BOISE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION MINUTES. October 10, 2013

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1 BOISE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION MINUTES October 10, 2013 Commission: Public Works: Legal: City Council: Visitors: Davis Gumbo, Don Reading, Donna-Marie Hayes, John Gardner, Larry Crowley, Lynn Moser, Renee Quick, (Absent: Laila Kral) Ben Nydegger, Catherine Chertudi, Heather Buchanan, Janine Renberg, John Tensen, Jon Williams, Marcia Schmelzer, Neal Oldemeyer, Paul Woods, Robbin Finch Doug Strickling (Absent: TJ Thomson) Idaho Board of Dentistry: Susan Miller HDR Engineering: Tom Dupuis The meeting was held at City Hall. Call to order: Don Reading, Public Works Commission Co-chairman, called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM. 1. Approval of the July 11, 2013 Minutes Renee Quick moved to approve the July 11, 2013 minutes. Donna-Marie Hayes seconded and the motion carried unanimously. 2. Geothermal Rate Recommendation John Tensen updated the Commission on the status of the geothermal cash flow model and possible rate increase, which would mirror the recent natural gas increase of 4.5%. Because of the unexpected absence of key personnel, staff requested that this item be deferred until the November meeting. The Commission moved to table this agenda item for the November meeting. Commissioner Reading asked about the concept of using the Boise River water in the summer months as a cooling source for those buildings on the geothermal system. John Tensen explained that the geothermal system has year-round hot water customers and because of water rights, retrofit costs, heating, and disposal issues, the concept of cooling with the Boise River has not seriously been explored. Commissioner Quick inquired about the 40.3 million gallons of missing geothermal water. John Tensen discussed the possibilities that may be contributing factors to the water loss. Staff continues to explore the different possibilities. 1

2 Commission Crowley had questions about the rate/customer charge methodology. John Tensen indicated that Jon Gunnerson will be contacting Commissioner Crowley regarding his questions. 3. Modification of Pretreatment Best Management Practices for Dental Offices Paul Woods and Walt Baumgartner presented the topic of whether the City should modify and enhance the existing dental office BMPs to make mandatory the installation of amalgam separators to further reduce mercury discharges to the sewer system or implement a numeric local limit from dental offices for mercury. In 2003, the City began working with the Idaho State Dental Association (ISDA) on dental Best Management Practices (BMPs), including dental amalgams. ISDA developed and adopted dental BMPs statewide in 2004 and the City adopted the ISDA dental BMPs in The recent re-issuance of NPDES discharge permits for the City s two wastewater treatment plants became effective on August 1, The new permits included, for the first time, a Maximum Daily Mercury Limit of nineteen (19) nanograms per liter ( mg/l), and an Average Monthly Mercury Limit of nine (9) nanograms per liter ( mg/l). The Maximum Daily Limit was exceeded in August and September, 2012 at the West Boise WWTP. In the fall of 2012, Pretreatment staff met with the Idaho Dental Association (ISDA) to discuss the issue and options for compliance with the new mercury limits in the City s permits. As a result of the meeting, ISDA agreed to assist the City with an outreach survey to its members to determine the level of separator installation and the maintenance practices. Dental BMPs with mandatory amalgam separator requirements are anticipated to further decrease mercury load to the wastewater treatment facilities and help maintain regulatory compliance. A dental office not wishing to be covered under the amalgam separator BMP would have the option of seeking an individual discharge permit and demonstration of compliance with the proposed 700 ng/l local limit for mercury through routine sampling and reporting. The amalgam separator BMPs will provide significant financial benefits for compliance to the dental offices compared to individual permitting, sampling, and reporting of compliance with the numeric local limit. The 2013 Local Limits Study required by the new NPDES permit was completed in July and staff found that a local limit for mercury is necessary. EPA is currently reviewing the study. Federal Code 40 CFR 403 provides the City with ability to develop and implement industry specific Best Management Practices (BMPs) in lieu of numerical local limits, provided that the BMPs are fully enforceable as a Pretreatment Standard. Staff is proposing that the Public Works Commission support the recommendation to modify the existing Dental BMPs to make mandatory the proper installation and maintenance of an ISO certified amalgam separators. Commissioner Gumbo asked Susan Miller, Idaho Board of Dentistry, for her comments. She indicated that as the director she is confident that the Board will be happy to offer assistance in getting the word out to all of the dentists in the affected area. 2

3 Donna-Marie Hayes moved that the Public Works Commission adopt staff recommendation to update the existing dental BMPs to require the use of dental amalgam separators and that the City Council modify the Dental BMPs accordingly. Renee Quick seconded and the motion carried unanimously. 4. Stormwater Plan Update Paul Woods, Rob Bousfield, and Megan Durrell presented this item to the Commission. As background, Paul indicated that EPA issued the Final Boise Area Stormwater (MS4) permit on December 12, 2012, with a February 1, 2013 effective date. The permit contains many Next Generation elements recommended by the National Research Council and anticipated in pending EPA MS4 rulemaking. The minimum control requirements are: 1. Construction site runoff 2. New and redevelopment performance standards 3. Industrial and commercial stormwater management 4. Stormwater infrastructure ad street management 5. Illicit discharge management 6. Education outreach and public involvement In the first year, with the help of HDR Engineering, staff will identify two sub-watersheds that are considered areas for demonstration, for investment, and for project priority. The goal is to complete two individual projects within those sub-watersheds by year four and to begin to implement the demonstration projects. The largest impact priority will be the sub-watersheds adjacent to the Boise River where there are several opportunities for demonstrating Low Impact Development (LID) or Green Infrastructure Development (GID). Each year staff is required to develop a stormwater plan and receive public input. Staff is in the planning stage and is identifying the framework as well as the project review and analysis. The new permit requirements also specify two additional requirements: 1) the need for a more formal database that is connected to a GIS system; 2) emphasis be identified for inspection of private facilities. Several maintenance management software products are being evaluated. GID will be a key component for the new program. The HDR firm was selected to assist because they have already developed an entire management plan for Eastern Washington, which addressed the permit requirements. Tom Dupuis provided an overview of the Eastern Washington document. It is a comprehensive design document for various different types of GID. Commissioner Moser expressed his concern for freezing environments. Tom Dupuis explained that the management plan encompasses a variety of different climates in Eastern Washington. Staff accomplishments associated with the stormwater permit requirements include: New co-permittees intergovernmental agreement (July 2013) Selection of watersheds for planning effort (July and October 2013) Development of a stormwater monitoring plan (September 2013) Enterprise wide GIS software selection in process (October 2013) Draft stormwater management program document for public review (October 2013) 3

4 Identification of possible pilot projects (Downtown alleys, Lusk Street, St Luke s Americana site parking lot, Ester Simplot Park ) Selection of consultant (HDR) to assist the City with coordination and implementation of MS4 tasks This agenda item was informational only, no motion required. Director s Report Paul Woods reported on the status of the Dixie Drain water rights hearings, which were held in September. The issues focused on the quantity of water and the justification for the need of the water. The hearings are scheduled to continue on November 19 th and 20 th. Thereafter, a decision will be issued. Paul Woods and Terry Alber discussed the status of the Local Limits Analysis. In preparing the document, staff used the EPA Guidance for Local Limit Assessment. However, since there was no mention of mixing zones in the guidance manual, staff used river flow for their calculations. The document was issued to EPA in late July. John Tensen reported on the phosphorus project. Staff received very favorable bids that were four million dollars less than the engineer s estimate. RSCI, a local company, was the successful bidder and the notice to proceed will be issued on October 18, Staff expects that the substantial completion will take 18 months. The plants are now operating in an Enhanced Biological Nutrient Removal (EBNR) mode, which is one year ahead of the permit requirement. A Dispute Resolution Board will be created to help resolve project issues during construction. John Tensen reported on the status of the sewer districts merger. Both the Northwest Boise Sewer District (NWBSD) and the Bench Sewer District (BSD) have successfully completed the legal components of the mergers. The City will merge with the NWBSD on 2/1/2014 and absorb one employee. The BSD merger date is 11/30/2014 and the City will absorb seven employees. Neal Oldemeyer reported on the status of the successful phosphorus compliance at Lander Street. The limit was 1000 mg/l and the plant averaged 700 mg/l. Neal Oldemeyer reported on the status of the new billing software rollout. This summer, phone calls and s reached a high level because of cumulative effects from raised rates, new software, and employee turnover. By the end of September management of the phone calls began to stabilize. Staff will evaluate the new normal within the next couple of months. Neal Oldemeyer discussed the bonds before the public for the Fire and Parks Departments. Staff is anticipating that the bonds will pass and that Public Works will be needed to help manage the projects. Neal Oldemeyer briefed the Commission on the Downtown Circulator Alternatives Analysis. URS was chosen as the project consultant. In the next few weeks, there will be a kickoff meeting, background work completed, and appointment of a full steering committee by mid-december. Paul Woods provided a brief report on the CAMP process. 4

5 Other Donna-Marie Hayes introduced Nellie Baker as the new Boise WaterShed Inc., Executive Director. Her background in non-profit fundraising and education will be an asset to the position. She has recently been teaching integrated arts and science at the Boise WaterShed. Lynn Moser reported that two Public Works staff recently received awards from the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association. Catherine Chertudi was selected for the Individual Achievement Award. Ralph Shelton was selected as the Collections Operator of the Year for the State of Idaho. Donna-Marie Hayes moved to adjourn the meeting. Renee Quick seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:41 pm. Neal S. Oldemeyer, Secretary Laila Kral, Chairperson 5