HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon-Agenda Item - Action Minutes - Water Resources - 6/17/2002
CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING SUMMARY FORM
NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION: Water Resources Advisory Board
DATE OF MEETING: June 17, 2002
NAME/TELEPHONE OF PERSON PREPARING SUMMARY: Robin Madel, 303-441-4073
NAMES OF MEMBERS, COUNCIL, STAFF AND INVITED GUESTS PRESENT:
BOARD MEMBERS - Robert Fiehweg, Jeannette Hillery, Gil Barth, Vicki Naber and Ken Wilson
STAFF - Ned Williams, Chris Rudkin, Curry Rosalo, Carol Ellinghouse, Paul Lander, Bob Harberg, Carol Linn,
Robin Made[, secretary WHAT TYPE OF MEETING (BOLD ONE) [REGULAR] [SPECIAL] [QUASI-JUDICIAL]
Agenda Item 1 - Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 .m.
Agenda Item 2 - Approval of May 13, 2002 Meeting Minutes
Ken Wilson motioned to approve the minutes from May 13, 2002.
Jeannette Hillery seconded.
The vote was 5-0 in favor of the motion.
Agenda Item 3 - General Citizen Participation
Peter Richards, 407 University, Boulder, 80302, spoke about the unavailability of water use records, especially
for large water users such as the Green Hill Cemetery and White Wave Tofu. Richards said he has asked about
getting copies of water use records and was told that they are unavailable. He appealed to the WRAB to
encourage the staff to make those records available to the public, similar to the manner in which energy use
records are available to the public.
Ned Williams said that the reason that information is not available is because of the way the data is stored,
however the city is compiling a list of the 10 largest water users in the city that will be made available to the
public.
General Citizen Participation was closed.
Agenda Item 4 - Staff presentation and update on the 2002 drought, including information about city of
Boulder water supplies, water restrictions, enforcement and goal targets (Chris Rudldn, Curry Rosato,
Carol Ellinghouse and Paul Lander).
Chris Rudkin discussed the prediction for streamflow based on snow pack. The certainty is only 20% in April but
climbs to 50% in May. The city will not know until May 2003 whether the drought will continue. Carol
Ellinghouse discussed the probability of having a severe drought for 2 years in a row. The current conservation
program will ensure that the city's water needs would be met until April 2003. The staff is evaluating whether
additional water use restrictions will be necessary. The city's goal is to reduce water demand by 25%. The city
has made strides to significantly reduce its own water use. Additional restrictions could include banning outdoor
iffigation. Ellinghouse said that the city is letting the obligatory minimal amount of streamflow pass through
Barker Dam. The city is currently meeting the in-stream flow program needs but may have to change that if
diversions to Boulder Creek change.
Cum Rosato gave a PowerPoint presentation that she has prepared for citizen groups about the drought situation.
The WRAB complimented the staff for the program that has been established so far and commended them for the
public information campaign that has been conducted. The staff noted that the Boulder community has been quick
to respond to the city's water conservation requirements and has exceeded all requirements so far. In the long run,
the city will convene citizen groups to continue evaluating the drought situation and the appropriate response.
Ned Williams and Bob Harberg discussed the integrity of the water storage and delivery system. The city is
undertaking a program to fix existing leaks. Harberg said that the system is in pretty good shape and that the
percentage of loss in the system is 7 or 8%. Typical loss is around 10%.
Williams discussed the enforcement program and Chris Rudkin said that the call handling system that the staff has
initiated seems to be fair] effective.
Water Resources Advisory Board
Summary Minutes
June 17, 2002
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Agenda Item 5 - Public hearing and WRAB recommendation to the Planning Board and City Council on
the proposed 2003 Budget, including the proposed rate increases to the monthly utility bill (water,
wastewater and flood control) and the 2003-2008 Capital Improvement Program (Carol Linn and Bob
Harberg).
Carol Linn reviewed the specifics of the water, wastewater and flood and stormwater management funds for 2001
and 2002. There were some additional sources of revenue that were reported that had not been discussed before.
Bob Harberg discussed the specifics of the Capital Improvement Program for 2003.
Jeannette Hillery motioned to approve the water, wastewater and floodplain and storm water
management budgets as presented.
Vicki Naber seconded.
Ned Williams asked if the motion includes W RAB support for the proposed rate increases of 391o for water, 12%
for wastewater and 6% for floodplain and storm water management. The board discussed the rate increases and
voiced their support for the increases.
The vote was 5-0 in favor of the motion.
Agenda Item 6 -
A. Matters from the Board
Jeannette Hillery announced the formation of a Barr Lake stakeholders group forming through the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment. The group will contain downstream ditch users and will
examine water quality issues in the Barr Lake area. There will be a tour of Bar Lake on July 11.
Bob Fiehwee announced that the state has published a list of impaired waters in the state. It is the 303d list.
B. Matters from Staff
• Ned Williams said that Lakewood Pipeline construction is underway.
Agenda Item 8 - Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Date, Time, and Location of Next Meeting:
Monday, Jul 15, 2002, 7:00 .m., regular meeting, at the City Municipal Services Center conference room.
Water Resources Advisory Board
Summary Minutes
June 17, 2002
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