HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 10/24/2002City 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
Vice Chairman John Morris, John Bartholow, Ted Borstad, Tom Brown, Jim Finley, Bill
Fischer, David Lauer, Rami Naddy, Robert Ward and Doug Yadon
Board Absent
Tom Sanders
Staff Present
Patty Bigner, Dennis Bode, DeEtta Carr, Laurie D'Audney, Kevin Gertig, Jim Hibbard, Brian
Janonis, Michael Smith, Bill Switzer, Ellen Switzer and Wendy Williams
Guests
Bill Jacobowski, Dale Lake and Dale Moorehouse
Meeting Opened
Vice Chairman John Morris called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.
Market Research Overview
Customer Connections Manager Patty Bigner gave an overview of the market research being
conducted to look at perceptions and attitudes regarding the four utilities. This information will
be used in the development of future policies, programs and services. The research will be
conducted through 15 minute telephone interviews with 400 residential customers and 200
commercial customers.
Market Decisions was selected to conduct the research because of their overall research
capabilities and a track record of high response rates. The company has an in-house research
staff and call center.
The consultant will closely match survey questions to those previously asked in 2000 in order to
benchmark. The scope for the project includes:
0 Overall rating of Fort Collins Utilities performance in its four utility service areas.
Fort Collins Water Board Minutes Page 2
October 24, 2002
• Benchmarking to previous research aspects, including measurement of top service
variables and Fort Collins Utilities' performance in those areas.
Customer attitudes, perceptions and price tolerances regarding wind and other
renewable electric power offerings, as well as demand -side management efforts to
gain energy efficiency.
• Customer understanding, perception and attitudes regarding water supply and
conservation, demand -side management and long-term storage planning.
In 2000, market research was conducted by R.W. Beck in conjunction with the Utilities strategic
planning process. The strategic plan calls for performance benchmarking through periodic
market research at two- to three-year intervals, to see if there are any trends as well as look at
specifics at the time.
September 12, 2002 City Council Study Session Review
John Morris complimented Mike, Brian and staff on the presentation at the City Council Study
Session regarding Water Supply and Demand Policy and the Proposed Water Conservation
Rates.
Mike commented that we learned where City Council is on supply issues and the need for
additional storage. Council seemed supportive of the need for additional storage. They also
expressed interest in conservation programs and other measures to reduce wasting water.
Rates were discussed, with most of the Council in support of tiered rates for residential
customers. Staff tried to explain that it could be a real struggle for commercial customers to
meet a 15 percent reduction.
Council will receive the first reading of the tiered rates for residential and seasonal rates for
multi -family and commercial rates on November 5, 2002. The second reading will be November
19, 2002, and if Council passes the rates, they will be implemented January 1, 2003.
Board members discussed how the Board should convey their input to City Council. It was
mentioned that some boards write letters to the Council. It is felt that the Water Board works for
the City Council and that the Board should take advantage of the relationship and give their
opinions on various policy issues.
Halligan Reservoir Update
Boardmember Bill Fisher requested information on Halligan and the negotiations with North
Poudre on the extension of the current Fort Collins option. Mike said he would get a copy of the
letter granting the City an extension.
Fluoride Technical Study Group Update
Boardmember Rami Naddy said that the Fluoride Technical Study Group is reviewing an
updated fluoride document and is to have provided comments by Monday, October 28. The
team has been spending quite of bit of time and effort to make the document look more cohesive
Fort Collins Water Board Minutes Page 3
October 24, 2002
and to integrate the various views on each of the five issues. The team would like to finish the
document, and make it available to the public by November 2002.
Treated Water Production Summary
Water Resources Manager Dennis Bode gave a summary of treated water production. On
September 27, we went to one day a week watering, and water use has dropped off significantly.
In September, we were down 81 percent of our use, and in October, we were down 75 percent.
Water Use Advisory Group Update
Deputy General Manager Wendy Williams explained that City Council has directed Utilities
staff to recruit a group to discuss and make recommendations to City Council regarding water
restrictions for the upcoming year. Council is interested in community input prior to finalizing a
plan for water restrictions should conditions continue to require similar or more intensive
restrictions. The group will consist of representatives from the landscaping industry, parks,
forestry, city planning, real estate developers, business and industry, as well as interested
citizens. This group will generate ideas that will be put into action plans and then brought to the
Water Board for review.
The Water Use Advisory group is charged with developing a balanced approach to reducing
water use. The Board will look at both short-term and long-term measures.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:46 p.m.
QQ CCU-,,
DeEtta Carr, Water Board Liaison