MINUTES OF THE

WELL AUGMENTATION SUBDISTRICT
OF THE

CENTRAL COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT

May 15, 2018

The regular meeting of the Well Augmentation Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District was held on Wednesday May 2, 2018, at the office of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District located at 3209 W 28 St, Greeley Colorado. The meeting was called to order at 10:01 AM, and the following Directors were present: Randy Knutson, President; Chad Schafer, Vice President; Vern Kammerzell, Treasurer; Frank Eckhardt, At Large; Everett Kissler; Ralph Anders; Jim Reasoner; Steve Bruntz; Gary Herman; Doug Dill; Don Rosenbrock; Alan Axton; Tom Brown; and Dave Bernhardt.  Bret Schmidt was absent.

Others present were: Randy Ray, Executive Director; William Mihelich, District Engineer; Danyelle McCannon, Financial Analyst; Lynn Kramer, Contracts Manager; Ruthanne Schaffer, Senior Water Accountant; Francisco Esquivel, Water Delivery Coordinator; and Brad Grasmick of Lawrence, Jones, Custer and Grasmick. Special guests were: Jay Jarnagin from Beaver Fish Farms, Bill Irwin and Jim Peay from Vantage Resources Company, and Don Diones from George K Baum.

President Randy Knutson opened the meeting.

ACCEPT INTO THE RECORD THE CONSENT CALENDAR, FINANCIALS, AND MINUTES OF APRIL AS PRESENTED.

Motion: Dave Bernhardt
Second: Everett Kissler
MOTION CARRIED

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Jay Jarnagin from Beaver Fish Farms presented to the Board some background information about his company. They can utilize gravel pits like the ones owned by Central to stock with fish of various species, and then either lease those out to private fishing clubs, or allow the fish to grow and reproduce and then remove the fish and sell them. In talking with CCWCD staff, Jay has determined that the Rinn Valley cell C is a good potential location for the companies to work together. Staff will work with Beaver Fish Farms to gather more information and bring to the committee meetings.

Bill Irwin and Jim Peay from Vantage Resource Company spoke to the Board about the potential to drill for oil at Orchard. Maps of past oil well drilling sites and new potential sites were distributed. There are no current plans to drill directly on the Orchard property, but horizontal wells to this location could be considered. If that did happen, Vantage Resources would be interested in leasing the mineral rights at Orchard, once the rights have reverted back to CCWCD.

Don Diones from George K Baum gave an update on the bond market. Interest rates are on the rise, and have the potential to continue going up. He also provided insight into the oil and gas market, which could go up as much as 20% next year.

ACTION ITEMS

APPROVE THE REVISION OF WAS CONTRACT #839, KNUTSON LAND COMPANY, AND APPROVE THE REVISION OF WAS CONTRACTS #1154 AND #1182, JOE AND CHRIS MILLER.

Motion: Gary Herman
Second: Chad Schafer
MOTION CARRIED

APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF WAS CONTRACT #833, EATON CATTLE COMPANY, TO WAS CONTRACT #1201, HS LAND AND CATTLE COMPANY.

Motion: Chad Schafer
Second: Steve Bruntz
MOTION CARRIED

Legal Action

I MOVE TO ADJOURN THE OPEN MEETING AND GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING POSITIONS RELATIVE TO MATTERS THAT MAY BE SUBJECT TO NEGOTIATIONS, AND/OR INSTRUCTING NEGOTIATORS, UNDER SECTION 24-6-402(4)(E) C.R.S. AND ALSO FOR A CONFERENCE WITH THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING LEGAL ADVICE ON SPECIFIC LEGAL QUESTIONS UNDER SECTION 24-6-402(4)(B) C.R.S.”

Motion: Randy Knutson
Second: Dave BernhardtMOTION CARRIED AT 11:10 AM

Steve Bruntz recused himself from the meeting at 11:13 am.

ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AND RECONVENE INTO THE PUBLIC MEETING.
Motion: Everett Kissler
Second: Ralph AndersMOTION CARRIED AT 12:06 PM

Legal Reports

MOVE TO OPPOSE THE RIVERSIDE APPLICATION.

Motion: Everett Kissler
Second: Doug Dill
MOTION CARRIED

Subdistrict Action:

MOVE TO APPROVE THE GIC BYPASS AGREEMENT WITH SIMPLE DREAMS.

Motion: Ralph Anders
Second: Steve Bruntz
MOTION CARRIED

Committee Action:

There were none.

Staff Action:

There were none.

Presidents Report

There was none.

Legislative/Education:

Randy Ray gave an overview Senate Bill 18-167 and the tier II memberships and utility locates. It has passed but is still waiting to get signed.

The proposed Water Projects Bill includes a $511,000 grant for CCWCD toward the increased cost of the Chatfield project on the additional shares that CCWCD purchased from the Western Ditch Company.

MOVE TO USE THE ORIGINAL CHATFIELD MONEY IN THE CCWCD SOA ACCOUNT TO FUND THE REMAINING BALANCE DUE TO ESCROW BY JUNE 11TH.

Motion: Everett Kissler
Second: Ralph Anders
MOTION CARRIED

Subdistrict Report:

There was none.

District Report:

Randy Ray updated the board on the progress at Chatfield. The marina contractor discovered that they can salvage the floating building and put it back in place once construction is complete. The overall progress of the construction is moving along well.

Operations Report:

Billy Mihelich presented to the board the current operations report, along with the updated precipitation and temperature outlooks.

Secretaries Report:

The 2019 GMDA Winter Conference location was discussed. Phoenix has been suggested by the NWRA. It was suggested that there be a joint conference fee for people to attend both conferences.

The SPROG task force has been meeting and they would like to increase participation and joint projects to create yield for multiple users.

The Colorado River District will be attending the committee meetings on June 6th at noon to provide a presentation on the impacts of the Flaming Gorge project.

Randy Ray will be following up with the Mayor of Gilcrest about the high groundwater levels, and the possibility of working with Anadarko to try and dewater the area.

CCWCD has applied for a Bureau of Reclamation WEEG grant for telemetry untis on the wells that impact the river the soonest after being pumped. The award notice should come out some time in September.

Randy Ray will be meeting with property owners later this week for further discussion on enlarging Klug Reservoir.

The USDA-ARS Water Management and Systems Research Unit will be having a field day northeast of Greeley on August 9, 2018.

Randy Ray will speak at the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Water Center Tour in July about surface water and groundwater.

The upcoming Board Calendar was reviewed.

Unscheduled Business

There was none.

The regular meeting was adjourned at 2:23 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Danyelle McCannon,
Financial Analyst