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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAction Minutes Water Resources 08/19/2002 CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING SUMMARY FORM NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION: Water Resources Advisor Board DATE OF MEETING: August 19, 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, Vicki Naber and Ken Wilson, Gil Barth; Jeannette Hillery was absent STAFF - Ned Williams, Carol Ellinghouse, Lee Rozaklis (Hydrosphere Resource Consultants, Inc.), Brad Segal, Robin Madel, secretary WHAT TYPE OF MEETING (BOLD ONE) (REGULAR] (SPECIAL] (QUASI-JUDICIAL] Agenda Item 1 - Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:12 .m. Agenda Item 2 - Approval of July 15, 2002 Meeting Minutes Vicki Naber motioned to approve the minutes from July 15, 2002. Ken Wilson seconded. The vote was 3-0 in favor of the motion. Gil Barth did not vote on the minutes because he was absent from that meeting. Agenda Item 3 - General Citizen Participation There was none. General Citizen Participation was closed. Agenda Item 4 - Staff update and WRAB discussion on the development of the Long Term Drought Response Plan (Carol Ellinghouse). Ned Williams introduced the topic and said that the staff was not looking for a WRAB recommendation or final approval at this time. He said the intent of the meeting was to have a chance for open dialogue. Carol Ellinghouse said that the city has been working toward development of a Drought Response Plan (DRP) since the 1990's, which was the wettest decade since the 1800's. Ellinghouse presented the outline for the DRP, which included staff ideas of what should be developed. The intent is to gain public input and have the plan developed to a point where it can be distributed to the public for discussion. • Lee Rozaklis discussed the drought in both a national and a historical context. Rozaklis presented information that indicated that this is the worst drought on record in the last 300 years. Rozaklis also provided data that indicate that the chances of having as severe a drought next year are low. Rozaklis discussed the state of Boulder's water system with respect to systems from the surrounding communities. He rated the water system by storage volume versus demand. At 3 to 1, Boulder's system is more reliable than those of the surrounding communities are including that of the city and county of Denver. Rozaklis discussed potential and existing triggers within the system that indicate that the city is in a drought. Storage and snow pack levels as of May I seem to be the most reliable triggers. Rozaklis said that the city staff waited until they knew for sure that we are in a drought until they asked the citizens to begin watering restrictions. He said Boulder has done very well at meeting and exceeding the target expectations. Although he said some people have argued that the targets were set too low, Rozaklis said the city is in a good position to meet necessary storage levels. Carol Ellinghouse discussed the city's water rights with respect to exchanging water between the upper and lower part of the storage system, use of gray water and re-use of treated water. Ellinghouse discussed the DRP and the sections contained in the outline. Ellinghouse said that the document should provide guidance to the city during the next big drought but should also provide flexibility to use judgement in how the city will proceed. Major points of discussion in the outline included supply management, Water Resources Advisory Board Summary Minutes August 19, 2002 Page 1 r demand management and reliability criteria. Lee Rozaklis said that water conservation is a good tool because it makes the system more reliable but it doesn't address all operating issues during severe droughts. Carol Ellinghouse said that the main item of concern for the public is whether or not there will be watering • restrictions next year. She said that this would be the topic at two public forums that will be held this fall. The staff intention for presenting the DRP at the September 2002 WRAB meeting is to scope options for water restriction scenarios and obtain feedback about the plan and not to use the meeting as an opportunity to vent frustrations about the watering restrictions. Agenda Item 5 - Matters from the Board There were none. Matters from Staff • Ned Williams discussed a study session with the city council on Aug. 27, 2002 in which he would discuss the utility portion of the 2003 budget, including utility rate increases. • Ned Williams provided a handout of information that was sent to the Planning Board regarding minor revisions to floodplain regulations that deal with requirements from FEMA. • Ned Williams said that full road closures on Lakewood Pipeline during the daytime would end this week but that there will still be single lane closures. Williams said that traffic control has been the most challenging aspect of the project. Williams said he would organize a tour of the project for the WRAB. • Ned Williams said that the staff has begun discussing the possibility of imposing a city sales tax on water as a commodity. He said the staff is not ready to present the item to the board but they are discussing it. • Ned Williams asked Ken Wilson to give an update on the symposium he attended regarding chronic wasting disease. Wilson said that while it is a very serious disease for elk and deer it is not certain whether it is infectious for people. Although Colorado has been a focus of the problem area, Boulder is on the edge of the area of concern. Next meeting agenda The next meeting will include a public hearing on the Drought Response Plan. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m. • Date, Time, and Location of Next Meeting: Monday, September 16, 2002, 7:00 p.m., regular meeting, at the City Municipal Services Center conference room. Water Resources Advisory Board Summary Minutes August 19, 2002 Page 2 •