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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997/06/16 - Lower Hood Canal CWD LOWER HOOD CANAL CLEAN WATER DISTRICT DUNE 16, 1997 ATTENDANCE: John A. Bolender, Commissioner Mary Jo Cady, Commissioner The Lower Hood Canal Clean Water District meeting was called to order at 1:31 p.m. by Acting Chairperson Mary Jo Cady. Chairperson Cynthia D. Olsen was on an excused absence. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Cmmr.Bolender/Cady moved and seconded to table approval of the minutes until there is a quorum of those in attendance at the March 17 meeting to vote on the approval. Motion carried unanimously. B-aye; C-aye; O-absent. SURVEY UPDATE Mark Tompkins, Program Manager,reported they have completed a few more surveys since the March meeting. Surveys Completed- 4,550 Refused Access/No Response- Same Failures Identified- 485 Repairs Completed- 353 Most of the activity is occurring in the repairs. Of the remaining failures,40 properties have been posted or remain unoccupied which does not reflect in repairs completed. An additional 25 systems are in the process of being installed. Over the last month 26 notices and orders were sent out; 10 pre-posting notices and 5 more pre-posting notices will be going out this week. APRIL 1997 FINANCIAL REPORT Mr. Tompkins gave a quick overview of the expenditures and revenues for the first quarter of 1997. Expenditures in Lower Hood Canal Clean Water District totaled$5,516.77 to Conservation District. The revenue received was $11,024.43 and the cash flow is $66,933.43. Mr. Tompkins shared Don Melvin, Department of Health, came to the last advisory meeting and reported on the results showing up in the prohibited zone. The water quality from the west boundary of Belfair State Park down the Canal is improving dramatically. If it continues to improve at the current rate they anticipate within the next six months a potential upgrade in the area. The other area from the west boundary of the park towards Belfair still has some "hot spots" that remain and there is no significant increase in water quality at this time. The tests are being conducted twice a month. They need 30 samples that meet criteria to open up an area. ADVISORY BOARD UPDATE Sue Texeira, Lower Hood Canal Clean Water District Advisory Board (LHCCWDAB) Chair, elaborated on Don Melvin's report at the advisory meeting that the area is a sensitive area. There will continue to be problems in the area if it is not maintained. There needs to be continued interest in what is occurring in the Lower Hood Canal. Ms. Texeira asked what the intent of the Board is for the.Clean Water District. They are concerned with the repairs not getting done and people not getting hired. The Advisory Board expressed they still would like to see the names in newsletter of those who haven't completed the survey. LOWER HOOD CANAL CLEAN WATER DISTRICT JUNE 16, 1997 - PAGE 2 Newsletter Report Harry Martin, LHCCWDAB Member, reported on the expense of mailing 5,300 newsletters to the zip codes of Belfair,'Tahuya and Allyn. The post office charges$0.15 each totaling$795. The Belfair Herald gave a quote for a two-page article at $2,200. An eight-page document could be printed by an outside printer at a reduced rate. Advisory Board Al Adams,LHCCWDAB,stated some of the advisory board members have been with the Lower Hood Canal Clean Water District project for six years and they are hopeful to complete it. There has been concern about the County's support for completion of the project. The Board explained the cuts and problems with staffmg at the end of 1996 occurred because of county-wide needs and the requirements of the union. The present Board supports finishing this project. The project has been slowed down by the fact there were employee situations which came on. The Board is looking at the whole make up of the advisory board; the Lower Hood Canal watershed plan, the Hood Canal Coordinating Council idea of making the whole Canal a watershed,and the new legislation to make sure they are not going against the different aspects. The Board would like the LHCCWDAB to carry on with the Lower Hood Canal Watershed Plan which is all coming together at the same. The County also had Lilliwaup to deal with. One area of concern was the culverts which are on the six year plan. Whether the committee continues as it is or whether it becomes the watershed implementation committee,the work of the committee goes on because there is a Lower Hood Canal plan. Staffing Dodie Schmitz, LHCCWDAB Member, expressed she understood there would be staffing planned to complete _ inspection by June and letters would go out to all the failed sites which has not occurred to date. The Board explained the County hired a staff person and two weeks later that individual left. The LHCCWDAB is concerned that if it takes much longer they might miss another summer of repairs. She understood designs could be done in the winter months. They would like to have access to the testing of the whole watershed. They would particularly like to review tests for Section 8 to determine if that water is improved. There was discussion that the Board had agreed to visit those people who had refused to be tested and it was questioned if that has occurred. The Board responded they were waiting to make sure all the letters have gone out, make sure they had the lists to see if any had changed. There isn't a timeline on this project. There was some thought a few people may come forward in response to the letters and the numbers would drop off the list of those to personally contact. Mr. Tompkins interjected they are in the process of sending out letters. Dodie Schmitz asked that the Commissioners be notified weekly of the failures. Reappointments Linton Rowan, Harry Martin, and Dodie Schmitz are seeking reappointment for the July 1, 1997 term. Staffing Harry Martin asked if the $66,000 in the budget could be used to hire staff to work on the letters and get the Lilliwaup project started. Also, they could have the staff follow-up on all the problems being found. LOWER HOOD CANAL CLEAN WATER DISTRICT JUNE 16, 1997 - PAGE 3 The Board noted they are trying to be efficient as possible with the money. The Lower Hood Canal Watershed Plan will require finances to complete some portions. If the County can save money while going slower, and use the money for matching grants, it will go a lot farther. Brad Banner,Health Services Director,added they are down one staff person and they are hiring an additional staff which they don't know how far they can stretch that individual. They would like to wait to bring on more staff until they establish maximum proficiency with the current staff. It was noted Teri King has volunteered to assist with the newsletter. Mr.Banner interjected the critical timeline is to get the letters out so the owners can get the designers. Most of the letters are out. The others will be out shortly. They don't want to have to wait until next winter for repairs. They are optimistic this will occur. There are some surveys which need to be completed while they are present in the summer season. Mr. Martin stated the Advisory Board would like to meet until December. There was discussion that the current LHCCWDAB membership would be interested in continuing on with the Lower Hood Canal Implementation. At some point, the County is looking at dropping the Clean Water District name and putting on the Watershed Implementation Committee. CONSERVATION DISTRICT REPORT Chad Stussy,Mason Conservation District,reported there are 19 farm plans completed;3 farm plans in process; 190 best management practices planned; 60 best management plans implemented in the Lower Hood Canal watershed. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:32 p.m. due to no further business. Respectfully Submitted, Rebecca S. Rogers LOWER HOOD CANAL CLEAN WATER DISTRICT Absent 6/17/97 Cynthia D. Olsen, Chairperson JXm A. Bolender, Commissioner ary Jo C2,, - issioner