The Q1 Member Meeting was held on Zoom on March 20, 2025, 5 pm to 7 pm with 65 members and guests in attendance. This post includes a recap followed by links to the video recording, agenda and some additional materials at the bottom of this page. Note that the video recording was started after the meeting had begun but does include all of the featured topics starting with Chris Kelley’s update.
The Minutes will be posted as soon as they are available.
The meeting topics were kicked off with an update on the Coordinated Water System Plan from Chris Kelley, Island County Hydrogeologist. The CWSP was developed in 1990 to provide guidance for all county water systems, including minimum design standards and defining service areas for Group A water systems. Kelley mentioned that the plan hasn’t be revised since publication in 1990 so a study group was formed with a local engineering firm. The group will first determine what parts of the plan were in need of an update and to scope that work with the intention of presenting a recommendation to the County Commissioners for further action later this year. You can read an overview of the plan here or the full plan here.
Several insurance topics were covered in the meeting:
- Sarah Gooding from Island County Public Works presented on Public Works Franchises which are required for any water system which has water lines within a county road right-of-way. Sarah described what a franchise is, the application and renewal process, why there was a requirement for a certificate of liability insurance, the requirements for franchise holders and provided a list of planned 2025 roadwork projects that will affect some franchise holders. If you want to check on the roads within your water system’s service area where you may have water lines, you can use the ICGEOmap and then click on the roads to see if they are owned by the county.
- Morgan Carter from Tradewinds Insurance and Wendy Parsons from Parsons-Whidbey Insurance each presented a summary of the insurance options necessary and available to Group A and B water systems including General Liability, Property Coverage, Directors & Officers, Umbrella Liability and a more recent addition: Cyber Liability. You can find the contact information for both companies in a new Insurance section on our website at the bottom of the Services page. Tradewinds’ presentation materials are included here.
Ernie Klimek of Evergreen Rural Water of Washington was our final speaker for evening, He spoke about the Apprenticeship and QUEST programs both of which should be familiar to WIWSA members as the WIWSA scholarship is offered for these programs. The Apprenticeship program is a 2-year classroom training program for apprentices employed in water and wastewater service to gain their Level 2 certification. QUEST provides a 1-year program for anyone with a goal for Level 1 certification. Ernie also described a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) program for high school and trade school students interested in starting a career in water or wastewater service. This is still in the planning stage but should be launched this year. You can find more information on the Evergreen Rural Water website.
Meeting Recording (Video), Agenda & Minutes