Summary Minutes - Water Resources - 12/17/2001
CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING SUMMARY FORM
NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION: Water Resources Advisory Board
DATE OF MEETING: December 17, 2001
NAME/TELEPHONE OF PERSON PREPARING SUMMARY: Robin Madel, 303-441-4073
NAMES OF MEMBERS, COUNCIL, STAFF AND INVITED GUESTS PRESENT:
BOARD MEMBERS - Robert Fiehweg, Jeannette Hillery, Vicki Naber; Cal Youngberg, Gil Barth
STAFF - Ned Williams, Floyd Bebler, Randy Crittenden, 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 T 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 YounlZber seconded.
The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
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.
General Citizen Participation was closed.
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 site was operated by BFI and the city.
Groundwater is collected from the site and treated at an on-site treatment facility, financed by both the city of
Boulder and BFI, Inc. The city pays approximately $195K (30% of the total budget) per year to operate the
facility and perform required sampling and analysis. Effluent is discharged to Cowdrey drainage, which
potentially flows into South Boulder Creek. The treatment standards are based on flow in SBC but Cowdrey
Drainage generally doesn't reach SBC. Concentrations of almost all parameters evaluated influent to the treatment
plant are below effluent levels, except iron and manganese, which are naturally high in that area. BFI and the city
are proposing to the EPA to raise the treatment standards for iron and manganese, mothball the treatment plant
and continue long-terns groundwater monitoring. The proposal includes long-term maintenance of the cap over
the landfill. The city sent 4 requests for proposals to subcontractors to prepare closure plans. 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.
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
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Summary Minutes
December 17, 2001
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critical 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.
Agenda Item 6 -
A. Matters from the Board
• Cal Youngberg asked if there would be a site review for the 63rd 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.
• 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 was 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 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 singed 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 will take place in January. He mentioned that Cal
Youngberg's term is ending.
• Williams discussed the status of Valmont Park. The grading work has been completed and the next big issue
is maintaining stream flow. The city is negotiating a deal with the White Rock Ditch Company to keep some
stream flow in the channel.
• Williams said that work on the Barker Management Plan is progressing and the WRAB will get an update in
March.
• 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
No agenda items were discussed.
Agenda Item 8 -Adjournment
The meeting was 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 in the Cafeteria.
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