Utility Committee Agenda and Packet 2021 08 31

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underground the service line. Then are they willing to take over the maintenance of the underground service line. So there are these subsidiary factors that Ms. Hogan was eluding to and you have to work through in each block. Councilmember Lipton asked what we do with the telecommunications lines when we underground. Ms. Hogan stated that we are under the assumption that Comcast would have to go underground when we do Xcel but CenturyLink doesn't have a Franchise Agreement with the City so the City would have to incur that cost. Then what we discovered with Comcast, if you had any money budgeted for another telecommunication company, they claim 50% of it. She said that LRC will be picking up the cost of the telecommunication out at SH42 and Comcast will be contributing another $30,000. Ms. Hogan stated that the 1 % Fund can only be used in the right of way and doesn't include private property or telecommunications lines. Ms. Balser said this involves a larger conversation as it may impact the residents and businesses. Councilmember Lipton asked about the transformers. Ms. Hogan stated that they are currently on the poles which would have to be relocated on a pad either in an easement, City property or on private property. Councilmember Lipton ask staff to continue to work on the Policy and incorporate the feedback from today. Mayor Pro Tern Maloney agreed and asked Ms. Hogan if we answered her questions. Ms. Hogan said yes and said she'll add public safety and service reliability as a minimum standard and service to critical facilities to the criteria list. She included that staff can work together to identify future projects that can potentially fit into the CIP. The Committee was in favor of this approach. X. Drought Update Mr. Peterson referred to the map on Page 31 and explained the colors as they relate to drought. As shown, anything west of the Continental Divide shows extreme and noted that is also where the fires were last year. The map shows Boulder County in the moderate state. Mr. Peterson stated that voluntary water restrictions have been implemented and the City is among several other communities in the Front Range that have issued a drought watch. Supply and drought conditions are improving but have not sustained levels to make any changes at this time in either direction. Staff continue to participate with the Metro Drought Task Force who is now merging with the Front Range Drought Group in coordinating on messaging and what the individual Cities are doing to make it as consistent to the users across the Front Range. Mr. Kowar added another consideration is that all these communities are keeping in mind the messaging is important for the areas that have not recovered as well and may be in a direr situation. There are conversations to maintain awareness and show that we are being conservative to respect what the other areas like the west slope are going through as more of a state wide view rather than a regional view. Councilmember Fahey asked in the projections for the income for water has that been adjusted to what you think the use will be because of the restrictions. Mr. Peterson stated we haven't modified our revenue projections yet but will continue to monitor over the summer.