A little over twenty years ago, a friend and fellow member of the local Kiwanis club asked me if I would be interested in serving on the Board of Commissioners of King County Water District No. 124. Despite having no previous experience of this type and, with my insurance business, church activities and large family, a fairly complete schedule at the time, I was intrigued by the suggestion and thought that it might well be interesting to see what the water district was all about. After convincing myself that I could manage the time, I ran for a position on the Board and started what has become a very gratifying twenty year period of service on the Lakehaven Utility District Board.

Looking back, I can appreciate how far we have come since 1983. The many board members I have served with over the years have given their best to make this a public utility we can all be proud of. I have found that the Board is a lot like a family- sometimes we take different approaches to the obstacles facing us, but we share a common goal of doing what is best for the District and its customers. When harnessed by the commitment to service and a collegial approach, the collective efforts of a diverse group of individuals willing to work towards a common goal can be an impressive force indeed.

In looking around our community, we see the spirit of “volunteerism” alive in many facets of our daily lives. From parents who get involved with school activities or help out with children’s sports teams; to members of local charity organizations helping those in need; to those serving on elected boards and councils who give of their time to help agencies of government do a better job, the community is enriched through the efforts of volunteers. This is not an investment of time without reward, however. The involvement in volunteer and charitable activities provides the participants a sense of purpose and a meaningful stake in the quality of life in our neighborhoods. I know that I have learned a great deal about the water and sewer industry over the years through my involvement with the District and have met and become associated with a number of very wonderful people that have made my life richer.

In this new year of 2004, I congratulate each of you serving as volunteers and invite others of you to consider taking a step to get involved in serving our community. Whatever form it might take, I am confident that you will find, as have I, that the time spent volunteering can be rewarding beyond any expectations you might have.

As always, my best for the new year. It has been a pleasure to serve you!

top

Based on the District’s 2004 Legislative Agenda, adopted by the Board of Commissioners at the November 13th board meeting, the District is pursuing two bills in the legislature during the 2004 legislative session. The first bill would allow special purpose water/sewer districts to consider the rates to be charged by qualified engineering consultants in the selection of these consultants to provide engineering services to the district. It is believed that this will help districts save money by keeping engineering fees, a substantial cost to the District each year, at competitive rates.

The second bill would allow districts to collect a share of the cost of permanent local facilities to be constructed in the future by those seeking connection without the construction of local facilities. These funds would be held for contribution to the property owner actually constructing the permanent facilities. It is the District’s belief that this will more fairly spread the cost of local facilities among benefiting properties.

We will keep you informed of our progress.

top

District Engineer Receives Lifetime Membership Award

Lakehaven Engineering Manager Bert Ross was presented the American Public Works Association’s (APWA) Lifetime Membership Award at the December 11, 2003 Board of Commissioners’ meeting.

Bert, a licensed civil engineer, received the award in recognition of his thirty years of membership in the APWA. During his association with the APWA, Bert has served on the Sewers/Drains/Water Standards and Specifications Subcommittee, which develops and recommends model standards for construction of public works infrastructure. These standard specifications are used by the Washington State Department of Transportation and many other public and private entities in the design and construction of highway, street, water, sewer and storm drain facilities in the state.

In addition to more than twenty years of service with Lakehaven and the former King County Water District No. 56, Mr. Ross has worked for the cities of Renton, Aberdeen and Salem, Oregon. Bert played a key role in the merger of Water District No. 56 into the Federal Way Water and Sewer District in 1988, which remains one of his proudest professional accomplishments. His career has also included employment in private engineering consulting firms in the Puget Sound area.

Bert, who resides with his wife Lynn in the West Campus area of Federal Way, became an officer of the King County Subsection of the American Water Works Association in 1994 and is currently Chairperson of this group for the 2003-’04 term. On top of these activities, Bert oversees the District’s ten-person Engineering Department and Development Service Section and many of the water and sewer projects undertaken by the District each year. Summing it up, Bert notes, “I have enjoyed the long association with the APWA and the more than twenty years spent at the District. The work and interaction with customers, co-workers and Board members along the way have made this an extremely rewarding career”.

Please join us in extending our thanks to Bert for his service to the District and our congratulations to him for the exceptional record of accomplishment in his chosen profession.

top

Leak Adjustments

Lakehaven Utility District provides a Leak Program. Customers are eligible for one leak adjustment in a twelve-month period when leaks are repaired within 30 days following the discovery of the leak on their property and when the cost of the water leaked equals or exceeds $40.00. The customer must provide the District verifiable repair records, or other available information, to receive a credit on their water account equaling fifty percent of the charge for the water leaked. The water adjustment will be for a period beginning no more than sixty days prior to the discovery of the leak and ending when the leak is repaired. Adjustments will not be made if the credit would be less than $20.00. For more information on this program, call Linda at 253-946-5424.

top

Sewer Bill: Usage For Wet Month Average

Water conservation is not just for the summer, but is important year around. The sewer charge for single family residences is determined each year by the water usage shown in the billings for the months of January through April. Conserving your water usage now will not only save you money on your water bill, but your sewer bill as well.

top

KIDS CORNER:

Handprint, Photo Blossom Craft

Supplies needed:

• A piece of light-colored construction paper (white, pale blue, pale yellow, etc.) – for the background

• One piece of brightly - colored construction paper for the flower petals

• A photo of the child

• Scissors, glue, green tempura paint, a brush (or just use your finger), pen or pencil

1. Cut a circle around the head of a picture of a child (this will be the center of the flower).
2. Cut a flower shape out of colorful construction paper. Make sure that the flower is a bit bigger than the round picture of the child, but small enough so that it will fit on the paper.
3. Glue the paper flower towards the top of a piece of paper.
4. Using green tempura paint, draw a stem for your flower.
5. Have the child make two green handprints near the base of the stem – these will be the flower’s leaves.
6. Glue the picture of the child to the center of the flower.
7. Write the child’s name (and the date, if you wish) on the paper.

You now have an adorable keepsake of your child.

top

Water Conservation Activities

The District will participate in the Rhododendron Species Foundation 2004 Spring Plant Sale Friday April 2nd and Saturday April 3rd, located at the south parking lot at Weyerhaeuser Corporate Headquarters.

top

Conservation Garden:

With the help of local business owners and their generous contributions of time and materials, the District established a Conservation Garden in April 1994. The Garden, which is located adjacent to the Lakehaven Center at 31531 1st Ave. S, Federal Way, was created to demonstrate water-efficient landscaping practices, including the utilization of drought-resistant plant life.

With water conservation continuing to be an important aim of the District, the Conservation Garden is slated to undergo significant renovation in early 2004. We hope the improvements will allow the Garden to better carry the message that conservation can be practiced without compromise to the aesthetic and functional benefits our home and commercial gardens provide.

The Conservation Garden is temporarily closed for renovation and will reopen sometime in April.

Drop by this spring and take a look!

top

Your Board of Commissioners

Dick Mayer - President

Ed Stewart - Vice President

Beverly J. Tweddle -  Secretary

Tom Jovanovich - Commissioner

Donald L. P. Miller - Commissioner

Regular Board of Commissioners meetings are held at:
Lakehaven Center
31531 First Ave. S.
Federal Way at 6 p.m.