MINUTES OF THE WELL AUGMENTATION SUBDISTRICT OF THE CENTRAL COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
September 17, 2024
The regular monthly meeting of the Well Augmentation Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District was held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at the office of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District located at 3209 W. 28th St. Greeley, Colorado. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 A.M. by Chairman Ralph Anders and the following Directors were present: Ralph Anders, President; Bret Schmidt, Treasurer; Frank Eckhardt, At Large; Steve Bruntz; Doug Dill; Calven Goza; Gary Herman; Dan Kammerzell; Everett Kissler; Randy Knutson; John Mark; Alan Mazzotti and Don Rosenbrock. Directors Dave Bernhardt and Chad Schafer were absent.
Others present were Randy Ray, Executive Director; Billy Mihelich, District Engineer; Evan McCurnin, Water Resources Analyst; Danyelle Hart, Financial Analyst; Courtney Sandoval, Water Quality Coordinator and Lynn Kramer, Contracts Manager. Special guests were Brad Grasmick of Lawrence Custer Grasmick Jones & Donovan and Ed Armbruster of White Sands Water Engineers attended by video conference.
ACCEPT INTO THE RECORD THE CONSENT CALENDAR, FINANCIALS, AND MINUTES OF AUGUST 2024 AS PRESENTED.
MOTION: FRANK ECKHARDT
SECOND: BRET SCHMIDT
MOTION CARRIED
Randy Ray has been awarded the 2024 Manager of the Year by the Special District Association of Colorado. The video made by SDA for the award ceremony was shown. Board members expressed their admiration and appreciation for Randy’s dedication to the district.
Public Discussion
Jason Ullman, State Engineer and Corey DeAngelis, Division One Engineer attended the meeting. Mr. Ullmann introduced himself and went on to discuss the Nebraska compact and the Turnback issue.
Director Eckhardt asked about river restoration efforts and funding for the restoration. Brad Grasmick discussed how flow measurements affect the call on the river. Mr. DeAngelis agreed there is a need for additional stream gauges.
Randy Ray asked the guests to talk about the State’s role in Water Court applications. Mr. Ullmann described how their role fluctuates in the different divisions throughout the state.
Director Rosenbrock discussed the Arkansas River water rights purchase by the City of Aurora and Director Kissler asked what the State’s position is on water being used for oil & gas production.
Mr. Ullmann added comments on the Federal Government’s position on the Interstate Compact regarding the Rio Grande River and how that can affect compacts on the Colorado River.
Legal Action Items
Brad Grasmick had no statements of opposition to recommend.
Legal/Legislative Reports
Brad gave a Water Court update including the FRICO case, the Town of Frederick case and FIDCO shares change case.
Wes Knoll is monitoring the legislative sessions.
District Action
Randy Ray presented the Castle Rock Intergovernmental Agreement.
MOVE TO APPROVE THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT REGARDING THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN PROJECTS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK AND CCWCD.
MOTION: ALAN MAZZOTTI
SECOND: GARY HERMAN
MOTION CARRIED
MOVE TO APPROVE THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT REGARDING THE SUBLETTE RECHARGE AND CHATFIELD RESERVOIR PROJECT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK AND CCWCD.
MOTION: DOUG DILL
SECOND: BRET SCHMIDT
MOTION CARRIED
Randy presented the Easement and Right of Way Agreement with Meining Cattle Co. LLC.
MOVE TO APPROVE THE EASEMENT AND RIGHT OF WAY AGREEMENT BETWEEN MEINING CATTLE CO LLC, CCWCD, GMS AND WAS WITH MODIFICATIONS DISCUSSED.
MOTION: GARY HERMAN
SECOND: EVERETT KISSLER
MOTION CARRIED
Randy reviewed the Collier Geophysics preliminary reports and presented the Seiber-Empire pond design and quotes.
MOVE TO SEND THE EXCAVATION OF THE SEIBER-EMPIRE POND OUT FOR BID.
MOTION: EVERETT KISSLER
THE MOTION WAS NOT SECONDED AND WAS NOT CONSIDERED
MOVE TO APPROVE NEGOTIATING WITH AB UNDERGROUND REGARDING THE UNIT PRICE ON THE BID FOR EXCAVATION OF THE SEIBER-EMPIRE POND.
MOTION: RANDY KNUTSON
SECOND: DAN KAMMERZELL
MOTION CARRIED
Randy presented a letter regarding The Greeley Irrigation Company Water Supply Fund Grant.
MOVE TO APPROVE THE COMBINED IN-KIND SERVICES AND CASH FUNDS NOT TO EXCEED $10,000 TO THE GREELEY IRRIGATION COMPANY’S DATA ACCURACY PROJECT.
MOTION: GARY HERMAN
SECOND: STEVE BRUNTZ
MOTION CARRIED
Subdistrict Action
MOVE TO CONTINUE CONTRIBUTING 5% OF THE WAS CLASS D ASSESSMENTS TO THE ENTERPRISE FUND IN THE 2025 BUDGET.
MOTION: STEVE BRUNTZ
SECOND: JOHN MARK
MOTION CARRIED
Randy presented Sunshare easements regarding property purchased from Western Equipment & Truck.
MOVE TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENTS TO RELINQUISH THE LARK BUNTING EASEMENT AND APPROVE NEW EASEMENT AGREEMENTS WITH SUNSHARE.
MOTION: GARY HERMAN
SECOND: BRET SCHMIDT
MOTION CARRIED
Staff Action
There was none.
Presidents Report
President Anders reminded the board that the October board meeting is being held on October 22, 2024.
Education Report
There was none.
Water Quality Report
Courtney Sandoval requested allowing the 2024 summer intern, Abby Gearhart, access to the depth to groundwater Well Watch data. Abby would like to use the data in her Masters Degree project.
MOVE TO APPROVE ABBY GEARHART ACCESS TO THE GROUNDWATER DEPTH WELL WATCH DATA.
MOTION: EVERETT KISSLER
SECOND: BRET SCHMIDT
MOTION CARRIED
Courtney presented reservoir sampling data from July 2024. Discussion followed.
MOVE TO ACCEPT THE WATER QUALITY REPORT.
MOTION: EVERETT KISSLER
SECOND: FRANK ECKHARDT
MOTION CARRIED
Subdistrict Report
Billy Mihelich provided the operational reports and precipitation outlook.
Secretaries Report
Secretary Ray reviewed the CCWCD calendar.
New Business
There was none.
MOVE TO ADJOURN.
MOTION: EVERETT KISSLER
SECOND: FRANK ECKHARDT
MOTION CARRIED
The regular meeting was adjourned at 2:04 P.M.