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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2 - Minutes, August 20, 2007CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING SUMMARY FORM NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION: Water Resources Adviso Board DATE OF MEETING: August 20, 2007 NAME/T~LEPHONE 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 Will~ams, Betty Solek, Bret Linenfelser, Bob Harberg, Carol Ellinghouse, 7oe Taddeucci, Kaaren Davis, seaeta . WHAT TYPE OF MEETING (BOLD ONE) ~REGULAR SPECIAL] [QUAS]-JUDICIAL Agenda Item 1- Call 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: 5-0 in favor, Passed Agenda ltem 3- Public participation and comment. - There was none. Public artici ation was closed. Agenda Item 4-5 Matters From Staff- • Ciry Council having a budget study session on August 28`". W ilI be a discussion of the entire budget including Carter Lake Pipeline. Staff is preparing some information on that topic at Council request. That info will 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 hearing Protocol: Public Heazing 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 staffknow. Matters from Board - • DiNatale: The general manager of Farmer's Reservoir Irngation Company would like to have a meeting with Williams and The City Manager regarding the South Platte issue. • DiNatale: Meter Replacement: Concerned about financial impacts to the ciry. 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 clarifications. • Byers: Asked about accountability for water use among city departments. Williams: Currently Departments do not pay for water. The city is currently gathering information on water usage throughout the city's departments and then will move forward on establishing a budget for each department. • DeOreo: Graphed and distributed wa[er consumption information. Agenda Item 6- Update on the Water Quality Strategic Plan Solek and Linenfelser made the presentation. A Water Quality Strategic Plan (WQSP) is being developed by Utilities staff in coordination with other ciry departments and planning consultants. The purpose of the plan is to define the city's goals for water quality and to evaluate city services which support achievement of goals identified in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan and ciry 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 staff. Suggestions were made to increase the clarity and readability of the proposed materials. Suggestions on wording and criteria/cateQor or anization were made. Sua estions were made for ex ansion of some areas of the WRAB Summary August20,2007 Page No. 1 materials for background and clarity. Agenda Item 7-Update on the Source Water Master Plan. Hazberg, 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 preparing 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 curcent 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: Clazifications 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 clarified 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 year-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 Study 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: 1) Incorporate irrigable area into budgets for commercial accounts, 2) Right-of--way incorporated in ircigation accounts, 3) Retro-active refunds. Agenda Item 9 -Discussion of schedule for future meetings. WRAB Summary August 20, 2007 Page No. 2 Agenda Item 10- Adjournment Motion: Motion to adjourn by DeOreo 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 17 - 7 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Services Center, 5050 East Pearl Street unless otherwise decided by staff and the board. These are summary minutes. Audio tapes for full record are available through Central Records. Minutes approved by: Date: WRAB Summary August 2Q, 2007 Page No. 3 CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO Rn eRr1S eNn CnMMiCRinNC MF.F.TiNG SIIMMARY FORM NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION: Water Resources Adviso Board DATE OF MEETING: September 17, 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 STAFF-Ned Williams, Bret Linenfelser, Bob Harberg, Carol Ellinghouse, Randy Crittenden, Kaaren Davis, secreta WHAT TYPE OF MEETING (BOLD ONE) REGULAR] [SPECIAL QUASI-JUDICIAL] Agenda Item 1 -Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. Agenda Item 2 -Public participation and comment. -There was none, ublic artici anon was closed. Agenda Item 3A/B A. Matters From Staff- • January through July water revenue/use information has been posted on the website. • Proposed Water Budget study session on Oct. 9'". B. Matters from Board - • DeOreo: Compiled water revenue/use information. Irrigation accounts still showing high in blocks 4 & 5. Commercial Industrial and Multi family have not much use in blocks 4 & 5. Most account types seem to be in balance. • Knopf: Discussed how water budgets may affect multi-unit rental properties. • Knopf: Asked for clarification on options for the board to communicate to Council. • There was some discussion between board members to clazify the materials DeOreo and Knopf had prepared for presentation to Council in the proposed study session. Agenda Item 4 -Discussion and Recommendation about Carter Lake Pipeline Project for the City Council Study Session on September 25, 2007. Williams gave the presentation. At the City Council Study Session on August 28, Council asked WRAB and staff to return to City Council on September 25 (Study Session) to discuss the Carter Lake Pipeline project and would like the WRAB (as many members as possible) to actively participate on Sept 25. Council asked that WRAB, staff and consultants meet to discuss the issues and see what we maybe able to recommend and agree upon with respect to the Carter Lake Pipeline Project and Alternatives for the Integrated Evaluation of Boulder Reservoir Water treatment Plant Source Water Protection and Treatment Alternatives. Bob Harberg presented a redlined draft of staff input to the previously submitted proposal by DiNatale. Staff and WRAB discussed wording and ordering to clarify intent of both groups. With the aforementioned changes, this version was adopted by both WRAB and staff for submission to Council. (See attached document for text of this compromise recommendation). Motion: DiNatale: Move that WRAB approve the joint proposal (on the Carter Lake Pipeline) as modified by WRAB/Staff at [his meeting to Council . 2"a` DeOreo Vote: 4-1 B ers Dissentin ) Agenda Item 5 -Discussion of schedule for future meetings. Agenda Item 6-Adjournment Motion: Motion to adjourn by DiNatale Seconded by: DeOreo Vote: 5-0 in favor, passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM WRAB Summary September 17, 2009 Page No 1 Date, Time, and Location of Next Meeting: The next WRAB meeting will be Monday, October 15 - 7 p.m., regular meeting, Municipal Services Center, 5050 East Pearl Street unless otherwise decided b staff and the boazd. These aze summary minutes. Audio tapes for full record are available through Central Records. Minutes approved by: Date: WRAB Summary September 17, 2007 Page No. 2 WRAB/STAFF RECOMMENDATION Carter Lake Pipeline Project September 17, 2007 WRAB supports the water quality goals and operational benefits of the proposed Carter Lake pipeline, however, it is concerned about the priority of the Carter Lake Pipeline relative to other utility funding needs and other water quality and security threats. WRAB also stated concerns about the proposed rate impacts of financing construction of the pipeline even with the proposed federal funding. WRAB and staff have discussed the best way to continue preliminazy work related to pipeline planning and preliminary engineering and permitting and right of way acquisition, while evaluating other utility capital improvement and operating priorities with the goal of achieving superior performance, maximizing efficiency, providing outstanding customer service while minimizing the need for rate increases to the extent practical. The following represents the joint proposal of WRAB and staff. 1. Continue to pursue federal funds for the Carter Lake pipeline project, explaining to Colorado's congressional delegation that the pipeline is desired to meet the city's drinking water quality, reliability and security vulnerability goals and that Federal funding is needed to keep rate increases to reasonable levels. 2. Communicate to Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD), Left Hand Water District and the other CLP participants that the city is interested in construction of the pipeline after prioritization of the CLP with other capital needs, and funding issues have been addressed. 3. Include funds in the 2008 Water Utility Capital Improvement Project budget for only the following activities and components of the Carter Lake pipeline project 1) Community and Environmental Assessment Process (CEAP), 2) design, 3) permitting activities and 4) ROW acquisition to keep the project progressing. It is assumed the CEAP will be valid for a period of at least 5 years. 4. During 2008, staff will work to evaluate alternatives and identify a scope and budget for a peer review or accreditation program. Depending on the cost of such a program, money would be taken from the 2008 budget, or City Council would be requested to make a specific budget appropriation. The goals of the peer review or accreditation program would be to maximize performance and efficiency, provide outstanding customer service using industry best management practices while minimizing the need for rate increases to the extent practical. Peer review and accreditation programs of both the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and American Public Works Associated (APWA) will be considered. Staff and WRAB will work to develop a scope of work for the peer review or accreditation program for City Manager's approval. 5. Compile and prioritize a 20 year projection of capital improvement projects (C1P) and system rehabilitation and replacement, including water and wastewater utility replacement programs. These efforts will be mostly encompassed by the Source Water Master Plan and the Wastewater Utility Master Plan initiated by the Utilities Division in 2007 and anticipated to be completed in 2008. The Treated Water Master Plan completed Cazter Lake Pipeline Recommendation in 2000 and the Wastewater Treatment Master Plan completed in 2007 will continue to be used for this purpose. Water meter replacement issues will be included in the compilation and prioritization process. 6. Develop alternative scenarios and associated revenue requirements for the 20 yeaz CIP and operations considering the goals of maximizing performance and efficiency, providing outstanding customer service while minimizing the need for rate increases to the extent practical. Staff will work to develop joint agreement with the WRAB regazding the need for third party review, alternative scenarios to be considered and any recommendations to the City Manager and City Council. Identify needed projects and associated funding to meet the city's drinking water quality, reliability and security vulnerability goals with respect to the Barker Water System (includes Barker Reservoir and Dam, Barker Gravity Pipeline, Koller Reservoir and Boulder Canyon Hydro Penstock.) Issues include the Town of Nederland sewage dischazge, septic systems and stormwater runoff from roads and developed azeas, and security risks. These projects and associated funding will be considered in the 20-year CIP projection. 8. Continue to implement, where practical and cost-effective, selected measures along the Boulder Feeder Canal to address the lazgest, most intensively developed or agricultural azeas draining to the Boulder Feeder Canal. These could include the installation of culverts to cazry first flush flows over the canal or stormwater BMPs for these azeas. These improvements are currently being funded through the city's existing CIP account titled Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD) Conveyance -Boulder Feeder Canal. 9. Evaluate whether minor additional treatment barriers or process improvements at the Boulder Reservoir Water Treatment Plant, such as included in the WRAB June motion or the Black & Veatch recommendations aze needed and cost-effective if the Carter Lake Pipeline can be constructed in the next 10 years and selective bypasses and BMPs aze constructed on the Boulder Feeder Canal. The evaluation and associated improvements are currently being funded through the city's existing CIP account titled Boulder Reservoir WTP. 2