09/22/1997 - Minutes TIGARD WATER DISTRICT
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
SEPTEMBER 22, 1997
REVISED
Members Present: Bev Froude, John Haunsperger, Norman Penner, David Strauss.
Members Absent: Gretchen Buehner.
Staff Present: Ed Wegner, Michelle Wareing.
Visitors: None
Introductions: Ed Wegner introduced Michelle Wareing as the new Recording
Secretary. Ed stated that Michelle works at City Hall in the Records Department.
1. Call to Order: The meeting of the Tigard Water Board of Commissioners was
called to order by Chair Norman Penner at 7:00 pm.
2. Oath of Office: Ed Wegner stated that David Strauss and Gretchen Buehner
needed to be sworn into office. David Strauss was sworn into office by Ed Wegner and
signed all necessary paper work. Gretchen Buehner was not sworn into office since
she was absent.
3. Roll Call: All members were present at the meeting except for Gretchen Buehner.
4. Visitors Comments: No visitors were present at the meeting.
5. Approval of Minutes: The minutes for the June 23, 1997 meeting were approved
with changes. On item three of the minutes, it should read that John Volpes resigned
as of June 30, 1997 instead of"this evening" as stated in the minutes. Motioned,
seconded, passed. MSP
6. Intergovernmental Water Board Update: The Tigard Water District Board went
into executive session at 7:07 pm under the provisions of ORS 192.660 (1) (d) (e) and
(h). The Board returned from executive session at 7:45 pm.
7. Director's Report: Ed Wegner gave an update on the construction of the Menlor
Reservoir. Ed stated that City of Tigard had a problem with the low bidding company.
The Company's subcontractor had incorrectly underestimated its budget by $300,000.
The contract stated that the bidder could be released from its bid if the company
notified the City in writing in a certain amount of time. The low bidding company slid not
notify the City. Ed stated that the City had thought about making the company do the
work for the bid amount, but it was decided to release the company from its contract
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and go with the second lowest bidder. Ed reported that the second low bidding
company had used the same subcontractor, but the company caught the calculation
error before turning its bid over to the City. Ward-Henshaw is the company that will be
building the reservoir. Ed stated that it took about a month to decide what should be
done about the bids.
Ed stated that construction of the reservoir started about two weeks ago. An open
house was held on Saturday, September 20th. A road way has been partially cut
through the property. Ed stated the contractor works on Saturdays and may work on
Sundays, so drainage pipes can be placed before winter. Ed reported that the budget
for the reservoir came in at $3.3 million. Ed expects that construction and landscaping
will be completed by October 31, 1998.
Ed stated that the City, the contractor and engineer met with a facilitator to develop a
partnering agreement that sets ground rules and vision for the construction of the
reservoir. A slogan was developed to express to neighbors and citizens the purpose
and goal of the reservoir. The slogan is "A partnership committed to enhancing and
preserving community values and livability through construction of a state of the art
drinking water reservoir within budget and with minimum impact to the neighborhood
and to the environment". Ed stated that everyone signed the contract and continues to
adhere to the vision by discussing any problems or questions that arise.
Commissioner Penner stated that he had attended the open house on Saturday and
had talked to a local resident. Commissioner Penner stated that the citizen had contact
with the Water Department on several occasions and that the Department had been
very prompt in responding to his requests. The citizen was very pleased with his
contact with the Department. Ed stated he would pass the praise on to the Water
Department employees.
Ed reported that he had met with local neighbors on three different occasions. Ed
stated that the City has gone out of its way to make sure that the neighbors are
comfortable with the project. It is the City's and the contractor's mission to have
minimal impact on the neighborhood. The contractor has built a gravel parking area for
the neighbors to use instead of parking on the street since large trucks will be using the
road and the contractor does not want to damage any cars.
Commissioner Strauss asked how the Menlor neighborhood's water pressure is
currently? Ed stated that the pressure is currently better than ever. A local developer
had been working with some fire hydrants and caused the main PRV valve to break,
thereby, causing residents to have more pressure than what they needed. However,
Ed stated that during the summer, residents have less pressure than what they need.
Commissioner Haunsperger asked if the reservoir will have any impact on the rest of
Bull Mountain? Will it increase or relieve the pressure? Ed stated that the reservoir will
not have an affect on the Bull Mountain area. Ed reported that the next reservoir the
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City needs to build in the next ten years will help the water pressure in the Bull
Mountain area.
Ed reported that water sales are down. Ed stated that during the summer an average
of 4.5 MGD is used each day. Ed reported that poor sales is due to a decrease in
water consumption. Water consumption reached its peak in August with 12 million
gallons used each day. Consumption made a quick drop to 7 million then to 5 million
gallons. Current consumption is staying consistent with about 5 million gallons used
per day. Ed stated that the City is currently running only the Portland water. The City is
not buying water from any other sources and has its wells turned off.
Ed reported that the Regional Consortium met two weeks ago. Councilor Bob Rohlf
represented the City of Tigard since Councilor Hunt was out of town. The Forest
Service gave a presentation on the care and feeding of watersheds and the work the
City of Portland and Forest Service has done on the Little Sandy River. The purpose of
the project was to preserve the watershed and use it as a water source for the City of
Sandy.
8. Non-Agenda Items: Ed reported that Mike Miller, the City's Operation Manager for
Water, is currently on paternity leave. Mike and his wife had a baby boy the Friday
before Labor Day. Mike will be gone for two months.
Ed asked the Commissioners if they wanted to get their meeting dates back on
schedule and have a meeting in October and then one in December. Ed stated that if
the meetings returned to its regular schedule then Commissioner Buehner would be
able to make reports from the Intergovernmental Water Board. After much discussion,
it was decided to stay off schedule and the next meeting will be held on Monday,
November 24. If a major issues comes up that the Board needs to be informed about a
meeting will be held in October.
Commissioner Strauss asked if there was some way in which the Board could express
its appreciation to Diane Kuhn, the previous Recording Secretary. Was it possible for
the Board to submit a letter of commendation or certificate to thank her for all her work?
Ed stated that the Board could draft a letter. Commissioner Strauss motioned that the
Board issue Diane Kuhn a letter or certificate of thanks. MSP
9. Adjournment: The Tigard Water District Board Meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm.
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