September 18, 2023 — Water Resources Advisory Board Regular Meeting

Transcript

Captions from City of Boulder YouTube recording.

[0:00] You may have to change my name to Amy and Gord. Alright! Good evening. All this is the September 8. Meeting of the Water Resources Advisory Board. I will not come to order. We apologize for any delays. We're having technical difficulties on this point. So Brad and Bramley, Brad and I are sharing Amy screening for tonight. I think. We've got our whole team involved, including Steve Maxwell calling, and remotely. So thank you, Steve, for making the time. I think, Joanna, if you would like to read the opening that students or a meeting participation that sounds great, I will. Hi! My name is Joanna Bloom, and I'm serving as the technical host for this meeting. We'll start by sharing a few slides of the virtual meeting rules. Rules. We follow. These rules are in place to find a balance between transparency with community members and security that minimizes disruptions.

[1:01] We do need a full name associated with each person's participation in open or public comment, and we cannot unmute you without it. If your full name is not currently displayed, and I'll update Amy and Gordon's here in just a moment. Please change it or send me A question in the QA. Function, and I'm happy to change it for you. Please note that there's no chat feature for this meeting. The QA. Function is enabled and can be used to address zoom connectivity issues only if you have any issues. With that you are welcome to text me, and I can try to troubleshoot through my cell phone at 303, 8, 1, 7, 1, 7, 4, 2 members of the public may be unable to control their audio and video features. Video is limited to city officials, employees and invited speakers. Only I'll unmute you when you're recognized. To speak. If you're on a phone, you may need to press Star 6 to unmute yourself, you can indicate your desire to participate in open or public comment by using the raise hand function found in the participant box, or you may press Star 9 to raise your hand on a phone.

[2:05] I'll call your name when it's your turn to speak and announce the name of the next speaker on deck. and after I've unmuted you please say your first and last name and a 3 min timer will be displayed, and we'll start once you begin your comments. Thanks so much for your participation. Thank you, Joanna. our first agenda item is to approve the July meeting minutes. Are there any comments from any of his work? What's up there? And Steve any comments from you for joining me? Nope. Not nothing for me. Thanks. So II is there a hey! Allah movement to to improve the Jamie demands. and a second second all in favor.

[3:00] Aye. so the July meeting minutes are are past minutes before nothing with absent for that meeting at this time. Let is go on the next agenda item, which is the virtual public comment. and so virtual, vibrant. Or here and again, this is all matters other than what we'll be speaking about today. So things other than the 2023 water efficiency plan updates great thanks so much, and I do see 2 commenters will start with Lynn Siegel, followed by Becky Davies. So Mary or Meredith, if you're able to show the 3 min timer, Lynn. I'll get you ready to unmute here in just a second. and we'll hear your comment.

[4:01] Yeah, well, this is a semi arid environment. I know I'm from Seattle and really is inappropriate to have the kind of massive wealth, inequality, and that affects the diversity, equity, inclusion for things as basic as water. You know. You can live for maybe 2 weeks without water or less than that, you know. And this is not a water filled place. Gross reservoir expansion, you know. Look what happens in Libya, you know, and then we've got rocky flats here. So when these watershed dams break over time, which they eventually do. Then we have major disasters, especially because we had a plutonium trigger plant here that's going to have. Did you know toxic materials from it.

[5:03] distributed all over the place like it already is at Cmex, and lions, etc. And tritium in the water supply. And that II just think Rob needs to be well for one from my understanding. OS. Bt, got, see? You South jumped on it, and the open space has to be disposed of in order to see you foresee you South to do their thing, and if they do I discovered finally that we still have an option. If the Osbt. And I'm sure that they will, knowing who's on the Osb. Will approve the land disposal to see you South. then we have 60 days for the public to get together signatures for a ballot measure, to go to the public to ask them if they want this development, and if they want to give the land to, for in order to make it happen

[6:12] but there's also the matter of sea dot and flooding, and that's a rab issue. And so I don't really see why it's not equally in Rab's backyard to deal with this as far as the of building, even though you're building up. You know you're redesigning the flood plain, which, as we understand now, after we, considering the 2013 flood and the anniversary of it that the alluvium doesn't care what blockage we put up. You know, it's gonna dig itself a new the natural gradation and the natural you know, gravity that takes the water to where it wants to go. And

[7:04] the it's like Gilbert White said. Doesn't anyone listen to Gilbert wide anymore? You know. I know he's dead, but his legacy is tremendous for that. You don't build on floodplain. That's what kills people, what hurts people, what causes long term expense to of all of this water, and it's hard for just me to pay my water bills, as Joanna well knows, anyway. So thanks so much for listening. Thank you. Next on deck is Becky Davies. Becky. You should be able to speak now. Alright, thank you so much. Hello! Water resources board members, and my name is Becky Davies, and I'm a member of the city's transportation board. So I'm here tonight to introduce myself and say Hello, and also just give you a heads up that I'll be sending you an email in the next day or 2 regarding

[8:11] a request that Tab is is sent planning to send to the 2024 City Council, asking them to update our off street. Parking codes. so we'll be asking them to add this as an item to their 2024 work plan. So just to reiterate this would be the next council. So any continuing Council members as well as anyone newly elected in November. So that those would be the folks receiving this request. And I won't go into the details of it the off street. Parking code update that we're asking for. But I will provide that information. and like, I said an email to you in the next day or 2. And the reason I'm I'm coming to you and and working with Tab to come to you on this issue is to ask for your enforcement of this request to counsel. We'd love to get the support of members of other boards and commissions to get this item on Council's next work plan and specifically, the reason we think this is relevant to water resources.

[9:17] Is how parking lots relate to storm water management and groundwater recharge and polluted runoff. And of course I'm I'm no expert in water issues, so I'm sure you all know far more about that but but we do think that that this is an issue that that affects floor work as well as ours as well as topics of interest to other board members throughout the city. So yeah, again, I'll just send that email in the next day or 2 with the specifics of our request to counsel and hope you will consider signing on to endorse by endorsing you just essentially are adding your name into the list of supporters. There's nothing more you would need to do than that. And then I'll follow up with you about a week later, just to check in and see you know how you're feeling, if you're if you would be willing to to make that endorsement of our request to counsel

[10:08] so thank you in advance for considering that, and also for your contributions as a board member. Thanks so much, and I don't see anybody else signed up for public comment. So you're free. Thank you. I 2 follow up comments for those public. Co public comments. One. And this is directed to John. How do you share our utilities? Director? And I've heard that the the next phase of the South design is coming to the open space board of trustees in October. Is that right? That is correct, and that I I'd also come aware that there had been a request for a joint USB. T. And Brad meeting around that time could you speak to that? Or maybe you want to divert defer to matters from step from the staff. That'd be fine, too.

[11:07] Yeah, I think there was a request from the open space board chair to have a joint meeting which would be a procedurally kind of an unusual thing, because there's not really a role for the water resource advisory board. open space disposal. And II think. Similarly one of the public commenters had had requested or expressed a a sentiment that Rab should be involved in in more more things related to see yourself and just process wise at this point. The the board is acting on the capital improvement program. And when I talk about C yourself, I'm also talking about the South Boulder Creek Flood mitigation project. Use those. But we're talking about anything. And so at this point, in terms of the reps per view, it's really just down to the.

[12:10] And then my second follow up from the public comment period is with Miss Davies commentary about us for our endorsement. Could you speak to what we would be allowed not allowed to do outside of an upcoming rat meeting. Yeah, and always appreciate the the presence of another board member and and interested utilities and water resources items. Ii was thinking about that as the request was made, and I'm not sure if the comment, or had maybe check before they have, but I can certainly follow up with the city attorney and find out procedurally what's what's allowed, and and whether the Board could do a formal endorsement, or it could be that

[13:00] maybe, as individual community members, you could endorse something. But II would be speculating. II hadn't heard a request like that before. So I'm gonna have to check. Okay, so this baby's this is something that might have to be deferred for a little while, so we can hear back from city attorney because, all the boards take open meetings rules very seriously, including this board, and so I don't want to engage in something that would be not as part of a public forum, even though we we, in fact, might all be eager to endorse this, but we just checked by the right form and right. And and you reminded well, couple of things I don't think I introduced myself. I'm joked. The utilities director for the city and on this subject the commenter had talked about the 2024 council, and so might be anticipating what has has been somewhat annual practice of counsel, asking bullets for an annual letter

[14:04] that may be done every other year now, with midterms and work plans lasting a couple of years, but that there may be some time as well before. There'll be an election here in November, and then Council City, and so I suspect that's that's what was intended by the letter getting that information to the next council for 2024. Thank you. Why don't we move down to the main agenda for tonight, which is both the public hearing and consideration of recommendation regarding the 2023 or efficiency plan update. That sounds good, and I will, since I will introduce this item. So it it is the Water Efficiency plan tonight that we're seeking a Board recommendation. And the Efficiency plan is this required by the State of Colorado. Municipalities like ours have to submit a plan every Si 7 years. It's a regulatory requirement.

[15:09] and people might be more familiar with water conservation water Conservation plan that that we're talking about. and the the Efficiency plan procedurally is similar to the Drought plan that the Board reviewed and made a recommendation on last year. This one the the mechanism for approval is city manager approval, because it's an operational plan. But given the sports per view having a recommendation from Rab is important as well. and so we will. We will bring it to the city manager for approval. But we also plan to brief City council on it at a later meeting. I believe that November and Kim Hutton is with me tonight. She's our water resources manager. We'll be leading the presentation before I turn it over to Kim. I didn't want to express a thank you to John Bergen, who? I can't remember which month it was maybe late last year, possibly during the retreat we discussed

[16:18] an invitation of staff to have a board member participate and given John's background in this area. just vetting the plan and the and the process and attending the public meetings with us has been really helpful, similar to what Ted Rose or former member did flood master Plan so really appreciate the the extra time that John put in, and the and the feedback that he has given us in terms of the engagement process. I mentioned that this is a state required plan, and the State also mandates a formal review period. And so that is, that is starting here. It's for 60 days. II do want to know, and I think Tim will cover this too. We've already done our own non mandatory, voluntary community engagement that you'll hear about in that presentation.

[17:13] Gotten lots of good feedback. That is really, as you'll see as shape the plan. So that's how that works. And then, and when we talk about the upcoming agenda, if there's a feedback loop and we get a lot of public input after the Board has taken action on it that might change the the makeup of the plan. We would return in October, and have a meeting to revisit that with you, so that we try to cover those spaces. And then, Gordon, if you, if you'd like, I can kind of explain the run of show for a public hearing level. which we'll start with a staff presentation and then give the Board the opportunity to ask any clarifying questions of us from the presentation or the memo. And then, we would go to a public hearing and hear from any public that want to speak or express an opinion on the plan.

[18:11] and then it would come back to the Board for deliberation action. and I did that from memory so pretty sure that came out. So with that, Kim will turn it over to you. Great. Okay, ready to go here. Hi, everyone. My name is, Kim, Hundo said. I'm a lot of resources manager or the City of Boulder, and I will be doing the presentation tonight. But I would like to acknowledge a couple of other people. Robbie Glenn has been the project

[19:01] manager for this this plan. He's he's brought the the plan to this point, and he is out on paternity leave now. So he he! Just opportunity to to present to you tonight. I'd also like to acknowledge Martin and Wood, who are our consultants who have been supporting us through this plan throughout the entire process? So the agenda on the screen for the presentation tonight, I'll be giving a an overview of the process for updating the plan. I'll talk about some historical water use data that you took a look at for this update. I'll provide an overview or summary of the engagement process as well as some of the outcomes or findings from process. And then you're discussing recommendations projects to mention the public hearing. And we're seeking a recommendation from Rob as well.

[20:08] The city manager. We'll have time for questions and feedback as well. okay, so what is the water efficiency plan? And we use the acronym Wdp. As throughout the the document, the plan that was attached to the rad memo Thomas Joe mentioned. It's well, in 2,004 the State passed the Water Conservation Act, and that was the legislation that requires water providers or retailers. Who still more than 2,000 acre feet of water per year to have a State approved water efficiency plan, and she mentioned part of that regulation requires the plan to be updated every 7 years. The governing body for this regulation is the Colorado Water Conservation Board or the Cwc. And I'll refer to them throughout the presentation tonight. But we are following their guidelines for the plan which includes both process and content.

[21:08] So the purpose of the efficiency plan is to provide guidance for implementing the city's water conservation program in a way that's compatible with the city's water supply system. The water conservation goals the water resources, management strategy and well, our community values. And it really, it provides us an opportunity to evaluate our water conservation program for the next 7 years. This this table, right here, is an overview of the process, the timeline the key components of the process that following to update the efficiency plan. And I'll go into some of these areas in more detail later in the presentation. But just at a high level. early in the year we completed technical analyses that updated water use data and water demand projections. We engaged in a multifaceted internal community engagement process where we solicited feedback on components of the water conservation plan.

[22:15] or end program. And then we're we used feedback. that engagement process to help inform the recommendations that are in the plan. We're currently in the phase of finalizing the plan, and that includes here today, getting your feedback and recommendation for approval, and then we will move on to the formal approval of the city manager and an approval, submittal and approval to the Cwc. As well. So during the early phase of this project we developed considerations that guided the development of the recommendations in the Efficiency plan for the water conservation programs and initiatives in those

[23:02] those considerations include ensuring that the water supply system is resilient stressors that affect system reliability emphasizing the city's environmental stewardship in the face of Colorado's water challenges. We also wanted to reflect the feedback that was received during the engagement process in the Efficiency plan. Before I go into the recommendations on the programs and the engagement process, I want to show some results from the technical analyses. And I'm going to highlight 2 particular data sets because we developed water conservation goals. Around these. however, there are more analyses that are in the plan itself. So the first one we're looking at here is a graph that shows total treated water production at the 2 treatment plants that, data is in the blue bars and the left axis of the graph. A black line and red dots show our per capita water use per capita. Water uses how much water a single individual user

[24:09] person uses on a daily basis. That per capita water use is important in our planning because we use it to calculate water use projections. And then that informs our water supply today prior to 2,002. So looking at the data graph. 2,002 was the drought year when we imposed mandatory water restrictions prior to 2,002, we were using around 190 gallons per capita day. and then, since then our water use has decreased, and our per capita use for the last 5 years is averaged around 130. So one of our water conservation goals is to maintain or reduce that per capita water use number.

[25:02] Okay, the second set of data I wanna talk about is revenue water. and that's defined as the difference between the amount of water produced at the treatment plants and the amount of water that is metered at the end user. So you can think of it as not not build water. Just a side note. We generate hydropower in our water supply system. Some of that water only runs through the hydro plan since this charge back to the creeks, and it is not taken into our water municipal water system that non revenue water does not include that hydro power only. So really is what is in the municipal system. So in the year 2,000 we had a water conservation plan. It was called the Water Conservation Features, and that defined a goal of having non-revenue water at 6%

[26:00] over the last 5 years, we've averaged around 10% that value. So a second water conservation goal we have to find is to attain that non revenue water of 6% by residential build out, which is roughly projected to happen around year 2,040. Right? So in summary, the water efficiency plan identifies quantitative water conservation goals to them of no increase or reduction per capita water use and an improvement in system water loss to the level of 6% of non revenue water. And the Efficiency plan recommends programs, initiatives to help achieve these goals. Okay, so move on to the engagement process. Quick summary of that. In April of 2023,

[27:02] we posted a public efficiency questionnaire on the city's B heard boulder site. and that was related to what the community's interest was in water conservation programs. The questionnaire was published in English and Spanish, and received 595 responses. So we're pretty happy with that. We also, in April, met with staff from 9 departments to discuss obstacles and opportunities for water conservation in city work. And this is help shape projects and initiatives that are described in the plan as well. We met in May with a community group that's called Flows, and they're part of the University of Colorado flows is leading work in water efficiency and environmental and social justice in the community. So we have a great meeting talking with them about the work they're doing, and opportunities to leverage to leverage their work in the community.

[28:03] And then, finally, in terms of engagement, we conducted a workshop in June with select community members that represented a range of multifamily residential. Ho! A and Cii commercial, institutional wanted to just hear what they were doing. What was important to them and get feedback on some proposed for our existing water conservation program, our proposed programs as well. And then Joe mentioned, we worked with John as well throughout the process. So some of them we heard through the engagement process overall. There was a lot of support by the community members, water customers and city staff for increasing the water conservation programs that we provide.

[29:01] In addition, some of the resources the community would like to see include an appliance rebate program. And I'll talk a little bit about that sector, specific educational materials and more resources of what it takes to plan to maintain water, efficient landscapes, and we think that we could do that through demonstration gardens. The engagement process also identified opportunities to partner with customers and community groups. Opportunities to improve our communication to the community on our water conservation program and just general water conservation information. We also heard that the public wants to do the right thing. But they just license, resource help. So we're really happy with the engagement process. Have a lot of great feedback and learned how interested the community is, and engaging in water conservation based on the feedback from this process, and then reflective of those kind of principles that I talked about

[30:06] few slides back. We developed several recommendations for water conservation programs and initiatives to either continue or new ones to pursue during the next 7 years. and I will go over those next few slides. So we broke those recommended programs into 4 categories. The first one I'll talk about are foundational programs found their foundational water efficiency programs are under the city's direct control. and they include things like metering, water billing and monitoring water use and water loss. So some examples of program recommendations include integrating water conservation into other city planning efforts. investigating non revenue water and strengthening water loss program

[31:00] evaluating customer water budgets. There was also some interest to perform a feasibility study for advanced metering, infrastructure or ami. And that's technology that would allow customers to have real time water use information. Next category is technical assistance and incentives. And these are programs that aim to increase customer water efficiency by providing either a service or better equipment fixtures, appliances, and technical support. So some programs in this category include assisting income qualified customers with fixture or appliance upgrades or replacements and improving water efficiency within our own cities. Municipal irrigation systems. We do a lot of the technical assistance programs right now, through partnerships we have with peace and resource central.

[32:05] The next category is education and outreach. And through this we through for these programs, we would convey water efficiency information to the community. Some examples of these programs include spanning the demonstration program, and not not just having gardens out there. But again, let's provide some information about how to do it. How much it costs. You know the effort that goes into it. So people can decision if it's worth investing in. There, there's a recommendation for establishing a landscape or water efficiency training program and finally building or partnerships with our existing community groups. And then the last category are rules and ordinances, and these can be cost effective ways for municipalities to increase customer water efficiency.

[33:03] The primary thing that we would like to do through the rules and ordinances would be to evaluate our municipal code or the code, the regulations, rules, and ordinances, and look for opportunities to support efficient or use. So some examples of that would be the vegetation type code that would allow for native grasses which tend to be taller than yes. Other recommendation is to retrofit rental properties with water efficient appliances on the resale of its properties, and that would be done through the year, not rental property permitting program that we have. And finally, just looking at or evaluating water savings potentials. Related to new or redevelop. So new funding and staffing may be needed to support the implementation of all of these programs that we have recommended in the plan

[34:04] and until our future resources are known. In meantime we will prioritize efforts with our existing resources and implement as many programs or recommendations as we can. And then just a final point related to the outreach and engagement efforts. if you can see the the difference in the colors up there. But everything that's in blue those were the programs that were directly informed through our community feedback. So this plan really is reflective of of what our community interests are, we're really happy with how that turned out. And then under the foundational programs, a lot of those came from the input from city staff. Okay, so next steps over here tonight. In seeking a recommendation from Ross that the city manager approved the plan. A

[35:01] Joe mentioned that we have a 60, a State required 60 day public review period. So we have hosted the plan on the be heard boulder site for that public review that will be posted until November nineteenth. So it's a little bit longer than 60 days. What we're doing. The plan was posted last week, and thus far we've received one comment to some of the climate change narrative that we have in the plan. and Joe said, if we anticipate any substantive changes to the efficiency plan itself. As a result of this public review process we will return here in October. so we'll keep an eye on how things are going. The the feedback that we're getting through that process in November the November sixteenth Council meeting. We will get the presentation to counsel under matters from city manager, and you mentioned. Council is not taking action, but they will have an opportunity to provide feedback, either through the public review process, and they've received a heads up that this

[36:11] plan has been posted for public review or at the City Council meeting as well. and then in December we will finalize the plan that includes approval by the city manager and then submit all and approval spiddle to the approval by this, Billy's okay. So I think we can move on to hearing component. But as we're seeking a recommendation for brav, here's suggested language a lot to consider. It's any clarifying questions or or requests from the board.

[37:01] I have a question when you talk about addressing non revenue water is is your primary strategy replacement of old types is that that that is a strategy? I think initial part of it is really understand where the loss is happening. A big component of it could be meter calibration. So we're not physically losing water. But just we don't have good data. So understanding doing. An audit of our water lost and doing some meter calibrations to really see how good. The data is that we're getting will help us direct when we might focus future efforts on reducing system loss. But if we are losing water for losing water. Yeah, yes. So that'd be the distribution system. So pipelining and replacement. it's a strategy.

[38:01] Another component that we we think is probably a factor is that we flush. please. hydrant flushing as well, and those activities are not meters. And so you don't actually have a sense for how much water we are losing through those practices. So that would be another thing that we could do. Maybe it's not significant. But there was the year or 13 that yeah. Questions from the board members. I have a number of of confidence on the planet itself. Maybe those would be better.

[39:02] we're gonna ask for the public comment period. Sure. Okay. And 1 one question I did have that might be pertinent at this point in time, though. is can you accept that the the plan is post on the be heard older website. There is a fraction of the public. Who isn't that computer savvy? Or or has access to computers. I'd like to request that hard copies be made available at the Main Public Library, and perhaps the other public libraries. And then again, for those people who are to the Internet age that they something I'm able to be put in the Index Monthly bill. It gets mailed to people. Yeah. And so with the with the bills,

[40:05] little paragraph box available. and it sort of would work. But this would then make the plan available really to the full spectrum of people and see. Thank you. You could just put a QR. Code or location. Gordon. I had a couple questions. Let's see. no. Kim, I guess. Could you give a quick sense of in terms of the gains and per capita efficiency that holders been able to accomplish over the last 10 or 15 years. How does that stack up against our kind of peer group or other? You know similar metropolitan areas in Colorado or along the Front range.

[41:09] So we've looked at some peer communities along the Front Range in terms of what current per capita uses. And I'd say we're we're somewhere in the middle. So we're not the most efficient. There are some other communities that are very aggressive with their water conservation program that's really driven by very strong need, or they have a big gap between their supply and their demand. And they're growing a number of projections. So those communities at higher or like lower per capita use than we do. But there are some communities we don't have who are have higher use than we do. And have we have we looked at those communities in any detail for the kind of lessons they might offer to us.

[42:03] We've been these communities that have higher efficiency use than we do they? We've been looking at some of the programs that they're implementing. A lot of it is on outdoor water use is where they're they're trying to get for savings. And so they they have provided models. I I'd say, for outdoor water efficiency that we're considering we've been looking at indoor for indoor water use. Really, a lot of the savings are driven by industry, efficiency. Appliances are just getting more efficient these days, and national and State regulations are, I think, driving the efficiencies in the indoor arena. Umhm. if I can add to what Kim was saying, I I'm aware of one of the

[43:02] cities kind of south of the metro area that is, has really aggressive conservation boards. And, as Kim said, it's it's based on need and necessity, and their supply situation. And so we all participated in a in a workshop earlier this year. And that's this part talking about land. Use codes and things like that. And that's definitely something that is under mind in boulder. But in terms of the overall organization priorities and and community priorities. And just our supply situation. There is so much pressure on our planning department for a number of things. that's just not where we're at right now in terms of our work planning, but at some point. Ii think we'll keep moving in that direction. And this is a state required plan, but it's also has to do with resilience. And there's fire and other other stress on systems and thinking about all of those things holistic. Some of the

[44:15] like 0 escape measures, and things are really good for water efficiency, but maybe not so much for fire fuels. And so we've started to have those conversations internally as well, and really thinking holistically in the city about resilience to natural disasters in general. I guess I guess the other quick question I had Tim just just diving a little deeper into that non revenue water question is it, are you guys confident that most of that is is leakage? Or is there a concern that that are monitoring

[45:02] our home monitors and measuring. you know majoring equipment may be in need of a of a broad overhaul? Or is there any consensus as to where most of that figure is coming from? I don't know. At this point I don't think we we feel like we have strong enough information to really make a statement about that. So we like, I said, the the first step is really trying to better understand our data and the quality of the data so that we we can make that determination. And again, if I can add to that one I can't remember what year it was 2 or 3 years ago. We did brief the board on our plan for metering. And so there are options that cities have for the technology used for water meters. And we didn't go to the most. We're not. We're not going to the most sophisticated level of metering again. Other priorities in bolder. But we're positioning ourselves for that, if we need to. So

[46:10] in in the future, so can certainly follow up offline and forward that information to the board. But we are. We are working on the meter installations across the city. hey? Thanks. Any other questions from board members at this time. I guess we both interested the the public hearing portion. And I don't currently see anybody online for public comment. Please raise your hand if you are online. And I'm just not seeing you, and I'll give it 2 s. But I think I think there is no public comment interest this evening.

[47:01] I guess I do I have? I have one more question. When it comes to outreach and education around one conservation. What are some of the approaches that holders taking the past that have been able to reach the most people, and do we think has been the most successful? II think this process is that we have not been very successful in the past at reaching a broad audience. so I would not hold that up as as a model for how we want to move forward. I think, moving forward when we we met with the community group, the Cii, the Multi family, residential commercial sectors think what we heard from them is like. And even through the questionnaire, I think people are thirsty for information, and we're not reaching them. So having more meetings with some of these larger water users. They wanna compare notes with each other. What are other large institutions doing? A lot of them have sustainability officers and

[48:09] they just wanna work with the city and each other. really finding a way to justify investing in water conservation. So maybe some ongoing community meetings we found, I think. people said, We, you know, there's not much on our website. So even having educational material on our website, and if you look around at some of our efficiency organizations. There's a lot of how to guides. People are wanting information. these, how to guys. And again, do we? Perhaps if we do some demonstration gardens. People were interested in doing tours, so, you know, take people out and show them what is possible. I think when my kids were in

[49:00] fourth or fifth grade. They came home with a sheet that was like. Do you practice these water conservation things at home? Do you have water. Efficient appliances? Do you have, you know? Do you water your phone? You know, in their very early morning or in the evening, when it's dark, those kinds of like questions which it's a little bit pressure on. Parents have families. So II didn't think that was sort of I didn't know city told or actually created that cheat or help with that educational material. But forget it. We do. And Tim was maybe gonna speak to this. But we have the Children's Water Festival that we've historically been a big sponsor of and organizer of around last several years. Kind of had a little tidiness during Covid. But we just have that last year. And so definitely sharing with the school age. Children, II would if you go into that. That's where that information came from.

[50:11] And then on. We've talked about the racial equity plan with the Board last year, and we have the racial equity in instrument, and that was applied to this plan to consider, making sure that we're reaching across the community. And Kim mentioned the flows program which which has an aspect of that as well. So we're constantly trying to improve. And as Kim was presenting tonight and I and I was hearing it, I was thinking. no discredit 70 years ago and past that. I remember the people doing this work very enthusiastic about it. but more from within the organization and a credit to Kim and her leadership team.

[51:00] She and I had a couple of fasting conversations right? This is the topic with boulders value, even though we have a pretty, an enviable water supply situation with Boulder. It's something that we really need to think about and not just check the docs with public engagement, but really try to engage people and II credit the team for having done that authentically, and that slide she showed at the end that showed the point. So here are the recommendations of the plan, and to change color. So which ones that that's as good as it gets for a city plant. So and if I can just highlight again that it mentioned that flows. II think there are probably a lot of organizations community organization who they have their they're already embedded in the community. So I think one thing the city struggles with is, how do we reach certain sectors of the population? And through this

[52:04] process, we become aware of organizations that are out there, and they're already involved in the work. So if we can find a way to work with them, maybe support the work that they're already doing, and you know, in a way to lift up or provide more support to, to their efforts. I think we will be successful in reaching more more of the population. So how much of the education portion is directed at residential here versus industrial, commercial, and you know. in terms of water usage and the benefit of whatever efficiency would it be? We're beneficial to spend more time with the industrial, commercial versus and and really tap into like the existing really positive aspects. But you know, if everyone took a 2 min shower, that's great. But does that really reduce water usage versus an industrial

[53:05] change and then and within the industrial. Then it's very sector specific. So maybe not a general education program for commercial. But you would really have to get it to subcommittees. More sector specific how to do that water efficiency. Yeah. I mean, I think overall, there's there is more savings to be had in outdoor practices than indoor, which would include the commercial cii but you're right. Every sector. II think we've made great strides in indoor single family efficiencies. Right? And that's hard. I love it from training young minds. But in terms of the adoption, what you really get from water savings, it's a hard conversion. Yeah. So I think it, it goes to

[54:01] getting like, people want want want to do the right thing. Yeah. And and it may not have a huge fact, maybe their their sector, or the work that they're doing for overall water savings. I think over time. And if we can target a little bit of savings from different sectors. We we will have a will be more of a, an impact on total water use. But it could. We just need to. Also, it takes some time which we haven't done previously to really focus on some of these sector specific needs. Yeah. yeah. And that's where you get the biggest bags of talk yeah. focus in and have. And it's learning from each other much more so than reading pamphlets is convening these people. And this is what work didn't try this. it's probably harder to orchestrate, but it's something to think about. If you have a leader in different sectors or these new chief sustainability officers don't want to make a difference. You want to get their name out there and kind of feed them some of this material and say, run with it in your sector.

[55:15] There's a lot of potential. Yeah. And so the last engagement step, I think it was the last one on Ken slide about the various things that we did. The is that one titled the community Workshop. We we met with a bunch of different stakeholders from that very population that you're talking about of the commercial users. Boulder Valley School district. The the universe is in. So some of the other big industrial water users, and it's really a different set of it's a different conversation. And just as as an example. you you might have a grocery store or something like that, or some commercial business, maybe out of the gun barrel area, where

[56:08] a a landscaper is hired and under contract, and and the bill for their water goes to a corporate account in Texas, or something like that. And there's just a disconnect. and how the water is getting used and how they're paying for it. And so we we really had a lot of conversation. And I think that's something we want to work out in utilities like making those connections and creating incentives and not just be. Turn the water on in April and turn the landscapers use and turn it off again in November, no matter what's happening. And so brainstorm with that group. how we go about that. Okay. I don't know.

[57:14] Historically, we have relied historically. decade or so, though we've relied on partnerships with peace, which is a county organization and resource central. And they really have been the ones who've been implementing these programs for boulder. And it's just, you know, we've had to outsource a lot of the work. and they have done amazing things. So I don't. I also don't need to throw them under the bus or anything, because they paces is out there in the community, the commercial sector they're in businesses doing not only water conservation, but energy efficiency, solid waste, improvements, stormwater work as well. So we've got. We've got our feelers out in the community. But there is, I think, more that we can be doing.

[58:07] I also just making shoutouts to to the people we work with Eco cycle. We've engaged with them as well, and they're the ones that do the at least for us, the educational programs in schools. So we do send them to go into some classrooms. And well, I agree with in person communications. It's much more active than creating a distributed pamphlets require and receiver to actually read and internalize it. conversations and groups, I think, are highly effective, and I think to 10 or 15 years ago, when the open space department was enacting the trail study areas and the implemented for the open space access programs which exist today. During that time they had

[59:00] a a large number of public meetings at Rec Centers community center places like that that were by libraries. At the rooms where a lot of people could fit in. and there are members of the staff who would just be there would sometimes they have brief presentations, but by and large it would just be folks coming up and talking to people aging all the time, so it didn't take a whole lot of prep. And I think that would be an element to the outreach program that really should be added, if it's not already there. because I think focusing on targeted groups is good. But that's sort of self limiting as opposed to setting out invitations some way to the general public saying. Here's what we're doing. Come, you know, at this place, and at this time we'll we'll talk about this. Let's do another check to see if there are any public comments for the public comment period, Joanna, could you give us an update on that?

[60:07] No new updates status quo? Why don't you move. Why don't we move into discussion? Which may be a little bit more detail, any further comments or any thoughts on the plan? If you've read it. We talked about education, but maybe to highlight the other keys methods of water efficiency like the buckets of the back to that slide. Yes. Do you would you like to see it? I'm gonna pull it up on my screen while Kim's doing that

[61:01] one of the things that we've done? I think, starting in 2,008 is we created a a tiered rate structure. So it is. It was. It's it's built in that to incentivize lower usage. The there are 5 different blocks, and if you use block one, which is the lowest amount the rate is really low, then it goes up sequentially to the fifth. And I think we were at the forefront of doing that. And we've learned a lot since then. So it's something we may want to revisit in the future. I think that's pretty simple. We probably

[62:01] overreached in terms of the complexity our our billing staff that have to deal with it or or not doing cartwheels about their day to day work. So that's something we want to revisit in the future. But And then the conversation that we've wrestled with in that regard with the Board over the years is. how well do you set that lowest amount, and and not having a huge backlash from the public. So there's an art to someone. I think something else to highlight would be just looking for opportunities to work with other city efforts initiatives. Our climate initiatives team right now is doing something called the Pool Boulder Campaign, where they're looking at essentially like promoting the use of trees? Or how can we use vegetation and trees to help?

[63:00] Sort of an adaptation, mitigation, climate change. But to have a pooling effect on community on the on the area and water is needed for that. So it's not like we want people to stop watering right? We just wanna. And we targeted watering to higher priority uses, and so working with initiatives like that good opportunity for that partnering with other departments who you have curation practices. So the parts department, the transportation department and pay for areas of efficiency, improvement. Some other things here to highlight. We talked about rules and ordinances there. There probably are some opportunities to approve. what we do with our goals and ordinances. We got some good feedback from the community group on on that

[64:04] But, as Joe mentioned. Sort of landscaping code is not top priority for the planning department right now. So I think we would like to review review it and make some recommendations and then over time, see if we can working some of changes. Why does have to be the planning department? You guys are the ones who know what's going on. So the the planning department when there's new development and they do development review and there are land use code code changes. It's it's typically that would involve a lot of staff time from both planning and and utilities to to focus on that. And I think it is something we would do in the not too distant future. It's it's on our radar for sure. Need to get their older is already pretty decent in that. You don't

[65:00] typically see new developments with vast. just, urgent turf. But there are some places, if you drive around could use attention in the future. So I think we will keep moving in that direction. We've also. This is just my invite. But would it? Also, as there's more construction going on more, you know, divisions of land into House Health House versus like Broad. Then would that be a working with someone for the ordinances, for new property, new land structures, so that you don't get this influx of like people who now want irrigation for their new lawns, and it used to be farmland. But now it's residential properties, and they want beautiful green lawns, or I don't know, but it's a great question, and I think fortunately, we're we're positioned with a decent answer over, because there really is not a lot of

[66:00] vast growth opportunity in boulder. It's largely built out. So the way boulder can grow is kind of through infill and density. and of just naturally, when that happens, there's there's not a lot of involved because you're using space, you know. living space. I've seen more the urban straw. So add some everything like further and further out. But maybe that's not within the boulder. That's fortunately, for I used to be in Kim's role, and fortunately for us. we're really limited in that way. The city is surrounded by open space that has very specific use. And of. And so they're they're just other a ton of opportunities like that here other other other cities around the Front Range. That's not the case. I know when you you know when you go for a construction format the city. It can be very be very challenging, and there are many ways that you can sort of

[67:08] get points through your your plans like having efficient lighting and efficient, you know windows. And so you sort of like incorporate all of these different aspects to your house or your building, so that you can move north through the process of permanenting process. So similarly, I don't call, but I assume there are metal flow faucet points, and you know low water. energy saver washing machines and so forth. I, yeah, and that's I am not. What is the opportunities within that

[68:01] to incentivize or makes modifications to results of more use. But it really is a part anymore, like with. Again, we wouldn't talk about indoor indoor appliances. I mean, I think there you can get more efficient. But things that are on the market right now are fairly high efficiency that I think that's a big reason. When Kim showed the graphic of the per capita in use. Just our community values and people have kind of done it on their own and we previously in our programs, have like toilet rebates and and things for people to switch to lower higher efficiency fixtures. And that's just happening naturally as part of this plan. What we're talking about. We're starting to think about some of those programs again through an equity lens, and

[69:07] how we can maybe incentivize some of the resources for the people who may not have the funds I know you were talking about, am I? And there are a lot of people within Boulder who have been putting solar panels on their homes and looking more efficient ways of getting energy. Right? You can 10 times as much as you'd be paying through a lottery.

[70:03] And if our billing staff were here, they would throw rightfully. But even our our prior director had this thought of seasonally like in the spring, when the snow is melting, you know. Reservoirs are full of water spilling kind of use it all you want, and and but when we start to get into storage. then the water is more precious to us as a municipality. And so, thinking about the rates. I mean, I guess we we toward the the wastewater treatment plan. We could see that there's a lot of, you know. There's a lot of excess capacity there, because water is going down. But thinking about like future investments. Earlier you had mentioned about changing ordinances for outdoor worry which really be based on how big the outdoor landscaping can be.

[71:05] And I think one of the community somewhere in the very drastic new land use restrictions that are in their code for new development. And even though this is largely built out city. I couldn't help but notice, near the back of the plan that you sent us. It talked about the the current population and the population theoretically build out, which is 2040. And it's currently we're about 119,000 people. And it's going to be a 28,000 person increase based on projections. It's a 23% increase in the population of the city boulder in the next 17 years. That was shocking. And I think that's news needs to get out much more heavily than it does. It strikes me then, if that's gonna take a lot of a lot of development, even if it scrapes the turn into duplexes or whatnot, but but that could be

[72:03] like Aurora is doing new new development. We could do new end, or, you know revised development, and with a 23% increase in the population of the city. It's not a trivial matter to try to implement some kind of more use. Restrictions for outdoor water use via restricting, outdoor landscaping or the the footprint of the outdoor landscaping. It does have an effect on the city like comparing ourselves to Aurora, how you're growing, and if it's urban sprawl compared to infill and and more density, there's there's different water use implications. But we're headed direction. You're saying the timing is not right now with with where we are as an organization, and just what our priorities are and what Council's priorities. And but let's see. our. Our our primary department is the

[73:02] the reductions and positions of that in that group over Covid. We're we're still recovering from that and everything that Council has as a priority kind of lands on that department. And there there are things that are just higher on those understood, although from our perspective with tonight's topic, I would say not because this is the time we're talking about this, and we're the group to promote this with most simplest case you could get Aurora's ordinance on that. Just strike out the word Aurora and put in the word boulder. I mean, it's not. It's not a mountain. I don't think II would agree with that. And, like Chris, Miss Chuck is our our deputy city manager, and has been involved in these discussions. and and he's been at the city similar 10 years to be in camp, coming up on on 20 years. and he spent most of that time in the planning department and

[74:00] and and sitting with us, and knowing that this is important and also supporting that department. It's not that simple. Let me launch about another question on page 10 of the plan in section 2. There's discussion of with regard to the municipal water use, which is mostly for parks of the possibility using great water systems. And then there's a statement that Highlighted that up to date over still investors, legal regulatory water quality installations that would be required for citywide great water program. I'm curious time what the update is, and also suggest it might be nice to add a couple of sentences to that paragraph to say what's been going on. Cause, because this leaves it pretty pretty vague. even if to to simply say, there's been no action on this today. That's okay. But it would might be a informative. So I'm curious. Has there been any action today?

[75:00] You know, I mean, we've been looking for opportunities to that. A a couple of years back we came to wrap about a pilot project with Cu. and that has not progressed at all. So we don't. We don't have any information that that. We were kind of hoping to get some information from that effort. We don't have any anything from that. So we are through this again. We're we're not saying 3 waters it's not the table. I think we're still trying to look for opportunities to explore further and what it. what benefits it would provide to the community from a water conservation perspective as well as because it is, there's a regulatory program that's needed to implement great water systems in our community. So

[76:00] what that brings tori. what is needed to support that regulatory program. everything we have to get to the planning department. and then that topic has come up, and and I can appreciate it if if if I saying that out loud is is frustrating, but but it is a reality, and there each department in the whole organization has a workplace from my vantage point and utilities and vision and mission for this generation of staff. The condition of our infrastructure and investing in that is the most important thing that we need to to focus on. And so there's a lot of enthusiasm around grey water systems and there can be benefit to it. But I don't know that it's something we can prioritize right now in Boulder. And, in fact. like Kim said, the pilot program that the university was involved in has kind of sold out, and there just has not been

[77:09] a ton of demand from the community as well. So lifting up a new regulatory framework and having people review that just it's it's not winning right now and other in competition for our attention relative to other priorities and then stays currently updating this regulation on rainwater. That's gonna be in the next year or 2. I think so. There's some concern that, if substantially different. So but on that. I mean, I've talked to Kim and Robbie about this and with great water the big savings comes from new construction. You can put in significant free water systems. But there's things you can do that save less water, but help with public engagement like launch landscape systems. So City Golden did this, I think that's something.

[78:05] It'd be a lift. But you could almost do a carbon copy. Just replace global boulder, for that. Doesn't say a lot of water doesn't cost city anything. Just allows residents to landscape. So that's and I think that might be more doable in some of the planning efforts on the bottom of page 10 and page 11, I was really taken by this statement. It's paragraph spills over at the very end of section 2.1 about the the climate change situation that that we're facing as well as potential curtailment of supplies. Colorado River, Cbt. War, because of the whole Power River drought, situation. and and I feel like the last sentence of that paragraph says, given these factors and the Associated need to strengthen the city's water supply, liability plans to advance water efficiency performance

[79:07] and target water acquisition development of new supplies. Blah is is key. and I think that could be for the motivator to to get the public interested. And then we've got a a good, perhaps a robust, for supply now, but these are huge uncertainties, and hence the need for efficiency plan. So I just want to emphasize that really struck me. And and if it's not an executive summary, you know something that kind of owner language should go up in there. You know, this isn't just another plan to sit on the shelf. There's really urgent current needs. Most people are are well aware of climate change, uncertainties, but this whole curtailment with the Colorado River. That'll curtail me. The Color River in coming years is a new twist, and that combination really makes efficiency to preserve our supply. Is that much more important?

[80:21] And talking about the best for water budget blocks. which is now section 3.7. There's and a note that more more of the customers in the Cii of commercial, industrial, useful, and irrigation. Only categories have already succeeding the recommended levels. There's a nice bar chart stack bar chart showing their kind of tiers and to me, this this helps focus kind of Lauren. What you were saying earlier helps target the groups who really should get the most outreach. and I know that, of course. The residential outdoor use is part of that, too, because I think you got a month by month you could pull these categories by a one user. And of course, in those summer months a lot of residential users got up into the higher cost tiers.

[81:16] and then, in terms of looking at how much water each of these groups uses. I think, could be a good guide, for where you should focus reference route. but it. It just circled back to me, then, that the residential outdoor use but single family multicamer, residential outdoor use summertime could be a place where you can really get a lot of bang for the book in terms of education. How many comments are are there? Okay? I was able to give Kevin Robbie Mike. I love my comments on the way, but I'll just reiterate something. I've mentioned that.

[82:02] So in the plan. And then, as you mentioned tonight. A lot of these recommendations require additional funding additional staff. And it sounds based in this conversation that felt where members would agree, like whatever we can do to get that additional funding staff would be great. So I think that was my. One of the main comments is like, this is a great plan. But until it's actually funded and appropriately about, it doesn't actually happen. So that was my number of gene comment, though, while you know the record listing. let's your staff to fully execute this plan. Speak to the findings how much information would be funded or how much science funding. Yes. and we did it. We. We made an estimate, I guess, of how much additional funding would be needed to fully implement it, and it is, you know. terms of cost. But I think a big component of it is just having the staff time to let these programs. And we've talked a lot about.

[83:05] I mean, heavy lift, I think, is going to be doing the outreach. There's so many opportunities for that. But we just don't have the time with the current staff. Staffing level to invest in that. Or if we invest in that, it takes away from another aspect of the program do you use like as we're talking about these sustainability officers. We're trying to try and figure out the next thing. Want to collaborate with other sustainability officers. Would you use them as like satellite staff of those to like, run these things and like collaborate with this group. And then. and I think that we we could look for models as just as we use pace resource central to do a lot of that work. Is there another organization that we can? You can find 2 who has the staff to, or even just incentivize through. This is what you could achieve

[84:03] savings for your company, you know. So if you align it to cost savings and make it a cost savings reason for the company. And that's what the Cso. Has to present to the CEO or doing this, initiatives for potential cost savings of Xyz. So we really want to just dive into this and see what's possible. And then you're putting that onus on them. And you know that was a lot of the feedback we got from one of those workshops, from people in that position where they they had said, We we want to do this, but we don't have the cost just to do so. And so their ask of us is, can you provide us with the information that would the justification that we. And then that's what they need to get the approval from the CEO to say. yeah, we probably still need another person to to leverage all of that. We do have a one person for the commercial one person, for you know

[85:05] it wouldn't be one. I had a comment also been on schedule. Section 8 point. There's a simple table by year of various programs to implement. And 2 of them. II would encourage you to look to speed up this beginning implementation. One of them is called Program 1.3 evaluate customer water budgets. and this part, the scheduled chart says, I won't even begin until 2026 likewise around 2.2. Improve water efficiency of municipal irrigation again doesn't even begin till point 26. Here we are 2043. So but those 2, those are both outdoor water use type of programs. And I think certainly the municipal ones, you know, municipal license, huge percentage of total orders about 4%.

[86:08] Most of it is outdoor water use. And I think that that plus the residential worries about for water budgeting, which is the customer water budgets in a tax. 1.3 could yield great savings, and I would encourage Staff to to try to find ways to to move those up in implementation schedule. Yeah, I don't think those are standalone efforts. We've been talking about water budgets a little bit. I think there's some work that we need to do in advance. say fully, or burst or burst enough to be speaking about it. But I think we might need to be doing some work with our software system before we can make advances on

[87:00] of. You know, the water conservation end of things financial managers started just today in utilities. We have some major upgrades that we need to do to our utility billing system. And so we're anxious to get to that sooner if we can as well. But there are some things that have to happen first and just getting new people up to speed. We have 2 financial positions and utilities. And until today. kind of starting from scratch and people need to get up to speed. Okay. that is definitely something that is just from my vantage point. seeing the overall department. It's a priority, and would like to get there as soon as we can.

[88:00] There's for at least for the utility of a board budgets. The last time it was updated. It was the end. That was the result of a lot of process which involves around certainly involved a lot of staff time and community outreach. And to me that that whole process is part of implementation. And so that's aside from a utility billing that utility billing is just like the last step. How you implement whatever the new restructures are. So I would encourage the discussions pertaining to customer order. Budgets be moved up in time to the extent possible. Okay? Same page. Okay. Well, maybe on the next version, we'll see it. Yeah. Well, and honestly, I mean, this is somewhat of a reflection of the available resources. We don't think just the way the process works for getting additional staffing. It won't happen in 2,024. You know it may may not happen in 2,025. So a lot of the

[89:05] primary reason we had a lot of these programs implemented starting in 2,026, as we thought that might be the time when we do have additional staffing resources to to support the implementation of these programs. So if we move something into 2,025, we have to move another program out just based on our current staffing level. II think that there might be ways to get some of these things implemented quicker. I think, back to the success of the community group that was part of the comprehensive. and even though they might have been just a feedback group by I sense from to Rose's involvement, he was former chair who was on it couple of years ago that they actually did quite a bit of heavy lifting and helps formulate how things change. And so that's not really staff time, except someone like yourself, or who doesn't need being involved

[90:06] for could be as little as that. So I think there are other ways to get through the import that aren't staff heavy. Yeah, I mean, we're. I guess we're we're kind of operating on a half to a 3 quarter time fte right now. So we don't. We don't have a lot, and we're it certainly will just involve juggling and prioritizing. I appreciate the feedback we've heard you on that point specifically, Gordon, and appreciate that. And I am always thinking about ways that we can be judicious with engagement process, but not have a plan. Take 2 years that really could be done in one. Okay. there, there, for certain things. There's process steps that we need to account for. And it just takes time. But

[91:04] of I'm interested in moving more and more that direction utilities is a huge department. Kim has one part of it, and our work plan and what we're trying to accomplish, and what's competing for our attention every year is an intense balance in the act. So if you look at a certain thing in isolation, and say, Well, should be able to do that quicker. That's true. If that was the only thing we were doing. But there is a whole lot to to run into several 1 billion dollar operations. any other questions or comments. Well, I think that concludes the board discussion portion. I think that we would be at the stage of whether we want to recommend

[92:03] approval of this or not. And can it be possible for you to bring up that slide that had the language for the Gosh recommendation. It's not an easy number of keystrokes to get. It can get great practice tonight. No. I guess I have a question about what you mean. water efficiency plan is substantially the same for as attachment A, which is what we're seeing tonight. What what you mean by substantially same. So we often do that for a plan like this, that I think they're very similar with their floodmaster plan, where there could be public process afterwards something could come in.

[93:05] or we might discover some minor change that we need to make, and I think our commitment to to the board is. If there's something substantive we wouldn't come back and check it with you. It's just kind of minor changes that can happen in process. We would keep it moving, so that the substantially same form sort of captures that if there's minor really inconsequential changes. we want to convene a board meeting to to come back, and we'll just keep them going through the process. Yes, anything that you heard tonight significant enough to represent substantial change. or or do you foresee any changes whatsoever when you heard from the board tonight. Maybe. No, I don't see any anything that would be substantive. But you talked about maybe emphasizing some other information. The executive session.

[94:07] It executive summary I mentioned the the comment we received about how we characterized climate change and how we're considering that we think we want to make some modifications to that language, but it wouldn't be any. wouldn't effectively change anything or any of recommendations that are in the the document. I think I think really where what might be substantive would be something that that would modify the recommendation section honestly. The rest of it is just informational. so. But at this point I'm not seeing anything that would result in substantive change. Before we we decide whether we want to agree with the language here, or any modification language, any feedback on this particular recommended motion.

[95:09] II commend you on on the effort, and putting together. Updated water efficiency plan. It seems like you spent quite a bit of time and effort, you know, engaging with the community, getting input from people and It all makes sense. I you know I think everyone would love to see everything happen faster, and for some of the codes to change as soon as possible, and for us to continue to be really leader in in a water conservation and efficiency. But I together thank you. Thank you, John, for participating. It was literally my pleasure. So this is 7 years. So is this 7 years, and then this comes up again, or

[96:06] Steve Xwell. Any thoughts or comments on from my perspective. I'm I'm comfortable with the language and the recommendation. I'm I'm comfortable with the language. Also any any suggestive changes for Northwest Nope. Could I have a motion? Thank you, a motion to approve. Second. I'll second. I'll second good all in favor of the languages put forth before us in the packet. Alright good the board passes unanimously. The language of the recommended motion. Appreciate the discussion tonight. It's an important topic, and we will for sure. Document, the feedback and the

[97:03] I'm not sure if we're doing a member for for City Council for matters, update or not, I think we typically do. But either way, we'll share some of these themes of what we heard. Water Resource Advisory Board. Thanks you, too. Thank you. Next would be on our agenda for tonight is Patterson the Board. or any matters board members would like to bring up. I just have one thing. I was. I was at a stormwater conference last week, and I just I learned while I was there that there's going to be a water resources, related folder, bookstore, book reading or book signing by Peter Flick, who started the Pacific Institute. So

[98:04] I think that's coming up in October. So for people who are interested in boulder. Yeah. what's worth it? And the older bookstore there'll also be a reading or a book signing at the chatter to cover in Denver. you know. I just tried to look, and II couldn't find it so. but I did. I heard it was October. and I would like to note that science will get paid for copies of the water bill. In the last 4 bill. There was a nice insert noting the we're the tenth anniversary of the 20 or just 2 days past it. and there was a nice link to website. And then as well, today you'll send us a link to interview on your boulder, which also talked about.

[99:02] So I just want to know that kind of person, the local paper daily camera. There have been a lot of articles over the last week or 10 days about the flood. I think it's focused on some of the outline communities more so than boulder, but nonetheless. I think there's been a lot of best about it. I I'm really glad to see that. Sure. Let's send them to the next agenda item, unless there are any other. Madison worked for him. Just a few things that I'll touch a little bit on the 2,013 flood as well. But I think we'll start tonight with an update from our water quality team on the Eurasian Millfoil situation at Boulder Reservoir. We brief the board on that a couple of times. and I believe Kate Dunlap is with us this evening, and Kate is a water quality senior project manager who really keeps tabs on this. And so I think she has just a few slides to to share briefly with us.

[100:11] hi! Everybody! I see. Kate. Can you hear me. Okay. we can hear you, and we can see you. So I'm glad when I queue someone up that they're here. Alright. So I'm just just sharing my screen. Can you see that now? Okay, that's it. Alright. Well, sorry. I'm online and not in person, but good to see you all. So today, I'm just going to be giving a brief update on the Eurasian Water Mill foil, which is an invasive aquatic plant species in Boulder reservoir that was discovered last year. So I gave an update to Rab earlier this year about that. So this time I'm just going to be focusing more on sort of what actions we've taken to date, and our plan next steps to manage the plant.

[101:00] So Eurasian water milfoil as a reminder. It is class A, which means a high priority. Aquatic nuisance species in the State of Colorado and Colorado parks and wildlife. They do semi annual routine spot checks for aquatic nuisance species at Boulder Reservoir every year, and last August they found the floating sprig of the plant in the reservoir, and unfortunately, during a full survey of the reservoir last October we were able to confirm that it is fully established throughout the reservoir. Primarily, in this highlighted area. On this map, in the western portion of the reservoir at the time, and glad to say that still, as of last month. the drinking water intake and the outlet structure are still plant free, and not just your Asian water mill foil free, but any. There's no plants at all likely due to the depth, or maybe soil characteristics in that area. but that, said we. When we did go out there and survey this area, we we found

[102:05] a fairly substantial increase in the amount of Eurasian water milfoil in these western coves. So I would estimate the last October growth was around 15 to 20% coverage. It's now around 50 to 75% coverage in this highlighted area. It's not to say that the entire cove is Eurasian water milfoil, but where it's growing it's it's pretty dense. The swim beach area also does have Eurasian watermel foil and northern watermel foil. Northern looks very similar, but it is native and it can still get to nuisance levels, though. So I have a couple of pictures here just to show you what it looks like in those coves. The photo here on the left just demonstrates the true extent the full extent of the biomass that we're seeing underneath the reservoir. It's really this plant grows bottom to top

[103:00] and shades out most other aquatic plant life. There's also a few of these floating mats where the photo on the right is showing where they're actually reproducing mats, and they, the plant will shoot up a a flower that reproduces about 2 to 3 inches above the water surface, and so we have about 3 or 4 of these areas of these mats in those coves. To date, we've made quite a few. We're taking quite a few steps, particularly parks and Rec to try to limit the spread of the plant. Unfortunately, this this plant, you know, it is located throughout Colorado and also Boulder County and once it gets established it's really not possible to eradicate it. But that said, as soon as Parks and Rec found out that we do have this invasive plant. They began immediately inspecting any watercraft, leaving the reservoir in order prevent the spread. They've also kicked off a pretty substantial public education program to any visitors or any per water craft permit holders. There are signs located all over the reservoir that look like this picture up here on the upper left.

[104:21] just to inform the public about the presence of this plant, and hopefully not spread it too much further. As I mentioned, we did do that for aquatic vegetation survey with Colorado parks and wildlife last October to really map out where it is located. We've also, over the past year been reaching out to utilities, water providers and lake managers throughout the country to understand what types of management strategies are being implemented and which ones are more successful or are not really effective.

[105:00] And what kind of impacts these reservoirs tend to incur, due to Eurasian watermelfoil growth. And finally, sort of the star of the show here today is these weevils. So there is a native to North America, Weevil that's called the Eurasian Water Mill Foil, Weevil, and it is, and a unique type of Weevil that actually only eats Eurasian water mill foil, which is fantastic and they have no known adverse impacts to aquatic ecosystems. They're about the size of a poppy seed, so they're very difficult to find the adults. But the good news is, we went out there with the city of Westminster, which uses this Weevil to manage Eurasian Water Mill Foil, and Stanley Lake, which is their primary water supply. And we did find some evidence that there is a weevil damage in Boulder reservoir. And so that means that these weevils, or some type of weevil, is eating the plant and surviving in the reservoir. That's good news, because I wasn't sure that if we were to introduce this weevil it would be viable but the fact that we're seeing these sort of black stems, and you can't see it from this photo, but there's a hole in there which is where the weevil exits the plant and

[106:20] can kill it. So I don't wanna get your hopes up too much. It's not gonna eliminate the plan. It's still gonna be growing extensively in the reservoir, but at least in Stanley Lake. They've been harvesting these weevils and managing their population for over 20 years and seen that it's been have felt like it's been pretty successful in keeping the Eurasian watermelon at bay. So we have a few plan next steps to manage Eurasian watermel foil and the potential impacts of the plant in the reservoir. First, we are beginning some targeted water quality monitoring within those mats of plants in the western coves. So one of the concerns that we have is just given that sheer amount of biomass that could present a risk for eutrophication or algae blooms in those Western coves, and we are hoping to get ahead of that. So we'll be doing some water quality monitoring to assess water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels. And Ph in those

[107:27] in those areas. We're also going back out with the same people from Colorado parks and wildlife in October. So it will be one year from our previous full survey, and we will map out your region, watermel foil to to really understand whether and to what extent it is spread in the reservoir. We're also hoping to working with parks and Rec in Northern water. We're hoping to partner with a consultant to evaluate the Eurasian water milfoil options available and recommend which strategies we could could or should implement in the near term and long term, including strategies to help prevent eutrophication in those coasts, such as aeration

[108:15] or some sort of method, to keep the water moving and prevent algal growth in those zones. Finally, we are hoping to relocate some of the weevils from Stanley Lake in Westminster. So I mentioned that in Westminster has been using these weevils for over 20 years. They used to be sold commercially, and they aren't anymore. Unfortunately. So really, the only place we can get them is either if they're already in a reservoir which they might be. or from Stanley Lake. So so far as it's been a really positive partnership, they've been very helpful, and we're going to go out with them next week to hopefully pick up about 100 adult weevils.

[109:03] Our plan is to if we're able to get a hundred adult weevils would bring them back to Boulder Reservoir and put them on the shoreline cause. They are in the point right now where they hibernate on the shoreline, and then They come back into the reservoir around May, and ideally, would be eating the plants all season, and then we would continue this process for about 3 years. If it works. That would be amazing. It would take it probably 5 years to see if there's a difference. But it's worth a shot, cause it's native, and there's no adverse impacts to doing so. So that is sort of my brief overview of our Eurasian water Millfoy on plan next steps. But I'd be happy to take any questions you might have.

[110:01] but the importance feels a little weird to root for the weevil. But thank you for the the update. We do run through these presentations together as a team. but not the the matters update so much. So I wasn't expecting a weevil with a happy Hmm! That was a great touch, and I know sometimes in discussions with the Board during retreats, there can be questions of, or are we having an impact and something a pastrab and wait in on was the Southern water supply line, too, but we refer to as the Cargo Lake pipeline. and there was some intense debate early in my career that project had a lengthy lead up, and the price tag was high and it's the same water source that comes into this reservoir.

[111:07] but it's now delivered in an enclosed pipeline that just improves our resilience to this issue, or to to floods that wiped off the canal in 2013, and so that is a case where, if if the Board had recommended against that at the moment of truth, it probably was counseling. likely wouldn't have supported it either, and gotten built. So really impactful things come along and you all have waiting on the things of the master plan or the efficiency plan tonight. Kate. I have both question before to let you go. And is that that is do you or other staff members have any hypotheses about where the office came from?

[112:03] It's a good question. In short, we don't know where it came from. This plant can spread from just one floating, one fragment that can be transported from wind or connected waterway. Waders, dogs, and it can survive for months without any soil or water, and then propagate and start a whole new population. So we don't know. It is interesting that it is located almost exclusively on the western side of the reservoir. So my hunch is that it's probably wind or a connected waterway, but I don't have any data to support that. We've heard rumors that there is some up there, some upstream reservoirs with this plant, but I've gone up there and Cpws gone up there, and we've not seen best plant there, so we just don't know, but likely came from the western side somewhere.

[113:07] Thank you. And thank you for the presentation. Really appreciate that. Yeah, thank you matters. I can be really brief. just talking about the the 2,013. But I did send the interview that I that I did with our Channel 8. Chris, nice Chuck, our deputy city manager, was interviewed as well. He played a prominent role for the whole community back then, and it's like recovery manager sitting in people's living rooms and A number of us, I think all of us utility staff in this room were here, and and we're part of it, and there were so many things. There's been a lot of

[114:01] capital improvement work that we've done since then, like the improvements to the wastewater collection system infiltration into that system overwhelming the capacity of it and creating sewage backups and people's basements was a huge thing in 2,013. And so I touched on a number of those things that have happened. Maybe that's my queue to stop talking, but I just I remember it was. It was right around this time. and we have a very predictable run off pattern every year, and we get snowmelt, and it and it snows and darker reservoir fills up and spills in the spring. and then somewhere in July, it starts. We start drawing it down. There's no more on off. And so we're using that water and that same storage. And I just remember 2,013. It's filled back up in September and still again. And that's never happened before, and there's just so many things like that.

[115:06] It exposed our our main super pipe to the treatment plan. And I it, that has gone through a lot of process and a lot of thoughtful work to to come up with a an alternative that improves our resilience. And so construction activities are starting on that within a couple of weeks. and at this late hour I'm gonna stop there. But I could go on and on about the twenty-third, I think those of us who are here. We each didn't dog years in terms of the the recovery from that. So then, just a couple of quick staffing updates earlier this year I mentioned we had a couple of vacancies on our our management team, and I our utilities maintenance manager and our finance manager lead position had both moved on to other opportunities.

[116:06] I may have mentioned previously that we we did a higher internally for the maintenance manager position. That's Brian organization for a long time, has a lot of institutional knowledge, and was previously an assistant manager position. So it was a a natural fit for him to move into the manager role. And then Graham Clark, who was our our financially, moved on. And he's he's presented to the board through the budget process, and we just had a new employee start today. Her name is Stephanie Great. So next year's budget process. the the board will will see a new face. and she comes from outside the organization and has a had a role consulting. advising municipal clients on things like rate structures and costly. So just

[117:06] had a really strong resume. And we're happy to have. So with that, if you'd like, I can move to the next agenda items, which is the upcoming agenda. Yes, and So we have. I have slated for October of 2023. If needed, that we would schedule a meeting and and return with the water efficiency plan there, there's been quite a bit of public process on it already. So right. I'm not expecting that. But you never know. And then starting to talk to the Board about an annual retreat. and we will have a new council after the election, and so this year they may want a letter from the board. So I'm gonna check with the city clerk's office and city managers office to see what the thinking is, and that may inform when it makes sense to

[118:04] to have a retreat. But previously we've we've done that, and set aside 2 or 3 h and weeknight evening and reviews time break in. So for those who have been as a facilitator for those who have been with the board previously, if you're okay with a similar approach this year. We can just start working on that and plan again. 2 questions then, based on not from the agenda, Joe October if needed. how would that be communicated to us? And and if it turns out that under substantial changes then there'd be no need. very likely would not be a business meeting it possibly a retreat. But I think with the election of

[119:01] being in November it might be too early for retreat. so we'd likely just wouldn't have a meeting. So we'll we'll try to communicate that in advance, at least about the time the packet comes out, and reflect that to the public as well. So it sounds like there's a pretty good chance that there would be. Our next week would be December, and it would be like this will be. And I think I remember right. Last year's retreat was in this room. It was actually on zoom. That's correct. Yeah. Whereas prior meetings have not been televised, so to speak. What's the thinking? I think it would be similar. The reason it was on Zoom. It's just what we learned from the pandemic. And that's kind of the new standard, because all of the board members are are convenings, rules. It is unknown as public meeting.

[120:02] and so zoom is just a part of that. Yeah. So then, in terms of process. we would. We would not know about October meeting until when we would. I will commit to letting you know the week or 10 days before that we verbally publish that packet, and I'll try to get that information to receive if we can. We have the October verses. Yeah, thank you. Next one. I have to have the first right jolly. and then with the December meeting fee. If we had it. We have retreated in December

[121:05] would be at the same time as the normal ruby. We've tried to avoid December the last several years. in part because of the timing of when Council needs the information from the Board, it would, if it happened in December. It would likely be first 10 days. Kind of thing. Not he is. I think there's a good chance. If we did the water quality update tonight. The most significant thing was the boulder reservoir situation. We've we've typically set aside a meeting in the fall

[122:03] for water quality updates. Beyond that there was really no reason to convenient. So it all would be good. The the remaining thing for the Board this year would be the history. And we probably need to, or we've we've done what we need to do in terms of meeting with the Board and action items. Yes. Given the the scheduled meeting November twentieth Thanksgiving week. II would agree that that you retreat in in the first. and the users of December will be preferable. Yeah. yep. we're on the same page, and I'm pretty sure our facilitators not. I've already heard that not available for November twentieth, anyway. So we would have to

[123:02] after we schedule so that we're we're looking at potentially an October meeting. if need be. But then then the next time for sure would be the retreat, and sometime, the first 10 days or so December. Correct. Okay. perfect. Any final comments from? Is there a motion to adjourn motion? Okay. all in favor of adjournment? Hi, thanks. Thank you for your attention and we will see there October or potentially early November, December. Sounds good. Thank you for the for the discussion tonight. It's good good engaged discussion. So appreciate it.