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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-20-25 IWRP TAC Agenda and Packet MaterialsA. Call to Order: 11:00am., Fire Station 3 Conference Room, 1705 Vaquero Way B. Approval of Minutes B.1 Approval of July 16, 2025 Meeting Minutes (Ahlstrom) C. Public Comments D. Unfinished Business D.1 July TAC Meeting Follow Up Items (Ahlstrom) E. New Business E.1 Drought and Conservation Plan Overview(Ahlstrom) E.2 Community Engagement Update(Ahlstrom) F. General Discussion F.1 Alternatives Development Process(Ahlstrom) F.2 Basis of Planning (Ahlstrom) THE INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE PLANNING COMMITTEE OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA TAC AGENDA Wednesday, August 20, 2025 General Information If you are interested in commenting in writing on items on the agenda please send an email to comments@bozeman.not or by visiting the Public Comment Page prior to 12:00pm on the day prior to the meeting. Recordings of the meeting will be available after the fact through the Meeting Videos page. For more information please contact Shawn Kohtz, skohtz@bozeman.net This meeting will be held in-person only. This is the time to comment on any non-agenda matter falling within the scope of the Integrated Water Resources Planning Committee. There will also be time in conjunction with each agenda item for public comment relating to that item but you may only speak once per topic. Please note, the Committee cannot take action on any item which does not appear on the agenda. All persons addressing the Committee shall speak in a civil and courteous manner and members of the audience shall be respectful of others. Please state your name and place of residence in an audible tone of voice for the record and limit your comments to three minutes. General public comments to the Committee can be found on their Laserfiche repository page. 1 G. Adjournment G.1 September Meeting Preview(Ahlstrom) This committee generally meets the third Wednesday of every month from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All meetings are open to all members of the public. If you have a disability that requires assistance, please contact our ADA Coordinator at 406.582.3232. 2 Memorandum REPORT TO:Integrated Water Resource Planning Committee FROM:None SUBJECT:Approval of July 16, 2025 Meeting Minutes MEETING DATE:August 20, 2025 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Minutes RECOMMENDATION:I move to approve the July meeting minutes as submitted. STRATEGIC PLAN:6.1 Clean Water Supplies: Ensure adequate supplies of clean water for today and tomorrow. BACKGROUND:The TAC will consider the approval of the July 16, 2025 meeting minutes. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None ALTERNATIVES:None FISCAL EFFECTS:None Attachments: TAC - July 2025 Meeting Minutes.pdf Report compiled on: August 15, 2025 3 MINUTES Integrated Water Resources Plan Update | Technical Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Meeting held on July 16, 2025 Attendees • Clayton Elliot, Montana Trout Unlimited and TAC member • Alan English, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology and TAC member • Holy Hill, Gallatin Watershed Council and TAC member • Danika Holmes, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and TAC member • Rebecca Kurnick, Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators and TAC member • Tim Marcinko, Member of the Public and TAC member • Shawn Kohtz, City of Bozeman • Jessica Ahlstrom, City of Bozeman • Griffin Nielsen, City of Bozeman • Eric Neustrup, City of Bozeman • Zach Magdol, AE2S • Nate Weisenburger, AE2S • Matt Wittern, Raftelis • Makenna Sturgeon, Raftelis Meeting Minutes July 16, 2025 | 12:09 p.m. | Bozeman Public Safety Center Introductions [1:38] Matt Wittern, consultant with Raftelis, previewed the agenda for the meeting. [2:47] Deputy Mayor Joey Morrison was introduced as the City Commission liaison. He discussed the City's ongoing focus on water resource management and the Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP), expressing his commitment to serving as the continuous liaison between the Commission and the group throughout the process. Public Comment [4:52] Jessica Ahlstrom, City of Bozeman Water Conservation Program Manager, outlined the public comment procedures. She explained that public comment would occur at the beginning of every meeting for non-agenda items within the Technical Advisory Committee's (TAC) scope, 4 City of Bozeman IWRP Update Page 2 TAC Meeting – July 2025 with additional opportunities for agenda items where recommendations are made. Rules include speaking once per topic, civil conduct, stating name and residence, and a 3-minute time limit. The floor was then opened for comments and none were given. Public Meeting Logistics [6:13] Jessica outlined meeting logistics: minutes will be taken and approved at subsequent meetings; public comment will be in-person; all agendas and dates will be on the City Boards calendar; and meetings will be recorded and posted online. She also explained quorum rules, stating that no more than 50% (three members) of the committee can discuss official items outside of meetings, including via email. Finally, all future meetings will be held consistently at Fire Station 3 on Vaquero Parkway. Charter Revision [8:17] Jessica announced that the committee's charter had been revised, specifically the public participation and transparency section, to reflect the previously discussed procedural changes. [8:58] After inviting discussion from the group and offering public comment (none received), Danika Holmes, TAC member, moved to adopt the proposed charter provision. Alan English, TAC member, seconded the motion. In a verbal vote, all TAC members subsequently voted “yes” to adopt the charter revisions. IWRP Update Community Engagement Overview [10:53] Matt outlined the broader community engagement strategy for the IWRP. The goal is to gather feedback on goals and alternatives from the TAC and the Public Advisory Committee (PAC) via regular meetings, and the public via in-person and digital engagement. The combined TAC and PAC form the Water Advisory Committee (WAC), which will recommend the updated IWRP to the Commission. The process involves an initial engagement phase, followed by alternative development, a study period by the technical consultant (AE2S), and reconvening to discuss results. The speaker encouraged the TAC to provide critical feedback on the "Engage Bozeman" platform. • [14:22] Holly Hill, TAC member, asked for a list of PAC members. Matt responded that it will be shared when final. • [14:43] Tim Marcinko, TAC member, suggested that all committee members provide a brief background/bio to facilitate better discussion, which was well-received. Members will be asked to email a paragraph about their backgrounds to Jessica before the next meeting to build a shared knowledge base. • [15:28] Holly asked if there's an opportunity to include representatives from downstream municipalities and neighbors in the PAC, citing recent joint meetings and potential water availability planning with other communities. 5 City of Bozeman IWRP Update Page 3 TAC Meeting – July 2025 2013 IWRP Study Review [17:39] Nate Weisenburger, consultant with AE2S, provided an overview of the 2013 IWRP, highlighting its consideration of Bozeman's watershed location, water rights challenges, population growth, and climate impacts. The plan used a portfolio approach focusing on conservation, risk-adjusted supply, utility development, and new sources. He discussed population projections, water use, and a three-tiered screening process for alternatives, which led to 22 potential solutions. Nate also mentioned the 2013 IWRP received a Project of the Year award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). [38:48] Alan English, current and former TAC member, reflected on the 2013 IWRP process, sharing that it was educational and thorough but challenging due to competing interests. He noted a retrospective concern about the lack of emphasis on water quality. He also mentioned follow-up work on potential high-yield well locations. Alan observed that the previous process involved only a larger TAC, without a PAC, and had less public participation. [45:24] Matt opened the floor for questions regarding the current IWRP and the process. • [45:44] Tim asked if the TAC would be informed of major public issues or comments. Matt responded that while direct responses to public comments aren't expected, the project team will provide summaries of feedback received via platforms like Engage Bozeman through packet addendums. • [48:09] Clayton Elliot, TAC member, asked if public open houses would occur after the TAC and PAC come together early next year. Matt responded that open houses should start sooner, aiming for one or two this calendar year while balancing having content from the committees. Clayton emphasized the value of scoping meetings to gather community input before alternatives are fully developed. • [50:20] Clayton asked how legal considerations, particularly water rights, were vetted for alternatives in the 2013 plan. Nate explained that the previous TAC included DNRC representation and consultants. Alternatives with fatal legal flaws were eliminated early, while those with a foreseeable path through water law processes were further considered. It was noted that a water rights sub-consultant is on the current team. • [53:05] Holly asked whether the current update would revisit old alternatives or start new, and how changes since 2013 might impact previously dismissed options. Matt stated that much groundwork has been laid but the committees will review all alternatives they wish. Nate encouraged the group to be open and consider options. • [59:54] Danika Holmes, TAC member, asked if assessing the success of 2013 plan recommendations involved qualitative or hard metrics. Shawn Kohtz, City of Bozeman Director of Utilities, responded that the City aims to develop metrics as much as possible, with increasing investment in detailed analysis as the number of solutions narrows. • [1:02:03] Tim raised concerns about misinformation on social media. He suggested proactive, factual information on the Engage Bozeman site and monitoring social channels. Matt noted the need to work closely with the City’s social media team to monitor the online community discussion that takes place outside the Engage Bozeman 6 City of Bozeman IWRP Update Page 4 TAC Meeting – July 2025 platform. • [1:06:37] Danika asked how to direct public questions about the TAC’s meetings and work. Matt advised directing inquiries to Engage Bozeman for written comments or inviting people to attend meetings for public comment. Staff emails are also an option and should be sent to Jessica. • [1:07:59] Tim asked whether meeting minutes will be posted, and City staff confirmed they will be. Basis of Planning: Discussion and Recommendation [1:10:31] Zach Magdol, consultant with AE2S, provided a presentation on the "basis of planning," asking the TAC to consider three key questions: the range of population growth to consider, how to incorporate climate change, and the extent to which conservation should be relied upon in the plan. He reviewed historical population trends and various growth rate projections (e.g., 2%, 2.5%, 4%, 5% annually) for a 50-year planning horizon, comparing them to the 2013 plan's moderate and high growth scenarios and their implied densities. He then discussed climate considerations, including reduced snowpack and earlier runoff, and how these might impact the city's reliable water supply. Finally, Zach presented current and projected water conservation efforts, noting Bozeman's strong performance. • [1:15:34] Rebecca Kurnick, TAC member, asked about the motivation for updating the IWRP now. Shawn answered that the update aims to reopen community discussion on water given the significant changes since 2013 (e.g., progress made, growth). • [1:18:41] Rebecca asked how the TAC will consider the effects of surprise global events on growth and buffer against them, what city wells mean for allocated water, and how current construction methods contribute to costs (e.g., sump pumps in basements). Shawn answered the question about sump pumps, stating the City now requires developers to identify seasonal high groundwater and prohibits basements/crawl spaces in high-risk areas. • [1:22:47] Clayton asked how the TAC should assign the growth percentage (e.g., 1% or 2%) without specific knowledge, and whether the TAC will have help from the community or the firm to determine realistic projections. Zach noted the City is currently aligning with the 2013 high-growth scenario. He suggested picking a reasonable range for planning and clearly stating assumptions. • [1:26:46] Danika asked what the current populations within the service area of the City of Bozeman and in the Bozeman metropolitan area are. Shawn answered that the current city population within the municipality's service area is estimated between 58,000 and 60,000 residents. 7 City of Bozeman IWRP Update Page 5 TAC Meeting – July 2025 • [1:30:41] Alan expressed interest in the 3% growth rate. There was general agreement among the TAC. • [1:34:46] Danika asked whether unhoused populations are considered in the population estimates now. Shawn answered yes, as unhoused residents are included in census data and point-in-time counts by service providers. • [1:39:28] Tim asked whether the growth numbers presented were consistent with what the City's planning department is also using. The City committed to confirming these numbers and bringing them to the next meeting. • [1:44:24] Clayton asked whether other assumptions regarding flashy rain events should be added, particularly related to storage. There was general agreement that the timing and seasonality of flashy events may need to be addressed. • [1:46:43] The TAC briefly discussed what impacts wildfire would have on water quality. • [1:53:00] Danika asked whether the City has done anything regarding the depth of Hyalite, asking if they know how much sediment has already accumulated or if it has ever been a concern. Shawn responded, "Yes and no," noting upgrades were made to add storage. • [2:01:04] Danika asked specifically about recent bathymetric surveys for City supply reservoirs. The City said they’d investigate this and provide an answer at a later date. • [2:05:07] Alan asked if the existing drought management plan is the appropriate tool to accommodate climate change scenarios. The project team noted that taking conservation too far could impact the achievability of drought plan reductions. The TAC generally agreed with the approach but couldn't specify numbers. The City committed to sharing more about the drought plan at the next meeting. • [2:09:35] Zach noted Bozeman's strong conservation program and presented the 2023 Water Conservation and Efficiency Plan's recommended Program B at a high level. Tim clarified that the GPCD data includes both indoor and outdoor (irrigation) domestic use. Holly asked how the 2040 conservation projection fits the 50-year plan, as projections beyond that were not shown. Jessica suggested they could try to model further out. • [02:19:02] Jessica clarified that the group is not choosing between Conservation Program A, B, or C (B was already the recommended Program). Rather, the group is discussing how far conservation can be taken in the updated IWRP. She acknowledged that Program B is aggressive. • [2:22:00] Jessica confirmed the project team will present the 18 specific measures of Conservation Program B at the next meeting to gauge the group's perception of their reasonableness. 8 City of Bozeman IWRP Update Page 6 TAC Meeting – July 2025 Alternatives Preview [2:23:33] Matt summarized the homework (reviewing 2013 alternatives and brainstorming, and initial thoughts on screening criteria) and acknowledged the dense agenda. He proposed extending future meetings to three hours to allow for more in-depth discussion. The TAC agreed. Ended meeting (2:34 p.m.) 9 Memorandum REPORT TO:Integrated Water Resource Planning Committee FROM:None SUBJECT:July TAC Meeting Follow Up Items MEETING DATE:August 20, 2025 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Policy Discussion RECOMMENDATION:The TAC will have an opportunity to ask questions about the July follow up items. STRATEGIC PLAN:6.1 Clean Water Supplies: Ensure adequate supplies of clean water for today and tomorrow. BACKGROUND:During the July 16, 2025 TAC meeting, the TAC asked several questions of staff related to growth rates used in other city-adopted planning documents, PAC membership, Hyalite Reservoir bathymetry, and impacts of wildfire on water quality. City staff have answered those questions in the attached memo. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None ALTERNATIVES:None FISCAL EFFECTS:None Attachments: TAC - July 2025 Follow Up Items.pdf Report compiled on: August 15, 2025 10 City of Bozeman IWRP Update Page 3 TAC Meeting – August 2025 July TAC Meeting Follow-Up During the July 2025 TAC meeting, committee members asked the City to provide additional information about growth rates, bathymetric surveys, and PAC members. This memo provides the requested information. Growth Rates Committee members asked what growth rates are used in other City and local planning documents, including the City of Bozeman 2020 Community Plan. These growth rates are listed below. •City of Bozeman 2020 Community Plano2000-2016: 3.0% CAGR in City of Bozeman.o 2010-2019: 3.3% CAGR in City of Bozeman. o References adding 27,000 people through 2045.o Current footprint includes 20.9 sq. miles. Planning boundary includes 70.8 sq.miles. 0.5-2.0 mile area around existing boundary. •2024 Gallatin County Growth PolicyoReferences a 2.75% moderate growth rate in recent years and projects 2.5% -3.0% growth scenarios through 2040. •2024 Wastewater Collection System Facility Plan Update o Assumes 4.0% growth rate through 2060. •2023 Water Reclamation Facilities Plan o Identifies plausible high growth rate of 4.0% through 2040. •2023 Water Conservation & Efficiency Plan o Assumes 3.16% growth rate (2000-2020 census) through 2040. •2023 PRAT Plan o Assumes 3.0% growth rate through 2040. •Sourdough Water Treatment Plant Facility Plan (In progress)o Assumes 4.0% growth rate through 2045. Wildfire and Water Quality The TAC asked for more information about how wildfire can impact water quality. The City gathered the following information in response to this question. •The City’s 2004 Source Water Protection Plan identified wildfire as the greatest risk tothe City's water supply, specifically in the Sourdough and Hyalite watersheds. •Wildfire impacts on the City’s Sourdough and Hyalite water supply quality wereconsidered in the selection and design of the Sourdough Water Treatment Plant. The plant’s pretreatment and membrane filtration were selected and designed for highsedimentation and turbidity, as well as the ability to add additional treatment(permanganate, powder-activated carbon) to manage changes in water quality. •City staff have outlined emergency response plans (2021) for water treatment for the event of wildfire in the watersheds. Plans include monitoring water quality, supply sourceshutoffs during runoff events, additional cleaning, and debris removal from the Hyalite 11 City of Bozeman IWRP Update Page 4 TAC Meeting – August 2025 and Sourdough Intakes. Plans are refreshed every five years, with the City’s Risk and Resilience Assessment required by the American Water Infrastructure Act. • The City has taken on projects to improve wildfire resiliency, including the Bozeman Municipal Watershed Project and the Sourdough Intake Project (under construction). PAC Members City Commission approved the WAC’s Public Advisory Committee (PAC) member organizations during the IWRP Engagement Plan approval process. The City will engage with downstream users, such as Gallatin County, the City of Belgrade, and the City of Three Forks, outside of the formal WAC process. These groups are also welcome to attend all WAC meetings and provide public comment. PAC members are outlined in the table below. Name Representation/Title Affiliation Grant Syth Developer/builder Bridger Builders Suzanne McGee Member of the Public N/A Megan James Director of Engineering & Utilities MSU Beth Boyson Inter-Neighborhood Council Board Member INC Brooke Lahneman Sustainability Board Member Sustainability Board Kami Kirchberg Panepucci System Manager of Community Health Improvement Bozeman Health Bathymetry Follow-Up The TAC was interested in learning more about available bathymetry data. The Middle Creek (Hyalite) Dam raise was completed in 1992 and added 1,917 AF of storage. The last bathymetric survey of Hyalite Reservoir was completed in 1985 and is included in the dam raise feasibility analysis. A sheet outlining elevations from that survey is attached. Bathymetry contours are below the 200.75 spillway crest elevation. 12 Memorandum REPORT TO:Integrated Water Resource Planning Committee FROM:None SUBJECT:Drought and Conservation Plan Overview MEETING DATE:August 20, 2025 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Policy Discussion RECOMMENDATION:The project team will provide an overview of the City's Drought Management Plan and Water Conservation and Efficiency Plan. STRATEGIC PLAN:6.1 Clean Water Supplies: Ensure adequate supplies of clean water for today and tomorrow. BACKGROUND:The City adopted its first drought management plan in 2017, followed by an update in 2022. The 2022 Drought Management Plan outlines Bozeman's drought risk, criteria considered in the evaluation of drought conditions, communication strategies, and drought response measures associated with each of the four stages of drought included in the plan. The 2023 Water Conservation and Efficiency Plan outlines a framework for program implementation through 2040, including 18 recommended program measures. Twelve of the 18 recommended measures are already underway. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None ALTERNATIVES:None FISCAL EFFECTS:None Report compiled on: August 13, 2025 13 Memorandum REPORT TO:Integrated Water Resource Planning Committee FROM:None SUBJECT:Community Engagement Update MEETING DATE:August 20, 2025 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Administration RECOMMENDATION:None STRATEGIC PLAN:6.1 Clean Water Supplies: Ensure adequate supplies of clean water for today and tomorrow. BACKGROUND:The project team will provide a status update on IWRP community engagement activities. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None ALTERNATIVES:None FISCAL EFFECTS:None Report compiled on: August 13, 2025 14 Memorandum REPORT TO:Integrated Water Resource Planning Committee FROM:None SUBJECT:Alternatives Development Process MEETING DATE:August 20, 2025 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Policy Discussion RECOMMENDATION:The TAC will review alternatives and screening criteria considered in the 2013 IWRP. STRATEGIC PLAN:6.1 Clean Water Supplies: Ensure adequate supplies of clean water for today and tomorrow. BACKGROUND:The 2013 Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) included a robust analysis of various water supply alternatives. The TAC will review some of the alternatives evaluated as part of the 2013 IWRP and consider whether to recommend that any of those alternatives be evaluated as part of the IWRP update. The 2013 IWRP also included several screening criteria against which the alternatives were evaluated. The TAC will review the screening criteria used in the 2013 IWRP. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None ALTERNATIVES:None FISCAL EFFECTS:None Report compiled on: August 13, 2025 15 Memorandum REPORT TO:Integrated Water Resource Planning Committee FROM:None SUBJECT:Basis of Planning MEETING DATE:August 20, 2025 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Policy Discussion RECOMMENDATION:The TAC will review questions raised during the July meeting as part of the basis of planning workshop and decide which planning assumptions to move forward with. STRATEGIC PLAN:6.1 Clean Water Supplies: Ensure adequate supplies of clean water for today and tomorrow. BACKGROUND:Basis of planning considerations are important to lay the groundwork for any plan update. The TAC will consider three basis of planning considerations for the 2013 IWRP update: growth rate projections, future climate change impacts, and how much to rely on water conservation as part of a future water supply portfolio. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None ALTERNATIVES:None FISCAL EFFECTS:None Report compiled on: August 13, 2025 16 Memorandum REPORT TO:Integrated Water Resource Planning Committee FROM:None SUBJECT:September Meeting Preview MEETING DATE:August 20, 2025 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Administration RECOMMENDATION:None STRATEGIC PLAN:6.1 Clean Water Supplies: Ensure adequate supplies of clean water for today and tomorrow. BACKGROUND:The project team will share the next steps for the September 17 meeting. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None ALTERNATIVES:None FISCAL EFFECTS:None Report compiled on: August 15, 2025 17