CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meeting Minutes

January 19, 2006

 

CAC members in attendance: Roberta Simonton (Chair), Russell Burton, Theresa Jehn-Dellaport, Larry Keesen, Jim Legas Deb Pilon, Myrna Poticha, and Rick Sackbauer

 

DW Staff:  Marie Bassett, Chips Barry, Sara Duncan, Ed Pokorney and Joe Sloan

 

Guests:  Tim Flynn

 

 

Opening Remarks,  Agenda and Minutes

 

Opening Remarks – Roberta welcomed Deb Pilon to her first meeting as the Suburban Distributor Representative.

 

Agenda – Agenda was approved as presented.    

 

Minutes – Minutes of November 17, 2005 were approved with correction of the date.

   

 

Denver Water Update – Marie Bassett, Director of Public Affairs  

 

End Use Study – Marie distributed copies of the Denver Water Single-Family Water Use and Efficiency Study. This is a report which studies drought response, current usage and trends from 1994-2005.  The same 100 single-family properties were studied.  The ownership may have changed during the study but the same properties were tracked for the study. If any member has questions after reviewing the study, contact Marie, Liz Gardener or David Allen.

 

2006 Topics – Chips was on the agenda to speak on current and future goals so Marie added two topics which she would like the CAC to be involved with in 2006.  The first would be any meetings for the Moffat Collection System Project.  The second would be any public meetings held in response to the work of the Rate Design Work Group.

 

New CIS – There might be some delays with the new CIS.

 

 

 

Current and Future Issues for Denver Water- Chips Barry, Manager

 

Changing Water Use Culture -  The drought has caused a change in how DW customers use water.  We know it is happening but don’t know all the factors which have created the change.  There will be more conservation projects which will become permanent and more analysis to determine the most effective projects.

 

Rate Design – There is no perfect rate design but there are a set of possibilities which Chips hopes will lead to a “best-possible” rate design for Denver Water customers.

 

Maintenance of the System – DW has delayed maintenance projects due to the drought and low revenue.  It is imperative DW catches up with maintenance of the water system.

 

Regional and State Issues – There are several big proposals on a regional and state level to address water issues.  The “global solution” from the West Slope communities, 1177 roundtables, South Metro meetings, etc.  There is an amazing amount of energy going toward water issues.  DW will continue to be involved in discussions on these regional and state water issues.

 

National Water Issues – The subjects of water quality and moving water from one basin to another have come up in Florida and New York, which DW is monitoring. In the West, water is frequently moved from basin to basin, however, these cases in Florida and New York could have national implications.  EPA will be coming out with some disinfection by-products regulations.  DW can cover the required testing but the required testing could be difficult for some on the distributors. 

 

Jim asked if Denver Water is pursuing any storage projects on the East Slope. Chips stated that Aurora is interested in working with DW to enlarge Antero.  However, the source in that area, the snow pack, may not justify the costs to enlarge Antero.

 

Rick wanted to know if Chips had any way to speed up the Global Solution process.  Ed and Chips both responded that the process is slow because so many entities are involved and the issues and possible resolutions are complex.

 

Roberta requested that DW outline in the IRP process how much conservation is needed in order to cover future supply needs.  Chips responded that it would be covered in the IRP process.  There are some issues with additional conservation at this time.  DW currently has surplus water so the question is should we encourage additional conservation.  We want to encourage the shift which has occurred in water use (more conservation), but if DW reservoirs are spilling should we push conservation?  Roberta responded the CAC should further discuss this issue and be involved in a pro-active manner.

 

Theresa asked if DW was prepared to sell surplus water in wet years to Douglas County.  Ed responded the IRP would be the trigger to determine if water is available.  How much water can be represented, not guaranteed, will hopefully come out of the IRP process.  

 

Myrna raised a concern that DW would send water to Douglas County if they had not done all they could to conserve water.   Myrna indicated that it would send the wrong message to offer water outside the service area to large developments with rolling green grass.  Chips stated there were no agreements with entities outside the service area.  If it occurs he would like to see conditions on how the water is used but was unsure if that could be a part of any water agreement.   

 

Legislative Update – Sara Duncan, Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator

 

Sara distributed a legislative update she had prepared for the CAC.   After discussing the items with the CAC, Rick raised concern that DW would support legislation which challenged or weakened RICD (Recreational in Channel Diversion).  Livelihoods on the West Slope are tied to how much water is in the river and the West Slope is ready to fight bills which negatively affect RICD.   

 

 

CAC Business

 

Myrna requested that future agendas list upcoming meetings which may be of interest to the CAC such as Board meetings, workshops, CAC subcommittee meetings, Rate Design meetings, etc.  

 

Attendance at Board Meetings –

Board Meeting, January 8, 2006 – Jim will attend

Roberta would like a schedule of when the Board will discuss the IRP.  She is interested in attending those meetings     

 

Future Agenda Items –

            - Land Contouring

- Status of CIS project

 - If DW is flush with water should conservation still be encouraged

 

Theresa agreed to chair the next two CAC meetings.  Roberta and Theresa plan on talking to each CAC member to see it the goals of the CAC are being met.   Also it may serve the CAC to move meeting dates in order to be more effective.  Currently the meetings fall in between Board meetings.    

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.