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HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.worksession.20180508 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 4:00 PM I. Community Broadband Discussion II. 2018 Snowpack and Water Supply Outlook CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 08, 2018 4:00 PM, City Council Chambers MEETING AGENDA Community Broadband Discussion 2018 Snowpack and Water Supply Outlook P1 1 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor & City Council FROM: Paul Schultz, IT Director MEMO DATE: May 4, 2018 MEETING DATE: May 8, 2018 RE: Community Broadband Discussion CC: Don Taylor, Finance Director Question How might we improve broadband for our community and beyond? Request of Council Request Council consider how we might improve broadband for our community and provide direction to staff. Definition In telecommunications, broadband is wide bandwidth data transmission which transports multiple signals and traffic types. The Federal Communications Commission has defined broadband as connection speeds of at least 25 megabit per second (Mbps) downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. Discussion An increasing number of Colorado communities are controlling their broadband future, for example, Glenwood Springs, Steamboat, Rio Blanco County and Longmont. These communities benefit from better, cheaper, faster broadband. The Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG) Project THOR is a collaboration of communities focused on working together to improve broadband for everyone. Project THOR communities are implementing a resilient open access regional broadband network and bringing broadband to unserved and underserved areas while aggregating bandwidth to reduce costs. The more communities that participate and aggregate bandwidth, the cheaper broadband becomes for all participants. A range of community broadband business models, from public private partnerships to full municipal broadband control, have succeeded in Colorado. Each community’s unique broadband assets and needs can be assessed to determine their specific broadband improvement plans and business model. Improved broadband may help to improve Aspen’s public safety, education, healthcare, economic opportunity and quality of life. P2 I. 2 Figure 1 – Project THOR Regional Broadband Map [1] Are our citizens and businesses receiving the reliable, high-speed, neutral and reasonably priced broadband services they require? The City of Aspen does have commercial broadband services that reach most citizens and businesses. More information is needed to determine if commercial broadband services are meeting the needs of our community now and in the future. There are communities in Colorado and beyond that are investing to improve broadband for their communities beyond what is provided by the Commercial Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating in their areas. Community Broadband - Transparency & Outreach The Internet and broadband benefit from Network Effects (a phenomenon whereby a product or service gains additional value as more people use it). It’s important to inform and engage as many businesses and citizens as openly and transparently as possible, particularly current local and remote Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other utilities. A goal of improved broadband may be broadly supported throughout our community. City Broadband Options City of Aspen broadband options include: 1. Do nothing 2. Commission a Broadband Study/Survey P3 I. 3 3. Create a Project THOR Aspen MeetMe Center Broadband Study Option A Broadband Study might include assessment of current Aspen area broadband availability, reliability/quality, broadband costs and a needs/gap analysis. A “light weight” study might be accomplished via broadband outreach including a survey. Create a Project THOR Aspen MeetMe Center The City of Aspen and Pitkin County have existing broadband infrastructure that can be leveraged to contribute to and benefit from Project THOR. Our existing fiber optic network and the City’s existing data center can be used to create a Project THOR MeetMe Center. Aspen area Community Anchor Institutions could then connect to the Aspen MeetMe Center (via dedicated fiber optic cable) and receive more reliable and potentially less expensive broadband service than is currently available. Aspen MeetMe Center creation is estimated to require $86,000 for equipment and consulting. Additionally, ordering MeetMe Center backhaul circuit has an approximately 90-day lead time. Recommendation Staff recommends creating an Aspen MeetMe Center in collaboration with Project THOR. In addition, we recommend soliciting feedback from the community to identify gaps in broadband availability, reliability and quality. Ideally, interested community members will participate in championing Aspen’s community broadband and outreach including identifying gaps and increasing community broadband participation. Aspen MeetMe Center Pros: • Resilient broadband provided to Community Anchor Institutions by using multiple (i.e., >= 2) diverse broadband backhaul circuits to reduce the impact of failures • Extensible broadband infrastructure that can support future initiatives e.g., fiber-to-the-premise, wireless backhaul and smart cities • Supports local control of broadband infrastructure and services including community access to information (e.g., net neutrality) and privacy • Supports multiple broadband business models via an open access middle mile fiber network • Contributes to Project THOR broadband aggregation which may provide broadband cost savings Aspen MeetMe Center Cons: • Financial risk – MeetMe Center capital investment and operational expenses need to be recouped by collecting broadband revenue from anchor institutions • Requires additional City of Aspen responsibilities due to owning and operating the MeetMe Center • Requires space for equipment in the City of Aspen primary data center References [1] http://nwccog.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Project-THOR-RFP.pdf P4 I. Page 1 of 4 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Margaret Medellin, Utilities Portfolio Manager THRU: David Hornbacher, Director of Utilities; Scott Miller, Public Works Director DATE OF MEMO: 5/4/2018 RE: Work Session May 8, 2018 - Aspen Snowpack and Streamflow Forecast REQUEST OF COUNCIL: No request for approval or specific direction. Staff is providing this memo to the Mayor and City Council so that they may be informed of the status of Aspen’s 2018 snowpack and streamflow forecast. DISCUSSION: To-date, snow water equivalents in the Aspen area are below average and are tracking with conditions experienced in 2012, a year in which the City enacted Stage One Water Shortage Restrictions. Staff continue to monitor local conditions and collaborate with other agencies to coordinate potential drought relief efforts. Staff participate on the Governor’s Water Availability Task Force (WATFF), which meets monthly to discuss drought conditions and prepare for a coordinated state-wide response. Due to worsening conditions in southern parts of the State, it is likely the Governor will activate Colorado’s Drought Plan for at least a portion of the State. At the writing of this memo, the Governor had not yet enacted the Drought Plan. Drought Indicators: As of May 1, 2018, the US Drought Monitor identified Pitkin County as displaying mostly moderate drought conditions, with severe drought conditions in the western tip of the County and abnormally dry conditions in the northeastern tip. Aspen is in the transitional area between the normal to wet northeastern portion of the State and the exceptionally dry southwestern area. The area of exceptional drought in the southwestern portions of the State continues to expand. P5 II. Page 2 of 4 Figure 1 US Drought Monitor: Colorado 5-01-2018 It is important to note that extreme and exceptional drought conditions are being experienced in large swaths of the western states. Dry conditions in Colorado may be exacerbated by extremely dry conditions in communities dependent on the Colorado River. P6 II. Page 3 of 4 Figure 2 US Drought Monitor 5-01-2018 Snowpack: March 2018 was one of the driest Marches on record for this area, with temperatures 3° to 4° Fahrenheit above normal. Fortunately, April storms added significantly to local snowpack and cooler temperatures resulted in minimal snowmelt. The most recent SNOTEL graph for Independence Pass, below, depicts the Snow Water Equivalents (SWE) and accumulated precipitation in inches compared to median and average values. The drop-off in snowpack indicates that snowmelt is occurring. P7 II. Figure 3 SNOTEL: Independence Pass Streamflow Forecast: Streamflow in the local watersheds are expected to be lower in volume than the median. In addition, the date that streams return to baseflow levels may occur before the median. Water Supply Forecasts prepared by the National Weather Service indicate that r the Roaring Fork is expected to be 50 RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that Council consider the approval of a resolution declaring that Stage One Water shortage Resolution be adopted at its regular meeting on May 14, 2018. Page 4 of 4 Streamflow in the local watersheds are expected to be lower in volume median. In addition, the date that streams return to baseflow levels may occur before the Water Supply Forecasts prepared by the National Weather Service indicate that r the Roaring Fork is expected to be 50-70% of average. Staff recommends that Council consider the approval of a resolution declaring that Stage One Water shortage conditions exists in Aspen, Colorado and that this opted at its regular meeting on May 14, 2018. Streamflow in the local watersheds are expected to be lower in volume median. In addition, the date that streams return to baseflow levels may occur before the Water Supply Forecasts prepared by the National Weather Service indicate that runoff in Staff recommends that Council consider the approval of a resolution exists in Aspen, Colorado and that this P8 II. Municipal Code Title 25 Utilities Chapter 25.28 WATER SHORTAGES Sec. 25.28.010. Applicability. a. This Chapter shall become effective upon a finding by the City Council that the City is facing a shortage in its supply of water. Such a finding shall be made by resolution. To the extent reasonable, findings of applicability of the stages set forth in this Chapter shall be coordinated with similar findings by other water users in the same drainage basin. Findings by the State engineer and the Water Conservation Board may also be considered. b. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the use of the treated water supply, pressurized and non- pressurized raw water, and reuse water of the City to the extent any city/customer agreements provide for curtailment of water use or suspension of water delivery during water shortages or emergencies. c. When the resolution finding a water shortage is approved, the three-stage plan set forth in this Chapter shall be implemented. The duration of each stage and the restrictions to be imposed shall be decided by the City Council and included in the resolution finding the water shortage, according to the exigencies of the particular situation in question. It shall be an additional responsibility of the Water Superintendent, under direction of the City Manager, to ensure that the measures described for each implementation Stage are carried out and to provide sufficient coordination between City departments. (Code 1971, § 23-200; Ord. No. 27-1985, § 1; Ord. No. 18-2002 § 1 [part] Sec. 25.28.015 Policy and priority. When water shortages occur, restrictions on the use of water are imposed in order to assure an adequate water supply for municipal water customers for all municipal purposes. However, the restrictions during shortages recognize that certain uses must have priority, especially in cases of extreme shortage. Therefore, during any declared shortage, the hierarchy of uses, and/or purposes, in descending order, to assist in interpretation and implementation of these restrictions, is: (1) water for necessary public health and safety; (2) protection of natural environment; (3) potable water supply; (4) reclaimed water supply; (5) raw water pressurized; (5) raw water non- pressurized; (6) hydroelectric power generation. Note that reuse/reclaimed water is not subject to curtailment in any of the three Water Shortage stages. Ord No. 30-2015; Ord. No. 27-2017) Sec. 25.28.020. Stages. (a) Stage One. The objective of water use restrictions during this stage is a ten percent (10%) reduction in treated water use; ten percent (10%) reduction in pressurized raw water use; and, ten percent (10%) reduction in non-pressurized raw water use. Voluntary conservation is encouraged during this condition. During the period designated Stage One, the City Council, by resolution, shall adopt one or more of the following additional measures which may be altered by resolution of the City Council during a Stage One condition: (1) There shall be potable water, pressurized raw water, and non-pressurized raw water lawn watering only to the extent determined permissible by the City Council according to the demands of the particular period in question. If no other specific schedule is adopted by City Council, an odd-even schedule shall be in effect on a voluntary basis. An “odd-even” schedule means that addresses ending in odd numbers and addresses ending in even numbers will water on alternate days, with odd numbers only irrigating on odd-numbered days and even numbers only irrigating on even-numbered days. (2) Public education materials shall be provided to encourage efficient use of the available water supply. (3) Public facilities will be directed to implement water use restrictions by administrative order, including: limiting irrigation of public parks and golf courses to an extent greater than the target reduction in overall water use; reducing street washing to minimum level necessary to comply with air quality standards and suspending fire hydrant flushing and testing except when required for completion and acceptance of a newly constructed water system. (4) Upon declaration of Stage One water shortage, increases in water rates for tiers three (3) and four (4), (Sections 25.16.010 and 25.16.020 and 25.16.021), shall be imposed as mandated by the City of Aspen City Manager up to the maximum rates defined in Section 25.28.040. P9 II. (b) Stage Two. Prior to the expiration of Stage One, a period known as Stage Two shall be designated by the City Council, if the Council deems the entry of such stage necessary. The Council may continue Stage One or terminate the water shortage period at its discretion, by resolution. The objective of water conservation measures during Stage Two is a fifteen percent (15%) reduction in treated water use; seventeen and one-half percent (17.5%) reduction in pressurized raw water use; and, twenty percent (20%) reduction in non-pressurized raw water use; and, zero percent (0%) reduction in reuse water use. Upon commencement of Stage Two, the City Council, by resolution, shall adopt one or more of the following additional measures, as well as any Stage One measures, which may be altered by resolution of the City Council during a Stage Two condition: (1) There shall be no washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas. (2) There shall be no refilling of swimming pools with water furnished by the City. (3) There shall be no noncommercial washing of privately owned cars, other motor vehicles, trailers or boats, except from a bucket and except that a hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle may be used for a quick rinse. (4) No new public or private landscaping installations shall be allowed with the exception of that required as a minimum for erosion control of disturbed surfaces as determined by the City. (5) No new water connections shall be authorized; however, existing authorizations shall be honored; provided, however, that this subsection (5) shall not apply to users on a well whose well has run dry. (6) Watering of golf courses and parks shall be managed to achieve the reduction in water use based on type of specified water and delivery mechanism as set forth above. (7) Water shall not be used for dust control, except pursuant to authorization from the City or Pitkin County Environmental Health Department and only to the extent necessary to comply with air quality standards. (8) Except for fighting fire, there shall be no use of water from a fire or specially designated loading hydrant for human consumption or for use in connection with animals, street washing or construction water supply. Hydrant draft permits for any of the above uses shall be suspended for the duration of the Stage Two or Three designation. (9) Watering of any lawn, garden, landscaped area, tree, shrub or other plant shall be prohibited from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except from a hand-held hose or container or drip irrigation system. These limitations are in addition to any applicable limits from Stage One (e.g., odd-even watering schedule). The allowable time limits for irrigation (both day of week and time of day) may be modified by City Manager in accordance with the need for water conservation. (10) Flat rate water customer accounts shall be reviewed by City Manager and if metering is possible but not established within 10 days of mailing of notice to the customer, a fifty percent (50%) surcharge will be added. This surcharge shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other penalty available for violation of this ordinance. (11) Upon declaration of Stage Two water shortage, increases in water rates for tier three (3) and tier four (4), (Sections 25.16.010 and 25.16.020 and 25.16.021), shall be imposed as mandated by the City of Aspen City Manager up to the maximum rates defined in Section 25-28.040. (c) Stage Three. Prior to the completion of Stage Two, the City Council shall determine by resolution whether to: (1) terminate the water shortage period; (2) revert to Stage One; (3) extend the time for Stage Two; (4) alter the use restrictions; or (5) enter Stage Three. If entered, Stage Three shall last until the City Council determines by resolution that the water shortage no longer exists. The City Council shall have the power to revert back to Stage One or Stage Two in its discretion or alter the use conditions should circumstances during Stage Three change and suggest such a course of action. The objective of restrictions in effect during Stage Three is to obtain a twenty percent (20%) reduction in treated water use; twenty-five percent (25%) reduction in pressurized raw water use; and, thirty percent (30%) reduction in non-pressurized raw water use. Upon commencement of Stage Three, the City Council, by resolution, shall adopt one or more of the following additional measures, as well as any Stage One or Two measures, which may be altered by resolution of the City Council during a Stage Three condition: (1) Exterior watering shall be prohibited except from a hand-held hose or container. (2) City Manager may authorize other specific measures to be implemented during Stage Three to increase water use as necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. (3) Upon declaration of Stage Three water shortage, increases in water rates for tier three (3) and tier four (4), (Sections 25.16.010 and 25.16.020 and 25.16.021), shall be imposed as mandated by the City of Aspen City Manager up to the maximum rates defined in Section 25.28.040. (Code 1971, § 23-201; Ord. No. 27-1985, § 1; Ord. No. 18-2002 § 3; Ord No. 15-2012; Ord No. 30-2015) P10 II. Sec. 25.28.030. Violations and sanctions. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any mandatory restriction imposed under a Stage Two or Three water shortage as described in this Chapter. (b) Prior to any disconnection for a violation, a written notice shall be placed on the property where the violation occurred and mailed to the person who is regularly billed for water service where the violation occurs and to any other person known to the City who is responsible for the violation or its correction. The notice shall describe the violation and order that it be corrected, cured or abated immediately or within such specified time as the City Manager determines is reasonable under the circumstances. If said order is not complied with, the Water Department may disconnect the service where the violation occurs. Disconnection following the procedures of this paragraph is also a possible sanction for other waste of water pursuant to the definitions provided in Section 25.20.020 regardless of whether a Stage One, Two or Three water shortage has been declared by City Council. (c) The fine for a first offense of violation of the restrictions established pursuant to this Ordinance shall be five hundred dollars ($500.00). (d) The penalty for the second and any subsequent offense shall be in accordance with Section 1.04.080 of the Municipal Code. (e) As set forth in Section 1.04.120 of the Municipal Code, the application of any penalty for violations of this Chapter does not constitute the condoning or legalizing of any prohibited condition or prevent the abatement or enforced removal of such condition by any lawful means available to the City, nor does it preclude the City from pursuing disconnection of potable or non-potable water supplies for violation of Stage Two water shortage or Three water shortage. The penalties shall also be in addition to any water surcharges established pursuant to this Chapter. (Code 1971, § 23-202; Ord. No. 27-1985, § 1; Ord. No. 18-2002 § 3 [part] Ord. No.30-2015) Sec. 25.28.040. Monthly rates for water shortages. Unless an alternative system of charges is adopted by City Council, the following temporary rates will be in effect during the time that City Council declares a water shortage. (1) Four-Tier Rate Structure: (a) A variable charge for the first and second tier of water consumption shall remain the same unless otherwise directed by the City of Aspen City Manager with a minimum of a 48-hour notification of the rate change via Public Notice on local radio and within daily local newspaper publications. (b) A variable charge not to exceed a maximum of 175% of the existing per thousand gallons rate for tier three shall go into effect after a minimum of a 48-hour notification of this rate change by City of Aspen City Manager via Public Notice on local radio and within daily local newspaper publications. (c) A variable charge not to exceed a maximum of 200% of existing per thousand gallons rate for tier four shall go into effect after a minimum of a 48-hour notification of this rate change by City of Aspen City Manager via Public Notice on local radio and within daily local newspaper publications. (Ord. No. 18-2002 § 3 [part]) (2) Two-Tier Rate Structure: (a) (d) In a two-tier rate structure, as applicable to wholesale water sales, second tier shall be subject to a 185% surcharge for a Stage One, Two and/or Three water shortage declaration. (b) (Ord. No. 18-2002 § 3 [part]; Ord. No. 15-2012; Ord. No. 30-2015) P11 II.