CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2006
CAC Members in Attendance: Roberta Simonton (Chair), Theresa Jehn-Dellaport (Vice-Chair), Michael Buchenau, Larry Keesen, Jim Legas, Myrna Poticha and Deb Pilon
DW Staff: Marie Bassett, Dave Little, and Joe Sloan
Guest: Tim Flynn
OPENING REMARKS, AGENDA AND MINUTES
Agenda approved as presented. May 2006 meeting summary was reviewed.
Copies of the 2005 Annual Report were made available for CAC members.
DENVER WATER STAFF UPDATE - Marie Bassett, Director of Public Affairs
Water Budgets - Roberta had noticed the Board was scheduled to hear a presentation on Water Budgets and asked Marie for an update on the topic. Marie stated the Board had not heard the presentation due to time constraints. The presentation will be a primer on the concept of Water Budgets, rather than a plan for Denver Water.
Rebate Program – All the money budgeted for rebates has been distributed. Conservation is looking for additional money within their budget. Most of the rebates have been for clothes washers. A report was distributed outlining the status of the rebate program. Much of the momentum for the program has come from stores which sell appliances.
Water Use – Though temperatures have been extremely hot in recent weeks, usage has only gone over 400 mgd (million gallons a day) twice this summer. Prior to the drought, usage was typically over 400 mgd during the hottest weeks of the summer.
10 Year Conservation Plan Update - Greg Fisher and Liz Gardener will lead a public process over the next two months. DW staff will meet with stakeholders and community leaders to gather input on the plan. Staff will also study the cost of various programs to determine the most effective conservation measures. One suggestion for public input is to empanel a group of stakeholders to determine the best options for the plan. Myrna suggested that DW place messages on the water bills encouraging customers to review and comment on the plan. Myrna suggested posting updates on the web site and establishing an e-mail list of those stakeholders interested in the plan.
1994 IRP DECISION CRITERIA, HISTORY OF STRATEGIC RESERVE & THE RISK FACTOR - Dave Little, Manager of Water Resource Planning
Dave presented a history of the IRP. The majority of the presentation covered the topics of strategic reserve and risk factor, which were discussed at an IRP retreat for Board members. Jim asked if staff participates in the IRP discussions or simply presents information. He would like to know if new resource projects are being discussed as part of the IRP. Dave stated the proposed Wolcott Reservoir is being discussed as are other proposed storage projects. Jim would like to see conservation and new supply studied at the same time.
There will be another IRP workshop with the Board. Currently, it is scheduled for late June 2007. Dave anticipates some decisions will be made at the next retreat. However, DW is in a 5-year planning cycle so the IRP will be re-visited frequently. Tim Flynn asked if the Board was factoring in the “global solution” proposals with the West Slope counties as the IRP process proceeds. Dave responded the Board was aware of the proposals.
Roberta suggested the CAC comment on strategic reserves and the risk factor. It was decided the CAC should further discuss these topics after the next Board retreat. Dave agreed and believes he will have more information to share after the next retreat. Michael would like to see information from Dave’s presentation posted on the web. There should be more education on what is being done ( IRP ) to plan for the future.
CAC BUSINESS
West Slope Visit – The trip will be on July 20th & 21st. The CAC discussed the best use of time for the tour. Roberta wants to have discussions with as many West Slope stakeholders as possible and suggested the CAC host a meeting on the evening on the 20th. Joe will speak to Rick regarding a meeting on the 20th.
Future Agenda Items –
July – West Slope visit/tour/meeting
August – IRP topics
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.