PUD discusses disconnect policy

Wahkiakum PUD commissioners reviewed water rights applications, talks with the town, and their disconnect policy at their meeting on September 21.

Manager Dave Tramblie recalled the board’s request at the last meeting that he contact Cathlamet Mayor George Wehrfritz to discuss ways to partner on similar activities, such as the town contracting with the PUD for water meter reading or billing services. Tramblie reported that he had spoken with the mayor but clarified that he had no specific details to offer and needed clear directions from the commissioners if they wished him to pursue further conversation.

Attorney Tim Hanigan added, “At this point Commissioner (Bob) Jungers has significant reservations, so I suggest you discuss this at your next meeting.”

Jungers was absent from the meeting.

Commissioner Esther Gregg stated that she wouldn’t say no outright at this point but that many things need to be firmly thought out, including compensation and communication channels about maintenance before the PUD moved forward.

Commissioner Larry Reese asked Tramblie to prepare a list of pros and cons for the commissioners to review in advance of the next meeting.

Tramblie reported he had learned more about beginning the Department of Ecology water rights application process for Puget Island. There is a $1000 application fee and additionally the application would need to specify a site and if the application is for well or surface water.

If the commissioners want to consider a well, the cost of drilling a test well could run between $30,000 and $150,000, said Tramblie.

Reese noted he was aware of people who had tried wells on Puget Island but were unsuccessful, so he would support an application for surface water rights.

Gregg requested that Tramblie or other staff find out more about wells on Puget Island.

Gregg said that she had brought up Wahkiakum PUD’s disconnect policies at a recent Washington PUD Association roundtable with other commissioners.

In contrast to Wahkiakum PUD policy, most have a 30 day grace period before shutoff that begins when a past due notice is sent out. Also, most take credit cards; most have a one year hold on deposits as opposed to two, and none have a policy of starting the 12 month clock over in case of a late payment, as does Wahkiakum PUD.

Reese commented that he had heard of two more incidents of PUD customers unhappy with the disconnect policy.

Skamokawa resident Dennis Reid, who is running for the PUD commission position held by Gregg, used the public comment time to share a personal experience with the disconnect policy.

When Skamokawa resident John Luthi died last year, said Reid, Luthi’s wife was unconscious in the hospital, and Reid, who was named as executor of the estate, did not yet have power of attorney on the day the PUD came to shut off the power. He explained the situation to PUD staff, but there was no flexibility in the policy and the power was turned off for several days.

Gregg responded, “That situation was the first big red flag we saw about examining our disconnect policy, and it’s too bad we didn’t hear about it until long after the fact.”

“I hate disconnects," Tramblie said. "We all do, but the process we use today is based on our years of experience.”

PUD Auditor Erin Wilson said, “I have researched this with other utilities and I feel that our policies are in line with others.”

“Our grace period is shorter and our implementation is harsher,” Gregg countered.

The commissioners scheduled the disconnect policy as a discussion topic for the next meeting and asked to hear reports on the policy from PUD staff with their recommendations.

The commissioners also scheduled a 2011 budget hearing for their first meeting in October. The public is invited to provide comments about the budget at that time.