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07/19/23 06 PM: Port Hadlock Wastewater Phase I Update

Port Hadlock Wastewater Phase I Update

Major update on Port Hadlock sewer project progress, costs, timelines, connections, and zoning benefits. Brief Tri-Area property revaluation and department snapshots.

Port Hadlock Wastewater System (Phase I) Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:04:26–01:06:24 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, planning, land use, budgeting, operations, contracts

Summary

Public Works Director Monty Reinders and Wastewater Project Manager Samantha Harper presented an update on the Phase I Port Hadlock wastewater project, including site maps, system components like grinder pumps and a membrane bioreactor treatment plant, construction progress, connection requirements, costs, and timelines. The project serves an initial green-boundary area including the school, QFC, wooden boat site, Jimmie Road, ready-mix plant, and sheriff facilities, with treated Class A reclaimed water infiltrating at a rapid rate site off Lopeman Road. Zoning changes upon sewer availability allow increased density from 1 unit per 5 acres to 4-6 units per acre in low-density residential areas and enable urban commercial uses, supporting projects like Habitat for Humanity's 120-200 unit development on an 18-acre airstrip parcel.

Key Discussion Points

  • Monty Reinders described the pressure sewer system using grinder pumps that allow shallow pipes (3-4 feet), county ownership from the property line, and maintenance costs covered in monthly bills except for abuse (e.g., rags, diapers).
  • Samantha Harper detailed onsite connections, electrical requirements (240V, 30 amp circuit, property owner responsibility), decommissioning septics, project phasing (site grading underway at $1-1.5M, WWTP and collection next), and startup at 24,000 gpd with 72,000 gpd capacity.
  • Videos from E-One and others explained grinder pump reliability, with examples from Bloomingdale (1,000+ pumps maintained by 2 staff) and First Utility District.
  • Capacity modeled up to 700,000 gpd before groundwater issues; biosolids trucked to Port Townsend composting; odor control at plant.
  • Questions addressed electricity costs (~$2-5/month), fencing/security, infiltration rates, and future expansions.

Public Comments

  • Chuck (public member): Asked about cost per residence and monthly sewer costs.
  • Liz (online?): Asked for clarification on connection costs vs. septic ($20-25K) and monthly fees.
  • Unidentified: Questions on who is required to connect, shared pumps for mobile homes, and liens for non-payment in condos/mobile parks.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Packet details $34M Phase I construction cost, fully funded by $35.6M (ARPA $3.4M, state $20M via Rep. Tharinger, federal $5.5M via Sen. Murray/Rep. Kilmer/Sen. Cantwell, Ecology $6.7M recommended).
  • Milestones: Final design Fall 2023, sitework done Fall 2023, WWTP/collection construction end 2024, connections through Summer 2025, complete Fall 2025.
  • Mandatory connections: Commercial >4,000 gal/month, multi-family, new development/expansions, failed septics; optional for existing single-family/duplex.
  • Rates: $80/month residential base; commercial base + 2.5¢/gal over 4,000 gal; low-income discount proposed (e.g., half rate at 200% poverty level).
  • No divergence from staff recommendations noted.

Financials

  • Current contract (Seaton): Slightly over $1M for site grading, roads, main lines.
  • Grinder pump install: $20-25K for future new builds ($8K pump alone); initial connections grant-funded except power upgrade.
  • Monthly: $80 residential; electricity $2-5/month; no annual septic fee post-connection.
  • Total funding: $35.6M grants/loans; county subsidy for operations initially due to low startup users.
  • Comparable rates: Port Townsend low, Langley high; $80 typical.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Pressure sewer vs. gravity: Chosen for cost/depth advantages (e.g., 3ft vs. 15-20ft).
  • No other alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational update; no formal action.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • Sewer ordinance to BOCC this fall (connection requirements, rates).
  • Bid WWTP and collection system late 2023.
  • Onsite connections for 25-30 high users early 2024; plant startup mid/late 2025.
  • Contact Public Works for info/meetings; engineering standards in development.
  • Possible low-income power upgrade assistance; future expansions via LID or grants.

Tri-Area Property Revaluation Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:07:14–01:09:34 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, other

Summary

Jefferson County Assessor reported revaluation of the Tri-Area and surrounding areas, with values increasing 20-80% due to more land sales, Irondale undervaluation correction, and demand from Port Townsend pricing. Tri-Area average home value at $343K (similar to Brinnon), manufactured homes comparable, still below North Cape George ($615K) and Port Ludlow; expects continued climb with housing interest.

Key Discussion Points

  • Assessor: Tri-Area values rising faster; more sales activity; stable workouts.
  • Questions: Due to sewer? Partly; also housing demand spillover.
  • Impacts: Potential to push out low/moderate income over time; more housing desire.

Public Comments

  • No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Budget packet notes property taxes as $14M revenue source; challenges include housing shortage/cost.
  • No direct reference; aligns with economic development/housing priorities.

Financials

  • Average Tri-Area home: $343K; manufactured similar to Brinnon.
  • No specific financial impacts discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational update; no action.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Department Snapshots and Community Conversation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:09:34–01:15:51 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, services, planning, other

Summary

Brief updates included Prosecuting Attorney retracting separate coroner office plans due to statutes ambiguity for counties under 40K population; Services Director on submitted grant for 4 Level 3 EV parking spots; skipped programmatic snapshots due to familiarity. Round table invited public questions; noted low attendance (1 public in-person), better outreach needed for sewer-specific notice; future meetings in Port Ludlow/Brinnon expected higher turnout.

Key Discussion Points

  • Prosecutor: No separate office; CJTC clarified no change needed.
  • Services Director (Chris Boys): Optimistic on EV charging grant.
  • Public/Planning Commissioner Cynthia: Suggested dedicated sewer meeting notice for more attendance.
  • Chair Greg Brotherton: Last-minute sewer addition; values flexible agenda.

Public Comments

  • Cynthia (Planning Commissioner): Missed sewer notice on agenda; would draw more public.
  • No other public input; online invited but none raised hand.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Budget packet: 360 staff (80 Public Works, 65 Public Health); priorities include strategic plan, housing, EV/infrastructure implicit.
  • ARPA $12M total received; housing projects (e.g., Habitat Hadlock $500K) tie to sewer enabling density.

Financials

  • No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Meeting adjourned; informational.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Improve outreach for future community conversations (Port Ludlow, Brinnon); ongoing sewer one-on-ones.

Background Materials

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