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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Commission - Minutes - 01/19/2023 WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING January 19, 2023, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hybrid in person at 222 LaPorte Ave and online via Zoom 01/19/2023 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER 5:29 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL • Commissioners Present: Jason Tarry (Chairperson), Greg Steed (Vice Chairperson), James Bishop, Ken Bruxvoort, Tyler Eldridge, Paul Herman, Rick Kahn, John Primsky, Jordan Radin • Staff Members Present: Jason Graham, Katherine Martinez, Jeremy Woolf, Jill Oropeza, Richard Thorp, Eric Potyondy, Kirk Longstein, Kathryne Marko, Jesse Schlam, Ben Alexenberg, Kendall Minor, Andrew Gingerich • Members of the Public: Bob Kingsbury/Parks and Recreation Board Member 3. AGENDA REVIEW • Chairperson Jason Tarry briefly summarized items on the agenda 4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION • None 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Tarry asked for comments and revisions on the draft minutes. There were none. Commissioner Bruxvoort to approve the December 15 minutes. Vice Chairperson Steed seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: it passed unanimously, 9-0 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Introduction of New Water Commissioner James Bishop The Water Commission welcomed Commissioner Bishop, who is a communications strategist and public information officer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health. He also serves as a Deputy Mission Support Group Commander for the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He previously worked for four years with the Bureau of Reclamation as a Public Affairs Officer WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 01/19/2023 – MINUTES Page 2 representing the Colorado-Big Thompson Project and other water infrastructure in our state. b. Introduction of Senior Director, Integrated Water Operations Jeremy Woolf i. Formerly City of Greeley wastewater plant superintendent, and first of three senior director positions to be hired under Director of Water Jason Graham. The other two are integrated planning/sciences and integrated project delivery. c. Staff Reports (Attachments available upon request) i. Financial Monthly Report (none this month due to year-end processes) ii. Water Resources Monthly Report Discussion Highlights: Commissioners commented and on inquired about various related topics including: use of more Colorado-Big Thompson Project water than Poudre River water recently (staff replied that it’s due to wildfire- related water quality issues); snowpack (good, especially with the storm earlier this week); pending negotiations on the Colorado River Compact that could significantly change East Slope to West Slope water (supposed to be a 50-50 split; talk of codifying agreement without lawsuits; Director of Water Jason Graham stated that staff is aware of discussions at federal and state level), etc. Info: https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/ iii. Memo: 2022 Fall Water Quality Update – Upper Cache la Poudre Watershed (meeting packet only) Discussion Highlights Commissioners commented and on inquired about various related topics including effects of the Cameron Peak wildfire damage and the fact that no major water quality impacts were mentioned in this report (Watershed Program Manager Richard Thorp stated staff is working on five-year trend report on the Poudre River that will show pre- and post-wildfire data and capture major impacts of wildfire); and Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) and City of Thornton pipeline construction (https://www.northernwater.org/nisp and https://www.fcgov.com/nispreview/ ) WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 01/19/2023 – MINUTES Page 3 iv. Water Resource Matters Study Report (meeting packet only) Discussion Highlights Commissioners commented and on inquired about various related topics including: the consultant hired to conduct the report; water regionalization and drought conditions, and what Fort Collins Utilities can do to be good neighbors to nearby communities that are struggling with water issues (Director of Water Jason Graham mentioned various regional water groups and discussions); the Montava housing development, which is in the city limits but in the service area of East Larimer County Water District (ELCO) (https://ourcity.fcgov.com/montava) (staff mentioned a water adequacy plan study and related issues such as cost and infrastructure), etc. v. 1041 Regulation Update Information: https://www.fcgov.com/planning/1041-regulations The purpose of 1041 powers is to give local governments a seat at the table during the review of particular development projects occurring within their jurisdiction, even when the project has statewide impacts. The term “1041” refers to House Bill 74-1041 that created the powers in 1974, and the statutes regarding 1041 powers are also referred to as the Areas of Activities of State Interest Act (AASIA). Senior Environmental Planner Kirk Longstein answered questions and mentioned a staff memo sent to City Council today that outlined the issues, and a January 25 quasi-judicial hearing of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and encouraged all to comment at that hearing. First reading of the ordinance is scheduled for Feb. 7 City Council. City Planning Department’s collaboration with Fort Collins Utilities’ Environmental Regulatory Affairs Division (ERA) staff has led to scenario planning and discussion of project size threshold as a trigger for what would be covered under 1041 regulations. Discussion Highlights Commissioners inquired and commented on various related issues including: thresholds (ERA Manager Kathryne Marko mentioned that replacing a 100- year-old pipe, for example is intended to change the material but not increase capacity; need to provide continued service; Mr. Longstein mentioned other nearby communities such as City of Greeley, and the desire to use existing right-of- ways); transportation project regulation (and inquiry why transportation projects are excluded from 1041 regulations but City street or WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 01/19/2023 – MINUTES Page 4 Utilities projects are not excluded; Mr. Longstein summarized the proposed state legislation and mentioned that 1041 regulations are applied at the county level; it’s a binding permitting process); the perception that City Council has used these regulations as a tool to have a say in certain projects, such as Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) (https://www.fcgov.com/nispreview/); Mr. Graham stated that staff has reviewed various projects that may be impacted. vi. Director of Water: Staffing Updates Discussion Highlights Director of Water Jason Graham shared that the Halligan Water Supply Project full-time manager role has been promoted nationally; the closing date is February 1. He is finalizing details for recruitment and posting of the newly- created position “Senior Director, Sciences and Planning.” d. Regular Items (Attachments available upon request) i. City of Fort Collins Urban Lakes Water Quality Management Policy and Guidance Update Richard Thorp, Watershed Program Manager, Utilities Water Quality Services The project manager met with Water Commission on September 16, 2021 to provide an update on the development of the City’s Urban Lakes Water Quality Management Guidance and to seek feedback on the project team’s Urban Lakes Water Quality Policy development approach. Mr. Thorp used Water Commission’s feedback to inform development of the final draft policy. This follow-up presentation provided an overview of the project team’s policy development approach and shared final drafts of the policy and guidance. Staff requested Water Commission recommend City Council formally adopt the policy. Council is scheduled to address this item on March 7. Discussion Highlights Mr. Thorp mentioned the formation of an interdepartmental team of Utilities, Parks and Natural Areas departments to review and exchange information and discuss common problems such as algal blooms. Commissioners commented and on inquired about various related topics including: emphasizing the need for clear expectations of which staff will manage the project and ensure accountability; suggestion for a letter of support from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)(staff responded that CPW WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 01/19/2023 – MINUTES Page 5 was consulted); Rigden Reservoir is one example of a project managed by more than one department (Utilities and Natural Areas); One Water approach; budget for mitigation (no funding at this time; Water Quality Services Director Jill Oropeza stated this is the first step in acknowledging issues of public health concerns, expressing commitment to addressing them, and assessing priorities; etc. Commissioner Kahn moved that the Water Commission recommend City Council approve the Urban Lakes Water Quality Management Policy. Commissioner Radin seconded the motion. Vote on the Motion: it passed unanimously, 9-0 7. COMMISSIONER REPORTS (Committees, Event attendance, etc.) None 8. OTHER BUSINESS (Commissioner concerns, announcements) a. Approval of 2022 Annual Report Discussion Highlights Commissioners discussed minor revisions to the draft 2022 Annual Report. Chairperson Bruxvoort moved to approve the 2022 Annual Report as amended. Commissioner Herman seconded the motion Vote on the Motion: It passed unanimously, 9-0 b. Discuss Election of New Officers Chairperson Tarry moved to nominate Commissioner Radin as 2023 Chairperson. Commissioner Kahn seconded the motion Vote on the Motion: It passed unanimously, 9-0 Chairperson Tarry moved to nominate Commissioner Herman as 2023 Vice Chairperson. Commissioner Eldridge seconded the motion Vote on the Motion: It passed unanimously, 9-0 WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 01/19/2023 – MINUTES Page 6 Discussion Highlights Commissioners thanked Chairperson Tarry and Vice Chairperson Steed for their service and expressed appreciation for the tone Chairperson Tarry set for commission meetings. 9. INTRODUCTION OF STAFF a. Jesse Schlam, Senior Environmental Regulatory Specialist, managed erosion control for the past 12 years and is transitioning to permit support for Drake Water Reclamation Facility (DWRF) and Mulberry Water Reclamation Facility (MWRF) b. Kathryne Marko, Environmental Regulatory Affairs (ERA) Manager, manages the team that manages government regulations, standards, waste disposal, air quality, etc.; joined Utilities staff in April; held similar role at City of Longmont. c. Ben Alexenberg, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Manager, manages the team that maintains controls of equipment at DWRF, Water Treatment Facility, Rigden Reservoir, etc. d. Jill Oropeza, director of the Water Quality Services Division and oversees Water Quality Lab, Pollution Control Lab, and Watershed program monitoring. e. Kendall Minor, Utilities Executive Director, joined the staff in February 2022. f. Katherine Martinez, Business Support III, manages diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) projects and supports Director of Water Jason Graham; supported the Water Board (later named Water Commission) from 2014-2021. 10. ADJOURNMENT 7:33 p.m. These minutes were approved by the Water Commission on Feb. 16, 2023.