Utility Advisory Committee

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Utility Advisory Committee Contact: Eric Christensen 360.570.3741 Thursday, October 7, 2021 5:30 PM Online via Zoom 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Stephenson called the meeting to order. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Chair Cullen Stephenson, Committee member Donald Krug, Committee member Kristin Lamson, Committee member Eleanor (Pat) Vernon, Committee member Roger Wilson, Committee member Dani Clark and Committee member Jason Selwitz Absent: 2 - Vice Chair Dennis Bloom and Committee member Arland Schneider 1.B. STAFF PRESENT Water Resources Director/UAC Staff Liaison Eric Christensen Waste ReSources Director Gary Franks Program Assistant Lindsay Marquez 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 21-0943 Approval of September 2, 2021 UAC Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM UAC AND STAFF Mr. Christensen provided the following updates: · UAC members whose terms are expiring in March 2022 (Dennis Bloom, Kristin Lamson and Arland Schneider) have confirmed they plan to renew their membership. · The LOTT Clean Water Alliance is offering a virtual tour of their facilities on October 20. Staff forwarded an email to Committee members with details. City of Olympia Page 1 Utility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes October 7, 2021 · The City has been asked to submit full applications to qualify for the second round of selection for FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants. The projects being applied for are the Westside Stormwater Conveyance project that will provide the conveyance capacity to eliminate flooding in the intersection of Cooper Point Road and Black Lake Boulevard and a sewer siphon to eliminate the sewer main on the Percival Creek bridge that failed in 2019. · Stormwater Operations completed installation of a 24” diameter tide gate in Capitol Lake last week; which is the last of 22 tide gates identified in the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan. · Drinking Water Operations completed replacement of two valves near 4th Avenue and Washington Street last week. That makes 15 valves replaced on 60- to 100- year old watermains in downtown this year. These projects allow staff to evaluate the condition of aging watermains and extend their life. · The Utilities continue to function at near full capacity during the pandemic. · Recent increases in Drinking Water revenues combined with cost saving measures are paying off. All of the Utilities are currently operating in the black. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 21-0955 Tribal Acknowledgement Language Committee member Vernon suggested several months ago that each UAC agenda have a tribal land acknowledgement.The Squaxin Tribe provided the language and it was approved by the City Manager's office. Mr. Christensen noted the language is being used by the City Council and the other Advisory Committees/Commissions. Committee member Vernon did not feel the language as written captured her original intent in regards to stating the City is on unceded tribal land. Committee member Clark said the proposed language feels like a tribal acknowledgement and not a tribal land acknowledgement. UAC members would be willing to accept the current proposed tribal acknowledgement language if this is what the Squaxin Tribe prefers. The UAC asked Mr. Christensen to speak to the City manager and ask the following question: · Could the UAC propose language to update the acknowledgement, specifically language that includes the term "unceded lands"? Staff will bring further information for follow up at the November 4 UAC meeting. 21-0947 2022 Preliminary Utility Rates and Operating Budgets Mr. Christensen and Mr. Franks provided information, including minor adjustments since the September UAC meeting, for the 2022 proposed budget, rates and general facility charges (GFCs). City of Olympia Page 2 Utility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes October 7, 2021 Chair Stephenson moved, seconded by Committee member Wilson, to approve the recommendation to support the 2022 preliminary utility rates, general facility charges and the 2022-2027 Capital Facilities Plan, and send a letter of support to the Olympia City Council. The motion passed unanimously. 7. ADJOURNMENT Chair Stephenson adjourned the meeting. City of Olympia Page 3