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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 12/20/2012Water Board Minutes December 20, 2012 1 Fort Collins Utilities Water Board Minutes Thursday, December 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 Jon Haukaas, 221-6671 Roll Call Board Present Chairperson Steve Balderson, Vice Chairperson Steve Malers, Board Members Brian Brown, Becky Goldbach, Eric Garner, Liesel Hans, Brett Bovee, Phil Phelan, and Lori Brunswig Board Absent Board Member Duncan Eccleston Staff Present Kevin Gertig, Mark Jackson, Lindsay Kuntz, Donnie Dustin, and Harriet Davis Guests Phil Mazur (Western States Land Services, Inc.), Todd Anderson (Western States Land Services, Inc.), and Randy Blank (Xcel Energy) Meeting Convened Chairperson Balderson called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Public Comment None Approval of November 15, 2012 Minutes Board Member Phelan moved to approve the minutes of the November 15, 2012 meeting. Board Member Goldbach seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. Staff Reports Monthly Water Resources Report Water Resources Manager Donnie Dustin provided this report for the agenda packet. Mr. Dustin also provided a copy of the most recent snowpack update map. Xcel Request for Utility Easement on Stormwater Property Real Estate Specialist Lindsay Kuntz introduced the item and introduced Phil Mazur with Western States Land Services, Inc. and Randy Blank with Xcel Energy. Xcel has planned a gas line replacement project to install an underground 16” high pressure gas transmission pipe from southwest Loveland north through Fort Collins to Vine Street. A portion of the alignment will run parallel with McClelland Drive, and will run adjacent and parallel to the eastern border of City property. This alignment is preferred as it will reduce street impacts as well as traffic Water Board Minutes December 20, 2012 2 interruptions during construction. Xcel will bore underneath the railroad. There is no planned impact on stormwater. Xcel plans to have the installation completed by September 2013. Mr. Blank presented the pipeline route map for the project. Ms. Kuntz introduced Planning, Development, and Transportation (PDT) Deputy Director Mark Jackson, the City contact for the project. Mr. Jackson stated Xcel intends to minimize the impact to the community with this project. This project also allows the City to conduct street maintenance repairs on Drake Road. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member asked if there are other Utility conflicts in the proposed alignment. Mr. Blank stated there is a sanitary sewer line. Xcel will check manhole elevations and will bore either under or over the line. Ms. Kuntz stated the permit will allow Xcel to survey the area.  A board member asked about the bore size. Mr. Blank stated the gas line has a 16 inch diameter. The existing 8 inch line has been in service since 1929. This new size will improve the quality and capacity of the pipeline.  A board member asked about the old pipeline. Mr. Blank stated it will be abandoned in place after the new line is in service. Light and Power has inquired about using the old pipeline as a conduit.  A board member asked for an estimate on the construction schedule. Mr. Blank stated this portion of the project is estimated at a couple of weeks.  A board member asked if the stormwater facility would be compromised if a major storm event occurred. Mr. Blank stated there is a stormwater mitigation plan in place.  A board member asked why it is necessary to cross the railroad tracks. Mr. Blank stated that since this is a large project, it is necessary to cross the tracks at one point or another.  A board member expressed concern about the wetland area. Mr. Blank stated the bore head will need to be tracked, but there will be no vehicular traffic in the wetland area. The area will not be disturbed. Mr. Blank gave more detailed information about the accuracy of using horizontal directional drilling in these types of areas.  A board member asked about the impact on bike and pedestrian paths in the area. Mr. Blank stated paths will need to be closed during the project. Mr. Jackson reiterated the paths will be closed anyway due to the MAX Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Discussion on the motion: There was no discussion on the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. Other Business Vice Chairperson Malers gave an update on the December City Council meetings where Council voted on a moratorium on oil and gas regulations. There was significant public presence at both meetings. Council included Natural Areas as part of the moratorium. Board Member Bovee moved that the Water Board recommend that City Council consider approval of an Ordinance authorizing the conveyance of a permanent utility easement and temporary construction easement on the City property located at the McClelland property to Public Service Company of Colorado. Board Member Brown seconded the motion. Future Agenda Items The board discussed the January Work Session Agenda. The following topics are on the draft agenda: • Draft Annual Report for 2012 • Meet and Greet with New Members • Review Board Charter & Meeting Conduct/Review Easement and Variance Process • Discuss Times for New Member Orientation Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:14 p.m. Submitted by Harriet Davis, Administrative Assistant, Fort Collins Utilities Approved by the Board on -.\&x’ , 2012 Signed: i i Board Secretary Date Water Board Minutes December 20, 2012