Garland French and Dave Creighton voted “No” on March 23, regarding the City moving forward with its own water system. Creighton did not respond to a request to explain his position.

Here is French’s e-mailed response:

“As you reported in your March 24 article, city administration won the vote they were after. The mayor got the approval in hand he wanted when he attends the State Economic Recovery Funding Public Hearing on April 3rd. Staff got their go ahead for the treatment plant. The house won the “water poker game”. The losers were the citizens of Ocean Shores. It is they who will ante up the winnings. We were all playing with their money.

On March 23, City Council voted 4-2 to move ahead with a new City water treatment facility, in essence by-passing the County’s offer of water from the new Hogan’s Corner wells.

Three of the four City Council members who voted Yes explain their positions, in e-mailed responses:

Dick Skewis:

“My vote for the city to build and maintain it’s own water system was due to consideration that with out water, a critical resource for the city, we wouldn’t be able to exist.  

I emailed the Department of Health, asking if the $2.9 million that Ocean Shores was tentatively awarded to up-grade its water system was a grant (no pay-back) or low-interest loan. The reply:

“The $2.9 million for Ocean Shores would be principal forgiveness, so long as the city can document that it meets criteria for economically disadvantaged communities. That means they wouldn’t have to repay the principal, just a small (1 percent) loan fee that can be repaid over five years.

Please be aware that this is a DRAFT list until the State Public Works Board adopts the final list of projects recommended for funding on April 7. We will accept written public comments until April 6.”

Carolyn Cox Public Information Coordinator Department of Health Office of Drinking Water 

Email from Mayor Dean Bunkers:

“The City of Ocean Shores was notified on Monday, the 23^rd, that we had been selected for stimulus funding assistance for improvements to the City’s proposed new water treatment plant by the Department of Health.  The initial City request was for $5,800,000 and we were granted nearly $3,000,000.  The City was ranked number 27 out of 347 applicants.  In fact, we were the last project to receive funding from the available $38,500,000.

“ This initial funding list is only a draft and it is possible that we may not receive the funding or the priority list may change.  The Department of Health is taking comments on the draft until Monday, April 6^th.  This is an opportunity for the citizens of Ocean Shores to show support for improving our drinking water.  I am requesting that citizens support this funding opportunity by sending comments, stressing the importance of good drinking water to our local economy and to the greater Grays Harbor area, to:

 Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water, ATTN: Kitty Weisman, POB 47822, Olympia, WA  98504-7822

Phone   (360) 236-3116 FAX:   (360) 236-2252 Email:  kitty.weisman@doh.wa.gov

“ My recommendation is to send comments by email.

 Sincerely, Dean Bunkers”

The County Commissioner who has been hoping to get Ocean Shores involved in the new Hogan’s Corner wells responds:

“We will be building our water system.  We open bids in early April for construction this year.  Nothing has changed from our approach.

 ”We are still open and will be in the future to supplying water to Ocean Shores.”

For years, the City of Ocean Shores and Grays Harbor County have been playing what might be called “water poker.” The City has been debating whether to pump resources into improving its own water system, or going with the County’s new Hogan’s Corner wells.

On Monday, the game was dealt a wild card:  The Department of Health announced Ocean Shores received preliminary approval for a $2.9 million grant to upgrade its water. (Click here for complete list of recipients.)

A no-pay-back check for up to half of the project cost would seem to make the City’s hand unbeatable. 

Then again . . .  Ocean Shores could “fall off” the DOH list, worried Mayor Dean Bunkers. 

Ultimately, the wild card made the City’s hand a winner. City Council voted 4-2 (Nick Johnson was absent) to proceed with construction of a new treatment facility. Dave Creighton and Garland French were dissenters in a vote that told the County to keep its water, for now, at least.

The money comes from Washington state, splitting up $38.5 million in economic recovery funds between 27 projects. **Note that the list is a DRAFT, with final approval coming in April.***

Very good news for those in favor of the City improving drinking water on its own.

Very bad news for those in favor of the City purchasing water from Grays Harbor County. (As this money is targeted for “SHALLOW AQUIFER WATER TREATMENT PLANT.”)

This will be the subject of much discussion, at tonight’s City Council meeting.

Click here for the draft list of recipients.

March 23, 6 p.m. at Lions Club.

Agenda item 5. “City Council to provide direction to staff for proceeding with design and construction of a new City water treatment facility.” 

I asked Mayor Dean Bunkers, via email: Does this mean the City has chosen the above over County water? 

His answer: “No, it is intended to provide discussion by the Council, with public comment, on how they want City staff to proceed in regard to the latest County letter.  Upgrading our water supply is a policy decision and what course the City follows will be decided by the Council.

Sincerely, Dean Bunkers ”

032309-agenda

It was, as I remember, a gray, chilly morning, and I was trying to wake up and give at least a vague impression of a professional journalist. Into the office marched a spry woman of a certain age who proceeded to give me a very polite, soft-spoken scolding for my stories on the Ocean Shores drinking water. Mildred Fundengerger says she’s been drinking O.S. water right out of the tap for 36 years. “I have a hard time with people who are buying bottled water and think it’s better than out of the faucet.”

She also was adamant to point out “there’s no regulation on bottled water.”

Water letter, from the County answering the City’s questions. (Click below to view)

county-water-response