Utility Advisory Committee

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Utility Advisory Committee Contact: Eric Christensen 360.570.3741 Thursday, December 3, 2020 5:30 PM Online via Zoom 1.A. CALL TO ORDER Chair Buffo called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 1.B. 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.C. STAFF PRESENT UAC Liaison and Water Resources Director Eric Christensen Waste ReSources Director Gary Franks 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 20-0972 Approval of November 5, 2020 UAC Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM UAC AND STAFF Mr. Christensen provided the following updates: The City Council approved a stipend for advisory committee members. The intent of the stipend is to increase participation and reduce barriers. The stipend is $25 per meeting attended with an option to waive. Those who certify they are low income will receive a stipend of $50 per meeting attended.The stipend will go into effect April 1, 2021. Committee member Vernon said she intends to resign from the UAC, but will stay on if a City of Olympia Page 1 Utility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes December 3, 2020 replacement cannot be found. Status of utility projects and loan and grant applications. The City will issue a press release regarding a fine from the Department of Ecology for the sewer spill that occurred in February 2020 due to the Percival Creek bridge collapse. Mr. Franks provided the following updates: Status of recruitments in Waste ReSources. Statewide plastic bag ban goes into effect January 1, 2021. Still uncertain how the pandemic will affect the ban. In lieu of the Waste ReSources Carpenter Road Facility business item that was scheduled for the December 2020 UAC workplan, Mr. Franks provided a quick status report of the project. The project is on hold because the City-owned site is being evaluated for use as a short term site for RV camping. He will provide the UAC will an update on this project during upcoming UAC meetings in 2021-2022. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 20-0978 Development of Utility Advisory Committee Work Plan Staff reviewed the draft 2021-2022 workplan. The UAC provided feedback. Staff will incorporate feedback and bring the revised draft workplan to the February 4 UAC meeting for approval. The workplan the UAC approves at the February meeting will go to the General Government Committee for review and then the City Council for approval by March 2021. The report was received. 20-0996 Utilities Financial Updates Staff provided updates on 4th quarter 2020 utility finances, including revenues and expenses. The report was received. 7. ADJOURN Chair Buffo adjourned the meeting at 8:14 pm. UPCOMING The next UAC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 4, 2021 via Zoom. City of Olympia Page 2