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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 08/22/1977r Regular Meeting August 22, 1977 - 11:30 P.M. Present: Ward Fischer Raymond Anderson Bernard Cain, Jr. Henry Caulfield Norman Evans Ronald Fulkrod Glen Johnson Harvey Johnson Peggy Reeves Susan Sanfilippo Absent: Everett Richardson Staff members present: Dowell, Hays, Hilgenberg, Krempel, and Nortier Chairman Fischer called the meeting to order and stated that the purpose of this meeting was to discuss recommendations to the City Council on the water situation. Mr. Roger E. Krempel, Water Utilities Director, stated thht the outlet frcan Horsetooth Reservoir at Soldier Canyon Dam has been damaged due to a slide. He stated that the capacity of this outlet structure is to be increased and the plan is to stabilize the slide, expose the intake, and place bulkheads in the outlet this fall. The reservoir is to be lowered to the sill at the north outlet so that there will be no more irrigation water in the reservoir as of October 1, and it will then continue to be lowered until it reaches the sill of the intake. He further stated that this lowering has triggered another slide and the intake could be put out of service entirely. He stated that if this does happen, there is enough water in storage and enough capacity at the Poudre Canyon Plant to take care of the City's and the Districts' needs, but it could mean more severe restrictions than at the present time. Mr. Krempel stated that for this reason, even though water restrictions are not a necessity at this tines from the water supply standpoint, the staff recamiended to continue water restrictions, keeping the present day schedule but lengthening the hours. Then by October 1, when the reservoir is low enough to examine the slide much closer, cane back with a firmer reccnmendation. He felt this would be much wiser, rather than discontinuing water restrictions now, and then at a later date reccnTnending that restrictions be re-established. Mr. Krempel discussed the time schedule for the work to be done on increasing the capacity of the Soldier Canyon Outlet. Mr. Tan Hays, Senior Water and Sewer Engineer, referred to his memo dated August 18, 1977, which had been distributed to the Water Board members, and advised the Board of the amount of water that has already been trasferred for storage and the amount of water that might be available for transfer at a later date. Board member Johnson advised that the Water Supply and Storage Company 0 • has 7000 acre feet of storage in Chambers Lake, and that the City will not be able to transfer any more water for storage this year. He further stated that if the City has troubles this winter, it can use some of that water and pay the Water Supply and Storage Company back next summer. Mr. Hays stated that the 3600 acre feet of water that is in storage now is adequate to meet the needs of the City between October 1, 1977 and April 15, 1978 under the worst case conditions. He stated the problem is, if the City cannot transfer any more water, it has 1200 acre feet of Horsetooth water that will be lost October 1 when it reverts back to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District. - Chairman Fischer stated that under present projections, the City will lose 1200 acre feet of water, yet the City is restricting water use, which is incongruous. He further stated that the City Manager has pavers in an emergency situation to immediately institute water rationing, and a slide covering the intake would be considered an emergency. Also, if this should happen, the restrictions may have to be even more severe than at present time. He suggested that one alternative would be that since the City does have 1200 acre feet of water that will be going to waste, restrictions could be taken off with the clear understanding that the City Manager can immediately institute even more stringent restrictions to the extent necessary for a slide. The Board discussed this at great length. Board member Caulfield commented that the principle would be that if the slide does occur, the City would be relying solely on the Poudre River, and would try to meet the City's needs with severe restrictions. Ile further stated that in principle, the storage in Chambers Lake would not be used. Board member Reeves inquired if many people were complaining about the present water restrictions. Board member Anderson felt that most people are willing to conply voluntarily but that the present restrictions are inconvenient. He also felt that the amount of water used totally would not be very much different if the people were allowed to water all day long, because the consumptive use on the yards is getting match less. Board member Evans stated that he felt there was a fallacious notion of the efficient use of water. He stated, "If you want to look at this little spot in the City limits, you can talk about inefficiency or waste. If you look at the Poudre River Basin, there is no waste. That has been said over and over again. I think if we were to allow unrestrictive use again, there would be an improvement in the river in total that would be gainful and helpful to some water users somewhere in the basin. But throughout the arguments between people that say, 'how cane the cities have to be rationed and the farmers are wasting water', that is basically I think fallacious argument, fallacious notion. And that if you take the basin and concede that the water is re -used at least 3 times and perhaps as much as 6, how can you say it is inefficiently used. How can you say it is wasteful use? only if you look at one site within the basin can you say that. So I argue that there needs to be clarification and people's understanding of what you mean if you say wasteful use of water. And in the Western Region you mean something substantially different than you would perhaps sane other place." Chairman Fischer stated that he felt that people have adopted the restrictions quite willingly, but it is difficult to request continuance of the restrictions, when the City has 1200 acre feet that will not be used., -2- t Board member Reeves stated that it seemed to make better sense to hex to go ahead and make some changes in the hours and keep the same schedule. She felt that people are developing good habits and a large degree of awareness that will be helpful next year and in any other year, as well as having something to do with the conservation effort. Board member Reeves made a motion, seconded by Raymond Anderson, to recommend to the Council that restrictions be continued as to the days of the week, but the hourly restrictions on those days be removed until the first of October at which time a re-evaluation would occur. In discussion of the motion, Board member Reeves stated that she felt this would be a better alternative, because it takes awhile for people to get the scheduling straight, and that pattern is pretty well set now. Also, she felt that this is a more efficient way to operate. It was pointed out by some Board members that there is an adequate water supply now to meet normal demands as far as they can be projected, and there would be no need for water restrictions at this time. If the slide does occur, there is a possibility that restrictions will have to be more severe. So no matter what is done in regards to restrictions now, there will still be an adequate supply of water. It was also pointed out that if restrictions were completely discontinued, not only is there enough water if the weather should get hot, there is also 1200 acre feet cushion that will be lost. Mr. Hays stated that the reason the City has an adequate supply of water is because an average of 33% was saved over what was anticipated in July and the same in August. The Chair called for a roll call on this motion. Yeas: Anderson, Reeves. Nays: Cain, Caulfield, Evans, Fischer, Fu]krod, G. Johnson, H. Johnson. Board member Caulfield Trade a motion, seconded by Piorman Evans, to recommend to the Council to ramove water restrictions. The Chair called for a roll call on this motion. Yeas: Anderson, Cain, Caulfield, Evans, Fischer, Fulkrod, G. Johnson, H. Johnson. Nays: Reeves. Chairman Fischer stated, "Remarks I am sure represent the view of the Board addressed to the press and to Roger. 'From all our discussion, it is understood that when you present this to the City Council, you will point out the emergency powers of the City Manager, and the rational of the majority of the Board's decision, which could be summarized by this. That we fully recognize that if this slide covers our inlet, that inmdiate and drastic restriction will be necessary and that the way we understand the charter, this can be imposed immediately by the City Manager. He can consult with us if he wishes, he will no doubt consult with you, but as we understand it, he can do it immediately. Furthermore, he can make his judgement based upon consultation with you as to what the river decree flows will be, and the restrictions can be much much greater than they are at present or much less and can be changed from day to day as circumstances warrant it if necessary, and that the action is based upon this as far as the need for future restrictions is concerned. "Then on the second point, I hope that the press and the Council are both informed quite clearly that the reason for this is as stated many times, that there is 1200 acre feet of water that is a cushion beyond our normal consuTption, even -3- 0 a with restrictions doing off, that is goLliki to be lost so that restrictions in 1 the opinion of the majority of the hoard simply do not serve any useful purpose either for the citizens of Fort Collins or of any benefit to the water users of the Poudre River as a whole." Mr. Krempel stated that there had been a meeting with both bond rating agencies and the people they met with agreed that they as staff would recoimiend serious consideration of a Triple A rating for the City of Fort Collins. Fie stated that no committments were made, but they did have an exceptionally fine reception. Mr. Krempel stated that regulations and policies are being changed in regards to the installation of meters. He stated that the policy now is to install the meter pit outside of the house, and this will be changed to putting the meter itself inside the premise but the registration of the readings would be on the outside of the premise. The reason for this is there is a substantial cost difference between putting a meter inside a house and putting a meter outside the house. Also the installation time is faster when putting the meter inside the house. Mr. Krempel gave the Board an update on the water system contamination problem in the City Park area. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Charles Liquin '- Kaye Imel -4-