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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 08/19/1983MINUTES Water Board August 19, 1983 MEMBERS PRESENT Ward Fischer, Ev Richardson, Henry Caulfield, Neil Grigg, Ray Glabach, Bernie Cain, Tom Moore, Dave Stewart, Mort Bittinger (alt.), Mary Lou Smith (alt.) STAFF PRESENT Roger Krempel, Mike Smith, Dennis Bode, Keith Elmund, Ben Alexander, Andy Pineda, Rosita Bachmann, Paul Eckman, Assistant City Attorney MEMBERS ABSENT Norm Evans, Tom Sanders (both excused) Chairman Ward Fischer opened the meeting. The following items were discussed. Minutes The minutes of the July 15, 1983 meeting were approved. ion of Water Board Policies Following about an hour of discussion and suggestions for revisions, Ev Richardson moved that the Board adopt the policies as revised. After a second from Bernie Cain, the motion received unanimous approval. The staff will place the revised policies on the Department's word processor which will make it easy to accommodate future changes. The City Council will receive copies of these Policies for their information. Update on Water Treatment Plant No. 1 Mike Smith related that another work session with the Council was held on August 9th. The Council again reviewed and discussed all of the alternatives for the Plant. The staff believed that the Council arrived at the consensus that they would agree with the Water Board's recommendation to proceed with Alternative No. 2 which is to build a new plant at the mouth of the canyon. However, they did have some concerns about reducing peak day demands and suggested some ways to accomplish that. They requested that the staff develop some policy statements in that regard. Dave Stewart also attended the work session and related that Council is concerned about the water meter issue. In addition, the newspapers have both printed editorials endorsing meters. As a result, Ward Fischer called the Mayor and informed him that the Water Board has spent a great deal of time in the past with the two preceeding Councils informing them of the results of the Board's investigations on metering and the Water Board's subsequent conclusion on the issue. The Mayor suggested that Mr. Fischer bring two other members of the Board to a Council work session to explore the subject on an informal basis. Mr. Fischer selected Norm Evans and Henry Caulfield to accompany him to that meeting. There was agreement that should the Council wish to embark on a metering program, the Water Board would feel slighted if their advice was not sought. If necessary the Board was willing to schedule a special meeting to present their views. August 19, 1983 Water Board Minutes Page 2 Mary Lou Smith suggested that the Board prepare, at an appropriate time, a brochure to educate the public (i.e. a bill stuffer) about the City's unique approach to water conservation, in essence, why universal metering may not be the proper option at this point in time. Saying that he thought the subject had been overshadowed by the metering issue, Ev Richardson returned to the subject of Water Treatment Plant No. 1. He commended the staff for putting together an excellent report and presentation. The question was, when will the Council be making a decision about the plant? Mike Smith responded that a decision would probably be made in September. Henry Caulfield inquired about the possibility, which was suggested in the report, of a water authority made up of the City and the Districts. Mr. Smith said that it is in the best interest of all the water entities involved to look at an authority both for economic reasons and for planning purposes. In -Lieu -of Water Rights Rate Dennis Bode told the Board that currently the in -lieu -of water rights rate is $1,300. Mr. Bode investigated some local water prices and found that the prevailing rate is between $1,100 and $1,300 for CBT water. Consequently, he recommended that the Board remain with the $1,300 price. After some discussion, Henry Caulfield moved that the Board recommend that the $1,300 rate be retained. Neil Grigg provided a second and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Tom Moore added that he hoped that the staff would continue to watch the local water market very closely. Amendment to the Raw Water Requirements Mike Smith reiterated the reasons for considering an amendment to the raw water requirements. For example, an industry contemplating coming to Fort Collins that would use more than the 3 acre-feet of water per acre required in the present ordinance could pose a problem. Hence, an amendment was written which would require the industry to provide the volume of raw water that was necessary to compensate the City for the actual water used. Subsequent to this a change was suggested. Paul Eckman, Assistant City Attorney, reported on that change. He said that, after the Water Utilities Director makes the determination that water requirements are inadequate "he shall impose a sufficient surcharge upon the water service for the development or in the alternative, the furnishing of sufficient raw water to fully compensate the City." Several Board members expressed some problems with this approach. Mr. Fischer asked if he was correct in assuming that the way the ordinance now reads a developer would have the option of either supplying raw water or paying for it. Mr. Smith said that the surcharge would only apply for those existing developments who had previously furnished the necessary raw water but now exceed that requirement. Dave Stewart commented that there could be a problem with past customers paying the surcharge. The charge could result in a dramatically higher water bill. Mr. Fischer directed Mr. Eckman to draw up an amendment which provides for what can legally be done and present his findings to the Board at the next meeting. At that time the Board will decide as a matter of policy what can be done. Water Board Minutes August 19, 1983 Page 3 Staff Reports A. Foothills Water System - Phase II B. Final Design Report Water Treatment Plant Improvements Curtis Miller, Senior Project Engineer, supplied the Board with informational reports on the above projects. In Mr. Miller's absence, Mike Smith answered questions from Board members. C. Report on Flood Situation at Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 2 Roger Krempel reported that the City spent a total of approximately $87,000 protecting the City from floods of this spring, most of it at Wastewater Treatment Plant 2. It was found that the City's flood hydrology on the Poudre is basically obsolete. The hydrology was accomplished with limited information in 1972. The River has changed as well as the lands along the River. The flood profile at the wastewater plant has changed about 4 feet since the 1973 information. New information has been sent to Omaha, Nebraska to obtain new flood profiles and new flood plain designations. These designations will be taken through the ordinance process. Mr. Krempel added that most of the corrective work at the Plant has already been accomplished. D. Treated Water Summary The summary showed that July was a more normal month than June was for water production. Committee Reports Ward Fischer gave an assignment to the combined Engineering and Legislative Committees. Because Henry Caulfield is currently the only member of the Legislative Committee, Mr. Fischer appointed Mary Lou Smith and Neil Grigg to that committee. Mr. Fischer said that the City Manager has asked the Water Board through Roger Krempel to examine what the City is planning in the realm of long range water development with regard to reservoirs. The Chairman directed the combined committees to come up with a recommendation to the Water Board, at which time the entire Board will discuss it. The Water Board, he said, has consistently advocated a basin -wide study. Furthermore, historically, the Board has recommended against designating the Poudre as Wild and Scenic until these studies have been made, as well as avoiding saying whether or not there is a need to dam the Poudre; thus maintaining the flexibility of the various options. Mr. Fischer requested that the committees give the project thoughtful analysis in order to provide the City Council with as much help as possible. A preliminary report from the combined committees to address the types of studies that are needed will be expected at the September meeting. Water Board Minutes August 19, 1983 Page 4 Videotape on Fort Collins Water Since the equipment was not set up, the Board was unable to view the 12 minute videotape documentary on Fort Collins water. Roger Krempel set up two times when Board members can see the videotape; Tuesday, August 23rd at 8:00 a.m. in the CIC Room and August 30th at the same time and in the same place. New Business At the meeting Board members received copies of the report on "Residential Water Use and Raw Water Requirements for the Fort Collins Area." Mike Smith asked the Board to read the report and come back with their comments and suggestions at the next meeting. This report will go to the District Steering Committee first. Subsequently, they will make their recommendations to the Council and Water Board. Norm Evans is the Water Board representative on the Committee and Gerry Horak and Bill Elliott are the Council representatives. The Steering Committee will meet Wednesday evening the 24th of August. Mike Smith announced that Linda Burger the staff Environmental Regulations Specialist, has been appointed by the Governor to serve on the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission. She will appear before the appropriate Senate Committee for a confirmation hearing, and subsequently, will receive her final confirmation from the full Senate. Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m. ater board Secretary