Lake Wenatchee Water District

Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes

May 8, 2025

Location: Fire Station #91

21696 Lake Wenatchee Hwy

Commissioners Present: Fred Guimond, Erin Colwell, John Colvard (quorum established)

Staff Present: Bruce Harris-Clerk

Guests Present: Barbara Harris,

Commissioner Guimond called the meeting to order at 9:30am

Commissioner Guimond moved to accept April 10, 2025 minutes as written, Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed.

Administrative

Approve: O&M and Payroll Warrants

Commissioner Colwell motioned to approve the O&M warrant for $6,266.85. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve payroll warrant for $1,031.20. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Meter Reading

Meters were read on April 27, 2025. This reading will be the baseline for water usage beginning with the May-Jun 2025 billing.

Customer Report

Water leaks were identified on 4 customers, who were notified by the clerk.

Clerk requested that 90 days past due postcard bills be stamped in red ink with “PAST DUE” reminder.

Customer requested water testing after feeling ill. According to Operator Cruickshank, the testing showed nothing abnormal. A phone call was made to the customer to notify her of the test results.

Discussion about electronic payment systems for the LWWD customers. Commissioners have questions for the bookkeeper and will discuss her answers at the next meeting. They agreed that all extra fees for credit cards and payment systems processing be paid by the customers who use the service. The bookkeeper will be asked to verify that this is possible with the Stripe payment system. The bookkeeper said that it should add an hour ($50.00) to her monthly bill for additional verification processing. The bookkeeper will also need to modify the sample payment screen to reflect the LWWD account number and any splits in the payments. Commissioners want to know how many customers have requested the electronic billing system.

Commissioners need to file for the election by May 9, 2025. Commissioner Colwell and Commissioner Colvard have already filed, and Commissioner Guimond will file before the deadline.

Operations

The water service line at the Brown Farm has been replaced. No leaks were noted in the April 27 meter reading.

Discussion about the leak at the Ogle property. Mike Dickinson is checking for a leak location. The meter and vault have been recently replaced.

Discussion about the improper meter installation at the Naik property done by the contractor. The water line for the new house was attached to the water line for the adjoining vacant property, which is also owned by the same person. Commissioners want a new vault and meter installed for the vacant property since $2500.00 was already paid for by the customer. The operator will need to coordinate the installation.

Meeting Adjourned at 10:20 am

Next meeting – Thursday, June 12, 2025

9:30-11:30 am

Lake Wenatchee Water District

Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes

April 10, 2025

Location: Fire 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,

Commissioner Guimond called the meeting to order at 9:30am

Commissioner Guimond moved to accept March 13, 2025 minutes as written, Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed.

Administrative

Commissioner Colwell motioned to approve the O&M warrant for $6,140.97. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colwell motioned to approve payroll warrant for $790.00. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

The Washington State Public Utility Tax (PUT) for 2024 has been paid by the bookkeeper. The funds for payment are paid from the Imprest Fund. The Imprest Fund was previously increased to $4000.00 to support quarterly excise tax payments.

A warrant payment was misaddressed to Dickinson Plowing rather than Dickinson Construction. This has been corrected by the bookkeeper with Chelan County.

Clerk Harris will forward election information to the commissioners when it is published.

Meter Reading

Meters will be read on April 25, 2025. This reading will be the baseline for water usage beginning with the May-June 2025 billing.

Customer Report

Commissioner Guimond reported that Mike Dickinson has repaired the leak at the Davison property.

Wimmer’s meter vault lid was broken when a sewage pumping truck drove over it. The lid has been purchased by LWWD from HD Fowler and has been replaced. The customer has been billed $133.45 for the reinforced metal double vault lid.

A new property owner on Brown Road, Nic Alexander, expressed interest in joining the water district. An application will be sent to him when he requests.

Operations

Operator Cruickshank reported that Mike Dickinson is replacing all the water service lines for the Brown Farm due to continuing leaks.

Other

Commissioner Guimond discussed a community mailing offering insurance for personal water service lines. He also had questions about the fire department insurance rating process. He also gave a brochure to Operator Cruickshank for the upcoming Water & Sewer Convention in Wenatchee.

Meeting Adjourned at 10:15 am

Next meeting – Thursday, May 8, 2025

9:30-11:30 am

Lake Wenatchee Water District

Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes

March 13, 2025

Location: Fire Station #91

21696 Lake Wenatchee Hwy

Commissioners Present: Fred Guimond, John Colvard, (quorum established)

Staff Present: Bruce Harris-Clerk,

Guests Present: Barbara Harris,

Commissioner Guimond called the meeting to order at 9:30am

Commissioner Colvard moved to accept the February 13, 2025 minutes as written, Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Administrative

Approve: O&M and Payroll Warrants

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve the O&M warrant for $3,955.39. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve payroll warrant for $869.20. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Meter Reading

Meters were read on February 25, 2025 for the purpose of leak detection due to prior subfreezing conditions mid-month. No significant new leaks were found.

Operations

The commissioners will request a 6-month data update from Operator Cruickshank for the Lake Wenatchee well before deciding to have the Brown Road well cleaned.

Commissioner Colvard reported that the application for the drought grant was not approved.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:40 am

Next meeting – Thursday, April 10, 2025

9:30-11:30 am

Lake Wenatchee Water District

Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes

February 13, 2025

Location: Fire Station #91

21696 Lake Wenatchee Hwy

Commissioners Present: Fred Guimond, John Colvard, (quorum established)

Staff Present: Bruce Harris-Clerk,

Guests Present: Barbara Harris,

Commissioner Guimond called the meeting to order at 9:30am

Commissioner Colvard moved to accept the January 9, 2025 minutes as written, Commissioner Gumond seconded; motion passed.

Administrative

Commissioner Colvard motioned to make a onetime increase of the imprest fund to $9600.00 to pay the 2024 public utility tax (PUT). Once the 2024 PUT tax payment has been completed with the Washington Department of Revenue, the imprest account will be funded monthly to $4000 to fund the quarterly excise tax filing process as well as normal imprest expenditures. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Approve: O&M and Payroll Warrants

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve the O&M warrant for $15,138.80. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve payroll warrant for $2,027.40. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Meter Reading

Meters were read on January 23, 2025 for the purpose of detecting leaks that might have occurred resulting from the latest freeze. The water usage report was emailed to the commissioners on January 24, 2025.

Three meters registered leaks and the owners were notified.

Commissioner Guimond reported that the leak at the Davison STR property has been located and will be repaired when the weather permits.

LWFR-LWWD Fire Support Study

Data was gathered and the response, with attachments, was emailed to Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau (WSRB) on 1-28-2025 and cc’d to the Commissioners.

Water Facilities Inventory

Bi-annual WFI update for DOH was completed.

Elections

Commissioner positions 2 and 3 (Commissioners Guimond and Colwell) need to run for office in the upcoming election. Filing information from Chelan County election office will be available online in the spring.

Operations

Flow testing needs to be done on the hydrants when the weather permits.

The Brown Road well will be cleaned when the weather permits.

There was a discussion about hydrants in the community.

Meeting Adjourned at 10:20 am

Next meeting – Thursday, March 13, 2025

9:30-11:30 am

Lake Wenatchee Water District

Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes

January 9, 2025

Location: Fire Station #91

21696 Lake Wenatchee Hwy

Commissioners Present: Fred Guimond, John Colvard, Erin Colwell (quorum established)

Staff Present: Bruce Harris-Clerk, Charlie Cruickshank-Operator

Guests Present: Barbara Harris,

Commissioner Guimond called the meeting to order at 9:30am

Commissioner Guimond moved to accept the December 14, 2024 minutes as written, Commissioner Colvard seconded; motion passed.

Administrative

Approve: O&M and Payroll Warrants

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve the O&M warrant for $5,396.30. Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve payroll warrant for $1,515.00. Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colwell motioned to approve Commissioner Guimond remain President for 2025, Commissioner Colvard seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colwell motioned to approve Commissioner Colvard remain Secretary for 2025. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve the resolution for the pay increase for Clerk and Secretary. Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed. Resolution was signed.

Meter Reading

Meters were read on January 2, 2025. The water usage report was emailed to the commissioners on January 3, 2025.

7 meters registered leaks. All 7 were contacted.

8 meters did not register data, either because of snow, water, freezing temperatures or failed batteries. If the same meters continue to fail, the MIU’s containing the batteries will be replaced in the spring.

Public Utility Tax

Bookkeeper continues to work with Dept of Revenue to determine process and frequency of submitting the tax. It was suggested that the LWWD Imprest account be used for payment. If this account is used, the current approved balance limit will need to be increased for the payments.

Operations

The new shed at the pump house is complete. The valve repairs will be completed by April 30, 2025.

Meeting Adjourned at 10:30 am

Next meeting – Thursday, February 13, 2025

9:30-11:30 am

Lake Wenatchee Water District

Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes

December 12, 2024

Location: Fire Station #91

21696 Lake Wenatchee Hwy

Commissioners Present: Fred Guimond, John Colvard, Erin Colwell (quorum established)

Staff Present: Bruce Harris-Clerk

Guests Present: Barbara Harris, Ryan Peterson-RH2 Engineering

Commissioner Guimond called the meeting to order at 9:30am

Commissioner Guimond moved to accept the November 14, 2024 minutes as written, Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed.

Administrative

Approve: O&M and Payroll Warrants

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve the O&M warrant for $20,395.56. Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve payroll warrant for $1,812.00. Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed.

Meter Reading

Meters will be read during the winter when leaks are evident or after heavy freezing/ thawing conditions or as needed.

Customer Status Report

Customer requested advice on leak intervention devices. LWWD does not make recommendations on these devices.

Commissioner Guimond has contacted the STR agency that manages the Davison property. They have found no leaks. Commissioner Guimond will recontact them to recommend that they turn off all water and check the meter star dial for water movement.

Another customer requested information on pressure reducing valves. Clerk Harris will verify pressure at his location and refer him to LWWD policy regarding pressure reducing valves. Engineering has recommended that pressure reducing valves should not be installed on services connections under 80 pounds per square inch (psi). LWWD pressure zones have been designed in the reconstruction of the system to be under 80 psi at any point along the water mains within each zone.

A partial payment was made by a customer with a large past due bill.

2025 Budget

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve the 2025 budget. Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed. Resolution was signed.

Commissioner Colvard motioned to increase the hourly rate for operator to $50.00 effective, November 1, 2024. Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed. Resolution was signed.

Commissioner Colwell motioned to increase the hourly rate for the clerk and secretary to $36.00 effective January 1, 2025. Commissioner Colvard seconded; motion passed. Resolution will be signed at January 2025 meeting.

Public Utility Tax

Completed account ownership changes and discussed filing the DOR excise tax with the bookkeeper. She linked DOR accounts but could not create tax filing account (said already exists). She will work with DOR to resolve the problem.

Operations

Ryan Peterson discussed how the benefits realized in the LWW well reconditioning process might also be achieved when applied to the Brown Road well since its age was similar. Commissioner Colvard will be referencing some of the project results on his drought grant application for reconditioning the other two LWWD wells.

Meeting Adjourned at 10:40 am

Next meeting – Thursday, January 09, 2025

9:30-11:30 am

Lake Wenatchee Water District

Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes

November 14, 2024

Location: Fire Station #91

21696 Lake Wenatchee Hwy

Commissioners Present: Fred Guimond, John Colvard, Erin Colwell (quorum established)

Staff Present: Bruce Harris-Clerk, Charlie Cruickshank-Operator

Guests Present: Barbara Harris

Commissioner Guimond called the meeting to order at 9:42am

Commissioner Colwell moved to accept the October 10, 2024, minutes as written, Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Approve: O&M and Payroll Warrants

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve the O&M warrant for $17,408.12. Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve payroll warrant for $1,845.00. Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed.

Customer Status Report

Customers with leaks have been notified.

Commissioner Guimond will contact the STR agency that manages the Davison property.

The Ogle vault leak has been repaired by the district and will be carefully monitored for the next month for any leak recurrence.

Customer #1065 requested a reduction on his November 2024 bill which was caused by a large leak. Commissioner Guimond motioned to approve a one-time adjustment to his bill with a reminder that irrigation systems are the responsibility of the property owner. Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed.

2025 Budget

The water rates will remain the same as 2024 with new budget updates for necessary upcoming expenditures. The new budget will be presented at the Dec 2024 commissioners meeting for approval.

Public Utility Tax

Completed account ownership changes and discussed filing the DOR excise tax with the bookkeeper. She will link DOR accounts to file at DOR recommended schedule. Currently working with DOR. Asked to have first filed excise tax cc’d to commissioners and clerk.

OPERATIONS

LWW pump house valve repairs will be completed soon.

The operator was having difficulty obtaining additional water line freeze packs to install the new vault for account #1172 in Mt Park. It was decided to wait until spring since the current meter will work until the water line freeze pack becomes available.

PRV maintenance rebuilds are complete and new settings for water circulation improvement to WPWUA reservoir will be tried over winter.

Operator Cruickshank showed video of the inside of the LWW well casing done by Clark Surveying. Since the well pump has been removed and the 2” pipe shows signs of corrosion with some pinholes, he and Tumwater Drilling are recommending replacement of the 2” pipes and a scouring of the inside of the well casing. He will get an estimate from Tumwater Drilling to perform this task.

Commissioner Colvard motioned to spend up to $8,000.00 for the re-energizing of the LWW well. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Meeting Adjourned at 11:00 am

Next meeting – Thursday, December 12, 2024

9:30-11:30 am

Lake Wenatchee Water District

Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes

October 10, 2024

Location: Fire Station #91

21696 Lake Wenatchee Hwy

Commissioners Present: Fred Guimond, John Colvard, Erin Colwell (quorum established)

Staff Present: Bruce Harris-Clerk, Charlie Cruickshank-Operator

Guests Present: none

Commissioner Guimond called the meeting to order at 9:30am

Commissioner Guimond moved to accept the Sep 12, 2024, minutes as written, Commissioner Colvard moved to second, motion passed.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Approve: O&M and Payroll Warrants

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve the O&M warrant for $4,901.78. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve payroll warrant for $1,686.00, Commissioner Colwell seconded, motion passed.

Customer Status Report

Darshan Naik was approved for installation of a new connection. A double vault will replace the single vault as soon as a contractor and equipment can be scheduled. This is number 14 of the 14 allowed connections in Mountain Park.

Sulfur Smell in the water

Operator Cruickshank commented that the sulfur smell has partially subsided with the replacement of the transducer that measures and transmits the water level in the Whispering Pines reservoir to the pumphouse controller software. It has not eliminated the infusion of sulfur into the water, so further research is being done to improve the cycling of the water between the pressure zones to reduce stagnation or layering of the water in the reservoir tank.

Large pressure reduction valves (PRV)

PRV maintenance, which is recommended every three to four years, is overdue and needs to be started. Because the cost of this required maintenance has increased 30-40% over last year’s budgeted amount, the operator felt it was important that the commissioners were aware of the estimated increase and that we should proceed as soon as possible to schedule the task. RH2 Engineering has recommended that modifying the settings of the PRV’s could be used as a tool to increase the mixing of the water between the pressure zones and possibly reduce the sulfur impact.

Commissioner Guimond motioned for Operator Cruickshank to immediately schedule the PRV maintenance at the estimated cost of approximately $7300; Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed. Commissioner Colvard opposed it due to cost. After further discussion, it was agreed that the operator will check for a lower cost alternate maintenance service contractor before proceeding with the current estimate. The manufacturer of the four PRVs used in our water system, Cla-Val, requires only contractors certified to work on their valves be authorized, which will limit alternatives.

Snow clearing bid for 2024/2025 season

There were no responses to the three bid letters sent out for the next snow clearing season. Individual contractors will be contacted as a substitute.

DOH Get the Lead Out Campaign

Operator Cruickshank reports that his survey of potential lead impact in our system is almost complete and will be submitted on time to DOH.

LWWD/RH2 GSA Maintenance Contract

The current contract between the district and RH2 is 8 years old. RH2 submitted, for our approval and signature, a 2024 updated general service maintenance contract with the latest RH2 labor rates which the commissioner reviewed. Commissioner Guimond signed for the district. There were few changes to the original 2019 contract other than labor rate updates.

Budget review for 2025

The commissioners agreed to meet an hour prior to the next commissioners meeting to discuss budget revisions and capital planning for 2025.

Public Utility Tax

The application to the Dept of Revenue (DOR) was just completed to change the business owner from Charles Ferrel to Commissioner Colvard. Clerk Harris will work with the bookkeeper to finish adding DVM Solutions as an authorized agent to provide excise tax filing to the Washington DOR for Lake Wenatchee Water District.

OPERATIONS

Operator Cruickshank has some remaining LWW pump house pipe repairs to complete before winter 2024. These repairs do not impact the daily operation of the system.

The priority of the construction of the approved lean-to addition to the pump house for storage of meter vaults and equipment has been lowered because of other pre-winter activity the needs to be done. It will be done this fall if time and weather allow.

Re-energizing wells

Commissioner Colvard reviewed the letter received from the DOE/DOH requesting more proof surrounding well capacity reduction. Many issues drove the decision to limit data gathering supporting the grant to the LWW well since it has always been the one with the most reduction of pumping capacity.

There’s concern that LWWD could be spending more on contracting for data gathering than the potential grant offers. The commissioners agreed to limit the documentation to measurement analysis of well-depth under various pumping scenarios. Commissioner Colvard would ask RH2 to advise what testing schedule would be best to provide those results. RH2 would also provide the data analysis. The work would be done by our operator who has the equipment and experience. In addition, the operator will contact the well photographic service recommended by RH2 for an estimate to photograph the screen and well condition at the LWW pumphouse.

Meeting Adjourned at 11:25 am

Next meeting – Thursday, November 14, 2024

9:30-11:30 am

Lake Wenatchee Water District

Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes

September 12, 2024

Location: Fire Station #91

21696 Lake Wenatchee Hwy

Commissioners Present: Fred Guimond, John Colvard, Erin Colwell (quorum established)

Staff Present: Bruce Harris-Clerk, Charlie Cruickshank-Operator

Guests Present: Barbara Harris

Commissioner Guimond called the meeting to order at 9:30am

Commissioner Guimond moved to accept the August 08, 2024, minutes as written, Commissioner Colvard moved to second, motion passed.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Approve: O&M and Payroll Warrants

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve the O&M warrant for $7,059.10. Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve payroll warrant for $2,220.00, Commissioner Colwell seconded, motion passed.

Customer Status Report

Customers with leaks identified in the latest meter read have been notified.

Billing Issue

The bookkeeper mailed the September bills with incorrect information on them. The water usage figures were omitted, and customers were not billed for their water use over 8000 gallons. She is reprinting and remailing the corrected bills. An email will be sent to all customers asking them to ignore the first bill and wait for the corrected bill. The due date has been revised to October 15, 2024. Letters will be sent by USPS to customers without email.

Commissioner Colvard motioned to send email and letters to notify the customers; Commissioner Colvard seconded; motion passed.

Whispering Pines Sulfur Smell

Clerk Harris has been in contact with customers on Lakeview Drive, Fir Drive and Brown Road in Whispering Pines who are experiencing sulfur smell in their water. Operator Cruickshank said that as the aquifer level drops, there is more of a sulfur smell present in the water. Additionally, Operator Cruickshank discovered a malfunctioning transducer that controls the reservoir filling process. The new transducer has arrived and will be installed today.

Commissioner Colwell motioned for Operator Cruikshank to purchase a second transducer for back-up; Commissioner Colvard seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colwell made a motion for Operator Cruickshank to contact RH2 Engineering to develop a solution to the increasing sulfur smell. Commissioner Colvard seconded; motion passed.

Options for Customer Payments/ Change of Due Date

Customer requested a portal for credit card payments. It would involve added costs for additional bookkeeping time, processing fees and software costs. Commissioner Colvard motioned to not accept credit card payments; Commissioner Colwell seconded; motion passed. Customers are encouraged to use electronic payments through their bank if they don’t want to mail a check for payment. The due date on bills will be extended to the 15^th of the following month after the bills are mailed. The two-week extension allows more time for USPS mail delivery and the customer additional time to make payments on time.

Ops and Directives Policy Update

Commissioner Colwell motioned to approve the changes to reflect ADU clarification; Commissioner Colvard seconded; motion passed.

DOH Get the Lead Out Campaign

Operator Cruickshank reports that his survey of potential lead impact in our system is nearly complete.

Public Utility Tax

Clerk Harris reported that the utility tax calculation was included in the September bills in anticipation of having to initiate the payment. The application has been sent to the Dept of Revenue to change the business owner from Charles Ferrel to Commissioner Colvard. Clerk Harris will add his name and the bookkeeper’s name for updates and payment processing.

New Connection Status

D&D Realty – Their application from 2021 has expired. Clerk Harris will contact owner to let him know of requirements for proceeding with water service.

OPERATIONS

Operator Cruickshank will repair the water level gauge at Lake Wenatchee reservoir after the repairs at the pump house have been completed.

Operator Cruickshank will contact RH2 Engineering to add a power outage/temperature senser to the Lake Wenatchee Wellhouse for interface to SCADA to help prevent freeze damage.

Commissioner Colvard reported that the DOE is requesting more information on the grant request for re-energizing the Lake Wenatchee well. Operator Cruikshank will contact RH2 Engineering for a letter explaining the viability of the process.

Large pressure reduction valves (PRV)

Maintenance is recommended every three to four years.

Commissioner Colwell motioned for Operator Cruickshank to schedule PRV maintenance; Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Meeting Adjourned at 11:10 am

Next meeting – Thursday, October 10, 2024

9:30-11:30 am

Lake Wenatchee Water District

Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes

August 8, 2024

Location: Fire Station #91

21696 Lake Wenatchee Hwy

Commissioners Present: Fred Guimond, John Colvard, Erin Colwell (quorum established)

Staff Present: Bruce Harris-Clerk, Charlie Cruickshank-Operator

Guests Present: Barbara Harris

Commissioner Guimond called the meeting to order at 9:25am

Commissioner Colwell moved to accept the July 11, 2024, minutes as written, Commissioner Colvard moved to second, motion passed.

Administrative

Approve: O&M and Payroll Warrants

Commissioner Colwell motioned to approve the O&M warrant for $15,277.25. Commissioner Guimond seconded; motion passed.

Commissioner Colwell motioned to approve payroll warrant for $1,219.00, Commissioner Guimond seconded, motion passed.

Customer Status Report

No new information

New Connection Status

Customer Barr is having vault and meter installed on his property currently. Monthly billing will begin. Clerk Harris will notify the bookkeeper when his meter MIU number is identified.

OPS and Directives

Commissioners requested that late fees be added to customer bills following the process previously used prior to the Covid-19 period. Late fees have been suspended since the beginning of 2020. Clerk Harris will send a notice to customers notifying them of the resumption of late payment fees.

Commissioners are requested to submit their recommendations for any changes to the Ops and Directives in writing at the September 12, 2024 meeting.

Public Utility Tax

Clerk Harris reported that the water district is required to pay Washington State Public Utility Tax. He will contact the bookkeeper to initiate a new Department of Revenue account and track money collected and file the needed forms. The rate is 5.029% and will be added to customer water bills beginning September 1, 2024. A customer notification will be sent regarding the Public Utility Tax being applied starting on the September 1, 2024 bill.

Operations

Operator Cruickshank reported that the U.S. Department of Health is requiring that each water system in the country report on the possibility of lead in any parts of their water systems. He will check each connection and record the composition of the connections and send info to Clerk Harris for incorporation into a spreadsheet to be sent to the DOH.

Operator Cruickshank will repair the water level gauge at Lake Wenatchee reservoir after the repair at the pump house has been completed.

After the repair on Maple Drive, the pavement needs to be repaired with asphalt to bring the road back to previous condition.

Operator Cruickshank has received permission from Mike Dickinson to build a lean-to addition at the Lake Wenatchee pump house for storage of meter vaults. Commissioner Colwell motioned for Operator Cruikshank to spend approximately $2000.00 for the construction of the storage lean-to at the Lake Wenatchee pump house. Commissioner Guimond seconded. Motion passed.

Commissioner Colvard reported that the DOE is requesting more information on the grant request for re-energizing the Lake Wenatchee well. Operator Cruikshank will contact RH2 Engineering for a letter explaining the viability of the process.

Meeting Adjourned at 10:45am

Next meeting – Thursday, September 12, 2024

9:30-11:30 am