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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 12/15/1995WATER BOARD MINUTES December 15, 1995 3:00 - 4:40 P.M. Water and Wastewater Utility Conference Room 700 Wood Street WATER BOARD/COUNCIL LIAISON Chuck Wanner MEMBERS PRESENT Paul Clopper, President, Robert Ward, Alison Adams, Terry Podmore, Tom Brown, Tom Sanders, Howard Goldman, Dave Frick STAFF Mike Smith, Wendy Williams, Dennis Bode, Ben Alexander, Scott Harder, Molly Nortier GUESTS Sue Ellen Charlton, Observer, League of Women Voters George Reed, Citizen Observer John Bigham, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District MEMBERS ABSENT John Bartholow, Vice President, David Lauer, Ray Herrmann (all excused) President Paul Clopper opened the meeting. The following items were discussed: MINUTES Terry Podmore moved that the minutes of November 17, 1995 be approved as distributed. Robert Ward seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes (8-0). UPDATE: NORTHERN COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT John Bigham brought SNOTEL reports to be distributed, both for Colorado and other western states. The local reports indicate that, currently "we are in pretty good shape on the Colorado and South Platte Rivers." However, in some other areas the numbers aren't quite as good. Of course it's still early in the year. Water Board Minutes December 15, 1995 Page 2 Mr. Bigham related that on Wednesday, December 13th, at 8:15 A.M. the No. 3 unit motor in the Flatiron Power Plant blew up. At this point the District doesn't know what happened. It obviously involved a heating problem in that particular motor, he surmised. The entire electrical power generation from Estes Park to Flatiron was disrupted. That plant was built in 1952, so many of the pipes and conduits were wrapped in asbestos, and then were painted. The explosion blew much of that loose, forcing the District to bring in a HAZMAT team. As yet, none of the District's staff or engineers have been allowed in to assess the situation. "The explosion was so powerful that even the big hatch covers, weighing about 10,000 lbs., were lifted right out of the concrete," he said. Unit No. 3 is the one that pumps water from Flatiron into Carter Lake. With that pump out of commission, at this point, there is no way to get any additional water out of Flatiron into Carter. As a result, what is in Carter is all there will be except for what comes from natural drainage. Unit No. 3 would normally pump 370 cfs against the 240 ft. head and has a 13,000 IIP electric motor. It is expected that it will be from 4 months to a year before it can either be replaced, totally rebuilt or whatever the engineers decide needs to be done. He emphasized that everyone was able to escape the plant just in time. There apparently was some kind of warning. "Handrails were blown against the walls, and the panels in the control room no longer exist," he related. There is currently about 85,000 ac-ft of water in Carter, he continued. That's about 27,000 ac-ft short of being totally full. During an average year, the District will deliver about 60,000 ac-ft of water out of Carter; in a heavy year about 80-82,000. "We have enough to run even in a dry year, but the reservoir would be dry. If we have an oversupply of moisture on the west side (as you know, Granby is pretty high), any additional water, which we usually bring over to Carter and Horsetooth, will have to spill on the west side." Currently the District is releasing from Olympus Dam in Estes Park, sending the water down the Thompson River, taking it through the Dilly Tunnel, and putting it into the canal to keep the supply going to Horsetooth. "We should be able to keep up with the demand in Horsetooth for the time being," he said. The District will not be able to bring the 27,000 ac-ft from the west side into Carter this winter and spring. Because of this, they feel that the amount of water which would normally fill Carter, when and if the system spills on the west slope, should spill first before any of the Windy Gap water spills. "We don't want to hurt the WG participants," he stressed. Once the engineers can assess the damage, it is hoped that the District will be able to determine what happened and what needs to be done, he concluded. Terry Podmore asked if there was any suspicion of fowl play. "No," Mr. Bigham replied. "Who's responsible for that plant?" Mr. Ward asked, "and will it be up to the Federal government to repair it?" "If it's a single purpose it would be just for their use on the power side, so the allottees would have no financial obligation," Mr. Bigham responded. "Obviously, we're going to try to base our stand on that." Water Board Minutes December 15, 1995 Page 3 "Are the precipitation numbers for the Upper Rio Grande, San Miguel, Dolores, Animas and San Juan Basins, typical for this time of year?" Mr. Podmore wondered. "No," Mr. Bigham answered. "They are very low. It's been quite dry in the southwestern mountains." POSSIBLE WORKSHOP ON THE ROLE OF THE WATER BOARD After the last meeting, Paul Clopper and Mike Smith talked about the possibility of a workshop on the role of the Water Board. It would be a work session scheduled at another time than the regular meeting, to discuss the Board's function and what its role is in working with staff and the City Council. Mr. Smith said that the Board has been involved in two workshops in the last 10-15 years, and "they were very helpful." He mentioned that the Stormwater Board wants to schedule a workshop too. Staff thought it would be helpful and more economical to coordinate the two sessions so that both boards could use the same facilitators. George Reed, chairman of the Stormwater Board, brought a flyer with information about the consulting company that staff hopes to use ("COSTAR," out of California). Mike Smith made copies of the flyer for Board members. Mr. Clopper thinks a workshop is a great idea. It appears that Tom Sanders, who has been on the Board more than 13 years, is the only member who has had the benefit of participating in one of these sessions. Mr. Smith asked George Reed how the Stormwater Board hopes to set up their meeting. Mr. Reed explained that the session they hope to arrange takes 8 hours. They thought about a Friday afternoon and evening or a Saturday. Mr. Smith and the Stormwater director had thought about one session on Friday and the other on Saturday within the next few months before summer. "I realize that it's difficult to schedule an 8-hour time commitment," he said. Dave Frick asked about an agenda for the workshop. Typically, in the past, the facilitator worked with boards and commissions to clarify what their purpose and roles are and their working relationship with staff and council, Mr. Smith explained. "Sometimes there is difficulty when an advisory board is put in the position of advising an elected body," he said. Mr. Clopper thinks it would be particularly helpful if our council liaison Chuck Wanner would be able to join us. Mr. Smith pointed out that he is also the liaison for the Stormwater Board. Mr. Reed said he had talked with Mr. Wanner and "he is supportive of it but he didn't want to make a big deal out of it, and he didn't necessarily commit at this point." Tom Sanders recalled that the sessions in the past were helpful because the Board began listing priorities and goals. "We reviewed our accomplishments and discussed our roles," he said. "We learned what staff expected from us, and they learned what we thought our role was, and the dialogue was open and honest." Mr. Clopper suggested that it might be good to break up the workshop into two sessions; evening and morning perhaps. Several members indicated that it depends on when it is. Mr. Smith repeated that staff would like it to occur before summer when vacations are more prevalent. He said that staff Water Board Minutes December 15, 1995 Page 4 will consult with the facilitators and come up with some dates that would work for them, and proceed from there to reach a consensus on the date. "We will also coordinate with the Stormwater Board." "What does it cost to hire the consultant?" Tom Brown asked. "About $3,000," Mr. Smith replied. Mr. Brown remarked that he wonders, at this point, whether it's worth doing. "Personally I don't have a good idea of what I would get out of it." "One thing that I would hope to get out it," Robert Ward stated, "having been through several board meetings, is that items appear on the agenda, and I keep trying to put everything in a long term context, and I'm having a difficult time doing that. I think it would be very helpful for me to try to get a long term context and a process that helps me fit this Board in that context. I can then have a basis against which I make decisions other than my own personal view of things," he concluded. President Clopper said that it seems there is general agreement that a workshop would be worthwhile, and the Board will await the selection of a date. REVISE WORK PLAN WITH CHARTER REVIEW ITEM Molly Nortier explained that this is primarily a housekeeping item. The City Clerk's Office has asked the Electric, Water and Elections Boards to include an item in their work plans on board recommendations to the Charter Review Committee. What they suggest we include is: Formulate recommendations to the Charter Review Committee concerning any proposed Charter Amendments which may require review by the board or commission. According to a memo from the City Clerk's Office, the Council Governance Committee is developing a recommendation to the City Council concerning the scope of study of a Charter Review Committee (CRC) which will work in 1996 to review the City Charter and make recommendations concerning possible Charter Amendments. Some of the issues that the CRC will study may need the review of some of the boards and commissions. Terry Podmore asked what the Water Board needs to do with regard to this. Mike Smith said the Board may not have any work at all. However, if the Board has any recommendations for water - related changes to the City Charter, these can be introduced, and the Board will also review any proposed changes that would affect the W&WW Utility. Tom Sanders thinks this review is good because the last time changes were made in the Charter, the Water Board was removed from the Charter and placed in the City Code instead. "I wish the Board would have been able to review that decision," he said. Mr. Smith explained that Council wanted to be consistent by having all boards and commissions in the Code, so the Council has the option of creating and eliminating boards and commissions and not the voters. As Mr. Smith recalled, the Water Board was informed about the proposed change before it was voted on. The voters approved the change. 1-1 L Water Board Minutes December 15, 1995 Page 5 Mr. Smith pointed out that staff is proposing a change to the Charter that the Board will be considering. He thinks it is also important that staff inform the Board of their concerns about the Charter and solicit the Board's reaction to those concerns. He said that copies of water -related sections of the Charter can be made available to any Board member who would like to peruse them. Dave Frick moved that the Board add the Charter Review item to the 1996 Work Plan. Robert Ward seconded the motion, and the vote to support the motion was unanimous. ROLE OF COUNCIL LIAISONS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Every two years, following the election of Council members, the Council selects its liaisons to the boards and commissions. In 1988, Council adopted Resolution 88-78, defining the role of Council liaisons. Molly Nortier included a sheet listing those provisions in the Board packets. It emphasized that Council liaisons do not normally attend monthly meetings of the boards and commissions. Liaisons are informed ofB&C meetings and activities through agendas and minutes, work plans and annual reports. Liaisons may attend a meeting due to an interest in a specific agenda topic, or may "pop in" just to observe. If Council liaison participation is critical to a particular item, a direct invitation should be made to him/her, explaining why their input is deemed to be critical. If appropriate, discuss with the liaison prior to the meeting what expectations are and whether she/he can meet those expectations. Dave Frick asked if anyone has met with our new liaison, Chuck Wanner. Paul Clopper met with him briefly in the spring following the Mayor's regional meeting. Mr. Frick stated that Council reads about our actions through the minutes, "but we don't get much feedback from the Council other than through their formal actions." "How often does Chuck Wanner attend the meetings?" Robert Ward asked. Ms. Nortier spoke with Mr. Wanner shortly after he had been appointed, and he mentioned that he has a conflict on Friday afternoons that makes it difficult for him to attend our meetings. However, he said that if there was a particular item for which it was important for him to be there, he would try to make arrangements to attend. Perhaps we should be getting feedback through our liaison, Mr. Ward suggested. Mr. Frick said that the feedback doesn't necessarily have to come through his attendance at a meeting; it could be via a phone conversation, or a meeting with the president periodically. Mr. Clopper said he would contact Mr. Wanner about possibly meeting for lunch. STAFF REPORTS Treated Water Production Summary Dennis Bode reported that this time of year water use begins to drop off. During November the City used 1,390 ac-ft which was 89% of what had been projected. For the year we are at 86% of the projection. Most of that was due to record precipitation in primarily May and June. He referred to the graph included with the summary which was basically a visual rendition of the actual and Water Board Minutes December 15, 1995 Page 6 projected daily water demand for 1995. Board members liked the graph; they found it to be quite interesting. Mr. Bode said it was some of Beth Voelkel's "handiwork". What was the final nurnber last year?" Howard Goldman asked. Mr. Bode said staff tries to base the projection on an average year. Through November, the actual number is 86% of the projection. "We never seem to hit that average," he remarked. It usually falls between 85% and 110%. Financial Status Report Wendy Williams provided four graphs illustrating the financial status report for November. She said that Scott Harder would present more details. She announced that this would be Mr. Harder's last day as an hourly Utility employee, and thus his final Water Board meeting. He will remain in Fort Collins and will continue his successful consulting business. He will also continue to do some work for the Utility as a consultant. "We're going to miss him and we want to thank him for the work he has done for us," she said. Mr. Harder called the Board's attention to a couple of details on the graphs. "What we have attempted to do is summarize, at the bottom, the current year-to-date compared with the year-to-date last year," he said. As of the end of November, water operating revenue was about 3 1/2% greater last year. Partially because of the above normal precipitation during the irrigation months, we didn't sell as much water as anticipated. Wastewater operating revenue was about 5 1/2% above last year. "Again we were a little bit short of where we were thinking we would be what with a 6% rate increase and some customer growth. Regarding PIFs, it looks like we will end the year below last year's pace, particularly on the wastewater side; last year was a banner year for new connections. He asked the Board if the format of the status report that staff has prepared, works. Terry Podmore asked if there was some way to give an annual average rather than the previous year because, if we've had a high year the year before, it looks like we're down. "We could, but what we would have to do to make it apples and apples, is to adjust it for the rate increases, which would be kind of tricky," Mr. Harder replied. "How about using the budget number, compared to where we are?" Mr. Frick suggested. "Even though we wouldn't adjust it to a year-to-date budget, but relative to the entire year's budget?" Mr. Harder asked. "Knowing where we are budget -wise on revenues is probably more important than anything else," Mr. Frick responded. "And reporting it cumulatively rather than month to month," Mr. Clopper added. Mr. Harder pointed out that the cumulative numbers are listed at the bottom of the page. Tom Sanders asked about the water fund operating revenue. "From September to October there was a decrease of about $350,000; does that mean that we bought $350,000 worth of water?" "That means we sold $350,000 less between Sept. and Oct.," Mr. Harder answered. "This isn't the water fund as far as purchasing?" Dr. Sanders asked. "No, this is in terms of rate revenues; operating revenue is revenue from rates," Mr. Harder clarified. Water Board Minutes December 15, 1995 Page 7 Utility Organizational Change Recently City Manager John Fischbach asked Rich Shannon to dedicate 100% of his work time to managing the electric utility in order to deal with the changes in the electric utility business due to deregulation. Therefore, Mr. Shannon will no longer oversee Water, Wastewater and Stormwater operations. Mike Smith explained that the City Manager and Rich Shannon agreed that Water & Wastewater and Stormwater should be separated from the Electrical Utility to form two service areas. Mike Smith now heads W&WW and the Stormwater Utility and will report directly to the City Manager. Bob Smith, the Stormwater Manager and the Stormwater Utility will report to Mike Smith. Mike Smith will now be attending the Stormwater Board meetings each month. Mike Smith Chair of State Water Authority Mike Smith was recently elected to chair the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority. Mr. Smith said that the Authority basically administers the financing programs for the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund. They also have a small water projects fund from which they issue money. "In the last 5 years the Authority has issued approximately $180 million worth of loans to Colorado communities," he said. Update: Southside Ditch Water Transfer Case Dennis Bode reminded the Board that the Utility, for the last several years, has been in the process of transferring the City's Southside Ditch Water rights from agricultural use to municipal use. A water court hearing was held in November. Prior to the trial, the City had been negotiating with a number of objectors, and about a week before the trial it was able to settle with the City of Thornton and most of the other objectors. "We were able to settle all of the issues regarding the change of use part of the case," he said. "On an additional part of the case, where the City was seeking a number of exchanges on the Poudre, we ended up spending 4 days in court discussing those issues; primarily with the Cache la Poudre Water Users Association," he related. "The judge appeared to very knowledgeable and I think provided good direction to the group. We are now awaiting a decision by the judge regarding some of the exchange issues; we think the City presented a strong case, and most of it was settled before the trial. We expect to learn the judge's decision within the next few months," he concluded. COMMITTEE REPORTS Water Supply No report Legislative and Finance No report Water Board Minutes December 15, 1995 Page 8 Conservation and Public Education No report Engineering No report REGIONAL AND LIAISON ISSUES COMMITTEE PROPOSAL Because of the length of the meeting last month, the Board wasn't able to sufficiently discuss the proposal for a regional and liaison issues committee. Howard Goldman's memo was included again in the packets for further discussion. Mr. Goldman had suggested at a previous meeting that the Liaison Issues from the Board's work plan be expanded into a standing committee to: A. Pursue strategies to promote the benefits of working together to manage water in our geographical region. B. Review ongoing projects for their effects on regional water boards and districts, and recommend proactive methods for resolving potential conflict. C. Identify and address institutional issues which are an impediment to regionalization. Howard Goldman provided a summary of last month's discussion. Mr. Goldman said that as a lawyer, he doesn't look at things in terms of who to sue, but how to resolve problems, mediate solutions and come up with some cooperative decisions. He was thinking about the mediating process in terms of regional issues. These issues are important enough that perhaps a separate committee advocating interest -based conflict resolution techniques and cooperative activities with other entities is necessary to sustaining the most efficient use of our region's water. "We need to bring a more cooperative force to the Board itself," he stressed. How the Water Board develops relationships with all of the regional entities is as big an issue as monitoring legislation or even engineering or water supply. Paul Clopper mentioned that one of the things suggested at the last meeting, was that the Board members who sit on the joint Council/Water Board Water Planning Committee and Howard Goldman, could also serve on a "Liaison" Committee. It would certainly provide more continuity. The Water Planning Committee doesn't meet on a regular basis; only when the Council asks them to address an item in more depth — Mr. Ward thinks what is being asked for here, in terminology that he has been reading in the literature, is looking for a committee that would basically examine the nature of integrated water shed management. "I'm not sure I know exactly what that means," he admitted, "but when I see those words, it's always with words that you are using here." He didn't know whether the Board wanted to "pick up on" that terminology, but he wanted to point out that it's out there. • Water Board Minutes December 15, 1995 Page 9 "Is your proposal that the Water Board representatives on the Water Planning Committee be constituted as a permanent committee and then when the Planning Committee meets, they will meet with them, but in the meantime, they will do other things?" Mr. Podmore asked. "That's essentially right," Mr. Clopper replied. "My personal sense of it is that the new committee may be comprised of the current Water Board members on the Water Planning Committee, plus Howard Goldman," he reiterated. Perhaps the new committee would look at other things, just as the other Water Board standing committees do. Alison Adams asked if Mr. Goldman has defined a name for the committee besides "Liaison?" "I don't have a better name at this point," he replied. The issue for the Board is whether we need a new committee for this function. He recalled that Ray Herrmann was about to talk about this when we ran out of time at the last meeting. "My sense is that he was not in favor of creating a new committee because these issues are already picked up in all the other committees; particularly the Water Planning Committee." Mr. Herrmann was not at the meeting to elaborate. Mr. Clopper asked what staffs position is on creating this new committee. Mike Smith wasn't certain he had a good feeling yet for what Mr. Goldman is proposing. The Water Planning Committee would be involved with some of those issues. "Frankly some of the issues may be washed out in the workshop on the roles of the Water Board, because some of these may not be Water Board roles," he said. "Also, some of these may not be Council issues." "Would this committee deal with items 10 (Regional Water Supply Strategy Update) and 11 ,(Regional Wastewater Service Issues Update) on the agenda?" Mr. Podmore asked. "Those appear perennially on the agenda but we rarely seem to have anything to talk about under these items, or we're running late when we get to them." "That's a sense of what I thought I heard last time," Mr. Clopper recalled. "Maybe there are some issues that slip through the cracks, and aren't really the purview of any of the four standing committees; perhaps there are some gaps that a fifth committee may fill," he suggested. Alison Adams said there seems to be a gap especially in discussing the regional issues or cross agency issues as a whole. "Either there is a need for a committee to deal with that broader umbrella or the Water Planning Committee's role needs to be better defined, or it may be a Committee that needs to "have a little more added to its plate, since it doesn't meet often," she said. The way Mr. Smith understands the proposed function of this committee is, if it existed now, it may not have much on its plate, he remarked. "The Water Planning Committee isn't meeting because there aren't any issues at this time, and that's the same with items 10 and 11 on the agenda; there just isn't anything happening right now except for the 201 Study," he stressed. Mr. Podmore suggested that the Board put this on hold until we have our workshop on the role of the Board, and present this as a topic for discussion. Mr. Smith agreed that it would be a good topic Water Board Minutes December 15, 1995 Page 10 to discuss. "Do we just want to react to issues like Boxelder or do we want to take a proactive stance on regional issues," Mr. Frick asserted. "I think it's a policy issue this Board needs to deal with," he insisted. "If we decide to take an active role, I would see a committee like this with plenty on its plate," he concluded. Tom Sanders suggested that we might call it the "Liaison/Planning Committee," and make it two - pronged. When we have our annual meetings with Loveland and Greeley Water Boards, the Committee could meet and set an agenda and then meet with the regional boards and set an agenda; thus make the meetings a little more quantitative instead of the way they have been in the past. Mr. Frick added that we could pick a topic each time that we could come prepared to discuss in depth. Dr. Sanders stressed that he thinks all three water boards should be "extremely interested in the possibility of the Northern District expanding into the Denver area." He said that another issue is the Forest Service and what they are doing to Loveland. Apparently Loveland is having trouble operating its power production dam. Plus, the Liaison Committee could be looking at a better communication with the Council, the public and staff. "We should be proactive in regional planning," he concluded. Tom Sanders asked about the ELCO Board. Dave Frick said he recently attended one of their meetings because he was involved in an item on the agenda, and they were worried about issues like taps, and what size water lines to put where. "I don't think they are taking a big picture approach to anything at this time that I'm aware of," he said. "Their big picture was they wanted to mix water both ways with us," Tom Sanders remarked. "As far as I know, we provide them with our treated water but we don't take their's," he added. "That's an issue we are going to have to review," Mr. Smith said. "I imagine that there is continuous pressure on staff to go the other way, and as a Water Board member I'm against that unless they bring the quality of their water up to ours," Dr. Sanders responded. He added that their board and ours should establish better communication. Mike Smith said regionalization is a nice term that people like to talk about, and at times it's a good solution to problems, "but just to chase it isn't very productive," Utility staff learned. "Our current mode is to keep our eyes open and our ears to the ground and look for opportunities to cooperate with districts and cities on particular items. When those come up, we pursue them." Dave Frick reiterated that for issues dealing with the Northern District and anything that affects us as a region relating to water supply, we need to be proactive, and that takes cooperation from the other entities. Tom Sanders added that the issue with Thornton and cooperation with the ditch companies should be monitored constantly, "so we don't get back -ended" as in past instances. "If staffworks on an ad hoc basis with other entities, what's the underlying philosophy; do you have an approach that you use when one of these issues comes up? Terry Podmore asked. "Our direction from Council is to work cooperatively with all the entities around us," Mr. Smith responded. When an issue comes up, staff looks at it in terms of what's the potential for joint effort or cooperation; if there are any at all, we pursue those. Sometimes is not the economically feasible thing to do; other times it is and we do it. "Operationally we cooperate a lot," he emphasized. Mr. Frick agreed, but he Water Board Minutes December 15, 1995 Page 11 said there are other issues where he thinks, as a board, "we need to give some guidance and philosophy relative to where we want to go." "The next issue could be the regional wastewater plant because we have a lot of excess capacity," Dr. Sanders said. "That's being included in the 201 study," Mr. Smith responded. Tom Sanders went on to say that Timnath, and a number of other small communities are going to be growing, and might be able to be participants; even Loveland might be considered. "The next plant should be a regional one." Dr. Sanders is afraid if we don't move on that plant, we're going to lose the opportunity because opposition may emerge from nearby residents. Mr. Smith explained that the 201 study is intended to look at the options and evaluate the options that are available for the entities involved. Those options range from basically staying where we are, expanding existing facilities, or going to a regional facility and looking at the costs for each option. "Again, none of that would be happening if we hadn't essentially forced the issue with Boxelder; Boxelder didn't volunteer to cooperate," Mr. Frick pointed out. Mr. Smith stressed that Fort Collins suggested to other staffs to do the study and "we are the only one putting our money on the line for the study." Dr. Sanders asked if Boxelder is taking Anheuser-Busch waste. "They are taking their sanitary waste," Mr. Smith replied. Howard Goldman commented that according to Neil Grigg's "regionalization" chapter in his book, there are definitely times when regionalization is not the effective way to go, and you have to decide when it is not appropriate to cooperate. "It's pretty clear that it's not cooperation for the sake of cooperation." "Tom Sanders' original statement is pretty much the essence of what the driving force is for me," Mr. Goldman said. First some kind of mechanism is needed; "we don't really have a mechanism to be proactive yet. We just react after these things happen," he believes. The first step for the Water Board is essentially to discuss how to create this mechanism to include this in our work plan or planning process. Paul Clopper mentioned that John Bartholow was also involved in the meeting with Howard Goldman and himself to discuss this proposal. "As was mentioned earlier, I also had a sense at the last meeting that Ray Herrmann expressed some opposition to creating a committee. Neither of these members is here today. I know that both of them will have some input and opinion on this." Dave Frick suggested that the Board may want to re -define the structure of all the committees as they are discussing the Board's role and responsibilities. It may turn out that we could split different aspects of the regional issue to a couple of the existing committees, or restructure other committees to incorporate this into them. He concluded that it may be premature to form another committee until we've had a chance to look at the total picture. Mr. Clopper said he has sensed this from the Board as well. It was the consensus of the Board to keep this proposal on the agenda and include it in the discussion when the Board participates in a workshop. "I think this agenda item would give a lot of meaning to that workshop," Mr. Ward remarked. Mr. Goldman said this consensus meets with his Water Board Minutes December 15, 1995 Page 12 purpose as well. "The only reason I raised this issue is that I was feeling we weren't paying enough attention to it," he said. REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY STRATEGY UPDATE Mike Smith reported that the Central Platte endangered species issue continues to be discussed among the Federal government, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming. "It's going to take divine intervention to make it work," he laughed. REGIONAL WASTEWATER SERVICE ISSUES UPDATE Mike Smith announced that the City Council had authorized the Mayor to sign the MOAs and agreements to begin the 201 study. OTHER BUSINESS Acquiring Open Space by Purchasing Conservation Easements from Landowners . Howard Goldman apologized that he didn't bring this up under the NCWCD update. He read in their minutes that Boulder County is acquiring agricultural land for open space by purchasing conservation easements from landowners, along with an undivided interest in CBT Project Class D units. The minutes state that "Boulder County wants to assure that its interest in CBT Project water is recognized and that the water rights be kept with the land." CBT Project units dedicated to the land will not count against the municipal ownership limitation for CBT Project water. It goes on to say that Director Brown asked if the District should let other counties know this option is available. Brian Werner said that he is currently working with Larimer County and will make them aware of this option. "It seems to me that this wasn't discussed in all the discussions we've had about the limitations clause for water supply, and that's why I'm raising it now," Mr. Goldman said. "Is that something Fort Collins can do?" "Some of the Council members have talked about the concept of somehow acquiring agricultural land and keeping it in agriculture use by conservation easements and the water stays there," Mr. Smith related. Mr. Bigham explained that when the property is purchased, they purchase not only the native (or base) water rights, but also the CBT water that was allotted to it. In the easement agreement the land and water stay in agriculture, or whatever, and they stay tied together. It isn't committed to anything other than that piece of land, whether it's used or not. "I think, with the formula the District has for CBT limits, if you have long term leases for your water, that's not counted either," Mr. Smith responded. "Anything 5 years or up is not counted," Mr. Bigham added. "It's basically the same issue," Mr. Smith remarked. "So this wouldn't increase the water supply, because it would have to be tied to those easements?" Mr. Goldman asked. "That's right, it wouldn't count against us," Dennis Bode confirmed. • Water Board Minutes December 15, 1995 Page 13 "Related to that, following up on our last Board meeting when we talked about the interim guidelines," Tom Brown began, "has there been any inter -action with Eric Wilkinson or his staff on that topic?" "They have expressed some interest in getting together," Mike Smith replied. Dennis Bode said he hadn't heard anything directly. They have said they are interested in some of the ideas that emerged from the meeting. Mr. Smith said that John Bartholow went to their board meeting and reported that there was some discussion of some of the options we talked about. Mr. Smith said that staff will probably meet with them and see what they are open to and come back to the Board with an update. Mr. Bigham said the District's next board meeting is the second Friday of January, and Utility staff and Board members are welcome to attend. He also said that Water Board and staff now receive the agendas ahead of time, and that any action items would appear on those. There is also a study session the Thursday prior to the meeting, and "that's where the real discussion comes about, but there is no action taken as a general rule. We'll make sure you get the agendas for those sessions as well," he said. Tom Brown said he was glad that John Bartholow was able to attend the last board meeting. League of Women Voters Session on Water Issues Terry Podmore attended a session in November on "Colorado Water Use and Abuse." "It was well done and they had a good turnout for a snowy Monday night," he said. John Bartholow and Dave Lauer were there also. In the informal discussion afterwards, he was asked a question he couldn't answer. The question was "in our draft plan, do we have any schedule for pulling back the water that we currently lease out to agriculture?" "I don't think that's discussed in the draft plan," Dennis Bode replied. "It might be in the Water Supply Policy. When we purchased some of that water, we entered into ten-year lease back agreements, and we are in about the seventh year now. Once that initial lease period is over, we lease on a year-to-year basis," he explained. "If we foresee next year being a problem, we just don't lease the water; is that correct?" Tom Sanders asked. "That's right," Mr. Bode replied. "Do we hold part or all of it back and do we spread it out over the region somehow?" Mr. Podmore wanted to know. "It depends on projections," Mr. Smith replied. Water Resources staff do projections in the late winter of the year, and before the leasing starts, to determine what our existing supply is, and estimate the worst case condition to make sure we have enough water. According to conditions, they will determine how much water can be leased and still be safe, he explained. "What is the affect of that on the agricultural community?" Mr. Podmore asked. "It depends on the season. Sometimes, if you have less water to lease and you have a wet spring or summer, you won't lease it all anyway," Mr. Smith said. "It depends on supply and demand and you never know what the demand is going to be. In the worst case scenario, if you don't have the water to lease, you don't lease any. The people who lease water take the risk of not getting water," he pointed out. "Water Intelligence Monthly" Status Mr. Podmore wondered what happened to the "Water Intelligence Monthly." "We haven't been getting it in recent months." Mr. Bode explained that there are two different reports now: one is a quarterly summarythat's kind of a glossy report, and "I think we just re -subscribed to that," he said. Water Board Minutes December 15, 1995 Page 14 The publisher has made some changes. "I thought that report was quite useful," Mr. Podmore said, "and if we could get it back in some form, I would appreciate it." Staff hasn't been receiving the monthly report for quite some time either, Mr. Smith related. Mr. Bode said that we may start getting some kind of monthly report again, and if so Board members will receive copies. Mr. Bode added that the quarterly report now contains a summary of CBT transactions. "Water Quad" at CSU Robert Ward announced that part of the old CSU Vet. Hospital on campus has been torn down. In that area, once they finish building the Statistics Hall, they are going to landscape it into a "Water Quad." This project will be recognize that CSU has a long history of water resources development in the West, and it will be highlighted in that quad. EDAW is the firm that will design and install the landscaping. ADJOURNMENT Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned a 4:40 p.m. Water Boar Secretary