CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meeting Minutes

September 13, 2007

 

CAC Members in Attendance: Theresa Jehn-Dellaport (Chair), Barbara Boardman, Becky Long, Deb Pilon, Myrna Poticha, and Rick Sackbauer

 

DW Staff: Marie Bassett, Matt Bond, John Wright and Joe Sloan

 

Guest: Tim Flynn, Fred Sackbauer, Hamid Zanjani, Dorothy Borland

 

OPENING REMARKS, AGENDA AND MINUTES

 

Minutes and agenda were approved as presented.

 

DENVER WATER UPDATE - Marie Bassett, Director of Public Affairs

 

There was no Board meeting held September 12, 2007 as there was no quorum. Informational items, including the proposed 2008 Revenue Increase, were covered.

 

After consultation with the Board, staff has informed the Corps of Engineers the large Gross option is the preferred alternative for the Moffat Collection System Project. Theresa asked if that option included raising the level of the dam. Marie responded the dam would be raised if the project is approved. However, Marie stressed the draft EIS would be out in the first half of 2007. More information on the proposed large Gross option, and other options, will be available as part of the draft EIS.

 

John Lucero is the newest Board member. Commissioner Lucero attended the September 12, 2007 Board meeting.

 

PROPOSED 2008 REVENUE INCREASE - John Wright, Manager of Rate Administration

 

Over the past few years the Board has sought to align price with those who place peek demand on the water system. Water utilities, especially in the West, have a peeking-factor when a higher or “peek” demand is placed upon the system as irrigation occurs. The Board wants to encourage continued conservation in the area of irrigation but also has to assign costs according to who places the peek demand on the water system.

 

John distributed copies of a presentation on the proposed water rates for 2008. The two main topics he covered were a proposed irrigation class of customers and a “0” block. After the presentation, Theresa asked that each member of the CAC comment on the proposed rate increase. She invited the three guests present to also make their comments. All the comments made would be sent to the Board.

 

Myrna – Supports the proposal for an irrigation customer class. Myrna would like to see a diversity of programs available for irrigation customers including converting areas to natural areas. There is a need to protect green space in the city, which requires irrigation, but that does not mean it has to be a large manicured green lawn. Irrigation is needed but so is a push to encourage a broader vision of “green space”.

 

Theresa – Supports an irrigation customer class but would hate to see community locations (schools, churches, etc) suffer and let areas go to weed if bills become too high. Every efficiency in irrigation needs to be found but some customers will have no ability to pay for efficiencies up front. There should be programs that include up front funds and not just reimbursements. The “0” block is a good proposal.

 

Becky – Support a phase approach to the creation of an irrigation class. Support the “0” block proposal.

 

Deb – No strong opinion but would favor a phased approach in the creation of an irrigation class. It would be important the programs offered by DW to irrigation customers cover the entire service area. All customers would benefit from the “0” block as the first 6,000 gallons would be billed the same for all customers.

 

Barbara – Supports an irrigation customer class. Barbara would encourage the program include options which encourage the use of raw water, recycled water or well water for irrigation. Drip irrigation should also be encouraged. Value is added when areas have proper, effective irrigation. There is a perception big green lawns add value to a site and this perception must be changed.

 

Rick – There is a need for an irrigation class.

 

Dorothy Borland (Guest) – There is a need for an irrigation class. There are numerous codes on how to install irrigation systems and new systems can be very efficient. However, even with a great system there is over-watering as customers want there sites to be lush and green. HOAs, apartments, commercial sites, etc are competing for renters and put down lots of water to keep the sites emerald green.

 

Hamid Zanjani (Guest) – The “0” block will be interpreted as superfluous. It is smoke and mirrors. Give a small decrease at one the low end but a huge increase on the high end of customer bills. My perception is the rate structure is getting more complex each year. The average customer cannot understand all the classes, blocks, etc. This is the same with other utilities. It should be customers understand what they are being charged but too often the rates are so complex people give up trying to understand the rates or how they are charged for utilities.

 

John thanked the CAC for their comments and responded to Mr. Zanjani comments that the rates structure would probably become more complex in the future. It will not be done to confuse customers but rather to further assign costs, in a more equitable manner, across the customer base.

 

Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.