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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 12/02/2004City Council Liaison David Roy Staff Liaison DeEtta Carr 221-6702 Fort Collins Utilities Water Board Minutes Thursday, December 2, 2004 Water Board Chairman Water Board Vice Chairman Tom Sanders 491-5448 Tom Brown 295-5968 Secretary Leslie Mooney 416-2703 Roll Call: Board Present John Bartholow, Ted Borstad, Tom Brown, Jim Finley, Bill Fischer, Gina Janett, Rami Naddy, Tom Sanders, Debra Sweetman, Doug Yadon and Reagan Waskom Visitors Doug Ryan of Latimer County Dept. of Health, Cherry Sokoloski of North Forty News Staff Patty Bigner, Dennis Bode, Roger Buffington, DeEtta Carr, Steve Comstock, Carrie Daggett, Joe Frank, Kevin Gertig, Jim Hibbard, Cliff Hoelscher, Brian Janonis, Gale McGaha-Miller, Bob Smith, Mike Smith and Timothy Wilder Meeting Convened Chairman Tom Sanders called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Approval of Minutes Chairman Sanders asked if there were any additions or changes to the minutes of the September 23, 2004 meeting. Board member John Bartholow made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Board member Reagan Waskom. The motion passed unanimously. Appreciation for Years of Service for Bill Fischer, Tom Brown and Tom Sanders Mike Smith, Utilities General Manager, awarded Bill Fischer, a certificate of appreciation for his dedicated service on the Water Board from June, 1999 to December 2004. Board member Fischer replied that it had been a pleasure working on the board. Water Board Meeting Minutes December 2, 2004 Page 2 Mike presented Tom Brown with a certificate of appreciation for his years of dedicated service from July, 1989 to December, 2004. Chairman Tom Sanders, was presented a certificate of appreciation for his dedicated service for two terms on the board from July 1980, to July 1993 and from July, 1995 to December 2004 for a total of 22 years of service. Chairman Sanders replied that working with the board and staff had been most rewarding. Meadow Springs Ranch Easement — Steve Comstock Steve Comstock, Water Reclamation & Biosolids Division Manager, stated that the Weld County Public Works Department has requested an easement at the Meadow Springs Ranch for a roadway in order to eliminate two 90 degree curves on Weld County Road 126 and to improve the road connection between I-25 and US 85. The proposed route provides the only access to US 85 in a 20 mile stretch from WCR 100 north to the Colorado/Wyoming border. Weld County is proposing to buy 9.171 acres and obtain a construction easement of 1.237 acres. The Board asked if there was any possibility that if Weld County buys the land, could it be used for future development. Steve replied that it could and that the City would prefer a conservation easement, however, Weld County has indicated that the funding would restrict the use to road improvements. The appraisal determined the fair market value to be $5,874.00 including the temporary easement. Board member Jim Finley made a motion to accept the recommendation of staff to adopt the ordinance with the contingency that staff attempt to obtain a conservation easement. Board member Bill Fischer seconded the motion. Yeas: 7; Nays: 4. The motion passed. Water & Sanitary Sewer Service in Laporte Area- Roger Buffington & Timothy Wilder Roger Buffington, Utilities Development Review Manager, stated that the Water Board had heard a preliminary presentation of this item at the September 23, 2004 meeting. The Planning and Zoning Board reviewed it on November 18, 2004 and supported staff's recommendation. The City has provided water service since the 1920's and sewer service since the early 1970's. Most of the customers served are within the Laporte Water and Sanitation District; however, during the past two years the City has received several inquiries and two formal requests for service outside the District boundary. Five options for wastewater service in the Laporte area were reviewed. These are as follows: • Septic systems • Community/subdivision sewer systems • New sanitation district(s) (Metro district?) • Boxelder Sanitation District • City service Water Board Meeting Minutes December 2, 2004 Page 3 Each option, other than the City option, would either have an environmental or negative impact on water quality for Fort Collins residents or would be less cost effective for the residents of Laporte. Board member Ted Borstad asked if the City would own and operate the collection system after these areas are built or would the developers own and operate the lines. Roger replied that it is the Utilities' preference that the developers form their own district and maintain the lines but have the City treat the wastewater. Board member Bartholow asked what would happen with the water service in Laporte. Roger replied that it is likely that most of the developing area will be served by the West Fort Collins Water District. Board member Reagan Waskom asked what is the downside of staff's recommendation and what would be the impact on current Fort Collins ratepayers. Mike Smith, Utilities General Manager replied that there would probably be two fees to the Laporte District: a connection fee or capacity fee to pay up -front and then a monthly fee to process the wastewater. He added that the Utility is updating development fees and this addition should not have any impact on Fort Collins ratepayers. Board member Gina Janett stated that the ultimate goal would be to discourage the proliferation of more treatment plants while requiring an industrial pretreatment program in the contract with the District. Board member Gina Janett made a motion to accept staff recommendation's alternative number four with the exception of Water Board's comment regarding parks, library, and transportation impact fees. Board member Bartholow seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Wasting Disease — Brian Janonis Brian Janonis, Water Resources & Treatment Services Department Manager, stated a gentleman by the name of Jim Woodward would like to see the Colorado State University Research Facility, where they study chronic wasting disease in animals, relocated away from the Water Treatment Facility on Laporte Avenue. Brian stated that Mr. Woodward is concerned about airborne particulates blowing into the water supply. He stated that the Utility has been monitoring this for years and did not think it is a significant risk. Board member Tom Brown suggested that the City and CSU Research Facility develop a long term agreement that would safeguard the water supply in the future. The Water Supply & Engineering Committees will meet to discuss this issue. Water Board Meeting Minutes December 2, 2004 Page 4 Interim Chairman Chairman Tom Sanders stated that since this is his last meeting the Board will need to appoint an interim chairman for next year until the new board members are appointed and elections take place. Chairman Sanders made a motion, seconded by Board member Doug Yadon to appoint Reagan Waskom as Interim Chairman. The motion passed unanimously. Staff Reports Treated Water Production Summary & Water Supply Outlook- Dennis Bode Dennis Bode, Water Resources Division Manager, reported that there is approximately 8,000 acre feet left in the CBT system that will be carried over and available to Fort Collins in January. In terms of Fort Collins supply, he said, we have about 9,000 acre feet left in the CBT system for reallocation. He added that the Northern District has set a 60% quota for 2005. Halligan Reservoir Update — Brian Janonis Brian Janonis, Water Resources & Treatment Services Department Manager, stated that they are on schedule and have received signed agreements from all of the districts and partners. The agreements still have to be signed by the City Manager. Committee Reports Legislative, Finance, Liaison Issues Board member Reagan Waskom reported that the Committee met with Mark Radke, the City's Lobbyist, about tracking legislative issues that would impact water supply issues. The Committee agreed to meet with Mr. Radke approximately twice a year to address legislative issues and to look at the City's policies and make recommendations. Board member John Bartholow suggested that it may help the committees to be more pro -active if they received City Council's six month planning calendar in their packets every month. Conservation and Public Education — Ted Borstad Board member Ted Borstad reported that there is a Halligan website on the internet. The committee is working on a documentary film of Halligan and Seaman Reservoirs for educational purposes. Staff is working with environmental groups and focus groups of commercial and residential customers. Water Board Meeting Minutes December 2, 2004 Page 5 Engineering Committee — Rami Naddy Board member Ram Naddy reported that Jim Hibbard had given the committee an overview of all of the capital projects with approximate timelines and costs. There are approximately fifteen capital projects on the horizon for the next two years. Adiournment Chairman Tom Sanders adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m. s�f�%r7--rIY(.Lc2 slie Mooney, Water Boa ecretary