10-17-2016 Final WRAB Minutes_SignedCITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
Name of Board / Commission: Water Resources Advisory Board
Date of Meeting: 17 October 2016
Contact Information of Person Preparing Minutes: Rene Lopez 303-413-7149
Board Members Present: Lesley Smith, Kirk Vincent, Mark Squillace, Kate Ryan, Dan Johnson
Board Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Jeff Arthur, Director of Public Works for Utilities
Ken Baird, Utilities Financial Manager
Eric Ameigh, Project Coordinator for Public Works
Christin Shepherd, Civil Engineer
Annie Noble, Principle Engineer
Russ Sands, Water Sustainability and Outreach
Rene Lopez, Board Secretary
Consultants Present: Jeff Brislawn, Amec Foster Wheeler------
Meeting
heeler_____Meeting Type: Regular
Agenda Item 1— Call to Order
Agenda Item 2 — Approval of the 19 September 2016 Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve minutes from 19 September 2016 as written.
Moved by: Squillace Seconded by: Vincent
Vote: 4:0
Agenda Item 3— Public Participation and Comment
Public Comment: None
Agenda Item 4— Public Hearing and Consideration of a
Recommendation to City Council Regarding the Bear Canyon Creek
Flood Mitigation Study
[6:30 p.m.]
[6:30 p.m.]
[6:31 p.m.]
[6:32 p.m.]
Executive Summary from the Packet Materials:
The purpose of this memorandum is to present the final Bear Canyon Creek Flood Mitigation Plan
(Attachment A) for the WRAB's consideration, input and recommendation to City Council.
In 2014, the city retained Amec Foster Wheeler to evaluate potential improvements along Bear Canyon
Creels. Over time, flood improvements have been made at various locations along the drainageway, but
the September 2013 flood highlighted areas of hydraulic limitation that prompted the public to request
additional flood mitigation. Recommendations were developed, analyzed and presented to the public and
the WRAB throughout this study. Feedback and comments were collected and incorporated into the
final flood mitigation plan where feasible.
The final recommended plan includes a combination of maintenance and capital improvements that
yield the greatest reduction in flood risk. In general, the recommended improvements include increased
capacity in 13 culverts, channel grading and widening, channel maintenance including sediment and
debris removal, and reconfiguring three stormwater outfalls. The recommended improvements are
detailed in the table in the Analysis section of this memo and shown on maps in Appendix G of
Attachment A. A Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) was also performed on the recommended improvements
and a Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of 0.02 was calculated. Although the BCR was low, the recommended
improvements result in other benefits including: decreased property damage, increased emergency
access during major storm events, and improved safety for multi -use path users.
WRAB Discussion Included:
• Questions regarding the FEMA Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) methodology and grant funding
• Discussions around a BCR analysis for just maintenance work as an alternative
• Discussions with staff for more information to proceed in recommending the motion
• Comments around how well written the plan was
WRAB Minutes
17 October 2016
Page No. 1
Public Comment:
Carl Norby — One problem with the study, funding. Wastewater backups during the flood are impacts
that are not discussed in the plan, but the plan will still provide benefit to residents. If the creek does not
flow into the sanitary sewer, then the sanitary sewer would not be as much of an issue, please put things
in the proper order.
Ned Williams — The driveway culverts at St. Andrew Church are a pinch point.. In support of increasing
channel capacity, so long as mature trees are protected. Asphalt scouring during the flood, no sewage
backups.
Jane Brooks — Urge City to follow the recommendation. Boulder is an incredible place to live, think of
the human element involved with this plan not the BCR. Let the whole public process play out on the
individual pieces of the project after its been recommended to council.
Motion: The Water Resources Advisory Board recommends a motion to recommend the Bear
Canyon Creek Flood Mitigation Plan be recommended to City Council for acceptance with the
understanding that further refinement and alternative analysis may be warranted through the
CEAP process to address the low Benefit Cost Ratio (0.02).
Moved by: Smith Seconded by: Ryan
Vote: 5:0
Agenda Item 5 — Information Item — Update on Rate Study Next Step [7:52 p.m.]
Ken Baird and Eric Ameigh presented this item.
Executive Summary from the Packet Materials:
The purpose of this item is to follow up on the August and September 2016 WRAB discussions
related to the Utility Rate Study Phase 1 analysis and confirm support for the proposed water rate
structure alternatives to be studied in Phase 2.
Through the August and September discussions, WRAB provided feedback related to Phase 1 findings.
This included generally affirming the key findings related to each of the three utility rate structures.
Areas of discussion included Commercial, Industrial, Institutional (CII) water budgets, the residential
indoor water budget allocation, the fixed -service charge in the wastewater fee, and alternative
calculations for the stormwater/flood management fee.
In September, WRAB expressed support for studying rate structure alternatives in the wastewater and
stormwater/flood management utilities. Staff also sought and received additional feedback related to
issues in the water rate structure which assisted in the development of alternatives for study. Those
water rate structure alternatives are described in this memo.
WRAB Discussion Included:
• Comments regarding the Historical Monthly Users (HMU)
• Discussions around the Commercial, Industrial, Institutional (CII) budgets being broken into
several classes to suit their diversity
• Discussions regarding Behavioral Economics professors coming to a future board meeting
• Comments regarding staff recommendations moving forward
Agenda Item 7 - Matters from Board: [8:29 p.m.]
• Smith — CU South meeting
• Johnson - BVCP meeting
Agenda Item 8 — Matters from Staff: [8:35 p.m.]
• Sullivan — Betasso Construction Update
• Budget to Council
• Water Efficiency Plan Information Item
• Civic Area Project
Agenda Item 9 — Future Schedule [8:46 p.m.]
• Retreat
• November & December Meetings — Holiday Schedules
WRAB Minutes
17 October 2016
Page No. 2
• January & February Meetings — move to fourth Monday of the month
•
Skunk/Bluebell/Kings Gulch for November
• Agriculture Leasing program update
• Flood studies
Adjournment [8:41p.m.]
There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, by motion regularly adopted, the
meeting was adja at 8:41 p.m.
Motion to ourn by: Squillace Seconded by: Smith
Motion asses 5:0
Date, ime, and Locat on of Next Meeting:
The ext WRAB meet' g will be Monday, November 21" 2016 at 6:00 p.m., at the City's Municipal
Se vices Center, 5000 East Pe St oulder, CO 80301
APP OVED A STED B
42�
Board Cliai� Board Secretary
Date Date
An audio recording of t e full meeting for which these minutes are a summary, is available on the Water
Resources Adviso' Bo rd web page.
haps://bouldercolor4ddo, v/boards-commissions/water-resources-advisorv-board-next-meetine-agenda-and-packet
WRAB Minutes
17 October 2016
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