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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 07/16/2015Water Board Minutes July 16, 2015 1 Fort Collins Utilities Water Board Minutes Thursday, July 16, 2015 Water Board Chairperson City Council Liaison Steve Malers, 970-484-1954 Wade Troxell, 970-219-8940 Water Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison Becky Hill, 970-402-1713 Carol Webb, 970-221-6231 PRESENT ON ROLL CALL: Chairperson Steve Malers, Vice Chairperson Rebecca Hill, Board Members Duncan Eccleston Brian Brown, Michael Brown, Alex Maas, Andrew McKinley, Lori Brunswig, and Phyllis Ortman. Board Member Brett Bovee arrived at 5:50. OTHERS PRESENT: Staff Carol Webb, Jon Haukaas, Donnie Dustin, Matt Zoccali, Mark Kempton, Cory Stringer, and Ken Sampley. Visitors Kent Bruxvoort (New Water Board member to be appointed on July 21 by City Council resolution), Eric Sutherland, Meeting Convened Chairperson Malers called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Public Comment Eric Sutherland expressed his discontent with the Boxe1der Basin Regional Stormwater Authority. He opined that the authority spent $3 million on a proposed project it cannot build. His main claim was that the authority is, “Nothing more than a plot cooked up by land speculators to take land out of the floodplain to be more rapidly developed.” He was very upset with staff and government for what he called dishonesty and secrecy around condemnation. Discussion Highlights  A board member agreed with some of Mr. Sutherland’s comments. Approval of June 18, 2015 Minutes Board members requested the following revisions to the draft June minutes.  On page 4, revise and include Board Member Lori Brunswig’s name as the dissenting vote on the Stormwater Basin Consolidation Budget Ordinance. Board Member Brian Brown moved to approve the minutes of the June 18, 2015, meeting with revisions. Board Member Lori Brunswig seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously with two absentions *Chairperson Steve Malers and Board Member Duncan Eccleston abstained due to their absence at the June 18 meeting. Water Board Minutes July 16, 2015 2 Staff Reports (Attachments available upon request) Monthly Water Resources Report Water Resources Manager Donnie Dustin reported that demands are still lower than projections due to wet and cool weather. Poudre River diversions are down from the pre-High Park Fire average. Poudre River stream flows and soil moisture are both very good. Water supply outlook continues to be wetter and cooler than normal. Discussion Highlights  A board member inquired about the effect of low demand on revenues and budget. It was agreed that Lance will discuss this issue at upcoming meetings.  A board member commented that a predicted “super El Niño” may keep decreased demands for the foreseeable future, and inquired if there is a long-term plan for such a weather event. Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) Water Resources & Treatment Manager Carol Webb reported that the supplemental draft was released June 19. Some concerns and deficiencies have been identified and will be brought to City Council later. Discussion Highlights  A board member inquired if consultants can actually substantiate and evaluate the review given their lack of access to actual data and other sources.  A board member commented that the report did not include a “no action” alternative.  The board discussed the need to review NISP for the August 6 Work Session. Summary of July 14 Special City Council Work Session on Water Supply Planning Water Resources & Treatment Manager Carol Webb commented that the presentation went well and the general direction from City Council was to explore and address the water supply needs beyond our service area. She also expressed that Council suggested Fort Collins Utilities needs to think long term from a city perspective, not just a utility perspective, and work backwards to make our immediate plans. Discussion Highlights  A board member inquired about the involvement of the other water districts. How does Fort Collins Utilities take a city-wide view if the other districts are independent? Grading, Erosion, and Sediment Control (GESC) Permit Update (Attachments available upon request) Regulatory & Government Affairs Manager Matt Zoccali hopes to develop the fee and permit integration process for development and outside development reviews, and find a better way to evaluate grading or earth moving issues. There is a need to increase staffing to cover additional need for services. There is also a need to have a better mechanism to incentivize violators. Discussion Highlights  A board member inquired why we use permits to fund these reviews versus punitive fines.  A board member inquired about the burden of the permit at the state and municipal level. Water Board Minutes July 16, 2015 3  A board member suggested the need to combine different disturbances under a single permit.  Another suggestion is to look at neighbor cities to keep permits consistent. Suggestion is to use cubic yards of material used or moved. Sole Source Purchase of a Brown Bear Hydrostatic Tractor with Aerator for the Fort Collins Water Treatment Facility (Attachments available upon request) Water Production Manager Mark Kempton summarized the proposed purchase of a Brown Bear Hydrostatic Tractor with Aerator that will be used at the Water Treatment Facility. Alternative equipment was evaluated; this was the best option. This purchase was anticipated and is in the minor capital budget. Discussion Highlights  A board member inquired if written quotes were taken such that this was absolutely the best option.  A board member inquired about changing sludge practices such that this specialized machine will not need to be purchased in the future. Board Member Phyllis Ortman made a motion for the Water Board to recommend that the City Council consider the sole source purchase of a Brown Bear Hydrostatic Tractor with aerator for the Fort Collins Water Treatment Facility. Board Member Alexander Maas seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. Northern Colorado Hazard Mitigation Plan (Attachments available upon request) Water Systems Engineering Manager Ken Sampley Mr. Sampler presented the multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan update, highlighting that fact that the hazard mitigation plan is necessary to receive mitigation grant funding. Have recently gotten grants to update some responses and systems. Part of the plan helps coordinate responses with our neighbors. The plan entails both strategies and actions, which include things like property management and education programs. Discussion Highlights  A board member inquired about how the higher groundwater and storage levels may change the plan.  A board member inquired about how much of the plan revolves around proactive physical projects versus reactive collaboration. New Business Think about doing a field trip for a stream restoration site (Fossil Creek) Future Agenda Review Next City Council Work Session Agenda Water Board Agenda Planning Calendar