MINUTES OF THE
GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT SUBDISTRICT
OF THE
CENTRAL COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
May 18, 2021
The regular monthly meeting of the Groundwater Management Subdistrict Board of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District was held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 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 10:00 AM, and the following Directors were present: Ralph Anders, President; Chad Schafer, Vice President; Bret Schmidt, Treasurer; Frank Eckhardt, At Large; Everett Kissler; Randy Knutson; Steve Bruntz; Don Rosenbrock; Vern Kammerzell; Gary Herman; and Alan Axton. Directors attending via Zoom conference were: Dave Bernhardt and Doug Dill. Board members absent were Jim Reasoner and Tom Brown.
Others present were Randy Ray, Executive Director; William Mihelich, District Engineer; Lynn Kramer, Contracts Manager; Ruthanne Schaffer, Senior Water Accountant; Chris French, Meter Program Administrator. Special guests were Brad Grasmick and Rebecca Spence of Lawrence Custer Grasmick Jones & Donovan; Ed Armbruster of White Sands Water Engineers, Margaret McWeeney of Gallagher Risk Management, and Mike Alexander of Honker Nation. Special guests present via Zoom: Todd Snidow and Stacey Berlinger of Stifel Public Finance.
ACCEPT INTO THE RECORD THE CONSENT CALENDAR, FINANCIALS, AND MINUTES OF APRIL AND MAY 2021 AS PRESENTED.
Motion: Steve Bruntz
Second: Chad Schafer
MOTION CARRIED
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Margaret McWeeney reviewed cyber insurance quotes with the Board.
Todd Snidow gave an update on the GMS Bond issuance to occur June 8th.
MOVE TO APPROVE THE BUILD AMERICA MUTUAL BOND INSURANCE QUOTE FOR THE GMS 2021 ISSUANCE WITH AN ESTIMATED PREMIUM COST OF $48,000.
Motion: Gary Herman
Second: Vern Kammerzell
MOTION CARRIED
Mike Alexander spoke to the Board regarding renewing the hunting leases he currently has for the Walker and Koenig properties. He is also asking to begin hunting on the Pioneer Pit on weekends working around the construction.
MOVE TO APPROVE THE HUNTING LEASES WITH HONKER NATION FOR THE WALKER/ORCHARD RECHARGE PROPERTY, KOENIG RESERVOIR, AND PIONEER RESERVOIR AS PRESENTED.
Motion: Alan Axton
Second: Randy Knutson
MOTION CARRIED
Action Items
MOVE TO APPROVE THE NEW CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT GMS #1281 FARMERS RESERVOIR AND IRRIGATION COMPANY.
Motion: Steven Bruntz
Second: Frank Eckhardt
MOTION CARRIED
MOVE TO APPROVE THE CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT TRANSFER FROM GMS #1186 DANIEL SHEPHERD TO GMS #1271 HIGHLINE CAPITAL CORP.
Motion: Gary Herman
Second: Bret Schmidt
MOTION CARRIED
MOVE TO APPROVE THE NEW CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT TRANSFER FROM GMS #770 D. ANTHONY & NANCY VROOMAN TO GMS #1277 JARRED P. SATER.
Motion: Everett Kissler
Second: Chad Schafer
MOTION CARRIED
Lynn and Chris gave a presentation on the McCrometer FlowConnect metering project.
Legal Action
Brad Grasmick introduced new associate at Lawrence Custer Grasmick Jones & Donovan Rebecca Spence to the Board.
Legal Reports
Brad Grasmick reviewed the resume and focused on Case No. 21CW3056.
MOVE TO CONDITIONALLY APPROVE OPPOSITION TO CASE NO. 21CW3056, CONTINGENT UPON DISCUSSION BETWEEN COUNSELS, AS DISCUSSED.
Motion: Randy Knutson
Second: Gary Herman
MOTION CARRIED WITH ALAN AXTON VOTING NAY
MOVE TO OPPOSE CASE NO. 21CW3061, TOWN OF LOCHBUIE.
Motion: Chad Schafer
Second: Bret Schmidt
MOTION CARRIED
Brad gave an update on Water Court applications/decrees and are submitting stipulations. Comments were received on our Fulton change case application and comments from United was discussed. The Mutual Ditch Company bill is at the Governor’s office awaiting signature.
ADJOURN FOR LUNCH AND RECONVENE.
Subdistrict Action:
The Board discussed the Cyber Liability and Privacy Coverage as presented by Margaret McWeeney. The Board’s consensus is that if all three districts are covered by the quote presented, they are interested in purchasing the policy.
MOVE TO APPROVE THE CYBER LIABILITY AND PRIVACY COVERAGE UP TO $5 MILLION AS PRESENTED BY GALLAGHER, CONTINGENT ON ALL THREE DISTRICTS ARE COVERED FOR THAT PREMIUM.
Motion: Gary Herman
Second: Bret Schmidt
MOTION CARRIED WITH ALAN AXTON AND STEVE BRUNTZ VOTING NAY
MOVE TO APPROVE THE EASEMENT AGREEMENT WITH ARROWLEAF LANDSCAPE, INC.
Motion: Gary Herman
Second: Vern Kammerzell
MOTION CARRIED
MOVE TO APPROVE TO SPLIT THE LEGAL COST FOR DRAFTING THE UNION DITCH AUGMENTATION WELL CARRIAGE AGREEMENT.
Motion: Randy Knutson
Second: Gary Herman
MOTION CARRIED WITH VERN KAMMERZELL ABSTAINING
MOVE TO APPROVE THE GMS PARTIAL PERMANENT CONTRACT TRANSFER OF CONTRACT #754 CAROL ANN UNRUH TO BRADLEY UNRUH, CONTINGENT UPON BRADLEY UNRUH’S LANDS BEING INCLUDED INTO THE DISTRICT AND GMS.
Motion: Alan Axton
Second: Chad Schafer
MOTION CARRIED
MOVE TO APPROVE THE MEINING FARM ALLOCATION AGREEMENTS BETWEEN CENTRAL, GMS, AND WAS.
Motion: Chad Schafer
Second: Bret Schmidt
MOTION CARRIED
MOVE TO ACCEPT THE MAY 18, 2021 BID FROM AGFAB FOR THE HOKESTRA SHOP.
Motion: Don Rosenbrock
Second: Randy Knutson
MOTION CARRIED
MOVE TO APPROVE THE HOKESTRA RESERVOIR #2 PUMP, ELECTRICAL, AND CEMENT BIDS AS PRESENTED.
Motion: Gary Herman
Second: Chad Schafer
MOTION CARRIED
Staff Action:
There was none.
Presidents Report
There was none.
Subdistrict Report:
Billy Mihelich updated the Board that Central has been filling Chatfield Reservoir since Saturday at 4pm and continues to be the call on the river. Staff is planning on starting Walker Recharge this Friday if river conditions continue to be favorable.
Billy reviewed the operational report, snowpack, and precipitation outlooks.
MOVE TO SET THE GMS QUOTA TO 57.5% FOR 2021.
Motion: Doug Dill
Second: Chad Schafer
MOTION CARRIED WITH ALAN AXTON ABSTAINING
Secretaries Report:
The Water Education Colorado Presidents Reception has requested Sponsorship, the Board will pass this year to sponsor.
There will be a staff and Board BBQ at the Platte River Fort July 2nd.
Colorado Water Congress Summer Conference will be held in-person in Steamboat Spring in late August.
Staff and Board scheduled a Board Project tour June 22nd.
Unscheduled Business
There was none.
New Business
There was none.
MOVE TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
Motion: Bret Schmidt
Second: Frank Eckhardt
MOTION CARRIED
The regular meeting was adjourned at 2:14 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ruthanne Schaffer,
Sr Water Accountant