CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Minutes of the Meeting of February 19, 2004  

CAC Members in Attendance: Russell Burton (Chair), Michael Buchenau, Tim Flynn, Theresa Jehn-Dellaport, Larry Keesen,  James Legas,  Myrna Poticha, Theresa Worsham 

Staff: Marie Bassett, Margaret Medellin, John Loughry, Rocky Wiley, Liz Gardener, Donna Pacetti, Linda Betz, Joe Sloan

Guests: John Wright, P. Zlatev, Rodney Cyr  

Agenda and Minutes  

The Agenda was approved after the following was removed: Report on Recent Research of Other Water Conservation Programs.

The Minutes were approved after the following correction was made:  Page 2, first paragraph, Replace “Marie stated….” with,  Marie stated that the savings for some of the rebate programs are easier to quantify than others. DW will try to quantify the savings from the programs.  DW does know that indoor savings will come from toilets and washers.  Also less water can be used outdoors with soil amendments, Xeric plants and irrigation improvements which were all a part of the outdoor program.   

Staff Update  

Marie Bassett, Director of Public Affairs reported the following:  

Spring Watch  – This program was announced and to date there has been no strong reaction to the program.  Customers appear to understand the message and informational inserts on the Spring Watch are going out in customer bills.  

South Platte Protection Plan (alternative to Wild and Scenic designation) – The plan is out for review until April 2, 2004 .   

Opening Ceremonies for Recycling Plant – The plant is testing system and should be delivering water in April to irrigation customers.  The opening of the plant will be on April 15, 2004 .  The CAC will be invited to the event.   

Summer Ad Campaign – The campaign will be either a drought awareness campaign or a conservation campaign depending on the snow pack and the Board’s actions.  The amount spent on the campaign will also vary depending on the message.  Last summer DW worked with other utilities to run an ad campaign however this year some utilities have stated there will be no restrictions.  Therefore, it would be difficult to run a joint ad campaign.  Russell requested that the CAC see the ads before they go out.  Marie will pass the request on to Jane Earle.    

Proposed Water Waste Hotline                                                                                           

Linda Betz, Conservation, presented information on the proposed water waste hotline.  Linda stressed it was proposed and in draft form but wanted to get some input from the CAC.  The goal of the hotline is to reduce water waste at all times of the year.  The hotline is on hold until the Board decides whether or not there will be restriction.  Other utilities with similar hotline have been studied and appear to have been successful.  Myrna stated that the Smoking Car Hotline, for reporting vehicles with poor exhaust systems, has been in operation for years.  She believes its success is due in part to the anonymity of those reporting.  Tim stated he had recently called the DW customer service line.  He was on hold for 25 to 30 minutes.  If the proposed hotline increased call volume, and slowed an already slow customer service system, he would be opposed to the program.  Linda suggested it may free up lines.  With a direct hotline customers may not call customer service with water waste complaints.  Linda distributed her business cards and requested additional comments and suggestion be sent her by April 1, 2004 .      

Review Current Draft of the Drought Response Plan (DRP) and Discussion on Drought Related Issues        

Margaret Medellin, Planning, distributed a draft of the DRP and requested the CAC make comments on the copies and return the DRP at their next meeting.  Some of the proposed changes in DRP are in the drought triggers, the terminology of “stage”, and a simpler format.  Margaret stressed the DRP has never been adopted by the Board but is rather a tool to be used by the Board. 

John Loughry, followed with response to Roberta Simonton’s e-mail of January 16, 2004 .  DW will be in different situations this summer depending on the drought.  DW wants to build on what was learned by the customers from the drought.  Customers know they can use less water to keep lawn alive, and can save water inside their homes through conservation efforts.  There may be a permanent change in customer behavior.  However, DW has never imposed restriction unless it was necessary.  Myrna stated she was disappointed that DW has not adopted any permanent changes to their operations as a result of the drought and restrictions.  No watering between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. is an easy measure to adopt to encourage conservation.  Myrna would like to see DW create a conservation climate (3 Cs).  Further she suggested DW establish a baseline of water consumption for customers.  Do a baseline of consumption so DW can see when and how much water is being conserved.  Larry stated he would like to see DW establish water budgets for all customers.      

CAC Business                                                                                                   

Vice Chair - Myrna Poticha was selected to be the Vice-Chair of the CAC for 2004. Russell thanked her for her willingness to serve as chair and thanked Theresa Worsham for her service as chair in 2003.  

Drought Task Force meeting -  Russell and Jim attended the CAC Drought Task Force meeting on February 12, 2004 .  Many of those attending the meeting had attended the task force meetings last year.  There is a mixed message as to the status of the drought.  Russell believes there will be a great deal of confusion if restrictions vary from city to city.  Liz stated CSU has agreed to monitor what areas have restrictions and maintain that information on their water web site. Also watersaver.org will have a link to the information.  Theresa Jehn-Dellaport suggested the CAC monitor the work of the Colorado Water Wise Council as they work on collaborative conservation issues in the Front Range .

Future Agenda Items –    Attending Board meetings
                                     Creating a Conservation Climate
                                     Leak Detection Program
                                     Customer Service – CIS New System
                                     Revision of the Outside Combined Service Rate
                                     South Metro Study
                                     Revise the CAC bylaws as needed
                                     Tour of Marston, Cheesman, Recycling Plant, Load Control  

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Citizens' Advisory Committee will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2004 at Denver Water Administration Building .  

Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.