[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6466502,"mediaKeyId","5823955-616c297e8055d4c3319fc5459fe8e8e4","parentId",5823955,"title","Orem weighs bid to host Ironman triathlon, citing tourism payoff and logistical concerns","audioSeconds",756,"startMs",26000,"endMs",782000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823955-616c297e8055d4c3319fc5459fe8e8e4&start=26&end=782","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823955-616c297e8055d4c3319fc5459fe8e8e4/thumbnail_26000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466502/Orem/Utah-County/Utah/Orem-weighs-bid-to-host-Ironman-triathlon-citing-tourism-payoff-and-logistical-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466502-2fa25a8abce6a5da803ff7b581425050/orig.mp4?Expires=1773622826&Signature=aM2xQNl0hItErfQw8b1hML5-s2y4RZrFpBTrqKxZAxAdd9kXrizRiZZ-1Wl1J2Xe84UTt19C7Q6Y4Mki3QSbL9MBtlyTw1lQPnblhZgZi6jMgIL-vgn4ndnV2Unw6H-35T6Yx7z52rBAA-7xAhD0rwZvUrq9S7Fyok1cRYnVgvdwHfea~b-IwRVgcsmsegSq7SVx52vzjgGxsE6HWCn0FykjqGB~FER9j8qEXjABBEPVkpbgU2bO9ZjCAr9uUEgoelv2w7ek9PVn9m2eqp9Oy4IKJFqHfT5MDnbWAX5MLwOVFQq-AFronhaiqNIl67rX3Snfj9pxZTySdSAAhPTkig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Orem","date","2025-09-24T12:15:58.503Z","article","Orem City staff told the council they are exploring a bid to host an Ironman-level triathlon, targeting May 2027 as the earliest possible event date and proposing a three-year contract if a bid is awarded.

The proposal, presented as an opportunity to diversify the city's sports-tourism portfolio beyond youth sports tournaments, stressed potential economic benefits for hotels, restaurants and retail while also flagging substantial one-time and recurring logistics, public-safety and traffic burdens for residents. City staff said they are still in a bid phase and have not committed the city to hosting the race.

The presentation noted May as a preferred month because Utah Lake algal blooms typically peak later in summer and because late spring places the event between other major local dates, such as Utah Valley University commencement and Memorial Day weekend. Presenters also said the timing would require close coordination with Explore Utah Valley, neighboring cities and the Utah Sports Commission.

City staff provided sample economic estimates from the race promoter and local partners: the vendor-provided economic-impact estimate for a full Ironman weekend was cited in the materials as about $11 million, though staff urged caution and said those figures can be optimistic. The staff presenter said local analysis should use multiple measures — hotel occupancy, food-and-retail spend, event net-promoter scores and post-event surveys — to assess whether the event produces the city-level return residents would expect.

Council members and staff discussed funding sources. The presenter said some tourism-tax funds could be available through the Tourism Tax Advisory Board and Explore Utah Valley, as had been used previously for Lakeside improvements; but the presenter warned there is no contractual guarantee that hosting the race would secure future capital grants. The city attorney and staff also noted that developer and organizer registration revenue (for example, promoter registration fees) does not flow directly to the city, although sales tax and transient-room tax on hotel and local business spending would.

Council reaction was mixed. Several members said the prestige and hotel-tax leverage were attractive, while others emphasized that the event would be expensive in both cash and staff time and could significantly disrupt local traffic for a large portion of a Saturday. Staff said they plan to return with more analysis after receiving additional information from Explore Utah Valley and race organizers, and they asked for council feedback on whether to proceed with a formal bid.

At the meeting’s close on the topic, the council did not adopt any formal commitment. Staff will continue discussions with regional partners and the promoter, pursue additional data on expected room-night capture and local spending, and return to the council with more detailed cost, staffing and traffic-control plans before any contractual commitment.

Ending: Staff emphasized that the item is exploratory: the city is in the bid stage and has not signed any contracts. If the council wants staff to advance a formal bid, staff said they will present a full cost-benefit analysis, proposed funding sources, and a recommended approach to public-safety and traffic management before any action is taken.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Orem City Council Meeting | 9.23.2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented a potential bid to host an Ironman-level triathlon starting May 2027, highlighting large economic impacts for hotels and retail but warning of high cost, traffic and public-safety demands; council asked staff to continue exploring the opportunity with regional partners.","taxTitle","Orem, Utah County, Utah","taxId",2947,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6466488,"Council denies text amendment that would have expanded special exceptions for multifamily development",3431,9696000,13127000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823955-616c297e8055d4c3319fc5459fe8e8e4&start=9696&end=13127","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823955-616c297e8055d4c3319fc5459fe8e8e4/thumbnail_9696000.jpg","/articles/6466488/Orem/Utah-County/Utah/Council-denies-text-amendment-that-would-have-expanded-special-exceptions-for-multifamily-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466488-1f304ca7028f7b8955ad5c2c6179003f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773622826&Signature=jlgJFNgfi5vnuoO0sUjzCL7p1cC~nJdE-6Stitr52cgUwPNJvUEjooNWXmc9BEeyoo-HdFnLYG-XzB9Waum0yT7cNjBh3XDPfhLjaX56jYTFhs824kpOvBYPD1d-pkMUZNsSAi426Km5UX15BrzVhjYKd8R~voRw2ZW94VvLpJxK2oHLZgaEzVjoQTaA1b~awDzYK4xWw301SSRi8Hd2FUZZdyU9UIBHH7ZlbK1UJ7MYX~VPZhLduZNRZuzHINoQXeaNy-6B8TdeCw8ozimmnKmOat6Z89jR9h~By603pvQOiEyH~EOeA3L5vSghD~IoGnmnmyrFLT5RmxFcq-j3DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council unanimously denied a text‑amendment request to change Article 22‑21 of the zoning code, which governs \"special exceptions\" that allow multifamily dwellings on certain lots in single‑family zones.

The proposed amendment would have widened the code’s eligibility rules in several ways, including increasing the maximum lot sizes eligible for the special‑exception pathway (the applicant sought allowance of lots up to roughly 48,000 square feet) and loosening the block‑level test for determining when a lot sits within a predominantly multifamily area. The applicant also requested a revised density‑calculation approach for larger lots and modest architectural and materials adjustments.

City staff explained that the existing rule is narrowly drawn to permit multifamily only on specific leftover or infill parcels surrounded by multifamily development; the applicant described a parcel just north of University Parkway and west of State Street and said the current code prevented a townhome project he had engineered. The joint public record included project renderings and staff analysis of how many lots citywide could be eligible under the proposed new standard.

The public hearing drew about a dozen residents and neighborhood representatives. Many neighbors testified that the local streets are already congested and that on‑street parking near the block is frequent at night; they cited safety concerns, potential overflow parking and a desire to preserve single‑family neighborhood character. Other speakers emphasized housing affordability and said more for‑sale, owner‑occupied housing options would be desirable; an applicant representative said the proposed product would be aimed at owner‑occupied townhomes with lease‑to‑own options when market conditions allowed.

Council members discussed competing priorities — neighborhood stability and traffic vs. affordability and housing supply — and several members cited process concerns about creating a citywide code change tailored to one parcel. After discussion the council voted to deny the text amendment request; the council’s denial was a final local decision on the amendment at that meeting.

Ending: Council members asked staff to continue broader housing policy work and to explore options that might encourage owner‑occupied units and other affordability pathways without resorting to project‑specific code amendments.","After a public hearing that drew neighbors' concerns about parking, traffic and neighborhood character, the City Council voted to deny a proposed text amendment that would have widened eligibility to build multifamily housing in single‑family zones.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6466493,"Orem council debates donor disclosure for 501(c)(4) groups; staff recommends state-level approach",2669,2801000,5470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823955-616c297e8055d4c3319fc5459fe8e8e4&start=2801&end=5470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823955-616c297e8055d4c3319fc5459fe8e8e4/thumbnail_2801000.jpg","/articles/6466493/Orem/Utah-County/Utah/Orem-council-debates-donor-disclosure-for-501c4-groups-staff-recommends-state-level-approach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466493-85edab3315f4a381221ae7cac654b6db/orig.mp4?Expires=1773622826&Signature=mvFB30DTFBKWQVFPlXnJWwTKPJ5SuZ5Vyl7spUPR7e0MU5LWvW~speZyI1Gqm5Re21HLS9A~eWtgsq15nHeCIsgCZ6rghaDKc6pbLASkRJeXUlrL7SGqxFCwBnczTgIY-BL49C4fNTbwKg8wiRYnWX2TMojC74orlcwPuTEueE5Lmw4C1kLjKsYifLgsxWy5miihODCizpy5PNES1nxkPA63NJFz93Wgrb0IJpMFgFnfoVe7xqCMK9WzBxcYJ3uqz5Db-lZj4l8BEPCPnVyiffsNLNszlynrHDogUqkLhnL-Dkoiw8MD9XGq79UEHIWVBr92lEq-GTuqAdUKbVTe~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and the city attorney briefed the council on legal approaches other states have taken to require donor disclosure in certain circumstances that catch 501(c)(4) organizations — groups sometimes labeled \"dark money\" in public discussions. The city attorney said he had identified at least seven states with campaign‑finance rules that can require disclosure when certain expenditure or timing thresholds are met and noted recent court rulings in the Tenth Circuit bearing on the issue.

The attorney summarized common features of those state rules: expenditures that qualify are typically electioneering communications aimed at the general public within a defined pre‑election window; thresholds for triggering disclosure vary (the attorney cited donor thresholds ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand); and a common exception is that donations designated to a segregated, non‑political account need not be disclosed. He cautioned that court decisions have split, with some disclosure laws upheld and others struck down, and that the Tenth Circuit’s recent decision in a New Mexico case makes disclosure requirements more defensible in this circuit than in some others — but not \"ironclad.\"

Council members expressed differing views. Some argued the better venue for broad disclosure requirements is at the state level and that litigation risk favors a statewide approach. Others said they wanted a prompt, local transparency measure and proposed a simple checkbox on candidate filing forms where candidates could indicate \"yes,\" \"no,\" or \"I don't know\" in response to whether a 501(c)(4) had spent money to affect their campaign. Supporters framed that as a limited, informational disclosure that would not require the city to draft complex new campaign‑finance law; some council members called it a reasonable stopgap while broader state policy evolves.

Multiple council members raised concerns about fairness and enforcement: candidates may lack knowledge about independent expenditures carried out by outside groups and could check \"I don't know;\" others questioned whether a checkbox would create a false sense of transparency. Several council members emphasized that local candidates already must disclose direct contributions and in‑kind donations; staff explained that independent expenditures by 501(c)(4)s are treated differently by federal tax and campaign finance rules.

At the conclusion of the debate, council members asked staff to place a draft disclosure checkbox and associated language on the next city council agenda so the full council can consider whether to adopt it or refer the matter to the state. Staff said they would draft sample language and return the item to the council for a formal vote at a future meeting.

Ending: The council did not adopt a new local disclosure ordinance on the spot. The city attorney recommended the state as the proper forum for a robust, defensible donor‑disclosure regime, and the council directed staff to put a local checkbox option on the next agenda so members can consider a short, informational disclosure requirement.","City attorney presented research on state campaign‑finance disclosure laws that in some cases reach 501(c)(4) groups; council members debated whether to add a simple checkbox to local candidate forms to disclose whether candidates benefited from 501(c)(4) activity and directed staff to place the item on the next council agenda for a possible vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6466497,"City engineering updates roundabouts, water tank, parks and streets projects",1182,826000,2008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823955-616c297e8055d4c3319fc5459fe8e8e4&start=826&end=2008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823955-616c297e8055d4c3319fc5459fe8e8e4/thumbnail_826000.jpg","/articles/6466497/Orem/Utah-County/Utah/City-engineering-updates-roundabouts-water-tank-parks-and-streets-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466497-9176e9feae44f42b61162d4e853afe89/orig.mp4?Expires=1773622826&Signature=J1C8hnZZZgWXHsyzu1LAqu1nwK8mU-6gsiP6nspNOmdIxulYOqpkAK04AY2CP49YGfM2HHGP-uTYJCPuWhuCj298gyQ6Np~FUT1q3QRYKwAPWbStARrLO0L4SrdbNoY7LsPonFoDL6VqRZcwhOxRT2PfjEqshE71Kg8zg5YIrUyE3QFwudN1l4Nccdutn4KiJNFbCx3bSCTjab1eZqk-0Gq1VYv~xLHYMYt8wLGZmzIZaziumZla3eXfX4Abk-xZMX1yvxTEbwgDxhT8By7uBEK8iLkeWpCfTUWJLxOK0E6Fek4xugiyxv-SW6bh-oqCZ7aghX6dByvGqop-Knk-fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City engineering staff delivered a broad Capital Improvement Program update covering completed and in-progress projects across Orem, including street resurfacing, underground utility coordination, new roundabouts and ongoing park and facility work.

Staff reviewed routine maintenance and pavement‑preservation work, describing “micro surfacing” treatments for many neighborhood roads and coordination efforts to avoid cutting newly paved streets. The presentation listed multimillion‑dollar expected road projects the city plans several years in advance, with public-works coordination to align water, sewer and other underground work before surface treatments.

On larger projects, staff described a recently completed, complex roundabout project that required easement negotiations, utility relocations and coordination with UTA bus turning radii; staff said moving some overhead Rocky Mountain Power lines underground and securing property for corner geometry took years of work. The council heard that internal engineering staff designed and managed much of the work in-house, saving the city construction-management costs.

Engineering staff also reviewed several completed water‑ and sewer‑related projects, including an underground wastewater reuse pipeline serving parks and the Lakeside Sports Park, and a multi-million‑dollar sewer replacement tied to the Rose project. Staff showed aerial photos of the new 10‑million‑gallon water tank and adjacent amenities and said the remaining pump station work has been delayed by procurement but will resume this winter.

The fire‑training facility and City Hall construction were discussed: the council heard that two burn buildings were complete, the classroom building is underway, and contractors are awaiting a storm drain connection tied to a Geneva Road project. Facilities staff described recent mechanical work at the public-safety building (re-roof, boilers, new chiller) and said in-house facilities crews are completing HVAC and other upgrades.

Staff responded to council questions on project costs, contractor selection (most projects are bid), easements, and timing; they flagged that some street-light phases require numerous property easements and will proceed slowly. Council members praised staff coordination and in-house project management while acknowledging persistent resident concerns about construction disruption.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to provide regular CIP updates and coordinate with Public Works, utility companies and UDOT to minimize disruptions and preserve newly improved streets.

","City engineering staff briefed the council on capital projects including a newly completed roundabout, a 10-million-gallon water tank with park improvements, street surface treatments, sewer and lighting work, and progress at the fire-training facility and City Hall site.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Orem weighs bid to host Ironman triathlon, citing tourism payoff and logistical concerns

Council denies text amendment that would have expanded special exceptions for multifamily development

Orem council debates donor disclosure for 501(c)(4) groups; staff recommends state-level approach

City engineering updates roundabouts, water tank, parks and streets projects