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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 08/15/2013Water Board Minutes August 15, 2013 1 Fort Collins Utilities Water Board Minutes Thursday, August 15, 2013 Water Board Chairperson City Council Liaison Steve Malers, 484-1954 Wade Troxell, 219-8940 Water Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison Brett Bovee, 219-2747 Jon Haukaas, 221-6671 Roll Call Board Present Chairperson Steve Malers, Vice Chairperson Brett Bovee, Board Members Brian Brown, Becky Hill, Eric Garner, Liesel Hans, Lori Brunswig, Andrew McKinley, Duncan Eccleston, Heidi Huber-Stearns, and Phil Phelan Staff Present Kevin Gertig, Lance Smith, Donnie Dustin, Ken Sampley, Marsha Hilmes-Robinson, Brian Janonis, Mike Gebo, and Harriet Davis Guests Kevin Jones and Rob Graves Meeting Convened Chairperson Malers called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Public Comment None Approval of June 20, 2013 Minutes Board Member Brown moved to approve the minutes of the June 20, 2013, meeting. Board Member Brunswig seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. * Board Members Phelan, Huber-Stearns, and Bovee abstained due to their absence at the June meeting. Staff Reports Monthly Water Resources Report Water Resources Manager Donnie Dustin provided this report for the agenda packet.  Demand has been lower than expected due to rain events. It is not uncommon to see lower than average demand due to weather. Poudre River runoff has been below average. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member inquired about the landslide event that occurred at the end of June 2013 and asked if there will be lingering effects from this event. Water Resources and Treatment Operations Manager Kevin Gertig stated the landslide occurred in a very steep area. Staff will continue to monitor to determine the best response. Water Board Minutes August 15, 2013 2 Mitigation Work for High Park Fire Mr. Gertig gave an update on the mitigation work for the High Park Fire event:  Mitigation work will start on August 18, 2013.  Congress passed legislation this year for additional Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) funding. The City of Fort Collins, the City of Greeley, and Larimer County are co-sponsors.  Wood mulch will be used in the mitigation of the 1600-1800 acres. Helicopters will be used for the application. There will also be tree-felling. These specifications have been approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  The project must be completed by the end of October 2013.  The project close-out must be completed by Thanksgiving 2013.  This mitigation work is specific for entities taking water for the purpose of water supply. Overview of the Upcoming for Adoption 2012 Building Codes (Attachments available upon request). Chief Building Official Mike Gebo presented information on this item. This item will be presented to City Council in October. The following codes are introduced for adoption:  International Building Code (IBC)  International Residential Code (IRC)  International Mechanical Code (IMC)  International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)  International Energy Conservation Guide (IECG) Highlights from the presentation:  This presentation focused on water-related aspects of the new code requirements, most notably the requirement that single family homes be provided with a fire-suppression (sprinkler) system. This requirement is part of the International Residential Code (IRC).  In 2012, the City adopted Green Code Amendments. This included provisions for low flow water fixtures. These are carried over as local amendments.  Previously, the chapters on gray water systems have been included as an appendix in the Plumbing Code. The chapter on gray water systems is now included in the body of the code; however, the State Plumbing Board has not ruled on these systems.  Currently, the City is under the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC). When Council adopted this, they deleted the section on residential fire-suppression (sprinkler) systems for single-family homes.  Staff supports the provision for the fire-suppression (sprinkler) systems. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member inquired about the codes in regards to landscape irrigation. Mr. Gebo stated these codes do not address landscape irrigation.  A board member inquired about the development cost for builders. How does this compare to other Front Range jurisdictions and their code requirements? Mr. Gebo stated a small percentage of jurisdictions in the Front Range (approximately 5-10 percent) have required the fire-suppression (sprinkler) systems in new developments. For a typical 2,000 square foot house, the cost for a fire-suppression (sprinkler) system is approximately $4,500.  A board member inquired about the insurance cost for homeowners with fire-suppression (sprinkler) systems. Mr. Gebo explained that insurance rates were not affected because of the rating by the Insurance Service Office (ISO). In 2008, the jurisdiction’s building Water Board Minutes August 15, 2013 3 department received a “2” rating for residential and commercial construction from the ISO. This rating is considered “very good.” Since the City did not adopt the fire-suppression (sprinkler) system portion of the code, insurance rates were not affected because the rating is was within a certain bracket (1-3). Mr. Gebo also stated that insurance rates are based on the insurance carrier. Some insurance companies will give a credit if the homeowner has a fire- suppression (sprinkler) system.  A board member inquired about the code requirements for existing construction. Mr. Gebo stated this only applies to new construction. The code requirements do not include existing structures and do not apply to additions.  A board member asked for clarification on the division between residential and single- family homes. The current IRC applies to single-family, duplex, and townhome construction; however, sprinklers are required for triplex units (three units not divided by a property line).  A board member is interested in a cost analysis. The board member would be interested in seeing data from homeowners that have installed fire-suppression (sprinkler) systems showing the economic advantage with installing such a system.  A board member inquired as to why the Water Board is involved in the code discussion. Mr. Gebo stated that Council wants this information presented to all City boards.  A board member supports the idea behind the proposed code change regarding the fire- suppression (sprinkler) system (water reuse and water efficiency); however, he does not feel the Water Board should endorse the costs associated with adding these types of systems. Discussion on the motion: There was no discussion on the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. 2014 Recommended Rate Changes (Attachments available upon request). Strategic Financial Planning Manager Lance Smith presented information on the item. Mr. Dustin also participated in the presentation. There is a proposed rate increase of 4 percent for water and 3 percent for wastewater. There is no proposed stormwater increase. Water Fund  Cost of Service study being completed to determine rate class specific adjustments  3 percent increase for capital improvements and 1 percent increase for ongoing costs associated with High Park Fire  Other issues o Plant Investment Fees for 3 inch connections o Ongoing soil remediation efforts associated with High Park Fire o Water Right Utilization Fee Mr. Smith presented graphs showing potential Poudre flows available to the City with given river scenarios for 1986 and 2002. Board Member Brown proposes for approval the following motion: The Water Board encourages and endorses water reuse, water efficiency, and water quality measures that are incorporated into the building code such as broader sprinkler coverage of residential units. This support does not address costs and other impacts of implementing these measures. Board Member Bovee seconded the motion. Water Board Minutes August 15, 2013 4  Water Right Utilization Fee o In addition to Raw Water Requirement (RWR) o Necessary to fully utilize accepted water rights o Specific to the irrigation company Mr. Smith presented a table showing the water right utilization fee for various water sources and explained how the fees are determined for each water source. He referred to City Code Section 26- 150, Raw Water Requirements which states the Water Board determines which water rights are acceptable to the City and determines the appropriate conversion factors to be used in determining the yield from each source. Suggested changes in water rights to meet RWR:  Change the allocation for North Poudre Irrigation Company (NPIC) from 5.00 acre feet per share to 4.00 acre feet per share  No longer accept Warren Lake Reservoir Company shares Wastewater Fund  Cost of service study being completed to determine rate class specific adjustments  Increase necessary for capital improvements  Plant Investment Fees for 3 inch connections Stormwater Fund  No rate increase is planned per the 2014 City Budget  Proposed adjustments to Floodplain Permit Fees (this item will be presented to the Council Finance Committee on August 19). Next Steps  Finish Cost of Service studies for Water and Wastewater  Take rate class specific increases to Water Board for action in September  City Council Work Session September 24  First Reading of Rate Ordinances on October 15 Highlights from the discussion:  A board member inquired about the increase to the storage capacity in Warren Lake. Mr. Dustin explained that water from Warren Lake is not usable because there is not a pipeline into the City’s system.  A board member inquired if water from Larimer No. 2 Irrigation Company can be released into Spring Creek. Mr. Dustin stated water rights are required to be from treated water customers.  Mr. Dustin explained the conversion factor. This is based on the historic/average yield.  The board and staff discussed potential fees for new developments based on the table presented. Mr. Smith explained the rationale for changing the water rights.  A board member inquired about the 2012 rate increase as a result of the High Park Fire and if this will be adjusted after fire-related costs are covered. Mr. Smith stated this will be part of the asset management conversation. Mr. Gertig stated there should be stabilization of funds in the future.  The board and staff discussed the best approach for presenting this information to the Council Finance Committee. Water Board Minutes August 15, 2013 5 Floodplain Regulations Revisions (CWCB, Policy, Clarifications) (Attachments available upon request). Stormwater and Floodplain Program Manager Ken Sampley introduced the item and introduced Floodplain Administrator Marsha Hilmes-Robinson. This information was also presented at the June Water Board Work Session. The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) adopted minimum statewide floodplain regulations in January 2011. All communities must adopt these new standards by January 2014. The City of Fort Collins has already adopted many of these standards. Ms. Hilmes-Robinson presented a flood risk map showing the affected areas. Required Changes  Additional critical facilities to be regulated. The types of critical facilities have been reorganized into the following: o Essential services o Hazardous material facilities o At-risk population facilities o Government services  Higher freeboard for additions and substantial improvements (now 1 foot)  Additional items to be included in substantial improvement cost determinations for City Basin Floodplains o No special considerations for ‘pop-tops’ (second-story additions) o All improvement value counts  Hardship provisions for variance requests  Elimination of waivers for properties in areas where capital projects are under construction and reduce the floodplain in City Basin Floodplains Additional Proposed Changes Current regulations were reviewed for recommended policy or procedural changes, including:  Definition of ‘abandoned’  Escrow procedures  Mapping criteria  Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) - Fill criteria for properties annexed into the City (A provision is included that stipulates this requirement does not apply to properties already annexed into the City.) Next Steps  Public Outreach (mid-July through August)  Council Work Session September 24, 2013  Council adoption expected by the end of 2013 What Happens if the City Does Not Adopt the Regulations?  The City can be put on probation or suspended from the National Flood Insurance Program  Disaster assistance would not be available  Higher flood insurance premiums for existing policies and no new flood insurance policies  Federal grants and loans would not be available to the City