Board Minutes February 2025

The Board of Directors of the Snake River Water District (SRWD), Summit County, Colorado, met at the district offices at 0050 Oro Grande Road and via online Zoom conference on February 11, 2025, for their regular quarterly meeting. The meeting was called to order by Scott Price at 4:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

The following members of the Board of Directors were present at the meeting, constituting a quorum: William Bergman - President; Steve Martin - Secretary; Randy May - Treasurer; Scott Thisted - Assistant Secretary.  Also present: Scott Price – District Administrator; Ron Mentch – Superintendent of Operations; Donna Svenson – Financial Manager; Alec Bry – Lead Engineer; Joe Norris - CEGR Attorney; Kristen Herndon - CEGR Paralegal; Tom Oberheide - Water Engineer; Jon Drees - Project Manager.

CONSENT AGENDA

The board reviewed the consent agenda, which included the approval of the minutes from the Regular Meeting of November 12, 2024 and the transaction reports for November, December, and January.

The board discussed the approval of Resolution #1-2025, which designates the District’s agenda notice posting place as required by Colorado law. Following this, the board reviewed Resolution #2-2025, to appoint Mr. Price as the designated election official and authorize the official to cancel the election in accordance with Colorado law. This is a routine measure, given the lack of contested elections in previous years.

Mr. Bergman motioned to approve the consent agenda in its entirety. Mr. May seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
 

GENERAL COUNSEL DISCUSSION

Mr. Norris, an attorney with CEGR, introduced himself to the board, outlining his experience in working with water and sanitation districts. He emphasized his commitment to providing effective legal counsel and support to the district. Mr. Price led the discussion regarding the transition from Timberline Law to CEGR Law.

The board expressed their confidence in Joe's abilities and discussed the importance of having a general counsel who understands the unique challenges faced by the district.

A motion was made by Mr. Thisted to discontinue the relationship with Timberline Law. Mr. Martin seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Bergman made a motion to appoint CEGR Law as the new general counsel and authorize Mr. Price to sign the Engagement Letter with CEGR. Mr. May seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Norris stated that the top priorities of his initial review will be the current Water Main Extension Agreement and Water Service Improvement Agreement, with the goal of making them one contract, as well as a review of the current Rules and Regulations. Mr. Norris also mentioned utilizing standard agreements for construction of capital projects .

WATER RIGHTS DISCUSSION

Mr. Price initiated the discussion on water rights, emphasizing the ongoing legal matters that the district is currently facing. The board discussed the implications of the attorney general's actions and their potential impact on the district's water rights.

Mr. Oberheide updated the board on water usage and diversions. Mr. Oberheide assured the board that they are not at risk of losing rights to unused water based on legal counsel he has received. The reasoning being that districts have the right to plan ahead and support a community’s build out.

Mr. Norris provided insights into the legal landscape surrounding water rights and noted that conservation measures could be added to the rules and regulations as makes sense.

2025 ELECTION

The board reviewed the upcoming election process, discussing the need for self-nomination forms and the timeline for submissions. Mr. Price highlighted the importance of ensuring that all board members are aware of their terms and the election requirements.

Mr. Norris discussed Mr. Bergman’s eligibility to be a board member having reached his term limit. Mr. Norris confirmed that after the election Mr. Bergman is able to be appointed to a two-year term if there are openings on the board.

CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE

Mr. May provided an update on the new Water Storage Tank project, detailing the challenges faced with obtaining approvals from the U.S. Forest Service. He explained the new administrative processes that have been implemented, which have caused delays in project timelines. The USFS local and regional offices have approved the tank site, but final approval is needed from Washington.

The board discussed the implications of these delays on the overall capital improvement plan and the importance of maintaining momentum on other projects. Mr. May also provided updates on the Base 2 Treatment project, noting that plans are expected to be stamped shortly, allowing for the next steps in the project.

ADMINISTRATOR'S DISCUSSION ITEMS

Mr. Price led the discussion on various administrative items, including the ongoing PFAS issues and the potential for grant funding to address these challenges. He emphasized the urgency of finding effective solutions to ensure compliance with new regulations. The current most promising options for PFAS mitigation are a filtration system or drilling new wells.

Mr. Norris mentioned ongoing class action lawsuits against companies such as 3M for utilities affected by PFAS.

Mr. Drees provided an update on establishing a Cybersecurity Plan with the help of the CISA and the EPA.

Mr. Price also provided the board with a ‘List of Key Staff and Subcontractors’ per the updated service agreement.

There were no items discussed in the administrator’s discussion items that called for a vote.

SUPERINTENDENT'S DISCUSSION ITEMS

Mr. Mentch presented the operations report, highlighting key metrics related to water production and unaccounted water statistics. He noted a decrease in unaccounted water, which is a positive trend for the district.

Mr. Mentch discussed the importance of ongoing maintenance and the need for proactive measures to address any potential leaks or issues within the distribution system. Mr. Mentch also mentioned that he has purchased equipment for leak detection. The board acknowledged the efforts made to improve water quality and reduce losses.

REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE OF FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIALS

 Mr. Price presented the unaudited financials for the fourth quarter, highlighting key figures and trends. He noted that the district is in a strong financial position, with healthy revenue streams and controlled expenses.

The board discussed the implications of the financials on future planning and budgeting. A motion to accept the fourth quarter financials was made by Mr. Thisted, seconded by Mr. Bergman, and unanimously approved by the board.

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS 

Board members shared their thoughts on the discussions held during the meeting, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and communication among all parties involved. They expressed appreciation for the efforts made by staff to address ongoing challenges.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mr. Thisted, and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 5:33 PM.

Respectfully Submitted, 
Scott Price 
Recording Secretary 

Approved by the Board of Directors 
Stephen Bushkuhl
Assistant Secretary