Minutes - Water Resources - 12/17/2001 DRAFT
WATER RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
FINAL MEETING MINUTES
December 17, 2001
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Robert Fiehweg, Jeannette Hillery, Vicki Naber, Gil Barth, and Cal Youngberg
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Ned Williams, Floyd Bebler, Randy Crittenden, Robin Madel, secretary
AGENDA ITEM 1
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM 2
Approval of October 15, 2001 Meeting Minutes
Jeannette Hillery motioned to approve the minutes from October 15, 2001.
Cal Youngberg seconded.
The vote was 5-0 in favor of the motion.
AGENDA ITEM 3
General Citizen Participation
Richard Tocher, 3960 Greenbriar Blvd., Boulder 80305, asked Ned Williams if any security
measures had been taken to protect Boulder's drinking water. Williams said that security
measures are in place but he said it wouldn't be appropriate to discuss specifics of those
measures in public. Tocher also asked several questions related to the Marshall Landfill Closure
Plan during the time when Floyd Bebler presented that issue.
General Citizen Participation was closed.
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AGENDA ITEM 4
Staff presentation and discussion on the Marshall/Boulder Landfill Groundwater
Treatment Facility EPA Five-Year Review and proposed closure study.
Floyd Bebler gave the background on the Marshall/Boulder Landfill. The EPA named both BFI,
Inc. and the city of Boulder as responsible parties for remediation of contamination. The site was
added to the CERCLA National Priorities List in 1983 and in 1986 a Record of Decision for a
remedial action was issued that included groundwater collection and treatment. Construction of a
treatment system was completed in 1993. Groundwater is collected from 35 wells, a collection
trench, and an on-site french drain system. Collected water is treated at an on-site treatment
facility, financed by both the city of Boulder and BFI. The city pays approximately $195K (30%
of the total budget) per year to operate the facility and perform required sampling and analysis.
The treatment system is designed to remove metals and volatile organic compounds. Typically,
concentration of parameters influent to the treatment plant are below treatment levels, except for
iron and manganese, which are naturally high in that area. Effluent from the treatment system is
discharged to Cowdrey drainage, which drives the treatment standards. Cowdrey Drainage
potentially flows into South Boulder Creek; however, Cowdrey Drainage generally doesn't reach
SBC.
BFI and the city are proposing to the EPA to match discharge standards for iron and manganese
to naturally occurring groundwater concentrations and continue long-term monitoring of
groundwater quality. This would allow transfer to a standby status with eventual
decommissioning of the plant. The proposal also includes long-term maintenance of the cap over
the landfill.
BFI sent a request for proposals to four subcontractors to prepare closure plans. The purpose of
the RFP was to obtain proposals for development of a long-term monitoring plan, groundwater
treatment facility shutdown plan and a site operation, maintenance and inspection program. Upon
selection of a consultant the staff estimate is that the closure plan will be submitted to the EPA
within 4-6 months. The closure plan should reduce costs to the city by approximately 25%.
There will still be a substantial amount of sampling and analysis required.
The EPA performed two five-year reviews on the site and has generally been pleased with the
actions taken at the site. Given the low influent levels of constituents of concern, the EPA has
begun entertaining other options for site management.
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AGENDA ITEM 5
Staff presentation and discussion about the January 29, 2002 City Council Study Session
concerning modifications to Boulder's Floodplain Management Program.
Ned Williams discussed the upcoming City Council study session that will evaluate what kinds
of programmatic changes the city should consider in assessing its floodplain management
program. Williams said these program changes have been discussed the program with city staff
and members of the Independent Review Panel. Alan Taylor is taking the lead on evaluation of
the program. Williams said the program would most likely be based on increased citizen
education and individual flood control programs (by household) with a focus on floodplain
management rather than on capital projects aimed to control floods. The staff will urge the City
Council to define critical facilities, such as hospitals, elder care facilities and child care facilities
that are prohibited from construction within floodplains. Williams said that there is a national
trend toward floodplain management rather than flood control. The focus will be on city policies
only and on land that may be annexed into the city.
There was some limited discussion about the lawsuit involving the University of Colorado and
Boulder County. The university abides by state regulations and does not recognize the city's
defined high hazard zones and the regulations associated with that zone.
Williams said that the focus nationally is for less containment with more emphasis on property
by property flood protection, increased homeowner awareness and improved flood insurance.
The focus doesn't preclude capital improvements but, in general, the strategy of floodwater
containment is gone.
The study session will include recommendations for possible financial contributions to
homeowners that take steps toward reducing life-safety issues and that provide damage
minimization.
Jeannette Hillery commented that there are thousands of homeowners along South Boulder
Creek that want information about what to do during a flood and are working toward individual
containment methods.
AGENDA ITEM 6
A. Matters from the Board
Cal Youngberg asked if there would be a site review for the 631d St. facility biosolids program.
Williams said that annexation is expected within 6 months and the scope of work is still in
progress. The city has met with the Boulder Historical Society and the town of Valmont to
discuss their concerns about the biosolids program. Floyd Bebler commented that there has not
been much public comment about the issue yet. Bebler also announced that Paul Heppler, the
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staff member that runs the biosolids program for the city, is leaving the city to work for the state
of Colorado.
Gil Barth discussed the Greenways Advisory Committee meeting that he attended and informed
the board that the Greenways Master Plan had been revised.
Bob Fiehwe said that he was contacted by a member of the Environmental Advisory Board
about the fluoride in drinking water issue. He said that the WRAB would probably have to revisit
the issue in the future because the EAB is still discussing it.
Vicki Naber asked about eco-passes for board members. Robin Madel said she would check into
the status of the passes.
B. Matters from the Staff
Ned Williams discussed the vote by the Erie Board of Trustees that called for a citizen initiative
of fluoridation of drinking water if the town of Erie is to fluoridate its water. Williams also
pointed out that Dannon now makes bottled water with fluoride in it.
Williams updated the WRAB on Lakewood pipeline. A construction contract was awarded to
Bernard Construction Company and construction will begin in April or May. Also, the city will
be going to the City Council about condemnation of 2 properties for which they could not obtain
easements.
Williams said that the 2002 budget with the new utility rate changes was approved and will go
into effect on 1/1/02.
Williams discussed the advisory group associated with South Boulder Creek. The group has
evolved into a hydrology advisory panel for SBC and may become an advisory panel for the
entire city.
Williams discussed the memorandum of understanding signed by the city and the University of
Colorado regarding development of Williams Village. Construction of student housing will begin
in 2002. The WRAB requested a site visit with a CU official.
Williams mentioned that advisory board recruitment would take place in January. He mentioned
that Cal Youngberg's term is ending. Youngberg said that he would apply for re-nomination.
Williams discussed the status of Valmont Park. The grading work has been completed. The next
issue is stream flow maintenance. The city is negotiating a deal with the White Rock Ditch
Company to keep some stream flow in the channel. The issues associated with the Cline property
were resolved.
Williams said that work on the Barker Management Plan is progressing and the WRAB will get
an update in March.
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The January and February meetings fall on city holidays and Williams requested rescheduling
the meeting at a time that is in-between the 2 dates. The WRAB chose January 28 as the meeting
date. The next meeting after that will be on March 18.
Williams gave an update on relocation of the effluent line at the WWTP. He said all of the
permit applications will be completed by the deadline of December 31, 2001 and the town of
Lafayette will take the lead in the County 1041 application.
AGENDA ITEM 7
Discussion of Future Meeting Dates and Agenda
At this time there are no agenda items set for the January 28, 2002 regular meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 8
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Date, Time, and Location of Next Meeting:
January 28, 2002, 7:00 p.m., regular meeting, at the City Yards Lunchroom, 5050 East Pearl.
Minutes approved by
Date
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