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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02/24/2004 5194 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington February 24, 2004 CALL TO ORDER - Deputy Mayor Braun called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to SPECIAL MEETING: order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Deputy Mayor Braun, Councilmembers Erickson, Munro, Pittis, Rogers, and Williams. Members Absent: Mayor Headrick. Staff Present: Attorney Knutson, Clerk Upton, G. Cutler, and S. Sperr. Public Present: P. Lamoureux and B. Gawley. PLEDGE OF The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Councilmember Williams. ALLEGIANCE: Siting of Municipal Water Siting of Municipal Water Treatment Plant: Treatment Plant Deputy Mayor Braun referenced the packet memo, indicating the National Park Service is planning to construct a municipal water treatment plant for the City's water system at the south end of the Landfill as part of the water mitigation measures associated with the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act (EREFRA). Public Works & Utilities Director Cutler, aided by PowerPoint slides, made a presentation on the background, issues of the Municipal Water Treatment Plant siting, the siting plant, and the associated recommendation from staff. Director Cutler summarized background information relative to the construction of water mitigation facilities by the Federal Government for the City, also associated with fish and the Elwha Tribe. He advised the Council that the facilities must be constructed and in place prior to dam removal, which is scheduled to commence in 2007. The treatment plant will match the output of the Ranney collector and is being proposed for siting at the south end of the Landfill. Director Cutler indicated the industrial water treatment plant would treat surface water for industry, future industry, Nippon, and water for the State rearing channel and the Lower Elwha Tribe fish hatchery. In addition, he noted that the City has a Bilateral Compliance Agreement with the Department of Health, something that was required when it was determined that the City's water supply was considered to be Groundwater Under the Influence of Surface Water (GWI). Director Cutler informed the Council that the City was required to either filter the water or demonstrate it could protect the water without filtering. He indicated there are a number of methods that could be utilized, all of which have a significant range in terms' of cost. The Department of Health has agreed to accept the Elwha process in that regard in lieu of the City constructing something with its own funds. The Department of Health has been satisfied with the progress made thus far with regard to the City's efforts with the National Park Service. In order to proceed with the design of the water treatment plant, Director Cutler noted that the Park Service must have the site identified. The City would have input to the design process, scheduled for completion in the fall of this year, and the Health Depart- -1- 5195 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING February 24, 2004 Siting of Municipal Water merit would have final approval. Director Cutler indicated construction would not Treatment Plant (Cont'd) commence until January, 2005, at the earliest, based on the Supplemental EIS and the City's signatory to a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Park Service. Director Cutler noted that not all of the issues have been resolved as yet. However, those issues considered to be resolved relate to the final location, the acquisition of an easement by the Federal Government for the construction of the plant, and the provision of water to four customers from the Elwha Heights Water Association. Also considered to be resolved is the matter of the exterior finishes. He then identified those issues still awaiting resolution, one of which involved ongoing discussions with the Park Service and the Bureau of Reclamation regarding the cutting and filling of the site. In addition, there is the matter of filling the hole and compaction at the transfer station location. The road and berm in the vicinity of the firing range must be moved further to the west, which is another matter to be resolved. There is also the matter of funding for furore operations and maintenance, which Director Cutler felt to be the major item. Once the City takes ownership of the plant, there is a $10 million item currently being worked on at the Congressional level that will hopefully be forthcoming. Director Cutler then showed a map setting forth the projected siting of the treatment plant, to include an area for future growth and expansion. Discussion followed, with Director Cutler clarifying issues for the Council. Councilmember Rogers noted that the Utility Advisory Committee has been discussing and closely monitoring all of the pertinent issues over the last couple of years. Attorney Knutson agreed with Councilmember Williams' comment that it is important that the letter regarding siting be very clear as to the extent of the siting. He felt the letter should stipulate that the City expects the resolution of all MOU issues before the National Park can.access the site for construction purposes. After further deliberation and input from Attorney Knutson, Couneilmember Williams moved that, to the extent that our concurrence results in facilitating progress toward the objective of river restoration while the public water supply for the City is protected at no additional financial liability to the City in compliance with "the Act", the City Council conditionally approve this action as herein stipulated, the construction of which shall not be permitted until the MOU between the National Park Service and the City is executed. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rogers. Councilmember Rogers indicated she would keep Congressman Norm Dicks informed by providing him with a copy of the City's letter. Brief discussion followed, and Attorney Knutson responded to Deputy Mayor Braun regarding matters that will be addressed in the Memorandum of Understanding, such as a permitting question having to do with being able to get permitting to keep the river where it is so it doesn't migrate from the City's water supply. In addition, there will be other issues addressed in the MOU having to do with the industrial water supply. A vote was then taken on the motion, which carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m. -2-