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Home My WebLink About1990-09-18 WSB MINUTESWATER AND SEWER BOARD MINUTES September 18, 1990 The meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m. Chairwoman Gulley declared a quorum present. Members present: Members absent: Also present: Bullock, Gulley, Habenicht, Lay, Neumann, Vobejda, Van Seiver Fullerton, Van Dyke Stewart Fonda, Director of Utilities Mike Woika, Utilit i es Manager Rick DeWitt, City Attorney David Hill, Water Attorney Joe Tom Wood, Water Engineer 1. MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 14, 1990 MEETING. The Englewood Water and Sewer Board minutes of the August 14, 1990 meeting were approved as written. Mr. Bullock moved; Mr. Vobejda seconded: Ayes: Nays: Members absent: Motion carried. To approve the August 14, 1989 Minutes. Bullock, Gulley, Habenicht, Lay, Neumann, Vobejda, Van Seiver None Fullerton, Van Dyke 2 • ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS ARTICLE DATED AUG. 26, 1990. Mr. Fonda reviewed the Rocky Mountain News article "Sewer Rate Increase to Boost Water Bills". The article discusses the 16% rate hike from the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District. The District serves Denver, Lakewood, Aurora, Thornton, Arvada and parts of Westminster and Wheat Ridge. Mr. Fonda discussed how Englewood's rates now compare with the Denver Metro area. 3. LETTER OF COMMENDATION -STEVE SCIBA. The Board received a letter from W. B. Van Eman commending Steve Sciba for his pleasant and cooperative manner. 4 . LICENSE AGREEMENTS - COURT PL. & W. POWERS -18" STORM SEWER W. LAKE AVE. & S. PRINCE ST. -CITY DITCH Two License Agreements were submitted to the Board. One License Agreement is for the west edge of Court Pl. and W. Powers Ave. intersection. The 18 11 storm sewer which drains into the Littleton Railroad Depression drainage ditch does not have adequate erosion protection and has eroded the area. The junction box proposed would address the problem but would encroach into the City Ditch right-of-way. The next License Agreement is located at W. Lake Ave., just east of s. Prince st. As a result of piping the City Ditch at this location, in conjunction with the Littleton Railroad Depression project, surface drainage has been interrupted and water stands in adjacent properties. Littleton is proposing to construct a concrete pan and storm sewer to address the problem. Mr. Van Seiver moved; Ms. Van Seiver seconded: Ayes: Nays: Members absent: Motion carried. To approve the two License Agreements submitted by the City of Littleton Public Services Department. Bullock, Gulley, Habenicht, Lay, Neumann, Vobejda, Van Seiver None Fullerton, Van Dyke 5. ENGLEWOOD SENTINEL ARTICLE DATED SEPT. 6, 1990. The Board discussed the Englewood Sentinel article "Sewer Line to be Fixed". Mr. Fonda explained the Insituform process used and the advantages of this type of line rehabilitation. 6. LETTER TO ED DRAPER REGARDING UNION PARK/COLLEGIATE RANGE WATER PROJECT Mr. Fonda discussed the letter he sent to Mr. Ed Draper of the Arapahoe County Citizens Budget Committee. Because County tax money might be used for water development, the letter requests consideration of allowing Englewood to participate in the acquisition of some portion of the yield when the system is developed and funding by tax be replaced by a user fee. Mr. DeWitt thought there was some merit in pursing. Mr. Fonda proposed a meeting with Mr. DeWitt, Councilman Bullock and Commissioner Nichol to discuss the issue. It was noted that the citizens Budget Committee was meeting Friday, September 21, 1990 at the Prince Street Building. 7. ARTICLE FROM "THE PROSPECTOR" DATED AUGUST, 1990. The Board received a copy of an article that appeared in The Prospector, a realtor newsletter. The article "Water Metering Laws" was submitted again to inform realtors and title companies of Englewood's metering ordinance. 8. LETTER FROM MOSES, WITTEMYER, HARRISON AND WOODRUFF. RE: DENVER COUNTRY CLUB WATER RIGHTS The Board received a copy of a letter to William Miller and Stewart Fonda from Charles Woodruff, an attorney representing the Denver Country Club. The Denver Country Club owns water rights in the City Ditch and is concerned that Englewood is planning to enclose the upper part of the City Ditch, which may affect the capacity of the ditch. Mr. Fonda recommended that other issues be resolved before that particular portion of the ditch is addressed. 9. COLO. WATER UTILITY COUNCIL LETTER DATED SEPT. 1, 1990. The Board received a copy of a letter from the Colorado Water Utility Council to Senator Alan Simpson opposing a proposed sanction option under consideration by House and Senate on Amendments to the Clean Air Act. The objections is with the fourth option which would give EPA the authority to withhold water taps as a clean air sanction. This growth control most assuredly is not an air quality sanction. It is of the Water Utility Council's opinion that such a step would constitute an unwarranted federal intrus i on into local decision making. 10. LETTER FROM COLLINS AND COCKRELL RE: FAIRGROUNDS The Board received a copy of a letter dated September 12, 1990 to the Denver Water Department. Mr. Robert Cole, an attorney for the South Suburban Parks Di strict, concluded that there remains a valid contract between the Denver Water Department and the property owner for service to the fairgrounds from the existing six inch tap. Mr. Fonda pointed out that if Englewood would supply water to the fairgrounds, new water mains would need to be installed and tap fees paid. 11. MEMO FROM JOE TOM WOOD, WATER ENGINEER - CASE REVIEW The Board received summaries of cases on which Englewood has filed. Two 1990 Consultant Status Reports were also attached to the report. Joe Torn discussed the Westminster -Standley Lake case and the adverse effect of the proposed conversion of the Standley Lake rights on Englewood's water rights. David Hill discussed the proposed settlement with Westminster and Thornton where Englewood wou l d receive a guaranteed 75 acre feet every year and additional consumptive use water if certain annual storage levels are reached in Standley Lake . Englewood, Westminster and Thornton wou l d respectively withdraw from pending lawsuits with each other. Other objectors have been previously negotiated out of the case. Rick DeWitt reiterated that unless Westminster receives the full decree, Englewood would not receive the guaranteed 75 acre feet. 12. FIELD TRIP -BOREAS PASS The next field trip to Boreas Pass is scheduled for October 6, 1990. Board members are to meet in the north City Hall parking lot at 9:00 a.rn. 13. MARGE HOLTER -4460 S. ELATI ST. Councilperson Alex Habenicht discussed a call she received from a citizen on a flat rate water charge on a dishwasher that no longer is working, but she does not want to remove. Stu discussed the flat rate audit and the long term goal to have all residences on a water meter within 15-20 years. Mr. Woika had talked with Ms. Holter and recommended going on a water meter. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.rn. 14. EXECUTIVE SESSION -RICK DE WITT Mr. DeWitt requested an executive session to discuss Joe Tom Wood's and David Hill's reports. Mr. DeWitt expressed appreciation that the current reports are in a more readable format enabling the Board to make more informed decisions. Attorney fees charged were discussed. Mr. DeWitt explained his concern with getting the most for the legal dollar. The Board will be dealing with each case on an individual basis. Chairwoman Gulley discussed the Board's history of involvement over the last five years and the previous Board's foresight to prepare for involvement in future legal issues. The next Water and Sewer Board meeting will be at 5:00 p.m. on October 9, 1990 in Conference Room A. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Burrage Recording Sec Secretary