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CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE Minutes of the Meeting of February 20, 2003 CAC
Members in Attendance: Theresa
Worsham (Chair), Russell Burton (Vice-Chair), Jodi Adkins, Tim Flynn, Myrna
Poticha, Roberta Simonton, Mary Vodneck and Gayle Weinstein Staff:
Marie Bassett, and Joe Sloan Guests: John Wright, Don
Thompson, and Jim Ulatowski MINUTES No minutes were taken at the
January dinner. Russell Burton was
selected to be the Vice-Chair for the year 2003 at the dinner. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC/APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Larry Keesen
was not able to make the meeting but asked that the minutes reflect his request
that the CAC encourage Denver Water to have an “approved list” of ULV
toilets. DW has a rebate program in
place and with that program there be a list of toilets by price category that
should be installed. Larry believes
some ULV toilets are much better than others. Jodi Adkins
distributed copies of “The Underground News” for Denver Urban Gardens
to each member of the CAC. Don Thompson requested
that the CAC support his request to the Board for staff to study a
consumption-based SDC. Don
distributed a handout which demonstrated his belief that a consumption-based SDC
would be more equitable than the current model used and would encourage
conservation. Don also stated a
consumption model would be a positive response by DW to affordable housing
advocates. Don stated he had been to
the recent Board meeting with his proposal and had met with staff regarding this
proposal. After discussion the CAC
decided to wait and hear staff’s response to Don’s proposal at the next
meeting. Marie
Bassett stated that the Board and staff are willing to look at Don’s
proposal but at this time the focus is on the topics of drought response and the
proposed increase to surcharges. Theresa Worsham assured
Don the CAC would follow-up on his request and thanked him for his continued
efforts and presence at the CAC meetings. Marie Bassett reported
the following: Board – The
Board has instructed staff to focus future Board meetings on policy issues.
The Board has requested that topics of contracts, purchasing and
non-policy issues be limited and the majority of the meetings deal with policy
and drought topics. It is
anticipated the Board will adopt new surcharges at the March 19, 2003 meeting.
Marie stated that the three public meetings on the drought and proposed
surcharges were well attended and at each meeting Board members were present.
Jodi Adkins requested a copy of any report available on the public
meetings be sent to the members of the CAC.
Marie anticipates the Board will wait until their April 16, 2003 to
announce new restrictions. The snow
pack numbers for April 1, 2003 will be crucial in the Board’s decisions.
Advertising
Contract – The Board, and partner water agencies, have selected O’Brien
Advertising to conduct the summer ad campaign.
The Board and the partners will review the campaign in mid March with the
hope of launching the campaign once the restrictions have been decided on by the
Board. Gayle Weinstein suggested
that the ad campaign, or some type of educational program, be started as soon as
possible. There needs to be a wide
focus on the drought and our semi-arid climate which is prone to drought.
There needs to be information available on what people should do to save
water long-term not just during the current drought.
Gayle strongly suggested something begin now to educate all levels of the
public (students, businesses, homeowners, etc) on what can be done to save
water, now, and long after the drought. Marie stated she would send Gayle’s recommendations to staff
working with O’Brien on the ad campaign. Roberta Simonton suggested
the CAC would be the perfect group to look at and review an ad campaign.
Several members concurred with Roberta’s request.
Joe will check with Jane Earle, Manager of Community Relations, to
see if the CAC can review the proposed ad campaign.
John Wright stated
that DW presents information (ad campaign) to the public as they want to present
it. The role and the duty of the CAC
is to tell the Board what the public wants.
The CAC should not let DW determine want information it gives out to the
public. The Board and staff may not
listen to the CAC but it is the role of the CAC to represent the public.
Mary Vodneck stressed
that the ad campaign should be serious and have a wider focus than last year’s
ad campaign. There are bigger issues
than lawn watering in the metro area and people need to learn about the long
term water situation in the state. Mary
asked Marie to comment on the recent East slope/West slope agreement.
Marie stated that some
principles have been agreed upon to guide the process but in the current stage
even the principles are in draft form. It
is not a binding agreement but rather a guide of how they hope to proceed with
discussions. John added that the issue of long-term mitigation is a key to the
discussions. Currently a water
purchase is a one time event but some West slope communities would like to see
it as a long-term agreement. Marie
will send a copy of the “Colorado 64” document to the CAC. Roberta suggested
that DW give customers a way to see how the surcharges will affect their future
bills. She suggested DW send a
demonstration bill or set up a page on the DW web site that would allow
customers to see the impact of the proposed surcharges.
Marie said a demonstration
bill could be confusing but she will look at any suggestion to get information
out about the surcharges. JOHN WRIGHT SUGGESTION OF IRRIGATION METERS John stated that staff did not agree with his proposal for an irrigation meter/rate program. This proposal, like Don Thompson’s, would be more equitable and would save water. John had not had time to review the staff response from Greg Fisher, Rates Section, but he stated it looked like an institutional response. It appears DW does not want to change how it currently does business. John stated his proposal and Don Thompson’s proposals are both customer friendly but would require DW to change a set structure. John’s proposal would be optional and should be an easy thing to change if DW wanted to do so. Russell Burton stated that when his organization (HBA) has worked with DW on their issues the response at times has been the same. To change a set structure would be costly and difficult. Mary concurred that on some topics she has raised on suburban issues there is a reluctance by DW to revisit existing policy. John responded that the role of the CAC is to push DW to be more customer friendly, to put the public needs before the institution’s needs. Gayle stated the role of the CAC should be to offer change not only criticism. The CAC should find where inequities exist and offer positive alternatives. Theresa requested staff be present at the next meeting to address the issues raised by John Wright and Don Thompson. CAC BUSINESS Theresa facilitated a discussion on topics and goals for
2003. This process will be continued
at the next CAC meeting. Joe has received several requests from the media and the
public for information on how to contact the CAC directly.
These members are willing to have the following information released for
legitimate requests to contact members of the CAC directly. Theresa – work address, phone
and e-mail address Russell – work address, and
phone Jodi – work
e-mail Tim – work phone Larry – work
address, phone, e-mail Myrna – home
phone Roberta – home
phone Mary – e-mail
and home address Gayle – work
phone NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Citizens' Advisory
Committee will be held on Thursday, March
20, 2003 at
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