CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
March 16, 2006
CAC members in attendance: Theresa Jehn-Dellaport (Vice-Chair), Michael Buchenau, Russell Burton, Larry Keesen, Jim Legas, Deb Pilon, Myrna Poticha and Rick Sackbauer
DW Staff: Brian Good, Linda Firth and Joe Sloan
Guests: Tim Flynn
OPENING REMARKS, AGENDA AND MINUTES
Agenda and Minutes – Approved as presented.
DENVER WATER UPDATE -- Brian Good, Director of Operations & Maintenance
New CIS – The Board has directed staff to end the contract with the current CIS vendor. After numerous delays it is apparent a new vendor is needed. Myrna stated there are numerous tech companies in the market and wondered why DW could not find a qualified vendor. Brain responded that DW has so many systems (Customer Care, Water Sales, Survey, etc) and the difficultly has been to find a CIS that can interface with all these distinct areas.
Snow Pack – The snow pack looks very good for Denver Water this year. Brian anticipates the Board will be briefed on snow pack at its April meeting. The CAC requested copies of what is presented to the Board at the April meeting.
Disinfection By-Products (DBPs) - The EPA added two new rules to the Safe Drinking Water Act: one modifies the old rules for measuring the by-products of disinfecting potable water and the other regulates protection against disease-causing microorganisms. Brain reviewed these new rules and discussed what DW is doing to reduce DPBs at the three water treatment plants. DW is prepared to respond to the new rules, however, some of the distributors may have a difficult time complying. DW is in contact with the EPA to discuss this issue.
RATE DESIGN WORK GROUP -- Linda Firth, Manager of Community Relations
Prior to discussing Strategic Messaging, Linda thanked Theresa, Myrna, Roberta, Jim, Deb and Tim for participating in the Rate Design Work Group. The Board has decided not to continue with the work group process. Since the CIS will be delayed, it did not make sense to have the group produce work/suggestions which could not be implemented. There was discussion about composition of the members in the work group. Theresa and Myrna thought the group should have been more diverse and suggested that if a work group is formed in the future it should have more low-water-use customers in the mix of members. The CAC would also like to see representation of low-income customers by residents or advocates for those with low or fixed incomes. Jim, Deb and Tim felt the group was balanced, and had the process continued, those voices not heard at the work group meetings could have been consulted later in the process.
STRATEGIC MESSAGE DEVELOPMENT -- Linda Firth, Manager of Community Relations
The CAC had received a document in their packet on Strategic Message Development prepared by Sukle. Clips from the focus groups also were shown to the CAC. It appears that customers have several common misconceptions about DW. Some of those are: DW is a for-profit organization; water is sold to other states and these sales benefit DW; there will not be enough water in the future due to growth; and customers who saved water during the drought are being penalized with higher rates. Sukle will now develop a plan to address some on these misconceptions. Theresa suggested that Linda use the CAC as a test group for ad campaigns. Linda will make every effort to include the CAC in the review process; however, deadlines and changes to ad campaigns may not coincide with CAC meetings. Theresa also suggested sending an e-mail to the CAC with updates of a campaign.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATED
Sara Duncan sent a legislative update document to the CAC. Rick stated the West Slope will continue to fight any changes to Recreation In-Channel Diversions (RICD). There is no such thing as a second-class water right.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Myrna suggested that even though the Rate Design Work Group has ended, the CAC Rate Subcommittee should continue to work on this very important issue.
CAC BUSINESS
10-Year Conservation Plan – Following up on the February meeting, the CAC discussed at length the proposed 10-Year Conservation Plan. The CAC decided not to comment specifically on the plan as it was presented last month by Liz Gardener and Greg Fisher. It is a responsible gesture by the Board to look at moving these conservation goals forward; however, it would be premature to comment on the 10-Year Conservation Plan at this time.
BOARD COMMUNICATION
Jim proposed a MOTION to encourage the Board to continue with conservation measures but also launch a parallel effort to increase raw water storage. Conservation should also include storage of water that would otherwise be spilled from existing reservoirs. Rick asked if Jim was referring to diverting more West Slope water. Jim replied he was referring to east slope water resources. It appears that this year there will be surplus of water or a “free” river. DW should be able to capture that water for future use in dry years. Myrna stated a “free” river is not a negative thing and high flows in rivers help to clean the river. Moderate flooding is a natural occurrence, not a purely negative event. Deb and Russell both commented that due to the drought there is awareness that more storage is needed.
Motion: The CAC suggests the Board begin a parallel process to the 10-Year Conservation Plan to optimize storage capacities on the East Slope.
7- in favor 1 – abstain
Future Agenda Items –
Rick offered to host the CAC meeting on the West Slope possibly June 1st and 2nd. Rick asked if the CAC was willing to move either the May or June meeting in order to meet on the West Slope. All present agreed, and Rick will contact Joe in a week with more details.
Joe has left a few messages for a speaker on the subject of Land Contouring. He will continue to try to get a response and firm up a date.
Attendance at Board Meetings –
Board Workshop - March 22, 2006 – Deb
Board Meeting – April 12 – Roberta (tentative)
ADJOURNMENT -- The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.