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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 09/17/1993WATER BOARD MENUTES September 17, 1993 3:00 - 4:58 P.M. Water & Wastewater Utility Conference Room 700 Wood Street City Council Liaison Gerry Horak Staff Sunnort Person Mike Smith Members Present MaryLou Smith, Acting President, Ray Herrmann, Tom Brown, Paul Clopper, Dave Frick, John Bartholow, Howard Goldman Staff Rich Shannon, Mike Smith, Dennis Bode, Wendy Williams, Steve Comstock, Ben Alexander, Tom Gallier, Curt Miller, Jim Hibbard, Molly Nortier No Guests Members Absent Neil Grigg, President, Tim Dow, Dave Stewart, Terry Podmore Acting President MaryLou Smith opened the meeting. The following items were discussed: Minutes Ray Herrmann moved that the minutes of August 20, 1993 be approved as distributed. After a second from Paul Clopper, the Board voted unanimously to approve the motion. Update: Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District No report Draft Ordinance Regarding Liquid Waste Hauler Permits Board members received background information which explained that liquid waste hauler permits are required to control septage discharges to the Sanitary Waste Transfer Station. "The permit system is intended to protect the sewage treatment system and receiving waters from pollutants or other agents which might be contained in unregulated discharges." Amendments to the City Code are being requested to define septage, and to more directly specify the requirements for liquid waste hauler permits. The permit form has also been revised with assistance from the City Attorney's Office to clarify and improve the document. Water Board Minutes September 17, 1993 Page 2 These changes are intended to improve information provided to Utility customers, and to more directly connect the liquid waste hauler permit to remedies which may be enacted under the Code in the event of discharge violations. Board Members also received copies of the draft ordinance. Steve Comstock, Water Reclamation Manager, reiterated that the intent with this draft ordinance was to update, clarify and improve the permit that is currently being used. "The area that staff was the most concerned with was enforcement. "In the last few years, we've had a few of the haulers pull away from the station and leave their valves open creating a mess in the area of the station, and also along the state highway." Staff was in a situation where "we would call the violator, and they would say that they would clean it up sometime that week, but we knew it had to be cleaned up quickly," he said. The intent of revising the permit was to give the Utility more clout in enforcing clean up. "We also took the opportunity to build in more of a boiler -plate permit than what was originally written," he said. The request for a change in this ordinance was to define septage waste which was not in the code. It is clear from the Code, and a number of ordinances there, that we can issue the permit, but "we wanted to make sure that septage waste was defined," he stressed. "We also took the opportunity to say that it is also unlawful to discharge septage waste to the Utility without first obtaining a permit." He continued by saying that most importantly, by using this permit, we have brought our septage haulers in line with the recently revised local pretreatment limits in our industrial pretreatment program. "As a result, we can fall under some of the most recent enforcement actions given to that program." Essentially the permit is there to provide information for both the Utility and the customer. Generally what we are seeking is to clarify who our customers are and clarify their response to us, Mr. Comstock explained. Staff recommends approval of the ordinance as drafted. Tom Brown asked who the typical customers are. "Roto-rooter, A-1, Northern Colorado Waste Management, and a few small outfits; we have about nine different businesses," Mr. Comstock . replied. "Is pretreatment feasible with this kind of operation?" Mr. Brown continued. "What we do is a 'quick and dirty' pretreatment monitoring," Mr. Comstock explained. When they come into the septic station the haulers are asked to dump waste into a holding pit from which samples are checked for pH and conductivity; conductivity gives an indication if there is a large quantity of metals. If for some reason it doesn't pass, it is stored in a separate holding tank for 24 hours; after that time period they are required to remove the waste. "Has that ever happened?" MaryLou Smith asked. "Yes, there have been two loads that were returned to the source," Mr. Comstock replied. In the winter there are many different chemicals used, especially in portable toilets to prevent freezing. Some folks were using spent anti -freeze for r Water Board Minutes September 17, 1993 Page 3 awhile, so sampling showed very high conductivity. In another case a private septic tank came from somebody who apparently was doing some meat -packing in his garage, "but for the most part, we don't see too many problems. At this point we don't have a penalty for a bad load; we just don't take it," he said. "However, they are required to let us know what's happened to the load." "What are these guys doing who take it back?" Paul Clopper wanted to know. "In most cases if the load is not in compliance with local limits, the hauler will go back and deal with the customer, and the customer is required to make arrangements to dispose of it appropriately." "So the small customer would use one of the big operators; they wouldn't come directly to the septage facility?" Ray Herrmann asked. "If it was an individual customer with an RV dump, the load would be tested and would be subject to the same standards, but RVs aren't usually out in freezing weather, for example," Mr. Comstock explained. They wouldn't have to obtain a permit; permits are for commercial entities. Marylou Smith asked if the Utility has any state liability for haulers who use our facilities and don't have permits. "The permit is strictly from us, but in the permit they are required to have a Larimer County Septage Hauler's license," Mr. Comstock replied. "An updated license (renewal each year) is part of the permit system." Tom Galiier added that the issue was that the County's permit was enacated to insure that the vehicle was properly constructed, and without that permit it's difficult to know what vehicles those are. "We've had problems with people driving off with valves improperly closed, but in each case it wasn't because the vehicle wasn't properly maintained, but because the driver did something 'stupid,"' he related. Mr. Comstock said staff is hoping the enforcement for discharge violations will help save clean- up costs; obviously you can't leave the waste lying on the ground. Ray Herrmann moved that the Water Board recommend approval of the draft ordinance to the City Council. After a second from Paul Clopper, the Board voted unanimously for the motion. Appointments to Standing Committees Chair Marylou Smith thought the best way to approach the appointments was to find out if anyone who is currently on a committee wishes to remain there, and to allow the two new members to choose the committee or committees they wish to join. Ms. Smith asked each committee chair or one of the members to explain the function of each committee for the benefit of the new members. The standing committees are: Water Board Minutes September 17, 1993 Page 4 Engineering Dave Stewart, Chairperson Paul Clopper Former Board member Tom Sanders' name was removed Conservation and Public Education MaryLou Smith, Chairperson Ray Herrmann Terry Podmore Dave Stewart Legislative and Finance Tim Dow, Chairperson Former Board member Tom Sanders' name was removed Water Supply Former Board member and chair of the Committee Mark Casey's name was removed Tom Brown Dave Frick MaryLou Smith Two special committees have been established recently: City Council/Water Board Water Planning Committee: Council: Alan Apt, Gina Janett, Bob McCluskey Water Board: Tim Dow, MaryLou Smith, Dave Stewart Cost of Service Committee: Tim Dow, Ray Herrmann, Howard Goldman, Dave Stewart, Neil Grigg, Chairperson After a brief description of each committee, the new members made a committee choice. Because the Legislative and Finance Committee was short on members (only chairperson Tim Dow), Howard Goldman agreed to help out there. John Bartholow selected the Water Supply Committee. MaryLou Smith asked Tom Brown to act as chair of that committee until the Committee selects a new chairperson. Tom Brown pointed out that any member of the Water Board is welcome to attend any of the Committee meetings. It was also pointed out that the president of the Board is an ex officio member of all the standing committees. E Water Board Minutes September 17, 1993 Page 5 Consideration of ProvWy Purchase (Executive Session) MaryLou Smith asked for a motion to go into executive session to discuss a possible property purchase relating to the Meadow Springs Ranch. Ray Herrmann moved that the Water Board go into executive session. Dave Frick seconded the motion and the Board expressed unanimous approval. After a lengthy discussion, the Board emerged from the executive session to make their decision in open session. Ray Herrmann moved that the Board endorse the agreement in concept forwarding the Board's concerns to the Council/Water Board Water Planning Committee which will make a decision and forward a recommendation to the City Council. The Board also agreed that they were comfortable with referring the final recommendation to the Water Planning Committee. After a second, the Board voted unanimously to support the motion. National EPA Awards MaryLou Smith wanted to take this time to congratulate the Drake Water Reclamation Facility for being selected to receive EPA's 1993 national first place award for outstanding operation and maintenance in the large advanced category, and our Industrial Pretreatment Program which has been awarded first place nationally for an outstanding pretreatment program in the Significant Industrial Users category for 1993. Both of these awards will be announced officially at the EPA Wastewater Management Excellence Awards Ceremony on Monday, October 4th in Anaheim California. "This is major," Ms. Smith continued, "and I think this is something the Water Board should go on record to recognize." Ray Herrmann moved that the Water Board prepare a letter recognizing and congratulating staff for these awards. John Bartholow seconded the motion. The Board gave hearty unanimous approval of the motion. MaryLou Smith concluded by saying that "we as a Water Board can be proud that we have consistently supported staff and guided staff in terms of wanting to be on the 'cutting edge,' even when it means that higher rates are necessary. We want to have high quality water and wastewater that exceed what is expected," she stressed. "It's quite an accomplishment for the City," Mike Smith remarked. "There aren't too many communities in the country that can say they won both national awards." He emphasized that we competed in the large advanced operations category, so the awards are particularly significant. Ms. Smith wanted to know if there is any way we could "get a little more press out of this." Mike Smith said that Mayor Azari would like to come to the next Water Board meeting to make a special presentation. However, the October meeting may not fit into Steve Comstock's plans, Water Board Minutes September 17, 1993 Page 6 and he's a critical part of this. Also in October we will officially receive the awards. Several staff members will be going to Anaheim to participate in the presentations. Ray Herrmann suggested that Water Board recognize these awards in November. Staff Reports Treated Water Production Summary Board members received copies of the treated water production summary. Dennis Bode reported that for August the City used 3,486 Ac-ft of water, and that was 87% of what we projected for an average year. August was somewhat drier than average, but it was also cooler, so "on balance we used less water." For the year to date, we are at 87% of what was projected for the year, "so it's continuing to be less than what was expected." He also pointed out that the 52.5 million gallons that was reached one day in July is going to hold up as the peak day. MaryLou Smith said she was absent from the last meeting but she read in the minutes and from the handouts at the meeting about Dennis Bode's response to her question as to whether our planning for drought, and our planning for water supply is still up to date. "I appreciated Dennis Bode preparing that and it's reassuring to know that we are in good shape," she said. Forest Service Special Use Permit Mike Smith said that not much has changed from the last meeting. The draft biological opinion from the Fish & Wildlife Service is due next Friday. "They think they might get the final out by October 8th." The Forest Service has begun to work on their NEPA process. They plan to have a forum meeting in early October. Dennis Bode attended a meeting this morning. Mr. Bode reported that not much new emerged from that meeting. "There is some frustration about the direction they're going and whether they are properly following the process." Mr. Smith concluded by saying that the F&WS has a tough task trying to resolve the Nebraska issues. Update on Thornton Case Decision Mike Smith reminded the Board that they received a summary of the Thornton decision at the last meeting and in this month's packet as well. Dennis Bode reported that there have been at least three meetings in the last three weeks. At one meeting they set a series of dates to discuss the decree. All of them have been informal meetings; either on legal or technical issues. Mr. Bode thinks there is another meeting with the judge during the first part of October. Actually, there is a series of 8-10 meetings anticipated and scheduled during October, November and December to lead up to a final decree. Mr. Smith related that the Utility's legal counsel told him that during one of the first meetings, Thornton tried to get out of everything the judge tried to make them do, "but the judge held firm. " Water Board Minutes September 17, 1993 Page 7 "Once they establish that there is some quantifiable right that Thornton has," Paul Clopper began, "isn't it true that they still must go through the next step in the process which is some kind of environmental assessment to ascertain whether there will be environmental impacts in their going ahead with the project, and transferring that quantity of water?" "It depends on how they're going to get the water there," Mr. Smith replied. "Once they get a decree that's solid, then moving the water physically (if they can do it on paper) it's there." He added that "of course all the problems of building a major pipeline across 60 miles are still ahead of them." Dave Frick commented that he thinks their ultimate plan is to tie into the Southern Pipeline. "They certainly won't admit to that in any of the decree hearings," Mr. Bode responded. Cross Connection Update Jim Hibbard refreshed the Board on what had been discussed at the last meeting. One of the items that was mentioned was the search for a new Cross Connection Control Administrator. In the meantime the Utility received 9 applications, and "after reviewing those applications we were reluctant to proceed with the process, because we felt we needed a larger sample to choose from," he said. They re -advertised in both Denver papers and that ad will end one week from today (September 24th). Staff revised the job description somewhat, and also advertised the job in a couple of additional places. Water Quality Policy Mike Smith announced that the Water Quality Policy "has cleared all the hurdles," and it is expected to go to Council in October for the first and second readings. Ms. Smith asked what "cleared the hurdles" entailed. "That means it went through the committees, it received input from various related boards, we received feedback from surrounding districts, and then the policy went back to the Council members who were involved in drafting it, for final comments," Mr. Smith explained. John Bartholow asked if there was feedback from other boards. "There was only one change which the P&Z Board offered, and that was cooperation in the basin," Mr. Smith replied. Their concern was that whatever is done to make water quality good, we need to make sure it doesn't hurt someone else's water quality in the process. In other words, look at it with a cooperative attitude. Feedback on Recommendations from the Conservation Committee "How about the recommendations from the Conservation Committee, and those issues going to other boards?" MaryLou Smith asked. Dennis Bode said Jim Clark had a meeting scheduled with the P&Z Board, but they ran out of time. He will be going back to that board as well as the Natural Resources Board within the next few months. Water Board Minutes September 17, 1993 Page 8 Committee Reports There were no committee reports. There was nothing new in either the Regional Water Supply Strategy item or the Regional Wastewater Service Issues. Adiourn Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:58 P.M. Water Board ecretary