CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meeting Minutes

February 16, 2006

 

CAC members in attendance: Theresa Jehn-Dellaport (Vice-Chair), Michael Buchenau, Russell Burton, Jim Legas, Deb Pilon, and Rick Sackbauer

 

DW Staff:  Marie Bassett, Greg Fisher, Liz Gardener and Joe Sloan

 

Guests:  Tim Flynn

 

 

Opening Remarks,  Agenda and Minutes

 

Agenda – Agenda was approved as presented.    

 

Minutes – Minutes of January 19, 2006 were approved with the following correction: the number of properties in the End-Use Study was 100 not 1000.

   

 

Denver Water Update – Marie Bassett, Director of Public Affairs

 

New CIS – The new CIS system will be delayed until 2008.  At a previous CAC meeting Roberta had asked if the delay would also postpone possible changes to the rate design.  The current CIS can have up to 5 fixed blocks.  Anything more complex than an additional block will need to wait.  The new CIS, which will be similar to systems used by electric utilities, are extremely flexible. 

 

Residential Rebate Program – The residential rebate program is up and running.  Marie covered the new rebates and reminded the CAC the commercial and industrial incentive programs continue.  The residential rebate program is schedule to run all of 2006.  The commercial and industrial incentive program is continuous.

 

 

10-Year Conservation Plan - Liz Gardener, Manager of Water Conservation and Greg Fisher, Chief Planner

 

Theresa summarized an e-mail from Roberta suggesting that the CAC use part of its February meeting to plan for a large meeting/discussion in March on the topic of conservation during a time of excess water.  It appears that DW reservoirs may spill due to heavy spring runoff, so the conservation message may need to take a different approach.

 

 

Greg and Liz distributed a preliminary draft of the 10-Year Conservation Plan.  They both stressed that the documents were not finalized and they welcomed input from the CAC.  Greg also distributed a timeline for the IRP process.  The timeline had been requested at the January CAC meeting by Roberta.  Greg stated that parts of the 10-Year Conservation Plan could be included in the IRP process.  However, staff is putting together a plan and it will be up to the Board to determine what portion(s), if any, of the plan to use. The assignment from the Board to staff was to study ways to reduce water use and is a directive from the Board’s policy statement. The Board wants to know what it would take to move the IRP conservation goals of 2050 up to 2016.  The plan will offer numerous options which would have various impacts on customer classes. 

 

In response to Rick’s question, Greg affirmed that staff will make specific recommendations to the Board because it would be difficult to do a complete cost analysis on each option.  Staff will select those options which appear to have the greatest potential for water savings and do cost analyses of those options; however, all options will go to the Board for consideration.   Theresa asked what screening process would be used to determine further study is required.  Liz stated that water savings is the key determinant and whether DW has the technical ability to successfully manage the option.  Other factors include the legality of the option (could it be challenged in court?); and whether it adheres to Operating Rules and the City Charter.

 

Russell asked if new construction incentives would be studied as options for the 10-Year Plan.  Greg responded that staff is looking at all options, including new construction incentives.  Theresa asked if lawn size limits would be proposed as an option in the plan. Liz responded there are numerous studies which show lawn size limits do not relate to water savings. 

Action:  Liz will send a copy of the studies to Theresa.

 

Russell encouraged DW staff to continue to work on effecting changes to restrictive zoning codes, which require a certain amount of turf.  The HBA wants to promote water conservation, but when building a new property the builder has to follow the established code.  Liz confirmed that staff will continue to work on a regional level with other water providers to address this issue.  Denver Water has been a part of the WaterWise Council which is an organization of water conservation advocates.  This is a local organization, but work is being done to create a national clearinghouse of information on effective water conservation programs.  Rick encouraged WaterWise Council, through Liz, to conduct outreach to West Slope water providers.  Liz stated there were some West Slope members but many small water providers don’t have enough staff resources to cover conservation measures.  Liz believes the clearinghouse, once established, will be an excellent resource for those water providers. 

 

Greg pointed out that customers continue to conserve water and that water waste is never good, even if there is a surplus of water.  Education/information efforts will continue to encourage the wise use of water.   All CAC members encouraged DW staff to further the education/information efforts.  Droughts will occur and people have short-term memories.  DW should continue to display photos of the recent drought--not just photographs of full reservoirs and rivers. 

 

Action: Joe will convey the CAC’s request to staff who are in charge of displays at DW and DW’s mobile displays.    

 

At its next meeting, the CAC will discuss whether to send a motion to the Board on the topic of conservation during times of excess water (spilling of reservoirs).   Michael stressed the CAC should focus on policy and not pick options from the plan.  Staff’s role is to provide data with options; whereas, the CAC’s role should be to comment on the policy relating to the plan.   

 

Liz encouraged the CAC to review the 10-Year Plan and send comments to her prior to February 28, 2006.  Staff intends to review the plan with the Board in March.

 

Jim asked what the total savings of water would be if the entire plan is adopted by the Board.  Greg stated that answers should be available by the end of the IRP process, but at this time he does not have a total water savings figure. 

 

 

Legislative Update

 

Joe distributed a legislative update prepared by Sara Duncan for the CAC.  Rick stated the West Slope will continue to oppose any legislation which would change Recreational In-Channel Diversions (RICDs).  Since Xcel does not have conditions on their water rights to generate hydroelectric power, Rick feels that recreational flows should not be treated differently.

 

 

Board Communication

 

Jim proposed a Motion of support for the Board’s recent increase to the SDCs.  Russell stated the HBA would rather not see increases, but DW had given six months’ notice before approving the increase.  Russell further indicated it is difficult for builders to cover rising costs in materials.  Often a builder has to cover these rising costs because the customer has agreed to a bid price. 

 

Motion:  The CAC supports the Board’s increase to the System Development Charges.  Further, the CAC requests the Board continue to give at least 6 months’  notice to developers/builders prior to any future increase.  

5- in favor     1 – abstain     

 

 

CAC Business

 

Future Agenda Items –

Rick offered to host the CAC meeting on May 18^th or June 20^th on the West Slope.  He will need the CAC to select a date by the March meeting in order to make arrangements, which could include an overnight stay.  

 

 

The speaker for Land Contouring, Mark Kopatz, will be available to speak at the March meeting.  Joe will confirm.

 

The CAC would like to have someone from Planning talk about the Wolcott study.

 

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

 

 

Motion/Action	Person/s responsible	By what date?	Action Completed?	Any Follow up?
Lawn-Size Limit studies to Theresa	Liz	March 16, 2006
Displays which contain  photos of reservoirs & rivers during the drought	Joe	March 16, 2006		Needed