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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-08 WSB AGENDAAGENDA ENGLEWOOD WATER AND SEWER BOARD APRIL 8, 1997 5:00 P.M. CONFERENCE ROOM A 1. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 11, 1997 MEETING. {ATT. 1) 2. PIPELINE ARTICLES. (ATT. 2) 3. SOUTH ENGLEWOOD MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT. 4. BI-CITY MEDIA FILTER COLLAPSE. 5. OTHER. WATER AND SEWER BOARD MINUTES MARCH 11, 1997 A TT. I The meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m. Chairwoman Neumann declared a quorum present. Members present: Members absent : Also present: Clark, Higday, Neumann, Otis, Guy, Wi ggins Burns, Habenicht, Vobejda Stewart Fonda, Director of Utilit i es John Bock, Mgr. Of Admin. Bill McCormick, Operations Supt. Tom Munds, Englewood Herald 1) MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 13, 1996 MEETING. The Englewood Water and Sewer Board Minutes from the February 13, 1996 meeting were approved. Mr. Higday moved; Mr. Wiggins seconded: Ayes: Nays: Members absent; Motion carried. To approve the February 11, 1997 Englewood Water and Sewer Board Minutes. Clark, Higday, Neumann, Otis, Otis, Wiggins None Burns, Habenicht, Vobejda Ms. Habenicht and Mayor Burns entered at 5:10 p.m. 2. SOUTHPARK HOMEOWNERS -REPRESENTED BY CINDY BOND OPPOSING McLELLAN OPENING FOR RECREATION. Ms. Neumann welcomed the 20 Southpark residents and outlined the rules of order for speaking on t h is issue. Ms. Cindy Bond spoke for the group and submitte d petitions and letters opposing opening McLellan for recreation. Southpark residents voiced their concerns about potential pollution, crime, traffic, noise and parking problems if McLellan is open for recreation. Ms. Neumann noted that while Englewood is not considering opening McLellan in the immediate fu t ure, we do reserve the right to use our property as deemed necessary. Stewart Fonda noted that County Commissioner Steve Ward has not submitted a formal proposal, so a vo t e is not required. The group requested that they be informed of any planned changes in use at McLellan. The Board indicated its preference to work with Littleton and that Southpark residents should work throughh the Ci ty of Littleton, since they reside within Littleton's jurisdiction. The Board thanked Ms. Bond and the Southpark residents for '/...... appearing before the Board t o express their views. 3. COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION PLAN -CARMINE IODAROLLA. Chairwoman Neumann declared a public hearing for discussing the Colorado Water Conservation Board Plan. Notices for the meeting ran January 23, 1997 and February 20, 1997 in the Englewood Herald. Carmine Iodarolla of AquaSan, drafted the plan and appeared to review the plan and answer questions. No questions from the public were forthcoming. Mr. Higday moved; Mr. Otis seconded: Ayes: Nays: ~ Member$.. absent; Motion carried. To close the public hearing for the Water Conservation Plan. Clark, Higday, Neumann, Otis, Otis, Wiggins, Habenicht, Burns None Vobejda Mr. Higday moved; Mr. Wiggins seconded: Ayes: Nays: Members absent; Motion carried. 4. UNION PARK WATER PROJECT. To recommend Council approval of the Colorado Water Conservation Plan. Clark, Higday, Neumann, Otis, Otis, Wiggins, Habenicht, Burns None Vobejda Stu reviewed a resolution received from Commissioner Torn Eggert outlining the intent of Arapahoe County to participate in the Union Park Project. 5. SOUTHGATE SUPPLEMENT #130. A request was made by the Southgate Sanitation District representing the owner for inclusion into the Southgate Sanitation District. Supplement #130 is for an area approximately 3.081 acres. The zoning per Arapahoe County is R 2.5 (PUD). Residential zoning is the intended use of the property which will allow a maximum of 2 residences per 2.5 acres. The owner is H.G. and Eleanor L. Isbill. The property is located near Belleview between Steele and Holly, next to the Highline Canal. Mr. Guy moved; Mr. Clark seconded: Ayes: Nays: Members absent; Motion carried. To recommend Council approval of Southgate Supplement #130. Clark, Higday, Neumann, Otis, Otis, Wiggins, Habenicht, Burns None Vobejda 6. ALLEN PLANT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. The Board received a copy of a memo from Bill McCormick regarding staff recommendations for the Allen Filter Plant Improvements. Staff recommended the Parkson Corporation Lamella Plate Settler system. Stu and Bill McCormick discussed the reasons for choosing the system. Mr. Higday voiced concerns regarding the project. Stu and Tom Burns noted that Council discussed this issue at length and are recommending proceeding with the project. Stu will know the feasibility of a Water Conservation Board loan by July 7. The Board also received a sample ballot question for Water System General Obligation Bonds. 7. TRICKLING FILTER REPAIR. The Board was briefed on a trickling filter collapse at the Bi-City Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Fonda noted that during the repair there may be odors from the plant. The media will be inspected during removal by a hired expert to determine the cause of the collapse. 8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: The Board received the following informational items: A. Letter of appreciation from Thomas Whelan for the Repair at 2255-57 s. Tejon. B. Letter from Gary Richardson of Englewood Schools commending Jeff Gingles for his assistance during a boiler room flooding. C. Letter and Benefit Analysis from Terry Nolan of Highlands Ranch discussing their views of the benefits and costs of the C-470 Interchange. 9. SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT. The Board received a fax from AWWA regarding the proposed Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which could be a starting point for funding treatment and distribution system improvements. 10. AMERICAN COMMUNITIES FOR CLEANUP EQUITY. Stu discussed joining American Communities for Cleanup Equity {ACCE). Englewood's dues assessment would be $1,805.00. The assessment would support developing an administrative relief policy for local governments that face Superfund liability for activities related to municipal solid waste and sewage sludge. Dan Brotzman, the City Attorney, recommended supporting this effort. The Board directed Mr. Fonda to join ACCE, but recommended Council approval, if necessary. Mr. Otis moved; Ms. Habenicht seconded: Ayes: Nays: Members absent; Motion carried. Joining American Communities for Cleanup Equity in the amount of $1,805.00. Clark, Higday, Neumann, Otis, Otis, Wiggins, Habenicht, Burns None Vobejda The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. The next Water and Sewer Board meeting will be April 8, 1997 at 5:00 p.m. in Conference Room A. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Burrage Recording Secretary A "YES" VOTE CAN KEEP RATE INCREASES DOWN Last year Englewood voters turned down a bond initiative that would have lowered financing costs for the water system improvements. City officials asked the voters to approve the sale of low interest, general obligation bonds to cover the cost of the planned improvements at the Allen Water Treatment Plant. They were trying to avoid using higher interest rate revenue bonds which require large reserve funds and do not require voter approval to sell . This would have resulted in lower water rates for the customers of Englewood. If an alternate source oflow interest loan money isn't found by this summer, Englewood officials will likely take the same initiative to the voters again . Because of the requirements of the "TABOR" or "Bruce" amendment to the Colorado Constitution, Englewood officials are not able to participate in any explanations or discussions of the issue once it is on the ballot. The Englewood City Council has approved the improvements at the water treatment plant . All that remains to be resolved is how to pay for them. The City can issue revenue bonds without voter approval, but must pay higher interest and maintain a large cash reserve . Revenue bonds would necessitate water charges that are approximately 6% higher than those required for a general obligation bond issue. If voters approve general obligation bonds, the bonds will be paid by water rates and the rates will be lower than those required to support revenue bonds . The City will use money from water service charges instead of taxes to pay off the general obligation bonds if they are approved by the voters. Additionally, in Colorado, general obligation bonds for water system improvements do not lower the amount of general obligation bonds available to the City for other purposes . Unfortunately, the required language for the ballot question makes these facts difficult to understand . Because of the requirements of the "TABOR" amendment, the language of the ballot question is predetermined . h: ~bock\docs\pipelin5 . wpd IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED FOR ALLEN PLANT A number ofimprovements are in the planning stages for the Allen Water Treatment Plant located at 1500 W . Layton Ave . The improvements are needed to remove tastes and odors in the water and to meet stricter Federal Drinking Water Standards . They will improve our ability to remove suspended solids from the water and, with them, water borne diseases like Cryptosporidium and Giardia. They will make our chemical disinfection system safer for the operators and near-by residents . Our ability to remove unwanted taste and odors will be greatly improved. The improvements slated for the water treatment plant include a new process called flocculation/sedimentation because of the way it forms suspended solids into clumps that settle out of the water. This process allows the water to bypass the current reservoirs where many tastes and odors were produced by algae blooms. Some of the filters will be improved to include activated carbon, a substance that removes tastes and odors. When the water starts to taste bad or smell funny, the water will be run through these filters . A new, safer, liquid chlorine disinfection system will be installed to replace the old gaseous system . The improvements will be built in such a way that more carbon filters and a state-of-the- art Ozone treatment system can be added later, if they are needed . The improvements at the Allen Plant will be paid for with money from our water bills instead of using tax money. In 1996, the City Council approved a series of water rates increases to pay for the water plant improvements. The increases were based on the City selling revenue bonds . If the City sold general obligation bonds, however, the bonds would cost less because interest rates and bond revenue requirements are lower. General obligation bonds require a vote of the residents of Englewood . Last November, the voters of Englewood voted against the low interest bonds. The City is looking into other low interest loans that may be available, but may have to go back to the voters again if those loans don't work out. If, again, the voters do not approve the low interest loan , higher interest Revenue Bonds will be sold. We will not know for sure how much the Allen Plant improvements will cost until the bids come in from the construction companies. If the bids are higher than expected the City may have to increase water bills to cover the costs. h : ~bock\docs\pipelin 1. wpd CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT NEEDED As you can see from the articles in this issue of the Pipeline, the Water Department has proposed improvements to your water system which will improve the taste and odors in the water and assure the City that its' water will meet future water quality standards. How to pay for the much needed improvements is extremely important. We will need to get loans for the construction, and to get the best financing we may need to get approval from Englewood voters to sell general obligation bonds . If Council does decide to go to the voters for a general obligation bond approval , City employees cannot participate in the election. The City cannot spend any money to promote the issue, nor can any City employees or officials freely discuss it. The job of disseminating information about the bond election will fall to the citizens of Englewood . If you are interested in taking an active role in the bond election for the Water System improvements, contact the Water Department at 762-2635 . h : ~bock\docs\pipelin8 . wpd TASTE AND ODOR: WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT? It is no news to the residents of Englewood that, from time to time, their water tastes or smells like a swimming pool or a musty swamp . In previous issues of the Pipeline we have discussed in detail why these tastes and odors occur . The swimming pool smell is chlorine, and the swampy taste or smell is the residue of dead algae combining with the chlorine . In spite of its' odor or taste, the water has always been safe to drink. Now, with plans to add new treatment processes to the Allen Treatment Plant, is anything going to be done about the taste and odor? You bet! Just about everything we are going to do at the water plant will improve the taste and odor. A lot! The single, most important thing we are going to do about taste and odor is to stop running the untreated water through the large reservoir on the north side of Layton. Most of our taste and odor problems come from that reservoir . Right now we use the large reservoir as part of the treatment process. However, over the years, the reservoir has become almost completely clogged with algae, both dead and living, and with sediment. The new treatment process will by-pass the reservoir altogether. When the reservoir is by-passed, we will have it cleaned and use it as an emergency, back-up water supply . The next improvement at the Allen Plant that will improve the taste and odor of our water is the new "flocculation/sedimentation" process itself (see related article). The Lamella Gravity Settler will provide a new barrier against materials in the water, like algae, that can cause tastes or odors. New chemical feed systems will be installed that will oxidize taste and odor compounds . At the Allen Plant there are six filters to filter the water before chlorine is added for disinfection. Two of the oldest filters will be rebuilt and refilled with a new layer of activated carbon, which removes taste and odors from water. The plan is to only use the filters with activated carbon when we start to notice taste and odor problems . Then the water will be passed through those two filters . The carbon has a relatively short life span, so we only want to use it when we need it. Lastly, the water plant improvements will be designed so if we need to add other, more advanced (and expensive) treatment processes later, we can do so without having to do major remodeling of the work we just finished . h: ~bock\docs\pipelin 7 . wpd