OFFICIAL MINUTES

Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade and Financing Options Workshop

HAYDEN AREA REGIONAL SEWER BOARD

December 1, 2011

 

The workshop meeting of the Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board was held on December 1, 2011, in the City of Hayden Upstairs Conference Room at 8930 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID.

 

Present:           Stefan Chatwin, Dan Green, Ron McIntire, Kenneth Sewell, David Weinstein       

 

Absent:                  

 

Also Present:   Ken Windram, Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board-Administrator; Stephanie Oliver, Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board-Secretary; Paul Klatt,            J-U-B Engineering; Jim Kimball, J-U-B Engineering; Larry Comer, Welch-Comer Engineering; John Cafferty, Kootenai County-Attorney; Danielle Quade, Hawley Troxell- Attorney; Sean Hoisington, City of Hayden- Public Works Director; Nancy Stricklin, Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board-Attorney

                       

The meeting was called to order by Kenneth Sewell, Chairman at 2:00 p.m. 

 

Nancy Stricklin introduced Danielle Quade to everyone including the entities that each represents.

 

Larry Comer presented a capital project funding discussion handout, see enclosed handout.

 

Nancy Stricklin reminded all parties that HARSB cannot bond, so each entity would need to make the decision not HARSB.

 

Larry Comer then discussed items split out on the discussion handout.

 

Discussion occurred regarding using the Billable ER percentages in the cost allocations versus the equity shares percentage.  The general consensus was that the equity shares percentage should be used in cost allocation.

 

Discussion occurred regarding the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Revolving Loan Fund Letter of Interest that is due January 6, 2012.  Discussion occurred on the competitiveness of the DEQ lists, and the probability of receiving a loan.   Questions arose around the loan financing and how it would occur, stages of construction and how to apply for the loan. 

 

Danielle Quade, attorney with Hawley Troxell, discussed the revenue bond process and possibility of judicial validation.  Discussion occurred on what a judicial validation is, and how it would possibly apply to our project.  Which would be better the revenue bond election or the judicial validation, and what happens if we choose the election and the public turns it down?  If we choose judicial validation it will take at least 6 months; the revenue bond elections can only take place in May and November of each year.

 

Discussion occurred regarding forming an LID versus holding an election revenue bond?  Concern was expressed for District entity participants that live within the City if a revenue bond occurred, some people being given the opportunity to vote and others not being given the opportunity.  It was mentioned that if an LID is formed and people appeal, it would be appealed to the Kootenai County Commissioners, and they in this case could not hear the case due to being a member of HARSB.  Questions arose on the issue of complexity and confusion to the public if each entity chooses to use a different funding method.

 

Public Information is going to be a huge issue to make sure everyone is knowledgeable about what is happening, no matter which way the entities turn.  Questions arose as to the best time to initiate getting more information out to the public on what is happening.  Public entities can pay for unbiased factual information only, but cannot electioneer.  Engineering services can help in getting the information out to the public, but also a group of active citizens may help in getting information out as well.

 

Danielle Quade will provide proposed contracts and/or engagement letter to the entities, since the entities are the decision makers (HARSB cannot bond).  The entities will need the information prior to their December 13 & 14th meetings.

 

 Paul Klatt and Ken Windram will be meeting with John Tindall, Idaho DEQ to discuss the

 NPDES permitting and scheduling.  The entities will need to fill out the Idaho DEQ letter of Interests that are found online prior to the January deadline.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth Sewell, Chairman                                                     Stephanie Oliver, Secretary