HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 - Water Board - Annual Report2011 Fort Collins Water Board Annual Report
January 2012
2011 Board Members
Gina C. Janett, Chair* Johannes Gessler * Phil Phelan
Steve Balderson, Vice Chair Brian Brown Duncan Eccleston
Reagan Waskom* Becky Goldbach Steve Malers
Lori Brunswig Brett Bovee *retiring members
Action Items
Building Code Green Amendments: the Water Board recommended the proposed building
code green amendments pertaining to water for residential and commercial construction be
adopted by Council.
Oxbow Levee Remnant Parcel Sale: the Water Board voted to recommend Council approve
the sale of this parcel to the adjacent property owner.
City Utility Rate Philosophy and Purpose Statement: Water Board recommended that City
Council consider approval of the proposed Financial Strategy and Rate Design Philosophy,
consistent with staff’s recommendation and this Board’s recommended changes (noted below):
1. Adoption of the Water Conservation Plan as a Council-adopted policy.
2. Discussion of “pay as you go” versus debt philosophy.
3. Remove rankings on the prioritization list.
4. Add “natural” to “efficient use of resources”.
Instream Flow Recommendation: Water Board recommended to City Council that Council
take action to implement Policy ENV 24.5 of the newly adopted Plan Fort Collins by putting
resources toward it, designating a lead agency (Natural Resources Department), and to adopt a
work plan to implement a feasibility study.
Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Fort Collins, the City of Longmont and
Platte River Power Authority Relating to the Operation of a Joint Customer Information
System: the Water Board recommended adoption of the Intergovernmental Agreement
between the cities of Fort Collins and Longmont and Platte River Power Authority for the
operation of a customer information system required for the maintenance and billing of customer
accounts.
Appropriation Request for Relocation of Utilities in Mason Corridor: Water Board
recommended that City Council approve the proposed appropriation ordinance to fund the
relocation of water and wastewater facilities in the BRT/Mason Corridor.
2002 Storm Drainage Revenue Bonds: the Water Board recommended that the City Council
approve the ordinance appropriating the proceeds from the refunding bonds to pay off the 2002
bonds, and the Storm Water Enterprise Board to approve the issuance of the refunding bonds
and amending ordinance 8.
2012 Water/Wastewater Budget Exceptions and Rate and PIF Recommendations; 2012
Stormwater Budget Exceptions and Rate and PIF Recommendations: the Water Board
recommended City Council adopt the proposed 6 percent across the board water rate increase
and the 8 percent across the board wastewater increase for 2012. The Water Board
recommended City Council adopt the proposed changes to the 2012 plant investment fees for
water, wastewater, and stormwater. The Water Board recommend City Council approve the
Water and Stormwater Funds’ 2012 proposed exceptions to the 2011-2012 Budget.
Poudre River Floodplain Regulations: the Water Board recommended the existing floodplain
regulations be retained, but that additional consideration to implementing specific life safety and
property damage criteria and increased preservation of natural and beneficial functions of the
floodplain that would enhance and support the current regulations be incorporated with the
process to adopt the new Floodplain Rules and Regulations for the State of Colorado as
approved by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB).
Stormwater Criteria Manual: the Water Board recommended Council approval of the proposed
Fort Collins Stormwater Criteria Manual as attached to this Board packet and recommends
incorporating the proposed Stormwater Criteria Manual update into the City of Fort Collins Land
Use Code and the City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, as appropriate.
Construction Specifications Update: the Water Board recommended approval and adoption
of the Standard Development Specifications for Stormwater, Water, and Wastewater
Construction including the process outlined for future updates.
Water Supply and Demand Management Policy: the Water Board prepared a letter of support
to City Council for the draft policy incorporating comments made during the board meeting with
assistance as needed from staff. The Water Board reviewed the letter and voted to endorse the
letter of support at the December meeting.
Amendment to City Code Section 26-236 Regarding Exemptions to Connect to the City's
Public Sewer System: the Water Board recommend approval to the City Council of
amendments to Chapter 26-236 of the City Code relating to requirements to connect to the
City’s public sewer system.
Committee and Proposed Gray Water Legislation: the Water Board recommends to the City
Council Legislative Review Committee that they consider supporting the concept of a proposed
bill (enabling legislation) that would permit cities to set up standards and guidelines governing
the use of graywater in their communities.
Recommendations on Legislative Review by the LFL: the Water Board voted to encourage
City Council to direct Utilities staff to be more involved in monitoring, tracking, and testifying on
state legislation and policy regarding water issues as appropriate. The Water Board also voted
to authorize its Legislative, Finance, and Liaison Committee to monitor state legislation and be
enabled to send informational memos on bills that the LFL believes should be of concern or
interest directly to the Council Legislative Committee. The memos would not suggest a position
in support or opposition but would describe the issues and potential impacts to the City.
Easements
The water board reviewed and approved the following easement requests:
Request from Larimer County for an Underground Storm Sewer Pipe on Property Owned by
City Utilities
Easement Request for the Sanctuary West Development
Stormwater Easement - Creekside Park
Maxwell Farm Conservation Easement Water Use Agreement
Easement on City Property to Public Service Company of Colorado
Presentations
Army Corps of Engineers Briefing on Halligan-Seaman Reservoir Projects
Floodplain Regulations: No Adverse Impact Option
Fluoride Regulations Update
2011 Raw Water Rental Rates and Delivery Charges
Lower Cache la Poudre and Urban Creek Water Quality Report
Upper Poudre Wildfire Watershed Assessment
CIPO Project Update
2009 Global Reporting Initiative Report
Agricultural Water in Larimer County
2010 QualServe Benchmarking Presentation
Utilities for the 21st Century
Drinking Water Quality and Annual Consumer Confidence Reports
MS4 Stormwater Permit Annual Update
Authorizing Conveyance of a Non-Exclusive Utility
Watershed Program (Protection of Raw Water Quality and Supply)
Nutrient Regulation Changes and associated impacts
Smart Grid Technology Update
Nutrients and Water Quality Memo
Standing Committees
Conservation and Public Education Committee
Engineering Committee
Legislative, Finance, and Liaison Committee
Water Supply Committee
Report prepared by Steve Balderson, Water Board Vice Chair