ORCAA Board of Directors
May, 2006 - MINUTES
OLYMPIC REGION CLEAN AIR AGENCY
2940 B LIMITED LANE NW
OLYMPIA WA 98502
May 10, 2006
Members present: Bob Beerbower, Grays Harbor County (Chair)
Pat Hamilton, Pacific County
Ann Burgman, City of Lacey
Bob Macleod, Thurston County (Secretary)
Lynda Ring Erickson, Mason County
Phil Johnson, Jefferson County
Grant Munro, City of Port Angeles (Vice Chair)
Mark Foutch, City of Olympia
Members absent: Mike Doherty, Clallam County
Legal Counsel: Fred Gentry, Bean & Gentry
Staff Present: Richard Stedman, Executive Director; Mark Goodin, Professional Engineer; Dan Nelson, Public Information Officer; Robert Moody, Compliance Supervisor; Lynn Harding, Administrative Services Manager; and Debbie Moody, Recorder
The meeting was called to order at 10:08 am.
There were no additions or omissions to the Agenda. Burgman moved approval of the Agenda. Macleod seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Foutch moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Burgman seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING
Stedman asked the Board to continue the hearing at the June 14 meeting. Foutch noted the finance committee did meet prior to the Board meeting and looked over the draft budget. The committee did have some questions and comments, but overall directed staff to move forward and bring the final budget to the full Board.
Stedman did note a copy of the draft budget expenditures and revenues were included in the packets.
The Board agreed to continue the hearing at the June 14 meeting.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Compliance Update
Robert Moody, Compliance Supervisor, noted the compliance section is busy preparing for the 2007 burn ban. This ban will be imposed on several small Urban Growth Areas. The compliance section is working with Dan Nelson on getting the word out to the affected towns and cities.
Stedman added that we are preparing a media campaign to educate the public. We are hoping to workshop each of the towns and cities to let them know what is coming up and work with them on alternatives to burning.
Munro asked if the ban affects unincorporated towns. R. Moody noted it can be communities, incorporated or unincorporated areas. It affects areas where Urban Growth Areas have been established. Munro asked if the small areas, such as Joyce, Sekiu, etc are included. R. Moody stated yes they are all included. Munro mentioned it would be a challenge in these smaller communities.
Hamilton asked if we have a positive approach, rather than go directly into enforcement mode. Stedman stated we plan on starting with a positive approach. We want to educate the public and work with the communities to have alternatives to burning.
Hamilton stated she would like to invite staff to her community. Currently the DOE is offering grants that would assist with an environmental cleanup, as long as it would make an everlasting impact. One thing we were talking about for our area was a community shredder. We believe the cost goes above what the grant would be from DOE. If there were a way that we can get additional monies from ORCAA to make up the difference, it would fit the long-term impact that is a condition of the DOE grant.
Stedman felt there is funding available out there. We just need to show emission reductions and we should be able to compete for some of the monies.
ORCAA Permit Actions
Mark Goodin, Professional Engineer, noted there is a summary sheet in the Board packets. Goodin noted Lakeside - Nisqually has received a final determination for conditional approval. We held the public hearing, gathered testimony, responded to the public and finalized the permit. Goodin noted there were a lot of gains from the public process. The comments were taken into consideration and assisted in developing the conditions for approval. There were significant changes to the approval order after the public hearing. The changes affected the plant in such a way to further reduce emissions. They will use natural gas rather than diesel. They will not be allowed to use recycled asphalt, and there are additional controls on the silos to reduce fugitive emissions during the loading of the trucks. Goodin noted he felt our approval is a good compromise with what the citizens were asking for and what Lakeside proposed originally.
Also noteworthy is Ocean Protein, Goodin stated. We held the public hearing and have since conditionally approved the upgrades of the air pollution controls. We are expecting significant odor reductions at the plant.
Goodin explained we have a settlement agreement with Nippon in Port Angeles. They began burning urban wood waste in their hog fuel boiler, which is not included in their permit. The settlement agreement states Nippon must submit an application to us, which they agreed to do. As a trade-off, we rescinded the Notice of Violation that had been issued. They will receive an approval shortly.
We also have a settlement agreement with Ostrom's Mushroom Farm, Goodin continued. From now on, Ostrom's will be recognized under the Agricultural Exemption. We will no longer have authority to require a permit application for any of their modifications or upgrades, provided they stay within the conditions of the Agricultural Exemption. Stedman added Ostrom's could no longer produce compost to sell. All compost they produce must stay onsite and be used for their own purposes at the Thurston County site. Foutch asked who would be taking and responding to complaints if ORCAA doesn't regulate them. Stedman noted we would still be receiving the complaints, however, we will be telling the public that we no longer have the authority to regulate emissions from the facility. Although, we do still have Regulation 1, which states we do respond to nuisance odors. We would have to involve a third party to determine whether or not Ostrom's is using best management practices for the production of compost.
Goodin wanted to also let the Board know that a company, Seattle Biodiesel, has proposed a 100 million gallon per year, biodiesel production plant for Grays Harbor County. Goodin did note this source could end up being a major source. Stedman noted this proposed source would be the largest biodiesel plant in Washington State. Stedman also stated he would like to be present when they break ground to promote this as an air quality reduction strategy.
Macleod noted the considerable testimony during the public hearing for Lakeside requesting an air quality monitoring station to be located at Nisqually due to the great variety of unique air conditions in the valley. It appears, Macleod continued, by approving this application that ORCAA is not going to require the monitoring station. Goodin explained he consulted with legal council and it appears we do not have the authority to require Lakeside to fund such a site. Goodin noted the background meteorological data was appropriate and it conservatively estimated ground level concentrations. Stedman explained there is a lot that goes into setting up a monitoring site; it isn't as simple as just taking a monitor out and starting it up. A lot goes into the placement of sites. Stedman noted that ORCAA is looking into establishing a monitoring station in the area and has received indications from Lakeside that they might be interested in contributing money to help fund the site.
Macleod noted an additional concern was the allowing of the plant to start up operations with diesel. Goodin noted this would not be allowed. Diesel will only be allowed as an emergency backup.
Air Quality Summary
Stedman noted the AQ summary was included in the Board packets. Stedman stated this would probably be the last one for some time since we are coming into the real nice unstable air conditions of summer (good air dispersion/ventilation).
School Bus Retrofit Update
Dan Nelson, Public Information Officer, explained the focus has shifted to our anti-idling campaign. We have received a lot of support from the school districts and their administrators. Nelson had an anti-idling sign to show the Board. The Northwest Air Quality Communicators Group (NWAQCG) developed the signage and is coordinating the campaign statewide—spreading into British Columbia, Idaho and Oregon. We are currently gearing up in our jurisdiction by focusing on the schools. We have been sending out our coffee mugs to the school bus drivers. We are finding that the school transportation districts have implemented either a formal or informal policy with regards to idling. We have received data showing a bus idling for 45 minutes to an hour can burn up as much as a gallon of gas.
Nelson noted we are providing the signs to the transportation districts free of charge. We have actually received requests for more signs than we anticipated. The districts want to put the signs in the service yards as well as at least two in each of the schools in their districts. Nelson stated these signs have been very successful and we get a great deal on them via the NWAQCG.
We do continue to have buses trickling in for retrofits, Nelson stated. We are waiting on a budget proposal from Jefferson Transit with regards to retrofitting their fleet. We have yet to hear back from the City of Olympia Public Works, Nelson noted, and we would like to move forward on that project as quickly as we can.
Hamilton asked if there is a pamphlet available that shows the costs of idling? Nelson stated we do not at this time; however, development of one is in the works. The school superintendents actually requested the same information to hand out to parents. We do have some draft materials we received via the NWAQCG that we can personalize for our agency.
Macleod asked if we have anything to do with the Tacoma Rail project. Stedman stated yes, in fact, Tacoma Rail people are meeting today to ratify the contract.
Lynda Ring-Erickson asked if a public works department would be able to purchase the anti-idling signs. Nelson noted the legislature has eased up on the restrictions for the school bus monies and we could look at public fleets. Ring-Erickson stated Mason County would be very interested in getting signs. Stedman stated ORCAA would be happy to provide the signs.
Staff WGEP Training Report
Stedman explained we had two training days with Washington Government Entity Pool. One training was geared toward staff and the other was for the management team. The staff attended training on ethics. The management team training was avoiding discriminatory behavior and responding to employee complaints. Stedman noted that he received high praises from the majority of staff with regards to not only the training, but the trainers as well. Stedman added that the training was paid for by WGEP and included a nice lunch.
Before moving onto New Business, Foutch mentioned he had recently spoken with Robin Hunt. He noted he asked her what happened with the legislature. Foutch stated Hunt told him she is working with Kim Wyman, Thurston County Auditor, to see if there is some way to get this thing done, absent legislative action. Foutch thought perhaps if staff re-engage with Hunt, we may find we can move forward. Stedman stated he would contact Hunt.
NEW BUSINESS:
UGA No Burn Signage
Nelson explained the compliance section has been contacting the various transportation departments to discuss with them the idea of placing signs on the perimeters of the new no burn areas. We felt the signs would show people when they are entering an Urban Growth Area and that no burning is allowed. We have found reluctance from the transportation departments. The transportation departments all stated they would request direction from the commission prior to allowing the signage. Nelson noted staff would be going to the county commissions and requesting them to pass a resolution allowing us to post the signage. The signs will be DOT quality and meet DOT approved standards.
Combined Outdoor Burn Campaign
Nelson stated the NWAQCG has been working on a coordinated outdoor burning education campaign. ORCAA contributed $10,000, of a $105,000 budget, to the production of some communications materials. NWAQCG hired Bellwether to put together focus groups to come up with what messages really resonated with the public. To no surprise we learned that health, particularly children's' health, was the issue people responded to. Nelson played the commercial that was produced. This current budget year, the money was used to pay for production of the commercial and the print companion piece. We will be looking at buying airtime in the next budget cycle. Nelson noted will be working with Northwest Clean Air Agency (NWCAA) and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) to do a coordinated media buy. PSCAA is contributing $100,000 and we hope to contribute at least $10,000. NWCAA will be contributing $25,000 with Ecology also contributing an undetermined amount. Nelson noted we would be able to customize the print and radio spots for our own areas.
Hamilton asked if the local theaters would be willing to run the commercials prior to the movies. Stedman stated we have done that in the past, however, the theaters now have an hour of advertisement prior to movies and the buy-in price is considerably more expensive now. They have gotten away from the local and gone more national with their advertisements.
Stedman thanked Nelson for all the work he has done and wanted to make a point that our relatively small contribution of $10,000 has got us a buy-in on a project that was well over $100,000. We are very grateful to be a member of the NWAQCG.
Stedman pointed out that NWAQCG hired models and were planning the photo shoot for the printed advertisement. They were looking into hiring a photographer and quickly learned the costs associated with hiring a professional photographer. There are fees paid out in the form of residuals and royalties each time the photo is used. Our very own Dan Nelson offered his photographic experience and did the photo shoot essentially for free.
Foutch noted if we do a follow-up on this product staff might want to consider the elderly in place of the children.
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 14 th day of June 2006