Utility Advisory Committee

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Utility Advisory Committee Contact: Eric Christensen 360.570.3741 Thursday, May 6, 2021 5:30 PM Online via Zoom 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Stephenson called the meeting to order. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 8 - Chair Cullen Stephenson, Vice Chair 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/Staff Liaison Eric Christensen Waste ReSources Director Gary Franks Waste ReSources Senior Planner Ron Jones Program Assistant Lindsay Marquez 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 21-0430 Approval of April 1, 2021 UAC Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM UAC AND STAFF Chair Stephenson wondered if there was something the City can do to announce and bolster public comment at the UAC meetings. Mr. Christensen noted staff can put a message in the Five Things utility insert and on the Timely Topics section of the utility bill. He said staff is always willing to get recommendations from the UAC on topics and messages to include to the public. City of Olympia Page 1 Utility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 6, 2021 Mr. Christensen and Mr. Franks provided the following updates: City maintenance and operations staff continue to operate under the public health emergency while following CDC health guidelines. City office staff are teleworking. City advisory committee members received an email with the forms to complete for the committee member stipends. Return forms to the City by June 30. Interviews by the General Government Committee for the vacant UAC seat will occur on May 13. Chair Stephenson will attend the interviews. Provided updates on utility projects. Waste ReSources is fully staffed. Thurston County is currently evaluating proposals from private companies for a new 10-year agreement to operate the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center transfer station. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 21-0427 2022 Waste ReSources Management Plan Update Mr. Franks introduced the business item and Mr. Jones provided the briefing. UAC members asked clarifying questions and thanked staff for the information. The information was provided. 21-0428 Discussion of Concept for Discounted General Facilities Charges (GFCs) for Affordable Housing Developments Mr. Christensen provided the briefing. In general, UAC members were supportive of the concept of discounted GFCs for developers of low income housing. UAC members felt any shortfall should be offset by general funds rather than made up by ratepayers. Mr. Christensen will make note of the concerns and will also provide the UAC with additional information requested. The discussion was completed. 21-0429 Drinking Water Utility Infrastructure Renewal and Replacement Cost Forecast Mr. Christensen provided the briefing. The UAC asked clarifying questions, discussed the information and thanked staff for the briefing. The information was provided. 7. ADJOURNMENT City of Olympia Page 2 Utility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes May 6, 2021 Chair Stephenson adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3