CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meeting Minutes

November 17, 2005

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

DW Staff:  Marie Bassett, Sara Duncan, Greg Fisher, Andrew Appell and Joe Sloan

Guests: Deborrah Pilon, Commissioner Tate

Agenda and Minutes

Agenda – Agenda was approved as presented.    

Minutes – Minutes of October 20, 2005 were approved after grammatical errors were corrected.   

Denver Water Update – Marie Bassett, Director of Public Affairs  

New Commissioner – Although the Mayor’s Office has not released information on the appointment, it has been confirmed that Harris Sherman will be appointed to replace Commissioner Roberts.

Budget - The Board has reviewed the 2006 Budget.  The proposed Budget includes a rebate program and a community awareness program.  Michael requested that Marie review the document distributed to the CAC, which covered proposed Conservation programs.  Michael requested information on usage by the top 500 customers and if those customers were being offered specific conservation programs.  Marie stated Conservation staff time will be dedicated to programs/incentives for some of the largest users.   

Jim asked if the new Gross Hydroelectric project would impact the releases at Gross Reservoir.  Marie responded the first priority is raw water management and second is power generation. 

Legislative Update - Sara Duncan, Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator

Sara presented information from the Interim Water Committee.  Some potential bills, which DW will follow, are a water fallowing bill and a bill designed to help collected fees to be used by the state to monitor water quality.  Rick stated he hoped Denver Water would support legislation of RICD’s (Recreational In-Channel Diversions).  If DW wants to work with the West Slope on issues of importance to DW then in turn DW should support legislation important to the West Slope.  Rick also stated that the West Slope is unified on numerous water issues and he hoped DW would continue to be present on the West Slope.  Sara has been present at meetings on the West Slope and DW staff needs to hear what is being said by West Slope residents.

Commissioner Tate stated his experience in the legislature had shown him the need to resolve water issues within the state.  He believes there can be a balance in the state on water issues.  Colorado needs to confront internal water issues, so in union, work can be done on critical state-to-state litigation. 

Accelerated Conservation Goals -- Greg Fisher, Chief Planner

The current IRP has conservation-based water savings calculated through the year 2045.  This area of the IRP is being studied to see if that goal for 2045 can be achieved by 2016.  The Board asked staff to study the feasibility of accelerating conservation goals in the IRP.   The cost of programs related to this goal, as well as potential water savings, will be included in the study.  The stability of water savings over time will also be studied. 

Tim pointed out the accelerated conservation goals were part of the recent Board Resolution.   In that Resolution there is no mention of future water supply projects.  While Tim fully supports conservation programs, there is also a need to develop new supply projects.  

CAC Business

Myrna requested a formal apology be sent to members of the environmental community who were not invited to the first Rates Design Work Group meeting.  Representatives of the environmental community were asked to be a part of the group but DW failed to send an invitation for the first meeting.  Joe will forward Myrna’s request to Linda Firth, the staff contact for the Rates Design Work Group.

The CAC selected Roberta as Chair, and Theresa as Vice Chair of the Committee for 2006.

The CAC has a history of selecting the Vice Chair to succeed the Chair.  Tim suggested the CAC change the Bylaws to reflect this practice.

Tim introduced Deb Pilon and stated the Distributors Forum had endorsed her to be the new Suburban Distributor Representative on the CAC.  Myrna welcomed Deb and thanked Tim for his twelve years of service on the CAC.
 

Attendance at Board Meetings –

Board Meeting, December 14, 2005 – Myrna will see if Roberta can attend.  

Future Agenda Items –

            - Land Contouring

- Rick would like to host the June CAC meeting in Vail.  He also requested that Sara be present at future CAC meetings, to give legislative updates, which include Denver Water’s position on the bills.  

The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.