HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-13 WSB MINUTES•
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WATER AND SEWER BOARD
MINUTES
May 13, 20Cl8
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The meeting was called to order at 5:04 p.m.
Members present:
Members absent:
Also present:
Clark, Moore, Higday, Cassidy, Wiggins,
Woodward, Oakley, Habenicht
Burns
Stewart Fonda, Director of Utilities
1. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 8, 2008 MEETING .
The Englewood Water and Sewer Board approved the minutes of the meeting of April 8,
2008.
Mr. Cassidy moved;
Mr. Habenicht seconded:
Ayes:
Nays:
Abstain:
Members absent:
Motion carried .
To approve the minutes from the March 18,
2008 meeting.
Clark, Higday, Cassidy, Wiggins,
Woodward, Oakley, Habenicht
None
Moore
Burns
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2 . SOUTH PLATTE RIVER PROGRAM -ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT.
The South Platte Water Related Activities Program (SPWRAP) was formed to improve
the habitat of endangered species. SPWRAP improves the habitat by providing more
water in the critical areas along the Platte River.
This is the second year of an ongoing 13-year program. Engle~Qod's!rtion of the 2007
assessment was $29 ,189.52. Englewood's 2008 <.ssessment is $27,27 .p4. Assessment
amounts are computed on treated water use and the number of particip ts with the .
SPWRAP Program .
Mr. Cassidy requested additional information .
Mr. Moore moved;
Mr. Clarks seconded :
Ayes:
Nays:
Members absent:
Motion carried.
To table Council recommendation pending
receipt of additional information requested
by Mr. Cassidy.
Clark, Moore, Higday, Cassidy, Wiggins ,
Woodward, Oakley, Habenicht
None
Burns
3. ORDINANCE CHANGE FOR SEWER CONNECTIONS & REP AIRS.
The Board received a copy of the final proposed Municipal Code 12-2-4: Private Sewers,
Connections and Repairs . Sewer services can be lost during a demolition without a
correct cut-off. The proposed ordinance will help manage and control what is happening
to these services during demolition. If a resident has a sewer line inspected, and it is
determined by Englewood's inspector to be adequate, the resident may appeal to the
Board to use the existing connection.
Mr. Cassidy moved;
Mr. Habenicht seconded: To recommend Council approval of an
ordinance amending Title 12, Chapter 2,
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Ayes :
Nays:
Members absent:
Motion carried.
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Section 4 of the Englewood Municipal Code
1985 amending the Sewer Utility section.
Clark, Moore, Higday, Cassidy, Wiggins ,
Woodward, Oakley, Habenicht
None
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4 . GUEST : ROSEANNE JUERGENS -6632 S . SHERMAN ST.
Rosanne Juergens appeared to request that the annual sewer billing system be changed to
quarterly billing. Discussion ensued regarding reasons for the recent rate increases and
customers making arrangements for payment. John Bock, Utilities Manager of
Administration, discussed the existing policy of allowing customers to allocate payments
over several months, or longer for hardship situations. John Moore and Jim Higday
discussed the financial difficulties that would be created by billing 130,000 accounts on a
quarterly basis .
Chairman Clark thanked Ms. Juergens for appearing before the Board. The Board will
discuss her request and convey their deci sion.
After further discussion and careful consideration, the Board noted that instituting a
quarterly billing schedule for sewer only accounts would increase billing costs
substantially and necessitate changes to staffing and the physical plant. The Board
concurred that these changes were deemed impradical at this time. A letter will be sent
to Ms. Juergens conv eying the Board 's decision.
Mr. Bock noted that a statement will be added to future sewer bills stating, "Payments
due in full. If payment arrangements are necessary, please call 303-762-2635 ."
5. WATER RIGHTS UPDATE FROM DAVID HILL.
The Board recei v ed a water rights update dated April 8, 2008, from David Hill,
Englewood's Water Attorney. Stu discussed developments in water litigation cases in
which Englewood is involved .
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6. GAC I MANGANESE AT THE ALLEN FILTER PLANT.
The Board received a memo from Bill McCormick, Operations Superintendent at the
Allen Filter Plant regarding complaints of yellow-tinted water that began March 28 , 2008.
On that date, the #3 filter was washed and put back on line after regeneration. Turbidity
began to rise and staff found that manganese was the cause, but the source water was
found to be normal. _ , ,
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Jim Fisher of American Carbon Services , along with CDM, recomme~ded an acid bath to ,,
try to get the pH below 6 .0. The initial try using sulfuric acid lowered the manganese
level by half. Hydrochloric acid was then tried without success.
CDM then recommended pre-chlorination and good results began immediately. Pre-
chlorination was stopped May 3 and caustic soda was stopped May 4. No
manganese/turbidity issues were noticed. If necessary, media replacement would cost
$189,000 per year, which is an increase of about $140,000 per year. Turbidity and pH
levels of water leaving the Allen Filter Plant will continue to be monitored . The Board
will be apprised of any new developments .
7 . COUNCIL REQUEST 08-131 FROM COUNCIL MEMBER WAYNE OAKLEY
SEWER BACKUP IN THE VALLEY SANITATION DISTRICT.
The Board received a memo dated May 13 , 2008 from John Bock, Utilities Manager of
Administration regarding Council Request 08-131 from Wayne O akley. In March 2008 ,
seven homes in the 2900 block of W . Chenango Ave. had sewer back ups. The Valley
Sanitation District was notified and they, in turn, notified their maintenance contractor,
Platte Canyon Water and Sanitation.
Platte Canyon responded and cleared a substantial grease blockage from the main. Just
before this happened, Valley had decided to contract with NorthStar Fire and Water
Restoration to provide sewer backup assistance to their customers. NorthStar was
contacted but was unable to respond, leaving each homeowner to find their own cleanup
companies and submit their claims to the District.
When claims were submitted they were passed along to Valley's insurance company, who
in turn said they would only pay a total of $7 ,500 for the incident, to be divided between
the seven homeowners.
The Valley Sanitation District includes homes in Denver, Littleton and Englewood. The
City does not own the sewer lines in this area and has no jurisdiction for providing
sewage collection within the district boundaries. A list of names and phone numbers of
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the Valley Board members and Valley Sanitation District Manager, along with the memo ,
will be forwarded to the homeowners.
8. NOTE OF APPRECIATION FROM DAVID HILL.
The Board received a note of appreciation dated May 9, 2008 from p~vid Hill to Stu
Fonda and Dan Brotzman. The note expresses appreciation from Dav~ Hill,
Englewood's Water Attorney to members of his staff -Jon Ban achec .; Kate Griffin and
Pat Gable , for their presentation on the Burlington Ditch Comp any during the trial.
The Board adjourned at 6:28 p .m.
The next Englewood Water and Sewer Board wit be held Tuesday, June 10 , 2008 at 5:00
p.m. in the Community Development Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Burrage
Recording Secretary