Triview Metropolitan District, Feb. 16 – Assistant manager hired; district receives $3.4 million

Assistant district manager hired
Director resigns early
Apartment complex generates high revenue
Northern Delivery System
District manager’s report
Utilities Department update
Public works, parks, and open space update
Executive session

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Feb. 16, the board was introduced to the recently hired assistant district manager, heard about a large net in tap fees and public works fees, and declared a board director seat vacancy. The board received multiple updates to include the Northern Delivery System (NDS) project timeline and discussed various matters in executive session.

President Mark Melville and Vice President Anthony Sexton attended via Zoom.

Note: Several district residents interested in a board seat attended the meeting.

Assistant district manager hired

District Manager James McGrady said the board’s December directive to find a qualified assistant district manager was complete, and he introduced Steve Sheffield. The idea is to train the Sheffield over the next few years and share the workload as the district completes the NDS project. By the time McGrady is ready to retire, Sheffield will be ready to take over as district manager, McGrady said.

Sheffield said he is currently working for the Town of Monument as the assistant Public Works director and will begin working for the district on March 13. Sheffield grew up in Colorado Springs and has resided in the district since 2001, having previously worked for TMD.

McGrady welcomed Sheffield and said he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and is a great fit for the district.

Director resigns early

McGrady declared a board seat vacancy and said Director Marco Fiorito resigned from the board when he received a seat on the Monument Town Council. He suggested the board continue the discussion in executive session and either decide on the appointment of a director at the March meeting or wait until the May election. See the MTC article on page < 1 >.

Sexton thanked Fiorito for serving almost eight years on the board. Melville made a motion to formerly thank Fiorito. The board unanimously concurred.

Apartment complex generates high revenue

McGrady said the district was able to net 276 tap fees and public works fees on the Thompson Thrift apartment complex, generating a total of about $3.4 million in revenue for the district. The income virtually allows the district to pay cash for the NDS project and avoid any long-term debt on the project. The apartments are located off Jackson Creek Parkway. A second apartment complex was approved on Bowstring/Higby Road, and that is expected to generate about $4 million in tap fees and public works fees, he said.

Northern Delivery System

McGrady said the district had already ordered the valves and the pipes for the NDS project, but another amendment to the Kiewit contract would be needed because of the long lead times on materials for the pump station building and electrical equipment that could be anywhere from 50 to 70 weeks until delivery. Fortunately, the construction of the pump house is scheduled to begin at the end of the summer, and the pumps and electrical will be installed during the winter. The plans for the pipeline are at 100%, and Kiewit will begin the project in April, he said. See www.ocn.me/v23n2.htm#tvmd. For construction updates, visit www.triviewmetro.com.

Note: The NDS, in partnership with Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU), will bring TMD-owned renewable water to northern El Paso County and the district. On completion of the NDS, the district will receive 80%-90% of its water from renewable sources and will be less reliant on nonrenewable Denver Basin aquifers.

District manager’s report

McGrady said the following:

The district has finally received a building permit to construct a 330-square-foot pump station at the south reservoir. The construction will begin in March and is expected to take about four weeks. The goal is to begin depositing water once the pump station is finished.
CSU has begun a direct and indirect potable reusable water return flow study. The study is designed to find a way to avoid sending flow to and receiving flow from Pueblo County. Alternate solutions designed to pick off the reusable flow beforehand could save about 5% of the water that is lost in transit.
The results of the study could open some future exchange opportunities and savings for the district that were not possible in the past. The study is being fast tracked, and results are expected at the end of April.
The roads in the Remington Hill development are scheduled for repairs beginning in April, with an overlay of asphalt planned for May.

Utilities Department update

Water Superintendent Shawn Sexton said the A4 well is off-line for routine maintenance. The last maintenance occurred in 2017, and the wells are maintained on a rotational basis. The almost annual sludge haul from the main water plant in Promontory Pointe is expected to take about three trips from the plant to a facility in Deer Trail, he said.

McGrady said it is expensive to deposit the sludge, and the district pays about $20,000 per trip for a total of $60,000. In the future, the district plant will be supplemental and won’t be run much at all.

Note: The sludge is a result of the groundwater filtration system.

Public works, parks, and open space update

Superintendent Matt Rayno said the department is restabilizing landscape timbers along trails to prevent erosion occurring during the spring run-off. Crews are finishing up the concrete sidewalk at the north end of Agate Creek Drive that terminates in a cul-de-sac. The connection in the cul-de-sac to the trail system is too steep and the crews are making the slope compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, he said.

Superintendent Shawn Sexton relayed kudos from a resident that lives on the south side of Bear Creek Elementary School who said they were happy with the landscaping services.

Executive session

The board moved into an executive session at 6:35 p.m. pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4)(a), (b), and (e), to receive legal advice regarding negotiations associated with water delivery infrastructure, water acquisitions, property acquisitions, and the Upper Monument Wastewater Plant Evaluation/Contract.

McGrady confirmed to OCN that when the regular meeting resumed, no action was taken by the board.

The board adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday every month at the district office at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for March 16 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.