What's Up? - 2 August 2016

What's Coming Up?

COUNCIL WORK MEETING

11:45 AM, Tuesday, August 2nd, City Conference Room, 351 West Center

1. A discussion regarding the implementation options for applying the sewer base rate by residential housing unit and commercial meter size (16-097)
   From the Agenda Packet description: "This [would be] a change to the Wastewater revenue philosophy that we believe can allow the City to fund needed upgrades and enhancements identified in the Wastewater Reclamation Plant Master Plan without needing to bond in the future...At the Council’s June 16th Budget retreat Public Works’ Master Plan consultant presented on the concept of structuring base rates to cover operating expenses and the impact of per unit and per meter size billing philosophies for both residential and commercial customers. The Council asked Public Works to return to discuss options for a phased implementation of sewer base rates per unit for residential and per meter size for commercial customers, with the eventual goal of having the base rate revenue cover the operating costs of the utility."
2. A discussion on the impact of proposed phosphorous and nitrogen effluent limitations on Provo’s Water Reclamation Plant and potential impact on Wastewater rates (16-091)
   From the Agenda Packet: "If the State implements the standards they are proposing it will require significant investment in the wastewater treatment infrastructure. The original 5-year sewer rate increase plan did not factor in revenue needed for these stricter standards, but we believe that changing the sewer base rate philosophy for multi-units now can help raise sufficient revenue to cover these costs by FY2025 without bonding...Through our participation in the Jordan River Farmington Bay Water Quality Council we have been funding scientific studies to help determine the impact of wastewater effluent on the chemistry of the lake. One of our biggest concerns is making millions of dollars in improvement to our wastewater infrastructure with no real improvement in nutrient levels in the lake." 
3. A discussion about Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) funding (16-092)
   From energy.utah.gov/utah-c-pace/ :"Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) is a low-cost, long-term financing option for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation projects on commercial buildings." 
4. A discussion regarding a resolution approving the proposed Interlocal Agreement with the Redevelopment Agency of Provo City to fund the Aviation Services Community Development Project Area Plan (16-094)
   From the Agenda Packet: "Duncan Aviation is the world’s largest privately owned business jet support facility. They provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) for a variety of business jet aircraft...In 2007, Duncan made a decision to establish a MRO facility in the intermountain west region and embarked on an extensive search that included Provo airport. Duncan’s site selection time vetted over 20 different locations and ultimately chose Provo as their desired location...Duncan will invest approximately $80,000,000 in two phases to construct and outfit hangers and paint booths at Provo Airport. They plan to hire 400-450 employees in phase one and an additional 200-250 employees in phase two. The average wage for these employees is expected to be $28-30 an hour. These jobs will help provide long-term, stable employment for families in Utah County and in Provo...The cost to construct the concrete apron is estimated to be $7,000,000. Provo’s Economic Development department staff has obtained a grant for half of that cost from the Economic Development Administration. Staff is proposing to use the tax increment generated from the Duncan facility in the Aviation Services Community Development Project Area to provide funding for the balance of the apron costs. Staff has estimated that the net present value of the tax increment stream to be approximately $4,000,000."
5. A discussion regarding proposed Interlocal Agreements between the Redevelopment Agency of Provo City and Provo City, Utah County, Provo School District and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District to fund the Aviation Services Community Development Project Area Plan (16-095)
   See item above.
6. A discussion regarding an Impact Fee Funding Agreement for City View Apartments (16-099)
   From the Agenda Packet: "PEG Development, has purchased the corner of University Avenue and 200 South from Utah County and from some private landowners. They plan to build a 159 unit apartment complex in this area, increasing the viability of downtown Provo as a desirable place to live." I thought that the Council had already approved this deal. Perhaps some details have changed. I'll need to find out why we are hearing this again.
7. A discussion on an ordinance amendment to Section 14.06.020 Definitions and Section 14.10 One-Family Residential, regarding yard definitions and required widths and setbacks for corner lots. City-Wide Impact. (16-0008OA)
   This looks like a new revision of some definitions in the code to make things clearer, and to give more flexibility for building one-family residential on corner lots. I will ask if there are any other substantive changes.
8. Closed Meeting

COUNCIL MEETING

5:30 PM, Tuesday, August 2nd, City Conference Room, 351 West Center

1. A joint resolution of the Provo City Mayor and Municipal Council outlining their concern with the recent proposed standards from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality related to the impact of the wastewater effluent on the chemistry of Utah Lake. (16-091)
   Wow, just a single item on the agenda?!? This item will be discussed during the Work Meeting earlier in the day, see item 2 above. In general, I'm in favor of acting responsibly in relation to the environment in which we live. If we are going to release our treated waste water into a lake, we should do it in a way that minimizes our negative impact on the lake. I think the algal bloom that sickened people and forced the closure of Utah Lake brings into clear focus the consequences of polluting our lake. With that said, the last time this issue was before the Council (which was before I joined), I believe there was some concern that the proposed standards would have a high cost and a low impact on water quality in the lake. Some studies were commissioned, and I imagine we will hear back on the findings of those studies. I am very interested in the results as well as the quality of the studies.