WES Advisory Committee
After the formalization of the Water Environment Services (WES) partnership between Clackamas County Service District No. 1 (CCSD#1), Tri-City Service District (TCSD) and the Surface Water Management Agency of Clackamas County (SWMACC) on Nov. 3, 2016, WES developed a comprehensive communication and engagement outreach initiative to help it better understand what it needs to do to strengthen its relationship with the communities it serves.
As a result this comprehensive process, WES developed a recommended advisory committee structure and an accompanying set of bylaws to govern that committee upon establishment. On Sept. 14, 2017, the Board of County Commissioners of Clackamas County (BCC) acting as the governing body of WES, created a standing advisory committee consisting of customers, stakeholders and city representatives referred to as the Water Environment Services Advisory Committee.
In September 2017, an extensive recruitment process was launched to find 16 members to serve on the committee. Community members and representatives from partner cities participated with WES in the application screening process that followed.
On Dec. 5, 2017, The BCC approved the recommendations for committee membership. The committee will meet quarterly with the first meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Main Floor Auditorium, Room 115 of the Development Services Building, 150 Beavercreek Road, Oregon City, OR 97045.
Committee Structure
The committee provides input and makes recommendations on surface water and wastewater issues to WES and the BCC. Additionally, the committee will:
- Provide a forum for coordinating, learning, understanding and gathering input on surface water and wastewater plans, policies, rules and regulations, fees, and projects;
- Review, discuss and make recommendations on proposed operational and multi-zone capital improvements to the region's surface water and wastewater treatment systems, master plans, investment strategies and capital projects; and
- Advise on and support the implementation of educational and public engagement strategies on issues relating to wastewater services, bio-solids management, surface water management, watershed health, erosion control and other related topics.
Members have experience and/or background in wastewater management, watershed health and restoration, economic development, and surface water. Members must reside or work within the WES service area.
WES serves the cities of Gladstone, Happy Valley, Johnson City, Milwaukie, Oregon City, West Linn and the communities of unincorporated Clackamas County.
Committee membership includes:
- 6 ratepayers from cities in WES service area
- Christopher Bowker, Gladstone
- Greg DiLoreto, West Linn
- Anthony Fields, Milwaukie
- William Gifford, Oregon City
- Michael Morrow, Happy Valley
- Brian Johnson (serving in dual capacities)
- 2 ratepayers from unincorporated Clackamas County
- Kathryn Miller, Unincorporated representative
- Vacant
- 6 elected officials
- Mary Baumgardner, West Linn City Councilor
- Vacant, Milwaukie City Councilor
- Markley Drake, Happy Valley City Councilor
- Brian Johnson, Johnson City Council representative
- Rocky Smith, Oregon City Commissioner
- Tammy Stempel, Gladstone Mayor
- 2 environmental representatives
- Rita Baker, Greater Oregon City Watershed Council (retired)
- Renee Harber, Environmental Learning Center at Clackamas Community College
- 2 members of development community
- Vacant
- Roseann Johnson, Lennar Homes
- 2 business owners or managers
- Diana Helm, Business representative, Terra Casa, Unincorporated area
- David Schleef, Business representative, 503 Distilling, Oregon City
- County Board Liaisons
- Martha Schrader, Commissioner; Paul Savas, Commissioner Liaison alternate
Water Environment Services Technical Advisory Team
The Technical Advisory Team (TAT) is a group of technical experts from WES and its member communities, the cities of Gladstone, Happy Valley, Johnson City, Milwaukie, Oregon City, and West Linn. The TAT is comprised of WES engineers, city public works directors, and city engineers and technical staff who meet quarterly to share knowledge and collaborate on sanitary sewer infrastructure issues.
The purpose of the WES TAT is to:
- Provide a forum for technical staff to collaborate and share knowledge on sanitary sewer related issues.
- Provide a forum for coordinating, learning, understanding and gathering input on wastewater plans and projects.
- Review City proposals for funding under the Regional Inflow and Infiltration Reduction IGA.
The WES TAT is intended to strengthen WES’ relationships with city technical staff for the purpose of maintaining a strong and cohesive wastewater collection system.
Elected Officials Forum
The Elected Officials Forum was created in response to a request from elected representatives from within the Water Environment Services area to engage on issues of common interest. It is designed to promote shared understanding of regional and local issues related to policies and the future of wastewater management. It also provides an opportunity for the Board of County Commissioners to solicit input and ideas for future conversations. The first Elected Officials Forum was held Oct. 18, 2017. Forums are held on quarterly basis.
For more information, please contact liaison Lauren Haney at lhaney@clackamas.us 503-742-4591.
