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11/13/2013 - Minutes Intergovernmental Water Board JWB) Minutes SERVING TIGARD,KING CITY,DURHAM AND TIGARD WATER DISTRICT MEETING DATE: Wednesday, November 13, 2013, 5:30 p.m. MEETING LOCATION: Tigard Public Works Building 8777 SW Burnham Street Tigard, OR 97223 Members Present: Andrew Barrett Member-At-Large Chris Hadfield Alternate representing the City of Durham Ken Henschel Representing the Tigard Water District David Newham Representing the City of King City Members Absent: Gretchen Buehner Representing the City of Tigard Keith Jehnke Representing the City of Durham City of Tigard Staff Present: Dennis Koellermeier Project Director John Goodrich Interim Assistant Public Works Director Greer Gaston IWB Recorder 1. Call to Order, Roll Call and Introductions Commissioner Barrett called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes — September 11, 2013 Commissioner Hadfield moved to approve the September 11, 2013, minutes. Commissioner Henschel seconded the motion. The motion passed by a majority vote of the commissioners present, with Commissioners Barrett, Henschel and Newham voting yes. Commissioner Hadfield abstained as he did not attend the September 11 meeting. 3. Public Comments There were no comments from the public. 4. Water Supply Update Mr. Goodrich reported: • Average water use for the month of September was 5.6 million gallons per day (mgd). • Average water use for the month of October was about 4.16 mgd. This usage is nearly 1 mgd less than the same time period last year. Water usage decreased following a period of wet weather in early September. • Approximately 20 million gallons of water—or a nine-day supply—was stored in aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) well #2. No water remains in ASR well #1. Injection to replenish the water in ASR wells will begin in the next month or two. 5. Introduction of Member-at-Large Nominee Jodie Inman Mr. Koellermeier introduced Ms.Jodie Inman and summarized the board's direction regarding how it wished to fill the member-at-large position. The position—now filled by Commissioner Barrett—will be vacant at the end of the year. Commissioner Barrett added that the board decided it wished to find a nominee with expertise in engineering, water service/systems and intergovernmental agreements. Mr. Koellermeier introduced nominee Jodie Inman, who described her background, previous service on the Tigard Planning Commission, and the nature of her work with the Portland Water Bureau (PWB). Ms. Inman described herself as "level-headed," and said she was interested in serving on the board because she "liked being a part of things." The board briefly discussed the possibility of a conflict of interest, as the City of Tigard purchases water from Ms. Inman's employer, the PWB. Ms. Inman said she would abstain from any discussions or decisions where there was a conflict of interest. The board will be asked to formally consider Ms. Inman's appointment at its December meeting. 6. Update on Backflow Testing Compliance for the Tigard Water Service Area Mr. Goodrich informed the board about Tigard's efforts to improve testing compliance of residential backflow devices. There are approximately 4,900 residential backflow devices in the Tigard Water Service Area (TWSA). The devices are typically part of in- ground lawn irrigation systems. The state requires annual testing of the device; testing compliance within the TWSA had dropped to 57-percent. The board briefly discussed the action Tigard may take and the process followed when residents fail to comply with testing requirements. Tigard sent several thousand letters to people whose backflow devices were out of compliance. Compliance has increased to approximately 90-percent. 7. Update on Portland Water Quality Issues and Tigard's Use of Alternative Water Sources Mr. Goodrich reported that Tigard switched to alternate water supply sources on September 20, 2013. The city purchases the majority of its water from the PWB. The PWB reported several routine water samples tested positive for total coliforms. Follow- up samples were also positive. While not harmful, total coliforms could indicate PWB's disinfection process was not functioning properly. Because water demand was low, Tigard could meet its customers'water needs via its alternate sources—the Clackamas River and ASR wells—and remained on those sources for 20 days. Tigard switched back to the PWB supply once total coliform tests were negative. The PWB received a tier 2 water quality violation. Mr. Goodrich briefed the board: ■ On his conversations,with representatives from the state regulatory agency that oversees water quality. ■ How Tigard's actions may have affected issuance of a boil water alert or water quality violations. The board also discussed the financial impacts of switching sources. Tigard must pay for a certain amount of water from PWB, even if Tigard does not take that water. Since Tigard did not take any water for 20 days, it will take that additional water later this year. 8. Briefing on Tigard Communications Regarding Water Rates and System Development Charge Fee Increases Mr. Goodrich reported a 14-percent water rate increase will go into effect on January 1, 2014. This is the third 14-percent rate increase in as many years; these annual rate increases were reviewed and supported by the board several years ago. Increases are necessary to fund debt service resulting from the construction of capital projects arising from the Lake Oswego Tigard Water Partnership. Mr. Goodrich acknowledged rates have risen significantly in recent years. Water customers who reside within the service area will be informed of the new rates via Tigard's Know H2O newsletter. Water customers who reside outside the service area will receive a postcard informing them of the increase. These communication pieces should arrive by mail in early December. The board discussed future rates. Mr. Goodrich explained that—at this point in time—a 4.3-percent increase is planned for January 2015. Mr. Koellermeier provided additional information on Tigard's bonding process to fund water partnership projects. 9. Informational Items Commissioner Henschel asked for an update on the WaterWatch case in the Court of Appeals. Mr. Koellermeier reported that oral arguments are scheduled for November 15, 2013; a final opinion may not be rendered for a year. Should WaterWatch prevail, it would likely be because the court identifies a technical flaw. That flaw would be sent back to water resources for correction. Mr. Koellermeier said a decision from the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) is expected on November 18. If LUBA identifies any technical defects, the case would be remanded to the City of West Linn. The city may need to take some action regarding its decision making-process to correct the technical default. Commissioner Newham asked for update on the draft water service agreement between Tigard and King City. Mr. Koellermeier reported the agreement the Tigard City Council will review the agreement at its meeting on November 19. Commissioner Newham said —once the Tigard council is satisfied with the agreement—it will be reviewed by the King City City Council. 10. Non-Agenda Items The board did not discuss any non-agenda items. 11. Next Meeting December 11, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. Public Works Auditorium, 8777 SW Burnham Street, Tigard, Oregon 12. Adjournment At 6:38 p.m. Commissioner Hadfield moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Newham seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned by unanimous vote of the commissioners present with Commissioners Barrett, Hadfield, Henschel and Newham voti g yes. '4- Gretchen Buehner, IWB Chair Greer Gaston, IWB Recorder Date: Date: