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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/29/2023 - Meeting Minutes 00. Minutes DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC UTILITIES -(Z-j ADMINISTRATION ,'��''•� I T ''�;,`, June 29, 2023 The Public Utilities Advisory Committee meeting was held at 7:30 am on June 29, 2023, at the Department of Public Utilities, 1530 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84115, and with a virtual option for attendees. Committee members present were Roger Player,Dani Cepernich,Alex Lovell, Ted Boyer, Kathryn Floor, Lynn Hemingway, and Tom Godfrey. Salt Lake City Public Utilities employees present were Laura Briefer, Jesse Stewart, Jason Brown, Stephanie Duer, Tamara Wambeam,Michelle Barry,Holly Lopez,Chloe Morroni,Karryn Greenleaf,Tamara Prue, Jesse Killinger, Lisa Tarufelli, Derek Velarde, and Janine Calfo. Also in attendance were Tim Cosgrove from the City Council Office; Mark Kittrell and Rusty Vetter, Salt Lake City Attorney's Office; Annalee Munsey and Mike DeVries, Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake City and Sandy; Joanna Endter-Wada, Chris Garrard, Christopher McGinty, Utah State University. Welcome and Introductions Committee Chair Dan] Cepernich and Public Utilities Director Laura Briefer welcomed the attendees. Approve Minutes of May 25, 2023,Meeting A motion was made and seconded to approve minutes of the May 25, 2023, PUAC meeting. All members voted to approve as presented. Monthly Financial Report Lisa Tarufelli,Finance Administrator Public Utilities Finance Administrator Lisa Tarufelli gave a presentation of the financial report. A copy of that presentation is attached. The Water Fund Revenue is at 80 percent of overall budget as of May 31. The shortfall is due to conservation efforts and the wet spring. A portion of the shortfall is made up by reducing operational expenditures, currently at 77 percent of budget. It is projected that the fund will be $16M less than budgeted and the next budget will consider the new pattern of water use. Some significant projects will have to be postponed. Capital Expenditures including encumbrances are at 53 percent of budget. The Sewer Fund Revenues are at 113.72 percent of budget. Interest earnings on bond proceeds and settlement proceeds are driving the revenue increase. Operational Expenses are 72 percent of budget and Capital Expenditures are at 70 percent. There are $100M in contracts encumbered that will be recorded soon. Lynn Hemingway asked if contractors could find resources for the build. Jason Brown responded that they have been able to recruit. The Stormwater Fund Revenue is at 106 percent of budget. Operating Expenses are 57 percent of budget. Capital Expenditures are 79 percent of budget. Expenses for the spring runoff response will not be enough to file for FEMA funds. Although the department is not applying for refund June 29,2023 PUAC MEETING MINUTES from FEMA, the declaration of emergency from the Mayor prompted the department to track expenses. Total expenses for the response were —$2M. There were no deficiencies found in the City's infrastructure and minimal damage related to the few floods. The Street Lighting Fund is trending as budgeted. There will be a new Master Plan implemented next year and new capital projects will be started. There is ongoing debt service for this bond due to bond expenditures from previous years. Roger Player asked if all the lights have been converted to Dark Skies regulations. Laura Briefer responded that there have been supply shortages. Overall revenues are 94 percent of budget. Cost escalation has pushed the expenditures up. Bond proceeds are funding a large portion of the capital. There are 6.7 percent of 2020 bond funds remaining and 69.4 percent of 2022 bond funds. Delinquent billing is less than 1 percent. The Department Budget was approved on June 13th.New bond issuance will be in early 2024. The next WIFIA report is due July 31, 2023. Director's Report Laura Briefer Laura Briefer gave a brief update to the Committee regarding recent staff changes.Deputy Director Marian Rice has accepted a position at the University of Utah and will be leaving Public Utilities. Staffing Update— Laura Briefer made the announcement that Jason Brown will be assuming the position of Deputy Director that was vacated by Marian Rice. There will be some minor organizational changes in departments that will direct report to Jesse Stewart and Jason Brown. Legislative interim work— The Statewide water right adjudication is ongoing. Laura recognized Tamara Prue and Mark Kittrell for their continuing work on the project. There are various water policy issues that are still under review during the legislative interim sessions. A working group is ongoing for property tax fund use for water needs. Holly Lopez is on the water policy taskforce and had nothing to report for the meeting. Staff recognition for work during spring runoff. Laura introduced Scott Swanger, Stormwater Supervisor, Waylon Blackburn (drainage maintenance manager) and James Newman (supervisor of the vactor group)who were representatives of the many people who worked so hard during the spring runoff after the historic snowfall last winter. Water Conservation Update and WaterMAPS Demonstration Stephanie Duer Stephanie Duer gave a water conservation presentation and demonstrated the new WaterMAPS program. A copy of that presentation is attached. N a SALT LAKE CITY DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC UTILITIES 1530 SOUTH WEST TEMPLE STREET WWW.SLCGOV.COM SALT LAKE CITY,UTAH 84115 2 of 3 TEL 801-483-6770 June 29,2023 PUAC MEETING MINUTES Stephanie Duer explained how the WaterMAPS program is used to allow consumers to personalize their outdoor water use report. This will allow water users to manage their consumption based on their personal landscape needs and indicate the capacity to conserve. The"landscape irrigation ratio" is determined by identifying parcel data, land cover data, water meter data and weather data. The final product will inform consumers if they are watering too much. Consumers who are watering efficiently but are in a high-water usage due to larger property footprint can contact the Conservation program to get suggestions on how to landscape for better water efficiency. Laura wanted to point out that the program isn't meant to penalize consumers but to offer help them in personalizing their conservation efforts. The program can also help the Department project water use related to revenues. Dani Cepernich asked the time frame that the data on the website is from. Stephanie responded that it is from between 2018—2022. Data is provided in a monthly format. In the future, the report will update monthly, when the water meter is read. Kathryn Floor asked if the system will be shared with other cities. Public Comment None. Other Business None. Meeting adjourned at 8:56 am. Next Meeting will be September 28" at 7:30 am at the Public Utilities Administration Building M a SALT LAKE CITY DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC UTILITIES 1530 SOUTH WEST TEMPLE STREET WWW.SLCGOV.COM SALT LAKE CITY,UTAH 84115 3 of 3 TEL 801-483-6770