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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 03/27/2003City Council Liaison David Roy Staff Liaison DeEtta Carr 221-6702 Fort Collit►a Ut lities Water Hoard Minutes TYnttsday, March 21, 2003 Water Board Chairman Water Board Vice Chairman Tom Sanders 491-5448 John Morris 491-0185 Secretary Heather Anderson 221-6700 Roll Call: Board Present Chairman -Tom Sanders, John Bartholow, Tom Brown, Jim Finley, Bill Fischer, David Lauer, Ram Naddy, Robert Ward and Doug Yadon Board Absent John Morris and Ted Borstad Staff Present Dennis Bode, DeEtta Carr, Carrie Daggett, Susan Hayes, Jim Hibbard, Brian Janonis, Bob Smith, Mike Smith and Wendy Williams Guests Dick Beardmore — AE Design, Diane Brunson — Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Dan Felzien — Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Al Jakubauskas, Steve Lavinger — AE Design, and David Roy Fluoride Technical Study Group: Mike Hughes — Resolve, Ed Carr — Chiropractor and Wellness Counselor, Bruce Cooper - Health District of Northern Larimer County, Greg Evans — Pediatric Dentist, Kevin Gertig — Fort Collins Utilities, Sue Hewitt, Gale McGaha-Miller — Fort Collins Utilities, John Reif — Department of Environmental Health and Frank Vertucci — Latimer County Board of Health Meeting Opened Chairman Tom Sanders called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. Approval of Minutes Board member John Bartholow made the motion to approve the February 27, 2003 minutes with amendments. Board member Rami Naddy seconded the motion, Jim Finley abstained, and the minutes were approved unanimously. Fort Collins Water Board Minutes March 27, 2003 Page 2 Board member John Bartholow made the motion to approve the January 30, 2003 minutes with amendments. Board member Jim Finley seconded the motion, Bill Fisher abstained, and the minutes were approved unanimously. Floodplain Variance for Historic Armstrong Hotel, 259 South College Avenue Bob Smith, Stormwater Planning Manager, explained the floodplain variance request, and oriented the Board on the proposed use and the characteristics of the site. The applicant then spoke about the proposed project. The Historic Armstrong Hotel is being remodeled and the variance being requested is for the freeboard requirement for the southeast corner and front of the building to be changed from 1.5- feet to 0.2-feet. The site is located in the 100-year Old Town Floodplain, which is a City designated floodplain. The proposed uses for the building are a storage area, restrooms and cafe in the basement. The main level will consist of retail and restaurants. The second and third floor will be multi -family living units. The site characteristics show 100-year Discharge coming down Olive Street (west end of building) at 438 cfs, on College Avenue (front of building) at 198 cfs, and a water surface elevation of 4992 ft. behind the building. Staff recommends variance Option 42. The applicant will be floodproofing a building that is currently not protected from flooding, and the floodproofing is to a height that protects it from a base flood. Staff recommends the variance be granted on the basis that the applicant is floodproofing where the structure is most vulnerable. They are seeking a variance on the front and southeast corner of the building where site conditions make it very difficult to floodproof to the required level, and that portion of the building will experience lower flood levels due to the recent installation of a storm sewer. Board member David Lauer asked if there were any new, major inlets upstream of the floodwater flow. Bob Smith said there are inlets on College Avenue. Steve Lavinger with AE Designs, spoke on behalf of the owners of the Historic Armstrong Hotel stating that there is a conflict between restoring store fronts for historic buildings and satisfying the floodproofing requirements. The most important parts of the building for historic restoration are the areas facing the stormwater inlets on College and Olive. These are not in the high -risk areas of the floodplain because of the inlets and are the reason for the variance request. Chairman Tom Sanders asked how their historic designation would be affected if they had to build a wall that was not historic in structure. Mr. Lavinger stated they would have to ask the Landmark Preservation Commission what was acceptable and how it impacts the historical character of the building. Board member David Lauer referenced the variance for City Drug, north of this site. He asked what the elevation variance on that building was and if it is possible to do the same mitigation at this site. Bob Smith stated the variance was one foot and this site is three inches higher. Dick Fort Collins Water Board Minutes March 27. 2003 Page 3 Beardmore of AE Design showed a graphic of the 100-year flood line with the floodproofing at the higher elevation of 18 inches above the freeboard. Mr. Beardmore stated that they are reconstructing the storefront back to the original proportions, but strengthening it to resist the water pressure the current structure would not be able to withstand. The new storefront will be made of structural grade tubing in the kick plate. Board member John Bartholow asked if the building was otherwise structurally sound. Mr. Beardmore stated that it is very well built, with structural steel frame and a basement of poured concrete. Chairman Tom Sanders asked if the Board passed this variance whether the standards presented would meet the Historical Societies standards. Mr. Beardmore stated that what was being presented to the Board would meet standards. Board member Robert Ward made the motion to grant the variance that would allow the freeboard for the southeast corner and front of the building to be changed from 1.5-feet to 0.2- feet. Board member Bill Fischer seconded the motion. The motion passed with eight in favor and one opposed. Election of Officers Bill Fischer nominated Tom Sanders for chairman of the Water Board for another term. David Lauer seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Tom Sanders nominated John Morris for vice-chairman of the Water Board. Bill Fischer seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Brief Overview of Fluoride Technical Study Group (FTSG) Mike Hughes went over the Fluoride Technical Study Group's (FTSG) purpose, process and findings. The Board had a discussion with the FTSG and the following questions were asked: • Are there toxicological studies on hydrofluorosilicic acid (HFS)? • Does the addition of fluoride result in the formation of other compounds? • What is the Water Board's role in this decision? • What has the Board of Health recommended? • With the increased availability of fluoride from multiple sources, will the cumulative intake result in health problems? • Does the Utility want to be adding something to water that could possibly be causing health problems? • Is fluoride more effective when ingested or when topically applied? • Is the primary benefit of fluoride during the period of teeth formation? If so, what is the benefit of ingesting fluoride after the teeth are formed? • Does the FTSG feel there is enough fluoride from other sources for healthy teeth without providing fluoride through drinking water? • Is there literature available to distinguish between the effectiveness of community water fluoridation versus fluoride toothpaste? Fort Collins Water Board Minutes March 27, 2003 Page 4 • Can the causes of fluorosis be differential? • How is the relative reduction of 25 percent on page 17 of the report calculated? • Is fluoride more important for the primary or permanent teeth for the "disadvantaged" population? • Is it intentional that the 1.14 and 1.15 are described as surfaces, whereas the .35 as surfaces per year? • Should fluoride intake be restricted for people with kidney and thyroid problems? • Should the water system be used to convey substances to the public? If so, why only fluoride? • Who currently pays for the fluoride that is added to the water? • How many other utilities that provide fluoride in their water use HFS? • Why don't toothpaste companies use HFS? • What is the long-term exposure of fluoridation? Is there enough data to provide comfort as to the long-term detrimental effects? There will be a public meeting with the FTSG and the Water Board on Monday, April 14, 2003 from 6-9 p.m. in the City Council Chambers on 300 Laporte Avenue. It will be an open forum with the public to give their comments. Water Supply Shortage Response Plan Update Mike Smith said the Water Supply Shortage Response Plan was approved by City Council and the second reading is on March 25. Staff Reports Dennis Bode stated that we are at approximately 87 percent of our projected demand at this time and the Snotel Data shows a large increase in snow pack during the last couple of weeks. Adiournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. `c1QlFVa— DeEtta Carr, Water Board Liaison