News You Can Use
Some of City Council Actions in January included

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

• Approving local convention sales and alcoholic beverage licenses for Sundance;
• Approving 2015 City Council annual meeting schedule;
• Conducting a special session to review the implications of the adoption of form-based code for the Bonanza Park area and providing time for additional public comment; and
• Authorizing a transit planning financial assistance contract in the amount of $100,000 with the State of Utah.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Greening Your
Routine

This is a friendly reminder that Park City is an Idle-Free City!

City Council passed an anti-idling ordinance back in 2010.  Vehicle idling has numerous negative consequences including impacts on the environment, public health, and the inefficient use of fuel. 

• Air Quality: Emissions during idling contribute to the formation of ozone and particulate matter that are major sources of pollution in Utah.  Idle Free Utah notes that health issues, ranging from asthma and bronchitis to cancer, have been found linked to vehicle emissions. 

• Dollars and Cents: There is a direct financial benefit to those who limit their vehicle idling time. Studies indicate a financial “break-even point” of 10-30 seconds of idling time for balancing the minimal wear-and-tear on engines versus fuel saved from shutting off the vehicle. 

• Natural Resources: Vehicle idling wastes an exorbitant amount of finite resources.  The Department of Energy estimates that unnecessary vehicle idling in the U.S. burns up to 2 billion gallons of fuel per year!  Compare this to the upper-bound estimate for oil spilled in the Exxon Valdez disaster: 31.5 million gallons. 

Help us mitigate these negative impacts by being idle-free!





 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dual Language Immersion Film
at the Library

Azur et Asmar

Saturday, February 14th, 3pm at Park City Library on the lower level at the Miners Hospital 1354 Park Ave.

Once upon a time there were two children nursed by the same woman. Azur, a blonde, blue-eyed son of a noblewoman and Asmar, the dark skinned and dark-eyed child of the nurse. As kids, they fought and loved each other as brothers do. As grown ups, they become rivals. 

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


City Offices will be
Closed on Monday, February 16 for Presidents' Day

                                                        February, 2015
 

Georgetown Energy Prize

Park City/Summit County was announced as one of 50 communities that will advance in the semifinal round of the Georgetown University Energy Prize. The prize, a national competition that encourages small and mid-sized communities to implement creative energy solutions, will award $5 million to advance energy efficiency projects. Each community that advances to the semifinal round will measure residential and municipal energy use for two years. The community that manages to reduce the most energy in the most innovative way(s) is awarded the prize.  Contact Mary Christa Smith for more information and to find out how you can help Park City/Summit County win!  Email Mary Christa at mc.smith@scpw.org.

 Mountain Accord Blueprint

Mountain Accord has developed a proposed Blueprint for the future of the Central Wasatch mountains. Over the last year, Mountain Accord brought together more than 20 organizations and nearly 200 stakeholders and experts to help develop visions and goals and define an “ideal” future for each system.  This unprecedented collaboration helped create the proposed Blueprint that includes responsible stewardship of natural resources, quality recreation experiences, an environmentally sustainable transportation system, and a vibrant economy. Feedback is being solicited from the public on this document from now until March 16. During this period, the public is encouraged to comment online or by submitting comments via email at comment@mountainaccord.com, or by mail to 375 West, 200 South, Ste. 275 SLC, UT 84101.

Love Our Historic District!

The City's Planning Staff invites you to join them for a discussion of Park City's Historic District.  A special Open House will take place on February 18, 2015 from 4 to 7pm in the City Council Chambers on the first floor of City Hall at 445 Marsac Avenue.  You will be able to meet the Historic Preservation Board, provide input on existing guidelines, learn how to work with historic properties, and share your appreciation for the Historic District.  For more information contact the Planning Staff at 435-615-5060.
 

Municipal Services Related to Sundance

• Park City Transit typically averages 30,000 passengers every day during the Sundance Film Festival which is three times the ridership of a peak winter day.
• City employees reduced traffic and congestion by participating in the city-sponsored Bus-Bike-Walk Program that awards the use of alternative, low-carbon transportation choices during Sundance. This year employees: saved more than two tons of C0₂ emissions; saved $2,250 in vehicle use costs; and increased their social interactions by 4,220 minutes. 
• The Finance Department issued 365 business licenses, that included 144 for-hire companies involving 722 vehicles.  
• The Building Department issued 129 permits for festival-related activities.
• While the 2015 economic impact totals won't be completed until May, by way of comparison: in 2014 nearly 46,300 people attended the Festival with visitors from 29 countries. During the festival, attendees spent more than $86.4 million statewide. 
• Between the City and Sundance there were approximately 2000 barricades in and around town.

Visit to Sister City, Courchevel

In January a small delegation visited Park City's Sister City - Courchevel, France.  The delegation included Mayor Jack Thomas and his wife Marguerite; Assistant City Manager, Matt Dias; Sister City Program President, Tina Quayle; Vail Resorts Vice President of Community and Mountain Affairs, Kristin Williams; and Deer Valley Director of Real Estate and Resort Planning, Steve Issowits.

 
Council Visioning

City Council and the Mayor participated in an annual visioning retreat on Thursday and Friday, February 5-6 in the second floor of the Christian Center on Deer Valley Drive.  Topics included review of accomplishments in 2014 and a deeper look at issues such as affordable housing and transportation.  Time was also spent on projecting timelines and strategies for Citizen Engagement, Historic Preservation and Lower Park Avenue redevelopment opportunities.  The two-day event also included a service project assisting the Christian Center with their food bank and thrift stores as well as a reception for Council and the Mayor to get to know members of boards and commissions.  Notes from the retreat will be published in the next week or two, so stay tuned to Park City's home page.

Mayor Jack Thomas Congratulates the Winners of the Innovation Challenge Grant!

Two proposals were awarded grants:

• LED Lighting:  the team -- made up of Jason Christiansen from the Water Department, Matt Abbott from Sustainability and Troy Dayley from the Parks & Streets Department -- won with a proposal to replace all street light fixtures with state-of-the-art LED lights.
• Bus Stop Play:  Heather Todd and Jessica Moran from the City's Recreation Department won with a proposal to install play features at bus stops to encourage exercise and play while waiting for the bus. 

Rhoda Stauffer  |  Community & Public Affairs  |  435.615.5152  |  rhoda.stauffer@parkcity.org