This month’s work and the discussion at the Board Meeting was focused on:
- District Utilities: Comprehensive Project Planning, Communicating about Rate Increases, a Revised Dwelling Leak Policy and a possible water system inter-connect for Cannon View Park
- Watershed: A Proposed Public Access and Recreation Policy for the Watershed and a briefing about the current work on a Operations & Financing Plan
SAVE THE DATE – November 4th in the AM for a briefing about the current work on Watershed Operations & Financial Plan with Options for paying for it.
A. District Utilities
1. Comprehensive Project Planning for the Utilities: Matt Gardner, District Manager, presented an initial draft of a comprehensive project plan that inventories all of the projects that need to be done for the water and sanitary districts, the priority of those projects (Mandated, High, Moderate and Low) and the likely start date and duration of each. (click here to view the draft plan). During this next month Matt will estimate staffing requirements for each project. With that information, the Boards will be in a position to determine which projects to undertake, in what order and to what extent additional resources may be required.
2. Communicating about Rate Increases: The current Water and Sanitary Boards agreed to make the community aware of projected rate increases that were recommended by the budget committee last Spring for the long-range plan and were then presented to the previous Water and Sanitary District Boards at their June meetings. (The first of these rate increases took effect in July.) A letter to this effect will be drafted and sent to every rate payer.
3. Billing: The Water Board and Sanitary Board both decided to begin evaluating whether or not it makes sense to transition from Quarterly Billing to Monthly Billing. This evaluation is likely to take several months.
4. Revised Dwelling Leak Policy: A revised dwelling leak policy (Policy 23-09 WD) was adopted by the Board (click here). It can be found on the District Site as soon as it is posted (click here).
Key revisions from the previous version of the policy are:
a. District Staff will make the determination as to whether the leak is severe enough to turn off water to the property until the leak is repaired.
b. If the leak is fixed within 30 days of the ratepayer being notified of the leak, the ratepayer will only be charged the average of their monthly usage fees over the previous 3 months (before the leak).
c. If the leak is fixed within 60 days of the ratepayer being notified of the leak, the ratepayer will be charged the cost of producing water, for the excess usage.
d. If the leak is fixed MORE THAN 60 days of the ratepayer being notified of the leak, they will be charged the excess usage fees, for the excess usage
5. Water System Inter-connect with Cannon View Park: Cannon View Park (CVP) has requested a connection between their water distribution system and the Arch Cape Water District water distribution system which could be activated only in cases of emergencies. The initial design of the inter-connect was developed in 2018 by the District’s Engineer. All costs for the inter-connect would be paid by Cannon View Park with a grant or a low interest loan from the State.
The Board conditionally approved Cannon View’s request subject to mutual agreement on a number of issues identified in Board meeting discussion. CVP agreed to take the lead on addressing those issues, and others that may arise in the process, and to work with the District’s Engineer as necessary, thus minimizing any demands on District Staff and financial resources. Tevis Dooley will be the Board’s representative in discussions with CVP.
When all issues are addressed and if/when CVP obtains funding from the State, the Board will consider the updated request.
B. Watershed
- Public Access & Recreation: A proposed Public Access & Recreation Policy, based upon responses from a community survey, was adopted by the Board. That policy can be found here (click here).
The Board is inviting the community to submit comments regarding this policy by October 10th. Click here to send comments or send comments directly to any Board Member.
All received comments will be posted publicly and considered by the Board at the October meeting as they determine if/how to refine the proposed policy. Their adopted policy will then be submitted to Oregon Department of Forestry per contractual obligations.
2. Watershed Operations and Financing Plan: The Watershed Finance Committee is nearing completion of the first stage of their work for developing a Watershed Operations and Financing Plan. At this stage, the plan outlines possible options for financing the operations of the Watershed. These options will be presented to the Board (October 19) and the Community (November 4th) for their consideration and feedback.
Please mark your calendars for a briefing about this plan on November 4th in the AM. More specifics to come
A.C. Water District Board (Go to Home Page) 