HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.regular.20100913CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
September 13, 2010
5:00 P.M.
1) Call to Order
11) Roll Call
III) Scheduled Public Appearances
Jennings Randolph Award APWA Trish Aragon
IV) Citizens Comments & Petitions (Time for any citizen to address Council on issues NOT on
the agenda. Please limit your comments to 3 minutes)
V) Special Orders of the Day
a) Councilmembers' and Mayor's Comments
b) Agenda Deletions and Additions
c) City Manager's Comments
d) Board Reports
VI) Consent Calendar (These matters may be adopted together by a single motion)
a) Resolution # 74, 2010 — Contract — Ice Garden compressor
b) Resolution # 75, 2010— Patrol Room Remodel —Sandy's Office Supply
c) Resolution # 76, 2010 - Patrol Room Remodel —Tiffin Metal Products
d) Aspen Skiing Company Winter Concert Conditions
e) Minutes —August 23, 24, 2010
VII)Public Hearings
a) Ordinance #15, 2010 —Castle Creek Energy Center
b) Extension /Reinstatement of Vested Rights — Dancing Bear (continue public hearing 9/27)
c) Ordinance #48 Negotiation Given Institute
VIII)Adjournment
Next Regular Meeting September 27, 2010
COUNCIL'S ADOPTED GUIDELINES
• Stick to top priorities
• Foster a safe, supportive, innovative environment that encourages creativity and acceptable risk -
taking
• Create structure and allow adequate time & resources for citizen processes; demonstrate and invite
active listening
COUNCIL SCHEDULES A 15 MINUTE DINNER BREAK APPROXIMATELY 7 P.M.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Scott Miller, Capital Asset Director
DATE OF MEMO: 8/27/10
RE: Awarding Jennings Randolph Fellowship to Tricia Aragon
Trish Aragon is a recipient of the Jennings Randolf Fellowship. As part of her fellowship she
presented to the APWA (American Public Works Association) Congress in Boston. Her
presentation was entitled "Asset Management in New Zealand ".
The Jennings Randolph Fellowship is offered each year for APWA (American Public Works
Association) members to attend the international conference at one of APWA's international
partnerships, to present a paper, study a public works issue of interest to both the partner and
APWA and write an APWA Reporter article about the experience. The purpose of the Jennings
Randolf Fellowship is to provide an opportunity for APWA members to broaden their
knowledge and exchange experiences and information on trends and advances in the industry,
through direct contact with their international partners.
Trish's fellowship took place in New Zealand where she had a study tour of 5 municipalities to
learn how they manage their assets. Based on the tour experience she presented her findings at
the APWA Congress in Boston. Her presentation included New Zealand's application of
engineering, financial, economic management of their infrastructure assets with the objective of
provided the required levels of service in the most cost effective manner.
So if you find yourself in New Zealand and are impressed by their quality of infrastructure, it's
not by accident. She believes it's through their diligent use of asset management. She feels any
municipality (including Aspen) can benefit from New Zealand's experience in developing a
comprehensive asset management program.
Certi, flcate Awarded
to
Tricia Aragon
Jennings Randolph Fellow
New Zealand
al w 7/19
to
$S BEVERLY HILLS COURIER SEPTEMBER r, 2010
F1 A View From The New York Times
Maureen Dowd
We went sledding there and played hide and seek, rolled Easi-
er eggs and stole our first kisses. We could be dragged away only
when we heard our mom's vibrant whistle, signaling dinner.
When we were little, fart Stevens was just a cool playground,
with dry moats and tall mounds and a couple of cannons, located
across the street from our Catholic grade school and down the
block from our house.
My mom, an ardent student of the Civil War, explained that
the fall was an important pan of history —the scene of a battle In
which a sitting American president came under enemy fire and the
only time the nation's capital was attacked by the Confederate
Army.
My lumber Kevin nervously stood on the ramparts to sneak his
first cigarette on the very spot where Abe Lincoln coolly stood and
faced Confederate sniper fire in 1864 —until he was ordered down
by his alarmed general.
Kevin made a video this summer celebrating Fart Stevens, a
mournful response to the news that the Civil War Preservation Trust
had put the fon on its annual list of endangered battlefields.
The trust fears that a five staff building planned by the Emory
United Methodist Church next door will block the line of sight
from the fort and make it harder for visitors to visualize history.
On the eve of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the trust
also warns the Wilderness battlefield west of Fredericksburg, Vir-
ginia, the site of the first bloody confrontation between the com-
manders Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, could be violated by
a huge development featuring a Walmart at its gateway.
Gettysburg made the list because of a plan to build a casino
halt a mile from the park, along the Journey Through Hallowed
Ground National Scenic Byway. I can hear the Gen. Robert E. Lee
situ machines Iingling may
Fan Stevens — located In a working - class, mostly black neigh-
borhood near President Lincoln's summer cottage at the Soldiers'
Nome —had been neglected and forgotten in recent decades.
Some stimulus money came its way, and the National Park Service
cleaned it up in hopes of makln t more visitor - friendly
gI
But the day went touring the fort with representatives of the
trust and the park service, a D.C. policeman got out of his car and
came over t ask us what we were doing there.
"IYS the first time I came here and saw people during the day."
the suspicious o t explained, puncturing the attempt of Fon
Stevens' defenders to argue that the too Is a tourist dl
Pastor Joseph Daniels of the Emory United Methothodisis Church
Church
defended his expansion, saying it was not a halfw house, a
some critics feared, but a com enter bo community center and d low-cost cost
st
housing. He said they would put In a Fort Stevens visitor center
and gin shop.
For years, Fort Stevens was a place where many prostitutes
and drug addicts and the like would practice their difficulty" the
pastor said "They would get drunk and get high and participate in
prostitution at the fon and sell their drugs behind the cannons. If
,,as not unusual for us to find used condoms and used ssumbes in
and around the stairwell of the church, along with empty bottles
and beer cans,"
He rebutted that the glimpse through the church grounds of
Georgia Avenue, where the Confederate troops marched In from
the North, wasn't very good anyhow, which is true. Still, In a day
and age when people don't remember what happened last year,
we've got to be careful to protect our history.
Confederate Lt. Gen. Iubal Early's "great rebel raid," as The
New York Tines called It, began in the night on Sunday, July 10,
1864, Without Lincoln's knowledge, an assistant Navy secretary
had arranged to have a getaway gunboat on the Potomac waiting
for the president if things should go badly or the Union.
As Marc Leepson writes in the book Desperate la,go menp a
Baltimore San correspondent repotted that Early 's men, bloated
with confidence, "frequently could be heard to indulge in little
controversies as to what buildings should be allowed to stand and
what should be destroyed" The fort was undermanned (though
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. was a soldier there), so bureaucrats and
others were urged to drop their pens and take up arms.
Lincoln and his wife, Mary, took their carriage to Fort Stevens
to watch the skirmish within five miles of the White House and
even closer to the summer White House. The 6- foot -4 Abe stood
on the parapet until Gen. Horatio Wright ordered him out of the
line of (ire. As Lincoln's secretaries John NiCelay and John Hay
wrote in their 1890 biography, the president food, apparently um
conscious of danger, watching, with that grave and passive couo-
tenance, the progress of the right amid the whizzing bullets of the
sharp shooters, until an officer fell mortally wounded within three
feet of him "
Afterward, Early drawled that he may not have taken Washm
ton from the Yankees, but "we scared Abe Lincoln like hell"
® 3010 New Y rk rnx, News Service
the Best Read Newspaper in Beverly Hills BEVERLY HILLS • BEL AIR • HOLMBY HILLS
OPINION
LETTERS A Loo At The Sacramento Scene
more was a 2004 Aspen FRANKLY SPEAKING
Daily News article t
"Beverly Hills 81611" that deity- B Stephen Frank
erect some of the essence, if not It is as if Gov. Schwarzenegger has said "We don't need no
the seriousness and sophistica- stake budget" Arnold has made It clear -we do not need, nor
Lion of my economic alliance want a budget to run the state
proposal for aeSistercity part- fter six ears and $140 billion of deficits, maybe we
B erzhip between Aspen and do not want another bud et from this governor?
and Profit" Pr omote no g policy, g
g
Beverly Hills for mutual benefit To this budget olic ghe governor is using three
Written by Thomas Watkins, tactics .
the story was headlined: : •First since tune he has held only three perfunctory meetings
"Glamour. Wealth. Elective with legislative leaders to discuss proposed budget; Surgery." Ostensibly, the cities •Second, on Aug. the legislature ended its session, without the
may have a lot in common, but a passing of a budget. The governor needs cal "special session"
request to form he a relation- forth, purpose of passing a poi a re re to to do
ship between the municipalities .Finally, to pm an exclamation on point t on the fact he does es
not want
was turned down llat. The Aspen a budget, Arnold left yesterday for a tour of Asia, instead of work -
CiryCOUndlwaslikethe "grinch Ing with our elected officials to finalize a budget. What Is so
w ho killed Christmas." It was important about a trip to Asia now During his six day trip he will
clear to me its members could ride three high speed tall Chun -choo trains. What can be more
not fathom the ancient city -state '
relationships and alliances and m P ortan[ than that?
their applicability for modern Arnold wantstoassurepenSionreformbeiorehesignsabudg-
times in our country. et —that will not happen.
Well, fast forward to this The Democrats want to raise taxes —that will not happen.
August and September as I cam- It is clear now that there will not be a budget until after the
Cargo for Aspen to celebrate Nov. 2 election. Regardless of who wins for governor, my guess is
Aug - 11,2011 like Beverly Hills that we will not have a budget till sometime in January or
recently did last week on Sept February .
2, 2010, but with the Beverly There are consequences to the no budget poll, Without
HMIs creativetwist of celebrating one, some state spending -such as money for categorical educa-
the date coincidentally matchi nR icon programs- cannot be made. Then, to save money the gover-
Its 90210 zip code. The 9021 o nor has furloughed close to 200,000 workers for a few days each
is famous and representative V month.
glitz, glamour, and super- That means less money i, thelrpockets, and less money being
affluence but so is 81611 for spent. It also means government agencies will be closed 2 -3 days
many people. have each month. His Pp' b
l - few will notice. In fact this could be a test
D ay " proposed a "8.16.11 F with th "Me "wow" creativity on many employees are really needed. Maybe Whitman is
of
of Fred r. Beverly Hillse fight, w we could lay off 40,000 state workers and no one but the
Hayman. There are several here war will nonce.
who heard the idea and liked f does matter to you that the DMV or th Is
Vies, am fully aware Aspen closed a rsi d a few w Cla each h month r This i (arcing them, and d n other
Is not Beverly Hills whet, agencies, use ee mo and s en at o r less.
Bump pitc hed though[ u p the th, An oth er cons nce is the soon ill be u used lOUS. Inst of
Idea and d pitched it to movers paving vendors real money the state will issue IOU hope"
and "hope"
and shakers in the City, who banks accept them as real money. Of course the usta will no
came aboard without hesitation longer allow this, as it'rs fraud —It Is not real money, junta govern -
and financed "9.02.10 Day" mentpromse. Andweall know the value ofagovernmentprom
-
without direct City government Ise.
money. In the long run, this will ails, the cost of contracts by govern -
So far have one high end ment with private firms, since they will have to make up for the
sure manager ready to go. I lack of money with higher ices to come out even Some will
pull this special event togetthh er y pr.
for the benefit o! overall Aspen, I even stop doing business with the state, which would not be too
would like to somehow get Mr. bad.
Hayman a tree, all expense paid, The responsibility of the governor and legislature is to provide
round trip to Colorado so he can a balanced budget by June 30 each year. This has not been done
talk with those who support my in more than six years. California now has the worse bond rating
effort. Emzy Veazy III of any state In the nation, yen the November ballot has taxes and
"' "° deficit spending for us to vote ti 'no" vote wlil start the process
Local members of the Bat i of healing our fiscal health .
community recently contacted In one of Schwarzeneggers first and funniest movies, Conan
Rep. Waxman and Sens. Boxer The Saudi his manhood Is challenged. To prove he Is worthy,
and Feinstein requesting they he unchet a camel and lays him out flat.
support Secretary of State p it appears that Arnold has used the people of California as his
20 ye condemnation p the oI ical camel. With billions In deficits, h taxes and unem-
hi
20 year sentences Iran imposed g
on seven Iranian espionage by rt leaders A Arnold bad policies like AB 32, b have been sucker punched
falsely accused of espionage and old to prove he Is not a " we man." Only 112 days left of
r
p opan o rder the Arn activities against the the amateur governor and when rye could get, s
eorder. budget.
slamlc StephenFrenk3t an ewsandmew -
Th y were embers a "" ol , nyh ews. co com. tie e been has a npfificrl an public policy
notional level e w hi c h ch aa since i9eo .
helped see to the minimum
eeds
n of Iran's , the 0 stro thereby ha Its roots t Iraq, ants.
Baha community ty , the coumry, the f t is monotheisti c and Because Iranian- Americans
largess t n l religious teaches that all religions note ortion comprise a large p of the
i n 2 t lion adher. sent progressive stages in the e Beverly Hills population, who
ents I
ems n 236 6 hashas 5 5 mil countries. revelation of God's will and may know a Baha'i, have
Some le the charges against mankind � b
h building an the have brad religious un o uio wh o ar e,
the Baha'i la, Israel lna n R g' ious p ersecu
e, or
y g
for America, Israel and Englan d humankind, many fait h s, indud- Lion at the hands of the Iranian
and spreading corruption n M Mosey Jesus and government itself, we are along
earth. Their sentencing has been o n Mohammed. members of the community to
met with an hurt from world The House and Senate contact civic leaders via phone, outcry leaders and human rights advo- passed resolutions c tax, letter e-mail and voice
cacy growps. ran for state - sponsorr otrses
sponsored minority a their concerns and outrage of
Founded in the mid -18005 Lion of the Baha'i minority and d these human rights injustices.
by a Persian nobleman and vlolaling international coven- Laura Palos y Roybal
vim
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
THRU:
DATE OF MEMO:
MEETING DATE:
RE:
MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL
TIM ANDERSON, RECREATION DIRECTOR
JEFF WOODS, MANAGER OF PARKS &
RECREATION
SCOTT MILLER, ASSET MANAGER
AUGUST 20, 2010
SEPTEMBER 13, 2010
DESIGN CONTRACT FOR NEW COMPRESSORS
AT THE ASPEN ICE GARDEN
REQUEST OF COUNCIL: Staff is seeking approval from Council to move forward with the
design of new compressors to be installed at the Aspen Ice Garden. The attached contract in the
amount of $34,500 (attachment "A ") is the design portion only of a Procurement Supply and
Professional Services Agreement. The contractor; Rocky Mountain Mechanical, must come
back to Council for approval of the Procurement Supply or build portion of this contract once the
design is complete and acceptable to the City. The design contract also requests options for
energy efficiency to be explored and improved controls in order to manage the system(s) more
efficiently.
BACKGROUND: The City of Aspen took over the operations of the Aspen Ice Garden in the
late 60's or early 70's. Since then many improvements have taken place such as the renovation
of the west end or entry, warm room, skate counter, and restrooms in the mid 90's. In 2001 a
replacement of the roof, north wall, lighting, and entire refrigeration slab took place. The
mechanical system(s) at the Aspen Ice Garden are some of the oldest equipment in the facility
with the current compressors being the original equipment. Due to the regular maintenance of
the compressors they have lasted this long and have served the Aspen Ice Garden well.
Unfortunately the current York compressors have become so outdated that it is difficult to find
parts for them any longer and in some instances parts have to be manufactured to keep them
operating. An overhaul of the York compressors costs between $52,000 and $55,000 whereas
newer compressors located at the Lewis Ice Arena only cost between $22,000 and $25,000 for an
overhaul. The long term maintenance savings alone pay for the cost of the new compressors.
DISCUSSION: Staff is working with Rocky Mountain Mechanical in the retrofit of new
compressors at the AIG, staff has directed RMM to explore energy efficiency opportunities at the
same time. RMM will come back to staff with options of energy efficient opportunities which
will them be presented to Council at the time staff is seeking approval of the Procurement Supply
or build portion of the contract. While the compressors being specified for this project are more
energy efficient than the old compressors, there are still opportunities to utilize waste heat from
the new compressors for further energy savings in various mechanical systems.
The controls to the mechanical systems at the AIG are also growing old and have seem some
signs of failure and in order to ensure the system(s) are all dependable to our user groups, we are
asking RMM to explore options and costs to an upgrade of our controls at the AIG (which serve
the compressors) as well to ensure oversight of the systems and avoidance of down time to user
groups. These options will be brought back to Council as well upon approval of the build
portion of the contract.
Further discussion regarding the replacement of the Ice Garden Compressors leads to the issue of
the refrigerant used at the Ice Garden. The EPA has mandated the discontinuance of R22 Freon
(which is being used at the AIG currently) in out years. By the year 2020 R22 Freon will no
longer be produced while the use of R22 in existing systems will be allowed to continue (see
attachment `B "). The AIG's refrigeration is a closed system which would mean we could
continue use of the R22 for many years to come. But in the event of a mechanical failure,
accidental leak, or need for containing and replacing the R22 due to maintenance work we could
face major issues in getting our ice rink back up and operational. There are certain
considerations that must be made for a new refrigerant when installing new compressors, which
staff and the contractor are taking, yet it will still require a retro fit of the compressors and other
mechanical systems associated with the refrigeration plant at which time we switch to the use of
another refrigerant. The Lewis Ice Arena uses ammonia and most likely this is the direction staff
would pursue in changing refrigerants at the AIG. The additional cost to replace equipment
necessary for the change in refrigerants will approach $200,000 to $250,000.
While there is not an immediate need to change out the refrigerant staff felt Council should be
aware of the forthcoming phase out of the refrigerant and the need to plan accordingly in retro
fitting systems at the AIG.
FINANCIALBUDGET IMPACTS: Design and cost to install new compressors will
ultimately be about approximately $110,000. Energy Efficient and Control options will be in
addition to this cost and will be identified in the request to approve the Procurement Supply
Agreement or the installation of the equipment.
The new compressors being specified in the scope of work attached to this agreement will be 8%
more efficient than the old ones and contribute to a small reduction in utility costs.
Also, the new compressors cost far less to maintain on a regular basis. Again an overhaul (about
every two years) for the old compressors was between $52,000 and $55,000 where the new
compressors cost about $22,000 to $25,000.
At which time the City chooses to pursue the retro fit of the new refrigerant per the EPA
mandate, the additional cost will be approximately $200,000 to $250,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: The new compressors are rated to be 8% more efficient
than the current compressors thus using less energy. There will be additional opportunities for
the use of waste heat from the compressors that would add to reductions in energy consumption
and staff will bring those options back to Council.
The environmental impacts of the current refrigerant used at the Ice Garden (R22 Freon) are
identified in attachment `B" and must be addressed at some point in the near future.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Due to current budget constraints staff is recommending the
replacement of the old York Compressors at the AIG and to wait 2 or 3 years before the
refrigerant is replaced. The old compressors will be replaced with newer more efficient
compressors due to the fact that maintenance costs are drastically reduced with the introduction
of new compressors and parts are difficult to find at best for the old compressors.
In the design of the new system(s) energy efficiency options should and will be explored as
identified in this agreement. In addition replacement and/or upgrade of controls to ensure
continuous uninterrupted service to our users should be considered as well.
ALTERNATIVES: The current compressors work and deliver the refrigerant effectively, only
at a high maintenance cost. While parts are sometimes not available, they can be manufactured
at a higher cost. We could hold off on replacing the compressors (while this is not recommended
by staff) and come back in a couple years and replace the compressors and refrigerant all at once.
If we choose to go this direction we will need to overhaul both compressors in 2011 at the cost of
about $52,000 each.
Other options would include moving forward on the replacement of the refrigerant at this time
with added estimated cost of close to $250,000.
PROPOSED MOTION: I motion to approved resolution #7zX an agreement
with Rocky Mountain Mechanical to design the new compressors for the Aspen Ice Garden,
explore energy efficient opportunities and identify options for improved/updated controls which
would avoid down time to our users.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: to
ATTACHMENTS:
" A " Design Agreement and Scope of Work with Rocky Mountain Mechanical, Inc.
"B" information regarding the R22 phase out
RESOLUTION N0Y�Ll
Series of 2010
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
APPROVING THE DESIGN OF NEW COMPRESSORS FOR THE ASPEN ICE
GARDEN, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO.
WHEREAS, there exists between the City of Aspen and ROCKY MOUNTAIN
MECHANICAL INC.; a mutual interest in providing New Compressors to be designed
for the Aspen Ice Garden;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ASPEN, COLORADO:
That the City Council of the City of Aspen hereby approves this Procurement
Agreement for the design of new compressors to be located at the Aspen Ice Garden; and
does hereby authorize the Mayor or City Manager to execute said agreement on behalf of
the City of Aspen.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of
Aspen on the 13th day of September 2010.
Michael C. Ireland, Mayor
I, Kathryn S. Koch, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the
foregoing is a true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council of the
City of Aspen, Colorado, at a meeting held on the day hereinabove stated.
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
H:\My Documents\Resolution.doc
iN Old' NOpa
CITY OF ASPEN STANDARD FORM OF AGREEMENT - 2010"°fy�
PROCUREMENT SUPPLY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
City of Aspen Project No.: 2010 -006
AGREEMENT made as of 23rd day of August , in the year 2010
BETWEEN the City:
The City of Aspen
c/o Tim Anderson
130 South Galena Street
Aspen, Colorado 81611
Phone: (970) 920-5055
And the Professional:
Rocky Mountain Mechanical Systems. Inc.
c/o Mark Dawson
951 Vallejo Street
Phone: (303) 573 -1223
For the Following Project:
Contract Amount:
Procurement: $
Professional Services: $ 34,500
Total: $
If this Agreement requires the City to pay
an amount of money in excess of
$25,000.00 it shall not be deemed valid
until it has been approved by the City
Council of the City of Aspen.
City Council Approval
Date: Sept. 13, 2010
Resolution No.:
Aspen Ice Garden Design Build Compressor Renlacement
Exhibits appended and made a part of this Agreement:
Exhibit A: List of supplies, equipment, or materials to be purchased.
Exhibit B: Scope of Work.
Exhibit C: Hourly Fee Schedule.
The City and Professional agree as set forth below.
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page t
SUPPLY PROCUREMENT
1. Purchase Professional agrees to sell and City agrees to purchase the supplies, equipment, or
materials as described in Exhibit A, appended hereto and by this reference incorporated
herein, for the sum of set forth above.
2. Delivery ( FOB [Enter Delivery Addressl ).
3. Contract Documents This Agreement shall include all Contract Documents as the same are
listed in the Invitation to Bid or Request for Proposals and said Contract Document are
hereby made a part of this Agreement as if fully set out at length herein.
4. Warranties ( [ Add Warranty provisions herel ).
5. Successors and Assigns This Agreement and all of the covenants hereof shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the City and the Professional respectively and their agents,
representatives, employee, successors, assigns and legal representatives. Neither the City nor
the Professional shall have the right to assign, transfer or sublet its interest or obligations
hereunder without the written consent of the other party.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
6. Scope of Work Professional shall perform in a competent and professional manner the
Scope of Work as set forth at Exhibit B attached hereto and by this reference incorporated herein.
7. Completion Professional shall commence Work immediately upon receipt of a written
Notice to Proceed from the City and complete all phases of the Scope of Work as expeditiously as
is consistent with professional skill and care and the orderly progress of the Work in a timely
manner. The parties anticipate that all Work pursuant to this Agreement shall be completed no later
than October 31, 2010 , with the installation and operation of all the equipment no later
than May 31, 2011 . Upon request of the City, Professional shall submit, for the City's approval,
a schedule for the performance of Professional's services which shall be adjusted as required as the
project proceeds, and which shall include allowances for periods of time required by the City's
project engineer for review and approval of submissions and for approvals of authorities having
jurisdiction over the project. This schedule, when approved by the City, shall not, except for
reasonable cause, be exceeded by the Professional.
8. Payment In consideration of the work performed, City shall pay Professional on a time and
expense basis for all work performed. The hourly rates for work performed by Professional shall
not exceed those hourly rates set forth at Exhibit C appended hereto. Except as otherwise mutually
agreed to by the parties the payments made to Professional shall not initially exceed an amount of
$34,500 (Thirty Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Centsl . Professional
shall submit, in timely fashion, invoices for work performed. The City shall review such invoices
and, if they are considered incorrect or untimely, the City shall review the matter with Professional
within ten days from receipt of the Professional's bill.
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 2
9. Non - Assignability Both parties recognize that this Agreement is one for personal services
and cannot be transferred, assigned, or sublet by either party without prior written consent of the
other. Sub - Contracting, if authorized, shall not relieve the Professional of any of the responsibilities
or obligations under this Agreement. Professional shall be and remain solely responsible to the City
for the acts, errors, omissions or neglect of any subcontractors' officers, agents and employees, each
of whom shall, for this purpose be deemed to be an agent or employee of the Professional to the
extent of the subcontract. The City shall not be obligated to pay or be liable for payment of any
sums due which may be due to any sub - contractor.
10. Termination of Procurement. The sale contemplated by this Agreement may be canceled
by the City prior to acceptance by the City whenever for any reason and in its sole discretion the
City shall determine that such cancellation is in its best interests and convenience.
11. Termination of Professional Services The Professional or the City may terminate the
Professional Services component of this Agreement, without specifying the reason therefor, by
giving notice, in writing, addressed to the other parry, specifying the effective date of the
termination. No fees shall be eared after the effective date of the termination. Upon any
termination, all finished or unfinished documents, data, studies, surveys, drawings, maps, models,
photographs, reports or other material prepared by the Professional pursuant to this Agreement shall
become the property of the City. Notwithstanding the above, Professional shall not be relieved of
any liability to the City for damages sustained by the City by virtue of any breach of this Agreement
by the Professional, and the City may withhold any payments to the Professional for the purposes of
set -off until such time as the exact amount of damages due the City from the Professional may be
determined.
12. Independent Contractor Status. It is expressly acknowledged and understood by the parties
that nothing contained in this agreement shall result in, or be construed as establishing an
employment relationship. Professional shall be, and shall perform as, an independent Contractor
who agrees to use his or her best efforts to provide the said services on behalf of the City. No
agent, employee, or servant of Professional shall be, or shall be deemed to be, the employee, agent
or servant of the City. City is interested only in the results obtained under this contract. The
manner and means of conducting the work are under the sole control of Professional. None of the
benefits provided by City to its employees including, but not limited to, workers' compensation
insurance and unemployment insurance, are available from City to the employees, agents or
servants of Professional. Professional shall be solely and entirely responsible for its acts and for the
acts of Professional's agents, employees, servants and subcontractors during the performance of this
contract. Professional shall indemnify City against all liability and loss in connection with, and
shall assume full responsibility for payment of all federal, state and local taxes or contributions
imposed or required under unemployment insurance, social security and income tax law, with
respect to Professional and/or Professional's employees engaged in the performance of the services
agreed to herein.
13. Indemnification Professional agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the City, its officers,
employees, insurers, and self - insurance pool, from and against all liability, claims, and demands, on
account of injury, loss, or damage, including without limitation claims arising from bodily injury,
personal injury, sickness, disease, death, property loss or damage, or any other loss of any kind
whatsoever, which arise out of or are in any manner connected with this contract, if such injury,
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 3
loss, or damage is caused in whole or in part by, or is claimed to be caused in whole or in part by,
the act, omission, error, professional error, mistake, negligence, or other fault of the Professional,
any subcontractor of the Professional, or any officer, employee, representative, or agent of the
Professional or of any subcontractor of the Professional, or which arises out of any workmen's
compensation claim of any employee of the Professional or of any employee of any subcontractor
of the Professional. The Professional agrees to investigate, handle, respond to, and to provide
defense for and defend against, any such liability, claims or demands at the sole expense of the
Professional, or at the option of the City, agrees to pay the City or reimburse the City for the
defense costs incurred by the City in connection with, any such liability, claims, or demands. If it is
determined by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that such injury, loss, or
damage was caused in whole or in part by the act, omission, or other fault of the City, its officers, or
its employees, the City shall reimburse the Professional for the portion of the judgment attributable
to such act, omission, or other fault of the City, its officers, or employees.
14. Professional's Insurance
(a) Professional agrees to procure and maintain, at its own expense, a policy or policies
of insurance sufficient to insure against all liability, claims, demands, and other obligations
assumed by the Professional pursuant to Section 8 above. Such insurance shall be in
addition to any other insurance requirements imposed by this contract or by law. The
Professional shall not be relieved of any liability, claims, demands, or other obligations
assumed pursuant to Section 8 above by reason of its failure to procure or maintain
insurance, or by reason of its failure to procure or maintain insurance in sufficient amounts,
duration, or types.
(b) Professional shall procure and maintain, and shall cause any subcontractor of the
Professional to procure and maintain, the minimum insurance coverages listed below. Such
coverages shall be procured and maintained with forms and insurance acceptable to the
City. All coverages shall be continuously maintained to cover all liability, claims, demands,
and other obligations assumed by the Professional pursuant to Section 8 above. In the case
of any claims -made policy, the necessary retroactive dates and extended reporting periods
shall be procured to maintain such continuous coverage.
(i) Workers' Compensation insurance to cover obligations imposed by
applicable laws for any employee engaged in the performance of work under this
contract, and Employers' Liability insurance with minimum limits of FIVE
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($500,000.00) for each accident, FIVE
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($500,000.00) disease - policy limit, and
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($500,000.00) disease - each
employee. Evidence of qualified self - insured status may be substituted for the
Workers' Compensation requirements of this paragraph.
(ii) Commercial General Liability insurance with minimum combined single
limits of ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) each occurrence and ONE
MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) aggregate. The policy shall be applicable to
all premises and operations. The policy shall include coverage for bodily injury,
broad form property damage (including completed operations), personal injury
(including coverage for contractual and employee acts), blanket contractual,
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 4
independent contractors, products, and completed operations. The policy shall
contain a severability of interests provision.
(iii) Comprehensive Automobile Liability insurance with minimum combined
single limits for bodily injury and property damage of not less than ONE MILLION
DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) each occurrence and ONE MILLION DOLLARS
($1,000,000.00) aggregate with respect to each Professional's owned, hired and non -
owned vehicles assigned to or used in performance of the Scope of Work. The
policy shall contain a severability of interests provision. If the Professional has no
owned automobiles, the requirements of this Section shall be met by each employee
of the Professional providing services to the City under this contract.
(iv) Professional Liability insurance with the minimum limits of ONE
MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000) each claim and ONE MILLION DOLLARS
($1,000,000) aggregate.
(c) The policy or policies required above shall be endorsed to include the City and the
City's officers and employees as additional insureds. Every policy required above shall be
primary insurance, and any insurance carried by the City, its officers or employees, or
carried by or provided through any insurance pool of the City, shall be excess and not
contributory insurance to that provided by Professional. No additional insured endorsement
to the policy required above shall contain any exclusion for bodily injury or property
damage arising from completed operations. The Professional shall be solely responsible for
any deductible losses under any policy required above.
(d) The certificate of insurance provided by the City shall be completed by the
Professional's insurance agent as evidence that policies providing the required coverages,
conditions, and minimum limits are in full force and effect, and shall be reviewed and
approved by the City prior to commencement of the contract. No other form of certificate
shall be used. The certificate shall identify this contract and shall provide that the coverages
afforded under the policies shall not be canceled, terminated or materially changed until at
least thirty (30) days prior written notice has been given to the City.
(e) Failure on the part of the Professional to procure or maintain policies providing the
required coverages, conditions, and minimum limits shall constitute a material breach of
contract upon which City may immediately terminate this contract, or at its discretion City
may procure or renew any such policy or any extended reporting period thereto and may pay
any and all premiums in connection therewith, and all monies so paid by City shall be
repaid by Professional to City upon demand, or City may offset the cost of the premiums
against monies due to Professional from City.
(fl City reserves the right to request and receive a certified copy of any policy and any
endorsement thereto.
(g) The parties hereto understand and agree that City is relying on, and does not waive or
intend to waive by any provision of this contract, the monetary limitations (presently
$150,000.00 per person and $600,000 per occurrence) or any other rights, immunities, and
protections provided by the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, Section 24 -10 -101 et
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 5
seq., C.R.S., as from time to time amended, or otherwise available to City, its officers, or its
employees.
15. City's Insurance The parties hereto understand that the City is a member of the Colorado
Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency ( CIRSA) and as such participates in the CIRSA Proper-
ty /Casualty Pool. Copies of the CIRSA policies and manual are kept at the City of Aspen Finance
Department and are available to Professional for inspection during normal business hours. City
makes no representations whatsoever with respect to specific coverages offered by CIRSA. City
shall provide Professional reasonable notice of any changes in its membership or participation in
CIRSA.
16. Completeness of Agreement It is expressly agreed that this agreement contains the entire
undertaking of the parties relevant to the subject matter thereof and there are no verbal or written
representations, agreements, warranties or promises pertaining to the project matter thereof not
expressly incorporated in this writing.
17. Notice Any written notices as called for herein may be hand delivered or mailed by
certified mail return receipt requested to the respective persons and/or addresses listed above.
18. Non - Discrimination No discrimination because of race, color, creed, sex, marital status,
affectional or sexual orientation, family responsibility, national origin, ancestry, handicap, or
religion shall be made in the employment of persons to perform services under this contract.
Professional agrees to meet all of the requirements of City's municipal code, Section 13 -98,
pertaining to non - discrimination in employment.
19. Waiver The waiver by the City of any term, covenant, or condition hereof shall not
operate as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other term. No term, covenant, or
condition of this Agreement can be waived except by the written consent of the City, and
forbearance or indulgence by the City in any regard whatsoever shall not constitute a waiver of any
term, covenant, or condition to be performed by Professional to which the same may apply and,
until complete performance by Professional of said term, covenant or condition, the City shall be
entitled to invoke any remedy available to it under this Agreement or by law despite any such
forbearance or indulgence.
20. Execution of Agreement by Citv This Agreement shall be binding upon all parties hereto
and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, this Agreement shall not be binding upon the City unless
duly executed by the Mayor of the City of Aspen (or a duly authorized official in his absence)
following a Motion or Resolution of the Council of the City of Aspen authorizing the Mayor (or a
duly authorized official in his absence) to execute the same.
16. Illegal Aliens — CRS 8 -17.5 -101 & 24- 76.5 -101
(a) Purpose During the 2006 Colorado legislative session, the Legislature passed
House Bills 06 -1343 (subsequently amended by HB 07 -1073) and 06 -1023 that added
new statutes relating to the employment of and contracting with illegal aliens. These new
laws prohibit all state agencies and political subdivisions, including the City of Aspen,
from knowingly hiring an illegal alien to perform work under a contract, or to knowingly
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 6
contract with a subcontractor who knowingly hires with an illegal alien to perform work
under the contract. The new laws also require that all contracts for services include
certain specific language as set forth in the statutes. The following terms and conditions
have been designed to comply with the requirements of this new law.
(b) Definitions The following terms are defined in the new law and by this reference
are incorporated herein and in any contract for services entered into with the City of
Aspen.
"Basic Pilot Program" means the basic pilot employment verification program
created in Public Law 208, 104th Congress, as amended, and expanded in Public
Law 156, 108th Congress, as amended, that is administered by the United States
Department of Homeland Security.
"Public Contract for Services" means this Agreement.
"Services" means the furnishing of labor, time, or effort by a Contractor or a
subcontractor not involving the delivery of a specific end product other than
reports that are merely incidental to the required performance.
(c) By signing this document, Professional certifies and represents that at this time:
(i) Professional shall confirm the employment eligibility of all employees who are
newly hired for employment in the United States; and
(ii) Professional has participated or attempted to participate in the Basic Pilot
Program in order to verify that new employees are not employ illegal aliens.
(d) Professional hereby confirms that:
(i) Professional shall not knowingly employ or contract new employees
without confirming the employment eligibility of all such employees hired for
employment in the United States under the Public Contract for Services.
(ii) Professional shall not enter into a contract with a subcontractor that fails to
confirm to the Professional that the subcontractor shall not knowingly hire new
employees without confirming their employment eligibility for employment in the
United States under the Public Contract for Services.
(iii) Professional has verified or has attempted to verify through participation
in the Federal Basic Pilot Program that Professional does not employ any new
employees who are not eligible for employment in the United States; and if
Professional has not been accepted into the Federal Basic Pilot Program prior to
entering into the Public Contract for Services, Professional shall forthwith apply
to participate in the Federal Basic Pilot Program and shall in writing verify such
application within five (5) days of the date of the Public Contract. Professional
shall continue to apply to participate in the Federal Basic Pilot Program and shall
in writing verify same every three (3) calendar months thereafter, until
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 7
Professional is accepted or the public contract for services has been completed,
whichever is earlier. The requirements of this section shall not be required or
effective if the Federal Basic Pilot Program is discontinued.
(iv) Professional shall not use the Basic Pilot Program procedures to undertake
pre - employment screening of job applicants while the Public Contract for
Services is being performed.
(v) If Professional obtains actual knowledge that a subcontractor performing
work under the Public Contract for Services knowingly employs or contracts with
a new employee who is an illegal alien, Professional shall:
(1) Notify such subcontractor and the City of Aspen within three days
that Professional has actual knowledge that the subcontractor has newly
employed or contracted with an illegal alien; and
(2) Terminate the subcontract with the subcontractor if within three
days of receiving the notice required pursuant to this section the
subcontractor does not cease employing or contracting with the new
employee who is an illegal alien; except that Professional shall not
terminate the Public Contract for Services with the subcontractor if during
such three days the subcontractor provides information to establish that the
subcontractor has not knowingly employed or contracted with an illegal
alien.
(vi) Professional shall comply with any reasonable request by the Colorado
Department of Labor and Employment made in the course of an investigation that
the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment undertakes or is undertaking
pursuant to the authority established in Subsection 8- 17.5 -102 (5), C.R.S.
(vii) If Professional violates any provision of the Public Contract for Services
pertaining to the duties imposed by Subsection 8- 17.5 -102, C.R.S. the City of
Aspen may terminate the Public Contract for Services. If the Public Contract for
Services is so terminated, Contractor shall be liable for actual and consequential
damages to the City of Aspen arising out of Professional's violation of Subsection
8- 17.5 -102, C.R.S.
(ix) If Professional operates as a sole proprietor, Professional hereby swears or
affirms under penalty of perjury that the Professional (1) is a citizen of the United
States or otherwise lawfully present in the United States pursuant to federal law,
(2) shall comply with the provisions of CRS 24- 76.5 -101 et seq., and (3) shall
produce one of the forms of identification required by CRS 24- 76.5 -103 prior to
the effective date of this Agreement.
21. Warranties Against Contingent Fees, Gratuities, Kickbacks and Conflicts of Interest
(a) Professional warrants that no person or selling agency has been employed or
retained to solicit or secure this Contract upon an agreement or understanding for a
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 8
commission, percentage, brokerage, or contingent fee, excepting bona fide employees or
bona fide established commercial or selling agencies maintained by the Professional for
the purpose of securing business.
(b) Professional agrees not to give any employee of the City a gratuity or any offer of
employment in connection with any decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation,
preparation of any part of a program requirement or a purchase request, influencing the
content of any specification or procurement standard, rendering advice, investigation,
auditing, or in any other advisory capacity in any proceeding or application, request for
ruling, determination, claim or controversy, or other particular matter, pertaining to this
Agreement, or to any solicitation or proposal therefore.
(c) Professional represents that no official, officer, employee or representative of the
City during the term of this Agreement has or one (1) year thereafter shall have any
interest, direct or indirect, in this Agreement or the proceeds thereof, except those that
may have been disclosed at the time City Council approved the execution of this
Agreement.
(d) In addition to other remedies it may have for breach of the prohibitions against
contingent fees, gratuities, kickbacks and conflict of interest, the City shall have the right
to:
1. Cancel this Purchase Agreement without any liability by the City;
2. Debar or suspend the offending parties from being a Professional, contractor or
subcontractor under City contracts;
3. Deduct from the contract price or consideration, or otherwise recover, the value of
anything transferred or received by the Professional; and
4. Recover such value from the offending parties.
22. Fund Availability Financial obligations of the City payable after the current fiscal year
are contingent upon funds for that purpose being appropriated, budgeted and otherwise made
available. If this Agreement contemplates the City utilizing state or federal funds to meet its
obligations herein, this Agreement shall be contingent upon the availability of those funds for
payment pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
23. General Terms
(a) It is agreed that neither this Agreement nor any of its terms, provisions, conditions,
representations or covenants can be modified, changed, terminated or amended, waived,
superseded or extended except by appropriate written instrument fully executed by the
parties.
(b) If any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable it shall not affect or impair the validity, legality or enforceability of any other
provision.
(c) The parties acknowledge and understand that there are no conditions or limitations
to this understanding except those as contained herein at the time of the execution hereof
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 9
and that after execution no alteration, change or modification shall be made except upon a
writing signed by the parties.
(d) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado as from time
to time in effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or caused to be executed by their duly
authorized officials, this Agreement in three copies each of which shall be deemed an original on
the date first written above.
CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO:
[sttat=]
By:
[Name]
Title: City Manager
Date:
Approved as to form:
City Attorney's Office
[Name]
Title: Vice President R.M.M.S. Inc.
Date: GUST jO Z6 /0
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 10
IWonII:]rr_�
List of supplies, equipment, or materials to be purchased
With attached specification sheets, cut sheets, information, etc.
Exhibit A will be awarded based upon successful completion of Exhibit B. Exhibit B identifies the
system(s) to be designed by Rocky Mountain Mechanical and based upon successful and agreeable
design of systems and acceptable costs to perform installation of designed systems, exhibit A will
be initiated based upon approval from the Aspen City Council.
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 11
Iw4'll:
Scope of Work
ROCHy mounmin
Meab,nioa( S,s,. ,
951 VALLEJO STREET
DENVER CO 80204 -3842
Ph: 303.573.1223 Fax: 303.573.7905
www.rockvmech.com
August 1, 2010
Thank you for selecting Rocky Mountain Mechanical Systems, Inc. for the above referenced
project. We are pleased to provide you with the following schedule of fees for professional
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering services as an initial phase in the design /build process of
implementing refrigeration system improvements at the Aspen Ice Garden.
The design process is inclusive, involving City of Aspen personnel and Rocky Mountain
Mechanical's staff of professional designers and trades people to provide well thought -out,
efficient, team solution. Following the design phase, Rocky Mountain Mechanical Systems
would propose implementation of these solutions in the form of complete turnkey installation
to be awarded separately from this contract.
I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Synopsis:
Design and specify equipment and systems to convert the Aspen Ice Garden ice rink
refrigeration system from the existing York compressors to Vilter 440 series compressors with
an emphasis on improved energy and operational efficiencies. Possible future conversion to
ammonia will be considered.
This will include replacement and /or retrofit of:
1. Compressors and Motors.
2. Discharge Line Oil Separators Brine Chiller.
3. Closed Loop Glycol cooling to compressors
4. Dedicated Snow Melt Pit Heat Exchanger.
5. Compressor Oil Cooling System to capture additional waste heat.
6. Digital Control System for independent ice rink operation consistent with Aspen's goal
of uniformity and interlink ability for status and alarms within the city's network of
Johnson Controls building automation system.
7. Code upgrades will be included for the engine room where required.
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 12
8. Engineering calculations and estimates to document improved energy efficiencies and
savings.
9. A statement discussing current industry best practices and application for ice rink
cooling technology including available refrigerants, technologies, heat recovery, and
efficiency.
In detail, the design phase will specify:
Replacing the existing (2) original York compressors with (2) reduced speed Vilter 440 series; six
cylinder belt drive compressors with three stages of unloading for optimum efficiency. These
compressors will have approximately 34 tons refrigeration (Tr) capacity each versus 38 Tr of
the existing York compressors and will be a better match to the current cooling load, as
reduced by the roof insulation upgrades. It is more efficient to run compressors at full load
condition than to oversize and run at part load. The 440 compressors will likely be matched
with new 50 HP motors (although 60 HP maybe used depending on the compressor speed
selected). Premium efficient motors will be specified to provide 93 percent efficiency versus
approximately 85 percent for the existing motors.
Replacing existing discharge oil separators with Vilter 'Super Separator' coalescing style
separators. These separators provide 98 -99 percent separation efficiency versus the existing
separator 80 to 85 percent recovery. This significantly reduces the oil throughput in the chiller,
further increasing heat exchanger performance. Use Vilter float valves that are able to be
opened and maintained by staff. Up and downstream of these components shall be Isolation
valves and a service valve included to facilitate repairs. (Ensure that coalescent elements in the
super separators are field replaceable)
Installation of a dedicated plate and frame desuperheating heat exchanger for heat reclaim to
capture heat for the snow melt pit to improve the snow melt performance. This function is
currently shared with the same exchanger that provides underfloor rink warming. (the plate
heat exchanger should be an Alfa Laval (GEA alternate) plate and frame type (cleanable)
supplied with an extra set of gaskets).
Installation of a dedicated, glycol based, cooling loop for the compressor oil and head cooling
would provide more consistent performance with less heat exchanger cleaning required. A
plate heat exchanger would be used with cooling provided by the return fluid from either the
snow melt or underfloor loop. This would further optimize heat recovery versus rejecting it to
the evaporative condenser.
Other details:
• Specify three -way valves for all pressure reliefs
• Extra isolation and service valves where appropriate and to be reviewed and accepted
by the City of Aspen.
• Provide and maintain adequate clearance to all service ports per manufacturer's
recommendations or generally accepted industry standards.
• Specify oil to be approved by City of Aspen
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 13
• Specify high quality bag filters to be installed for constant filtration of both brine
systems.
(Manufacturer to be determined) consistent with Aspen's goal of uniformity and interlink
ability for status and alarms within the city's network of Johnson Controls building automation
system. The integrated system to provide all aspects of system control and rink management
(including lighting and other if desired). The controller would be based on a standalone
operational platform capable of independent operation. The system will provide multiple
alarm annunciations and be remotely accessible via both internet (email) and telephone
modem. Integration to the existing Johnson Controls BMS would be limited to digital
output /input alarm and status indications. The integrated control package will provide PID
logic for maintaining system suction pressure and /or brine temp. This greatly improves the
staging of compressor loading/unloading and sequencing and avoids unnecessary start/stops
or overcorrection. Energy consumption by the compressors is typically reduced 5 to 10
percent.
Electrical /Controls
Installation of a digital Ice Rink Control System to include all drawings and specifications
necessary for the construction of a control panel that is functionally equivalent or superior to
the existing CIMCO panel as can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the City of Aspen.
Quality components shall be specified in detail and the same brand of components shall be
used throughout (Cutler Hammar, Siemens, Allen Bradley...). Standard features shall include
but not be limited to: hand /of /auto selection all equipment, LED indicator lights, engraved and
permanently mounted placards, back -lit readouts, soft -starts for all motors, DIN rail mounting
of components and terminals, interlocks to prevent the operation of any pieces of equipment
that should not run at the same time, wires labeled numerically with permanent markings per
electrical drawings, cooling and air filtration as required, wires neatly bundled in wire troughs,
circuit breakers used instead of fuses where applicable, wiring diagrams laminated and
permanently mounted, enclosure NEMA rated to protect components from water spray, and
all components labeled on the back plate as per the electrical drawings...) .
The DDC Controls Design shall include all drawings, specifications, sequence of operations and
points lists necessary for the creation of a control system functionally equivalent or superior to
the new CIMCO 6000E Controller as can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the City of
Aspen.
Standard features shall include but not be limited to:
• The control system shall specify an industrial grade, high resolution operator interface
(touch panel computer, or desk -top terminal /server)
• The control platform shall be based on the latest Delta Controller available.
• Programming shall extract maximum efficiency from all components of the refrigeration
plant and have extra points for expansion to include all optional energy saving
components designed under the scope of this project.
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 14
• The controller shall monitor and control the refrigeration plant, including leak
detection, safety alarms, exhausts, compressor function and staging, brine pump
operation, evaporative condenser operation, and VFDs speeds were applicable.
• A redundant manual system with procedures specified for manual operation of the
plant shall be designed to keep ice frozen in the event of a control system failure or
failure of key components that could conceivably confuse the control logic. This system
shall use the same brand and model of sensors, gauges and other components as those
used at the Lewis Ice Arena.
• Permanent computerized storage of input data, trending of the data logged, and
operator customizable alarming for parameters that are out -of -range shall be provided,
including but not limited to motor status, High and Suction Side pressures,
Temperatures, Oil levels, Operator on Duty, I.R. slab temperature, in -slab RTD
temperature, Brine /Glycol temperatures in and out, liquid levels, ambient temperatures
and humidity inside the rink and out, and tower chemistry inputs.
• The control system shall be BACNET compatible and able to interface with Johnson
Controls for the sharing of input and output data without the requirement for the
purchase of a custom interface.
• The control system shall have a scheduling feature to allow operators to set up to 6
different ice temperature set - points to accommodate special users and Ice times, for
normal operations, and for night -time set - backs.
• The control system must be able to be viewed and operated over LAN and the internet
from remote locations without the need for specialized software installed on the
remote computers.
• Alarm distribution must be easily operator customizable such that hard -wired alarm
1 /0, alphanumeric pager, e-mail and text messaging of alarms will all be provided.
• Custom graphics similar to those on the Lewis Ice Arena (per submittal) shall be user
friendly and must contain all data necessary for rink operation on one summary screen.
• Non- volatile memory must be capable of retaining operator schedules and set - points
and data despite an extended power outage.
• Data Storage shall be capable of holding up to 7 years of data.
• All programming documentation, field wiring as -built drawings and other
documentation, programming code, programming software, software licenses, special
cables /interfaces and any other items necessary for the support and maintenance of
the control system by City of Aspen staff shall be the property of the City of Aspen and
deliverable for their sole use upon completion of any build contract.
II. SCOPE OF SERVICES
A. Engineering Services
Scope of services will include Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering services
required to produce Construction Documents for the project described above. These
documents will consist of stamped engineering drawings and specifications required for
pricing, permit and construction. The construction documents will detail installation,
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 15
replacement, and /or retrofit of the products, equipment, and systems list above. We will also
submit a preliminary set of drawings for the Owner's review.
Included within the Scope of Services are the following:
a. Architectural code compliance evaluation of the refrigeration compressor room
and associated equipment (life safety, etc.)
b. An electrical engineering analysis of the equipment connections and panels in the
mechanical room. E
C. Conferences with the Owner, Owner's Representative, building department
officials, fire department officials, and other governing agencies to determine the
final design requirements.
d. Design calculations and data.
e. Final drawings to be presented in .pdf as well as fully modifiable versions in
AutoCad format for conventional methods of reproduction.
f. Specifications on the drawings.
g. Other design services, as deemed necessary by standard industry practice and
approved by the City of Aspen.
B. Additional Services:
The Basic Services defined above are not intended to represent all services that may be
required. Additional Services, those not specifically described above or changes to the
Scope of Services, may be authorized by a writing signed by both parties specifying the
services and the compensation therefore. The inclusive electrical engineering fee assumes
that there is adequate capacity in the facility's existing electrical panels for the
new /replacement mechanical equipment. Design of fire sprinkler system modifications (if
required) is not included. Architectural, occupancy analysis, ADA, and /or any other space
design, analysis, or compliance is also excluded.
III. FEES
Basic Services:
As defined above, Scope of Services will be provided for the lump sum fee of $34,500. to
be billed in two parts. Seventy Five percent with delivery of initial drawings and
specifications. Twenty Five percent at final acceptance.
IV. Conditions of Services
The Conditions of Service shall be in accordance with the attached Conditions and
Miscellaneous Provisions of Agreement.
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 16
We look forward to working with you on this project.
Sincerely,
Mark Dawson
Vice President
Rocky Mountain Mechanical Systems, Inc.
0
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT: All information included within this proposal including engineering, design,
and pricing is considered confidential. The information may not be disseminated, copied, emailed, or
used for competitive information purposes without the express written consent of an officer of Rocky
Mountain Mechanical Systems, Inc. with the knowledge that the City of Aspen must be able to comply
with the Colorado Open Records Act. Thank you.
All work to be completed in a workman -like manner according to standard practices. Any alteration or deviation
from above specifications involving extra costs will be executed only upon written orders and will become an extra
charge over and above the estimate. All performance contingent upon strikes, accidents or delays beyond our
control. Prices do not include taxes, permits or freight to location unless otherwise specified. Our workers are fully
covered by Workmen Compensations Insurance, and the Company is insured for a maximum liability of $5,000,000.
Payment terms are net 10 days unless otherwise specified below. Rocky Mountain Mechanical Systems, Inc. will
levy and customer agrees to pay a 1.5% per month finance charge on past due or late payments. By signature
below the customer agrees to pay Rocky Mountain Mechanical Systems, Inc. all reasonable costs of collection
including attorney fees.
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 17
EXHIBIT C
Hourly Fee Schedule
Fee Schedule for Attachment to City of Aspen Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services
,k. Additional Services:
Any service in addition to those specified above shall be authorized in writing and shall be
compensated on an hourly basis as follows:
Principal
$105.00 /hour
Project Manager
$90.00 /hour
Project Engineer
$90.00 /hour
CAD Operator
$70.00 /hour
Administration
$60.00 /hour
B. Reimbursable Expenses:
Reimbursable expenses are in addition to compensation to the Engineer for Scope of
Services, and include expenditures made by the Engineer, its employees or consultants in
the interests of the Project. Reimbursable expenses include:
Printing and reproduction costs (other than those for intra -office coordination) — Actual
Cost.
2. Delivery/Messenger Service — Actual Cost.
Agreement for Procurement and Professional Services Page 18
IL b,e,
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Bill Linn
THRU: Steve Barwick
DATE OF MEMO: Sept. 2, 2010
MEETING DATE: Sept. 13, 2010
RE: Police Patrol Room Remodel
REQUEST OF COUNCIL:
This memo is a request for approval of purchasing contracts for furnishings, lockers, carpeting,
and related equipment for the renovation of the Aspen Police Department patrol room, which
was approved as an AMP project in 20$0. These contracts are for:
1. Sandy's Office Supply — Furniture and acoustical panel partitions, $29,770
2. Tiffin Metal Products — 24 Lockers with integrated file drawers, $28,855
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
2009, Council approved AMP project "Patrol Room Retrofit" for 2010 budget cycle.
BACKGROUND:
The Aspen Police Department and Pitkin County Sheriffs Office jointly use the patrol room area
of the Pitkin County Courthouse. This area is in disrepair and the furnishings largely date to the
1980s. There is no area designated for dressing / undressing for work, no area designated for
private interviews, and no designated break area. This results in opposite sex employees dressing
in plain view of each other (the alternative is to dress in a public restroom), members of the
public being interviewed in a less -than optimal setting, and other unprofessional results.
The Aspen Police Department is planning to purchase and replace furniture for the entire main
patrol room area, including carpeting, modular walls, desks, tables, and cabinets. Locker /dressing
rooms and interview rooms are also being built -in using acoustic panel partitions.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Aspen Facilities Master Plan shows that the space available per police employee, 88
square feet, is well below the national average "benchmark" of 318 sf. Given this very limited
space, it is crucial that the space be used as effectively as possible. The plan being implemented
has been under consideration since the late 1990s, but has not reached fruition until now.
Page 1 of 2
FINANCIALBUDGET IMPACTS:
The project was budgeted at $110,000. The contracts under consideration today amount to about
$60,000. With additional spending, we anticipate this project coming in at least 25 percent under
budget. Sandy's Office Supply bid is under a GSA contract, which does not require a competitive
bid.
The locker contract was bid out, with low bid being provided by the Debourgh Locker Company,
at $26,349 (versus $28,855). However, we selected the higher bid based on two factors: The
Tiffin lockers open with two doors, lowering the impact on the very narrow and small locker
area. The Debourgh lockers have a single two -foot long door which creates a need to anchor the
lockers to the wall (which is impossible with our installation, as there is no wall to anchor to on
one side of the locker area). Additionally the quality of features provided in the Tiffin lockers
provides a much better product.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:
We are recycling as much of the old furniture as possible. Much of it will be used by the Basalt
Police Department to outfit their new headquarters. The remaining desks are being donated to a
local charity. One dilapidated desk, and a few of the desk overhead hutches will be thrown away.
Two new electrical fixtures are high efficiency replacements.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Police Department staff recommends the adoption of this item
on the consent agenda.
ALTERNATIVES:
Make no change, leaving the area as -is.
MANAGER
U
ATTACHMENTS:
Procurement Contract for Sandy's Office Supply.
Procurement Contract for Tiffin Metal Products.
r
Page 2 of 2
12ft
First design as charges save now
Interview r ms Break Ak
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Men's Wnmel r
RESOLUTION # 7 S
(Series of 20 10)
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
ASPEN, COLORADO, AND SANDY'S OFFICE SUPPLY SETTING FORTH
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS REGARDING AND AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAID CONTRACT
WHEREAS, there has been submitted to the City Council an agreement
between the City of Aspen, Colorado, and Sandy's Office Supply, a copy of which
agreement is annexed hereto and made a part thereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO:
Section 1
That the City Council of the City of Aspen hereby approves that agreement
between the City of Aspen, Colorado, and Sandy's Office Supply regarding the
purchase of office furniture for the city of Aspen, a copy of which is annexed
hereto and incorporated herein, and does hereby authorize the City Manager of the
City of Aspen to execute said contract on behalf of the City of Aspen.
Dated:
Michael C. Ireland, Mayor
I, Kathryn S. Koch, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the
foregoing is a true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City
Council of the City of Aspen, Colorado, at a meeting held, (insert date here).
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
%' x09!07/2010
Ron s
SEP. 1
r ■�
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RECEIVED 09/07/2010 13:45
2010 1:32PM ASPEN POLICE DEPT
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NO. 279 P. 1
PAGE 01/04
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19709456161
SUPPLY PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into, this 7th day of September 2010,
between the City of Aspen, Colorado, herein after referred to as the "City" and Sandy's
Office Supply, hereinafter referred to as the "Vendor".
WITNESSEfH, that whereas the City wishes to purchase office furnishings,
hereinafter called the UNIT(S) being more fully described and attached herewith as
'Exhibit A', in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in the Contract
Documents and any associated specifications, and Vendor wishes to sell said UNIT to
the City as specified in its Bid.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City and the Vendor, for the considerations hereinafter
set forth agree as follows:
1. Purchase Vendor agrees to sell and City agrees to purchase the UNIT(S) as
described in the Contract Document and more specifically in Vendors Bid for
the sum of Twenty nine thousand, seven hundred and seventy dollars
($29,770).
2. Delivent Via standard carrier to: Aspen Police Dept. 508 E Main #102,
Aspen, CO 81611
3. Contract Documents This Agreement shall include all Contract Documents
as the same are listed in the Invitation to Bid and said Contract Document are
hereby made a part of this Agreement as 9 fully set out at length herein.
4. arranties. Standard Sandy's Office Supply warranty terms.
5_ Successors and Assigns This Agreement and all of the covenants hereof
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the City and the Vendor
respectively and their agents, representatives, employee, successors,
assigns and legal representatives. Neither the City nor the Vendor shall have
the right to assign, transfer or sublet its interest or obligations hereunder
without the written consent of the other party.
6. Third Parties This Agreement does not and shall not be deemed or
construed to confer upon or grant to any third party or parties, except to
parties to whom Vendor or City may assign this Agreement in accordance
With the specific written permission, any right to claim damages or to bring
any suit, action or other proceeding against either the City or Vendor because
of any breach hereof or because of any of the terms, covenants, agreements
or conditions herein contained.
7. Waivers No waiver of default by either party of any of the terms, covenants
or conditions hereof to be performed, kept and observed by the other party
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NO. 279 P. 2
shall be construed, or operate as, a waiver of any subsequent default of any
of the terms, covenants or conditions herein contained, to be performed, kept
and observed by the other party.
8. Agreement Made in Colorado The parties agree that this Agreement was
made in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado and shall be so
construed. Venue is agreed to be exclusively in the courts of Pitkin County,
Colorado,
9. Attorneys Fees In the event that legal action is necessary to enforce any of
the provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to its
costs and reasonable attorney's fees.
10. Waiver of presumption This Agreement was negotiated and reviewed
through the mutual efforts of the parties hereto and the parties agree that no
construction shall be made or presumption shall arise for or against either
party based on any alleged unequal status of the parties in the negotiation,
review or drafting of the Agreement.
11. Certification Regarding Debarment 4uspenswn menaioum aria vo�uncdiy
Exclusion Vendor certifies, by acceptance of this Agreement, that neither it
nor its principals is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment,
declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from participation in any transaction
with a Federal or State department or agency. It further certifies that prior to
submitting its Bid that it did include this clause without modification in all lower
tier transactions, solicitations, proposals, contracts and subcontracts. In the
event that Vendor or any lower tier participant was unable to certify to the
statement, an explanation was attached to the Bid and was determined by the
City to be satisfactory to the City.
Interest Vendor warrants that no person or selling agency has been
employed or retained to solicit or secure this Contract upon an agreement or
understanding for a commission, percentage, brokerage, or contingent fee,
excepting bona fide employees or bona fide established commercial or selling
agencies maintained by the Vendor for the purpose of securing business.
Vendor agrees not to give any employee of the City a gratuity or any offer of
employment in connection with any decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation,
preparation of any part of a program requirement or a purchase request, influencing the
content of any specification or procurement standard, rendering advice, investigation,
auditing, or in any other advisory capacity in any proceeding or application, request for
ruling, determination, claim or controversy, or other particular matter, pertaining to this
Agreement, or to any solicitation or proposal therefore.
091 13:53 19709456161 GLWD
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PAGE 03/04
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NO. 279 P. 3
Vendor represents that no offfelal, officer, employee or representative of the City
during the term of this Agreement has or one (1) year thereafter shall have any interest,
direct or indirect, in this Agreement or the proceeds thereof, except those that may have
been disclosed at the time City Council approved the execution of this Agreement.
In addition to other remedies it may have for breach of the prohibitions against
contingent fees, gratuities, kickbacks and conflict of interest, the City shall have the right
to:
1 _ Cancel this Purchase Agreementwrttrout any liability by the City;
2- Debar or suspend the offending parties from being a vendor,
contractor or subcontractor under City contracts;
3. Deduct from the contract price or consideration, or otherwise
recover, the value of anything transferred or received by the
Vendor, and
4. Recover such value from the offending parties.
13. Termination for Default or for Convenience of CEN The sale contemplated by
this Agreement may be canceled by the City prior to acceptance by the City
whenever for any reason and in its sole discretion the City shall determine
that such cancellation is in its best interests and convenience_
14. Fund Availability Financial obligations of the City payable after the current
fiscal year are contingent upon funds for that purpose being appropriated,
budgeted and otherwise made available- If this Agreement contemplates the
City utilizing state or federal funds to meet its obligations herein, this
Agreement shall be contingent upon the availability of those funds for
payment pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
15. City Council Approval If this Agreement requires the City to pay an amount
of money in excess of $10,000.00 it shall not be deemed valid until it has
been approved by the City Council of the City of Aspen.
16. Non - Discrimination No discrimination because of race, color, creed, sex,
marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, family responsibility, national
origin, ancestry, handicap, or religion shall be made in the employment of
persons to perform under this Agreement. Vendor agrees to meet all of the
requirements of City's municipal code, section 13 -98, pertaining to
nondiscrimination in employment Vendor further agrees to comply with the
letter and the spirit of the Colorado Antidiscrimination Act of 1957, as
amended, and other applicable state and federal laws respecting
discrimination and unfair employment practices.
17. Integration and Modification This written Agreement along with all Contract
Documents shall constitute the contract between the parties and supersedes
or incorporates any prior written and oral agreements of the parties. In
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SEP. 7.2010 1:33PM ASPEN POLICE DEPT
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NO. 279 P. 4
addition, vendor understands that no City official or employee, other than the
Mayor and City Council acting as a body at a council meeting, has authority to
enter into an Agreement or to modify the terms of the Agreement on behalf of
the City. Any such Agreement or modification to this Agreement must be in
writing and be executed by the parties hereto.
18. Authorized Representative The undersigned representative of Vendor, as an
inducement to the City to execute this Agreement, represents that he/she is
an authorized representative of Vender for the purposes of executing this
Agreement and that he/she has full and complete authority to enter into this
Agreement for the terms and conditions specified herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The City and the Vendor, respectively have caused
this Agreement to be duly executed the day and year first herein written In three (3)
copies, all of which, to all intents and purposes, shall be considered as the original.
FOR THE CITY OF ASPEN:
By:
ATTEST:
City Manager
City Clerk
VENDOR:
_SG"v�y
By: 1�QNv) � �ACVtf
Servior Sc, es K4 e NT� }�"2
Title
6;j0hn%a9T% uMlyyruc
Furniture Options
2- Sep -10
City of Aspen Police
Teknlon Syste
Leverage Panels
Product
Color
List Price
Your Price
Accoustical P anels
tbd
$
27,500.00
$
19,662.0
Privacy Screens
$
2,108.00
$
1,507.00
Laminate Doors
—.,— $ -- 3,208.00
$
2,283.00
Connectors/Trim
$ 1,803.00
$ 1,58
$ 4,429.00
"_ $ 1,112.00
$ 1,240.00
N/A $ 225.00
N/A $ 778.00
$ 43,983.00
$ 5,277.00
$ 4,125.00
$ 450.00
$ 53,835.00
E 1,289.00
$ 1,206.00
$ 3,166.00
$ 867.00
$ 886.00
$ 153.00
$ _ 556 .00
_ $ 31,5 85.00
Fwaived
Waived
Waived
$ 31,5 85.00
Tables Ste W /Casters (2)
Tables Laminate
Lockers
Caf6 Seating (2)
84 x84 Ceiling Projection Screen
4x 8 Ma netic White Boards (2)
MATERIAL TOTAL
Freight
In stallation
Design Services
P ROJECT TO
--
1
RESOLUTION # 7 G
(Series of 20 10)
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
ASPEN, COLORADO, AND TIFFIN METAL PRODUCTS SETTING FORTH
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS REGARDING AND AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAID CONTRACT
WHEREAS, there has been submitted to the City Council an agreement
between the City of Aspen, Colorado, and Tiffin Metal Products, a copy of which
agreement is annexed hereto and made a part thereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO:
Section 1
That the City Council of the City of Aspen hereby approves that agreement
between the City of Aspen, Colorado, and Tiffin Metal Products regarding the
purchase of police equipment lockers for the city of Aspen, a copy of which is
annexed hereto and incorporated herein, and does hereby authorize the City
Manager of the City of Aspen to execute said contract on behalf of the City of
Aspen.
Dated:
Michael C. Ireland, Mayor
I, Kathryn S. Koch, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the
foregoing is a true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City
Council of the City of Aspen, Colorado, at a meeting held, (insert date here).
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
SUPPLY PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into, this 7th day of September 2010,
between the City of Aspen, Colorado, herein after referred to as the "City" and Tiffin
Metal Products hereinafter referred to as the "Vendor".
WITNESSETH, that whereas the City wishes to purchase police lockers,
hereinafter called the UNIT(S) being more fully described and attached herewith as
'Exhibit A', in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in the Contract
Documents and any associated Specifications, and Vendor wishes to sell said UNIT to
the City as specked in its Bid.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City and the Vendor, for the considerations hereinafter
set forth agree as follows:
1. Purchase Vendor agrees to sell and City agrees to purchase the UNIT(S) as
described in the Contract Document and more specifically in Vendor's Bid for
the sum of twenty eight thousand eight hundred fifty five dollars ($28,855).
2. Delivery Via standard carrier to: Aspen Police Dept. 506 E Main #102,
Aspen, CO 81611
3. Contract Documents This Agreement shall include all Contract Documents
as the same are listed in the Invitation to Bid and said Contract Document are
hereby made a part of this Agreement as if fully set out at length herein.
4. Warranties Standard Tiffin Metal Products warranty terms.
5. Successors and Assigns This Agreement and all of the covenants hereof
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the City and the Vendor
respectively and their agents, representatives, employee, successors,
assigns and legal representatives. Neither the City nor the Vendor shall have
the right to assign, transfer or sublet its interest or obligations hereunder
without the written consent of the other party.
Third Parties This Agreement does not and shall not be deemed or
construed to confer upon or grant to any third party or parties, except to
parties to whom Vendor or City may assign this Agreement in accordance
with the specific written permission, any right to claim damages or to bring
any suit, action or other proceeding against either the City or Vendor because
of any breach hereof or because of any of the terms, covenants, agreements
or conditions herein contained.
7. Waivers No waiver of default by either party of any of the terms, covenants
or conditions hereof to be performed, kept and observed by the other party
shall be construed, or operate as, a waiver of any subsequent default of any
of the terms, covenants or conditions herein contained, to be performed, kept
and observed by the other party.
Agreement Made in Colorado The parties agree that this Agreement was
made in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado and shall be so
construed. Venue is agreed to be exclusively in the courts of Pitkin County,
Colorado.
9. Attorney's Fees In the event that legal action is necessary to enforce any of
the provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to its
costs and reasonable attorney's fees.
10. Waiver of Presumption This Agreement was negotiated and reviewed
through the mutual efforts of the parties hereto and the parties agree that no
construction shall be made or presumption shall arise for or against either
party based on any alleged unequal status of the parties in the negotiation,
review or drafting of the Agreement.
11. Certification Regarding Debarment Suspension Ineligibility, and Voluntary
Exclusion Vendor certifies, by acceptance of this Agreement, that neither it
nor its principals is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment,
declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from participation in any transaction
with a Federal or State department or agency. It further certifies that prior to
submitting its Bid that it did include this clause without modification in all lower
tier transactions, solicitations, proposals, contracts and subcontracts. In the
event that Vendor or any lower tier participant was unable to certify to the
statement, an explanation was attached to the Bid and was determined by the
City to be satisfactory to the City.
12. Warranties Against Contingent Fees Gratuities Kickbacks and Conflicts of
Interest Vendor warrants that no person or selling agency has been
employed or retained to solicit or secure this Contract upon an agreement or
understanding for a commission, percentage, brokerage, or contingent fee,
excepting bona fide employees or bona fide established commercial or selling
agencies maintained by the Vendor for the purpose of securing business.
Vendor agrees not to give any employee of the City a gratuity or any offer of
employment in connection with any decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation,
preparation of any part of a program requirement or a purchase request, influencing the
content of any specification or procurement standard, rendering advice, investigation,
auditing, or in any other advisory capacity in any proceeding or application, request for
ruling, determination, claim or controversy, or other particular matter, pertaining to this
Agreement, or to any solicitation or proposal therefore.
Vendor represents that no official, officer, employee or representative of the City
during the term of this Agreement has or one (1) year thereafter shall have any interest,
direct or indirect, in this Agreement or the proceeds thereof, except those that may have
been disclosed at the time City Council approved the execution of this Agreement.
In addition to other remedies it may have for breach of the prohibitions against
contingent fees, gratuities, kickbacks and conflict of interest, the City shall have the right
to:
1. Cancel this Purchase Agreement without any liability by the City;
2. Debar or suspend the offending parties from being a vendor,
contractor or subcontractor under City contracts;
3. Deduct from the contract price or consideration, or otherwise
recover, the value of anything transferred or received by the
Vendor; and
4. Recover such value from the offending parties.
13. Tennination for Default or for Convenience of City The sale contemplated by
this Agreement may be canceled by the City prior to acceptance by the City
whenever for any reason and in its sole discretion the City shall determine
that such cancellation is in its best interests and convenience.
14. Fund Availability Financial obligations of the City payable after the current
fiscal year are contingent upon funds for that purpose being appropriated,
budgeted and otherwise made available. If this Agreement contemplates the
City utilizing state or federal funds to meet its obligations herein, this
Agreement shall be contingent upon the availability of those funds for
payment pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
15. City Council Approval If this Agreement requires the City to pay an amount
of money in excess of $10,000.00 it shall not be deemed valid until it has
been approved by the City Council of the City of Aspen.
16. Non - Discrimination No discrimination because of race, color, creed, sex,
marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, family responsibility, national
origin, ancestry, handicap, or religion shall be made in the employment of
persons to perform under this Agreement. Vendor agrees to meet all of the
requirements of City's municipal code, section 13 -98, pertaining to
nondiscrimination in employment. Vendor further agrees to comply with the
letter and the spirit of the Colorado Antidiscrimination Act of 1957, as
amended, and other applicable state and federal laws respecting
discrimination and unfair employment practices.
17. Integration and Modification This written Agreement along with all Contract
Documents shall constitute the contract between the parties and supersedes
or incorporates any prior written and oral agreements of the parties. In
addition, vendor understands that no City official or employee, other than the
Mayor and City Council acting as a body at a council meeting, has authority to
enter into an Agreement or to modify the terms of the Agreement on behalf of
the City. Any such Agreement or modification to this Agreement must be in
writing and be executed by the parties hereto.
18. Authorized Representative The undersigned representative of Vendor, as an
inducement to the City to execute this Agreement, represents that he /she is
an authorized representative of Vendor for the purposes of executing this
Agreement and that he /she has full and complete authority to enter into this
Agreement for the terms and conditions specified herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The City and the Vendor, respectively have caused
this Agreement to be duly executed the day and year first herein written in three (3)
copies, all of which, to all intents and purposes, shall be considered as the original.
FOR THE CITY OF ASPEN:
M
City Manager
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Title
G:yohn%agr�supplyyrm
Print Price Quotation
Tiffin Metal Products Co.
450 Wall Street, Tiffin Ohio 44883
Tel.: 419 -447 -8414, Fax: 419 -447 -8512
Sales: 800- 537 -0983
Tax ID #: 34- 1 302 39 6
To:
ASPEN POLICE DEPARTMENT
506 EAST MAIN ST. #102
ASPEN, CO 81611
Attn: BILL LINN
Tel.: 970 - 274 -4103
Page 1 of 2
T mfl IN
METAL RODUCTS
Quote Date: 07/30/10
Print Date: 07/30/10
Reference: ASPEN PD
Price Quotation CQ011072 - Draft
Item
Part Number
Part Description
Quantity
Unit Price
Extended Price
1
AFM24P
AIRFLOW LOCKER 24X24DX72
24.00 EA
$ 570.00
13,680.00
SLAM LATCH, PAINTED STEEL
2
AFDM243618
AIRFLOW BASE /DRAWER
24.00 EA
$ 335.00
8,040.00
24Wx36Dxl8H MECH LOCK
3
EPM2490L1836
END TRIM PANEL L LEFT HAND
3.00 EA
$ 135.00
405.00
HEMMED EDGE WITH PEMS,
4
EPM2490R1836
END TRIM PANEL L RIGHT HAND
3.00 EA
$ 135.00
405.00
HEMMED EDGE WITH PEMS,
5
FRT- SENTINEL
FREIGHT TO CUSTOMER
1.00 EA
$ 6,325.00
6,325.00
(ESTIMATED)
Note: Any surcharge in effect at
time of shipment will be
applied. Freight estimate does not
include lift gate /inside delivery
charges.
Total Price 28,855.00
Expir. Date: 09/28/10
Your RFQ: ASPEN PD
Tax 0.00
Sales Rep: TONYA BREIDENBACH
TOTAL $ 28,855.00
r +....,ornipimKnr rnmoae
IMPORTANT: Prior to Tiffin Metal Products Co. (TMP) accepting an
order, the following documentation must be completed and /or
submitted with the purchase order.
1. TMP credit application with references
2. Copy of surety bond (public projects only)
3. Joint check agreement (when applicable)
LEAD -TIME: 6 -10 weeks after an order is released to production,
WHICH REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING, NO DEVIATIONS:
1. Signed approval /submittal drawings
2. Color selection in writing
3. Delivery requirements in writing (place & date)
4. Credit terms must be established
file: //C: \DOCUME- 1 \MWITTM —I.TIF \LOCALS -1 \Temp \p0582800493.htm 7/30/2010
'Ed,
ASPEN( SNOWMASS
ASPEN SKIING COMPANY
To: Aspen City Council —
From: Deric Gunshor
Date: September 7, 2010
Re: Resolution of conditions for Special Event Permit to host three-day music festival
Snow Beats City Council Motion:
Councilman Skadron moved to approve the Aspen Skiing Company going forward in concept with the special event
application in Wagner Park and grant a noise variance conditioned on resolution of the issues raised: how
snowmaking will be done within the allowed sound limits; an agreement with the Wheeler Opera House so that it is
fully compensated; the applicant's thoughts on definition of sponsorship; consideration of Wagner versus Rio Grande
as a venue; report on how traffic and parking will be handled okayed by Randy Ready and John Krueger,
opportunities for local non - profits to be involved; seconded by Councilman Romero. All in favor with the exception of
Councilman Torre. Motion carried. The applicant Will have a report on the September 13'" Councl agenda.
Details for building a 12" layer of manmade snow in Wagner Park:
There are two options to achieve a 12" layer of manmade snow in Wagner Park. This layer of manmade snow will
compliment a season -long partnership to compact and groom the snow in Wagner Park by the trail crew from Aspen
Mountain. This will begin following the first significant snowfall (12" or more) and continue with each subsequent snow
event (6" or more). The Aspen Mountain snow and trails expert believe that the grooming of natural snow will build a
suffident base for the event. We believe the best way to create the 12" layer of manmade snow would be to make the
snow at the base of Lift 1A (top of Aspen Street) and utilize the city snow removal equipment to move snow to
Wagner Park. This will require approximately 200 loads between the city's three snow removal trucks. The snow
would be delivered to multiple locations on the edge of the park and spread with a snow Cat. A NorAnn race is
scheduled after Word Cup which runs through Dec 2. The priority will be to ensure the mountain is open for public
skiing but as soon as weather conditions permit we could begin to make a pile for the park. The last choice would be
to make snow in Wagner Park using a Super Pole Cat snowmaking machine. We would be able to centralize the
machine in the park to minimize impact on any individual business or resident. The following graph charts the decibel
reading of that machine which if run during the day and Centralized in the park would be more than 150 ft from any
Super PoleCat Sound Levels w /10hp Compressor and 300
psi Water Pressure, Always On Water Flow
I..m..W...w.....wetie. n..er.l
60
0 25
A 78
■ 72
76
85
i 85 ._....
... _.
t.84
75
'
a 80
A 72
60
0 25
A 78
■ 72
76
! 78
._...
_....
1 73
75
'
A 72
y n`
Q 70
..
a 70
65 ..
60
0 25
A 78
■ 72
76
a 74
._...
_....
1 73
A 72
71
..
a 70
■ 67
.. 1! 66
50 75 IW
01sUmeiM)
A 64
125
" ♦front
•SiJc
s Back
f 20-
a 68
■ 62
150 175
Agreement for use of Wheeler Opera House
After meeting with the Wheeler Opera House staff and touring the venue, we have made an acceptable agreement
with both parties that we will buyout the space at a rate of $1,000 per day and use the backstage facilities for
production of our event. This will include hospitality and green room space for talent as well as office space for
production staff.
Thoughts on definition and scope of sponsorship
Sponsorship is a critical revenue source for the viability and longevity of all events. Aspen Skiing Company will
approach our existing partners with the opportunity to sponsor this event. In addition, we will look to partner with other
brands that frequently support music specific events. Aspen Skiing Company will look for cash and in -kind
contribution to this event to ensure its success. This will include the resubmission of a request for stimulus funds from
the City of Aspen.
Consideration of Wagner Park versus Rio Grande
The selection of Wagner Park over Rio Grande has been made after careful evaluation of each venue. The primary
and deciding factor in choosing Wagner Park is because it is in the commercial core of downtown Aspen. This reason
is vital to the success of the event and value the event brings to the businesses of downtown Aspen. Rio Grande has
been used for multiple events in recent history and none of them have been as successful as events held within
Wagner Park. This event requires such significant financial risk that Aspen Skiing Company must make every
possible choice that will give this event the best chance for success. There is no room for error and having the event
located in the downtown core is crucial.
Report on traffic and parking plan
The event will have significant impact on the use of Monarch Street between Durant Ave and Hyman Ave. We will
need the parking spaces on the south side of Monarch Street during the entire period of load-in and load -out
(approximately 8 days) as well as the spaces in Willoughby Park. The event will need to have Monarch Street dosed
to through traffic during the event but will be able to be open during the day prior to the event starting at
approximately 3pm. Security personal will staff each intersection with road closure to ensure safe flow of traffic
through town.
Non -profit involvement
Aspen Skiing Company is supportive of many local non - profits and contributes to the employee funded and managed
Environment Foundation. Each year the concert in downtown Aspen raises thousands of dollars for the Environment
Foundation through the proceeds of the beverage sales. This event would raise the bar on those contributions. We
are exploring new partnership opportunities with an environmental based non - profit working specifically with bands,
concert venues and music festivals. We believe this partnership could yield tremendous value for attendees as well
as the non - profit. Until we are able to finalize a deal we are not in a position to announce the non - profit we hope to
benefit through this and other music events.
• Page 2
A •
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Ireland and Aspen City Council
THRU: Jennifer Phelan, Community Development Deputy Director
FROM: Sara Adams, Senior Planner
RE: Castle Creek Energy Center, Power Plant Road: Subdivision,
Rezoning, Consolidated PUD Review, Growth Management for an
Essential Public Facility, Second Reading of Ordinance No. 15, Series
of 2010. (public hearing is continued from August 9'")
LAth: Jevtemoer I .), /uiv
APPLICANT /OWNER:
City of Aspen.
REPRESENTATIVE:
Mitch Haas, Haas Land Planning, LLC.
LOCATION:
Lot 3 and Open Space 2A of the March Ranch
Open Space, along Power Plant Road beneath
the Castle Creek bridge.
CURRENT ZONING:
R -30, Low Density Residential.
SUMMARY:
The Applicant requests approval to construct a
hydroelectric plant, aka the Castle Creek Energy
Center, on Power Plant Road adjacent to the
City Shop building. The application includes the
following reviews: subdivision to create a new
lot and to remove the area from the open space
inventory, rezoning from R -30 to the Public
Zone, consolidated PUD review to determine
dimensional requirements, Growth Management
Review for an Essential Public. The project is
exempt from Stream Margin Review because it
is a utility and is essential for public health and
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council grant
approval for Subdivision, Rezoning, PUD
and Growth Management for an Essential
Public Facility for the Castle Creek Energy
Center with conditions.
1 Castle Creek Energy Center, Power Plant Road
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
09.13.10
Aerial view of proposed site. Arrow
indicates proposed location of the new
building.
N OTE : Site visits to the Maroon Creek Hydroelectric Plant are scheduled with Council on
September 7`" at 3:30 and September 9 at 4:00 to observe the stream flow and operation of the
existing plant.
Staff finds that it may be beneficial to the public and Council to explain how the proposed
Ordinance, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Stream Health Monitoring Plan work
together to govem this project. Staff drafted the Ordinance to function as the overall land use
approval and burden upon the land for the project including Subdivision, Rezoning, PUD plan
and GMQS. Section 5 of the Ordinance addresses the environmental impact and operational
component of the project by referencing the Miller Study, establishing minimum stream flows
for on Castle and Maroon Creeks (which can only be appropriated by the Colorado Water
Conservation Board) specifically related to the hydroplant operation, and requiring a MOU and a
Stream Health Monitoring plan. The MOU and the Stream Health Monitoring Plan are more
flexible governing documents that can be adjusted in accordance with findings described therein
— they operate similar to design guidelines that are customarily adopted as part of a large
Subdivision or PUD. Any specific technical requirements and data collection related to stream
flows should be included in the Stream Health Monitoring Plan and MOU. Both the Ordinance
and the MOU state that any changes to the Stream Health Monitoring Plan that are in conflict
with Aspen's commitments and objectives of the Castle Creek Energy Center stated in
Ordinance 23, Series of 2008 are resolved by City Council.
QUESTIONS FROM SECOND READING: During the August 9` public hearing, City Council asked
the Applicant to address a number of issues and questions when they returned to Council. The
main issues are outlined below and the Applicant's response to these issues is attached as Exhibit
N.
• Establish baseline information for stream health The Stream Health Monitoring Plan
details the different types of baseline data that the City and CDOW are required to gather
at designated monitoring stations prior to the operation of the proposed hydroplant. The
baseline information in some instances already exists. New or additional information
will be gathered starting in the fall of 2010, establishing locations is included in Section
5, part 5, of the Ordinance. Staff recommends that the City and CDOW continue to build
upon the Stream Health Monitoring Plan to clearly indicate existing data that can be used
as a baseline for comparison, and to identify exactly what new data needs to be gathered,
and a timeline for gathering representative baseline information.
• ijuraiion or me recommenaeu minimum sucarn mews all i.nsuv WIu IVIMVVu �IVU&3
The City is gathering information to present during the September 13`" hearing regarding
this issue.
• Accessibility of the data to the public/ real -time automatic gauges The City researched
the cost for real -time instream flow gauges which is approximately $10,000 each not
including installation. The City commits to installing hydrologic monitoring sites for
both Castle and Maroon Creek. Staff finds that the data and annual report should be
posted online in addition to being available at the Water Department and recommends
that this be included in the MOU, Section 18: Availability of MOU; Recording. More
detailed information on the hydrologic monitoring will be presented on September 13`
• How does the City's experience at the Maroon Creek hydroplant inform this rp oiect?
The City included a brief explanation in the supplemental information about the Maroon
2 Castle Creek Energy Center, Power Plant Road
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
09.13.10
Creek facility (attached as Exhibit N) which will be expanded upon during the site visit
and the public hearing on September 13 th .
Economics of the project: Some financial analysis is included in the supplemental
information and the impact of turning the facility off for a portion of the year is addressed
in the supplemental. The applicant will provide more detailed analysis during the hearing.
Building Size and Importance of Visitor Room The proposed building was designed
from the inside out to accommodate the large turbine. The proposed visitor room
comprises 178 square feet and provides a small indoor space to view the hydroplant
operations. The building can operate without the visitor room, but as the City points out
in the supplemental Exhibit N, the room acts as an additional noise buffer between the
turbine and the outdoors.
Sound Mitigation Baseline sound readings will be taken in the Fall of 2010 on the
proposed project site and the results will be posted on the City's website. The building is
designed to meet the City's adopted noise ordinance, which will be confirmed within 1
week of the hydroplant commencing operations. Any noise violations require immediate
compliance.
CHANGES TO THE ORDINANCE There have been a number of changes made to the Ordinance,
the majority of which are located in Section 5: Environmental Assessment. These have been
done in "track changes," so deleted text is in r ed stFikedffeu and added text is in rg een
underline. Staff attached a marked up Ordinance and a clean Ordinance to this memo.
RECOMMENDATION:
In reviewing the proposal, Staff believes that the project is consistent with the goals of the AACP
as well as the applicable review standards in the City Land Use Code. Staff finds that this
project will further the community goal to reduce Aspen's carbon footprint.
RECOMMENDED MOTION (ALL MOTIONS ARE WORDED IN THE AFFIRMITIVE):
"I move to approve Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010, approving with conditions Subdivision,
Rezoning to the Public Zone District, Consolidated PUD approval and Growth Management
approval for an Essential Public Facility on second reading."
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
Attachments: Please contact Sara Adams 429 -2778, if you need any copies of previous
packet exhibits.
EXHIBIT A — Subdivision Review Criteria, Staff Findings. [provided in 7/12/2010
packet]
EXHIBIT B — Rezoning Review Criteria, Staff Findings. [provided in 7/12/2010 packet]
EXHIBIT C — PUD Review Criteria, Staff Finding. [provided in 7/12/2010 packet]
EXHIBIT D — Growth Management Review Criteria, Staff Findings. [provided in 7/12/2010
packet]
EXHIBIT E — DRC Comments. [provided in 7/12/2010 packet]
EXHIBIT F — Planning and Zoning Commission Resolution No. 9, Series of 2010. [provided in
7/12/2010 packet]
3 Castle Creek Energy Center, Power Plant Road
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
09.13.10
EXHIBIT G — Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes from April 20, 2010. [provided in
7/12/2010 packet]
EXHIBIT H — Application (bound copy.) [provided in 7/12/2010 packet]
EXHIBIT I — Supplemental information to Application dated April 8, 2010. [provided in
7/12/2010 packet]
ExinBIT J — Supplemental information to Application dated July 2, 2010. [provided in 7/12/2010
packet]
EXHIBIT K — Letter from Roaring Fork Conservancy, dated January 14, 2010. [provided in
7/12/2010 packet]
EXHIBIT L — Stream Margin Review Criteria [provided in 8/9/2010 packet]
EXHIBIT M — Supplemental information to Application dated August 9, 2010. [provided in
8/9/2010 packet]
Exhibit N — Supplemental information to Application dated September 13, 2010 including:
• Responses to 8/9/2010 questions
• Updated draft Memorandum of Understanding
• Updated draft Stream Health Monitoring Program
Exhibit O - Council Minutes from August 9, 2010.
Exhibit P- public letters received since August 91h meeting.
4 Castle Creek Energy Center, Power Plant Road
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
09.13.10
Ordinance No. 15 vet
(SERIES OF 2010)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO, APPROVING WITH CONDITIONS SUBDIVISION, REZONING
TO PUBLIC ZONE DISTRICT, CONSOLIDATED PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT, AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT REVIEW FOR AN
ESSENTIAL PUBLIC FACILITY FOR LOT 3 AND OPEN SPACE 2A OF THE
MAROLT RANCH OPEN SPACE SUBDIVISION, AKA THE CASTLE CREEK
ENERGY CENTER AND HYDROELECTRIC PLANT, CITY OF ASPEN,
PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO
PARCEL NO. 2735- 123 -63 -852
WHEREAS, the Community Development Department received an application
from the City of Aspen, requesting approval to construct the Castle Creek Energy Center
and Hydroelectric Plant, which included requests for Subdivision, Amendment to the
Zone District Map, Planned Unit Development plan, and Growth Management allotments
for an Essential Public Facility; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed Castle Creek Energy Center will serve an essential
public purpose by providing clean renewable hydroelectric power to City facilities thus
serving the general public and Aspen community and complying with the voters'
directive to reduce carbon emissions, and therefore is categorized as an Essential Public
Facility, pursuant to Section 26.104.100; and,
WHERAS, the Community Development Director determined that the proposed
development is exempt from Stream Margin Review, pursuant to Section 26.435.040.B.2,
in that the proposed facility complies to the extent practical with the Stream Margin
Review Standards, and concluded that it was appropriate to discuss the stream margin
review criteria with the Planning and Zoning Commission in order to identify and address
issues associated with the development and Stream Margin area; and,
WHEREAS, the subject property is currently zoned R -30 Low Density
Residential with a PUD overlay and is part of the dedicated Marolt Ranch Open Space;
and,
WHEREAS, the electorate voted in 2007 to remove the subject parcel from the
Marolt Open Space as stated in City Council Resolution No. 70 Series of 2007; and,
WHEREAS, upon review of the application, and the applicable code standards,
the Community Development Department recommended approval of the proposed land
use requests with conditions; and,
WHEREAS, following a duly noticed public hearing on April 20, 2010, the City
of Aspen received a recommendation of approval for Subdivision, Rezoning from R -30
to Public Zone District, Consolidated PUD plan, and Growth Management for an
Essential Public Facility from the Planning and Zoning Commission pursuant to
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 1 of 8
Resolution No. 9, Series of 2010, for a 2,025 gross square foot hydroelectric plant located
on the property at Lot 3 and Open Space 2A of the Marolt Ranch Open Space Subdivision,
City of Aspen, Colorado City and Townsite of Aspen, CO; and,
WHEREAS, the Aspen City Council has reviewed and considered the development
proposal under the applicable provisions of the Municipal Code as identified herein, has
reviewed and considered the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission, the
Community Development Director, and the applicable referral agencies, and has taken and
considered public comment at a public hearing; and,
WHEREAS, on July 12, 2010 the Aspen City Council approved Ordinance No. 15,
Series 2010, on First Reading, approving with conditions Subdivision, Rezoning from R -30
to Public Zone District, Consolidated PUD plan, and Growth Management for an
Essential Public Facility for the property located at Lot 3 and Open Space 2A of the
Marolt Ranch Open Space Subdivision, City of Aspen, Colorado City and Townsite of
Aspen, CO; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the development proposal meets or exceeds
all applicable development standards and that the approval of the development proposal,
with the conditions set forth herein, is consistent with the goals and elements of the Aspen
Area Community Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that this Ordinance furthers and is necessary for
the promotion of public health, safety, and welfare.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ASPEN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: Dimensional Standards
Pursuant to the procedures and standards set forth in Title 26 of the City of Aspen Municipal
Code, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended and the City Council hereby
grants approval of Subdivision, a Consolidated Planned Unit Development, Rezoning,
and Growth Management Review for an Essential Public Facility for the property located
at Lot 3 and Open Space 2A of the Marolt Ranch Open Space Subdivision, City of Aspen,
Colorado the following dimensional standards for the Castle Creek Energy Center and
Hydroelectric Plant:
Table 1: Approved Dimensional Standards:
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 2 of 8
Proposed
Dimensional
Dimensional
Requirement
Requirements
Minimum Lot Size
23,000 s . ft.
Minimum Lot Area per
n/a
dwelling unit
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 2 of 8
Section 2: Subdivision from Marolt Ranch Open Space
Lot 3 and part of Lot 2A of the Marolt Ranch Open Space are hereby removed from the
Open Space inventory. The newly created lot, named the Castle Creek Energy Center, is
23,689 square feet as depicted on the survey. A Memorandum of Agreement approving
the removal of the subject lot and the approved Open Space land exchange shall be
recorded simultaneously with the recordation of the Subdivision plat, and Planned Unit
Development plat and agreement. Concurrent with the recordation of the Castle Creek
Energy Center Subdivision and PUD plats and agreement, the Marolt Open Space PUD
and SIA shall be amended and recorded to reflect the Subdivision approval. The
aforementioned recordations shall be made with the Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder
prior to submitting an application for a Building Permit.
Section 3: Amendment to the Zone District Map
Upon the effective date of an act by City Council approving a development application
for an amendment to the Zone District map, rezoning the subject lot from R -30 Low
Density Residential Zone District with a PUD overlay to the Public Zone District with a
PUD overlay, the Community Development Director shall place the amendment on the
City's official zone district map.
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 3 of 8
Proposed
Dimensional
Dimensional
Requirement
Requirements
Maximum Allowable
n/a
Density
Minimum Lot Width
220 ft.
Minimum Front Yard
Setback measured from
71 ft.
p roperty line
Minimum Side Yard
5 ft. north side yard;
Setback measured from
and 185 ft. on south
p roperty line
side yard
Minimum Rear Yard
Setback measured from
30 ft.
p roperty line
Maximum Height
27 ft.
Minimum Distance
n/a
Between Buildings
Minimum % Open
No requirement.
Space
Trash Access Area
No requirement.
1,928 gross sq. ft., as
Allowable Gross Square
indicated on the PUD
Footage
lat.
Minimum Off - Street
0 spaces
Parking
Section 2: Subdivision from Marolt Ranch Open Space
Lot 3 and part of Lot 2A of the Marolt Ranch Open Space are hereby removed from the
Open Space inventory. The newly created lot, named the Castle Creek Energy Center, is
23,689 square feet as depicted on the survey. A Memorandum of Agreement approving
the removal of the subject lot and the approved Open Space land exchange shall be
recorded simultaneously with the recordation of the Subdivision plat, and Planned Unit
Development plat and agreement. Concurrent with the recordation of the Castle Creek
Energy Center Subdivision and PUD plats and agreement, the Marolt Open Space PUD
and SIA shall be amended and recorded to reflect the Subdivision approval. The
aforementioned recordations shall be made with the Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder
prior to submitting an application for a Building Permit.
Section 3: Amendment to the Zone District Map
Upon the effective date of an act by City Council approving a development application
for an amendment to the Zone District map, rezoning the subject lot from R -30 Low
Density Residential Zone District with a PUD overlay to the Public Zone District with a
PUD overlay, the Community Development Director shall place the amendment on the
City's official zone district map.
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 3 of 8
Section 4: Parking
Parking is not required on site; however if a Lease Agreement is entered into between the
City and CDOT to use the Right of Way for 5 parking spaces, then the parking may be used
for the Castle Creek Energy Center.
Section 5: Environmental Assessment
The City shall operate the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant in accordance with the terms
of a license or exemption from licensing which is issued by the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission ( "FERC ") and is accepted by the City.
The City shall operate its hydroelectric water rights on Castle Creek to divert water to the
Castle Creek hydroelectric plant in a manner that will allow maintenance of a minimum
stream flow in Castle Creek in the amount of 13.3 cubic feet per second (cfs)
immediately downstream of the point of diversion of the Castle Creek municipal intake,
and a minimum stream flow of 17.2 cfs in Castle Creek immediately downstream of the
point at which return flows from the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant return to Castle
Creek, in order to continue to maintain a healthy stream environment on Castle Creek. In
addition, the City shall continue to operate its hydroelectric water rights on Maroon
Creek to divert water to the Maroon Creek hydroelectric plant in a manner that will allow
maintenance of a minimum stream flow in Maroon Creek in the amount of 14 cfs
immediately downstream of the point of diversion of the Maroon Creek municipal intake,
in order to continue to maintain a healthy stream environment on Maroon Creek. The
foregoing minimum stream flows are recommended by the findings in the June 11, 2010
Miller Ecological Consultants report to provide habitat to protect the aquatic biota during
baseflow periods and refuge habitat in the winter.
The City, in collaboration with the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the United States
Forest Service (to the extent the United States Forest Service is willing and able to
participate), has developed a Stream Health Monitoring Plan ( "the Plan"). Because the
Plan may require revision as it is implemented, a memorandum of the Plan shall be
recorded with the Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder describing the Plan, and stating that
a full and complete copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and
Colorado Division of Wildlife, and the Stream Health Monitoring Plan together with all
exhibits, revisions and additions, as well as data collection forms and reports as required
by the Plan, will be maintained at the office of the Aspen Water Department, and will be
available for review during the Water Department's normal business hours. The
foregoing Memorandum of Understanding shall be recorded with the Pitkin County Clerk
and Recorder with the PUD agreement prior to submitting its application for building
permit.
The City shall conduct assessments of stream health conditions as directed by the Plan,
and make such reports to the Colorado Division of Wildlife and other agencies as
required by the Plan.
In connection with the Plan, the City will do the following, beginning in the fall of 2010:
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 4 of 8
I Identify permanent fish monitoring stations at the locations described in
the Plan;
2 Prepare a map showing the locations of the permanent monitoring stations,
including GPS descriptions and maintain the map at the Aspen Water Department
3 Identify a hydrologic monitoring site on Castle Creek and a hydrologic
monitoring site on Maroon Creek in the fall of 2010;
4 Upgrade as necessary the electrical SCADA and recording equipment at
the hydrologic monitoring sites in order to install a staff gage and stage recording device
and constant recording thermograph at each hydrologic monitoring_ site, develon a stage
discharge relationship (rating curve) for each gage and post the current rating curves on
the City website;
5 When they are installed overate the stage recording devices and constant
recording thermographs at both hydrologic monitoring sites in order to collect baseline
stream flow and temperature data, and post a summary of the data on the City website
weekly, and work towards making real -time data available on the City website; and
6 In time for consideration by Colorado Water Conservation Board staff at
its February 2011 meeting request the Colorado Water Conservation Board to
appropriate an additional instream flow on Castle Creek in the amount of 1.3 cfs (for a
total instream flow of 13.3 cfs) immediately below the City's point of hydroelectric
diversion and an additional 5.2 cfs (for a total instream flow of 17.2 cfs) at the point of
hydroelectric returns to Castle Creek and provide the supporting data compiled by
CDOW and Miller Ecological Consultants.
During the course of the Monitoring Program, CDOW may determine that stream flows
in Castle Creek immediately downstream of the Castle Creek hydroelectric diversion, or
steam flows in Castle Creek immediately downstream of the point of hydroelectric
returns, should be increased overall or during certain months in order to protect the
fisheries and stream habitat. When CDOW advises the City of this determination, the
City will develop a miti atg ion Alan satisfactory to CDOW. The
mitigation plan may include additional adjustments to hydroelectric plant operation.
Through these measures the City will continue to protect stream health. eperatierh'tl
If operation of the
City's hydroelectric water rights on Castle Creek and Maroon Creek to maintain such
increased stream flows is inconsistent with the City's commitments and objectives for the
Castle Creek hydroelectric plant, including Ordinance 23, Series of 2008, then the City
will seek resolution from City Council.
The City Council recognizes that while the City may operate its hydroelectric water
rights on Castle Creek and Maroon Creek in order to maintain the stream flows
recommended by Miller Ecological Consultants, or greater stream flows, at the specified
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 5 of 8
locations described above, only the Colorado Water Conservation Board ( "CWCB ") is
legally authorized to appropriate and hold decrees for instream flow water rights.
Section 6: Noise Assessment
The Castle Creek Energy Center shall comply with the City of Aspen noise ordinance,
Title 18 of the Aspen Municipal Code. The City shall conduct a noise analysis upon
completion of the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant to confirm compliance with City noise
standards. The City shall submit a baseline sound level report to the Environmental
Health Department at the time of building permit application in order to compare with the
sound impact of the hydroelectric plant after it is operating. Within 30-da week of
being operational, the Environmental Health Department shall take a--sound readings
during the daytime and the nighttime to confirm compliance with City standards.
Section 7: Buildine Permit Application
The building permit application shall include the following:
a. A copy of the final City Council Ordinance and P &Z Resolution.
b. The conditions of approval printed on the cover page of the building permit set.
c. A fugitive dust control plan to be reviewed and approved by the City Engineering
Department.
d. Improvements to the right of way shall include new grass, irrigation, and possibly
the replacement of street trees, and shall be approved prior to building permit
submittal.
e. An excavation - stabilization plan, construction management plan (CMP), and
drainage and soils report pursuant to the Building and Engineering Department's
requirements. The CMP shall include an identification of construction hauling
routes, construction phasing, and construction traffic and parking plan for review
and approval by the City Engineer and Streets Department Superintendent.
Staging areas will be identified in the plan. No stabilization will be permitted in
the City right of way. Stormwater run -off and management must meet the
requirements of the Urban Runoff Management Plan.
f. A complete geotechnical report and geotechnical design.
g. Accessibility requirements shall meet adopted Building Code requirements.
h. An approved landscape plan.
Section 8: Eneineerine Department Requirements
The City shall comply with all sections of the City of Aspen Municipal Code, including
but not limited to Title 21 Streets, Sidewalks and other Public Places, Title 8.50 Flood
Damage Prevention and all construction and excavation standards published by the
Engineering Department. A final grading and drainage plan meeting all requirements of
the City Engineer shall be submitted and approved by the Engineering Department prior
to Engineering Department sign -off on the Final Plat.
Section 9: Water Department Requirements
The City shall comply with the City of Aspen Water System Standards, with Title 25, and
with the applicable standards of Title 8 (Water conservation and Plumbing Advisory
Code) of the Aspen Municipal Code, as required by the City of Aspen Water Department.
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 6 of 8
Section 10: Sanitation District Requirements
a. Service is contingent upon compliance with the Aspen Consolidated Sanitation
District (ACSD) rules, regulations, and specifications, which are on file at the ACSD
office, and shall obtain ACSD approval of the City - approved drainage plans to
assure that clear water connections (roof, foundation, perimeter, patio drains) are not
connected to the sanitary sewer system.
b. On -site utility plans require approval by ACSD.
c. Landscaping plans will require approval by ACSD where soft and hard landscaping
may impact public rights of way, ACSD easements, or easements that will be
dedicated to ACSD in connection with this project.
d. All ACSD fees must be paid prior to the issuance of a building permit.
e. The glycol heating and snow melt system for the Castle Creek Energy Center project
must be designed to prohibit the discharge of glycol to any portion of the public and
private sanitary sewer system. The glycol storage areas must have approved
containment facilities.
f Soil Nails are not allowed in the public right of way above ASCD main sewer lines.
g. The City's civil engineer will be required to submit existing and proposed flow
calculations.
Section 11: Exterior Liehtin¢
All exterior lighting shall meet the requirements of the City's Outdoor Lighting Code
pursuant to Land Use Code Section 26.575.150, Outdoor Lighting.
Section 12:
All material representations and commitments made by the City pursuant to the
development proposal approvals as herein awarded, whether in public hearing or
documentation presented before the Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council,
are hereby incorporated in such plan development approvals and the same shall be
complied with as if fully set forth herein, unless amended by an authorized entity.
Section 13•
This ordinance shall not affect any existing litigation and shall not operate as an abatement
of any action or proceeding now pending under or by virtue of any ordinances repealed or
amended as herein provided, and the same shall be conducted and concluded under such
prior ordinances.
Section 14:
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this ordinance is for any
reason held invalid or unconstitutional in a court of competent jurisdiction, such portion
shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions thereof.
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 7 of 8
Section 15
A public hearing on this ordinance will be held the 0 day of August 2010 at 5:00 p.m. in
City Council chambers, City Hall, 130 South Galena.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ORDERED PUBLISHED as provided by law, by the City
Council of the City of Aspen on the 12 day of July, 2010.
Attest:
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk Michael C. Ireland, Mayor
FINALLY, adopted, passed and approved this _ day of , 2010.
Attest:
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
Michael C. Ireland, Mayor
Approved as to form:
City Attorney
Attachment A: site plan and elevations
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 8 of 8
Ordinance No. 15 Ulm V w M
(SERIES OF 2010)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO, APPROVING WITH CONDITIONS SUBDIVISION, REZONING
TO PUBLIC ZONE DISTRICT, CONSOLIDATED PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT, AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT REVIEW FOR AN
ESSENTIAL PUBLIC FACILITY FOR LOT 3 AND OPEN SPACE 2A OF THE
MAROLT RANCH OPEN SPACE SUBDIVISION, AKA THE CASTLE CREEK
ENERGY CENTER AND HYDROELECTRIC PLANT, CITY OF ASPEN,
PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO
PARCEL NO. 2735- 123 -63 -852
WHEREAS, the Community Development Department received an application
from the City of Aspen, requesting approval to construct the Castle Creek Energy Center
and Hydroelectric Plant, which included requests for Subdivision, Amendment to the
Zone District Map, Planned Unit Development plan, and Growth Management allotments
for an Essential Public. Facility; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed Castle Creek Energy Center will serve an essential
public purpose by providing clean renewable hydroelectric power to City facilities thus
serving the general public and Aspen community and complying with the voters'
directive to reduce carbon emissions, and therefore is categorized as an Essential Public
Facility, pursuant to Section 26.104.100; and,
WHERAS, the Community Development Director determined that the proposed
development is exempt from Stream Margin Review, pursuant to Section 26.435.040.B.2,
in that the proposed facility complies to the extent practical with the Stream Margin
Review Standards, and concluded that it was appropriate to discuss the stream margin
review criteria with the Planning and Zoning Commission in order to identify and address
issues associated with the development and Stream Margin area; and,
WHEREAS, the subject property is currently zoned R -30 Low Density
Residential with a PUD overlay and is part of the dedicated Marolt Ranch Open Space;
and,
WHEREAS, the electorate voted in 2007 to remove the subject parcel from the
Marolt Open Space as stated in City Council Resolution No. 70 Series of 2007; and,
WHEREAS, upon review of the application, and the applicable code standards,
the Community Development Department recommended approval of the proposed land
use requests with conditions; and,
WHEREAS, following a duly noticed public hearing on April 20, 2010, the City
of Aspen received a recommendation of approval for Subdivision, Rezoning from R -30
to Public Zone District, Consolidated PUD plan, and Growth Management for an
Essential Public Facility from the Planning and Zoning Commission pursuant to
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 1 of 8
Resolution No. 9, Series of 2010, for a 2,025 gross square foot hydroelectric plant located
on the property at Lot 3 and Open Space 2A of the Marolt Ranch Open Space Subdivision,
City of Aspen, Colorado City and Townsite of Aspen, CO; and,
WHEREAS, the Aspen City Council has reviewed and considered the development
proposal under the applicable provisions of the Municipal Code as identified herein, has
reviewed and considered the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission, the
Community Development Director, and the applicable referral agencies, and has taken and
considered public comment at a public hearing; and,
WHEREAS, on July 12, 2010 the Aspen City Council approved Ordinance No. 15,
Series 2010, on First Reading, approving with conditions Subdivision, Rezoning from R -30
to Public Zone District, Consolidated PUD plan, and Growth Management for an
Essential Public Facility for the property located at Lot 3 and Open Space 2A of the
March Ranch Open Space Subdivision, City of Aspen, Colorado City and Townsite of
Aspen, CO; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the development proposal meets or exceeds
all applicable development standards and that the approval of the development proposal,
with the conditions set forth herein, is consistent with the goals and elements of the Aspen
Area Community Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that this Ordinance furthers and is necessary for
the promotion of public health, safety, and welfare.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ASPEN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: Dimensional Standards
Pursuant to the procedures and standards set forth in Title 26 of the City of Aspen Municipal
Code, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended and the City Council hereby
grants approval of Subdivision, a Consolidated Planned Unit Development, Rezoning,
and Growth Management Review for an Essential Public Facility for the property located
at Lot 3 and Open Space 2A of the Marolt Ranch Open Space Subdivision, City of Aspen,
Colorado the following dimensional standards for the Castle Creek Energy Center and
Hydroelectric Plant:
Table 1: Approved Dimensional Standards:
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 2 of 8
Proposed
Dimensional
Dimensional
Requirement
Requirements
Minimum Lot Size
23,000 s . ft.
Minimum Lot Area per
n/a
dwelling unit
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 2 of 8
Section 2: Subdivision from Marolt Ranch Open Space
Lot 3 and part of Lot 2A of the Marolt Ranch Open Space are hereby removed from the
Open Space inventory. The newly created lot, named the Castle Creek Energy Center, is
23,689 square feet as depicted on the survey. A Memorandum of Agreement approving
the removal of the subject lot and the approved Open Space land exchange shall be
recorded simultaneously with the recordation of the Subdivision plat, and Planned Unit
Development plat and agreement. Concurrent with the recordation of the Castle Creek
Energy Center Subdivision and PUD plats and agreement, the Marolt Open Space PUD
and SIA shall be amended and recorded to reflect the Subdivision approval. The
aforementioned recordations shall be made with the Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder
prior to submitting an application for a Building Permit.
Section 3: Amendment to the Zone District Map
Upon the effective date of an act by City Council approving a development application
for an amendment to the Zone District map, rezoning the subject lot from R -30 Low
Density Residential Zone District with a PUD overlay to the Public Zone District with a
PUD overlay, the Community Development Director shall place the amendment on the
City's official zone district map.
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 3 of 8
Proposed
Dimensional
Dimensional
Requirement
Requirements
Maximum Allowable
Density
n/a
Minimum Lot Width
220 ft.
Minimum Front Yard
Setback measured from
71 ft.
p roperty line
Minimum Side Yard
5 ft. north side yard;
Setback measured from
and 185 ft. on south
p roperty line
side yard
Minimum Rear Yard
Setback measured from
30 ft.
p roperty line
Maximum Height
27 ft.
Minimum Distance
n/a
Between Buildings
Minimum % Open
No requirement.
Space
Trash Access Area
No requirement.
1,928 gross sq. ft., as
Allowable Gross Square
indicated on the PUD
Footage
lat.
Minimum Off - Street
Parking
0 spaces
Section 2: Subdivision from Marolt Ranch Open Space
Lot 3 and part of Lot 2A of the Marolt Ranch Open Space are hereby removed from the
Open Space inventory. The newly created lot, named the Castle Creek Energy Center, is
23,689 square feet as depicted on the survey. A Memorandum of Agreement approving
the removal of the subject lot and the approved Open Space land exchange shall be
recorded simultaneously with the recordation of the Subdivision plat, and Planned Unit
Development plat and agreement. Concurrent with the recordation of the Castle Creek
Energy Center Subdivision and PUD plats and agreement, the Marolt Open Space PUD
and SIA shall be amended and recorded to reflect the Subdivision approval. The
aforementioned recordations shall be made with the Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder
prior to submitting an application for a Building Permit.
Section 3: Amendment to the Zone District Map
Upon the effective date of an act by City Council approving a development application
for an amendment to the Zone District map, rezoning the subject lot from R -30 Low
Density Residential Zone District with a PUD overlay to the Public Zone District with a
PUD overlay, the Community Development Director shall place the amendment on the
City's official zone district map.
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 3 of 8
Section 4: Parking
Parking is not required on site; however if a Lease Agreement is entered into between the
City and CDOT to use the Right of Way for 5 parking spaces, then the parking may be used
for the Castle Creek Energy Center.
Section 5: Environmental Assessment
The City shall operate the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant in accordance with the terms
of a license or exemption from licensing which is issued by the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission ( "FERC ") and is accepted by the City.
The City shall operate its hydroelectric water rights on Castle Creek to divert water to the
Castle Creek hydroelectric plant in a manner that will allow maintenance of a minimum
stream flow in Castle Creek in the amount of 13.3 cubic feet per second (cfs)
immediately downstream of the point of diversion of the Castle Creek municipal intake,
and a minimum stream flow of 17.2 cfs in Castle Creek immediately downstream of the
point at which return flows from the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant return to Castle
Creek, in order to continue to maintain a healthy stream environment on Castle Creek. In
addition, the City shall continue to operate its hydroelectric water rights on Maroon
Creek to divert water to the Maroon Creek hydroelectric plant in a manner that will allow
maintenance of a minimum stream flow in Maroon Creek in the amount of 14 cfs
immediately downstream of the point of diversion of the Maroon Creek municipal intake,
in order to continue to maintain a healthy stream environment on Maroon Creek. The
foregoing minimum stream flows are recommended by the findings in the June 11, 2010
Miller Ecological Consultants report to provide habitat to protect the aquatic biota during
baseflow periods and refuge habitat in the winter.
The City, in collaboration with the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the United States
Forest Service (to the extent the United States Forest Service is willing and able to
participate), has developed a Stream Health Monitoring Plan ( "the Plan"). Because the
Plan may require revision as it is implemented, a memorandum of the Plan shall be
recorded with the Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder describing the Plan, and stating that
a full and complete copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and
Colorado Division of Wildlife, and the Stream Health Monitoring Plan together with all
exhibits, revisions and additions, as well as data collection forms and reports as required
by the Plan, will be maintained at the office of the Aspen Water Department, and will be
available for review during the Water Department's normal business hours. The
foregoing Memorandum of Understanding shall be recorded with the Pitkin County Clerk
and Recorder with the PUD agreement prior to submitting its application for building
permit.
The City shall conduct assessments of stream health conditions as directed by the Plan,
and make such reports to the Colorado Division of Wildlife and other agencies as
required by the Plan.
In connection with the Plan, the City will do the following, beginning in the fall of 2010
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 4 of 8
Identify permanent fish monitoring stations at the locations described in
the Plan;
2. Prepare a map showing the locations of the permanent monitoring stations,
including GPS descriptions, and maintain the map at the Aspen Water Department;
3. Identify a hydrologic monitoring site on Castle Creek and a hydrologic
monitoring site on Maroon Creek in the fall of 2010;
4. Upgrade as necessary the electrical, SCADA and recording equipment at
the hydrologic monitoring sites in order to install a staff gage and stage recording device
and constant recording thermograph at each hydrologic monitoring site, develop a stage
discharge relationship (rating curve) for each gage, and post the current rating curves on
the City website;
5. When they are installed, operate the stage recording devices and constant
recording thermographs at both hydrologic monitoring sites in order to collect baseline
stream flow and temperature data, and post a summary of the data on the City website
weekly, and work towards making real -time data available on the City website; and
6. In time for consideration by Colorado Water Conservation Board staff at
its February 2011 meeting, request the Colorado Water Conservation Board to
appropriate an additional instream flow on Castle Creek in the amount of 1.3 cfs (for a
total instream flow of 13.3 cfs) immediately below the City's point of hydroelectric
diversion, and an additional 5.2 cfs (for a total instream flow of 17.2 cfs) at the point of
hydroelectric returns to Castle Creek, and provide the supporting data compiled by
CDOW and Miller Ecological Consultants.
During the course of the Monitoring Program, CDOW may determine that stream flows
in Castle Creek immediately downstream of the Castle Creek hydroelectric diversion, or
steam flows in Castle Creek immediately downstream of the point of hydroelectric
returns, should be increased overall or during certain months in order to protect the
fisheries and stream habitat. When CDOW advises the City of this determination, the
City will develop a mitigation plan satisfactory to CDOW. The mitigation plan may
include additional adjustments to hydroelectric plant operation. Through these measures,
the City will continue to protect stream health.If operation of the City's hydroelectric
water rights on Castle Creek and Maroon Creek to maintain such increased stream flows
is inconsistent with the City's commitments and objectives for the Castle Creek
hydroelectric plant, including Ordinance 23, Series of 2008, then the City will seek
resolution from City Council.
The City Council recognizes that while the City may operate its hydroelectric water
rights on Castle Creek and Maroon Creek in order to maintain the stream flows
recommended by Miller Ecological Consultants, or greater stream flows, at the specified
locations described above, only the Colorado Water Conservation Board ( "CWCB ") is
legally authorized to appropriate and hold decrees for instream flow water rights.
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 5 of 8
Section 6: Noise Assessment
The Castle Creek Energy Center shall comply with the City of Aspen noise ordinance,
Title 18 of the Aspen Municipal Code. The City shall conduct a noise analysis upon
completion of the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant to confirm compliance with City noise
standards. The City shall submit a baseline sound level report to the Environmental
Health Department at the time of building permit application in order to compare with the
sound impact of the hydroelectric plant after it is operating. Within 1 week of being
operational, the Environmental Health Department shall take sound readings during the
daytime and the nighttime to confirm compliance with City standards.
Section 7: Building Permit Application
The building permit application shall include the following:
a. A copy of the final City Council Ordinance and P &Z Resolution.
b. The conditions of approval printed on the cover page of the building permit set.
c. A fugitive dust control plan to be reviewed and approved by the City Engineering
Department.
d. Improvements to the right of way shall include new grass, irrigation, and possibly
the replacement of street trees, and shall be approved prior to building permit
submittal.
e. An excavation- stabilization plan, construction management plan (CMP), and
drainage and soils report pursuant to the Building and Engineering Department's
requirements. The CMP shall include an identification of construction hauling
routes, construction phasing, and construction traffic and parking plan for review
and approval by the City Engineer and Streets Department Superintendent.
Staging areas will be identified in the plan. No stabilization will be permitted in
the City right of way. Stormwater run -off and management must meet the
requirements of the Urban Runoff Management Plan.
f A complete geotechnical report and geotechnical design.
g. Accessibility requirements shall meet adopted Building Code requirements.
h. An approved landscape plan.
Section 8: Engineering Department Requirements
The City shall comply with all sections of the City of Aspen Municipal Code, including
but not limited to Title 21 Streets, Sidewalks and other Public Places, Title 8.50 Flood
Damage Prevention and all construction and excavation standards published by the
Engineering Department. A final grading and drainage plan meeting all requirements of
the City Engineer shall be submitted and approved by the Engineering Department prior
to Engineering Department sign -off on the Final Plat.
Section 9: Water Department Requirements
The City shall comply with the City of Aspen Water System Standards, with Title 25, and
with the applicable standards of Title 8 (Water conservation and Plumbing Advisory
Code) of the Aspen Municipal Code, as required by the City of Aspen Water Department.
Section 10: Sanitation District Requirements
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 6 of 8
a. Service is contingent upon compliance with the Aspen Consolidated Sanitation
District (ACSD) rules, regulations, and specifications, which are on file at the ACSD
office, and shall obtain ACSD approval of the City- approved drainage plans to
assure that clear water connections (roof, foundation, perimeter, patio drains) are not
connected to the sanitary sewer system.
b. On -site utility plans require approval by ACSD.
c. Landscaping plans will require approval by ACSD where soft and hard landscaping
may impact public rights of way, ACSD easements, or easements that will be
dedicated to ACSD in connection with this project.
d. All ACSD fees must be paid prior to the issuance of a building permit.
e. The glycol heating and snow melt system for the Castle Creek Energy Center project
must be designed to prohibit the discharge of glycol to any portion of the public and
private sanitary sewer system. The glycol storage areas must have approved
containment facilities.
f. Soil Nails are not allowed in the public right of way above ASCD main sewer lines.
g. The City's civil engineer will be required to submit existing and proposed flow
calculations.
Section 11: Exterior Li¢htinE
All exterior lighting shall meet the requirements of the City's Outdoor Lighting Code
pursuant to Land Use Code Section 26.575.150, Outdoor Lighting.
Section 12:
All material representations and commitments made by the City pursuant to the
development proposal approvals as herein awarded, whether in public hearing or
documentation presented before the Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council,
are hereby incorporated in such plan development approvals and the same shall be
complied with as if fully set forth herein, unless amended by an authorized entity.
Section 13:
This ordinance shall not affect any existing litigation and shall not operate as an abatement
of any action or proceeding now pending under or by virtue of any ordinances repealed or
amended as herein provided, and the same shall be conducted and concluded under such
prior ordinances.
Section 14:
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this ordinance is for any
reason held invalid or unconstitutional in a court of competent jurisdiction, such portion
shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions thereof.
Section 15
A public hearing on this ordinance will be held the 9 day of August 2010 at 5:00 p.m. in
City Council chambers, City Hall, 130 South Galena.
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 7 of 8
INTRODUCED, READ AND ORDERED PUBLISHED as provided by law, by the City
Council of the City of Aspen on the 12' day of July, 2010.
Attest:
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk Michael C. Ireland, Mayor
FINALLY, adopted, passed and approved this _ day of , 2010.
Attest:
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
Michael C. Ireland, Mayor
Approved as to form:
City Attorney
Attachment A: site plan and elevations
Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2010
Second Reading, September 13, 2010
Page 8 of 8
Castle Creek Energy Center
Supplemental for Application
�Yu
Date: September 13, 2010
Response to questions from August 9, 2010 Council Meeting, 2 reading
Environmental Studies and Stream Health
Q. Stream Health Monitoring Plan:
A. The Stream Health Monitoring Plan is an addition to the CCEC. We are in the process of
developing a plan that provides for a healthy stream in the future which is included in the
supplemental packet. By collaborating with CDOW and including the USFS, we ensure additional
oversight for the health of Castle and Maroon Creeks in the future. By developing a ten year
monitoring plan with specific action items, such as scaling back Hydro production if stream
health is affected negatively, we are ensuring that the operations of CCEC will be compatible
with a healthy stream.
Q. What are the differences to stream health between flows of 15 cfs and 13.3cfs?
A. Mountain streams like Castle Creek and Maroon Creek typically maintain low flows for months
at a time during late fall, winter and early spring, and stream health is not compromised as long
as the hydrograph's ascending and descending limbs are kept intact. As long as there are high
flushing flows yearly, Castle Creek will remain healthy at a flow of 13.3 cfs for the entirety of the
low flow season (late Oct -early April). Since the City's Castle Creek municipal diversion
infrastructure only allows the removal of 25 CFS from in Castle Creek, at any given point it would
be impossible to reduce the flows to the winter low flows of 13.3 cfs during the spring runoff,
when the creek typically experiences flows of several hundred CFS. Dr. Miller will address the
overall requirements for stream health in more depth on September 13th. Studies by Dr. Miller
and Mark Uppendahl of CDOW determined that a 13.3 cfs stream flow will protect the natural
environment to a reasonable degree. Increasing the winter low flow from 13.3 cfs to 15 cfs, will
increase the width of the stream by approximately 6 inches and the depth by a little more than
X inch. Maintaining this increase in stream flow will reduce the overall power production
during the months of October - April.
Q. Consider fish screens
A. The intake structures on Castle Creek and Maroon Creek currently have bar screens which
reduce debris as well as helping to keep fish from entering the pipeline to Thomas Reservoir.
Very few fish are found in Thomas Reservoir, attesting to the effectiveness of these bar screens.
No modifications are required for continued use of these intakes and pipelines. In Thomas
Reservoir, smaller mesh fish screens (approximately 1 /10 of inch openings) are incorporated in
the design and will be installed on the intake structures delivering water from the reservoir to
the CCEC. While these structures are not "standard" fish screens, they do provide reasonable
fish protection, especially in light of the small number of fish that find their way into Thomas
Reservoir in the first place. The Maroon Creek and Castle Creek diversions have operated for
decades and there are no reported observations of large numbers of trout transported from the
0
streams to Thomas Reservoir, which indicates that fish entrainment isn't a problem. Fish that
do end up in Thomas Reservoir can be removed and returned to the creeks.
Fish screens could be installed at the inlets of each pipeline at the stream, requiring construction
of new facilities at each location. The estimated cost for each intake ranges from $250,000 to
$750,000 for a total of $ $500,000 to $ 1,500,000 for the two locations. Alternatively, additional
screening could be installed at the inlet to the penstock /drainline in Thomas Reservoir. Initial
cost is $50,000 to $100,000 with yearly maintenance and replacement approximately every five
years.
Q. Can the Hydrograph be placed in the Ordinance
A. Dr Miller's study including hydrographs is a part of the permanent public record through the
current process. Hydrographs represent composite data, and any individual year is likely to
differ from the hydrographs in the Miller report. It would not be realistically possible for the
Castle Creek hydroelectric plant to be operated at all times to mimic a particular hydrograph in
the Miller report. Therefore, we believe it is preferable to use the Stream Monitoring Plan to
direct plant operations, thereby allowing hydroelectric plant operations to respond to actual
conditions that occur on the stream. While the Miller report could be referenced in ordinance,
the MOU and monitoring plan are the documents that will govern the City's future stream
health monitoring, and are required by the ordinance. This reinforces the value and outcome of
the Miller report. Additionally, including a specific hydrograph in the ordinance could be
misleading because of highly variable flows and potential climate change impacts. Dr. Miller's
hydrographs are developed from actual measurements and statistical correlations, and
therefore are generally representative of stream conditions, but do not reflect any particular
year. An ordinance requiring that we can produce a specific hydrograph would be overstating
the capability of any operator, as the water may not be there in a given year, matching a specific
hydrograph year to year is a nearly impossible task from an operations standpoint. That being
said, with shoulder seasons and Hydrograph Peak "Flushing Velocities" a similar hydrograph to
existing conditions will be maintained. The goal is to operate over the same general range of
flows as have occurred in the past, which would include the inter- and intra - annual variability
needed to maintain a healthy stream.
Q. Fish Ladders
A. The Stream Health Monitoring Plan will leave the option for fish passage open. One concern of
Dr. Miller and the CDOW is transport of invasive non - native species (generally brown trout) in
the upper reaches of the creek if fish passage is provided. The existing diversion structures on
Maroon Creek and Castle currently restrict movement of non - native brown trout, which would
compete with and prey upon the existing rainbow and brook trout populations. This biological
separation would allow an opportunity to restore a native fish population in upper Castle and
Maroon creeks. CDOW has gone to great efforts elsewhere in the state to create exactly the
habitat for native species that now exists in the upper reaches of Castle Creek and Maroon
Creek.
2
Q. Maroon Creek Experiences
A. Maroon Creek Hydro has been operated on a semi - annual basis since 1986. Bill Miller
conducted Fish and Biological analysis on Maroon and Castle Creeks as part of the Castle Creek
Energy Center Project. He found that (Table 11, Page 60 of the Miller Report) the condition of
the fish in Maroon Creek is very good. The condition factor is determined by the ability of fish to
find adequate food supplies. According to Dr. Miller's study this is indicates that Maroon Creek
has a healthy macro invertebrate population which in turn provides the food resources for
healthy fish.
Q. Real -time In- Stream Flow Readings
A. Staff researched a real -time stream flow monitoring device, which can monitor low flow regimes
and post findings to the internet so that the public can monitor stream levels during the low
flow portions of the year. The additional costs specific to the device is approximately $10,000
each, plus installation costs including connection to SCADA to communicate the information out.
The monitoring program recommends, and staff will install a hydrologic monitoring site on the
Castle Creek municipal intake structure and on the Maroon Creek intake and diversion
structures. Additionally, several stream staff gauges will be placed in accessible locations to
allow consistent viewing and instant reading of stream depth. These are simple visual
measuring devices.
Financial Benefits
Q Provide Castle Creek Energy Center Financial analysis
A. Included in the August 9`", 2010 Council Supplemental packets were spreadsheets detailing the
financial results of 5 in stream flow rates. Following is summary of the analysis results.
In- Stream Flow Level (cfs)
Castle Creek Flows 12 13.3 15 18 19
Net Energy Production in
kWh /year
6,358,958
6,250,527
6,042,005
5,725,051
5,616,620
Net Energy Purchase
average Savings in
$ /year (annually for 28
year bond life)
$ 50,895
$ 43,151
$ 28,258
$ 5,622
$ (2,123)
Break -even point: Year
that Revenue exceeds
Expenditure
Yr 2013
Yr 2013
Yr 2014
Yr 2015
Yr 2015
Net Revenue total for 75
year project life
$ 35,332,460
$ 34,777,672
$ 33,076,157
$ 30,489,855
$ 29,605,068
Difference in Net
Revenue from 13.3 cfs
recommended level for
75 Year project
$ 554,788
1 $
$ (1,701,515)
$ (4,287,817)
$ (5,172,604)
3
Q. Results of turning the CCEC off during a portion of the year
A. The design and operations of the CCEC accounts for a reduction in operating during a portion of
the year when Castle Creek flow naturally decreases to winter time flow levels maintaining in-
stream flow levels. The change in electric production as well as financial performance at
several flow levels is detailed in previous chart.
Castle Creek Energy Center
Q CCEC Building Size and Use: 1) Describe the benefit of Visitor's Room; 2) What is the bare minimum
size of the building for it to function?
A. 1) The CCEC has evolved from a vision of a community education center on renewable energy
including information on Aspen's progressive historic leadership to a site specific to
demonstration of an operating hydro electric plant. The visitor space has been reduced to a
minimum interior holding area outside of the physical operating plant that will allow us to brief
small visitor groups on plant operations, features and equipment they will see, and other
pertinent information regarding the operating plant. More extensive education programs
regarding renewable energy and the City of Aspen's vision will be held in off site locations.
2) Operationally, the building can function without the visitor entry area. However, it provides
additional buffer space between the generator room and exterior walls, which will reduce noise
and is an integral element of the building design, contributing to an overall balance of the size
and mass for the taller element containing the hydroelectric generator. Further, it serves as an
architectural feature blending the features of the adjacent historic hydroelectric building and
integrating the overall site.
Q Sound Mitigation: 1) What is the current noise level for the stream, 2) getting it right the first time.
A. 1) In the fall of 2010, Environmental Health will conduct at the CCEC property seasonal baseline
sound measurements prior to CCEC operation. The ambient background noise level will vary in
response to the changes in stream flow level, level of tourism traffic overhead, local traffic on
Power Plant road, equipment uses at City Shops, etc. This action will serve as baseline sound
data for the CCEC property. Results will be posted on the City's CCEC web site.
2) Within the ordinance, sound levels are clearly defined. Extensive research and design was
conducted including sound measurement at the Colorado Springs Utilities Manitou Springs
hydroelectric facility. The Manitou facility includes a generator similar in size, type, and
production capability, manufactured by the same company retained for the CCEC. Information
from this field work was included in the final design criteria for the CCEC structure to ensure
effective sound mitigation and compliance. When CCEC operations begin the fall of 2011,
Environmental Health will promptly conduct sound measurements to confirm compliance.
Further, measurements will be taken seasonally during the 1st operational year to validate
ongoing compliance over changing environmental conditions. Should measurements indicate a
sound compliance concern, staff will make immediate modifications to operations and /or
structure to correct. If additional equipment is required, CCEC operations will be modified as
necessary to comply with current regulations pending completion of modifications.
Additional Questions
Q Can we build a storage facility for excess hydro - energy generated?
A. Storing energy from renewable energy technologies can be challenging. Hydroelectric facilities
that operate with a dam and reservoir body can store energy in the form of reservoir water,
n
W
releasing water at times consistent with electric demand. However, since CCEC is a "run of the
river" facility not requiring a larger storage facility to operate, this option does not exist.
Research organizations such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are diligently
working with the Department of Energy and other organizations to design and improve storage
options by focusing on comprehensive energy storage solutions. Whether for stationary,
portable, or transportation applications, cost - effective, high- density energy storage is necessary
to most effectively utilize the technologies that can change the future of energy and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. At this time, many of these types of energy storage concepts exist
primarily in the research phase.
O. Dates of public meetings
6 public meetings were held regarding the CCEC prior to the Council hearing on August 9, 2010.
These meetings were held: October 17, 2007, October 24, 2007, March 25, 2008, February 2009,
July 23, 2009, and June 16, 2010
5
DRAFT 073010 2.3
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
This Memorandum of Understanding ( "MOU ") is entered into 20_
between the City of Aspen, a Colorado home rule city ( "Aspen "), and the State of
Colorado, acting by and through the Colorado Department of Natural Resources,
Division of Wildlife ( "CDOW ").
Recitals
1. Aspen operates municipal utility enterprise that provides water service and
electrical service to its customers within the city and extraterritorially by contract.
2. Aspen owns, controls, operates, and manages water rights, water
supplies, and water treatment facilities and other water system infrastructure for
the benefit of its customers.
3. Aspen owns, controls, operates and manages the electrical power system
used to provide electric power to its customers, and currently purchases mucho
of the energy required for this purpose from coal -fired sources.
4. To address the need to reduce carbon emissions, Aspen adopted its
"Canary Initiative," which identified a new hydroelectric facility on Castle Creek as
part of the City's strategy to reduce carbon emissions. The Castle Creek
Hydroelectric Project was approved by the voters in 2007.
5. CDOW is a division of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources as
provided in C.R.S. §24 -1 -124, and, among other things, is responsible for
fisheries in the State of Colorado, and conducts investigations and provides input
to the Colorado Water Conservation Board ( "CWCB ") to assist it in determining
stream flow requirements for instream flows to preserve or improve the natural
environment to a reasonable decree, in accordance with C.R.S. § 37 -92- 102(3).
6. CDOW consulted with Aspen in connection with its analysis of stream flow
and stream habitat impacts of the Castle Creek Hydroelectric Project, and
requested Aspen to conduct certain studies and data collection efforts in order to
evaluate needed instream flows for Castle Creek, and to better describe the
stream habitat. This consultation occurred in accordance with Part 4 of 18 CFR,
governing approvals of hydroelectric projects by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission.
7. Aspen's independent consultant, Miller Ecological Consultants, Inc., has
undertaken the studies requested by CDOW, and prepared a report of its
findings, entitled "Castle Creek Hydroelectric Plant Environmental Report (June
11, 2010.)"
DRAFT 073010 2.3
8. Aspen has agreed to develop and implement, under the direction of
CDOW, a stream monitoring program ( "Monitoring Program ") in order to monitor
possible impacts of the Castle Creek hydroelectric project operations on the
Maroon Creek and Castle Creek fisheries and stream habitat, and, in addition, to
monitor Maroon Creek streamflows in order to monitor possible impacts of the
existing Maroon Creek hydroelectric operations on fisheries and stream habitat.
9. By this MOU, Aspen and CDOW wish to provide a framework for ongoing
cooperation in the development and implementation of the Monitoring Program
over a ten -year period after the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant becomes
operational.
10. Aspen and CDOW are both empowered to enter into this MOU and are
vested with all necessary powers to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement.
11. This Agreement has been approved pursuant to resolutions of the Aspen
City Council and the Division of Wildlife of the State of Colorado, Department of
Natural Resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and
covenants herein contained, the parties agree as follows.
12, Background Aspen currently operates the Maroon Creek hydroelectric
plant that diverts water for hydroelectric purposes at the Maroon Creek pipeline,
located on Maroon Creek as shown on the attached map. Aspen is planning to
construct and operate the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant that will operate in
substantially the same manner as the original Castle Creek hydroelectric plant
that operated from 1893 to 1958. The planned Castle Creek hydroelectric plant
will divert water for hydroelectric production at the Castle Creek - Midland Flume
intake, located as shown on the attached map, and will also take delivery of
water from Maroon Creek, as was historically done in the original hydroelectric
operation.
In connection with its application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
regarding the Castle Creek hydroelectric project, Aspen engaged Miller
Ecological Consultants, Inc. to conduct an environmental review of Castle Creek
and Maroon Creek, including, as requested by CDOW, additional aquatic studies
to determine appropriate levels of stream flow to protect the aquatic habitat in
Castle Creek and Maroon Creek. The additional studies requested by CDOW
were completed in the spring of 2010, and are reported in Miller Ecological
Consultants' report entitled "Castle Creek Hydroelectric Plant Environmental
Report (June 11, 2010) ( "Miller Report. ")
With the execution of this MOU, Aspen and CDOW agree that, as between them,
the consultation required under 18 CFR Part 4, for development of a small
conduit hydroelectric facility to be located as the Castle Creek Hydroelectric
DRAFT 073010 2.3
Project, FERC Project No. 13254, has been completed and the consultation
requirements of 18 CFR Part 4 have been met.
13. Purpose and Need The purpose of this MOU is to provide for Aspen's
development and implementation, aided by CDOW's expertise and the input of
the interested governmental entities, of the Monitoring Program for Castle Creek
and Maroon Creek. CDOW does not currently have the capability to undertake a
lengthy and specialized monitoring program itself, but will provide support and
expertise to Aspen as described herein. The Monitoring Program will allow
Aspen and CDOW to confirm the appropriate instream flows, and will allow
Aspen to develop sufficient information regarding the fisheries and stream habitat
in Maroon and Castle Creeks to determine impacts, if any, to the streams from
operation of the Castle Creek and Maroon Creek hydroelectric plant operations.
That information will allow the adaptive management of Aspen's hydroelectric
plant operations to protect the fisheries and stream habitat.
14. Monitorinq Program The Monitoring Program as approved by the parties
is attached as Exhibit 1. The Monitoring Program may be revised from time to
time as Aspen and CDOW deem appropriate in order to better achieve the
purposes of the Monitoring Program as described in Section 12 above. Aspen
will seek input from the interested governmental entities prior to any substantial
revision to the Monitoring Program. No revision of the Monitoring Program will
reduce the number of monitoring stations on Castle Creek and Maroon Creek,
nor the 10 -year period of the Monitoring Program. Any revisions or additions
(including maps) to the Monitoring Program will be set forth in writing, signed by
CDOW and Aspen, dated, and attached hereto as a Revised Exhibit 1, without
the need to amend this MOU. The Monitoring Program attached as Exhibit 1
has been reviewed and approved by the interested governmental entities.
15. Consultation with Interested Governmental Entities The Monitoring
Program shall provide for consultation among CDOW, the Aspen Utilities
Department, the Aspen Engineering Department, and, to the extent it is willing
and able to do so, the United States Forest Service ( "USFS ") (collectively,
"interested governmental entities ") with regard to implementation of the
Monitoring Program, including but not limited to, data collection sites, data
collection timing and method, data reporting, data analysis, and any
recommendations resulting from such analysis, and implementation of such
recommendations. USFS is not party to this MOU, and although its input as an
"interested governmental entity" will be solicited, such input will not be a
prerequisite to collection or analysis of data or any decision - making process
described in this MOU or the Monitoring Program, or any later revisions or
additions to the Monitoring Program.
16. Operation of Castle Creek and Maroon Creek Hydroelectric Plants Aspen
will operate its hydroelectric water rights and hydroelectric diversions on Castle
Creek to divert water to the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant in a manner that will
DRAFT 073010 2.3
allow maintenance of an instream flow in Castle Creek in the amount of 13.3
cubic feet per second (cfs) immediately downstream of the point of diversion for
the Castle Creek municipal intake, and an instream of 17.2 cfs in Castle Creek
immediately downstream of the point at which return flows from the Castle Creek
hydroelectric plant return to Castle Creek. Aspen will continue to operate its
Maroon Creek hydroelectric water rights and hydroelectric diversions on Maroon
Creek to divert water to the Maroon Creek hydroelectric plant in a manner that
will allow maintenance of an instream flow of 14 cfs immediately downstream of
the point of diversion for the Maroon Creek pipeline. When streamflows in Castle
Creek at the point of hydroelectric diversion are insufficient to permit Aspen to
maintain the foregoing minimum flows at the specified locations, Aspen reduce or
curtail its hydroelectric diversions and hydroelectric plant operation at the Castle
Creek hydroelectric plant as needed to allow the above - described instream flows
to be met. In addition, Aspen shall continue to operate its hydroelectric water
rights and hydroelectric diversions on Maroon Creek to divert water to the
Maroon Creek hydroelectric plant in a manner that will allow maintenance of a
minimum stream flow in Maroon Creek in the amount of 14 cfs immediately
downstream of the point of diversion of the Maroon Creek pipeline.
The parties acknowledge that while Aspen may operate its municipal and
hydroelectric water rights on Castle Creek and Maroon Creek in order to maintain
the certain stream flows at specified locations, only the Colorado Water
Conservation Board ( "CWCB ") is legally authorized to appropriate and hold
instream flow water rights.
17. Adaptive Management If at any time during the course of the
Monitoring Program, CDOW determines, after review of data and consultation
with the interested governmental entities, that stream flows immediately
downstream of the point of diversion for the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant
should be increased in order to protect the fisheries and stream habitat, Aspen
shall operate its hydroelectric water rights on Castle Creek to provide such
increased stream flow at that location, so long as such operation is also
consistent with Aspen's commitments and objectives for the Castle Creek
hydroelectric plant.
Furthermore, if at any time during the course of the Monitoring Program, CDOW
determines, after review of data and consultation with the interested
governmental entities, that the hydropower diversions at Castle Creek are
degrading the fisheries or stream habitat of Maroon Creek or Castle Creek,
Aspen agrees to work cooperatively with the CDOW to develop an operation or
mitigation plan to restore the Maroon and /or Castle Creek fisheries to pre -
operation levels, provided, however, that such operation or mitigation plan is
consistent with Aspen's commitments and objectives for the Castle Creek
hydroelectric plant.
El
DRAFT 073010 2.3
If a requested increase in stream flow in Castle Creek or Maroon Creek, or any
other operation or mitigation plan requested by CDOW, is deemed by Aspen staff
be inconsistent with Aspen's commitments and objectives for the Castle Creek
hydroelectric plant, the Aspen City Council will be required resolve the
inconsistency.
18. Availability of MOU: Recording A full and complete copy of this MOU,
together with all exhibits, revisions and additions, as well as data collection forms
and reports as required by the Monitoring Program, will be maintained at the
office of the Aspen Water Department, and will be available for review during the
Water Department's normal business hours. Aspen will record a memorandum of
this MOU with the Pitkin County Clerk & Recorder. The memorandum will state
that a full and complete copy of this MOU, together with all exhibits, revisions and
additions, as well as data collection forms and reports as required by the
Monitoring Program, will be maintained at the office of the Aspen Water
Department, and will be available for review during the Water Department's
normal business hours.
19. Amendment Except as provided in Section 14, this MOU may be
amended only in a writing signed by the parties, and may not be assigned
without the written consent of the parties.
20. Authorization of Signatures The parties acknowledge and represent to
each other that all procedures necessary to validly execute this MOU have been
performed and that the persons signing for each party have been duly authorized
to do so.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Memorandum of
Agreement the date and year first above written.
THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO
A Municipal Corporation and Home Rule City
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney, City of Aspen
DRAFT 073010 2.3
STATE OF COLORADO
DEPARMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Division of Wildlife
m
Attest:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Aspen
Draft 9/2/10
"DRAFT'
Castle and Maroon Creek Monitoring Program
Developed by:
Colorado Division of Wildlife
August 16, 2010
Aspen
Draft 9/2/10
Purpose
This monitoring plan was written to address possible impacts to fisheries and
stream habitat related to the proposed increased water diversions associated
with the City of Aspen's (Aspen) Castle Creek Hydroelectric Plant located in
Pitkin County, Colorado. Aspen conducted public meetings and engaged
Miller Ecological Consultants, Inc. to undertake studies requested by the
Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) in order to obtain current information
about fisheries, stream habitat and appropriate instream flows on Castle
Creek. The results of those studies are found in Miller Ecological Consultants'
report, "Castle Creek Hydroelectric Plant Environmental Report" Qune 11,
2010) and include a recommendation that stream flows in Castle Creek in the
amount of 13.3 cfs at the point of diversion for the Castle Creek hydroelectric
plant, and 17.2 cfs in lower Castle Creek would be appropriate to provide
habitat to protect aquatic biota and provide refuge habitat in the winter.
CDOW recommended that Aspen engage in a long term monitoring study of
the effects of its future Castle Creek hydroelectric diversion operations on the
fishery and stream habitat in Maroon and Castle Creeks.
The intent of this Monitoring Program is to identify appropriate study design
and data collection efforts for Aspen to pursue in order to monitor possible
impacts to the Castle Creek and Maroon Creek fisheries and stream habitat
when the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant is operational. Although the CDOW
is responsible for fisheries statewide, a lengthy and specialized monitoring
program will require resources and personnel beyond the scope of Regional
capabilities. However, the CDOW will provide support and expertise to a
monitoring program funded and executed by Aspen and its consultants.
The Monitoring Program should build sufficient information regarding the fish
population and stream habitat in Castle and Maroon Creeks to determine
impacts to the streams from the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant operations.
The CDOW and Aspen agree to participate in the selection of representative
sampling sites and regular collection of data based upon an agreed schedule.
Should the parties observe degradation of the fishery or stream habitat due to
Castle Creek hydroelectric plant operations, or determine that the
recommended instream flows should be adjusted; a cooperative effort will be
used to address the modification of future Castle Creek hydroelectric diversion
operations.
Monitoring Program Components
Aspen
Draft 9/2/10
Fishery Monitoring
In the fall of 2010, the sampling sites ( "monitoring stations ") will be identified
by the CDOW in consultation with the United States Forest Service ( "USFS ")'
and the City of Aspen Utilities Department and Engineering Department
(collectively, "interested governmental entities "). The CDOW will conduct the
2010 fisheries surveys at each of the selected monitoring stations. These
2010 fisheries surveys will be used to establish "baseline conditions ".
Permanent monitoring station locations will be established in 2010 and will
be located in both Castle and Maroon Creeks. Future sampling collection
efforts should occur during the months of September through October to
provide data for monitoring overall stream health. CDOW routinely samples
fisheries in the fall and a fall sampling schedule would allow for comparison
of results from comparable streams. Annual sampling should be completed
within two weeks of the original sample date to maintain data consistency.
For example, if the stations were sampled the second week of October then
future surveys should be conducted on a yearly basis as close to that week as
possible. Stations should be at least 500 feet long and contain representative
habitat conditions in the area. Fishery sampling will be conducted using
standard electrofishing techniques by depletion sampling using the
appropriate population estimation technique based on the number of passes.
Proposed Sampling Locations
On Castle Creek, the CDOW recommends continuing the fish monitoring station
located downstream of the hydroelectric diversion point on Castle Creek, as
established by Miller Ecological in 2010. In addition, two stations on Castle
Creek should also be established, one upstream of the hydroelectric diversion
point and one downstream of the outlet of the hydroelectric plant. On Maroon
Creek, the CDOW recommends at least three stations be established, including
the Miller Ecological Site (located in the lower reach of Maroon Creek
approximately one -half mile upstream of the Roaring Fork River) and two
additional sites, one located above the Maroon Creek hydroelectric diversion
point, and one located in the bypass reach downstream of the hydroelectric
diversion and upstream of the point of return. The number and location of the
monitoring stations may be adjusted after the initial field visit by the interested
governmental entities.
When the locations of the permanent monitoring stations have been
determined, Aspen will prepare a map showing the locations and size of the
monitoring stations, including GPS descriptions. The monitoring station map
will be attached to this Monitoring Program. The map will be revised as
' The USFS is not a party to this Monitoring Plan, and although its input as an "interested governmental entity" will
be solicited, such input will not be a prerequisite to collection or analysis of data or any decision- making process
described in this plan.
Aspen
Draft 9/2/10
necessary to show the location and GPS description of any additional or
relocated permanent monitoring stations. Aspen will also prepare an
attachment to this Monitoring Program explaining how the permanent
monitoring station locations were selected.
Stream Habitat Monitoring
Evaluation of stream habitat should be conducted in the same locations as the
fish monitoring stations. To determine changes in aquatic habitat, the USFS has
provided standard habitat monitoring protocol (Appendix A) that is used locally
to monitor stream habitat and would be appropriate for this monitoring
program. Habitat evaluation will include channel form, habitat units, depth,
wetted width, vegetation, bank stability, riparian characterization, and presence
of debris /wood /beaver. The stream habitat evaluation should be conducted
prior (within two weeks) to conducting the fisheries surveys. If substantial
changes to the stream habitat units, within a monitoring station, have occurred
since the previous data collection effort the exact reach of the monitoring
station may need to be adjusted, upstream or downstream, to maintain similar
habitat quantity and quality characteristics. The forms to be used for such data
collection are attached to this Monitoring Program, and may be revised as
deemed necessary by Aspen and CDOW. Field forms or other data that has
been manually entered will be scanned into electronic format.
Water Temperature Monitoring
Water temperature will be monitored using constant recording thermographs at
all of the established permanent monitoring stations. The thermographs
should have the capability to record water temperatures at hourly intervals or
less. Data will be downloaded at least monthly, or more frequently as
determined appropriate by the interested governmental entities, and
transferred to computer spreadsheets for analysis.
Macroinvertebrate Collection and Analysis
Benthic macroinvertebrate samples will be collected from riffle habitat at each
permanent monitoring station concurrently with the fish sampling. Three
replicate samples will be taken at each permanent monitoring station using
either a modified Hess stream bottom sampler or Surber sampler, depending on
site conditions. Samples will be preserved in 70% ethanol and returned to the
laboratory where specimens will be identified to the lowest practical taxonomic
level. Macroinvertebrate data will be entered into a computer spreadsheet for
data analysis. Data analysis will include a species list and calculated values for
various indices, including Shannon - Weaver diversity and evenness, Family Biotic
Index, total number of taxa, functional feeding groups and macroinvertebrate
Aspen
Draft 9/2/10
densities. These data will be used, in addition to the fish data, to characterize
general aquatic conditions.
Hydrologic Monitoring
Data will be collected by Aspen on a continuous basis quantifying the
hydroelectric diversion flows and stream flows in Castle and Maroon Creeks.
The locations for the Hydrologic Monitoring sites ( "hydrologic stations ") on
Castle and Maroon Creek will be identified by the interested governmental
entities during the 2010 initial field visit. The collected information will
identify the timing, frequency, and duration of low and high flow events that
may impact (positively or negatively) the stream fish population or aquatic
habitat. At each hydrologic station a staff gage and stage recording device
will be installed and a stage discharge relationship (rating curve) will be
developed. Aspen will post the current rating curve for each hydrologic
station on their website.
Proposed Monitoring Schedule
The CDOW will conduct the initial 2010 fisheries surveys at each of the
identified stations in the fall of 2010. Aspen will be responsible for all
macroinvertebrate samples and analysis. After the initial 2010 surveys,
monitoring will be the responsibility of Aspen for the first ten years, beginning
in the year that the Castle Creek hydroelectric facility becomes operational. The
CDOW will consult with and provide assistance when available during the initial
10 year monitoring period. During the first four years of operations, Aspen will
sample yearly at the monitoring stations for fishery and habitat conditions.
From five to ten years following commencement of hydroelectric operations,
data will be collected every second year (i.e. years six, eight and ten).
Thereafter, the CDOW will collect data at their discretion as needed.
Collecting, Analyzing and Reporting Data
Data will be reported in such form as Aspen and CDOW may agree. Data
reporting forms will include, at a minimum, the following information for each
parameter measured: baseline conditions (based on 2010 data collected by
CDOW), potential impacts from Castle Creek hydroelectric plant, potential
impacts from other sources, and acceptable range for the parameter. The
forms will also identify the name of the person collecting the data, the date,
method and location of data collection, the stream discharge at the time of data
collection and other relevant information.
The data collection and reporting forms and any preliminary analysis will be
provided by the parry who collected it to Aspen, CDOW and USFS within six
Aspen
Draft 9/2/10
months of data collection during each collection period, for their review and
input.
No later than ten months following completion of data collection during each
collection period, Aspen will prepare an annual Stream Monitoring Program
Report. The report will include the collected data, any photographs or other
information collected, analysis of the data, conclusions reached based on data
analysis, any suggested "action items" and revisions to the Stream Monitoring
Program, and anticipated results of such action items and revisions to the
Stream Monitoring Program. The annual report will be in the form attached, or
such other form as Aspen and CDOW agree will accurately provide the
foregoing information.
Availability to the Public
The Annual Report, as well as the reporting forms, will be made available to the
public as provided in the Memorandum of Understanding.
Adaptive Management
At any time during the ten -year course of the monitoring program, Aspen
agrees it will work cooperatively with the CDOW to:
1. develop an operation or mitigation plan to restore the Maroon and /or
Castle Creek fisheries to pre- operation levels, if, after discussions with
the interested governmental entities, CDOW determines that the
additional hydropower diversions at Castle Creek are degrading the
fisheries of Maroon Creek or Castle Creek,
2. develop an operation plan for its hydroelectric water rights and diversions
on Castle Creek that will accommodate adjusted instream flow
recommendations, if, after discussions with the interested governmental
entities, CROW determines that the instream flows should be adjusted in
Castle Creek either immediately downstream of the Castle Creek
hydroelectric diversion or in the reach downstream of the hydroelectric
plant returns.
Provided, however, if Aspen determines that these proposed operation or
mitigation plans are inconsistent with Aspen's commitments and objectives
for the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant, then the Aspen City Council will be
required to resolve any inconsistencies. The parties acknowledge that while
Aspen may agree to an operation plan for its hydroelectric water rights and
Aspen
Draft 9/2/10
hydroelectric diversions on Castle Creek and Maroon Creek, only the
Colorado Water Conservation Board ( "CWCB ") is legally authorized to
appropriate and hold instream flow water rights.
-. _ . vyw�,-�
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Aueust 9.2010
REPRESENTATIVE KATHLEEN CURRY ...................................... ............................... 2
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ............................................................... ............................... 2
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS ................................................... ............................... 3
CONSENT CALENDAR .................................................................... ............................... 4
• Affirming Council Appointments ............................................ ............................... 4
• Resolution #60, 2010 — Contract Glenwood Ford — Vehicle Replacement............ 4
Resolution #61, 2010 — Contract Snow Cat ................
o.
4
• Resolution #63, 2010 — Lease Harbert Lumber 38005 Highway 82 ...................... 4
• Minutes — July 26, 2010 ........................................................... ............................... 4
RESOLUTION #59, 2010 — Construction Management Plan Amendment ....................... 4
RESOLUTION #62, 2010 — Wheeler Cinema Services Agreement ... ............................... 5
ORDINANCES #20 AND 21, SERIES OF 2010 — Charter Amendment — Elections....... 5
ORDINANCE #15, SERIES OF 2010 — Castle Creek Energy Center Hydropower Plant 7
ORDINANCE #19, SERIES OF 2010 — Charter Amendment Defining Publication ...... 21
RESOLUTION #64, SERIES• OF 2010 — Extending Given Institute Ordinance #48
Negotiation......................................................................................... ............................... 21
RESOLUTION #58, SERIES OF 2010 — Settlement Agreement Changes ..................... 21
RESOLUTION #57, SERIES OF 2010 — Ballot Question Charter Amendment Defining
Publication......................................................................................... ............................... 22
RESOLUTION #65, SERIES OF 2010 — Appeal Administrative Decision Amendment to
RioGrande SPA ................................................................................. ............................... 22
Reeular Meetine Aspen City Council Aueust 9, 2010
Worcester said he will present the actual ballot language at the next meeting and will
include language to the electorate on what voting for one or both will mean. At a work
session, Council looked at 6 alternatives for Charter amendments and directed the city
attorney's office to draft Charter amendments on these two of the alternatives.
Marilyn Marks said she thought there would be a public process on different types of
voting methods being vetted by citizens. Ms. Marks said the ordinance as written closes
the ballot box immediately after the election and does not allow for audits and recounts
and does not discuss the canvass process. Ms. Marks said she would like to see the
ordinance amended to be more transparent. Ms. Marks told Council she is going around
the state to examine ballots in the primary election. Ms. Marks said the charter
amendment for a runoff specifies a requirement to receive 40% of the votes cast and she
supports going back to a 50 %. Mayor Ireland pointed out the previous requirement was
50% for Mayoral candidates and 45% for Council candidates.
Roll call vote; Johnson, yes; Romero, yes; Torre, yes; Skadron, yes; Mayor Ireland, yes.
Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #15, SERIES OF 2010 — Castle Creek Energy Center Hydropower Plant
Mayor Ireland noted Council has received Exhibit N containing letters from Steve Child
in support; Ruthie Brown in support; Betsy Starodoj opposed; Pietro Danieli and Carol
Hill opposed; Ed Zasacky, opposed; Ed Wachs, opposed; Bob Rafelson, opposed.
Sara Adams, community development department, told Council this review is for a
proposed hydropower plant to be constructed adjacent to the historic city shop building,
accessed off Power Plant road. A site visit was conducted today attended by Mayor
Ireland, Councilmembers Skadron, Romero, Torre, city staff and members of the public.
Ms. Adams said during the site visit, it was noted that the current conditions of Castle
Creek is 72 cfs. Ms. Adams outlined the 4 different land use reviews including
subdivision review to remove part of lot 3 and create the Castle Creek Energy Center lot.
Ms. Adams reminded Council in 2007, voters approved removing this section of open
space for a hydroelectric project in exchange for 3 to 1 land swap, mostly located at the
base of Aspen mountain.
Ms. Adams pointed out the ordinance rezones the newly created lot from R -30 to P,
public, to accommodate a hydroelectric plant. This zoning is consistent with the city
shop property. The public zone district requires a PUD, planned unit development, to
establish dimensional requirements, which are listed in the ordinance. Ms. Adams told
Council the proposed one -story building is smaller than a single family home as would be
allowed in R -6 and is less than 2,000 square feet. This building includes a turbine room,
a shop room, control room and a small visitor room. Ms. Adams said any future
additions to this building would require a PUD amendment and Council review. Ms.
Adams noted the building will be carbon neutral. Ms. Adams told Council the
complaints are not about the building but about the proposed operation.
Reeular Meetine Aspen City Council Aueust 9 2010
Ms. Adams showed a floor plan of the building and pointed out the proposed 178 square
foot visitor room as an educational component of the project. Ms. Adams said this
ordinance also includes growth management review for an essential public facility. Ms.
Adams noted as a condition of approval, an employee audit is required after the c/o is
granted to determine whether any new employees have been generated. Ms. Adams said
it was determined this project is exempt from stream margin review. The project meets
all other criteria to the best extent possible. Ms. Adams said staff believes this project is
consistent with the goals of the AACP.
Dave Hombacher, utilities department, showed a photograph of the historic plant on
Castle Creek and told Council the plant provided power to the community for over 65
years and was taken off line in 1958. Hombacher told this hydropower plant will provide
energy and will be an effective use of existing resources. This is renewable energy and
will save the city money. Hombacher noted one of the forces behind this proposal is a
vision statement from the community plan, a focus on development of new renewable
energy sources. Hombacher reminded Council the city has adopted a canary action plan,
one goal is 100% carbon neutral by 2015. Hombacher noted in 2007, 77% of the voters
approved the Castle Creek hydroelectric plant.
Hombacher told Council in 1958, the city was 100% hydroelectric. In 2004, the mix is
28% hydro, 8% wind and 64% coal. Hombacher said the challenge is how to get back to
100% renewable energy. Hombacher pointed out by 2007, the city had increased its
wind and hydro portfolio and reducing the coal usage to 25 %. Hombacher told Council
the Castle Creek Energy Center would add 8% to the renewable energy portfolio leaving
17% coal dependent. Hombacher noted the rest of Colorado is 66.5% coal dependent,
3.9% hydro with the rest being natural gas and wind energy.
Hombacher said benefit of having a city run utility allows Council to control and direct
that utility. The city has two hydro electric plants, Ruedi and Maroon Creek. Ruedi
started in 1983 and has helped keep electric rates in Aspen stable with only one increase
in the last 17 years. Hombacher showed graphs of municipally owned utilities and their
rates. Aspen residential rates are the 7 lowest in the state. Phil Overeynder, water
department, noted there is a $450,000 contribution annually to the general fund as well as
electricity to special events, to public buildings and free street lights. Overeynder said
since this is a municipally owned utility, the city can develop local resources, like Ruedi
hydropower. Overeynder said the city has a cooperative energy provider, MEAN, who
has worked with Aspen so the city has the highest in percentage for wind energy of any
utility in the country. Councilman Romero noted using renewable energy has been part
of the city's value statement for decades.
Andy Rossello, water department, pointed a chart of water usage over the past 35 years
and the peak usage was in 1993. The city worked on tightening up the leaks in the water
system, burying the lines and not have customers run their faucets overnight. Rossello
told Council there has been a 2/3 to 1 /4 reduction in water usage. Rossello explained cfs
and compared 1 cfs to 1 basketball. Rossello told Council an average Colorado home
uses 700 kWh/month. Rossello explained that water is taken from the diversion down to
Regular Meetine Aspen City Council August 9, 2010
Thomas reservoir or to a holding area where the drain line takes it to a turbine where the
power is produced. Rossello pointed out there is 380' between Thomas reservoir and the
Castle Creek in a closed conduit which produces pressure, spinning a wheel and
producing power.
Rossello said the city has head gates on Castle and Maroon creeks for the diversionary
structures. Rossello told Council this is physically constrained by the capacity of the two
existing pipes on how much water can be delivered anywhere downstream. Rossello
showed the penstock emergency drain taking water from the reservoir down to the
ultimate discharge at the hydroplant.
Rossello told Council there have been six meetings with the public starting in 2007,
including a technical workshop with Roaring Fork Conservancy. Rossello said staff
produced a film using a similar plant in Manitou Springs. There has been an
informational show on Grassroots, radio and newspaper interviews. Rossello told
Council improvements to the project have been made as a result of these public meetings.
Additional sound mitigation studies have been done; the city's consultant has done
stream flow and habitat studies. The city has developed a stream flow monitoring plan
with the CDOW and the USFS.
Rossello said the design is to mimic the old city shop building with modern elements
using modern technology. Rossello pointed out the ordinance requires strict adherence to
the 50 to 55 decibels. Rossello told Council vibration and sound studies were done at the
Manitou plant and interviews conducted with the neighbors. The building has interior
sound dampening panels to insure no sound migrates from the site. There is a dual door
structure to further limit sound from the site. The windows will be fixed so they cannot
be opened. There is acoustically lined baffle duct work within the building so that sound
will not be transmitted through the ducts. Rossello said if the sound goes above 55
decibels, the duct work can be further baffled.
Councilman Romero asked about the drain line/penstock that is under construction.
Overeynder said the city was in the process of designing the facility necessary to deal
with the hydroelectric plant. During that process, the city's engineers said there is a
problem because there are two 30" pipes coming in and only a 24" capacity for water
going out. Overeynder said the report dated 1989 states there is no danger because there
is no development near the facility. Overeynder said there are 26 structures at Water
Place as well as other structures in harm's way immediately down stream where 170 cfs
could be released. Overeynder told Council an overtopping of the reservoir could happen
because there is not enough capacity to evacuate at the same rate that the flow of water is
coming in. Overeynder told Council the reservoir overtopped in the 1980's. Councilman
Romero said the work has two possibilities; public safety and penstock for the potential
new hydroelectric plant. Overcynder agreed the city needs the facility whether the
hydroplant is approved or not.
Councilman Romero asked about the conduit application procedure for this drain line.
Overeynder said a FERC permit is required to operate the hydro facility. The city started
Regular Meetine Aspen City Council August 9, 2010
in 2006 with the initial plans for a feasibility study for the hydro project. The consultants
advised, after checking with the federal regulators that the city could be pre -
jurisdictional, meaning the project was rebuilding something that existed before the
federal power act. The city made a notice of intent to be exempt from the federal power
act, which was denied by FERC. Overeynder said city staff told FERC the city was
trying to place a new hydroplant to replace an old facility and how should that be done,
how the penstock would be constructed and applied for a conduit exemption.
Councilman Romero said if the currently constructed drain line were not there, is there an
alternate means to reroute the overflow from the reservoir and to divert it away from
structures. Overeynder said not practically because of winter operations. The current
overflow is a winter surface operation and the culvert is only a few inches thick in the
winter. A buried pipeline is what is needed to address overflow. Councilman Johnson
asked if there is a way to shut off the intakes at Castle and Maroon creek to manage this
problem. Overeynder said that can be controlled but the rate of rise is so rapid staff
cannot respond to the overtopping reservoir. One valve has automated controls but there
is no power in the other location. The rise is continuing while city staff is responding.
Hombacher pointed out the majority of facilities for this project already exist and the
penstock is following the historic location.
Bill Miller, Miller Ecological Consultants, told Council his firm was hired to conduct
studies on Castle Creek and other requested by the division of Wildlife. Miller said in
2009, he conducted studies on wetland and riparian delineation near the proposed energy
center. Miller said after a public meeting in 2009, the DOW requested new R2 cross
data; the current minimum flow in Castle Creek was done in the 70's. The DOW also
wanted analysis of winter habitat, the proposed winter flows, new fish data and boreal
toad surveys. Miller said R2cross data is used in the majority of 1400 locations in
Colorado where there are in- stream reaches and decreed in- stream flows. Miller said
R2Cross is widely used and widely accepted as a standard hydraulic engineering
principles.
Miller said a sediment control pond will be constructed, which will impact the upper
wetland. Miller pointed out there is a total of 83 meters of wetland in the upper wetland
what will be impacted is 733 square meters. Miller said the impacts will be addressed
before construction. Miller said they were requested to do R2cross on two new sites; one
down stream of the Castle Creek diversion in the bypass reach and one down stream of
where the tail race puts more water back into the river. Miller said at the downstream of
the diversion was at 38 cfs when surveyed in April. Miller presented a slide showing a
tape placed where there is a critical ripple that controls habitat. Miller stated the theory is
if the critical ripples are protected based on the threshold set by the state, both the habitat
and the stream are protected.
Miller showed the same area measured at 935 cfs in June, the stream is up over the bank
into the riparian vegetation. During peak flow, the stream moves sediment and boulders
around and revegetates habitat. Miller said between 12 and 13.3 cfs there is a' /4" in
change of depth. Miller told Council he looks at how much area is wet and how much
10
Reeular Meetin¢ Aspen City Council August 9. 2010
that changes with each flow, is there adequate depth to pass through the critical ripples.
Some areas have P in depth; average depth meets the criteria set by the state for a stream
this width. Miller noted downstream by the Institute where the tail race would come in,
this area will get more flow with the hydroplant in operation. The stream is wider in this
section and at high flow the stream is up into the bank, inundating the banks and into the
trees. Miller showed a slide comparison of 12 cfs flow and 17.2 with the new analysis.
Miller said in the R2Cross of the new analysis, the threshold criteria was met. The state
has a system where in summer they want 3 criteria — depth, velocity and perimeter, and in
winter they want 2 criteria and when 2 out of 3 are met, that is where the winter flow
levels are set. This was compared with the 12 cfs from the old method and 3 criteria
using the new data, which is where the 13.3 and 17.2 cfs come in using minimum criteria.
Miller showed two tables, one below the diversion and the other below the Aspen
Institute and a comparison of each discharge, Miller looked at average depth changes,
percent wetted perimeter and average velocity. Miller told Council for stream biota, how
much physical habitat is available during that time is important; are they getting the
wetted area that supports them. The concern is as the flows are changed, there should be
little change in the physical habitat; the percent wetted perimeter and the wetted width are
things to look at.
Miller pointed out the table shows a 43.6% change in discharge; the wetted width only
changes 4.5 %. Miller said the boulders help to hold the stream in place so it is not just as
open channel. Preserving the wetted width means the productive area of the stream is
being preserved. Miller said he was asked to look at the winter habitat conditions and
showed an example of the cross sections placed at various locations. These were
simulated with a hydraulic model and a range of flows. The existing pools where fish
can maintain during the winter will be maintained at 1.5'. The pools are formed by the
boulders which scour out ponds behind them.
Miller told Council he conducted fish population estimate in April in Castle Creek and
captured rainbow, brown, brook trout and sculpin, which is the only native species, the
others have been introduced as sport fish. Miller showed fish condition factors to look at
fish health and values at 1 or above show a healthy body condition. They are getting
enough food indicating a good food resource in this area. Miller said in the upstream
areas there are no brown trout; brown trout are predatory on other fish species.
Miller noted most snow melt streams have a large peak in spring and early summer as the
snow melts. As the flow drops off, the water heats up and the fish are more active. Miller
stated one concern with operating a hydroplant is if there will be a big change in flow
during the summer and with the change a change in thermal conditions. Miller said
during the fall and winter how the refuge habitat areas are being changed and how much
will be available for feeding is an issue. Miller said on the graph, lines show the existing
conditions and the proposed operation, which shows it will hit the minimum flow in late
November and is now being hit in early March. Miller said the studies show the wetter
perimeter is being decreased by 10 %, at the most, a small amount which will occur in
October/November.
11
Reeular Meetine Asuen City Council August 9, 2010
Miller pointed out downstream of the hydro return, higher flows will be seen and winter
flows will be in the 18 to 20 cfs range; downstream of Power Plant road the stream will
look similar to how it looks today. Miller said in implications of stream flow to stream
health, he looked at the existing hydrograph which has 5 peak flows which creates the
habitats; the summer flows are providing 65 to 90% of the bankable area. Miller said the
proposed hydroplant operations will maintain the shape of the hydrograph and the
ecological function because the limitation of the inflow to 25 cfs and 27 cfs does not
allow the facilities to take the stream down to a flat minimum in stream flow year round.
Mayor Ireland said he received correspondence saying % of the water will go away that
today's stream flow of 55 will go to 12. Miller answered that is not the hydrology he has
seen on the proposed operations. Mayor Ireland asked if the ordinances states that the
hydrology will be as proposed and that people can rely on those assurances. Overeynder
pointed out there is a fixed capacity that can be diverted. Overeynder stated the city will
meet the requirements for healthy streams. This assurance will be part of the stream
monitoring plan which is part of the ordinance.
Miller said the high peak flows and will continue to create and maintain in stream and
riparian habitat. The recommended base flows are based on the overall operating plan,
not 13.3 cfs year round. The ecological functions will be maintained because the
hydrograph shape is being maintained similar to what it is now. The thermal regime will
be similar. With those overall conditions, the biological diversity should be maintained.
Miller stated the largest flow changes would occur during fall and will result in 10% or
less changes in wetted perimeter and provide 90% or more of the wetted perimeter based
again existing conditions. Miller said the recommended base flows will increase the
depth in winter habitat in critical riffles; the fish are in good condition and the population
should be maintained. Miller said from what he has observed on Castle and Maroon
creek, these are healthy streams. The stream flows have a good shape to the hydrograph,
there is movement in the stream channel and these should remain with the proposed
operation.
Rossello told Council staff met with the Division of Wildlife and US Forest Service to
get a draft of a stream health monitoring program. CDOW will conduct the baseline in
2010 and the city will monitor the stream over the next 10 years to insure the hydrology
is similar to this report. Rossello stated there are collaborative efforts between the DOW
and the Forest Service and the city to define the program components and these are in
Council's packet. Rossello noted there is an adaptive management strategy, the city is
willing to adapt the hydro operations in the future to insure the stream flows reads are at
the right level. Rossello said in the operational plan, a future Council could increase the
flows, not decrease them.
Councilman Romero asked what adaptive management would look like if the stream is
showing stress. Rossello said the hydro operations could be scaled back and not take the
full decreed amount and produce less energy while maintaining an operating hydro.
Overeynder told Council in 2002 when there was a water shortage, the city accepted the
higher standards of the DOW, continually monitored to make sure the flow levels were
12
Reeular Meetine Aspen City Council August 9, 2010
met at all times, and collected funds to construct a backup potable water system.
Overeynder said this backup system is also used to keep the lines from freezing.
Councilman Romero asked if there is data on the Maroon Creek system for the health of
the fish. Miller answered the CDOW has done an in stream flow analysis, Miller noted
the winter flows are currently being met in the Maroon Creek system, at or above the
recommended levels.
Councilman Romero asked about "dueling engineers ". Miller said that occurs with in
stream flow issues. Miller told Council most of his work occurs before installation.
Miller said this is a novel and proactive approach to come up with a monitoring plan.
Rossello told Council Aspen's senior decreed water rights on Castle Creek may be used
for hydroelectric generation. Rossello noted Aspen has a long history of dedication to in
stream flow rights, from 1976 with CWCB in stream flow requirement. Rossello said
only the CWCB is legally allowed to appropriate and adjudicate in stream flow rights. If
the city states 20 cfs in the stream or 13.3 cfs, that right could be taken by another entity;
by leaving the water in the stream, the city does nothing to perfect and insure the city's
future rights.
Hombachcr said Castle Creek Energy Center does make a difference; it produces
renewable energy and will see 6.2 million kWh/year, which is enough to power 650
houses/year or 35% of the city's electric accounts. This would reduce the carbon
footprint 5,200 tons carbon dioxide /year reduction which is equivalent to taking 908
vehicles off the road every year. Hombacher noted the first 28 years of costs includes the
bond payments; the average return above the cost of coal would be $43,000 /year.
Overeynder told Council staff met with MEAN and asked them to cost out the hydro and
to look at future fuel costs, anticipated at an 8.5% increase for the next 3 years and after
that projected at 5% increases. Overeynder said break even on a cash flow condition is
within the first 3 years. Councilman Romero said the total bond repayment with interest
is a different payback date. Hombacher noted the graph shows operating costs, principle
and interest and a comparison of generating hydropower and comparing it to coal power.
Mayor Ireland asked if within 3 years the benefits exceed the costs at an operating level.
Mayor Ireland said the return on investment analysis noted the period of time some
people are looking at is the life of the bonds; it will take 20 years to recover all the bond
payments and after that the operating costs drop. Mayor Ireland said he would like to see
a life cycle analysis. Overeynder said staff expects a life cycle of 75 years and the total
benefit of this decision is $34,777,000 difference between buying coal fired energy and
buying renewable energy.
Hombacher reiterated the Energy Center will add 8% renewal energy to the city's
portfolio, leaving 17% non renewable; it will reduce the carbon dioxide emission and it is
a project working with the environment. There will be stream health monitoring, this will
provide additional protection to the stream by moving from 12 cfs to 13.3 cfs. The city
recommends a robust stream monitoring plan. This plan is compatible with the
community focus for the future. The plan has been adopted and improved through the
public process and there is a public safety element with local generation. Councilman
13
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council August 9. 2010
Romero asked the negative impact to the overall lifecycle benefit by providing more
stream protection, taking net less flow out of the stream. Overeynder said it will not
economically cripple the project. Overeynder said the original budget for engineering
permitting and fees was $600,000 and the project will be beyond those expenditures and
he can report the current status of that budget. Councilman Romero asked what happens
if the conduit exemption is denied. Overeynder said if that is the case, the city will apply
for a FERC license. The city expects a decision on which way this is going by next
construction season.
Councilman Johnson asked the cost of one year of monitoring. Hombacher said a single
cycle of monitoring will cost $65,000. If one looks at it over 10 years, the proposed
length of monitoring, the total cost would be $630,000 and over 28 years, it is a $19,000
against the $43,000 revenues. Hombacher noted one has to look at what is better, more
monitoring or the hydro graphing, which is where health monitoring will come it.
Mayor Ireland asked if the city did not build this facility, would junior water rights'
holders have a better argument that the city had abandoned their rights. Cindy Covell,
city's water attorney, told Council the way abandonment works, the division engineer for
each water division makes an abandonment list every 10 years and he looks at water that
has not been used for 10 years and investigates where there is a likelihood that the water
rights have been abandoned. At that point, the city whose water rights are listed has an
opportunity to challenge that. In order to prove abandonment, it has to be proven one is
not using the water but that it will be abandoned. Ms. Covell said the city's water rights
on Castle Creek are 160 cfs. The city is not proposing to use that much with the
hydropower and one could argue some of the balance is not intended to be used. Ms.
Covell said to the extent water is not being used, it is subject to appropriation by other
water rights. Strict administration on a stream, the most junior water right can take all the
water he needs unless other senior water rights call.
Ms. Covell pointed out if the city is going to by pass 133 cfs as recommended, the city
will need to ask the Water Conservation Board to make an appropriation of an additional
in stream flow because if the city does not do that, someone else could appropriate that
water. Mayor Ireland said this might be subject to an upstream call; there is experience
of entities claiming water for themselves. Ms. Covell agreed the city has not seen the end
of efforts to divert water to the eastern slope. Mayor Ireland noted putting water to a
municipal beneficial use is one of the strongest ways to protect from an upstream
diversion. Ms. Covell agreed the Frying Pan project is trying to get every drop of water
they think they are legally entitled to take. Mayor Ireland stated the city does not have a
guarantee, short of beneficial use, that the stream will not be diverted. Ms. Covell agreed
if the city is not beneficially using their water rights, the water not being used is available
for appropriation by someone else.
Mayor Ireland opened the public hearing.
Jack Wilkie said he counted only two public meetings for the public in town. Wilkie said
he is concerned about the construction and design and is baffled why a pipe is being
14
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Aueust 9, 2010
installed when the power plant is not ready. Mayor Ireland said the pipes are being
installed to act as a bypass in case there is a dangerous overflow in the reservoir, which is
needed even if there is no hydro plant. Overeynder said to complete this project
requires two years of construction; this work is what the staff believes will advance the
objective. Wilkie said it appears the city is spending millions of dollars for a project with
no use. Wilkie noted he heard nothing about the hazard in any of the previous public
meetings.
Jim Markalunas urged Council to restore the hydroelectric parities established in the
1890's; it is important to help preserve the city's water rights. Markalunas told Council
that in 1956 Council purchased the electric system for $250,000; several years later, the
city purchased the water system. The city had foresight; the city should re- establish their
heritage in power. It is good for the environment and for the community.
Ken Neubecker, Carbondale, past president Trout Unlimited, said the city has a serious
precedent setting project if it is done right. Neubecker noted more work should be done
with the city's consultant to firm up the baseline stream conditions. Neubecker said
minimum stream flows are not a base line for the river; that is the hydrograph. Minimum
stream flow is the minimum amount of water needed to protect the environment to a
reasonable degree. It is the bare minimum to protect the environment. Neubecker noted
minimum stream flow is something to keep a stream healthy for a long time.. Neubecker
said he thinks the monitoring should be as robust as possible and would like to see the
city work with the DOW to have contingency plans before there is an emergency.
Neubecker said the gauges should be mounted somewhere to be readily available to
everyone can view them and the translation from depth to cfs should be readily available,
also.
Kirk Gregory said he is concerned with this process; how did this question get on a ballot
without things in place. It seems this is a route of circumvention, going through a conduit
exemption rather than a full EIS and a federal license. Gregory said this seems as if the
city put the cart before the horse. Gregory said he does not think voters understood what
the question meant. Gregory said there is a genuine concern about the effect of this
project on the stream. Gregory noted this stream is in a natural state and diverting water
is not making it better. Gregory said the city should keep track of what is going on in the
stream. Gregory asked about monitoring of the stream. Horbacker said it is planned as a
10 year monitoring program with CDOW who did the base monitoring, monitoring every
year for 4 years, then every other year up to 10 years. It will be contracted out. Gregory
asked the minimum amount of water that can be run through the turbine and generate
electricity. Overeynder said it can be run at about 25% of the capacity of the turbine.
Tom Starodoj, 580 Sneaky Lane, told Council he attended a public meeting in November
2009, at which city staff stated the cfs on Castle Creek was 55, a normal low for that time
of year. Starodoj noted one could envision what 13.3 cfs, a 76% reduction, would look
like. Starodoj said 13 cfs is a trickle. Stream flow cannot be artificially reduced to 13.3
cfs regardless of duration. Starodoj said duration is a key issue; how long will the stream
flow be reduced to 13.3 cfs; that has not been addressed by staff. Starodoj said everyday
15
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council August 9.2010
the flow is 13.3 is another chink in the health of the stream. Starodcj said this project
will be a serious negative impact on the local environment to achieve a small reduction in
carbon footprint. Starodcj said this seems to be a rush to green without doing the basic
steps. Starodoj requested Council deny Ordinance #15 as this would sacrifice a natural
treasure to build a power plant.
Paul Noto, water attorney, noted there is a "two pass" rule which means a transmountain
diversion that had to go through two mountain passes is considered infeasible and has not
been done before. Note pointed out in order to divert water to the front range, it would
have to go through as least two passes. Noto said the issues here are the stream flow and
the perceived lack of transparency in the public process. Noto said if there is to be a
hydropower plant, it should be done right, which means preserve 100% of the integrity of
Castle and Maroon creeks. If hydropower cannot be produced without degrading the
stream, it should not be considered. Note showed a photograph of the Herrick ditch at 17
cfs. Noto said 13 cfs in Castle Creek will be a trickle. Noto said 13 cfs in the stream
from October through April is a long period of time to flat line a stream and to dewater a
2.5 mile section of the stream.
Note said Council should reevaluate Miller's science with a modicum of philosophy.
Miller answered the question, how low can one take the creek without killing it. Noto
said the city should hold itself to a higher standard. Noto said his clients feel the process
has not been transparent and the city staff has not been forthcoming in their statements.
Noto pointed out the public vote asked the voters to approve increasing the debt at $5.5
million to build a new hydroelectric facility on Castle Creek. Noto said the ballot
question did not cover the difficult issues. Note said it is not accurate to say that 77% of
the voting public voted in favor of this project. Noto pointed out the city is asking for a
conduit exemption, which is an exemption from the full license, and the environmental
analysis is less stringent in a conduit exemption. The conduit exemption requires a drain
line from Castle Creek. The voters voted on a hydroelectric facility, not a drain line in
the ground. Noto questioned whether putting pipeline in the ground with bonds from a
hydroelectric facility is appropriate. Noto stated the process is rushed and could have
been more thorough. Council has the ability to remedy that.
Ilona Nemeth said she would like to understand the impact between the point of diversion
and the power plant. Ms. Nemeth pointed out there are at least 3 irrigation ditches and
are those water rights included in the 13.3 cfs minimum water flows. Miller said 13.3 cfs
is what remains in the stream. Ms. Namath said this is based on a hydrograph and asked
if the ordinance could be based on monthly minimum so that at certain times, the water
levels could be maintained. Miller said during July there is not the ability to take it down
to 13.3 cfs. Miller told Council his analysis is based on the proposed operating
agreement, which is the hydrograph. The maximum that can be diverted is 25 cfs to
maintain the hydrograph shape and by the physical constraints in the system. Overeynder
said although there is no physical ability to take that much water, if Council wants that,
they can amend it. Ms. Nemeth said as well as looking at history, there is the future to
look at and Castle Creek should not be decimated based on a rushed process.
16
Reeular Meetine Aspen City Council Au¢ust 9, 2010
Georgia Lipkin told Council she grew up in Aspen and takes a strong stance against the
implementation of a hydroelectric facility on Castle Creek. Ms. Lipkin said she is
circulating a petition. Ms. Lipkin pointed out on July 29' the water level in Castle Creek
was low and was 58 cfs and the hydroelectric facility would take that down to 13.3 cfs.
Ms. Lipkin reminded Council Aspen was founded on a environmentally friendly lifestyle
and to respect the balance of the natural lifestyle. Ms. Lipkin said the city should
preserve the river environment that people can be proud to be part of. Ms. Lipkin urged
Council to provide an open, eco- friendly method of preserving the community.
Councilman Torre asked the total capacity of the pipe. Overeynder said the capacity is
25 cfs which is the maximum flow that can get into the pipe. Councilman Torre
reiterated only 25 cfs can be removed at a time and the stream would only be lowered to
13.3 cfs if the stream were 38 cfs.
Jody Guralnick said she has spent hours roaming the banks of Castle Creek and knows
the life that teems around the rivers. Ms. Guralnick stated only 3 to 5% of all the land in
Colorado is riparian zone and 90% of all the wildlife lives in and around that riparian
land. Ms. Guralnick said proposing a project as green which will make changes to the
river and the riparian zone is short sighted. Ms. Guralnick said Council should view the
river as a living entity. Ms. Guralnick said the city proposes a $10 million hydroelectric
facility that will take 20 years to pay back in electric uses and this facility may be archaic
by that time.
Alan Quasha said the big picture is destroying a stream to power about 600 houses; if
Council can protect the stream, there would be no problem. Quasha said when the
potential significant harm to the stream is balanced against the minimal positive gains,
this is an irresponsible project. Quasha said the city is gambling with a stream for
minimum economics and benefit to the environment and the net benefits have not been
examined. Jack Kaufman, Maroon Creek, told Council since Phil Overeynder took over
the management of the hydroelectric plant on Maroon Creek, the operation has improved.
Staff is there daily checking the stream to make sure it is okay. Kaufman said there is a
balance to look at and the community has to look at compromising in an intelligent way
and look at providing our own needs and power.
Maureen Hirsch, Sneaky Lane resident, said the gauges are not going to be put in the
river; the water level is being measured manually instead of with an automatic gauge.
Ms. Hirsch said in the low water months the river can freeze and staff cannot do manual
readings. Ms. Hirsch requested Council to condition this on installation of automatic
gauges. Ms. Hirsch pointed out staff states 650 home/year will be served with this
hydroelectricity. Ms. Hirsch said the city is not expanding the current service area so that
will be existing houses. Ms. Hirsch suggested the city should buy more wind and solar
power from MEAN rather than building this hydroelectric facility. Ms. Hirsch noted in
order to run this hydroelectric facility, water has to be diverted from both Castle and
Maroon creek. Ms. Hirsch pointed out when this was a hydroelectric facility in 1893, this
was not a residential area.
17
Reeular Meetine Aspen City Council Aueust 9.2010
Mayor Ireland asked why the city does not use real time gauges and there might be more
accurate readings with automatic gauges. Overeynder noted on Maroon creek, staff is
measuring at low conditions, how much water is being released; peak flow is not being
measured. Overeynder said the issue is how to measure the peak flow so that information
is readily available. Overeynder noted the city's portfolio is 34% wind energy, which is
the highest of any municipally operated utility. The city would have to purchase twice as
many wind turbines as that energy has to be used when it is generated; wind energy
cannot be stored. Overeynder reminded Council thy city has a franchise agreement with
Holy Cross that defines the boundaries the city can serve. The exception is that they city
may serve its own customers and the city plans to use that exception to the maximum
extent and serve those because of the discrepancies between the city's energy mix and
that of Holy Cross, to reduce the carbon footprint by changing the energy sources.
Betsy Starodoj, Sneaky Lane, said she is concerned for stream health, the impact on
neighbors, the monitoring procedures and the consequences of non - compliance. Ms.
Starodoj said she heard staff state the cfs can be taken down to zero and there is no
employee mitigation because who would want to live near an energy center. Ms.
Starodoj noted this would be the first industrial plant in Aspen and she is concerned about
industrial noise, about unintended consequences and the questions that have not been
answered. Ms. Starodoj said staff memo states the decibel reading at the building will be
60 decibels and the allowable in residential zones is 50 to 55 decibels. Ms. Starodoj said
she is concerned about the elusive stream standards in the ordinance and the guidelines
for stream health should be stated in the ordinance and not developed later. Ms. Starodoj
said she is concerned about self - monitoring and about applying for an exemption from
FERC. Ms. Starodoj said there should be a 12 month stream study on Castle Creek and
the city should apply for a proper FERC license. This issue is important and requires
more clarification.
Nathan Rutledge, CORE, noted across the world people are trying to figure out how to
provide clean, affordable power and Aspen is doing it. Aspen has kept competitive
pricing in electricity. Rutledge said this is distributed local energy almost distributed on
site and the carbon emissions will be reduced by 13 %.
Michael Lipkin noted this process has been surprising. Lipkin pointed out that no one
voted for dewatering Castle Creek. Lipkin said he would like to be in favor of this
project and would like a stream standard that maintains 100% of the river and riparian
zone 100% of the time. Lipkin stated that is doable within the community objectives.
Lipkin stated last week the stream was measured at 59 cfs and staff has talked about
reducing it to 13.3 cfs, about 25% of what is in Castle Creek today, 6 months of the year.
Mayor Ireland noted the project cannot take more than 25 cfs at any one time. Lipkin
brought a photo showing 58 cfs in the river today. People will be viewing 13.3 cfs for 6
months of the year, which is what the river will look like in the winter. Lipkin said he is
excited about the project and would like to know this is the best way to spend $10
million; this is forward looking and efficient for energy. Lipkin said he would like to
know the appropriate level of the stream and the balance between being green and
preserving Castle Creek.
1H
Regular Meedne Aspen City Council August 9.2010
Connie Harvey said she feels this is a piecemeal project; the pipe has already been
installed in advance of other parts of the project and the monitoring does not happen until
after everything is built. This is a major project of concern to anyone who likes streams
and the wetlands. Ms. Harvey said this project deserves a full EIS as our streams should
be sacrosanct.
Mayor Ireland closed the public hearing
Mayor Ireland agreed there should be a base line established for stream health and it
should be established over a period of time before construction begins. Mayor Ireland
said the city needs to have real time gauging. Mayor Ireland said he would like to know
about fish screens and how they work. Mayor Ireland said he is concerned about the
health of the wetlands and the city needs to be sure the wetlands are not diminished by a
reduced stream flow. Mayor Ireland said he wants to know how the stream flows in
Maroon Creek are affected by this. Mayor Ireland said he would like the return on
investment recalculated so that Council knows what it is over the life cycle of the project
to include the many years of free energy generation. Mayor Ireland stated he is
concerned why an upstream property owner is concerned about a project 13 miles away.
Mayor Ireland said he would like to publish the dates and times of the public meetings
held on this project. The city needs to be certain this process was good.
Mayor Ireland said he does not want to put the fate of Aspen's energy production in the
hands of the federal government, whose policy is tilted against renewable energy. Mayor
Ireland said the election on this issue was legitimate. Mayor Ireland said the argument
that no one will notice the effect of this energy plant is moral abdication. Mayor Ireland
said Aspen has an obligation to do what they can to reduce energy. Mayor Ireland said
the price of coal is increasing for the next 3 to 5 years, which means the city will save
more money on this hydroelectric plant.
Mayor Ireland said Aspen made a mistake when they closed the original power plant in
1958 and went to purchasing coal. Mayor Ireland said people have purchased their
property after there was a power plant in this location and which started producing power
in 1893. Mayor Ireland said one has to look at the cfs in November in order to do a
comparison; in November it is not 55 cfs. Mayor Ireland said he is not ready to proceed
on this project as too many questions have been raised, like base line conditions, impacts
on the stream, ability to gauge the stream by the public. Mayor Ireland said he does not
feel the project should be eliminated without looking at positive and negative impacts.
Mayor Ireland pointed out some water was lost in Hunter Creek and the guarantee is 4
cfs.
Councilman Romero concurred he is not ready to vote . on this project. Councilman
Romero said he, too, would like more and reliable data for the base line to help inform
and shape the monitoring plan. Councilman Romero said the city talks about how the
environment is number 1; this is two pieces of those environmental efforts — creation of
renewable energy and preservation and celebration of healthy streams. Councilman
Romero said there has to be a place where these can be optimized and balanced and not
19
Reeular Meetine Aspen City Council Aueust 9, 2010
seen as competing. Councilman Romero said the pursuit of renewable energy will not
come at the expense of one of the most community's precious assets.
Councilman Romero said the city has an existing hydropower plant on Maroon Creek and
the data on that operation is not readily apparent to the public. Councilman Romero said
he would like more information about the economics of the project stressing that the
environmental impacts outweigh the economics. Councilman Romero said he does not
have a level of confidence to move forward at this moment. Councilman Romero said
the Council has applied the principle of protection of impacts in neighborhoods.
Councilman Romero said the area around the project could use some attention to make
sure the city is naming a tidy operation.
Councilman Torre said the breadth of the public commenting says a lot about the project
and about love for Aspen. Councilman Torre agreed more baseline work is necessary.
Councilman Tone said he would like to know the duration of 13.3 cfs and what that
would look like. Councilman Torre said he would like to know about a month by month
report and snapshot of the creek. Councilman Torre said he would like to discuss this
from a stream flow protection rather than a bare minimum in the stream. Councilman
Torre said he would like to know more about noise generation, vibration generation; the
presentation did not give the greatest assurance that there is complete technical
understanding of what the building needs to do. Councilman Torre requested more
explanation about the minimum on the building, why a visitor room is important and why
this is being used as an educational tool. Councilman Torre said he would more
information about adopting a 15 cfs stream flow instead of 13.3. Councilman Torre
asked if there is a possibility to use more solar panels to create electricity and to protect
in stream flows.
Councilman Skadron stated his threshold question is whether there are adequate
protection in place sufficient to insure the stream's health, 100% healthy stream 100% of
the time. Councilman Skadron requested comments at the next hearing on expert's
analysis versus layperson's observations. Councilman Skadron asked if the ordinance
can be strengthened by adding clear guidelines for stream health. Councilman Skadron
asked the difference between an energy center and a power plant. Overeynder answered
this was intended to be a energy center as well as a location to demonstrate renewable
energy of different types.
Councilman Johnson said the community is proud of what has been done to protect the
environment and the city should hold themselves to a higher standard both on creating
energy and on taking a leadership position to make sure the stream is protected.
Councilman Johnson said he would like financials on what happens if the hydropower
plant is turned off and how that would affect the budget. Councilman Johnson said real
time gauges are threshold for him to have real time monitoring of the stream at all times.
Councilman Johnson said noise mitigation is important. Councilman Johnson asked the
decibel reading from the river itself. Councilman Johnson said he would like a better
understanding of what 13.3 cfs looks like. Mayor Ireland stated he is concerned about
having manual control of the intake valve. Mayor Ireland said the issue of whether this
20
Reeular Meetine Aspen City Council Aueust 9, 2010
facility generates employees or not needs to be addressed in the city's affordable housing
plan. Mayor Ireland said he is concerned about increasing the minimum stream flow
without adverse consequences and without CWCB behind the city.
Councilman Romero moved to continue Ordinance #15, Series of 2010, to September 13;
seconded by Councilman Johnson. All in favor, motion carved.
ORDINANCE #19, SERIES OF 2010 — Charter Amendment Defining Publication
Mayor Ireland opened the public hearing
Councilman Torre said he would like to put full text on the city's website and publish the
ordinance by title. Bob Nix said he supports this Charter Amendment if before the
election Council passes an ordinance amending the municipal code to state the ordinances
will be published by title. Nix said the publication could be taken out of the Charter.
Mayor Ireland closed the public hearing.
Councilman Romero said the full text of proposed ordinances will be put on the city's
website and will look at the municipal code where the city will publish proposed
ordinances by title. Councilman Johnson said it should be made clear to the public that if
they do not have internet, they can get copies of the ordinances at city hall.
Councilman Torre moved to adopt Ordinance #19, Series of 2010, on second reading;
seconded by Councilman Romero. Roll call vote; Skadron, yes; Romero, yes; Torre, yes;
Johnson, yes; Mayor Ireland, yes. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION #64, SERIES OF 2010 — Extending Given Institute Ordinance #48
Negotiation
Mayor Ireland moved to approve Resolution #64, Series of 2010; seconded by
Councilman Torre. All in favor, motion carried.
RESOLUTION #58, SERIES OF 2010 — Settlement Agreement Changes
Mayor Ireland moved to approve Resolution #58, Series of 2010; seconded by
Councilman Romero.
Councilman Torre said he feels the Aspen Art Museum has a lot of work to do on the
architecture and the operational plans. Councilman Torre said he would like Council to
be apprised as much as possible about anything going on with this project. Heidi
Zuckerman Jacobson told Council she would be willing to give them periodic updates as
it is a significant and important project and the public would be kept apprised of the
process,too.
All in favor with the exception of Councilman Skadron, motion carried.
21
Sara Adams
From: Jennifer Phelan
Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 10:29 AM l
To: Sara Adams
Subject: FW: Hydro Comments
For the record. Thanks
Jennifer Phelan, AICP
Deputy Director
Community Development Department
City of Aspen
130 S. Galena Street
Aspen, CO 81611
PH: 970.429.2759
FAX: 970.920.5439
www.aspenpitkin.com
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Ed Zasacky [mailto:edzasacky @usa.net]
Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 10:26 AM
To: Jennifer Phelan
Cc: cmharve @gmail.com; maureen @insearch.com
Subject: Hydro Comments
Hi Jennifer: I just saw an article that talked about the fact that 10% of all residential
electricity used is phantom load. Electricity used by TV's, toasters, microwaves, etc. when
not in use but plugged in. At our house we use power strips and power them down when not in
use and most of our appliances are plugged in this way (refrigerator not). The article stated
that up to 40 devices drawing power were common in most homes. 10% exceeds what the Hydro
plant is going to generate. How painful is it to eliminate power useage that people don't
even know about ?? Not painful at all. What a shameful waste. And to potentially ruin a
beautiful river because we are too lazy and ignorant to eliminate such a simple thing ?? Give
me strength! This is where smart meters and software developed by a number of US companies
and in use all over the world but here, come into play. IF you could get everyone to use
power strips that would also do it, but I see most people as too lazy to use those and it is
difficult to add a,power strip to your oven for example. Smart devices do it for them. We
need to pick the low hanging fruit first. It's right there in front of us. Please pass this
on to the appropriate party to go into the record on the Hydro proposal! Thanks Ed
Ed Zasacky
Morris and Fyrwald
Sotheby's International Realty
415 East Hyman Avenue
Aspen, CO 81611
970 - 379 -2811 Cell
970 - 429 -3778 Direct
970 - 925 -6060 Office
970 - 925 -5258 Home
970 - 920 -6890 Fax
EdZasacky(@usa.net
1
Sara Adams
From: Jennifer Phelan
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 10:59 AM
To: Sara Adams
Subject: FW: RE: Hydro Plant
Jennifer Phelan, AICP
Deputy Director
Community Development Department
City of Aspen
130 S. Galena Street
Aspen, CO 81611
PH: 970.429.2759
FAX: 970.920.5439
www.aspenpitkin.com
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Ed Zasacky [mailto:edzasacky @usa.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 10:51 AM
To: Jennifer Phelan
Subject: RE: RE: Hydro Plant
Hi Jennifer: I had one other thought on ways to reduce consumption and take away the need for
the 8% Hydro. Just as TOM (transit demand management) has reduced the need to build a parking
garage and managed cars on the road, EDM (electricity demand management) could do the same
with power. The overall rates, and I understand the City is penalizing heavy users with
higher rates, are too low. In Europe where energy costs are higher they are way more
efficient by neccessity. We have had cheap power and energy for too long and we are fat and
lazy in that area. If the rates were inreased so that people might think twice about leaving
a light on all day long when they aren't there or whatever, then consumption would come down.
The extra money could be used to attack some of the other things I mentioned like
retrofitting cold roofs thereby retiring heat tapes, triple pane windows, extra insulation, a
smart grid, etc. Either completely pay for them or matching grants or some combination
thereof. Please add this to my comments on the Hydro project.
Thanks Ed
Ed Zasacky
Morris and Fyrwald
Sotheby's International Realty
415 East Hyman Avenue
Aspen, CO 81611
970 - 379 -2811 Cell
970 - 429 -3778 Direct
970 - 925 -6060 Office
970 - 925 -5258 Home
970 - 920 -6890 Fax
EdZasacky @usa.net
www.AspenSkiHomes.com
Sara Adams
From: Jennifer Phelan
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 11:40 AM
To: Sara Adams
Subject: FW: RE: Hydro Plant
Hi Sara: Please provide these comments from Ed Zasacky as part of the next staff memo.
Thanks.
Jennifer Phelan, AICP
Deputy Director
Community Development Department
City of Aspen
130 S. Galena Street
Aspen, CO 81611
PH: 970.429.2759
FAX: 970.920.5439
www.aspenpitkin.com
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Ed Zasacky [mailto:edzasacky @usa.netj
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 10:52 AM
To: Jennifer Phelan
Subject: Fwd: RE: Hydro Plant
Hi Jennifer: Would you please add these comments as my comments on the Hydro Plant and see
that the Council members get them?
Thanks Ed
Ed Zasacky
Morris and Fyrwald
Sotheby's International Realty
415 East Hyman Avenue
Aspen, CO 81611
970 - 379 -2811 Cell
970 - 429 -3778 Direct
970 - 925 -6060 Office
970 - 925 -5258 Home
970 - 920 -6890 Fax
EdZasacky @usa.net
www.AspenSkiHomes.com
- - - - -- Original Message - - - - --
Received: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:39:41 AM MST
From: "Ed Zasacky" <edzasacky @usa.net>
To: "Jennifer Phelan" < Jennifer .Phelan @ci.aspen.co.us>, "Jennifer Phelan"
<Jennifer .Phelan @ci.aspen.co.us>
Subject: RE: Hydro Plant
Hi Jennifer: I came home after my family obligations and saw that the meeting was still on. I
caught the last part of it. There were a couple of issues that didn't get expressed correctly
1
I felt. One was that 12 cfs seemed to be considered minimum stream flow adequate for any
stream. I doubt that is so.
It
might be adequate for a stream with a width of 5 to 10 feet but Castle Creek is probably 20
to 30 feet wide in some areas and that flow will be distibuted over a wider area and thus be
less deep and the margins will get dewatered.
IF
that causes insect habitat loss because of freezing or exposure to air then it translates all
the way down the food chain.
There was no discussion of SAVING that 8% or so in energy useage vs.
building the plant and creating it. Amory Lovins proposed to the Denver Water Board many
years ago that it was more effective and less damaging by far to give everyone in Denver low
flow shower heads than to build a new dam. I have written to various City officials over the
years about additional areas of energy savings that we could implement. Some of these are:
Modifying the building code to have super insulated roofs and increasing the wall R- values to
something like R -30 with the roofs being at least double that.
Retrofitting
can be accomplished. Europe has triple pane high tech windows and doors. They have extensive
use of solar hot water heaters with far less sun than us. You hardly see a solar collector
here and we get something like 300 sunny days a year and more than Honolulu where you see
them everywhere. Proper roof design with cold -roof construction can eliminate the need for
heat tapes which are energy hogs and all over town. My house has a cold roof and I have none.
That could be in the code. Digital controls can be mandated for all the snowmelt systems
here. Boulder is installing Smart Meters as the beginning of a Smart Grid that will allow
them to reduce energy useage by eliminating phantom loads, timing loading better, and
educating consumers as to times when energy is more expensive. These alone can save more than
this project will generate with no impacts on Castle Creek. Look them up on the net. Other
places are doing it, we are left behind and I can't get anyone to think about any of this. Do
lights have to fully on in houses after 3:00 AM around here. These are just some of the
things that can be done. IT is far better to save that ton of coal, or barrel of oil then to
produce them. It's called negawatts.
Same is true for the hydro plant. Lots of impacts for very little power, and I will bet you
any amount of time or money that we could save far more than this plant is going to produce.
I would rather save it AND the fish. Maybe you can get this across as it has fallen on deaf
ears in the City bureacracy. I think you appreciate Castle Creek if anyone does, and this is
something where you could have a big impact.
Thanks Ed
Ed Zasacky
Morris and Fyrwald
Sotheby's International Realty
415 East Hyman Avenue
Aspen, CO 81611
970 - 379 -2811 Cell
970 - 429 -3778 Direct
970 - 925 -6060 Office
970 - 925 -5258 Home
970 - 920 -6890 Fax
EdZasacky@usa.net
www.AspenSkiHomes.com
- - - - -- Original Message - - - - --
Received: Mon, 09 Aug 2010 03:10:33 PM MST
From: "Jennifer Phelan" < Jennifer.Phelan @ci.aspen.co.us>
To: "Ed Zasacky" <edzasacky @usa.net>
2
Subject: RE: Hydro Plant
Hi Ed: Your email will be incorporated into the public record on this application and
presented to city council.
Best regards, Jennifer
Jennifer Phelan, AICP
Deputy Director
Community Development Department
City of Aspen
130 S. Galena Street
Aspen, CO 81611
PH: 970.429.2759
FAX: 970.920.5439
www.aspenpitkin.com
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Ed Zasacky [mailto:edzasacky @usa.net]
Sent: Monday, August 09, 2010 10:25 AM
To: Jennifer Phelan
Subject: Hydro Plant
HI Jennifer: I am concerned about Castle Creek and the effect this hydro project will have on
the environment. It was voted on BEFORE any of the impacts were fully known. It strikes me as
coincidental at best that the paid consultant for the City came back and said 13.3 CFS was a
good level.
Not 13.4
or 13.5 ?? Awfully close to the 12 CFS that the City initially proposed with no science ?? He
does go on to say that there will be some level of damage maybe 10 %. That is a concern. I'm
not sure whether that is acceptable or not.
Is
that the straw that breaks the camels back or not. IS it OK in the name of being GREEN to not
be green and sacrifice something to some unknown degree in Aspen CO.? There isn't a great
history of power generation and the effects on the environment in this Country. Did the
Canary just die?
I occasionally fish that section of river (catch and release) and the fish population is
truly gorgeous and self sustaining in this world of whirling disease and destruction of
Rainbows elsewhere. I would hate to see them wiped out. What ongoing monitoring with teeth is
there. If this was a private group trying to do something that harmed 10% of a section of
Castle Creek they would be tarred and feathered. The Aspen Club has to monitor traffic for
years and adjust something if it increases. Shouldn't the public sector be treated the same
(except for the feathers)?
Finally, I see that the Millionaire Lode is being offered as replacement property. Weren't
there two parts to the Charter requiring not only that, but also a vote of the people to
allow disposal of Open Space ?? OR did I miss that and that vote actually happened?
Finally if there ever was a project that deserved a full examination like an EIS this is
it. A private guy would surely have to do it. The City should treat itself the same and stand
up and do one. That would give me a greater comfort level. Thanks Ed
Ed Zasacky
Morris and Fyrwald
Sotheby's International Realty
3
415 East Hyman Avenue
Aspen, CO 81611
970 - 379 -2811 Cell
970 - 429 -3778 Direct
970- 925 -6060 Office
970 - 925 -5258 Home
970 - 920 -6890 Fax
EdZasacky @usa.net
www.AspenSkiHomes.com
Email secured by Check Point
Email secured by Check Point
4
September 8, 2010
From: Lucy R Iiibberd
327 South 7 Street
Aspen, Colorado 81611
To Mr.Mick Ireland and Members Aspen City Council
Dear Sir:
I am writing Re: the Pipeline construction and the city's plans for the construction of the Hydro-
Electric Plant in Castle Creek.
I believe that there are a number of important issues that should be addressed by the Colorado
Water Court before the City proceeds with a large diversion of the water from Castle Creek
Specifically:
1. Has the city water been "in continual use or has it been abandoned?
2. If The Point of Diversion is moved does that action require approval from the water court?
3. What If, because of the city's action, the Stream flow becomes so low that the other ditch
owners are deprived of their water because the steam is too low to enter their head -gate . Is this
permitted without approval of the water court?
4. Is if necessary for the Maroon Creek water to return to Maroon Creek? If the water is diverted
and not returned to the stream of origin does that action require permission from the water Court?
5.Does the City Right include a "Right to Impound " ?. Can you divert the water and fill the reservoir
without approval from the Water Court?
Please ask Cindy Covell to confirm that you do not need to file an application with the water court
and ask for a decree, before the diversion is made. Normally such a large alteration to an existing
stream would require permission from the water court and the other ditch share owners would be
notified.
Thank You
Page 8, ASPEN DAILY NEWS, Friday, September 3, 2010
U AV IL
Ar IL
kJAM
A wdd mountain stream is 'a rare and
beautiful thing. Artists know it, as do
hotogmphers, fishermen, kayakers,
and rafters. Campers, hikers and wildlife overs
know it too, and so do realtors, beer compa-
nies and purveyors of bottled water. Advertis-
ers and travel companies know it, and images
of that beautiful wild water fill the pages of
glossy magazines and brighten the screens of °-
television sets to sell everything from upscale Col
resorts to, strangely enough, jewelry, clothing, HAI
even shiny automobiles,
Colorado's Rocky Mountains capture east-
bound snow and rain, home on prevailing
winds and breezes. That's why the Western Slope is
not as and as the Eastern Slope. That's what brings
us tumbling waterfalls and sparkling rivulets burst-
ing from scree slopes and boulder fields to percolate
through tundra teeming with wildflowers on the way
to valleys below.
Before for trappers nearly wiped them out, great
numbers of beavers were the architects of ponds that
maintained the streams and kept wooded glades and
mountain meadows lush, and home to millions of na-
tive creatures from tiny insects to hundreds of species
of birds. Wildlife abounded, from the tiniest shrews to
the most majestic bison.
Those years are gone, though designated wilderness
still protects a remnant of what used to be. Aspen still
has a few streams and rivers of amazing beauty, though
they've all endured diversions fm domestic and commer-
cial uses. The thirsty Eastern Slope has tapped the upper
reaches ofthe Roaring Fork, so it no longer roars the way
it used to, and Hunter Creek is much diminished. Ma-
roon, Castle and Snowmass creeks all give up water for
agriculture, lawns, golf courses and snowmaking.
On Sept. 13, Aspen City Council may vote to change
the zoning of the old power plant property on Castle
Creek from residential to industrial. That's the first step
to a major transformation of Maroon and Castle creeks,
this one in the name of renewable energy. A brand new
hydroplant, to be called the "Aspen Energy Center"
would be built next to the old one. Water would be
diverted from both Castle and Maroon creeks; piped
into Thomas Reservoir near Doolittle Drive, funneled
through the hydroplant turbines, and finally dumped
into lower Castle Creek not in above its confluence
with the Roaring Fork
That's called a "non- consumptive use" because
most of the water eventually reaches the Rowing Fork
Meanwhile, both Castle and Maroon creeks lose a ma-
jority of their water along miles of thew length through
most of the year. Maroon Creek never gets its water
back at all, while Castle Creek gets it back after miles
of dewatering.
The exceptions to that are times, usually in winter,
when the water flows already are at or below the de-
creed minimum stream flows, which are minimal in-
deed. When Colorado water laws were first written,
instream flows were not regarded as a "beneficial use,"
and enjoyed no legal protection. The result was that
some streams were completely dewatered, leaving be-
hind only a dry creek bed. An example in our valley
is East Snowmass Creek, which has been completely
dried up by Town of Snowmass diversions.
Snowmass Creeknearly suffered the same fate. It has
taken many long years of work and negotiations, and
even a court battle, led by the Snowmass- Capitol Creek
Caucus to reach an accommodation with the Town of
renewable energy
Snowmass and the Aspen Skiing Co. that al-
lows the continued existence of Snowmass
Creek as a viable stream. The town wanted the
water for municipal use, and the SIdCo want-
ed it for snowmaking. Even though Snowmass
Creek had a decreed minimum streamflow, it
was only ajunior right, and anyone with a big
enough senior right could legally divert all the
water. That was the declared intention of the
NIE Town of Snowmass Water Department, and
VEY certainly would have happened without the
energy, commitment and financial contribu-
tions of a group of concerned citizens,
Just this week a settlement agreement is being
signed at last that includes the building of a big new
reservoir to cushion the demand and save Snowmass
Creek from that sad fate.
Returning to the fate of Castle and Maroon creeks, if
the hydroplant is built and used as it is now designed,
these creeks will be radically transformed. Associated
wetlands, protected for so many years, will dry up and
die. To keep both streams healthy and an operating hy-
dro plant would require using the plant only when the
streams can take the added diversions — essentially
during late spring and early summer, when snowmelt
flows are high.
Of course, cuiting back on diversions would hurt the
already shaky economics of the hydropower plant, and
make it seem a poor investment. As a financial invest-
ment, it's already questionable, and certainly if the real
goal is saving energy there are better and cheaper ways
to do it. Cutting down on waste and improving effi-
ciency offer a much better payback.
Another concern that's been mentioned is fear that
the streams could fall victim to a water grab by outside
interests. I looked into that idea, and became convinced
that both legal and physical constraints make that high-
ly impractical and certainly not a near-term threat. -
What would help Castle and Maroon creeks the most
is a really serious biological analysis by aquatic sci-
entists who are not on the payroll of companies in the
business of diverting water. With the right public sup-
port and enough time and energy, it should be possible
to adjust the decreed minimum stream flows to levels
that really do meet the needs of their aquatic ecosys-
tems. The baseline study should be done before, not.
after, a decision on a hydropower plant is made.
If we are to do the best possible job of protecting
these beautiful treasured streams, we need to look very
carefully at the whole system and the big picture. It's
way too soon to claim that this has been done. There's
been very little public discussion of the plan and conse-
quences. A 2007 city vote for reinstating a hydroplant
made no mention at all of the effects on the creeks.
County voters were never informed or allowed to vote,
though the creeks are manly in the county. The Fed-
eral Energy Regulatory Commission'(FERC) allowed
the project to begin, based on a claim by the city that
there was an emergency; a "health and safety issue"
that — excuse me — simply does not hold water!
Anyone who likes these streams in a natural condi-
tion,which I hope includes city council, should be able
to agree that they must be protected. If that becomes a
goal for all of us, the next step is to analyze and think
through our best course of action. Doing things right is
worm whatever extra time it takes.
Connie Harvey's home uses mostly solar power. Her
e -mail is cmharve @gmail.com.
A watery downside to
CI -f0 /o
THE WESTERN RIVERS
INSTITUTE
September 10, 2010
Mayor Mick Ireland
Aspen City Council
130 Galena St.
Aspen, CO 81611
PO Box 1029
209 Holland Thompson Drive
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 376-1918
sag le river0sopris. n of
www.wesfernriveninsfifufe.ora
RE: Aspen Energy Center /Castle Creek Hydroelectric project
Dear Mayor Ireland and City Council Members,
I am writing to re- iterate points and comments I have made about the proposed hydroelectric
facility on Castle Creek and its potential impacts to both Castle and Maroon Creeks. I will
not repeat what I have stated previously, both in writing and oral testimony. I do want to
emphasize one point however, and that is that the minimum stream flow is just that, a mini-
mum. It will no more keep a stream vigorous and healthy than a starvation diet will for a
person.
Streams need a range of flows to maintain health, a range of natural variability. This is well
documented in the scientific literature. One of the primary studies states "Hydrologic varia-
tion plays a major role in structuring the biotic diversity within river ecosystems as it controls
key habitat conditions within the river channel, the floodplain, and the hyporheic (stream in-
fluenced ground water) zones." (Brian D. Richter, et al, How Much Water Does A River
Need. Rivers and streams need this variable flow, from the high spring flows of runoff to
the low flows of winter.
What we really need to know is the optimal range of variability for both these streams below
the diversion points. Low flows can be maintained for a while, but not too long. How long
depends on the stream character and the overall health or ecologic condition of the stream.
Healthy streams will weather low flows better than stressed and degraded streams that al-
ready suffer from de- watering by diversions.
A good analogy would be watering a garden with a hose. I can plant seeds and then proceed
to give a bare minimum of water from the hose, a minimum that will make the ground look
wet and well watered, even though that may not be the case. Looks can be deceiving. If not
enough water is getting to the seeds few will germinate. Those that do germinate will suffer
stunted and slow growth. Fewer yet will flower or bear fruit. The ground looks wet, but not
enough is reaching the unseen roots where it counts.
It is imperative that the City writes strong stream protection measures into the ordinance that
approves this project. The proposed monitoring plan as well as contingency plans for dry
years need to be codified now. While the City staff has made many assurances that the
health of the streams will be protected, it must be put it in writing as part of the approval.
City staff and Councils are transitory by our democratic process. Future Councils and staff
could renege on verbal assurances made today. Knowing the range of flows for providing
optimal stream conditions in both Castle and Maroon Creeks is imperative, and needs to be
learned now while, we have the chance, before we get to a point of no return on this project.
The City needs to ensure that stream health has priority over the hydropower plant. We hu-
mans are far more flexible in our abilities to adapt, do without or modify our energy sources
when water shortages occur. What becomes an inconvenience for us can become a matter of
life or death for the stream. In times of shortage the health of the streams must come first,
based on optimal flow regimes and not just the minimum, flat line flow. This must be made
clear in the ordinance and approval being voted on.
As I stated earlier, if a hydro project can't be done right in Aspen its likely not to be done
well anywhere else. It must be done right, or not at all. You and the City of Aspen could set
a remarkable precedent. If this project is built it will be one of the first of its kind and will be
emulated all across Colorado and the US. If you fail to set this precedent with stream health
as one of the overarching concerns than we will simply be back to hydro as usual. We will
simply be continuing the historical litany of destroyed and degraded rivers in the name of
questionable progress. That isn't green, nor is it a legacy Aspen will be proud of.
Sincerely,
Ken Neubecker, Director
The Western Rivers Institute
(also Past President of Colorado Trout Unlimited)
Page 2
Some scientific literature that should be consulted:
How Much Water Does a River Need ?; Richter, et al, The Nature Conservancy, 1997
Defining and Measuring River Health; Karr, Freshwater Biology 1999
The Ecological limits of hydrologic alteration (ELOHA): a new framework for developing
regional environmental flow standards; Poff, et al, Freshwater Biology 2009
The Forgotten Infrastructure: Safeguarding Freshwater Ecosystems; Postel, Sandra, Journal
of International Affairs, Spring Summer 2008
Ecologically Sustainable Water Management: Managing River Flows for Ecological Integ-
rity; Richter, et al, Ecological Applications 13(1) 2003
A Collaborative and Adaptive Process for Developing Environmental Flow Recommenda-
tions; Richter, et al, River Research and Applications, 2006
A Framework for Ecologically Sustainable Water Management; Richter, et al, Hydro Re-
view, August 2005
Page 3
KIT GrOLDSBURY
August 10, 2010
City Council
City of Aspen
Aspen, Colorado 81611
To Whom It May Concern
I have owned property on Sneaky Lane for over 25 years. We have so many wonderful
memories of the beautiful Castle Creek, and all of nature surrounding it. We are
saddened and angered about the prospect of this beautiful asset being ruined because
of a severely decreased flow of water due to a hydroelectric plant, whose benefit is very
questionable. To my knowledge there has been no study done that definitively
determines the results of such a decrease in the flow. There is the distinct possibility
that the flora and fauna will be forever altered, if not destroyed completely. This is
totally unacceptable, especially for something whose overall benefits are unknown.
If the Castle Creek /Maroon Creek areas are adversely affected by the decreased flow of
water, it will directly affect property values all along the creeks. This will be devastating
to the homeowners in the area, as well as businesses that are affected.
I request that Aspen's City Council delay a decision on this rezoning application and
subdivision, PUD and Growth Management reviews, and request that the City
undertake either a comprehensive environmental impact study, or environmental
assessment to determine the ramifications of removing 25 cfs from Castle Creek and 27
cfs from Maroon Creek.
ThIGI u very much.
Kit 1bur
P.O. Box 460567 • SAN ANToNto, nXAs 78246 -0567 • NONE: (210) 930 -1251 - Fax: (210) 930 -2482
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Aspen, CO 81611
970.920.1028
970.925.6847
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September 10, 2010
Aspen City Council
City Hall
130 S. Galena Street
Aspen, CO 81611
RE: Castle Creek Hydroelectric Project (ourfile #99]A)
Dear City Council members:
We are writing to submit this letter into the record regarding the September 13,
2010 City Council meeting, and specifically the agenda item concerning the Castle
Creek hydroelectric project. At the last meeting in August, Mayor Ireland and
Torre raised a few concerns that we wish to address for the record.
First, Mayor Ireland expressed particular concern that if the City does not move
forward with constructing the plant, it will lose its hydropower water rights to Front
Range entities seeking to appropriate water from Castle Creek and Maroon Creek.
While the City may have legitimate reasons in favor of the project, we feel that this
is not one of them. Under Colorado water law, it is legally impossible for Front
Range entities to appropriate water that is already allocated to local western slope
water rights. Colorado water rights operate under the priority system, which means
that prior decreed rights (senior rights) are entitled to their full amount of water
before later decreed rights (junior rights) are entitled to any water. Accordingly, if
Aspen were to somehow lose its hydropower water right due to nonuse, that water
would go to the next most senior water right in line on the stream, and then the next
most senior right, and so on. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of
decreed water rights on the Castle /Maroon Creek, Roaring Fork River, and
Colorado River stream system that would have to be satisfied before the Front
Range could appropriate any water. Furthermore, the City owns the next most
senior rights in line on Castle Creek, and therefore the additional water would likely
go to satisfy these water rights. In other words, the Front Range simply cannot leap
ahead of all decreed water rights on the stream to take water belonging to those
rights. Finally, the state recently admitted that there may be very little or no water
left to develop under Colorado's Colorado River Compact apportionment.
Therefore, it is extremely unlikely that a Front Range entity would commit billions
of dollars toward a project in which it would have a very difficult time proving that
there is water available for a new appropriation in an amount large enough to justify
such an investment.
a professional corporation
I'A [ V I K ,1911 1.1-1;' KKO1 1
Aspen City Council
Page 2
September 10, 2010
As for risk of loss of water rights, we note that the Colorado Division of Water Resources
publishes a list of water rights every ten years in which it considers abandoned. The state
published the most recent version of this list in July of this year, and did not include the City's
hydropower water rights, and the state has never included the rights on the list. It therefore does
not appear that the rights are at risk of abandonment by the state.
At the last meeting, Mayor Ireland asked about the clients that my firm represents in this matter.
I presented a list of approximately fourteen clients, several of whom are business entities. Mayor
Ireland, and to a lesser extent Torre, focused exclusively on one client, Elk Mountain Lodge,
LLC, speculating the Elk Mountain Lodge may have ulterior motives for being involved in this
process, such as selling water to the Front Range. This allegation is unwarranted, incendiary, and
simply unfair. If the project moves forward, no one questions that the City of Aspen will
seriously alter the stream flow regime on Castle Creek. Elk Mountain Lodge owns several
decreed water rights diverting from Castle Creek for small ponds, an irrigation ditch, and a well.
Elk Mountain Lodge merely wishes to ensure that its water rights will not be injured by the
City's alteration of stream flows, and being involved in the process is standard and prudent
business practice.
Next, we would like to mention an issue that has not been discussed to date, and that is the
cumulative impacts of the project on both the Castle and Maroon Creek stream systems. If the
City must divert more water from Maroon Creek to fuel the plant, this may take away from flows
available to power the Maroon Creek plant. This is an issue that the City should look into and
address, because the net effect could be less total hydropower generated than is currently
assumed. Along these lines, the additional diversions from Maroon Creek are 100 percent
depletive to the creek (return flows do not accrue to Maroon Creek), and yet there has been very
little or no environmental assessment of Maroon Creek. We request that the City take into
account cumulative environmental effects of the project, rather than effects to Castle Creek only.
Finally, at the last meeting it appeared that the concept of protecting 100 percent of the
environmental health of Castle and Maroon Creeks 100 percent of the time is something that
City Council is committed to. In order to implement this concept, we suggest that City Council
pass a resolution confirming the City's commitment to protect the environmental integrity of
Castle and Maroon Creeks, to the extent Council moves forward with the project.
(IIY(- ]I ?I(), 0.6
PAI MCK !t.1it 1 lit: l KROPt
Aspen City Council
Page 3
September 10, 2010
Thank you for your consideration of these matters.
Very truly yours,
PATRICK, MILLER & KROPF, P.C.
A Professional Corporation
By: 2j T U W
Paul L. Noto
noto &waterlaw. com
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cc: clients
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Dear Councilmen, September 9,2010
In 2005 the voters of Aspen supported a bond issue and committed to spend over $11 million on green
energy. This is an extraordinary opportunity. The City of Aspen is planning to spend those funds on a
hydroelectric facility that will significantly dewater and degrade Castle and Maroon Creeks. Aspen's
greatest amenity is the natural splendor afforded by our unique and generous watersheds, rivers and
riparian zones. That's why we're all here, that's why our guests come, it's the basis of our culture and it's
the basis our economy. Our rivers are our lifeblood and their stewardship our greatest responsibility.
That being said, 1 am increasingly convinced that Town Staffs conclusions are questionable, that the
integrity of the Town's process is flawed, that this is not remotely "smart green," that this proposal is
fiscally out- of-control, and that there is tremendous risk for Castle and Maroon Creeks.
Risk for Castle and Maroon Creeks. At the end of July the water flow in Castle Creek was 58.9 CFS.
Current plans anticipate lowering the water level in Castle Creek by 25 CFS most of the year to as low as
13.8 CFS at times. However that could lower a 2.5 mile stretch of Castle Creek in mid summer to 33.8
CFS (a 43% reduction from what we saw in Castle Creek in mid - summer) and would leave Castle Creek
at a minimum stream flow of 13.8 CFS for at least 5 months in the fall and winter (75% less than the
steam flow we saw in Castle Creek in mid summer). This simply doesn't seem to equate to a healthy,
sustainable river. We are all committed to a sustainable and green future but first we must sustain our
rivers. Man's dominion over nature, while often well intentioned, has been fraught with surprises and
tremendous environmental costs.
Town Staff Conclusions. Town Staff has predetermined that the City does not need an Environmental
Impact Statement to dewater Castle and Maroon Creeks. An Environmental Impact Study would
undoubtedly raise significant environmental issues and trade -offs will need to be analyzed. That's the
purpose of an EIS. It would be unconscionable to avoid it. Who in Town Hall has made the decision
that an EIS is unnecessary, what are their qualifications?
Process. The ballot item that was put in front of the voters that approved the bond never mentioned dewatering a
2.5 -mile stretch of Castle Creek. It was a vote for green and sustainability. The current proposal has little to
do with the bond issue that was approved. Even Councilman Torre stated at the last Council meeting
that he didn't understand the issue when he voted back in 2005. Only 15.6% of the possible voters voted
on the bond issue. While a significant majority of those voters supported the bond issue, they accounted
for less than 10% of Aspen voters and the ballot item never mentioned dewatering a significant stretch of
Castle Creek. This is hardly a mandate and the current proposal is far too important not to be fully
understood and supported by a majority of the community. Neither democracy nor community thrive in
the dark. Despite the fact that most of the impacted portions of Castle and Maroon Creeks are in the
county, there has been no review process in the county.
Recently we have heard speculation that preserving our water rights is a justification for proceeding with
this project. This sounds a bit like if we don't trash our rivers, someone else will. If our water rights and
rivers are truly in jeopardy, shouldn't that be our primary concern? Shouldn't we understand that issue
first?
Fiscal responsibility. The leadership of Aspen and the staff in Town Hall do many things extremely well.
Their successes and commitment to our community cannot be questioned. However, in the area of fiscal
investment and management some questionable decisions were made in recent years. With respect to this
proposed project, we have heard from Town Staff that there will be annual savings of $500,000. We have
also heard that the savings will be closer to $30,000. Which is it? Do we really have the in -house skills to
fully understand the fiscal impacts? Costs are growing. Do projected costs include the vast amounts of
staff time spent on this project in recent years? We hear there is a 25 -year payback. I've never heard of a
responsible business venture that requires a 25 -year payback. And our environment doesn't have 25 years
to solve our energy problems. We need an immediate bang for our buck - for our $11+ million
investment. We need some independent, professional economic analysis of this proposal. This may well
be the most expensive per kilowatt hydro project ever built.
Smart Green. We have a bond issue that will ultimately cost this community in excess of $11 million.
Hydro is probably a fine proposition for Castle and Maroon Creeks about 4 months a year - during
spring and early summer runoff. However for the other 8 months, either the rivers will be significantly
compromised or the hydro plant will operate at significantly diminished capacity. Given the vast change
in our economic fortunes and the rapidly evolving technology and knowledge surrounding sustainable
energy production and conservation, is this the best possible use of the proceeds of this bond?
Our town engineering staff wears many hats and assumes many responsibilities, but they are simply not
qualified to tell us the best way, the greenest way, the most environmentally sound, visionary way to
maximize the value of this extraordinary opportunity. However, there are experts who could. Before we
go any further shouldn't we consider all our options - especially options that will be more cost effective,
have greater green impact, and won't severely compromising our rivers. This is an extraordinary amount of
money and an extraordinary green opportunity, unfortuneately, this project isn't green, it certainly isn't smart green,
this is trophy green.
Plans that could alter our rivers and riparian zones must be developed with complete community
understanding of the possible impacts and costs and with comprehensive, expert, peer review of all plans,
implementation, and maintenance. Our rivers and riparian zones have been here for millions of years. I
trust Council will not feel rushed to make a determination on their future.
Only one standard is acceptable - maintain 100% of the health and viability of Castle and Maroon
Creeks and their adjacent riparian zone 100% of the time. Anything less would be criminal.
Thank you,
Michael Lipkin
Aspen
The Mayor
The City Council
The City of Aspen
Aspen, Colorado 81611
September 10, 2010
My wife and I have owned property in Aspen for over 26 years. Our present house, where we have
been for some 20 years, is located at 750 Castle Creek Drive, above Castle Creek with our lot running
into the Creek, across from the Meadows and the houses on Sneaky Lane.. From our property on our
side of the creek all the way to the Roaring Fork there is an undisturbed wildlife area as few of the other
lots extend or have access to this area. The area is pristine, full of wildlife, deer, fox, beaver, squirrel ,
raccoon and occasionally bear. Our part of the Creek itself has been assessed as a perfect riparian
location and home for trout and our family and others often take advantage of the excellent fishing
there. A large part of the value of the property is the access down our 128 steps to the creek.
We are disturbed that the City is considering the erection of a hydroelectric plant that would potentially
damage all of this.
We join our neighbors across the creek, Kit Goldsbury and others, in asking that the Council delay a
decision on this proposal and that a thorough and impartial environmental impact study be done. The
removal of the water 2.5 miles above the Power Plant Road crossing, leaving those 2.5 miles with scant
water, and then the returning of not only the water removed from Castle Creek but also a greater
amount of water removed from Maroon Creek, after processing all this water immediately before the
reentry through turbines thereby changing the temperature of the water, certainly demands the most
careful study. This even more so as the rationale seems to be to save a quite small amount of money
compared to the seemingly extravagant total cost of the project and to, hopefully, achieve only some
small reduction in the perceived total use of energy for the city.
Certainly the council knows well that the attraction of Aspen lies in the natural setting of the mountains
and the various streams, creeks and rivers here. To risk injuring two of the major streams of the City
and their adjacent wildlife areas without any more study of the benefits to be gained and the damage
that may be done seems the height of folly.
Yours very truly,
Ann Hudson
Edward Hudson
R ARING F R
CONSERVANCY
Bringing People Togenxr
W 1".. 0.1 Niven
BOARD OF DIREC'I'OBS
Diane Schwener
Prrsid nt
Stephen Elisperman
Vice President
Ramsey Kropf
Secretary
Gad Orrick
Treasurer
Andrew Light
Carter Brooksher
Ji in Light
Rickl.ofaro
Esecutivr Director
l.oui.s Meyer
Rick Nosey
Ripens Council Liaison
Larry Yaw
PROGRAM STAFF
Rick l,ofai o
Fwwulive Director
Claire Britt
Office Manager
Sharon Clarke
Land & Water
Conservation ,tipeeialis t
Sarah Johnson
Education Coordinator
Tar, O'Keefe
EdIwation Director
Ed Pen egartx
Development Director
Chad Rudow
Water Quality
Coordinator
September 9, 2010
Phil Overeynder
City of Aspen Department of Public Works
130 South Galena Street
Aspen, CO 81611
Re: Castle Creek Hydroelectric Proiect
Dear Phil,
Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC) commends the City of Aspen for their public
outreach efforts, transparency, and for working with Colorado Division of Wildlife to
protect the aquatic environments of Castle and Maroon creeks. Based on new
information regarding the project, we have the following additional comments. This is
in response to public meetings and the following documents "Castle Creek
Hydroelectric Plant Environmental Reporf' (Miller and Swaim, June 11, 2010);
"Castle Creek Plan" (Colorado Department of Wildlife, July 22, 2010); and
Memorandum from Bill Miller to Kendall Bakich, July 23, 2010.
One concern is how will the potential effects of climate change on flows in Castle and
Maroon creeks be addressed? The state recently completed a Final Draft Colorado
Water Availability Study ( CRWAS). One conclusion of the study is that "higher
elevations generally have less flow available" (table 2 executive summary). How
might this influence future flows in Castle and Maroon creeks? Could this increase
the length and frequency of time that Castle and Maroon creeks are at minimum
flows? Might this increase competition in spawning areas? Additionally, the CRWAS
analysis of climate change does not address the complicated question of how climate
change will indirectly affect aquatic species and their flow needs. The historical
streamflow used in the Miller and Swaim's analysis represents past climatic
conditions. We suggest that provisions to take climate variability and change into
account become part of the operational decision- making allowing the optimization of
the goal of hydroelectricity while maintaining stream health.
Secondly, how could the results of Miller and Swaim's quantification of stream flows
be used in the statewide discussion of non - consumptive needs? The quantification of
non - consumptive needs is an extremely difficult task. As discussed in the State of the
Roaring Fork Watershed Report 2008 understanding and defining all non -
consumptive uses, including environmental, recreational, and hydropower uses,
requires evaluation of a broad set of hydrologic parameters influencing numerous
biological and geomorphic processes. These processes include the magnitude,
timing, and duration of flows, the rate of change in flows, and the frequency of flow
events. Assessment of environmental flow needs is often hampered by spatially and
temporally limited stream gage and modeled flow data, a lack of adequate ecological
and geomorphic data, and a limited understanding of the specific relationships
among biological and geomorphic processes and flows. For example, what are the
relationships among sedimentation, flows, and fish and macroinvertebrates? Land
P.O. Box 3349 Basalt, Colorado 81621 1970.927,1290 1 www.roaringfork.org
use changes add another layer of complexity to any assessment of non - consumptive
needs. Could an underestimation of the aquatic needs of Castle and Maroon creeks
translate into an underestimation of aquatic needs for other streams in Western
Colorado leading to the suggestion that more water is available for development. We
would like the City to err on the side of overestimation because of this. Also, undoing
environmental harm is usually more difficult that creating the damage in the first
place.
RFC supports the plan developed by Colorado Division of Wildlife with the sampling
location clarification and additional macroinvertebrates and temperatures data
collection suggested by Dr. Bill Miller. Additionally, we request more information on
how these data will be analyzed, interpreted, and used to inform changes in
management. We recommend that a scientifically- credible reasonably - specific
adaptive management plan be formulated before the project is implemented.
To allow accurate interpretation of these monitoring data and to provide transparent
hydropower diversion operations we recommend installing a measuring device or
stream gage and using these data in conjunction with real -time hydropower diversion
data to be able to separate stream inflow and hydropower diversions. Ideally, this
gage would be part of the CDWR or USGS stream gage network, allowing these data
to be easily accessible on -line and used for other purposes. Hydropower operations
are expected to have the greatest impact on winter flows, so it is important that the
stream gage operate accurately in the winter.
It is our understanding than a conduit exemption would be in perpetuity, which means
there is no federal requirement to revisit this project. In the spirit of environmental
leadership, we suggest that the City of Aspen formally require periodic re-
examinations of this hydropower project to ensure that aquatic needs are met in
perpetuity.
C ely, Rick Lofaro, �e
Executive Director
Kathy Strickland
From: Sally Spaulding
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2010 9:36 AM
To: Public_ Comment; Sara Adams; David Hornbacher
Subject: FW: Hydro Plant
I have not responded to this one but suspect many of his numbers are off.
s
Sally Spaulding, Community Relations Director
City of Aspen 1 130 South Galena I Aspen, CO 1 81611
Voice: 970- 920 -5082 1 Fax: 970- 920 -5119 1 Web: www.aspenpitkin.com
Follow the City of Aspen on Facebook or Twitter
From: dick butera [mailto:dickbutera @sopris.net]
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2010 9:15 AM
To: Steve Skadron; Derek Johnson; Dwayne Romero; Torre
Cc: Sally Spaulding
Subject: FW: Hydro Plant
From: dick butera [ mailto:dickbutera@sopris.net]
Gentleman, please consider giving proper notice to the taxpayers of Aspen about the
following information regarding the Hydro proposal;
1. Please tell the taxpayers that due to the delays in the project that income from the
Hydro will not begin until at least 2012. The bonds were floated in 2007, therefore the debt
service costs from then until 2012 must be added to the over -all cost of the project. Its
approximately $1,400,000. (Phil said... "yes you are right dick - -I'm going to have to find
that money somewhere ")
2. Please tell the taxpayers that the $300,000 saving projected per year from the Hydro
does not begin until 2026. There is negative cash flow until then (including debt service)
and the bond prospectus stated that the taxpayers were liable for shortages.
3. Please tell the taxpayers that the TOTAL cost of the project including interest is over
$10 million dollars and now we must add the $1,400,00 as referred to in paragraph #1. 1
am told by Hydo experts that this will be the most expensive cost per kilowatt that they
have ever seen from any source!
4. Please tell the taxpayers that the $2,300,000 pipe put in was not needed for safety
purposes. First, there is an over the ground over- flow that comes out on Castle Creek
road that has proven to adequate for many years, and secondly they only increased the
size of the pipes that were there by 6 inches. This is insignifigant in times of emergency,
which by the way the State has said was highly unlikely. Incidentally the pipe they
replaced was in very good condition.
5. Please tell the taxpayers that the $300,000 savings from the hydro is based on perfect
snow conditions and that the plant will only not operate 30 days per year because of low
1
water conditions. What happened to Dec, Jan. and Feb ? The taxpayers are responsible
for any shortcomings in the cash savings!
6. Please tell the taxpayers that the water dept. justifies the fact that there is no positive
cash flow until 2026 by saying that all those 50 years thereafter will be debt free and
therefore make up the difference. Well, how many taxpayers believe that with all the
trillions being spent on renewable science etc, that Hydro plants will be dinosaurs by
2026.
7. Please tell the taxpayers that the ONLY scientific study that has been done on the
rivers in question, stated that Maroon Creek needed 23 CFS to maintain the healthy
aquatic life that exists there today. NO scientific study has ever been done on
Castle Creek.
I could go on and on but this already too long and you might not read it. Please make sure
that ALL the facts are made public and please remember ....... 2 wrongs do not make a
right ... its never too late to stop this madness.
Sincerely, Dick Butera
Email secured by Check Point
Pi
September 12, 2010
DELIVERED BY HAND
Aspen City Council
City Hall
Aspen CO 81611
Re: Castle Creek Hydro
Dear Honorable Mayor Mick Ireland and City Council members:
We respectfully suggest that Council table formal action on the proposed
rezoning and consider the following path forward. New voices are emerging
each day alarmed at potential collateral damage to Maroon and Castle Creek.
A public process is needed to build a strong coalition in support of
responsible renewable energy development that is in harmony with Aspen's
equally long and celebrated history of protection of its natural heritage
including its rivers and streams.
We recommend that while Council pause in its further deliberations and
decisions, a Citizen Path Forward be developed. We propose convening key
stakeholder representatives, experts in the relevant disciplines and a veteran
mediator with vast experience in water and energy matters.
In this manner, proponents and opponents of the Castle Creek Hydro Plant
can avoid divisive and counterproductive legal or political conflict and instead
join together in a thoughtful, forward thinking manner to assure every
concern is met and to help Aspen become a model to other communities. We
would once again be leading by example as communities everywhere grapple
with the economics, aesthetics and impacts of expanding hydro, solar, wind
and biomass in order to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Sincerely,
Ruthie Brown
24 Ardmore Dr
Aspen, CO 81611
Tim McFlynn
5959 Snowmass Creek Road
Snowmass, CO 81654
Hydro - Electric Energy
(A look into the future of renewable enCrgy by development of small hydro plants.)
Upon my retirement in 1990, and for several years thereafter, I advocated the..
re- development of many small hydro - electric plants by the City of Aspen, not
much has been accomplished, but the dream lives on.. Perhaps, the City will see
the long term benefits of small hydro and pursue the several options that I have
pointed out. A later day visionary will certainly pick up where I have left off in
the advocacy and development of this clean energy source. To refresh the
readers' memory let's go back to a letter I wrote in '95 concerning this topic.
Dear Editor: - Aspen Times - February 26, 1995
Your article in the weekend edition "Hydro plants not likely to be built" was of interest to me, since
I was involved with the operation of the original Castle Creek power house in the fifties. Since
that time, I have been an advocate for the redevelopment of the hydro - electric potential in the Aspen
area. As the former head of the Water Department of the City of Aspen, I had some involvement
with the existing power -plant on Maroon Creek. At the time of it's inception, I stated in a memo,
my reservations as to the conflict with water treatment operations. However, It was determined
that the benefits of a hydro- electric plant outweighed the inconveniences that such a plant would
create. In 1973, in order to preserve it's water rights on Maroon Creek, the City built a new pipe
line into the treatment plant. Lack of funds delayed the replacement of the old 1892 crib -wall dam.
on Maroon Creek, until the mid - eighties, when an arrangement was worked out with the Deane
family that allowed a constriction access for a new dam. This was accomplished through a joint -
venture agreement for the development of a power house log cabin on land owned by the Deane
family. Unfortunately the design and selection of the turbine for peak operations was hot
compatible with pipe line capacity in winter, because Maroon Creek is subject to variable ice and
debris flows.
In spite of these handicaps, I was able to operate the turbine at a limited output even when demands
for treated water and snow making were paramount. This required innovation and persistence on
my part gained from the many years of experience in rebuilding an antiquated water system and
operating the early -day powerhouse under the Castle Creek bridge; which in its day was a tribute
to the engineering skill of it's builders.
Unfortunately, short-sited expediency in the early sixties on the part of the Aspen City Council
determined that the power house turbines (at the old Castle Creek power house) should be
scrapped and the building turned into a maintenance shop" (The rationale being; the overhead
cranes would be useful to pick up machinery) "Like the D&RG tracks that were torn out below
Aspen, the expediency of yesteryear has come to haunt us today. We cannot undo the mistakes of
the past, but we can learn from past mistakes and consider the advise of those with experience
under adverse conditions." In August of'91, I wrote an extensive memorandum to the Aspen
Energy Committee, with copies for the Aspen City Council; wherein I identified and outlined in
detail how sites could be developed. (I closed with the following comment:) " I hope this ¢
community will begin to plan for the future and have the vision to see beyond moments of self
interest. Our big problem today is: we are ineffectual, due in part to a lack of continuity and
experience. We are so bogged down in the process that we can not obtain results. Our local
bureaucracy has grown exponentially, yet results are less than ever. What we need today are: more
doer's with a shovel in their hand and less bureaucrats warming chairs. There's a new bumper
sticker, "Bring back the Quiet Years ". In the "Quiet Years" Mayor Wagner personally cleaned the
city ditches with a shovel. A good example of "hands -on" management. Perhaps a shovel is what
is needed today, too!"
Sincerely, Jim Markalunas
S-L�
Kathy Strickland
From: Sally Spaulding
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2010 3:52 PM
To: Public Comment; Sara Adams; David Hornbacher; City_Council
Subject: Fw: Aspen Hydoplant Proposal
I have responded.
From: Geoffrey Perrin < GPerrin @maralo.microsoftonline.com>
To: Sally Spaulding
Sent: Mon Sep 13 15:46:25 2010
Subject: Aspen Hydoplant Proposal
Mayor Mick Ireland and Aspen City Council Members:
I have had the privilege of enjoying Aspen's beauty for thirty five years. It is very alarming that a thorough and
exhaustive study has not been performed to investigate the impact of the proposed hydroplant on Castle Creek and
Maroon Creek. Lowering the water level of these creeks by 25 cfs and 27 cfs respectively threatens the long term health
of these creeks along with the fragile ecosystem which they support. Moreover, a clear and detailed cost - benefit analysis
demonstrating the facility's necessity should be published to inform the voters who approved the bond election.
I strongly encourage that this entire project be rethought considering the will of the voters and impact on the environment.
It is not too late to contemplate other alternatives.
Very Truly Yours,
Mary Ralph Lowe
Kathy Strickland
From: Sally Spaulding
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2010 3:32 PM
To: Public Comment; Sara Adams; David Hornbacher
Subject: Fw: Hydroplant - Aspen Creek
From: carol tadmor <caroltadmor @gmail.com>
To: Sally Spaulding
Cc: michael werner <MBWIEA @mac.com>
Sent: Mon Sep 13 15:23:35 2010
Subject: Hydroplant - Aspen Creek
Ms. Spaulding: The following email has been forwarded to all the members of the council on behalf of Michal
and Dana Werner. I will also be forwarding a fax copy to your attention and would appreciate your assistance
in getting it to the council members in case they were unable to observe the email prior to the meeting.
I am drafting this on behalf of Michael and Dana Werner, owners of 501 Sneaky Lane, Aspen, Colorado.
The following is from them.
Please be advised that we fully adopt the argument and point of view expressed in the many letters and emails
to you objecting to the council's approval of the hydroelectric plant and the construction of same at the meeting
today. We specifically refer to the letters to you from Edward Hudson and Kit Goldsbury, and the guest
editorial in the Aspen paper written by Tom Hirsth.
We believe that the approval by the council for the construction of the plant at this time, without a full
environmental study conducted by third parties pursuant to broad federal requirements, is an abuse of the
council's power and unwarranted acquiescence to the staffs position without appropriate authority and full
investigation.
Saying much more would be redundant. We just hope council will exercise it's discretion and put off a final
determination until all of the founded positions expressing opposition to the staff s position are fully vetted.
Thank you very much for your consideration,
Michael and Dana Werner
mbwiea2mao.com
Sent by:
Carol Tadmor
WG Group LLC
3960 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 700
Las Vegas, NV 89169
Office - 702/733 -6218
Fax - 702/733 -6415
Blanca Uzeta O'Leary
1500 Silver King Drive
Aspen, Colorado 81611
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Dear Mayor Ireland and the entire Aspen City Council,
I am writing today to encourage you to vote in favor of advancing the Castle
Creek Hydro plant.
I write in my role as a lawyer as well as a mother. As a lawyer, I am deeply
concerned that if our City of Aspen fails to build this hydro plant, we will be
giving up our Senior Water Rights on Castle Creek. We will then be in peril
of once again having our Roaring Fork Valley water being sold and diverted
to Denver and the Front Range.
As a mother I am so proud of the City of Aspen's goal to become a 100%
clean and renewable energy city. You know better than I that an additional
hydro plant would be so beneficial in helping us meet that goal.
Many of us in this valley, including each of you on this council, strive to set
a good example for our children in demonstrating our commitment to
curbing climate change. In a demonstration of global solidarity, many of us
took our kids to the 350.org photo event on Aspen Mountain last year where
we participated in a global effort to draw attention to climate change. It was
a wonderful example of our Aspen heritage of sharing global concerns.
Like many Aspen families, we have been taking inventory in our home to
reduce our carbon footprint. We have made changes such as driving a hybrid
car, recycling, using green household products, green light bulbs etc. We of
course have a long ways to go -but we are trying. In November of 2007, this
community already voted in favor of the bond for this hydro plant. Elections
matter. Please honor that citizens' vote and vote Yes on the Castle Creek
hydro plant.
Respectfully,
Blanca U. O'Leary
Kathy Strickland
From: Sally Spaulding
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2010 3:15 PM
To: City Public Comment; Sara Adams; David Hornbacher
Subject: Fw: Hydro Power Proposal
From: Timothy Marquand <timothymarquand @gmail.com>
To: Sally Spaulding
Cc: curlybgab @aol.com <curlybgab @aol.com>
Sent: Mon Sep 13 15:00:29 2010
Subject: Hydro Power Proposal
---- - - - - -- Forwarded message ---- - - - - --
From: Timothy Marquand < timothymaMuand . gmail.com
Date: Mon, Sep 13, 2010 at 4:47 PM
Subject: Hydro Power Proposal
To: sallysspauldinggci.aspen.co.us
Cc: curlybgabna,aol.com
Dear Members of the Aspen City Council,
I have lived in Aspen since I was a boy in 1948 and have tried to remain open
to "the changes" by reminding myself that unadulterated wilderness was all about
me. Naturally the proposal to alter Castle and Maroon Creeks distresses me and
I fear unintended consequences.
Under the mantle of Manifest Destiny and the glories of the silver boom Aspen has
had a remarkable history in the early acquisition of hydro - electric power for its mines
and streetlamps. Today things are different. The pioneering spirit wears a greener mantle
in its environmental concerns and impulses toward sustainability. Altering the wilderness
we are trying to save, however, carries risks to the life of our streams as consequential
as the arsenic in mine tailings.
While the goals of the proposal are laudable the path raises questions. A full Environmental
Impact Statement, however expensive, should be authorized instead of relying on "emergency
conduit" evasions about a reservoir that threatened, at the time the state examined it,
Freddie Fisher's favorite dump. Once a stream is altered it is highly unlikely that it's
environment and wildlife can be restored by changing water levels back to normal.
Although the comparison may be far - fetched, we can never turn Lake Powell back into
the glories of Glen Canyon. The planners, with the best of intentions, never imagined a
red landscape with bathtub rings and an accumulation of sludge and beer cans at the dam
that would eventually render its hydroelectric purposes useless.
Please ... let us take more time to consider this. Conservation and efficiency can accomplish
much with fewer hot tubs, excessively illuminated castles, and perpetually burning antler chandeliers.
Sincerely,
I inro ititarquand,
Old SII(MIIM< s
Email secured by Check Point
Hydro- Electric Energy
(A look into the future of renewable endrgy by development of small hydro plants.)
Upon my retirement in 1990, and for several years thereafter, I advocated the
re- development of many small.hydro- electric plants by the City of Aspen, not
much has been accomplished, but the dream lives on. Perhaps, the City will see
the long term benefits of small hydro and pursue the several options that I have
pointed out. A later day visionary will certainly pick up where I have left off in
the advocacy and development of this clean energy source. To refresh the
readers' memory let's go back to a letter I wrote in '95 concerning this topic.
Dear Editor: - Aspen Times - February 26, 1995
Your article in the weekend edition "Hydro plants not likely to be built" was of interest to me, since
I was involved with the operation of the original Castle Creek power house in the fifties. Since
that time, I have been an advocate for the redevelopment of the hydro-electric potential in the Aspen
area. As the former head of the Water Department of the City of Aspen, I had some involvement
with the existing power -plant on Maroon Creek. At the time of it's inception, I stated in a memo,
my reservations as to the conflict with water treatment operations. However, It was determined
that the benefits of a hydro - electric plant outweighed the inconveniences that such a plant would
create. In 1973, in order to preserve it's water rights on Maroon Creek, the City built a new pipe
line into the treatment plant. Lack of funds delayed the replacement of the old 1892 crib -wall dam
on Maroon Creek, until the mid- eighties, when an arrangement was worked out with the Deane
family that allowed a constriction access for a new dam. This was accomplished through a joint -
venture agreement for the development of a power house log cabin on land owned by the Deane
family. Unfortunately the design and selection of the turbine for peak operations was not
compatible with pipe line capacity in winter, because Maroon Creek is subject to variable ice and
debris flows.
In spite of these handicaps, I was able to operate the turbine at a limited output even when demands
for treated water and snow making were paramount. This required innovation and persistence on
my part gained from the many years of experience in rebuilding an antiquated water system and
operating the early -day powerhouse under the Castle Creek bridge; which in its day was a tribute
to the engineering skill of it's builders.
Unfortunately, short -sited expediency in the early sixties on the part of the Aspen City Council
determined that the power house turbines (at the old Castle Creek power house) should be
scrapped and the building turned into a maintenance shop" (The rationale being; the overhead
cranes would be useful to pick up machinery) "Like the D &RG tracks that were torn out below
Aspen, the expediency of yesteryear has come to haunt us today. We cannot undo the mistakes of
the past, but we can learn from past mistakes and consider the advise of those with experience
under adverse conditions." In August of'91, I wrote an extensive memorandum to the Aspen
Energy Committee, with copies for the Aspen City Council; wherein I identified and outlined in
detail how sites could be developed. (I closed with the following comment:) " I hope this
community will begin to plan for the future and have the vision to see beyond moments of self
interest. Our big problem today is: we are ineffectual, due in part to a lack of continuity and
experience. We are so bogged down in the process that we can not obtain results. Our local
bureaucracy has grown exponentially, yet results are less than ever. What we need today are: more
doer's with a shovel in their hand and less bureaucrats warming chairs. There's a new bumper
sticker, "Bring back the Quiet Years ". In the "Quiet Years" Mayor Wagner personally cleaned the
city ditches with a shovel. A good example of "hands -on" management. Perhaps a shovel is what
is needed today, too!"
Sincerely, Jim Markalunas
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Jim Markalunas, who is chief plant operator for Aspen's water system, stands beside the Maroon Creek headgate which puts four million gallons of water a day into the system.
Enough water for Aspen?.
Aspen uses enough water in a
year to cover the entire townsite
with a foot of water.
In 1975 Aspen used a billion
200 million gallons. On the peak
day in July, the use was six mill-
ion gallons.
And Aspen has good water.
"Aspen's raw water is of better
quality than the treated water of
many cities," says Jim Mar-
kalunas, chief plant operator for
the Aspen Water Department.
Where does Aspen's water come
from?
On a hilltop in Meadowood be-
hind a high fence, set in a park-
like lawn, there is a sparkling
clear small lake. It is Aspen's
water supply, a reservoir that
holds about a day's supply of
water for the city.
Maroon and Castle
The water comes in via
pipelines from Maroon and Castle
Creeks. Four million gallons a
day come from Maroon Creek.
Two and a half million gallons a
day from Castle Creek.
"Maroon is better water, it's
cleaner," says Markalunas. "Cas-
tle Creek has the runoff from the
iron mine up in Ashcroft and be-
cause of cloudbursts on its
watershed, it can run real
muddy ... it looks like chocolate so
we call it the Willy Wonka
Creek."
The water. is taken from
Maroon Creek through the old
original headgate, built in 1892,
by HP Cowenhoven. The dam is of
wooden cribing. "As long as the
logs stay wet, they don't rot," says
Markalunas.
The water is taken from Castle
Creek through a new concrete
dam.
"To try to control the muddi-
ness, I used to ask the residents
along Castle Creek to watch the
creek... and call me when it was
muddy. I would drive up, and turn
off the Castle Creek headgate,"
says Markalunas.
"In 1972 we devised a system to
automatically divert the dirty
water. Sensitive apparatus sam-
ples the amount of dirt particles
and diverts the water back into
the river. As soon as the water
clears up, it automatically puts
the water back into the system."
After the water is taken out of
the creeks at the headgates, it is
carried through the pipes down
into the reservoir at Meadowood.
Treatment Plant
And located next to the reser-
voir is the eight million gallon (a
day) treatment plan built in 1966.
The water treatment plant fil-
ters and clarifies the water and
chloride and fluoride are added.
Markalunas explains that the
clarification process "is like put-
ting snowflakes in the water ... It is
a compound that catches onto the
debris and particles and filters it
out of the water. Just like snowf-
lakes clean the air, the compound
cleans the water. It's an idea from
mother nature applied to water
purification. After all, everything
that man does is copying naturd."
Markalunas says that the
chloride and fluoride are the only
things that people ingest (because
even the clarification compounds
are filtered out). "We keep chlori-
nation at a minimum," he says,
"because Aspen is lucky being at
the top of the water supply. The
only thing we have to worry about
are campers in the campgrounds
above us."
However, in the treatment
plant there is a lab, and every day
the crew tests for organisms that
might be present in the water that
could cause illness. 24 samples a
month are also sent to the state
lab.
The Aspen lab also tests the
chemical content. They test for
levels of iron, cadmium, silver,
arsenic, and lead.
"We've had an impeccable re-
cord for pure water since 1966,"
says Markalunas.
That wasn't always the case.
"Historically Aspen got its
water from three sources, Castle,
Maroon and Hunter Creeks," exp-
lains Markalunas. "The water
was brought down to the reservoir
in wooden flumes."
The Wells
"Then, during the early 1960's
there was the well episode. The
City of Aspen acquired the water
system from Fred Hardy... and
rather than rebuild the anti-
quated system, the City Council
decided to do wells.
"They sank four wells in town.
They got clear water ... but also
something that made everyone
ill," Markalunas explains that
Aspen's sanitation for years had
been cesspools and septic tanks,
"It was discovered that seepage
from these was still in the water
table and was contaminating the
well water.
"The City Council had a crisis
situation; and went on a crash
program to fix it. The solution was
to go back to the creeks, go back to
using the old reservoir, and also
building the treatment plant
which opened in 1966.
"For several years after 1966,
Aspen's entire source came from
Castle Creek, then the Maroon
Creek water was reinstated in
1973.
"At present we take no water
out of Hunter Creek, but we are
now in the process of bringing it
back into the system."
Water Rights
Markalunas says that a lot of it
has to do with water rights.
"We are just lucky that during
the well episode nobody took away
our water. To keep your water
rights, you have to prove use. We
have to thank Pabst and Barnard
administrations for the foresight
to go back and redevelop our
stream rights.
"Even so, we are in danger of
losing some of our water rights.
The City of Aspen originally had
water rights from Castle, Maroon
and Hunter Creeks for both
domestic water and hydro electric
power. Aspen was the fast town in
Colorado to generate its own
power."
Use Of Rights
To maintain its water rights, a
city must show beneficial use and
application of existing water
rights. We are using our domestic
rights on Castle and Maroon and
soon will on Hunter... but we could
lose our water rights for hydro
electric power. The City of Aspen
closed its electric generating
plant in 1958, again because of
costs.
Markalunas says that for the
past 20 years, attempts have been
made by the Arkansas River Di-
version to take Castle and Maroon
Creek water.
"They could come in and ap-
propriate our power adjudication
(since we're not using it). This
could force us to put in storage
dams... if we don't do it ... they will.
I think it would be more approp-
riate for us to develop the hydro
electric power, and keep our water
rights in this valley," he says.
Not Enough Water?
But even more than the hydro
electric rights, Markalunas is
worried about the state of the
Aspen Water System.
"If we don't keep up with
growth we are in trouble," he
says. "The capacity of our treat-
ment plant is eight million gal-
lons of water a day ... and we are
already up to using six million
gallons a day.
"With our historic growth rate
of eleven percent, we will he at
capacity use by 1978. We should
be in the planning stage right now
for the expansion of the water
treatment plant."
Markalunas says there are sev-
eral ways to help the situation.
"Aspen has the highest average
per capita water consumption in
the state," he says. "We have a flat
rate and so there is a lot of waste-
ful uses... people leave their
sprinklers on all night, even when
it's raining."
What To Do
Markalunas said the city is try-
ing to change this wasteful use.
"We are in the process of metering
all water users ... within a five year
period, everyone will be on a
meter," he says.
"The City Council has also re-
commended bringing raw water
back into the irrigation ditches.
This would give some irrigation of
the town without having to use
the treated water from the plant."
But Markalunas' strongest re-
commendation is to have a
moratorium on hookups to the
water system... until some provi-
sion is made for expanding the
system.
—Mary Eshbaugh Hayes
the aspen times Section b
Turbidity control
by automatic diversion
By James J. Morkakmase
Founded in 1881 as a silver camp, Aspen, Colorado
produced millions in silver ore before the turn of
the century. No longer do the miners' burros pack
the silver nuggets down the slopes surrounding As.
Vinsdcr, Treatment and Supply, Aspen, Cola.
pen. Huge trucks now convey rich iron ore from a
large deposit located at 12,000 It above sea level
to the nearest railhead for shipment to the smelters.
This deposit of iron ore lies at the headwaters of
Castle Creek, a tributary of the Roaring Fork River,
which in turn flows into the Colorado River. Castle
44 WATER & SEWAGE WORKS, February, 1974
Creek, normally a sparkling clear creek, is fed by
melting snows high in the mountain basins. The City
of Aspen derives its drinking water from this
source. In 1966, Aspen constructed a modern 8
mgd water treatment plant, which employs the
latest techniques in clarification and filtration. The
system delivers by gravity excellent potable water,
which is consistently under 0.1 JTU. However, like
so many communities all over the nation, the City
of Aspen is faced with the constant problem of a
deteriorating raw water quality, as mining activity
increases and a burgeoning population continues to
make inroads into a once uninhabited watershed.
Because these iron mines are surface or "strip"
type operations, the displacement and disturbance
of the delicate artic -type tundra found at this high
elevation exposes the soil to rapid erosion by melt-
ing snows and summer rains. During the spring melt
and after heavy intermittent summer rains, Castle
Creek at times becomes highly turbid, and high in
iron content. To insure that these highly turbid wa-
ters, which may last from one -half hr to 24 hr, do
not enter the city's intake and raw water storage
reservoir, a system was devised to turn off the raw
water diversion and restore the raw water pipeline
to service after the water cleared up. An intake
diversion dam on Castle Creek conducts the flow
through a pipe line to a structure where a 30 in:
diam butterfly valve is located. When this butterfly
valve is closed, the flow passes over a weir and re-
turns to the creek. When the butterfly valve is open,
the water flows on through the pipe line to the wa-
ter treatment plant some two mi away.
TURBIDITY SENSING UNIT. A sample pump is lo-
cated in this structure which constantly samples the
raw water flow through a turbidity sensing unit
equipped with alarm contacts. When the alarm point
is reached, an electrical circuit closes, operating the
butterfly valve which transmits a signal over leased
telephone lines to the water treatment plant, inform-
ing the operator that the raw water source has been
turned off. Raw water continues to flow over the
weir and continuous monitoring of turbidities is main-
tained. When the raw water turbidity drops to an
acceptable level (as predetermined by the opera-
tor) a second alarm contact is energized, causing
the electrically operated valve to reopen and trans-
mit a signal to the water plant to inform the operator
that the valve is again open. When system demands
are high and existing raw water storage cannot keep
the plant in operation, the operator has the option
of manually overriding the alarm signals and can
cause the electrically operated valve to reopen from
the plant location. The system thus enables the op-
erator to maintain a chemical dosage for a limited
range of turbidities and also increases the length of
filter runs. The raw water storage reservoir does not
silt up as quickly and the net water production of
the plant is greater.
This system was placed in operation during the
summer of 1971 and has effectively reduced turbid-
ity introduction into the system during rain storms
since that time. It is not expected that highly turbid
water will have to be transmitted to the plant dur-
ing the spring runoff due to the high dilution factor
and large volume of snow melt water. However, the
system was constructed to enable the operator
to select the turbidity level which would be accept-
able. Because of warm days and very cold nights,
a cyclical pattern is prevalent: for periods of lower
turbidity and iron content at certain times of the
day, the system can be programmed to accept only
the higher quality water.
TURBIDIMETER TEAMWORK. Integrated at the re-
ceiving end of the raw water supply line, another
turbidimeter control unit monitors the flow arriving
at the Aspen plant. Coupled with the turbidimeter
control unit monitoring the finished or filtered water,
this turbidimeter control unit can, at the operator's
option, control any combination of chemical feeders
and alarms. For example, should there be an in-
crease in turbidity, the finished water turbidimeter
can control a coagulant aid feeder for the filters,
while the raw water turbidimeter paces several feed-
ers of alum, lime, etc., for the clarifier.
The Aspen treatment plant is automated and
alarmed to process water on a 24 hr -a -day, 7 Jay-
a week basis with the service of one or two opera-
tors. With the installation of the outomatic diversion
system, the operator need no longer go home with
1 to 5 Jtu water standing i,i the filter beds . and
find 200 to 300 Jtu water in the plant the next
morning — with filter seal -off or break- through oc-
curring as the result of a mid -night cloudburst.
With automatic raw water diversion plus auto-
matic chemical dosage, the Aspen plant is able
to produce consistently high quality water, regard-
less of changing conditions, at low cost in chemicals
and with long filter runs. For the small treatment
plant with limited storage and a normal pattern of
low turbidity raw water supply (which is subject to
incremental high turbidities), a system employing
these basic principles will insure a more consistently
high quality water to the consumer.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. The author wishes to ex-
press his appreciation and thanks to: Ed Ambler,
technical assistance; H. Crabtree, operation schema-
tic; Douglas Fogarty, graphs and Gary Wall, photo.
graphs. ■
WATER dr SEWAGE WORKS, February, 1974 43
Debris slope on nw slope of Taylor Peak has large deposit of
overburden or waste material from surface mining operation.
Erosion of this loose deposit can cause excess iron and turbidity
during periods of heavy rain or rnowmelt.
Diversion Structure which contains raw
water monitoring devices and automatic
valve equipment. Note Overflow return
to Castle Creek.
on right monitors raw water from reservoir.
Turbidimeter Selector control (top left) allows operator to determine which Turbidimeter(s) will control
the various chemical feeders and clarification equipment.
Turbidity monitoring units at Aspen Treatment Plant. Unit on left monitors treated water, while unit
aroon Creek Hydro Project: When the Maroon Hydro Project is operational,
r treatment costs will increase. In previous years, we have relied on Maroon Creek
as our primary source of Raw Water particularly during the spring and ea summer run-
offs. Since Maroon will no longer be available except for a short periods of time, it
will be necessary to rely on the more turbid Castle Creek water for the bulk of our
needs. Castle Creek, historically of poorer quality, is subjected to increasing
Pollution due to building construction and mining activities in this valley. In order to
minimized our treatment costs we have, over the past 10 years, valved off this
secondary supply during the Spring run -off and Summer Rains. Once Maroon Creek is
lost as a primary source, our operational costs, associated with treating this water
of poorer quality , will increase.
8. Recommendations: We recommend that the City give serious consideration to
developing existing Water resources so as to maximize the greatest benefit to the
community. Several concepts should be explored and some of these are:
1. Install a Hydro - Electric plant on Castle- Creek. A hydro- electric plant on
Castle Creek would protect City owned Water Rights adjudicated for. power
generation. In conjunction with the proposed plant on Maroon Creek the City would be
better able manage stream flows and municipal water supplies. The City could
selectively divert water for the best use, in conjunction with seasonal water
conditions or needs.
2. Surplus " off- season" treatment and pipe line capacity should be better
managed by working with the Ski Co to develop additional Snowmaking facilities at
all four -area ski mountains. The existing arrangement with the Aspen Ski Co. on
Aspen Mountain has proven beneficial both to the City and Community.
3. Subdivisions with marginal supplies should be encouraged to upgrade and
improve the reliability of their local system by providing incentives to connect or
upgrade. Such incentives could be in the form of development rights or "points"
under the current GMP process.
In
possible
closing,
for the
it is our
least cost.
continued hope
With
to provide the
highest level of service
and still
provide
a reliable,
community
safe and
support we can
achieve these objectives
potable
water supply for
Aspen.
y submi lespectful ,tted, Markalunas, Director
ASPEN WATER DEPARTMENT
January 8th 1989
Page 38
What I see is a rush to look green without doing the most basic homework which
would be a full 12 month environmental study.
This project on balance is not green.
The manner in which this issue has been handled is very disappointing.
Please deny approval of Ordinance #15.
ffE b
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Ireland and Aspen City Council
FROM: Jessica Garrow, Long Range Planner dj
RE: Extension of Vested Rights — Continue Public Hearing to
September 27, 2010
MEETING
DATE: September 13, 2010
SUMMARY: Staff has found that the legal noticing for the Dancing Bear Extension of
Vested Rights originally scheduled for September 13` was done incorrectly. Staff
requests that City Council continue the public hearing to September 27th in order to
provide proper notice to neighbors.
A full packet will be provided for the September 27` public hearing.
RECOMMENDED MOTION (ALL MOTIONS ARE PROPOSED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE):
"I move to continue the public hearing to September 27, 2010."
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
'1I
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Amy Guthrie, Historic Preservation Officer
RE: 100 E. Francis Street, The Given Institute, Ordinance #48 negotiation
DATE: September 13, 2010
PROCESS: On August 9, 2010, City Council passed Resolution #64, Series of 2010, extending
the Ordinance #48 negotiation period on the .preservation of The Given Institute to September
22 "
A noticed public hearing is in place, and Council is able, at this meeting or any time up until
September 22 " to offer incentives through an Ordinance that would secure landmark
designation. However, the University of Colorado has never indicated any incentives are of
interest.
Staff has met with a citizen's committee who have brainstormed possible future tenants, and
buyers of The Given Institute, as well as development options that might include subdividing just
a portion of the property for residential use, or the creation and sale of TDRs. The committee
also believes that it is important to communicate with the would -be buyer of the site, if an offer
exists, to determine if any public /private partnership is possible.
SPECIAL MEETING CALLED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION
S
Date September 13, 2010 Call to order at: b s m.
I. Councilmembers present: Councilmembers not present:
S - M ick Ireland ❑ Mick Ireland
Steve Skadron ❑ Steve Skadron
Dwayne Romero ❑ Dwayne Romero
Torre ❑ Torre
❑ r k Johnson
Derek Johnson ere
II. Motion to go into executive session by ; seconded by
Other persons present:
AGAINST:
FOR:
Mick Ireland
Steve Skadron
Dwayne Romero
Torre
Derek Johnson
❑ Mick Ireland
❑ Steve Skadron
❑ Dwayne Romero
❑ Torre
❑ Derek Johnson
III. MOTION TO CONVENE EXECUTIVE SESS N FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION OF:
C.R.S. 24-6-402(4) �s)oe) ( 10 - 6n—
aQfhe purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer, or sale of any real, personal, or other property interest
G Conferences with an attorney for the local public body for the purposes of receiving legal advice on specific legal
questions.
(c) Matters required to be kept confidential by federal or state law or rules and regulations.
(d) Specialized details of security arrangements or investigations, including defenses against terrorism, both domestic
and foreign, and including where disclosure of the matters discussed might reveal information that could be used for the
purpose of committing, or avoiding prosecution for, a violation of the law;
&Determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations; developing strategy for negotiations;
and instructing negotiators;
(f) (I) Personnel matters except if the employee who is the subject of the session has requested an open meeting, or if
the personnel matter involves more than one employee, all of the employees have requested an open meeting.
IV. ATTESTATION:
The undersigned attorney, representing the Council and being present at the executive session, attests that the
subject of the unrecorded portions of the session constituted confidential attomey - client comi)1unication:
The undersigned chair of the executive session attests that the discussions in this executive session were limited'
to the topic(s) described in Section III, above.
Adjourned at: i 3