ORCAA Board of Directors
January, 2006 - MINUTES
OLYMPIC REGION CLEAN AIR AGENCY
2940 B LIMITED LANE NW
OLYMPIA WA 98502
January 11, 2006
Members present: Pat Hamilton, Pacific County (Chair)
Bob Beerbower, Grays Harbor County (Vice Chair)
Ann Burgman, City of Lacey
Phil Johnson, Jefferson County
Mike Doherty, Clallam County
Mark Foutch City of Olympia
Annette McGee, for Tim Sheldon, Mason County
Grant Munro, City of Port Angeles
Members absent: Bob Macleod, Thurston County
Legal Counsel: Fred Gentry, Bean & Gentry
Staff Present: Rich Stedman, Executive Director, Dan Nelson, Robert Moody, Mark Goodin, and Debbie Moody, Recorder
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 am.
There were no additions or omissions to the Agenda. Johnson moved approval of the Agenda. Doherty seconded the motion. Munro asked about the Director's performance evaluation. Hamilton stated it would have to be dealt with next month. The motion carried unanimously. Burgman moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Beerbower seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Personnel Update
Stedman introduced Geoffrey Glass, our new Engineer II. He noted that Glass came from Spokane, where he was teaching math and chemistry at the college. The Board welcomed Glass.
Stedman noted our secretary position is vacant again. We had a great secretary, however, she has decided to move to Arizona. We have begun recruitment for a secretary. We hope to get through the applicants and interviews in a timely manner.
Compliance Update
Robert Moody, ORCAA's Senior Air Quality Specialist, gave a brief recap of 2005. Moody noted staff has dealt with approximately 1,500 complaints this year, and about half of those were with regards to Ocean Protein in Hoquiam. In the past five months we spent 500 staff hours on Ocean Protein alone. The next largest group of complaints was from outdoor burning.
The compliance section has completed 600 inspections in the last year. We have issued 353 land clearing burn permits, 291 asbestos permits and 222 demolition permits and we have reviewed over 140 reports this year. We will continue to work with Ocean Protein and Ostrom's Mushroom Farm, which are ongoing issues from last year. Hamilton asked if there was any resolution on those cases. Moody stated there is no resolution at this time. Stedman noted both cases would cost us quite a bit in staff and legal time before we see the end. Doherty asked if we had set a limit on when OP had to have their permit in—in other words did you tell them they had to have it in before the season started.
Stedman explained we have let them know, in several different meetings, that they must meet our deadlines. We are hopeful they will adhere to the standards. If they begin operating without our permit, we'll be there to enforce our regulations.
ORCAA Permit Actions
Mark Goodin, ORCAA's Professional Engineer, went over his summary report for the permitting section. Goodin noted Costco is proposing a gas station at their newest facility on Martin Way in Lacey. This facility is anticipating a capacity of 15 million gallons of gasoline a year. We are concerned because this would result in over 246 pounds of benzene emissions to the environment. Goodin explained the screening level, below which you don't have to worry, is 20 pounds a year. We do have a pending application that is under review.
The next item is Lakeside Industries on Durgin Road in the Nisqually area. We are anticipating a public hearing on this case and will keep the Board apprised. Foutch noted the address lists the plant as Olympia. Goodin stated it is actually in Thurston County, out near the Holroyd Plant. Goodin feels this is a suitable area for an asphalt plant, but we are waiting on a completed permit.
Goodin noted Micromarine's (Raymond) permit has been finalized and mailed out. Shurtz Marine has received their final approval as well. There are two other tenants in that building that we will be working with. Stedman noted there are land use issues down on the Port. They have just recently allowed a Kick Boxing/Martial Arts studio to move in next door.
Goodin also added that Ocean Protein is still on our radar. Gordon Lance, of ORCAA staff has been working on their permit and if anyone has any questions, he would be happy to answer them. Goodin stated Quality Rock was discussed at the last meeting. Goodin noted we were under the impression that they had received approval to proceed with their asphalt plant. In reality, they had received approval from a Mason County judge, however, Thurston County appealed the approval and is now waiting. We have decided it would not be good for our agency to approve the permit at this time. We do not want to conflict with what Thurston County is trying to accomplish. Staff is asking for Board direction on this item. Staff recommendation would be to wait on our approval process until after Thurston County appeal has been heard and finalized.
Stedman noted he had this on the Agenda under Unfinished Business. At the previous meeting, the Board directed staff to work with Quality Rock and not go through the process and renew the application as if it were new. We planned on approving the submitted application due to the fact that nothing had changed with respect to proposed air quality controls and regulatory requirements. We had been told they were ready to go, when in fact they were not. At such time they are ready to move forward, we will be expediting their permit on our end.
2005 Air Quality Summary
Stedman pointed out the air quality summary sheet in the Board's packets. Stedman briefly went over the results. Stedman noted the Raymond PM2.5 monitoring site that is now up and running.
New PM Standards
Stedman explained EPA is working on proposing new standards for PM2.5 and PM10. The main issue is that they are probably going to lower the standards. Currently the standard is 65 micrograms per cubic meter and EPA is proposing to lower it to 35 micrograms per cubic meter. What that means for us, Stedman noted, is if you look at our air quality summary, we could be in non-attainment for 2.5 in Lacey. There are other criteria when it comes to declaring an area non-attainment, however, we could be looking at some issues in our area. Hamilton asked Stedman to explain PM standards. Stedman gave a brief explanation. The EPA sets the standard for the six criteria pollutants—Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, Particulate Matter, Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur and Lead. We are doing pretty well with the criteria pollutants, except PM. We had been in non-attainment for PM10, but through some dedication from staff on burn bans, and the woodstove change out program, we were able to get into attainment status. Munro asked what the particulates are made up of. Stedman explained there are a lot of things that could be found in the particulate, but what is typically found in Lacey would be woodstove and vehicle emissions.
Some discussion followed. Stedman noted he would keep the Board apprised of this legislation.
State Audit
Stedman wanted to make the Board aware that we are currently under audit, again. So far, they have not found any issues and we don't anticipate any problems or issues. Stedman is hoping to have a final report on the audit by the next Board meeting.
Washington State Air Quality Managers Chair
Stedman noted the Washington State Air Quality Manager's met recently and appointed him as the chair. Stedman assured the Board the appointment shouldn't cut into his time.
National Air Quality Conference/February Meeting
Stedman stated he and Dan Nelson have been asked to speak at the National Air Quality Conference that is put on by EPA. It will be taking place in San Antonio in February. Nelson will be discussing the Ocean Protein case. Stedman noted he would be discussing our Cheeka Peak site. There have been some issues with regards to our site, but we are hopeful things will work out. We were told we would get a grant to continue operating this site and our plan is to speak with EPA and see if we can't bolster the amount we will get.
Olympia Salvage
Stedman noted the owner of Olympia Salvage stopped in to let us know about their service. This business deconstructs buildings. Stedman showed a brochure they had left. This is a non-profit agency that deconstructs buildings, saves and salvage timbers, fixtures, etc and then sells it out of a warehouse here in Olympia. Stedman did note they do still need to comply with all demolition permits from us and the county or city. Doherty noted there is a nonprofit on Whidbey Island that recycles older, whole houses back from these high cost view properties. They pass them on to lower income folks that want sweat equity to earn their house. If someone could research and find out who that group is, it would be nice if these businesses could be contacted and passed on to each of our jurisdictions. The Board thought that would be helpful. Stedman stated he would do some research.
IRS Mileage Rate
Stedman wanted to let the Board know that, reflected on their vouchers, the new IRS Mileage rate has decreased to .445 per mile.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
School Bus Retrofit Program Update
Stedman explained we have pretty much got all our school buses done and are now working on the crank case ventilation which will improve the air quality inside the school buses. We encourage the Board to talk to your jurisdictions and let them know we do have some monies we can use to do retrofits on municipal fleets. We are currently working with Jefferson Transit.
Financial Services Bill
Stedman noted he will be meeting with Senator Honeyford on Friday January 20. We are hoping to get the inside scoop on why he didn't support our bill last year and find out if he is going to try to block it again. Gary Alexander is working hard on our bill and has noted it is one of his legislative goals. We are really looking forward to watching this bill go through. Foutch noted he too will be meeting with Honeyford. He noted he could bring the subject up as well. McGee noted Stedman should talk to Tim Sheldon also. There was some discussion. There was no action required of the Board.
Quality Rock Products
See "ORCAA Permit Actions" under Director's Report
NEW BUSINESS:
Energy Independence Through Alternative Fuels Legislation
Stedman noted this bill is being put through by the Northwest Climate Solutions. We have been requested to endorse the legislation and we have only just received the draft bill this morning. The idea behind this legislation, Stedman explained, is to add bio-fuels as a mandate. The idea would be to mandate the use of bio-fuels in Washington state and to have an infrastructure built, most likely in Eastern Washington that would be growing crops for creation and production of ethanol and bio-diesel.
Normally, Stedman stated, we would say this is a slam-dunk. In fact the city of Olympia and Seattle have endorsed this legislation as well. We don't really see any drawbacks for us endorsing it, however, after checking with the other air agencies there is some reluctance. They have stated concern with the ethanol content. The ethanol actually causes the release of vapors, which contributes to and causes ozone issues. Stedman noted the other agencies are waiting on a study that is being undertaken at this time. Stedman stated our recommendation would be to endorse the legislation. However, we could wait for the data results on the issues with regards to ozone.
Several Board members felt we should wait to see what the study shows before making the decision as to whether or not we support the bill. Doherty felt we should move forward now. Some discussion followed. Burgman stated we should take another look at this issue after the data results are available. Hamilton stated if we get a favorable report the Board could authorize the Director to move ahead with support. Beerbower agreed. Foutch noted Stedman could email the Board the results and we can let him know what to do. Doherty agreed.
Hamilton stated there is a consensus of the Board, unless staff finds something really egregious in the report, ORCAA can go ahead and support it. Stedman stated he was sure this would pass. It is good legislation and there is enough bi-partisan support.
ORCAA Vehicle Sales
Stedman noted we are seeking the Board's permission to sell an additional vehicle. We have a 1996 Dodge Stratus that has come to the end of its usefulness for the agency. Stedman noted we would put the vehicle out for bid. We are hoping to find another vehicle on the state contract. Stedman requested a motion from the Board to sell the Stratus and noted when we are ready to purchase the next vehicle, he would come back before the Board for a budget amendment.
Foutch moved approval. Burgman seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 am.
PRESENTED BY:
Richard A. Stedman, Executive Director
APPROVED BY:
The Majority of the Board
APPROVED and SIGNED this 8 th day of February 2006