HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformation Update 0613221
AGENDA
INFORMATION UPDATE
June 14, 2022
5:00 PM,
I.INFORMATION UPDATE
I.A.2022 Community Picnic
I.B.2022 Spring/Early Summer Drought & Water Restriction Update
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MEMORANDUM OF INFORMATION
TO:Mayor and Council
FROM: Nancy Lesley, Director of Events and Marketing
THROUGH: Austin Weiss, Director of Parks and Recreation
MEMO DATE:May 23, 2022
MEETING DATE:June 6, 2022
RE: City Council Community Picnic
REQUEST OF COUNCIL:There is currently no request of Council. Staff is proposing to
host the annual Community Picnic on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at Galena Plaza.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: Over the past couple of decades, the Community
Picnic has taken on a few iterations and “themes” and has been hosted in various
locations. Throughout it all, it has maintained the same underlying goal, provide the
community with a great, fresh meal served by City Council and City Management that
provides an opportunity for interaction outside of Council Chambers. Most importantly, it
provides an opportunity for our entire community to come together in a fun social setting.
DISCUSSION: Staff would like to hold this year’s Community Picnic on Thursday,
September 8th at the new City Hall, outside on Galena Plaza to be specific. We would
like to welcome the community to the building and interact not only with Council and city
management but also city staff. This date also allows families to settle into the new school
year, after the busy Labor Day weekend, and provide a venue that is convenient to
walking, public transportation and potentially attract those downtown workers and
business owners. The following elements would be maintained:
o Dinner served by Council and Staff (to the first 750 diners)
o Event held from 4:30pm to 7:00pm
o Tables and chairs to eat and talk
o City Departments having tables or booths to educate the public on city
services
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
This is all within the budgeted amount and no additional funding is being requested.
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Steve Hunter, Utilities Resource Manager
THROUGH: Tyler Christoff, Director of Utilities
MEMO DATE: June 2, 2022
MEETING DATE: June 14, 2022
RE: 2022 Spring/Early Summer Drought & Water Restriction Update
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 2022 drought conditions and current water restrictions.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: The City adopted its water shortage policy through an
ordinance of the municipal code. On July 14, 2020 Council declared a stage one water
shortage, this was elevated to stage two on September 1, 2020. The City is currently
under stage two restrictions as imposed by the City Manager through an Administrative
Order.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:City staff continuously monitor numerous drought
indicators to proactively predict and address water shortages within the community.
Drought conditions have not improved over the past several months in Western Colorado.
Based on data and observations the City of Aspen Drought Response Committee
recommends remaining in stage two water shortage with targeted restrictions listed
below. No code or ordinance changes have been made. Pitkin County and the City of
Aspen have been in drought four out of the last five years.
DISCUSSION:
Current Drought Conditions
As of May 17, 2022, the US Drought Monitor elevated Aspen and Pitkin County from
abnormally dry (D0) to moderate drought conditions (D1) county wide. In addition to
above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation the Aspen area entered
Spring 2022 with below average soil moisture. Drier soils will infiltrate snowmelt runoff
reducing the amount reaching the streams. The Roaring Fork watershed did see
beneficial precipitation over the Memorial Day holiday, unfortunately not enough to reduce
our current drought conditions which are expected to persist in the coming months.
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Snowpack: The 2021-2022 snowpack was average to slightly above average for the
Roaring Fork Watershed.Western Colorado including the Roaring Fork watershed saw
above average temperatures and below average precipitation in April and May which
have accelerated snowmelt. Snow water equivalent (SWE) went from average to below
average over this period. Most SNOTEL sites in the Roaring Fork watershed are melting
out early, a potential indication of limited water resources moving into summer 2022.
Streamflow Forecast: Streamflows in the Roaring Fork watershed are estimated to be
45-80% of average. Most rivers in the Upper Colorado Watershed including the Roaring
Fork are predicted to have a smaller and earlier peak than average.
Stage Two Water Shortage Adjusted Restrictions
The water shortage ordinance provides for restrictions based on the stage of drought
observed. A stage two water shortage is designed to incur a 10-15% reduction in water
use systemwide and 15-25% in outdoor water use. Staff recommends maintaining the
following restrictions in our current Stage II declaration:
1.Watering of any lawn, garden, landscaped area, tree, shrub or other plant shall
be prohibited from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2.Water every other day on an "odd-even" schedule, which means watering
according to address number.
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3. There shall be no washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts,
patios, or other paved areas apart from cleaning for sanitary purposes. Any
washing must follow stage two water restrictions including washing before 9 am
or after 5 pm.
4. There shall be no refilling of swimming pools with water furnished by the City.
5. Permitted landscape Installations will be allowed if they comply with existing
water efficient landscape ordinance standards and follow current stage 2 water
use restrictions.
6. No new water connections shall be authorized; however, existing authorizations
shall be honored.
7. Tier 3 and 4 water rate surcharges will continue.
FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPACTS: If watering restrictions are implemented revenue
projections are expected to decline; however, these may be offset by rate surcharges in
Tier 3 and Tier 4 for metered water customers.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: Without a city-wide reduction in typical water usage,
agricultural activities, recreational activities and fish and wildlife habitat along Hunter,
Maroon and Castle Creeks, Roaring Fork, and Colorado Rivers could be negatively
impacted. Public safety concerns resulting in increased fire and flood hazards, as well as
negative economic impacts due to decreased tourism, are also expected to occur if
drought conditions persist.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The City of Aspen Drought Response Committee (DRC)
met on May 16, 2022, to discuss current drought conditions, forecasts, and water
restrictions. The DRC unanimously decided to remain in Stage 2 water restrictions based
on the most recent drought conditions and forecast for the summer of 2022. Staff will
continue to monitor drought conditions and update Council as needed. If conditions
warrant, staff will return to City Council with recommendations on adjusting water
shortage restrictions based on drought conditions improving or deteriorating as outlined
in Section 28, Chapter 25 of the Municipal Code. Additionally, the City of Aspen finalized
its Drought Mitigation and Response Plan which provides policy level guidance for how
Aspen addresses water shortages as a community.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A – Drought Response Committee Drought Update
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Spring/Early
Summer Drought
Update
Drought Response
Committee Meeting
May 16, 2022
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US Drought
Monitor –
May 10, 2022
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US Drought
Monitor 1
Week Change
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US Drought
Monitor –
May 11, 2021
vs. May 10,
2022
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US Seasonal
Drought
Outlook
2022
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Snowpack
(SWE) –May
2022
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Snowpack
(SWE)
2020,2021,
2022
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Temperature
Outlook –
May/June/July
2022
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Precipitation
Outlook –
May/June/July
2022
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USGS
Streamflow -
May 2022
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NOAA Water
Supply
Outlook 2022
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Water
Restriction
Priorities &
Reduction
Goals
Priority Representative End Uses Description
1 Health and Safety Indoor sanitary uses for residential,commercial,schools,health services,etc.;firefighting and hydrant flushing.
2 Protection of Natural Environment Protection and maintenance of decreed instream flows.
3 Discretional Commercial and
Industrial Use
Non-sanitary indoor uses;outdoor commercial uses to support stability.
4 Public Parks and Recreation Outdoor potable or raw water irrigation of public areas,including lawngrass in active recreation areas.
5 Residential Landscaping Features Outdoor potable or raw water irrigation of trees and shrubs in residential areas.
6 Lawngrass Irrigation Outdoor potable or raw water irrigation of residential lawngrass and public areas with low foot-traffic
throughout the City.
7 Hydroelectric Power Generation Generation of hydroelectric power from Maroon Creek diversions.
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Stage 2 Water Restrictions –Resolution 077 –09/01/2020
1. Watering of any lawn, garden, landscaped area, tree, shrub or other plant shall be prohibited from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m.
2. Water every other day on an "odd-even" schedule, which means watering according to address
number.
3. There shall be no washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios, or other paved
areas apart from cleaning for sanitary purposes. Any washing must follow stage 2 water restrictions
including washing before 9 am or after 5 pm.
4. There shall be no refilling of swimming pools with water furnished by the City.
5. Permitted landscape Installations will be allowed if they comply with existing water efficient landscape
ordinance standards and follow current stage 2 water restrictions.
6. No new water connections shall be authorized; however, existing authorizations shall be honored.
7. Tier 3 and 4 water rate surcharges will continue.
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QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION
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