Members ATtendance

X	UI: Larry Kirkland, Facilities Engineer	X	WSU: Terry Ryan, Energy Manager
X	UI: Jay Becker (Chair), Assistant Director, Utilities and Engineering	X	WSU: Pete Grigas, Facilities Planning
X	Moscow: Tom Scallorn, Water Dept. Superintendent	X	Pullman: Mark Workman, (Vice Chair) Director Public Works
X	Moscow: Steve Busch, City Council Member		Pullman: Sue Hinz, City Council Member
	Moscow: Mark Cook, Director Public Works	X	Pullman: Art Garro, Maintenance & Operations Superintendent
X	Latah County: Tom Townsend, citizen		Whitman County: Jerry Finch, County Commissioner
	Latah County: Loreca Stauber, County Commissioner Moscow		Whitman County: Mark Bordsen, County Planner

VISITORS: none

1. Call to Order AND APPROVAL of OCTOber 18, 2001 Minutes

Jay Becker (Chair) called the meeting to order at 2:43 PM. Minutes for the November 15 meeting were approved with a name spelling correction.

2. Five Year Planning Discussion – Kirkland discussed the need to have an agreed-upon plan that includes all proposed research projects needed to define the ultimate solution set expected to stabilize the Grande Ronde aquifer water levels and providing a sustained water supply in the face of area growth. The presence of research projects in PBAC’s proposal to IDWR appeared to be a significant contributing factor to the Water Board’s withdrawal of the funding previously proposed as a substitute for the $100,000 of legislative funds appropriated for PBAC, that IDWR returned to the legislature as part of the Governor’s holdback. Kirkland said having a planning document that showed the contribution of research to the ultimate solution set would strengthen PBAC’s justification of the proposed research and be a beneficial education tool. There was general consensus on the annotated outline of work and projects in the handout, “Thinking on a 5 Year Plan for achieving PBAC long-term goals”. The next step is to fill in more detail for the proposed research and pilot projects.

3. Idaho Grant

a. Status – As mentioned above the state funds proposed for replacement of the legislative appropriation have disappeared, at least for the present time, when a portion were needed to use as a match for federal funds to conduct more robust research projects. Personnel from IDWR did say there is a chance for reduced funding of a non-reseach project from the Water Board via a presentation at its February meeting. Christian Petrich and Hal Anderson both volunteered to review a proposal for presentation at the February meeting. Kirkland recommended attempting to structure a proposal that fits the Water Board criteria that will still facilitate progress toward the PBAC goals. He stated that the continued communication is definitely good since there still appears to be a lack of understanding for what is needed in the Palouse Basin before a major water supply project is proposed.

b. Meeting with Idaho DEQ Personnel at Moscow City Hall - Kerby Cole and Jim Bellatty of ID DEQ; Bob Haynes from the regional IDWR office in CDA; Steve Busch, Mark Cook and Gary Riedner from the City of Moscow and Jim Osiensky and Larry Kirkland from UI attended. Kirkland had sent background and scope of work documents to Jim Bellatty prior to the meeting. Jim said these help significantly in understanding PBAC’s goals and where PBAC and the entities are in their progress toward finding solutions to key unknowns needed to meet PBAC goals. DEQ open to helping fund the proposed water chemistry and microbiology study that is the top PBAC research priority at this time. It must be completed before a pilot drainage well recharge project can be started. Bellatty indicated that there are funds available to DEQ which could be used to help undertake the Water Chemistry and Microbilogy study. It was agree that Jim Osiensky would apply for an IWRRI grant of $15,000, due on the 21 of December and then would work with DEQ to provide a part of the needed matching funds. Kerby suggested Jim also use a part of Hudson Mann’s time on the project. Busch and Kirkland felt the meeting was definitely positive.

c. How propose to proceed - Kirkland reported that the loss of State funds is forcing some difficult decisions. He had encouraged a number of researchers to put together projects and solicit students based on the fact of the legislative funds and then the promise of other State monies when the legislative funds were retracted. Projects were put together and students lined up. In addition, the timing factor for two of the proposed projects, the Water Chemistry and Microbiology Study and the Moscow Mountain Quantity and Quality of Runoff Study need to get started early in 2002 so that results are available in a timely fashion for subsequence projects. In discussions with Jim Osiensky on how to best salvage these projects, Kirkland proposed considering redirecting OK funds designated for drilling a well until DEQ and federal funds and/or State legislative funds become available to take over the project support. The next OK project report to PBAC will be in January, 2002. There was general consensus for supporting justifiable shuffling of the funds. These options will be discussed more at the next PBAC meeting.

3. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY POSITION – Becker said formally advertising of the position was in progress. The subcommittee would interview whenever a suitable candidate for the position was received. In the meantime, details were being worked out so that Eddy Teasdale, a master’s student in the area until June, could work part time to help Kirkland. The necessary funds are available in PBAC’s budget.

4. ACTION PLANS – Mark Workman and Pullman are to be commended for turning in a summary of Pullman’s proposed action items for the coming year. The other entities were encouraged to complete lists of water related action items and turn them in to Kirkland.

5. OLD BUSINESS

a. Renewal of Intergovernmental Agreement -
This continues to be in process. Becker is providing Whitman County with a new copy of the proposed intergovernmental agreement. Townsend and Kirkland reported that Latah County is still interested in participating but would prefer a simplified agreement. Becker suggested that the four pumping entities proceed to finalize the agreement such that Latah and Whitman Counties can participate without having to approve the circulated agreement.

b. Palouse Basin WRIA –
Kirkland reported his most recent update from Rob Buchert of the Palouse Conservation District. Rob said the last letter of support has been received and PCD was ready to submit the planning grant application to WA DOE. Rob hoped to fast-track the planning phase so that application for phase II funding of studies could begin this coming summer. No time was set for the first planning session.

6. REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

a. Exposure in the Communities – Pete Grigas reported that the new WSU well #8 will be drilled next spring on the east side of the WSU campus. It will replace well #6 supplying water to the high pressure system. Well #6 will be kept connected as an emergency backup. WSU plans to carefully sample drill cuttings and log the well to provide valuable information on the subsurface hydrogeology in that area.

b. Tom Scallorn reported that Moscow plans to take well #9 out of service as soon as possible for its 5 year maintenance. This will include recalibration of the flow meter, rebuilding the pump and possibly logging the well.
Tom said Moscow was able to cover 70 to 80 percent of the community with leak detection last summer. The equipment will recognize leaks down to one gallon per minute.
Tom also reported that Moscow’s water use was down 35 million gallons over the previous year in spite of the extended lack of precipitation.
The new Waste Water Treatment Plant is performing well in spite of a few startup mistakes.

c. Mark Workman reported that WSU is in negotiation with Parametrics on the scope of work for the design of the proposed recycled water system. The Washington legislature provided $250,000 to WSU for the project design. Workman said Pullman is prepared to spend up to an equal amount toward the design if needed.
Mark also said a new NPDES permit is being drafted for the Pullman WWTP and he did not expect to have any major problems because Pullman is working with Washington DOE and different rules are being applied than for Moscow and its NPDES permit application on Paradise Creek just across the border.

d. Terry Ryan reported on the status of the proposed WSU Cogen/Power Plant Upgrade. Trigen is now looking at a steam production only option as well as a cogen option since the price for electricity has gone below production costs. The most conservative model appears to still be too optimistic at this time. In response to a question about using recycled water in a water cooled system versus an air cooled system, Terry said an air cooled system would cost about four times as much as a water cooled system and the air cooled system would require a much bigger footprint.

7. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business.

8. NEXT MEETING DATE

Thursday, January 17, 2001 at 2:30 pm

McClure Hall Room 411

The meeting was adjourned by consensus.

Respectfully Submitted,

Larry Kirkland

Note: these minutes are submitted in draft form and have not yet been approved by the Committee.