Summary of May 11 City Council Meeting

Post Date:05/16/2017 1:40 PM
SUMMARY of the MAY 11 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
IN THE WORK SESSION

Presentation of City Manager’s Recommended Budget:
City Councilwas presented with the revised FY2017 and proposed FY2018 operating and capital budget. The budget presentation will continue over the next four Council meetings. In the operating budget, significant year-over-year increases are due to Pay Plan increases, health care increases, and operating expenses primarily related to transit, to keep up with demand for services.

Discussion of Proposed Amendments to the Convention Sales License (CSL) Process:
The majority of Council favored a new Type 3 CSL, which would allow an event organizer to pull an “umbrella” license and provide a list of vendors participating in a small event, rather than have each vendor pull a sales license on their own. Council also favored a five-day activation CSL and/or load in/out time slots for Old Town vendors during Sundance to avoid a growing trend of loading-in for only the first few days of the festival then load-out during the day in the middle of the festival. Council requested staff gather input from Main Street landlords and merchants and return with recommendations.

Discussion of Regulation of Chain Businesses on Main Street and Receive Public Input:
The majority of Council favored a cap on chain businesses rather than a ban. Council requested staff work with the Planning Commission and return to Council with recommendations.
IN THE REGULAR MEETING

Special Acknowledgement
Councilwoman Becca Gerber paid respects to Park City native and Olympic champion Steve Holcomb, who passed away last week. She told the story of growing up together as friends and classmates and called Holcomb, “a one-of-a-kind, special person,” and asked to take a moment to remember Holcomb.

1. Coffee with Council Summary from April 25, 2017
2. Rename Top Priority to Diverse Community Participation
3. Summer 2017 Construction Project Update

Public Input
Carol Sletta thanked Council for the benches outside of the post office; staff introduced Chief Building Official David Thacker; and Pam Woll and Tom Jacobson with Sunrise Rotary requested Council waive fees for event-related support infrastructure that the Rotary providesthat helps offset the City’s costs of putting on the 4th of July event.

Council Approved:
A consideration to ban single use plastic grocery bags for stores over 12,000 square feet that distribute groceries. The stores impacted would be Fresh Market, the Market at Park City, and Rite-Aid.
Council discussed the proposed ordinance at length and considered several alternatives, from banning all single-use bags to only plastic bags. Sustainability Manager Luke Cartin clarified that outreach was limited to the three largest stores due to volume of plastic bags they used. Council also discussed how the latest ordinance was the culmination of a decades-long process – first via voluntary outreach programs, educational efforts,then a special bag program funded by PCMC, and now, regulation.

Public Comment:
Amanda Baltzley, Sharelle Rodman, Mary Christa Smith, Jan Barz and Jennifer Gardner gave public comment supporting the ordinance.

Craig Rodman and Tiffany Root commented in favor of the ban and in favor of county-wide ban.
Dave Davis with the Trade Association was opposed to a bag ban and argued that single-use bags, not plastic, is the real challenge.

Ed Parigian gave public comment suggesting that stores charge a fee for a reusable bag with a Park City logo. He suggested the logo could incentivize reusable bag purchase.

Doug Dastroup, Fresh Market, expressed concern with competitors who do not charge for bags. He differentiated between costs for different paper bags that the store would have to use and stated that Fresh Market already sells affordable reusable bags. Dastroup expressed concern that tourists will travel to Kimball Junction for their groceries if a single use plastic bag ban were enacted in Park City.

John Hale gave public comment representing Rite-Aid and is opposed to the ban.

Council also Approved:
  • Discussion of a Temporary Parking Program on the Recently Acquired South Lot of the Yard Subdivision: Staff recommends using portions of the Yard lot for Main Street employee parking and other parking inventory needs. Staff stated that Main Street park-and-ride employee parking should be the first priority, and to explore other opportunities with demand-based paid parking secondarily. Staff stated that this is a good opportunity for an interim system given its proximity, while other alternatives in and around town are brought into the systems of satellite parking locations. Staff also said this will get us to a solution in alignment with Council's goals. Councilwoman Gerber expressed concern about road safety in the area and suggested adding road safety measures. Councilman Beerman suggested making Homestake Road a one-way road. Staff offered the possibility of taking traffic out toward Munchkin Road or Bonanza.There was no public comment.
  • A purchase agreement to acquire 11 newly constructed housing units, the Central Park Condos Located at 1893 Prospector Avenue, for $4,328,000, for the Purpose of Affordable Housing.The proposed purchase would further Council's critical priority of Affordable/Attainable Housing. Council unanimously approved.
    Public Input: Ed Parigian expressed support for the acquisition and development of property in Old Town.
  • Donation application for placing a bench and tree on the City-owned Library Field parcel.
  • A resolution that restates and confirms the City’s intent to place a conservation easement on Bonanza Flat.
  • JTS, Inc. as the new event organizer for the 4th of July Celebration, not to exceed $20,000.
  • Contracts for rotomilling, pavement overlays, utility adjustments, slurry seals, crack seal, and trail seal coat with three companies totaling $815,079.31.
  • An agreement with Parametrix to consult and analyze the Main Street/Swede Alley intersection for $24,004.
  • A resolution recognizing May 2017 as Historic Preservation Month in Park City.
  • A short-term lease with the Mountain Trails Foundation, for approximately 4,000 square feet at Quinn's Junction.
  • An agreement with SKM, Inc., for the Quinn’s Junction Water Treatment Plant Upgrades – for an amount not to exceed $30,300.
  • The adoption of the tentative revised budget for fiscal year 2017 and a tentative budget for fiscal year 2018. Council also approved the property tax rate for next year, which would result in no rate increase.
  • The proposed permitting process for the use of outdoor recreation facilities for commercial use of park and fields.
Council Discussed

  • Master Plan for Public Utilitites and Streets facility:

Council reviewed goals and project alternatives as they relate to net-zero energy goals, the incorporation of transit housing, and the project location (Quinn’s Junction) and phasing plan. The majority of Council was not in favor of keeping the public utilities space in town, and instead was in favor of using land in town for housing and community-centered needs and providing housing and Public Utilities and Streets near Quinn's Junction.While the majority of Council prefers housing in town, they also recognize the need for housing where it can be built, which may include the City-owned property at Quinn’s Junction. Planning Director Bruce Erickson said that the land use (zoning) for the Quinn’s property needs to be readied to accommodate the proposed Public Utility facility. Planning staff proposes to work with Public Utilities towards the approval of the project master plan, which could include phasing of construction. Mayor Thomas supported the master plan with potential future modifications.

  • Code Enforcement Level of Service:

Staff asked for Council feedback on strategic code enforcement. The majority of Council was in favor of more stringent and proactive enforcement. City Attorney Harrington cautioned against over simplification of the enforcement process. Harrington recommended that Council request interim reports from staff on their progress at regular intervals. Councilman Beerman suggested staff return with a summary of the direction staff would take would be helpful. Staff willreturn to Council with updates regarding how strategic code enforcement will respond to the concerns raised.
Public comment:
  • All comment was in regard to code violations by construction projects.
  • Carole Sletta stated that in her neighborhood she has experienced lack of regard for residents and neighborhoods by contractors and developers. Sletta expressed support for proactive monitoring and enforcement.
  • Mike Sweeney expressed concern for staff that already has a very difficult and stressful job in terms of enforcing code violations in neighborhoods. He suggested that they would need strong support from the City and its elected officials.
  • John Phillips gave public comment as a member of the Planning Commission and as a private citizen in support of proactive code enforcement, particularly when it comes to construction mitigation and impacts in neighborhood settings.
Council Continued until later date:

  • Consideration of an ordinance approving Village at Empire Pass North Subdivision Plat. Continued to June 15, 2017.

  • Consideration to continue Park City Land Management Code (LMC) Amendments. Continued to June 15.
STAY INFORMED
The next City Council meeting is May 25. The agenda is published the Monday prior to the meeting. For detailed agendas and minutes, or to Listen Live, please visit ourCity Council website.

Please also join us for Coffee with Council on Tuesday, May 23, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Park City Library.

Tune in to KPCW at 8:30 am every Friday morning following the City Council meeting to hear a summary from one of the Council members. The interviews areusually posted by the following day,in case you miss it live.

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This is an unofficial summary of the meeting. To read the official minutes, please visit the meetings page on the city's website. Minutes are posted once they are approved.

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Departments » Sustainability » For Homes

Home: Energy Myths

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Some ideas are so widely held that they generate little scrutiny or even a second thought. While often factual, such common wisdom can also be based on outdated or erroneous information—old-wives tales or urban legends. Widespread misconceptions about home energy use—often taken as fact—can cost homeowners on their energy bills and lead to unnecessary home maintenance and reduced comfort.

Following are some common home energy myths that may be costing you.

1. Setting the thermostat higher or lower will heat or cool the house faster.

 Many a homeowner has come home to an uncomfortable house and set the thermostat higher or lower than necessary, thinking it will warm or cool faster. In reality, a furnace or air-conditioner works at the same speed, no matter what the thermostat setting. A home will warm up to 68ºF just as quickly if the thermostat is set at 68ºF as it would if the thermostat was set at 80ºF. In such instances, energy may be wasted as the heating or cooling system continues to run after it  reaches your desired set point.

2. A heating and cooling system "works harder" to reach a comfortable temperature after setback or set forward.Many people do not adjust their thermostat at night or while the home is unoccupied because of the common misconception that the heating or cooling system must "work harder" or use more energy to reheat or re-cool the house. This is not how a thermostat works. The system turns on to reach a set level and then shuts off when that level is reached. It can be likened more to a switch that shuts on and off, rather than a gas pedal that accelerates faster the more you step on it.

3. Energy efficiency and energy conservation are the same thing.
Efficiency refers to using less to perform a specific task. Examples include replacing traditional lighting with LEDs (light emitting diodes), or installing a high performance appliance. Conservation refers to reducing your need for energy through changes in behavior, such as setting the thermostat lower or riding a bike to work.

4. When an appliance is turned off, it is off.
Many appliances and electronic devices—such as coffee makers and cell phone chargers—in the home continue to use power after they have been switched off. Sometimes as much as if they were on! This is known as standby power or “phantom load.” The only way to stop the power usage by these devices is to unplug them.

5. Leaving lights, computers and appliances on uses less energy than turning them on and off.
In most cases, the small surge of power needed to start a device is much less than the power that is wasted by leaving it on when it is not needed.

6. Duct tape is the best choice for sealing ducts.
Duct tape has very low durability when used to seal ducts, according to laboratory research. On new installations duct tape will not last long without extensive surface preparation, especially in dirty or dusty locations. Over time, duct tape will fall off as the adhesive dries out and the tape starts to wrinkle. Mastic or metal-backed tapes—available at your local hardware or do-it-yourself retailer—are better choices for duct sealing.

7. Purchasing an efficient air-conditioner or furnace will automatically reduce energy bills.
This is true to some extent, but optimal savings will not be achieved unless the system is sized and installed correctly. Installing an efficient, but over-sized, system can negate much of the potential savings, while a poorly designed duct system can also have an impact on efficiency and comfort. Windows, doors, and insulation also play a factor in heating and cooling efficiency. 

8. Dimming lights by 50% will cut lighting costs in half.
In reality, the relationship is not quite direct and the savings may be less than expected. Dimmed lights do use less power, but when lights are dimmed, the voltage drops and the filament becomes cooler. This causes a loss in overall efficiency.

9. Closing off vents will help to lower heating and cooling costs.
Closing or covering up vents is typically not a good way to save on energy costs. Heating and cooling systems balance their load throughout the duct system. If one vent gets closed off, it throws the system off balance. Pressure can build up in the duct work, causing leakage and less air circulating in your home. This reduces system efficiency and home comfort.