Your PUD
News Release
Board sets seven special meetings for public input
Chelan County PUD
News Release
11/7/2005
PUD commissioners are seeking public involvement in hiring a new general manager, and Monday they established seven special meetings to hear from the public about the qualifications and characteristics needed for that position.
The meetings start this week and will be held at 7 p.m. (with one exception) on:
- Nov. 9 – Wenatchee Center, 121 N. Wenatchee Ave.
- Nov. 15 – Entiat School cafeteria (includes new transmission line discussion)
- Nov. 16 – Leavenworth Fest Halle
- Nov. 21 – Cashmere Riverside Center
- Nov. 22 – 5 p.m. at the Chelan County PUD Auditorium, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.
- Nov. 28 – Chelan County Fire District 1 station in Malaga
- Nov. 29 – Campbell’s Resort in Chelan
More information about the meetings has been mailed to all PUD customers and is being advertised. All of the meetings are open to anyone interested.
Natural resources in the spotlight
As part of the 2006 budget process, PUD commissioners Monday participated in discussions regarding the PUD’s natural resource management programs. Staff outlined projects and studies planned for 2006 to meet Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) requirements and other environmental goals.
Chelan County PUD’s HCPs for Rocky Reach and Rock Island dams allow the PUD to choose least-cost tools to achieve fish survival goals.
The 2006 budget for fish and wildlife is forecast at about $15.7 million. The funds will also cover hatcheries and wildlife programs that manage predatory birds and protect wildlife from electric infrastructure.
An updated version of the 2006 PUD budget is set to go to the PUD Commission for discussion next Monday, Nov. 14. The budget will continue to be refined and analyzed by managers and the board before a final budget is presented for Commission approval on Dec. 5.
In other business, commissioners:
- Thanked Charlie Hosken at his last meeting as general manager. As acting chairman, Gary Montague said, “It’s been a pleasure working with you. Thank you.” Commissioners also thanked Lisa James, executive assistant and clerk of the board, as she takes another position within the PUD.
- Participated in a discussion regarding the pending license for Lake Chelan Dam. While a long-awaited biological opinion from NOAA Fisheries has been received, the outcome of the final license is not certain because of a recent shift in policy by FERC on relicensing issues. An estimated $5.6 million in license implementation costs will be deferred from the 2006 budget until the license is issued. The overall costs associated with the new license are estimated at around $53 million in today’s dollars over 50 years.
- Authorized a one-year extension with Merchant Patrol Security for unarmed security guard services at costs not to exceed $635,000. The guards patrol 24 hours a day to ensure the safety of employees, contractors, visitors and PUD facilities.
- Authorized a $185,000 agreement with the Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research-Hydroscience and Engineering for developing a computerized model to evaluate potential alternatives to improve guidance and survival of fish passing Rocky Reach Dam.
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Commissioners set seven special open public meetings to discuss the search for a new general manager. They are as follows:
- Nov. 9 – Wenatchee Center, 121 N. Wenatchee Ave.
- Nov. 15 – Entiat School cafeteria (includes new transmission line discussion)
- Nov. 16 – Leavenworth Fest Halle
- Nov. 21 – Cashmere Riverside Center
- Nov. 22 – 5 p.m. at the Chelan County PUD Auditorium, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.
- Nov. 28 – Chelan County Fire District 1 station in Malaga
- Nov. 29 – Campbell’s Resort in Chelan
The next regular meeting of the PUD commission will start at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 14, in the boardroom of the Headquarters Building, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.
Most PUD commission meetings are recorded and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s Web site, www.chelanpud.org.
Christy Shearer
Communications Audio-visual Specialist
509.661.4258
509.421.4258, cell
christy.shearer@chelanpud.org