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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/08/15 - Totten Little Skookum CWD TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT AUGUST 15, 1994 ATTENDANCE: Mary L. Faughender, Commissioner William O. Hunter, Commissioner Laura E. Porter, Chairperson The meeting was called to order at 2:02 p.m. by Chairperson Laura E. Porter at the William G. Reed Library Meeting Room. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Cmmr.Faughender/Hunter moved and seconded to approve the July 18,1994 minutes as circulated. Motion carried unanimously. F-aye; H-aye; P-aye. CORRESPONDENCE SHELLFISH GROWERS 1995 PLEDGE The shellfish growers of the Totten-Little Skookum Inlets pledge a contribution of$18,000 for 1995. BUSINESS SURVEY WORK STAFF REPORT Wayne Clifford, Technical Administrator, gave a report on survey work thru the end of July. There were 219 level 1 surveys completed and 171 dye tests completed. The combined total is 390. These figures are from 1/93 - 7/94. VISUAL SURVEY EXPLANATION The Board was provided an Outline of Visual Survey Procedures used by the Health Services Department. Mr. Clifford briefly reviewed the procedures and the purpose of the visual survey as opposed to a dye test. The purpose being to identify failures and/or problems with an on-site sewage system that do not require a dye test for verification. The visual survey is useful for the homeowner because they receive a report that can help them identify problems with their system before it becomes a failure. From the information contained in the report they may receive specific instructions on methods to extend the life of their on-site sewage system. CONSERVATION DISTRICT STAFF REPORT Mike Madsen, Conservation District, gave an update on the Totten/Little Skookum work. To date they have developed and signed ten farm plans which have been accepted by the land owners and which are in the process of implementation. In addition, there are three final drafts of farm plans in the office. There are two names left on the original list which they are actively pursuing and will be next on their agenda. To date they have designed 77 best management practices. To the best of their knowledge 20 have been implemented at the landowners expense. They have not utilized any of the funds available for implementation. Using the names and addresses reviewed by Water Quality and Conservation District they will be presenting ten additional names to the advisory board to move forward with their work. TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT AUGUST 15, 1994 - PAGE 2 ASSESSMENT RECOMMENDATION.; Mr. Clifford commented in light of the new information from the shellfish growers they request to be allowed to take the information back to the Advisory Board to see if they could come up with a revised recommendation on the assessment. The budget did not include the recent $18,000 contribution as well as some additional revenue. Cmmr. Faughender questioned if the changes are significant enough to hold another public hearing. Mr. Clifford responded it would be a new amount and he felt it would be beneficial to hold a new hearing. Annette McGee questioned how the third donation of$18,000 affects the setting of the second fees. The first fees were based on the $18,000 which was set and the shellfish growers paid the second$18,000. The Board is in the process of setting that. She questioned how the final$18,000 could affect this budget in question. Chairperson Porter noted the Board discussed this in a briefing with Mr.Banner and there was a diagram which was used to illustrate the situation. Mr. Banner interjected he didn't have the diagram with him. The 1995 contribution from the shellfish growers would be received in calendar year 1995. .The fees which are being set are from July 1, 1994 - June 30, 1995. The District would benefit from the third $18,000 the second half of the current assessment year. The first $18,000 was received in 1993 and the second $18,000 was received in 1994 and both went into the billing period which ended June 30, 1994. There was a carry over of approximately$23,000 into the next phase. When the fees are calculated there is benefit of the $23,000 carry over and the third $18,000 contribution. Ms.McGee understood the first budget was 1993/1994 and the second budget was 1994/1995. The District has received$36,000($18,000 for'93/'94 and$18,000 for'94/'95). She again questioned how the additional$18,000 would affect the decision of the Board to set another hearing. Chairperson Porter interjected she hoped this would be discussed at the Advisory Board and that they would come up with a recommendation as to how the fee should be adjusted. She sensed there is a question as to whether the shellfish growers contribution was for the calendar year or fiscal year. If the contribution went into the Water Quality Department as letter confirmed it could for calendar year 1993; the second contribution into calendar year 1994; and the third contribution for calendar year 1995 vs. the first contribution for clean water district fiscal year '93/'94 and the second contribution for fiscal year'94/'95. Again, she stressed this should be addressed at the Advisory Board and brought to the District in the form of a recommendation and clarified with the shellfish growers. Cmmr. Faughender/Hunter moved and seconded to set a public hearing to consider fees for Totten/Little Skookum Clean Water District at 3:30 p.m,on Tuesday,August 30,1994 in the commission Chambers. Motion carried unanimously. F-aye; H-aye; P-aye. Harold Fitzwater expressed concern if there was adequate input on the advisory board's part. He questioned how much of the Clean Water District funds have been spent to the end of May 1994 and how much of that is from eligible funds. The Board commented there are financial reports with the information listed. Mr. Fitzwater conveyed what he has researched that they have spent over $65,000 of the clean water district funds. He felt they have spent more than they should. He also questioned about the$228,000 budget which does not appear to have been approved. TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT AUGUST 15, 1994 - PAGE 3 Cmmr.Faughender commented that there is spirited debate and free thinking over each issue that comes up at the advisory board. Jutta Riediger expressed she is a member of the advisory board and concurred they do have spirited debate and they spend time reading the;material. If they don't understand what is being discussed they ask questions. She hoped possibly they could level the fee out over two years. Harold Fitzwater questioned about Ms.Riediger's membership on the advisory board. He understood she was no longer a member. The Advisory Board is an 11 member board. Chairperson Porter responded that would have to be researched and clarified. Annette McGee referred to the passed budget on 12/17/93. It refers to the Totten/Little Skookum budget for $95,000. Clean Water District totaled $311,100. She questioned what the budget is. Mr.Banner explained the budget represents the Budget Director's summary of what was presented for the 1994 budget for Totten/Little Skookum Clean Water District. Ms. McGee questioned if there was a Totten/Little Skookum budget passed. Mr. Banner responded, yes. Cmmr.Faughender interjected this is a calendar budget and there is the confusion of the 1994 calendar year and the 1993/94 and 1994/95 fiscal year. They reflect two fiscal years and one calendar year. Bill Taylor,Taylor United, thanked the Board for thinking ahead and staying with the painful process. He felt fortunate to have received' money from Department of Ecology. The District might not be so fortunate to receive more funds in the future and hopefully the District will become more efficient and improve as time passes. Duane Fagergren,Puget Sound Water Quality Authority(PSWQA)Deputy Director,also voiced strong support that Mason County is addressing some tough issues as are seen around Puget Sound such as targeting resources in local communities where it does the kind of work that needs to be done. He expressed appreciation for the struggles with the complexity of budget cycles. He offered that other communities which are trying to set up clean water districts are coming in with similar fees, so Mason County is not out of line. Also leveraging the money with other grants received through Department of Ecology and federal funds. He felt this is a wise way to use the funds. They are important first steps in Totten/Little Skookum Clean Water District. He commented that$1 per household/per week seems reasonable compared to sewering rates. He stated they urge the District to make wise use of the money by completing the sanitary surveys, develop the farm plans and move forward. Janet Dawes wanted to repeat some of the comments heard previously. She applauded Mason County for getting ahead of the curve on this. The District ought to be grateful for Department of Ecology grant as the programs dry up. She also thanked the shellfish growers for the third year of funds. TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT AUGUST 15, 1994 - PAGE 4 ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:37 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Rebecca S. Rogers TOTTEN/LITTLE SKOOKUM CLEAN WATER DISTRICT Laura E. Porter, Chairperson o r - y William O. Hunter, Commissioner GL ' t C Faug ender, C ' issioner