HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03/08/2016 Utility Advisory Committee
Jack Pittis Conference Rooms
Port Angeles, WA 98362
March 8, 2016
3:00 p.m.
L Call To Order
Vice Chair Whetham called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m.
II. Roll Call
UAC Assigned
Councilmembers Present: Sissi Bruch, Vice Chair Lee Whetham, and Cherie Kidd
Other Councilmembers Absent: Brad Collins, Mayor Patrick Downie, Dan Gase, and Michael
Merideth
UAC Members Present: Betsy Wharton, Rob Feller
UAC Members Absent: Chair Lynn Bedford—excused
Staff Present: Craig Fulton, Gregg King, Phil Lusk, Shailesh Shere, Bill
Bloor
Others Present: Two Citizens
III. Approval Of Minutes
Council Member Sissi Bruch requested a motion to approve the minutes of February 9, 2016.
Council Member Cherie Kidd seconded the motion, which carried with one abstention.
IV. Late Items:
Council Member Sissi Bruch added an item for a future meeting; the process between the
waterfront wall that was approved vs. the wall the City ended with—why the difference?
Representative Betsy Wharton would like to discuss staff technical assistance for the Fluoride
Ad Hoc Committee.
V. Discussion Items:
A. Fluoride Ad Hoc Committee
Representative Wharton had questions about the technical feasibility of various fluoride options.
After discussion it was recommended that the Fluoride Ad Hoc Committee request staff to attend
meetings to provide technical assistance to the Committee.
VI. Information Only Item
A. Morse Creek Surplus Equipment and Property update (verbal report)
Craig Fulton, Director of Public Works and Utilities, gave an update on the disposal of the Morse
Creek hydro project and property. There was much discussion during the presentation. The main
points discussed were:
• The largest parcels are from an old US Army combat range which has restrictions
on property use. The US Army is planning on cleaning up the riskiest portion of
the parcel at some point in the future.
• The appraisal did not take into account the combat range restrictions, so the
appraisal is too high. The City is working with the appraiser to obtain a
recalculation.
• There is a waterfall between the powerhouse and the dam that prevents fish from
going up river.
• The project stopped generation in 2010 when the generator's bearing broke.
• The project is uneconomical to operate.
• The City has requested BPA remove the hydro generation from its power
contract.
• The City has discussed the process to surrender its generation license with FERC.
• The City intends to sell the property as three groups rather than parcel-by-parcel.
• Request by Council Person Bruch for a cost estimate to decommission the
project.
• A preliminary RFP will evaluate offers by bid price, speed to close the deal, cash
vs debt offers, offer on all property, and proposed environmental land use.
Further updates are planned as the process moves forward.
VII. Next Meeting Date: April 12, 2016
VIII. Adjournment: 4:12 p.m.
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Bedford, Chair Michelle Hale, Administrative Specialist II