Citizens' Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2005
CAC Members in Attendance: Myrna Poticha (Chair), Russell Burton, Tim Flynn, Theresa Jehn-Dellaport, Larry Keesen, Jim Legas, Rick Sackbauer, Roberta Simonton
DW Staff: Marie Bassett, Dave Little and Joe Sloan
Agenda, Minutes & Opening Remarks
Agenda: The agenda was approved with the following change; all of the rate topics were merged.
Minutes: Minutes were approved with the following correction; page four add the word "County" after Grand and replace "Northern" with "Northern Colorado Conservancy District."
DW Staff Update – Marie Bassett, Director of Public Affairs
Summer Watering Program – The Board approved a program recommending two days of watering for turf per customer with a third day for flexibility. The Board stressed many lawns do well with two days of watering. The hope is customers will use what they have learned about the needs of their landscape over the past three years. Marie reported few customer calls regarding the summer watering program. By June 1st all customer will have received a postcard with information on the program. The numbers of calls could increase after the first.
Fraser River – Rep. Udall and his staff met with DW to discuss the Fraser River. There have been numerous articles in West Slope papers on DW's desire to divert more water from the Fraser. Rep. Udall was briefed on DW current diversion from the Fraser and how the proposed northern water supply project could impact the Fraser. Rep. Udall asked to be kept informed on DW's northern supply project.
Rates Workgroup – A copy of the "Rate Designer" ad was distributed to the CAC. DW is running the ad in 12 neighborhood papers. Linda Firth is the contact for the rate design group. The CAC requested Linda attend the next CAC meeting to discuss the rates workgroup.
BMPs – The Mayor Caucus has approved BMPs for water conservation. Conservation is defined differently by various communities/local governments. Some include recycling efforts as part of Conservation. DW views Conservation as those actions taken by the customers to save water.
South Platte Protection Plan (SPPP) – Work is being done to secure the endowment for the SPPP. The endowment will be managed by a professional financial management company. Once the endowment has been established the interest will be used to fund stream improvements, recreation facilities and related projects.
Tim requested information on the projected rate increase for 2006. Marie stated the 10-Year Plan had gone to the Board. The Finance section will study how to fund the 10-Year Plan. A rate increase will occur but Marie could not predict the amount of the increase.
Roberta requested a member of the CAC be sent a copy of the Board packet. Joe responded that the agenda and attachments for the Board meetings are posted on the web. A hard copy of the packet can be attained by contacting Pat Williams in the Manager's Office.
Subcommittee Reports
BMPs – Myrna has reviewed the BMPs from the Mayor's Caucus. It is a good starting point. She would like to see BMPs on land shaping. How the area is contoured can help conserve water. Tim and Larry did not see land shaping as a conservation measure. Tim thanked Myrna for explaining the work plan for the BMP subcommittee. While he did not agree with her point, he stated it should be required that all subcommittees get approval from the CAC before proceeding with an issue. Further, Tim requested reports from subcommittees be written and distributed to the members of the CAC for review. The BMP subcommittee will submit a written report for review.
Rates - Roberta referenced the Board's Resolution of May 11, 2005, which encourages efficient water use. Rates can be used to encourage more conservation/efficient use of water. She asked for Kerry's opinion on the topic. Kerry replied water providers using conservation-based rates are mostly located in the Western US. DW uses a cost-of-service model and not a conservation-based model.
CAC Business
Rates - Roberta requested input from the CAC on rate issues. She gave some background on the topic. DW staff has proposed a workgroup be created to help design a new rate structure for 2008. She requested the following items be considered for the workgroup; the Board select the facilitator, the Board set the parameters for the process and the time frame for the work be compressed to six months. Roberta stressed all stakeholders in a rate design workgroup should be comfortable with the process. She does not want to create a parallel program. She wants everyone interested in a new rate design to be included in the process from the start. Kerry distributed a chart to clarify who would be involved in the rate design process. All perspectives (CAC, Distributors, Environmental, etc) will be included and every possible rate structure will be reviewed. Roberta suggested representatives from existing groups such as the Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC) be a part of the rate design workgroup. She would like to see public involvement now, at the start of the process, instead of at the end of the process. She used the example of the new jail as an effort that began with significant public involvement. Kerry stated staff too wanted input. It is not possible to poll every customer but DW staff will strive to get a representative cross-section of customers involved in the rate design process. Tim requested the CAC vote on a motion to request all CAC members be included in the rate design workgroup.
Motion: The CAC requests all members of the CAC be included in the rate design workgroup:
6 – in favor | 0 – opposed
Linda Firth will be asked to speak at the next CAC meeting on the topic of the rate design workgroup.
Tour Dates - CAC will defer a tour until the fall.
Attendance at Board Meetings
Roberta will send a letter to the Board before the May 25, 2005 workshop. The letter will state no time will be needed at the workshop. The letter will include a "thank you" for the opportunity to speak with the Board.
Theresa will attend the Board meeting on June 8, 2005.
Rick will attend the Board meeting on July 13, 2005 which is scheduled to take place on the West Slope.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.