Park City Council Meeting Summary May 2, 2019

Post Date:05/06/2019 7:35 PM

SUMMARY of the MAY 2 PARK CITY COUNCIL MEETING

 

IN THE WORK SESSION

2019-20 City Manager’s Recommended Budget: Presentation and Review
City staff presented the 2019-20 City Manager’s recommended balanced budget to Council. This presentation was an initial budget review, and staff will return to Council at upcoming meetings to answer questions and provide additional updates on budget recommendations.
FY20 Budget Staff Report
Exhibit A: Budget Summaries
Exhibit B: Tentative Budget Ordinance
Exhibit C: Special Service Contract Amended Policy

 

Carbon Footprint Update: Water Treatment and Distribution
City staff updated Council on the City’s carbon footprint, specifically as it pertains to water treatment and distribution, from 2016-2018. This update also included information on the status and work associated with the Community Renewable Energy Bill.
Carbon Footprint Staff Report - Water
Attachment A: Carbon Footprint - Water

 

Treasure Hill Trail Plan Discussion
City staff presented a general plan regarding trail improvements on the Treasure Hill property. The City’s purchase of the Treasure Hill property has presented an opportunity to improve existing trails in the Old Town area.
Treasure Hill Open Space Trails Staff Report

 

 

IN THE REGULAR MEETING

STAFF COMMUNICATIONS AND DISCLOSURES

Park City Receives Smart Cities Connect and US Ignite Award
Recently, at the Smart 50 Awards Gala, Park City was honored by Smart Cities Connect and US Ignite for its work to reduce water loss and better understand and track water pressure. This work was led by Jason Christensen, Water Resources Manager. Each year, the Smart 50 Award honors 50 of the most transformative and influential projects. Park City maintains a complex network of pressure-reduction valves in an effort to provide water at the correct pressure to its residents. Learn more about Park City’s water network by watching this video.
Smart Cities Connect and US Ignite Award Staff Report

 

Spring Runoff Update
City staff provided an update regarding spring runoff. The 2018-19 winter produced a significant amount of snowpack, which may impact our spring runoff. With this year's area snowpack reaching 142-162% of the 1981-2010 average, staff wanted to take this opportunity to share Council and the community information on current conditions and the availability of sandbags for use by the community. The higher than normal snow pack doesn’t necessarily mean flooding is imminent. Our current snowpack is very similar to 2016-17 which saw an orderly runoff, with no flooding and we expect a similar runoff this year
Spring Runoff Staff Report

 

Coffee with Council Recap
City staff provided a summary of Coffee with Council, which was held by Park City Municipal’s Community Engagement team on April 16, 2019. It is part of an ongoing series of Council community outreach events. Councilmembers Steve Joyce and Nann Worel hosted the event, which was held from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Lucky Ones Coffee. Approximately 25 residents and business owners attended the event for informal conversation about city projects and initiatives.
Coffee With Council Staff Report
Coffee with Council Recap

 

Special Event Outreach and Paid Parking Plans
City staff provided an overview of ten major summer events, and a permitted filming project in town with Vans shoes. This report also included details about plans for event outreach and paid parking rates for major summer events.
Summer Event Outreach and Parking 2019 Staff Report
Exhibit A: 2019 Major Summer Event Parking Rates and Communications Plans

 

Summit Bike Share 2019 Program Update
The Summit Bike Share opened May 3 for its third season. This year, the bike share system will be expanded with the addition of 11 new stations – five stations within City limits, and six stations throughout Summit County. Installation of all new stations is scheduled for completion in July.
Summit Bike Share Phase II Staff Report

 

PUBLIC INPUT

Recognition of May 2019 as Mental Health Awareness Month
Council approved Resolution 09-2019, recognizing May 2019 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Park City, a request by the Executive Director of CONNECT.
Mental Health Awareness Month Staff Report
Mental Health Awareness Month Resolution

 

Park City Youth Council Update
Park City’s Youth Council updated City Council on the what they’ve been working on this year, including findings from a survey they conducted to determine if teens are in favor of a City Youth Center.
Youth City Council Staff Report
Exhibit A: 2017 Survey Results
Exhibit B: 2018 Survey Results
Exhibit C: YCC Budget 2018-19

 

Park City’s Jessica Moran Recognized by Utah Recreation and Parks Association
Each year, the Utah Recreation and Parks Association (URPA) recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of parks, recreation, leisure services and education within the State of Utah. Jessica Moran, Recreation & Marketing Supervisor, and Park City Recreation received the 2019 Innovation of the Year award for its Counselors in Training (CIT) program. The goal of Park City Recreation’s CIT program is to teach service, leadership and first-job skills to 13-15 year olds. Lessons are taught through CIT-specific activities and leading, and working with campers in a day camp setting. Successful program participants demonstrate skills that lend themselves to leadership opportunities at school, in extracurricular activities, and at future jobs. A representative from URPA attended the Council meeting to present the award.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Council approved the following items from the consent agenda:

 

NEW BUSINESS

Council discussed the following new business item:

 

Council approved the following new business items:

 

OLD BUSINESS

Council continued the following old business item:

  • The approval of Ordinance 2019-06, approving Land Management Code amendments regarding Section 15-13 Design Guidelines for Historic Districts and Historic Sites and 15-15 Definitions. These guidelines, which were revised in 2014 and 2015, regulate the sustainability improvements to historic sites and districts. This item was continued to the May 16 City Council meeting, once changes to the guidelines have been added.
    Design Guidelines Amendments Staff Report
    Exhibit 3: Mailing Notice

 

UPCOMING CITY MEETINGS

  • City Council: 5/16, 6:00 p.m. at City Hall
  • Planning Commission: 5/22, 5:30 p.m. at City Hall
  • City Council: 5/30, 6:00 p.m. at City Hall
  • Historic Preservation Board Meeting: 6/5, 5:400 p.m. at City Hall

 

STAY INFORMED

Interested in tuning in to listen to the 5/2 Council meeting in its entirety? Visit the following link to access audio from the meeting. Audio from Park City Council meetings is now offered with closed captioning.

Want to stay apprised of City news, events, and upcoming City Council meetings? Like our Facebook page or consider signing up for our e-notify program, which delivers the latest City news and event information directly to your inbox.

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.