HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2010-07-09 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 9, 2010
Minutes of a Study Session meeting of the TOWN BOARD of the Town
of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at the Estes
Park Museum Meeting Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 9th day
of July, 2010.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Levine, Trustees
Blackhurst, Elrod, Ericson, Koenig and Miller
Also Attending: Town Administrator Halburnt, Deputy Town Administrator
Richardson, Director Goehring, Utilities Engineer Bergsten,
Superintendent Boles, Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: None
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
GLACIER CREEK WATER FACILITY UPGRADE.
Sarah Clark/HDR reviewed the findings of the phase 2 study that defined steps for
permitting, design, construction of new Glacier Creek water treatment plant; develop
schedule for Glacier Creek, evaluate distribution system, and provide budget cost
estimates for all work, including planning, rate study and budgeting over the next few
years. Key findings of the study included the extensive work to be completed to rebuild
Glacier Creek, the cost to rebuild, steps necessary to complete rebuild by 2015, cost
saving potential to reducing the waste water discharge fees at both plants with a third
stage treatment, and integrate distribution improvements into an ongoing CIP plan.
Test levels at the Glacier Creek plant for cryptosporidium and giardia did not reach
federal levels that would require the Town to upgrade its facilities in 2013; however,
additional sampling would be required in the near future that could trigger necessary
upgrades to the system.
The study found the distribution system would require improvements because the
overall system is low on storage, especially low for fire flow delivery. There are also
some bottlenecks in the system to be fixed and fire hydrants with small pipes that need
to be upgraded. HDR would recommend four additional tanks with an increase in
storage of 1.48 million gallons at an estimated cost of $5.9 million, not including the
purchase of land. Director Goehring stated the storage recommended is an industry
standard; however, storage of excess water that cannot be turned over often enough
would have to be replaced with fresh water, in essence wasting water. This issue is not
of great concern to staff. The bottlenecks in the system are of greater concern. Ms.
Clark stated the cost to alleviate the bottlenecks would require new piping at an
estimated cost of $520,000 and new valves at a cost of $350,000. This would allow
water to be moved around the system more efficiently.
Preliminary steps should be addressed for the replacement of the Glacier Creek
treatment plant, including the evaluation and pilot 3rd stage treatment process at the
Marys Lake plant, delineate flood plain, purchase necessary property, rezone property,
and develop and implement a wildfire protection plan, wildlife protection plan, and
drainage plan. HDR would make inquiries to determine if there are companies
interested in providing a demo 3rd stage product at Marys Lake to determine its
effectiveness at lowering discharge levels. Current FEMA maps do not delineate the
area because a study has not been completed in the area. If the site is not usable due
to the flood plain concerns, a new site would have to be established and property would
need to be purchased. If the property can be used than there is some surveying that
needs to be completed to identify exactly what property the town owns and what
property would need to be purchased to connect all the properties as required by law.
Town Board Study Session – July 9, 2010 – Page 2
Additional improvements to the site would include redevelopment of the headwall and
pool to increase the size of the intake; however, the area should not be over improved
in order to minimize the need for permitting and environmental impacts. A pipeline
could be built from the East Portal to the Glacier plant if the Town determines additional
water rights were needed at an estimated cost of $2.6 million. There could be the
potential of cost sharing with the YMCA for this project.
HDR would recommend the new plant consist of a 2-stage microfiltration membrane
system to address the moderate risk for biological pathogens in the raw water source,
minimize waste water and maximize water rights. The plant would need to produce 2.5
MGD by 2020 with expansion to 3.9 MGD by 2025. Ms. Clark reviewed the potential
layout of a pretreatment building, membrane building, chemical storage building and
clearwell. The new plant would require the purchase of a new membrane system, a
new sewer line with a lift station, additional site work to accommodate chemical delivery
trucks and fire trucks, improve road access, potential new transformer, extension of
Town LAN to site, and heat and backup power source. Discussion followed on the
potential of locating a septic or a vault on the property in an effort to decrease discharge
fees and eliminate the need to build an expensive sewer line. Ms. Clark stated a septic
system would not be a viable option due to code constraints and limited land area.
Waste water discharge fees could be substantially decreased with a 3rd stage treatment
from an estimated $1.3 million tap fee and $72,000 annual discharge fees to $130,000
tap fee and $1,855 annual discharge fees.
Director Goehring stated the cost of building on a new site requires the proposed site to
be at the same elevation as the existing site and the installation of new piping, thereby
increasing the overall cost. Staff reviewed the potential of pumping water to the Marys
Lake facility and determined the pumping fees would be too expensive and there would
be a loss of redundancy in the system.
HDR reviewed the option of using natural gas to heat the plant and as a back-up energy
supply. The current line in the area would require an upgrade and coordination with the
YMCA at a cost of $365,000 for heat only with a diesel back-up generator and $500,000
for heat and a standby generator. Cost sharing could be an option with the YMCA for
the upgrade. Trustee Miller suggested alternatives such as solar panels, heat pump or
propane generators should be considered.
The estimated cost of construction of a new facility in 2014 is $22.5 million. The costs
are driven by the narrow, odd shaped lot, major site renovations, sewer and gas lines,
temporary treatment and remote site. Director Goehring stated staff chose 2015 as a
target date because the current filters in the building would need to be replaced that
year at a cost of $500,000.
The Board stated discussions should begin with the YMCA to determine their needs for
water, sewer, natural gas and if they would be willing to sell land to the Town for the
new facility. An estimated cost should be obtained for the delineation of the flood plain.
Director Goehring stated the financial plan would review the cost and potential rate
increases necessary to pay for each portion of the improvements to the water system.
The distribution system should be addressed first in order to obtain full potential of the
Marys Lake plant.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 11:35 a.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk