HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 08/27/1974WATER BOARD
Special Meeting
August 27, 1974
4:00 P.M.
Present: Robert Brunton
Bernard Cain, Jr.
Karl Carson
Henry Caulfield
Norman Evans
Ward Fischer
Harvey Johnson
James Waltz
W. G. Wilkinson
Absent: Raymond Anderson
Everett Richardson
Chariman Ward Fischer called the meeting to order and stated this was an
advisory session; the City Manager would advise the Water Board on the
proposed environmental Impact Study for Joe Wright/Michigan Ditch.
City Manager Brunton reviewed the cash flow projections and expressed his
concerns regarding the inflationary costs, also, his pessimism on the time
table for the impact statement and the project.
Board member Johnson stated he felt the City should proceed with the impact
statement reaffirming the cities rights to the project.
Board member Caulfield inquired if the City had filed an amended petition
with the forest service and addressed other revocable permits issued by
the Forest Service System. City Attorney March again stated if the City
had to go to court, they could prove their rights to Joe Wright/Michigan
Ditch.
Chairman Fischer again stated the Board was receptive to comments by Board
members but he felt the cost of the study, who would do it, and how it was
done was not an issue for Board discussion.
Board member Waltz stated he was disturbed by the quality of the investigation
done by Woodward Clevenger; he felt that the consequences of possible errors
in the report should be reviewed. Further, that is should be determined that
(1) the study is sufficient or (2) that the study is not sufficient.
City Manager Brunton reviewed the work Harold Ellingson would undertake in
coordinating the impact study and the time in which they must accomplish
certain portions of the study.
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Board member Carson stated he did not feel the City could wait for review
of work already done. Also, whether the Forest Service had given the City
assurance that the proposed statement, as outlined, would satisfy the Forest
Service. City Manager Brunton stated they had not received such assurances
as the statement would go out under the Forest Service name.
Director of Public Works, Charles Liquin, reviewed the four parts of the
study McCall -Ellingson would be doing in-house and his feeling that the City
had sufficient direction from the Forest Service to proceed.
Chairman Ward Fischer reported to the Board that, as Chairman of the Water
Board, he had received an inquiry from Ecology Consultants on the impact
study. Mr. Fischer stated he had advised Mr. Kross (Ecology Consultant) that
he felt the Water Board had not been involved in the selection of the consultants
but he felt that the action of the Administration was in line with the previous
policy recommendations.
Mr. Burt Kross, of Ecology Consultants, Inc., asked to be recognized. Mr.
Kross reported on his meeting with the City Manager to review their quali-
fications as consultants. Adding that other firms were also interested in
making a proposal to the City Council for the Environmental Impact Study.
Chairman Fischer again stated that the Board agreed that there was a need
for the statement, but felt this was an administrative matter.
City Manager Brunton stated it was the clear understanding of the Adminis-
tration that the City was dealing with Harold Ellingson.
Board member Caulfield inquired of the manager if he proposed to present to
the City Council and get approval of the contract. City Manager Brunton
stated that was correct.
The Chairman stated his desire to have a Water Board meeting when Mr.
Ellingson would be present to address the question raised by Board member
Waltz. City Manager Brunton stated this could be arranged.
Board member Waltz voiced his approval of this suggestion, adding, for the
record, that he had voiced his concern regarding the geology, earlier this
year.
City Manager Brunton stated there was one item of information, that
was on the Windy Gap program. Mr. Brunton stated the Six Cities would
apparently recommend that the City of Fort Collins not be allowed to assign
a contract that we don't have. Therefore, they will insist that if the City
of Fort Collins wants to be a part of the project, the City must sign the
contract and then assign it. The recommendation of the Administration to the
Council will be to sign the contract with three provisos. (1) That they
would take out any provision of an advalorem tax, (2) that they would allow
the City to assign the water to an agency of the City, and by separate
letter recognize that Platte River is such, and (3) resolution of question
of elections.
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Chairman Fischer stated there has been so much confusion in this matter that
he would like for the Water Board to make further recommendations to the
Council before any final action is taken, other than the continued recog-
nition of the assignment.
City Manager Brunton stated the Board would be kept advised.
Board member Wilkinson made a motion, seconded by Norman Evans, that the
Water Board recommend to the Council that before any action, other than
the continued recognition of our assignment statement, that the Board be
asked to express the opinion of the Board once more.
The Chairman put the motion which was unanimously adopted.
Adjournment
With nothing further to discuss, the Board adjourned.
CHAT
SECRETARY