PUD plans radio, other projects

Brown and Kysar Engineers Erik Kysar and Ryan McMaster presented the Wahkiakum PUD with a system planning study for the years 2009-2023 in the PUD commission’s general meeting Tuesday.

The study was assembled by the firm as a planning tool for the utility.

The local PUD is doing well when compared to other PUD’s of the same size. “Out of probably 50 utilities in the Pacific Northwest, I’d say you guys are in the top five percentile of financial health, seriously,” Kyser said.

In other business, in 2013, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will require all communication radios to be narrowband capable, Sheriff Dan Bardsley told board.

What this means is all radio repeaters must be changed, because as all but one are not capable of receiving the new technology. Bardsley figured the cost for radios would be around $30,000 for the department.

Manager Dave Tramblie asked the commissioners to approve the purchase the 750 MCM underground conductor wire that needs to be installed through the marina. The least expensive of the quotes he obtained would cost $5.76 a foot with an adjustable price portion based on the cost of the metal used.

The total price including tax, he said, comes up just under $51,000. Tramblie said he would like to get the project going before the cold weather hit. Commissioner Bob Jungers moved and Commissioner Esther Gregg seconded to allow Tramblie to make the purchase.

Tramblie presented the board with a list of capitol projects he felt pertinent to be completed in the next five years. He said the reserves are in good shape given the expenses Brown and Kysar said they needed.

Jungers said he felt the board should reconsider the motion made at the last meeting regarding the return of $50 to existing customers because of the Residential Exchange Program.

He told the board he recently heard three different complaints regarding the refund. Jungers doesn’t believe the response has been or will be as great as anticipated. “It is going to blow up in our face in a big way,” he said.

Gregg disagreed saying she has received positive remarks from people, even if not in her district. She said after explaining the REP to a customer they said they thought it was a wonderful idea to return overcharges to the public.

A rate hearing for the Puget Island Water System is scheduled for November 3 at 7 p.m. in the PUD meeting room. The next PUD meeting is November 4 at 8:30 a.m.