HomeMy WebLinkAboutResponse To Constituent Letter - Mail Packet - 6/28/2022 - Letter From Mayor Jeni Arndt To Water Commission Re: Water Commission Response To The Development Of A City Graywater Ordinance
Mayor
City Hall
300 LaPorte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.2154
970.224.6107 - fax
fcgov.com
June 21, 2022
Water Commission
c/o Jason Graham, Staff Liaison, Director of Water Utilities
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Dear Chair Tarry and Commission Members:
On behalf of City Council, thank you for providing us with the June 16, 2022 memorandum
regarding “Water Commission’s Response to the Development of a City Graywater Ordinance”
wherein you summarized the Commission’s vote against the recommendation to City Council to
approve a local graywater ordinance in accordance with the State’s standards, as outlined in
Regulation 86, and local water rights. It’s helpful to understand your reasoning behind the
opposing vote, that of benefits not supporting the cost and that Council priorities bypass the BFO
process.
As you know, this topic is scheduled for Council consideration at the August 16 regular meeting.
We encourage you to view the proceedings that night and remain engaged in the conversation.
Thank you for the expertise and perspectives that you bring to the Water Commission and
sharing them with City Council.
Best Regards,
Jeni Arndt
Mayor
/sek
cc: City Council Members
Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager
1
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Arndt and City Council
FROM: Jason Tarry, Water Commission Chairperson
DATE: June 16, 2022
RE: Water Commission’s Response to the Development of a
City Graywater Ordinance
CC: Jason Graham, Director of Water Utilities
Kendall Minor, Utilities Executive Director
At the April 21 regular meeting, the City’s Water Conservation Specialist presented on the
development of a graywater ordinance. The development of this ordinance was identified as a
City Council priority for 2021-2023. The motion voted on was for the Water Commission to
recommend City Council approve a local graywater ordinance in accordance with the State’s
standards, as outlined in Regulation 86, and local water rights.
The Water Commission voted to not pass the motion (vote: 1 for and 6 against). The
commissioners’ justifications for voting against the motion were as follow:
The benefit does not support the cost. The Water Commission supports the principle of
implementing water conservation policies, but the cost, complexity and maintenance
responsibilities for implementing graywater reuse systems for toilet flushing only (not
irrigation use) exceeds the benefit (+46 year rate of return for single family homes).
Similar programs in Denver and Douglas County only had a very small number of
participants, and based on the data we were presented appeared to be not effective in
reducing water consumption.
Council priorities bypass the BFO process. The time and City resources required to
address Council priorities should be evaluated. If time and City resources exceed a
threshold established by department leadership, Council priorities should be redirected as
BFO offers. The concern is that work required to address Council priorities is added to
staff’s workload without determining the resulting strain.
The Water Commission remains committed to creative ways to conserve water and hopes to
consider more effective proposals. The Water Commission is also interested in maintaining a
positive City work culture that reduces staff burnout and increases staff retention.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 40DC8F16-7776-44CF-9EA4-F976832D16A7