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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 03/16/1984MINUTES Water Board March 16, 1984 MEMBERS PRESENT Norm Evans, Henry Caulfield, Ev Richardson, Bernie Cain, Ray Glabach, Dave Stewart, Tom Sanders, Mort Bittinger (alt), Mary Lou Smith (alt) STAFF PRESENT Mike Smith, Roger Krempel, Dennis Bode, Ben Alexander, Andy Pineda, Linda Burger MEDIA Mark Radke, KCOL MEMBERS ABSENT Ward Fischer, Neil Grigg, Tom Moore (excused) The meeting was opened by Vice Chairman Norm Evans. The following items were discussed: Minutes The minutes of the February 27, 1984 meeting were approved. on Water Treatment Plant No. 1 Mike Smith related that on Tuesday, March 13th, the City Council reviewed the staff's proposal for Water Treatment Plant No. 1, and found it to be favorable. The next step will be to begin the process of selecting an engineer for the 20 mgd expansion at Water Treatment Plant No. 2. Update on Rate and Drought Studies Dennis Bode announced that the consultants for both studies have been selected. Stewart and Associates was chosen to coordinate the rate study. Sub -contractors will include EDAW, Inc., CH2M-Hill, and Pat Graham; each will be responsible for a different aspect of the study. Resource Consultants will conduct the drought study. Mr. Bode explained the scope of the rate study as follows: 1. Obtain information . Data from existing systems . Customer survey • Public workshop 2. Verify projected customer demands 3. Determine "green lawn" criteria 4. Determine revenue requirements 5. Analyze cost -of -service for customer classes 6. Analyze cost-effectiveness of metering 7. Provide water rate computer model Water Board Minutes March 16, 1984 Page 2 Since Dave Stewart, a member of the Water Board, will be the project manager for the rate study, he distributed letters to the Board addressing a potential conflict of interest. His letter stated that he would abstain from any discussions on the water rate study in his capacity as a Board member. The letter also related that the City Charter does not restrict members of boards and commissions from doing work for the City while retaining their memberships. Henry Caulfield informed the Board that Colorado State law considers failure to disclose as a conflict of interest. Thus, failure to disclose is an abuse of public office which can be interpreted as detrimental to the public interest. Dave Stewart has disclosed fully his potential conflict. Ev Richardson and Henry Caulfield proposed that Mr. Stewart be allowed to participate in Board discussions in his role as a consultant when information about the study is being discussed. He should not take part when the discussion involves the adequacy of the project. Assistant City Attorney Paul Eckman agreed that Mr. Stewart should be allowed .to participate as long as the discussion does not involve proprietary or pecuniary matters. Mr. Stewart should not be allowed to offer any suggestions or comments which could increase the scope of study and thus add to the cost. Questions about the survey portion of the study were answered by Dave Stewart and Henry Caulfield. Mr. Stewart explained that the first part of the survey will be statistical and the second part opinion. It is hoped that the survey will provide information on some important issues that have been around for a long time. Next, Dennis Bode explained the objectives of the Drought Study as listed below: 1. Determine river drought characteristics 2. Estimate imported water supply during drought 3. Determine water yields of various sources 4. Analyze effects of City demands on various supply scenarios 5. Analyze various drought supply strategies Mr. Bode said that on March 20th, staff will be going to City Council for funding for both studies, and on April 3rd there will be a second reading of the ordinance. Mike Smith added that the staff will seek approval of the contracts on April 3rd also. Following the appropriation of funds and the approval of the contracts, the studies will begin. Mary Lou Smith commented about a sensitive correlation involving both studies. She expressed the concern that, from the public's perspective, the timing of these studies may be related to Anheuser-Busch. Ms. Smith suggested that the announcement of these studies be made with the proper explanations so that the public does not perceive of them as indications of potential water shortages for the City. Ms. Smith stressed that the announcement of these studies must be well thought out. Mike Smith related how the studies evolved. He read a portion of the resolution passed by City Council which said: "The Water Board and City staff should proceed to develop a comprehensive water conservation program for the purpose of delaying future water plant expansion by reducing peak day demands." Water Board Minutes March 16, 1984 Page 3 Ray Glabach pointed out that we must look at the issue from both sides of the coin. On one hand, the City is trying to convince people that there is no water problem related to the Anheuser-Busch question. On the other hand, we have been saying for years that we live in a semi -arid climate and that we need to think about water shortages. Henry Caulfield responded that these two studies have been contemplated long before A-B appeared on the scene. They were simply thought of as desirable management studies. Historical records will prove that, he added. Mr. Caulfield emphasized that the City should plan well enough to avoid a crisis -type water situation in times of drought. Mr. Glabach agreed but pointed out that the difference with the A-B situation is the visibility. Ev Richardson offered the viewpoint that A-B will not be consuming 4200 acre- feet of water as is being implied. The consumptive use is more in the area of 1000 acre-feet. The other portion goes back into the system for agriculture or "anybody else downstream." He added that the amount of water consumed is no more than is consumed on the present farm. Furthermore, he contends that "if farmers could make a living from agriculture, there wouldn't be so many people leaving their farms." Mary Lou Smith commented that the water issue is so complicated that it is difficult to explain. She usually tells people who ask her that the City needs to have sufficient storage for the population that has been projected for a given time whether A-B is here or not. Roger Krempel assured the Board that he and Mike Smith will handle any publicity for these studies with careful thought and planning. Meadow Creek Reservoir Mike Smith explained that in January, Roger Krempel had received a letter from Daniel Kaup inquiring whether the City of Fort Collins was interested in buying another 550 acre-feet of storage in Meadow Creek Reservoir. Since that time, Dennis Bode has had an opportunity to analyze the situation, and has addressed it in a memo that was distributed to Water Board members. Mr. Bode explained further the table that was included in the memo. He talked about the diversion conditions in an extremely dry, a dry, an average, and a wet year. Mr. Bode concluded that, based on existing data and the present analysis, the staff believes that the 1200 acre-feet of storage capacity that we currently own, is adequate and the benefits of having additional capacity is marginal. After several years of operation, however, we may want to re- evaluate the need for additional storage capacity in Meadow Creek Reservoir. It should be noted that this potential source of supply will be explored in the drought study. Following comments and questions, Dave Stewart moved that the Water Board accept the staff's recommendation with the stipulation that the staff investigates the price compared with CBT water and that they also work with the Engineering Committee on any further information. Ev Richardson seconded the motion; it carried unanimously. Committee Reports Dave Stewart announced that the Education Committee is progressing with the local water work sheets for the fourth grade. The next task for the committee is to prepare a slide show on local water. Mary Lou Smith, a member of the Water Board Minutes March 16, 1984 Page 4 committee, added that the City intends to replace Captain Hydro with the new program because Captain Hydro originated in northern California, and is not relevant to our local situation. Molly Nortier explained that the department is considering using, for the fourth grade, the AWWA workbooks called the "Water Story," to provide a broad look at water. The two programs would compliment each other. New Business Roger Krempel said that he had received a letter from Senator Bill Armstrong advising us that there is Federal legislation requiring permits for irrigation ditches crossing Federal lands. Senator Armstrong is planning to introduce legislation to alleviate that problem. Assistant City Attorney Paul Eckman and the staff have been investigating the situation and plan to respond. Mr. Eckman explained that the Senator's legislation has not yet been drafted, but that his aide will send a copy to us for analysis and comment when the draft is completed. Essentially, the legislation will exempt all ditches, old and new, from the permitting requirements of the act. It was suggested that perhaps a ceiling on how much could be charged for permits should be included. Henry Caulfield said that, historically, these permits have not had a charge attached. Senator Armstrong has sent copies of his letter to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture asking them to refrain from exercising their rights under this law until he can get his legislation going. Roger Krempel informed the Board, as a matter of interest, that last spring during the runoff, an estimated 33 years of water supply for the City was lost from the basin based on what we use. That is approximately 625,000 acre-feet lost. Dave Stewart asked if there was any news about the Poudre River designa- tion. Ben Alexander said he had heard that the participants from both sides were still meeting and working long hours to draft an agreement acceptable to both sides. Apparently Rep. Hank Brown has returned to Washington and will await the results. Roger Krempel said that some board and commission members who had participated in a Boards and Commissions workshop last year have expressed an interest in a follow-up session. Mr. Krempel said that he would inform the Board if and when something is arranged. Chairman Ward Fischer asked the secretary to remind Board members to be prepared to review and discuss the Water Board policies at the next meeting. The videotape on "Fort Collins Water" was shown. It was produced by the City last summer. Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m. 7y' r�ti� YJr,���✓ _ Water Board Secretary