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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 03/21/2019WATER BOARD REGULAR MEETING March 21, 2019, 5:30-7:30 p.m. 222 Laporte Avenue, Colorado River Community Room 03/21/2019 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER 5:35 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL • Board Members Present: Kent Bruxvoort, Phyllis Ortman, Steve Malers, John Primsky, Jim Kuiken, Greg Steed • Board Members Absent – Excused: Michael C. Brown, Jr., Brett Bovee, Andrew McKinley, Jason Tarry, Randy Kenyon • Staff Members Present: Theresa Connor, Katherine Martinez, Kevin Gertig, Carol Webb, Abbye Neel • Members of the Public: Phil Phelan, Doug Yadon, Rich Stave 3. AGENDA REVIEW • Acting Chairperson Kent Bruxvoort stated the Utilities Customer Service Satisfaction Survey presentation will be rescheduled due to illness. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION • No public comments 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Acting Chairperson Bruxvoort postponed approval of the February 21 meeting minutes approval to the April 18 regular meeting due to a lack of quorum. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Staff Reports (Attachments available upon request)  Executive Director Update Presentation Summary: Executive Director Kevin Gertig summarized Utilities 2018 accomplishments and provided an update on 2019 projects and priorities. Discussion Summary: Board members commented on and inquired about related topics such as the asset management system (Maximo); concern that some customers are stressed paying monthly bills, the perception that Utilities services are expensive, and whether City needs to do anything more (Mr. Gertig emphasized transparency as well as education for customers on WATER BOARD REGULAR MEETING 03/21/2019 – MINUTES Page 2 Time of Day electric pricing and their own irrigation timers, and rate smoothing: no rate increase this year to prevent shock, and mentioned undervaluing of water services).  Halligan Water Supply Project Update (meeting packet only/no presentation) Discussion Summary: a board member appreciated seeing the project timeline and inquired about the term “primitive recreation” (Utilities Deputy Director Carol Webb replied that it relates to balancing a publicly-owned asset with the pristine nature area, such as locating the parking lot a distance from the recreation area to reduce impact on the reservoir; inquired about the recent presentation to City Council.  Fix-A-Leak Week Memo (meeting packet only/no discussion)  Water Resources Monthly Report (meeting packet only) Discussion Summary: a board member stated the amount of precipitation recently has been good for water supply; Mr. Gertig replied it has been a great winter for water supply and that things can change at any time.  Financial Monthly Report (meeting packet only/no discussion) b. Allotment Management Program (AMP) (Attachments available upon request) Presentation Summary: Water Conservation Specialist Abbye Neel provided an update on developments in the water AMP since the staff presentation to Water Board in December. Staff presented the item to City Council on March 19 for the first reading and will provide more information at the second reading on April 16. The allotment is related to water supply requirement equivalent for taps installed after March 1, 1984. A tap can use a certain annual volume of water before being subject to an Excess Water Use surcharge. Staff began customer outreach and education in 2017 before the surcharge went into effect in 2018. Many of the customers who have been charged the excess use surcharge are homeowners associations and the reason is due to a tap that is not the right size for the development. The AMP will begin in June if approved by City Council on April 16. Discussion Summary: Board members commented on and inquired about various related topics including whether developers have miscalculated the amount of water needed for some time. Ms. Neel replied it has been an ongoing issue; developers’ desire to keep costs down; the number of customers affected (about 50); a desire to give customers the benefit based on before and after WATER BOARD REGULAR MEETING 03/21/2019 – MINUTES Page 3 water use rather than making them jump through so many hoops required in the AMP (Ms. Neel replied that the AMP requirements are to ensure customers’ projects will succeed); suggestion of a new ordinance requiring the wrong-size tap/allotment be declared before a prospective homeowner buys; no additional plant investment fees unless tap size is increased; project timeline; a suggestion to waive the fee in 2019 because excess use fees seem punitive and some customers were unaware of the surcharge despite outreach and education (Ms. Webb stated she would take the idea to the Utilities Strategic Finance Director for consideration); suggestion to implement the excess use fees after the AMP helps customers reduce water usage. Board Member Primsky moved that the Water Board supports the proposed change in code and Allotment Management Program to Council with modifications to either waive or mitigate the excess water use fee in 2019. Board Member Kuiken seconded the motion. Discussion on the Motion: A board member inquired whether some progress could be made in the management program in 2019 and expressed concern about not sending a strong enough message, resulting in lack of action by customers to decrease water use. Vote on the motion: It did not pass, 3-3. Reasons for No votes: Board Member Malers: We don’t want [a suggested 2019 fee waiver] interpreted as a free pass and we lose a year to make progress. It’s OK to have a penalty but how do we encourage customers to work with staff and make progress? Board Member Steed: I agree. A fee waiver needs to be subject to customers’ participation in the AMP or actions to reduce water use. Board Member Ortman: I agree. There needs to be some recognizable participation. c. City-Innosphere Lab Partnership (Attachments available upon request) Presentation Summary: Utilities Deputy Director Carol Webb summarized the project. Water Quality Services Manager Jill Oropeza came to Water Board in September to present information. The City and Innosphere are proposing a WATER BOARD REGULAR MEETING 03/21/2019 – MINUTES Page 4 public/private partnership consistent with strategic objectives. Discussion Summary: Board members commented on and inquired about various related topics including the site’s proximity to the canal next door, the City’s whitewater park being constructed across the street, New Belgium Brewing, and In- Situ; lab architect’s design skills (Ms. Webb replied the City is adding that expertise to the design team, as well as a chemist and the Water Quality Services manager) to address unique needs of laboratory design, such as ventilation, energy efficiency, and prevention of cross-contamination; suggestion for the City to hire an consultant to offer further expertise and a fresh perspective on lab design; the future of labs and related skills (Ms. Webb commented that expertise and skills will shift from volume of data to ability to draw conclusions from that data); emergency power (this is being considered in the lab design). Board Member Malers move that Water Board recommend to City Council adoption of the resolution approving a construction and purchase agreement for the City’s purchase of condominium units consisting of two floors of a new water laboratory building to be constructed by RMI2 Properties, LLC at the RMI2 site on East Vine Drive. Board Member Steed seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously, 6-0. 7. OTHER BUSINESS • April 18 regular meeting: suggestion to reschedule (at least three board members will be out of town). The board asked staff to email Water Board members and inquire who plans to attend; reschedule the meeting if necessary. • April 4 work session: water shortage response plan presentation and discussion, Poudre River RiskMAP (Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning) Update and floodplain variance request process information. • May 2: Tri-City Meeting in Loveland. • May 16 regular meeting will proceed as scheduled due to expected floodplain variance request. • June 6 work session: planning and prioritization of meeting topics WATER BOARD REGULAR MEETING 03/21/2019 – MINUTES Page 5 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS • None 9. ADJOURNMENT 8:00 p.m.