December Community News

Post Date:12/09/2014
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Happy Holidays Park City!                                                       December Community News                                                                                          
Park City Emergency Manager Ends Term
Hugh DanielsPark City Emergency Manager, Hugh Daniels, CEM, will end his term as the President of the Utah Emergency Management Association (UEMA) at the UEMA Annual Conference on January 8, 2015, when he will become the Past-President on the Board of Directors and be  replaced by incoming President Chris Blinzinger the Emergency Manager of Provo City.  Daniels expressed his appreciation for the support and counsel of his Board of Directors and the UEMA membership as the association established new grant programs, a new website, revamping of their professional workshops, working with Utah Division of Emergency Management on certification programs and a new newsletter format.

Daniels was also recently honored by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Region VIII for his work in the Rocky Mountain region and named as an alternate for their North American Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) Commission.

Georgetown University Energy Prize Competition
Park City is participating in a two-year competition sponsored by Georgetown University starting January 1, 2015.  Georgetown has put up a $5 million dollar price for the community that reduces their electricity and natural gas use the most in the next two years!  Park City, in partnership with Summit County, was selected as one of fifty-two nationwide finalists on August 1, 2014.  The goal is a 20% net reduction in consumption of electricity, a 15% net reduction in consumption of natural gas and a 90% participation rate of Summit County residents.  We have an excellent chance of winning, due to the incredible support of Summit County communities!  

Free “Bus Tracker” App
Park City Transit has introduced a real time app for iPhone and iPads through the mobile App store.  Follow these steps to download the free Ap.  From your iPhone or iPad, click this link to access the myStop Mobile screen.  Once the App is installed, select “Park City, select a route and view our bus schedules in real time.

Public Safety News
Congratulations to Park City Police Detectives Eaton and Penrod, who are in the process of taking their final test to become Certified Evidence Technicians, with the International Association for Property and Evidence. Membership requirements include attending one week of training, logging 2080 hours as an evidence custodian, being an evidence custodian for at least one year, having administrative approval, and passing the final test
 . . . and . . . 

Congratulations to Detective Eaton and Officer Rodrigues, who recently passed the week-long Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructor Training.  Eaton identified this training as being as stressful as motor school, with seven out of twenty students unable to complete the training!

MARC Weight Room

City Council Actions
In November, some of City Council actions included:
  • Reluctantly accepting Sharon Bauman’s resignation/retirement as Senior City Recorder/Elections Official after 25 years of service;
  • Approving the Gambel Oak easement adding 222 acres to the open space area in and around Park City; and, 
  • Awarding the Historic Preservation Consulting Services contract to SWCA Environmental Consultants.
Green Your Routine
Types of Houseplants That Clean the Air
PlantsWhy invest in expensive electrical air purifiers when you could purchase a few types of houseplants to clean and filter the air naturally and inexpensively?
All indoors plants (flowering or not) are able to purify indoor air to some degree through their normal photosynthesis processes. But some were found to be more beneficial than others in removing harmful household toxins, even removing 90% of chemicals in the air in only twenty-four hours!
The three main household toxins of concern are:
• benzene
• formaldahyde
• trichloroethylene
Click here to learn which houseplants may decrease your risk of cancers, asthmas, allergies, auto-immune disorders and other diseases.

News You Can Use
Audrey LeeFree Lunchtime Learning - Healthy Holiday Cooking
The holidays don't have to be a disaster when it comes to healthy eating. Local Exercise Sport Science PhD Audrey Lee will discuss the health benefits of some holiday staples - pumpkin, cranberries and cinnamon - at this month's Free Lunchtime Learning. She'll provide samples and recipes for you to try at your holiday parties. Join Audrey Wed., December 10 at noon at the PC MARC, and feel free to bring your lunch.

December Spotlight Class - MIT (MARC In-Toto) 
The PC MARC is offering FREE group fitness classes to get you through the holiday season. This month, try MIT for free on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. The class mixes it up and uses the various facility features, including the spin studio, track, weight area and Studio C. Get a great cardio and strength-training workout with Helen and Shirin!

First Aid/CPR Training 
First Aid LogoKnow what to do in the event of an emergency by learning first aid/CPR/AED skills in a single evening course that meets National Safety Standards. The next course is Monday, January 12, 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the PC MARC. Ages 16 and older are welcome to register for a $50 fee. Register online or call 615-5400.

Desk with Christmas Decorations
Park City Municipal Office Holiday Schedule
Offices are closed Thursday and Friday, December 25 and 26
Offices are closed Thursday, January 1




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Departments » Sustainability » Renewables

SolSmart Gold

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Park City, Utah Designated “SolSmart Gold” for Advancing Solar Energy Growth

Post Date:11/26/2018 4:32 PM

    FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
    Celia Peterson
    celia.peterson@parkcity.org
    435.287.5624


    Park City, Utah Designated “SolSmart Gold” for Advancing Solar Energy Growth

     

    PARK CITY, UTAH (November 26, 2018) – Park City, Utah received a Gold designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, easier, and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar.

    This designation recognizes Park City for taking bold steps to encourage solar energy growth and remove obstacles for solar development. For companies looking to expand, a SolSmart Gold designation is a signal that Park City is “open for solar business.”

    SolSmart, led by The Solar Foundation and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. More than 200 cities, counties, and small towns have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016. Park City is one of 91 SolSmart Gold designees. This is especially notable as Utah is a non-home rule state, which means that Park City is not allowed to set its own energy code. Only six communities in non-home rule states have achieved SolSmart Gold.

    “We have a clear path to 100% renewables by adopting a mix of energy efficiency measures, working with our utility to build new renewables, and producing solar energy from our rooftops. We want to make it practical and economic for all Parkites to harvest their energy directly from the sun. To achieve SolSmart Gold, we have modified our code to encourage our residents to adopt rooftop solar.  We know that local renewables are of local economic benefit and provide clean, cheap energy for our community. This is our future and we are proud to receive this designation,” commented Mayor Andy Beerman.

    As a SolSmart designee, Park City can help solar companies reduce the cost of installations and pass savings on to consumers. This allows even more local homes and businesses to obtain affordable, clean, and reliable electricity through solar. The actions Park City has taken will help encourage solar companies to do business in the area, driving economic development and creating local jobs.

    To receive designation, cities and counties make changes to their local processes to reduce the time and money it takes to install a solar energy system. This includes evaluating local permitting processes, as well as planning and zoning procedures. SolSmart designees also develop innovations in areas such as market development and finance.

    For example, Park City waives permitting fees and has a streamlined process to ensure that solar systems can be permitting within two business days.

    SolSmart uses objective criteria to award communities points based on the actions they take to reduce barriers to solar energy development. Communities that take sufficient action are designated either gold, silver, or bronze.

    As part of the SolSmart program, a team of national experts provides no-cost technical assistance to help communities achieve designation. All cities and counties are eligible to join the SolSmart program and receive this technical assistance. Interested communities can learn more at SolSmart.org.