CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meeting Minutes

May 17, 2007

 

 

CAC Members in Attendance: Theresa Jehn-Dellaport (Chair), Barbara Boardman, Russell Burton, Deb Pilon, Myrna Poticha, Jason Randall, Rick Sackbauer and David Spector

 

DW Staff: Marie Bassett, Bob Steger, Trina McGuire-Collier and Joe Sloan  

 

Guests: Tim Flynn

 

OPENING REMARKS, AGENDA AND MINUTES

 

The agenda and minutes were approved. 

 

DW UPATED

 

Marie Bassett, Director of Public Affairs

 

David asked Marie to explain the “stand still agreement” she covered in the staff update document.  Marie explained the history of the Blue River Decree and the stand still agreement.  Theresa asked for a timeline on the CIS project.  Marie stated there were five IT vendors bidding for the project.  Of those five companies, two are using one software program and the other three use a different program.  DW has five companies but really two software programs in the bid process.  Marie anticipates a contract will be signed with a vendor by November followed by an 18 month implementation process.

 

Operating Rules – Marie will cover the proposed changes to the Operating Rules at the June or July CAC meeting.  Changes are being made but Marie asked if there were any questions on the topics she had covered in the staff update.  David asked why there was a proposal to end the leak adjustment for customers.  Marie explained there were some accounts which frequently request leak adjustments.  The proposed change would be a consistent policy, instead of staff having to investigate each request for a leak adjustment.  David suggested DW address the issue of those accounts which take advantage of the current system instead of eliminating the leak adjustment. 

 

Marie pointed out changes in section 11 of the Operating Rules which eliminate a hearing (complaints/bill adjustments) before the Board.  The current practice has  the final hearing before the Manager.  The proposed change would formalize what is already in practice. Section 18 may have additional rules for notifying DW when a demolition occurs. 

 

Marie distributed copies of DW Irrigation Incentive Program.  At the April meeting

Myrna had suggested the Operating Rules include the required use of drip-irrigation systems.  Marie stated that change would not be made to the rules.  However, DW has the Irrigation Incentive program which could be used to improve irrigation systems.

 

Marie suggested the CAC meet with John Bickerman, West Slope mediator.  He is in town in the first part of each month. Theresa will poll the members of the CAC for an available date in early June and coordinate with Marie to set a meeting date.  This meeting will replace the regularly scheduled meeting in June 2007. 

 

FRASER RIVER   

 

Bob Steger, Water Resources

 

Bob used a map to explain the location of diversion in the Fraser River Basin .  The CAC will tour the basin in July.

 

COMMUNITY RELATION UPDATE

 

Trina McGuire-Collier, Manager of Community Relations

 

Trina explained the concepts of the summer awareness campaign.  Denver Water has recently hired a Senior Communication Specialist, Lori Irvine.  She will work on internal (employee) communication and coordinate external communications.  The goal is to have a focused approach and a recognizable look on everything that comes from Denver Water.   Trina explained the new Tap Smart program and how the “Use Only What You Need” ad campaign will continue to be used. 

 

Trina asked the CAC to please contact her with any input they have especially on what they hear from other regarding Denver Water’s ad campaign, WaterNews, web site and brochures.    

 

CAC BUSINESS

 

The tour is scheduled for July 19, 2007.  Theresa asked members hold that date for a tour of the Fraser River Basin .

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm.