Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 08/01/2002City Council Liaison David Roy Staff Liaison DeEtta Carr 221-6702 Water Board Chairman Water Board ViceChairman Tom Sanders 491-5448 John Morris 491-0185 Secretary Vicki Mesa Roll Call Board Present Chairman Tom Sanders, Vice Chairman John Morris, Tom Brown, Jim Finley, Bill Fischer, David Lauer, Rami Naddy, Robert Ward and Doug Yadon Board Absent Ted Borstad and John Bartholow Staff Present Patty Bigner, Dennis Bode, DeEtta Carr, Steve Comstock, Laurie D'Audney, Donnie Dustin, Chuck Gross, Jim Hibbard, Brian Janonis, Vicki Mesa, Gale McGaha-Miller, Michael Smith, Susan Smolnik, Bill Switzer, Ellen Switzer and Wendy Williams Guests Present Assistant City Attorney Carrie Daggett Meeting Opened Chairman Tom Sanders called the meeting to order at 3:06 p.m. Boardmember Bill Fisher made a motion to adopt and approve the June 27, 2002, minutes. Boardmember John Morris seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Jacoby Farm Sale Water Reclamation Division Manager Steve Comstock reported that the Engineering Subcommittee met and reviewed the sale of the Jacoby Farm site. He noted the appraised property value included mineral rights; however, the value of the C-BT water was subtracted from the sale price. Boardmember Rami Naddy also reported the Engineering Subcommittee met and recommended the sale of the property. Boardmember David Lauer reported that the Water Supply Committee did not meet to review and discuss the sale. Fort Collins Water Board Minutes Page 2 August 1, 2002 Rami Naddy made a motion to adopt the ordinance as presented. Boardmember Doug Yadon seconded the motion. Chairman Tom Sanders opposed the motion. He expressed concerns that the property was originally purchased in the context of long range/regional planning and believed the land could be used sometime in the future. He spoke of his concerns about the loss of control regarding what was being done. Boardmember Jim Finley asked if the City Charter contained any provisions related to controlling property for an indefinite period without developing it within a regional plan. Assistant City Attorney Carrie Daggett stated that the charter addressed how long property could be held without development. Boardmember David Lauer stated that he did not believe the proximity of Jacoby Farm was conducive to a Water Treatment Plant due to the location of the subdivision. The vote on the motion was seven to one. Tom Sanders opposed, and Tom Brown and David Lauer abstained. Drought Response Plan Water Resources Division Manager Dennis Bode gave a brief summary of the plan. He clarified the objective of the plan is to be used as guidance to identify levels of drought severity and potential responses that could be implemented to reduce the impacts to customers. He stated the plan would primarily be managed by the Utilities and spoke of indicators that were in place to monitor supply and measure demands. He stated the indicators include snowpack surveys, projected flows on the Poudre River, Colorado -Big Thompson (C-BT) water supply availability, and Joe Wright Reservoir and Michigan Ditch projections. Dennis stated the plan uses a three -tiered system to identify drought severity and define actions that coincide with each level. He clarified that the projections and goals should be used as guidelines and spoke of the need to be flexible. He discussed the definitions for the three response levels. He noted level two resembles the current drought situation. Tom Sanders commented on Denver's drought indicators, stating they are modeled on reservoir levels that are more visible and understandable for customers. He stated that our indicators are much more complex, making it difficult for customers to understand. Dennis responded to indicator level questions from the Board clarifying the indicators are not triggers, and other factors, (e.g. weather) have to be considered. He spoke of the supply management goals and stated the substance of the Drought Response Plan is as follows: Voluntary reductions - public awareness with increased enforcement of existing restrictions. Fort Collins Water Board Minutes Page 3 August 1, 2002 Implementation of water use restrictions and adjusting water rates. Intensifying all of the above restricting usage to shorter hours. Tom Sanders suggested adding a level four and five, commenting that if the drought persisted, it would be important to have additional measures in place. Dennis stated the intent was to leave level three open-ended in case of an extended drought period. Water Resources and Treatment Manager Brian Janonis clarified for the Board that the City Manager asked for a Water Restriction Plan, not a Drought Response Plan. Dennis spoke of carryover goals and responded to questions from the Board regarding carryover water. He stated there were two ways in which water could be carried over. The first is in the Joe Wright Reservoir because of our control over the reservoir, secondly is through a 20 percent carryover with C-BT. He reported that the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD) indicated that they would commit to the 20 percent carryover policy but noted there are no guarantees for carryover water from year to year. The Board discussed metering and rate increases, as well as providing incentives for customers who conserve water. There was discussion of suggesting water rate increases to the City Council. Dennis Bode spoke of the process for presenting rate increases to the City Council. Tom Sanders suggested the Water Supply Committee provide input and be involved with the restrictions. He would like the rate adjustments reconsidered at the end of the drought. Dennis Bode spoke of the target rates for the voluntary and mandatory restriction periods. He stated that during the voluntary period, 100 percent of the projected water use for the year was achieved, the mandatory period was at 88 percent of the target. The past two months are at 98 percent of average. He reported the estimated savings in June and July are approximately 1,800 acre-feet. Vice Chairman John Morris spoke in support of the plan and suggested an additional level be added to provide for catastrophic conditions. Dennis Bode responded to questions from the Board, clarifying that Fort Collins has stopped renting water, and the cost of rental water from C-BT is approximately $450 to $500 per acre- foot. Tom Sanders expressed the need for the Water Supply Committee to continue to be involved and keep the Water Board informed in a timely manner. Draft Letter to the Bureau of Reclamation Tom Sanders suggested sending a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation showing the support of - the Water Board for the Bureau's supervision and operation of the C-BT Project. Fort Collins Water Board Minutes Page 4 August 1, 2002 After a brief discussion, Carrie Daggett informed the Board that recommendations need to be reviewed by the City Council and sent by either the Council or the Mayor on behalf of the Water Board. Boardmember Bill Fischer made a motion to adopt the draft letter. The motion passed unanimously. Fluoride Technical Study Group Update Rami Naddy gave a brief updated status of the draft findings and stated that the Technical Study Group would like to postpone any additional public meetings until the group has time to review and discuss the findings. Mike Smith stated the study groups' target for presenting the public with a draft is August, noting it would also be available on the City's Web site at that time. Rami Naddy reported that the first draft was between 40-50 pages, and the team was trying to condense the information into a 10-page summary. He also noted the majority of contention is in the area of the findings, adding the group is attempting to work out the differences. After a lengthy discussion, the Board spoke of the importance for gathering knowledge based facts. Other Business Tom Sanders spoke of a letter he received requesting participation at a public forum to discuss pros and cons of fluoridation. After a brief discussion, it was decided that although it might be beneficial for someone from the Water Board to attend the meeting, the Board concurred that members not participate in a roundtable discussion at this time. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:14 p.m. CMS DeEtta Carr, Water Board Liaison