Utility Advisory Committee

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Utility Advisory Committee Contact: Eric Christensen 360.570.3741 Thursday, September 2, 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 Donald Krug, Committee member Kristin Lamson, Committee member Arland Schneider, Committee member Eleanor (Pat) Vernon, Committee member Dani Clark and Committee member Jason Selwitz Absent: 1 - Committee member Roger Wilson 1.B. STAFF PRESENT Water Resources Director/UAC Staff Liaison Eric Christensen Waste ReSources Director Gary Franks Climate Program Manager Dr. Pamela Braff 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 21-0841 Approval of August 12, 2021 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 has reverted to virtual meetings via Zoom for the foreseeable future due to the COVID-19 Delta variant. Unless opted out, UAC members should have all received quarterly stipends. The UAC letter of support for the Capital Facilities Plan was submitted to the Olympia City of Olympia Page 1 Utility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes September 2, 2021 Planning Commission for their September 8 meeting. Committee member Wilson submitted questions regarding tonight’s budget presentation. Staff provided a response via email. As previously discussed, Committee member Vernon requested that the UAC acknowledge we reside on unceded Squaxin tribal land. Staff will continue to pursue standardized language for this acknowledgement. Staff have or will be submitting pre-applications to qualify for FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grants. The City’s Wastewater utility has applied for funding for a sewer siphon to replace the Percival Creek bridge that collapsed last year.The Storm and Surface Water utility is applying for funds to increase the capacity of the stormwater conveyance to prevent flooding in the Cooper Point Road and Black Lake Boulevard intersection. The Thurston PUD lost production from one of their source wells in late July. As a result, and in accordance with a mutual aid agreement, the City of Olympia supplied them with emergency water supply to fulfill the PUD’s demands. Staff is preparing a resolution to bring to City Council on September 14 that will establish compensation for the supply of that water. The City continues to manage the public health emergency. The Delta variant has led to a new policy requiring staff to either get vaccinated or be tested on a weekly basis starting in November. The LOTT Clean Water Alliance was originally scheduled to present results of their cost of services study in June. The presentation was rescheduled for tonight; however, LOTT asked that the presentation be moved to November. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 21-0842 Climate Action Update Dr. Braff presented a briefing on the status of the regional climate action project. UAC members asked clarifying questions and had a discussion with staff. The information was provided. 21-0843 Utilities Financial Updates Staff briefed the Committee on current finances for Waste ReSources, Drinking Water, Storm and Surface Water, and Wastewater utilities. The information was provided. City of Olympia Page 2 Utility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes September 2, 2021 21-0844 2022 Preliminary Utility Rates, Operating Budgets and General Facility Charges Mr. Christensen and Mr. Franks provided an overview of staff recommendations for the 2022 utility rates, budget and General Facility Charges (GFC). This included LOTT Clean Water Alliance's proposed rate increase and increase to the Capacity Development Charge (CDC). The Committee will review the 2022 budget, rates, and GFCs at the October 7, 2021 Utility Advisory Committee meeting and provide a recommendation at that time. 7. ADJOURNMENT Chair Stephenson adjourned the meeting. City of Olympia Page 3