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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09/15/1997UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Port Angeles, Washington September 15, 1997 L Call to Order: Chairman Braun called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. II. Roll Call: Members Present: Councilmen Braun, Campbell, and Doyle, Joe Michalczik, and Bill Myers. Members Absent: None. Staff Present: C. Knutson, B. Titus, J. Pittis, R. Ellsworth, S. McLain, S. Hursh, and C. Hagar. II1. Approval of Minutes: Bill Myers moved to approve the minutes of the August 11, 1997, meeting. Councilman Campbell seconded the motion. Public Works Director Pittis pointed out that, on Page One of the minutes, CH3MHill should read CH2MHill. A vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously. IV. Discussion Items: A. Request for Resolution of Support for Water Sale Chairman Braun reviewed the information provided by the Public Works Department, introduced Mr. Spragg, and asked Director Pittis if he had any new information to add. Director Pittis stated that he and Attorney Knutson had met with the Tribe, who has taken no formal position on this issue. He further stated that, while he was not concerned over Mr. Spragg's proposal, he was very concerned over possible future water issues for the City. Chairman Braun reminded the Committee that Senator Gorton recently stated he would like to see the removal of the lower dam which will definitely impact the City's water. Lengthy discussion followed, and Councilman Doyle felt there were too many unknowns to approve this Resolution. He was not sure it would be in the best interest of the citizens. Councilman Campbell reminded the Committee that the Urban Growth Area would be needing water also. Bill Myers concurred with concerns expressed and felt it would be awkward to make a long-term water decision at this time. Joe Michalczik asked if water quality and quantity would be the same if the dam is removed. Councilman Doyle asked Mr. Spragg about his application to the State for Elwha River water rights. Mr. Spragg stated he has tabled that resolution, and that things have changed since he sent -1- Utility Advisory Committee September 15, 1997 his original memo to the City. He is only interested in the pipeline water. Mr. Spragg then pointed out what part of the draft resolution he would like to change, what he would like it to say, and why he felt the change was necessary. Mr. Spragg stated he could sell between five and 20 million gallons of water per day in California. He would like Port Angeles to be the staging area for all water shipped, which will put a lot of people to work. He stated that, by signing the resolution, the Council will be urging the State Senate and Assembly to investigate the utility of transporting water and ask Congress to help them. He assured the Council that Congressman Dicks will help the City obtain funding to begin a water transport utility. Mr. Spragg would also like to use the harbor for storing of the water bags, all of which will be works of art. Each bag will be unique, and Mr. Spragg was sure they would be a tourist attraction. Mr. Spragg informed the Committee that water transportation was already being utilized in the Aegean Sea, and that water bag technology could play a key role in national defense. He urged Port Angeles to stand up and be a leader in this technology and possibly play a role in bringing peace to the Mid East via improved water supply. Mr. Spragg stated his goal today was to have the resolution redrafted to the Committee's specifications so it can be presented to the Council at its next meeting. Mr. Spragg then responded to questions posed by the Committee and offered clarification on several issues. After further discussion, and reiteration by the Committee that water issues were too fragile at this time to make a decision of this magnitude, Councilman Doyle moved to recommend that Council not pass this Resolution on Port Angeles water issues, as presented. Bffi Myers seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. B. Report on Focused Feasibility Study for Landfill Director Pittis reviewed the information provided in the packet, explained the importance of this updated study, and reviewed the recommendations. Discussion followed regarding whether the FAA will allow the landfill to remain open through the year, 2006. Attorney Knutson reminded the Committee that the decision to allow the landfill to remain open is hinged on the completion of the bird study in a positive manner. Joe Michalczik felt tipping fees at the landfill should be raised to recover the cost of the land that the landfill occupies. He stated tipping fees should be competitive with what it would cost if people had to haul their trash to Seattle. Director Pittis stated a cost of service study will be performed soon, and this will be considered. Parametrix, Inc., the consulting firm who performed the feasibility study, will give a full presentation to the Council at its next meeting. It was the consensus of the Committee to defer this matter to the Council. -2- Utility Advisory Committee September 15, 1997 C. Request From Serenity House to Forgive Utility Bill Chairman Braun reviewed the information provided by Customer Services. Attorney Knutson explained that the City can legally forgive this debt, as Serenity House is solely for providing shelter for the poor. Councilman Doyle felt the County should be asked to pay half of the billing, as this facility also houses County residents. Discussion followed, and Finance Director Godbey was called in to provide clarification and respond to questions. After further discussion, Councilman Campbell moved to recommend the City Council forgive the Serenity House debt, and direct staff to contact Clallam County and propose they share the debt 50/50. Councilman Doyle seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. D. Strategic Plan for Future of City Light Deputy Director Titus reviewed the information he had provided. He stated that disseminating a short report and questionnaire to help prioritize would give the Council the opportunity to describe services it would definitely like to see addressed in an RFP for a strategic plan. Conversely, it would help eliminate those types of services in which there is no interest. The draft report should be completed this week and the questionnaire by the end of September. It is hoped the report will be ready for review at the October meeting. Councilman Campbell identified several types of services the City might be interested in providing, and then felt that either internally, or with the help of a consultant, the scope of issues could be narrowed to those services which would be the most productive. Discussion followed, and Deputy Director Titus and Director Pittis responded to questions and offered clarification on the issue. It was the general consensus of the Committee that staff should proceed with formulating a short report and questionnaire summarizing the issues and how other utilities are proceeding. E. Pole Contact Agreement With Hospital Chairman Braun reviewed the information provided in the packet. Discussion followed, and Deputy Director Titus was asked to clarify several issues, such as why this service will be provided at no charge. Councilman Campbell pointed out that, in the future, others could be asking for the same service. Joe Michalczik asked why the hospital approached the City for this service, rather than the phone company and Deputy Director Titus provided the explanation. Director Pittis suggested that any future requests for pole contacts be deferred until the strategic plan for City Light is in place. Attorney Knutson expressed concern regarding not charging for this service and the termination agreement. He suggested there be a larger per pole charge for a low volume user rather than give a free service. Councilman Doyle suggested the same fee be used for everyone, but that there be a minimum fee per year. Councilman Campbell agreed with Councilman Doyle and felt an $8.00 per pole per year, with a $300 per year administrative -3- Utility Advisory Committee September 15, 1997 charge, would be reasonable and should be built into the agreement. Following further discussion, Joe Michalczik moved to allow Olympic Memorial Hospital to use the power poles with a minimum charge per year of $300.00 administrative charges, and a pole charge of $6.81 per contact per year. Bill Myers seconded the motion. Discussion ensued, and Steve Hursh, Engineering Manager, explained how the contact fees were arrived at. Joe Michalczik amended his motion to allow Olympic Memorial Hospital to use the power poles for a fee of $8.00 per pole and an administrative charge of $300.00 per year each year. Bill Myers seconded, the motion, which carried unanimously. V. Next Meeting: The next meeting will be October 13, 1997, at 3:00 p.m. VI. Adjournment: The meeting a. djourned at 5:15 p._m. Deputy City Clerk~ ~ -4-