HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WRAB - August 20, 2007CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO
iinaRDS AND COMMiSSIONS MEETING SUMMARY FORM
NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION: Water Resources Adviso Board
DATE OF MEETING: August 20, 2007
NAME/TELEPHONE OF PERSON PREPARING SUMMARY: Kaaren Davis, 303-441-3229
NAMES OF MEMBERS, COUNCIL, STAFF, AND INVITED GUESTS PRESENT:
BOARD MEMBERS -Jim Knopf, Robin Byers, Kelly DiNatale, William DeOreo, Bart Miller (absent)
STAFF-Ned Williams, Betty Solek, Bret Linenfeiser, Bob Harberg Carol Ellinghouse, Joe Taddeucci,
Kaaren Davis, secre
WHAT TYPE OF MEETING BOLD ONE (REGULAR SPECIAL] QUASI-JUDICIAL
Agenda Item 1- CaII to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Agenda Item 2- Meeting Minutes -July 16, 2007
Motion: Byers-to accept the meeting minutes with revision.
Seconded: DeOreo
Vote: 4-0 in favor, Passed
Agenda Item 3- Public participation and comment.
- There was none. Public artici ation was closed.
Agenda Itero 4-5
Matters From Staff -
• City Council is having a budget study session on August 28'". W ill be a diswssion of the entire
budget including Carter Lake Pipeline. Staff is preparing some information on that topic at
Council request. That info wili be passed on to WRAB as well.
~ WRAB was given a memo from the Left Hand Water District detailing how they would proceed
with the Carter Lake Pipeline if city of Boulder elects not to participate.
• Forest Service has requested changes in the Lakewood Pipeline easement. Staff is preparing a
proposal for Council.
~ Public heazing Protocol: Public Hearing guidelines were included as an information item in the
packet. The city is looking at providing training to boards for public meeting protocol and how to
deal with difficult meeting issues. If WRAB is interested, please let staff know.
Matters from Board -
• DiNatale: The general manager oFFazmer's Reservoir Irrigation Company would like ro have a
meeting with W illiams and The Ciry Manager regazding the South Platte issue.
• DiNatale: Meter Replacement: Concemed about financial impacts to the city. Thinks Council
should be aware of this potential impact. Williams: The financial impacts may not be a major
issue.
• DiNatale: Left Hand Water District memo. Requested and received clazifications.
• Byers: Asked about accountability for water use among city departments. Williams: Currently
Depar[ments do not pay for water. The city is currently gathering information on water usage
throughout the ciry's departments and then will move forward on establishing a budget for each
department.
• DeOreo: Graphed and distributed water consumption information.
Agenda Item 6- Update on the Water Quality Strategic Plan
Solek and Linenfelser made the presentatioa A Water Quality SRategic Plan (WQSP) is being developed
by Utilities staff in coordination with other city departmenu and planning consultants. The purpose of the
plan is to define the city's goals for water qualiry and to evaluate city services which support achievement
of goals identified in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan and city master plans. This update provides
current information on the organization of WQSP goals, objectives and strategies.
WRAB discussion included: Clarifications were requested and received from staf£ Suggestions were
made to increase the clarity and readability of the proposed materials. Suggestions on wording and
criteria/cate o or anization were made. Su estions were made for ex ansion of some areas of the
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materials for background and clarity.
Agenda Item 7- Update on the Source Water Master Plan.
Harberg, Ellinghouse and Taddeucci gave the presentation. The 1988 Raw Water Master Plan (RWMP)
focused on the evaluation of the adequacy of the city's water supplies and options for use of the water
owned by the city. One of the key outcomes of the RWMP was adoption of reliability criteria by the City
Council for the city's raw water supplies. These criteria specified the acceptable level and frequency of
water restrictions in Boulder. City Council's policy was based on recognition that it was economically
impractical to supply water for all uses at all times given Boulder's semi-arid climate. Following this first
step toward long-term drought planning, the city took additional steps of setting reliability criteria for the
treated water supply system, instituting an on-going water conservation program and prepazing a drought
response plan. The Source Water Master Plan (SWMP) will build on the previous RWMP and will focus on
the following objectives:
o Compile descriptive and background information for the assets and resources which comprise the
city's source water system;
o Review and update water use statistics and water rights yields;
o Document policies which affect source water system development, use and management;
o Define current and emerging issues pertaining to the city's source water assets, facilities and
resources;
o Review current operations and maintenance practices;
o Develop recommendations for future studies and improvements, and;
o Provide general budgeting information and project prioritization to guide development of the five-
year Capital Improvements Program
WRAB Discussion: Clarifications were requested and received from staff. The Drought Plan was
discussed and suggestions were made that it be updated. Suggestions were also made for clarity. Staff
clazified the purpose of a Master Plan and how MP's relate to the smaller informational and process issues
which fall under the auspices of a Master Plan.
Agenda Item 8 -Discussion on Water Budget Study Session on September 25, 2007.
Williams gave the presentation and initiated the discussion. The City Council will be having a Study
Session on September 25, 2007 to discuss and review the status and yeaz-to-date results of the water budget
rate structure. The Study Session structure is that the Council does not make any decisions at a Study
Session, but that a preliminary direction to staff maybe provided that is approved by the Council at a
subsequent business meeting when they approve the minutes of the Study Session. Public comment for the
Study Session maybe submitted in written form in advance of the Study Session, but there is not a public
hearing at the Study Session. Williams is working closely with the City Manager's Office to develop and
finalize the materials, of which there will be two parts:
o Written S[udy Session memo, with attachments.
o Power Point presentation at the Study Session
There is an opportunity for WRAB to help develop and prepare information for both of these parts, and for
a WRAB member to actively participate in the presentation and discussion with City Council. This option
was discussed with Knopf and DeOreo at a meeting on August 14.
WRAB Discussion: The possible structure and contents of the WRAB presentation were discussed.
Knopf and DeOreo will draft the materials for the presentation, and for inclusion in the pre-study session
packet. They will bring the draft materials to the next WRAB meeting to get comments, and then will make
the presentation to Council on the date of the study session. WRAB members present will be available to
Council to answer questions or provide input on the spot, as needed. There was consideration of what
should be considered the three critical questions to be presented to Council. WRAB presented the following
for consideration and inclusion in the packet: I) Incorporate irrigable area into budgets for commercial
accounts, 2) Right-of--way incorporated in irrigation accounts, 3) Retro-active refunds.
Agenda Item 9 -Discussion of schedule for future meetings.
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Agenda Item 10- Adjournment
Motion: Motion to adjourn by Del)reo
Seconded by: DiNatale
Vote: 4-0 in favor, passed.
Meeting adjourned at 10:12 PM
Date, Time, and Location of Next Meeting:
The next WRAB meeting will be Monday, September ] 7 - 7 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Services
Center, 5050 East Pearl Street unless otherwise decided b staff and the board.
These are summary minutes. Audio tapes for full record are available through Central Records.
Minutes approved by:._6911 Zf/l
Date: ~
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