Showing posts with label utilities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label utilities. Show all posts

Classifieds: Special meeting Ronald Wastewater commissioners

Tuesday, October 8, 2019


As required by RCW 42.30, the Open Public Meeting Act, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Commissioners of Ronald Wastewater District will hold a Special Meeting to review and discuss District Business. This meeting is commencing 30 minutes earlier than usual.

Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Ronald Wastewater District
17505 Linden Ave North
Shoreline, WA 98133

AGENDA

Call to Order

1. Public Comment

2. Additions or Adjustments to Agenda?

3. Consent Agenda

     a) Review and Approval of the Sep. 16, 2019 Minutes

     b) Review & Approval of the Oct. 2, 2019 Minutes

     c) Vouchers – batch #1

     d) Vouchers – batch #2

4. Consultants Reports

5. Services Contractor’s Report

6. Old Business

     a) Assumption Transition Planning

     b) Surety Bond for WSDOT

     c) Edmonds Treatment Plant Contract

7. New Business

    a) Membership with Richmond Beach Community Association

8. Legal report

9. District Administrator’s Report

10. Committee or Subcommittee Reports

11. Commissioners’ Reports or Comments

12. Conclusion



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LFP: union talks in Massachusetts delay garbage and recycling pickup

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Garbage and recycling services are temporarily delayed due to an unanticipated work stoppage.

Republic Services is in contract negotiations with a union representing some of its employees in Massachusetts.

Those employees are engaged in a temporary work stoppage, which was joined today, October 3, 2019, by some employees at the Lake Forest Park/Kent/Bellevue location.

Because of this, Republic is experiencing delays in collection service, but is working to resolve this situation as soon as possible.

Residents are asked to leave containers out and available for collection, and they will be serviced as soon as possible.

Direct questions to Republic Services Customer Service, 206-682-9735.



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Classifieds: Special meeting notice for Ronald Wastewater board

Friday, September 27, 2019



The Board of Commissioners of Ronald Wastewater District will hold a Special Meeting to review and discuss a proposed contract for the Edmonds Treatment Plant.

The contract is with the City of Edmonds, Olympic View Water and Sewer District, City of Mountlake Terrace, and Ronald Wastewater District.

Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 5:30 – 7:30pm, Ronald Wastewater District, 17505 Linden Ave N, Shoreline 98133.


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Progress on North City Water District maintenance facility


By North City Water District

Work continues to progress on our new Maintenance Facility, as witnessed first-hand by Washington State Representative Cindy Ryu during her site visit this week.

Faber Construction is doing a great job, as you can see when you drive by the site on 15th Avenue NE. Concrete footings and slabs were poured for the Maintenance Staff Facility back in mid-August, walls were erected shortly after, and the roof will be going on this next week to get the structure enclosed before the rainy season begins.


Another building underway is the Decant Structure—a deep structure where the slurry of water and soils sucked up by our vacuum truck can be discharged, and liquid can be separated from the sediment and routed to the sewer system. Because we use our vacuum truck for just about any type of excavation, including new services and valve maintenance, this building will be used frequently.

The bottom of the Decant Structure will be 12 feet deep, with walls that extend 6 feet above ground, resulting in a concrete structure 18 feet tall. The crews have been busy getting the rebar and forms ready for the continuous concrete pour, which is expected in the coming week.

Last but not least is the Shops wing of our Maintenance Facility, which is expected to be submitted to the City of Shoreline’s Building Department in the near future. Once we receive their approval, you’ll start to see additional footings and a very long foundation being poured that will eventually enable us to house and maintain all of our vehicles.



On Wednesday September 25, we were delighted to share all this progress with Washington state Representative Cindy Ryu, who wanted to see first-hand how we’re reinvesting into infrastructure. We hope to provide additional visits for our other representatives in the months to come!




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City of Shoreline finalizes plan to assume Ronald Wastewater

Monday, September 9, 2019

Ronald Wastewater District headquarters
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
The City of Shoreline sent a formal letter to the commissioners of Ronald Wastewater District, letting them know that the city plans to fully assume the District at 12:01am local time on March 1, 2020.

The City and Ronald have been working collaboratively toward this goal since the first phase of assumption was completed in October 2017.

According to City Manager Debbie Tarry, "The City has greatly appreciated the partnership and collaboration between our two agencies ... (and) anticipate that as we move forward with the assumption process, that this collaboration will continue to serve our agencies and, most importantly, the utility customers well."

The City anticipates filing a Joint Petition to Superior Court for dissolution of the District in October of this year.

At this time, the Ronald Board and District Administrator are managing the operations of the District and the City has taken over billing.

City staff anticipate working closely with the General Manager and Engineer to coordinate the transfer of applicable contracts, understand the status of various projects, and plan for transition to the City.


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Water main cut in Lake Forest Park

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Crews working on a gas main on NE 178th in Lake Forest Park around 4:30pm accidentally cut the water line for the Lake Forest Park Water District, leaving an unknown number of homes without water.

The water district worked to repair the line from the time the incident happened. They took the apology notice down just before 10pm.

Those who lost service are encouraged to run the cold tap until the line clears.



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New water fountain in Horizon View park

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

The Northshore Utility District purchased, donated, and installed a new drinking fountain at Horizon View Park.

The park is located at 19845-20099 47th Ave NE, Lake Forest Park 98155

Photo courtesy of City of Lake Forest Park.





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Classified: Public Hearing - North City Water District

Friday, July 12, 2019

Public Hearing Announcement
North City Water District
1519 177th Street NE
July 16, 2019 - 3:00PM

North City Water District to adopt a new Water Use Efficiency Goal for 2019-2028

As part of regional and local efforts to protect and conserve our water source, North City Water District will be adopting a new 2019-2028 Water Use Efficiency Goal at an Open Public Meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, July 16th at 3:00pm.

The meeting will be held at the District office, 1519 NE 177th Street, Shoreline.

The public is invited to attend to learn more about our regional and local conservation plans and to provide input on the new Water Use Efficiency Goal. 

More information can be found here.



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Classified: Ronald commissioners hold two meetings Jul 16


Ronald Wastewater Board of Commissioners will hold two meetings on Tuesday, July 16 at their building on 17505 Linden Ave N, Shoreline 98133. The first meeting begins at 5:30pm.



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Statement from Ronald Wastewater re Court ruling on Point Wells

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Chief Judge Marlin Appelwick of the Court of Appeals of the state of Washington has ruled against Ronald Wastewater's claim as service provider for Point Wells.

Statement from Ronald Wastewater:

In 1985, the King County Superior Court entered an order stating that Point Wells was annexed to Ronald’s corporate boundary. 

Since that date, Ronald has been the only sewer district or other entity that provided sewer service to Point Wells, and the only entity that adopted formal plans to serve new development in Point Wells.

Ronald issued the Certificate of Sewer Availability for the Urban Center Development proposed by the owner of the waterfront property at Point Wells. Ronald is also identified in Snohomish County’s land use plans as the sewer provider to Point Wells.

Olympic View Water and Sewer District formally consented to Ronald’s provision of sewer service to Point Wells when it adopted a sewer plan with a service area map showing the entire Point Wells area as “served by Ronald.”

Despite the 1985 court order annexing Point Wells to Ronald’s boundary and this long history of planning and service confirming Ronald as the sewer provider to Point Wells, the Court of Appeals decision (filed on July 1, 2019) held that Ronald’s corporate boundary does not include Point Wells.

Ronald is disappointed by the decision and believes that it was issued in error.

Ronald intends to file a Motion for Reconsideration with the Court identifying important legal authorities that were not considered by the Court. Ronald is hopeful that the Court will correct its error in response to Ronald’s Motion for Reconsideration.

If the Court does not, however, Ronald may choose to seek review by the Supreme Court.

Court document here


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Shoreline Recology explains recycling changes due to contamination

Monday, July 8, 2019

From Shoreline Recology

Until recently, many recycled materials in the U.S. were sold to companies in China. To address public health and environmental concerns caused by contamination of this material, the Chinese government has effectively banned the import of these recycled materials.

Contamination of imported materials is caused by liquid, food, and non-recyclable items. As Recology and the recycling industry adapt to the change in end use markets, contamination remains a significant challenge.

In 2018, contamination of recycling bins in Shoreline ranged from 11.5%-30.5% of the material. Our goal is to reduce that rate to five percent (5%) or less.

In support of this effort, the City of Shoreline’s contract with Recology was recently amended. As part of the amendment, waste disposal fees increased by $1.35 per month for single-family residential customers and $2.25 per cubic yard of waste for commercial and multi-family customers effective August 1, 2019.

View your new rates for service. This increase will be used to help pay for additional costs associated with processing and marketing recyclable materials and provide additional education and outreach programs designed to reduce recycling contamination.

Another important change includes the elimination of plastic bags and plastic films (i.e. plastic wrapped around cases of bathroom tissue) from the items accepted in your blue bin. Plastic bags and film cause significant challenges in the recycling process and are difficult to capture and recycle when mixed with other recyclables. This material should be bagged together and taken to a drop off location, such as a local grocery store, or placed in the garbage as a last resort.

Please help us reduce recycling contamination by keeping non-recyclable materials out of the blue bin. Only the following materials are accepted:
  • Paper
  • Cardboard
  • Metal
  • Glass (bottles, jars)
  • Plastic tubs, jugs, bottles and rigid plastics larger than 3 inches

Additionally, recyclable material in your blue bin should be empty, clean and dry. A few drops of liquid here and there are okay, but excessive liquid or food debris will cause paper to mold and render it non-recyclable.

View a complete list of updated recycling guidelines including posters that can be downloaded and printed.

If you have questions about recycling or your Recology services, please contact us at the main number of 206-763-4444. You can also call this number to schedule training or presentations for groups.

We will be in the community this summer at Shoreline Solarfest on July 27th and Celebrate Shoreline on August 17th and hope to see you there.



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Recology: Plastic free July

Friday, July 5, 2019

From Recology

Plastic Free July is a powerful campaign that focuses on the small changes we can make on an individual level to avoid single-use plastics. 

Plastic Free July offers a timely reminder that we need to focus as much on reducing our plastic consumption as we do on recycling.

We’re celebrating Plastic Free July by offering tips throughout the month to help you reduce the single-use plastic in your life. 

We invite you to participate in any way you can. 

Take the challenge to eliminate single-use plastics entirely, make just one swap, or simply take stock of your plastic habits and learn about easy ways you can help reduce plastic waste.

Follow Recology on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to access all of our tips during the month of July and get started with these five:

1. Find a water bottle you love

Globally we use 500 billion plastic water bottles a year!

2. Dine in and order less at restaurants

According to the EPA, food and packaging/containers together account for almost 45% of the materials landfilled in the United States! If you eat out often, you can make a big dent in your waste footprint simply by avoiding takeout containers.

3. Shop in bulk

Lots of the items you already buy in packages are available package-free in the bulk section of your grocery store. Estimates indicate that if Americans bought just almonds in bulk that would save 72 million pounds of packaging waste in one year!

4. Switch to bar soap and shampoo

Single-use plastics are extremely common in bathrooms. Start with simple swaps like replacing bottled soap and shampoo with good old bars!

5. Get your ice cream in a cone!

Every little bit helps! Skip the cup and the little plastic spoon. Even if you don’t like the cone, it’s compostable.



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Classifieds: Ronald Wastewater commissioners meet

Saturday, June 29, 2019


Ronald Wastewater District Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 from 5:30 - 7:30pm at the District headquarters 17505 Linden Ave N, Shoreline 98133.



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Recology: recycling gets a lot easier with more stringent restrictions

Monday, June 24, 2019


Blue recycling bins are for: 
paper, 
cardboard, 
metal, 
glass bottles/jars, 
rigid plastic (tubs, jugs, bottles bigger than 3 inches).

Recycling should be Empty, Clean, and Dry
don't leave anything that can mold and contaminate the paper in the bin

 
Asian recyclers have tired of being the world's garbage dump so they have put strict restrictions on what recycling they will pay for. As a result recycling companies such as Recology are looking for new markets in the US, and trying to meet the new restrictions in all countries.

That means that customers have to be more careful about what they put in their blue recycling bins.

Recology and the City of Shoreline have been considering their options. One idea under consideration was to inspect individual bins and give warnings and then fines. This idea has been put on hold. Not only was it invasive and sure to create backlash from residents, it wasn't particularly effective.

Drivers would not be able to inspect every bin every week. They would not be able to do more than just look at the top layer. And it would not necessarily do anything to educate the public.

The first change for customers is in what goes in the recycling bin. A letter was sent to all Shoreline residents explaining that plastic film will no longer be accepted in recycling bins. That means any plastic that is pliable - plastic bags, and wrapping on food or goods such as toilet paper. As before, rigid plastic must be at least 3 inches (or about the length of your finger).

Prices will also increase by $1.35 per month for residential customers.

Recology will focus on education, particularly for multi-family housing.

If anyone has any questions about recycling / composting / garbage, they should contact Recology at the main number of 206-763-4444. You can also call this number to schedule training or presentations for groups.




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Shoreline Recology Green Bins for compost

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Puzzled about what bin to use? Here's a start - the rules for Recology Green compost bins.



This is in addition to your yard waste, grass clippings, etc. By the way - dandelions go in the garbage.

Even though it is ok to put meat and fish in your compost, be cautious. We have so many coyotes in the area that you do not want to attract them to your property. Put the meat in the bin just before pickup time, or weight the lid down with a large rock or concrete block until the morning of your collection day.

If anyone has any questions about recycling / composting / garbage, they should contact Recology at the main number of 206-763-4444. They are also available to schedule training or presentations.



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Blame the crow

Friday, June 14, 2019

Crow's wingspread
Photo by Wayne Pridemore
By Diane Hettrick

Around 2pm on Thursday, June 13, 2019, households in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park experienced a brief power outage.

It was enough to make the lights flicker. In some cases the power was fully out but for only for a few seconds.

Comcast cable services were disrupted. Some people's cable boxes spontaneously reset themselves, while others continued to have problems for a while.

Some people heard an explosion. Others heard a strange whipping noise from the power lines.

Julie Atwood and her husband got a close up view.

We were outside at the time and whatever it was was VERY powerful - the telephone pole was shaking back and forth and the wires actually touched each other, causing some really scary noises.

Shaila Austria, in Richmond Highlands, actually witnessed the cause.

The bang and power outage can be attributed to a crow (RIP) landing on the lines right in front of our house at 185th and 1st Ave NW. The power lines moved like crazy. 

I checked with Scott Thomson at Seattle City Light. Could a crow really cause all that noise and activity? His response:

If a bird lands on a single power line, it doesn’t cause a problem. There is more resistance in the bird's body than the wire so the electricity continues to flow down the wire. Problems happen when a bird touches a wire and something else that creates a shorter path for the electricity to get home, like a second wire. 

At that point, the electricity uses the bird as a short circuit. If that touch was short – say an wing touched a second wire and the surge of electricity knocks the bird clear of the wire, a customer might see a flicker. The release of that energy would make noise and that scenario could make the wire move.

So the crow did it. And it doesn't appear that he survived the experience.

As for the flickering, except for a few blocks at the very end of the City Light power "tree" - mostly in Lake Forest Park - everyone has what is called either "redundancy" or "self-healing lines". This means that you have alternate power sources. When one goes, after a very brief pause the other takes over.

And if you are still having trouble with your Comcast cable, call their automated system at 877-824-2288.




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Opening on Ronald Wastewater Board of Commissioners

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Ronald Wastewater has extended the time to apply for the opening on their Board of Commissioners to June 18, 2019.

There is a vacancy due to the resignation of Commissioner Donna Thomas. Current commissioners are Robert L. (Bob) Ransom, Gretchen Atkinson, Laura Mork, and Wes Brandon.

The Ronald Board of Commissioners is the District’s governing body. The five-elected, part-time Commissioners establish District policies and laws, adopt an annual budget, approve appropriations, oversee agreements and contracts for services, and review the performance of Ronald’s independent contractors.

The Ronald Board is responsible for the assets of the District which includes 190 miles of pipe. Ronald wastewater district serves a population of about 55,000 people.

Complete information about the board and the qualifications for candidates as well as the application form HERE.

The commissioners will appoint a candidate from those who apply. That person would serve through 2019 but would need to stand for election to the position in November, as a write-in.




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Opening for commissioner on Ronald Wastewater board

Friday, April 26, 2019

As a result of the resignation of Ronald Wastewater District Commissioner Donna Thomas effective April 10, 2019, there is an opening on the RWD Board. 

The District’s Board intends to fill the vacancy at its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, which starts at 6:00pm at the district headquarters, 17505 Linden Ave N, Shoreline 98133.

Applicants to fill the vacancy must be at least 18 years old and reside within the District’s legal boundaries— which includes the City of Shoreline and a small portion of south Snohomish County. 

Remaining commissioners are Robert L. (Bob) Ransom, Gretchen Atkinson, Laura Mork, and Wes Brandon.

Those interested in applying should submit a letter of intent no later than May 1, 2019, to

Douglas Wittinger, District Administrator
Ronald Wastewater District
PO Box 33490
Shoreline, WA 98133-0490
Or via email to: dwittinger@ronaldwastewater.org

Selection process: At the May 14 regular Board meeting, the four remaining commissioners may interview candidates and intend to select an interim appointment for the vacant position, to serve until the next general election for commissioners in November of 2019.

Ronald Wastewater District Board of Commissioners, Position No. 4, will be on the 2019 election ballot. The election-day deadline is Tuesday, November 5, 2019. Candidates interested in running for election must file with King County Elections between May 13 and May 17, 2019. 

Important information on running for office can be found at King County Elections website



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Opening on Ronald Wastewater Board of Commissioners

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Commissioner Vacancy: Ronald Wastewater District Commissioner Donna Thomas resigned from the District Board of Commissioners Position No. 4, effective April 10, 2019.
The District’s Board intends to fill the vacancy at its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, which starts at 6:00pm.

Requirements 
Applicants to fill the vacancy must be at least 18 years old and reside within the District’s legal boundaries — which includes the City of Shoreline and a small portion of south Snohomish County. 

Those interested in applying should submit a letter of intent no later than May 1, 2019, to:

Douglas Wittinger, District Administrator
Ronald Wastewater District
PO Box 33490
Shoreline, WA 98133-0490

Or via email to: dwittinger@ronaldwastewater.org

Selection 
At the May 14 regular Board meeting, the four remaining commissioners may interview candidates and intend to select an interim appointment for the vacant position, to serve until the next general election for commissioners in November of 2019.

Ronald Wastewater District Board of Commissioners, Position No. 4, will be on the 2019 election ballot. The election-day deadline is Tuesday, November 5, 2019. 

Candidates interested in running for election must file with King County Elections between May 13 and May 17, 2019. Important information on running for office can be found at King County Elections website.



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Shoreline Council Monday to vote on fines for improper recycling

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Shoreline City Hall
Photo by Mike Remarcke
The agenda for the April 1, 2019 Shoreline City Council Meeting includes four action items:

1. Public Hearing and Discussion of the 2020-2025 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)

State law requires cities to prepare and adopt a comprehensive 6-year TIP. This required hearing provides the opportunity for public feedback. This is the only hearing scheduled.

2. Approval of Amendment # 1 to the City’s 2017 – 2027 Comprehensive Garbage, Recyclables, and Compostables Collection Contract with Recology CleanScapes Inc.

This Plan to Reduce Contamination includes additional outreach, education and incentives that support reducing contamination at collection, increasing monitoring and rejection of unacceptable material at the curb, development of a contamination fee and, in extreme cases, removing recycling cart/containers from customers unable or unwilling to use the system properly.

3. Adoption of Ordinance No. 858 - Amending SMC 3.01.500 Solid Waste Rate Schedule to Reflect Amendment # 1 to the City’s 2017–2027 Comprehensive Garbage, Recyclables, and Compostables Collection Contract with Recology CleanScapes Inc
Aligning SMC with changes in contract with Recology.

4. Adoption of Ordinance No. 839 – Amending the Development Code to Expand the Deep Green Incentive Program (DGIP)Rather than expand the mandated DGIP to other commercial zoning districts, Ordinance 839 provides incentives outside of the MUR zoning districts

Details available online. Watch the meeting online.

--Pam Cross



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