HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/24/2018 - Meeting Minutes 00.
Minutes
DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC UTILITIES
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Minutes
May 24, 2018
The Public Utilities Advisory Committee meeting was held at 7:30 a.m. on May 24, 2018 at the
Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, 1530 South West Temple, Salt Lake City,UT 84115.
Committee members present were Colleen Kuhn, Lynn Hemmingway, Ted Boyer, Roger Player,
Sydney Fonnesbeck, and Ted Wilson. Salt Lake City Public Utilities employees present were
Laura Briefer, Jesse Stewart, Rusty Vetter, Kurt Spjute, Mark Christensen, Jason Brown,
Stephanie Duer, Carly Castle, Marian Rice, Jason Draper, Holly Mullen, and Janine Calfo. Also
in attendance were Rusty Vetter, City Attorney's Office; Mike Collins, Bowen Collins; Mike
DeVries, Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy; Will Peterson, AECOM; Nate
Salazar, Mayor's Office; Sam Owen, City Council Office; Nathan Zaugg, Carollo Engineering;
Jeff Silvestrini, Mayor of the City of Millcreek; and Karen Nichols, HDR.
Welcome and Introductions
Committee Chair Colleen Kuhn and Public Utilities Director Laura Briefer welcomed the
attendees.
Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting
(April 26, 2018)
Mr.Wilson moved and Mr.Hemmingway seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the April
26, 2018 meeting. All members present voted aye.
Financial Report—Kurt Spjute, Finance Administrator
Public Utilities Finance Administrator,Kurt Spjute,presented the Public Utilities' financial report.
A copy of Mr. Spjute's presentation is attached.
Rate issues and future bonding are on track. There is a possibility that the new rate structure may
not be implemented until January 2019 so that issues with the PUBS Program and customer
feedback may be resolved.
Water, sewer and stormwater funds are on track to finish below budget for capital projects for the
year.
Mr. Ted Wilson asked if the City Council is still talking about closing the golf courses in Rose
Park and Glendale. Mr. Spjute mentioned that he hadn't heard of any of the gold courses closing.
Secondary water is being considered for watering the greens.
May 24,2018
PUAC MEETING MINUTES
Climate Resilience Presentation—
Laura Briefer, Director
Public Utilities Public Director, Laura Briefer, gave a presentation on climate resilience. A copy
of Ms. Briefer's presentation is attached.
Ms. Briefer was asked by the American Water Resources Association to give a presentation at
their upcoming meeting. According to the current U.S. Global Change Research Program, the
climate is getting warmer. There are several factors that increase the water vulnerability in Utah.
Salt Lake City continues with efforts to create renewable energy plans and implement them.
Mr. Wilson asked if it takes two acre feet of water to grow one acre feet of alfalfa and if there is
anything recoverable. Ms. Briefer says that Salt Lake City doesn't have that much agriculture in
its area. Other municipalities and water users are reviewing this problem and the discussion has a
lot of political implications. Mr. Hemmingway asked if the water used to generate power at the
treatment plants is used by consumers. Mrs. Briefer responded that the power generated is used
mainly at the treatment plants. There is current research being done to explore renewable energy
in all new buildings and campuses.
Utah Lake Water Quality Study Update—
Jesse Stewart, Deputy Director
Public Utilities Deputy Director, Jesse Stewart,presented an update on the Utah Lake Water
Quality Study. A copy of Mr. Stewart's presentation is attached.
Before his presentation, Mr. Stewart mentioned that there is luncheon to honor one of our
employees for helping the police department during a homicide investigation. Also,Mark Stanley,
our Manager of Operations, passed away earlier in the month.
Mr. Stewart discussed that Utah Lake is a shallow lake which adds to the complications with water
quality. Anything that is done to Utah Lake has to take into account water rights and the water end
users.
The Study Committee has just created a Science Panel to guide the water quality criteria
development on Utah Lake by overseeing targeted scientific studies.
Ms. Briefer asked what the impetus was to create the committee. Mr. Stewart noted that it was the
new Phosphorus Limit regulations and the nutrient criteria for the state. Mr. Wilson asked if the
exchange agreements in place help to mitigate when problems occur.
Discussion and Possible Creation of PUAC Legislative Subcommittee—
A couple of bills will be coming during the special session. Ms. Briefer gave a brief update of N
those bills that are being moved to a study phase and will be forwarded to the special session.
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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
May 24,2018
PUAC MEETING MINUTES
There will be legislative subcommittees that will meet on Tuesdays and Ms. Briefer thought it
would be beneficial for a three-person committee to meet during the summer.
Ms. Briefer mentioned that there will be a lobbying team that will be working for the
Department. Mr. Wilson asked to frame the responsibility of the subcommittee. The
subcommittee should be advisory to the Director.
Mr. Wilson felt that it would not be necessary to form a formal subcommittee. Ms. Briefer can
contact the PUAC members as required and can call on them anytime necessary during the
special session.
Other Business
Ms. Holly Mullen, Public Engagement and Communications Manager, mentioned that the Public
Utilities website will be made public on Tuesday, May 29tn
Meeting adjourned at 8:53 a.m.
NO MEETING IN JUNE OR JULY
Next meeting will be held on August 23rd at 7:30 a.m.
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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