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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/28/2021 - Meeting Minutes 00. Minutes DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC UTILITIES -(Z-j ADMINISTRATION "••.,�' j To•�,`, October 28, 2021 The Public Utilities Advisory Committee meeting was held at 8:00 a.m. on October 28, 2021 via online meeting platform due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Committee members present were Kent Moore, Roger Player, Ted Boyer, Dani Cepernich and Tom Godfrey. Salt Lake City Public Utilities employees present were Laura Briefer, Jesse Stewart, Tamara Prue, Holly Lopez, Brad Stewart, Tamara Wambeam, Michelle Barry, David Koltz, Jamey West, Dawn Wagner, Lisa Tarufelli, Sharon Turner, Mike Guymon, Jason Brown, Holly Mullen and Janine Calfo. Also in attendance were Rusty Vetter, Salt Lake City Attorney's Office; Sam Owen, Salt Lake City Council Office; Drew Quinn, Cottonwood Heights City Councilmember; Cheri Jackson, Mill Creek City Councilmember; Mike DeVries, Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy; Grant Davies and Josh Donegan,AECOM;Katrina Payne and Nathan Zaugg,Carollo Engineering and Don DeWolf, Jacobs Engineering. Welcome and Introductions Committee Vice Chair Roger Player and Public Utilities Director Laura Briefer welcomed the attendees. Approve Minutes of September 23, 2021 Meeting Committee member Tom Godfrey made a motion and committee member Ted Boyer seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the September 23, 2021. All members voted to approve. 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. Kent Moore asked about the reduction in operating revenue in the water utility. Lisa responded that the budget was set in January and the department sold less water, even though there was a rate increase. Laura added that water production for the summer was down by 20 percent, due to much needed water conservation during the drought. The budget for fiscal year 21-22 is impacted by additional pay increases and the drought. The budget process for fiscal year 22-23 is being initiated. The departmental audit is nearing completion. The department is planning for a bond issue in early spring 2022 to support capital projects. Laura added that the department has applied for a FEMA BRIC grant for the City Creek water treatment plant rehabilitation and will continue to look for other government grants available. Tom Godfrey mentioned the infrastructure bill and asked if grants will be given to various entities. Laura said that she is unsure on how the funding will be allocated as either grants or low interest loans. October 28,2021 PUAC MEETING MINUTES Customer Service staff took over 10,000 calls during August and September. The Water Assist program assisted nine families. Review and Adoption of new Policies related to Open Meeting Issues Rusty Vetter—City Attorney Rusty Vetter gave a short presentation to explain the action that needs to be taken today regarding changes to the State open meetings law. The new rules allow more flexibility for electronic meetings. Rusty proposed a change in the orientation section by striking the verbiage "bylaws" form the current ordinance to "relevant portions of the City Code". A Public Comments section was added. Tom Godfrey commented that the City Code has cleaner verbiage regarding a quorum for the committee and could be adopted into this amendment. Laura and Rusty agreed with the change. Kent Moore asked if there should be a clarification to how many people(maximum and minimum) are chosen for a sub-committee. Rusty responded that City Code does not mention a specific number. Committee member Kent More made a motion and committee member Tom Godfrey seconded the motion to approve the new policies related to open meetings with the above changes. All members voted to approve. New Water Reclamation Facility Status Update Jason Brown, Chief Engineer Jason Brown gave a presentation on the new Water Reclamation Facility Status Update.A copy of that presentation is attached. Jason gave a brief synopsis of the project background and discussed the work that is progressing at the site, as well as the project timeline. Director's Report Laura Briefer • Great Salt Lake Issues—Great Salt Lake is shrinking and there are potential impacts to air quality, hydrology and snowpack in the mountains. Laura currently serves on committees related to Great Salt Lake. There are several studies that are being conducted by the various groups to address Great Salt Lake issues. Salt Lake City is very concerned about Great Salt Lake and is prioritizing participating in solutions. • Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget Process—Laura mentioned that the process has begun, and N the Budget Sub-Committee will be convened after the start of the new year. Members of this Sub-Committee will be chosen during the meeting to be held in December. 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 October 28,2021 PUAC MEETING MINUTES • Status of Watershed Land Acquisition and Fund—Tom Godfrey had asked about the Fund during the last meeting in September. Laura explained that about 30,000 acres of land has been acquired in the different canyons. Every year, approximately $1.5 Million is allocated for land purchase. There is about $9.6 Million in the Watershed Fund for purchases and additional acquisitions. Tom thought that there was a monthly fee on the monthly water bills. Laura confirmed that there is a $1.50 fee per each bill,but it is not listed as a line item. There would be a software change that would have to be initiated to make that change. There is $0.50 allocated per bill for the Riparian Fund in the Stormwater Utility that is used for a list of projects at a budget of about $500,000 per year. Lisa can prepare a more detailed report for Tom by the next meeting. December PUAC Meeting Janine Calfo Janine Calfo gave an update that the Holiday Luncheon for the end of the year has been cancelled in lieu of a virtual meeting due to continuing cases of COVID. A copy of the proposed meeting schedule will be distributed to committee members at that meeting. Public Comment Mill Creek City Councilmember Cheri Jackson followed up on a previous question regarding the designated water service area and that Millcreek areas are included. Laura responded that the designated water service area ordinance and map has been sent to the City Council. Sam Owen commented that the Council has only four meetings left in the year and he will convey the importance of the adoption before the end of the year. Cheri also asked about the Lead and Copper letter that was received by a neighbor and wanted to clarify who to contact for questions on the letter. Other Business There was no other business discussed during the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:28 am. Next Meeting will be held on December 16th at 12 PM. 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