CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2006
CAC Members in Attendance: Roberta Simonton (Chair), Theresa Jehn-Dellaport (Vice-Chair), Michael Buchenau, Russell Burton, Larry Keesen, Jim Legas, Deb Pilon, Rick Sackbauer
DW Staff: Marie Bassett, Stacey Renouf, Dave Little, John Wright
Guest: Tim Flynn
OPENING REMARKS, AGENDA AND MINUTES
Agenda and Previous Minutes – Approved as presented.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC & CORRESPONDENCE TO THE CAC
There was no public comment.
DENVER WATER STAFF UPDATE
Roberta Simonton introduced John Wright, the new Manager of Rate Administration. Roberta stated that John is bringing new utility experience to DW and asked him what issues he felt would be coming up soon regarding rates.
John Wright replied it will probably be whether or not DW would stick with current rate structure or modify it in some manner. He stated he does not know the Board’s thoughts on this issue.
Roberta asked John when he thinks this issue will come up and he replied likely May or June, but was unsure how it would be discussed with the Board.
Marie Bassett shared some highlights of the last Board meeting. She said the request to change the boundaries of the combined service area was a controversial topic with the Board and distributors and there was much discussion about it.
Marie stated the agreement with Aurora was a “non-event” at the Board meeting. Jim Legas asked where the excess water that DW will sell to Aurora, will come from. Marie replied mostly from Chatfield Reservoir but also from other river water that can’t be stored.
A discussion ensued between CAC members and Marie about the sale of water to other jurisdictions.
PROPOSED WOLCOTT RESERVOIR & UPDATE ON WEST SLOPE ISSUES – Dave Little, Manager of Water Resource Planning
Dave Little distributed copies of the Executive Summary from Wolcott Reservoir Feasibility Study – June 2004 and explained the project in detail.
A discussion ensued regarding recreational and environmental aspects of building a reservoir.
Rick stated the need for the public to be educated about the difference between a reservoir and a lake.
Dave Little also talked about Wolcott Reservoir’s function as an “environmental pool” to help DW with its obligation to Fish & Wildlife by helping endangered fish species in the region.
SUMMER WATER USE PROGRAM -- Marie Bassett, Director of Public Affairs
Marie reported that all reservoirs are expected to fill except Antero so the Board did not want to assign days which would be more strict and also may prompt more water use (give them three days and they’ll use three days). The Board’s rationale behind the new watering program is to raise the conservation ethic by getting customers to pay more attention to individual lawns/landscape needs and how they relate to changing weather conditions. Marie explained the message should be, “Water no more than three days per week”.
Russell asked if the “no watering between 10-6” rule will be enforced.
Marie replied that it would by 2-3 field sections who will leave informational door hangers and warnings when carrying out their other jobs. Specific enforcement staff will not be hired, however.
Rick stated that Denver Water should have adopted Aurora’s stricter program and that summer water use levels for both should be compared in order to gauge which program had better outcomes. The CAC could then better influence future decisions. he said.
Action Item: CAC to investigate and compare water savings from both Aurora’s and DW’s summer watering programs. September was the month chosen to do this.
SURVEY FEEDBACK
Roberta distributed a Survey Summary which included feedback from the survey she had sent out several weeks earlier. She then asked for more feedback on the CAC survey.
Jim Legas stated the CAC is too passive in reacting to the Board and needs to be more proactive.
Deb Pilon stated that if the CAC feels there is enough interest and concern about an issue that they need to provide more input.
Rick Sackbauer said it is good to bring CAC info back to the West Slope and that it is proactive.
Larry Keesen stated he is frustrated and questioned how worthwhile the CAC is. Many things are “after the fact” and there is no time to give input before the Board makes decisions.
Theresa Jehn-Dellaport said she is also frustrated and feels the CAC is just being briefed and not given enough info to impact decisions. It has more of a positive impact relating to what she does for a living and that it is hard to make time to get more involved.
Russell Burton said the CAC is beneficial to him from a homebuilder’s perspective but that the CAC does not accomplish much. He said varied opinions make things difficult. Getting value out of time spent is the important issue. He stated the proposed meeting on the West Slope would be a good example of how to get more value. He also suggested dedicating certain meetings to the public on relevant issues which worked well during the drought.
Roberta Simonton stated she feels the same way as other CAC members and that the challenge is “getting ahead of it”. She said she would like to talk to Chips or Marie and even to Commissioners for input on how to better conduct the CAC and would also like to think about meeting before Board meetings and not before workshops.
CAC BUSINESS
West Slope Visit -- Rick Sackbauer suggested a 2-day, 1 night trip in order to visit reservoirs and other areas. He stated that June 2nd will not be possible for him and suggested booking another date in mid to late July.
Roberta said she would like members to email her available dates. Discussions with Marie about the trip budget resulted in a suggestion to substitute the West Slope trip for the annual Christmas party. All agreed this was acceptable.
Action Item: CAC members to email Roberta with available dates for West Slope trip.
Future Agenda Items –
September -- Discuss summer watering program savings and compare to Aurora’s.
Attendance at Board Meetings –
May 24, Board Workshop- Russell Burton
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.