WATER/WASTEWATER TASK FORCE MEETING

October 22, 1998

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Anderson Auditorium - Salem Public Library

1) CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Councilor Burgess, Task Force Chair.

2) INTRODUCTIONS

Introductions were made. Members, staff, and citizens were in attendance. See attached sign-in sheet for member sign-in. Rob Kissler, Keizer Public Works Director, attended for Keizer Councilor Garry Whalen who could not attend.

Citizens in attendance included David Higgins (Darrow Rocks) and Ed Gerding (Oregon Cherry Growers).

Staff present included Frank Mauldin, Paul Eckley, Pat Dodge, Dave Prock, Rollie Baxter, Karl Goertzen, and Jack Merritt.

3) CITIZEN INPUT

None at this time. David Higgins would like to speak later in the meeting.

4) MINUTES

Minutes from the February 26, July 9, and September 26 meetings were approved unanimously with one correction to the July 9 meetings - Bob House was present at that meeting, but shown as absent. Minutes to be corrected to reflect this. (Paul Wulf made the motion and Eleanor Miller seconded it.)

5) WATER AND SEWER RATES

Jack Merritt read a presentation on the Proposed Water and Sewer Rate Increases to be effective 1/1/99. Outline of the Presentation included: Introduction, Recommendations, Need for Rate Increase, Adopted Rate Strategy, Rate Implications, Comparison with Other Jurisdictions, and Conclusion. See attached handout information for details.

The recommendations are for Council to:

1. Increase rate schedules by 14% for water and 6.5 % for sewer effective January 1, 1999; and raise the sewer discount for senior/disabled head of household by 6.5 %. Average combined increase would be about 9.4%.
2. Request staff to present recommended rate classification and schedule adjustments upon completion of current Cost of service Analysis and rate Design study.

3. Accept staff report as the fourth update of the City's Report on Financial Feasibility, and authorize staff to contract with consultant to develop a new feasibility study prior to issuing next Water and Sewer revenue bonds in Spring of 1999.

Discussion by members included the new financial feasibility study requested by the rating agencies prior to the rating being done for the year's bonds.

Bob House: Motion to accept the recommendations of Finance Department. Eleanor Miller seconded the motion.

There was some discussion of the various elements. Call for a vote: Motion passed, 7:1 (Tom Zepp opposed).

6) WATER MASTER PLAN UPDATE

Paul Eckley presented an update (see attached handout material). There was discussion of the sequence of building a new filter, current cost estimates (almost double), postponing the construction of the 72 mgd line until 2002-03, Franzen Reservoir rehabilitation vs. replacement, and delayed construction of Mt. View II Reservoir.

Recommendations are shown in the memorandum (October 19, 1998) distributed to the Water/Wastewater Task Force just prior to the October 22 meeting (copy attached for file only).

Paul Wulf made a motion to accept the staff recommendations for changes in the Water Master Plan. Mike Gotterba seconded the motion.

Discussion included postponing the new filter.

The motion by Paul Wulf to accept the staff recommendations regarding changes to the Water Master Plan was amended (by Paul Wulf) to include that staff examine alternatives on the timing of the new filter #1 for Geren Island.

The motion passed unanimously.

7) TASK FORCE VACANCIES

Two vacancies, a Councilor and Commercial Business, were discussed. There is one application, but the applicant is not really a commercial business representative - this person owns a bed and breakfast. The application has gone to Linda Berman. These positions are Mayoral appointed. Councilor Burgess will follow up on Council member vacancy.
8) NEXT MEETING

The next meeting is tentatively set for the second Thursday in December (December 10) for the COSA project. There may be another meeting called in November for other issues.

David Higgins requested a time frame as to when more information regarding the NTS would be presented. He also asked at what point the public would become involved.

Frank Mauldin stated that CH2M-Hill has completed their evaluations of all three sites and staff has not had a chance to completely evaluate it and bring it back to the Task Force. Staff will probably come back at the first of the year. The public will become involved as soon as staff comes to the Task Force with recommendations.

9) ADJOURN

Meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m.

These minutes are transcribed from notes and the tape recording of the Task Force meeting on October 22, 1998, as an overview of the meeting. They are not verbatim. The tape recorded meeting is available for review in the Office of the Public Works Director. The attachments are to the file copy only. Copies distributed at the meeting and by mail to those unable to attend the meeting

Linda Nelson, Staff Assistant II
October 26, 1998

Attachments: Overhead Materials