Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers
GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

Held at Sandstone Ranch, Longmont
July 9, 2009
  

Meeting Attendees

Officers:

            Chair – Kevin Houck, Colorado Water Conservation Board

            Vice Chair – David Mallory, UDFCD

            Secretary – Robert Krehbiel, Matrix Design Group

            Treasurer – Shea Thomas, UDFCD

            Metro Regional Rep. – Deb Ohlinger, Olsson Associates

           

Committee Chairs:

Dave Bennetts, UDFCD – Conference Program

Stuart Gardner, CDOT – Website

Kallie Bauer, Applegate Group – Floodplain/CFM Committee

 

Members:

Brian Murphy, CDM – Field Trip Coordinator

Carrie Herbolsheimer, Ayres Associates

David Hollingsworth, City of Longmont

Michelle DeLaria

John Pflaum, WH Pacific

Laura Nay, AMEC

 

The following is a summary of the interactions, comments and items discussed. While this summary is not intended to represent a complete or comprehensive account of the meeting, it is intended to reflect the salient points raised and issues for further consideration. Should the attendees believe that anything might be misrepresented or misleading, please bring this to the attention of Robert Krehbiel, CASFM Secretary.

 

1)      Secretary Report

The minutes for the May 1, 2009 general meeting were distributed. One typographical error was noted. The minutes as amended were approved by a motion and vote.  A quorum of officers and regional representatives was present. 

 

2)      Treasurer Report

Account balances and expenditures were reviewed.  Savings account holds $20,971.12 and the checking account holds $40,178. To-date, expenditures for 2009 have been $14,141.40 while the total annual budget is $142,075. The “Scholarships” line item should be increased to have a $10,000 budget to reflect that the scholarship was not paid in 2008. The amended Treasurer’s Report was approved by a motion and a vote.  The CASFM tax return has been completed. $100 will be authorized under the membership budget for a membership survey of years of experience and other useful information.


 

3)      Regional Representatives’ Reports

a)   Denver Metro – Deb Ohlinger reported on the last social on June 10 at Chad’s near 6th & Union in Lakewood. Approximately 35 attended. Brian Murphy was the guest speaker and discussed arid region hydrology in Jordon near the Red Sea. August 13th is the next Metro social that will be held at the Morrison Inn.  Jeff Brislawn and Kevin Stewart will discuss a flood simulation in Morrison to hear about flood hazard preparedness on Bear Creek. The December social may include a presentation by Tom Browning on Chatfield Reservoir. Two other socials are being formulated. Since the Metro region socials are under budget, there may be an opportunity to host an additional social this year.

b)   Northeast – Brian Varella reported via email that the next social will be July 14th at CB Potts in Fort Collins. Chris Carlson from the City of Loveland will give a presentation on proprietary BMP’s. Brian is term-limited and will be seeking a new volunteer for the NE Regional Representative. Brian is hoping to provide a LID demonstration tour, and an update on Canal Importation Ponds and Outfall Project.

c)   Southeast – Liz Staten had no report.

d)   Northwest – John Kornfeld had nothing to report.

e)   Southwest – Victoria Schmitt had no report.

 

4)           Committee Reports

a)   Floodplain/CFM – The next CASFM CFM exam will be at the conference September 16. Training on Tuesday and exam Wednesday morning. Breakfast is needed Wednesday morning for the CFM exam. Kallie will turn in the paper for the continuing education credits.

b)   Stormwater Quality – Michelle DeLaria reported on the field trip June 16th with 60 attendees and 2 buses. They visited 4 sites. The first was HighPointe Pond cascading pond in series where Debbie Fisher from Martin/Martin led the discussion. Jim Lenhart from Contech presented recharge of cartridge filters. Suzanne Moore, Greenwood Village Public Works Manager, showcased runoff reduction techniques and permeable pavers in Greenwood Village. The final site was the Walmart on Tower Road for a discussion by Ken MacKenzie and Andrew Earles on how the pervious concrete is holding up. A total of 4 CFM credits were given to attendees for the field trip. Michelle is transitioning out of the position and is seeking new volunteers to take over the position.

c)   Outreach – Ken MacKenzie is ready to transition as chairman, and Ken Cecil with J3 will fill the position. There was a motion and second to appoint Ken Cecil as Chairman of the Outreach Committee. The motion was approved.

d)   Scholarship – Carrie Herbolsheimer is replacing Walt Pennington as Chairman for the Scholarship Committee. There were 6 applicants for the UWRI (undergraduate) scholarship, and 7 applicants for the CASFM (graduate) scholarship. Eric Eisinger from the Colorado School of Mines was selected for the 2008/2009 $2500 CASFM/UWRI scholarship. Steve Roznowski from Colorado State University was selected for the $2500 CASFM Ben Urbonas Scholarship. Dr. Guo will be joining the scholarship committee and helping with soliciting applicants for the scholarship. This year, the scholarship will be advertised August 3. Applications are due August 24. Interviews are scheduled for September 28. Scholarship recipients will be select October 5.

e)   Membership – Kevin Gingery reported via email that CASFM has 684 active members so far in 2009.  The membership form is posted on the web site.

f)     Training – The proposed “Barstool Series,” a short course, will begin Tuesday July 28 for 2 credit hours. The first workshop will be held in the Metro region. Ed Thomas with Michael Baker Jr. will offer training on legally oriented issues. The workshop will begin at 5:00 pm. No fees will be collected. CASFM will use the training budget for appetizers. Ed Thomas will be donating his time, free of charge to CASFM. The goal is to eventually carry similar training sessions around the State to help CFM’s achieve their annual education credits.

g)   Website – There was a discussion of useful links and frequently asked questions.

h)   Community Rating System – Marsha Hilmes-Robinson reported via email that CASFM hosted an introduction to the CRS workshop held in Grand Junction on June 30. A total of 30 people attended. French Wetmore from ISO was the main instructor. The next committee meeting will be August 6 at CWCB offices. Kerry Redente with ISO will be available during the conference for 1- on 1- sessions with communities interested in joining CRS.

 

5)      Newsletter Update

David Mallory will be putting together a newsletter a month before the conference to gather interest for the conference. It will be posted to the website.

 

6)      Federal Employee Membership Policy

The current procedure is for Federal Employees to contact Kevin Gingery for free membership. This policy was instituted about 3 to 4 years ago since CASFM has few federal employee members, and federal agencies apparently do not have budgets for professional organization membership. CASFM may consider abandoning this policy or formalizing this policy since there are few federal employee members at this time. No action was taken.

 

7)      2009 Conference

The conference will be September 16-18 in Crested Butte and will be the 20th Anniversary of the Conference. Robert Krehbiel reported that 44 paper abstracts have been received but there is only room for 36 presentations. Stuart Gardner will investigate the possibility of space for a 4th track as a way to fit all the presentations into the conference.

Calendars will be distributed at the conference. They will include pictures of past Grand Award winning projects or simply good drainage and floodplain photographs. David Mallory is compiling the photographs. CASFM’s contract newsletter editor will prepare and publish the calendar. We anticipate a budget of $3500 may cover the cost of printing.

Dave Bennetts is investigating potential keynote speakers. Four potential Keynote Speakers have been invited, but could not attend (Gerry Galloway, Mike Grimm, Ed Thomas, and another).  Dave will be inviting Clancy Philipsborn next to be the keynote speaker.

Dave Bennetts has a list of past project award winners. He will select 3 to showcase and look back at their performance and how they have changed over the years. Potential projects include:

1.      Little Dry Creek in Englewood as the first project winner, presented by John Pflaum.

2.      Willow Creek sediment pond as the ASFPM winner, presented by Cindy Thrush.

3.      Historic Arkansas River Project in Pueblo presented by Chuck McKnight.

A watershed workshop will be held Friday morning. In addition the following field trips will be offered:

-          Rich Ommert – Bike tour and trail restoration work.

-          Alan Turner – Fly fishing clinic

-          Sarah Houghland – Bird watching tour

-          Kimberly Watanabe – Horseback riding tour

 

Stuart Gardner and Kevin Houck have negotiated and signed a contract with Snowmass for the 2010 annual conference.

 

8)      Elections

The call for nominations will be sent out via email. Kevin Houck will not be running next year and will organized the election. CASFM should consider soliciting new volunteers for the committee positions.

 

 

 

 

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