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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 02/19/196904 ruary 19, 1969 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE WATER BOARD Held February • 19, 1969, at 3:30 P.M. in the City Manager's office. Present: President Ward Fischer, Vice -President Frank Ghent and Board members Owen Moore and Fred Feit. Also present were City Manager Coffey, Director of Finance Charlie Cain, Director of Public Works Charles Liquin, Superinterdof Water and Sewer Eddie Hilgenberg and Secretary John Bartel. The President opened the meeting with an important subject in order to obtain additional water and stated that there is approximately 30,000 acre feet in the Windy Gap area. After some discussion, the following proposal was presented and read at length: • February 20, 1969 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Fort Collins Water Board SUBJECT: Six -Cities Water The Water Board respectfully reports to the Council as follows: As the Council knows, theSix-Cities organization has filed on certain waters tributary to the Colorado River on the Western Slope of the state. This filing was made on behalf of the Six - Cities in the name of Mayor Pr ice of Longmont as trustee. From the information available to the Water Board, it appears that the claimed amount of 30,000 acre feet of water is reasonably available, and that the filing .represents one of the best available opportunities to acquire foreign water for this area of the state. In making the filing, it was contemplated that the water would be shared in some equitable manner between the cities involved, and that the details of the acquisition and division would be made at a later date. It was also originally contemplated that the Six -Cities would have a considerable time in which to develop this proposed new . source of water. However, we are informed that a general adjudication Ffruary 19, 1969 proceeding has been started in the water district in which tl�- proposed decree is sought. The starting of a general adjudication proceeding requires all claiments of water rights, including the Six - Cities, to submit their claims to the Court for adjudication or dis- missal. As we understand it, thehearing on this matter is set for July 1, 1969, which leaves little available time for the matters required to be done. The Water Board is of the opinion that the Six -Cities should form themselves together as a sub -district of the Northern Colorado Conservancy District. This has tremondous advantages in several respects. The existing facilities of the District could be used by the sub -district to convey the water through the Continental Divide, and there are many political implications and advantages con- cerning the sub -district that would be difficult to mention in this short letter. The Water Board would be glad to meet with the Council if additional detail is required. Suffice it to say that the Water Board is of the opinion it is essential that a sub -district be formed such sub -district to include such cities, of the Six -Cities, as are agreeable to this approach. We firmly believe that unanimity is not necessarily required and strongly recommend that if certain cities' do not desire to join the sub -district, that the sub -district be formed among those cities as are willing, and let matters proceed on that basis. The Water Board further reconluends that the City Council instruct the City Manager, City Attorney, and other that may be re- quired to immediately begin action toward the formation of the sub- district, and the collecting of evidence for submission to co'm rt in support of the claim of the Six -Cities organization, in regard to this 30,000 acre feet of water. Because Fort Collins is known as the "progressive city', and because some of the other cities do not appear to realize the urgency of the situation, we further recommend that the City of Fort Collins take it upon itself to see that the foregoing is accomplished This does not imply that we should not cooperate to the fullest extent with the other cities, but rather that the city should take the ini- itative in all of the foreging proposals. The Water Board cannot sufficiently emphssiz6 its view that the situation is critical from the standpoint of time and that urgently is essential if this most promising possibility is not to be lost. Respectfully submitted, FORT COLLINS WATER BOARD By: Ward H. Fischer President Motion was made by Owen Moore, seconded by Fred Feit, • that this proposal be referred to the City Council for their decision. The Chairman put the motion which was unanimously adopted ruary 19, 1969 • • L With nothing more to discuss, the Board adjourned. Secreta,r