Lake Wenatchee Water District
Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
Oct 12, 2023
Location: LWFR Station #91
21696 Lake Wenatchee Hwy
Commissioners Present: Fred Guimond, Erin Colwell (quorum established)
Staff Present: Bruce Harris – Clerk, Charlie Cruickshank – Operator
Guests Present: Barbara Harris, Ann Johnson, Jeff Burgess
Commissioner Guimond called the meeting to order at 9:57 am.
Commissioner Guimond moved to accept the minutes for September 15, 2023, as written. Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed.
Public comments (limit to 5 minutes each):
Jeff Burgess stated that he is still not getting water from his private well.
Administrative:
Clerk Report:
Water Availability Requests (WAR) and Certificates (WAC):
No new water availability requests have been received since the last commissioner’s meeting.
Water Shortage and Leak Status:
Additional long-term planning is needed regarding additional capacity and/or water sources.
Clerk Harris contacted RH2 Engineering to develop a map of wells producing at least 15 gallons per minute.
Clerk Harris reported that Commissioner Colvard determined that there are no grants for 2024 that the district could use for an additional well.
LWWD Snow clearing for 2023/2024 season: 2 bids were received for snow clearing for 23-24 winter season. Commissioner Colwell motioned to award the bid to Leavenworth Electric; Commissioner Guimond seconded; Motion passed.
The LWWD website is unable to be updated and needs repair. Commissioner Colwell motioned to have Clerk Harris hire someone to take over the repair and maintenance of the website; Commissioner Guimond seconded; Motion passed.
The contract with Evergreen Accounting is not going to be renewed by the accounting firm because of the limited resources available to service their accounts. LWWD will be searching for a replacement bookkeeper to handle the monthly account processes for LWWD.
O&M and Payroll Warrants
Monthly financial reports: As of September 30, 2023, Treasurer’s balance sheet shows $57,155.99 in the general operating fund and $ 100,737.92 in the reserve fund. Imprest balance is $920.40.
Customer aging status as of Sep 1, 2023 was:
60 days – 0 customers @ 60 days ($ 0.00)
90 days – 5 customers @ 90 days ($ 495.25)
Commissioner Colwell motioned to approve the O&M warrant for $4,347.58; Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.
Commissioner Colwell motioned to approve payroll warrant for $1,815.00; Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.
Operations
Operator Cruikshank was directed to have the leak at the base of the vault checked out and repaired on the Ogle meter connection on Brown Road.
Commissioner Colwell motioned to approve the Moratorium on New Water Connections until another water source can be developed to resolve the water shortage. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed. The 2 commissioners who were present at the meeting signed the resolution.
Potential sources of water were discussed and will be presented to RH2 Engineering when the well map is complete.
Jeff Burgess, whose well has been running dry this summer, agreed to contact Tumwater Drilling to determine the cost of digging his well deeper to be at comparable depth as the surrounding wells.
Water rates were discussed. The consensus was that the rate for water use over 350 gallons per day (21,000 gallons per 2 month billing period) needs to be higher to discourage excessive water use and to raise funds for a new water source. Figures will be brought to the November 9 meeting for discussion and a vote of the commissioners.
The meeting adjourned at 12:15pm.
Next meeting – Thursday, November 9, 2023 9:30 – 11:30 am