HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/24/2021 - Meeting Minutes 00.
Minutes
DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC UTILITIES
-(Z-j ADMINISTRATION
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The Public Utilities Advisory Committee meeting was held at 8:00 a.m. on May 27,
2021 via online meeting platform due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Committee members present
were Kent Moore, Roger Player, Ted Wilson, Lynn Hemingway, Ted Boyer, Dani Cepernich and
Tom Godfrey. Salt Lake City Public Utilities employees present were Laura Briefer,Tamara Prue,
Holly Lopez,Brad Stewart,Tamara Wambeam,Marian Rice,Lisa Tarufelli,Holly Mullen, Sharon
Turner,Alex Christensen, Jamey West,Jason Brown, Teresa Gray, Stephanie Duer,Jason Brown,
Karryn Greenleaf and Janine Calfo. Also in attendance were Rusty Vetter, Salt Lake City
Attorney's Office; Sam Owen, City Council Office; Mike DeVries, Metropolitan Water District
of Salt Lake and Sandy; Mike Brewer and Grant Davis, AECOM; Steve Van Loan, Sundt PCL
and Cindy Gubler, Wilkinson Ferrari.
Welcome and Introductions
Committee Chair Lynn Hemingway and Public Utilities Director Laura Briefer welcomed the
attendees.
Approve Minutes of May 27, 2021 Meeting
Committee member Ted Wilson made a motion and committee member Kent Moore seconded
the motion to approve the minutes of the May 27, 2021. All members voted to approve.
Monthly Financial Report—Lisa Tarufelh
Public Utilities Finance Administrator Lisa Tarufelli gave a presentation of the financial report
as of the end of May 2021. A copy of that presentation is attached.
Water expectations were reduced for this year. Main water sales were 28 percent lower than a
year ago. Operating expenditures are trailing behind budget.
The Sewer account still has 54 percent of bond revenue available.
The Storm Water budget continues to trend ahead of budget on the operating funds. Accounts
receivable are down from a year ago.
The Street Lighting budget continues to see operating expenses ahead of expectations due to
windstorm repairs beginning to be made.
Overall, all funds are ahead of budget. Capital is 81 percent of the cost for facility. Accounts
receivable delinquents are back under I percent. A year ago, delinquents were over two and a
half percent. In the month of May there were 1,500 delinquent accounts and were lower than
April. There were no bankruptcy write offs in May.
June 24,2021
PUAC MEETING MINUTES
The Department budget was approved on June 15th as presented. Due to a paperwork error, the
rate increase will have to be approved next month.
Lisa had a meeting with a new state group that will be able to give a new water assistance
vehicle.
Tom Godfrey asked if there was a plan on when the money from the wind event will be received.
Lisa responded that FEMA does not have a timeline on when funding will take place.
Roger Player asked if the City Council approved the staffing changes. Lisa responded that they
had.
Status of New Water Reclamation Facility
Jason Brown
Chief Engineer, Jason Brown, gave a presentation on the status of the New Water Reclamation
Facility. A copy of that presentation is attached.
Jason Brown had his group introduce themselves to the Committee. There is a standing, weekly,
Executive Committee meeting that convenes to provide updates on the projects. Jamey West
outlined the types of updates that are given and a brief description of the original Water
Reclamation Facility and a background of the project.
There has been major price escalation on building materials over the last year and the department
is working to mitigate those increases.
Grant Davies, with AECOM, gave an update on the project status. Jason Brown discussed the
budget projection review. Steve Van Loan from Sundt PCL gave an update about the material
shortages and price escalations and discuss mitigation plans. Some of the project elements have
been deferred and will be completed at a later time. Some processes have been separated into
different projects to be able to open to more competitive bids.
Laura Briefer stressed the importance of the intradisciplinary collaboration that is taking place on
this project. The Department is not assuming any Federal grants for this project, but any new
funding avenues will be explored.
Holly Lopez gave an update on the sustainability efforts on the project. Holly Mullen gave an
update on the public engagement efforts on the project.
Alex Christensen shared some recent construction photos. Laura mentioned that the PUAC
members are invited to come to tour the site(possibly in September). Ted Wilson commented that
the wanted to congratulate Laura and the staff for a well-run project.
Director's Report N
Laura Briefer
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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
June 24,2021
PUAC MEETING MINUTES
Laura reported that there were no changes to the Public Utilities budget that was adopted on June
15th. The Strategist and Chief Innovations officer has been approved. Laura announced Teresa
Gray as the new Water Quality and Treatment officer, replacing Marian Rice who accepted a
position as a new Deputy Director for the department.
Mayor Mendenhall enacted a fireworks ban throughout the city due to extreme drought. Wildfires
can have a dramatic impact on water resources and water quality. Tom Godfrey noted that there
have been sales of fireworks throughout the city. Laura responded that there are elements of state
law that come into play with the sale of fireworks.
Stage II of the water contingency plan is now in effect. Mandatory restrictions apply onto to
government facilities. Laura thanked Stephanie Duer for her work with conservation with many
and various entities in the City.
Laura wanted to recognize Marian Rice and Lisa Tarufelli for applying for FEMA funding for a
grant for the City Creek Water Treatment Plant. That application is now in progress and they are
cautiously optimistic. Letters of support are being gathered from other entities. The value of the
rebuild of the plant is about$43 million.
The Department is continuing to work on interim legislative issues. There was a meeting on
extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Laura wanted to thank the Committee Members for their commitment to the Public Utilities
Department and their work.
No PUAC Meetings in July and August
Meeting adjourned at 9:24 am.
Next Meeting will be held on September 23'd at 8:00 am.
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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