Public Hearing Archives

November, 2008

The regular Board of Commissioners Meeting of Public Utility District No. 1 of Mason County was called to order at 6:00 p.m. on November 3, 2008 at Hood Canal Cablevision in Union, WA.

Present
Jack Janda- President
Ron Gold – Vice-President
Karl Denison – Secretary
Steve Taylor – General Manager
Rob Johnson-District Counsel
Debbie Knipschield – Director of Administrative Services
Greg Kester - Auditor/Director of Finance
Tracy Colard – Director of Operations
Mary Wilkes, PE -Skillings-Connolly

Visitors

Bill Viger- Customer
Sue Engstrom (Smith) – Customer
Troy & Judi Woodard – Customer
Richard & Dawn Turnbull – Customer
Steve & Barbara Levette- Customer
Norm & Lynn Swick – Customer
Jack Neiers - Customer

Introductions

Jack Janda, President of the board opened the meeting at 6:00 pm with introductions from the attendees

Information on the Water System Plan Update

·         Mary Wilkes from the engineering firm of Skillings – Connolly noted that the Bilateral Compliance Agreement with DOH includes requirements for a replacement tank and the Municipal Water Law requires source meters and end of use meters to be installed

·         Skillings – Connolly has completed and DOH has approved the updated Water System Plan including these requirements which is available at the PUD office

Operational Scope of Project

·         Mary Wilkes reviewed the recommended system improvements

·         The improvements include two lines that will filter, and circulate the water in the reservoir enabling the requirement for Chlorination on the system to be removed

·         Source meters and service meters are included in the improvement project

·         The reservoir will be at an elevated location allowing for no booster pumps

·         Installation of sample taps will reduce or eliminate any “false positives” for Coliform and blow offs will allow for lines to be flushed and increase water pressure

Rate and Financial Information

·         The engineers construction bid estimate totals $202,839 including a 10 % contingency

·         Funding will be provided through a Public Works Trust Fund 1% interest loan

·         Existing reserves of $5,000 will be used to pay off existing debt

·         Based on the estimated project cost, the monthly surcharge will be $49.30 per month

·         Examples of the New Metered Monthly Rate were presented

Questions and Answers

·         The PUD’s goal is to combine owned systems for rate purposes by the year 2013 when a 7% revenue growth is realized.  If this revenue base is not met the consolidation time frame would be extended

·         The Public Works Trust Fund requires a 5% local match of the 1% loan amount which will come from the remainder of the reserves after retiring the $5,000 existing debt

·         The base rate that is charged to all systems pays for the operations and maintenance of the systems

·         The maintenance schedule is outlined in the water system plan and will be followed closely

·         The conversion to the new tank will be accomplished by tapping the main off of the well pump until the new tank is converted to allow for minimal down time

·         The expected use for a family of two is 400 cu ft./month

·         When meters are installed customers should watch their usage.  If it seems high or is over the 400 cu. ft. check for leaks on the customer side of the meter

·         District policy allows for adjustments to bills following leak repairs if the leaks are reported to the PUD and the customer has made the repairs in a timely manner

·         Contractors will be notified to work with property owners for parking during the construction period

·         The Water System Plan gives direction for construction, maintenance, and inspections issues

·         The project will be bid out and the lowest qualified bidder will be contracted for the project

·         Meters are normally placed at property lines

·         A generator would be part of a separate project

·         A larger tank is being installed because usage could increase in the future for existing customers

·         A source meter will monitor the output from the well and the customer meters will measure usage allowing for leak detection

·         The Fire Marshall has been written a letter noting that fire flow is not part of the project.  A reply is required within thirty days

·         The Department of Health approval process usually takes three months

·         The project will be let for bid by April 09

·         The capital surcharge will be phased in as work progresses

·         If the bids come in much higher than expected the customers will be notified and another meeting will be scheduled

·         Owners requested to be notified when meters are to be installed at their residences

·         The Automatic Meter Reading Program was communicated to the customers

·         The base rate will increase effective January 1, 2009

·         The PUD contact person for the questions regarding the water improvement project is the General Manager, Steve Taylor

·         Karl notified the customers about the Sludgehammer Pilot project involving the Madrona Septic System

Meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm

Jack Janda - President

Ron Gold - Vice President

Karl Denison –Secretary