General Information

Government Type

Municipality

Entity

Salt Lake City

Public Body

Public Utilities Advisory Board

Notice Information

Add Notice to Calendar

Notice Title

Salt Lake City Public Utilities Advisory Committee

Notice Tags

Public Utilities

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

June 24, 2021 08:00 AM

Event End Date & Time

June 24, 2021 10:00 AM

Description/Agenda

June 24, 2021 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 Tarufelli 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 1 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. 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 Laura Briefer , 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 23rd at 8:00 am.

Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)

This is an accessible facility. People with disabilities may make requests for reasonable accommodation, which may include alternate formats, interpreters, and other auxiliary aids and services. Please make requests at least two business days in advance. To make a request, please contact the Public Utilities Office at 801-483-6834, or relay service 711.

Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation

Yes

Meeting Information

Meeting Location

1530 S. West Temple
SLC, UT 84115
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Show in Apple Maps Show in Google Maps

Contact Name

Tamara Wambeam

Contact Email

tamara.wambeam@slc.gov

Contact Phone

(801)483-6746

Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

September 24, 2021 03:29 PM

Notice Last Edited On

September 24, 2021 03:29 PM

Subscribe by Email

Subscription options will send you alerts regarding future notices posted by this Body.