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01-16-89 S&W Comm MinutesJ,Inuary 16, 1989 SEWER 6 WATER COMMITTEE MINUTES 4:00 P.M. Attendance: Chairman Nystul, Vice Chairman Hopkins, and Councilman Furlong. Others Present: Mayor Kennedy, DPW Hammer, Acting Water Supt. Van Dyke, Surveyor 2avodny, WWTP Chief Operator_ Olsen, Dennis Carver, Carver Engineering, Dr. Winkle, and Dr. Perjussy. Chairman Nystul opened the meeting and invited the staff to add to the agenda in order to provide a list of items to be resolved. DR. WINKLE - WATER BILL Acting Water Supt. Van Dyke provided the committee with a brief history regarding the office complex at 1250 Burns Way as related to water bills. The meters were originally installed in series rather than parallel resulting in double billing. The previous Water/Sewer Supt. authorized an adjustment to the billing, a credit of $1,058.18 - two years of sprinkling charges. Dr. Winkle explained the attempts made to the City Water Department to obtain explanation for the high billings. As a result of a finding in August 1988 the meters were then properly re -installed. He is requesting a refund or credit from 1978 through 1986 for excess billing. In addition, he was not notified of the two year credit made by Andy Hyde. C. Furlong moved the Committee recommend Acting Water Supt. Van Dyke meet with Dr. Winkle to arrive at a reasonable figure for presentation to the Water and Sewer Committee for recommendation. C. Hopkins seconded. With all in favor, the motion FVCC DPW Hammer stated the City Council agreed the City would extend water services to the subdivision in the general vicinity of the FVCC site. Some discussion of the need for,an additional water well has taken place for water pressure demands to the college. Mr. Carver stated he has looked at analysis of the system in the north as to what the availability of water is and how it would affect the surrounding areas if a large amount of water was withdrawn for the college site. All of the Northridge area is on the upper pressure zone while the remaining portions of the City are on the lower pressure zone. The original ideas were to extend a 12" or 14" main to Grandview and over to the college site. Preliminary results show approximately 1500 - 1800 gpm to the college site. Any increased attempt to obtain more water to the site decreases the pressure in the Northridge area to 0. If 1500 - 1800 gpm is not enough pressure for the college site, two alternatives may be as follows: 1) Run a parallel main to the reservoir, 7400 feet, which would require an additional booster pump, or, 2) Drill another well at the college site and pump into the high pressure zone. Fire flow requirements are figured for the site at 3750 gpm. Up to 50% of 3750 gpm can be saved if the college were to install a sprinkler system. At present, the college does not plan for installation of such system. Based upon these requirements, Mr. Carver stated the college cannot meet them by City extension of services from Summit Ridge to the site. C. Furlong questioned if the completion of the loop would eliminate some of these problems. Mr. Carver responded it would help, but it doesn't eliminate the need for additional supply of water from another booster pump or a well. C. Furlong questioned if the existing pumps are running near capacity at present. Mr. Carver stated in summer months the pumps run more frequently. Acting Water Supt. Van Dyke noted when a hydrant is opened and flushed in Grandview, it triggers a low pressure alarm at the hospital. January 16, 1989 SEWER 6 WATER COMMITTEE MINUTES Page 2 DPW Hammer expressed concern over the generality of original discussions and timeliness for the college to have a decision from the City to extend the 12" water main from Summit Ridge Drive. •C. Nystul stated be believes if the buildings are sprinklered it helps the City's response time requirement as well as the City's rating. C. Hopkins questioned what the additional construction cost would be for the college to install a sprinkler system. Mr. Carver responded, per Jim Thompson of Architects Design Group, the cost would be $150,000. Mayor Kennedy questioned the option of the college drilling a well on the college site to supplement the water system. Mr. Carver stated it would aid the City's system. DPW Hammer stated perhaps the City could obtain an easement from the college, drill a City well, and connect through the subdivision to serve the subdivision as well as the college. The Committee made the recommendation for Mayor Kennedy to advise the c s The Committee authorized Dennis Carver to prepare a summary of his findings for presentation. C. Hopkins requested this report to include cost estimates of the various alternatives available to the City. The Committee Issues with the Fire_ Department, Carver Engineering, and Architects Design Group. •WATER AND SEWER SUPERINTENDENT POSITIONS Mayor Kennedy requested resolution of the decision to hire either two superintendents, one for water and one for sewer, or, two people with one head of the sewer and water department. He informed the Committee applications have been received for the separate positions. He has since written all of the applicants as to the status at present. Approximately 12 - 15 applied for each position. C. Furlong questioned if any applicants indicate expertise in both areas. Mr. Olsen stated out of the sewer superintendents, there were some qualified or partially qualified in both areas. Consensus was taken of persons present regarding hiring one or two superintendents. Mayor Kennedy noted the past two Water/Sewer Superintendents recommend the City hire two superintendents. C. Nystul then requested the arguments from various people. The following points were discussed. Mayor Kennedy stated since he has been in office, the City has employed one Supt. and a lot of tasks were not completed. The WWTP project will be a time consuming project for one supt. In addition, both positions have million dollar budgets. DPW Hammer believes the positions should be separate. An example of the tasks which were not completed by the past superintendent due to work overload are: isValve replacement at the Armory, Sheppards and Mercantile, water adjustments, complaints, delinquent bills amounting to $2,000 - $3,000 dated from March, 1987, updating current and future projects, etc. With federal regulations becoming more strict, he believes sewer and water should be separate and distinct positions. The Public Works staff is compiling a list of items to be resolved. The daily operations January 16, 1989 SEWER & WATER COMMITTEE MINUTES Page 3 -- and expense would decrease and the two superintendents would more than pay for themselves. •Surveyor Zavodny expressed agreement with DPW Hammer and, in addition, retain the Construction Inspector position. The supervision, quality of personnel, and the impression they give is very important. With a weak supervisor, the system fails. Acting Water Supt. Van Dyke added there are sewer projects in addition to the WWTP, such as the Purdy/Remick sewer, Southwest project, etc. Also, staying abreast of the EPA regulations and the responsibilities of the Water Supt. limit time as well. C. Furlong, in response to the $2,000 - $3,000 sewer bills, stated the sewer should be shut off. C. Nystul expressed disagreement with Mayor Kennedy. He believes based upon past history of the past two superintendents, they were individuals who are not used to being in a supervisory capacity over crews. One example to go by would be Lee Carothers, Supt. of Pacific Power. Andy Hyde, as a professional engineer was spending time on tasks that were not tried for resolution on a lower level. He cannot see how the City can afford or requires two superintendents. DPW Hammer stated most cities separate the two divisions. He believes even if there were a good supt. who delegated well, the City would still be in these situations. C. Furlong expressed his concern with two superintendents creating problems with cooperation between the two divisions. DPW Hammer stated for example, the Street Supt, coordinates with the Sewer and/or Water Supt., and would be expected of the new superintendents. Work overload has affected all staff members to help water and sewer. DPW Hammer informed the Committee of an additional problem faced with the isclerical personnel in the water division in regard to supervision. C. Hopkins stated given the nature of the problems and projects the City is facing in both divisions, it is time the City recognizes growth, growing needs, larger population, more demands for services, and time as well to separate these divisions. Long range planning for improvement and expansion is also important. Mr. Olsen stated if the Supt. were to delegate one half his duties to the Working Foreman, more time would be available. C. Nystul stated even with Jeff Hughes student teaching for half days, the divisions continued to run. C. Furlong stated either to continue to run or to continue to run down. Surveyor Zavodny stated that to those on the outside it may seem to continue to run. He has two watches at home, one runs well and one runs six years behind. They are both running. C. Nystul stated he feels strongly about having one qualified person to be in charge with a customer service representative. The total utility structure is lacking one person. C. Furlong stated he would vote for one person in charge and an assistant. One with expertise in sewer and the other in water. 4C. Hopkins stated he can support this concept although he wasn't sure in which division the personnel would be hired. Discussion of salary levels then took place. January 16, 1989 SEWER & WATER COMMITTEE MINUTES Page 4 Mayor Kennedy stated WQB and EPA strongly recommend the City hire a project manager for the WWTP. EPA would pay for 85Z of this person's salary. Surveyor Zavodny expressed concern over the upcoming installation of the WWTP and if the person hired finds himself faced with crisis, dilemas, and decisions at the WWTP, how the City will deal with the need for supervision for the Water Division. and an Assistant with water system expertise. C. Fur WOODLAND S.I.D. 337 Mayor Kennedy provided brief information in regard to S.I.D. 337 and compliance. C. Nystul stated this will be the first agenda item for the next meeting. He then requested a list of items by priority to be addressed. C. Furlong expressed his appreciation for staff attendance. Adjourned: 6:00 P.M. ss 0 •