By James Howald
At a brief meeting in March, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board heard a progress report from John Kuosman, a water practice leader with Merrick and Co., who also serves as the Loop Water Authority’s project planning and workflow manager. Board President Jessie Shaffer gave a financial report. The board also held an executive session.
Alignment study underway
Kuosman told the board that the alignment study, which will address the locations of pipelines and easements required to convey water from Fountain Creek northward to customers in the participating water districts, is underway and he expected it to be complete by the end of March.
At a previous meeting, Rebecca Hutchinson, a consultant with Merrick who is working on pipeline and easement issues for the Loop, told the board that she has contracted with two companies that specialize in easement investigations and acquisitions. Kimley-Horn is working on the pipelines and easements for the southern half of the project and Western States Land Services LLC is working on the northern half of the project, she explained.
Kuosman asked the board members to have their thoughts on the commitments that will be required of the participating water districts submitted to attorney Russ Dykstra of Spencer Fane LLC by March 28. Dykstra is drafting the contract that participating districts will sign to formalize their participation in the project.
Kuosman said progress had been made in defining treatment options for the water that will be diverted from Fountain Creek and he would provide details during the executive session.
Finances reviewed
Shaffer told the board that the Loop’s accountant, Kathy Fromm, of Fromm and Co., had suggested two companies for the board to consider as auditors: Haynie and Co. and Stockman Kast Ryan + Co. Shaffer said the federal grant money received by the Loop required more rigorous auditing procedures and the board would need to advise Fromm about choosing between the two auditing companies. The board voted to authorize Shaffer to continue to work with Fromm on this decision.
Shaffer said he had received invoices for the month totaling $32,932, with Bishop Brogden and Associates, Fromm and Co., and Merrick Inc. being the largest service suppliers. The board authorized Shaffer to pay the invoices.
Executive session
The meeting ended with an executive session to receive legal advice from the Loop’s attorney regarding negotiating strategies and to hear a discussion of water treatment options from Kuosman. No votes were taken after the executive session.
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The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 18 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Cherokee Metropolitan District offices at 6250 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.
James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.
Other El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority articles
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Sept. 19 – Board postpones non-disclosure agreements (10/3/2024)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Aug. 15 – Board amends contract with Merrick and Co. (9/7/2024)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, July 18 – Board considers new roles for Merrick and Co. (8/3/2024)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, June 20 – Board pursues easements (7/6/2024)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, May 16 – Board refines relationship with CSU (6/1/2024)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Feb. 15 – Board debates relationship with CSU (3/2/2024)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Jan. 18 – Consultants address financing, CSU facilities, easements (2/3/2024)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Dec. 12 – Board focuses on budgets (1/6/2024)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Nov. 16 – Board expands contract with consultants (12/2/2023)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Oct. 19 – Board reviews 2024 budget, finances (11/4/2023)