ORCAA Board of Directors
June, 2005 - MINUTES
OLYMPIC REGION CLEAN AIR AGENCY
2940 B LIMITED LANE NW
OLYMPIA WA 98502
June 8, 2005
Members present: Pat Hamilton, Pacific County (Chair)
Mark Foutch City of Olympia
Ann Burgman, City of Lacey
Bob Beerbower, Grays Harbor County (Vice Chair)
Grant Munro, City of Port Angeles
Mike Doherty, Clallam County
Annette McGee, for Tim Sheldon, Mason County
Bob Macleod, Thurston County
Members absent: Phil Johnson, Jefferson County
Legal Counsel: Fred Gentry, Bean & Gentry
Staff Present: Rich Stedman, Executive Director, Lynn Harding, and Debbie Moody, Recorder
The meeting was called to order at 10:03 a.m.
There were no additions or omission to the Agenda. Burgman moved approval of the revised Agenda. Foutch seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Foutch moved approval of the Consent Agenda. McGee seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Retreat Summary
Stedman explained that staff attended their retreat last Friday and it appears it was very successful. Stedman noted staff worked together with Martha Bryant, our consultant, doing team building exercises and the notes we took were sent to her and she will be putting together a summary and a booklet of results, which will be share with the Board.
Director Travel to New York to teach EPA Risk Assessment Course
Stedman stated he received a request to teach a course for EPA. EPA would be paying for the trip. Stedman noted the course will be taught next month and would be taking place at the same time as our regularly scheduled Board meeting. Hamilton asked if there the Board was agreeable to canceling July's meeting. The Board agreed.
Woodstove Grant from Ecology
Stedman explained when we prepared the budget we did not have accurate information on the woodstove program. Once the number is confirmed, we will amend the budget to show the correct amount.
Personnel Update
Stedman noted we have hired a new employee. Our newest Air Quality Specialist, Steve Rybolt, will begin working July 1. Rybolt comes to us from a recent internship at the Northwest Clean Air Agency.
Tacoma Rail
As a result of recent law change, Stedman explained, we were able to tap into our school bus monies to use on public fleets. If a determination is made noting a positive public health impact the monies can be used on other public fleets. We will be partnering with Department of Ecology and Tacoma Rail, to install quick start units on locomotives at a switching yard over in East Olympia. There is a school and residential neighborhood nearby, Stedman noted.
Currently, Stedman continued, these locomotives run 24 hours a day. There is a significant amount of fuel costs associated with running these locomotives and a significant amount of emissions. The total cost of the project is approximately $100,000. Ecology is looking at contributing $50,000, we would pass on $25,000, and Tacoma Rail would cover the additional $25,000. Stedman stated if the Board approves the project, we would like to make a major public event of it.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
School Bus Retrofit Program Update
Stedman wanted to remind the Board that if they have any public fleets they would like to get retrofitted or if they are in need of assistance with bio-diesel upgrades, to please let us know. We have the funds to do these types of projects on public fleets.
Final Strategic Plan
Stedman stated he has not yet received all final comments so we will bring the Plan back for adoption at the August Board meeting.
Shake Mill Update
Stedman noted that as of July 1, we will begin enforcement efforts on shake mills that burn their waste. This is a federally regulated program and we don't have many options other than enforcement. In order for these sources to operator legally, they would have to install costly control devices. We have been working with industry for the past several years, yet only recently has industry taken us seriously. Stedman noted we are in contact with the federal air regulators discussing the possibility of working with the industry and setting up a compliance schedule. We have been told if this is possible, they may allow a timeline of one year for the ‘delay' of enforcement action involving penalties. We would still have to issue violation notices for those that don't comply by July 1, but we can suspend the penalties for the first year. That is, Stedman noted, if we can work out this compliance schedule with the federal regulators. Staff will keep the Board apprised of actions taken.
Munro stated he has been in contact with the industry up in the Forks area and he has mentioned to them that they are talking to the "policeman" on that law. He noted he has told them ORCAA would do all they can to be reasonable and find a way to help them. It is a very important industry up there, Munro stated. It is important, Munro noted, that we find a way to give them a little time, as it is a large impact on the economy in our area.
Stedman assured the Board that ORCAA wants to be a part of the solution. Doherty offered that they could require a monthly written report from the operators, to show that they are making progress. There was no action required of the Board.
Ostrom Update
Stedman wanted to note that we will be attending a hearing at PCHB tomorrow over the Ostrom's case. Gentry had submitted a request for reconsideration to the PCHB and it was accepted. Stedman noted the hearing will include the PCHB members going out to the farm to see the facility.
NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution 237 – Board Appreciation of Jimmy Werner for his awards and contributions to ORCAA
Stedman stated this Resolution recognizes Jimmy Werner's contributions to the agency. Werner has received several awards and he does incredible work as an air-monitoring specialist for ORCAA. Werner is one of the top guys in the state and we are very fortunate to have him on staff, Stedman stated.
Foutch moved approval of Resolution 237. Munro seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Resolution 238 – Amendment to Cheeka Peak Observatory
Stedman explained the resolution will amend our budget. The operator/contractor out at the site wanted to extend the timeline of the performance of the contract, which extends into next year. This was not shown in the budget, Stedman noted, so this amendment will allow for this extension of time.
Burgman moved approval of Resolution 238. Foutch seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 10:36 am.
PRESENTED BY:
Richard A. Stedman, Executive Director
APPROVED BY:
The Majority of the Board
APPROVED and SIGNED this 10 th day of August 2005