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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 05/10/1999 UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Port Angeles, Washington May 10, 1999 L Call to Order: Chairman Campbell called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. IL Roll Call: Members Present: Councilmen Campbell, Doyle and Williams, Bill Myers, and Joe Michalczik. Members Absent: None. StaffPresent: C. Knutson, J. Pitfis, B. Titus, D. McCfinley, B. Collins, B. Upton, and C. Haga~ /~,: ~ o IIL Approval of Minutes: Councilman Doyle moved to approve the minutes of April 12, 1999, meeting. Councilman Williams seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. IV. Discussion Items: A. Cable Television Status Report - Pete Grigorieff, Northland Cable Regional Manager City Clerk Upton stated that at the Committee's request, she had invited Mr. Pete Grigorieff and Ms. Rose Gosslin to this meeting to report on cable television in Port Angeles. Mr. Pete Gfigorieff, NortNand Cable Interim Regional Manager, introduced Rose Gosslin, Office Manager. Mr. Grigorieffreviewed the information contained in the NortNand Report, which was part of the packet. The information reviewed included system structural and operational information, summary of the previous year's activities, planned construction and upgrades, and current and future technology advances and services. Various sections were discussed, and Mr. Grigorieffresponded to questions and provided additional clarification. Councilman Doyle inquired as to the charge for Service Agreement and what service it provided. Mr. Grigorieff stated the charge was $2.75 per month and was designed to cover in-house wiring problems. Without the service agreement, Northland Cable is only responsible for the wire to the ground block, which is outside of the home. Mr. Michalczik asked why Pay-per-View television was not mentioned in the report. Mr. Grigorieff stated Northland did not offer Pay-per-View at this time, due to its current channel capacity. He explained that many smaller operations do not offer this service because of channel constraints. However, Northland did hope to be able to offer this service sometime in the future, as it is investigating digital compression services, which allows for greater capabilities. During discussion of Local Origination Programming, Councilman Campbell stated the Northland Cable News personnel are a great asset to the community and are very professional in delivering local news. Councilman Campbell noted that fiber optics is going to be discussed later in the agenda, and he inquired if Northland Cable would consider working with the City, PUD, etc., in obtaining fiber optic systems. Mr. Grigorieffstated Northland had some discussion with the PUD regarding fiber optics, and he felt Northland would definitely wish to see any plans the City made. Councilman Campbell thanked Mr. Grigorieff and Ms. Gosslin for the time and information. B. Draft Water Supply Strategy C. Revised Scope for Regional Water Study Interim Manager Pittis stated this information is an attempt to fully describe the water issues facing the City in the future. Attorney Knutson noted that some of the information contained in the report is concerned with the City's water rights and strongly stated that this is a draft document for discussion purposes only and not for public consumption. Interim Manager Pittis reviewed the information contained in the Water Supply Strategy prepared by CH2M Hill. He reminded the Committee, that while these issues have been discussed at length in the recent past, this document has not been discussed for quite some time. Interim Manager Pittis stated this item can be brought back to the next meeting if the Committee needs additional information following today's discussion. Interim Manager Pittis then reviewed the document section by section, explaining the various issues, responding to questions, and providing additional clarification. Interim Manager Pittis noted that some of the drivers affecting the City's decisions evolve around the closing of the Rayonier mill. This issue can cause problems for the City's water right as it relates to the industrial pipeline. Staff is attempting to get confirmed records as to Rayonier's water consumption in the past; this information may then be used for further documentation of this water right. Interim Manager Pittis expounded on the Ranney Collector issue, as it has the potential to be declared as groundwater under the influence of surface water, which would require revised disinfection methods and/or treatment. A second problem with the Elwha Ranney Collector is declining yields due to the river moving west. This may signal the need for additional supply development in the future. Other Issues and Decision which drive the water supply strategy include Elwha Dam removal, the Lower Elwha S'Klallam Tribe, changes in water fight law, watershed planning, Morse Creek hydropower station, growth, the Endangered Species Act, and corrosion control. During discussion of growth and future water supply needs, Joe Michalczik requested that the Water Demands Projections table be changed to reflect domestic vs. industrial water demands. Also, Councilman Williams noted that the first paragraph describing this issue (page 14) contained an error. "....projected average annual demand (ADD)..." should read "...projected average daily demand..." Interim Manager Pittis continued to review the document, explaining alternative supply options and recommended supply strategy. Interim Manager Pittis explained that staffis now requesting the UAC to approve the next scope of work adjustment in the amount of$12,119. The additional information will enable the Council to decide on alternative location issues of treatment plants or regional water supply issues. Senator Gorton has said he would be willing to consider reimbursing the City for consultant costs on issues relevant to protecting its water interests. Following further discussion and clarification, Councilman Doyle moved to recommend to the City Council that the City enter into a contract with CH2M Hill for an expansion of Scope and Budget for Contract No. 97.16 (Water Supply Study). Joe Michalczik seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. V. Information Only Items A. Future Requirements for Conservation and Renewable Resources Bob Titus, Deputy Director of Utility Services, reviewed the information contained in the packet. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) will include new elements for the 2001 through 2006 rate period. Among them will be the Conservation and Renewables Discount (C&RD). This will establish criteria for utilities to earn up to a 3% discount on wholesale power bills. The draft plan calls for the discount to be built into the rates with utilities reporting their achievements annually. Should a utility not spend at least 3% of its wholesale power costs on qualifying conservation and renewable resources, it would be required to pay to the BPA the difference between actual spending and 3% of annual power purchases. Deputy Director Titus responded to questions and provided additional clarification. He informed the Committee that this if for information only to increase its awareness of a topic that will gain importance as 2001 approaches. No action was taken. B. Telecommunications and Fiber Optic Opportunities for Port Angeles Deputy Director Titus reviewed the information provided in the packet. He stated staffhas been working with the PUD and EDC on this issue. The PUD has arranged to have a consultant give a telecommunications and fiber optics presentation on May 26, 1999, at 1:00 p.m. Discussion followed. Councilman Campbell noted that if fiber optics is going to occur on the Peninsula, the City of Port Angeles will have to lead the way. Attorney Knutson suggested the Economic Development people quoted in this morning's paper be invited to address the UAC regarding their interests and concerns on this topic. Deputy Director Titus stated that the PUD Commissioners, City Council, UAC, and EDC Board members have all been invited to the meeting of May 26, 1999. This will be a good opportunity for community discussion of this issue. Bill M/ers noted that this is an exciting opportunity for the City. It is clearly what is needed if the City h6pes for any real development. Joe Michalczik asked for a plan to review at the next UAC meeting. ' No action was taken. VI. Late Items A. Pole Use Agreement with Port Deputy Director Titus reviewed the information distributed prior to the meeting and reminded the Committee that the City has entered into several agreements like this in the past. 3 Bill Myers moved to recommend the City Council approve the Pole Rental Agreement with the Port of Port Angeles. Discussion followed and Joe Michalczik expressed concern over entering into a 15-year contract. Bill Myers pointed out that Section 12 of the contract contained an exit clause, so the City was not tied to fifteen years. Following further limited discussion and contract clarification, Councilman Williams seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. B. Verbal Report from Interim Manager Pittis Regarding Landfill Interim Manager Pittis stated he and Councilman Campbell had presented a report to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the County regarding closure of the landfill on December 31, 2006. During discussion, it was asked if the rates would remain unchanged during the life of the landfill. The response was that staff will seek contracts with haulers through the year 2006 at the current rate of $63. There is some risk involved; however, it locks in the flow of refuse into the landfill, which is the greatest concern. Interim Manager Pittis asked the Committee if it had any problem with staff seeking these contracts. It was the general consensus of the Committee that staff should proceed in that direction. Old Joe Road Water System Councilman Doyle reminded the Committee that this issue had been discussed at a previous meeting. He recently spoke to a resident of Old Joe Road, and someone is putting in a new water line. Interim Manager Pittis stated the City and County have issued the necessary permits, but that the City will inspect the line only after all of the residents have agreed to participate. Following inspection and certification, the line will be hooked up to the City's water system. Interim Manager Pittis stated he was informed there will be an approximately $2,500 fee to hook up to this line. As there is some dissension among the neighbors, perhaps the City and State Department of Health will have to exert pressure on the residents to settle this issue. Brief discussion followed. No action was taken. VIL Next Meeting: The next meeting will be June 7, 1999, at 3:00 p.m. VIIL Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. 4