HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 - Water Board - Annual ReportFort Collins Water Board
2006 Annual Report
Following is a summary of the 2006 activities of the Fort Collins Water Board. The report
focuses on topics addressed during the year plus actions taken on the 2006 Work Plan.
Water Board Members
Ted Borstad, Chairperson
Doug Yadon,Vice Chairperson
Steve Balderson
John Bartholow
Paul Czarnecki
Eileen Domfest
Action Items
Johannes Gessler
Gina Jarrett
Rami Naddy
Phil Phelan
Reagan Waskom
Raw Water Rental Rates and Delivery Charges
Each year prior to the irrigation season, the City sets water rental rates and delivery charges for
use of its raw water. These uses include rental to agricultural users, meeting certain raw water
delivery obligations and use by other City departments.
Consistent with the last few years, staff is again proposing two separate categories for raw water
rates and charges. The first category includes only those sources for which an active rental
market exists. The second category includes sources with a limited rental market or which are
used primarily to irrigate City facilities (parks, golf courses, etc.).
The early snow pack is encouraging, and the City will continue to monitor its supply when
making surplus raw water available for rental this year. The first priority will be to ensure that
adequate supplies will be carried over into 2007, although current projections indicate that the
City will have ample surplus supplies available for rental this year.
The Board approved staff's recommendation to City Council for (seems a word is missing here)
the proposed raw water rental rates and delivery charges for the 2006 season.
Overview of Pretreatment Code Changes and Mercury Update
The Board approved the Code additions and modifications of the Wastewater Code with the
added language to empower the General Manager to request documentation from dentists as
needed.
Intergovernmental Agreement with Fort Collins -Loveland Water District
In April 2001, the City and the Fort Collins -Loveland Water District entered into an agreement
in which the City would sell treated water to the District for use within city limits. The City and
the District have recently received requests from property owners and developers in the
agreement area to extend the period for an additional five years.
Floodplain Variance for Campus West Redevelopment
The Board approved staff's recommendation to grant the variance request for the elevation
requirements on the vacant lots at 1325 and 1331 W. Elizabeth Street. The variance would allow
the slab -on -grade foundation to "step" down at the same slope as the water surface elevation
goes down. They will still meet the minimum 18-inch elevation requirement at all times.
The proposed project consists of building two new structures. One of the structures is mixed -use
and the second structure is a two-story apartment building. Both buildings are located in the
100-year floodplain, however, the applicant is seeking a variance for Building A only. It is a
mixed -use structure with commercial on the ground floor and residential on the second floor. It
is located along the West Elizabeth frontage and the building is oriented on an east -west axis,
parallel to the flood flows.
Entrega Gas Pipeline LLC Easement
It was recommended by the Board to grant the easement for the construction of the natural gas
pipeline at Meadow Springs Ranch. Several existing pipelines run through Meadow Springs
Ranch at the northeastern corner of the property. Entrega Gas Pipeline, LLC is constructing a
new interstate natural gas pipeline from Meeker, Colorado, to the Cheyenne Hub in Weld
County.
Approval of the Sale of Land to Retain a Utility Easement
The Board authorized the sale of a small tract of real estate on Cedarwood and Prospect Drives.
Presently, there is a sewer running under the real estate to be conveyed to the purchaser who is
the adjoining landowner. The City is presently maintaining and mowing this small strip of
ground, and these responsibilities will be assumed by the new owner. The City would reserve
and retain a utility easement on and under this tract, in order to utilize the easement for any
utility purpose required by the City in the future. The total amount of consideration to be paid to
the City for the purchase of the 3,935-square foot tract is $1,000, which will reimburse the City
for the time and resources taken to convey the property.
Right -of -Way Easement and the Grant of a Temporary Construction Easement for a Liquid Gas
Pipeline at Meadow Springs Ranch
The Water Board voted to recommend approval of the right-of-way easement and the temporary
construction easement. The project will be constructed under the approval and eminent domain
authority of the United States Bureau of Land Management and according to the construction,
restoration and operational requirements of the United States Department of Transportation.
Endangered Species Act Compliance — South Platte River Basin
The Board supports the City's active and financial participation in the South Platte Water
Related Activities (SPWRAP). This program is designed to address the habitat needs of the
endangered species in the Central and Lower Platte River basin and resolve escalating conflicts
between water use and protection of endangered species. This program was developed by the
Department of Interior and the states of Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska. It will allow water
use and development activities in each of the three states to continue, in compliance with the
ESA and in accordance with the state water law and entitlements under interstate compacts and
decrees.
The SPWRAP will be working with the State of Colorado to help implement the program for
Colorado water users. To be covered by the program, Colorado water users need to become
members of SPWRAP. A formula based on water use will be used to determine membership and
associated assessments.
Utility Proposed Rate Changes
The Board recommended that City Council approve the proposed changes to the water and
wastewater rates and the wastewater plant investment fees for 2007. Proposed changes for the
monthly rates were:
• Wastewater 5%
• Water 3%
• Stormwater 0%
The Wastewater Fund will increase plant investment fees to implement the second phase of the
adopted three-year phase -in plan. No changes were recommended to the water and stormwater
plant investment fees in 2007. The proposed changes will be effective January 1, 2007.
Presentations
The following presentations were discussed during the year:
• Treated Water Production Summary & Water Supply Outlook — monthly updates on
snow pack and water supply.
• Halligan Reservoir Updates — monthly updates on the progress of the Halligan Reservoir
project.
• Consumer Confidence Report — Explanation of the drinking water quality brochure that
all City water customers received. It was noted that the water utility surpassed all state
and federal health standards for drinking water.
• 2005 Drinking Water Quality Policy Annual Report — This was the loth annual water
quality report since Council adopted a drinking water policy in 1993. The report listed
the strategies and summarized the action taken during the year.
• Chronic Wasting Disease — The Board reviewed a letter from the Larimer County
Department of Health Environment in response to the risk to the public of the proximity
of the Water Treatment Plant and the Department of Wildlife research facility.
• Water Conservation Annual Update — Staff summarized various water conservation
programs and activities that took place during the year.
• Stormwater Quality Annual Report - An overview was given of the Stormwater Quality
program and its accomplishments as it relates to the Colorado discharge permit
requirements. The newest program is the routine maintenance and operation of
individual retention ponds.
• Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District Updates
• Big Thompson Watershed Forum Update
• Poudre River Floodplain Regulations
• Legislative, Finance, Liaison Committee Updates
• Conservation & Public Education Committee Updates
• Engineering Committee Updates
• Water Supply Committee Updates