District Minutes 02.16.10
MINUTES OF THE
CENTRAL COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
February 16, 2010
The regular monthly meeting of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District was held on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at Central’s office located at 3209 West 28th Street, Greeley, Colorado. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 A.M., and the following Directors were present: Gary Herman, President; Vern Kammerzell, Treasurer; Tom Brown, Everett Kissler, Randy Knutson, John Tuttle, Doug Dill, Don Rosenbrock, Ralph Anders, and Bill Schmidt. Frank Eckhardt Jr., Vice President; and Jim Reasoner were absent.
Others present were: Randy Ray, Operations Manager/Subdistrict Coordinator; Kathy Parker, Public Information/Education Coordinator; Lynn Kramer, Contracts Manager; and Brad Grasmick of Lind, Lawrence & Ottenhoff. Special guests were Joyce Wallace with West Greeley Conservation District and Meg Corwin, North Central Regional Director for Senator Bennet.
CONSENT CALENDAR
ACCEPT INTO THE RECORD THE CONSENT CALENDAR, COMMITTEE MINUTES, AND FINANCIALS: ITEMS 1.1 – 1.8 OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, 2010 AS PRESENTED.
Motion: Doug Dill
Second: Don Rosenbrock
MOTION CARRIED
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Meg Corwin with Senator Bennet’s office was present to listen to the meeting. She intends to attend several board meetings. Gary Herman invited Meg and Senator Bennet to attend board meetings and take a tour of Central’s facilities.
Gary Herman introduced Joyce Wallace, District Manager for West Greeley Conservation District. Kathy Parker reported to the board that Central and West Greeley Conservation District have been meeting with the intent to create a strong working partnership on education programs. There is also an opportunity to contract part time education help through a West Greeley Conservation District employee.
APPROVE A SHARED EMPLOYEE WITH WEST GREELEY CONSERVATION DISTRICT FOR THE SUM OF $13,000 FOR ONE YEAR, AND REVIEW A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING PREPARED BY WEST GREELEY CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND CENTRAL.
Motion: Randy Knutson
Second: Everett Kissler
MOTION CARRIED
APPROVE THE $6,000 SPONSORSHIP WITH FUNDS FROM THE EDUCATION BUDGET FOR A PROJECT WET WORKSHOP IN JUNE.
Motion: Everett Kissler
Second: Doug Dill
MOTION CARRRIED
ACTION ITEMS
Brad Grasmick discussed the December resumes.
OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING CASES; #09CW181, BIJOU IRRIGATION COMPANY; #09CW264, CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER; #09CW269, CITY OF STERLING; #09CW279, CASTLE PINES NORTH METRO DISTRICT; AND #09CW283, UNITED WATER & SANITATION DISTRICT.
Motion: Everett Kissler
Second: Tom Brown
MOTION CARRIED
Brad gave an update on the Box Elder Designated Basin court case. John Henderson is conflict counsel for Central. There has been a motion to dismiss the application filed. Meanwhile, Central is still seeking to withdraw from the case.
Next were action items recommended from the Board committees and the Project Development Committee.
There was discussion about a landowner near La Salle who feels Central should take responsibility for a high water table on his land. This is a problem that has existed in that area for years. Art Garcia has now hired an attorney.
DIRECT RANDY RAY AND JOHN TUTTLE TO WORK WITH CENTRAL ATTORNEYS TO WRITE A LETTER TO ART GARCIA.
Motion: Bill Schmidt
Second: Randy Knutson
MOTION CARRIED
GIVE CHRISTOPHER SCHALL PERMISSION TO DRAFT A LETTER OF INTENT WITH ALL THE PROGRAMS HE PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE: AWEP, WATER MARKETING & EFFICIENCY GRANTS, 2010 STUDY APPROPRIATION, AND 2010 FEDERAL APPROPRIATION.
Motion: John Tuttle
Second: Tom Brown
MOTION CARRIED
Meg Corwin said Senator Bennet would be glad to write a letter of support on the grant applications.
The board discussed the need for new, large water projects in the state.
AUTHORIZE GARY HERMAN TO SIGN THE LETTER OF INTEREST TO PARKER WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT REGARDING THE FLAMING GORGE PIPELINE.
Motion: Everett Kissler
Second: Doug Dill
MOTION CARRIED
On a recent Washington D.C. trip, NRCS staff encouraged Central to set up a public meeting about the CREP program. No action was taken at this time. There will be research to determine if Central can come up with matching funds.
REPORTS
Randy Ray announced that the Morgan County Youth Hunt and Ladies Hunt are scheduled for March at the Orchard recharge site. Randy will connect any board member who is interested in this with organizer Rick Sandquist.
Gene Kammerzell has asked permission to use Central’s data publicly. This is information on depth to water measurement studies that Central has collected twice a year for many, many years. Central could publish the data as raw data, and then are not responsible for whatever is done with the data. It could put on the website, or just have the physical records available at the office for research. Central could add a written disclaimer when releasing this information. Staff should research what the best forum to submit these public records would be, and make recommendations to the Legislative/Education Committee.
INFORM GENE KAMMERZELL THAT THE DATA HE’S REQUESTED IS NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC USE BUT THAT IT WILL BECOME AVAILABLE ON CENTRAL’S WEBSITE. THERE WILL BE A DISCLAIMER ATTACHED TO THE DATA WHEN IT IS RELEASED.
Motion: Randy Knutson
Second: Bill Schmidt
MOTION CARRIED
BEFORE PUBLISHING ANY SCIENTIFIC DATA AND INFORMATION IT WILL FIRST GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS.
Motion: Everett Kissler
Second: Tom Brown
MOTION CARRIED
Gary Herman reminded the board of a meeting with the board from the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District on March 23.
Brad Grasmick reported that state water attorneys recently met with water referees on how to best move cases through the water court process. Some suggestions were made to streamline the process. These suggestions will go to the Colorado Water Congress and the State Bar.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:27 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Parker
Public Information/Education Coordinator
