GMS Minutes 2.16.10
MINUTES OF THE
GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT SUBDISTRICT OF THE
CENTRAL COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
February 16, 2010
The regular monthly meeting of the Groundwater Management Subdistrict 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.
ACTION ITEMS
Brad Grasmick 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.
Lynn Kramer presented 4 GMS Class D Irrigation Water Allotment Contracts for board approval.
APPROVE THE NAME CHANGE FROM JACK DINIS, CONTRACT #400 TO EMPIRE DAIRY LLC, CONTRACT #400.
Motion: Everett Kissler
Second: Randy Knutson
MOTION CARRIED
APPROVE THE NAME CHANGE FROM JACK DINIS, CONTRACT #401 TO EMPIRE DAIRY LLC, CONTRACT #401.
Motion: Everett Kissler
Second: Randy Knutson
MOTION CARRIED
APPROVE THE NAME CHANGE FROM JACK DINIS, CONTRACT #402 TO EMPIRE DAIRY LLC, CONTRACT #402.
Motion: Everett Kissler
Second: Randy Knutson
MOTION CARRIED
APPROVE THE TRANSFER FROM GUY & JANET BERRY TRUST, CONTRACT #809 TO DELORES O. MARTINDALE, CONTRACT #1022.
Motion: Don Rosenbrock
Second: Ralph Anders
MOTION CARRIED
Lynn also gave an update on Bromley Holdings. They paid the $36,000 in late fees and fines that they owed.
Next were action items recommended from the Board committees and the Project Development Committee.
Bill Schmidt was asked to have the Policy Committee look into depletion and taxing issues on removing wells at their next meeting.
Randy Ray commented on the amendment to the services agreement with Rick Sandquist, who does some work for Central out at the Orchard Recharge facility.
SIGN THE AMENDMENT TO APPROVE THE INCREASE IN THE SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH WILDLAND MANAGEMENT SERVICES FROM AN ANNUAL MAXIMUM PAYMENT OF $5000 TO AN ANNUAL MAXIMUM PAYMENT OF $6500.
Motion: John Tuttle
Second: Bill Schmidt
MOTION CARRIED
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
KEEP THE RECHARGE PAYMENT FOR ACCRETIONS AT $40 PER ACRE FOOT.
Motion: Bill Schmidt
Second: John Tuttle
MOTION CARRIED
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 gave an update on Bret Hall and Pond C. It appears that Pond C is not completed yet. The survey has been halted, and any discussion about purchasing excess storage is postponed. In the interim, Central will be permitted to start storing water in Pond C beginning in March.
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.
Randy gave a Member Log In update. Grant money is being used to set up this web based program that will allow members to report their meter data, and track their pumping. If any board member is interested in participating by being part of the test pilot program, please attend the next Education Committee meeting. Staff will have some screen shots to look at during next month’s board meeting.
Lower Poudre Augmentation Company had an agreement to swap water shares with Central originally. That changed to a direct sale of 2 shares of Greeley Irrigation Company to Central. A private party has now offered more money for the shares than Central was offering. Central has to come up with an additional $20,000 or drop out of negotiations. There had been no written contract, just a verbal agreement.
OFFER $60,000.00 TO LOWER POUDRE AUGMENTATION COMPANY FOR 2 SHARES OF GREELEY IRRIGATION COMPANY WATER.
Motion: Bill Schmidt
Second: Ralph Anders
MOTION CARRIED WITH RANDY KNUTSON VOTING NAY
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
