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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEMAC Sub-Committee Minutes 11.18.2020ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Sub-Committee MINUTES DATE: 11/18/2020 ATTENDING: Brock Shriver Randall Morin Becky Beecroft Aline Novak Dennis Cumbie Lisa Reigh Lisa Horn Russ Weaver Austin Abrahams E. Duane Arch Mark Bradshaw Davina Yutzy Sara Greaves Lacey Capshaw Dave Mason I. CALL TO ORDER: Brock opened the meeting at 1702 hours. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Brock moved to add a recap of the presentation to BOCC to the agenda under “Old Business.” Becky made a motion to approve the agenda. Aline seconded the motion. Agenda passed unanimously. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Becky made a motion to approve the minutes. Aline seconded the motion. Minutes passed unanimously. IV. OLD BUSINESS: a. Recap of Presentation to BOCC Presented the EMAC Landfill Alternatives Recommendations to the BOCC on Tuesday. Going to put together an RFP for the BOCC to review. BOCC thanked the EMAC for their service. b. Commissioner’s Request to Review Budget Shortfall for Water and Sewer: i. Water Operations 1. Are our WTPs in full compliance with current State & Federal Standards? 2. Any anticipated future standards requiring upgrades or additions to any of the WTPs (infrastructure or personnel)? If so – are these budgeted for? ii. Water Rates Outstanding questions: Brock had asked hypothetically, what type of increase it would take to balance the water budget? Between 20-25% to balance for FY21. After FY21, there would need to be an ongoing 3-3.5% moving forward. With a 25% increase, using 12,000 gallon assumption would go from $175.44/quarter to approximately $220, for a difference of $45 per quarter on average. There was discussion reference the County’s cash reserve policy. Brock asked what would be needed from the general fund to get it right without a rate increase. BOCC did not increase water rates for the past couple of years, for FY21 the general fund appropriation is $107,000. If no rate increase for FY22, estimated appropriation from the general fund would be approximately $175,000. Russ advised he thought this fund was pretty straight forward, this won’t be sustainable without a substantial increase. Russ advised he’d like to see some assistance from the State and Federal government for Sharpsburg’s water system. Russ stated that he believes that the BOCC should subsidize the water fund while these other options are being seriously considered. Austin asked about solely using wells in Sharpsburg, and Mark advised that what we’re currently looking into drilling to supplement the Sharpsburg WTP. It was pointed out that regardless of where our water customers are located, if they’re on our system, all water customers pay the same rate. Russ asked how close the wells had to be to the processing plant. Mark advised that they just have to be close to the existing water lines. Mark explained well water and treatment needed being much less than treatment of the surface water within the plant. Russ asked about a lake being found underneath of Sharpsburg and that the little league had a well drilled. Mark is looking into this with the Health Department since private wells are under their jurisdiction. V. New Business Recommendations discussion 1) Collective Purchase of Chemicals - (water & sewer) 2) D.O. Probes - (dissolved oxygen probes - wastewater) installation to improve efficiency 3) Engineering Consult (water & sewer) - for system efficiency and a rate setting study addressing maintenance & administrative rates, rate model simplification 4) Palatable Billing – monthly vs. quarterly 5) Well in Sharpsburg – to supplement WTP 6) Cost of Providing Water Jointly – Boonsboro/Keedysville 7) General Fund Subsidy - combined with a rate increase 8) Cash Reserves Policy – temporary revision and agreement for BOCC to subsidize funds only in the event that there’s a shortfall (when they’d normally have used reserves) Discussions Short Term Solution Rate increase inevitable – as well as general fund appropriation for in the short term. Long Term Solution Engineering operations and efficiency, rate study and consistently reassessing rates every few years, and rate model. Collectively, the group seems to agree that the model is a useful budgetary tool – but it’s cumbersome. Believe it’s necessary to simplify the model, but it IS an effective and accurate tool. Short term subsidy from general fund water fund AND sewer fund – all present voting members opposed. Short term subside from general fund for water fund – all present voting members in favor. VI. Open Discussion Next meeting 12/2/2020 at 5:00 pm via ZOOM and then last meeting on 12/9/2020 at 5:00 pm via ZOOM. We will have recommendations ready to give to the Commissioners by 12/9/2020. VII. Agenda for Next Meeting Brock will write up a draft outline of recommendations and we can go over that line- by-line next meeting (12/2/2020 at 5:00 pm via ZOOM). VIII. ADJOURNMENT Becky moved to adjourn; Lisa Horn seconded. Meeting adjourned at 1844 hours. The next meeting will be held December 2, 2020 at 5:00 pm. The location of this meeting will be via Zoom.