2005, 02-28 Special Joint Council/BOCC Meeting MinutesMinutes of Joint Meeting
Spokane County Commissioners and City of Spokane Valley Council
Monday, February 28, 2005
3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.
A Special Joint Meeting of the Spokane County Commissioners and City of Spokane Valley
Council was held on the above date at the Spokane County Public Works Building, Lower Level,
W. 1026 Broadway, Spokane, WA.
The session convened at 3:00 p.m. with the following present: Commissioner Phillip D. Harris,
Chair, Commissioner Todd Mielke, Vice - Chair, Commissioner Mark Richard and City Council
Members Mayor Wilhite, Deputy Mayor Munson, Councilmember Flanigan, Councilmember
Denenny, Councilmember Schimmels and Councilmember DeVleming. Councilmember Taylor
was absent.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the following item:
• Issues surrounding future Wastewater Treatment.
The meeting was open to the public, but was of a workshop format with no public testimony
taken. Discussion was limited to Council Members, County Commissioners, appropriate Staff
and Counsel.
Bruce Rawls, Director of Utilities for Spokane County, began the meeting by going over an
outline (see handout A) with the Board and Council on the following topics:
• Background of Wastewater Facilities Planning
o Wastewater Treatment Plant Project Status
o Dissolved Oxygen Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
o Use Attainability Analysis (UAA)
o Petition to adopt the UAA by Formal Rule Making
o Possible Future Approaches
• Status of interlocal agreement for Wastewater Management
• Status of the Wastewater Governance Discussions
• Intro to discussion of Assumption of the Wastewater Collection System in the City
After the overview, the Board and Council discussed the DOE loan and the fact that the scope
was rewritten from a design /building to a study. Mr. Rawls also stated they would provide a
copy of the 1 quarterly report to the City.
The Board and Council also discussed non -point sources sharing in the removal of phosphates.
Commissioner Mielke stated that in light of the withdrawal of the Petition by the petitioners and
the letter from DOE, he expected negotiations to move forward quickly. We need to look at the
draft TMDL and removal of discharges from the river.
Mr. Rawls stated DOE admitted if dischargers were removed we would not meet the water
quality standards. State Water Quality Standards were used to establish the draft TMDL. The
Joint Meeting between Spokane County and City of Spokane Valley Page 1 of 3
February 28, 2005
Minutes prepared by Daniela Erickson, Clerk of the Board
UAA would set different water quality standards to be used in the TMDL. How would we
develop a strategy to reach standard? Look at point and non -point sources. Look at non -point
dischargers such as phosphates in dish soap, fertilizer, etc. DOE has an interest in going back
to the table to negotiate the TMDL. DOE knows we have a strong legal position. Clean Water
Act of 73 left a lot of room for discussion. Some are interpreting by the law and not the intent. If
we find common ground with all the petitioners, DOE, governor's office, legislators and work
together first and then present to EPA. Also, need to address the concerns of the tribes but first
work with DOE and then bring other groups in. People realize non -point sources are important
and also the need to address overall broad problems collaboratively.
Commissioner Mielke stated there was an exchange of letters last week whereby the petitioners
withdrew and DOE accepted the withdrawal. DOE would voluntarily put a hold on the draft
TMDL. Also, everyone would work together to look at the issue of allocation into the Spokane
River, begin discussions on non -point strategies and look at permit renewals /extensions.
Mr, Rawls stated that the letter from DOE provided a time frame of 90 days to resolve the draft
TMDL, UAA and allocation issues.
The next topic discussed was the County's change in policy regarding time allotted to hook up
to the sewer system. Mr. Rawls explained that previously, a homeowner had a twelve -month
time frame to connect to the sewer system after the County had sent notice. Under the new
policy, a notice would not be sent to a homeowner to connect to the sewer system until the
County knows what capacity is available. A homeowner could under the old or new policy
voluntarily connect to the sewer system. At the time capacity has been resolved the notices
would be send out sequentially and not all at once.
Mr. Rawls also discussed the outline item regarding acquisition of Saltese area for wetland
restoration. He commented on a similar project in Phoenix, Arizona, which involved around 100
acres of wetland. He would like to discuss acquiring this area but would need to discuss further
with Doug Chase at Parks, regarding use of Conservation Future's monies, and the Dept. of
Fish and Wildlife before making any type of recommendation.
Councilmember Denenny questioned what amount of phosphorus was attributable to non -point
sources. Bruce Rawls indicated that there needed to be more study on non -point sources and
background.
Bruce Rawls commented on the significance of a timely resolve of the TMDL matter. He
indicated that we needed a decision by the end of 2005. After this, it would take 2 years to
prepare plans for the new treatment facility and another 4 years to build the plant. We needed
the facility on line by the time we used our 10 million gallon capacity at the City of Spokane's
Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Councilmember DeVleming asked about the status of the Governance Committee. Bruce
Rawls indicated that at the last meeting the Committee had agreed to hire John Maxwell as a
mediator. Mr. Maxwell was to interview the governance members to see if there was enough
commonality to proceed forward. He was not certain whether or not the City of Spokane had
executed their agreement but would check.
Commissioner Mielke said he would replace John- Roskelley as the County's representative on
the Governance Committee.
Joint Meeting between Spokane County and City of Spokane Valley
February 28, 2005
Minutes prepared by Daniels Erickson, Clerk of the Board
Page 2 of 3
Deputy Mayor Munson requested that the City be keep updated on DOE/Petitioner negotiations_
Commissioner Mielke said he would keep Dave Mercier updated.
Lastly, the topic discussed was assumption of the wastewater collection system by the City.
Bruce RaIs indicated he had assembled everything that the city needs to know in conjunction
with accepting ownership of the wastewater collection system. he indicated the City probably
needed to hire a financial consultant to review the materials,
Councilmen DeVleming asked what was being transferred. Bruce Rawls indicated he did not
know exactly what would be transferred. This decision would be up to the Board of County
Commissioners and he had not had an opportunity to discuss this matter with them,
Prior to adjournment it was conceded that Bruce would meet with Mr. Maxwell, another
Governance Committee Meeting would be held and they would report back to everyone_
Commissioner Todd Mielke would represent the BOCC on the Governance Committee.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:45 p.m.
Joint Meeting between Spokane County and City of Spokane Valley
February 28, 2005
Minutes prepared by Daniels Erickson, Clerk of Ile Board
Page 3 of 3