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Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/07/2017 - RESOLUTION 2017-029 APPROVING THE CHARTER OF THE RAgenda Item 17 Item # 17 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY March 7, 2017 City Council STAFF Carol Webb, Water Resources/Treatmnt Opns Mgr Kevin Gertig, Utilities Executive Director SUBJECT Resolution 2017-029 Approving the Charter of the Regional Water Collaboration Steering Committee. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to seek City Council approval of the Charter of the Regional Water Collaboration Steering Committee (Steering Committee). The Steering Committee is composed of members of governing boards and staff of Fort Collins Utilities, East Larimer County Water District (ELCO), and Fort Collins-Loveland Water District (FCLWD). The proposed Steering Committee Charter articulates key regional water issues identified by the Steering Committee and the purpose and intended outcomes of regional water collaboration. The Charter outlines the Steering Committee’s purpose, goals, membership, governance structure, and expected deliverables. The Charter formalizes a commitment from each water provider to investigate and pursue collaborative opportunities where it makes sense and where customers and residents within the Growth Management Area (GMA) will realize a benefit. All future meetings of the Steering Committee will be open to the public. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION A Regional Water Collaboration Workshop was held on May 31, 2016, to discuss regionalization prospects and further collaboration among water providers serving residents within and near Fort Collins’ GMA. The workshop was attended by representatives from the City of Fort Collins, ELCO, FCLWD, and North Weld County Water District (NWCWD). Representatives included members of governing boards and staff from each entity. Workshop attendees discussed opportunities and barriers to regional water collaboration. The participants agreed that, while all entities are providing a consistently high level of water service to customers within their respective service areas, there are opportunities to collaborate where shared goals and purpose exists. Participants desired to further discussions to that end by appointing a Steering Committee consisting of two representatives from each governing board and water managers from each entity. The Steering Committee was directed to develop a charter articulating next steps and to provide such a charter to all governing boards for approval. NWCWD’s Board members declined to participate in the Steering Committee; however, the NWCWD Manager desired to remain engaged in the discussion. City Council appointed Mayor Pro Tem Gary Horak and Councilmember Gino Campana to the Steering Committee by Resolution 2016-049, adopted June 21, 2016. Agenda Item 17 Item # 17 Page 2 The Steering Committee convened four times between August 2016 and January 2017 to discuss regional water issues, the purpose and goals of water collaboration, forms of collaboration, and various considerations for each identified issue. The Steering Committee identified and deliberated on 10 key issues for regional water collaboration. Those issues are summarized in Attachment 1. The Steering Committee determined through a prioritization process that they would like to pursue three key issues at this time: 1. Coordination of water conservation and shortage response plans in the GMA. Such coordination will be focused on providing consistent water conservation programs, improving water efficiency, and aligning water shortage responses for each water provider across the GMA. 2. Improved water supply and drought planning Across the GMA. Such improvements will be focused on coordinating and aligning water supply and drought modeling; and planning activities and policies across the GMA to ensure adequate water supply is available for current and future residents. 3. Development of additional water supplies for the GMA. Such collaboration will focus on future water rights acquisitions to best leverage the current assets and future needs of each water provider. The Steering Committee discussed and prioritized other regional water issues. However, the Steering Committee will not pursue collaboration on those issues at this time. The Steering Committee will revisit those issues as progress is made on the top three priorities. Pursuit of the top three priority issues will include development of Strategy Roadmap for review and approval by the Steering Committee. Future Steering Committee meetings will be open to the public. CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS The financial impact of developing the Strategy Roadmap is approximately $50,000, divided among the participating entities. The financial impact of completing the identified tasks to further regional water collaboration effort is not yet known. All funding needs will be discussed by the Steering Committee and any request for an additional appropriation of funds will be presented to City Council for approval. BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION The Water Board discussed the Collaboration Charter at its December 1, 2016, Work Session. The attending Board members were supportive of the general direction the City is going related to regional collaboration on water issues and was supportive of the language articulated in the Collaboration Charter. PUBLIC OUTREACH The May 2016 Regional Water Collaboration Workshop was attended by approximately 50 members of the public and the public was provided with opportunities to comment on the City’s website. The Charter has also been discussed by the ELCO Board and the FCLWD Board. The ELCO Board approved the charter in late 2016. As the Steering Committee begins work on the top three priorities, other public outreach opportunities will be identified and pursued. Also, all future meetings will be open to the public. While comments will not be taken during the meeting, citizens may provide comments to City staff and committee members via phone and email. Agenda Item 17 Item # 17 Page 3 ATTACHMENTS 1. Water Collaboration Issues Table (PDF) Table of Potential Regional Water Collaboration Concepts 12/7/16 ISSUE PURPOSE FORM Summary of Committee Discussion “What problem are we trying to address?” “Why are we expending resources on this issue?” “What are we doing?” “What are we trying to accomplish?” “How do we accomplish what we want to do?” “Who is doing what?” “What are various associated risks (technical and legal)? ISSUE 1: Water Conservation Varying water conservation programs and measures in the GMA, causing confusion and concern for residents. Coordinate water conservation measures and programs in the GMA. Agreements between parties (analogous agreements exist) Coordinated and aligned policies between parties This issue was determined to be an opportunity for short term success The districts can leverage the investment already made by the City in administration of the programs Focus can be on the conservation programs offered that have the best ROI Staff has already started meeting to discuss conservation opportunities Districts need to offer to all customers Could the City’s general fund subsidize some investment in rebates, etc. in areas of the GMA served by the Districts? ISSUE 2: Water Shortage Response Varying drought or water shortage response plans and policies in the GMA, causing confusion and concern among residents. Coordinate drought and water shortage response in the GMA. Agreements between parties Coordinated and aligned policies between parties Shortage response (focused on short term drought and shortage scenarios) was seen by the Committee as having overlap with water conservation efforts and an opportunity for short term success. An understanding of each entity’s water portfolio and how we can best leverage those portfolios in a water shortage situation. Collaboration could focus on sharing the City’s shortage response plan and see if it makes sense for the Districts based on their water rights portfolios. Determine if current (or future) water sharing agreements could help in a short term shortage scenario. Groups can bring water resources and conservation staff together to discuss. Consider enacting water restrictions at the same time across the GMA. 1 ATTACHMENT 1 Table of Potential Regional Water Collaboration Concepts 12/7/16 ISSUE PURPOSE FORM Summary of Committee Discussion ISSUE 3: Water Supply & Drought Planning Varying water supply and drought modeling and planning and policies, with ELCO and FCLWD in a reactionary role to Fort Collins’ land use decisions. Improve water supply and drought planning across the GMA. Agreements between parties to establish combined or joint modeling and responsibilities for the costs associated with such efforts. Coordinated and aligned policies in light of the results of modeling. The committee felt that collaboration on water supply and drought planning criteria could be very beneficial to all providers. The City has a current Water Supply and Demand Management Policy (WSDMP) that the Districts may leverage. The City is due to update the WSDMP before 2020, providing an opportunity to involve the districts. The City is pursuing a water supply vulnerability assessment that could be a shared project. There are legal limitations on where water rights may be used based on decree language and the identified service area. The City can involve the districts more in land use planning activities (City Plan in particular) so they can plan better for growth. There is recognition that water supply & drought planning is unique to each entity depending on water rights portfolio and available storage. The Districts requested that the City explore what water rights they may make available to the district through sharing/sale agreements. One system for dedicating water rights across the GMA could be considered (see issue #7). The entities should explore how to better leverage ownership in ditch companies. ISSUE 4: Water Treatment Similarly located water treatment facilities that perform the same essential functions, creating various inefficiencies associated with having two facilities that operate independently. Improve water treatment efficiencies through combined and/or coordinated facilities and/or operations. An authority could be created to own and/or operate and manage the facilities, as well as plan for upgrades and new facilities. Agreements between the parties could establish rights and obligations for sharing of facilities. Similar agreements exist between Fort Collins and the FCLWD. Water treatment was considered by the Committee to be more difficult to tackle at this time, however the option should remain on the table. Table of Potential Regional Water Collaboration Concepts 12/7/16 ISSUE PURPOSE FORM Summary of Committee Discussion ISSUE 5: Current Water Resources & Water Supply Infrastructure Varying water rights portfolios, water supply contracts (such as a CBT units), and water supply infrastructure, resulting in certain parties being “water long” in certain respects and “water short” in others. Share water resources and/or water supply infrastructure among parties. Agreements between parties could be used to set forth how one party would deliver certain water supplies to other parties at other times. Similar agreements exist between Fort Collins and FCLWD. While not determined to be a top three priority, the committee discussed opportunities in the future to share current infrastructure (e.g. raw water delivery pipelines) and water resources where it makes sense. There is a lot of duplication of effort (e.g. acquisition of storage ) that could be eliminated through collaboration. An analysis could be conducted regarding where excess capacity exists and how that might be made available to other providers. A review of water rights portfolios (e.g. ditch company shares) that could be leveraged to secure storage. ISSUE 6: Additional Water Supply Infrastructure Additional water infrastructure (e.g. raw water storage and/or recharge facilities) may be needed by each party in the future. Collaboration may result in economies of scale and avoid redundancies across the GMA. Jointly develop additional water supply infrastructure for the GMA. Agreements between parties could be used to determine what shared infrastructure would be developed, how it would be constructed, and how it would be paid for. An authority could be established with the purpose of developing such infrastructure as an ongoing matter. The committee discussed opportunities to share current and planned water supply infrastructure (e.g. raw water delivery pipelines) and water resources. Entities will need to discuss what specific infrastructure projects would be suitable for collaboration. Innovative storage options (e.g. aquifer storage) could be completed in collaboration. Another model (e.g the South Metro Water Supply Authority) could be used in this region. ISSUE 7: Additional Water Supply Additional water rights may be needed by each party to meet future demand. Table of Potential Regional Water Collaboration Concepts 12/7/16 ISSUE PURPOSE FORM Summary of Committee Discussion Issue 8: Service Area Boundaries Each party serves portions of Fort Collins and its GMA, creating service inconsistencies across portions of Fort Collins (e.g. billing rates, PIFs, etc.).The various governing bodies also create difficulties for establishing consistent policies across Fort Collins and its GMA, as well as for citizens desiring to petition their government. Reallocate service areas in and around the GMA. Agreements between parties could be used to set forth where service boundaries would be relocated, as well as the procedures needed to complete the required processes. A wholesale change in service area boundaries is not probable at this time, however there should be a short term focus on continuing to adjust and realign boundaries based on what makes the most sense from a distribution and service standpoint. Driven by which provider is best able to serve. Take advantage of opportunities as they develop Avoid duplication of effort Formalize/document processes for criteria used for changing service area boundaries Issue 9: Water Distribution Separate distribution systems serve both inside and outside of Fort Collins and its GMA. When one party delivers water through another party’s system, it can be difficult to account for that water in compliance with water rights decrees, hampering certain water sharing possibilities. Restructure certain water delivery pipes in and around the GMA to separate water distribution systems inside and outside of Fort Collins to facilitate a more efficient use of Poudre River water resources across the GMA. Agreements between the parties could be used to set forth which pipes will be moved where, and which party is responsible for those costs. A physical reconfiguration of the distribution system is not probable at this time, however other ideas were discussed by the committee that potentially address the issue of “water short” for some providers and “water long” for others, including: Joint planning for future water rights and storage needs in order to best utilize each provider’s water rights portfolio Possibly invest together in future water rights acquisitions. Consider balancing portfolios based on what is needed for each entity (CBT, native water rights, and/or financial resources) Issue 10: New Governance Structure -1- RESOLUTION 2017-029 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROVING THE CHARTER OF THE REGIONAL WATER COLLABORATION STEERING COMMITTEE WHEREAS, Fort Collins Utilities is owned and operated by the City and provides treated water service to portions of the Fort Collins Growth Management Area (“GMA”); and WHEREAS, the East Larimer County Water District (“ELCO”) and the Fort Collins- Loveland Water District (“FCLWD”) also provide treated water service to portions of the GMA not served by Fort Collins Utilities; and WHEREAS, ELCO, FCLWD, and the North Weld County Water District (“NWCWD”) jointly operate a water treatment plant located adjacent to Fort Collins Utilities’ water treatment plant; and WHEREAS, there are various opportunities for collaboration on regional water issues among area water providers, in particular, among Fort Collins Utilities, ELCO, and FCLWD as they concern regional water issues in the GMA; and WHEREAS, a Regional Water Collaboration Workshop was held on May 31, 2016, and attended by representatives of the City, ELCO, FCLWD, and NWCWD to discuss, among other things, opportunities for collaboration on regional water issues among area water providers; and WHEREAS, the City, ELCO, and FCLWD agreed to the formation of a Steering Committee at the May 31, 2016, workshop that would be comprised of water managers and two representatives from each of the governing boards of the City, ELCO, and FCLWD; and WHEREAS, each entity appoints its representatives to the Steering Committee; and WHEREAS, on June 21, 2016, the City adopted Resolution 2016-049 appointing Mayor Pro Tem Gerry Horak and Councilmember Gino Campana to represent the City on the Steering Committee; and WHEREAS, the purpose of the Steering Committee is to develop a charter articulating next steps and to provide such a charter to all governing boards for approval; and WHEREAS, the Steering Committee convened four times between August 2016 and January 2017, to, among other things, develop the draft charter attached as Exhibit A (“Charter”); and WHEREAS, the Steering Committee will conduct its business in meetings that are open to the public; and WHEREAS, the work set forth in the Charter is to the benefit of the citizens of the City of Fort Collins, residents of the GMA, and the ratepayers of Fort Collins Utilities because it may -2- identify ways and means to continue and improve the consistently high level of water service by having the water providers collaborate on shared goals and purposes; and WHEREAS, City staff recommends approval of the Charter by City Council. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and findings contained in the recitals set forth above. Section 2. The City Council hereby approves the Charter substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “A.” Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 7th day of March, A.D. 2017. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk 1 Regional Water Collaboration Steering Committee Charter Project Purpose and Desired Outcomes The purpose of the Regional Water Collaboration Steering Committee is to identify and pursue regional water collaboration opportunities in and around the City of Fort Collins Growth Management Area (GMA) where shared goals and purpose exists and where collaboration among the water providers may result in improved outcomes. Fort Collins Utilities, East Larimer County Water District (ELCO), and Fort Collins Loveland Water District (FCLWD) currently provide treated water service to customers in their respective service areas in and around the GMA. The three water providers provide consistently high quality and reliable service to their customers. Thus, regional water collaboration is focused on particular issues and opportunities where shared goals and purpose exists and where customers and residents within the GMA may realize a benefit. The Regional Water Collaboration Steering Committee will initially focus on three primary issues and outcomes: 1. Coordination of Water Conservation and Shortage Response Plans in the GMA. Such coordination will be focused on providing consistent water conservation programs, improving water efficiency, and aligning water shortage responses for each water provider across the GMA. 2. Improved water supply and drought planning across the GMA. Such improvements will be focused on coordinating and aligning water supply and drought modeling and planning activities and policies across the GMA to ensure adequate water supply is available for current and future residents. 3. Development of additional water supplies for the GMA. Such collaboration will focus on future water rights acquisitions to best leverage the current assets and future needs of each water provider. The Steering Committee discussed and prioritized other regional water issues (discussed below) however will not pursue collaboration on those issues at this time. The Steering Committee will revisit those issues as progress is made on the top three priorities. Background A Regional Water Collaboration Workshop was held on May 31, 2016, to discuss regionalization prospects and further collaboration among water providers serving residents within and near Fort Collins’ GMA. The workshop was attended by representatives from the City of Fort Collins, East Larimer County Water District (ELCO), Fort Collins-Loveland Water District (FCLWD), and North Weld County EXHIBIT A 2 Water District (NWCWD). Representatives included members of governing boards and staff from each entity. Workshop attendees discussed opportunities and barriers to regional water collaboration. The participants agreed that, while all entities are providing a consistently high level of water service to customers within their respective service areas, there are opportunities to collaborate where shared goals and purpose exists. Participants desired to further discussions to that end by appointing a steering committee consisting of two representatives from each governing board and water managers from each entity. The committee was directed to develop a charter articulating next steps and to provide such a charter to all governing boards for approval. NWCWD’s Board members declined to participate in the Steering Committee, however the NWCWD Manager desired to remain engaged in the discussion. The Steering Committee convened three times between August and October 2016 to discuss regional water issues, the purpose and goals of water collaboration, forms of collaboration, and various considerations for each identified issue. The committee identified and deliberated on 10 key issues for regional water collaboration. Those issues are summarized in the attached Issues Table. The Steering Committee determined through a prioritization process that they would like to pursue three key issues related to water conservation and shortage response, water supply and drought planning, and development of additional water supplies. The Steering Committee discussed and prioritized other regional water issues however will not pursue collaboration on those issues at this time. The Committee will revisit those issues as progress is made on the top three priorities. Pursuit of the top three priority issues will include development of Strategy Roadmap for review and approval by the Steering Committee. Completing the Roadmap and the associated tasks may require future financial investment. Such investment is yet to be determined and will be scalable based on the resources available and committed by each entity. Project Deliverables The initial project deliverable is a project charter approved by all governing boards. Future project deliverables include a Strategy Roadmap focused on strategies and tactics for addressing the top three priorities. Additional project deliverables may be identified by the Steering Committee at a future date. Project Dependencies The project deliverable is dependent on the following: 1. Input and participation by the Steering Committee in meeting identified project milestones. 2. A commitment of governing boards for collaborating on the top three priorities identified by the Steering Committee. 3. Allocation of any necessary human and financial resources by each governing board. Governance Structure The Regional Water Collaboration Project will be governed by the Regional Water Collaboration Steering Committee, consisting of two representatives from each governing board and water managers from each entity. Steering Committee members will represent the ideas, opinions, and considerations of each participating water provider at steering committee meetings. Each member will ensure two-way communication between the steering committee and board members of each entity. The committee will 3 create an environment where everyone is encouraged to participate, perspectives are freely expressed, and resolutions are in the best interests of the project as defined by the steering committee members. The committee will make decisions by consensus. If consensus cannot be reached, the committee will determine the appropriate resolution based on the particular decision to be made. Project Drivers The Steering Committee identified 10 primary issues that serve as key drivers for Regional Water Collaboration. Those issues and the Steering Committee discussion on each are included in the attached Issues Table. In summary, those issues are as follows: 1. Water Conservation. Varying water conservation programs and measures in the GMA cause confusion and concern for residents. 2. Water Shortage Response. Varying drought or water shortage response plans and policies in the GMA cause confusion and concern among residents. 3. Water Supply and Drought Planning. Water supply and drought modeling and planning and policies vary across the GMA, with ELCO and FCLWD in a reactionary role to Fort Collins’ land use decisions. 4. Water Treatment. Similarly located water treatment facilities perform the same essential functions, creating various inefficiencies associated with having two facilities that operate primarily independently. 5. Current Water Resources & Water Supply Infrastructure. Varying water rights portfolios, water supply contracts (such as CBT units), and water supply infrastructure result in certain water providers being “water long” in certain respects and “water short” in others. 6. Additional Water Supply Infrastructure. Additional water infrastructure (e.g. raw water storage and/or recharge facilities) may be needed by each water provider in the future. Collaboration may result in economies of scale and avoid redundancies across the GMA. 7. Additional Water Supply. Additional water rights may be needed by each water provider to meet future demand. This could be in the form of new appropriations or acquiring existing water rights and changing them from irrigation to municipal uses. 8. Water Service Area Boundaries. Each water provider serves portions of Fort Collins and its GMA, creating service inconsistencies across portions of Fort Collins (e.g. billing rates, PIFs, etc.).The various governing bodies also create difficulties for establishing consistent policies across Fort Collins and its GMA, as well as for citizens desiring to petition their government. 9. Water Distribution. Separate distribution systems serve both inside and outside of Fort Collins and its GMA. When one water provider delivers water through another water provider’s system, it is difficult to account for that water in compliance with water rights decrees, hampering certain water sharing possibilities. 4 10. New Water Service Governance Structure. Fort Collins, ELCO, and FCLWD each serve different areas in and around the GMA. There may be various inefficiencies associated with having a single entity serve the entire GMA, and possibly surrounding areas. Project Constraints The Steering Committee identified the following constraints to collaborating on the top 10 regional water issues identified: 1. Financial Viability. Each water provider has varying financial needs (e.g. for capital assets and operations). The costs and beneﬁts of collaboration may not be the same for all water providers. Proposed Mitigations:  Base the withdrawal from a collaborative scenario on the cost of termination (see Platte River Power Authority Model).  Consider various financial philosophies, e.g. a low capital cost/high operating revenue model vs. a high capital cost/low operating revenue model. Focus any analysis on how to mitigate issues associated with each model. 2. Varied Programs/Services. An analysis of the current services offered by each water provider may reveal differences in levels of service delivery, including cost, customer service, water quality, customer engagement and communication, and offered conservation programs. Proposed Mitigation:  Begin collaborating now to increase the level of service to all customers within the GMA. Assess the marginal cost to each water provider to leverage the current investment of the City in its offered programs. Base future programs on data and metrics that make sense for all water providers.  Begin aligning policies adopted by each water provider related to water reliability and demand management. 3. Organizational and Governance Structure. Changes in organizational and governance structures may be required to address some of the key issues identified by the Steering Committee. Proposed Mitigation:  Focus on opportunities that do not required a change in organizational structure.  Explore the governance models currently used by Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) and Platte River Power Authority (PRPA). Consider the advantages/disadvantages of each.  If a common organizational structure was pursued, consider an equal voting governance model to mitigate concerns over more/less authority in a collaboration scenario. 4. Varying Interests and Goals. The City serves multiple interests and has adopted a diverse set of goals. Other water providers are a single service organization focused on water treatment and delivery services. This may make it difficult for participating entities to agree on goals, strategies, and projects. Proposed Mitigation: 5  Recognize that varying interests exist within the boundaries of all water providers (e.g. municipal, business, agriculture, etc.). Focus the analysis on the varied interests of customer segments within the GMA, not within individual boundaries.  Focus the analysis on the goal of collaboration – efficient, effective, sustainable water services for the community. 5. Resistance to Change. Even if the benefits outweigh the costs of collaboration, the inertia of the status quo may create difficulties in embracing such a major change in structure and service delivery. Proposed Mitigation:  Frequently revisit the drivers for change and the goals for collaboration described in the project charter. Steering Committee Members The chart below indicates key participants in the Regional Water Collaboration Steering Committee: Name Organization Role Commitment Kevin Gertig City of FC, Utilities Executive Director Executive Sponsor Provide high level guidance and direction for project. Bring needed authority to monitor and ensure project goals and deliverables are met. Carol Webb City of Fort Collins, Water Resources and Treatment Operations Manager Project Manager Responsible/accountable for Water Collaboration effort. Responsible for providing clear direction and moving the Steering Committee to accomplish project goals. Gino Campana Fort Collins, City Councilmember Steering Committee member  Represent the ideas, opinions, and considerations of each participating water provider at steering committee meetings.  Provide strategic direction/input for collaboration effort.  Ensure two-way communication between the steering committee and board members of each entity.  Review and approval of cost and schedule baselines.  Review and input on projects risks, risk mitigation, and issues. Business process input and review. Gerry Horak Fort Collins, City Councilmember Steering Committee member Bill Dieterich FCLWD Board member Steering Committee member Dale Leach FCLWD Board member Steering Committee member Scott Baker ELCO Board member Steering Committee member Jim Clay ELCO Board member Steering Committee member Mike Scheid ELCO General Manager Steering Committee member Chris Matkins FCLWD General Manager Steering Committee member Jon Haukaas City of FC, Water Engineering/Field Services Manager Steering Committee member 6 Name Organization Role Commitment Governing Boards Fort Collins City Council ELCO Board of Directors FCLWD Board of Directors Participating water provider Ultimate authority to approve project scope, funding, and actions related to any collaboration scenario. Project Budget Funds required for development of the Project Strategy Roadmap are estimated at approximately $50,000, distributed among the participating entities. The financial impact of completing identified tasks to further the regional collaboration effort is not yet known. Any funding needs will be discussed by the Steering Committee and any request for appropriation of funds will be presented to governing boards for approval. Project Timeline and Milestones The Project timeline and key milestones are yet to be determined and will be include in the Project Strategy Roadmap for approval by the Steering Committee. Fort Collins, ELCO, and FCLWD each serve different areas in and around the GMA. There may be various inefficiencies associated with having a single entity serve the entire GMA, and possibly surrounding areas. Create a new water provider to replace Fort Collins, ELCO, and FCLWD in the GMA, and possibly, surrounding areas. An authority could be created as the successor of the collaborating parties to take over their operations. Forming a new governance structure is not probable at this time, however the groundwork the committee is laying now may lead to revisiting this option in the future. This would be based on the successes of the current collaboration efforts. We should begin thinking about consistent water decree language, etc. to provide us more flexibility in our water rights in the future. 4 This could be in the form of new appropriations or acquiring existing water rights and changing them from irrigation to municipal uses. Develop additional water supplies for the GMA. Agreements between parties could be used to determine rights/responsibilities for new supplies. An authority could be created for the purpose of developing additional water supplies (and/or infrastructure) for the GMA. Such an authority could be created to be an overlay, in addition to the existing entities. Additional Water Supply was considered by the Committee to be closely linked to Water Supply & Drought Planning. Each party may have varying levels of need for additional water rights, as well as differing needs for particular types of water rights. Would most likely need to conduct modeling (not necessarily through joint modeling.) Such additional water supplies could, conceivably, be paired with water sharing agreements among parties. May avoid many difficult issues with trying to change existing service areas or to move existing water rights from one service area to another. 3 The Districts are currently in the process of reorganizing their shared treatment agreements into a treatment authority and considering expanding their treatment plant capacity. Past efforts on treatment failed due to the financial complexities. Other options should continue to be explored including sharing and water sale agreements and shared processes (e.g. solids handling) to provide more efficient services. 2