Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 09/24/1976WATER BOARD Regular Meeting September 24, 1976 - 3:00 P.M. Present: Ward Fischer Raymond Anderson Bernard Cain, Jr. Karl E. Carson Henry Caulfield Norman Evans Ronald Fulkrod Harvey Johnson Everett Richardson Absent: James Waltz Robert L. Brunton Staff members present: Hays, Hilgenberg, and Krempel Also: City Attorney March Minutes of Regular Meeting of August 13, 1976, approved Chairman Fischer inquired if there were any corrections to the minutes. Hearing none, he declared the minutes approved as published. Requests for Out -of -City Taps Mr. Roger E. Krempel, Water Utilities Director, stated that Virgil L. and Betty J. Minch requested a sewer tap for their property at 427 West Willox Lane. They have been advised that, in accordance with Ordinance No. 96, 1972, they must agree to annex to the City when requested and pay the cost of conversion and fees to the City electric service upon annexation. Board member Cain made a motion, seconded by Dr. Carson, to recommend to the City Council to approve the request on the basis of the above qualifications. The Chair put the motion, which was unanimously adopted. Mr. Krempel stated that the Urbom Oil Company requested a sewer tap for a service station at the corner of LaPorte and Taft Hill Road. He stated that they have been advised that annexation would be required. They are presently receiving water service from the ELCO Water District. Mr. Krempel inquired as to whether they should be required to transfer their rural water service to City water, and if this is the requirement, should they be required to furnish water rights. Chairman Fischer stated that in accordance with Ordinance No. 96, 1972, the policy is that one utility service shall not be extended to any property unless such property receives all of its utility service from the City. Board member Carson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Cain, to recommend to the Council that this request be approved subject to the full requirements of Ordinance No. 96, 1972. The Chair put the motion, which was unanimously adopted. Chairman Fischer stated that the Administration should bring back to the Water t Board a report on the policy of requiring water rights if a party is being served by a water district and is transferring his water service to the City water system. Policy on "Take Over of Private Water Mains" Chairman Fischer inquired as to whether this was the appropriate time to adopt some policy relative to the take over of private water mains or whether it was the intent of the Board that a public hearing be held at some future date. Mr. Krempel stated that the City Manager felt that the Water Board should review the report on private water mains with the possible recommendation that 14 go the City Council for review and a work session and then a public hearing be held. After some discussion, Board member Carson made a motion, seconded by Raymond Anderson, that the next regular meeting be announced as a public hearing addressed to this subject and make a recommendation to the City Council based upon the results of that meeting. The Chairman put the motion, which was unanimously adopted. Mr. Krempel stated that he would notify the directors of these private water mains and City Manager Brunton of this motion. Board member Caulfield stated that he concurred with Alternate 4 in the report subject to amendment. He stated that the out -of -City rates are 50% more than in -City rates, and he felt that an agreement could be reached to use this 50% for the cost of improvement and the extra maintenance subject to the parties agreeing to annex to the City when requested. At the time the 50% is used under these terms, then the extra 50% charge would be discontinued. Then at the time of annexation, they will be paying the same rate, as in -City residents. Board member Caulfield further stated that the subject of charging tap.fees and providing water rights should also be clarified in the policy. After much discussion, Chairman Fischer stated that for the purpose of having other alternatives, the Board should consider other alternatives and submit them in written form to be considered at the next meeting. Sale of Lease of Water Stock to Platte River Power Authority Chairman Fischer stated that because not enough facts were known, he felt this item was premature. Mr. Krempel stated that this item should be deferred at this time and brought back to the Board with more information at a later date. He added that this water was generally used for the golf courses and park purposes. He felt it should not be sold to Platte River Power Authority, but might possibly be leased to them after consideration of the parks needs. Acquisition of Barnes Ditch Stock and Laramie River Stock Chairman Fischer stated that the City has been offered to acquire rights in the Barnes Ditch and in the Laramie River. Board member Caulfield made'a motion, seconded by Mr. Fulkrod, that the Board not approve the acquisition of the Barnes Ditch rights for the reasons stated in Ward Fischer's memorandum dated August 30, 1976. The Chair put the motion, which was unanimously adopted. -2- Board member Caulfiel made a motion, seconded by Raymond Anderson, to not approve the acquisition of the Laramie River rights on the grounds indicated in Ward j Fischer's memorandum. The Chair put the motion, which was unanimously adopted. Chairman Fischer stated that in the past when offers to acquire water rights were made to the City, each one was brought to the Board. He stated that many of these rights are not worth the time of the Board to discuss it. He inquired as to what the Board's policy on this should be and to what extent each offer should be brought to the Board. After some discussion, it was the wish of the Water Board, by concurrence, that it should be left up to Mr. Krempel's disgression to bring before the Board only those types of requests to acquire water which are attractive from the viewpoint of the City system. Joe Wright Reservoir Mr. Krempel stated that on September 21, there was a very successful meeting with seven contractors at the Joe Wright Reservoir site. The plans for the construction are complete and have been reviewed with only minor revisions. There will be some changes in the specifications. The loan application has been sent to Washington and hopefully by January the City will know if the loan received . approval from the Commissioner. The application did not get in the 1978 fiscal year budget, therefore it will have to be introduced from the floor of Congress if it is approved. Mr. Krempel stated that he would like to bring the plans and specifications to the Water Board for approval and recommendation to the City Council. It was decided that a committee of the engineers and Board member Johnson should review the plans and specifications. Mr. Krempel added that City funds cannot be advanced to begin construction prior to the actual allocation of funds. Long Range Goals Committee A copy of the Citizens Task Force on Comprehensive Planning Report was sent to each member of the Water Board. Chairman Fischer reviewed parts of the document that pertained to water and sewer, and commented to the extent that while some of the references were satisfactory, certain others were in conflict with present viewpoints of the Water Board, i.e. minimum stream flows. Concerns such as raw water acquisition were not addressed. He stated that the Water Board needs to respond to this document at a meeting for all Boards and Commissions on October 7. Board member Caulfield, who was the Chairman of the Land Use Subcommittee of the Citizens Growth Management Task Force reviewed the Land Use section of this report. It was decided that the Long Range Goals Committee would hold a meeting to determine an appropriate response and would attend the Boards and Commissions meeting to explain that the Water Board felt there were some items that required more study. Utilities Committee Board member Cain reported that the Utilities Committee had met and -had some recommendations, but did not have a written report as yet. He stated that it was of the committee's opinion that if the City of Fort Collins was to establish definite boundaries, they needed to look further into the future than what had —3— 1 been done at this point and give the City some flexibility to work with the districts as well as County planning. The committee felt that a boundary at Harmony Road was determining short range growth of Fort Collins, and that a boundary on the south at a point around the Windsor turnoff gave the City more flexibility. He stated that there was room to expand to the north, but in terms of developing and building, there are no utility lines in that area. The committee felt that a boundary could be established to the north at the point Highway 1 turns east on the Waverly/Wellington road. The committee also discussed a means of negotiating and working with the districts to possibly purchase their water and sewer treatment facilities. The districts would own their own lines and serve their own customers sous to be able to raise the revenue to pay off their bonded indebtedness. The City could then, as it expanded either north or south of the districts, negotiate with the districts to purchase those particular utility lines. Board member Richardson added that this was just a proposal and should be investigated more thoroughly. Board member Evans discussed the Larimer-Weld Regional Council of Governments 208 Areawide Planning Program and stated that this might be of help to the Utilities Committee. Board member Caulfield gave the Water Board some background as to how the boundaries on the map on page 7 of the Citizens Task Force on Comprehensive Planning Report came about. The Water Board discussed to a great extent the Utilities Committee's ideas and viewpoints that it presented to the Board. Chairman Fischer stated that the Utilities Committee should possibly also go to the Long Range Goals Committee meeting and to the Boards and Commissions meeting because there are several areas of interest that are intermingled between these two committees. Staff Reports Board member Caulfield inquired as to whether there will be a need to look at increasing the water rate's. Mr. Krempel stated that if the Council authorizes construction of Joe Wright Reservoir, there must be a water rate increase. Mr. Krempel stated that a contract has been let for the wastewater system at the Poudre Canyon Water Treatment Plant. This is a project costing over half a million dollars. He stated that to bring the plant up to OSHA standards and to help assure the plant meets the new drinking water standards, another contract will be awarded for $230,000. He added that it is expected to have wastewater in both of the wastewater treatment plants by the end of October. Other Business City Attorney March stated that in connection with the current proceedings to finish the obligation owing to North Poudre Irrigation Company through amendments to the plan of augmentation and through transfer of more shares of the South Side Ditches, it appears probable the City will have need for some additional New Mercer Ditch stock. The New Mercer Ditch Company has been sending out notices to delinquent stockholders to pay the assessments or forfeit their stock, and the secretary of the company has received calls from stockholders who no longer need the water. City Attorney March stated the City might possibly need to purchase 3 or 4 shares. He suggested as a rough figure, $1600 per share would be a worthwhile price to endorse. -4- Board member Evans made a motion, seconded by Raymond Anderson, to recommend to authorize City Attorney March to purchase additional shares of New Mercer Ditch stock. Election of Officers Board member Caulfield made a motion to retain Ward Fischer as President and Norm Evans as Vice —President of the Water Board for the coming year. The Chair put the motion, which was unanimously adopted. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned, Secretary