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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 01/16/2014Water Board Minutes January 16, 2014 1 Fort Collins Utilities Water Board Minutes Thursday, January 16, 2014 Water Board Chairperson City Council Liaison Steve Malers, 484-1954 Wade Troxell, 219-8940 Water Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison Vacant Kevin Gertig, 221-6637 Roll Call Board Present Chairperson Steve Malers, Board Members Eric Garner, Liesel Hans, Lori Brunswig, Andrew McKinley, Duncan Eccleston, and Heidi Huber-Stearns Board Absent Board Members Becky Hill and Brian Brown Staff Present Donnie Dustin, Kevin Gertig, and Harriet Davis Guests Mike Brown, Rob Graves, and Amber Graves Meeting Convened Chairperson Malers called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Public Comment None Approval of December 19, 2013 Minutes Board Member Brunswig moved to approve the minutes of the December 19, 2013, meeting. Board Member Hans seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. * Board Members Garner and Huber-Stearns abstained due to their absence at the December meeting. Staff Reports Monthly Water Resources Report Water Resources Manager Donnie Dustin provided this report for the agenda packet. Water demand in the month of December was 99 percent of projected demand. Colorado-Big Thompson (CBT) storage is better than this time last year. Snowpack is average to slightly above-average levels. Staff is hopeful there will be no water restrictions this year. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member inquired about last year’s CBT quota. Mr. Dustin stated last year’s quota was 60 percent.  A board member inquired about the culvert project near Stove Prairie Road. Water Resources and Treatment Operations Manager Kevin Gertig stated this is a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) project to replace the existing culverts with concrete structures. Water Board Minutes January 16, 2014 2  A board member inquired about the pre-sedimentation basin. Mr. Gertig stated the basin was completed in June 2013 and operated as anticipated; however, due to precipitation events and lower water demands, staff was not always able to operate the basin. Staff has learned the operational limits of the basin and will continue to update the board on this project. Change to Water Board Staff Liaison Chairperson Malers reminded the board members that Mr. Gertig is now the Staff Liaison. Approve 2013 Annual Report (Attachment available upon request). Chairperson Malers provided this report for the agenda packet. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member had a question about the rate increase mentioned in the report (the board discussed and made a motion on this item at the February 2013 regular meeting). Was this a temporary rate increase related to the shortage? Staff will have to follow-up on this request.  Chairperson Malers requested a timeline of rate increases over the past several years, along with a copy of the rates cost of service study. Mr. Gertig will follow-up on this request.  The board members and staff discussed the fourth bullet under the “General” tab regarding educational materials. This bullet was reworded to provide clarification. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. Other Business Chairperson Malers reminded the board of several upcoming events:  2014 Water Tables is scheduled for January 30, 2014 in Denver.  The Colorado Water Congress Annual Convention is scheduled for January 29-31, 2014 in Denver.  The Poudre River Forum is scheduled for February 8, 2014 in Loveland.  A board member inquired about the issue regarding the Halligan Water Right. Mr. Gertig stated the article recently published in The Coloradoan was accurate. Staff will continue to brief the board on this issue.  A board member inquired about the moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) and the memo from staff on the study regarding potential health impacts related to the issue. The board member requested follow-up on this issue. Mr. Gertig will follow-up on this request.  A board member inquired about what individuals can do to receive a credit on their bill regarding stormwater work on their property. Is this information available on the City website? Another board member suggested the board member search the City website for this information. This may be something that can be discussed further at a future meeting.  Mr. Gertig suggested a more comprehensive onboarding process for new board members. Chairperson Malers suggested using the Colorado Foundation for Water Education as a resource. Mr. Gertig requested the board members e-mail him with their suggestions regarding the onboarding process. Board Member Brunswig moved that the board approve the 2013 Annual Report. Board Member Garner seconded the motion.