City braces for record runoff; Republic Services seeks bigger garbage increase
March 21, 2023, 6:00 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
Horrocks Engineers' John Schiess told the council snowpack was above historical maximums, and staff described flood preparations including river clearing, around-the-clock monitoring and sandbag volunteers. Republic Services, whose contract expired June 30, said its costs had jumped 20-36% and sought more than a small increase; Rob Shelton suggested an informal bid to test the market. Staff reviewed utility budgets, including a $6.6 million state pressurized irrigation grant and $1.5 million for sewer lining and bursting.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| FY2024 water, sewer and storm drain funds | Discussed |
| Republic Services solid waste contract | Discussed |
| Spring runoff and flood coordination | Discussed |
| FY2024 strategic goals | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Budget
FY2024 water, sewer and storm drain funds
Discussed
No water rate increase; the water line bond proceeds are fully received. New projects: State Street water main replacement with UDOT betterments, valve replacements, racetrack well improvements. Pressurized irrigation: no rate changes; $6.6 million state Division of Water Resources grant and $1.5 million federal grant for PI metering; 4,400 one-inch meters ordered six months earlier were arriving slowly. Water impact fee reserves about $2.6 million. Sewer: no rate increase; $700,000 for sewer lining and $800,000 for pipe bursting. Storm drain fee rising from $8.50 to $10.50 a month in January (already approved); $2.5 million in curb and gutter replacement requested. Bunker said the city will apply by Nov. 1 for water reuse with Timpanogos Special Service District.
- Grant$6.60 million to Utah Division of Water Resources
- Grant$1.50 million to Federal grant
- Budget$800,000
- Budget$700,000
- Budget$2.50 million
Item 2 · Contract
Republic Services solid waste contract
Discussed
Reece DeMille said the contract expires June 30, 2023; third-party vendor costs are up 30-36% and labor 20-30%. Can shortages easing. Shelton suggested an informal bid to compare the market; Bunker asked DeMille for a specific proposal.
- ContractAmount not given to Republic Services
Item 3 · Public safety
Spring runoff and flood coordination
Discussed
Schiess said snow water content was above historical maximums, with peak canyon flows around 2 a.m. Public Works has cleared problem areas and beaver dams since February. Fire Chief Aaron Brems said 100 North is the biggest concern and described opening the emergency operations center; faith leaders will be asked to help with volunteers, and county inmates may fill sandbags. Shelton asked about development near the lake; Bunker said pumps push water toward the Jordan River.
Item 4 · Other
FY2024 strategic goals
Discussed
Assistant City Administrator Camden Bird reviewed goals: citywide fiber design and agreement with STRATA, with bonding and construction to start next year (Carroll asked about resident rates); a general plan and code rewrite (O'Brien may wait for technical assistance grants; 18-24 months); a bonding timeline for Fire Station 53, the fitness center and a public works complex; master planning the 30-acre south-side park; water reuse; and downtown revitalization.
What residents said
Flooding risk from record snowpackGarbage contract costs