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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 08/17/1971August 17, 1971 A special meeting of the Fort Collins City Council, City Attorney, selected members of the Staff and Water Board was called for 5:00 p.m., by Tom Coffey, City Manager to discuss the possible purchase of North Poudre Water. There were present: Ward Fischer Karl Carson Norman Evans Tom Coffey Bill Fead William Lopez Mabel Preble Charles Liquin Art March Sr. Mike Di Tullio Verna Lewis Absent: Charles Peterson The City Manager advised those present of an offer of 437 shares of North Poudre Irrigation Water; this purchase would amount to over one-half million dollars. The City Manager outlined the expenditures proposed for the remainder of the fiscal year; water consumption for the year, a report on water owned by the City and projects in line for completion in the near future involving water monies. He further reported on the meeting he attended recently with the Six -Cities water group. He also stated that on September 27, 1971, the date would be set to consider the water adjudication on the Windy Gap Project. The costs of the first stage of this project were ex- plained and the second stage discussed. Norman Evans pointed out that the level of Lake Powell was a factor in the Windy Gap Project ---it is felt that if Lake Powell's water level was affected, this might wipe out the Windy Gap Project. Arthur March Sr discussed a recent letter regarding the abondonment of the Michigan Ditch. This had been an error in ditches of similar name and involves the recent acquisition of the Michigan Ditch and the Joe Wright Reservoir. The City Manager set out, for the Council, the estimated monies re- quired for further development on the two above mentioned water sources; Woodward -Clevenger, tree removal, engineering, etc., as well as monies required for participation in oversizing water lines on current projects throughout the City. b 6 PAGE 2 After some discussion, Ward Fischer went on record in favor of acquiring the North Poudre water. He suggested that the Council might want to pursue an aggressive acquisition policy. He further compared costs for the same amount of North Poudre water verses the Windy Gap water basing his calculations on the calculations established for water delivered from the Wester Slope. Norm Evans pointed out one fact that he had not been mentioned by the City Manager; it was the hope of obtaining a federal grant to aid the Six Cities with the Windy Gap project. The City Manager thanked Dr. Evans for brining up this point and eleaborated on the possibilities of a grant. He reported on a recent meeting he attended in Denver, along with Charles Hallenbeck and Ted Tedesco, where the possibility of a grant was well established. The also explained that the City would have to work through COG in Denver. The City Manager also said he felt confident a grant might be available for Joe Wright. The City Attorney emphasized that this proposed purchase was not a matter of either/or; it was the consensus that the City could engage in both projects, and with all the unknowns on the Windy Gap Project, it would appear that the North Poudre water acquisition would seem more attractive. The Mayor stated that if need be, the City could withdraw from the Windy Gap Project. The City Manager and City Attorney pointed out the costs as they believed them to be, for Denver and Colorado Springs water acquisition which was far and above any costs the City of Fort Collins has incurred. The Mayor inquired about the possibility of revenue bonds for the Joe Wright project. Charles Liquin, Public Works Director and the City Manager stated the fact that we do have a rate study in progress and some of the findings of this study to date, specifically, the need to improve Bingham Hill Reservoir, built in 1910, and the probability of a rate increase. The Mayor went on record stating that nothing the Council could do would stop the growth in this area, and although the City Manager had cautioned the Council that they might be critized for encouraging growth, the fact remains that the area will grow and it is better to be prepared for growth than to try to pick up water later to meet the needs of the anticipated growth. The Mayor also emphasized the fact that the City needs to work on increased water rate charges for rent back agreements. It was the consensus of the Council that the City Manager and City Attorney should proceed with the investigation of the North Poudre water purchase.