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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Commission - MINUTES - 03/20/202503/20/2025 Water Commission Page 1 of 5 Water Commission REGULAR MEETING March 20, 2025 – 5:30 PM 222 Laporte Ave., 1st Floor, Colorado River Room The Water Commission advises the 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 design criteria. Read more: https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/boards/water 1. CALL TO ORDER a. 5:30 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Commissioners Present (in person): Chairperson Jordan Radin, Vice Chair Tyler Eldridge, Commissioners Kahn, Martin, Bishop b. Commissioners Absent: Commissioners Herman, Ng, Primsky, Steed c. Staff Members Present (in person): Jill Oropeza, Katherine Martinez, Matt Fater, Honora Thompson, Alice Conovitz, Joe Wimmer. Online: Randy Reuscher, Wes Lamarque d. Guests (in person): Carson Madryga. Online: Neil Princic 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION a. None 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Feb. 20, 2025 Commissioner Kahn moved to approve the minutes as presented Commissioner Martin seconded the motion Vote on the motion: it passed unanimously, 5-0 6. INTRODUCTION OF NEW WATER COMMISSIONER Newly appointed Commissioner Carson Madryga attended as a guest and will join the Water Commission in April. 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. None 8. NEW BUSINESS a. STAFF REPORTS i. Financial Monthly Report Report as of Dec. 31, 2024; issued February 2025. 03/20/2025 Water Commission Page 2 of 5 Discussion Highlights: Commissioners commented on or inquired about various related topics, including a suggestion for the page 1 bar chart to include a % in the comparison of budget to actual regarding operating revenue and operating expenses; the City’s financial year (calendar year); annual end-of-year audit to finalize fund balances; overage (from development fees and favorable interest on investments). Joe Wimmer has been Utilities Finance Director since last month after working in the City’s Finance Department. He previously worked for two municipalities and utilities finance in Kansas: Topeka and Pittsburg. ii. Memo: Items Relating to Code Updates for Water Utility Fees Staff is proposing to amend two sections of City code. City Council will consider approving two related ordinances on April 1: (1) regarding fees when a single water service for a duplex is split between the two dwelling units (2) revising the water supply requirement calculation for residential lots. See details in the memo. Utility Rates Lead Analyst Randy Reuscher answered questions. Discussion Highlights: Commissioners commented on or inquired about various related topics including appreciation for lowering the bar for duplexes to split their meters; common sense, good changes; code updates help provide incentive for large property owners to be on the Utilities system; minimal impacts to Water Fund; inquired about whether the updates are meant to support Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) (Mr. Reuscher responded that updates are to address existing customers not new ADUs; only a few dozen cases since 1970s related to the duplex issue: one customer was stuck with the entire water bill; Ms. Oropeza stated ADUs are assumed to have a single owner; if they split the lot and sell, the owner would need to request a second water line). iii. Water Efficiency Plan (WEP) Water Conservation Specialist Alice Conovitz provided an overview of the WEP update, which is intended to review programs, and modernize strategies. Staff met with the Water Commission in April and May 2023 at the start of the update process, and seeks commissioners’ feedback prior to sharing the draft for public comment this spring and City Council approval of the final plan this summer. In Fort Collins, conservation is a tool to manage demand. Conservation decreases demand by 2% (or in other terms: 155 MG or 475 AF). As part of the update, staff and consultants conduct an equity analysis of barriers to participation or negative unintended consequences. 03/20/2025 Water Commission Page 3 of 5 Community feedback on water use priorities from 2019 included #1 Indoor Home (99%), #2 Health and Safety (94%) #6 Turf Grass (Higher Water Use) 14%. Staff also conducted extensive community and staff feedback for the WEP for this update. Considering community members’ concerns about water scarcity and providing for future generations and their willingness to act, staff is proposing Goal #1: Reach 3% annual reduction in water use by 2040 to reduce risk of shortages. See other goals, targets and more information in the memo. Next Steps include finalizing goals and strategies (Feb-Mar), public comment and staff feedback (April-June), seek City Council approval (July). Discussion Highlights: Commissioners commented on or inquired about various related topics including: how Fort Collins compares with other municipalities in the U.S.; “high growth/hot and dry” and “moderate growth/no climate changes” scenarios in the presentation, and science behind the scenarios; question about difficulty in achieving 50% increase in water conservation program savings; Halligan Water Supply Project will give more flexibility in using our existing water rights (store more of our water rather than being forced to let it flow down the river); considerations of water costs increasing during dry years (staff responded that the assumption is water costs will continue to increase as it becomes more scarce); customer use of water and treatment costs; inflation; new state legislation focuses on commercial and another bill in process proposes building on that and extending to residential; biggest unknown is water City receives from Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (“Northern Water”) due to the demands downstream of Fort Collins. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the presentation and inquired about future risk and uncertainty, such as evaluating progress in five years and adjusting strategies as necessary; and commented on other related topics including the large amount of community education required and encouragement to celebrate customer and staff successes along the way; Colorado Water Conservation Board; impact of annexations (Ms. Conovitz confirmed that the percentage-based goal, with an increase in customers, would require a larger volume of savings) and how to avoid having the updated goals be a disincentive for annexations; request for future presentations to include a stronger tie between conservation and water supply; any attempt to conserve is great; inquiry about elastic and inelastic demands and request for more context, i.e. outline how much we could demand as it relates to goal of 3% reduction goal; question as to whether 3% goal could be increased. Ms. Conovitz replied potential cost impacts will be included in future presentations. 03/20/2025 Water Commission Page 4 of 5 b. REGULAR ITEMS i.Oak Street Stormwater Project: Additional Appropriation Director of Civil Engineering Matt Fater provided an overview of the project, currently under construction since July 2024 and progressing as planned. Staff has identified need for an additional $1.5 million appropriation from Stormwater reserve funds for remaining project support services (such as added soil and backfill needs, added concrete and asphalt replacements, Art in Public Places, and Utility tie-in and inspections) as well as a minor contingency for unanticipated costs to complete the project; completion is scheduled for June 2026. Total appropriated budget to date is $42.8 million. To date, about 35% of the work has been completed, including 772 linear feet (LF) of tunneling and 1,555 LF of mainline storm sewer. Staff requested a recommendation for approval from Water Commission for the April 15 City Council meeting. The Oak Street Stormwater Improvements Project is a priority stormwater project for the City because it will significantly contribute to resolving the urban flooding and stormwater quality issues in downtown Fort Collins. The project includes street enhancements such as a rain garden installation in progress at Oak and Howes streets. Total project appropriations is $44,382,815. Appropriations request, balance provides 1.6% contingency: $1.5 million. Mr. Fater complimented the great work of Special Projects Manager Heather McDowell, the project team, and contractors. Discussion Highlights: Commissioners commented on and inquired about various related topics including the 1.6% contingency; impacts on insurance rates for residents and businesses upon project completion (Mr. Fater responded downtown floodplain is not a federally recognized floodplain but the City maintains a good rating -- one of the highest in the U.S. -- with the national flood insurance program.) Vice Chair Eldridge moved for Water Commission to recommend approval to City Council for a supplemental appropriation of $1,500,000 from Stormwater reserves to complete the Oak Street Stormwater Project. Commissioner Bishop seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: it passed unanimously, 5-0 9. COMMISSIONER REPORTS a. None 10. OTHER BUSINESS a. Recognition of Outgoing Commissioners Eldridge and Primsky Staff presented an engraved gift to Vice Chair Eldridge. Chairperson Radin expressed special thanks to Commissioner Primsky for service since 2017 03/20/2025 Water Commission Page 5 of 5 and to Vice Chair Eldridge for service since 2021. Ms. Oropeza expressed gratitude on behalf of Utilities staff. Vice Chair Eldridge stated he appreciates staff’s time in preparing for the monthly meetings, especially since having served in a similar role at City of Greeley. He volunteered to serve on the commission to expand his industry knowledge as well as knowledge of Fort Collins water issues, and expressed gratitude for the experience. b. Reappointment and New Commissioners i. Commissioner Herman has been reappointed by City Council ii. Commissioners Laura Chartrand and Carson Madryga have been appointed and will officially join the commission in April. c. Officer Election at May 15 Regular Meeting i. Chairperson Radin asked commissioners to consider nominating themselves or others for Chair and Vice Chair. d. 2025 Tours for Water Commissioners i. Commissioners and staff briefly discussed ideas for potential tours in late summer and early fall, including Water Quality Lab (at the Water Treatment Facility), Pollution Control Lab (at Drake Water Reclamation Facility), Meadow Springs Ranch, Halligan Water Supply Project, and timber harvesting at Michigan Ditch. Staff will compile a list and email a survey to Water Commissioners. ii. CSU’s Halligan Water Supply Project outlet flow model “tour” may be scheduled sometime in the next few months. The model is used to test different spillway configurations. e. Work Session: April 3 i. Location: 700 Wood St., Utilities Service Center ii. Director of Water Field Operations Andrew Gingerich will provide an update on operations, programs, and projects. 11. ADJOURNMENT a. 7:19 PM Minutes were approved by the Chair and a vote of the Water Commission on 04/17/2025.