Inside the City of Tumwater Date: July 30, 2021 To:
Mayor Pete Kmet City Councilmembers City Employees
From: John Doan, City Administrator
PEOPLE
And the Population Is…
The Office of Financial Management has released the new population estimate for Washington cities. We
saw a 3.1% increase in Tumwater and are up to 25,360. Olympia leads the County as the largest city
New Administrative Services Director Starts Monday
with a population of 55,010, and Lacey is close
Service Director, to lead our Human Resources, IT,
same population as Tumwater.
Welcome to James Trujillo, the new Administrative
Risk Management, and Fleet work. Most recently,
James served as Director of the Washington Service Corps, the 2nd largest AmeriCorps program in the
nation. This is a program within the State
Employment
Security
Department.
He
was
previously the HR director at the Port of Portland. He
brings a strong commitment to organizational
development and employee learning. He has degrees from Portland State University and the University of Oregon. Some City staff have already
worked with James to develop and launch our Tumwater SAFE Initiative. Welcome, James!
Adam Tollefson Moving But Staying
Vehicle Technician Adam Tollefson is moving from maintaining the City fleet to maintaining our sewer system. He is a Maintenance Tech in Water
Resources and Sustainability. Thank you, Adam, for your work keeping our wheels turning!
behind at 54,780. As for comparable cities, Bainbridge Island in Kitsap County has exactly the
We Handle Beaver Dam Problems
Water Resources Specialist Dave Kangiser had an opportunity to attend a FHWA Innovation Webinar
on controlling beavers (Seriously – there is such a thing.) Beavers are a huge problem in Tumwater for
our surface water systems, streams, and ditches resulting in flooding. While some at the workshop
supported blowing up beaver dams with dynamite – we were able to talk about our beaver management practices that have shown long-term success. In
addition to the attendees, additional jurisdictions
called us for advice on dealing with their beavers. Thank you, Dave, for keeping our beavers under control.
COVID Relief Funds Offer Help and Hope
Do you know someone worried about an eviction from rental housing due to the financial impacts of COVID-19? You can help keep our community members in their homes and prevent evictions! There is funding for past-due rent back to March 13, 2020, and future rent for up to three months at a time. There are funds to help with past-due utility bills and other housing costs, like internet service. Schedule an appointment online at the Community Action Council website or call (360) 438-1100 press 8, then 2. Funding for Rent Assistance comes from different local, state, and federal sources for COVID-19 relief. People can also get help with eviction resolution, mediation, and legal assistance.
Career Discovery Events
Did you know? You don’t need to be an EMT or have
firefighting experience to become a firefighter. The job requires a variety of skills and abilities beyond fitness
and strength. When not responding to emergencies,
our firefighters serve and support our community in other helpful ways.
Discover what it takes to become a firefighter at Career Discovery, 7 p.m., August 18, or 10 a.m., August 21.
These events are for people interested in learning more about a career in fire and emergency medical services
EVENTS
and who have not previously tested or applied for a fire
City and Port Hosting Workshop
service job.
A workshop on the Port and Panattoni Development’s
proposal to develop 200 acres of the New Market
Industrial Campus with 2.7 million square feet of industrial space will be the subject of a public workshop
next week – August 5. The workshop is an opportunity
for the community to learn about the Port and City discussion on a proposed development agreement
between the two agencies. The proposal includes preservation of significant tree tracts, protections around Bush Middle School and City wells, and 9.5
acres for the construction of a future Community Center. Final action on the agreement is anticipated in late September.
We’re Back!
Bringing
Time to Stuff the Bus
Tumwater Public School Employees are giving back to the community by Stuffing the Bus and helping
kids. Although we usually collect supplies, this year,
we are doing a monetary drive only. Because of
Brewfest
COVID, the August 14 public drive will be collecting
money. That’s where we come in. We will be
The Tumwater Artesian Brewfest
collecting money only (cash and checks) to help get
and its importance to Tumwater's
and Jennifer Heilman in Finance are coordinating the
celebrates the legacy of brewing
items that aren’t donated. Tami Petterson in WRS
history.
campaign. You can drop off donations at the Finance
Volunteers are needed to assist at the entry gate,
Department.
cleaning and monitoring activities during the event,
The Directors group has agreed to match the
Valley Golf Course. Register to volunteer!
ice cream bar party to the department with the
and clean-up. 1-8 p.m., August 21, at the Tumwater
All volunteers must be 21 years of age by the date of
the event.
employee donations up to $1,000. There is also an highest total contribution. Go Team Tumwater and help our community’s kids.
PLACES DRC Looks at Exciting Projects
The Development Review Committee will be looking at the change of use of an existing single-family
residence at 6504 Capitol Blvd. SE into an office and
construction of a mixed-use building with two offices and six multi-family units. This is an exciting mixed-
use project to help implement the Capitol Blvd. vision – and is the second of two adjacent projects
to implement this vision. They are also looking at a
Animal Services Goes Online
and 2,300 s.f. of office at 7925 Sweet Iron Ct. SE.
update will make it easier for pet owners to obtain
operation at 2775 29th Avenue SW.
https://jointanimalservices.org/licensing/. While you
proposal for about 18,000 s.f. of warehouse space
Joint Animal Services now has online licensing. The
They are also looking at a proposed i502 grow
and renew the required permits. Check it out at:
The Committee previously looked at two Craft District projects. The first is a 5,000 s.f. bank and
are there, check out the pets that are eager to have a forever home.
coffee shop building. The other is two multi-family
Water Conservation
Tumwater Valley Drive to Linwood. They also have
this month, the City used 6.2 million gallons of water
buildings housing 60 units extending from the new done a feasibility review of a proposed increase from
10 to 16 beds at the existing involuntary residential treatment facility at 3285 Ferguson St. SW. They also
completed a formal review for the 1.1 million square foot warehouse building at 2321 93 Ave. SW. rd
Big Project
The City issued the building permits for the laboratory proposed by the Departments of Labor and Industry and Agriculture. The new building is
located behind the Department of Corrections along Tumwater Blvd. The project included over $900,000
in transportation mitigation primarily targeted to the Tumwater Blvd. interchange with I-5. We look forward to this exciting and state-of-the-art facility being part of Tumwater.
During the heat dome that we experienced earlier on the hottest day! That is a lot of water. We still could refill the water tanks, but as the City grows and demand increases, we need to continue to be smart
about water consumption. When at work, do what
you can to recognize wasteful water practices. If you are in City facilities, don’t waste water. If in the field,
watch for water waste, including sprinklers that don’t work properly, and report those. In your personal life, also make smart water choices. All of this is particularly true in the dry summer months. Our
Water Resources Team has lots of water-saving tips, rebates and incentives for residents of Tumwater.
Learn about Old Highway 99 Corridor Plan
We’ve been listening! As part of planning the future
of Highway 99 in the vicinity of the Airport, we
invited the public to share their concerns and ideas about how that section of Old Hwy 99 could be
improved. A fun new website summarizes what we
heard and gives ideas for the future. If you are interested in the future of the Corridor, attend the virtual open house.
On the other end of town, Pioneer Park was packed with the Kick In The Grass event – I know because I pulled into the parking lot to see what was going on and spent 20 minutes getting out. It was great to see the Park so utilized. The weather also brought out the River enthusiasts who were having a great time. Parks and Recreation made that a special weekend for our Tumwater folks and visitors. Kick in the Grass is also a recipient of Tumwater Lodging Tax funds. One of our employees had a conversation with someone at Starbucks. After telling the person where she worked, the employee told her, “thank you for all you guys do,” repeatedly. She said she lived in Tumwater for many years, and she appreciated how the City navigated COVID. She said that because of her work, she has contact with a lot of other cities and our staff have always been so great to work with. She also appreciated all of our online systems. The City Attorney received a message from a person in Olympia who complimented the City on the successful outcome of the City’s rooster case. These folks are dealing with a proliferation of chickens in their neighborhood.
INSIDE THE CITY Illustrating our Mission, Vision, or Beliefs in Action. Our employees, more than 210 of them, are out every day doing outstanding work in the community. I love to share the “kudos” I hear. Some are read at City Council meetings, some show up in the attached department reports, and others show up below. Thank you all for the great work – every day – and especially in these trying times. Last weekend was a wild and busy one for Parks and Recreation – some might call it “super-fantastic.” Golf hosted a full field shotgun tournament in the morning, followed by a 50 play tournament on the back of it. The Big Brother and Big Sisters finished their season of instruction with the “Bigs” and “littles” going out on the course to experience a few holes for the first time. The Special Olympics Panthers Team followed with their first practice in two years!
These messages and the ones we pass along at Council and in other reports emphasize that we are the ambassadors every day and in every interaction with the community. We are telling the City’s story – and it looks like we are doing a great job at it. Thank you, and keep it up! It makes a difference in peoples’ lives and how they view local government.
TUMWATER FIRE DEPARTMENT
June 2021
€
June 2021
Message from the Chief The Tumwater Fire Department is looking to the future in the realm of fire prevention. Currently, we are in the process of filling a Fire Prevention Officer position through internal recruitment. This specialist will be involved in fire inspection, fire investigations, and public education... Looking forward, as more resources become available, we hope to develop a more comprehensive Community Risk Reduction program. Community Risk Reduction is a process to identify and prioritize local risks, followed by the integrated and strategic investment of resources (emergency response and prevention) to reduce their occurrence and impact. This program is more than important programs like installing smoke alarms, doing fire inspections, installing car seats, etc. It is an integrated data-driven approach to guide efforts so that the most pressing needs in the community are identified and appropriate resources are applied. This long-term effort will require participation and support from the community, other divisions within the Fire Department, and other city departments. Examples of this may include working with Community Development and Police Code Enforcement on vacant building issues, City Communications staff on public engagement and messaging, or Police on crisis response. In the end, the goal is a safer community!
Brian Hurley
Emergency Medical Services Division On June 15 and 18, MSO Shawn Crimmins provided a CPR course to a resident of Tumwater. MSO Crimmins and Chief Hurley attended a tabletop exercise with a scenario of an Amtrak train collision. Amtrak put the exercise together in preparation for the reopening of the Point Defiance bypass. Thurston County Medic One held a paramedic test on June 24 and 25. Six out of the eight participants passed the exam. The Tumwater Fire Department considers candidates from this list for open firefighter/paramedic positions. Tumwater Fire Department responded to seven cardiac arrests in June.
Operations Division On June 28 at 4:40 pm, Tumwater, Olympia, East Olympia FD6, and McLane Black Lake FD9 responded to a commercial structure fire at AMCOR on 32nd Ave SW. There was a report of a fire involving a large piece of machinery with smoke in the building. Complicating the response was an outside temperature of 112 degrees. Units arrived to find the building evacuated and the fire alarm sounding. Employees had used fire extinguishers to knock down the initial flames. Fire crews extended a hose line to cool the machine and put the fire out. The machine is used to grind up defective plastic bottles from the manufacturing process. The machine apparently became jammed with plastic, which caught on fire. Fortunately, the damage was limited to the machine. Crews had to be replaced frequently and “recycle” and cool off due to the extreme heat conditions. Firefighting turnout gear protects responders from high heat and can cause staff to overheat while working to extinguish the fire. All firefighters on this incident were able to keep hydrated and avoid heat stress issues.
2
Training Division
Call Volume and Response Time
In the 2nd quarter of June, crews completed WAC-required training on heat emergencies and how to reduce associated health risks.
Station T1 and T2 Response Times
On June 4, B Shift attended Ongoing Training and Evaluation Program (OTEP) for obstetric care instruction. On June 9, Lt. Kalar attended an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) class. This is annual training for the Special Operations Rescue Team (SORT) members and involves how to access and support structures that may have collapsed or been damaged.
4:33
Throughout June, probationary FF Trenton Brazie, PM Joe Williamson, and FF Dan Ness successfully passed their City street tests. On June 15, 16, and 18, each shift reviewed responses to the Olympia Regional Airport. The Airport has two different types of areas: controlled and uncontrolled spaces. This includes access through the 20 different gates, building familiarization, runway markings, aircraft construction, and afterhours operation and contacts. The Airport also has an air traffic control tower that is operational from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Air traffic controllers direct activities in the controlled space on the airfield when the tower is open. The Fire Department must be granted access to the controlled area by the Tower before accessing those areas. June 21-25, crews attended a railway training, coordinated by Thurston County Training Officers and Amtrak. The class was a two-part training with classroom and hands-on learning opportunities. Crews learned about different types of Amtrak cars, emergency exits, brake controls, power supplies, and other hazards of working on or around trains and rail lines. Amtrak provided a 5-car train that crews from the county used for practical experience. On June 23, PM Joe Williamson attended an Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention (EVIP) course. This is a mandatory class while on probation.
Hours
Administrative
0
Emergency Medical OTEP/In-service
55.5
Fire Suppression Fire Prevention
88.5
Special Operations Technical Rescue
7
WAC Requirements
30
Total Hours
181
5:02
T1 to T1 area
T1 to T2 area
T2 to T1 area
T2 to T2 area
Monthly Responses by Shift Fire vs. EMS
D Shift
28%
C Shift
28%
B Shift
20%
A Shift
19%
EMS
On June 25, Volunteer FF Mike Denning attended Wildland Firefighting Class held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Training
5:45 6.66
72% 72% 80% 81%
Fire
Responses by Shift 461 Total Responses in June
4:33
5:45 6.66
5:02
T1 to T1 area 1
T1 to T2 area
T2 to T1 area
T2 to T2 area
3
Community Outreach On June 3, ET2 personnel provided a fire safety talk and a bagpipe show provided by FF Duncan MacLeod. Throughout June, staff provided three car seat inspection/installations and education to residents. On June 24 & June 30, FF Shane Brady provided respirator fit testing for the Tumwater Police Department. Respirator protection violations are the third most common infraction according to OSHA’s top ten most frequently cited standards. The employer must ensure an employee using a tight-fitting face piece respirator is fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator face piece (size, style, model, or make) is used, and at least annually after that. An estimated one in ten people will become sick due to respiratory hazards encountered in the workplace annually according to the American Journal of Respiratory Care and Medicine.
Staff Accomplishments Firefighter Ben Huntley has successfully completed his paramedic training at Tacoma Community College and is now finishing all state and local testing requirements. Thurston County Medic One supports this training program. Several Tumwater Fire staff completed basic wildland firefighter training achieving “Red Card.” certification. Jarrod Simmons, Pat Kelley, Evan Hagen, Spencer Kast, Donovan Cathey, Andrew Fink, Mike Braaten, and Michael Dennin join previously certified staff Scott Kennedy, Dan Ness, and Sebastion De Bont.
Police Department Monthly Report
To:
John Doan, City Administrator
From:
Jon Weiks, Chief of Police
Date:
July 15, 2021
Re:
June 2021
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY 2021-0974 Assault 3rd, Vehicular Assault – Tumwater Police Officers responded to the 3000 block of Gardenia Lane S.W. for a reported injury collision. The reporting party stated a female was bleeding from the head and that both people from the vehicle appeared intoxicated. The first Officer in the area located the vehicle resting against a tree in the 1100 block of Vista Loop S.W. Inside of the vehicle was a female sitting in the driver’s seat and a male standing in front of the vehicle. The Officer observed damage to the passenger side of the vehicle indicative of a head strike to the window. The Officer observed the female had blood on her face and forehead that was consistent with the damage to the passenger side of the vehicle. Before the Officer could speak with the female, he observed the male begin to lower himself to the ground and began crawling towards the passenger side of the vehicle in an attempt to hide. Three witnesses in the area all pointed at the male and identified him as the driver of the vehicle. Based on the male’s actions and the Officer being alone, he advised the male he was being detained and ordered him to put his hands behind his back. The male initially cooperated, and the Officer placed one wrist into a handcuff while the male was in a seated position. However, the male began resisting when the Officer attempted to secure his other arm. The male attempted to pull away and stand up. After several attempts to get the male to relax, the Officer was able to roll the male onto his stomach. The male continued to resist and began yelling at the Officer. The male was then advised he was under arrest for Obstruction, and he continued to resist. The Officer was able to overpower the male and place his other wrist into the handcuffs. However, the male continued to attempt to pull away and was becoming increasingly verbally abusive. A second Officer arrived at this time and was assisting in getting the male into a standing position when the male kicked the arresting Officer in the knee. The arresting Officer was standing and had all of his weight on his leg when it was kicked. The impact caused a hyperextension of the joint. The suspect was advised he was under arrest for Assault 3rd, but this did not deter him from continuing to resist. A third Officer arrived, and he too was kicked while securing the male. Officers were able to escort the male to a patrol vehicle and secure him inside. During this encounter, Officers could smell a strong odor of alcohol and marijuana emitting from the male's breath. A search of the male incident to arrest resulted in the recovery of alcoholic beverages and marijuana in the backpack he was wearing. The keys to the vehicle were also recovered from his pockets. Tumwater Fire responded to the scene to provide
medical aid to the female, who was identified by witnesses and her injuries to be the passenger at the time of the collision. TFD reported the female was believed to have a concussion and a possible broken leg. The male declined medical aid for a sore shoulder. The male was arrested for Vehicular Assault, and the Officer applied for and was granted a search warrant to obtain the suspect’s blood. The suspect was taken to an area hospital for the blood draw and later transported to the Thurston County Jail and booked for Assault 3rd (2 counts) and Vehicular Assault. Charges of DWLS 3rd, Obstructing Justice, and Resisting Arrest were referred to the prosecutor’s office.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG DROPBOX The public deposited 90 pounds of prescription drugs in June and a total of 585 pounds for the year.
BUDGET At the end of the month, the police department is 47% spent for the year.
K-9 STATISTICS 1 Searching Deployment • Responded with other Tumwater Police Officers to a burglary in progress call at a large local construction site. The reporting party provided Officers with a description of a suspect seen scaling the security fence and removing tools from the site. Officer Mize and K9 James deployed to one corner of the property. They were awaiting the arrival of other officers when Officer Mize heard an approaching Officer providing verbal commands to a subject. Officer Mize and K9 James responded to the Officer’s location and observed the suspect complying with the commands. The suspect was taken into custody without incident. The suspect was booked into the Thurston County Jail for Criminal Trespass 1st degree, and a charge of Commercial Burglary was referred to the prosecutor’s office. 1 Evidence Search Deployment • Assisted the Lacey Police Department with attempting to locate a knife used in an assault. Officer Mize responded to the scene, where he learned the suspect had been placed into custody near the scene of the assault, but she was no longer in possession of the knife. Officer Mize was requested to search the path of the suspect for the knife. Officer Mize deployed K9 James along the path, but K9 James was unable to locate a knife. 1 Tracking Deployment • Assisted the Lacey Police Department with attempting to locate an Assault 2nd – Domestic Violence suspect, who also had an outstanding DOC escape arrest warrant for a previous Violation of a No-Contact Order violation. Officer Mize responded to the scene and was advised of the last location the suspect was seen walking. Officer Mize deployed K9 James on a short lead, and he was able to acquire the suspect’s scent. Officer Mize provided several K9 tracking announcements while tracking the suspect. K9 James tracked the suspect into and through the thick brush before coming to a semi-open area commonly used by homeless persons. K9 James provided indication he was close to a person. Officer Mize stopped the track and provided additional announcements about being bitten if they did not surrender. After getting no response, K9 James was given the track command. K9 James had only gone a short distance and over a fallen tree where he engaged a person. K9 James was removed from the bite, and it was
determined the subject was not the suspect. The subject advised he had heard the announcements but did not respond to let Officers know of his presence. The subject was injured during the incident and was provided medical assistance. The track for the suspect was not continued after this encounter.
SRO ACTIVITY The School Resource Officers finished the school year attending the graduation and celebration events held at the various schools throughout the district. Both SROs returned to the Detective Division during the summer break.
CODE ENFORCEMENT Code Enforcement opened nine new cases this month: garbage and appliances stored outside of a residence; overgrown vegetation from an undeveloped residential property; rooster at a residential property; tree cutting and vegetation removal in a protected wetland; multiple roosters at a residential property; parking of vehicles in a commercial area causing a sight obstruction; garbage, groceries, appliances being stored outside; roosters at a residential property; and, overgrown vegetation at an unoccupied residential property. Code Enforcement closed three cases this month: appliances and trash removed from a residential property after a notice of violation was issued; feather flags removed from outside a commercial business after a notice of violation was issued; and, unable to establish a rooster being at a residential property. Code Enforcement currently has 19 open cases.
TRAINING • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
One member attended a one-day Strategies and Tactics for Missing Persons Investigations One member attended a virtual Washington State Rap sheet class One member completed a one-week Field Training Officer academy Two members attended a three-day NAFTO conference One member attended a virtual class covering harassment, discrimination & retaliation One member completed ACCESS recertification One member completed a two-day NIBRS course One member completed a virtual “The truth about time” training One member completed BAC/SFST refresher One member attended the WCIA Police Chief’s forum Three members attend monthly TCSO SWAT training One member attended a three-day K9 quarry training conference 35 members attended internal department training One member continued in the Field Training program training
704 total training hours
PERSONNEL • • • •
Jennifer Kolb, Lieutenant – 21 years John Kenderesi, Sergeant – 17 years Ken Driver, Sergeant – 13 years Danielle Dawson, Officer – 4 years
COMMENDATIONS/LETTERS OF APPRECIATION Officer Tim Rios received a commendation from a resident he assisted during a call for service involving a reported protection order violation. The resident submitted a public records request, which included, “On a special note, Officer Rios was not only very professional during our entire interaction, he made certain to ease the Complex PTSD limitations I suffer from, and he deserves every last ounce of respect I can offer.”
Transportation & Engineering
Water Resources & Sustainability July 2021
PERSONNEL UPDATES &
Upcoming work includes pavement grinding and asphalt
ANNIVERSARIES
overlay on Lee Street, Boston Street, Hazelhurst Drive and
Dennis Ashe
overlays are expected to be complete in the third week of
Water Quality Tech III | 07/02/2007 – 19 yrs. Mark Teigen
Storm Lead Worker | 07/01/2018 – 13 yrs. Justin Anderson
Fleet Technician | 07/01/2016 – 5 yrs.
McDonald Street. Henderson Boulevard and 93rd Avenue
July.
The concrete subcontractor has also been forming and pouring concrete curb ramps at various locations throughout the City.
Levi Loewen
Maintenance Tech I | 07/01/2018 – 3 yrs. Cody Smith
Maintenance Tech I | 07/01/2019 – 2 yrs. Mary Heather Ames
Transportation Manager | 7/13/2019 – 2 yrs.
TRANSPORTATION & ENGINEERING ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
2021 City Pavement Maintenance Project The 2021 Pavement Maintenance project is well underway, with many tasks ahead of schedule. Recently
Concrete subcontractor forming new curb ramps and sidewalk on McDonald Street
Maplewood Lane, Hawthorne Street, 40th Avenue, and
WATER RESOURCES & SUSTAINABILITY
completed work includes asphalt overlay on Hoadly Loop,
Pifer Road.
Wahoo for Water! Conservation that is!
We all know water conservation is important but do you
know what the City of Tumwater is doing to save water? The City has four conservation goals to save water every year:
1.) Reduction of water loss through our distribution system due to leaks with a goal of 5% loss 2.) Reduction of residential water use of 3% annually. 3.) Maintain a “peaking” of 2.0 for summer water usage. 4.) Increase participation in water conversation measures by the Institutional, Commercial, and Industrial sectors. Asphalt paving along Hazelhurst Drive
Read on to learn where the City stands with these goals in 2020.
Hurray for Fewer Leaks! Leaks happen! Some are big and very obvious like
Canaries of the Stream Millions of tiny macroinvertebrate bugs live in the rock
an ornamental fountain. Other leaks are smaller but, over
their whole lives in these areas, getting oxygen from the
gushing water from the ground, and it is not coming from
time, add up to a huge loss of water, like that dripping
faucet in your bathroom! The City has been tracking water losses since 2006. These losses include leaks but also are
due to data and billing errors and even theft. To combat
our losses, the City has taken steps to integrate new technology and processes. Two of these processes are the
annual leak detection survey and fixing identified leaks as
quickly as possible. Did you know you can listen for a leak?
and soil on the bottom of stream beds. These bugs spend water and eating organic matter, like leaves. These bugs
can help serve as “canaries in the streams.” Canaries used to be brought into coal mines to help alert miners when
dangerous gases, such as carbon monoxide, were at unsafe levels. Stream bugs can help provide the same
service to us! Just like animals on land, different stream bugs have different habitat and food requirements.
In 2020, the City achieved its goal of 5% or less in leakage, which was quite ambitious considering the regulatory requirement is 10% or less. Way to go, Utility Operations team!
Water Use vs. the Pandemic When Covid-19 caused widespread teleworking, the City
saw a 6% increase in residential water usage; a setback, considering the goal was a 3% reduction in usage.
However, there was a remarkable decrease observed in
commercial, industrial and institutional water use. In particular,
institutional
(City,
county,
and
state
government agencies) water use was down by about 45%.
So even though there was no goal achieved for the
residential reduction, even larger reductions in water use were achieved in other customer classes.
The City also met its third conservation goal, to maintain
a summertime “peaking” factor of 2.0. This means that City water demands increase no more than double the
wintertime demands. Our customers have been helping
by using “smart” controllers on their irrigation systems and vigilant about how they water around their homes and business.
The City could not meet its final goal this year, to increase commercial participation in water conservation measures,
as Covid-19 also restricted staff ability to work closely with businesses. We will be back at it in the coming year.
Overall, we are proud of the progress we have made
toward our goals and looking forward to working with all our customers to preserve our precious community resources.
Percival Creek Sampling
Digging stream bugs up and categorizing them can serve as a snapshot of the quality of the water. The more complex the stream bugs, the better the water quality!
Stream Team volunteers, along with City staff, collect
samples of these bugs every year on Percival Creek. These little bugs serve as an early warning sign that can help
alert staff about water quality issues near the creek like broken sewer lines, illegal dumping, or spills.
Over the past few years, data has shown that more needs to be done to help protect Percival Creek’s water quality.
Data like this will be used in our stormwater basin mapping work to help prioritize areas across the City where efforts will be focused to improve water quality. UTILITY OPERATIONS
There were 174 locate tickets issued between June 10 and July 9, 2021.
WATER DEPARTMENT Eleven new meters were set in the second half of May and the first week of June; 457 shut-off notices were delivered.