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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 09/19/2013Water Board Minutes September 19, 2013 1 Fort Collins Utilities Water Board/Natural Resources Advisory Board Joint Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 19, 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 Becky Hill, Liesel Hans, Lori Brunswig, Andrew McKinley, Duncan Eccleston, Heidi Huber-Stearns, and Phil Phelan Board Absent Board Members Brian Brown and Eric Garner Natural Resources Advisory Board Present Chairperson Joe Piesman, Board Members John Bartholow and Liz Pruessner Staff Present Donnie Dustin, Jon Haukaas, Matt Zoccali, Keith Elmund, Lance Smith, Carol Webb, Jennifer Shanahan, Basil Hamden, and Harriet Davis Guests Robert Heer and Kevin Jones Meeting Convened Chairperson Malers called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Introductions Since this was a joint meeting of the two boards, board members and staff introduced themselves. Public Comment None Approval of August 15, 2013 Minutes Chairperson Piesman moved to approve the minutes of the August 15, 2013, meeting. Board Member Phelan 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. Update on September Flood Event Water Engineering and Field Services Operations Jon Haukaas gave an update on the flood event: Water Board Minutes September 19, 2013 2 x Flow alarms started going off on Wednesday evening, September 11. x Utilities staff continued to monitor the situation throughout Wednesday night and into Thursday, September 12. x The Utilities Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was opened Thursday afternoon. Various departments across the City were involved, as well as Police Services and Poudre Fire Authority (PFA). x The flood caused some damage to the City’s infrastructure; however, Fort Collins did not sustain as much damage compared to other surrounding areas. x Poudre River flows doubled on Saturday, September 14 due to over-spilling at Halligan and Seaman Reservoirs. x Flood waters began to recede and the EOC was shut down Sunday evening, September 15. x The recovery phase began on Monday, September 16. Repairs and restoration will be forthcoming. Utilities staff is also assisting other municipalities affected by the flood. x Recovery efforts for the High Park Fire (HPF) started again on Tuesday, September 17. Mr. Haukaas noted that bark mulch applied to the burn area has performed extremely well. 2014 Recommended Rate Changes/Water Right Utilization Fee (Attachments available upon request). Strategic Financial Planning Manager Lance Smith presented information on rate changes. This item was also presented at the August Water Board meeting. Mr. Dustin presented information on the Water Right Utilization Fee. Water Rate Increase x Two components in 4 percent increase o 3 percent for increased capital investment in infrastructure o 1 percent for additional costs associated with the High Park Fire x Updated Cost of Service study Mr. Smith presented a graph showing the impacts by rate class for single family, multi-family, duplex, commercial, and high volume industrial. Staff recommends gradual rate adjustments. This study will also be used for adjusting 2015 rates. Mr. Smith presented a chart showing Plant Investment Fees for 2013 and 2014. These have also been adjusted. Wastewater Fund x Per 2014 City Budget 3 percent increase (increase necessary for capital improvements) x Updated Cost of Service study x Plant Investment Fees for 3 inch connections specific to customer Mr. Smith presented a graph showing the impacts by rate class for single family, multi-family, duplex, commercial, and high volume industrial. Staff recommends gradual rate adjustments. Stormwater Fund x Per 2014 City Budget no rate increase x Proposed adjustments to Floodplain Permit Fees o No changes to these fees since adoption o New rates based on actual cost of reviews Water Board Minutes September 19, 2013 3 Mr. Smith presented graphs showing typical residential utility bills for the summer and winter months. Mr. Dustin presented information on the Water Right Utilization Fee (WRUF). Water Right Utilization Fee x A water right specific fee designed to cover the cost of raw water storage x Paid in addition to any Raw Water Requirements and Plant Investment Fees A WRUF is necessary because many water rights accepted by Utilities require storage to provide water supply throughout the year, during drought years, and to meet legal return flow obligations. The fee is also necessary for sufficient capital related to acquiring storage. Mr. Dustin presented two graphs showing water supplies and demands for Fort Collins Utilities during 130 percent and 30 percent flow conditions on the Poudre River. The 30 percent graph shows a significant reduction in water right yields. He also presented a table showing the water source, storage ratio, and proposed WRUF. There is no WRUF proposed for the Colorado Big Thompson (CBT) project or the North Poudre Irrigation Company (NPIC) since these sources come with associated storage. Mr. Dustin presented graphs showing the variation among ditches for Pleasant Valley & Lake Canal, and Larimer No. 2 based on two river scenarios. Mr. Dustin presented a chart showing how the WRUF will impact costs based on a single-family residence on a lot size of 8,600 square feet. Highlights from the discussion: x A board member expressed concern about the motion wording for the rate increase (“4 percent rate increase”). The board members and staff discussed how to accurately convey this is an overall 4 percent rate increase and that the different rate classes will see varied rate increases. x A board member expressed concern about the costs associated with gravel pit storage. x A board member inquired if the tap fee includes fire suppression. Mr. Haukaas stated this is a separate tap with no fee attached. Discussion on the motion: There was no discussion on the motion. Vote on the motion: 8 for, 1 against. Reason for the nay vote: Board Member Eccleston is supportive of the overall concept but opposed due to charging a WRUF to developers that previously deposited raw water certificates to the City which were envisioned to meet all their water requirements. Vice Chairperson Bovee moved that the Water Board support the adoption of a Water Right Utilization Fee as outlined in the September 11, 2013 memorandum to City Council. Board Member Hans seconded the motion. Water Board Minutes September 19, 2013 4 Discussion on the motion: There was no discussion on the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. Lower Poudre Water Quality Monitoring Program Update (Attachment available upon request). Environmental Services Manager Keith Elmund presented information on this topic. This is an overview of a report prepared for City Council in July 2013. Highlights from the presentation: The City of Fort Collins has two water reclamation facilities: x Mulberry Water Reclamation Facility (MWRF) x Drake Water Reclamation Facility (DWRF) Regulation 85 (Treated Effluent Nutrient Control Limits) controls the level of treatment that must be achieved at the wastewater treatment plants before the effluent can be discharged to the river. Regulation 31 (River and Stream Nutrient Standards) controls the level of allowable nutrients in the stream itself. Mr. Elmund presented graphs showing the performance of MWRF and DWRF from January 2012 through March 2013. MWRF is achieving the Regulation 31 standards; however, DWRF exceeded the limits for Total Phosphorus (TP) and Total Inorganic Nitrogen (TIN). Mr. Elmund presented information on Regulation 85 and the Lower Poudre Monitoring Alliance Participants. These include the City of Fort Collins, Boxelder Sanitation District, South Fort Collins Sanitation District, the Town of Windsor, Carestream Health, the City of Greeley, and Leprino Foods. Mr. Elmund presented a map showing Lower Poudre monitoring sites. He also presented several graphs showing weekly levels of nitrate-nitrogen levels and total phosphorus levels from June 2012 through March 2013. Mr. Elmund presented information on 303(d) listings for Segments 11 and 12. These are regulated segments of the Poudre River. He noted there were issues with selenium at Segment 11 (Shields Street to Boxelder Circle) and issues with selenium and E. coli at Segment 12 (Boxelder Circle to South Platte River). Mr. Elmund presented information on 303(d) listings for Segments 13a (Spring and Fossil Creeks) and 13b (Boxelder Creek). He noted there were issues with selenium at Fossil Creek and that E. coli is seasonal for both Fossil and Spring Creeks from April to October. Mr. Elmund presented a graph showing year-to-year comparison of fish biomass at key sites along the Lower Poudre. He noted that brown trout have been prolific. Board Member Eccleston moved that the Water Board support the proposed rate adjustments resulting in an overall 4 percent increase for the Water Fund and a 3 percent increase for the Wastewater Fund in 2014 as stated in the 2013-2014 Biennial Budget. Rate adjustments would be distributed by customer class to more closely align rates with the actual cost of service per the 2013 study. Board Member Hill seconded the motion. Water Board Minutes September 19, 2013 5 Highlights from the discussion: x A board member inquired if a minimum flow is required for monitoring. Mr. Elmund stated monitoring is conducted weekly regardless of flow. Regulation 85 monitoring is conducted once per month. x A board member asked for clarification on the fish biomass data and why the number is high after events such as the High Park Fire. Mr. Elmund noted this survey does not include data from 2013. He believes the events such as High Park Fire may have an impact on future trends in fish biomass. x A board member inquired how much of the nutrient levels in the water are attributed to the treatment process and how much is attributed to what is used on lawns. Can this be addressed with behavioral changes? Mr. Elmund stated education is important to inform citizens of what to use on lawns. He recommends using fertilizers that do not contain phosphorus. Update on Urban Stormwater Quality Monitoring-Winter Runoff Study (Attachments available upon request). Regulatory and Government Affairs Manager Carol Webb presented information on this item. Background x Streets Department conducts roadway deicing operations (RDO) to clear roadways in winter months. Chemicals (salts) are used to conduct RDO. x City Council requested a study on the impact of these chemicals on water quality. x Staff initiated a collaborative study with the CSU Urban Water Center, City of Fort Collins Stormwater Department, and City of Fort Collins Streets Department. Study Objectives x Evaluate effects of RDO on urban stream quality in terms of Chloride concentrations x Determine if RDO is a significant source of chloride in a single watershed This study focused on the Spring Creek Basin, primarily because this is the largest drainage basin where chemicals are applied. Data Collection x Continuous monitoring to measure Specific Conductance (SpC) and flow x Collected grab samples to correlate between SpC and chloride concentrations x Monitored application rates through Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) technology Ms. Webb presented a chart showing the total chloride mass applied by City RDO. The City uses AVL on snow plows to measure amount and location of material applied during snow events. She also presented a graph showing the in-stream chloride concentration. Ms. Webb presented graphs showing the cumulative applied load and the cumulative measured load. She noted there is some other source that is having an impact on the stream in addition to what is applied during snow events. Evaluation of Chloride Concentrations and Impacts to Aquatic Life x Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ambient water quality criteria o Maximum concentration = 860 mg/l (exceeded 5 times in 31 total events over a 1 hour period) Water Board Minutes September 19, 2013 6 o Continuous concentration = 230 mg/l (never exceeded over a 96 hour period) x Colorado has not adopted the chloride standard for aquatic life protection. Conclusions x These operations are a significant source of chloride loading to the lower reaches of Spring Creek. x There may be opportunities to optimize deicing material application rates. Highlights from the discussion: x A board member inquired about the impact on aquatic life. Ms. Webb stated the impacts are based on long term exposure, not on short periods of high concentrations. x A board member inquired about City Council’s reaction to the information. Ms. Webb stated a memo was sent to Council as an informational update; however, they have not acted upon the information. x A board member inquired about non-aquatic life (vegetation) and build up in detention ponds. Ms. Webb stated detention ponds have not been tested; however, these chemicals can have an impact on vegetation. x Ms. Webb noted the Streets Department has started applying salt brine before snow starts. This application can reduce the use of other chemicals, reduce costs, and minimize the environmental impact as well as keep the public safe during snow events. Poudre River Corridor Contaminated Sites (Attachment available upon request). Environmental Regulatory Specialist Matt Zoccali presented information on this item. Mr. Zoccali presented a list and map showing contaminated sites along the Poudre River. He also presented an aerial view of the Aztlan site and the old power plants sites from 1951. He shared background information on the Aztlan site history. During the late 1990s, a portion of the gasholder uncovered during construction of the railroad was found to be filled with coal tar and contaminated soil. The Poudre River was rerouted and a barrier wall and engineered bank was put in place as per the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Mr. Zoccali shared information on the Fort Collins Power Plant History. This started operation in 1936. Coal, fuel oil, and gas powered the plant. This plant closed in September 1973. He also shared information on the Lee Martinez Park-Discovery Museum Site. This site is the eastern-most portion of Lee Martinez Park that was formerly a parking lot for a trail head and vacant land. This area became an uncontrolled landfill. It is currently the home of the Discovery Science Center and Fort Collins Museum. Highlights from the discussion: x A board member inquired about the impact of high flows in the Poudre River during the September flood event. Mr. Zoccali stated he inspected the engineered bank and it looked fine. A more detailed assessment will be completed at a later time. x A board member inquired about the plans for a white water park. Mr. Zoccali stated any changes to the river would be brought before the EPA for a risk assessment. Colorado Conservation Exchange Program Review (Attachment available upon request). This item was pended to the October Work Session.