HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_CCWorkMeeting_05152012CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING MAY 15, 2012 6:00 P.M. IONA COMMUNITY
CENTER
PRESENT: Mayor Brad Andersen, Council President Bruce Case, Council member Dan Gubler,
Council member Rob Geray, Council member Thane Price, Public, City Clerk Robyn Keyes,
Treasurer Amy Sullivan, Police Chief Shannon Basaraba.
ABSENT: Works Supervisor Zech Prouse.
Visitors: David Morrow.
Mayor Andersen explained that Director Prouse was absent due to a water main issue.
Cross Connection Control Program Plan. Mayor Andersen introduced David Morrow, Cross
Connection Program Manager, from Idaho National Laboratory. Mayor Andersen and Mr.
Morrow presented an educational video regarding possible cross connection issues and the
importance of backflow prevention. The Mayor said that all community water systems such as
Iona's were required to have a cross connection program. Mr. Morrow explained that the State
mandated backflow prevention, and if cross contamination occurred within the City limits the
City could be held liable if backflow prevention systems had not been installed.
Mr. Morrow said one of the most common occurrences of cross contamination due to backflow
was with garden hoses. The Mayor said backflow prevention had been required on all new
sprinkler systems within the City limits since 2009.
Mayor Andersen recommended the City adopt, as a resolution or code, either a Cross
Connection Plan, such as the one Director Prouse was working on, or the Pacific Northwest
Code for outside connections and the Uniform Plumbing Code for inside connections. The
Mayor said he would consult with Attorney Storer regarding the adoption of a resolution or code.
Council President Case was not in favor of provision that the City could force homeowners to
install backflow prevention: the cost could be extensive for existing homeowners and inside
plumbing.
Council member Geray said he had the same concerns.
Mr. Morrow explained that the City would focus on sprinkler system backflow prevention, but if
the City realized activities within a residence constituted inside backflow prevention it could
work with the homeowner to bring the water system up to code. Mr. Morrow said very few cities
mandated internal (inside use) protection for residential use.
The Council decided to do more research between the Cross Connection Plan and the Pacific
Northwest Code.
Mr. Morrow and the Mayor also explained to the Council that in addition the protection of the
City's water quality a cross connection protection plan was required by the state's Drinking
Water Regulations. The Mayor said that if the City did not adopt some type of cross connection
program it could be fined and lose grant opportunities.
Mayor Andersen wanted to emphasize education as the focus of the cross connection program;
not enforcement.
Mayor Andersen thanked Mr. Morrow for his time.
Meeting adjourned 6:55 p.m.