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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 05/12/1997UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Port Angeles, Washington May 12, 1997 L Call to Order: Chairman Braun called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 11. Roll Call: Members Present: Councilmen Braun, Campbell, and Doyle, and Bill Myers. Members Absent: Joe Michalczik. Staff Present: C. Knutson, B. Titus, J. Pittis, C. Hagar, K. Ridout, S. McLain, G. Kenworthy, and B. Upton. III. Approval of Minutes: Colmcilman Doyle moved to approve the minutes of the April 7, 1997, meeting. Bill Myers seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. IV. Discussion Items: A. PUD Memorandum of Understanding Jack Pittis, Director of Public Works and Utilities, proposed that one Council member and one PUD Commissioner be involved in future Water Agreement discussions. Councilman Campbell stated he had a recent discussion with Commissioner Simpson, and there is a very strong feeling that the City is charging the PUD too much for water. Also, there is a concern that the PUD will be investing in water supplies, that they will not be able to recover once the City annexes the area. The PUD wants to discuss a different approach to providing water to the eastern UGA. Councilman Campbell felt that the PUD did not want another water agreement, but wanted to investigate a new way to meet the needs of the people who live in this area. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would be a way to begin to deal with the situation. Discussion followed. Councilman Campbell asked if the old contract could be continued. Director Pittis had no problem extending the current agreement; however, he felt it important to have a low zone intertie, so that less water is pumped during peak times. It would also be less expensive to the PUD to purchase low zone rather than upper zone water because pumping costs would be reduced. Councilman Braun was concerned over the last paragraph of the MOU which extended the contract through August 1999. Director Pittis felt this was livable on a year-to-year basis, providing language regarding the low zone intertie was added. Councilman Braun asked for volunteers to participate on a committee for future discussions with -1- Utility Advisory Committee May 12, 1997 the PUD regarding the Water Agreement or changes to the Memorandum of Understanding. Councilman Campbell felt two members would be more appropriate, as it would give the committee an alternate. Councilman Campbell volunteered to be the regular and Councilman Braun will be the alternate Committee member. Discussion resumed regarding the current water agreement contract and problems with the wording in the Draft Memorandum of Agreement. Councilman Doyle felt that stating there would be no service area boundaries was in direct opposition to the City's policy of not providing service to areas outside the City limits. Councilman Campbell felt the service area should be the UGA boundary, and Director Pittis pointed out that the annexation study currently being performed would give more information in this regard. Director Pittis felt the questions raised by the UAC should be directed to the Council at the next meeting for comment, and the draft MOU could then be sent back to the PUD. After further discussion, it was the general consensus that the MOU will go to the Council meeting of May 20, 1997, for discussion and clarification, and be returned to UAC. B. Treatment Plant Permit (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System [NPDES]) Councilman Braun reviewed the information provided by the Public Works Department and deferred to Director Pittis, who explained why the permit needed to be reviewed after only three years instead of five. Brown and Caldwell, the City's water plan consultants, helped with the paper work for the new permit. Director Pittis then briefly reviewed the renewal application and went through the table in the packet explaining, clarifying, and responding to questions about the permit, permit process, and the collection system. This was just a status report and no action was required. C. Proposed Changes to Agreement for Cable Television Consulting Services Councilman Braun reviewed the information provided by the City Clerk. Clerk Upton asked for the UAC's support on the issue and responded to questions posed by the Committee. Though no formal action was required, the UAC endorsed the proposed changes to the agreement. D. BPA Transmission Bob Titus, Deputy Director of Utility Services, stated that the ~corrected' pages that were faxed to the City did not seem to fit the flow of the Transmission Agreement. A call was made to the BPA regarding this; however, no response has been received as yet. Therefore, there is no Transmission Service Agreement to discuss. Terry Mundorf, WPAG's attorney, helped negotiate the agreement and recommends his clients sign. Mr. Titus explained what the Agreement will cover and responded to questions posed by the Committee. If Bonneville sends a copy of the -2- Utility Advisory Committee May 12, 1997 Agreement that flows and if several pricing issues that primarily affect Daishowa can be confirmed, there would be no reason to delay sending it to Council. If there are no assurances and nothing in writing from the BPA, then he recommends waiting. After some discussion, it was the general consensus of the Committee that this item be presented to the City Council at its next meeting if the final agreement is received in time. V. Late Items A. Letter from Senator Finkbeiner Mr. Titus explained that Senator Finkbeiner, head of the Washington State Energy Committee, has the spring and summer agenda prepared for electric utility deregulation discussion. Mr. Titus distributed copies of a letter Senator Finkbeiner had sent out to his Committee members, which outlines the issues as he sees them, and what he plans on working on over the next several months. This is an update on deregulation, and is for information only. No action was taken. B. Proposal to Supply Utility Services to Capacitor Foil Anodizing Plant Mr. Titus explained this is for information purposes. A prospective new industrial firm is looking to site a large processing plant, and power and water are its primary needs. This firm is also interested in an area that already has Japanese owned businesses. The Economic Development Council requested information from the Public Works and Utilities Department to make sure Port Angeles would be able to supply the necessary power and water. The EDC will let this firm know that the City of Port Angeles is capable of supplying its needs. VIII. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Utility Advisory Committee will be held Monday, June 9, 1997, at 3:00 p.m. VIII. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 4:43 p.m. Cl~airma~ ~ ~ Cit~21erl~/ -3-