Board Members present: Dorothy Anderson, Susie Smith, and Patrick Lanning. Vice President Bartel and Commissioner Sandra Bishop were excused.
Others Present: Randy Berggren, Dean Ahlsten, JoAnn Andersen, Tom Buckhouse, Terry Bequette, Deborrah Brewer, Marty Douglass, Dick Helgeson, Andrea Mason, Jean Meyers, Jim Maloney, Laurie Muggy, Roseanna McArthur, Jim Origliosso, Dick Varner, Jim Wiley, and Krista Hince of the EWEB staff; Paul Fishman, and Don Hansen, consultants; and Joe Sams, City of Eugene Minutes Recorder.
President Anderson called the EWEB Work Session to order at 5:30.
UPDATE ON EWEB MASTER PLAN REVIEW
Paul Fishman, Fishman Environmental Consultants, provided a presentation on a plan to enhance the riparian edge along EWEB's river frontage. The report focused on the riparian function along the river and site opportunities and constraints. He emphasized the importance of balancing riparian functionality with public access.
Mr. Fishman suggested some ways that EWEB could enhance the riparian edge. These included creating a layered riparian edge with increased vegetation density closer to the shore. He also suggested getting rid of non-native and invasive plant species. He also pointed out that there is a great deal of rip rap that lines much of EWEB's frontage, which is there to prevent the site from flooding. As an example of what could be done he mentioned a 20' planting terrace with the trail moved inland from the river shore.
In response to a question from President Anderson regarding whether pedestrians and bicyclists would still be able to use the trail, Mr. Fishman suggested that a similar trail could be done further inland to leave room for a planting terrace for native vegetation. He added that putting different grading along the bank to alter the slope and alcoves would create a non-linear aspect.
Don Hansen, Consultant with Otak Engineering, suggested meandering the trail to help maintain a natural riparian edge to the river.
Commissioner Smith suggested putting the site into a watershed context in terms of educating the community about the use of the watershed from the upper McKenzie to its junction with the Willamette. She stressed that the issue was not just the use of the EWEB site but the historic use of the entire watershed.
In response to a question from Commissioner Lanning regarding cost implications for any proposed work to be done, Mr. Hansen noted that terracing a shoreline was very expensive and suggested going for a soft graded river edge with bio-engineered slopes and layered native vegetation along the shore.
Commissioner Smith noted that there was an abundance of grant money for projects such as the one being discussed.
In response to a question from Commissioner Lanning regarding the definition of native vegetation, Mr. Fishman said he would work from a list of plants that were not introduced to the area by unnatural means.
In response to a comment from Commissioner Lanning regarding the difficulty of controlling invasive species in the riparian area, Commissioner Smith said there were a number of volunteer groups in the City that worked to cut back Himalayan Blackberry, English Ivy, and other invasive species.
Commissioner Lanning said he had a strong interest in implementing the proposed ideas but still had concerns over costs. He added that more could be accomplished for the same amount of money at a spot with less site constraints. Don Hansen acknowledged that the current site does have many constraints, including numerous underground utilities that are in the current easement along the bikepath along the river.
Deborrah Brewer, Governmental Affairs Coordinator, said she would incorporate the Board's ideas into a revised preferred staff option. She then reviewed the public involvement goals for the project:
President Anderson suggested displaying the overall goals to the public. She stressed the importance of educating the public about the costs of moving the facility off site.
STATELINE WIND PROJECT ECONOMICS
Scott Spettel, Power Management and Planning Manager, and Jim Maloney, New Resource Project Manager, provided a presentation on annual load from renewable resources.
Mr. Maloney showed a overhead graph that explained why transmission and integration of intermittent resources was more difficult than standard power sources.
In response to a question from Commissioner Lanning regarding the reason why wind power was different from other resources, Mr. Spettel said that wind power was much less predictable. He noted that there was a 15 percent margin for error in predicting loads.
In response to a comment from Commissioner Smith regarding the construction of a gas plant to make up the difference in loads, Mr. Spettel said that variable outputs could be controlled with other sources of power but the cost went up accordingly.
Commissioner Smith commented that one thing to consider is that the power was going to go to the grid whether EWEB purchased the power or not, and that one of the objectives of EWEB's resource strategy is to invest in renewables that would not happen without EWEB's participation.
Mr. Maloney noted that staff were looking for sites in Lane County for possible development of wind power.
In response to a comment from President Anderson regarding trying to lower transmission costs by purchasing less capacity, Mr. Spettel raised concern over underutilizing transmission capacity for a renewable resource.
Mr. Spettel outlined two options for the Board to consider:
Commissioner Smith stressed the need for more data and stated her preference for Option 2.
Mr. Maloney commented that transmission was a problem that needed to be solved all over the region. He added that the Foote Creek facility had saved EWEB $2-$3 million over the last two years.
In response to a question from Commissioner Smith regarding where staff would go if the Board was against contract development at that time, Mr. Maloney said staff would look to other resources.
Commissioner Smith reiterated her desire to go with Option 2.
Commissioner Lanning said the proposed project did not make the most sense at that time and suggested going with Option 2.
There was general consensus to go with the second option.
The work session adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
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Assistant Secretary President