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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/02/23 - Lower Hood Canal CWD ins d LOWER HOOD CANAL CLEAN WATER DISTRICT FEBRUARY 23, 1994 ATTENDANCE: Mary L. Faughender, Commissioner William O. Hunter, Chairperson Brad Banner, Health Services Director Wayne Clifford, Water Quality Coordinator Helen Seyferlich, Water Quality Project Coordinator The Lower Hood Canal Clean Water District was called to order at 9:03 a.m.in Building III,Conference Room. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Cmmr.Faughender/Hunter moved and seconded that the January 24,1994 minutes be approved as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. F-aye; H-aye; P-absent. CORRESPONDENCE ' Refer to the Board of Mason County Commissioners minutes for correspondence pertaining to the Lower Hood Canal Clean Water District. CLEAN WATER DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD UPDATE It was reported there are no further recommendations until the Advisory Board Chairperson Al Adams returns. The next scheduled advisory meeting is March 7, 1994. 1 Cmmr.Faughender questioned if the staff detected any indication the advisory board will modify their proposal. Helen Seyferlich, Water Quality Project Coordinator, reported no. Wayne Clifford asked if there was any discussion of the steering committee. Ms. Seyferlich commented there was no discussion. PROGRAM GOALS & TIMELINE Wayne Clifford, Water Quality Coordinator, explained that to obtain an accurate projection of goals they need to run a "query off of the County's mainframe (System 36). The whole Clean Water District is broken down into ten different regions. It is anticipated they will be completed after the Union River report is finished this week. Cmmr.Faughender questioned if the timeline is set for 4- 6 years to complete this project with the number of septic tanks involved. Mr. Clifford responded that it will take a number of years. It is not clear if it will take more than three years. It is hopeful the timeline will help determine the estimation, by the number of dye tests which need to be accomplished as opposed to the more visual inspections. There was a statement made at the workshop that the process would take about three years. Cmmr.Faughender expressed if the three year timeline will change,the earlier it is communicated to the District the less damage will be done. The public will still be disappointed. LOWER HOOD CANAL CLEAN WATER DISTRICT FEBRUARY 23, 1994 - PAGE 2 Cmmr. Faughender asked if there has been any thought to contracting. Mr. Clifford stated no. Cmmr. Faughender questioned if this would be an option. Mr. Clifford commented they could look at it. Cmmr.Faughender suggested it would be a way to get more resource focused on the issue,possibly using outside help for less complex areas. Brad Banner,Health Services Director,expressed his excitement about getting certified maintenance personnel; people that are tested and certified to perform system inspections. If they could somehow use these to perform the visual inspections for the low priority areas. They would need a training curriculum and develop a test. This would be like a low cost contract. This would be a couple of months down the road at minimum. Cmmr.Faughender added it will be a period of time before the County begins to collect funds from the Clean Water District. It could be six weeks before any thing could be done, Chairperson Hunter felt that options should be kept open for contracting out once the tests are given and people are certified. Cmmr. Faughender asked if there are people interested in the certification. Mr.Banner felt most are interested in this program. It requires a lot of detail preparation, similar to forming a clean water district. It will depend a lot on Wayne Clifford's expertise on System 36 and the queries. It is a critical part to build a database to be used for assuring things are done. Chairperson Hunter asked if the advisory committee is getting ready to put out a letter and where the funding would be coming from. Mr. Clifford responded that Sue Texiera is working with the Theler Wetlands who is sponsoring an application for a pie grant to create a newsletter. He informed them that the County can't just pay for Ms.Texiera. They need a process for professional services. He offered to print a set of mailing labels and they are getting their own funds for that. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS FROM STAFF Helen Seyferlich, Water Quality Project Coordinator, noted the progress on the survey this month has been 2 Phase I and 11 dye tests. She anticipated the dye tests to come up to 18 or 20. The cumulative for the whole Phase I project is 92 and 49 dye tests. The failures to date are 11. She commented that sometimes the failure rate is a little bit misleading because they have large systems that have 24 RV's. It is hard to count in the same manner. Right now until they are broken down more clearly they are left with the dilemma of delineating how many actual septic systems are there. Cmmr. Faughender asked if they are community septic systems. Ms.Seyferlich commented,yes, and they are transitory. People are moving in and out. They had thought they had passed off a larger system,Park Place,to the State Health. Water Quality staff met with John Alliance from the State. The State Health would like the County to dye test the drainfield and confirm if it is a failure. Cmmr. Faughender questioned who would take the lead on enforcement. i LOWER HOOD CANAL CLEAN WATER DISTRICT FEBRUARY 23, 1994 - PAGE 3 Mr. Banner interjected the State would, once it is confirmed a failed system. Cmmr. Faughender asked what the number of employees is working on Lower Hood Canal. Ms. Seyferlich commented they have spread the employees between Totten and Case Inlet to get both of the projects back on line. The Lower Hood Canal has 2 FTE one day a week and an office day for 1 personnel a week and then they are divided up. Chairperson Hunter asked what the financial status is on Lower Hood Canal. Ms. Seyferlich responded they haven't received their report from Carol. Mr. Banner commented that Wayne Clifford has been persistently following this with the fiscal clerk. Mr.Clifford stated that this was work performed in 1993 and a voucher still has not been prepared for the Lower Hood Canal work. Ms.Seyferlich commented notification letters for all the completed systems will go out on the 25th of this month. Cmmr. Faughender asked if it is realistic that the State will pay for the clean water assessment or if they are exempt. Mr. Clifford commented the State pays property taxes. Also they have to pay sewer rates if they hook up to a sewer. Mr. Banner hoped Department of Health has a better system than the County's, at this point. The county's records are in the middle of the parcel numbers. Mr.Clifford didn't think there were that many multiple use septic systems per recreation in the watershed,which might be faster than asking the State to pull records. Cmmr. Faughender asked how the staff handles situations like Twanoh Falls where there is a multi-use facility where a lot of people use a septic tank on weekends. He asked if that is similar to Belfair State Park. He asked if that is charged once or if they are considered by the number of parcel numbers/houses. Mr. Clifford noted under the current proposal it is assessed once. If the community club owns tidelands, they would be assessed for the tidelands. The parcel with the restroom facilities for recreational users would be assessed once under the current proposal. PUBLIC COMMENTS None 1 r LOWER HOOD CANAL CLEAN WATER DISTRICT FEBRUARY 23, 1994 - PAGE 4 ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:31 a.m. due to no further business. Respectfully Submitted, Rebecca S. Rogers LOWER HOOD CANAL CL WATER DISTRICT William O. Hunter, Chairperson 2"A M.L. Faughender, missioner Absent Laura E.Porter, Commissioner