BLUE STAKES DEPLOYS NEW INTERNET TICKET ENTRY (ITE) FORM FOR HOME OWNERS AND CONTRACTORS

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1 Volume 4, Issue 1 November 2008 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: President s Message 2 Damage Information Reporting Tool 2 Association Holidays 3 Notification Area Review 3 Dig Site Polygon Actual Area of Dig Site 3 XML Format Notification Center Budget 4 Notification Center Statistics 4 Association Members 5-6 Seminars, Meetings & Promotional Handouts 7 After Hours On-Call Program 7 BLUE STAKES DEPLOYS NEW INTERNET TICKET ENTRY (ITE) FORM FOR HOME OWNERS AND CONTRACTORS Blue Stakes implemented a new Internet Ticket Entry (ITE) form in September 2008 providing home owners and contractors with an easy-to-use application to submit basic locate requests for single addresses through the Internet versus over the telephone. Home Owners and contractors can access this application through Blue Stakes website at by selecting the Locate Request Do It Yourself Online link and submit locate requests following the instructions and providing the information required. This new online form was implemented to supplement Blue Stakes existing online applications; Remote Ticket Entry (RTE) and Quick Ticket Entry (QTE). These two applications have been in place for some time and are used by contractors and utility operators that submit locate requests regularly and can facilitate locate requests for excavation areas that exceed a single address. Locate requests submitted online versus over the telephone account for approximately thirty percent of all the locate requests processed by Blue Stakes. For additional information on Blue Stakes new ITE application or existing RTE and QTE applications, please contact Blue Stakes Member Services Department at (800) , extension 2103, or member@bluestakes.org. BOARD OF TRUSTEES Vaughn Shosted President Questar Gas* vaughn.shosted@questar.com Mark Stanley Secretary City / Municipality Owned Utilities* mark.stanley@slcgov.com Dirk Anderson Water Utilities* dirka@jvwcd.org Dan Olmstead Rocky Mountain Power* dan.olmstead@pacificorp.com Michael Peterson Power Utilities* mpeterson@utahcooperatives.org Brad Rosewood Gas/Oil/Petroleum Gathering & Advisory Board Member / Transmission Utilities* bradrosewood@chevrontexaco.com Larry Bowen Vice President Local Telephone Carriers / Fiber Optics Utilities* lbowen@czn.com Leland Myers Treasurer Sewer Utilities* ljmyers@cdsewer.org Paul Harvey Cable Television Utilities* paul_harvey@cable.comcast.com Kyle Kalian Qwest Local Network* kkalian@qwest.com Blair Penrod Long Distance Telephone Carriers / Fiber Optics Utilities* blair.h.penrod@verizonbusiness.com Doyt Bolling Advisory Board Member / Engineering* doyt@cc.usu.edu B.J. Holdaway Advisory Board Member / Contractors* bjh@fugal.com *Denotes Utility Classification Represented

2 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE It is my pleasure to once again report on the status of the Association during the past fiscal year and touch on some of the major accomplishments the Notification Center achieved as well as some significant challenges the center faces with the downturn in housing starts along the Wasatch Front. Major accomplishments the Notification Center realized during the past fiscal year include: Technology Enhancements - Operating Systems Storage Area Network (SAN) & Replication Applications - Automated WEB Ticket Audit Application Mapping Data Enhancements - Acquisition of up-to-date mapping data from local sources (AGRC) eliminating costly service agreement from national vendor Improved Customer Service Performance Levels 7% Increase in Association Membership (477 Members) Aggressive Advertising & Damage Prevention Education Campaign For a number of years, the Notification Center has been required to adjust its operations to respond to the increased volume in locate requests due to robust excavation activity in Utah. The Center is now caught up in the challenges faced by many in having to deal with a downturn in the housing market experienced throughout the country. Surveys indicate a 49% decline in housing starts in the west this year compared to last year. In a recent KSL news report, housing starts this year have declined by 67% compared to last year along the Wasatch Front. The Notification Center is committed to address these challenges and adjust its operations based upon economic conditions and the 8% decline in locate requests and billed notifications experienced during the past fiscal year to ensure acceptable service levels are maintained while providing efficient and cost effective customer service. The accomplishments of the Notification Center during this past fiscal year have once again set it apart as an outstanding one-call center. I would like to acknowledge the contributions of the Executive Director, members of the Management Team, and Notification Center employees in achieving the accomplishments referenced in this report. I would also like to express appreciation to the members of the Board of Trustees who establish and oversee the long term vision and goals for the Association. I would like to personally thank each one of the Association members for their continued participation, support and financial backing. Please feel free to contact myself, any member of the Board of Trustees, or the Executive Director if you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns you would like addressed. Vaughn Shosted President DAMAGE INFORMATION REPORTING TOOL (D.I.R.T.) Blue Stakes has been tracking damages to underground utilities in Utah since 2006 that have been submitted by Association members into the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) Damage Information Reporting Tool (D.I.R.T.). Damages submitted into this application by Association members totaled 5,933 in 2006, 6,475 in 2007, and 1,548 as of September One of the more notable statistics in what has been reported pertains to the percentage of damages occurring to underground utilities where no call was made to Blue Stakes to have utilities located and marked prior to digging by the excavator. In 2006, 48% of the damages reported on natural gas facilities were attributable to no call being made to Blue Stakes; in 2007, the percentage was 44%; and as of the end of September 2008, the percentage has decreased to 38%. Blue Stakes finds the information submitted valuable in creating training programs addressing the root causes of damages and to provide documentation in support of possible legislation to reduce damages to underground facilities and personal injury. Blue Stakes has implemented an easy to use virtual D.I.R.T. application and link on their website at Blue Stakes strongly encourages all Association members to submit damages that occur to their underground facilities into this application accessed from Blue Stakes web site. For additional information on Blue Stakes virtual D.I.R.T. application, please contact Blue Stakes Member Services Department at (800) , extension 2103, or member@bluestakes.org. Know what s below. Call 811 before you dig. Page 2

3 ASSOCIATION HOLIDAYS Blue Stakes Notification Center will be closed on the following Association recognized holidays: Thanksgiving 11/27/08 (Thursday) Day After Thanksgiving 11/28/08 (Friday) Christmas Eve 12/24/08 (Wednesday) Christmas 12/25/08 (Thursday) New Year s 01/01/09 (Thursday) Presidents Day 02/16/09 (Monday) Memorial Day 05/25/09 (Monday) Independence Day 07/03/09 (Friday) Pioneer Day 07/24/09 (Friday) Labor Day 09/07/09 (Monday) Thanksgiving 11/26/09 (Thursday) Day After Thanksgiving 11/27/09 (Friday) Christmas Eve 12/24/09 (Thursday) Christmas 12/25/09 (Friday) MEMBERS ENCOURAGED TO REVIEW THEIR NOTIFICATION AREA AT LEAST ANNUALLY Blue Stakes acquires the base map layers used in its ticket entry mapping system from the State of Utah Automated Geographic Reference Center (AGRC) and/or county government GIS departments. These map layers include street centerlines, city boundaries, county boundaries, landmarks, water features, etc. Blue Stakes is committed to maintaining an accurate and current base map. Street centerlines and city boundaries are updated regularly; other layers are updated as needed. Association members are strongly encouraged to review their notification area polygons/grids at least annually and more often if needed to ensure they receive tickets in all areas in which they have underground facilities. The base map is available for viewing by members at any time. For assistance in checking notification area polygons/grids and to gain access to view the base map and other online applications, please contact the Blue Stakes Member Services Department at (800) , ext. 2103, or member@bluestakes.org. NOTIFICATION CENTER CONTACT INFO Location: 148 E S Draper, Utah Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1517, Draper, Utah Locate Requests: 811 (800) (801) Administration: (800) (801) Fax: (801) Website: NOTIFICATION CENTER MANAGEMENT W. Gary Hansen, Executive Director - (801) / garyh@bluestakes.org Paul Huntsman, IT Manager - (801) / paulh@bluestakes.org Russ Stacey, IT / GIS Technician - (801) / russs@bluestakes.org James Wingate, Contact Center Manager - (801) / jamesw@bluestakes.org Sherrie Bowman, Member Services Coordinator - (801) / sherrieb@bluestakes.org DIG SITE POLYGON SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS THE ACTUAL AREA WHERE DIGGING MAY OCCUR When Blue Stakes receives dig site information from an excavator, Blue Stakes CSR or remote user will identify the dig site area on Blue Stakes mapping application by drawing a shape (called a polygon). If the dig site polygon overlaps the notification area selected by an Association member, Blue Stakes will deliver the locate request ticket to that member. Please note that the dig site polygon created by Blue Stakes is only an approximation of the dig site area. Since the base map used by Blue Stakes does not show property boundaries, easements, etc, Page 3 Blue Stakes cannot accurately draw the exact dig site area. Instead, the address information and staking instructions provided on the ticket describe the precise location and dimensions of the dig site and should be the only information relied upon in determining the actual area where underground facilities need to be located and marked. Association members receiving tickets by can click the link included with the ticket to view a picture of the dig site polygon and Blue Stakes base map in the area. Members can also view copies of tickets sent to them by using the Ticket Search application from their Remote Access for Members (RAM) account. Members can see the dig site polygon and interact with the Blue Stakes base map for each ticket. If you have questions or need additional information regarding this article, please contact Blue Stakes Contact Center Manager at (800) , ext. 2111, or jamesw@bluestakes.org.

4 NOTIFICATION CENTER STATISTICS TICKET VOLUME - Fiscal Year / July 1 - June 30 VOLUME PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - Fiscal Year / July 1 - June TELEPHONE CALLS 161, , , , , , , ,623 ABANDONED CALLS Goal - Less than 5% 12.63% 2.25% 2.11% 1.97% 2.00% 2.42% 2.85% 1.60% AVERAGE SPEED OF ANSWER Goal - 30 seconds or less PERCENTAGE OF CALLS ANSWERED WITHIN 40 SECONDS Goal - 80% 64% 85% 86% 87% 86% 81% 83% 89% OPERATING COST PER TICKET $4.00 $4.04 $4.11 $3.97 $4.05 $3.89 $4.45 $ FISCAL YEAR BUDGET INCOME EXPENSE CAPITAL RETAINED EARNINGS Fees Interest Income Grant Income Operating TOTAL Advertising Expense Vehicle Expense Communications Expense Insurance Expense Lease Expense Office Expense Building Expense Bad Debt Expense Payroll Expense Professional Fees Expense Sales & Property Tax Expense Service Agreement Expense Travel & Training Expense TOTAL $1,729,000 $55,000 $140,000 $1,924,000 $125,000 $10,000 $88,000 $51,000 $19,000 $39,000 $24,000 $0 $1,341,000 $81,000 $18,000 $72,000 $33,000 $1,901,000 $50,000 ($27,000) Page 4

5 ASSOCIATION MEMBERS (489 As of November 5, 2008) Abajo Gas Transmission ACME Water Allen Lateral, Inc. Allwest Communications Alpine City Alton Town American Fiber American Fiber Systems American Fork City American Fork City / Fiber Optics ATK Launch Systems AT&T AT&T Local Services Amerigas Anadarko Petroleum Angell Springs SSD Annabella Town Antimony Town Ashcreek SSD Ashley Valley Water & Sewer Aston Energy Aurora City Austin SSD Autoliv BAJA Communications Ballard Water District Bear Lake SSD Bear River Town Bear River WCD Beaver City Beehive Telephone Benchland Water District Benson Culinary Water Bicknell Town Bill Barrett Corporation Blanding City Bluff Water Works Bluffdale City Bona Vista WID Boulder Farmstead Water Bountiful City Bountiful WSD Box Elder County / Willard Flood Control Bresnan Communications Brian Head Town Bridger Valley Electric Brigham City Broadweave Networks Canyon Gas Resources Castle Valley SSD Cedar City Cedar Hills Town Centerfield Town Centerville City Centracom Interactive Central Canal & Irrigation Central Davis Sewer District Central Enterprise Water Central Iron County WCD Central UT Water CD / Utah Central UT Water CD / Duchesne Central Valley Town Central Weber Sewer Charleston WCD Chevron Pipeline Clarkston Town Clearfield City Clinton City Cluffward Pipeline Clyde Companies Coalville City Coastal Bridger Lake LLC Colorado Energy Colorado Interstate Gas Comcast ConocoPhillips ConocoPhillips Pipeline Copperton ID Corinne City Cottonwood ID Cottonwood Heights City Cove SSD Cross Hollow Hills Water Dammeron Valley SSD Dammeron Valley Water Dansie Water Davis & Weber Canal Davis County Government Delta City Deseret-Oasis SSD Deuelcreek Irrigation Deweyville Town Diamond Valley Association Direct Communications Dixie Deer SSD Dixie Escalante Draper City Dry Gulch Irrigation Duchesne City Eagle Mountain City East Carbon City East Duchesne Culinary WID Eastland SSD Echo City Echostar Eden Water Works El Paso Field Services Electric Lightwave Inc. Elk Ridge Town Elsinore Town Elwood Town Emery Telcom Emery WCD Emigration ID Empire Electric Association Encana Gas Services Encana Oil & Gas Enoch City Enterprise City Enterprise Products L.P. Ephraim City Erda Acres Water Escalante City Eureka City Fairview City Farmington City Farr West City Fayette Town & Water Ferron Canal & Reservoir Fillmore City Fillmore Water Users FirstDigital Telecom Fountain Green City Fountain Green Irrigation Francis Town Fremont Waterworks Frontier Communications Fruit Heights City Garden City Garkane Energy Garland City GASCO Production Genola City Glen Canyon SSD Glenwood Irrigation Glenwood Town Goosenest Water Goshen Town Grand Water & Sewer Granger Hunter ID Grantsville City Grantsville Irrigation Green River City Gunnison Telephone Gunnison City Haights Creek Irrigation Hanksville Town Hanna Water & Sewer Harmony Farms Water Users Harrisville City Harris-Willis Irrigation Hatch Town Heber City Heber Light & Power Helper City Henefer Town Henrieville Town Herriman City Hi-Country Estates HOA Hi-Country Estates Water Highland City Highland Water Hinckley Town HLS Communications Holliday Water Holly Energy Partners Holly Refining & Marketing Honeyville City Hooper City Hooper Irrigation Hooper WID Howell Town Hoytsville Pipe Water Huntsville Town Huntsville Waterworks Hurricane Canal Hurricane City Hyde Park City Hyrum City ICS of Idaho INTERLINX Communications Ivins City Jensen WID Johnson Water District Jordan Valley Aquaduct Jordan Valley WCD Jordanelle SSD Joseph Town Junction Town Kamas City Kanab City Kanarraville Town Kane County Water Kanosh Town Kays Creek Irrigation Kaysville City Kearns Improvement District Kennecott Land Kern River Gas Koosharem Town KSL Television KWU Inc. / Kayenta Town Lake Point ID Laketown Town Lang Exploratory Drilling LaVerkin City Layton City LDS Facility Headquarters Leeds Domestic Waterusers Leeds Irrigation Lehi City Levan Town Level 3 Communications Lewiston City Liberty Irrigation Association Liberty Pipeline Linde Gases Lindon City Lion s Head P.O. Association Loa Town Logan City Long Valley Sewer District Lyman Water System Lynndyl Town Maeser WID Magna Water Manila Town Manti City Manti Irrigation Manti Telephone Mantua Town Manuel Brothers Inc. Mapleton City Marble Hills Water Marion Water Works Marriott-Slaterville Marysvale Town Mayfield Town MCI McLeod USA Meadow Town Mendon City Merit Energy Metropolitan Water of SLC Midvale City Midvalley Estates Water Midvalley ID Midway City & Sanitation Midway Irrigation Milford City Millville City Minersville Reservoir & Irrigation Minersville Town Moab City Moab Irrigation Moab Pipeline Mona City Monroe City Monte Vista Homes Monticello City Moon Lake Electric Morgan City Morgan Secondary Water Moroni City Mountain Green Sewer Mountain Springs Water Mountain View SSD Mt Pleasant City Mt View Irrigation Mt Wheeler Power Mtn Regional Water SSD Murray City Mutton Hollow ID Myton City Naples City Neola Water & Sewer Nephi City Nephi Irrigation Newcastle Garden Water Stock Newcastle Water New Escalante Irrigation New Harmony Town Nibley City Nordic Mountain Water North Carbon Group North Emery Water North Fork SSD North Logan City North Ogden City North Salt Lake City North Villages SSD Northwest Pipeline Oak City Page 5

6 ASSOCIATION MEMBERS (continued) Oakley City Ogden City Orderville Town Orem City Ouray Park WID Panguitch City Paradise Town Paradox Pipeline Paragonah Town Park City Municipal Parowan City Parowan South Field Payson City Perry City Pine Hollow Water Pine Valley Irrigation Pineview Water Systems Pioneer Natural Resources Plain City Plains All American Pleasant Grove City Pleasant View City Powder Mountain Water & Sewer ID Precis Cablevision Price City Price River WID Propane & Gas of Wendover Providence City Provo City Questar Gas Questar Gas Management Questar Pipeline Qwest Local Network Qwest Worldwide Qwest Worldwide (Enron) Raft River Rural Electric Rainbow Ranches Water Randolph Town RBPUP Group Redmond Town Resolute Natural Resources Richards Irrigation Richfield City Richmond City Richville Pipeline Rio Virgin Telephone Riverdale City Riverton City Rocky Mountain Power Rocky Ridge Town Roosevelt City Roy City Roy WCS Running Horse Pipeline S M Stoller Salem City Salina City SLC Department of Airports SLC - Engineering Salt Lake City Public Utilities Salt Lake County Operations Salt Lake County / Service Area #3 Sandy City Sandy Suburban ID Santa Clara City Santaquin City Saratoga Springs City Satview Broadband Scipio Town Scofield Town Settlement Canyon Irrigation Sherwood Water Sigurd Town Silver Fork Pipeline Simplot Phosphates SLC Sanitary Suburban District #1 SLICCAMA Smithfield City Snyderville Basin WRD Solitude Improvement District South Central Utah Telephone South Davis Sewer District South Davis Water District South Jordan Public Works South Ogden City South Salt Lake City South Utah Valley Electric South Valley Sewer District South Weber City South Weber Irrigation South Willard Water Southern Trails Pipeline Spanish Fork City Spring City Spring Lake Water Springdale Town Springville City Sprint Communications St George City Stansbury Park ID Sterling Town Stockton Town Strawberry High Line Canal Summit Irrigation Stock Summit SSD Summit Water Sunnyside City Sunset City Syracuse City T7 Propane Service Taylor West Weber WID Taylorsville-Bennion ID Teasdale SSD Tesoro Petroleum Thompson SSD Timber Lake Property Owners Timber Lakes Water Timpanogos SSD Tooele City Toquerville Town Torrey Town Tremonton City Trenton Town Tridell Lapoint Water Tropic Town Twin City Power Twin Creek SSD UDOT Region I UDOT Region II UDOT Region III UDOT Region IV / Cedar City UDOT Region IV / Price UDOT Region IV/ Richfield Uintah Basin Telephone Uintah City Uintah County Encroachment Uintah Highlands ID Uintah River Irrigation Uintah Water CD Union Telephone Upper County Water Utah County Utah Division of Environmental Response & Remediation Utah Valley State College Ute Tribe Domestic Water UTOPIA Vernal City Public Works Veyo Culinary Water Vineyard Town Virgin Town Wales Town Wallsburg Town Warner LLC Washington City Washington Terrace City Washington WID Water Pro Irrigation WCWEP Weber Basin CD Weber Basin WID Wellington Canal Wellington City Wells Rural Electric Wellsville City Wendover City West Bountiful City West Corinne Water West Haven City West Jordan City West Panguitch I&R West Point City West Valley City Western Gas Resources Inc. Westport Field Services White City WID Willard City Winchester Hills Water Wolf Creek Water Woodland Hills Town Woodland Mutual Water Woods Cross City WDOT XO Communications XTO Energy Zions Data Services DIG SITE POLYGON GIS COORDINATES CAN NOW BE TRANSMITTED TO MEMBERS USING XML FORMAT Recent technology improvements now allow Blue Stakes to transmit the latitude & longitude coordinates of the dig site polygon points (called vertices) to Association members using XML format. Members can use these coordinates to re-create the dig site polygon in their existing Geographic Information System (GIS) software. This can be helpful for members in evaluating how the excavation will impact their existing facilities in the area. If you have questions or need additional information regarding this article, please contact Blue Stakes Contact Center Manager at (800) , ext. 2111, or jamesw@bluestakes.org. Page 6

7 DAMAGE PREVENTION AWARENESS SEMINARS Blue Stakes conducts seminars each year to provide damage prevention education for excavators and Association members. Seminars for 2009 will be held on the dates and at the locations listed below: Provo Area Tuesday, January 13, 2009 Noah s Lindon Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Noah s Lindon Northern Utah Area Thursday, January 15, 2009 Copper Mill Restaurant Logan Salt Lake Area Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Noah s South Jordan Wednesday, January 21, 2009 Noah s South Jordan Ogden Area Thursday, January 22, 2009 Ogden Marriott Hotel Southern Utah Area Tuesday, February 3, 2009 Dixie Center St. George Wednesday, February 4, 2009 Crystal Inn Cedar City NOTE Invitations will be distributed to excavators and Association members during the month of December Contact Blue Stakes for additional information. SAFETY MEETINGS Blue Stakes will provide damage prevention training classes, free of charge, in the form of safety meetings, workshop presentations, etc. Contact Blue Stakes Executive Director at (800) , extension 2110, or garyh@bluestakes.org to schedule a training meeting tailored to fit the needs of your organization. PROMOTIONAL HANDOUTS Blue Stakes provides, free of charge, the following promotional handouts for distribution promoting the national Dig Safely campaign, which encourages excavators and the general public to Call 811 Before You Dig : Excavators Guide (English & Spanish Versions) Key Chains Magnets Color Code Stickers Color Code Information Cards 811 Vehicle Stickers To request any of the items listed, contact Blue Stakes Member Services Department at (800) , extension 2103, or member@bluestakes.org. AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY ON-CALL PROGRAM (801) Blue Stakes provides Association members with an After Hours Emergency Program designed to provide names and contact information of other member utilities located around an emergency dig site. This information is provided either through Blue Stakes website or by calling Blue Stakes after hours emergency on-call phone number. Association members are encouraged to access after hour emergency contact information through the Utilities Contacts link on Blue Stakes website at Please contact Blue Stakes Member Services Department at (800) , extension 2103, or member@bluestakes.org if assistance is needed with this online application. For those Association members without access to the Internet, Blue Stakes offers an After Hours Emergency On-Call phone number to obtain after hour emergency contact information (801) This program is for Association members only and is available on weekdays from 5:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Association members are requested not to provide the after hours emergency on-call phone number to excavators or home owners who are not members of the Association. Through one of these two methods, Blue Stakes will provide the emergency contact information of Association members that may have underground facilities in the vicinity of an emergency dig site. No Locate Request Assignment (LRA) number will be generated. It is the responsibility of the member utility performing of the emergency excavation to contact other member utilities in the vicinity utilizing the contact names and phone numbers provided by Blue Stakes. Page 7