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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Water Services Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 10/7/2015 %hem, Water Services Advisory ` GLENIp Commission Oasis Water Campus 7070 W.Northern Avenue October 7,2015,6:00 P.M. FINAL MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER—6:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners John Sipple,Ruth Faulls,Ron Short,Robin Berryhill,and Chair Jonathan Liebman Absent: Commissioner Robert Gehl and Vice-chair Roger Schwierjohn Staff: Craig Johnson, Dr. Doug Kupel, Amanda McKeever, Dan Hatch, Lee Robinson, Sam Garza, Megan Sheldon,Drew Swieczkowski,Anthony Weathersby,and Sally Melling,Recording Secretary III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Approval of the Final Minutes, September 2, 2015 meeting-Motion for approval made by Comm. Sipple,seconded by Comm. Short. APPROVED 5-0 IV. DIRECTOR'S REPORT—Craig Johnson,P.E.,Water Services Director Mr. Johnson gave an update on the Water Services Centennial Celebration held October 3, 2015 at the Main Library. A good turn-out was seen with approximately 118 attendees. Honored guests were Councilman Bart Turner and Commission Chairman Jonathan Liebman. The History of Water in the Valley was presented by SRP (Salt River Project), The Colorado River Shortage: Preparedness and Impact was presented by CAP (Central Arizona Project), and Back to the (Water) Future was presented by Water Services' own Joanne Toms. Channel 11 videotaped the entire program and will make it available to the public. Free plants, and water and energy efficiency items were handed out,along with many free promotional items. Mr. Johnson provided updates on the Council Workshops that had been scheduled. The Service Line Warranty Program and the Urban Irrigation workshops had to be pushed back to later dates due to scheduling issues. The Service Line Warranty Program will be presented on October 20, 2015 with Urban Irrigation set to be presented on November 17,2015. Mr. Johnson reported Site tours of the Pyramid Peak Water Treatment Plant, Water Quality Lab, and Arrowhead Ranch Water Reclamation Facility for Councilmembers Lauren Tolmachoff and Bart Turner were completed. City of Glendale Water Services Department•7070 West Northern Avenue•Glendale,AZ 85303•(623)930-4100 October 7,2015 Water Services Advisory Commission Final Minutes Page 2 Mr. Johnson explained the Pyramid Peak Water Treatment Plant expansion by 15 million gallons per day was approved by both Glendale's and Peoria's City Councils and the process has now moved into the selection phase for consultants. Mr. Johnson provided an update on a repair list submitted by Mr. Carl Dietzman at the September meeting. Three of the eight items on the list have been completed with the rest to be addressed by October 26. Mr.Dietzman also submitted another list which will also be addressed. Mr. Johnson and Ms. Amanda McKeever provided information on the upcoming second edition of the Urban Irrigation Connection newsletter. It is currently at the printing office and is anticipated to be delivered by October 20. This will be delivered to approximately 468 former and current urban irrigation customers. Comm. Short asked that it also be sent to all Council members which Mr.Johnson stated it would be. Dr. Kupel gave details on the Urban Irrigation Steward Program that is hoped to be implemented to provide additional eyes and ears to address irrigation system leaks and concerns. Comm. Berryhill asked who the stewards would report findings to. Dr. Kupel explained information would be phoned in to Salt River Irrigation, SRP, or Water Services. Comm. Berryhill asked if the new irrigation contract has been determined. Mr. Johnson stated that a request is still being developed for use by the Materials Control department to publish for vendor bidding. Comm. Berryhill asked if SRI would be the responsible for previewing initial irrigation run berm checks. Mr. Johnson replied that the winning vendor, whoever that might be, would also be responsible since it is included in the contract terms. Comm. Sipple requested information on the Pyramid Peak Water Treatment Plant expansion. He asked if this would be a "new" water source for Peoria and if so, where would this water come from. Mr. Johnson clarified that it is part of the City of Peoria's yearly Colorado River water allotment which they have not been fully taking each year. It is not an additional amount or water source. Chairman Liebman asked what types of follow-ups are provided by SRI. Dr. Kupel explained that a triage is done by SRI to determine who can best address issues, the city, SRI, or joint repair efforts to best use resources. Comm. Berryhill asked if corrections had been made concerning the accuracy of past expenses charged to the Urban Irrigation budget. Dr. Kupel assured Comm. Berryhill that the figures for expenses and revenues presented at the May 6, 2015 WSAC meeting were accurate. After several more questions from Comm. Berryhill, Ms. McKeever reminded the Commission that this item had not been placed on the agenda for discussion and Chairman Liebman agreed it was a point of order and discussion would not continue. Action: No action required,information only V. FATS, OILS, AND GREASE; AND PRETREATMENT PROGRAM PRESENTATION Mr. Lee Robinson,Pretreatment Program Manager, presented information to the Commission. The city's Pretreatment Program was established in 1984 to limit pollutants into the sewer system and protect the sewer plants. The main topic of presentation was FOG-Fats, Oils, and Grease. Mr. Robinson compared a FOG build-up to clogged arteries resulting in back-ups into businesses and homes or pronounced odor October 7,2015 Water Services Advisory Commission Final Minutes Page 3 issues. The Pretreatment program has four inspectors and last year performed 1,147 inspections of which 711 were FOG related. Of these 711 FOG inspections, 100 resulted in violations. Any commercial kitchen, food-related business (schools, restaurants, etc.) is required to have industrial grease traps and grease interceptors. He provided information on the recently established residential outreach program entitled "Not in My Drain Campaign" which targets residential areas with brochures on how to properly dispose of FOG. Daily inspections are also scheduled in the business community of 479 FOG associated businesses which enables each site to be inspected approximately every 16 months. The inspectors also have the capability to issue violations and fines through an enforcement program. Mr.Robinson's presentation showed the basic working concepts for grease interceptors and showed the Commission two videos explaining "Not in My Drain Campaign" efforts and the city's FOG problem with helpful hints on how to dispose of grease. When asked by Comm. Faulls if each business had their own interceptor or if multiple businesses were allowed on one, Mr. Robinson explained there is only one business per interceptor. Comm. Sipple what happens to the collected grease. Mr. Robinson explained an industry has grown up around the removal of it. The grease is periodically picked up by the contractor, treated with chemicals to solidify, and compacted into a cake shape which is disposed of in the landfill. The grease-cleared water is then disposed of into the sewer system. Comm. Faulls suggested a notice be put on every water bill that is sent out monthly. Comm. Short asked staff if FOG informational brochures could be made available at Vice-Mayor Hugh's district meeting on October 22. Mr. Johnson stated the department would be happy to supply brochures to anyone who is interested. Comm. Short also asked what happens to violators that disregard citations. Mr. Robinson explained that there are progressive steps to the correction process up to, and including,disconnecting of sewer service although he stated it has never reached that point. Several questions were asked about pipe integrity once fats and grease harden in them. Mr. Johnson and Dr.Kupel explained how the liquid substances used in kitchen cooking harden to rock- solid consistency in pipes and require a great deal of work to remove. Methods include water jets, root cutters, and a type of roto-rooter tool. He further explained that pipes require replacement if they are solidly clogged and methods fail to break through the grease clog. Comm. Sipple asked who covers the cost of pipe replacement and Dr. Kupel stated it depends on what side the problem is on, either the city or the homeowner. Chairman Liebman suggested that a FOG notice be placed on the city's website for those customers who pay their bill on-line and Dr.Kupel stated staff would look into that suggestion. Action: No action required,information only VI. CALL TO THE AUDIENCE Mr. Carl Dietzman, W. Morten Avenue, presented a list to the Commission on urban irrigation system leaks he feels Salt River Irrigation (SRI) is remiss on. Mr. Johnson assured Mr. Dietzman that his concerns would be researched and addressed. VII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Security October 7,2015 Water Services Advisory Commission Final Minutes Page 4 VIII.NEXT MEETING: November 4,2015, 6 p.m. IX. ADJOURNMENT—Motion to adjourn was made by Comm. Short, seconded by Comm. Sipple. MOTION APPROVED by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m. Respectfully submitted, // Sally M V ng,Recording S etary