HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 04/20/1984r
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MINUTES
Water Board
April 20, 1984
MEMBERS PRESENT Ward Fischer, Norm Evans, Neil Grigg, Henry Caulfield,
Ev Richardson, Tom Moore, Tom Sanders, Bernie Cain,
Mary Lou Smith (alt), Mort Bittinger (alt)
STAFF PRESENT Mike Smith, Dennis Bode, Ben Alexander, Andy Pineda,
Paul Eckman, Assistant City Attorney
GUESTS Rex Burns, Larimer County Flood Plains Coordinator,
John McGinn, Consultant, Engineering Professionals
MEMBERS ABSENT Ray Glabach, Dave Stewart (both excused)
Chairman Ward Fischer opened the meeting. The following items were discussed:
Minutes
Following the corrections listed below, the minutes of the March 16, 1984
meeting were approved:
Paul Eckman's name was left off "staff present."
On page two, paragraph two, the first two sentences should read: "Henry
Caulfield inforined the Board that Colorado State Law considers failure to
disclose a conflict of interest to be illegal. Failure to disclose leading to
an abuse of public office, is a greater offense."
Review and Discussion of Water Board Policies
Chairman Fischer asked that discussion of the policies be postponed until next
month because other important items on the agenda should take precedence and
because of the intense snow storm.
Discussion Pertaining to Board and Commission Members Doing Work for the Ci
Stewart and Associates was selected to do a rate study for the City of Fort
Collins. Dave Stewart, a member of the firm and a member of the Water Board,
will be the project manager for the study. He disclosed his potential
conflict of interest in writing earlier to the City Council and to the Water
Board at its March meeting. The City Charter, since 1971, has allowed members
of City boards and commissions to do contract work for the City. The City
Council approved, on second reading, the contract for Stewart and Associates
by a vote of 4-2, but it appears likely that the conflict of interest question
will be discussed again by the Council.
During the Water Board discussion of the issue, two Board members revealed
that they could have possible conflicts associated with the rate and drought
studies.
Water Board Minutes
Page 2
April 20, 1984
Mary Lou Smith's husband is a member of EDAW, Inc. a sub -contractor for the
rate study. Ev Richardson said that he has a relative who works for Resource
Consultants, the firm chosen to do the drought study. Board members
emphasized that they sometimes do not know what is considered a conflict;
where does one draw the line? Moreover, as one of the City Council members
commented at a recent meeting, "A board or commission member could be
penalized for his or her service to the community." The Board decided that
since the state considers failure to disclose a conflict of interest to be
illegal, they would reveal any possible conflicts on a regular basis.
Discussion of Proposal from Dr. Neu on Board Policies and Procedures
In February of 1983, Dr. Carl Neu, a consultant from Lakewood, Colorado
conducted a Municipal Leadership Workshop for the Water Board, the Storm
Drainage Board, and the Parking Commission, along with their corresponding
staffs. Mike Smith said that Dr. Neu sent Roger Krempel a proposal for a
follow-up workshop involving the above -named groups. After a brief disussion,
Board members decided to consider the proposal at another time.
Staff Reports
A. Water Supply and Demand for 1984
Dennis Bode, Water Resources Engineer, prepared a memo that projected
water supply and demand for 1984 and an estimate of the surplus water that
will be available for rental. This was sent to Board members prior to the
meeting. There is a total available supply of 33,500 acre feet. After
adding 400 acre feet from the West Fort Collins Water District, and
subtracting 500 acre feet reserved for Parks & Recreation and 4,300 acre
feet of Joe Wright Reservoir water to be carried over into 1985, the
adjusted water supply is 29,100 acre feet. There will be an estimated
7,205 acre feet of surplus water which can be rented to agricultural
users. Mr. Bode emphasized that supply and demand will be monitored
closely to ensure that we reserve adequate supplies for municipal use as
well as putting our• surplus water to effective use. Mr. Bode clarified a
few questions from Board members about information in the memo.
Committee Reports
Mary Lou Smith announced that the Education Committee will meet on Tuesday,
April 24.
Ward Fischer reminded Board members whose terms expire on July 1, 1984, and
wish to reapply, to return their applications to the City Clerk's office by
May 4.
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Water Board Minutes
Page 3
April 20, 1984
New Business
Tom Sanders expressed his concern that, in some recent decisions, the City
Council has not followed the recommendation of the Water Board. Mike Smith
recalled only one instance within the past few months when this has occurred.
However, other Board members agreed with Mr. Sanders that perhaps the Council
has become somewhat out of touch with the policies and functions of the Water
Board; sometimes not seeking the Board's expertise. The Board decided that it
would be helpful, in the interest of better understanding, to schedule a joint
meeting at the Council's earliest convenience. Review of the Board's policies
would be a basis for discussion, as well as other areas of concern. Chairman
Ward Fischer said that he would contact the Mayor and the City Manager and
arrange a date for the meeting. He will keep in touch with the Board on this
matter.
Tom Sanders brought up some questions about the master agreement with
Anheuser-Busch, particularly as it relates to water issues. Since Ward
Fischer did some work for A-B, he excused himself as chairman and did not
participate in the discussion. Vice-chairman Norm Evans took over as chair.
Several points in the agreement were reviewed and discussed. All members of
the Water Board have received copies of the agreement pertaining to water.
Mike Smith asked any members of the Board who had further questions about the
agreement to contact him.
Rex Burns, Larimer County Flood Plains coordinator explained the County's
latest proposal to solve the sewer problems for Mill Canyon Estates. John
McGinn, consultant from Engineering Professionals, came to answer any
technical questions about his firm's pre -design report. Ward Fischer excused
himself from the meeting because he represents two clients from this
subdivision who oppose the County's proposal. Norm Evans chaired the
remainder of the meeting.
Mill Canyon Estates is a single family subdivision located on the northwest
end of Horsetooth Reservoir. It was platted in 1970 and contains 71 lots, 56
of which have homes on them. All the homes are served by on -lot septic
systems. In 1979, Larimer County began documenting failing septic systems.
Because of the sewage problems, the County placed a moratorium on any
additional housing construction and received a grant from the State's Division
of Local Affairs to study the problem.
Engineering Professionals, Inc. investigated the problem and identified the
causes and possible solutions. The report addresses six alternate solutions
which included sewer to Fort Collins, some lagoon systems with various
features, and a few relatively innovative treatment systems. The report
identified the discharging aerated lagoon system as the most cost effective
solution. Subsequently, this proposed solution received a negative reaction
from a downstream land owner, and others began to support his arguments. As a
result, the project was never begun.
Water Board Minutes
Page 4
April 20, 1984
In February of 1984, Engineering Professionals suggested the possiblity of
using a small diameter closed transmission system to transport the wastewater
to the City of Fort Collins system. Alternate plans for this proposal have
been discussed with staff members of Fort Collins Water and Sewer Utilities in
an effort to work out the conditions of an agreement through which the City
would operate and maintain the system. Engineering Professionals recommended
Alternate A from the study as being most cost-effective. However, the
anticipated cost per month to each homeowner for the proposed solution could
be substantial. Also, it should be noted that because of the on -going sewage
problems in this subdivision, the County does not recommend any more growth in
the area.
Following a lengthy discussion, Henry Caulfield, with input from Ev
Richardson, offered the following motion:
1) The Water Board is willing to cooperate with the County.
2) The specific proposal should be referred to the Engineering Committee of
the Water Board for review.
3) The Engineering Committee would review the proposal only to the extent of
its effect on the citizens of Fort Collins; the Board's policy being the
protection of the best interest of the citizens of Fort Collins.
4) The Engineering Committee would not examine the proposal to criticize
technical aspects, or offer specific ideas for changes in the project
unless any part of the project would be detrimental to the City of Fort
Collins.
5) The Board would confer with Assistant City Attorney Paul Eckman to clarify
any legal aspects.
6) The Water Board would be kept informed of any developments related to the
project that would affect the City of Fort Collins.
Following a second from Ev Richardson, the motion carried unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
Water Boat Secretary