CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meeting Minutes

June 19, 2008

 

 

 

Minutes were approved for May and April meetings.

 

Marie Bassett (Public Affairs)

 

The CAC agenda was approved by the Board.  The Board met with the Western Slope and held study sessions on technical issues.  Additional study sessions will be required.  A summer break will be held as Denver Water cannot complete an adequate study in two weeks time.  The next meeting will be held in August.  The CAC will check back with Marie in September/October.  The members asked Marie about the Board’s inquiry to their request to fill a vacant committee seat.  Marie explained that the Board wanted to take a look at the biographies of the current committee members to ensure the CAC is diverse and does not have a consensus of opinions.  Marie sent copies of the members’ biographies but the Board has not reviewed them yet.

 

During the Board study sessions, Grace Wilcox from Finance discussed the O&M 10 Year Plan, Don Kennedy gave a briefing on Forest Health, and Melissa Elliott presented an update on the Tap+Smart program. 

 

Legal Matters

 

A memo was drafted by attorney Patti Wells that explained Denver Water’s policy of videotaping CAC meetings.  As CAC meetings are run by volunteer members, the members have the right to request that their likeness not be videotaped.  An option can be made by the videographer to provide a release form asking for permission to film CAC members.  A move was made to exclude filming as there was no guarantee that the film would not be edited.  This request was tabled until the next CAC meeting.   

 

Citizen Requests

 

Resident James Moore requested a full presentation on fluoride as last month’s presentation was cut short.  Members suggested having a venue larger than the CAC meeting as both sides of the water fluoridation issue should speak.  The CAC recommended that Mr. Moore present his concerns about fluoride to the DW Board in a brief memo.  Resident Frank Young asked if another forum could be held at a future CAC meeting, as he heard there was new research regarding the dangers of fluoridated water.  The CAC chair advised the concerned citizens that she will forward the information that was provided to her by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on fluoridation. 

 

 

 

Mr. Moore noted a newspaper article that showed how the American Water Works Association was given constructive notice for a lawsuit and not to destroy information to be used in a lawsuit against them.  This article revealed that the National Kidney Foundation admitted that fluoridated water poses a risk to people who have chronic kidney disease.  The committee asked Mr. Moore why the lawsuit was being filed against the AWWA, which is a trade organization, and not an actual water provider.  Mr. Moore did not have an answer.  Deborrah Pilon directed Mr. Moore to the AWWA and Denver Water websites for additional information.  The CAC moved to inform the Board of their discussions of water fluoridation, and their consensus to table the issue until a later date.

 

Carla Elam-Floyd (Human Resources)

 

Carla presented the committee with an overview on Denver Water’s Human Resources Department, and gave updates on employee benefits, the retirement plan, and unionization.

 

CAC Business

 

Tour – Becky suggested organizing a flyover of water sites.  Touring locations w/o flyover included the West Slope Drill site, the gravel pits or the recycle plants.  Tour date will be August 21st. 

 

Items- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) public meetings – Currently undergoing review for Gross Reservoir enlargement.  Future items for July will be the fluoride issue, Chips, Conservation/Holiday Inn Watering Issues.  The committee requested from Matt Bond in Community Relations the Board’s choices for this summer’s Conservation advertising campaign.  Swag is available for committee members at www.Useonlywhatyouneed.org.  Matt Bond will also provide the committee with a list of Xeriscape locations that Denver Water helped to develop that are open to the public. 

 

CAC member appointment – The CAC was surprised by the Denver Water Board’s request to delay the appointment of a new CAC member until they reviewed the current committee’s biographies and the list of those who applied for the membership.  The Board will discuss the appointment at the next study session.