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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 12/07/1964c I 4D • MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE FORT COLLINS 14ATER. BOARD HELD DECEMBER 7, 1964 AT 7:30 O'CLOCK P. M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS. Present: President Ward Fischer, Vice President Frank Ghent, Mayor Harvey Johnson, Secretary John Bartel. Also present were City Manager Robert Boos, Director of Public Works Adam Fischer, Assistant City Attorney Arthur March Jr, and members of the City Council James Guyer, R. L. Colwell and Mrs. Lorraine Quinn. Mr. Joe Banner presented a revised proposal "Dated December 1, 1964" for Engineering Services for Anticipated Water expansion. After discussion it was agreed to,by all present, however Mr. Banner advised his attorney has not had time enough to prepare an agreement. The attached "Summary of Recommendations" was read at length. After discussion it was agreed that this summary be presented to the Council • members at their next meeting. With nothing more to be brought up at this time the Board adjourned. Secretax 0 The Water Board of the City of Fort Collins has completed several months of study aided by the services of engineers W. W. Wheeler and Associates and J. T. Banner & Associates, and submits its recommendations which are here summarized and which are discussed in greater detail in the following report. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Immediate construction as follows: A. 40,000 feet of 12 inch to 42 inch distribution system mains, submains and accessories. B. 15 million gallon per day treatment plant located in Soldier Canyon above the City's existing clear water storage reservoirs. C. Rehabilitation and enlargement of old Soldier Canyon clear water reservoir. 2. The retaining of J. T. Banner & Associates as engineers and consultants for the designing and supervision of the above projects. 3. Financing by a $3,200,000.00 bond issue. 4. An increase in water rates, accompanied, however, by a more equitable assessment, the proceeds of which will be used only for payment of the above and other existing water bond issues, operation and maintenance and enlargement of the system and acquisition of new water rights. Metering of all water is not recommended. • SUPPORTING FINDINGS AND DATA 1. Physical Construction: A. Distribution system: During peak demand periods, the pressures in a number of locations, particularly in the Southwest portion of the City, are less than half of what should be considered the desirable minimum distribution system pressure. This lack of pressure will be compounded by the considerable development expected in that area. The proposed additions are to remedy the existing inadequacies and to provide for an expected additional population of about 45,000 in the area south and southeast of the area presently developed. The existing situation must be remedied, and it would be false economy to fail to provide for future growth at this time. Without detailing all secondary mains, the primary mains proposed for future construction are as follows: 1) 42 inch line from Soldier Canyon Reservoir southeast to La Porte and then east on La Porte Avenue to Overland Trail. 2) 42 inch line south on Overland Trail from La Porte Avenue to Mulberry Street. 3) 42 inch line east on Mulberry Street from Overland Trail to Taft Hill Road. 4) 42 inch line south on Taft Hill Road from Mulberry to West Prospect. 5) 36 inch line east on Prospect from Taft Hill Road to Shields Street. 6) 36 inch line south on Shields Street from Prospect to Stuart Street extended west. 7) 30 inch line east on the line of Stuart Street extend- d west to College Avenue. 8) •24 inch line off above 30 inch line south either along C & S Railroad right of way or south on College Avenue about 2,200 feet. 9) 20 inch line from above 24 inch line south to Drake Road. - 2 - • 10) 12 inch line east on Mulberry Street from Smith to Riverside. 11) 12 inch line on Riverside from Mulberry to Le May Avenue. 12) 12 inch line on Le May from Riverside to Elizabeth. - 3 - B. Treatment facilities: The City's existing water treatment plant has a capacity of about 19.5 million gallons per day. The transmission lines therefrom have a capacity of about 17.5 million gallons per day, which capacity is barely sufficient to meet the City's summer water needs. ,Additional facilities for water treatment are obviously required. The Board has considered and rejected the proposal to expand the present treatment plant on the Cache La Poudre River for two reasons: 1) The increased expense of distribution lines to that rather remote spot, and* 2) The possibility of the inundation and abandonment of such plant in the event of construction of the Grey Mountain Reservoir now under study by the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. The Board instead recommends construction of a 15 million gallon per day plant in Soldier Canyon above the City's existing reservoirs. This has the advantage of extremely short transmission lines as well as ready access to the City's Colorado - Big -Thompson water stored in Horsetooth Reservoir. This plant, together with the existing plant, will supply sufficient water to serve a population of over 58,000 persons without additional clear water storage capacity except that herein proposed. - 4 - Ci C. Storage: The City's old Soldier Canyon Reservoir was constructed in 1926 and requires extensive repair to make it fully useful even up to its present capacity. It is recommended that it should be rehabilitated, and, in addition, should be raised so that the high water operating level will be the same in it as in the new reservoir constructed in 1964. Further, for sanitary reasons, it should be covered. As mentioned above, such work, together with the proposed new treatment plant, will supply water for a population of in excess of 53,000 persons. - 5 - ENGINEERS Employment of an engineer: The employment of J. T. Banner & Associates is recommended. Their fee should be based upon the services to be performed and in accordance with recognized engineering standards. The engineering fee is included within the estimated cost of the proposed projects. FINANCING 11. Bonds: It is estimated that the cost of the improvements herein recommended will not exceed $3,200,000.00, and should be financed by a 20 year, general obligation bond issue. Boettcher and Company have been consulted and have recommended a repayment plan which is coordinated with existing water bonds so that the yearly financial' requirements are substantially equal for each year that such bonds are outstanding. A copy of their proposal is attached. 2. Water rates: The Water Board has carefully considered and rejected the proposal to place all water users under meters. It is felt that although metering would decrease the per capita use of water and consequently delay the immediate need for certain of the recommended acilities, the cost would be disproportionate to the value and would not be well received by the residents of the City. It is felt however, that existing water rates are unsatisfactory. They have grownup in a rather arbitrary manner and are inequitable as well as overly complicated. Flat rates vary according to number of rooms, bathrooms, and even to the number of glassed in porches. Further, metered rates are disproportionately higher than flat rates without apparent justification. We feel that basically a given area's water needs are dependant upon 1) the number of family units, and 2) the area of lawn or land irrigated. We therefore propose that the present water rate schedule be abandoned, and that a rate schedule based upon the foregoing considerations be adopted. Such a schedule is attached hereto. - 7 - It will be noted that the proposed rate schedule results in a slight water rate increase. It should be remembered, however, that even with such an increase, the cost of water to Fort Collins users is considerably below that of almost all other cities in the Rocky Mountain area and that the alternative to the proposed increase is inadequate water supply. The proposed new rates will be sufficient both to repay the bond issue and also to finance operation and maintenance and provide for a reasonable sum for capital improvements as they become necessary. It will also provide funds for the acquisition of future water rights to ensure sufficient raw water for our expanding population. The Board accordingly feels that it is essential that all water revenues be earmarked for water acquisition, capital improvements and operation and maintenance of the water system only that the people may be assured that their increased water rates are an investment for the future. Respectfully submitted, WATER BOARD OF THE CITYOFFORT COLLINS By Ward H. Fischer, President Ghent, Vice President John Bartel, Secretary Harvey Johnson Fred Feit Norman Evans �J Proposed Rate Schedule !'I -City Metered Including C.S.U. (Month First 5 M @ 44/ per M Next 10 M @ 31¢ per M Next 35 M @ 22/ per M Alt over 50 M @ 151 per M In -City Flat Rate (Quarterly) For each family living unit - - - - - - - - - - : 6.75 For lot area 6,000 to 9,000 sq. ft. - - - - - -- 6.00 For lot area over 9,000 sq. ft. add 6f per 100 sq. ft. For lot area under 6,000 sq. ft. deduct 6� per 100 sq. ft. Rural Metered (Quarterly) Following charges for taps per quarter: 5/8 inch tap - - - - - - - - - - - - - $ 2.00 3/4 11------- - - - - -- 3.00 1 Is —— ----- - - - - -- 4.00 12------- - - ---- 7.00 2-- -- -- - - - - - -- 10.00 3--- --- - - - - - -- 21.00 4-- ---- - -- - - -- 37.50 6-- ---- - - - - - -- 62.50 Plus following charges for water per quarter: First 15 M @ 551 per M Next 30 M @ 39/ per M Next 105 M @ 28J per M All over 150 M @ 19f1 per M Minimum quarterly charge for water $ 9.00 7 0 m CI NN r` OI�00000000000 O 00 O 1J HI H�� v1 D1 O H ✓1 � to n N N t� vl N O � O v1 v1 O I� O OW 13 J( +� 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 v1 v1 v1 v1 0 0 O t!1 0 0 0 0 V1 y O vO O O O v1 n N N 1� vl v1 O n O vl v1 O t� c1 y O �o M �O N �O 00 U! N '-!. .-! O 00 N .•+ c cc O, O, co c0 m N H: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 lco" O!0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0C00000v 000vioov; 000v M 'O I� OJ D1 D\ O .� �--! 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