Drafter
Clerk 04/23/2009
Title
AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Carnation 2008 Comprehensive Water System Plan.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. King County has adopted K.C.C. chapter 13.24, which requires approval of comprehensive plans for water utilities that distribute or obtain water in unincorporated King County as a prerequisite for operating in unincorporated King County, receiving approval for annexation proposals, being granted right-of-way franchises and being given approval for right-of-way construction permits. K.C.C. 13.24.060 prescribes the requirements for approval of such plans, including consistency with state and local planning requirements.
2. RCW 70.116. 050 requires that water system plans developed by purveyors within the boundaries of a critical water supply service area are to be reviewed by local governments to ensure that the plan is not inconsistent with the land use plans, shoreline master programs and developmental policies of those local governments. King County has adopted a Comprehensive Plan that includes water policies in its provisions for facilities and services (policies F-225 through F-244) that call for consistency with other adopted plans, support for regional water supply planning, pursuit of reclaimed water and water conservation and protection of water resources.
3. The city of Carnation ("the city") is located in the Snoqualmie river valley between Snoqualmie and Duvall in the central part of King County. The city provides water service to 834 connections in its retail service area. Annual average day demand (water consumed) is approximately 0.38 million gallons per day, with peak day consumption (generally during the hottest summer/fall period) approximately two and one-half times the average day demand.
4. The city's 2008 Comprehensive Water System Plan ("the plan") describes its intention to provide water service throughout its retail service area. The plan also proposes to reduce the overall service area assigned to the city as part of the 1990 East King County Coordinated Water System Plan ("CWSP"). Much of the area the city proposes to eliminate from its service area is not feasible for the city to serve or is designated as forestry where service is not required. The purpose of the CWSP, which includes individual water system plans, is to identify present and future water service needs, and to set forth the means for meeting those needs. The city recognizes that the CWSP will need to be modified to show where the city has determined it is not feasible to provide service. The city revised its plan to acknowledge its duty to provide service within its retail service area.
5. The city's plan identifies measures that have historically been implemented to pursue water conservation within its boundaries, pursuant to Washington state Department of Health ("the DOH") 1994 planning guidance and consistent with the CWSP. The city is in the process of complying with the new DOH Water Use Efficiency Rule, particularly with respect to reducing distribution system losses, probably the most significant step the city can take to reduce water usage.
6. Pursuant to King County Comprehensive Plan policies F-208, F-211 and F-212, agencies that provide service in unincorporated King County must have financing strategies to show the ability to meet projected needs for facilities and services in accordance with the Growth Management Act and the King County Comprehensive Plan. The city's plan describes a six-year capital improvement program ("CIP") costing approximately $8,283,750 (in 2007 dollars). The city states that CIP projects will be funded by any combination of water revenues, general facilities charges, local facilities charges, grants and low-cost loans, revenue bonds and outside funding sources. Much, if not most, of the CIP funding will come from developer extensions when they create additional single-family and multifamily residential units and from utility local improvement districts. Total water sales for the city in 2003 were $473,805. Water revenues were combined with sewer revenues in 2004 and beyond.
7. K.C.C. chapter 13.24 of the K.C.C. requires review of water system plans by the utilities technical review committee, and a recommendation to the King County executive and council on the plan and the requirements under K.C.C. chapter 13.24 and consistency with the King County Comprehensive Plan. The utilities technical review committee has reviewed the planning data and city operations and hereby finds:
a. The plan is consistent with population and employment forecasts developed by the Growth Management Planning Council for the city's service area, with a customized forecast appropriately used;
b. The plan appropriately uses King County land use classifications for unincorporated areas;
c. The capital facility plan is adequate to meet anticipated facility and service needs;
d. The plan is consistent with applicable state water quality laws, including the evaluation of reclaimed water use; and
e. The plan is consistent with other pertinent county adopted plans and policies.
8. The DOH has not yet approved the city's water plan, pending approval by King County. Approval from the DOH is expected after the King County council acts.
9. The city did not have to complete a state Environmental Policy Act review for the plan as the system has fewer than one thousand connections and is categorically exempt from review.
10. The city's operations and facilities meet multiple existing statutory, administrative and planning standards. As the city's operations, facilities and planning meet the requirements of the King County Code and are consistent with the King County Comprehensive Plan, the utilities technical review committee recommends approval of the plan.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. The City of Carnation 2008 Comprehensive Water System Plan,
Attachment A to this ordinance, is hereby approved as a comprehensive water system plan.
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