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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Commission - Minutes - 11/16/2023 WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING November 16, 2023, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hybrid in person at 222 LaPorte Ave and online via Zoom 11/16/2023 – MINUTES Page 1 The Water Commission advises City Council regarding water, wastewater, and stormwater policy issues such as water rights, planning, acquisition and management, conservation and public education, floodplain regulations, storm drainage, and development criteria. Read more at https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/boards/water . 1. CALL TO ORDER: 5:31 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL  Commissioners Present In Person: James Bishop, Rick Kahn, John Primsky, Jason Tarry  Commissioners Present via Zoom: Tyler Eldridge, Kent Bruxvoort  Commissioners Absent - Excused: Jordan Radin (Chairperson), Paul Herman (Vice Chairperson), Greg Steed  Staff Members Present In Person: Matt Fater, Katherine Martinez, Jen Dial, Ken Sampley  Staff Members Present via Zoom: Michael Neale  Members of the Public: None 3. AGENDA REVIEW  Commissioner Tarry filled in for Chairperson Radin and summarized agenda items. 4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION: None 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Tarry asked for comments and revisions on the Oct. 19 draft minutes. Commissioner Kahn moved to approve the Oct. 19 minutes. Commissioner Bruxvoort seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: it passed unanimously, 6-0 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Staff Reports i. Water Resources Quarterly Report (No presentation, Staff available for questions) Michael Neale, Water Resources Engineer Jen Dial, Water Resources Division Manager WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 11/16/2023 – MINUTES Page 2 Discussion Highlights Commissioners commented on or inquired about various related topics including decreased water usage leading to decreased revenue, and how to fund the department; good news that wastewater and stormwater are fixed revenue sources; whether it’s possible to take money from the wastewater fund and use it for water (staff confirmed it’s not); El Niño and La Niña weather; year over year changes due to weather; incremental water conservation and incremental fee increases; how to fund the enterprise in the future as operating costs increase; how to incentivize using less water; staff agreed with good points and will discuss with rate analyst; belief that per capita water usage won’t increase; dilemma of expenses going up and community water use going down. ii. Memo: Water Supply Requirements Next Steps Water Resources Division Manager Jen Dial answered Commissioners’ questions. Discussion Highlights Commissioners commented on or inquired about various related topics including timeline to present to Council (in one year, with staff outlining options and recommendations); staff considering different methods; fees will probably double; staff will present to Water Commission in March before first City Council Work Session on this topic, and will share more analysis and information at that time. iii. Financial Monthly Report (Meeting packet only; No presentation) Discussion Highlights Commissioners commented on or inquired about various related topics including water revenue; creative ways of buying excess water; preparation for stormwater downtown outfall projects; positioning for next phase of the Halligan Water Supply Project (downtown work is all in Capital Improvement Plan [CIP]); Senior Director of Integrated Water Operations Jeremy Woolf and Executive Director of Water Utilities Jason Graham are updating the CIP, which staff is sharing with Strategic Finance Director Lance Smith; nothing has changed in ability to fund those projects; Mr. Smith will present at a future meeting on the financial plan for each of the water, wastewater, and stormwater funds Halligan project is in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) with updated costs: WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 11/16/2023 – MINUTES Page 3 $40 million in bonds issued and approved by Council; project is out to bid and staff is reviewing proposals now; budget will be tough, there will be lessons learned; update in January to Council on the contract; staff understands Council is still supportive of the project. b. Regular Item i. Ordinance Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) Regarding Operation and Maintenance of Boxelder Creek Watershed Dams Ken Sampley, Director of Stormwater Engineering and Development Review Mr. Sampley showed maps and provided an overview of the history of the dams (which are owned by North Poudre Irrigation Company) and the City’s upcoming participation as one of five entities to sign the agreement regarding operation and maintenance of Boxelder Creek Watershed Dams (B-2, B-3, and B-4) a.k.a. “BCW Dams” or “B-Dams.” The dams – which vary in height up to about 40 feet high - serve as flood control facilities to reduce flood risks to downstream lands. They were originally rated “Low Hazard” because most downstream land was undeveloped. In 2013, the Colorado Dam Safety Division of the State Engineer’s Office reviewed the facilities and increased the hazard rating to “High” due to significant development over the past 40 years. As a result, B- Dams 2,3, and 4 do not meet safety and performance standards. Mr. Sampley became concerned and contacted Larimer County and other municipal entities. Water Commission recommended at its June 20, 2019 meeting that City Council adopt an agreement between the same Boxelder Creek Watershed B-Dams municipal stakeholders to develop an approach for construction of improvements and also for the operations and maintenance of the B-Dams. City Council adopted Resolution 2019-079 and executed the agreement in July 2019. The agreement allocates respective costs to fund the flood warning system as well as the operations and maintenance of the B-Dams. Costs are allocated on a percentage basis for impacted communities. Fort Collins’ share is 20.7%. City Council previously approved annual funding of $90,000 in 2023 and 2024, therefore no additional funding is needed until 2025-2026. A management committee will be established to implement the agreement and to provide technical and other recommendations. Each entity will WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 11/16/2023 – MINUTES Page 4 designate one representative, and the committee shall adopt bylaws to facilitate its conduct of business, meet at least annually, provide advice and recommendations to the parties; complete tasks delegated under the agreement; and shall operate by consensus. Discussion Highlights Commissioners commented on or inquired about various related topics including capital expenditures; the planned early warning system; whether NPIC irrigates out of these reservoirs; dams became “high hazard” but this doesn’t mean they’re jeopardized structures (Mr. Sampley confirmed this is true); water runs through the dams but is not stored, and the dams are designed to withstand large hydrologic events; Wellington has the most risk; Fort Collins and Larimer County have approximately equal risk, and Timnath has a slightly lower risk. Larimer County will serve as the fiscal manager as outlined in the agreement. Commissioner Bruxvoort moved that the Water Commission recommends City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement between the City of Fort Collins and numerous stakeholders regarding operation and maintenance of Boxelder creek watershed dams as proposed. Commissioner Primsky seconded the motion. Discussion on Motion: Fixed date in contract; no sunset date; reevaluation of portions every five years due to future development and county annexations to consider. Vote on the Motion: it passed unanimously, 6-0. 7. COMMISSIONER REPORTS A. Halligan Water Supply Site Tour Commissioners expressed appreciation for staff coordination of the Sept. 28 tour led by Project Manager Darren Parkin, and photos taken by Communications Specialist Honora Thompson. (continued on next page) WATER COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 11/16/2023 – MINUTES Page 5 8. OTHER BUSINESS a. Approval of 2024 Work Plan Commissioner Tarry requested comments from Water Commissioners on the draft work plan. Commissioners agreed the draft looks good. Commissioner Kahn moved to approve the Water Commission’s 2024 Work Plan. Commissioner Eldridge seconded the motion. Vote on the Motion: it passed unanimously, 6-0. b. Boards & Commissions “Super Issues” Meeting The Dec. 4 meeting of boards and commissions members will feature staff presentations on Halligan Water Supply Project and the Water Efficiency Plan. Commissioners were encouraged to register via Engage https://engage.fcgov.com/ and attend. Discussion Highlights The event provides high-level project overviews geared toward all boards and commissions members. Commissioners Bishop, Eldridge, and Tarry expressed plans to attend. 9. ADJOURNMENT 6:26 p.m. These minutes were approved by the Water Commission on Dec. 7, 2023.