies I November 17 7:00 pm
Teen Dungeons & Dragons Club I November 18 6:30 pm
Joshua Creek Christmas I November 29 7:00 pm
Ryan Shupe Christmas I November 30 7:30 pm
A Christmas Carol | December 02 - December 20
Light Up Christmas! I December 3 - December 4
The Alibis I February 7:30 pm

NEWS YOU CAN USE

  • Employees who hold a bachelor’s degree tend to earn more than employees without one, but not always, according to a new report. It states that while a worker with a bachelor’s degree earns a median $2.8 million over a lifetime, averaging about $70,000 per year, 16 percent of workers with only a high school diploma earn more than half of workers who hold a bachelor’s degree.
  • Did you know the water you’re drinking may be thousands of years old? Turns out it may even taste different, but is surprisingly drinkable. Utah even has some areas with "the oldest water in the U.S." according to their chart.
  • A new study at Tel Aviv University might give some reason to the classic thermostat-battle-of-the-sexes, as it takes a stab at the evolutionary reason why women feel colder than men.
  • For those following the Gabby Petito case, remains were found along with items that are believed to be his in the area that Brian Laudrie, her boyfriend, was supposedly hiding.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

YOUR VOICE

Thank you for sharing your highlights, hobbies, vacations and fun plans. Keep them coming!

UPLOAD PICTURES HERE!

MAYOR'S WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

This week Mayor's highlights include:

  • Participating in ULCT and Legislation meetings
  • Seeing the fun new innovations coming to Provo's medical school, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Meeting with Provo residents

FUN STUFF

The weekly edition of my favorite memes of the week.













Hope you have a great weekend!  

Wayne

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Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Wednesday, October 20 2021 Update

I actually had the opportunity to meet General Colin Powell many years ago at a conference where he was a keynote speaker.  I know he became a controversial figure after the Iraq War for his speech before the UN General Assembly where he talked about weapons of mass destruction based on US intelligence which was later proved wrong.  Part of what I liked about Colin Powell was his willingness to admit when he was wrong, and this was one of those times.  There are many things I have loved about his leadership style over the years, but one of my favorites was his list of 13 rules of leadership.  Here they are:
  1. It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.
  2. Get mad, then get over it.
  3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
  4. It can be done.
  5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it.
  6. Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.
  7. You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours.
  8. Check small things.
  9. Share credit.
  10. Remain calm. Be kind.
  11. Have a vision. Be demanding.
  12. Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
  13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.
It was kind of an emotional moment for me Monday evening when I stepped outside my home to lower our flag to half staff.  Hopefully, I am a better leader and human being for what I learned over the years watching Colin Powell. 

UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

Crochet Club: Crochet Basics I October 19 2021 6:30 pm
Crochet Club: Hats I October 19 7:00 pm
Covey Tapestry of Dance I October 19 7:30 pm
Halloween Book Page Wreaths I October 20 7:00 pm
TrickTok or Treat I October 21 7:00 pm
AuthorLink with Brandon Mull I October 22 6:00 pm
Swing 4 Cancer Benefit Concert I October 23 4:00 pm
Teen Takeover: Magical Mayhem I October 23 6:30 pm
Paint Night I October 26 7:00 pm
Catapult I October 26 7:30pm
Learn It: All About Stress I October 27 7:00 pm
Ammon and Liahona Olayan I October 27 7:30pm
BYU Young Company: Luna I November 1 7:00 pm
Learn It: Buying Your First Home I November 2 7:00 pm
Learn It: Bookbinding I November 3 7:00 pm
Provo City Library Writing Group I November 6 1:00 pm
Conversations/Conversaciones I November 9 7:00 pm
Fall Leaves for Families I November 10 6:30 pm
Harry Potter Trivia I November 10 7:00 pm
Learn It: Medicare 101 I November 16 7:00 pm
Learn It: Gluten Free Cookies I November 17 7:00 pm
Teen Dungeons & Dragons Club I November 18 6:30 pm
Joshua Creek Christmas I November 29 7:00 pm
Ryan Shupe Christmas I November 30 7:30 pm
A Christmas Carol | December 02 - December 20
Light Up Christmas! I December 3 - December 4
The Alibis I February 7:30 pm

NEWS YOU CAN USE

  • More than 130 countries have agreed on sweeping changes to how big global companies are taxed, including a 15% minimum corporate rate designed to deter multinationals from stashing profits in low-tax countries. The deal is an attempt to address the ways globalization and digitalization have changed the world economy. 
  • If you don't like the smell of manure, then this will be good news for you! Tests in the UK have shown that artificial lightning can strip pollutants from animal manure, removing the smell and the environmental impact of methane and ammonia. Yep, you read that right.
  • A science experiment done through Project STRIVE, which is a program fostered by the National Federation of the Blind of Utah helped blind students use adaptive technologies to participate in a chemistry experiment that they normally would not be able to do. 
  • The Postal Service slowed the mail, the price of a stamp went up in August — from 55 cents to 58 cents — and additionally, temporary holiday price increases for packages and other mail are now in effect All this in an effort to save money, started on October 1st. Some critics say it's a death spiral.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

YOUR VOICE

Have any exciting news? Birthdays, babies, weddings, fur-babies, graduations? Share about it in the section on the right --> and upload pics below!

UPLOAD PICTURES HERE!

WEDNESDAY TIP

Jack Benny was a comic, but leaders can take a few tips 

Jack Benny's comedic heyday was over 70 years ago, but his generosity and lack of ego made him a unique comic talent then and a leadership role model for executives today, writes Bobby Blumofe, Akamai's chief technology officer and Benny's grandson. "Moreover, an environment that values collaboration over individual star power attracts the best talent, retains the best talent, and allows that talent to develop and flourish to its full potential," Blumofe writes.


FUN STUFF

Every year, there is a photo competition for The 2021 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.  If I remember right, I shared last year's winners in the Daily Update as well.  Here are a few of my favorites from this year's award winners.












Hope you have a great day.  Thanks for all you do to make Provo awesome!

Wayne

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