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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 09/20/2012Water Board Minutes September 20, 2012 1 Fort Collins Utilities Water Board Minutes Thursday, September 20, 2012 Water Board Chairperson City Council Liaison Steve Balderson, 223-7915 Wade Troxell, 219-8940 Water Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison Steve Malers, 484-1954 Brian Janonis, 221-6702 Roll Call Board Present Chairperson Steve Balderson, Vice Chairperson Steve Malers, Board Members Duncan Eccleston, Phil Phelan, Becky Goldbach, Liesel Hans, Lori Brunswig, and Brett Bovee Board Absent Board Member Eric Garner Staff Present Jon Haukaas, Ellen Switzer, Ken Sampley, Mark Kempton, Donnie Dustin, and Harriet Davis Meeting Convened Chairperson Balderson called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Public Comment None Approval of August 16, 2012 Minutes Vice Chairperson Malers moved to approve the minutes of the August 16, 2012 meeting. Board Member Brown seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. * Board Members Brunswig and Eccleston abstained due to their absence at the August meeting. ** Board Member Bovee was not present during the voting. Committee Reports Work Session Review (September 6, 2012): Vice Chairperson Malers presented an update on the September Work Session. The intent of the work sessions is to cover items less formally in an effort to run the regular meetings more efficiently. The 2013-2014 Budget was the primary topic. The board members were given a more in-depth view on how the City’s budget process works. The board members also discussed future work session topics. Conservation and Public Education Committee (Board Member Phelan): The committee met on Wednesday, September 12, and listened to a presentation on the Conserve to Enhance Program with special guest Aaron Lien from the University of Arizona. This pilot program is similar to wind energy programs and is used for water restoration projects. Engineering Committee (Board Member Brown): No report. Legislative, Finance, and Liaison Committee (Board Member Goldbach): No report. Water Board Minutes September 20, 2012 2 Water Supply Committee (Board Member Bovee): Water Resources Manager Donnie Dustin stated the committee is interested in meeting with the Larimer County Agricultural Advisory Board. This will be scheduled for a future Work Session. Staff Reports Monthly Water Resources Report Water Resources Manager Donnie Dustin provided this report for the agenda packet. Water use has been above average for most of the year. The Water Treatment Plant started taking Poudre River water on Monday, September 17. Hopefully, this will occur throughout the winter. Staff is also discussing a temporary carriage contract with the Bureau of Reclamation. Since the Bureau is the owner of the Colorado Big Thompson (CBT) Project, a contract must be obtained to utilize the facilities. Water Rate Discussion/Review and Provide Recommendation on 2013 – 2014 Utilities Budget (Attachments available upon request). Utilities Financial Operations Manager Ellen Switzer introduced the item. This item was also discussed more in-depth at the September Work Session. Ms. Switzer presented information on the Budget Assumptions. These include the following:  Inflation estimated at 0 percent in 2013  Inflation estimated at 3 percent in 2014  2.25 percent salary increases in 2013  2 percent salary increases in 2014 Ms. Switzer presented information on Rates and Fees Highlights. These include the following:  No increases for stormwater utility rates  Water rates are proposed to increase 4 percent in 2013 and 2014 due to the High Park Fire  Wastewater rates will not increase in 2013 and are proposed to increase 3 percent in 2014  Plant Investment Fees are updated biennially with no increase expected in 2013 Ms. Switzer presented information on the 2013 – 2014 Proposed Water Budget, including graphs outlining the budget summary and the water fund revenues for water, wastewater, and stormwater. She also presented information on 10 year rate projections for all Utilities (electric, water, wastewater, and stormwater). In summary, reserve policies for all funds are met, debt coverage is met for all funds, and small annual levelized increases will be necessary for Water and Wastewater. Staff recommends support for the City Manager’s Recommended Budget and recommends approval for the proposed rate increases. A board member asked for the total budgeted amount for water, wastewater, and stormwater. Ms. Switzer stated the budget breakdown is as follows: $28 million for water, $20 million for wastewater, and $14 million for stormwater. Water Board Minutes September 20, 2012 3 Discussion on the motion: There was no discussion on the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. Discussion on the motion: There was no discussion on the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. Stormwater Master Plan Update (Attachments available upon request). Stormwater and Floodplain Manager Ken Sampley introduced the item and introduced Stormwater Master Planning Manager Mark Kempton. Mr. Kempton began the presentation by discussing the key results that will be achieved by updating the Master Plan. These include integrating flood control and water quality projects into one comprehensive plan, a prioritized listing of stream rehabilitation projects, and a prioritized listing of retrofitted stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) projects. The Master Plan was originally presented to the Water Board in January, and again in April. It was presented at a City Council Work Session in April. Staff has also presented it to the Natural Resources Advisory Board (NRAB). The Master Plan Updates will be finalized using data, information, and results from two separate program efforts: Basin-Specific BMP Selected Plans and the Stream Restoration and Stability Study. Mr. Kempton showed a map outlining the Basin-Specific BMP Selected Plan for different areas of the City. He also presented a map showing the proposed Canal Importation (CI) Basin Management for the Village West Pond. The proposed BMPs include excavating the pond and providing a new water quality outlet, maintaining the existing pond invert, and moving and/or replanting trees. This requires close interaction with affected neighbors. A board member expressed concern about potential flooding in the area as it relates to the Horsetooth Dams. Mr. Kempton stated the ponds would be inundated and have no flood attenuation effects in the unlikely event of a Horsetooth dam break. He also stated it is not staff’s intent to remove all existing trees and vegetation for existing pond areas, but to work closely with adjacent property owners to save and/or relocate as many trees as possible within the pond footprint. Mr. Kempton presented the goal for the Stream Restoration and Stability Study:  Prioritize future stream management and rehabilitation work on 10 streams within the City of Fort Collins in coordination with the Basin-Specific BMP Selected Plans. Board Member Brown moved that the Water Board recommend that the City Manager’s Recommended Budget be adopted by City Council for the 2013-14 Biennial Budget. Board Member Brunswig seconded the motion. Vice Chairperson Malers moved that due to the unexpected costs of the High Park Fire, the Water Board recommend that City Council adopt the proposed 4 percent water rate increase in 2013. Board Member Brown seconded the motion. Water Board Minutes September 20, 2012 4 Mr. Kempton identified some problems that resulted from the study, including obstacles to fish passage and erosion problems. Erosion problems are present with Clearview Channel, Fossil Creek near Lemay Avenue, Spring Creek, and Stanton Creek. Irrigation flows are transported through several of the City’s natural streams. These drastically alter the natural flow regime – high, sustained flows cause erosion. Diversion structures and dams impede fish passage and habitat connectivity. Mr. Kempton presented information on the Multi-Criterion Decision Analysis (MCDA) Tool. This is used to assess and prioritize stream rehabilitation and associated BMP projects. This provides a meaningful way to prioritize projects, and rates the importance of environment, social, and economic benefits to the project. The MCDA Working Group consisted of Utilities, Natural Resources, Sustainability, Planning, and a member of the Natural Resources Advisory Board. Completion of the MCDA Tool included videos of each stream reach linked in Google Earth and a three hour field visit to representative reaches. 12 people evaluated 17 miles of stream in three separate meetings. The top four results from the MCDA Tool include:  Fossil Creek west of Lemay Avenue  Mail Creek by Werner Elementary School  Spring Creek just east of Riverside Avenue  Mail Creek near Fossil Creek Mr. Kempton presented before and after pictures from the stream restoration project on McClellands Creek during April and August 2012. Mr. Kempton presented information on the Public Outreach Process. This included a booth at New West Fest, Facebook and Twitter updates, a website (www.fcgov.com/stormwater-plan), and Utility bill mailers. He also outlined the Funding Considerations for the project. These include Flood Control Projects currently identified and funded using existing stormwater fees. Currently there is no dedicated stormwater funding source for Stream Rehabilitation/BMP projects. Mr. Kempton presented the Project Schedule:  July – September 2012 (Public Outreach)  August 2012 (Complete stream rehabilitation prioritization using the MCDA tool)  September 2012 (Present results to NRAB and Water Board)  November 2012 (Present results to City Council)  2013/2014 (Implement stream restoration and/or BMP projects) Next steps in the process include developing a new Stream Restoration Program. This includes Public Outreach, Irrigation Flow Management, Design, Capital Projects, Monitoring, Maintenance, and Planning and Zoning. The new program also includes vegetation management and riparian buffer standards. Staff recommends approval of the Stormwater Master Plan Update. Water Board Minutes September 20, 2012 5 Highlights from the discussion:  A board member expressed appreciation for staff’s efforts on the project. The board member is impressed with the work completed thus far.  A board member expressed concern about the amount identified for restoration and BMPs. The board member questioned if other departments will share in the maintenance costs. Mr. Haukaas stated staff will leverage funds where they can, such as partnering with Natural Areas or Homeowner Associations. Grant funding is also a possibility. The estimated numbers are based on today’s priorities and needs. More specific project details will come later and will be adjusted after bonds are paid and debt is reduced.  A board member questioned the cost for a rehabilitated stream reach. Mr. Kempton stated this depends on the design. Discussion on the motion: There was no discussion on the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. Mr. Sampley stated the item will be presented to City Council on November 6. He encouraged members of the Water Board to attend. Reduction in Board Size Recommendation (Attachment available upon request). Mr. Haukaas introduced the item and stated City Council desires to reduce the size of the board from eleven members to seven or nine members in alignment with the size of other City boards. Should this change occur, it would require modifications to the Water Board Bylaws. Mr. Haukaas asked the board members for their input on reducing the size of the board. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member feels there should be a diverse mix of board member backgrounds. He feels a diverse mix of professional backgrounds is represented on the current board.  A board member asked what is gained by reducing the board to nine members. The board member feels there may be greater potential loss in reducing the size of the board versus keeping it at eleven members.  A board member asked if the number of members can be based on the number of qualified applicants. Can the board membership remain at eleven if there are several qualified applicants? This would require another change to the bylaws; however, the board can give guidance to City Council on what qualifications and particular expertise they would like to see in the applicants.  Vice Chairperson Malers stated there would be no disruption to the current membership since Chairperson Balderson is term-limited at the end of 2012 and Board Member Smith’s position was not replaced when she resigned from the board in May.  A board member questioned if there can there be longer term limits. Mr. Haukaas stated that term length can be modified in the bylaws. Mr. Haukaas suggested the board should make a recommendation on the issue by the end of November. The board decided to table the issue until the October regular meeting. This will also be discussed at the October Work Session. Board Member Brunswig moved that the Water Board recommend approval and adoption of the Stormwater Master Plan Update. Board Member Eccleston seconded the motion. Other Business Board Member Brunswig gave an update on the Oil and Gas Committee meeting. Board Member Brown, also a member of the committee, suggested this should be discussed more in-depth at the October Work Session. He suggested the board should draft a memo to Council on the issue. Future Agenda Items The board discussed the October Work Session Agenda. The following topics are on the draft agenda: • Urban Agriculture Discussion with Environmental Planner Lindsey Ex • Oil & Gas Regulations with Regulatory and Government Affairs Manager Carol Webb • 2013 WorkPlan • Discussion on Board Size Reduction The board members also discussed upcoming relevant items on the City Council Agenda Planning Calendar. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m. Submitted by Harriet Davis, Administrative Assistant, Fort Collins Utilities Approved by the Board on Oct. \ , 2012 Signed: O Board Secretay Date Water Board Minutes 6 September 20, 2012