Lake Wenatchee Water District
Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes
September 12, 2024
Location: Fire Station #91
21696 Lake Wenatchee Hwy
Commissioners Present: Fred Guimond, John Colvard, Erin Colwell (quorum established)
Staff Present: Bruce Harris-Clerk, Charlie Cruickshank-Operator
Guests Present: Barbara Harris
Commissioner Guimond called the meeting to order at 9:30am
Commissioner Guimond moved to accept the August 08, 2024, minutes as written, Commissioner Colvard moved to second, motion passed.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Approve: O&M and Payroll Warrants
Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve the O&M warrant for $7,059.10. Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed.
Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve payroll warrant for $2,220.00, Commissioner Colwell seconded, motion passed.
Customer Status Report
Customers with leaks identified in the latest meter read have been notified.
Billing Issue
The bookkeeper mailed the September bills with incorrect information on them. The water usage figures were omitted, and customers were not billed for their water use over 8000 gallons. She is reprinting and remailing the corrected bills. An email will be sent to all customers asking them to ignore the first bill and wait for the corrected bill. The due date has been revised to October 15, 2024. Letters will be sent by USPS to customers without email.
Commissioner Colvard motioned to send email and letters to notify the customers; Commissioner Colvard seconded; motion passed.
Whispering Pines Sulfur Smell
Clerk Harris has been in contact with customers on Lakeview Drive, Fir Drive and Brown Road in Whispering Pines who are experiencing sulfur smell in their water. Operator Cruickshank said that as the aquifer level drops, there is more of a sulfur smell present in the water. Additionally, Operator Cruickshank discovered a malfunctioning transducer that controls the reservoir filling process. The new transducer has arrived and will be installed today.
Commissioner Colwell motioned for Operator Cruikshank to purchase a second transducer for back-up; Commissioner Colvard seconded; motion passed.
Commissioner Colwell made a motion for Operator Cruickshank to contact RH2 Engineering to develop a solution to the increasing sulfur smell. Commissioner Colvard seconded; motion passed.
Options for Customer Payments/ Change of Due Date
Customer requested a portal for credit card payments. It would involve added costs for additional bookkeeping time, processing fees and software costs. Commissioner Colvard motioned to not accept credit card payments; Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed. Customers are encouraged to use electronic payments through their bank if they don’t want to mail a check for payment. The due date on bills will be extended to the 15th of the following month after the bills are mailed. The two-week extension allows more time for USPS mail delivery and the customer additional time to make payments on time.
Ops and Directives Policy Update
Commissioner Colwell motioned to approve the changes to reflect ADU clarification; Commissioner Colvard seconded; motion passed.
DOH Get the Lead Out Campaign
Operator Cruickshank reports that his survey of potential lead impact in our system is nearly complete.
Public Utility Tax
Clerk Harris reported that the utility tax calculation was included in the September bills in anticipation of having to initiate the payment. The application has been sent to the Dept of Revenue to change the business owner from Charles Ferrel to Commissioner Colvard. Clerk Harris will add his name and the bookkeeper’s name for updates and payment processing.
New Connection Status
D&D Realty – Their application from 2021 has expired. Clerk Harris will contact owner to let him know of requirements for proceeding with water service.
OPERATIONS
Operator Cruickshank will repair the water level gauge at Lake Wenatchee reservoir after the repairs at the pump house have been completed.
Operator Cruickshank will contact RH2 Engineering to add a power outage/temperature senser to the Lake Wenatchee Wellhouse for interface to SCADA to help prevent freeze damage.
Commissioner Colvard reported that the DOE is requesting more information on the grant request for re-energizing the Lake Wenatchee well. Operator Cruikshank will contact RH2 Engineering for a letter explaining the viability of the process.
Large pressure reduction valves (PRV)
Maintenance is recommended every three to four years.
Commissioner Colwell motioned for Operator Cruickshank to schedule PRV maintenance; Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.
Meeting Adjourned at 11:10 am
Next meeting – Thursday, October 10, 2024
9:30-11:30 am