Sound off
By Rick ALmberg
Mayor Scott Dudley recently commented in the Whidbey News-Times that he has some cost-cutting ideas on the proposed wastewater treatment plant. I am delighted to hear that and am looking forward to his presentation. One idea that he has suggested was to consider another site, more specifically the Freund site.
Initially, the public considered more than 30 possible sites and the Freund site was included. Upon becoming mayor, Mr. Dudley directed staff to reconsider the site again, and a geotechnical report was provided in November 2012. The geotechnical report revealed that a minimum of 53-foot pilings would be required. In addition, the site would have to be raised to an elevation of seven feet above the flood plain. This is required to be eligible for federal funding.
As a result of the geotechnical report, this site was determined to be a higher risk than other sites and was therefore rejected. Since 2012, no new information has been presented to change that decision. Perhaps the mayor has discovered new information. If he has new information, let’s add it to the preliminary design and cost-estimating process (30,60,90 percent) to see how it tests out financially.
Information regarding the preliminary review process is available through the city’s webpage at www.oakharborcleanwater.org
Preliminary designs and estimates are functions of decision-making progressions to get to the final cost estimate on large projects. They are not final prices for construction.
During the past two years, the staff has been processing the necessary permitting paperwork through no fewer than 22 federal, state, local and tribal agencies. This is time-consuming and no small task. In addition, the State Department of Ecology (DOE) permit expires in August 2016 for the existing plant, and the new treatment plant is required to be in operation by December 2017. The DOE also has the authority to impose a sewer connection moratorium and/or fines for regulatory non-compliance. A delay could also subject this project to construction inflationary costs that will cause every aspect of the project to escalate financially.
To date, approximately $4 million has been spent to get to where we are. This cost is not a result of loose spending practices; this is a large and complicated facility requiring more than just a shopping center approach. Walking away from $4 million of work product and restarting it at a later date will cost millions more than to finish the project by 2017.
The replacement of the existing plant is not optional. This project is not elective surgery, it is required. A late delivery of this facility will result in the loss of currently approved government low interest loans for millions of dollars. There will also be a lost opportunity to obtain historically low bond interest rates where government funding is not available.
If the mayor has a strategy to support his cost-cutting comments, I am willing to consider any viable option to help keep our utility rates affordable. He has the authority to present a well-thought-out plan and the sooner the better. Time is of the essence.
The city has a skilled team administering this project and is supported by experienced consulting groups who have completed multi-million dollar treatment plants. They have the skill and knowledge to successfully manage this project at the most affordable cost possible to our rate payers.
For accurate and up-to-date information, I encourage our citizens to get involved, follow the project’s progress on the city’s webpage, www.oakharborcleanwater.org, and to attend our public meetings. Knowledge is powerful.
Rick Almberg is an Oak Harbor City Council member.
