Utility Advisory Committee
Regular MeetingOlympia, WA · August 6, 2020
Minutes
City Hall
Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E
Olympia, WA 98501
Utility Advisory Committee Contact: Eric Christensen
360.570.3741
Thursday, August 6, 2020 5:30 PM Online Via Zoom
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Buffo called the meeting to order.
1.A ROLL CALL
Present: 9 - Chair Mike Buffo, Vice Chair Cullen Stephenson, Committee member
Dennis Bloom, Committee member Michael Bradley, Committee
member Donald Krug, Committee member Kristin Lamson, Committee
member Arland Schneider, Committee member Eleanor (Pat) Vernon
and Committee member Roger Wilson
1.B. STAFF PRESENT
Water Resources Director/UAC Staff Liaison Eric Christensen
Waste ReSources Director Gary Franks
Water Resources Engineering and Planning Supervisor Susan Clark
GIS Specialist Kira Holmlund-Nelson
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
20-0588 Approval of June 4, 2020 UAC Meeting Minutes
The minutes were approved.
4. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM UAC AND STAFF
Mr. Christensen provided the following updates:
Public Works operations crews continue to work at 100% capacity during the COVID-19
emergency. Office staff are teleworking from home.
A new section in the Storm and Surface Water Utility was created called Vegetation &
Habitat Management. The new section is managed by Joe Roush.
City of Olympia Page 1
Utility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes August 6, 2020
Status of other vacancies and recruitments in Water Resources.
Staff will bring the draft agreement with the Community Action Council (CAC) to the
Council Finance Committee on September 16. This item was discussed and approved
at the UAC's June 2020 meeting.
The LOTT Clean Water Alliance Board will meet on August 12 to discuss and
recommend a 3% rate increase for wastewater treatment fees for 2021. LOTT staff will
attend the September 3 UAC meeting to present the LOTT biennial financial overview.
The Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) approved a 1.7%
rate increase for electricity. Mr. Christensen noted he would keep the UAC informed of
any natural gas or electric rate changes, since these rate increases affect Olympia
citizens.
5. BUSINESS ITEMS
20-0589 Stormwater Rate Structure Project Update
Ms. Clark provided the briefing. The City of Olympia hired a financial consultant to
analyze the current Storm and Surface Water utility rate structure. Staff briefed the UAC
on the preliminary rate concept for storm and surface water for residential and
commercial accounts.
UAC members asked clarifying questions. The UAC will review the storm and surface
water rate structure again in September and will include a recommendation in October in
their letter to the City Council.
The information was provided.
20-0590 Utilities Financial Updates
Mr. Christensen and Mr. Franks provided a briefing on the City finances for Drinking
Water, Storm and Surface Water, Wastewater and Waste ReSources.
Committee member Wilson requested information on current cash reserves. Staff will
provide this information and bring 2021 utility budget and rate information to the UAC's
September 3 meeting.
The information was provided.
6. ADJOURN
Chair Buffo adjourned the meeting.
City of Olympia Page 2
Agenda
Meeting Agenda City Hall
601 4th Avenue E
Olympia, WA 98501
Utility Advisory Committee
Contact: Eric Christensen
360.570.3741
Thursday, August 6, 2020 5:30 PM Online Via Zoom
The public can register to attend via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3A375jC4RUSrGI5GOgJ4Uw
PLEASE NOTE: Actual beginning and start times for a specific agenda item may
vary. The times listed below are estimates only.
1. CALL TO ORDER (5:30 pm)
1.A ROLL CALL (5:30 - 5:31 pm)
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA (5:31 - 5:32 pm)
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (5:32 - 5:35 pm)
20-0588 Approval of June 6, 2020 UAC Meeting Minutes
Attachments: Draft_Meeting_Minutes_UAC_06-06-2020.pdf
4. PUBLIC COMMENT (5:35 - 5:45 PM)
Note: Time varies depending on the number of public in attendance/speaking.
During this portion of the meeting, citizens may address the Advisory Committee or Commission
regarding items related to City business, including items on the Agenda. In order for the Committee or
Commission to maintain impartiality and the appearance of fairness in upcoming matters and to comply
with Public Disclosure Law for political campaigns, speakers will not be permitted to make public
comments before the Committee or Commission in these two areas: (1) on agenda items for which the
Committee or Commission either held a Public Hearing in the last 45 days, or will hold a Public Hearing
within 45 days, or (2) where the speaker promotes or opposes a candidate for public office or a ballot
measure.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM UAC AND STAFF (5:45 - 6:00 pm)
6. BUSINESS ITEMS
20-0589 Stormwater Rate Structure Project Update
Attachments: Table 1 final.pdf
Issue Paper 2 - Incentivizing BMPs with Appendix A.pdf
OMC 4.24
OMC 13.16
Susan Clark, Public Works - Water Resources (6:00 - 6:45 pm)
City of Olympia Page 1 Printed on 7/31/2020
Utility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda August 6, 2020
20-0590 Utilities Financial Updates
Eric Christensen and Gary Franks, Public Works - Water Resources (6:45 - 7:15 pm)
9. ADJOURN
NEXT MEETING INFORMATION:
Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.
Accommodations
The City of Olympia is committed to the non-discriminatory treatment of all persons in employment and
the delivery of services and resources. If you require accommodation for your attendance at the City
Advisory Committee meeting, please contact the Advisory Committee staff liaison (contact number in the
upper right corner of the agenda) at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. For hearing impaired,
please contact us by dialing the Washington State Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1.800.833.6384.
City of Olympia Page 2 Printed on 7/31/2020
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