Your PUD
News Release
PUD discusses private docks on public land
Chelan County PUD
News Release
2/11/2008
Commissioners Monday discussed whether private docks should be permitted on land the PUD owns along the shorelines of its Rock Island and Rocky Reach reservoirs on the Columbia.
Numerous landowners attended the meeting to urge commissioners to vote against a staff recommendation to end permitting of new docks along PUD property – about 7 percent of land behind Rocky Reach and 8 percent behind Rock Island. Property owners who own all their waterfront would not be affected.
Currently, the PUD offers permits for docks with the right to cancel them with 90-days notice. The regulatory agencies authorizing PUD use of water and lands could at any time require the docks to be pulled out.
Landowners commented that a moratorium against new docks would further clog existing public docks and harm economic development.
Others asked commissioners to grandfather docks where expensive permitting has already started.
Staff also told commissioners more time is needed to research real estate owned by the PUD that is under water.
Commissioners requested that staff return with more information and a recommendation in about 30 days.
Commissioners delay decision on Camas Meadows LUD
After hearing public comment and discussing the financial feasibility, commissioners Monday asked for more time to consider a petition to create a local utility district (LUD) for the Camas Meadows area.
The petition, which was given to the PUD in November on behalf of 8 of 11 landowners in the area, asks the PUD to fund the extension of electricity to the area. Customers would then pay off the line extension costs over time.
Area residents previously received a cost estimate of $195,000 to extend power to the area east of Blewett Pass. The majority of residents found that cost prohibitive and are hoping the PUD will help them finance the line extension with the LUD process.
John Stoll, Customer Service director, recommended that commissioners decline the request, saying it would be a financial burden for the PUD and its customer owners and would go against past practice of providing new electric services through the PUD’s line extension policy.
The PUD has in the past used LUDs to help finance water and sewer projects, where public health and safety issues were involved and where grant funds and loans were available. Most recently, the PUD helped Monitor residents form an LUD for a new water system.
To continue the discussion, commissioners extended the public hearing to 2 p.m. on Feb. 25 in the Headquarters boardroom.
In other business, PUD commissioners:
- Authorized PUD staff to begin the process of refinancing about $141 million in bonds due to the changing economic and bond market climate.
- Completed the performance review of General Manager Rich Riazzi and approved a 4.9 percent salary increase, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2008. Commissioners recommended the increase to $274,051 after praising Riazzi’s work in the past year. Commission President Norm Gutzwiler commented: “This commission appreciated everything that you’ve done, your leadership, and the education that you’ve helped give to us. It’s brought this PUD to a different level.”
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Due to the Presidents Day holiday, the next regular meeting of the PUD commission is at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19, in the boardroom at PUD headquarters, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.
Most PUD commission meetings are recorded, and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s home page at www.chelanpud.org.
Christy Shearer
Communications Audio-visual Specialist
Chelan County PUD
509.661.4258 office
509.421.4258 cell
509.661.8133 fax
christy.shearer@chelanpud.org