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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07/06/1998 UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Port Angeles, Washington July 6, 1998 L Call to Order: Chairman Doyle called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. II. Roll Call: Members Present: Councilmen Campbell, Doyle, and Williams, Joe Michalczik, and Bill Myers. Members Absent: None. Staff Present: C. Knutson, J. Pittis, K. Godbey, B. Titus, C. Hagar, K. Ridout, S. Kenyon, and J. Harper. II1. Approval of Minutes: Councilman Campbell moved to approve the minutes of the June 15, 1998, meeting. Bill Myers seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Bob Titus, Deputy Director of Utility Services, introduced Jim Harper, the new Electrical Engineer. Introductions were made around the table. IV. Discussion Items: A. Senior Discount Income Level Adjustments Scott Kenyon, Customer Service Representative, reviewed the information provided in the packet and responded to questions posed by the Committee. Councilman Doyle inquired if this program was well publicized. Mr. Kenyon stated that the Senior Center was aware of the program, the City is in a statewide directory used by social service groups, and it will be noted on the City's website starting this month. Councilman Campbell felt this fell into the category ora public purpose item for City Light. Mr. Kenyon informed the Committee that this discount applied to all utilities, not just electrical. Deputy Director Titus stated that this is a low income subsidy and none of the proposed Bills acknowledge it as a public purpose. Councilmen Campbell and Doyle felt this should be added to the City's contribution for human service allocations. Attorney Knutson suggested this be noted in the budget as part of the human services allocation, and Finance Director Godbey agreed. Following further limited discussing, Bill Myers moved to recommend that City Council pass Utility Advisory Committee July 6, 1998 the Ordinance changing the guidelines for calculating the Senior Discount. Joe Michalczlk seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. B. Solid Waste Agreement with Jefferson County Interim Manager Pittis praised Scott McLain's efforts in negotiating with Jefferson County. He reviewed the history of this issue and summarized the information contained in the packet. Interim Manager Pittis stated that currently Jefferson County is only seeking an agreement for a seven-month period. If the City wishes to continue receiving the waste after that time, it must either bid on it, or negotiate with other haulers. He recommended accepting the tipping fee proposal for $30 per ton for a seven-month period. Lengthy discussion ensued, and Interim Manager Pittis and Scott McLain, Power Manager, responded to questions and provided additional clarification. Interim Manager Pittis informed the Committee that the City could make an additional $240,000 in revenue during the seven months of this agreement, which could be used to alleviate the $1 million shortfall for landfill closure. He further explained that the tipping fee for Jefferson County is market-based, rather than on cost-of-service. Mr. Michalczik asked for staff's opinion on the likelihood of continuing landfill operations past the year 2000, and Attorney Knutson summarized staff's last meeting with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Attorney Knutson stated staff had met with representatives from the FAA as well as the staff from the United States Depa~i~,ent of Agriculture (USDA) who are performing the bird study and monitoring and implementation of bird hazing measures for the City. The FAA stated that it would allow the City until the year 2000 to operate the landfill. The USDA indicated that the study was not conclusive enough for operation beyond 2000. The FAA did say it would keep an open mind beyond the year 2000; however, this will be based on the City's success in containing bird movement. Joe Michalczik asked that staff discuss this tonnage fee with local haulers to ensure they will not be upset. Finance Director Godbey explained that local haulers have an obligation to pay landfill closure and post-closure costs, which Jefferson County does not. The tipping fee for Jefferson County is based solely on the market; therefore, a much lower tipping fee for them is not unfair to City and County residents. Interim Manager Pittis stated that when Jefferson County goes out for bids, Port Angeles will be able to use that information to discover if its landfill fees are competitive. Further discussion and clarification followed, and Councilman Doyle suggested this item be forwarded to the City Council for a work session at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Following further discussion, Joe Michalczik moved to forward this issue to the City Council for further review. Bill Myers seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Joe Michalczik again requested that staff contact local haulers for their feeling on this issue, to which Interim Manager Pittis agreed. Utility Advisory Committee July 6, 1998 V. Information Only Items None. VI. Late Items Deputy Director Titus reminded the Committee that Gary Saleba and Charlie Earl of EES were to attend the July meeting to present the findings of the Strategic Plan. The original meeting date was changed, and they were unable to attend today's meeting. At a recent meeting, the PUD indicated its consultant would have a final report this week, and the PUD is pressing to create a joint operating agency. The City's consultant is advising that the City continue to operate as is. Mr. Titus discussed the situation with Councilman Campbell, who also attended the meeting, and it was suggested a special meeting be held. Mr. Saleba was contacted and he indicated he was available for a meeting on either July 27 or 28th. Following brief discussion, it was decided to have a special UAC meeting on Monday, July 27, 1998, at 3:00 p.m. The Committee then viewed a video on the downtown sidewalk and watermain improvement (Downtown Forward) project. VI. Next Meeting: The next Utility Advisory Committee meeting will be held July 27, 1998, at 3:00 p.m. in the Public Works Conference Room. VIII. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. -3-