CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meeting Minutes

February 17, 2005

 

 

CAC members in attendance: Myrna Poticha (Chair), Michael Buchenau, Russell Burton, Tim Flynn, Theresa Jehn-Dellaport, Larry Keesen, Jim Legas, and Rick Sackbauer

 

DW staff:  Marie Bassett, David Little, and Joe Sloan

 

Agenda, Minutes & Opening Remarks

 

The agenda was approved as presented.  The minutes were approved with the following correction, page three last paragraph change where to were.  Myrna requested page numbers be added to future minutes.   

 

Myrna Poticha reported a DEA (Draft Environmental Assessment) for Chatfield was being distributed to various environmental groups.  Myrna requested that Denver Water put out a press release on the DEA.  It appears as if it was a “leaked” document as it did not come directly from Denver Water.  Marie responded the document had been distributed for comment to organizations and agencies with connections to Chatfield.  The document is a clarification of an agreement between Denver Water and the Department of Natural Resources.  In times of drought DW can use the pool of water in Chatfield.  The DEA addresses the environmental impacts of a reduced pool of water in Chatfield.  Marie stated a press release would be sent out by Denver Water probably in connection with NDMAs, another issue with Chatfield water.  NDMAs have been found in the South Platte River below Denver Water’s last intake but above a site where Denver Water has used temporary pumps in the past.  The tests for NDMAs were done by Lockheed Martin.  Denver Water was informed by Lockheed and CDPHE.  The Water Quality Lab will do additional tests.  Denver Water does not have the temporary pumps at Chatfield in place at this time and the pumps have not been used in since the summer of 2004.

 

Comments from the Public -

 

Denver Water Update  - Marie Bassett, Director of Public Affairs

 

WaterNews -  WaterNews, the customer newsletter which is inserted with the bill has a new format.  It is now in color with more information.  Extra copies are being distributed to employees as many employees now live outside the service area and do not receive a Denver water bill.

 

Land Sale Account -  The Board approved $80,000 for the Denver Youth Water Corps project.  Through the City, youth will be hired to work on Xeriscaping areas around several Recreation Centers.  Tim Flynn requested an update on the Land Sales Account which would include a list of properties to be sold in the next year or two.    

 

            Action: Joe will get an update of the Land Sales Account to the CAC.

 

Customer Survey -  Myrna requested information on the Customer Survey contract which was included in Marie’s Update.  Marie responded the survey will be used to shape the message of the advertising campaign.  DW needs to figure out what messages customers understand and where DW needs to go with future messages.  It will also look at where customers get their information, by the web, WaterNews, the media, etc.

 

Gross – Jim Legas requested information on the contract for Gross Reservoir.  Marie responded the contracts were part of the requirements for the FERC relicensing process.  The information gathered from the work should be useful in the Moffat Supply Project.   

 

Contact with Constituents of CAC Members

 

Marie reported that Rick had spoken at the February 9, 2005 Board meeting.  The Board and staff are waiting for a proposal from the West Slope on various water issues in Grand, Summit and Eagle Counties.  Rick stated that the counties were working on a document which was 80% complete.  The document has to be circulated in the various counties then it should be delivered to Denver Water. 

 

Joe distributed a copy of the INC Newsletter which contained an article about the CAC by Roberta Simonton.  The INC is  a group of Denver neighborhood associations which meets monthly.  Roberta will begin attending INC meetings. 

 

Jim Legas has requested Joe work on a letter which could be distributed to the suburban neighborhood associations.  The letter would explain the role of the CAC and suburban customer representative on the CAC.

 

Colorado River Issues - David Little, Manager of Water Resource Planning

 

The Colorado River has many extremely complex issues.  The focus of David’s presentation was on the Upper Colorado group known as UPCO.   Denver Water is hoping to work with Summit, Grand, and Eagle Counties on UPCO issues.  Denver Water has proposals out to Summit and Grand Counties.  These proposals offer to work with the counties to increase water for municipal uses in those counties as well as water for environmental requirements associated within the counties.  The offers include seed money to be used to obtain matching grants for solving problems identified in the UPCO process.  Currently Denver Water is waiting for a reply from the counties.  In exchange Grand County is being asked to take no action to stop the Moffat Supply System project.  Summit County is being asked not to dispute Denver Water’s rights under the Blue River Decree. In Eagle County, Denver Water has extensive water rights, which are not developed.  Eagle County would like Denver Water to agree not to develop most of the water rights in the county in exchange for an agreement to construct Wolcott Reservoir in a tributary of the lower Eagle River.

 

David also explained the complexities of how the Shoshone Call affects Denver Water’s operations and how exchanges and substitutions of water are used to operate Denver’s raw water system.  

 

Rick Sackbauer stated that a group of West Slope counties, the river district and West Slope water utilities are meeting to present a single proposal to Denver Water.  The goal is to have a unified response instead of each county and entity responding separately.  Also the counties want to group all the issues together instead of piece by piece.   

   

CAC Business

 

CAC Bylaws  –  The proposed Bylaw changes were discussed.  The following section of the Bylaws will be amended and sent to the Board for approval; III-B-1, III-B-3-f, III-B-4-c, III-B-4-e, IV-C-1-b, IV-C-2-b, and V-9.

 

Board Communication & Attending Board Meetings

 

Larry Keesen will attend the Board meeting on March 9, 2005.

 

Future CAC Agenda Items

 

Myrna requested that the planning document created in December be sent out as part of all future packets to assist in setting future agendas.

 

Information on Denver Water’s process for taking positions on a legislative issue.

 

Information on System Refinements. 

 

 

Adjournment

 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

 

 

CAC Meeting Actions for Next Meeting – March 17, 2005

 

Motion/Action	Person/s responsible	By what date?	Action Completed?	Any Follow up?
Update on the Land Sales Account	Joe	March17, 2005