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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/06/20 - Totten Little Skookum CWD TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT JUNE 20, 1994 Those in attendance: Laura E. Porter, Chairperson _ William O. Hunter, Commissioner T- Mary L. Faughender, Commissioner Brad Banner, Health Services Director Wayne Clifford, Water Quality Mark Tompkins, Water Quality Grant Holdcroft, Water Quality Mike Madsen, Conservation District Harry Martin Al Adams Jim Cady Chairperson Laura Porter called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Cmmr. Hunter/Faughender moved and seconded to approve 6/6/94 minutes as amended. Motion carried unanimously. F-aye; H-aye; P-aye. CORRESPONDENCE Cmmr.Porter read aloud a hand delivered letter from Mr.Fitzwater which referred to a budget he has submitted to the Board. STAFF REPORT Wayne Clifford, Technical Administrator, presented the staff report which included the status of staff time, shoreline surveys, upland surveys and goals to meet grant requirements.For the month of May, they are a little bit under meeting the goals for the grant. A letter from the Auditor was included which stated the Auditor's office is satisfied on how the contributions from the shellfish growers, Frank Bishop and Taylor United, are accounted for. Mr. Clifford noted that Mr. Bishop and Taylor United stated they were not concerned how the contributions were deposited, however they do want it to go for the Totten/Little Skookum project. Cmmr. Faughender asked if there is a plan for two FTE's in the field. Mr. Clifford replied that the last time he checked there were two FTE's for the project, Joni Lund and Guy Anderson. PUBLIC COMMENT Annette McGee, citizen of Little/Skookum Clean Water District, stated when someone contributes to the county, the county decides where the money goes. She believes there are no strings attached to contributions. She is concerned with regard to the $36,000. It has been deposited in Water Quality but people were led to believe it would go into the Totten/Little Skookum District as part of the County matching fonds. She pointed out she believes the public is being let down because of what was said at the public hearing. She understands staff has put the figures down where the money is supposedly going into the Totten/Little Skookum District, however the general public cannot understand that. She believes it is misleading to the people. Cmmr. Hunter agreed, contributions can be deposited anywhere. It would be clearer and more trackable if it had been deposited into the Clean Water District. Cmmr.Porter responded,even though the money wasn't deposited into the Clean Water District fund,it is being TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT JUNE 20, 1994 PAGE 2 spent on the Totten/Little Skookum Clean Water District plan that was recommended by the advisory board. It is not being spread across to other parts of the county. It is accountable,but it is more difficult for the general public to trace that money all the way through. The Internal Auditor was able to trace it. Ms. McGee asked about the fact it was supposed to be part of the matching funds. Cmmr.Porter replied, it is part of the funds that are matching the state grant and doing the state non-approved work that the advisory committee has recommended be a part of the action plan. Jim Cady,Arcadia Road citizen, referred to the$32,000 that is in excess to the grants. From what he can see, that is over and above anything that was planned. He can see no accounting for it. He believes there is not enough monitoring of the funds. He believes it is unfair to ask field technicians to put a budget together. He stated the fee was planned to be $30 but was increased to $45. He feels people are being led astray from what they expected. He pointed out the Conservation District staff couldn't answer where the money was spent. He urged the Board to demand better accounting.He feels it is being poorly managed and is disgusted with it. He doesn't feel the advisory committee is receiving enough information in a timely fashion to make decisions. Cmmr. Hunter agreed accountability is important. Cmmr. Faughender responded the Board had a meeting with the Soil Conservation District. Bill Taylor, Mike Mattson and other members of the Conservation Board were in attendance. They apologized for the previous meeting and realized they did a poor job. They have made some changes in their organization. Mike Mattson,Conservation District,stated comments from the meeting were heard and changes are being made in the Conservation District. He believes they will be able to answer questions at the next meeting. Cmmr. Porter agreed, the advisory committee needs information in order to advise the Board. Annette McGee stated she feels the same as Mr. Cady about the advisory committee being blind sided. She understands staff had a problem to start with and still do have a problem. She emphasized an accountant needs to be involved. She does not believe there is accountability. She feels there will be problems when the State Auditor arrives. She stated the people in the district were led to believe the work would be done within the tentative budget that was presented over the three year period with the grant and the county's matching funds. She referred to Harold Fitzwater's proposed budget, the people have paid their share of matching monies by paying the first year's fee of$45. Ms. McGee asked how much is paid out of the Totten/Little Skookum District for cars. Brad Banner stated two cars are shared. The ER&R fee is proportioned out by hours spent in each program. The method has been reviewed by the DOH and DOE and the auditor and is acceptable. Ms. McGee asked if the $75,000 loan from ER&R has been paid back. Mr.Banner stated there are two loans. The one borrowed by the Clean Water District has been paid back; the loan borrowed by Water Quality has not been paid. Ms. McGee suggested Mr. Banner check on that. RECOMMENDED FEES Cmmr. Porter stated a recommendation has been made about fees. She asked staff if a hearing should be set. TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT JUNE 20, 1994 PAGE 3 Mr. Clifford stated the advisory board passed a recommendation for a $45 fee. Mr. Banner added that the advisory board was under the assumption the Board would require an amended budget that would show how they would stay within that budget. Cmmr. Porter suggested they either set the public hearing date to consider the fee in today's meeting, or continue the meeting to a time when they can set the public hearing date. Cmmr. Hunter moved to continue the meeting to July 5, 1994 at 2:00 p.m. Motion withdrawn. ADVISORY BOARD ALTERNATES Cmmr. Faughender stated the Board did receive a request from the Chair of the Clean Water District advisory committee to appoint two alternates. That was done. The Board has since received inquiries on how they use alternates. Evidently,the bylaws do not deal with that issue. There are two methods--each member is supposed to obtain their own alternate; the other method is to appoint two or three alternates who would sit in for any absent member. It needs to be determined how the alternates will operate. The advisory board should establish the procedure and put it in the bylaws. The Board thought they were acting in good faith with what the committee wanted in satisfying the request from the Chair. Cmmr. Hunter agreed, the alternates should be addressed in the bylaws. Ms. McGee asked if the Board would approve the bylaws if the committee determined every member should obtain their own alternate. Cmmr. Porter responded the Board would need to ratify the bylaws and they would consider it at that time. They need to review previous minutes and look at any earlier communication about alternates and try to clear up any confusion. Al Adams stated originally, each member of the Lower Hood Canal Clean Water District has their own alternate. When the administrative bylaws were written last July,it was changed to have the Board appoint two or three alternates who would sit in for any absent member. Ms. McGee asked if the Board has ratified the bylaws. The Board would need to review previous information. Ms.McGee suggested the Board review the bylaws because they state each member can pick their own alternate. Cmmr. Porter requested staff provide the Board clarification on this issue. MEETING CONTINUED Cmmr. Hunter/Faughender to continue the meeting to July 5, 1994,2:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. F-aye; H-aye; P-aye. TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT \ JUNE 20, 1994 PAGE 4 Respectfully submitted, Diane Zoren TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT Laura E. Porter, Chair e son Marv. L. Faughend r Commis illiam O. Hunter, ommissioner s I