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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Board - Minutes - 12/18/2014Water Board Minutes December 18, 2014 1 Fort Collins Utilities Water Board Minutes Thursday, December 18, 2014 Water Board Chairperson City Council Liaison Steve Malers, 484-1954 Wade Troxell, 219-8940 Water Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison Becky Hill, 402-1713 Carol Webb, 221-6231 Roll Call Board Present Chairperson Steve Malers, Vice Chairperson Rebecca Hill, Board Members Duncan Eccleston, Michael Brown, Lori Brunswig, Heidi Huber-Stearns, Brett Bovee, Brian Brown, Andrew McKinley, and Phyllis Ortman. Board Absent Board Member Alex Maas Staff Present Carol Webb, Kevin Gertig, Jon Haukaas, Donnie Dustin, Marsha Hilmes- Robinson, Norm Weaver, Kraig Bader, and Katherine Martinez. Guests None Meeting Convened Chairperson Steve Malers called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Public Comment None Approval of November 20, 2014 Minutes Chairperson Steve Malers requested correction of a typo in the draft November 20, 2014 minutes on page 4, in the fourth bulleted sentence under Discussion Highlights. Revise “mean” to “meant” in the sentence “Chairperson Malers stated the Work Plan is meant to provide the board with guidance during the year on issues of interest to members…” Board Member Lori Brunswig moved to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2014, meeting with the revision discussed above. Board Member Brett Bovee seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously with two abstentions. *Board Members Andrew McKinley and Michael Brown abstained due to their absence at the November meeting. Staff Reports Monthly Water Resources Report Water Resources Manager Donnie Dustin reported water demands continue to be low; about 90 percent of average for the year, with cool and wet conditions. Poudre River diversions are good, at about 85 percent of average compared to pre-High Park Fire levels. Staff is still working on the Horsetooth Reservoir pipeline at the Water Treatment Facility and will be finished soon. Water Board Minutes December 18, 2014 2 We’re able to take Colorado-Big Thompson Project (CBT) water through the Pleasant Valley pipeline. Stream flows are still abnormally high, flowing at 100 cubic feet per second (cfs) through town; it’s usually 5 to 10 cfs. Reasons may be because of lingering effects from last year’s flood and a fairly decent snow pack year; and maybe because of rain and the high river; there aren’t as many diversions off the Poudre River. Snowpack is not great; it’s at 80%; hasn’t snowed in the last few weeks. Statewide snowpack is 78%; at South Platte Basin, 85%; at Joe Wright Reservoir, 70%, and at Deadman, 90%. However, it’s still early in the season. Snow-water equivalent is just shy of one inch. CBT storage is at historic high levels. El Niño patterns indicate we might get late season moisture. The new water resources engineer position was posted today at www.fcgov.com; it was approved as a Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) offer. Discussion Highlights  A board member inquired, considering that water demand is 10% below projected, what is the projection based on? Mr. Dustin explained it’s a combination of projected growth, billings, and the last 10 years of water use to establish the pattern. The board member commented that July was unusual. Mr. Dustin stated that based on the 10-year rolling average, storm events in that period created a dip. Rain events in June and July helped decrease water demands.  A board member inquired about the snow pack and what kinds of decisions are made. Mr. Dustin stated that staff came upon this situation last year during uncertainty about river flows, such as a big drop in CBT water storage. But because water storage is high this year, and the CBT system is near full, even if the snow pack remains low, CBT would make up the difference in being able to fulfill water demands.  A board member inquired about news that some Snotel stations for measuring snowpack would be discontinued. Mr. Dustin stated that staff reported the City uses two, at Joe Wright and Deadman, and were told those stations were not scheduled to be taken offline.  A board member inquired about metrics that Utilities tracks that are related to approved BFO offers. Water Resources & Treatment Operations Manager Carol Webb stated that some metrics, such as on gallons per capita per day (GPCD) and water resources, could be shared with board members. The Utilities annual report contains all kinds of metrics that Utilities uses as a historical reference. Ms. Webb will inquire about obtaining that information to share with the Water Board. City Council Agenda Review  Environmental Services Director Lucinda Smith will present an update on the Climate Action Plan (CAP) at the January 15 board meeting. City Council is scheduled to adopt it in February.  The April 28 City Council Work Session will include an update report on Halligan Reservoir. Future Water Board Agenda Review  Staff will present an update on the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) at the January board meeting and review the process for commenting on the issue to City Council, mitigation, etc. Water Board Minutes December 18, 2014 3  Regarding the Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) easement request for its planned solar project, the two property owners did not agree to the vacate county road and go through City-owned Meadow Springs Ranch, so PRPA and City staff will determine plan adjustments. Critical Facilities Exception to Floodplain Regulations (Attachments available upon request) Floodplain Administrator Marsha Hilmes-Robinson summarized reasons for staff’s request for City Council to provide an exception to the critical facilities definition found in Chapter 10 of City Code to allow for parallel-connected solar and wind power generation at 1912 Laporte Ave. This would allow solar and wind power generating stations that are also connected to the grid to be located in the floodplain and not subject to the critical facilities regulation. The need for an exception arose when a site was proposed for the Utilities Solar Power Purchase Program that was in the floodplain. Staff determined there are no negative financial impacts or environmental impacts expected from this change, it’s a wise and valuable use of the floodplain, and expands the possibility for using local renewable resources. An exception requires ensuring the intent of the critical facilities regulation is maintained: (1) Service to customers before during and after a flood must not be compromised; and (2) There must be minimal risk to public health and safety in the event of a flood. The parallel-connected solar and wind power generation facilities meet the requirements. The request will go to City Council for a first reading on January 20 and become effective in mid-February if approved.  A board member inquired about the definition of “parallel-connected.” Standards Engineering Manager Kraig Bader stated the term is used for any generation source that is connected to the Utilities distribution grid, and able to give to and take energy from the grid. Mr. Bader stated that having a grid connection would be necessary to be able to get power back up to an area during or after a flood, for example. Senior Energy Services Engineer Norm Weaver stated that the grid accommodates short power outages and would likewise support intermittent wind and sunshine powering renewable energy; the same would be true during a flood.  A board member inquired about the lifecycle of the poles. Mr. Weaver stated 30 years is the estimated life. The board member asked how an existing development would be impacted by a change in the code. Ms. Hilmes-Robinson stated it would be grandfathered into the code, and if there were major changes to the development, it would need to adhere to code. Maintenance of the poles on the other hand, such as a replacement pole, would not be treated as new development.  A board member commented that an exclusion for poles and towers seems far riskier than allowing a parallel-connected solar and wind. Why exclude those in the floodplain? Ms. Hilmes-Robinson replied that the City aligned its definition with the State of Colorado’s; the state determined that not being able to have poles in the floodplain would prevent some customers from receiving power. Water Board Minutes December 18, 2014 4  A board member inquired whether changing the ordinance is the only way to gain approval for an exception to the regulation. Ms. Hilmes-Robinson stated that the other option is to request a variance from the Water Board, which would require determining why the project is different from any others, and what is unique about the property or situation. The variance reasoning is restrictive. Staff considered both options and decided on the exception because renewable energy stations are a good use of the floodplain.  A board member inquired whether staff is requesting an exception for wind and solar energy projects because other solar projects in floodplain areas have been proposed recently. Ms. Hilmes-Robinson stated three projects have been discussed; the other two stalled. Mr. Weaver commented it’s a matter of history and available property within the City limits for suitable clean energy projects.  A board member inquired how many projects have taken advantage of this exception. Ms. Hilmes-Robinson stated pipeline projects happen frequently, such as Xcel Energy’s, one of which has crossed the Poudre River at several locations, and PRPA’s pipelines, most recently at the Woodward site at Mulberry and Lemay. She described it as not taking advantage, but using the exception to serve customers. She commented that the City has handled these cases well, and as a result did not have to worry about critical infrastructure during the 2013 flood, for example. Utilities was able to restore power where needed. Ms. Hilmes-Robinson stated the regulation is important to staff and they’ve taken care to protect it, and made sure to narrowly define it to prevent big projects creating problems.  A board member inquired whether the poles couldn’t just as well be located five or 10 miles out of town and out of the floodplain. Mr. Weaver stated that the unique element of this solar purchase power program is it’s intended to procure clean energy that helps the City meets its legal obligation for the state-required renewable energy standard, so it must be connected to the power grid, which is within the city limits. The issue also relates to the Climate Action Plan that will be approved by City Council soon, which contains ambitious renewable energy goals.  A board member inquired about whether the City uses a systematic approach, such as taking a look at the floodplain as a whole and determining specific areas where development can or cannot be located, rather than on a case-by-case basis. Ms. Hilmes- Robinson stated the City has never used that approach due to complications with property rights issues related to floodplain development.  Water Engineering & Field Services Operations Manager Jon Haukaas stated that in relation to what a board member stated about avoiding development in the floodplain, it’s an issue of human health and safety. The development under consideration does not contain habitable pieces of infrastructure; it’s not the same as having houses and businesses in the floodplain.  A board member inquired about stormwater facilities and whether they could receive variances, such as Rodeo Stormwater Detention Pond. Ms. Hilmes-Robinson stated since the City is owner, it would need to be the initiator. And since the area is made up of ponds, it’s not conducive to being a location for solar power equipment. To meet regulations, it would need to be elevated and flood-proofed. The board member inquired Water Board Minutes December 18, 2014 5 about the difference between that kind of floodplain location and others. Ms. Hilmes- Robinson stated the difference is flowing water in an area of a few inches deep as opposed to a bathtub of standing water in an area several feet deep. Board Member Bovee made a motion to recommend City Council approve the ordinance to provide an exception to the critical facilities definition found in Chapter 10 of City Code to allow for parallel-connected solar and wind power generation. Board Member Brian Brown seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: it passed unanimously. Message from Utilities Executive Director Utilities Executive Director Kevin Gertig expressed gratitude for Water Board members’ expertise and work in serving the community. He stated he’ll plan to give the board quarterly updates with metrics, financials, and status on projects. 2015 Work Plan Water Board members discussed the 2015 Work Plan draft at the December 4 Work Session, and will finalize revisions and approve the plan at the January 15 meeting. A board member inquired about adding a summary of public comments made at each meeting to the annual report. Other Business Chairperson Malers and Vice Chairperson Hill attended a December 5 meeting organized by Utilities Executive Director Kevin Gertig; also in attendance were Energy Board Chairperson Greg Behm and staff liaison Steve Catanach. Chairperson Malers stated the list of discussion items boiled down to limited staff support for boards and commissions across the City. Water Board and Energy Board have higher requirements. Other boards take their own minutes; their business is more concise. Attendees discussed recommendations on how to do things differently, depending on support requirements, including the option of meeting during business hours.  Water Board members agreed to try a transcription service, beginning in January, if it’s possible to have a summary rather than word-for-word transcription of meetings. The administrative assistant position would continue to coordinate meeting preparations and set up the board room for meetings. If the transcription service doesn’t work out, the board will try having board members take meeting minutes. Ms. Webb thanked board members for their willingness to consider ways to streamline processes.  Other ideas included a SharePoint site in which board members could access the board member manual and meeting materials, and on-demand printing to reduce paper usage: instead of providing printed meeting materials, board members would bring their own laptops, which some already do. Ms. Webb stated the administrative assistant position that supports the board at 0.25 full-time equivalent (FTE) will support her for 0.25 FTE; the chairperson will be in charge of tracking quorum. Vice Chairperson Becky Hill left the meeting at 6:47 p.m. during the discussion of Other Business.