Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 02/19/1982MINUTES REGULAR WATER BOARD MEETING February 19, 1982 MEMBERS PRESENT Norm Evans, Ray Anderson, George Wallace, Tom Moore, Chuck Turner, David Stewart (alt.). STAFF PRESENT Roger Krempel, Mike Smith, Dennis Bode, Curt Miller, Ben Alexander, Andy Pineda, Molly Nortier. GUESTS Dave Frick, Resource Consultants MEMBERS ABSENT Ward Fischer, Henry Caulfield, Ev Richardson, Harvey Johnson, Bernie Cain. Vice chairman Norm Evans opened the meeting in the absence of Chairman Ward Fisher. The following items were discussed: Minutes Approved. Ditch Consolidation Study Update Dave Frick of Resource Consultants explained the advantages and disadvantages and the costs and benefits of each of the various consolidation alternatives his firm had studied. Mr. Frick answered a number of questions from Board members. He reported that he had given the same presentation to the ditch comp- anies at their annual meetings in January and little opposition emerged at them. From the stockholder's viewpoint, the main concern is that they continue to get their water at no increased cost, whatever the alternative. In addition, Norm Evans related that there had been inquiries from ditch companies about the value of their water. They are concerned that they will not have enough water credit to satisfy the development requirement on their land if the value per acre should decline or the acre-foot requirement per acre increase. The City, of course, can not guarantee that the value won't change; in the future, particu- larly with higher density development, the requirement of water per acre may go up. If a stockholder desires, he may turn his stock over to the City at its present conversion rate in exchange for a City Water Certificate. Speaking about water certificates, Mike Smith and Roger Krempel briefed the Board on the City's acquisition of Portner Reservoir, (approximately 100 acres) as park land. The Water Utility participated by issuing water certificates to the seller. The Parks and Recreation Department will then pay back to the Water Department the value of those certificates over the next few years. Issues for City Council for 1983 Budget Roger Krempel reported that the budget process for 1983 has begun. The current council feels that they did not have sufficient input into the 1982 budget. As a result, this year they wish to contribute more as a council' to the City budget. Their first directive was for the City staff to identify the issues for the development of the 1983 budget. The only issue that Mike Smith presented was the proposed 27% rate increase for the sewer fund. The Water Board had no additional suggestions for issues. Water Board Minutes Page 2 Meadow Creek Reservoir Dennis Bode informed the Board that over the last several years, there has been some discussion of a possible replacement water project in North Park. The pur- pose would be to continue diversion through the Michigan Ditch system during the times when there is a call placed on that system over in the Michigan River. Resource Consultants conducted a study several months ago that investigated some of the possibilities, including several reservoirs. One of them was the South Fork Reservoir, which was filed upon last year by the City. A second one was the Meadow Creek Reservoir which was built several years ago. One of the part- ies that owns part of this latter reservoir has had some desire to sell some of that capacity and recently he made some proposals to the City of Fort Collins. Meadow Creek Reservoir has a.capacity of about 4,200 acre-feet. The part owner is interested in selling 1200 A.F. Analysis shows that in most years, the reser- voir would fill. An average of about 600 acre-feet per year of Michigan Ditch water could be replaced with the 1200 A.F. capacity and assuming that only 12/42 of the outlet capacity would be available. The offer to the City is $1100 per acre-foot of deliverable yield. The project satisfies most of the elements of the raw water policy. At this point there is no urgent need for this water, but there may not be another opportunity to acquire the water. There are a number of questions concerning the outlet capacity, the State Engineer's approval, and future operation of the reservoir that need further exploration. With the approval of the Water Board, the Staff will continue to investigate the proposal. A special meeting may be necessary, possibly March 5th, after the proposal has been studied further. In -Lieu -of Water Rights The Water Board has been asked by the City Council to review in -lieu -of water rights on a monthly basis. Dennis Bode reported that the current price of CBT water is between $1500 and $1700. The staff recommends leaving the rate at $1700. Chuck Turner moved that the in -lieu -of water rights be maintained at $1700. Following a second from George Wallace, the motion carried unanimously. Mike Smith reminded the Board that Henry Caulfield has been concerned for some time about where the in -lieu -of money is being kept and whether it is being kept track of separately. Mr. Smith related that recently when City Finance returned to the reserves system, one of the reserves is now specifically for water rights. The fund currently contains $700,012. Mike Smith also related that if development occurs the way it is projected and the PIF's come in the way they are supposed to, at the end of the period from 1982- 1986, there will be $4,000,000 in that reserve for raw water storage projects. Mr. Smith added that some long range planning is needed to project when addi- tional water would be needed. He said that Dennis Bode is planning to develop a computer model of the raw water system this year. When it is completed, the model will be helpful in making those kinds of projections. Roger Krempel talked about another water storage opportunity in North Poudre Reservoir 5 and 6. They presently have an opportunity to fund the reconstruc- tion of that project through the Water Conservation Board this year. That Water Board Minutes Page 3 opportunity may not always be there, however, since the Water Conservation Board is changing their direction, at the request of the legislature, towards the big projects where water is being lost to other states. Staff Reports A. Water Production Summary for 1981 Dennis Bode explained that the summaries have been put on the computer recently by Andy Pineda, so they can be done more efficiently. The summary revealed that the City used 16,280 acre-feet of water for 1981 which was somewhat below what was projected. B. Water Utility Centennial Celebration Mike Smith explained that 1982 marks 100 years of existence for the water utility. He talked about some of the events that will occur to celebrate the occasion. The discussion led to the status of the old waterworks building on Overland Trail. Although it has been designated an historical landmark, not much has been done to improve its very poor condition. Chuck Turner moved that the staff look into the possibility of at least stabili- zing the foundation of the old waterworks structure. After a second from Tom Moore, the Board gave unanimous approval to the motion. Committee Reports Because of the absence of Ev Richardson, Roger Krempel reported on the Poudre Feasibility Steering Committee meeting held on February 9th. Mr. Krempel reminded the Board that the City Council and Water Board had attempted to persuade the Water Conservation Board to broaden the scope of the study. Subsequently, the director of the Water Conservation Board met with the authors of the bill and they were adamant about remaining with the actual text of the bill. The study will be limited to the on -channel site or any of the on -channel tributaries; nothing beyond that and nothing below Fort Collins. The actual contract with Tudor Engineering is for $300,000. New Business George Wallace suggested that the Water Board meet whether or not there were items of business that would require the Board's recommendation. There was gen- eral agreement of the Board that if there was no formal agenda, those who wished to meet would do so on an informal basis. No quorom would be required since no action or votes would be taken and minutes would reflect a brief description of what had been discussed. When a notice is sent out, regular meeting or work session will be specified. Geroge Wallace asked about the Boxelder Ditch Project_ Mike Smith explained that the Boxelder Ditch has been considered as a possible conveyance of effluent when necessary instead of discharging into the river, However, no agreement has been reached with the Ditch Company and at present they do not wish to take waste- water effluent in their ditch. r Water Board Minutes Page 4 Fort Collins City Manager John Arnold sent a proposal dated February 11, 1982, to Mike DiTullio, District Manager of the Fort Collins -Loveland Water District and South Fort Collins Sanitation District. The City and District Boards have agreed to meet and to postpone the lawsuit for the present. The letter con- tained the following proposals for discussion and possible agreement: 1) The City and District Boards would talk about adopting a joint policy statement that would set the stage for a cooperative approach to the problem and open the door for discussions on a variety of long-range solutions. 2) The first step toward implementation of this policy would be for the City and the Districts to jointly establish interim service areas. 3) The next step would be for the Districts and the City to jointly pre- pare a master plan for provision of water and sewer service to the southern portion of the Urban Growth Area and other areas presently served by the Districts. 4) The proposed steering committee would oversee the Master Plan and would also be charged with opening the discussions on the organizational struc- ture. The existing structure should only be changed if the advantages of any changes outweigh any disadvantages and all participants agree to the change. 5) The City and Districts should enter into an intergovernmental agreement which adopts the policy statement; establishes interim service areas and a mechanism for ultimate distribution of fees and water rights; forms a steering committee; commits to a master plannning effort; and opens discussions of the organizational structure. (For further details see the letter dated February 11, 1982.) Announcements Roger Krempel brought several copies of a brief that had been prepared by Ward Fischer regarding the Huston File on underground water. They are avail- able for all Board Members who are interested. Mike Smith announced that a study is being done on Water Treatment Plant No. 1 in Poudre Canyon. The study also master plans the City`s water treatment needs for the next approximately 20 years. It is hoped that the study will be finished shortly, and that Board members will be able to review it before the next meeting. It was also announced that on March 23rd, bids will be received on the Sludge Farm. Since there was no further business, the meeting wasadjournedat 5,,00 p.m.. Water Board Secretary