Director’s 2007 Year End Report
December 6, 2007 Public Utilities Advisory Committee Meeting
Posted January 12, 2008
Jeff Niermeyer
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In reviewing the past year, Mr. Niermeyer noted there were a number of changes with the loss of several long time employees. Director LeRoy Hooton retired after 49 years of service; Irrigation supervisor Tim Ohara retired after 36 years of service; water treatment plant supervisor Ken Hibbert retired with 34 years; and timekeeper Janet Madrid after 23 years. Water Reclamation manager Jon Adams left for employment with the Timpanogos Special Service District and was replaced by Dale Christensen. The department's attorney, Chris Bramhall, left the Attorney’s Office to go back to private practice. Mayor Becker and two new city councilpersons were elected.
Overview of the major accomplishments during the past year.
Mr. Niermeyer listed the major accomplishments during the past year with the preface that even thought individuals are named, all of the employees have contributed department's successes this past year.
- Past Water Reclamation Plant manager Jon Adams, new manager Dale Chrisentsen, plant operators and Giles Demki were recognized for their efforts in receiving another Platinum 13 Award for 13 years of perfect compliance from NACWA. Mr. Niermeyer noted that this is a remarkable record considering the amount of construction at the plant
- The water treatment plants met all of the requirements of the EPA Partnership for the Safe Water Program. Florence Reynolds, Ken Hibbert, and the operators at the City Creek, Parley's and Big Cottonwood treatment facilities were recognized for their outstanding performance.
- Florence Reynolds was commended for her development and City Council passage of a storm water ordinance to address enforcement of UPDES requirements. The new ordinance consolidates all of the storm water regulations into one section of the code.
- Chief Engineer Chuck Call and the engineering department were recognized for meeting the goal of replacing one percent of the water and sewer pipelines with 74,000 feet of water and 35,000 feet of sewer lines rehabilitated or replaced; and completing utility work to accommodate the Intermodal Hub Trax connections.
- Florence Reynolds led an effort to develop, in conjunction with the Salt Lake City Police Department, a program to dispose of unused prescription drugs at two police stations to prevent them from being flushed down the toilet and getting into the environment. The program is being adopted by other cities. Florence Reynolds was thanked for her initiative in implementing this new program to protect the environment.
- Public Utilities Advisory Committee member Barbara Ishimatsu and Stephanie Duer were commended for the their hard work in conjunction with the Planning and Zoning Department to develop and have the City Council approve an ordinance that addresses landscaping to reduce turf requirements.
- Vanessa Walsh and the watershed group successfully completed the second annual “Woad Runner Invasive Weed Pull” in City Creek Canyon to remove dyers woad from the watershed.
- Stephanie Duer and the stormwater crews were recognized for finishing the hardscape at the 11th Avenue Demonstration Garden. The planting will be completed this coming spring.
- Stephanie Duer was further recognized for her efforts to have a legislative declaration for a statewide “Water Week.”
- Wes Ing and the Safety Committee were recognized for the outstanding continuation of the Safety Program.
- Bob Wallin and the maintenance crews were recognized for their hard work in dealing with the extreme cold weather last winter and getting customers’ water servicelines thawed and back into service.
- Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy counsel Joe Novak and LeRoy Hooton were recognized for closing out the paperwork on the Little Dell Project.
- The Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy was recognized for completing and bringing on-line the Point of the Mountain Water Treatment Plant and Aqueduct providing an additional 43 million gallons per day of water delivery capacity.
Challenges the department is facing this coming year.
Succession planning and knowledge retention
Sixty percent of the staff will be eligible to retire in 5-years, with a corresponding loss of institutional knowledge. This loss will be taking place in a tight labor market and changing diversity and generational expectations.
Understanding the impacts of climate change
The department needs to address the potential effects of global warming by utilizing a bottoms-up approach to understand the vulnerability we are facing. Using a formal scenario plan approach, implement strategies to prepare for adaptation to address the coming changes. Implementing a program to inventory and reduce our own carbon use footprint.
Completing the Big Cottonwood Tanner and Green Ditch fire flow improvements
After many years of negotiations, we are close to agreement and construction of improvement. It will be necessary to solve potential public safety issues during construction.
A new Strategic Plan will be developed to provide focus and direction for the next 5 years.
Those who fail to plan will never know when they have achieved their goals. The department needs to develop key performance indicators using a balanced score card approach to measure success and continual improvement. The whole organization needs to be engaged in knowing and achieving the department's strategic goals.
In conclusion Mr. Niermeyer wished all a Happy Holiday Season and safe travels