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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Commission - Minutes - 12/15/2022 WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING December 15, 2022, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hybrid in person at 222 LaPorte Ave and online via Zoom 12/15/202 2 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER 5:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL • Commissioners Present: Jason Tarry (Chairperson), Greg Steed (Vice Chairperson), Jordan Radin, Kent Bruxvoort, Paul Herman, Tyler Eldridge, Randy Kenyon • Commissioners Absent - Excused: John Primsky, Rick Kahn • Staff Members Present: Matt Fater, Katherine Martinez, John Song, Jason Graham, Katie Collins, Danielle Reimanis, Kendall Minor, Mariel Miller • Members of the Public: None Commissioner Herman left the meeting at 6:57 p.m. 3. AGENDA REVIEW • Chairperson Jason Tarry briefly summarized items on the agenda 4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION • None 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Tarry asked for comments and revisions on December 15 minutes. Commissioner Herman moved to approve the November 17 minutes. Commissioner Eldridge seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: it passed unanimously, 7-0 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Staff Reports (Attachments available upon request) i. Financial Monthly Report ii. Water Resources Monthly Report iii. Sprinkler Checkup Program Annual Report 2022 WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 12/15/2022 – MINUTES Page 2 iv. Xeriscape & Soil Amendment Future Policies Direction Katie Collins, Water Conservation Specialist, presented a draft presentation for the Council work session in January to seek confirmation of direction to adopt later in 2023 regarding xeriscape and soil amendment code updates that support long-term water use reduction. Discussion Highlights A Commissioner inquired if there were any considerations about changing the cost structure of water to provide a stronger incentive for community members to deter from having grass. Ms. Collins responded that it was not something they’ve considered in the scope of this work but could look into as an opportunity. Another Commissioner pointed out that the efforts seem to be based on new development, but not for any policies or initiatives regarding City properties that also have Kentucky bluegrass, which could potentially be a representative or model of how to execute proper xeriscaping, as well as showcasing its attractiveness to encourage community members to consider for their own properties. Ms. Collins referenced the Municipal Sustainability Adaptation Plan that internally guides work towards more sustainability, including water use, with experts in the field in the Parks and Golf departments. The Commissioner added that they’d like to see it more on streetscapes due to their high visibility, and Commissioners provided sections of medians on Timberline, Mulberry, and Suniga Streets as examples. A Commissioner commented that Kentucky Bluegrass is simply the cheapest option for all developers to close out their projects, but those left with the consequences are community members, Homeowners Associations (HOAs), and the City. Another Commissioner pointed out the perception that the nomenclature could have and the similarity between the words “xeriscape” vs. “zero-scape” that could deter some community members, and suggested other names such as “Native-scape” to be encouraging to the public perspective. A Commissioner noted how hard it can be to change culture and referenced campaigns in the 1970s such as “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute” that shifted culture not by policing but by changing perspectives. Currently the perspective is that having green grass equates to luxury in this arid climate, and it would take a change of collective mindset to consider it otherwise. They also pointed out from the presentation that artificial turf may contribute to microplastics to the environment, while ethylene-based turf don’t shed as much. They also suggested promoting percentage moisture sensors that water lawns based on needs, in opposition to time-based sprinklers, as well as other options such as City-controlled sprinklers through Wi-Fi networks to minimize rates. Commissioners discussed various ways community members WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 12/15/2022 – MINUTES Page 3 might feel discouraged from designing and implementing xeriscapes, and considered incentives, education, outreach, partnerships, templates, and narratives. They discussed at length about the impact of the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards (LCUAS Standards) on development, xeriscapes, and water rates and usage, and whether the Commission could have any influence on the standards if they were to write a memo to City Council. 7. COMMISSIONER REPORTS None 8. OTHER BUSINESS • Draft 2022 Annual Report • Water Commission Administrative Support Transition • Staff Liaison Jason Graham announced Senior Director of Water Operations – Jeremy Woolf from the City of Greeley will start on Jan. 9. • 1041 Regulations Feedback 9. RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING WATER COMISSIONER • Commissioner Randy Kenyon 10. ADJOURNMENT 7:23 p.m. These minutes were approved by the Water Commission on January 19, 2023.