Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
We are proud to offer extensive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) experience. Gilson Engineering understands the complex nature of CDBG projects and the budgetary requirements associated therewith. We have completed created many CDGB grants for North Salt Lake City, Midvale City, Clearfield City, Sunset City and West Point City.
Special Improvement Districts (SID)
Gilson Engineering assisted the City of Saratoga Springs in creating multiple Special Improvement Districts (SID) and Special Assessment Areas (SAA) for their pressurized irrigation system. We have studied, and are expert, in representing the City’s interests with this process. We have studied the fees involved and are expert in all rules and regulations. We have had success with this process.
Gilson Engineering represented the South Salt Lake County Sewerage SID #1 (now known as the South Valley Sewer District) for many years as the Engineer of Record. We are experienced in the laws governing the formation and operation of SIDs.
Gilson Engineering previously represented and served multiple special service districts. We worked for the South Valley Sewer District as the district engineer for many years prior to the district hiring an on-staff engineer. We acted as the Engineer of Record for more than 30 years. We stopped representing the district as the engineer in 2001.
Capital Facilities Plans
Gilson Engineering completed many Capital Facilities Plans over the years. Within the past six years we have completed the following plans and impact fee studies for Saratoga Springs:
- Culinary Water
- Secondary Water
- Storm Drain
- Sanitary Sewer
We completed the pressurized irrigation capital facilities plan and impact fee study for Bluffdale City in 2006.
We completed the pressurized irrigation capital facilities plan and impact fee study for Cedar Hills City in 2003.
We recently completed a storm drainage capital facilities plan for Cottonwood Heights City in 2004. We are currently updating this plan to include more detailed drainage data and more detailed analysis of existing pipelines.
Impact Fee Development
Gilson Engineering has been instrumental in helping clients calculate impact fees for many years. We have formulated many different types of fees including:
- Culinary Water
- Secondary Water
- Sewer
- Storm Water
- Traffic
The following clients have relied on our qualified staff for impact fee development services:
- Riverton City
- South Valley Sewer District
- Saratoga Springs
- Cottonwood Heights City
- Taylorsville
- North Salt Lake City
- Salem City
- Elk Ridge City
- Woodland Hills City
- Chubbuck, Idaho
- Pocatello, Idaho
Over the past several years, we worked with Saratoga Springs on their impact fees. Saratoga Springs is a relatively new city and has had severe cash flow problems that are common with the demands on a new city or smaller cities. We have had great success helping the City to develop new projects without bonding!
We have worked with Lewis and Young, most commonly Laura Lewis, in the past to develop impact fees for many clients. We are familiar with the new legislation governing impact fees.
Grants and Funding
The water rate can be the most important factor for the success of a secondary water project. We are excited to work with the City to explore funding options for the Capital Improvement Projects. We work closely with lobbyists and financial consultants to ensure the project is cost-effective.
In Riverton City we analyzed several bonding issues and water rate structures. We determined the most effective method of meeting operation and maintenance costs and bond payment. The financial analysis depended upon construction scheduling and the number of residents connected to the system. We also analyzed the methods to entice residents to initially connect to the system. We arranged a rate structure that did not charge an initial connection fee for existing residents.
Gilson Engineering assisted Spanish Fork City in their application to obtain $5,000,000 from the Central Utah Project (CUP) for the design and construction of their secondary water system. We also assisted the City in obtaining $300,000 from the State Division of Wildlife Resources for the design and construction of recreational amenities at the City secondary water reservoir. These amenities include stocking the reservoir with fish, a sandy beach, fishing and swimming pier, picnic areas, restrooms, and ADA access to all amenities. Gilson Engineering received the APWA Consultant Design Project of the Year for this project.
In recapping our trails discussion, we helped the City obtain $750,000 in TEA-21 (Transportation Enhancement Act – the maximum amount any one project can be awarded) funds and $534,751 in ZAP (Zoo, Arts, and Parks Program) funding to help with this project.
Gilson Engineering designed the Draper Irrigation Trail way which connects the Jordan River trail system to the Wasatch Mountains. We obtained a $450,000 grant from the Federal Transportation Enhancement Funds.
Inter-Governmental Agency Coordination
Gilson Engineering has worked extensively with the agencies and governing bodies all along the Wasatch Front. The following is a list of agencies with which Gilson Engineering has experience:
- Central Utah Project (CUP)
- Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD)
- Utah State Division of Drinking Water
- Utah State Engineers Office
- Utah State Engineers Office/Dam Safety
- Utah Division of Water Rights
- UDOT Regions 1 & 2
- Utah State Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) (Habitat Council)
- FEMA
- Mountainland Association of Governments
- Wasatch Front Regional Council
- South Davis Sewer District
- South Davis Water District