Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

TO:	Dave Corliss Interim City Manager
FROM:	Jeanette Klamm Residuals Coordinator
Date:	5/5/06
RE:	Request for Agenda Item

Request for the following item to be placed on the City Commission agenda for consideration at the next available meeting:

Project Description. Expansion of scope for the current Administrative  Policy #101 – Biosolids Management Policy to include the entire wastewater utility and a commitment to implement a management system for the wastewater utility in conformance with the International Standards Organization (ISO) 14001 and Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001. (See attached.)

Project Description/History.  As a requirement for the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) Environmental Management System (EMS) certification, it was necessary to adopt a Biosolids Management Policy. That was accomplished in November 2004. Subsequently we received certification of our biosolids program in October 2005, following 3^rd party audit. The NBP EMS standard is similar in requirements to the International Standards Organization (ISO) 14001 and Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001. We have been working to expand the requirements to include all areas of wastewater utility activities. The changes requested to the Biosolids Management Policy would meet the requirements for all three standards.

Project Status.  We are currently aligning all areas of the wastewater utility including operations, maintenance, line maintenance, and quality control and engineering, as they pertain to wastewater activities. We anticipate being ready for 3^rd party audit on the ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 requirements this fall (2006) at the same time as the interim audit for the NBP EMS.

Project Details. The primary change to the policy as required by ISO 14001 is a commitment to the “prevention of pollution.” Because we are including OHSAS 18001 requirements, there is also reference to “occupational health and safety.” The intent is primarily to expand the existing policy to cover all wastewater utility activities under the same management requirements.

Project Funding.  With further implementation of management systems for all functions of the utility, savings can be realized by improving efficiencies and saving overall on resources while also improving the level of services provided by the utility.

Action Request.   Staff is recommending that the City Commission approve this modification to the current Administrative Policy #101 and authorize the Interim City Manager to sign the policy.