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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 11/21/1980• 0 MINUTES WATER BOARD MEETING REGULAR MEETING November 21, 1980 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ward Fischer, Henry Caulfield, Tom Moore, Ray Anderson, Bernie Cain, George Wallace, Chuck Turner (alt.) STAFF PRESENT: Roger Krempel, Mike Smith, Dennis Bode, Jim Hibbard, Curt Miller, Steve Olson, Molly Nortier MEMBERS ABSENT: Norm Evans, Glen Johnson, Harvey Johnson, Everett Richardson, Tom Sanders (alt.) CITY STAFF PRESENT: Paul Eckman, Assistant City Attorney. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Ward Fischer. The following items were discussed: Minutes Approved. Plant Investment Fees As stated previously, there are many problems with the present PIF structure, particularly for multi -family dwellings.. Dennis Bode has been investigating alternatives to the present system which is based primarily on tap size. Two alternate methods were discussed; one would be based on units per building, and the other on housing density for each development. Bernie Cain, Chairman of the Utilities Committee, and some of his colleagues, have met with Dennis Bode, Mike Smith and Steve Olson. After the committee has met again and discussed some of the problems, they will bring back their recommendations to the Water Board. Raw Water Alternatives Dennis Bode showed a few slides excerpted from his publication, "Water Supply Alternatives to Meet Future Demand." He'summarized the broad objectives involved in raw water acquisitions, and identified the following five methods of meeting future demands: Page Two Water Board Meeting November 21, 1980 1. Develop new sources 2. Utilize shares of ditch company stock 3. Maximize reuse of foreign water 4. Purchase water rights or stock 5. Reduce municipal demands Since the Water Board has recommended that reducing demand by installing meters is not necessary at the present time, it was decided that the discussion would center around the remaining alternatives that would increase the supply. Moreover, the Board decided in the past to utilize existing shares of ditch company stock which the City now owns, and is accumulating additional stock in these companies, so alternative number 2 is already being implemented. A number of questions were asked and suggestions made which may need further evaluation. These questions and suggestions are listed at the end of this section. The utilization of South Side Ditch water was discussed at length. By 1985, the City is expected to own well over 50% of the Pleasant Valley & Lake stock as well as substantial proportions of the other South Side Ditch stock. By agreement with the company, there are presently two exchange methods in which the City can use the Pleasant Valley & Lake water. A third option for using the water would be to construct a 4000 foot pipeline and pump station to use the water directly at Water Treatment Plant No. 2. Additional storage capacity which could be provided by Sheep Creek or Rockwell Reservoirs may necessary to enable exchange of early spring water with the South Side Ditches. Assuming the City continues to collect stock from the ditches, the pipeline, or additional raw water storage capacity becomes increasingly significant. Further- more, raw water storage like Joe Wright Reservoir, becomes necessary in drought years, particularly when those periods extend beyond two years. The question becomes how much the City can afford to spend for that kind of an uncertain event. Henry Caulfield questioned the present rules for not allowing carryover storage in Horsetooth Reservoir. He feels that there ought to be a way to change the rules, regardless of the source, Federal legislation or otherwise, with the stipulation that agricultural water supply would not be affected nor would it interfere with the present generation of hydro -electric power. It was suggested that Henry Caulfield, on behalf of the Water Board, accompany one of the staff to talk with the management at the Water Conservancy District and explore the subject in some depth. Page Three Water Board Meeting November 21, 1980 It was noted that one of the advantages of CBT water is that it produces more water in years when in -basin supplies are low. This helps to provide uniform supply, and the City should attempt to maintain a balanced water supply. However, any alternative which encompasses developing new supplies versus purchasing CBT or North Poudre stock, preserves ag. water; and it should be emphasized that the City does not wish to encourage the unnecessary conversion of ag. water to municipal water. Below are some questions which need further analysis: 1. What are the raw water storage requirements for the future? 2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of participating in the renovation of North Poudre Reservoir No. 6; what exchanges can be made to effectively utilize the reservoir, and what are the associated costs? 3. Should the City develop new water supplies or enter the market with the purchase of water rights such as CBT, North Poudre, and others, or a combination of these? 4. What is the potential yield of the South Side Ditches and what are the advantages and disadvantages as well as costs of building a pipeline to deliver water directly to Water Treatment Plant No. 2? (Perhaps this will be answered partly by the ditch consolidation study.) 5. What is the potential for reuse (or first use) of agricultural water? 6. What is the yield and the exchange potential of Sheep Creek and Rockwell Reservoirs and which would be most cost effective? 7. investigate the idea of carryover storage in Horsetooth Reservoir. Is there any possibility of raising the level of the dams? 8. What are the future possibilities for the City in regard to Windy Gap water? Will Platte River have surplus water above that needed for the reuse plan? 9. Are any of the agricultural lands that are irrigated by the North Poudre system in the Urban Service area? New Business Earlier in the meeting, Ward Fischer introduced and welcomed Assistant City Attorney Paul Eckman, who will be attending the Water Board meetings on a regular basis. It was suggested that Ben Alexander brief the Water Board at a future meeting on the status of the Michigan Ditch project. Page Four Water Board Minutes November 21, 1980 On December 16, 1980, the City Council has scheduled a public hearing on water meters at the regular Council session. At this time, the Water Board has not been asked for any planned presentation. However, any Water Board member could attend and participate as a citizen. (Note: Subsequent to the Water Board meeting, the public hearing was postponed. At this point, another date has not been scheduled.) Adjourn Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:38 p.m. Secretar