SEWER MANIA
Meeting started with an agenda change by Dan Albertson to allow public comments before BUSINESS so residents of Ruston could comment on agenda items before council hearing and vote. A pleasant change to the hostile attitude of some council persons to the townspeople. All was well up to here but Dan unnecessarily added "Things have calmed down. Previously people didn't know how to behave." All in all a very conciliatory motion to bring the town together in a time where budget and survival are prominent in the minds of all. Him Hedrick made motion to make permanent. Jane Hunt call for vote on motion which passed 5-0.Jane - add to agenda Public Hearing meeting on SEWERS published in Town Newsletter but no official notification under NEW BUSINESS.
town attorney - first I have heard of this.
Jerry Morissette - town engineer - public meeting, sufficient input.
Attorney - public hearing requires notice by mail.
Jerry - people here allowed to testify.
Bruce (mayor) - need to move forward, something catastrophic could happen soon.
Council - consensus is public meeting.
Agenda approved 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS -
Jerry (town engineer) Phase 1 sanitary sewer replace all scoped out phase 2 option
1- replace entire system $4.25 million dollars depends on LID.
2- engineering plan bid calls phase $1.2 million dollars. Finance options to replace 11 locations, streets:
1- South end of 51st down alley,
2- North Highland drive, Rust Way South 51st street
3- Alley off Winnifred
4- Short section on Baltimore
5- alley Court street to Commercial
7- North Baltimore to Bennett
Best I could come up with off of CD not seeing map. Will continue at next meeting Monday June one for exact details.
Wayne - does it stop at Shirley street down 51st?
Jerry - stops at Bennett, house at end of 51st not included.
Jerry - City of Tacoma is looking at sewer along railroad tracks transition up to Bennett street, perhaps to replace sewer for problem house and Credit union.
Mayor - worst case we are responsible for, not a big item $15 thousand dollars (problem house)
Wayne - what process will be used?
Jerry - looked at slip line, trench less technology, pipe bursting, both to replace aged sewers (1917-1921) recommend open cut dig new pipe not as easy as options
1 or 2.
Dan - How do we pay for this?
Jerry - apply for Department of Agriculture for loan. Ruston has high commercial income level, too much money in the bank. Need loan guaranteed by Federal government.
Dan - we negotiate bank determines interest rate, bank may not finance. Need to pursue other possibilities for high density urban communities. $1.2 million dollar start and hope we get loan?
Jerry - we have approved engineering costs.
Dan - $700 thousand dollars from Utilities fund, $250 thousand dollars for engineering.
Bruce - $500 thousand dollars down payment
Jerry - will be shovel ready hope for second stimulus package.
Dan - must get financing first. If financing doesn't go through town will have to pony up entire $1.2 million dollars. We have liability if failure.
Mayor - thank God for Jerry providing us with different options.
Jane - Jerry has done a tremendous job for the Town. We need to get this done one way or another. What is estimated costs for homeowners to cut into new sewer?
Jerry - if connect now hookup is free.
Jane - private property lines are aged, old hookups.
Jerry - This is advance plan see where to go. Connection fee for vacant lots will be $2,000 dollars per connection.
Wayne - First quarter of project in November. When will other 3/4 be shovel ready?
Jerry- Industry in general 10-12 percent to get project documents ready or $300,000 for $3.2 million dollar project. BANK OF AMERICA has loan plan for smaller communities.
(note: aren't they hanging on with stimulus money themselves, technically bankrupt?)
finally the public in public comments:
Sherri- Sewer at north 41st and Bennett collapsed.
Jerry- short distance up alley.
Lyle- Financing in general. How do we plan to pay it back? LID or?
Mayor- look at assessments. For $1 million dollar loan 3.75 percent 40 years will require payment of $40,000 per year. ($10 dollars per month per household).
Lyle- LID not viable?
Dan- originate print bonds, not ready.
Don- Roads sinking in different places fire engine has to drive around repairs. Roads are being blocked off fire department not being notified. Fire engine got stuck only got out because it had dual axles. Jerry Morrisette extremely competent, reliable.
Wayne- financing for households?
Jerry- individual will have to pay if storm water being diverted into sanitary sewer system. They must be separated.
Wayne- half getting sewers half not. Town may be liable.
Mayor- we have to start somewhere.
Bradley- $48 thousand per year for loan each individual household pays $10 per month.
Jerry- $100 dollars times 415 households equals $41 thousand dollars.
Jane- councilman Stebner not up to date on Tacoma standards. Tacoma will do LID. Need to move forward bite the bullet.
Dan- cost the same no matter how you pay. Councilman Stebner's point well taken, "Do not benefit few, rest to pay, not fair.We don't have $4.2 million dollars. One quarter of town benefits from $1.2 million dollar Phase one. We need to take this into account.
Jane- In talks with City of Tacoma this was brought up. Tacoma has 10 year payback on LID. Assessment on 40 year loan less hardship.
Wayne- If failure in one part of system how do we pay for it?
Jerry- Out of emergency general sewer funds to make system operational, fund will be going up significantly in future.
Jerry- One scary issue. You've got pyhsical outs due to steepness, then you have to look at DOE (Department of Ecology) frowning on it.
Connie- Dan and Wayne not happy with $10 fee. Each condominium will get $10 dollar fee(Ruston only). Have camera pictures, get us through before backups occur. One problem area will affect other areas.
Dan- $40 month OK all the way through?
Sherri- senior citizens on fixed incomes this is a lot. Need to start now.
Jane- need to raise sewer rates. Close or adjourn open meeting?
Jim- fifteen day notice requirement if closed will have to start over.
Dan- continue close at next meeting.
Motion to continue passes 5-0.
Note: If you didn't pick up on it Dan and Wayne problem is Wayne is not included in Phase one.
No mention was made of assessments for Phases 2, 3 and 4. Who pays them and how much?
LIDs are the only fair and expeditious way to move forward before the entire system collapses and people in the hundreds are forced to move to temporary housing wherever they can find it. Looks good for the new hotel at Point Ruston.
This sewer problem was pointed out to them three years ago but they were to busy filing private lawsuits using town money. Total costs not in yet but could easily exceed $1 million dollars.
Quit squabbling and do entire sewer project using LIDs if financing possible at this stage. Otherwise face certain bankruptcy when system fails. Don't forget not flushing won't stop the storm water.
p.s. Sorry I am late. Missed the meeting and had to record this off of CDs. Time consuming and tedious. Can not vouch for accuracy and any doubts please get your own CDs available at Town Hall (PRR required) or better yet attend council meetings. There are still vacant seats.
Hard to hear town attorney and clerk/treasurer although council and public comments come in strong. A lot of shuffling and banging going on doesn't help.
Second half of town council meeting on BUDGET DISCUSSION will follow.
Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Wayne Stebner, Dan Albertson, Jane Hunt
Attorney, David Britton
Planner, Rob White
Clerk/Treasurer, Karen Carlisle
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