ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF MEETING

REGULAR & SPECIAL SESSIONS  – APRIL 24, 2000 

 

REGULAR SESSION

 

The  Regular Meeting of the Board of Island County Commissioners was held on April 24,   2000, beginning at 11:30 a.m. with  the monthly  Roundtable with Elected Officials,  followed by other  meeting items as listed on the Agenda beginning at 1:30 p.m., including Diking Improvement District #4.     The meeting  was held in the  Island County Courthouse Annex, Hearing Room, Coupeville, Wa., with  Wm. L. McDowell,  Chairman;   William F.  Thorn, Member; and  Mike Shelton, Member.  

 

Roundtable Meeting with Island County Elected Officials

  Attendance:

            Elected Officials: Tom Baenen, Greg  Banks,  Robert Bishop; Marilee Black;  Mike Hawley;

               Suzanne Sinclair

            Others:  Margaret Rosenkranz; Dick Toft 

 

Security Issues.    The Security Committee will meet on  May 2nd,  and  develop a  list of  what they  see as  security needs in the Courthouse, as well as the new  Law & Justice facility, for presentation to the Board.    The architect has designed the new building  for one public entrance with  metal detector but concern is that unless manned, will mean nothing.   Unsure at this time whether anything has been budgeted for either the metal detector or security personnel.

 

Commissioner Thorn received a copy of a resolution from the Superior Court Judges with regard to security stipulating there are to be no fire arms in the Courthouse or Annex.  Sheriff  personnel are exempted by statute.

 

As a follow-on from the last Round Table, Dick Toft confirmed good headway made; all doors are posted with a notice of  Courthouse open hours.  A 4/14/00 e-mail  to all employees advised that for security purposes, all doors would remain locked until 8:00 a.m., and locked again at 4:30 p.m. at the close of the business day.  Employees are not  to allow unauthorized people into County buildings during non-business hours.

 

Budget Update.  Commissioner Shelton recalled  the  WSAC  proposal  was that  all counties would receive 53.39% of the portion of the budget lost due to passage of I-695; however, that is a biennium figure rather than an annual figure, really 2/3 of what was anticipated.  The Governor called the Legislature back in special session at Noon today to vote on his budget  proposal, which represents 35 million for local government, along with a one-time  distribution to Counties [for Island County, around $50,000].  Even if Island County receives the one time $50,000, the County would still face something in the neighborhood of a   $200,000 shortfall.   While State government  may have taken some of the hit, the I-695  burden has primarily been absorbed by  local government.      WSAC staff  assessment is that the House and  Senate were no closer to reaching any kind of compromise on the budget now than they were at the beginning of the   beginning of the special session.  The Legislature continues to pass laws that affect the County’s budget even though there is a law against doing just that.

 

The Budget process is in “limbo” right now.  The Board has input from the Departments, and needs to wait and see what the State does, if anything, and then react.  Mr. Banks will be attending the Washington State Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and find out what is being done around the State with regard to the State passing mandates without providing funding to counties.

 

Roundtable adorned 12:05 p.m.   Next meeting:  May 22nd at 11:30 a.m.

 

MINUTES APPROVED

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved and signed the minutes from meetings held on April 3 and 5, 2000.

 

VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS

 

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board:  Voucher/Warrants:    #73395 - 73619   $244,323.02. 

 

Veterans Assistance Fund: [emergency financial assistance to certain eligible  veterans; the names and specific circumstances are maintained confidential].  The Board by unanimous motion accepted  the recommendation of the Veterans Assistance Review Committee on the following claims:  V2K-7  Approved $305.00;   V2K-4  Denied . 

 

Staff Session SCHEDULE for May

 

The May 2000 Staff Session schedule was approved by the Board for distribution to Elected Officials, Department Heads and Press, for regular staff sessions to be held on May 3 and 17, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

 

 

Resolution #C-40-00  - EstablishING Federal Asset  Forfeiture Fund

 

Jan Smith, Island County Sheriff’s Department, presented for the Board’s approval,  a Resolution in the matter of establishing the Island County Federal Asset Forfeiture Fund and imputing interest on prior portion of the Island county Drug Fund, and for signature, a new Federal Equitable Sharing Agreement.  This is a new fund  to be called the Federal Asset Forfeiture Fund which will accrue interest at the state pool interest  rate on the average monthly cash balance, and the resolution provides that the recapture of the interest  that should have accrued by imputing interest   at the state pool interest   rate on the average monthly cash balance over the life of the federal portion of the prior drug fund and having that amount transferred from current expense to the federal portion of the fund. 

 

By unanimous motion, the Board adopted Resolution #C-40-00 in the matter of establishing the Island County Federal Asset Forfeiture Fund and imputing interest on prior portion of the Island county Drug Fund, and approved and signed the new Federal Equitable Sharing Agreement.

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

IN THE MATTER OF ESTABLISHING            )

THE ISLAND COUNTY FEDERAL                  )           Resolution No. C-40-00

ASSET FORFEITURE FUND AND                   )

IMPUTING INTEREST ON PRIOR                  )

PORTION OF ISLAND COUNTY DRUG         )

FUND                                                              )

___________________________________         )

 

            WHEREAS, by Resolution No. C-56-92, this Board established the Island County Drug Fund consisting of federal, state, and local drug money; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Island County Drug Fund was to be maintained in an interest-bearing account as dictated by federal requirements and the interest was to accrue to the drug fund only; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Island County Treasurer did not separately invest and accrue interest to any portion of the Island County Drug Fund as she was awaiting instructions from the fund’s auditing officer; and

 

            WHEREAS, the federal portion of the Island County Drug Fund was to accrue interest since its establishment on June 8, 1992; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Island County Treasurer and/or Auditor should impute interest to the federal portion of the Island County Drug Fund since June 8, 1992; and

 

            WHEREAS, in order to separately account for the federal portion of the Island County Drug Fund and the state and local portion of said fund, a new fund should be established consisting of the federal asset forfeiture funds and accrued interest; and

 

            WHEREAS, a budget for the Federal Asset Forfeiture Fund will need to be fixed and adopted in the future; NOW, THEREFORE,

 

            BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that there is created and established in the Island County Treasurer and Island County Auditor records a fund known and designated as the Federal Asset Forfeiture Fund.  A separate revenue account or accounting code for the Department of Justice and Department of Treasury forfeiture funds shall be established and interest income must be deposited in the appropriate federal forfeiture fund account.  The Island County Treasurer shall accrue interest on the Federal Asset Forfeiture Fund at the state pool interest rate on the average monthly cash balance.

 

            IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Island County Treasurer and Auditor shall impute interest for the federal drug funding-shared asset forfeitures, bars number 132-000-33016, at the state pool rate on the average monthly cash balance since the inception of the fund on June 8, 1992, and shall deposit that calculated interest in the account from the current expense fund.

 

            ADOPTED this 24th  day of April, 2000.

 

                                                            BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                            ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

                                                            Wm. L. McDowell,  Chairman

                                                            William F. Thorn, Member

                        Mike Shelton, Member

 

ATTEST:

Margaret Rosenkranz

Clerk of the Board

BICC 00-252

 

RESOLUTION #C-41-00 Signature on  Consolidated
 Contract – JRA – Amendment #1

 

As presented by Mike Merringer, Juvenile Court Services Director, the Board by unanimous motion, approved  Resolution #C-41-00 Intent to Participate in the Consolidated Juvenile Services 2000-1001 Biennium, along with Consolidated Contract, JRA Amendment #1 [RM JUV 99-0071], in the amount of $338,547.

 

RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO PARTICIPATE

CONSOLIDATED  JUVENILE SERVICES

2000-2001 BIENNIUM

 

                                                           RESOLUTION  NO. C-41-00

 

            WHEREAS the Washington State Legislature has provided funds for a program of community based services for youths through the Washington State Department  of Social and Health  Services,  Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, and

 

          WHEREAS the Board of County Commissioners  believes participation in such a program would benefit Island County and its youth and families; and

 

          BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners for Island County intends to participate in community  corrections program and to make application for funds available under the Consolidated  Contract.  Michael S. Merringer, Administrator, Juvenile and family Court  Services, is authorized to coordinate, certify and make submissions of claims for reimbursement to the Washington  State Department  of Social and Health Services,  Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration.  Application  will not be made to replace county funds for existing programs.

 

          DATED this 24th day of April, 2000.

 

                                        BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                  ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

          Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

ATTEST:                                   William F. Thorn, Member

Margaret Rosenkranz                          Mike Shelton,  Member

Clerk of the Board

BICC  00-255

                             

          Ordinance C-23-00 is adopted this 10th  day of April, 2000 following public hearing.

                                                 

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                  ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

                    Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

                                                  Mike Shelton, Member

                                                  William F. Thorn, Member

ATTEST:

Margaret Rosenkranz

Clerk of the Board

 

HEARING SCHEDULED:  RESOLUTION #C-42-00 (R-20-00)-

Petition for Vacation of Portion of Humphrey Road

 

By unanimous motion, the Board scheduled Resolution #C-42-00 (R-20-00) Petition for Vacation of Portion of Humphrey Road, Sec. 36, Twp 29N, R. 3E., David and Janet  Sonnichsen Petitioners, for  Public Hearing on  May 15, 2000 at 10:20 a.m.

 

 

QUITCLAIM DEEDS APPROVED – EAST CAMANO DRIVE, PHASE 2

 

As presented and recommended for approval by Larry Kwarsick, Public Works Director, the Board approved the following Quitclaim Deeds:

 

§        David Stanley Hyatt, $3,700.00 for land; parcel 413-097, Sec. 7, Twp 31N, R 3E

 

§        Cheryl A. and Alan R. Estes, $2,100.00 for land, parcel 313-065, Sec. 7, Twp 31N, R 3E

 

§        Cynthia S. and John M. Barnett, $5,500.00 for land, Lot 23, Plat of Driftwood Shores, Division No. 1, Sec. 7, Twp 31N, R 3E

 

Construction Easement & Agreement – East Camano Drive,

Phase 2;  David Stanley Hyatt

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved Construction Easement & Agreement for  East Camano Drive, Phase 2, with  owner David Stanley Hyatt, in the amount of $700.00 for the construction easement, on  parcel 413-097, Sec. 7, Twp 31N., R 3E.

 

Contract AND Bond for Coupeville Shop Remodel  &

Addition of Bathrooms -  P & L Contractors

 

The Board, on unanimous motion, approved the Contract and bond associated with the  Coupeville Road Shop Remodel and Addition of Bathrooms, with P & L Contractors, in the amount of  $41,843.52. 

 

DISCUSSION - three  State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Agreements

between Island County and Washington State DOE

 

Mr. Kwarsick presented a proposed ordinance for purposes of scheduling a public hearing to consider executing three State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Agreements between Island County and Washington State Department of Ecology, #HD-05-00, On-site Repair Financial Assistance Program, $300,000; Loan #L0000014, West Beach Lake Acquisition [a.k.a. Swantown] $408,200; Loan #L0000013, Iverson Farm Acquisition, $668,000. 

 

Chairman McDowell was  uncomfortable for Swantown Lake doing a study as a condition of that loan.  He does not support converting it to a saltwater marsh and therefore would seem to be a waste of  public dollars to do the study.

 

And Commissioner Thorn pointed out what the agreement says, Page 3 under IV.,  the second  sentence under the second paragraph:

 

 “The primary goals at the site are to: 1) restore open saltwater flow to the wetland to restore   anadromous fish use, and 2) enhance the fish and wildlife  habitat of the wetland.”.

 

Commissioner Shelton  agreed with Chairman McDowell, consistently the Board has said from the very beginning it was not interested   in converting Swantown Lake to a  saltwater marsh and that was the basis on which it was purchased.  Expending dollars to do a study that leads no where seems like a real poor expenditure of public money. 

 

The Chair commented to note that this is a  receiving area for much of the growth from the area around  Oak Harbor and UGA and if this is converted to a saltwater marsh he felt it would be more difficult for the community of Oak Harbor and the UGA to continue to expand.

 

Commissioner Thorn reviewed Page 2 of Attachment #5,  B. Required Performance-1. Contract with consultant for feasibility study which will include:  the 6th bullet states:  “Recommendation for minimum water levels within the wetland and mechanisms to maintain these levels. Recognizing  that wetlands are not to be used for stormwater determination or water quality treatment.   He did not buy that language.  If that sentence were not included he would support it.

 

Mr. Kwarsick explained that to be a standard regulatory statement.  The  Iverson Property and  West Beach loan agreements come with the same general feasibility study. 

 

Board action:  table until May 8 allowing an opportunity for Mr. Kwarsick to talk with the Department  of Ecology and  reconstruct the language in the agreements. 

 

Escrow Agreement, Contract  #PWP-01-00, Work Order #301 Island County Law & Justice Facility - Haskell Corporation

 

 

The Board, by unanimous motion, approved Escrow Agreement, Contract #PWP-01-00, Work Order #30, for the  Island County Law & Justice Facility with  Haskell Corporation.   

 

HEARING HELD:  –  Ordinance C-36-00 (PLG-009-00), Technical

corrections to Island County Zoning Ordinance

 

A Public Hearing was held as scheduled and  advertised  for the purpose of considering Ordinance #C-36-00 (PLG-009-00), Technical corrections to Island County Zoning Ordinance.

 

Attendance:

 

            Public: None

            Staff:   Phil Bakke, Planning Director; Jeff Tate, Planning Manager

 

Mr. Tate opened the hearing by going through his March 29, 2000 memorandum to the Board regarding technical corrections to the Zoning Atlas,  a list of map numbers  and associated explanation  of why these changes were  being considered: 

 

            Maps #41 and 42 – Parcel #R13108-256-5200 spans two separate quarter section maps. It

            is a very narrow and shallow lot located along the shoreline.  On map 42 it is zoned Rural

            Forest and on map 41 it is not zoned. It is in the same ownership and located adjacent to

            parcel R13108-392-5010 which is zoned Commercial AG. This parcel should also be        zoned   Commercial AG.

 

            Map #333 – Zoning was colored properly, but labeled incorrectly. It was labeled  Rural

            AG and it should be Rural.

 

            Map #331 – Add zoning label and boundary for Northwest portion of quarter section. It

            was not labeled on the map in the Atlas. This does not result in a change in zoning.

 

            Map #306 – Add zone boundaries on the west and south sides of quarter section maps.

            Also, add density for the RAID. This does not result in a change in zoning.

 

            Map #488 – Change the dus/acre from 2 to 3 for the Shangri-La RAID. The rest of the

            RAID, located on the quarter section to the north, is 3 dus/acre and the chart in 17.03.075

            says 3 dus/acre.

 

            Map #352 – Add the RAID density to the map.

 

            Map #907 – Parcel #R33032-480-4150 is split zoned because it is intersected by

            Saratoga Road.  The entire parcel should be zoned Rural Forest.

 

            Map #497 – Parcels #R23120-157-1620 & R23120-216-2021 were both inadvertently

            split zoned. Parcel #R23120-157-1620 is partially zoned Rural however, the entire

            property should be zoned Rural AG.  Parcel R23120-216-2021 is also partially zoned

            Rural, but the entire parcel should be zoned Rural Forest.

 

            Maps #94, #97, #114, #117, #237 are all located within the Oak Harbor Urban Growth

            Area. Ordinance C-122-99 officially designated the specific zoning boundaries within

            the Oak Harbor UGA, however, some of the zoning maps adopted as a part of this

            Ordinance did not include zoning designations for land outside of the UGA. These

            corrections will complete the above listed  quarter section maps.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board adopted Ordinance #C-36-00 [PLG-009-00].  [GMA doc. #_______]

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

IN THE MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS  TO THE ISLAND COUNTY ZONING ATLAS.

 

)))

ORDINANCE C-36-00

 

PLG-009-00

           

            WHEREAS, on September 28 and 29, 1998, the Board adopted the County’s GMA Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations; and

 

            WHEREAS, by Ordinance C-123-98, the Board also adopted Chapter 17.03 ICC as Island County’s official Zoning Code to implement its GMA Comprehensive Plan with the Zoning Atlas as the Official Zoning Map of Island County; and

 

           

            WHEREAS, certain technical amendments to the Zoning Atlas have been identified to ensure that the zoning designations are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

 

            NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS  HEREBY ORDAINED that  the Board of Island County Commissioners hereby adopts the certain technical amendments attached hereto as Exhibit A to the Island County Zoning Atlas (Exhibit C to Ordinance C-123-98).

 

            Reviewed this 3rd  day of  April, 2000 and set for public hearing at 2:45  p.m. on the 24th  day of  April, 2000.

 

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

Mike Shelton, Member

William F. Thorn, Member

ATTEST:  By Ellen K. Meyer, Deputy         

Margaret Rosenkranz  Clerk of the Board

     BICC  00-232

 

            APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 24th   day of April, 2000.

 

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

Mike Shelton, Member

William F. Thorn, Member

ATTEST:

Margaret Rosenkranz

Clerk of the Board

            [note:  Exhibit A  on file with the Clerk of the Board]

 

There  being no further business to come before the Board at this time,  the Chairman adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Board at  2:55 p.m., to meet in  Special Session at 7:00 p.m. at the Bayview Senior Center for a public workshop.

                                                                                 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

 

                                               ______________________________

                                               Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

 

 

                                                _______________________________

                                               William F. Thorn, Member

 

 

                                                _____________________________

                                                Mike Shelton,   Member

ATTEST: 

____________­­­­­______________

Margaret Rosenkranz,  Clerk of the Board

 

SPECIAL SESSION

 

The Board of Island County Commissioners met  in Special Session  April 24, 2000 at 7:00 p.m., at Bayview Senior Center, Langley, Wa. to conduct  a   public workshop to collect comments on recent applications to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission requesting designation of a sole natural gas provider on South Whidbey. 

 

County Commissioners Wm. L. McDowell,. Chairman,   and Members, William F. Thorn and Mike Shelton  were present.  Approximately  45 people attended,  including representatives from Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission [UTC], Westcoast Energy,  Inc. [WCE],   Puget Sound Energy [PSE] and Cascade Natural Gas [CNG].    An attendance sheet was circulated and is on file.

 

County Staff Overview and Introductions

 

Phil Bakke, Island County Planning Director, confirmed that  Island County received from UTC  a March 21 letter announcing the receipt of an application from Cascade Natural Gas for a Certificate of  Public Convenience and Necessity to   assign exclusive natural gas service rights to Cascade Natural Gas, and in response to UTC’s invitation to provide comments on the proposal,  the Board  scheduled this workshop, and presentations will be made by UTC,  WCE, CNG and PSE.    The County also received a letter dated April    14th   from WCE with regard to  the Orca Natural Gas Pipeline Project that WCE, CNG and PSE recently commenced a study  to determine the feasibility of developing a new natural gas pipeline to serve Northwest Washington consumers. 

 

Presentation -  Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

 

Jeffery Showman, Policy Specialist, outlined the  application process for designation of a natural gas service area and further opportunities for members of the public to comment.  Input is  only on the designation  of a South Whidbey provider, not evaluation of a pipeline.   In this case, Cascade Natural Gas, the local distribution  company [LDC] filed with UTC for  permission to serve an  area, and the matter will come before the UTC at an open public meeting [docket #000283].  Citizens can contact UTC  and ask to be put on the list for notification  and may attend and provide testimony.  The LCD goes through UTC; the pipeline company would go through FERC, the federal counterpart to UTC.   The proposal as he understands it is to  provide gas to South Whidbey Island from  Orca Natural Gas Pipeline  by Westcoast Energy from the Canadian border to Marysville or north Everett.  CNG would draw a lateral  from the line landfall on South Whidbey and continue on to Jefferson County and Kitsap County and serve north to Port Townsend and Poulsbo.  CNG already  provides gas to the Oak Harbor area; this would be a new way of getting gas as to this Island.

 

In responding to questions from the audience he explained that as far as the  relationship  between UTC and the  Growth Management Act,  UTC reviews county plans, and did recall reviewing  the Utility Element of the Island County  Comp Plan  and noted it described the existing  service area, and it  talked about gas but at that time there were no plans to provide  gas to other parts of the Island.    UTC appeals would be made in superior court.  B.C. recently established an Office of Gas Regulation that governs extraction of gas headquartered in Prince Rupert and works  closely with native tribes  and has as a main objective preservation of the  environment.    Federal office of Pipeline Safety is a branch of Federal DOT for interstate pipelines. 

 

Presentation by Westcoast Energy, Inc.

 

Pat Siega, Project Lead, Engineering & Construction,  provided information related to the company using an overhead presentation, displaying graphs to show the number of miles of pipeline, their multi-regional focus, and  interstate grid natural gas.  The Orca Natural Gas Pipeline is at the preliminary feasibility stage, a joint investment by the three companies.   The proposal  is to start at the  Sumas border and  come down near north Everett across Whidbey  Island to the Peninsula to Port Townsend and Poulsbo.  WCE is looking at  two corridors:  by land which would  follow I-5;  and a marine route off shore at Whatcom County coming on shore at Port Townsend.  The target in-service date is the third quarter of 2004, and an  application filed with  FERC by the first or second quarter in 2001.  Westcoast will be back in the community about the pipeline environmental and  safety issues in the next three to four months. 

 

Cascade Natural Gas Presentation

 

Gary Iverson made the presentation on behalf of CNG and  provided for the  public a  brochure including information about the company,  and a mailer to send in any questions for response from CNG.  Displayed were some pipe samples, and a meter set to give an idea  what a residential meter looks like. He gave a  brief overview  using overheads about who CNG is and issues related to safety, economics and how they assess  feasibility.  CNG is a LDC the company that takes gas off  the interstate pipeline and distributes  it throughout communities regulated by UTC. It is an investor  owned utility now serving  90 communities in Washington and Oregon with about 188,000 customers.

 

CNG would build the system from the Orca pipeline to serve areas that requested service through a high pressure system.   Most  of the pipe CNG  would put in is high density  plastic pipe,  generally with standard open trench  construction depending on the area, conditions and what local permits require.  A graph  was displayed to show a  typical distribution system.  He reviewed graphs  on natural gas safety, 24- hour monitoring and response; natural gas is lighter than air, has a narrow combustion range;  pressure protection is a requirement  to prevent pressure from exceeding what it is designed for.  CNG has leak surveys done as part of  on-going prevention and maintenance; work on natural gas education, work with first responders and are active in the  “call before you dig” program.    Another overhead was used to  show the relative cost of natural gas compared to some other fuels  in the community, i.e. Oak Harbor average annual residential use:  $523 natural gas for space heating vs. $1370 electric; water heater:   natural gas  water heater is about $166 per year, a savings of 43% over electric water heater on an annual basis.

 

Answering a question from the audience, he noted that Cascade Natural Gas  serves Oak Harbor currently, under Saratoga  Passage from Camano Island at Mariner’s Cove, down Highway 20 and down to Eaglecrest subdivision.  The incident that occurred in Bellingham was  a gasoline pipeline not a natural gas pipeline. 

 

Puget Sound Energy Presentation

 

Sue McLain, vice-president of Operations, PSE,  used a power point presentation on overhead for the  audience, noting that   PSE also filed for a service territory certificate in this area, interested in serving South Whidbey ad other communities as the opportunity may provide with the Orca Pipeline.  CNG and PSE are both competing for the right to serve this community. The project is only feasible if Orca Pipeline becomes available.  The project  right now is only a feasibility study to see if the pipeline is  economically feasible. 

 

She reviewed PSE focus on service, service quality index.  The figures she had on residential price  for space and water heating  [excluding  lighting] for a home 1800 sq. ft. built before 1985:  all electric $944; $1,025 propane: PE natural gas $595.  PSE has gas service programs, emergency calls are given automatic preference; PSE is a driving force in the   unity trench program; leaders  in technology implementation.  Responding to questions from audience members, she confirmed that density becomes part of the equation  in a  feasibility study, along with interest by customers, and conversions.