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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 11/20/2014Water Board Minutes November 20, 2014 1 Fort Collins Utilities Water Board Minutes Thursday, November 20, 2014 Water Board Chairperson City Council Liaison Steve Malers, 484-1954 Wade Troxell, 219-8940 Water Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison Becky Hill, 402-1713 Carol Webb, 221-6231 Roll Call Board Present Chairperson Steve Malers, Vice Chairperson Rebecca Hill, Board Members Brett Bovee, Duncan Eccleston, Lori Brunswig, Heidi Huber-Stearns, Alex Maas, and Phyllis Ortman Board Absent Board Member Andrew McKinley, Brian Brown, and Michael Brown Staff Present Carol Webb, Donnie Dustin, and Katherine Martinez Guests Christopher Wood and John Bleem (Platte River Power Authority), Maggie Sinner, Michelle Moyer. Meeting Convened Chairperson Steve Malers called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Public Comment None Approval of October 16, 2014 Minutes Board Member Duncan Eccleston moved to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2014 meeting. Board Member Phyllis Ortman seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously *Board Member Heidi Huber-Stearns abstained due to her absence at the October meeting. Staff Reports Monthly Water Resources Report Water Resources Manager Donnie Dustin. Water demands continue to be low. Water demand is 90% of projected for the calendar year, and continues in the 90s. Staff is exploring if it’s just an odd year; effects of earlier wet months probably contributed to low water demands. Poudre River stream flows are high, 150 to 200 cubic feet per second (cfs); usually it’s 5 cfs at this time of year. We’re reaping the benefits of two good water years. Diversions off the river are good. As of October, we’re at 103% of pre-fire conditions; we’ll probably end up in the high 80 percentile. Snowpack is low, although it’s still early in the season. Joe Wright Reservoir contains about 3 inches of snow-water equivalency. Colorado-Big Thompson Storage as of November 1 is the highest in its history. The outlook is good. A weak to moderate El Niño is predicted in the next several months, increasing the chance of above-average spring moisture in Colorado. Water Board Minutes November 20, 2014 2 Highlights of the Discussion  A board member commented on particulates in the river water due to turbidity and inquired about whether a decision on Poudre River diversions is made daily. Mr. Dustin stated it’s usually an up-to-the-minute decision. If monitors in the river above the pipelines indicate high turbidity after a storm, such as over 100 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU), which would clog pipelines, the system stops taking it. Water Resources & Treatment Operations Manager Carol Webb stated the 2013 flood flushed a lot of the sediment out, so the same intensity and frequency doesn’t exist now. If monitors show more than 1,000 NTU, the intake is shut off, as is the Pleasant Valley Pipeline intake, to avoid having to clean out the pre-sedimentation basin.  A board member inquired about the purpose of a pre-sedimentation basin if we’re already taking mostly clear water. Ms. Webb replied that the water is still turbid, just not as turbid. Mr. Dustin stated that if turbidity is more than 100 NTU, it’s too much. City Council Agenda Review Ms. Webb reported the City’s 2015-17 budget was adopted this week. Nothing water-related was discussed, although she will check on whether home water reports were funded. Upcoming issues include Soapstone Natural Area and a non-development minerals lease that City Council is scheduled to discuss on December 16. Fort Collins Utilities declined to enter a non- development lease, and staff will be prepared to answer questions. Water Reclamation & Biosolids Manager Jason Graham reported staff and the state land board have been discussing the non-development lease agreement on the mineral rights and geological assessments for any drilling potential. There is little potential of drilling; some parties have tried unsuccessfully in the past. The cost would have been $250,000 to secure the lease, to guarantee nobody would develop or drill for 25 years). Utilities Executive Director Kevin Gertig, Ms. Webb, and Mr. Graham decided it would be appropriate to not enter into the lease when considering the master plan and the very low likelihood of development. Meadow Springs Ranch (MSR) has three main uses: (1) biosolids application; the City grazes 1,800 cattle (2) environmental sustainability (recent release of black-footed ferret there) and (3) water resources. Other topics include water supply (March 10 City Council meeting) and Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP). Utilities and Natural Resources departments had planned to conduct a work session on NISP but it was cancelled due to the short timeline. The departments will send a memo to Council instead. New Water Resources and Treatment Operations Manager Selected Chairperson Malers asked Ms. Webb to announce the news that she was selected as Water Resources and Treatment Operations Manager. Ms. Webb is responsible for hiring the Water Production Division manager, and interviews have been scheduled for mid-December. The manager will be on board in January. Meadow Springs Ranch Easement (Attachments available upon request) Water Reclamation & Biosolids Division Manager Jason Graham presented information on the proposed solar project at Rawhide, along with John Bleem and Chris Wood of Platte River Power Authority (PRPA). Mr. Bleem reported that PRPA approved its strategic plan last year. PRPA’s energy sources include 75% coal (Fort Collins has the lowest rates in the region because of the coal supply), Water Board Minutes November 20, 2014 3 25% hydro, and 11% wind (80MW of Fort Collins’ 300 MW load), so they want to bring solar energy into the mix. PRPA determined Rawhide is the best site for a solar project. PRPA is requesting an easement, which would have to be negotiated between the City two land owners at the proposed site (the City-owned Meadow Springs Ranch). Another easement might be required between PRPA and the two owners. Staff is working with the City Attorney’s Office and the City’s Real Estate Office on easement language. The issue leads to questions about the goal of Meadow Springs Ranch (MSR) and protecting the ranch’s interests. Easements would stay with the property, meaning they stay intact through future land owners, and the ranch’s interest would be protected (the black-footed ferret, cattle, etc.) Discussions are continuing. Mr. Bleem explained that PRPA was formed in the 1970s by four owners: the cities of Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, and Estes Park. The City invested $300,000 to start the company. Fort Collins has a bit more renewables than the other cities; the solar project would serve all four cities. PRPA is also working with the City of Fort Collins Climate Action Plan Citizens Advisory Committee and Environmental Services Director Lucinda Smith, and Light & Power Operations Manager Steve Catanach to revise the renewables portfolio according to the strategic plan. Mr. Graham stated that MSR is a unique property; the City’s environmental stewardship and desire to protect MSR is very strong. Discussion Highlights  A board member inquired whether the project would consist of a field of solar panels. Mr. Bleem replied affirmatively and stated the solar project would be on 185 acres; solar panels will follow the sun on a single axis. PRPA received bids last Friday. There are 40 interested parties. Ms. Webb stated staff believes they can protect the ranch with adequate terms in the easement and seeks the board’s input. She encouraged the Water Board to express any concerns or ideas for conditions to include in the easement. Mr. Graham stated he is confident staff will be able to come to an agreement with the two land owners.  A board member inquired what Ms. Worthington’s incentive is to agree to the easement. Mr. Graham stated the easement would increase the property value. The county road running through the property has not been maintained for 10 years; it’s not drivable. The easement’s conditions include quantity and type. For example, it could restrict the landowners to using one truck and require them to share road maintenance costs.  Mr. Bleem stated the easement is required to move forward with proposed solar project so that Ms. Worthington can gain access to her property. The 1041 permit (“Activities of State Interest 1041 Review”) conceptual approval is a public record listed on the Larimer County website, www.larimer.org.  A board member inquired what would happen if staff is unable to locate or contact the second land owner. Mr. Graham stated the proposed solar project would not be able to proceed.  A board member commented that he thinks the proposed solar project is great conceptually; he has concerns about future maintenance responsibility.  Water Board members agreed they support continued discussions between Utility Staff, private property owners, and PRPA to facilitate PRPA proposed solar project at Rawhide.  Ms. Webb stated she will update the board on this issue at the December 18 meeting. Water Board Minutes November 20, 2014 4 Draft 2015 Work Plan Board members discussed revisions to the draft 2015 Water Board Work Plan. Ms. Webb stated the Work Plan must link all board goals and activities to City of Fort Collins objectives in seven Key Outcomes Areas. Discussion Highlights  A board member commented he likes this approach.  A board member inquired why water is not listed in the Community Livability category. Ms. Webb explained water is listed under Safe Community because that’s the category in the budget from which it receives money, although water touches every outcome area.  A board member inquired about the freedom to address things that aren’t in the Work Plan. Ms. Webb talked to the City Attorney; if it’s a defined area and has a nexus with water, it’s probably workable.  Chairperson Malers stated the Work Plan is meant to provide the board with guidance during the year on issues of interest to members, such as water conservation.  Ms. Webb commented that she started a list of issues coming up in 2015: legislation, graywater requirements, etc. At the January meeting, the board will hear a presentation on the Ecological Response Model. Board members listed issues to include in the 2015 Work Plan  Instream and environmental water demands of Poudre River.  Water conservation planning  Water marketing  Agricultural and municipal water-sharing and agreements  Alternative agriculture transfer methods  Graywater use and reuse opportunities  Source water protection planning and watershed health  State water plan  Lessons from low impact development  Climate Action Plan  Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process and mitigation for regional water projects  Cost of service transparency  Partnerships with neighboring water utilities  MS4 permit renewal  Statewide ballot issues regarding water  Capital projects; new Utilities Administration Building  Investigating Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and billing policies  Impacts of jurisdictional water Chairperson Malers stated he will revise the Work Plan, incorporate the above topics, and board members will discuss it at the December 4 Work Session to prepare for approval at the December 18 regular meeting. Ms. Webb stated she will talk with staff about updating the Water Board on Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) in 2015.