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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 02/23/2009Fort Collins Utilities Water Board Minutes Monday, February 23, 2009 Water Board Chairperson City Council Liaison Gina Janett, 493-4677 David Roy, 217-5506 Water Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison Steve Balderson, 223-7915 Robin Pierce, 221-6702 Roll Call Board Present Chairperson Doug Yadon, Vice Chairperson Gina Janett, Board Members Gary Wockner, Phil Phelan, Johannes Gessler*, Duncan Eccleston, Mike Connor, Steve Balderson and David Pillard (*Note: Board Member Gessler departed the meeting at 4: 25pm as noted in the chronological order of the minutes). Board Absent Board Members Eileen Dornfest and Reagan Waskom Staff Present Brian Janonis, Terri Bryant, Steve Catanach, Robin Pierce, Roger Buffington, Dennis Bode, Susan Smolnik, Kevin Gertig, Cliff Hoelscher, Carol Webb and Carrie Daggett Guests Mark Lorie, Consultant Meeting Convened Chairperson Doug Yadon called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m. Public Comment There was no public comment. Minutes of January 22, 2009, Meeting Board Member Phelan moved to approve the minutes from the January 22, 2009, meeting. Board Member Gessler seconded the motion. Board Member Eccleston requested an edit from his introduction as a new board member to remove the watershed management reference. The motion to approve the minutes with this correction passed unanimously. Officer Elections Nominations for Chairperson were taken from the board members present. Board Member Connor nominated Vice Chairperson Janett, and she accepted the nomination. Board Member Gessler seconded the motion. Chairperson Yadon thanked Vice Chairperson Janett for her many contributions as Vice Chairperson and noted she would make a wonderful Chairperson. Water Board Minutes February 23, 2009 Nominations for Vice Chairperson were taken from the board members present. Board Member Gessler nominated Board Member Balderson, and he accepted the nomination with the disclaimer he is not interested in moving into the Chairperson position in the future. Board Member Janett nominated Board Member Wockner, and he accepted the nomination. Both nominees for Vice Chairperson were given the opportunity to give remarks to the Board. Board Member Wockner spoke about the various aspects of participating as a board member that he has valued, and noted he would enjoy being the Vice Chairperson and continuing to serve the Board and Fort Collins in a leadership capacity. Board Member Balderson spoke about his desire for. public service. In working with the Board to this point, he has been very impressed with staff, enjoyed chairing the Engineering Committee and being part of the quasi-judicial function the Board serves. There were no questions of either candidate. The candidates left the room for the Board's discussion. A vote by show of hands was taken, and Board Member Balderson was voted in as the new Vice Chairperson. Chairperson Yadon turned the meeting over to new Chairperson Janett to preside over. Chairperson Janett thanked former Chairperson Yadon for all of his excellent service to the Water Board over the years. Committee reassignments will be discussed at the March meeting. Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) Utilities Finance and Budget Manager Terri Bryant led a discussion to gather the Board's feedback on the seven outcomes associated with the BFO process. Boards are being asked by City Council to take a more active role in the budgeting process with the 2010-201 1 cycle, and there will be three distinct milestones where feedback on specific criteria from the Board will be submitted to Council. The first feedback is due March 27, and at this milestone, boards are being asked to confirm whether the seven outcomes are still the right priorities through which to organize the BFO process or should they be modified. Ms. Bryant introduced the seven outcomes which have been used in the last two budgeting cycles (2006-2007 and 2008-2009): • Economic Health; • Environmental Health; • Safe Community; • Neighborhood Livability; • Cultural and Recreational Opportunities; • Transportation; and • High -Performing Government Water and wastewater offers normally become part of the Environmental Health outcome, and stormwater offers normally become part of the Safe Community outcome. Board members expressed these initial thoughts: • Concerned with the statement under Economic Health, "Fort Collins has a healthy economy reflecting the values of our unique community in a changing world". Statement is overly optimistic given the current economic conditions. Water Board Minutes 2 February 23, 2009 • The words throughout these statements need to be accurate. • Anew category called Public Health and/or Essential/Basic Services was suggested. • Cross -functional goals were mentioned. Motion: Board Member Connor moved the Board recommend a change of wording from Safe Community to Public Health and Safety, and add drinking water supply and treatment, wastewater treatment and flood protection. Board Member Phelan seconded the motion. Discussion on the Motion: Vice Chairperson Balderson questioned what is being accomplished by changing the category. Board Member Yadon sees a baseline priority of essential services, and the Board desires Council to commit to this baseline. Board Member Eccleston asked what is in the Environmental Health category right now. Board Member Pillard suggested the Legislative, Finance and Liaison Committee look at this more in-depth, and also noted the Board's opportunity to give more meaningful input in the future at one of the next milestones in the process. Vote on the Motion: Yes: Doug Yadon, Gina Janett, Gary Wockner, Phil Phelan, Johannes Gessler, Duncan Eccleston, Mike Connor No: David Pillard, Steve Balderson The motion passed with seven for and two against. Motion: The Board discussed the existing results statements. Board Member Yadon moved the results statement for Environmental Health'be revised to delete "with an adequate, high quality water supply", and the Public Health and Safety outcome have a results statement of "Fort Collins is a safe place to work, live, learn and play including safe drinking water, water treatment and flood protection". Board Member Gessler seconded the motion Discussion on the Motion: There was none. Vote on the Motion: It passed unanimously. Out of City Service Area Request Utilities Development Review Manager Roger Buffington presented an out of city water and sanitary sewer service request in the Midori subdivision on North Taft Hill Road. Chairperson Janett asked whether higher fees are assessed. When the land becomes eligible for annexation, in terms of fees, they will be required to sign an agreement, stating when eligible for annexation, it would not be opposed. Board Member Wockner asked whether this sets any precedent for other developments. Water Board Minutes 3 February 23, 2009 Y Board Member Pillard assumes their only other alternative would be well water. Board Member Wockner questioned water rights. Mr. Buffington responded that raw water requirements and plant investment fees are done at the time of the building permit. Motion: Board Member Wockner motioned the Water Board recommend to the Utilities Executive Director the request for City water and sanitary sewer service for the Midori Subdivision on North Taft Hill Road be approved. Board Member Pillard seconded the motion. Discussion on the Motion: There was none. Vote on the Motion: It passed unanimously. Approval of IGA with West Fort Collins Water District Regulatory and Governmental Affairs Manager Carol Webb made a brief presentation to the Board and sought the Board's recommendation on approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the West Fort Collins Water District (WFCWD) and the City of Fort Collins related to monitoring of copper and lead. The West Fort Collins Water District meets the definition of a consecutive system, while our system is a wholesale system. This agreement facilitates communication between the two systems and does not change monitoring requirements. A change to the agreement was precipitated by notification from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment that WFCWD will now be responsible to monitor for copper and lead. The WFCWD system contains about 2,500 taps and serves the LaPorte area. The City's connection to this system occurs at Goat Hill Reservoir. The City has had a wholesale arrangement with WFCWD since the 1960s. Motion: Board Member Pillard motioned City Council approve the resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with West Fort Collins Water District to establish the District's public water system as a "consecutive public water system" connected to the City's wholesale public water system. Board Member Yadon seconded the motion. Discussion on the Motion: There was none. Vote on the Motion: It passed unanimously. Raw Water Rental Rates and Delivery Charges • Note: Board Member Gessler left the meeting at 4:25pm and did not vote on any motions from this point forward. However, a quorum remained for these votes. Water Board Minutes 4 February 23, 2009 Water Resource Engineer Susan Smolnik provided the annual presentation on this topic to the Board and sought the Board's recommendation for adoption of this year's rental rates and charges. The Water Resources Division's primary function is to ensure there is an adequate water supply to meet the needs of the City's treated water customers. In most years, the City has surplus water available to put on the rental market. Rentals can help offset raw water assessments. The assessments are fees associated with the City's ownership of irrigation company shares. Last year, for the first time, rental revenue exceeded these costs. The City does not make a profit from the rentals, but tries to offset its costs. Questions from the Board: Why was the rental revenue so high last year? The Joe Wright Reservoir/Michigan Ditch system produced more water, and the Colorado -Big Thompson (CBT) allotment was higher than average. What happened to carryover supply from CBT last year? The City can store"water in the CBT system for about a year until the end of the next irrigation season. There are limitations on quantity. Why are raw water rates remaining the same as last year? Did the treated water rates increase this year? Should there be a relationship? Raw water rates are market driven, and treated water rates are designed to cover the Utility's costs. What happens to the water if we set the rental rates too high and don't succeed in renting the water? It depends on the type of water. With CBT-system water, it .would likely go back into their system for reallocation the following year. In the case of North Poudre water, it would be delivered to their system, may be reallocated and added for their shareholders. For other sources, it wouldgo to the systems, and the City would not receive compensation for it. Are there any intentional factors in decision -making on rates, such as a "good neighbor policy"? Rates are market driven. Utilities Executive Director Brian Janonis added that our mission is to benefit ratepayers. How did it work out with the North Poudre renters this past year? All North Poudre rental requesters received some water and had some of their irrigation needs met rather than a few individuals receiving all of the supply that they needed. Positive feedback on this approach was received. Motion: Board Member Wockner motioned that the Board approve adoption of the staff -recommended table of rental rates and delivery charges. Vice Chairperson Balderson seconded the motion. Discussion on the Motion: There was none. Vote on the Motion: It passed unanimously. Water Board Minutes 5 February 23, 2009 Larimer No. 2 Ditch Lease Extension Ms. Smolnik asked the Board to recommend a one year extension on the lease of the City Ditch to Latimer County Canal No. 2 Irrigating Company. The ultimate goal is to eventually develop a permanent lease agreement or easement. When this arrangement is completed, it will be brought before the Board for review. This lease extension allows staff more time to work on the permanent arrangement. Questions from the Board: Who is responsible for completing the agreement? Staff is working on the agreement with assistance from the City attorney's office. The work has involved searching through documents dating back to the 1880s. The work is expected to be completed this year. Motion: Board Member Wockner motioned to recommend the lease of the City Ditch to Latimer County Canal No. 2 Irrigating Company be extended. for one additional year. Board Member Connor seconded the motion. Discussion on the Motion: There was none. Vote on the Motion: It passed unanimously. Shared Vision Planning (SVP) Update Water Resources and Treatment Operations Manager Kevin Gettig introduced Mark Lorie, consultant. Mr. Lorie provided a brief update to the Board. Currently, there are no major workshops planned, but technical committees continue to meet. Position papers outlining objectives to be achieved will be forthcoming. The schedule has been extended, partly because of some of the work the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is doing on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (D-EIS). Most of the work will be done by fall. Brief discussion took place about the common modeling for Halligan - Seaman and NISP projects. Committee Reports Water Supply (Waskom): No report. Legislative, Finance and Liaison (Pillard): No report. Conservation and Public Education (Phelan): The Water Conservation Plan goes to Council tomorrow night. Engineering (Balderson): No report. Instream Flow (Wockner): No report. Board Member Yadon has been with the Board close to 7 years and was presented a token of our appreciation for his outstanding service to the Board as member, Vice Chair and currently Chair. Board Member Yadon thanked the board members, Utilities staff, staff liaison Robin Pierce and her predecessor, DeEtta Carr. Board Member Yadon wishes everyone the very best of luck, and encouraged the Board to continue to take good care of the resources we enjoy. Water Board Minutes 6 February 23, 2009 - Staff Reports Water Resources Manager Dennis Bode included a Treated Water Monthly Summary and Snotel Report in the board packet. Other Business Chairperson Janett asked whether the City would consider hosting a medication disposal day. Mr. Gertig responded that a significant amount of education is going on. For example, recommended disposal information has been posted for customers on the City's web site (fcgov.com). Staff will keep a designated day for disposal in mind for the future. Board members are interested in a tour of the Mulberry Water Reclamation Facility renovation underway. Ms. Pierce will work with members on possible dates to schedule a tour. Future Agenda Items There was no discussion related to future agenda items. Adiournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m. Submitted by Robin Pierce, Executive Administrative Assistant Fort Collins Utilities Approved by the Board on �/3 2009 Signed &6'n �Ai �A e_e 4 i6 0 Robin Pierce Date Water Board Minutes 7 February 23, 2009