HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-09 Penjajawoc Watershed Citizen Review Panel MinutesPenjajarl Watershed Citizen Review Panel
Wednesday, February 9,2011@ 12:OOpm
Rangeley Hall, EMCC
The Penjajawoc Watershed Citizen Review Panel met at Rangeley Hall at 12:00 pm. In
attendance were panel members Tom Davis, George Elliott, James Gaiety, Bob Quirk,
Valerie Carter, Jim Tyler, Blame Oeschaine, and staff members Art Morgan and Wendy
Warren, and consultant, ChM Bigelow (Sewall Co.).
1. Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the September 15 Cap meeting were approved.
2. Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study Update—Wendy Warren
The timeline for the utility was presented and discussed. The preliminary SW Utility
budge was reviewed again, presenting the new column of Information and the backup
information that describes what work Is already being done by Ciry staff and being paid
for within the current City budget. That amount is estimated at $416. It was noted that
coincidentally, the amount that the City would need to pay from the General Fund if it
rmade to pay for streets and Its own properties, is about $SOOK (almost equal to
the amountthe Crywould be removing from lrs budget). Members noted that we
should npt discuss mese two issues together if we can help it, as it may seem planned.
In providing an update on the status of the outreach plan, members suggested staff
develop an Opinion Etlitorial for the Bangor Daily News or contact the Editorial Board to
e about printing an ongoing article. Also a press conference was mentioned, Perhaps
surrounding certain documents that are planned to be published such as the white
paperon credits. These would help guide the public relations effort. It was noted that
PJK was being asked t0 help setup meetings with key non -profits to meet with staff.
Members noted that we should try to get the largest of the nonprofit sectors on board
first, for example the largest church, largest healthcare, etc. Some mentioned United
Way, EMCC, Husson University, etc.
Members discussed various strategies for approaching a decision making effort for the
sW Utility. It was suggested that we table the SW Utilirytill July, ash may make sense
towalt till after the Arena is voted onto bring up the SW Utility for a vote. It was noted
that we need to highlight that this is absolutely mandatory. The consequences of this
are unknown. Committee determined that Paul should consult Sean Mahomyto gauge
the risk.
3. Data Collection Update—Chet Bigelow
A written report and brief overview was provided by Chet Bigelow, the project manager
from Sewall who has been contracted to gather data from the sampling sites on our five
impaired streams. Chet mentioned that what we are measuring are minimal efforts in
terms of water quality standards. He highlighted two violations of disaolved oxygen
standards for Class B streams. Chit also reviewed the recommendations that are
included In the report for future monitoring. He noted that total phosphorus, nitrogen,
and turbidity are some of the importantfactorsto measure. Healsonotedthatwe
should be measuring twice a month to get more robust information. He added that
Maaoinvertebrate sampling should also be stepped up beyond the 1 in 5 years that DEP
conducts this sampling. The preliminary SW Utility budget Includes money for all of the
moria recommended by Chet.
The Stream Team is also doing monitoring, and has about two years of data at about
eight stations. Cho would like to marry this data with the Sewall data, but it would be
time consuming.
It Is too earlyto tell whether or not recently installed BMPs will have a positive Impact
on the stream, since they were only completed last fall. We will not have data an how
we are doing for at least five years, as trends can be lost in the noise of changing
condRions from year to year.
6. CRP as a City wide Group — Brad Moore
Brad Moore, the superintendent of the wastewater treatment plant, described the
reasoning for the CRP to become a atywide group. HeofferedthelMestdraftofthe
charter for membersto review and commenton. It was noted that the survey Indicated
most members would be willing to stay an if the committee changed to Citywide. This
will be a City Council decision.
With regard to the Charter, R was noted that the language states that a written report
shall be developed annually to describe the activities and efforts of the CRP. The
mmume recollected that we made a verbal report to the Infrastructure Committee,
but not a written report Staff agreed to review the requirements set forth in the
charter and make sure we are completing all the tasks within It.
1 Other Business
The meeting concluded at approximately 2_00pm.