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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08/18/1999 4044 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington August 18, 1999 CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Braun called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at SPECIAL MEETING: 1:50 p.m. The purpose of the meeting was~to discuss various City issues with Congressman Norm Dicks. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Mayor Braun, Councilmembers Campbell, Hulett, McKeown, Wiggins, and Williams. Members Absent: Councilmember Doyle. Staff Present: Manager Quinn, Attorney Knutson, Clerk Upton, B. Collins, G. Cutler, and S. Martin. Public Present: No one signed the roster. Mayor Braun welcomed Congressman Dicks and introduced City Manager Quinn. Manager Quinn advised the Congressman that the City would initially like to discuss issues pertinent to the water supply, at which time he introduced Public Works & Utilities Director Cutler. City Water Issues City Water Issues: Public Works & Utilities Director Cutler reviewed for the Congressman the issues related to the City's industrial and domestic water supply. He reviewed the maps setting forth the location of the area's various water sources, facilities, and possibilities for new pipelines and facilities. Director Cutler provided a system overview which included a summary of the City's Ranney collector system currently in use. Director Cutler advised Congressman Dicks as to potential impacts of the Elwha Dam removals, to include increased siltation, increasingly turbid water, increased risk of adverse impact on the Ranney collector, as well ag the fact that the dams mitigate adverse events on the Elwha River. Director Cutler then reviewed the City's long term requirements which would involve permanent treatment facilities, conventional treatment, and an emergency water supply. Associated with these requirements would be support to ensure sufficient funds for a safe and adequate water supply for the City, reimbursement to the City for current and future expenses, and the designation of Port Angeles as the lead agency for the design and construction of mitigation measures. Congressman Dicks queried as to whether FERC would allow the use of Morse Creek for an emergency water supply. Attorney Knutson responded that, thus far, that type of indication had not been made. Congressman Dicks indicated he fully understood what the City was requesting; however, he felt the entire issue would rest on the total cost of the project and the available funds. Director Cutler indicated the figure being discussed at present is $30 million which was determined in the EIS and was based on the removal of both dams with temporary water treatment facilities. Attorney Knutson advised the Congressman that, after meeting with Senator Gorton on Monday, City staff met with Brian Winter of the National Parks Service, who indicated the Bureau of Reclamation should be able to meet with the City in the near future to resolve the issue of temporary versus - 1 - 4045 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING August 18, 1999 City Water Issues permanent water treatment facilities. In the discussion that ensued, Mayor Braun (Cont'd) queried as to whether the City would need to acquire land for treatment facilities. Councilman Campbell felt it unlikely that the City would want to place a treatment facility in the vicinity of the Ranney collector, as the area would be greatly impacted once the dam(s) are removed. Attorney Knutson noted the Rayonier mill site would be a good candidate for locating a treatment facility. Congressman Dicks spoke in support of the project, expressing the hope that the project could move forward in spite of differing opinions as to the scope and associated costs of the project. He asked the City what the impact might be if the dams are purchased and then nothing is done. Director Cutler indicated the City would continue as it is at present. However, Congressman Dicks understood the City may still have to do some sort of treatment. Councilman Campbell addressed the matter of consequences if there is an additional delay in the project. The City could be faced with the threat of being required to do additional treatment of the City water supply with inadequate facilities. Attorney Knutson advised the Congressman that the Elwha Tribe favors dam removal because of salmon restoration. There is concern with the removal of water from the river, but that concern is lessened if the dams are removed. It is a package that involves dam removal as a key element. Congressman Dicks could envision a situation where the dams are purchased, but the removal and the associated funding is delayed. He acknowledged this could complicate matters. Planning Director Collins indicated that any delay would have a direct impact on the ability of the salmon to use the river. Congressman Dicks alluded to the severity of the budget situation in Washington, D.C., and expressed the hope that he and Senator Gorton were "on the same page" on the matter. He reminded those present that the law stipulates that the funds must be in hand before efforts to purchase the dams can move forward. The Federal Government is concerned with acquiring a liability until the dams are removed. He suggested an amendment to the law may be in order. Congressman Dicks assured the City Council he would work to move the project forward. Councilman Wiggins pointed out that $150,000 has been spent thus far by the City on this issue, of which a portion can be attributed to CH2M Hill as the City's consultant. Congressman Dicks felt it helpful that the City has sought assistance from a consultant who is highly credible on this particular issue. FEMA Reimbursement FEMA Reimbursement for 1999 Storm Damage: Manager Quinn directed the discussion for 1999 Storm Damage to the denial from FEMA to reimburse the City for the damage incurred in the 1999 storm. He asked for the Congressman's assistance in this regard. Councilmember McKeown indicated that FEMA had pledged to become more proactive in its efforts, and Councilman Williams showed a map of the downtown area where certain areas of property are being lost to storm damage and bluff erosion. The Councilmemb. ers suggested that there is a need to shore up the buttress on the hillside to enhance the downtown area and prevent further damage to the businesses located in that specific area. It was noted that the hillside behind the Lee Hotel is one that is suffering greatly because of storm damage. The Councilmembers noted that any programs the City could tap into would be greatly appreciated. Combined Sewer Combined Sewer Overflow, Land Trade on Elwha, Rayonier Superfund Deferral, Bridge Overflow, Land Trade on Projects, International Gateway Funding: City staff advised Congressman Dicks of the Elwha, Rayonier Superfund need for assistance on the Combined Sewer Overflow, the separation of wastewater and Deferral, Bridge Projects, stormwater to the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Further, Councilman Wiggins International Gateway referred to a proposed land trade as relates to the Elwha Dam removal. Congressman Funding Dicks assured the Council he would continue to work on this matter with the City. On the matter of the Forest Service road policies, Councilman Wiggins urged the Congressman to provide assistance to assure the continued maintenance of Forest Service roads. Congressman Dicks agreed this is a major issue of national scope. 4046 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING August 18, 1999 Combined Sewer Manager Quinn directed attention to the Rayonier Superfund deferral, emphasizing the Overflow, Land Trade on City's position that DOE should be named in an oversight capacity on the clean-up of Elwha, Rayonier Superfund the Rayonier site. Planning Director Collins indicated the Elwha Tribe has worked out Deferral, Bridge Projects, acceptable details with the DOE. International Gateway Funding (Cont'd) Discussion was held with regard to construction projects on the Hood Canal Bridge, as well as the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Concern was voiced with regard to the impact of bridge work on the North Olympic Peninsula. In addition, the issue of tolls being placed on the two bridges is a major concern. Manager Quinn concluded the meeting by expressing the City's appreciation to Congressman Dicks for his ongoing support and assistance in obtaining funds for the Gateway Project. Councilmember McKeown advised the Congressman there was a meeting underway at the moment on the Gateway Project, and she extended an invitation for the Congressman to join the meeting for a brief period. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m. BJcky J. Upt~, ~ cie~'k jrt--- Gary B~aun, Mqor ~' ' ~-- -3- 4047 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK