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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 12/05/2002City Council Liaison David Roy Staff Liaison DeEtta Carr 221-6702 Water Board Chairman Water Board ViceChairman Tom Sanders 491-5448 John Morris 491-0185 Roll Call Board Present Chairman Tom Sanders, Vice Chairman John Morris, John Bartholow, Ted Borstad, Tom Brown, Jim Finley, David Lauer, Robert Ward and Doug Yadon Board Absent Bill Fischer and Rami Naddy Staff Present Patty Bigner, Dennis Bode, DeEtta Carr, Laurie D'Audney, Donnie Dustin, Kevin Gertig, Susan Hayes, Jim Hibbard, Marsha Hilmes-Robinson, Brian Janonis, Sue Paquette, Bob Smith, Michael Smith, Susan Smolnik and Wendy Williams Guests Carrie Daggett — Assistant City Attorney, Mike Oberlander — North Star Designs, Dale Moorehouse — citizen, George Reed — Larimer County Agriculture Board, Kim Szidon — Ranch - Way Feeds Meetine Opened Chairman Tom Sanders called the meeting to order at 3:12 p.m. Floodplain Variance for Ranch -Way Feeds at 101 East Lincoln Avenue Floodplain Administrator Marsha Hilmes-Robinson explained that the variance for 101 E. Lincoln Avenue is a request to vary the code related to the floatable materials regulations. Ranch -Way Feeds is asking to be allowed to park up to eight tandem trucks, weighing approximately 26,000 pounds, on the site overnight in a designated area in the Poudre River floodplain from September 1 to March 31 of each year. The property was cleaned of floatable materials based on the floatable materials regulation that was in effect at the time Ranch -Way Feeds purchased the property in June 2001. The property is located in the FEMA-designated 100-year (13,300 cfs) Poudre River floodplain. Fort Collins Water Board Minutes Page 2 December 5, 2002 Mike Oberlander from North Star Design and Kim Szidon from Ranch -Way Feeds explained why they are requesting a variance from Section 10-61(6) of the Code. Ranch -Way has experienced significant growth and is lacking space for truck parking at its main location. They are requesting a variance to the floatable materials portion of the code with the following conditions: • Storage will only be allowed in this area, which is approximately 200-feet wide and adjacent to the north warehouse on the site. • Absolutely no storage will be allowed in the floodway or product corridor. • Only trucks will be allowed to be stored in the floodplain during nonbusiness hours. They are anticipating that no more than eight tandem trucks would be stored on the site at any one time. • Storage will only be allowed between September 1 and March 31. Mike Oberlander commented that Ranch-Way's intent is to return to the Water Board next year to request a variance for year-round storage in the northeast portion of the proposed storage area. It is anticipated that justifications for this request will be based on flood depths and velocities in the proposed storage area. These justifications will require analysis of existing models and subsequent updates and possibly ground survey of portions of the site. Because of the time involved to analyze and prepare a solid application for a year-round variance request, it was decided to ask for a variance for specific months at the December 2002 meeting and return in 2003 with further requests. Staff recommends approving the variance request to allow trucks to be parked overnight in the designated parking area in the floodplain. If the tandem trucks are parked in the specified location within the specified dates, staff feels there is little risk of a flood and the possibility of the tandem trucks floating is minimal during this period of each year. A review of the Poudre River gauge record since 1884 shows the annual peak discharge has never occurred during this period. Historical data shows the highest recorded daily flow was 1,190 cubic feet per second (cfs) on September 3, 1938. Boardmember David Lauer made a motion that the applicant be allowed to park the eight tandem trucks in the designated area from September 1 to March 31, 2003, and the Water Board will consider the proposal to do a year-round variance after the analysis has been completed. The motion passed with one member opposing. Halligan Option Utilities General Manager Michael Smith explained that City Council contacted City Manager John Fischbach stating that Council was supportive on pursuing the Halligan option now, rather than waiting for another year. The City Manager asked if the Water Board would like to revisit this issue. After a brief discussion, the Water Board will not take any action and leave the Halligan Option as was discussed in prior meetings. Fort Collins Water Board Minutes Page 3 December 5, 2002 Pleasant Valley Pipeline Water Resources and Treatment Manager Brian Janonis would like the Water Board to make a recommendation to City Council that the City proceed with construction of the Pleasant Valley Pipeline. The schedule calls for the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD) to issue the Notice to Proceed in early January so that the project can be completed in time for the 2004 Poudre River runoff. John Morris made the motion to approve the contract for construction of the Pleasant Valley Pipeline. Tom Brown seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Northern Integrated Supply Proiect Studies Utilities General Manager Michael Smith recommends that the Water Board consider that the City not enter into an agreement with the NCWCD to continue studies related to the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP). The City is presently pursuing the enlargement of Hallian Reservoir and, as such, Mike recommended not expending any more City revenues on NISP. If, at some time in the future, the Halligan enlargement is determined to be not feasible, the City can consider participating in NISP again. David Lauer made a motion that we not participate in the Northern Integrated Supply Project Study. John Bartholow seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Water Board 2003 Work Plan The following is the 2003 Work Plan with changes italicized and underlined. Water Supply (Standing Committee) A. Make recommendation to City Council regarding an update of the City's Water Supply and Water Demand Mana eg ment Policy including issues related to: (1) Supply for municipal use and associated facilities (2) Regional cooperation (3) Agricultural economy and open space (4) Quality of water sources (5) City's position on its responsibility to protect the health of river ecosystems affected by City water use, and the relation of that responsibility to traditional water supply goals. (6) Recreational/aesthetic flows (7) City's drought contingency plan B. Review opportunities to purchase water rights. C. Making a decision on exercising the Halligan Reservoir Project. D. Monitor protection of basin water supplies. E. Review Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD) Fort Collins Water Board Minutes Page 4 December 5, 2002 Regional Water Demand Study F. Monitor water supply implications of Horsetooth Reservoir Project G. Study opportunities for purchase of dry year options H. Monitor Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District studies on the Northern Integrated Supply Project I Monitors effect of drought on supply and demand and make recommendations to Council regarding restrictions and the acquisition of short-term supply. J Monitor and review activities of the water asset retention and management entity. 2. Water Conservation and Public Education (Standing Committee) A. Monitor water conservation efforts 1. Provide advice for water conservation plan revision. 2. Monitor the mandatory metering program. B. Develop drought contingency options. Monitor the promotion of public education projects 1. Review procedures and project for informing citizens about the quality of their drinking water. 2. Review youth education activities. 3. Promote awareness of ctefm water quality -and flood hazards. 4. Promote awareness ofCity's drought contingency plan C. Review recommendations of Water Use Advisory Group Legislative and Finance (Standing Committee) B. Review and make recommendations on Water, Wastewater and Stormwater related legislation and policies. C. Review and make recommendations regarding Water, Stormwater and Wastewater rate increases. D. Review joint City/County funding activities. E. Review and make recommendations regarding 2002-2003 budget. F. Review the methodolo ies ofplant investment fees. 4. Engineerine (Standing Committee) A. Review planning and design phases of construction projects as requested. B. Review Water Treatment, Stormwater and Wastewater Treatment Master Plans. C. Review engineering and environmental aspects of Halligan Project. D. Review design criteria. E. Reviewjoint City/County Drainage Projects. Fort Collins Water Board Minutes Page 5 December 5, 2002 F. Review engineering aspects of Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District Regional Water Demand Study, Northern Integrated Supply Study and related studies. Liaison Issues (Committee of the Whole) A. Monitor activities and policies related to current and future regional water issues. B. Meet with regional water boards and related City boards to discuss issues of common interest, i.e. annual inter -city meetings. C. Monitor efforts by basin forums to protect sources of drinking water (e.g., Poudre River watershed, Horsetooth Reservoir) from contamination. D. Review findings of the Fluoride Technical Study Group. 6. Stormwater (Committee of the Whole) A. Consider Variance requests a. Floodplain Management b. Design Criteria Construction Standards c. Stormwater fee d. Seasonal variances B. Review FEMA Community Rating System C. Review and make recommendations on revisions to Floodplain Regulations. D. Review ofcomnliance with NPDES Phase HStormwater Regulations Other Items Review and consider, as needed, such items as may come before the Board. Fluoride Technical Study Group Update Customer Connections Manager Patty Bigner updated the Board on the progress of the fluoride study. The draft report is almost complete, and they hope to hold the public meetings in January with recommendations to the Water Board and Board of Health shortly thereafter. Staff Reports Water Resources Manager Dennis Bode provided a summary of the 2002 water use. From June 1 through October 31, actual use was just under 90 percent of average. Also, because of the hot and dry summer, actual use was almost 17 percent below expected use. The City did observe greater savings during the mandatory restriction periods, with actual use being around 85 percent of average for twice a week restrictions and around 78 percent of average for once a week. The Water Board wanted to acknowledge the tremendous effort the staff has been doing during the drought and would like to encourage the continued stellar efforts for the upcoming year. Deputy General Manager Wendy Williams provided an update on the Water Use Advisory Group and how they have finished their work. We asked them to focus on short-term ideas for Fort Collins Water Board Minutes Page 6 December 5, 2002 dealing with the drought and long-term ideas for conserving water. The group came up with five different categories that consist of regulations, restrictions, rates, education and incentives. The sub -committee will receive the Water Use Advisory Group's priorities of their measures at the next meeting scheduled in January. Adiournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:26 p.m. ` ?_bb_ccul' \ DeEtta Carr, Water Board Liaison