CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF JOINT DINNER MEETING

Monday, October 25, 1999

6:00 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Highlander Room

Shoreline City Council

PRESENT: Mayor Jepsen, Deputy Mayor Montgomery, Councilmembers Gustafson, Hansen, King, Lee and Ransom

ABSENT: None

STAFF: Robert Deis, City Manager; Larry Bauman, Assistant City Manager; Kristoff Bauer, Assistant to the City Manager;

Shoreline Water District

PRESENT: President Mike Harrigan; Vice President Ron Ricker; and Secretary Bob Chute

ABSENT: None

STAFF: Cynthia Driscoll, Manager

The meeting convened at 6:15 p.m. All Councilmembers and all Shoreline Water District Commissioners were present.

After welcoming the Shoreline Water District representatives, Mayor Jepsen explained the purpose of the meeting: to facilitate communication, to improve the understanding of the goals of the two bodies and to discuss issues of mutual interest.

President Harrigan described the services of the Shoreline Water District, including water sources, facilities (e.g., nine sampling stations for testing water quality) and infra-structure. Manager Cynthia Driscoll explained the capital budget of the Shoreline Water District.

In response to Councilmember Hansen, Ms. Driscoll confirmed that the water district has a pipe replacement program. She said residents have supported aggressive rates to fund this and other capital projects on which the district has spent about $1 million over each of the last two years.

Councilmember Ransom asked Ms. Driscoll, Manager of the Water District, what the size of the Water District was in terms of operating budget and staff. She replied that the operating budget was $1,000,000 and that they had 15 staff members, including both inside and outside staff.

As to capital projects, she talked about the Water District study of drawing water out of Lake Washington at a depth of 60 to 96 feet below the surface over an 18-month period. It was exceptionally pure water at that depth. When asked about how large a water treatment plant they were considering building, she stated it would be large enough for 40,000 households, or large enough for the cities of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park and Kenmore.

President Harrigan discussed previously active water wells in Shoreline. He said the Water District no longer uses any wells.

Councilmember Lee asked about the immediate- and long-term plans of the Water District. President Harrigan said the district plans to build a water storage facility on property it recently purchased from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Councilmember Gustafson mentioned that the Shoreline School District purchased half of the DNR property, and he asked about its role there. Ms. Driscoll said the Water District plans to coordinate site development with the School District. She noted that Water District representatives meet regularly with Shorecrest High School students to discuss plans for the DNR property. She commented that the Shoreline School Board has not committed to a particular plan for the site.

Robert Deis, City Manager, explained work by City staff with the Water District on emergency operations and mutual support. Ms. Driscoll stressed the importance of ongoing cooperation at the staff level.

Mayor Jepsen asked how the Water District has responded to Initiative 695. Ms. Driscoll said the District has neither supported nor opposed I-695.

Mayor Jepsen asked about the District’s plans concerning the Cascade Water Alliance. Councilmember Gustafson asked if the district has plans to use water from Lake Washington. Ms. Driscoll said District tests of Lake Washington water have shown it to be of high quality. She explained that this analysis is preliminary to developing a pilot plant. She noted that water drawn out of Lake Washington would be replaced with water that has undergone tertiary treatment in the King County wastewater system.

Councilmembers and Commissioners discussed the rates of the Shoreline Water District and the City of Seattle.

Councilmember Hansen asked how the 54 percent increase in wholesale water costs from the City of Seattle will affect customers. He estimated the average increase in costs to customers at $2.50 per month.

Mayor Jepsen thanked the Commissioners and Ms. Driscoll for attending the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

_______________________________
Larry Bauman, Assistant City Manager