HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/19/2023 - Water Commission - AGENDA - Regular Meeting
WATER COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
October 19, 2023 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom or in person at 222 LaPorte Ave, Colorado River Community Room
10/19/2023 Agenda Page 1
The Water Commission advises City Council regarding water, wastewater, and stormwater
policy issues such as water rights, planning, acquisition and management, conservation and
public education, floodplain regulations, storm drainage, and development criteria. Read more
at https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/boards/water.
This hybrid Water Commission meeting is available online via Zoom, phone, or in person in
the Colorado River Community Room of 222 LaPorte Ave. You may join the meeting beginning
at 5 p.m. Participants should join at least 15 minutes prior to 5:30 p.m. start time.
ONLINE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
You will need an internet connection on a laptop, computer, or smartphone, and may join the
meeting through Zoom at https://fcgov.zoom.us/j/98568801045 Webinar ID: 985 6880 1045
(Using earphones with microphone will improve the audio). Keep yourself on muted status.
For public comments, the Chairperson will ask participants to click the “Raise Hand” button to
indicate you would like to speak at that time. Staff will moderate the Zoom session to ensure all
participants have an opportunity to comment.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BY PHONE:
Please dial +1 346 248 7799 and enter Webinar ID 985 6880 1045. Keep yourself on muted
status. For public comments, when the Chair asks participants to click the “Raise Hand” button
if they wish to speak, phone participants will need to press *9 to do this. Staff will be
moderating the Zoom session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to address the
Water Commission. When you are called, press *6 to unmute yourself.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN PERSON:
To participate in person, individuals should come to the Colorado River Community Room of
222 LaPorte Ave and be prepared to follow strict social distancing guidelines. There may be
needs to limit the number of individuals in the meeting room, and thus staging for individuals to
speak may need to occur in the lobby or outside (weather permitting).
Individuals who wish to speak will line up along the northern wall, maintaining physical
distancing. The chairperson will call upon each participant to speak.
(Continued on next page)
WATER COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
October 19, 2023, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom or in person at 222 LaPorte Ave, Colorado River Community Room
10/19/2023 Agenda Page 2
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. AGENDA REVIEW
4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION (3 minutes per individual)
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Aug. 17
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Memo: Follow Up on Council Priority #19 including Larimer County Urban Area
Street Standards (LCUASS) updates in the current proposal
(Meeting packet only/no presentation)
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Staff Reports
i. Memo: Upper Cache la Poudre Water Quality Seasonal Update
(Meeting packet only/no presentation)
ii. Floodplain Management Public Information Committee Annual Report
(Meeting packet only/no presentation)
iii. Financial Monthly Report (meeting packet only/no presentation)
Documents to Share: Any document or presentation a member of the public wishes to
provide to the Water Commission for its consideration must be emailed to
KaMartinez@fcgov.com at least 24 hours before the meeting.
Provide Comments via Email: Individuals who are uncomfortable or unable to access the
Zoom platform or participate by phone are encouraged to participate by emailing comments
to the above email address at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
If your comments are specific to any of the discussion items on the agenda, please indicate
that in the subject line of your email. Staff will ensure your comments are provided to the
Water Commission.
WATER COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
October 19, 2023, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom or in person at 222 LaPorte Ave, Colorado River Community Room
10/19/2023 Agenda Page 3
iv.Memo: Hill Pond Feasibility Study Project Update
(Meeting packet only/no presentation)
b.Regular Items
i.2024 Utilities Rates and Fees
(Presentation: 10 minutes, Discussion and Action: 30 minutes)
Randy Reuscher, Lead Analyst-Utility Rate
Lance Smith, Utilities Strategic Finance Director
This item was rescheduled from the Sept. 21 cancelled meeting. Staff
presented this item to City Council on Oct. 17 and seek Water
Commissioners’ recommendation to Council to approve the proposed 2024
Utility Rates and Fees before the second reading on Nov. 21.
This agenda item is related to Strategic Outcome “Economic Health 3.5
Invest in and maintain utility infrastructure and services while ensuring
predictable utility rates.”
ii.Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Priorities and
Methodology (Discussion: 30 minutes)
Jeremy Woolf, Senior Director-Integrated Water Operations
8.COMMISSIONER REPORTS
(Committees, Event attendance, etc.)
a.Summary of Sept. 28 Halligan Water Supply Project tour (5 minutes)
Project info: https://www.fcgov.com/halligan/
Chairperson Jordan Radin and Water Commission tour attendees
9.OTHER BUSINESS
(Commissioner concerns, Announcements)
a.Boards & Commissions Inputs to 2024 City of Fort Collins Strategic Plan
(Discussion: 20 minutes)
Jason Graham, Director of Water
i.Budget Office has requested optional inputs on the 2024 Strategic Plan and
how best to achieve outcomes. Staff will review feedback in November.
WATER COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
October 19, 2023, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom or in person at 222 LaPorte Ave, Colorado River Community Room
10/19/2023 Agenda Page 4
b. Ex Officio Member
(Discussion: 10 minutes)
City Council will discuss the topic of ex officio members at its Oct. 24 work session.
Does the Water Commission wish to keep City Code as is, or remove the ex officio
member if commissioners don’t believe one if necessary?
c. 2024 Water Commission Work Plan
(Discussion: 10 minutes)
i. Discuss ideas for draft 2024 Work Plan
Commissioners will vote to approve 2024 Work Plan on Nov. 16
10. ADJOURNMENT
DRAFT MINUTES WATER COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
August 17, 2023, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Hybrid in person at 222 LaPorte Ave and online via Zoom
08/17/2023 – DRAFT Unapproved MINUTES Page 1
1. CALL TO ORDER
5:31 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
• Commissioners Present In Person: Jordan Radin (Chairperson), Paul Herman (Vice
Chairperson), James Bishop, Kent Bruxvoort, Rick Kahn, Jason Tarry
• Commissioners Present via Zoom: None
• Commissioners Absent - Excused: Tyler Eldridge, Greg Steed, John Primsky
• Staff Members Present In Person: Jason Graham, Jill Oropeza, Mariel Miller, Kendra
Boot, Katie Collins, Kathryne Marko, Jen Dial
• Staff Members Present via Zoom: Michael Neale, Danielle Reimanis
• Members of the Public: None
3. AGENDA REVIEW
• Chairperson Jordan Radin briefly summarized items on the agenda.
4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION: None
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairperson Radin asked for comments on the draft minutes. There were none.
Commissioner Jason Tarry moved to approve the July 20 minutes.
Vice Chairperson Paul Herman seconded the motion.
Vote on the motion: it passed unanimously, 6-0
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Staff Reports
i. Financial Monthly Report (meeting packet only)
Discussion Highlights
Commissioners commented on or inquired about various related topics
including decreased water sales due to all the rain this year, rates,
landscaping, conservation, raw water sales, wastewater, the dilemma of
encouraging customers to conserve water versus the need to sell water to
maintain revenue to meet expenses that have increased due to inflation,
DRAFT MINUTES WATER COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
08/17/2023 – DRAFT Unapproved MINUTES
Page 2
regionalization, Northern Colorado Water Alliance, and agriculture.
ii. 2023 Spring Water Quality Update-Upper Cache la Poudre Watershed
(meeting packet only)
Discussion Highlights
Commissioners commented on or inquired about various related topics
including stabilization and the watershed getting back to normal after
wildfires, need for telling the story of wildfire mitigation, water quality, Big
Thompson River, thunderstorms, more grass and food resulting from higher
than average amount of rain this year.
iii. 2023 City of Fort Collins Floodplain Management Public Information
Annual Report (meeting packet only)
Discussion Highlights
Commissioners commented on or inquired about various related topics
including report completed due to state requirements; floodplain discussions.
iv. Water Resources Quarterly Report
(meeting packet only; no presentation; staff available for questions)
Discussion Highlights
Staff members Water Resources Manager Jen Dial and Water Resources
Engineer Michael Neale were present for questions. Commissioners
commented on or inquired about various related topics including use of
Horsetooth Reservoir water (Colorado-Big Thompson Project:
https://www.northernwater.org/what-we-do/deliver-water/colorado-big-
thompson-project ) due to torrential rains affecting Poudre River water
(turbidity); low demand due to amount of rain this year; full reservoirs; North
Poudre Irrigation Company and ability to rent but no demand; continued high
water level going into the winter months; and Lake Granby and water level for
Western Slope communities.
v. Water Utilities Quarterly Update
Director of Water Utilities Jason Graham summarized staff's Water Supply
Requirements presentation to City Council work session last week and
Council’s comments on the related topic of the proposed increase of Excess
Water Use Fee for development and redevelopment based on the
consultant’s recommendation that has been used by other communities.
Discussion Highlights
DRAFT MINUTES WATER COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
08/17/2023 – DRAFT Unapproved MINUTES
Page 3
Commissioners commented on or inquired about various related topics
including increased water treatment costs and Halligan Water Supply Project
costs due to inflation; the increase in value of the City’s water rights portfolio;
community engagement plans by Water Utilities, Customer Connections, and
other City staff; Mr. Graham’s upcoming presentation to the local chamber of
commerce’s legislative committee in September; the significant proposed
increase for commercial customers and developers; significant increased
costs per share of Colorado-Big Thompson Project; staff plans for more
analysis of the variables and methodology; comparisons to East Larimer
County Water District (ELCO) water supply requirements; One Water
philosophy (all water has value); regionalization; affordable housing
development; cost of water as a component of the purchase price of a home;
Mr. Graham, Mayor Jeni Arndt and City Councilmembers went on an Aug. 16
tour of the Chimney Hollow Reservoir Project (
https://www.northernwater.org/what-we-do/plan-for-the-future/chimney-
hollow-reservoir-project ) managed by Northern Water for 12 northeastern
Colorado water providers.
b. Regular Items
i. Landscape Standards Code Update
Environmental Regulatory Affairs Manager Kathryne Marko, Water
Conservation Specialist Katie Collins, and Senior Manager-Forestry Kendra
Boot, presented a summary of proposed updates and asked Water
Commission for feedback on and support of the proposed changes.
Staff from the three divisions are working on three Council Priorities (#14, 19,
28: https://www.fcgov.com/council/#cb-46214-6083 related to soil,
xeriscaping/landscaping, and tree protection that are interrelated and provide
a holistic environmental and community benefit. This landscape improvement
team is working to promote water efficiency, and healthy and resilient
landscapes throughout Fort Collins.
Staff sought feedback last winter from Water Commissioners on concepts
and in this presentation outlined draft code revisions to the Municipal Code
(Chapters 12 and 26) and Land Use Code 3.2.1 and 3.8.21 (
https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/codes ).
The proposed program improvements include code updates for best
practices for new residential and commercial development and significant
redevelopment; definitions of standards for soil compaction and soil quality;
DRAFT MINUTES WATER COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
08/17/2023 – DRAFT Unapproved MINUTES
Page 4
and removing barriers for considering existing soil and vegetation
establishment, as well as a proposal to implement a comprehensive field
inspection program because soil loosening and amendments are
fundamental to a healthy and resilient landscape and take significant effort to
redo after the fact.
Staff has engaged in several Boards and Commissions presentations to
gather and present feedback at the Oct. 10 Council work session and to
prepare for the ordinance first reading at the Nov. 21 City Council meeting.
Discussion Highlights
Commissioners commented on or inquired about various related topics
including single family home front lawns; artificial turf restrictions; ash trees
(prohibited species: not allow to plan new ash trees) and mitigation standards
(leave existing ash trees alone if healthy; emerald ash borer mitigation plan);
canopy replacement; impact of water supply requirements on existing
residential developments that decide to reduce watering due to excess water
use fees; nutrient runoff caused by watering turf in the sidewalk-to-street area
(known as “parkways”), the difficulty of irrigating parkways, and the idea of
restricting grass in these locations (staff postponing this opportunity for
various reasons including location of utilities); City has the opportunity to lead
the way and model eliminating turf grass and implementing xeriscaping on
City properties; and acknowledging details to be determined: landscaping
permit or submitting plans during development review process for large
developments, and placing the onus on the builder; affordable housing;
owner of private property that is not currently in development review process
can remove tree – healthy or diseased - without penalty; staff exploration of
heritage tree program idea; use of rock on steep slopes and whether there
are potential benefits (staff mentioned minimum requirements that may
prohibit rock in such scenarios); irrigated turf grass requirements; native
grasses outside City building at 222 Laporte Ave.; turf grass blended species
marketed as requiring less water, such as Enviroturf brand, and people’s
tendency to water any grass that looks like Kentucky bluegrass in the same
way; commissioner suggestion to separate residential homes of four
bedrooms and nonresidential, and related question of reason for
distinguishing homes by bedroom number versus lot; City has its own
streetscape standards; City public tree inventory for the purpose of tree
preservation; suggestion for minimum requirements for signage with phone
number to report wasted water due to broken or malfunctioning sprinklers
and irrigation systems, etc.
DRAFT MINUTES WATER COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
08/17/2023 – DRAFT Unapproved MINUTES
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Staff will work with City Attorney’s Office on feedback from boards and
commissions presentations to incorporate suggestions into proposed code
updates before the Oct. 10 Council work session.
Utilities Deputy Director-Customer Connections Gretchen Stanford stated
that staff could return to Water Commission to provide an update and final
draft of proposed updates ahead of the ordinance first reading at the Nov. 21
Council meeting. Staff later confirmed they will present the update at the Nov.
16 Water Commission meeting.
Commissioners offered feedback and general support, and agreed (1) staff
has done a fantastic job on the proposed revisions (2) to postpone a
recommendation to Council to a future meeting.
7. COMMISSIONER REPORTS: None
8. OTHER BUSINESS
a. U.S. Water Alliance’s One Water Summit
Water Senior Staff members (Director of Water Jason Graham, Senior Director-
Water Sciences & Planning Jill Oropeza, and Senior Director-Water Operations
Jeremy Woolf) are scheduled to attend the summit in November:
https://uswateralliance.org/events.
Fort Collins Utilities is the alliance’s first Water Equity Network member in Colorado:
https://uswateralliance.org/waterequitynetwork
b. Boards and Commissions Super Issues Meeting on Monday, Dec. 4
Staff will give presentations on Halligan Water Supply Project and Water Efficiency
Plan at the event to be held at the Lincoln Center. Purpose is to provide boards and
commissions members with information on important projects and topics impacting
the community.
9. ADJOURNMENT
7:37 p.m.
These minutes will be approved by the Water Commission on September 21, 2023
Utilities
electric · stormwater · wastewater · water
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.212.2900
V/TDD: 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
DATE: October 10, 2023
TO: Water Commission
FROM: Mariel Miller, Water Conservation Manager, Utilities
RE: Follow up on Council Priority #19 – including Larimer County Urban Area
Street Standards (LCUASS) updates in the current proposal
Bottomline: Water Conservation staff shared the proposed code changes to address
Council Priority #19, xeriscape and irrigation, with the Water Commission at their
August 17, 2023 meeting. The proposal did not include Water Commission’s
suggestion to update the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards (LCUASS) to
minimize turf grass in parkways (the area between the curb and the sidewalk). Staff
evaluated changes to LCUASS prior to the August 17 Water Commission meeting and
determined that these changes were more challenging to develop and would require
significantly more engagement than what Water Conservation staff had capacity for
with this current Council Priority effort.
There were numerous code changes and ideas that surfaced during engagement and
working with Boards and Commissions. Incorporating more than what is in the
current proposal - the limitation on commercial and residential turf and artificial turf,
daytime watering limitations and dedicated tree irrigation - was beyond staff’s current
capacity, given the timeline requested by Council and other workloads.
Water Conservation staff are eager to work on updating LCUASS but due to these
challenges suggest it be included in a separate effort. Staff agree that landscape and
irrigation standards that limit high water use turf grass on all city properties, including
rights-of-way, are something that should also be considered. Staff shared the Water
Commission’s feedback with Council at their work session on October 10 and
suggested that changes to LCUASS be evaluated in a subsequent phase, along with
other opportunities that were not addressed at this time. Staff plans to 1) include an
evaluation of LCUASS changes as a conservation strategy in the updated Water
Efficiency Plan in 2024 and 2) concurrently work with staff who lead the LCUASS
updates to consider more water-wise standards.
Staff plan to bring the code changes associated with the Council Priorities to Water
Commission for a recommendation to Council on November 16, 2023.
CC: John Phelan, Acting Utilities Deputy Director, Customer Connections
Katie Collins, Water Conservation Specialist, Utilities
Utilities
electric · stormwater · wastewater · water
700 Wood Street
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6700
970.221.6619 – fax
970.224.6003 – TDD
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: September 22, 2023
TO: Mayor Arndt and Councilmembers
FROM: Jared Heath, Senior Watershed Specialist
THROUGH: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Jason Graham, Director of Water Utilities
RE: 2023 Summer Water Quality Update – Upper Cache la Poudre Watershed
Bottom Line:
The Upper Cache la Poudre (CLP) Watershed Collaborative Water Quality Monitoring Program
is a partnership between the cities of Fort Collins, Greeley, Thornton, and Soldier Canyon Water
Treatment Authority. The goal of this shared monitoring effort is to assist the participants in
meeting current and future drinking water treatment goals by reporting current water quality
conditions and trends within the Upper CLP watershed. The attached water quality update
provides a summary of temperature, snowpack, streamflow, and water quality conditions
monitored in the Upper CLP watershed during the 2023 summer season.
Background:
The seasonal water quality updates are designed to inform the Upper CLP Watershed
Collaborative Monitoring Program partners, their customers, and other community stakeholders
about the condition of our source watershed and the quality of the raw CLP River drinking water
supply. This seasonal reporting effort began in 2015 to provide a succinct and timely summary
of current-year conditions in the Upper CLP Watershed. Seasonal updates are published for the
spring, summer, and fall seasons. In-depth water quality reporting is done through annual and
five-year technical reports. Water quality reports and seasonal updates are made publicly
available on the Fort Collins Utilities website, fcgov.com /source-water-monitoring.
Summer 2023 Highlights:
Summer water quality monitoring captures water quality conditions during peak snowmelt runoff
and the receding streamflow that follows through the summer monsoon season. Water quality
conditions vary with changes in elevation, hydrologic and weather conditions, and other potential
watershed impacts. The Upper CLP watershed experienced above-average air temperatures and
above-average precipitation over the summer 2023 season. The air temperature was 1.1 degrees
Fahrenheit warmer than average. Precipitation was measured at 122% of average over the
summer season and drought conditions were nonexistent across the Upper CLP watershed.
Streamflow in the Poudre River near the canyon mouth was measured at 103% of average over
DocuSign Envelope ID: 05472403-0726-4424-8930-B8DF410F0C20
the summer season; however, peak streamflow measured well above average. Water quality
indicators measured at key long-term monitoring sites along the CLP River were within the
range of values observed over the baseline period of record (2008 – 2012) suggesting normal
water quality conditions over the summer season. In several instances, precipitation events over
the Cameron Peak burn scar impacted water quality and required the water treatment plant to
shut down their Poudre River raw water intake for a brief period. Real-time water quality meters
installed upstream of the City’s Poudre River raw water intake detected these events and
provided staff with an early warning to effectively respond and minimize impacts to the City’s
drinking water quality.
CC: Kendall Minor, Utilities Executive Director
Jill Oropeza, Senior Director of Water Sciences & Planning, Utilities
Leslie Hill, Water Quality Services Director, Utilities
Richard Thorp, Watershed Program Manager, Utilities
Diana Schmidt, Watershed Specialist, Utilities
Water Commission
DocuSign Envelope ID: 05472403-0726-4424-8930-B8DF410F0C20
0
Fort Collins Floodplain Management
Public Information Committee
Annual Evaluation Report
April 2023
In Support of FEMA’s Community Rating System
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History of the City of Fort Collins Floodplain Management Public Information
Committee
The City of Fort Collins, Colorado is a community of approximately 175,000 people
along the Colorado Front Range. Fort Collins is subject to both flash flooding and river
flooding. The City has a comprehensive floodplain management program that includes
public information and preparedness as a main focus. Fort Collins participates in the
Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Community Rating System (CRS). The
CRS is a voluntary incentive program that provides flood insurance discounts to
communities that go above and beyond the minimum standards for floodplain
management. One of the activities credited under the CRS is public outreach.
In 2014, the City initiated a review of the existing outreach efforts related to flooding. As
part of this review, the City of Fort Collins Floodplain Management Public Information
Committee was formed. This committee is composed of internal and external
stakeholders with the goal of developing a “Program for Public Information” that will
guide the City of Fort Collins in the coming years. This Program for Public Information
follows the guidance provided as part of CRS outreach activities. In 2020, a
comprehensive 5-year review of the Program for Public Information was prepared. This
report is the annual update to the 5-year review.
2023 Annual Committee Meeting
A requirement of the CRS is that the Committee meets at least annually to review
progress, evaluate the messages and projects and make recommendations for future
changes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 annual meeting of the Committee
was held virtually on April 19, 2023. Appendix A includes the 2023 meeting group
memory, the meeting agenda, and attendance sheet based on the online attendance.
Figure 1. Committee members in attendance at the 2023 annual meeting.
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RiskMAP Discussion at 2023 Meeting
RiskMAP’s appeal period was completed in 2022, and now revised preliminary maps
are available. RiskMAP’s effective date is expected in late November/early December
2023, with an effective date of FIS/FIRM Insurance of late May/early June 2024.
Figure 2. RiskMAP webpage used for the 2023 PPI meeting and for 2023 outreach.
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Website Updates
Eric Kossoris updated the City webpages in 2022. The website closely follows the
messages developed by the committee in recent years and include more photos as well
as graphic links to resources. The page below is an example of the latest format.
Figure 3. Web page update from 2022.
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Review of Target Audiences, Messages, Desired Outcomes and Projects
2022 Highlights
Although community response to COVID was generally less restricted in 2022, no in-
person events were held through the end of the year. Despite remaining restrictions, the
committee continued to share flood awareness messaging with the Fort Collins
community. We made progress on many of the goals discussed during the 5-year plan
update. A key goal continues to be increasing messaging to Spanish speakers. This
was accomplished by:
• Having one bus bench in Spanish. This was located in an area close to
historically Latinx neighborhoods and near a major grocery store and other
community services.
• Publishing the flood brochure content in Spanish online with a link to that
information on the mailed brochure.
Figure 4. The Spanish bus bench for 2022 was located on Willox Lane.
Figure 5. The brochure mailer with the link to the information translated into Spanish.
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Accomplishments for 2022
• Outreach updated with new messages from the 2021 meeting.
• Flood Awareness Week – Mailers sent and banners posted. Displays were
established at seven locations across Fort Collins.
Figure 6. Display during Flood Awareness Week at City Hall
• Increased flood information sent by Board of Realtors.
• More coordination with stakeholders for outreach – Board of Realtors, PSD,
Poudre Heritage, CSU.
• FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0, rolled out in October 2021, was promoted by that
agency.
• Social Sustainability met with our community’s Murphy Center providers to relay
flood risk concerns for homeless camps/sites along the Poudre River and other
stormwater infrastructure often used as impromptu shelters.
• Social Sustainability also submitted to HUD how climate (change) and flood risk
information is increasing and being evaluated for use of Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Development Partnerships
Program (HOME) Funding.
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• Natural Areas committed effort to educating the public about all 21 sites the City
has along the Poudre River, with key public feedback including balancing
conservation and recreation, and maintaining safety.
• Poudre School District is continuing to air on their channel the City’s Flood
Awareness video catalog for students.
• Anderson Consulting Inc. prepared and presented materials for City Council for
both awareness of threat and merits benefits of the City’s long-term flood
mitigation improvements, specifically the Oak Street Project in Fort Collins.
Projects that were on hold or modified:
• Virtual events – Earth Day, Poudre River Fest and other in-person events were
not scheduled in 2022. It is the committee’s hope that other options will be
available in 2023.
• FloodWalk App was approved by FEMA but is now in a full version upgrade
process, with implementation expected by late 2023.
Review and Changes for 2023
The committee reviewed the target areas and audiences, message topics, desired
outcomes and specific projects that were implemented in 2021. Appendix B includes
Tables 2 and 3 and the PowerPoint presentation that were used to facilitate this review.
Each individual stakeholder provided a summary of their actions related to specific
projects and their opinion on the effectiveness of the projects.
For the messages, the committee decided to maintain the thrust of its 2022 outreach,
stressing the concern of Urban Flooding topic as “Situational/Location Awareness.” In
addition, the group decided to emphasize the 10-year anniversary of the 2013 Poudre
River flood.
Plans for 2023
Committee members shared their plans for 2023.
• The City’s floodplain webpages introduced in 2022 will be maintained for 2023.
• Flood Awareness Week is scheduled for late May (21-27).
• The Flood Walk App is not yet implemented for rollout, but in a version upgrade
that is in progress and may be available by late 2023.
• Natural Areas will be doing an update to the Play It Safe materials.
• Although new leadership at Wildland Restoration Volunteers did not attend, the
Poudre River Fest is scheduled as an in-person event on August 12, 2023.
• It is the 10th anniversary of the 2013 Poudre River flood.
o Special events are planned for certain area communities overwhelmed by
flooding (e.g. Glen Haven).
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o The 2013 Poudre flood will be highlighted in the flood awareness brochure
and in a special utility bill insert.
o FEMA external affairs can assist with any messaging.
• FEMA’s Flood After Fire campaign will continue. This will continue to tie to our
location awareness messaging.
Outcomes continue to be difficult to quantify, especially during the pandemic. The Flood
Response Projects were not utilized in 2022. Any committee member not at the meeting
will be provided a draft copy of this report and asked to provide any additional feedback.
Approval of Annual Evaluation Report
The Community Rating System requires formal approval of this evaluation report by the
Utilities Executive Director (Appendix C). In addition, a copy of this report will be
provided to the City’s Water Board and to City Council after approval.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
Appendix A
Meeting Group Memory, Meeting Agenda, and Attendance
Sheet.
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2023 Group Memory: Fort Collins Floodplain Management Public Information
Committee Meeting
Date, time:
4-19-2023, 1p-3p
Purpose of Meeting:
• Conduct annual Fort Collins Floodplain Management Public Information Committee
meeting to evaluate 2022 target areas, audiences, messages, and projects. To
recommend 2023 changes and identify 2023 projects to improve the floodplain public
information strategy implementation.
Agenda:
• Welcome
• Pair and Share Breakouts
• 2022 In Review
• 2022 Accomplishments
• Group Accomplishments
• Break
• 2023 PPI Committee Work
• Target Areas & Audience
• Review Messages
• Review 2023 Projects
• Next Steps
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Table 1: 2023 Meeting Attendance
Virtual Meeting
Internal Stakeholders
Floodplain Administrator/Manager Claudia Quezada
Public Information Office (PIO) Eric Kossoris
City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Zoe Shark
City of Fort Collins Social Sustainability Dianne Tjalkens
City of Fort Collins Stormwater Utility Chris Lochra
External Stakeholders
Poudre School District John Holcombe
Earl Smith
Ogilvy.com (previously Resilience Action
Partners) Vince Hancock
Anderson Consulting Engineers Aaron Hansen
Brian Smith
FEMA – Flood Insurance Erin May
Laura Stahnke
Red Cross Jessica Schwindt
Facilitator: Pete Iengo, City of Fort Collins Utilities
Meeting Discussion
•Floodplain manager position vacant and posted. Claudia and Chris managing in the
interim.
•2022 accomplishments discussion:
•Flood Awareness Week Campaign May 21-27
•April of 2022 City Social Sustainability Department met with Murphey center to
listen to homeless prevention providers concerns about people camping by the river
and discuss how to best provide resources
•Provided map hand outs and would like to provide more
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
• How can we expand this for 2023?
• Report to HUD how using CBGT and HOME dollars – requesting climate hazard
information.
• Provide Flood Awareness Week (FAW) brochure and map resources to local
homeless service providers.
• PSD airing videos on channel 10
• New/fresh videos welcome
• Oak Street Stormwater Improvement Project moving forward for urban flood risk.
• 2018-19 update of Stormwater Master Plan improvement – created video of
downtown flooding issues – review to see if still useful, consider updates if not
• City of Fort Collins Natural Areas 2022 community outreach about the natural areas
along the Poudre River (21 sites) in 2022.
• Key Public Feedback Themes for the Poudre River Natural Areas emerged:
• Balancing conservation and recreation
• Enhancing infrastructure
• Managing unwanted activities
• Maintaining safety
• Easing tensions between user types
• Draft plan to be released in the next couple of weeks.
• Red Cross during floodweek, flood social with signage and messaging and provide
hand outs at preparedness fairs
• PSD symposium engaging youth in flood awareness occurred
• Flood warning system https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-
do/stormwater/flooding/warning-system
• Target Areas and Audiences discussion:
• Interest in more focus on urbanized areas would be helpful to educating public
• Like them as they are captured
• Consensus to carry forward 2022 audiences and target areas into 2023
• Messaging
• Focus messaging more on probably of flooding than “100 year flood” language
City of Jackson messaging an example of how to do this
• New to last year- recreation focused “play it safe” messaging.
Saw decrease in incidents on the river.
Given more attention to the issue than in the past, materials distributed,
increased monitoring and alignment with the fire authority, Parks and
Natural Areas
• “only flood insurance covers floods” a good message. People often not aware of
this.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
• Consensus to carry forward 2022 messages into 2023, as well as a need to
improve mechanisms to share the messages (refer to 2023 projects discussion
for ideas)
• 2023 Projects and Approach discussions
• NoCo Alert is a rebrand from LETA 911 emergency response system. Spread the
word.
• Interest in increasing availability of packaged marketing materials. City has some
but also federal resources available
https://agents.floodsmart.gov/marketing/resource-library
• Align city social media accounts with a flood awareness campaign.
Citywide, Utilities, Natural Areas, etc.
Coordinate with floodplain committee resources as well
• Newsletter blurb would be useful across organizations.
Make it brandable.
Example: Social Sustainability has monthly grantee updates and works
with Interfaith council, homeless service providers, nonprofits, etc.
• Could we invite some youth to the committee? How can we learn what
resonates with youth in regards to flood messaging?
Engage PSD in this possibility of feedback collection from youth about
this
Engage in the “RISE challenge” for youth engagement
Engage coworkers involved with BEATS
Engage with Utilities Public Engagement team, who has relationships with
the schools and provides education opportunities in class rooms and in
the river regularly
• Floodwalk app
Launched in 2019 in Denver, then worked with FC, and other Cities in CO
to partner for rivers in their areas
Process delayed for several years because underlying code required
updates among other reasons
Today code is updates and have foundation to rebuild for FC.
• Now re-evaluating features and user experience improvements.
• Expecting a partially digital, partly not approach.
September 2024 new date target.
• Project specific open houses and public meetings (example: Oak St project
integrating floodplain messaging when engaging community on the project)
• Committee members engaging their communities to share flood awareness
messaging
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
• Leverage a variety of engagement channels
Direct to customer engagement (example: PSD share with students and
families)
Engaging with organizations who may be able to share messaging
(example: Anderson share with other engineering firms and their
customers who may use to engage their communities directly
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
Appendix B Items Used in Review
Table 2: Topics and Messages
Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects
Table 4: Flood Response Projects
PowerPoint Presentations
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
Table 2: Topics and Messages
Six CRS Priority Topics Proposed Messages
1. Know your flood hazard
• Everyone has flood risks: know yours.
• Fort Collins has a flood history: it’s not if, but when.
2. Insure your property for
your flood hazard
• Only flood insurance covers floods. Purchase Flood Insurance.
• Buy When It’s Dry. Don’t Wait to Get Flood Insurance.
3. Protect people from the
hazard
• Get a kit, make a plan, be informed.
(Red Cross message)
4. Protect your property
from the hazard
• Learn how to protect your property from flood damage.
5. Build Responsibly • Build responsibly: Know the floodplain regulations.
6. Protect natural floodplain
functions
• Only rain down the storm drain.
• Protect wetlands, waterways, and river/stream banks…they
protect you.
Additional Topics Proposed Messages
7. Flood Warning
• We can’t warn you, if we can’t reach you. Sign up for LETA 911.
• Knowledge is power! Stay informed during a flood.
8. Play It Safe in Recreation
Areas
• Play it safe on the Poudre River
• Respect the power of water – play it safe.
9. Situational/ Location
Awareness
• Know the flood risk where you live, work, and play. Burn scars
and urban areas increase the risk of flash flooding.
• Know before you go: be location- and weather-aware.
10. Travel Safe
• Don’t enter, drive, walk or bike through floodwaters.
• Turn around, don’t drown.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects
Projects
Outcome achieved?
Message Topics
Were messages achieved?
(Yes unless noted otherwise)
Audience
Completed?
(Yes unless noted otherwise)
Stakeholder
Support
ALL or some?
Action Completed/Not Completed
and why
Recommended Changes
Existing Projects that will Continue (Some with Enhancements)
Floodplain Owner/Renter
Brochure
OP#1
Annually with Flood Awareness
Week – usually May or July.
Mailed to 6,892 owners and
residents in 2022.
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Build Responsibly
-Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
-Flood Warning
-Play it Safe in Recreation Areas
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
Residents in the 100- and
500-Year Floodplain
Non-English Speakers
Urban Areas
Utilities
CSU
Natural Areas
FEMA
Red Cross
Prepare brochure and
Mailing
Distribute brochures at
the start of school
-Natural & beneficial
functions endorsement
Logo on brochure
Logo on brochure,
Preparedness section,
Completed
Not Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Consider different
audiences and adjust
language as needed.
Flood Videos
OP#18 - City
OP#19 – CSU
OP#22 – PSD
Played during May-September
and especially during Flood
Awareness Week. Each video
played more than 5 times each.
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
-Flood Warning
-Play it Safe in Recreation Areas
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
General
CSU Community
PSD Community
Utilities
CSU
PSD
Cable Channel 14
CSU plays videos on
Channel 11
PSD plays videos on their
Cable Channel
Completed
Completed
Completed
Bus Benches
OP#3
Annually June-Aug. Fiver or six
benches total
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Travel Safe
Drivers
Non-English Speakers – Have
one bench in Spanish, if
possible - Completed
Utilities
5-6 benches around
town during flood
season
Completed
Utilities in coordination
with Parks - Signage for
trails and trail closures
with messages
CSU – signage for
underpasses
High Water Markers
OP#4 – City
OP#5 – CSU
Posted year-round
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect your property
-Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
-Play it Safe in Recreation Areas
-Flood Warning-
Trail Users CSU
Utilities
Utilities and FEMA
3 High Water Marks on
Campus. More planned
for the future
6 High Water Mark Signs
on Spring Creek
2 High Water Mark Signs
on the Poudre
Completed
Completed
Completed – 2017
CSU completed new
high water mark sign
at the Lagoon.
City planning new
high water mark sign
at Homestead Natural
Area.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects
Projects
Outcome achieved?
Message Topics
Were messages achieved?
(Yes unless noted otherwise)
Audience
Completed?
(Yes unless noted otherwise)
Stakeholder
Support
ALL or some?
Action Completed/Not Completed
and why
Recommended Changes
Trail Signs
OP#6
Posted year-round
- Know Your Flood Hazard
- Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
Or
- Know Your Flood Hazard
- Play It Safe
Trail Users and Poudre River
Recreation Users
Utilities
Utilities and FEMA
Natural Areas
WRV
Poudre Heritage,
PFA, Natural Areas
Multiple Signs
2013 Flood Signs along
Poudre River
Multiple Trail Signs
1 sign location (Dragonfly
Lair),
Play It Safe kiosk with
brochures, safety signage
along Poudre River
Completed
Completed in 2018
Completed
Completed
Completed 2019
Social Media/Website
OP#9
Social Media Messages posted
May-September and especially
during Flood Awareness Week.
Plan for 6 topics and those to
be repeated 2-5 times each.
Website to be reworked to
include new messages – Spring
2022
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Build Responsibly
-Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
-Flood Warning
-Play it Safe in Recreation Areas
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
General
Non-English Speakers
Urban Areas
Utilities
Other Stakeholders
FEMA
At least 6 social media
announcements.
Comprehensive website
includes mapping and
flood warning
Repost and customize
email, website
Completed - but a few
less due to COVID priority
messaging.
Floodplain webpages
Updated in 2022.
Completed
Completed
Add messages in
Spanish in 2023.
FEMA will have a
"Flood After Fire"
Campaign and more on
Flood Insurance
Realtor, Lender, Insurance
Mailer
OP#2
Annually during Flood
Awareness Week - May or July
303 mailers sent in 2021 plus
Board of Realtor email
distribution
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Floodplain Regulations (some
years)
- Build Responsibly
Realtors, Lenders & Insurance
Agents, Property Managers
Utilities
Board of Realtors
Prepare newsletter,
mailing
mailing list, Review of
newsletter
Completed – sent to
lenders, insurance agents,
property managers
Completed
Repetitive Loss Letter
Annually during Flood
Awareness Week - May or July
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Build Responsibly
-Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
-Flood Warning
-Play it Safe in Recreation Areas
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
Repetitive Loss Property Utilities 1 time per year Completed
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects
Projects
Outcome achieved?
Message Topics
Were messages achieved?
(Yes unless noted otherwise)
Audience
Completed?
(Yes unless noted otherwise)
Stakeholder
Support
ALL or some?
Action Completed/Not Completed
and why
Recommended Changes
Community Booths/Events
(Non-Target Audience)
OP#12 – City Utilities
OP#13 – City Natural Areas –
OP#15 – Red Cross
Various events throughout the
year.
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Build Responsibly
-Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
-Flood Warning
-Play it Safe in Recreation Areas
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
General Utilities
Red Cross
Natural Areas
FEMA
Minimum 3 per year
(Safety Fair, Earth Day)
Minimum 3 per year,
provide brochures
Minimum 3 per year
Provide brochures
2 in 2020 – Virtual
Not coordinated in 2020
Not completed
Completed
No Longer doing related
to flood issues
CSU Off-Campus Housing Fair
OP#20
Annual event – Usually held in
February
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Flood Warning
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
General Utilities
CSU
FEMA
Booth with brochures
and handouts
Sponsors event
Provides brochures
Not Completed in 2022 -
staffing shortages
Community Presentations
(Non-Target Audience)
OP#16 – Red Cross
OP#17 – Natural Areas
Various events throughout the
year.
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Build Responsibly
-Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
-Flood Warning
-Play it Safe in Recreation Areas
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
General Utilities
Red Cross
Natural Areas
Poudre Heritage
Alliance
Minimum two per year
Preparedness Party –
minimum 3 per year
Service Group-
Community Presentations
Minimum 3 per year
Guided walks, restoration
projects, clean-up days –
Minimum 5 per year
Poudre Pub Talks
Two in 2022
Not coordinated in 2021
Completed 5 +
Not completed due to
COVID
Trail head pop-ups
planned.
Realtor, Lender, Insurance
Agent Presentations
Will try for Fall 2020.
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect Property from the Hazard
-Urban Flooding
Realtors, Lenders, Property
Managers & Insurance
Agents
Utilities
Board of Realtors
Minimum 3 per year
Coordinate with Realtors,
Lenders, Home Builders
Assoc., Property
Managers and advertising
Not completed – no
requests, lack of time to
promote.
Dump No Waste Inlet Markers
Posted year-round
- Protect Property from Hazard
-Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
General Utilities Prepare map of locations,
mark inlets
Completed
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects
Projects
Outcome achieved?
Message Topics
Were messages achieved?
(Yes unless noted otherwise)
Audience
Completed?
(Yes unless noted otherwise)
Stakeholder
Support
ALL or some?
Action Completed/Not Completed
and why
Recommended Changes
Disaster Preparedness Calendar
OP#11
Annually – December-January
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Protect People from Hazard
-Flood Warning
-Travel Safe
General Office of Emergency
Management
Prepare calendar,
coordinate messages
Not completed - Not as
much interest
Flood Protection Assistance and
Site Visits
Annually advertised in May City
News
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Build Responsibly
-Urban Flooding
General Utilities Provide free site visits to
residents and businesses.
Advertise service in City
News.
None completed – no
requests.
City News – Utility Bill – May
OP#7
Annual article in May
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
-Flood Warning
-Travel Safe
General Utilities Prepare newsletter
article
Completed
City News – Utility Bill – July
OP#8
Annual article in July
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Protect People from Hazard
-Flood Warning
-Travel Safe
General Utilities Prepare newsletter
article
Completed
Flood Awareness Week Displays
– Poster and Brochures
OP#10
Annually with Flood Awareness
Week – usually May or July
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Build Responsibly
-Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
-Flood Warning
-Play it Safe in Recreation Areas
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
General
Non-English Speakers
Utilities
FEMA
Red Cross
Set-up displays
Provide Brochures
Provide Brochures
Completed at 7 locations. Update messages and
poster in future.
More Spanish Language
availability besides the
one at the Azatlan
Center.
Obtain Spanish language
version of FEMA
brochures
Education in Schools –
Children’s Water Festival
OP#21
Annual event in May
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
-Flood Warning
-Play it Safe in Recreation Areas
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
Poudre School District
Students
Utilities
Other Stakeholders
– Dive Rescue,
Poudre Fire
Authority, USGS
consultants, etc.
Flood Safety Relay Race,
Flood Probability Shower
Exhibits and booths on
Flood Safety, erosion,
stream table, wetlands
and riparian habitat,
water quality
Not completed.
Completed
Not held in
2022 due to COVID
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects
Projects
Outcome achieved?
Message Topics
Were messages achieved?
(Yes unless noted otherwise)
Audience
Completed?
(Yes unless noted otherwise)
Stakeholder
Support
ALL or some?
Action Completed/Not Completed
and why
Recommended Changes
Education in Schools – Earth
Force RISE Program
Annual activity during the
school year.
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
-Flood Warning
-Play it Safe in Recreation Areas
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
Poudre School District
Students
Earth Force
FEMA
Utilities
Rocky Mountain
Environmental Challenge
–now called RISE
Program Support. Talk at
Awards Ceremony
Provide support to
teachers and students.
Give presentations to
classes
Completed
Completed
Realtor Training/Continuing
Education
Plan for Fall 2020
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Build Responsibly
-Floodplain Regulations
Realtors, Property Managers,
etc.
Utilities
Board of Realtors
FEMA
Offer training
Help secure CEC, make
contacts, advertising
Assist with training
Not completed – lack of
time
CSU Newsletter
Plan for Fall 2020
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Flood Warning
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
CSU Community - Students
and Staff – 100% coverage
CSU Campus- wide email
newsletter: Source
Completed in 2018, but not
2019
Messaging to Homeless
Population about Safety
Usually in April
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Protect People from Hazard
-Flood Warning
General
Vulnerable Population
Facilities
Social Sustainability Individual contacts or
through signage and
other agencies -
Churches, Murphy Center
Brochures available
through Service Providers
CSU QR Codes -Know Your Flood Hazard
-Protect People from Hazard
-Flood Warning
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
CSU Community
General
CSU Prepare QR Code Signs
and install around
campus
New for 2020
Flood Walk App
Work in progress – App
scheduled to be released
in May 2021 - delayed due
to FEMA funding
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Build Responsibly
-Protect Natural Floodplain
Functions
-Flood Warning
-Play it Safe in Recreation Areas
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
General Resilience Action
Partners
FEMA
Utilities
Develop App
Funding and Guidance
Provide info, photos, etc.
New for 2020 - In progress
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
Table 3: Proposed Floodplain Education Projects
Projects
Outcome achieved?
Message Topics
Were messages achieved?
(Yes unless noted otherwise)
Audience
Completed?
(Yes unless noted otherwise)
Stakeholder
Support
ALL or some?
Action Completed/Not Completed
and why
Recommended Changes
Poudre School District Bus
Drivers Training
August Training
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Protect People from Hazard
-Flood Warning
-Travel Safe
Poudre School District
Community - Staff
Poudre School Dist. Incorporate flood safety
messaging into bus driver
training
New for 2020
Advertising Before Events –
Gardnes Concerts, Downtown
Concerts, Museum of
Discovery, Movie Theaters, etc.
Summer 2023
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Protect People from Hazard
-Flood Warning
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
General Utilities Contact organizations to
determine options.
Prepare Graphics and
messaging
New for 2020
Climate-Wise Flood Friendly
Businesses
Summer 2023
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Build Responsibly
-Urban Flooding
-Travel Safe
General Utilities Contact Climate-Wise
staff to brainstorm ideas.
New for 2020
Neighbor to Neighbor Home
Buying Course – Add flood
information
Fall 2022
-Know Your Flood Hazard
-Insure Your Property
-Protect People from Hazard
-Protect Property from Hazard
-Build Responsibly
-Urban Flooding
General Utilities Contact Neighbor to
Neighbor. Provide
floodplain brochure and
any graphics and
messages for training
New for 2020
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
Table 4: Flood Response Projects
Projects Message Topics Audience Stakeholder
Support Action
Website • Know Your Flood Hazard
• Protect People
from Hazard
• Protect Property
from Hazard
• Insure Your Property
• Build Responsibly
• Floodplain Regulations
• Flood warning
• Basement Flooding
• Drive Safe
• General
• Residents and owners
in 100-year floodplain
• Flooded homes and
businesses
• Building design
professionals
• Utilities
• FEMA
• Red Cross
• During and after a
flood: Post
information on
City website and
provide links to
additional FEMA
and Red Cross
resources.
Brochure
Displays
• Know Your Flood Hazard
• Protect People
from Hazard
• Protect Property
from Hazard
• Insure Your Property
• Build Responsibly
• Floodplain Regulations
• General
• Flooded homes
and businesses
• Building design
professionals
• Utilities
• Red Cross
• FEMA
• After a flood:
Set up displays at
locations around
town with
brochures for
the public.
• Provide
brochures.
Social
Media
• Know Your Flood Hazard
• Protect People
from Hazard
• Protect Property
from Hazard
• Insure Your Property
• Build Responsibly
• Floodplain Regulations
• Flood warning
• Basement Flooding
• Drive Safe
• General
• Residents and owners
in 100-year floodplain
• Flooded homes
and businesses
• Building design
professionals
• Utilities
• During and after
a flood: Send
social media
messages via
Facebook/Twitter.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
April 19, 2023 Meeting Presentation
1
1
2023 Floodplain Management Public Info
Committee Annual Meeting
Pete Iengo, Chris Lochra, and Claudia Quezada, CFM
April 19, 2023RECORD
Thank You for Being Here!
*This session is being recorded to increase accessibility*
Please:
• Name and pronouns (John Doe | he,him)
• Mute when not speaking
• Chat the moderator with clarifying questions or tech issues
• Hold other comments and questions until prompted
• Dial in Audio Functions:
• *9 to “raise hand”
• *6 to unmute
2
How to Use Zoom Meeting
Mobile View:
Today’s Agenda
•Welcome
• Connect
•Overview
• 2022 In Review
• Accomplishments
• RiskMAP Outreach Update
• Web Page Demo
• Break
• 2023 PPI Committee Work
• Target Areas & Audience
• Review Messages
• Review Projects
• Next Steps
3
Pair and Share
4
Thank you for being here!
Let’s get reacquainted.
Pair up in breakouts
Learn then share about your partner
Name, organization
Favorite “water season” and why
• Purpose
– Develop and monitor a public
information program that guides
Stormwater into the future.
• Goal
– Internal and external collaboration
to develop partnerships, share
expertise and create consistent
messaging for the public.
Fort Collins Floodplain Management
Public Information Committee
5
Why is this important?
• Personal safety of
citizens
• Reduced property
damages
• Reduced emergency
response
• Healthy river and streams
=Flood Resilient
Community
6
12
34
56
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
April 19, 2023 Meeting Presentation
2
Review plan
Target areas and audiences
Community message topics
Messages for each topic
Recommend updates
Review implementation results
Review accomplishments
Capture past and future
projects for inventory
Annual Review Objectives
7
Committee Members
• Board of Realtors
• Red Cross
•FEMA
• Chamber of Commerce
• Colorado State University
• Wildland Restoration Volunteers
• Poudre School District
• Colorado Association of Stormwater
and Floodplain Managers
• Volunteers of America
• Poudre Heritage Alliance
•Earth Force
• Resilience Action Partners
•City Staff
• Floodplain
•PIO
• Natural Areas
• Social Sustainability
• City Safety
• Environmental
Services
Committee Composition
8
9
2022 In Review
2022 Accomplishments
1010
City-led
• Code revision for Substantial Improvement
• Bus Bench and Flood Awareness Brochure in
Spanish (continuing effort)
• Completed City (QA/QC) input to RiskMAP
• Outreach updated with new messages
• Utility billing insert
• Renewed coordination with stakeholders for
outreach – Board of Realtors, PSD, Poudre
Heritage, CSU
• Flood Awareness Week
2022 Accomplishments
What other floodplain
committee related
accomplishments
would you like to
share from 2022?
11
image
Poudre River RiskMAP
• Moving forward!!
• Revised Preliminary maps
now available.
12
1904 Poudre Flooding in
Buckingham Neighborhood
78
910
11 12
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
April 19, 2023 Meeting Presentation
3
RiskMap Timeline
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
13
April 2022 July 2022
October 2022 April 2023
August 2022
Dec. 21, 2021
Jan. 27, 2022 Late November/Early December 2023 Late May/Early June 2024
August 16, 2022
RiskMAP Appeal Period
FEMA will open a 90‐day appeal period. During this time, citizens can file an appeal
based on technical data. Expected this 90‐day appeal period will begin in April 2022.
Must have supporting technical data for file an appeal.
14
Flood Warning System Website - updates
15
• Rainfall
totals &
streamflow
hydrographs
shown
dynamically
• Completed
system
technology
updates in
2022
Flood Warning Website - notifications
16
• Areas of flooding
along the Poudre
and Spring Creek
activated during
flood events
• Anticipate adding
other streams
reaches in Fort
Collins
watersheds
Art in Public Places
17
• Siting along Spring and Fossil Creeks
• Future relocation to MP Projects
• Design in progress –
deployment in late 2023
Break
18
13 14
15 16
17 18
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
April 19, 2023 Meeting Presentation
4
Annual Review Objectives
19
Review plan
Target areas and audiences
Community message topics
Messages for each topic
Recommend updates
Review implementation results
Review accomplishments
Capture past and future
projects for inventory
PPI REVIEW:
Target Areas and Audiences
• 100- and 500-year floodplain
• Repetitive loss area (two properties)
• CSU Community
• Poudre School District Community
• Drivers
• Realtors, lenders, insurance agents
• Trail & Poudre River Recreation users
• Non-English speaking populations
• Vulnerable population facilities
• Urban Area
20
PPI REVIEW:
2022 Messages
Know your flood hazard
Everyone has flood risks: know yours.
Fort Collins has a flood history: it’s not if,
but when
Insure your property for your flood hazard
Only flood insurance covers floods.
Purchase Flood Insurance.
Buy When It’s Dry. Don’t Wait to Get Flood
Insurance.
Protect people from the hazard
Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.
(Red Cross Message)
Protect your property from the hazard
Learn how to protect your property from
flood damage.
Build Responsibly
Build responsibly: Know the floodplain
regulations.
21
Protect natural floodplain functions
Only rain down the storm drain.
Protect wetlands, waterways, and
river/stream banks…they protect you.
Flood Warning
We can’t warn you, if we can’t reach you.
Sign up for LETA 911.
Knowledge is power! Stay informed during
a flood.
Play It Safe in Recreation Areas
Play it safe on the Poudre River
Respect the power of water – play it safe.
22
Flood Shower, 2021 Bring your child to work day
PPI REVIEW:
2022 Messages
2023 Projects
City-led
• Flood Awareness Week
• 2013 Flood 10-year
Anniversary
• Augment Flood Warning Webpage
• Revamp FAW outreach posters
• High Water Mark Sign
• Potential relocation
• RiskMAP
• Art in Public Places
23
2013 Poudre River Flood.
2023 Projects
What other
floodplain
committee related
projects are
expected in 2023?
24
image
19 20
21 22
23 24
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
April 19, 2023 Meeting Presentation
5
Next Steps
•Lets nab a
group Photo
• Annual Report
• Meeting in 2024
• Join our team!
25 26
Thank you for your hard
work and dedication to
our community!
25 26
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
Appendix C
Approval of Annual Evaluation Report
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
Utilities
electric • stormwater • wastewater • water
700 Wood St.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6700
970.221.6619 fax • 970.224.6003 TDD
utilities@fcgov.com • fcgov.com/utilities
City of Fort Collins Floodplain Management
Program for Public Information
REPORT APPROVAL
The City of Fort Collins is highly committed to providing a proactive floodplain
information and management preparedness program. An important component of floodplain
management is public information and preparedness. Early this year, Fort Collins Utilities in
cooperation with internal and external stakeholders reviewed and revised the Program for Public
Information (PPI) that was developed in 2014. The goal of the committee was to bring outside
stakeholders together with the City to develop partnerships, provide additional expertise and
perspectives and create consistent messaging for the public.
The result of the Committee's work is the attached report that reviews the community's
needs, existing public information efforts and outlines future messaging and outreach projects.
The report provides a guide for the continued collaboration among stakeholders as they work to
implement future public outreach efforts. The efforts outlined in the Program for Public
Information will have a long-term impact on the resiliency of the Fort Collins community to the
impacts of flooding.
Fort Collins Utilities is committed to providing proactive messaging to help reduce the
loss of life and minimize the damage to structures. The projects outlined in the report are funded
through the City of Fort Collins Stormwater Utility. Funding for public education is an ongoing
program and is already included in the Stormwater Utility budget. Therefore, no additional
funds will be sought from City Council. The PPI is considered an enhancement of our existing
education efforts.
I, Kendall Minor, approve this report, City of Fort Collins Floodplain Management
Public Information Committee: Annual Evaluation Report, April 2023.
______________________________ ________________
Kendall Minor Date
Utilities Executive Director
DocuSign Envelope ID: EEB83FDD-BFAE-4151-910A-BC76017C448E
7/31/2023
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
MEMORANDUM
Utilities
electric • stormwater • wastewater • water
700 Wood St.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6700
970.221.6619 fax • 970.224.6003 TDD
utilities@fcgov.com • fcgov.com/utilities
DATE: September 18, 2023
TO: Mayor and City Council
Water Commission
THROUGH: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Kendall Minor, Utilities Executive Director
Jason Graham, Director of Water Utilities
Jill Oropeza, Senior Director, Water Planning and Sciences
FROM: Ken Sampley, Director, Stormwater Engr, Floodplain Admin & Water Dev Review
RE: 2023 City of Fort Collins Floodplain Management Public
Information Committee Annual Report
In 2014, the City of Fort Collins brought together internal and external stakeholders to review
and develop flood awareness public information messaging. A report in 2014 outlined target
areas and audiences, messages, and projects. The committee has met annually, and numerous
projects have been implemented.
The attached 2023 annual report documents the revised target areas and audiences, messages and
projects that will help guide Fort Collins Utilities and the committee’s stakeholders during the
coming years. While FEMA does not approve this report, the CRS Program requires that we send
a copy approved by the Utilities Executive Director to City Council. Staff also thought the report
should be provided to the Water Commission. It took us awhile to complete the necessary tasks and
finalize the report with our current staffing shortage. This delayed the submittal of the report to the
Utilities Executive Director for signature until July 31, 2023. That is the reason the date on the
report and the approval date are different.
This effort receives credit under FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS). The CRS is a
program that provides an incentive for communities to go beyond the minimum FEMA
requirements for floodplain management. A benefit for participation in the program is discounted
insurance premiums for residents and businesses that purchase flood insurance. Fort Collins
currently holds a Class 2 CRS rating, which results in up to a 40% discount on flood insurance
premiums. However, even more important than the insurance discount is the improved health
and safety of the community.
Please contact Ken Sampley at ksampley@fcgov.com or (970) 224-6021 with any questions.
C: Ted Bender, Stormwater Master Planning and Floodplain Manager
Heidi Hansen, Water Utilities Development Review Manager
Claudia Quezada, Civil Engr I, Stormwater Master Planning and Floodplain
Attachment
2023 Floodplain Management Public Information Committee Annual Report
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3CBB192F-327A-4284-BEEA-6205FC1082A1
1
Water
Wastewater
Stormwater
$24,714,674
$23,136,466
Budget
Actual
Operating Revenues
$20,918,952
$19,436,865
Budget
Actual
Operating Expenses
$17,929,200
$18,348,670
Budget
Actual
Operating Revenues
$12,184,919
$11,462,401
Budget
Actual
Operating Expenses
$13,950,000
$15,429,039
Budget
Actual
Operating Revenues
$7,566,573
$6,591,036
Budget
Actual
Operating Expenses
2
Water Fund Revenue
in thousands Percent of Year 75.0%
September Year to Date
Actual
Over/
(Under)Budget Actual
Over/
(Under) Inc/(Dec)
% Bud
Recvd % Act Recvd
2023 2023 Bud 2023 2023 2023 Bud 2022 2023 2022
Residential Water Sales $ 1,811 * $ (425) $ 13,781 $ 12,423 $ (1,358)
(A)$ (1,159) 70%71%
Com/Indl Water Sales 1,171 * (170) 7,285 6,974 (312)
(B)(665) 71%69%
Raw Water Surcharge 202 * 106 147 304 157 (285) 48%17%
District Water Sales 292 * 16 1,482 1,658 176 (26) 82%65%
Other Water Sales 145 * 62 680 505 (175)
(C)(16) 70%91%
PILOTs 196 (34) 1,341 1,274 (67)(103) 72%71%
Operating Revenue 3,817 (444) 24,715 23,136 (1,578)(2,255) 71%68%
Interest Revenue 155 60 896 1,347 451 735 128%120%
Development Fees/PIFs/Contributions 7 (105) 1,027 650 (377)
(D)(41) 48%37%
Financing Sources 0 0 0 0 0 (3)0%
Other Misc 6 (7)171 155 (16)9 53%41%
Total Lapsing Revenue**3,985 (496) 26,809 25,289 (1,520)(1,554) 71%67%
Non-lapsing Revenue 0 0 0
TOTAL**$ 3,985 $ 25,289 $ (1,554)
Variance Analysis:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
*
**
Commercial/Industrial Water sales were 4.3% under budget and 8.7% less than YTD 2022.
September billed revenue is for August and early September.
Excludes transfers and unrealized gain/loss on value.
Plant Investment Fees $236 (recognized $449 from unearned revenue related to 2019 FCLWD loan prepayment), Water Rights ($90).
Plant Investment Fees ($292) and Water Rights ($81).
Irrigation Sales ($416) (water supply didn't yield as much due to fire impacts, so rented out less water) offset by Standpipe Sales $26.
Due to a lack of requests for water rentals.
Residential Water Sales were 9.9% under budget and 8.5% less than YTD 2022.
Note: Water rate increase of 4.0% for 2023, as budgeted.
3
Water Fund 2023 Department Expense
In thousands `Percent of Year 75.0%
Excludes depreciation and transfers
September Year to Date
Actual
(Over)/
Under YTD Bdgt Actual
(Over)/
Under (Inc)/Dec
Actual +
PO's
Spent &
Committed
2023 2023 Bud 2023 2023 2023 Bud 2022 2023 by PO's
Water Treatment $ 501 $ 506 $ 5,513 $ 4,491 $ 1,021
(A)$ 221 $ 7,747 107%
Water Resources 913 49 2,770 2,957 (188)(B)(1,484) $ 3,138 93%
Water Quality Lab 90 (7)850 772 78 20 $ 933 75%
Subtotal WR&T $ 1,504 $ 548 $ 9,132 $ 8,220 $ 911 $ (1,243) $ 11,818 100%
Transmission & Distribution 268 48 2,555 2,584 (29)(C)(440) $ 2,584 70%
Water Meters O&M 76 (17)831 662 169 (158) $ 832 78%
Engineering 56 18 804 458 346 (D)7 $ 514 48%
Subtotal WEFS 400 49 4,190 3,704 486 (591) $ 3,930 67%
Water Conservation 67 59 808 791 17 (126) $ 962 73%
PILOTs 196 34 1,341 1,274 67 103 $ 1,274 72%
Admin Services - CS&A 422 0 3,795 3,795 0 (515) $ 3,795 75%
Other Payments & Transfers 190 (41)1,654 1,653 1 (4) $ 1,675 64%
Subtotal Operating Expenses $ 2,779 $ 649 $ 20,919 $ 19,437 0 $ 1,482 $ (2,375) $ 23,454 82%
Debt Service 0 0 0 0 0 0 $ 0
Minor Capital 0 83 1,648 565 1,083
(E)294 $ 880 41%
Total Lapsing $ 2,779 $ 732 $ 22,567 $ 20,001 $ 2,565 $ (2,081) $ 24,334 79%
Non-lapsing Expenses 3,891 8,249 (4,710)
TOTAL $ 6,669 $ 28,251 $ (6,791)
Variance Analysis:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)Transmission & Distribution $143 (CNG dialogue delayed tandem dump truck purchase); Water Treatment: Consulting $302, Construction Contracts $134, Other Capital Outlay $64, and Building Maint. $38
(delay in implementing projects due to transition in leadership - needs being ID'd), Vehicles/Equipment $132 (waiting delivery of Ford Lightning and needs being fleshed out, likely to spend by YE), and Filter
Material $137 (not using as much due to filter rehab projects; $150-175 savings by YE).
Water Assessments ($210) (vary, under ~$30 by YE), Contractual Labor ($74) (kept on retiree and backfilled, over ~$100 by YE), and Personnel ($46) (allocation out error - net impact ~-$25 budget & $37
Assumed Vacancy Factor (no vacancies), offset by Consulting $133 (turnover delayed water supply modeling & lower cost vendor, under ~$125 by YE); overall BU will be close to budget by YE.
Consulting $267 ($205 due to Large Valve Maint being behind schedule (PM departure), under ~$150-200 by YE), Personnel $56 (vacancy), and Other Prof.& Tech. $13 (used as needed).
Contract Payment to Gov't $544 (Cameron Peak Fire - Watershed, will be ~520 under by year-end (YE)), Chemicals $220 (cooler, rainier weather, under ~15% by YE), Computer Hardware $53 (BFO Enh.
4.33: evaluating security requirements and options, YE spend TBD), Consulting $49 (needs being ID'd), Maint. Contracts $30 (saved ~$13 on UPS unit maint.), Electricity $22 (lower demands, under ~$20 by
YE), Construction Svcs $21 (under by $18 at YE), Conference/Travel $20 (due to staff transitions), Dues & Subscriptions $20 (waiting on Water Research Foundation membership invoice, flat by YE),
Contractual Labor $16 (less solids needed to be hauled = in-house this year; $18 under by YE), Testing Services $16, Solid Waste Services $15 (less solids hauled this year - hauled later in the year last
year, under $15 at YE), Other Repair & Maint. $12, Other Professional & Technical $12, and other smaller underspends, offset by Water Assessments ($53) (payments to Pleasant Valley pipeline higher than
what was budgeted for and paid later than usual due to manager transition; over ~$75-100 by YE and will offset in chemicals), Parking Lot Maint. ($31) (unbudgeted repair, will offset in Const Svcs & Other
Repairs/Maint.), Natural Gas ($23) (extended cold weather last winter and larger than expected price increase, over budget for the year, depends on fall weather; will offset in Electricity & Chemicals),
Personnel ($24) (Termination pay ($26) Standby Pay ($19), Overtime ($17) offset by filling positions at lower steps and vacancies), and Software Maint. ($21) (prepaid software agreements for two years in
ICE, will be over if not put on balance sheet).
Sand & Gravel ($26) (main breaks, aggregate prices inflating, over by $30-40 by YE), Vehicle Repairs ($22) (excavator track replacement expensive, Vac truck needed unforeseen repairs; no known major
vehicle repairs needed, $0-$10 over by YE), Copy & Reproduction ($16), Postage & Freight ($10) (customer letters for backflow violation, over $26 by YE), Tools & Related Supplies ($11) (more spent on
tools earlier in season as work ramped up; over $5 by YE), and Traffic Control ($10) (main breaks and Streets' price increases, trending toward flat by YE), offset by Personnel $18 (vacancies, offset by $54
overage in Hourlies to balance workload and standby, and $14 overage in OT, under ~$20 by YE), Other Prof. & Tech. $17 (used as needed, nothing planned, under $24 by YE), Motor Fuel, Oil, and Grease
$15 (conservative budget by Ops Svc, under ~$18 by YE), Education & Training $10 (under $10 by YE), Solid Waste Services $11 (dirt hauling = less, under ~$25 by YE), and Street & Bridge Maint. $11 (flat
by YE); anticipating overall underspend of $25.
4
Wastewater Fund Revenue
in thousands Percent of Year 75.0%
September Year to Date
Actual
Over/
(Under)Budget Actual
Over/
(Under) Inc/(Dec)
% Bud
Recvd % Act Recvd
2023 2023 Bud 2023 2023 2023 Bud 2022 2023 2022
Residential WW Sales $ 1,372 * $ 9 $ 12,262 $ 12,354 $ 92
(A)$ 441 76%78%
Com/Indl WW Sales 564 * (25) 4,203 4,374 170 (B)(104) 78%73%
District WW Sales 35 * 1 308 319 12 12 78%79%
Other WW Sales 42 * 20 152 278 126 (C)52 139%85%
PILOTs 118 (1) 1,005 1,023 18 21 76%77%
Operating Revenue 2,131 4 17,929 18,349 419 421 77%77%
Interest Revenue 90 41 481 763 283 436 137%129%
Development Fees/PIFs/Contributions 1 (72)664 616 (48)(D)222 70%34%
Financing Sources 0 0 0 0 0 (4)
Other Misc 7 7 78 96 17 (27) 80%65%
Total Lapsing Revenue**2,230 (21) 19,152 19,824 672 1,048 78%75%
Non-lapsing Revenue 0 0 0
TOTAL**$ 2,230 $ 19,824 $ 1,048
Variance Analysis:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)Bad Debt Recovery $23, Lab Services $16, and House Rental $12, offset by Ranch Income ($35).
*
**
Plant Investment Fees $0 ($324 in March for 3 large multifamily units).
September billed revenue is for August and early September.
Note: Wastewater rate increase of 4.0% for 2023, as budgeted.
Residential sales were 0.8% over budget and 3.7% more than YTD 2022.
Septage Treatment Charge $42.
Commercial/Industrial sales were 4.1% over budget and 2.3% less than YTD 2022.
Excludes transfers and unrealized gain/loss on value.
5
Wastewater Fund 2023 Department Expense
In thousands Percent of Year 75.0%
Excludes depreciation and transfers
September Year to Date
Actual
(Over)/
Under YTD Bdgt Actual
(Over)/
Under YTD (Inc)/Dec
Actual +
PO's
% Bud Spent &
Committed
2023 2023 Bud 2023 2023 2023 Bud 2022 2023 by PO's
Water Reclamation & Biosolids $ 418 $ 119 $ 4,804 $ 4,447 $ 357
(A)$ (212) $ 4,943 71%
Pollution Control Lab 80 11 905 856 49 (37)953 73%
Subtotal WR&T 498 130 5,709 5,303 405 (249)5,896 71%
Trunk & Collection 131 18 1,369 1,249 120 (3)1,272 64%
Engineering 31 13 555 341 214 (B)189 476 65%
Subtotal WEFS 163 31 1,924 1,590 335 187 1,748 64%
PILOTs 118 1 1,005 1,023 (18)(21)1,023 76%
Admin Services - CS&A 247 (0)2,224 2,224 (0)(298)2,224 75%
Other Payments & Transfers 143 (20)1,323 1,322 1 (150)1,333 59%
Subtotal Operating Expenses $ 1,169 $ 142 $ 12,185 $ 11,462 $ 723 $ (531) $ 12,224 70%
Debt Service 0 0 225 225 0 $ 34 225 10%
Minor Capital (6)25 1,355 860 495 (C)$ (110)1,113 72%
Total Lapsing $ 1,163 $ 167 $ 13,765 $ 12,547 $ 1,218 $ (607) $ 13,562 42%
Non-lapsing Expenses 629 3,308 253
TOTAL $ 1,792 $ 15,855 $ (354)
Variance Analysis:
(A)
(B)
(C)
Personnel $211 (Vacancies), Consulting $158 and Other Professional & Technical $82 (Vendor availability and revised purchasing guidelines, expecting to spend this year), Computer Hardware -
Capital $77 (MDT Autosave Software (BFO Enhancement 4.33: decided we didn't need the BI tool and servers, which delayed purchase, under budget ~$20), Dues & Subscriptions $27 (Haven't gotten
some membership renewals, yet. Starting to see invoices), Land Maintenance Services $20 (Awaiting invoices), Plumbing and Irrigation Supplies $18 (Wet weather has limited sprinkler audit and need.
Will spend this year), Electrical Parts $17 (Anticipated to spend by year end). Offset by Chemical Supplies ($200) (Spend on chemicals that do not have a budget. Needed for treatment and meeting
regulatory permit requirements. Chemical pricing has been affected by market conditions and supply chain. Reviewing cost savings in other operations items to offset), Legal Services ($48) (Increased
legal services needed for the Lazy D Water Rights case. Expecting an appeal that will increase spend), Natural Gas ($18) (Boilers were serviced, fall and winter temps will determine year end spend),
Software Maint & Support Serv ($14) (Moved to a two-year agreement for software), Motor Fuel, Oil & Grease ($14) (Increased truck trips due to dewatering frequency, equipment maintenance),
Machinery & Equipment Parts ($11) (Purchase of parts as needed for repairs and shelf spares), Federal Government Services ($11) (Permit fee increases).
Consulting $174 ($133 related to DWRF Utility Mapping - calendarized first 1/2 of year. Project should still be completed this year), Personnel $31 (Vacancies and PM’s time being billed to projects),
Other Professional & Technical $16, Offset by Construction Services ($24) (Savings expected to come from Consulting Services to offset).
Trunk & Collection $168 (~$51 is for the purchase of two CUES cameras. The remainder is expected to be spent on the purchase of a crew truck later this year.). Water Reclamation & Biosolids: Motor
Vehicles $162 (Outstanding PO. Will be completed by end of year), Plant & Garage Equipment $117 ($53 invoice unexpectedly accrued to 2022. Plan to use by year end), Other Equipment $15 (Used
as needed, Will spend by year end). ICE Wastewater Minor Capital $19 (Evaluating Computer Hardware needs for remainder of the year)
6
Stormwater Fund Revenue
in thousands Percent of Year 75.0%
September Year to Date
Actual
Over/
(Under)Budget Actual
Over/
(Under) Inc/(Dec)
% Bud
Recvd % Act Recvd
2023 2023 Bud 2023 2023 2023 Bud 2022 2023 2022
Single Family Residential SW Services $ 710 * $ 10 $ 6,300 $ 6,367 $ 67
(A)$ 246 76%79%
Non-single Family SW Services 865 * 15 7,650 7,756 106 (B)263 76%78%
Operating Revenue 1,575 25 13,950 14,123 173 509 76%78%
Interest Revenue 67 34 303 557 254 330 156%133%
Development Fees/PIFs/Contributions 25 (48)656 724 67 (C)175 83%87%
Financing Sources 0 0 0 0 0 (10)
Other Misc 1 0 11 26 14 (D)(8) 170%62%
Total Lapsing Revenue**1,667 12 14,921 15,429 508 996 78%80%
Non-lapsing Revenue 0 0 0
TOTAL**$ 1,667 $ 15,429 $ 996
Variance Analysis:
Note: Stormwater rate increase of 3.0% for 2023, as budgeted.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
*
**
September billed revenue is for August and early September.
Auction Sales $6 (sale of flood warning truck), Flood Plain Permits $5 and Bad Debt Recovery $4.
Development Inspection $18 and Erosion Control $55, offset by Stormwater Development Fee ($6).
Non-Single Family fees are 1.4% greater than 2022.
Single Family Residential fees are 1.1% greater than 2022.
Excludes transfers and unrealized gain/loss on value.
7
Stormwater Fund 2023 Department Expense
In thousands Percent of Year 75.0%
Excludes depreciation and transfers
September Year to Date
Actual
(Over)/
Under Budget Actual (Over)/ Under (Inc)/Dec Actual + PO's
% Bud Spent &
Committed
2023 2023 Bud 2023 2023 2023 Bud 2022 2023 by PO's
Drainage and Detention $ 270 $ (63) $ 1,958 $ 1,678 $ 279
(A)$ (60)$ 1,822 69%
Engineering 111 51 1,546 1,116 430
(B)(115)1,265 60%
Stormwater Quality Programs 50 (0) 379 307 72 (C)(14)454 67%
Admin Services - CS&A 296 23 2,851 2,662 188 (D)(369)2,662 75%
Other Payments & Transfers 98 (20) 833 827 6 (E)(91)838 41%
Subtotal Operating Expenses $ 825 $ (9) $ 7,567 $ 6,591 $ 976 $ (649)$ 7,041 64%
Debt Service 0000 011 0 0%
Minor Capital 0 0 1,065 231 834 (F)539 325 30%
Total Lapsing $ 825 $ (9) $ 8,631 $ 6,822 $ 1,809 $ (99) $ 7,365 48%
Non-lapsing Expenses 380 3,465 (1,116)
TOTAL $ 1,204 $ 10,287 $ (1,215)
Variance Analysis:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
Personnel $71 (vacancies earlier in the year, expect to be fully staffed by end of Oct), Mowing $82 (timing of invoice payment), Street & Bridge Maintenance $33 (delay in invoice
processing), Solid Waste $28 (expect to be underbudget $40 by YE),and Vehicle Repair $29 (reactionary, expect to be underbudget by YE), offset by Education & Training (($19)
opportunities for training in NASSCO and Leadership) . Overall expect to be on budget by YE.
Vehicles $94 (awaiting delivery of CNG vehicle, expected by YE) and Heavy Equipment $740 (expect delivery Q3 2024).
Legal Services $6 (expenses related to OASIS/Open International lawsuit).
Personnel $181 (vacancies - 2 filled in April and 2 remaining), and Consulting $215 (Hill Pond study is proceeding, underspend in outside services contracts).
Budget calendarized using 3 year average while actual transfers will be even. Will match by YE
Consulting $42 (State has not made expected progress on MS4 permiting), and Educational Programs $24 (staffing issues in Customer Connections), offset by Hazmat Disposal (($13)
due to unexpected community spill expenses and increased fees for ABOP disposal).
8
Utilities
electric · stormwater · wastewater · water
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.212.2900
V/TDD: 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
MEMORANDUM
Date: October 8, 2023
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Jill Oropeza, Sr. Director, Integrated Water Sciences & Planning
From: Ken Sampley, Director, Stormwater Engr, Floodplain Admin & Water Dev Review
Subject: Hill Pond Feasibility Study - Project Update
Bottom Line
The purpose of this memo is to inform City Council of a change to the public engagement process and
project timeline for Hill Pond Feasibility Study. No action is needed.
Background
The Hill Pond Feasibility (“Study”) was initiated in June 2023 for the purpose of assisting the interested
parties in identifying and evaluating potential solutions for mitigating shoreline erosion issues occurring
around Hill Pond, a private lake situated adjacent to Spring Creek and the Spring Creek Trail.
Based on feedback received during the first round of community engagement meetings, City staff
identified the need to revise the public engagement process. The new approach will convene all
interested parties at a single community workshop where they can voice concerns and explore potential
solutions together. This differs from the original approach, where the City was to prepare a set of
recommended alternatives based on feedback from smaller group meetings, where dialog between the
interested parties was more limited.
The new approach is intended to be responsive to feedback received from participants and designed to
provide a more equitable representation of values, concerns, and ideas, and ultimately to promote
community ownership of the Study alternatives and outcomes. City staff will continue to support the
community engagement process and technical evaluation of the recommended alternatives, with
assistance from the Study consultant.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 743EDF88-FC8A-4103-8CD8-BBA7659CB27C
Interested Parties
Hill Pond is situated on properties owned by two different homeowners’ associations (HOAs) – Windtrail
on Spring Creek HOA and Hill Pond HOA. The water in Hill Pond is used by Arthur Ditch Company (“Ditch
Company”) to facilitate the diversion of the Ditch Company’s water into its lateral irrigation ditches
immediately downstream. The City has an easement along the south side of the pond for Spring Creek
Trail, the City’s most highly trafficked bike and pedestrian trail. The City’s primary interests in this project
are maintaining safe access to Spring Creek Trail and ensuring an unimpeded floodway for Spring Creek.
The interested parties invited to participate in the public engagement process include community users of
Spring Creek trail, the two HOAs, the Ditch Company, Colorado State University (downstream landowner)
and the City Parks Department and Stormwater Utility.
Revised Engagement Process
City staff are planning to send invitations to interested parties to participate in an additional half-day
engagement event on Saturday, November 4 from 8:30 AM -12:30 PM (location to be determined).
Participants will collectively decide which alternatives should be studied by the consultant and identify the
criteria needed to evaluate each alternative (e.g., aesthetic and habitat value, cost, etc.). Staff will report
back to the parties with the planned approach, and the Study consultant will then proceed with the
technical feasibility evaluation. Once complete, City staff and the Study consultant will share findings with
the interested parties. Any subsequent actions steps will be determined at that time, as needed.
City Staff Roles & Responsibilities
The City has provided $60,000 in funding and project management in support of the Study.
Implementation of the selected alternative is beyond the scope of the Study. The extent to which the City
participates in or funds future solutions will depend on the degree to which the City’s interests are
involved. Any future financial commitments would be subject to Council’s approval.
Impacts to Project Budget and Timeline
There is no increase in the project budget due to this change in approach. However, the additional time
needed to complete the additional engagement meeting and process feedback will extend the completion
date from December 2023 to March 2024. Please contact Ken Sampley at ksampley@fcgov.com or (970)
224-6021 with any questions.
CC: Kendall Minor, Utilities Executive Director
Jason Graham, Utilities Water Director
Mike Calhoon, Director, Parks
Douglas Groves, Manager, Utilities Stormwater Maintenance
Heather Young, Manager, Utilities Community Engagement
DocuSign Envelope ID: 743EDF88-FC8A-4103-8CD8-BBA7659CB27C
Water Commission Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 1 of 7
October 19, 2023
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Water Commission
STAFF
Randy Reuscher, Lead Rate Analyst
Lance Smith, Director of Finance, Planning & Analysis
SUBJECT
Items Relating to 2024 Utility Rates, Fees, and Charges – rescheduled from September 21, 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to consider proposed 2024 Utility rate and fee updates being brought forward
for Council consideration on October 17 (Rates) and November 21 (Fees), to become effective on
January 1, 2024, including the following items:
• Rates - monthly utility rates to increase 5% for Electric customers, 4% for Water customers, 4%
for Wastewater customers, and 3% for Stormwater customers.
• Fees - adjustments to utility development fees including 14.8% for Electric Capacity Fees (ECFs),
5.7% for Water Plant Investment Fees (PIF), 4.1% for Wastewater PIFs, and 7.0% for Stormwater
PIFs.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff asks for the support from the Water Commission for the Ordinances pertaining to the water,
wastewater, and stormwater funds.
SUGGESTED MOTION
I move that the Water Commission recommends City Council adopt the proposed changes to the Utility’s
water, wastewater, and stormwater rates and fees as presented.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Proposed Changes to Monthly Utility Rates
The revenues needed to support the ongoing operation and maintenance costs of providing each of the
four essential services to customers are collected through monthly utility rates. As costs change over
time it is necessary to adjust rates to reflect those changes. Long-term financial planning is important to
Water Commission Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 2 of 7
ensure revenues are adequate and reserves are available to maintain and replace infrastructure in a
timely fashion to continue to provide high quality and reliable services to our customers. Frequent review
and updating of the cost-of-service allocation models behind the monthly utility rates maintains equity
across rate classes and helps to reduce the impacts on customers of higher utility rates by providing
gradual, modest rate adjustments over time rather than less frequent and larger rate adjustments. These
actions help ensure the delivery of current and future utility services occurs in a fiscally responsible
manner, balancing both costs and levels of service with affordability and prudent planning and
investments.
A summary of the proposed rate increases for the four utility services are shown in the table below.
These increases are included in the 2024 City Manager’s Recommended Budget.
Electric
Staff is proposing a 5% retail rate increase for the electric fund in 2024. This increase is driven by a
combination of a 5% increase in wholesale electric expenses in 2024, as well as an increase to cover
higher distribution system operating & maintenance costs and investments in capital projects. Roughly
two-thirds of costs incurred each year to provide electric service are attributable to wholesale expenses,
while the other one-third is attributable to costs related to operating & maintaining the distribution system.
Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) is currently proposing a 5% rate increase each year through 2030.
Water Commission Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 3 of 7
Water
Staff is proposing a 4% retail rate increase for the water fund in 2024. In addition, the cost-of-service
model for the water fund has been updated for 2024. Relatively minor rate class specific adjustments are
proposed for 2024 based on the model updates. Due to the higher costs of materials and impacts to the
cost of borrowing, the amount of interest being paid on any revenue bonds that will be needed in the
coming decade for infrastructure investments will increase.
The long-term financial models have been updated for the “wet utilities”, as well as electric. The current
rate forecast for the water fund is shown below. Just as for electric services, it may be necessary to have
rate increases in the 5-8% range for a few years, if inflation stays above 5%, as seen the last few years.
Wastewater
Staff is proposing a 4% retail rate increase for the wastewater fund in 2024, as well. In addition, the
wastewater cost-of-service model was updated for 2024, which is driving the need for minor adjustments
by rate class. There has been a trend in recent years of declining operating revenues for this utility. As
this utility is not immune to the impacts of inflation on its operating costs, it is necessary to increase
operating revenues through rate adjustments to offset these higher costs of providing this service to our
community. At this point the financial model is not indicating a need to exceed 5% in any given year.
Water Commission Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 4 of 7
The current rate forecast for the wastewater fund is shown here:
Stormwater
Staff is proposing a 3% retail rate increase for the stormwater fund in 2024. This is 1% higher than the
December 2021 forecast which is a smaller incremental increase than what is being proposed for the
other utilities. The reasons for this smaller adjustment to the proposed rate increase for this utility are
that a larger portion of operating revenues are available in this fund for infrastructure investments than
the other utilities. There will be a need to issue revenue bonds for the Oak Street stormwater
improvement project this budget cycle (Offer 4.2).
The current rate forecast for stormwater services is shown here:
Customer Bill Impacts
The table below shows the impacts of the proposed rate change to the average residential monthly bill.
Under the proposed rate changes, a residential customer’s total utility bill, for a customer receiving all
four municipal utility services, would increase by 4.3%, or $8.35 per month.
Water Commission Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 5 of 7
The table below compares typical residential electric, water, wastewater, and stormwater monthly utility
bills across neighboring utilities along the Front Range, based on proposed 2024 rate adjustments and
charges. In total, Fort Collins Utilities comes in the lowest at $201.57 for all four services. With proposed
increases for 2024, Fort Collins will remain the lowest overall, as there are known increases proposed
amongst the other bordering utilities for 2024, with some of them being substantially higher than the
percentage increases proposed for our community.
Proposed Changes to Development Fees
Development fees are the mechanism for Utilities to recover the impact of adding new demand to the
services Utilities provides, including electric, water, wastewater, and stormwater. Plant Investment Fees
(PIFs) and Electric Capacity Fees (ECFs) are one-time charges for new development or re-development.
These fees recover costs for excess capacity of infrastructure already in place to serve new customers
based on the “buy-in” approach, where customers pay according to new demands they will put on the
system and considers incremental costs of future infrastructure to serve them.
Water Commission Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 6 of 7
Staff updates development fee models every two years. In alternating years, when models are not
updated, an inflationary adjustment is applied to utility development fees. Staff uses the Engineering
News Record (ENR) construction cost index to apply adjustments. For 2023, staff increased
development fees, including the Electric Capacity Fees, Water Plant Investment Fees, Wastewater Plant
Investment Fees, and Stormwater Plant Investment Fees, by 9% as an inflationary adjustment. Each
model was updated this year to capture current inputs, including current escalation factors and each of
the various drivers such costs, consumption, and future system needs. Utilities has experienced very
high cost increases with various items, particularly on the electric side with purchases such as electric
transformers, which have increased substantially due to supply chain issues and higher material costs.
The table below shows the proposed increase for 2024 for each of the development fees by fund.
Utility Fee Unit of Measure 2024 Proposed Increase
Electric Capacity Fee (ECF) $ / kW 14.8%
Water Plant Investment Fee (PIF) $ / GPD 5.7%
Wastewater Plant Investment Fee (PIF) $ / GPD 4.1%
Stormwater Plant Investment Fee (PIF) $ / acre of development 7.0%
There are many variables in calculating the average impact to a development, particularly between
residential and commercial. Shown in the table below is an example of a single-family residential house
receiving all four services from Fort Collins Utilities. The 2023 amount is expected to increase by
approximately $790 in 2024, from $11,120 to $11,911. This equates to an overall increase of 7.1% for
these one-time fees.
Water Commission Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 7 of 7
Utilities Affordability Portfolio
Utilities staff are proposing improving access to the City’s Utilities affordability programs. In November
2022, Council requested that staff review affordability programs to ensure they are accessible to the target
audience, to reduce barriers to apply, and to add additional ways for customers to apply for the Income-
Qualified Assistance Program.
This program was adopted by Council in 2022. Currently, customers who are approved through the state’s
Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) are automatically enrolled in IQAP. While most customers
who meet the income requirements are eligible to apply for LEAP, there are two populations that have
been identified who are either not eligible to receive LEAP even though their income is within approval
range, and those who may not be able to take advantage of the program due to additional household
assistance they receive. Customers impacted are those where the household has members who are not
documented U.S. citizens, and renters who have a Housing Choice Voucher (formerly Section 8) where
heat is included in their rent. Providing alternative entry points for these customers who have Fort Collins
Utilities in their name will allow them to access IQAP, separate from LEAP, while maintaining an income
verification process. We are currently anticipating approximately 400 households impacted by this update.
These changes would require amending Sec. 26-724.b, Sec. 26-724.c, and Sec. 26-724.e to remove the
LEAP enrollment requirement.
As of August 2023, 1,636 customers were enrolled in IQAP. The average discount customers receive is
$240 per year. Due to fluctuations in the number of customers enrolled, the cost to Utilities has been
approximately $393,000 to $415,000 per year. Increasing the number of participants to 2,000 could
increase the annual cost to Utilities to approximately $480,000.
2Action Item
Does the Water Commission support
the following proposed changes to the
2024 water, wastewater, and
stormwater utility rates and fees?
3
Monthly Utility Rates
42024 Utility Rates
UTILITY 2024 PROPOSED INCREASE
ELECTRIC 5%
WATER 4%
WASTEWATER 4%
STORMWATER 3%
52024 Utility Rates
62024 Utility Rates
72024 Utility Rates
82024 Utility Rates
9
Utility Development Fees
102024 Development Fees
Utility Fee 2024 Proposed Increase
Electric Capacity Fee (ECF)14.8%
Water Plant Investment Fee (PIF)5.7%
Wastewater Plant Investment Fee (PIF)4.1%
Stormwater Plant Investment Fee (PIF)7.0%
112024 Development Fees
Utilities Affordability 12
•Neighbor to Neighbor
•Rent and Utility Assistance
•Payment Assistance Fund
•Electric and water assistance
•Income-Qualified Assistance Program
(IQAP)
•Reduced electric, water and/or
wastewater rate
•Proposing alternate entry for
customers with a housing
voucher and households with
members that are not documented
U.S. citizens
•Medical Assistance Program (MAP)
•Reduced electric rate due to
medically necessary device
•Larimer County Conservation Corp
(LCCC)
•Home efficiency upgrades
•Colorado’s Affordable Residential
Energy Program (CARE)
•Weatherization and energy
efficiency upgrades
•Weatherization Assistance program
(WAP)
•Weatherization and energy
efficiency upgrades for electric
customers
Emergency Assistance Seasonal & Monthly
Assistance
Efficiency Upgrades
Utilities Affordability 13
•Neighbor to Neighbor
•Overall Benefit: $176,911
•Number of Customers: 726
•Average benefit per month: $244
•Payment Assistance Fund
•Overall Benefit: $161,600
•Number of Customers: 574
•Average benefit per month:$282
•Income-Qualified Assistance Program
(IQAP)
•Overall Benefit: $333,987
•Number of Customers: 1,552
•Average benefit per month: $13
•Medical Assistance Program (MAP)
•Overall Benefit: $29,546
•Number of Customers: 169
•Average benefit per month: $15
•Larimer County Conservation Corp (LCCC)
*2021
•Overall Benefit: $118,025
•Number of Customers: 233
•Average benefit per month: $507
•Colorado’s Affordable Residential Energy
Program (CARE) *2021
•Overall Benefit: $8,912
•Number of Customers: 3
•Average benefit per month: $2,971
Emergency Assistance Seasonal & Monthly
Assistance
Efficiency Upgrades
14Suggested Motion
I move that the Water Commission
recommends City Council adopt the proposed
changes to the Utility's water, wastewater,
and stormwater rates and fees as presented.
For More Information, Visit
THANK YOU!
fcgov.com/utilities
Headline Copy Goes Here
1
Resources for B&C Staff Liaisons
•Three short, high-level videos ~ 3 minutes each
-https://www.fcgov.com/budget
-I suggest sharing these with your B&C members
•BFO 101 – Recorded staff presentation
-Here is the link to Budget’s SharePoint site
-The folder displayed will contain the presentation and the recording
-The video is about 36 minutes long, so grab a cup of coffee!
-Connects Strategic Planning Budgeting Performance Management
-Note: B&C members may not have access to internal City websites, like
CityHub
Water Commission – Oct. 19, 2023 Regular Meeting
Agenda Item# 9A “Boards & Commissions Inputs to 2024 City of Fort
Collins Strategic Plan”
Atachments to review
• B&C Staff Liaison presenta�on
• City of Fort Collins Outcome Defini�ons
Links to review
• 2022 Strategic Plan (Summary of Objec�ves, pp 12-15):
htps://www.fcgov.com/citymanager/files/22-24167-2022-strategic-plan-
web.pdf?1657127490
• Budget (3 short, high-level videos):
htps://www.fcgov.com/citymanager/budget
Overview & Discussion Ques�ons
• The City’s Budget Office has requested Boards and Commissions staff
discuss op�onal B&C inputs for the Strategic Plan and how best to achieve
the City’s Outcomes
• The City’s strategic planning core team would welcome the Water
Commission’s insights into the City’s strategic plan, specifically what the
City’s seven Outcomes mean to you.
• Those Outcomes are the highest-level goals the City strives to achieve for
the residents and businesses of Fort Collins.
• Please review the current, broad defini�ons of each Outcome related to
Water U�li�es:
o Economic Health 3.5……………………………………..p 13, 30
o Environmental Health 4.4, 4.6………………………pp 14, 32-35
o High Performing Government 7.1, 7.3, 7.4…...pp 15, 46-51
o Neighborhood Livability & Social Health 1.4….pp 12, 19
o Safe Community 5.5……………………………………..pp 14, 36-41
• Let’s agree as a group on the 1 or 2 Outcomes that we as Water
Commissioners most align with (i.e. Safe Community or Environmental
Health, etc.)
• Considering the first Outcome you choose, what ideas come to mind about
what that name means?
o What does that mean to the Water Commission?
o What does that mean to you as a resident?
• Review the key elements of how we’ve given defini�on to that Outcome.
o Considering these, what are ways the City can help achieve this
Outcome? This could be the expansion of exis�ng programs and
services, the implementa�on of new ones, policy changes, etc.
• Repeat these steps for your second Outcome, if applicable/important to the
Water Commission
Inputs due to the Budget Office by Friday Nov. 17
(Water Commission staff will gather and submit informa�on on behalf of
commissioners.)
Headline Copy Goes Here
2
Boards and Commissions Input for the 2024 Strategic Plan
•Input part #1 – The What
-What do the City’s Outcomes mean to you?
o Think of the specific Outcomes most applicable to your Board or Commission
o For the selected Outcome(s), how would you define it or describe it to your neighbor?
•Input part #2 – The How
-Thinking about those definitions, what could the City do to better achieve
those Outcomes?
•Optional action: Convey your group’s thoughts on these questions
-Submit memos to:
o lpollack@fcgov.com
o aresseguie@fcgov.com
-Inputs due by Friday 17 November
City of Fort Collins ‘Outcomes’
Outcomes are the highest-level goals the City aspires to provide to our community. This
applies to residents and businesses, as well as those who are visi�ng. The progress
towards these Outcomes is achieved through the programs and services the City works
to provide.
Neighborhood Livability and Social Health
Fort Collins provides a high-quality built environment, supports
connected neighborhoods, seeks to advance equity and affordability,
and fosters the social health of the
community
Culture and Recrea�on
Fort Collins provides and maximizes access to diverse cultural and
recrea�onal ameni�es
Economic Health
Fort Collins promotes a healthy, sustainable economy reflec�ng
community values
Environmental Health
Fort Collins promotes, protects and enhances a healthy and
sustainable environment
Safe Community
Fort Collins provides a safe place to live, work, learn and play
Transporta�on and Mobility
Fort Collins provides a transporta�on system that moves people and
goods safely and efficiently while being accessible, reliable and
convenient.
High Performing Government
Fort Collins exemplifies an efficient, innova�ve, transparent, effec�ve
and collabora�ve city government
From:Davina Lau
To:Jason Graham; Katherine Martinez; John Song
Subject:WC Ex Officio Member
Date:Monday, October 9, 2023 10:27:05 AM
Attachments:Outlook-zld3saky.png
Good morning,
Council will be discussing the topic of ex officio members at the October 24th work session. I
am writing to ask whether you would like to keep the Code the way it currently is, or if you
would like to remove the ex officio member altogether if you don't believe one is necessary.
Sec. 2-178. - Water Commission.
(a)The City shall have a Water Commission, hereafter referred to in this Section as the
"Commission." The Commission shall consist of nine (9) members.
(b)The County Board of Commissioners may appoint a representative of the County's Public
Works Department to serve as an ex officio member to act as liaison to the Commission,
who shall represent the County in coordination by the City and County of stormwater
management matters. Such ex officio member shall not have voting privileges on matters
coming before the Commission, and may be excluded from any executive session of the
Commission. Such ex officio member shall serve for an indefinite duration; however, such
appointment may be terminated by action of the City Council or the County Board of
Commissioners, or upon resignation of the member.
(c)The general purposes of the Commission shall be to advise the City Council in matters
pertaining to water, wastewater and stormwater utility policy issues and to act as a quasi-
judicial body relating to certain matters. The Commission shall have the following functions
Any insight and input is very helpful.
Thank you so much for your time, and Happy Monday!
Kindly,
Davina Lau
she/her/hers/ella
Public Engagement Specialist | Boards and Commissions Coordinator
City Clerk's Office
300 Laporte Ave., Building A
970-416-2525 (Office)
dlau@fcgov.com
Work Plan
20243 Water Commission Annual Work Plan
The 20243 Water Commission Work Plan is focused on specific topics of interest the commissioners believe
are important to the Fort Collins Water Utilities and City Council over the next year. The purpose is to dig
deeper into topics of interest, keep City Staff resources allocation limited to matters of current relevance, and
allow time for commissioners to learn about water-related subjects relevant to City Staff and City Council.
The Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) process has returned to a two-year cycle. During odd years staff
typically focus on updating the Strategic Plan. Therefore, the Water Commission will be involved in the
Strategic Plan process in 2023 by learning more about Utilities Department needs, wants and priorities before
staff creates budget offers.
Several recurring annual activities are described below in the Water Commission’s specific topics of interest.
On an as-needed basis, the Water Commission also provides input on quasi-judicial matters such as
floodplain variances, easement dedication, and property acquisition or disposition.
Specific topics of interest to the Water Commission in 20243 include:
1. Strategic Planning
a. Define how Capital Improvement Projects are prioritized
b. How is the City utilizing the linear asset management system and master planning to allocate
resources?
c. Increase transparency with project prioritization
2. Halligan Water Supply Project
a. City staffing, resource allocation and management structure of the project
b. Project cost and project alternative evaluation
c. Assist with project messaging
d. Ongoing discussion about the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and general permitting
status
e. Property and easement acquisition status
f. Continued implementation of the reservoir project
3. Water Conservation
a. Learn more about how the Utility can implement water conservation policies that can have a
significant impact on our water demand future Evaluation of Larimer County Urban Area Street
Standards (LCUAASS) as part of 2024 Water Efficiency Plan Update. Revisit landscape and
irrigation standards that limit high water use turf grass on city property (among other water
conservation opportunities).
b. Can we re-imagine our City streets without irrigated turf grass as an option?
4. Northern Integrated Supply Project
a. Provide updates on City interactions with NISP and NISP stakeholders. How might NISP
impact the City in terms of water availability and infrastructure planning?
4.5. Water Regionalization
a. Maintain partnerships with water districts and neighboring cities and towns for issues such as fire
recovery and watershed restoration, stream restoration and other issues that impact multiple
entities
b. Are there opportunities for cost effective and beneficial management of regionalized wastewater
basins and storm drainage basins
c. Coordination of Water Utilities planning with the City’s Climate Action Plan efforts
d. Learn how we could work with neighboring water providers to manage future drought conditions
with an understanding in the diversity of water assets
5. The City of Fort Collins Utilities’ Staffing Plan
a. Learn about the Utilities’ staffing plan
b. Provide input in how workloads and resource allocation are tracked to prevent “burnout”
c. Answer the question, “what was learned from the Great Resignation and what can be done
different as the City moves forward”
The 20243 Water Commission reoccurring annual subjects and activities are as follows:
Water
1. Provide input on planning and policies related to raw and treated water supply, such as the Water
Supply and Demand Management Policy and raw water acquisition policies.
2. Provide input and guidance on regional water supply collaboration opportunities.
3. Provide input on ditch company share rentals and other surplus raw water rental rates.
4. Review and provide input on water conservation programs and activities.
5. Address educational topics that prepare the Water Commission for business related to water.
6. Participate in educational and public outreach efforts related to water.
7. Review and provide input on annual capital projects and Capital Improvement Plans.
8. Provide input on programs that protect water sources and improve watershed health.
9. Provide input on specific topics that are relevant to the Water Commission.
Formatted
Formatted: Font: Bold
Wastewater
1. Provide input on planning and policies related to wastewater, such as wastewater strategic plans
dealing with infrastructure financing, workforce development, nutrient regulations, tertiary treatment,
and public/private financing options.
2. Provide input on annual business such as wastewater rates and capital improvements.
3. Address educational topics that prepare the Water Commission for business related to wastewater.
4. Participate in educational and public outreach efforts related to wastewater.
5. Review and provide input on annual capital projects and Capital Improvement Plans.
6. Provide input on specific topics that are relevant to the Water Commission.
Stormwater
1. Provide input on planning and policies related to stormwater, such as revisions to the
Stormwater Master Plans and Low Impact Development (LID) guidelines.
2. Provide input on annual business such as stormwater rates, MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm
Sewer Systems) reporting and program accomplishments.
3. Address educational topics that prepare Water Commission for business related to stormwater.
4. Participate in educational and public outreach efforts with emphasis on improving and
enhancing customer awareness and understanding of stormwater programs.
5. Review and provide input on annual capital projects and Capital Improvement Plans.
6. Provide input on specific topics that are relevant to the Water Commission.