Freeland Water and Sewer District Sewer and Water Reuse Project

1. Freeland Water and Sewer DistrictSewer and Water Reuse Project Public Meeting #3 April 5, 2011 and associated firms

2. Meeting Agenda and Purpose

3. Agenda • 6:00 pm – Open House Welcome • 6:15 pm – Introductory Comments by District • 6:30 pm – Project Status • 7:00 pm – Project Costs and Funding • 7:30 pm – Q&A • 8:00 pm - Adjourn

4. Purpose • For Community Members to get answers to questions regarding: • Project Status • Why the project is needed • Project Cost and Financing • Next Steps

5. PROJECT REVIEW: Where are we on this project and how did we get here?

6. Project Review • What water quality issues? • Why does the Freeland Sub-Area Plan require sewers? • What is the status of the sewer project?

7. DOE Water Quality Assessment

8. DOE Water Quality Assessment

9. Holmes Harbor SPD

10. DOH Shellfish Safety Closures

11. Media • NRDC Report • 20% Samples Contaminated

12. Project Review • Why does the Freeland Sub-Area Plan require sewers?

13. Project Review • What is the status of the sewer project?

14. Project Complexities Freeland Sewer and Water Reuse Project: Activities Related to Pre-design, Design, Construction, and Operation Pre-Design Phase Complete easement acquisition to 80 acres Pre-Design Studies: Complete hydrogeology study of 80 acres and drainage basin (HWA) Survey for right-of-way, treatment plant site and reuse site. Develop and acquire STEP system access, pipeline, and side sewer easements Treatment plant and reuse site geotechnical investigation and report. Suitability (incl. locating/documenting) of existing on-site systems for STEP conversion Secure potable water supply to treatment plant site Electrical supply coordination with PSE for STEP systems High voltage 3-phase electrical supply coordination with PSE for treatment plant site and reclaimed water site Detailed Design for Construction Design & bid phase contract amendment; assume scope & budget negotiations. Design and bid for membrane system equipment procurement. Detailed design of plans, specifications & estimate for construction Construction Management and Quality Control Plan required for Ecology Approval. Permits, SEPA, Review & Approval of Construction Documents Project action SEPA review (by District) Right of way plans & permits to construct in WSDOT & Island Co. right of way Washington State Department of Ecology plan review and approval as lead agency Washington State Department of Health (WDOH) review and approval Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Island County permits Bid Phase Call For Bids with 30 day bid period Open and evaluate Bids, recommend for award Notice to proceed with construction. Construction and Startup Phase Construction (potentially multiple contracts) Reclaimed water treatment plant STEP collection & conveyance system On-site system modifications/replacements converting to STEP Effluent reuse system Conveyance pipeline Effluent reuse site construction. Startup and testing Project on line and operational Project completion approvals—WDOE & WDOH Operation Phase Planning and Policies Operations and Maintenance Plan drafted during design/construction phase Administrative and maintenance policies STEP system access and maintenance policies Reclaimed water use policy Connection and developer extension policies Cross Connection policy Sewer System Rate Structure and Policy LID Assessment and Collection Debt Service Rates & billing Low income, deferred assessment policy/program On-site site STEP system maintenance program Emergency callout Testing reporting and compliance monitoring to WDOE per NPDES permit Hire & train administrative, operations & maintenance staff. Complete before system startup.

15. Ecology Water Quality DraftFund Offer • #5 Ranked Project on Draft Offer List • $3.5 M Request for Design

16. Continued Conversations • Public information & outreach • With our funding partners • Value Engineering process • Review current plan and determine most cost effective approach • Refine/re-examine some program decisions • District hires independent engineering teamof experts • Engage key representatives of community in process • Costs involved, need Agency buy-in • Possible plan revision and approvals • No guaranteed outcome • Will impact schedule • Will require more planning costs

17. Funding

18. The Funding Dance – Government/Community Partnership • Government investment • Appropriations from federal and state elected officials • Grants and low-interest loans from funding programs • Require project to be approved, designed, constructed & maintained • Grant/loan programs are not willing to contribute further without LID formation (the dance) • Community investment • Local Improvement District (LID) formation • mechanism for repayment of debt • allows FWSD to attract further grants to bring the sewer cost down • is one step in a long process • construction requires a separate discrete series of decisions • Connection charges • not a reliable source of payment/repayment for a new system • Monthly rates

19. Sewer Funding Plan Capital Funding State/Federal Appropriations State/Federal Grants & Loans Interim: Bank Line of Credit Goal: Most Advantageous $$ for Ratepayers Debt Repayment / User Recovery LID Assessments, Island County Rural Sales Tax, $100k/yr O&M / Admin / Short-Lived Assets Monthly Rates

20. Project Cost • Please refer to project cost sheet available on FWSD website

21. Sample: How LID payment works - over 15 years Caution: This is a sample comparison and is not intended to indicate what an actual assessment or interest rate may be. This is for discussion and amounts and terms will be determined at final financing.

22. Low-Income Assistance • CDBG grant for low-income property owner assistance for sewer capital cost • FWSD/Island County to apply • State program senior/disabled low-income property owners can defer assessment • administered by Island County • USDA-RD Housing Program for income qualified assistance for on-site connection • apply as individuals

23. Federal/State Funding Assistance • Each program has its own process • Funding outlook may change every year • Success improves by staying in touch and involving funding program administrators • An organized Funding Program Tech Team established to assist the project in funding • Met in Wenatchee Oct.‘10, in Freeland Mar.‘11 • State/Federal Funders are interested in this project

24. Target Appropriations for Funding • Federal appropriations • earmarks not allowed this year, better next year • pursuing Water Smart Program under Bureau of Reclamation • Federal State and Tribal Assistance Grant • applications not accepted this year • State appropriations • remain hopeful for potential this year

25. Targeted Funding Sources • DOE water quality programs • grant/loan application due October 2012 • draft offer for design loan (not grant-eligible) • potential $5M grant for severe hardship • potential $1.75M grant for Green Project Reserve • USDA-Rural Development • grant/loan application planned October 2012 • potential $1.5M grant with $3.5M loan

26. More Targeted Funding Sources • Community Development Block Grant • Grant for qualified low-income assessment relief • $1M would provide 45 homes at $21,800 • Island County would be applicant • Community Economic Revitalization Board • Design/construction assistance for service to manufacturing sector • WA State Public Works Trust Fund • Low-interest loans, maximum $10M per biennium • 5-year deferral for new systems

27. Funding – Where We Are Now • Remain hopeful for potential appropriation to fund design process • Can delay LID formation • Avoid borrowing funds until construction • Continue to work with funding program administrators • LID formation will be required for additional grants/loans • Meet with Funding Tech Team in October • Seek to reduce costs through design process

28. Next Steps Website: www.freelandwsd.com FAQs Water Lines newsletter Upcoming public meeting topics: Finance, Project Cost Overview and LID Sub-Area Planning & Population Growth Water Quality Issues & Water Supply Project Plan Alternatives & On-site STEP System Design & Cost Control

29. What Questions Do You Have?

30. Freeland Water & Sewer DistrictNew Sewage Collection and Treatment System Public Meeting #3 April 5, 2011 and associated firms