HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Water Resources - 11/20/2006CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING SUMMARY FORM
NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION: Water Resources Advisor Board
DATE OF MEETING: November 20, 2006
NAME/TELEPHONE OF PERSON PREPARING SUMMARY: Kaazen Davis, 303-441-3229
NAMES OF MEMBERS, COUNCIL, STAFF, AND INVITED GUESTS PRESENT:
BOARD MEMBERS - Ken Wilson, Jim Knopf, Robin Byers, Bart Miller, Kelly DiNatale.
STAFF - Ned Williams, Carol Linn, Cliff Hall, Carol Ellinghouse, Joe Taddeucei, Joanna Crean, Bronwyn
We andt
WHAT TYPE OF MEETING (BOLD ONE) [REGULAR] [SPECIAL] [QUASI-JUDICIAL]
Agenda Item 1- Call to Order
The meeting was called ro order at 7:04 p.m.
Agenda Item 2- Meeting minutes -October 16, 2006
WRAB elected not to approve minu[es until clarifications are provided as requested.
Agenda Item 3- Public participation and comment.
There was none.
Public Partici ation was closed.
Agenda Item 4- Final rewmmendation on CEAP for Betasso WTP Pipeline Projects.
Joe Taddeucci gave a presen[ation on the pro~ec[ mcluded in the CEAP for Betasso WTP Pipeline Projects.
The alternatives included in the CEAP are:
• Al[ernative 1- Continue wi[h [he existing pipelines with no changes.
• Alterna[ive 2- Replace Betasso Penstock wrth new pipeline and use existing penstock as the
treated water lioe.
• Alternative 3- Replace Betasso Penstock w~th new p~pelme and use existing penstock as a
discharge line.
Staff recommends that the CEAP be approved and that Alternative 2 be consvucted.
WRAB questions and comments:
• Wilson: Wha[ par[ of the project needs County approval? Staff: All of i[.
• Wilson: Wha[ par[ of [he projec[ rises to the level of council? Harberg: All CEAPs go to Council
as poten[ial call up i[ems.
• Byers: Are all hydro revenues under one contrac[ wi[h Xcel? What is end da[e? Ellinghouse: All
are under one conVacL Current contract ends 2017, but we can extend in 5 year increments at will.
• Byers. How would municipalization impact [he payback schedule on this project? Ellinghouse:
The contract is binding on both parties un[il 2017. Currently the contract requires us to sell hydro
generat~on to Xcel. Williams: At this point hydro generation is no[ part of the municipalization
project.
• Byers: In favor of alterna[ive 2, but wantti to recommend to Council that we annex Betasso facility
to the Ciry. Migh[ help us avo~d County 1041 review process which could cause delays and exha
expense. Should consider annexa[~on of 75'" Street facility as well. Wilson/Knopf: Think [ha[
annexation should be kep[ separate from the CEAP.
• DiNatale: What is Cap~tal Pro~ects budget for this'? Ellinghouse: Full construc[ion cost ~s in the
CIP. Harberg: Muluple line items. This project will be funded from Barker Water System
Integration. Concept is that [here is money budgeted for this year and next. May be short and may
need to use funds from elsewhere. W ill need to provide that information later.
• DiNatale: Did not see line item breakdown for different aspects of the pro~ect. Is "construction°
cost also total project cost? Taddeucci: Is [otal cos[ including restoration, engineering,
construction, contingency, etc.
• Millec Requested clanfication of mmimum stream flow difrerences between CWCB and City.
Ellinghouse: March and October would be 2 cfs level. Extra 4.5 cfs used for generation. Wdl have
to make the decision at a later date on whether that is what is followed. Table shows maximum
WRAB Summary
November 2Q 2006
Page No 1
potential.
Motion:
DiNatale: Move that WRAB approve the CEAP, alternative 2 with the understanding that the "Run
of the River" operations not occur until more information on the environmental impacts is provided.
Seconded: Knopf
Motion Wi[hdrawn after discussion.
Motion:
Knopf: Move that WRAB approve the CEAP, alternative 2 as presented in the November 20~" 2006
version.
Seconded: Miller
Vote: 5-0
Motion:
DiNatale: Move that WRAB advise City Manager and Council that Run of the River operations for
Lakewood Hydro will result in additional stream flow depletions with potential environmental
impacts (tradeoffs of reduced hydro power generation versus reduced stream flow), and that such
depletions should be discussed and approved by WRAB and City Council before moving forward
with Run of the River Operations.
Second: Knopf
Vote: 5-0
Motion:
Byers: Move that WRAB recommend to City Manager and Council to ezplore the potential benefits
of annexation of the major Utility infrastructure including, but not limited to, the Betasso and 75th
street wmplexes.
Second: Knopf
Vote: 5-0
Discussion on above motions:
• Byers: Trus[s staff to make [hose opera[ional decisions.
• Wilson: The "run of [he river" is not part of the discussion on the CEAP Ihis evening. Should be
deal[ with separately a~d later. Do not have enough i~formation m this packet.
• Wilson: Suggests approval of AI[erna[ive 2 and request that "Run of the River" be clarified later
and brough[ back before the board with more detail before decisions on [ha[ issue are made.
• Ellinghouse: Quoted part of study that states [hat impac[ on fish popula[ions would be negligible,
and asks WRAB what more environmen[al mforma[ion they would like to see?
• Wilson: Asks what decision Council made on the fishery flow usue. Ellinghouse: Council
insis[ed Ihat we be able [o pull back on flow m drought years, but other than tha[ were happy with
amount donated. Council has never specifically addressed [he "ran of the nver hydro" issue.
Harberg: Will make it clear this proposal DOES NOT include the "mn of the river" operations.
Agenda Item 5- Update on Customer Information Billing System, Water Rate Struc[ure,
Adjustments, etc.
Carol Lmn, Joanna Crean, Erin Kintzle, Bronwyn Weygandt and Cliff Hall presented on the curzent and
upcoming water budget rate structure program.
WRAB questions and comments:
• Miller: Regarding the bill itself (A[tachmen[ A), [he graph was a bit hard ro read. Weygandt: We
will try to adjust the scale depending on customer.
• Millec Suggest maybe a little more room to make the scale taller would perhaps be helpful.
Weygandt: Bill does adjust depending on what charges you have.
• Knopf: Winter consumption average. Is that a class average or the specific customer account?
Weygandt:_ Specific customer account
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November2Q 2006
Page No. 2
• Byers: Every[hing that goes to the cus[omers should have a reference to Spanish equivalent
information. Weygandt: Insert will go with the letter and one side is English, the other Spanish.
• Byers: Adjustments: Need [o explain what happens if the applica[ion for adjus[men[ is denied.
Wan[ cus[omers to have ano[her level to go to in order [o appeal the rejection.
• Byers: Application itself: Have not addressed Bill 1023 from this summer. If we are going to give
budget increases, then should get an opinion from City Attorney on whe[her we need to check
crtizenship. Crean: Got an opinion from Attorney on the application and that diddt come up. We
will check on it again.
• Byers: Need a second signature line for landlords ro sign off if tenant is making application.
• Byers: There is a 5~' amendmen[ issue with forcing people to reveal how many people are in
house. Crean: City attomey required [ha[ dause. Wilson: We do [his m several other areas in the
ci[y, such as pazking. Seems quite appropria[e.
• Byers: Need to add a statement to letters dealing with potential adjus[men[s to badget in times of
drought.
• DiNatale: Having the city make some presentations a[ conferences and to organizations on [he
process would be very helpful in informing other conserva[ion organiza[ions and water providers.
• DiNatale: Would be interested in knowing what kind of phone calls you get. Weygandt Setting
up a database to cap[ure that information.
• Wilson: How will you deal with big offenders? Linn: This first year, just want to get information
accurate. Have had contact with several HOA's who gave correchons on which areas are watered
by Ihe meter. Firs[ year will be a lot of confirmation and correc[ion of irrigable areas. Crean: With
some of the ircigation customers, we have already been talking to them abou[ budge[s not
necessarily accommodating their use. There will be much personal contac[ and diswssion.
Hopefully adjustments will be made before peak use season.
• Knopf: The link for maps is not on the Web site. Crean: Link not there but will be up soon.
• Wilson: Still concerned about commercial i~dustrial. If start ge[ting negative feedback, please let
WRAB know so we can maybe help ouL Crean: We have been trymg to make people understand
[hat the rate structure may change wrth examination of the system and actual apphca[ion.
• Byers: Is there a trigger to reset base level of budget if there is a title transfer on a properry with
an ad~ustme~t in place7 Outreach [o Real Estate commumty might be mce. I[ would be good if
[hey could show prospechve buyers how much has been allocated to a property. Linn: Budgets
will re-set if property changes hands and the Billing offtce notified of a new owner.
Agenda Item 6- Matters From Staff
o Rescheduling of Jan. and Feb. 2007 WRAB meetings: Jan and Feb. meetings fall on holidays, so
woald like to select al[ema[ive da[es. Scheduled for January 22 and February 26`h. Both at 7PM at
Mu~icipal Services Ceuter, 5050 Eas[ Pearl.
o Update on Clean Drmking Wa[er Ini[iative 2B results: 52% vo[ed no and 48%vo[ed yes. During
next year staff will continue to run analysis and pull together additional information on quality and
cost of different sources. Will bring before [he board sometime in 2007.
Byers: Any more communicahons from Mr. Knaub? Williams: After las[ public WRAB mee[ing, d~d have
commumcation with him aod he wanted to negotiate a compromise. Informed him that city staff was not in
a position to be negotiating on a ballot issue, but did tell him that staff would continue to look at the issue
and bnng more information before the boazd.
Ma[ters from Board -
o Miller. Told Carol about S. Boulder Creek sta[us reporL 2 of [he 3 op[ions have a$ amoun[
associated. Valmont option did not have price associated. Would be useful to have both $ amoant
and how much water would be available for all options. Have staff decide which option has the
best cost-bene£it ratio. Williams: Erie pipeline: Open Space staff is domg analysis on that option
and paymg for it, but until get more commitment from Erie, can't do much more.
o Miller. What is the process to ge[ something in[o [he Ci[y's budge[? Williams: Can be included in
staff ~mtiated budget, or when budget comes to WRAB, board can make a recommendation to
include additiona] funding or shift funding ro accommodate [he need.
o Byers: Any info on how much [he non-profi[ will bnng [o the table? Williams: No
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November 2Q 2006
Page No 3
o Byers Would like [o see non-profit contributions. Perhaps other sources, such as grants, etc.
Williams: Water Utility has played more of a resource and secondary role in South Boulder Creek
Ins[ream Flows because we dod[ rety upon or use much of the wa[er in S. Boulder Creek and
dodt want [o be a lead player.
o Byers: Update on sale of Valmon[ Butte? Williams: In [he first quarter of 2007, Doug Newcomb,
who has been working with TPL, hopes to be able to bring an agreement to Council.
o Byers: Is TPL gomg to require annexation to make their project go? Williams: At this time, that
does no[ appear [o be part of the agreement, nor is any development contingent on that agreement.
o Byers: Boulder Feeder Canal. Since [he Transi[ and Trails Ini[iative failed, is someone going ro be
coming back to us to try ro ge[ money for that facility? Williams: Trying [o write up something
for Counci] regarding what the effects will be of the Transit and Trails Initiative failure to pass.
Part of that will deal with [he Boulder Feeder Canal.
Agenda Item 7- Discussion of schedule for future meetings.
Covered in Matters from Staff
Agenda Item 8- Adjournment
Motion: Wilson moves to adjourn
Seconded by Miller
Vote: 5-0 in favor.
Meetin ad'oumed at 9:25 PM
Date, Time, and Location of Next Meeting:
The next meetmg will be Monday, D,e~c 18 - 7 p.m., regular meeting Municipal Services Center, 5050 East
Pearl Stree[.
Minutes approved by: ~ ./
Date: Z ,
WRAB Summary
November20,2006
Page No 4