03/28/2013 - Minutes p1 /3-G
RECEIVED
Salt Lake City MAY 1 6 2013
Public Utilities Advisory Committee
Minutes CITY RECORDER
March 28, 2013
The Public Utilities Advisory Committee meeting was held at 7:00 a.m. March 28, 2013 at 1530
South West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. Committee members present were Dwight Butler,
Larry Myers, Dixie Huefner, Allen Orr, Roger Player, Kent Moore and Christy Cushing. Salt
Lake City Public Utilities employees present were Jeff Niermeyer, Tom Ward, Jim Lewis,
Florence Reynolds, Nick Kryger, Larry Alserda, Laura Briefer, Bob Sperling, Stephanie Duer,
Nicole Sneiding Brad Stewart and Zee Smith. Also in attendance were Rusty Vetter, SLC
Attorney's Office; Mike Wilson, MWDSLS; Mike Collins and Keith Larson, Bowen Collins, &
Associates; Doug Cromer, CRS Engineers; Jeremy Williams, Carollo En; Tim Bardsely, Western
Water Assessment; Jim Olson, and Karen Nichols, HDR; Jim Goodley, JUB; Holly Hilton, SLC
Mayor's Office.
Approve Minutes of February 28, 2013 Meeting
Committee member Christy Cushing moved and Committee member Kent Moore seconded the
motion, to approve the minutes of the February 28, 2013 meeting as amended. All members
present voted aye.
Financial Report—Jim Lewis
Mr. Jim Lewis briefed the Committee on the financial report for the period ending.February 28,
2013. Mr. Lewis stated that all three funds are currently doing very well and are in good financial
position at this time. He stated that with the 2012 warmer summer season and early spring
current water-year sales are higher than the previous year by 3% (i.e., 6 million dollars). He also
presented the water conservation chart showing average water usage for the past three months.
The next slide presented was a comparison of revenue for all three funds versus budget. Mr.
Lewis stated that two of the funds, Sewer and Storm Water are currently below last year while
Water is above last year. He stated that revenue is a little off due to the fact that the billing
process is about two weeks behind due to the implementation of the new street lighting fee and
current vacant positions. The Water Utility is currently $6 million higher than last year, Sewer is
$127,000 lower, and Storm Water $300,000 below last year.
The next slide presented was a comparison of operating costs, comparing last year with the
current budget amounts. Mr. Lewis stated that operating costs for the Water Utility are higher
than last year by $4.6 million, which relates to additional water purchases over the previous year.
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The Sewer is below last year by $162,000 and the Storm Water is above last year by $632,000.
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Storm Water is higher due to the additional street sweeping cost which was included in the
current year's budget. The Department has been doing a very good job of controlling
expenditures over the last couple of years.
The last slide presented listed the capital improvements for each of the funds as compared to
budget. The Water Utility has expended $6.3 million in capital improvements with $5.3 million
encumbered at the end of February. The Sewer Utility has expended $8.5 million with$6.9
million encumbered. The Storm Water Utility has expended $4.1 million with $3.9 million
encumbered. Total for all three funds equals $18.9 million and $16.1 million encumbered as of
the end of February 2013.
Mr. Lewis then talked about the budget process. He stated that the Mayor reviewed the budget on
March 15th and approved its submission to the City Council for approval. We will have a budget
presentation to the City Council on April 9th
Update on Street Light Program—Brad Stewart
Mr. Brad Stewart gave a presentation to the Committee regarding the new Street Lighting. He
said one of the first goals is to identify the condition of the external infrastructure. Night surveys
showed that out of 15,260 lights, 2,640 or 16 %were black, or not functioning on Jan 15, 2013.
Over half of these black lights have been restored to service. The department's quick response
initiatives were to start with the quick and less expensive fixes, (defined as highest number of
lights restored per dollar) Solving a circuit problem can restore half a dozen or more lights at a
time. Now repairs are getting more extensive, and take more time and money.
Most of our system is older with a variety of different wattage, voltage, and lamp fixtures that
have odd sized bases and the circuitry is often designed for a different wattage for each fixture.
Retrofit kits have a high maintenance history and don't qualify for Rocky Mtn. Power rebates.
So, most typically we will likely be replacing whole fixture heads when we do the upgrades. This
also makes sense because these old fixtures are near the end of their life expectancy and these
new lamps have a 20-25 year life expectancy. There would be no reason to replace a fixture
before the bulb burns out. As the fixtures are getting replaced, they will be replaced with high
energy fixtures. Induction lights are an older but very efficient technology, have good color
rendition similar to fluorescent but don't have a ballast and they have a very good maintenance
record. There are thousands of these in our system already, primarily in Rose Park.
LED lights are the new kid on the block,they have shown a lot of potential, are very efficient
and have a long life span. There are already about 1,600 of these lights in our system, primarily
along arterial streets. The color tends to be blue or very bright white, which bothers some people,
but the colors are getting better.
Mr. Stewart also showed a slide with red dots which means the lights are off, and green dots
mean the light is on. When they get a line of red dots, this can sometimes indicate wire theft. The
current approach for theft is to cut the wire and wait awhile and then pull the wire. The
department is burying junction boxes so they are not visible and are more difficult to locate. N
Also we are welding the hand holes in the bottom of poles in the trouble areas. There will also be
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more studies and evaluation regarding this issue to try and prevent more vandalism
There have also been a few wire replacement projects. 600 North wire is being replaced and this
project should be finished in a week or so. South Temple, Sonata Street and River Bend Street
are also scheduled for wire replacements.
Much of the concern regarding the new street lighting fee comes from older citizens worried
about the additional fee on their public utilities bill.Also residents in Special Service Assessment
Areas or"Private Light" areas are feeling that they have paid twice. Most of our service calls
come from residents wanting more lights installed near their houses. The Department has had
very few calls from business.
The Department has been doing interviews for a dedicated Program Manager to oversee the
street lighting program. There were 30 applicants and the Department has selected David
Pearson. He will start in early April. He brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm and seems very
able to learn what is needed to manage our street lighting program.
Mobile Application—Nick Kryger
Mr. Nick Kryger showed a slide presentation demonstrating Public Utilities GIS Mobile
Mapping System. There are GIS Maps for Trails, Locators, Investigators, Sewer Crews,
Pretreatment, and Special Maps. Mr. Kryger showed a slide explaining how the GIS department
is responsible for creating the watershed trail maps throughout our local canyons. He showed
how there are 36 posted large trail maps. You can look at them on www.keepitpure.com. This
site will show you how you can type in the name of a trail on your mobile device, and it will
pinpoint campsites, park and rides, information center, resorts, trailhead,watershed boundaries,
and protected watershed. Mr. Kryger also stated that you can look on your mobile device and it
will show you how far the trail is and the best route to take.
The next slides Mr. Kryger showed were regarding Public Utilities Locators. The locators do an
average of 3,000 locates per month, using the Apple ipad and secured services. The Locator can
look up the work order; it will show the number, address, location and all of the history
associated with the service. Then the locator can enter the information at the time of service, and
the information is always updated and current.
The Collectors/Investigators are also using ipads. It gives them the payment history, the water
usage, readings locations. Also they can take payments and process them while dealing with the
customers. And then the information is current at all times and everyone has the same
information. Other departments in Public Utilities that are using the mobile applications or will
be using them in the near future are Sewer Crews, Pretreatment and Special Maps.
In summary: The Department of Public Utilities has the leading edge on the Mobile Technology
and will continue to move forward.
• The process is much faster and we can do more work in less time.
• The mobile process is very cost effective, by having the information available in the field Mcu
we are getting work done today that may have not been completed for many days.
• The mobile process is more efficient; it is paperless, uses less fuel, and generates savings
in time and money.
Committee member Dixie Huefner asked if we have ways to measure the effectiveness of using
this new technology. Mr. Kryger explained that ipads are about '/2 the cost of a lap top. And he
explained the effectiveness of our stand by crews and how they can check the information from
their home and not have to come into the shops to collect the very same information. Committee
member Christy Cushing asked if we would be showing the City Council how effective the
mobile technology is. Mr. Niermeyer suggested we could show them a comparison of where we
were a year ago and where we are now.
Update on Law Suit
Mr. Rusty Vetter provided a brief summary of a recent court ruling of interest to the City. This is
known as Haik vs.SLC and Town of Alta. The case involves property owners in Little
Cottonwood Canyon seeking to obtain water for lots they own in the in the canyon.A similar
case had been brought by the same plaintiffs over 10 years ago and Judge Stewart of the Federal
District Court ruled that the facts had not changed since the dismissal of the prior case and the
new case should also be dismissed. The ruling is an affirmation of how the City is enforcing its
watershed ordinance. It is anticipated that his recent ruling will be appealed by the plaintiffs.
Legislative Update—Rusty Vetter
Mr. Rusty Vetter gave an update to the Committee regarding the water issues that were addressed
this year at the Legislature.
HB29 -Adjudication of Water Rights, Rep. Joe Briscoe. This bill was recommended by both
the Water Coalition and the Executive Water Task Force. It is designed to improve the
adjudication of water rights by allowing the State Engineer to divide a general adjudication into
divisions and subdivisions and to conduct each smaller adjudication separately. This bill passed.
HB 36 - Storm Water Capture Amendments, Rep. Jim Nielson. This looks a lot like the Storm
Water bills that were attempted last year, but with an interesting twist. The State Engineer("SE")
would be prevented from enforcement action for detention of water for storm water purposes as
long as the detention does not interfere with any water right and does not put the detained water
to beneficial use. So far the bill sounds "not bad." The rest of the bill creates a registration of rain
water tanks with the SE. Up to two 100 gallon tanks can be used without registration. It provides
for a registration of larger tanks, which may contain up to 2,500 gallons. If one or more tanks are
used, the maximum amount still stored is 2,500 gallons. This harvesting right does not constitute
a water right and can't be transferred to another party. After being circled since 2/13/13, the bill
was amended with the additional language that the person using the rain water will have to
comply with state law and local health and safety regulations. Once the bill was amended, it
passed the Senate without opposition and the House concurred without opposition. This bill
passed.
HB 68 - Public Trust Obligations and Constitutional Protections, Rep. Kay Mciff. Rep. Mciff
proposes to define the scope of the public trust doctrine so that it may not be used to reduce
beneficial use of water. The bill also states that an approved appropriation of water is a property
right that cannot be taken without just compensation. The stream access bill that passed a couple
of years ago is not in litigation over the concepts of public trust and access. The bill did not pass.
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HB 72—Safe Drinking Water Disclosure Act, Rep. Roger Barrus. This bill requires that a
public water system that fluoridates public water supplies meet certain requirements require a
local health department to order temporary removal of fluoride from public water supplies under
certain circumstances. The bill worked its way up the Senate 2nd Reading calendar right into a
circle on the 28`h. The snag was resolved and the bill passed the Senate and was prepared for
enrolling on the 8th of March.
HB 73—Water Easement Amendments, Rep. John G. Mathis. The Executive Water Task Force
("EWTF" or the "Task Force") recommended this bill as a method or way to allow a canal
company to abandon a prescriptive easement that is no longer used. Once the abandonment is
completed, the underlying fee owner would have the land without the prescriptive easement. This
bill passed.
HB 123 -Water Rights Change Application Amendments, Rep. Kay Mciff. This is the bill
that Rep. Mciff has been working on for almost a year. The concepts that are part of the
agreement include the removal of the "stone wall" created by the East Jordan v Payson case, a
protection for shareholders that the water company can't sell water reducing their water
allotment per share without the consent of shareholders, and the removal of criminal penalties
from the change application process. This bill failed.
HB 166 -Water Rights Amendments, Rep. Ken Ivory. This bill has been requested by the
Farm Bureau and others to counter actions by the federal government that have restricted access
or required an extraction of a water right or a portion of the water right as part of the federal
permitting process. This bill passed.
HB 326—Division of Water Rights Amendments, Rep. Kurt Webb. This bill requires the state
engineer to consider a recorded water rights addendum, forwarded by the county recorder, as a
report of water right conveyance; limits the methods of transfer of a right to use water evidenced
by shares of stock in a corporation; requires the state engineer to consider certain documents
recorded by a county recorder as a conveyance of a water right appurtenant to land; and makes
technical corrections. This bill passed.
HB 358—Instream Flow Amendments, Rep. Mike Noel. This bill amends the existing instream
flow act to allow a fishing group to enter into agreements with the water right owner that will
allow the water right owner to obtain indemnification from Endangered Species Act liability.
This bill failed.
HB 360—Water & Irrigation Amendments, Rep. Ryan Wilcox. This bill was developed by
the Executive Water Task Force pursuant to the request of the state engineer. It clarifies that the
protection granted by a non use application only protects against forfeiture during the active
status of the non use application. It would clarify that no protection would be available for the
time period before the non use application is approved. This bill passed.
SB 109 — Change Application, Sen. Ralph Okerlund. SB 109S4 passed the House on the last
day on a 61-12-2 vote. The Senate refused to concur with the Senate Amendment and asked the
House to recede. The House refused to recede. Conference committees were appointed by each
legislative body. However the Senate Conference Committee refused to meet with the House
Conference Committee and the change application bill met its demise. This bill failed.
SB 115—Water Development Commission Amendments, Sen. Margaret Dayton. This is a bill
recommended by one of the Co-Chairmen of the Water Development Commission. It provides
four year terms that are staggered for the appointed nonvoting members of the Commission. This
bill passed. If)
SB 154— Sales and Use Tax Taxation of Water, Sen. Scott Jenkins. This bill would subject the t
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sales of portable water to the Sales and Use Tax. The State portion of the tax would go to the
Conservation and Development Fund for the development of water projects by the Board of
Water Resources. The local government portion of the sales tax would be available for the
general fund of those taxing entities. The bill failed.
Non water bills of Interest.
SB 190—Procurement Code, Sen. Scott Jenkins. This is the long awaited bill that resolves the
problems contained in last year's Procurement Legislation that would be effective on May 5th of
this year. The Senate approved a Substituted SB 190 that resolved most of the issues that had
been sources of contention for the Utah Association of Special Districts, the League of Cities and
Towns and the Association of Counties. The contractors also took a shot at some of the
provisions. The Substitute resolved the ethical issues concerning the districts, counties and cities.
A delayed date is provided for rule making authority by the local districts. The bill reflects the
excellent work of LeGrand Bitter, Richard Bay and Mark Anderson with substantial help from
Roger Tew representing the ULCT. The bill passed the Senate on the 1st. It was reported out
favorably by the House Business & Labor Committee on the 6`h. Once the final substitute was
made by the House Committee, the Procurement Code bill passed the House on the Tuesday, and
then the Senate concurred without opposition on same day. The bill is now being prepared for the
Governor's signature. We will watch this bill next year.
Water Supply Outlook—Larry Alserda
Mr. Larry Alserda gave the Committee an update on this year's water supply outlook. He stated
although we are ahead of last year's snow pack at this time it is not by much. With April being
one of the wettest months for the mountains we seem to be at a threshold. Hopefully the weather
does not do as it did last year. If April is anywhere near normal for precipitation then it will delay
runoff from the mid and higher elevations and provide more water to store in lakes and reservoirs
for use this summer.
Three of the SNOTEL sites are on our watershed. Trial Lake is located in the Uinta Mountains at
the head of the Provo River Basin. Mr. Alserda had some graphs that showed the snow
measurements are equivalent to last year's amount of water in the snow pack. The snow courses
that Mr.Alserda measures are also similar to last year.
The Provo/Jordan Basin soil moisture is around 54% of saturation which is a little lower than last
year at this time. The NOAA runoff forecast for our entire watershed is 67% of normal which is
about the same as last year.
The reservoirs are doing better this year. Dear Creek Reservoir is 88% full, Jordanelle Reservoir
is at 58%, Little Dell Reservoir is 56% and last year at this time Little Dell was at 53%.
Mountain Dell is 57% full and last year it was 47% full. Several years have had drier winters but
average or above average precipitation in April. We can hope for above average precipitation this
coming April.
Water Conservation Goals—Stephanie Duer
Stephanie Duer updated the Committee on the 2013 Water Conservation Goals: be
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1) Press Releases through the Mayor's Office; each month
April: Water Supply
May: Water Checks
June: Launch of www.slcgov.com/gardenwise
July: Landscape Ordinance (not definite)
August: Living on Stored Water
2) Radio Segments/Programming-Working with Mayor's office to develop regular radio
program with local radio station (KCPW)
3) Web and Social Media
Facebook: Weekly tips on water efficiency
Website: Promote conservation gardens, landscape website
The Department would like to drive the messages relating to our water supply and provide
informative and accurate updates to our community. The Department would like to utilize
attention of media on current water profiles to inform/educate community on how past efforts in
water infrastructure development and current water management methods create resilience
within our water supply.
The Department would like to establish Public Utilities as the water expert for Salt Lake City and
Service Area, and to enhance water conservation practices outreach to effect broader community
awareness and response.
Comments: Committee member Allen On asked if there had been any studies done on how much
water different kinds of trees use. Stephanie replied yes, and they have found that most trees use
just as much water as turf does, but the benefits are very high with trees.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:45 a.m.
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