OCR Text |
Show A-2 The Park Record Saturday, January 27, 2001 Ure bows to utility pressure About-face on legislation comes after year of mounting criticism from consumer groups Tuesday House Majority Whip )aid Ure. R-Kamas. made a sudden sud-den about-face and sponsored a bill (0 repe.il last year's House Bill '20. a measure he had shepherded (0 passage and enactment. The bill, which automatically became law last spring without Governor Michael O. Leavitt's signature sig-nature or endorsement, would have abolished the state's Committee ol Consumer Services in July, the effective date of the 2IKK) Session legislation. During Ihe II months since its enactment, Ure had received heat Irom a number ol consumer advocacy advo-cacy groups over HB320. who said the committee represented consumers con-sumers in the rate-setting process and that removing the committee metel) eased the way lor utilities to easily obtain increases. The political politi-cal heat was turned up further when I re said last year that utility company Questar helped draft the bill Rev I 're originally said that HB.Ws effective date of July I would give this year! Utah State Legislature-time Legislature-time to ' line-tune" it before implementation, imple-mentation, and was working on a re-write himself which would have restored the committee and expanded the Public Service Commission from a three-member to five-member body Critics said I re's move was a ploy to change ihe character of the commission by adding utility-friendly appointees. The Kamas representative look the position that consumer-protection provisions of the bill more than offset the loss of the ( 'onsumer Serv ices Committee. He doggedly maintained throughout the year that HB320 was a measure which would streamline the regulator regula-tor process by dismantling the Committee of Consumer Services and shifting its administration to the state Public Service Commission. Ure's political position became much more difficult following recent natural gas rate increases which in some cases doubled homeowners' heating bills. Questar's rates are up more than 40 percent from this time last year. Also, the company reported an XI -percent increase in third-quarter profits and its stock price has nearly near-ly doubled since passage of HB320 a year ago. ' "House Bill 320 had nothing to do with the current energy dilemma." dilem-ma." Ure said in a speech on the floor of the Legislature which announced his decision to sponsor House Bill 184. "Public Utilities Amendments - Repeal." Lawmakers in the House and Senate pushed the repeal through both chambers Tuesday under a suspension of Legislative rules. The bill then went to the Governor's office to await signature. signa-ture. Gov. Leavitt would sign the repeal measure quickly, a spokeswoman spokes-woman said. Ure said in his floor speech announcing his turnaround that he "...apologize(d) to the public in the state of Utah, not for what I did. but for the emotional distress that 1 may have caused the senior citizens who were not able to understand what we were trying to accomplish." He added in his speech that efforts to rewrite and fine-tune HB320 also ended with his sponsorship sponsor-ship of the repeal legislation. Ure did not return phone calls from The Park Record prior to deadline. Film festival parties draw attention Police, code enforcers say that there's nothing they can do to stop big bashes .illci cene thai film-festival is brought bul city offi-Ihere offi-Ihere haven't been law-S law-S arranging the bigger II. there were legal maneu ;s ongoing through the e week between a homeov ssociation and a prope in Solamere in the wake d misconduct concernini basis but they cannot be used for commercial enterprises. Putt said the city needs evidence evi-dence that the party organizers are taking in money before n be takei nd The Solamere case is representative repre-sentative of a trend that has been present in Park City for just a few years. Party organizers look for space in Park City to throw a bash. The city has enough of an., inventory of rental units to make it an appealing spot. Ihe parties, says Park City Police Department Lt. Rick Ryan, are OK if there's nothing illegal happening inside. Ryan said police officers have not made arrests at this year's parties although they have been called "It's not illegal to throw a private pri-vate party. The only thing is people peo-ple hosting the party or throwing ine partv Ry; said. The Community Development Department, too. has been brought into the party debate. Planning and Zoning Administrator Pat Putt said Solamere's zoning laws allow houses to be rented on a nightly Unless the citv has some evi dence there's a cover charge to get in. that there are some goods or services." Putt said. "We don't have the authority to enter onto somebody's private residence." Putt adds: "Simply because people are parking legally on a public street and people are having hav-ing a large party, it doesn't give (Police Chief Lloyd Evans) or code enforcers the right to go on site." Putt says there has not been evidence of wrongdoing to trigger trig-ger cUy action. "We need to have reasonable cause to enter a property . . . and so far we haven't been able to receive that level of information to do that." he said. Ryan said police officers were called to a few parties in lower Deer Valley through midweek. Officers asked the people inside to quiet down. Ryan said. The parties in rented houses are a recent trend in Park City. Last year, there started to be rumblings of the parties. Last summer, one party was well publicized pub-licized alter a homeowner, who had the house in a rental pool, showed up during a party at the house. A scuffle allegedly ensued between the homeowner and some of the people at the party. Film-festival week is a prime period for the rentals because many are looking for spots to throw parties for the industry. "There's a lot of different individuals, indi-viduals, companies, advertisers, catering parties, throwing parties . . . Sundance is a time when a lot of influential people are in town." said Keith Norris. who is with On Tour, a Salt Lake Valley firm that has organized three parties par-ties in Park City during this year's festival week. Norris claims that organized parties, such as the one he has organized, do not disturb the neighborhood they're held in because they are well planned. "The bottom line is when we throw a party, there's less of an impact on the neighborhood than when some kids throw a kegger." Norris said. "When we're involved in a party, we make sure it goes as good as it can." He said police are notified of the party beforehand and he has crews clean up after the party. Still, one property management manage-ment firm in Park City is taking extri precautions this year. Lorie Schumacher, director of marketing market-ing and sales at High Mountain Properties, said renters are required to sign a document that states they will abide by the rules of the homeowners association that governs the rental property. High Mountain Properties was the firm that handled the house where the party was thrown last summer, she said. "It's going OK. It's because we've been diligent," Schumacher said. "I've heard of some parties around town but not at any of our properties." Tax break on the legislative table Continued from A-1 boring Rich County, which is smaller, but has a high percentage of second homes. But Thompson said the bill would hurt ihe county enough for it to carry on with opposition efforts. Years ago. he said, the county took a case brought against it by second home owners to the Utah Supreme Court, which decided in its favor. Now, said Thompson. Summit County Representative David Ure is helping to organize opposition to the bill. Summit County Assessor Barbara Kresser also fears what the bill's consequences would be. "The value of recreational property is going up." she said. "If we can stop it at the committee, then that's what we'll want to do." Kresser said that the worst part about the bill is that the original tax exemption for primary homes was meant to allow people to own a home, period. Now. said Thompson, if the bill passes, the burden might be shifted shift-ed onto residents who own only one home, since the county will have to find some way to increase its revenue. County Auditor Blake Frazier agrees. "If the value goes down, the tax rate goes up." said Frazier. it shifts the tax burden to primary pri-mary homeowners." Park City is also opposing the bill. A legislative update release this week from City Hall said the bill would "still have detrimental implications on property tax revenues." rev-enues." Said Frazier: i have a hard time understanding why we should subsidize people who can afford to own a second home." Sundance growing by leaps, bounds Continued from A-1 in theaters in the next ten months -to the next ten years." Millard explained that the addition addi-tion of the Online Resource Center and the Online Film Festival are part of an effort to not only support and develop events at Sundance, but move the festival to a global realm. "We really want people who can't attend the festival to be able to see a part of what we are trying to encourage and support." said Millard. "The response to both those initiatives ini-tiatives has been amazing. We are getting 250,000 hits a day on the Online Resource Center, and the Online Film Festival has done interviews and magazine pieces anywhere from TV Guide to US Weekly to Entertainment Dailv. We did a CNN piece." The Sundance Film Festival has received criticism for its growth. Many of the pilot festivals that have grown around the festival accuse Sundance of having grown to a level that is no longer accessible to the first-time filmmaker. "All you have to do is look at the numbers." Millard responded. "Of 1 15 feature films at the festival. 40 of those are first time-filmmakers. A number of the ones that aren't first-time filmmakers are either in the Premiere or World Cinema categories, which is pretty much a forum for filmmakers coming com-ing back to the festival with additional addi-tional films. Internationally, it's v ery difficult for first-time filmmakers filmmak-ers to get a project off the ground. Those who are doing it are a ranty. The other side of that is that we have a number of filmmakers who are coming back to us w ho may not be first-time filmmakers because they've done a number of shorts, so that skews the numbers. Out of the 65 short filmmakers, about 35 of those are there for the first time. The numbers are very good. We always try to support and develop that. If you look at the competition competi-tion films, the numbers might be a little lower. The same with documentaries." docu-mentaries." According to Millard, the Sundance Film Festival shouldn't discriminate against filmmakers simply because they have already seen their work. "There are a lot of really great documentary filmmakers who have been doing work for years and years and years. And many of them come back to us with their second films. Its not as if these guys aren't working filmmakers, and they're not visionaries and artists and that kind of thing. We're just now trying to showcase their new works. We don't want to eliminate elim-inate a really great film just because it's a filmmaker we've already had at the festival. Forty out of 1 15 is a great number. We're very proud of that. We work very hard to promote pro-mote the first-time filmmaker, in terms of getting them coverage by the press, getting them out there so that they can be recognized for what they've done." Millard added that there are many other opportunities for first-time first-time filmmakers. "I think there are about 250 other film festivals in the United States right now, so there are definitely other avenues," said Millard. The difficult judging process is comprised of a number of advisors, the programming staff, and a screening committee that reach a consensus through discussing the merits of films. "Jeffrey Gilmore, Director of the Film Festival and Programming, heads up our programming staff," explained Millard. "We also have about eight people on a selection committee that consists of a national nation-al board of advisors from places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art. the Sundance Foundation in San Francisco, and they all make recommendations on programming. program-ming. For a film to become included includ-ed in the festival it has to come to a consensus or at least have somebody some-body kind of ushering it in to the program. It's essentially a group discussion, where we talk about the merits of the film." The Sundance Film Festival will present the "Best of the Festival" Monday night at the Eccles Center for the Performing Arts, showing an award-winning documentary at 6 p.m. and a dramatic award winner at 9 p.m. This double feature is free to the public on a first-come, first-serve first-serve basis. Tickets are available at the Gateway Center Office or the Salt Lake ticket Office at Trolley Square. Tuesday night, the "Best of the Fest " occurs in Trolley Square in Salt Lake City. The screenings are held at 6 and 9 p.m. and may or may not feature the same screenings as Park Citv. School district still waiting for report Continued from A-1 es were caused by the polluted air, water and dangerous materials. materi-als. Complaints began about 10 years ago. Chaplin said the district dis-trict is still waiting to hear the inspection report from the second sec-ond firm hired, DesignWest, which did remodeling work at TMMS about eighth years ago. As far as Joe Schurring, district dis-trict director of maintenance and construction, knows, "none (of the claims) have been proven." Steve Crane, an architect from the firm, reported on several categories cat-egories of study, performed by the firm and an outside lab. MechanicalPlumbing According to Crane, there are "some issues" with the water, which are "not unusual for this area." He said the lab has yet to meet with the city water department. Another independent lab is also conducting a water quality test at TMMS. "There have been problems with the water being colored." said Chaplin, but an independent lab test revealed that water quality was acceptable. "Concentrations of lead" were found in water samples from inside the building, as well as outside. Possible sources include soldered joints, drinking fountain tanks, bubblers bub-blers and sink faucets. However, it is possible that the opening of valves for the tests caused elements to mix into the water, said Crane. The purpose pur-pose of comparing testing methods is to "make sure everybody is on the same page," he said. When he asked PCI Lab why there might be lead in the water, he was answered with, "what do you expect from a mining town?" Joe Schurring, district director of maintenance and construction, said he wants "a more comparable sampling," sam-pling," and is therefore waiting to hear the results of the city water test (which will take about two weeks) and the other lab. "We're trying to chase down the brown water sampling," sam-pling," said Schurring, who believes the latest test may have been done too quickly. The firm recommended replacing replac-ing the domestic water plumbing piping with copper piping, using non-lead solders, as well as all plumbing brass that may contain lead. "If there were any concerns or problems, we would not allow the school to use the water. We would take steps immediately." said Chaplin. "The school would not be open and functioning." A goal of the firm's study was to determine if the building is adequately ade-quately ventilated. Schurring was told by air quality testers that the building had more air flowing through it than an eight-story office building. According to the report, moldfungi and bacteria were found inside the building. The firm recommends rec-ommends cleaning the ducts and vents to lower the microbial concentration. concen-tration. In addition, they recommend recom-mend the HVAC system be retrofit with preheat coils, and outside air control revised so that outside air flow is directly controlled. The estimated esti-mated cost of mechanicalplumbing changes is $1.2 million. Architecture TMMS has a "very good floor plan" according to Crane, but he has several ideas to better utilize the space and create better circulation. The media center needs additional addi-tional space, the report said, and an alternate corridor should be constructed con-structed so student passing does not pass through the library. "Circulation from one wing to the other, and within the school in general is clumsy and not easily recognized," rec-ognized," the report said. The following recommendations were made: the addition of windows, win-dows, a student gathering place, more area for art rooms, technology and landscaping. According to Crane, the sliding roof structure (which dumps snow to the ground) has killed all trees below due to the heavy snow piling. New trees, shrubs and rerouting of snow would help. The estimated cost of architectural archi-tectural changes is $2 million. Electrical The firm recommends a complete com-plete overhauling of all lighting structures in the building. According to Crane, the light fixtures fix-tures are outdated and would save the district one-third its current cost of electricity for the school if replaced with new lights. Schurring agrees that more windows, sky lights and lighter colors of paint and wood would lighten dark hallways and classrooms, class-rooms, and were a pressing concern. con-cern. The estimated cost of electrical elec-trical work is $300,000. Systems The fire alarm svstem does not meet NFPA, State of Utah or ADA requirements, according to the report. No strobes exist, and horns will not provide the minimal mini-mal decibels requirement. The alarm system requires a total revision revi-sion in order to meet government standards. Exit signs are "confusing" and more are needed, the report said. Structural Designed in 1981, the school complies with the 1976 building code for snow loads. However, recent codes have heavier snow load requirements, and the firm recommends stiffening roof joists over the gymnasium, as they are "shallow" and "deflect excessively.- Braces and wall piers would help walls that are overstressed in the building. The estimated costs of structural changes would be $200,000. Current seismic code requirements, if retrofitted, would cost an additional $1.6 million. Structural, exterior and landscaping land-scaping changes would add an additional $300,000. Time and money According to Crane, the recommendations recom-mendations for TMMS would be between 1.5 and $2 million and could be completed over two summers, with additional work done year round, not disrupting students. If the district were to update the seismic structures at the school, it would reach a total cost of almost $6 million. Park City School Board president presi-dent Colleen Bailey said the board is concerned with the basic health and safety of the students and staff at TMMS, specifically with air and water. More water and air tests are scheduled within the month, and a final report by the firm will come soon after. arlcGUj Regional offering the 5EST EVER' East Coast Style Seafood and other Great Specials Zagat Opening at :00 pm Serving Dinner 7 Days a Week from :50 pm & Sushi Tuesday Saturday reservations warmly recommended Featuring blue Crab, Lobster, fresh Fish, Raclc of Lamb and Dry Aged Steaks. 171 Sidewinder Drive Prospector Square 15655-0800 on the Parle City Bus route. Plenty of free parking. (POOR CO |