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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 03/18/2021 WATER BOARD REGULAR MEETING March 18, 2021, 5:30-7:30 p.m. online via Zoom 0 3 /1 8 /202 1 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER 5:31 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL • Board Members Present: Kent Bruxvoort (Chairperson), Greg Steed (Vice Chairperson), Michael C. Brown, Jr., Paul Herman, Randy Kenyon John Primsky • Board Members Absent-Excused: Cibi Chinnasamy, Tyler Eldridge, Phyllis Ortman, Jason Tarry • Staff Members Present: Katherine Martinez, Alice Conovitz, Lisa Rosintoski, John Song, Mark Kempton, Matt Fater, Eric Potyondy, Donnie Dustin, Mariel Miller, Theresa Connor, Matt Zoccali, Liesel Hans • Members of the Public: Rob Graves 3. AGENDA REVIEW None 4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION None 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Bruxvoort asked for comments on the February minutes. Board Member Michael Brown moved to approve the February 18, 2021 minutes. Board Member Paul Herman seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously, 6-0. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Staff Reports (Attachments available upon request) i. Monthly Financial Report (meeting packet only; no presentation) No discussion. ii. Memo: ERA Quarterly Update WATER BOARD REGULAR MEETING 0 3 /1 8 /2021 – MINUTES Page 2 (meeting packet only; no presentation) Matt Zoccali addressed questions regarding future updates to lead and copper regulations, but there were no indications to cause concerns at this time. A team of staff is evaluating potential impacts. iii. Memo: Raw Water Rental Rates – Leadership Planning Team Question (meeting packet only; no presentation) No discussion. iv. Memo: Update – Establishing Rental Rates and Delivery Charges for Use of Water (meeting packet only; no presentation) No discussion. v. Water Resources Monthly Report Discussion Highlights A board member inquired about a discrepancy in the relationship between drought years and reservoir volumes in past years compared to the present. Senior Manager in Water Resources, Donnie Dustin, addressed the discrepancy and explained that the current drought came in the summer of 2020, and the data shows monthly tracking rather than annual data, while past data showed tracking for extended, long droughts. He added that the recent snowstorm helped to bring up moisture to about average. vi. Interim Utilities Executive Director Quarterly Update Interim Utilities Executive Director, Theresa Connor, introduced Utilities Deputy Director, Lisa Rosintoski, who presented on Utilities Customer Connection’s recommendation to council to resume non-payment disconnects beginning May 3, 2021, which had temporarily been suspended due to the economic and financial impacts of COVID-19 on Utilities customers. Discussion Highlights A board member expressed potential concerns for property owners whose renters could not pay for utilities and then vacates, and liens are then assessed to the property, but the bills are for much longer than normal durations due to non-disconnects. Another member inquired about the date of resume; the date was determined to give ample time for outreach and preparation, especially with staggered disconnects. vii. Cache la Poudre Instream Flow Project Update Assistant City Attorney, Eric Potyondy, presented on the Poudre Flows Plan that aims to improve flows in the Poudre River, improve the river’s ecological health, and protect existing water rights. He introduced the Augmentation WATER BOARD REGULAR MEETING 0 3 /1 8 /2021 – MINUTES Page 3 Plan, a more flexible legal mechanism than historical approaches to improve instream flows, and he spoke on upcoming expectations regarding applying to the Water Court. Discussion Highlights A board member inquired about the timeline and process of the Water Court application, which can take up to 2-3 years; the process can include statements of opposition to become parties to the case, a referral to a water referee, and possible trials with a water judge. Another member inquired about Northern Water’s relationship to the Poudre Flows Plan, which is minimal due to the fact that Northern Water’s Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) water rights are not able to be used in this plan directly. b. Regular Items (Attachments available upon request) i. Update on Water Shortage Planning Efforts and Potential for Restrictions in 2021 Water Conservation Analyst, Alice Conovitz, and Interim Utilities Deputy Director, Mark Kempton, presented to collect input from the Water Board to be incorporated into the Water Shortage Action Committee’s recommendation to the City Manager. In response to potential impacts from the fire and continued drought, Utilities is closely monitoring the potential for water shortage and the need for a response, such as voluntary conservation or water restrictions. This update and input will help determine the type of voluntary approach to recommend. Discussion Highlights A board member inquired about the reason why the best practice isn’t mandatory for water conservation to some degree. Alice Conovitz referred to the code in the Water Shortage Plan that outlines the circumstances that would elevate the efforts. Board members discussed what it would look like to have a mixed effort of formal and informal measures, a combination of the two options offered. There was general support from Board members to continue the informal communication and conservation measures (Option B), and recommend that the City Manager issues a formal declaration for a voluntary Water Shortage Watch (Option A), which can be stopped or leveled up to mandatory restrictions if staff receive more information that would support a change in approach, e.g. CBT quota, assess water impacts from runoff. The Board generally supported that a Water Shortage Watch is intended for this type of scenario. The Board appreciated hearing what other factors might play into whether the City Manager might support a formal WATER BOARD REGULAR MEETING 0 3 /1 8 /2021 – MINUTES Page 4 Water Shortage Watch. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS None 9. OTHER BUSINESS • Staff Liaison Matt Fater spoke about the Reimagine Boards & Commissions that was approved by council on March 16, 2021. There will be changes, e.g. the name will change to Water Commission and the number of members from 11 to 9. Elizabeth Blythe will be present at the April 15 Regular Meeting regarding the results. 10. ADJOURNMENT 7:02 p.m.