Thursday, March 20th, 2025 6pm
Olga Community Center
Board Members present: Paul Groeninger, Pat Boehm, Geoff Cunard.
Board Members Absent: Guy Woods
OWUI Members Present: None
OWUI Admin, Aurora Fackler-Adams, present.
Meeting Called to Order at 6:01 PM
1. Approval of Minutes
Motion: Patrick Boehm moved to approve the February 2025 minutes with a correction to the date in the title.
Second: Paul Groeninger seconded the motion.
Vote: Motion passed unanimously.
2. President’s Report
SWSMP & Intertie Update
There has been correspondence between OWUI engineer Barry and Dan Burke of EWUA. Barry described several reports needed to complete the paperwork for the intertie, but Dan clarified that many Barry recommended are not required by the state, as OWUI already has an approved Construction Manual (Water Design Manual) and extensive photo documentation.
A Construction Completion Report is still required, including photos and test results. Dan will write a Request for Proposal (RFP) to submit to either Barry or HDR (Doe Bay’s engineer).
OWUI and Doe Bay will share the cost of the Construction Completion Report, regardless of which engineer completes the report.
LCRI Implementation
Geoff attended RCAC’s Lead and Copper Rule training. In October 2024, Eastsound WUA conducted a baseline inventory of random OWUI system sections to assess material use. No lead components were identified.
OWUI likely avoided lead use historically due to the absence of meters until more recently.
If a complete inventory is completed before 2027, OWUI will not need to file a replacement plan. If not, a replacement plan and any required replacements must be completed by December 2034.
Continuing random checks (20 sections per year) would allow for a full inventory over time.
Geoff will follow up with the EPA training contact to clarify certain points.
Pat noted the upcoming meter replacements as a practical time to perform full checks.
Discussion of encouraging homeowners to perform their own lead testing. May or may not be necessary. This could be brought up at the annual meeting if deemed appropriate..
Water Diversion for Ecological Benefit
Tessa Reeder from Washington Water Trust inquired about OWUI’s water usage, referencing a figure of 24 million gallons. Actual treated water use in 2024 was 8 million gallons (24 acre-feet), while 76 acre-feet were withdrawn.
51 acre-feet were returned to the creek, unintentionally benefiting fish habitats and reducing water diverted by other intake valves on that creek system..
OWUI may consider increasing intake and outflow to lower creek to support fish habitat during critical months.
Geoff requested water usage data from EWUA to document our beneficial use of water and protect our water rights going forward.
Community Club Letter
Geoff drafted a letter to the Olga Community Club regarding the new system for charging water use to the Olga dock. Edits from other board members are pending.
3. OWUI Administrator’s Report
Aurora is developing a payments tracking spreadsheet; processing issues are being resolved.
Planning to meet with Guy to draft a member letter.
Action Item: Aurora will reach out to Guy within the next two weeks to schedule a meeting to draft a letter requesting members indicate full-time or part-time residency. Tools like Google Sheets or other reporting methods will be explored.
4. Treasurer’s Report
A finalized report of Assessment Fees is needed, with clear allocation toward capital improvements. Aurora will finalize payment tracking so that Jazmin and Guy can correct allocations of funds towards capital improvements.
Discussion of inactive membership fees:
Concerns raised by members over high costs for inactive memberships.
Background provided on fee increases tied to overdue capital improvements and years of underpricing.
Some members have relinquished memberships due to cost.
Historical lower-cost options for inactive memberships were mentioned; the board may revisit this idea, though we would be forced to recoup our losses from this elsewhere.
Approx. 25 inactive memberships exist.
Action Item: Revisit inactive membership fee structure at the next meeting when Guy is present, since he raised the issue.
Side Discussion:
A cast iron water main near Olga ArtWorks is the highest-priority replacement.
The board will determine which homes are serviced by this main.
5. Operator’s Report (EWUA)
Dan Burke could not attend due to a scheduling conflict. He plans to attend the April 16, 2025 meeting.
6. Operations Report (Pat Boehm)
Pat contacted Bill at EarthWorks, who is interested in performing the meter replacement project. He will submit a bid and estimate.
A recent meter replacement by Sam Prado was noted as the new standard.
Action Item: Increase supervision of system work moving forward to establish consistent standards.
7. Member Input
No members present.
8. New Business
No new business introduced.
Next Meeting
Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 7:14 PM.
OLGA WATER USERS, INCORPORATED
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