08/31/1998 - Minutes ' F
TIGARD WATER DISTRICT
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
August 31, 1998
Members Present: David Strauss, Gretchen Buehner, John Haunsperger, Beverly Froude
Members Absent: Norm Penner
Staff Members
Present: Mike Miller
1. Call to order:
Commissioner John Haunsperger called the meeting of the Tigard Water Board of Commissioners
to order at 7:05 p.m. on August 31, 1998.
2. Roll Call/Introductions
All members present but Mr.Penner.
3. Visitor Comments: None
4. Approval of June 1, 1998, minutes.
Commissioner Haunsperger moved to accept the June 1, 1998, regular meeting minutes as written.
The motion was seconded. All members present voting AYE, the motion passed unanimously.
5. Intergovernmental Water Board Update
Commissioner Froude reported that approximately 30 people from the community attended the
debate at the Water Board meeting. She mentioned the receipt of two letters requesting help with
water bills due to water leaks. She said that the Board discussed at length the situation of the lady
who appeared before them, and voted to split the difference in her water bill. She said that the
studies for the long term water supply from the Willametter continued with no final decision made
until after December 1998.
Commissioner Froude reported the purchase of two properties on the Willamette River by
Wilsonville, Tigard, and Tualatin Valley Water District. She said that if they were not used for the
treatment plant,they would be resold. She commented that the water treatment site depended on
which prison site was chosen.
Commissioner Froude said that the second public information newsletter would be going out soon
(costing $5,000 to $6,000 each-to send out). She mentioned other public relation opportunities,
such as presentations to the King City and Durham City Councils, the Kiwanis, the Rotary, the
CIT, and any other place where Liz Newton and Ed Wegner have been invited. She noted that the
monthly CIT meeting, at which water issues have been discussed for the past six months, were
probably the place where most citizens and neighborhoods learned of the water issue.
Tigard Water District Board—August 31, 1998
•
Commissioner Froude reported that the Tigard would take the lead when the raw water monitoring
project began again. She mentioned a point made by Mr. Wegner that the fundamental point
people were missing on the water issue was that for the last 23 years Tigard has been drinking
treated and/or filtered water from the Clackamas River. She speculated that the 50%blend in use
for the past two years might have resulted in some of the complaints about tap water taste and
smell.
Commissioner Froude mentioned that the confidential memo from Portland passed out by Mr.
Wegner was no longer confidential. She said that Portland was apparently scheduled to make a
presentation to the Regional Water Consortium on September 9.
6. Utility Manager Report
Mike Miller reported that the Menlor Reservoir was online with a total completion date scheduled
for October 31. He said that the Tiedeman valve was fully operational, enabling staff to control the
opening and closing of the valve by computer. He explained how the valve worked within the
system, especially during summer peak demand periods, commenting that the system was simply
monitored during fall/winter/spring.
Mr. Miller reported that he was hiring a Conservation Program Coordinator by the end of the
month. He reviewed the position duties, including community and school outreach.
Commissioner Froude reported that complaints were received at the July Intergovernmental Water
Board meeting regarding gunk in the water and a strong smell of chlorine.
7. Non-Agenda Items
Commissioner Buehner reported on her research into Budget Committee term lengths. She said
that ORS 294.336 specifically set Budget Committee member term lengths at three years with
staggered terms, and mandated that the Budget Committee,not the Board, elect the Committee
Chair. The Board discussed how to handle the matter. They discussed setting up the five members
in three rotations (2-2-1) to stagger the terms. They agreed to table the matter until January 1999.
8. Commissioners Comments
• Commissioner Haunsperger raised the issue of public relation strategies to present their side of the
Willamette River water supply situation. Mr. Miller noted staff's work on presenting information
on the two options. Commissioner Strauss suggested broadening their base of organizations to
which staff gave presentations. Commissioner Buehner commented that having presentations only
at the various City Council meetings would not reach the people they needed to reach.
Commissioner Froude explained how the CIT worked.
The Commission discussed getting invitations from homeowner associations (like Highlands),
posting public relation mailings on community information boards, and inviting people in the
unincorporated areas to meetings. Commissioner Strauss commented that the Board's
responsibilty was the unincorporated areas.
Tigard Water District Board—August 31, 1998
The Board asked that the Cityscape be sent to Commissioners Buehner and Strauss.
• Commissioner Buehner pointed out that the new developments on the south side of the mountain
were not all in the City of Tigard. Commissioner Froude explained how the contract between the
City and the County, in response to SB 122,worked to put the planning for the area within the
Urban Growth Boundary in the jurisidiction of the City. She commented that these areas would
eventually be annexed to the City. She mentioned that annexation was not been addressed by the
SB 122 committee but all the pieces were in place for services provision.
• Commissioner Buehner asked if the annexations that went to the Boundary Commission have been
taken out of their district. Mr. Miller indicated that he has not yet seen the final work on that.
9. Set Next Meeting Agenda
The Board discussed future meeting dates. They agreed on September 28, October 26, and
November 23.
10. Executive Session
The Tigard Water District Board went into Executive Session under the provisions of ORS
192.660(1)(d), (e), & (h) to discuss labor relations, real property transactions, and current and
pending litigation issues.
• The Board returned to regular session.
A motion was made and seconded to direct the Chair to draft a letter to Stuart Cohen
detailing where the Funk claim was. All members present voting AYE,the motion passed
unanimously.
11. Adjournment
Commissioner Haunsperger adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
Tigard Water District Board— August 31, 1998