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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 02/15/1991Water Board Minutes February 15, 1991 3:00 - 3:55 p.m. Light and Power Conference Room 700 Wood Street Members Present Henry Caulfield, President, Neil Grigg, Vice President, Tom Moore, MaryLou Smith, Tom Brown, Terry Podmore, Ray Herrmann, Tom Sanders Paul Clopper (alt.), Dave Stewart (alt.) Staff Mike Smith, Webb Jones, Andy Pineda, Molly Nortier Guests Gene Schleiger, Agency Coordinator, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District Dorothy Huff, Observer, League of Women Voters of Larimer County Jan Knight -Sinner, Coloradoan Members Absent Mark Casey, Tim Dow President Henry Caulfield opened the meeting. The following items were discussed: Minutes The minutes of January 18, 1990 were approved as distributed. Tribute to Harvey Johnson Henry Caulfield began the meeting by announcing that Harvey Johnson, the person responsible for organizing the Water Board, died recently at the age of 95. After being elected mayor of Fort Collins in 1962, one of Mr. Johnson's fast projects was to establish the Water Board. For many years, he was an active member of the Board he created, and was named an honorary lifetime member when he retired from active status. During his two terms as mayor, he was responsible for acquiring much needed water and storage capacity for the City of Fort Collins. Mr. Johnson served as director and president of Water Supply and Storage Company for 54 years. He continued to be active in the Company until just prior to his death. Water Board Minutes February 15, 1991 Page 2 Mr. Johnson was widely recognized as a western water expert, and he received a number of awards and honors for his contributions in the fields of water and agriculture. He was a man who thought it was important to serve his community. President Caulfield thought it was appropriate for the minutes to reflect the respect and gratitude that members of the current and past Water Boards had for Mr. Johnson as the founder of this important and influential board. It was also announced that a picture of Mr. Johnson and an article will be included in the Water and Wastewater Utility newsletter and the 1990 Utility Annual Report. Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District Update Gene Schleiger, Agency Coordinator with the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, provided copies of the Snow - Precipitation update which the District had received that day. He reported that the snow pack for the South Platte River Basin is only 70% of average. The precipitation for the year to date is 89% of average. With the snowiest months yet to come, it is anticipated that heavy snow may bring the snowpack to a more normal level. Granby Reservoir continues to be substantially below normal. Mr. Schleiger also provided copies of an operations summary and snowpack and streamflow comparisons dated February lst. At that time 50% of the snow season was completed. Mr. Schleiger brought executive summaries of the recently completed Cache La Poudre Basin Study for Board members. It was suggested that Karl Dreher from the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District be invited to the March Water Board meeting to discuss both the Poudre Basin Study and the District regional study. Mike Smith said he would contact Mr. Dreher. Surplus Water Rental Andy Pineda directed the Water Board's attention to Agenda Item No. 4 on the proposed surplus water rental rates. Each year after the irrigation companies have established the annual assessment rates for their water, the Water Board recommends to the City Council the rental rates for the City's surplus water. The agenda summary included a table that showed the assessment rates and the proposed rental rates for 1991, as well as the corresponding rates for 1989 and 1990. The proposed rates are based on several factors including past rental rates in the area, current assessments, and anticipated supply and demand conditions. Henry Caulfield noted that the proposed rental price for CBT water was $18 per acre foot compared to only $12 last year. Mr. Pineda explained that Fort Collins rents its CBT water by the acre foot whereas some of the other cities rent by the unit. When the quota is low like it was last year, the price per acre foot can be quite high. In anticipation of a fairly low quota again for 1991, staff feels that the prevailing market price will be around $18 per acre foot. Water Board Minutes February 15, 1991 Page 3 Mr. Pineda also commented that most of the City's rental water is North Poudre shares, Water Supply and Storage Company shares and CBT water. All of these have fairly well established rental markets. After additional discussion, Ray Herrmann moved that the Water Board approve the proposed rental rates. After a second from Tom Moore, the motion passed unanimously. The recommended rental rates are: IRRIGATION COMPANY PROPOSED 1991 RENTAL CHARGE' NCWCD Water (CBT) $18.00/ac-ft North Poudre Irrigation Co. $85.00/share Water Supply and Storage Co. $1,800.00/share Pleasant Valley & Lake Canal Co. $95.00/share New Mercer Ditch Co. $250.00/share Larimer County Canal No. 2 $180.00/share Arthur Irrigation Co. $9.00/share Warren Lake Reservoir Co. $120.00/share ' For late season rentals, rates may be adjusted to reflect the remaining yield or the prevalent market price of the water stock being rented. Demand Management Committee Update Committee member MaryLou Smith reported that the Committee had met the previous day (February 14). One of the topics they discussed was issues relating to time payment of Plant Investment Fees (PIFs). After a lengthy discussion, the Committee concluded that the issue of time payment of development fees should be addressed on a broader scale than just water and wastewater PIFs. If the Council should decide to approach it in a more comprehensive way, it would not be appropriate for the Demand Management Committee to be involved in that process. The Committee also discussed a proposed Zero Interest Loan Program. Staff had prepared a proposal for those customers who volunteer for a meter and would be required to replace a service line as a result of the meter installation. The Committee decided that the loan should be made available to all property owners except those who owe money to the Utility Department. They also agreed to limit the loan to $2500 per residence to make the program easier to Water Board Minutes February 15, 1991 Page 4 administer and prevent someone from taking advantage of the program. If either of these proposals becomes a problem, they can be reviewed the next year and the City Council can revisit the issues. Staff presented an update on the metering program to date as requested by the Committee. Since July, 187 water meters have been installed in new single family residences. The volunteer program is just getting started. About 150 people have volunteered for a meter to date, and 27 meters have been installed for volunteers. It was stated that the goal for the 15 year program is for 1200 to 1400 meters to be installed per year. The Committee received a document on Demand Management and Water Conservation that included definitions of demand management; benefits of water conservation; possible objectives of the program; program development; an outline of the existing conservation program; and possible water conservation measures. The Committee concluded that the State Water Metering Act was just one piece of the demand management program. Now the Committee needs to work on various other pieces and determine "where they will go from here." They will focus on each of those pieces at subsequent meetings. At the next meeting of the DMC on Tuesday, March 5th, the Water Conservation Specialist will give a presentation on the existing water conservation program and options for additional measures. Staff Reports A. Treated Water Production Summary Andy Pineda distributed the current Treated Water Production summary for the month of January. He reported that water use for January was 1500 ac. ft. which was 96% of the projected average use. The monthly precipitation was 0.34 inches which was below normal for January. Committee Reports Legislative/Finance Committee The committee chairman Tim Dow was unable to attend the Water Board meeting, but he had informed the Water Board secretary that a meeting of the Legislative/Finance Committee had been scheduled prior to the Water Board meeting, but it had to be canceled. Staff had prepared a summary of current proposed legislation that would have an effect on the Water and Wastewater Utility. This was included in the Water Board packets. Staff updated the Board on the status of each of the proposed bills. Water Board Minutes February 15, 1991 Page 5 Other Business Henry Caulfield brought the attention of the Board to the Water. Board 1990 Annual report included in their packets. Several Board members made favorable comments about the report. "It is interesting and valuable to know what the Board has taken action on and the issues that the Board has been involved with in a year's time," was the general reaction. Ray Herrmann moved that the Water Board adopt the 1990 Water Board Annual Report. Following a second from Dave Stewart, the vote was unanimous to accept the report. Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m. -J-Cle-, Water Boafd Secretary