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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 09/21/20171 Water Board Minutes September 21, 2017 Fort Collins Utilities Water Board Minutes Thursday, September 21, 2017 Water Board Chairperson City Council Liaison Brett Bovee, 970-889-0469 Wade Troxell, 970-219-8940 Water Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison Kent Bruxvoort, 970-219-2832 Carol Webb, 970-221-6231 ROLL CALL Board Present: Vice Chairperson Kent Bruxvoort and Board Members Steve Malers, Jim Kuiken, Phyllis Ortman, Michael Brown, John Primsky, Jason Tarry, Lori Brunswig, Andrew McKinley and Rebecca Hill. Board Absent: Chairperson Brett Bovee. OTHERS PRESENT Staff: Carol Webb, Katherine Martinez, Adam Jokerst, Heather McDowell, Shane Boyle, Christine Macrina, Kevin Gertig, Matt Fater, and Jesse Schlam. Members of the Public: Jerry Okeson, Peter Lewis, and Nadia Helmy. Meeting Convened Vice Chairperson Bruxvoort called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Public Comment None Potential Impact of Broadband on Capital Expenditure Plans A board member requested adding an agenda item under Other Business regarding the impact of $170 million potential bonding for Broadband. Question: Does this restrict the City from bonding and completing other projects such as the Halligan Reservoir expansion? Utilities Executive Director Kevin Gertig replied that the bonding would be under the Light and Power Enterprise Fund; broadband doesn’t have any direct correlation with water, wastewater, and stormwater funds. Citizens will vote on the Broadband measure in November. Staff Liaison Carol Webb suggested adding an agenda item to the next meeting for staff to give a presentation on Broadband. A board member inquired how many full-time equivalent (FTE) employees would be hired. Ms. Webb replied 35 to 40 FTE. Board and staff decided to add a 15-minute agenda item to the October 5 work session agenda or the October19 regular meeting. 2 Water Board Minutes September 21, 2017 Introduction of Interim Water Engineering & Field Services Operations Manager Utilities Executive Director Kevin Gertig thanked the board for their expertise and service, and introduced Matt Fater, who is serving in an interim position until Jon Haukaas’ replacement is hired; Mr. Haukaas left this month after seven years with the City to return to his native Minnesota. Utilities is advertising the job opening nationally to professional organizations for 30 days. Mr. Fater is a 22-year veteran of City of Fort Collins Utilities. He’s worked in development review and master planning, as a Special Projects Manager, and was instrumental in creating the One Planet program for Utilities employees). He holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from Colorado State University (CSU), is a registered professional engineer and a graduate of the City’s LEAD 1.0 leadership program. Interim Field Operations Manager Andrew Gingerich will assist, and oversee the four Water Field Operations superintendents. Approval of August 17, 2017 Board Meeting Minutes Board Member Michael Brown moved to approve the August 17, 2017 meeting minutes with minor corrections as noted. Board Member Phyllis Ortman seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously 8-0 with 2 abstentions. Board Members Andrew McKinley and Rebecca Hill abstained due to their absence at the August meeting. Staff Reports Water Resources Monthly Report (Attachments available upon request) Water Resources Project Engineer Adam Jokerst provided a summary for August: above average precipitation and below average temperatures translated into lower water usage by residents; residents were conserving water when it rains. He noted that Poudre River streamflows are 57% of average for the month of August; more recently the river is high through town because the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District has been releasing up to 1,100 cfs (cubic feet per second) water from Horsetooth Reservoir into the river for a “mandatory release for maintenance” over the past few weeks so it can repair a 4-inch bypass valve from the main valve through Soldier Canyon Dam. Colorado-Big Thompson Canyon Project (CBT) is about 130% of average; Horsetooth Reservoir is 68% full, which will drop due to the mandatory release. Water supply is neutral; precipitation and El Niño conditions are neutral. Board members inquired about related topics including water sales in June, Horsetooth Reservoir water levels, and the water source for Hughes Stadium compared to the new CSU football stadium (staff stated that Fort Collins Utilities is the provider for both). Halligan Water Supply Project Quarterly Report (Attachments available upon request) Water Resources Project Engineer Adam Jokerst summarized the report. The project to enlarge Halligan Reservoir continued to make progress in the second quarter, and staff developed 3 Water Board Minutes September 21, 2017 minimization, mitigation and enhancement measures. To improve flows in the North Fork below Halligan Dam, staff is proposing a minimum flow release of 3 cfs all winter, in addition to regular releases; in the summer, the proposal is to monitor flows and release additional water from Halligan if flows fall below 5 cfs. The City will also retrofit or remove two existing diversion structures on the North Fork. The goal is a wet and continuously connected 22-mile reach of the North Fork. Discussion Highlights Board members inquired about various related topics, including North Fork flows, the $9.2 million figure (the amount of future appropriations needed to complete the project). Mr. Jokerst noted that staff outreach included nongovernmental organizations and stakeholders such as Trout Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, and the Larimer County Environmental and Science Advisory Board, and various state representatives. To date, all cost projections are based on engineering estimates on 15% design; results are expected in a month or so. Engage: City-Wide Volunteer Software (Attachments available upon request) Boards and Commissions Coordinator Christine Macrina of the City Clerk’s Office provided an overview and demonstration of the website, http://Engage.fcgov.com used to track City volunteer hours and inform volunteers of opportunities according to their interests, as well as enhance the volunteer experience. Water Board members are encouraged but not required to use the website. Discussion Highlights Board members commented on or inquired about various related topics including tracking hours, the value of being able to attract volunteers to various programs and events; and whether students can use the website (yes). Ms. Macrina stated that data from the Volunteer Interests and Special Skills sections are used to inform volunteers of programs and events. Fort Collins Stormwater Criteria Manual Update and Low Impact Development (LID) Implementation Manual (Attachments available upon request) Development Review Engineer Heather McDowell and Senior Development Review Engineer Shane Boyle presented an overview, background and timeline of the manual updates. Stormwater Criteria Manual: The new Fort Collins Stormwater Criteria Manual will replace the previously adopted “Fort Collins Amendments to the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District Criteria Manual” dated December 2011. The new format will change from “amendments” to the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District Manual to a stand-alone manual that incorporates all key design requirements and will more effectively communicate the criteria specific for Fort Collins and its growth management area (GMA). Low Impact Development (LID) Implementation Manual: In spring 2016 following the update to the City’s LID Policy, the City formed an LID Stakeholders Committee consisting of staff members, community members and City Council members to explore how to improve on current LID practices and to streamline compliance with City regulations. This LID Implementation Manual was one outcome of that effort and will 4 Water Board Minutes September 21, 2017 become a technical addendum to the Stormwater Criteria Manual. Staff seeks Water Board’s recommendation of approval before the item is presented to City Council on October 17. Discussion Highlights Board members commented on or inquired about various related topics including urban drainage, the science used for manual updates, Low Impact Development (LID), media filtration and underdrain, sedimentation and maintenance, homeowners associations and pond maintenance; the manual is more clear and well done; consultants’ feedback, such as off-site drainage easement issues (downstream drainage easements required), and on LID; the limitations of a static document while trying to be forward-thinking (staff must stay updated on new scientific developments); the need for more time at Water Board meetings to discuss stormwater issues (staff noted they are available to consult with residents on stormwater questions at any time); rainfall criteria; CSU’s various stormwater groups and Utilities staff communications; next steps going forward; grandfathering of projects already in the pipeline (City criteria requires using whatever version of the manual is in use at the time of preliminary submittal; a board member noted the need to keep older versions of manuals easily accessible online). In reply to a board member inquiry, Ms. Webb stated she’d ask city attorneys if residents who manage stormwater issues on their properties can be eligible for a discount on fees; Water Board members requested to be included in the stakeholders groups that staff consults with on future manual updates. Staff noted the possibility of reviewing the manual every six months. Board Member Jason Tarry moved that Water Board recommends City Council adopt the updated Fort Collins Stormwater Criteria Manual, which includes the Low Impact Development Implementation Manual, into City Code. Board Member Michael Brown seconded the motion. Discussion on the Motion Board members discussed the desire for the update to proceed on time but with the ability to write a memo to Stormwater stating its position and clarifying minor elements of the updated manual. Vote on the Motion: It passed unanimously, 10-0. Other Business Draft of 2018 Work Plan Board members commented on various sections of the work plan and recommended minor revisions. A board member inquired about emerging issues during the year; staff noted the work plan could be revised if necessary. Vice Chairperson Kent Bruxvoort will send a revised version to Chairperson Brett Bovee for distribution to board and staff.