Your PUD
News Release
Water system plan updated for the next six years
Chelan County PUD
News Release
4/6/2009
To keep pace with projected population growth and comply with Washington Department of Health planning requirements, Chelan County PUD expects to keep improving its Wenatchee-area water system over the next six years – adding pump stations, reservoirs and pipe. The PUD invites water customers to review the latest six-year plan and offer comment at the PUD’s regular public meeting on May 4.
Water Resources Manager Ron Slabaugh briefed the PUD Board of Commissioners Monday about the new six-year plan which is required by the state Department of Health for large municipal water systems. Along with nearly $7 million worth of projects already in the works this year, the plan calls for two booster pump station upgrades, two more water reservoirs, water main replacements and upgrades for security by 2014. Total capital project spending in 2010-2014 is estimated at about $10 million.
The plan does not discuss possible rate changes as those are usually revisited during the PUD budget process each year. The most recent water rate changes went into effect April 1.
Anyone wishing to review the six-year plan may contact Ron Slabaugh at 661-4131. Public comment will be invited at the board meeting on May 4.
In other items:
- Commissioners set 5:30 p.m. on May 21 in the PUD Auditorium as the time and place for a public hearing on the proposed final assessment roll for the Monitor Water System Local Utility District (LUD). Residents in the LUD soon will be receiving notice of their final proposed assessments and will have an opportunity to comment or challenge assessments if they wish. Costs of the $4.7 million project came in about $1.8 million below original estimates.
- Thanked PUD employees Mike Hamilton (22 years) and Duane Whitley (30 years) for their years of service to the PUD as they received their retirement certificates.
- Following a 45-minute executive session to discuss potential litigation, commissioners returned to open session and heard a recommendation from General Counsel Carol Wardell related to the Gordon Graham lawsuit that has been the subject of a recent Chelan County Superior Court trial and follow-up motions. Based on Wardell’s recommendation, commissioners approved a motion to accept a proposal from Graham’s attorney, Scott Kane. In exchange for the PUD giving up any right of further appeal, the District will pay $150,000 in attorney fees and costs (Kane’s request to the court was for $260,745 in attorney fees) in addition to the damages of $351,000 awarded to Graham by the jury on Feb. 27.
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Various PUD commissioners will attend two public meetings of customer partnership groups (CPGs) this week. The Hispanic CPG will meet at noon Tuesday at the North Central Regional Library headquarters; and the Chelan CPG will meet at noon Friday at Chelan City Hall.
The next regular commission meeting is at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2009, in the PUD boardroom at 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.
A special meeting will also be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, at the Confluence Technology Center for the purpose of hearing a recommendation from General manager Rich Riazzi on whether a temporary electric bill surcharge should be adopted.
Most PUD commission meetings are recorded, and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s home page at www.chelanpud.org.
Steve Lachowicz
Communications director
509-661-4639, direct line
509-679-0148, cell
steve.lachowicz@chelanpud.org