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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/07/18 - Totten Little Skookum CWD t r TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT - JULY 18, 1994 ATTENDANCE: Mary L. Faughender, Commissioner William O. Hunter, Commissioner Laura E. Porter, Chairperson The meeting was called to order at 2:17 p.m. by Chairperson Laura E. Porter. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Cmmr. Faughender/Hunter moved and seconded to approve the July 5, 1994 minutes as amended. Motion carried unanimously. F-aye; H-aye; P-aye. HEARING - $45 PER HOUSEHOLD ASSESSMENT The notice of hearing was read aloud announcing the public hearing to consider a$45 per household assessment for the period of 7/1/94 - 6/30/95. Wayne Clifford, Technical Administrator, referred to a staff report on the recommendation being considered today. He gave a brief history of the Totten/Little Skookum Clean Water District from when it was initiated by the Totten/Little Skookum Watershed Committee in 1989 until 1994 when the Advisory Committee recommended the County set a second year assessment at $45 which is being considered today. Lou Smith questioned what percentage of the septic inspection is completed. Mr. Clifford referred this question to Mark Tompkins who gives the status reports. Frank Wokojance stated they have been taxed,but they haven't seen any progress or financial report as to how many staff are working on the project. He felt that before decisions are made to extend the program to another year these questions should be answered. Mr. Clifford noted the advisory committee has been reviewing the staffing levels and the work accomplishments which have been completed on a monthly basis. He pointed out there are two full time employees working in the field working on dye testing. STATUS REPORT Mark Tompkins, Program Manager, reported 179 dye tests are completed to date; and 67 upland surveys complete. There is a cumulative total of 375 which includes level I inspections and dye tests. He commented there needs to be 305 shoreland surveys completed by 1996 and 833 upland sites completed. The grant requires 612 surveys complete at the end of 1994 and 838 by the end of 1995. Chairperson Porter questioned if the total includes the 375 surveys which have been completed. Mr. Tompkins noted the total includes those which have been completed. The total number of households to be surveyed is 833 + 305 = 1138 and the County has completed 246 of these surveys to date. There was concern that the program is not proceeding as fast as need be to meet the deadline. Annette McGee asked if there has been a district program. - TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT i JULY 18, 1994 - PAGE 2 Chairperson Porter noted the Board has adopted a budget to fund the program. Melvin Moss questioned about the criteria for completing the dye tests. He understood it requires an active septic system to complete and it has to be conducted when there is run off. He questioned why staff is in the field when it is not possible to conduct the tests. Mr.Tompkins responded they also conduct upland surveys and they go to people away from the shoreline that aren't dye tested looking for overt failures. They also look for systems that need to be dye tested in the winter time and also arrange for scheduling people for winter testing. Mr. Fitzwater noted he submitted his comments in a letter to the Board. He did however comment on a copy of the Water Quality financial receipts and expenditure reports for the end of May. He noted June reports were not available because of the program they have in the computer. They don't come out until some later date. He noted the May 1994 receipts totaled$84,314.57 and the expenditures$56,344.81 which reflects a revenues in excess of expenditures by$27,969.76. He inquired about the April and May work which has not been billed to the 75%reimbursement which amounts to $23,363.39. He also noted there was a Clean Water District balance of$32,331.28 in the Treasurer's office. He felt they should have $83,654.43 available to the District right now. Laurel Nelson concurred with Ms.McGee that the program is not specifically outlined. Part of it would be the inclusion of the definitions. He felt these need to be present before they start doing anything at all. He noted the budget doesn't tell what the program is as it just lists line items. He commented that the balance sheet is to include revenue and expenses and a third item which should is often forgotten which is called good Will. Frank Wokojance expressed his opposition to the program. He questioned if there is any limitation or report from the Attorney General's office pertaining to the Clean Water District. Cmmr. Faughender responded a letter was written by State Representative Tim Sheldon to the Attorney General's office, asking for an updated opinion on whether the closure automatically triggers without vote. Mr. Wokojance understood by reading the RCW the only way to establish the Clean Water District is if it was downgraded or condemned, then there was a legal authority to establish it. Chairperson Porter replied there has been an attorney general opinion which was addressed to the Water Quality Authority. Mr. Wokojance stated he supports repealing the ordinance. He voiced his objection to the $45 fee. Lou Smith concurred with what Mr. Nelson stated earlier. Annette McGee voiced her opposition to the $45 fee. She referred to Page 11 of 20 of the grant agreement between Department of Ecology and Mason County Totten/Little Skookum Shellfish Initiative Project which states the final step in forming the District is a public hearing and adoption of the District Program and funding structure. She expressed her support of clean water and commented it provides for recreation and economy to the County,state and nation. She expressed she is for an organized and quality Clean Water program. She felt TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT JULY 18, 1994 - PAGE 3 the taxpayers have been unaware of the program from the beginning. She felt the people were misled by the terminology of clean water district when the RCW refers to shellfish protection district. She commented the advisory board recommended a $45 assessment. She questioned about the $75,000 which was borrowed for the program and which sat unused for several months and then additional money spent to pay the interest. She referred to other specific instances of money receipted in and questioned about the tracking. She commented that they were lead to believe the County was asking the citizens to pick up the local match because money couldn't be found in Current Expense Fund. She concluded she is totally against the $45 fee because of concerns in tracking the funds. CJ HIusman asked about the shellfish operators contributing money for two years. He questioned what will happen on the third year. He asked if funds will be obtained again from the shellfish operators, or where the money would come from. Chairperson Porter stated this is the second year of a three year grant. The grant is assured to continue for an additional year. It is not clear at this time if the shellfish growers will commit to additional funds. Mr. HIusman questioned if they will do away with the water district after three years. Cmmr. Hunter noted this,was a three year program to complete the project as outlined. Frank Wokojance asked if the County received money from the shellfish growers for the first two years. - The Board responded, yes. CORRESPONDENCE Letters were read into the record from Harold Fitzwater and Craig Chapman. Cmmr. Faughender/Hunter moved and seconded to close the public hearing at 3:09 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. F-aye; H-aye; P-aye. Ms. McGee asked that the County consider asking the Prosecutor to obtain an attorney general opinion on the clean water district set up under this RCW. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 3:18 p.m. due to no further business. Respectfully Submitted, Rebecca S. Rogers TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT Laura E. Porter, Chairpe TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT JULY 18, 1994 - PAGE 4 William O. Hunter, Commissioner M. L. Faughend r Commissioner i