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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Commission - MINUTES - 02/15/2024 WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING February 15, 2024, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hybrid in person at 222 Laporte Ave and online via Zoom 02/15/2024 – MINUTES 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. 1. CALL TO ORDER 5:31 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL  Commissioners Present In Person: Paul Herman (Vice Chairperson), Kent Bruxvoort, Tyler Eldridge, Rick Kahn, Jason Tarry  Commissioners Present via Zoom: John Primsky, Greg Steed  Commissioners Absent - Excused: Jordan Radin (Chairperson), James Bishop  Staff Members Present In Person: Jeremy Woolf, John Song, Michael Neale, Ralph Campano, Ken Sampley, Jason Graham, Andrew Gingerich, Ingrid Decker  Staff Members Present via Zoom: Jen Dial, Donnie Dustin, Jill Oropeza, Tracy Oschner  Members of the Public: Robert Graves, James __, Rich __ 3. AGENDA REVIEW  Vice Chairperson Paul Herman briefly summarized items on the agenda 4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION  None  5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice Chairperson Herman asked for comments and revisions on the draft minutes. Commissioner Kahn moved to approve the December 7 minutes. Commissioner Tarry seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: it passed unanimously, 7-0 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Staff Reports WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 02/15/2024 – MINUTES Page 2  i. Financial Monthly Report (meeting packet only)  ii. One Water Quarterly Update Jason Graham, Director of Water Utilities Jason Graham presented several updates for Water Utilities, including the Utilities Executive Director position, organizational changes, BFO strategic planning, and the Halligan Project. Discussion Highlights Commissioners inquired about the circumstances regarding the Utilities Executive Director’s departure from the organization, as well as about the Council decisions and code changes required if the Utilities Executive Director position is decided not to be filled. Commissioners wondered about the impact on ongoing Utilities projects. A Commissioner inquired about when the Halligan Project will break ground, to which Jason Graham responded it will begin in 2027 with plans to complete by 2029. Commissioners inquired about any planned restrictions on water use considering it had been the second driest fall in over 75 years, but Water Resources Engineer Michael Neale responded that it’s still too early in the year to determine any restrictions and will have to wait to measure the coming snowmelt.   b. Regular Items i. Raw Water Rental Rates and Delivery Charges Michael Neale, Water Resources Engineer Staff sought Water Commission’s recommendation for approval ahead of their presentation to Council in March, as the rates require Council approval every 3 years. There will be a memo detailing the history and process. Discussion Highlights A Commissioner inquired about the percentage of water rented compared to the total water owned by the City, to which Mr. Neale responded that it was less than ten percent. Commissioners discussed topics such as the end use of rented water, about the dollar amounts the City incurs from rental agreements, the difference between rental and delivery charges, the amount of excess and the City’s ability to rent, as well as expressing concerns regarding river health and wondered about any plans for mechanisms in the WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 02/15/2024 – MINUTES Page 3  agreements to keep water in the river while still renting. A Commissioner commented that raised rates may affect overall demands, to which Water Resources Engineer Donnie Dustin responded that rental requests have always exceeded the ability to meet the demands.   Commissioner Bruxvoort moved that the Water Commission recommend City Council adopt the proposed formulas for calculating rental rates and delivery charges for Fort Collins Utilities raw water supplies, as well as the proposed rental rate and delivery charge for fully consumable water for 2024 through March 2027. Commissioner Tarry seconded the motion. Vote on the Motion: it passed unanimously, 7-0   ii. Code Revision Regarding the Definition of a Curb Stop Jeremy Woolf, Senior Director of Integrated Water Operations Andrew Gingerich, Director of Water Field Operations    This is regarding the code revision of Chapter 26: Definition of “control valve,” and replacement of the term “curb stop” with “control valve.” Discussion Highlights Commissioners clarified that the term’s confusion comes from the fact that a control valve is not necessarily next to or near a curb. A Commissioner commented on language surrounding the fire suppression system and the necessary pressure required to meet the code.    Commissioners supported the necessitated changes to clarify language in the code.   iii. Ordinance No. ____, 2023, Authorizing the Conveyance to N College 1311 of a Portion of the City Property Designated as the Future Hickory Detention Pond in Exchange for Adjoining Property and Other Valuable Consideration Jason Graham, Director of Water Utilities Ken Sampley, Director of Stormwater Engineering and Development Review Ralph Campano, Manager, Real Estate Services This land exchange is related to the Fort Collins Rescue Mission project on WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 02/15/2024 – MINUTES Page 4  Mason Street that is currently proceeding through the City’s Development Review Process. Staff is seeking adoption of this Ordinance at the February 20, 2024 City Council Meeting.  Ken Sampley and Ralph Campano presented this item via PowerPoint presentation. Discussion Highlights Commissioners inquired about the right-of-way in front of the property that will contain Mason Street. Mr. Campano responded that the developers are required to build their frontage as part of typical development requirements. Commissioners inquired about and discussed the many complexities of the land exchange. Mr. Sampley noted that the development will be obligated to excavate dirt from the new Hickory Detention Pond site in conjunction with the land exchange. Mr. Sampley noted the development intends on using the excavated material to construct their site and Mason Street. Commissioners wondered if Hickory Pond will be available to the public upon completion, to which Mr. Sampley responded in the affirmative. Another Commissioner wondered about the beginning of the actual work on the land and expressed concern whether there would be any complications if the work began prior to the exchange; Mr. Campano confirmed that the exchange will occur prior to the work. Commissioners asked several clarifying questions regarding the pond and outfall, the drainage capabilities, and the timeline for the proposed North Mason Street project. Commissioner Bruxvoort moved that the Water Commission recommend City Council approve on First Reading Ordinance No. ____, 2024, authorizing the Conveyance to N College 1311, LLC, of a portion of the City property designated as the future Hickory Detention Pond in exchange for adjoining property and other valuable consideration. Commissioner Eldridge seconded the motion. Vote on the Motion: it passed unanimously, 7-0   7. COMMISSIONER REPORTS  a. Commissioner Eldridge attended the Innovative Water Technology (IWT) Symposium and shared his experiences with the Commission    8. OTHER BUSINESS WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 02/15/2024 – MINUTES Page 5  a. Reminder: New Council Code of Conduct instructs Boards and Commissions members to identify themselves and clarify whether they are speaking personally or as a representative when giving public comment to Council. b. City of Fort Collins Engagement with Larimer County regarding Water Master Plan Development c. Chairperson and Vice Chair Roles and Responsibilities in preparation for March vote 9. ADJOURNMENT 7:13 p.m. These minutes were approved by the Water Commission on March 21, 2024.