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OCN > 2602 > Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 12 – Board hires new attorney

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 12 – Board hires new attorney

Highlights

  • The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District board hired attorney Tamara Seaver at its 2026 meeting to replace retiring Erin Smith, highlighting Seaver's strong background in public-private partnerships and prior work with WWSD on joint facility agreements.
  • Smith said Seaver is an experienced district attorney from a leading firm in public-private partnerships, and Seaver noted her history with WWSD and other districts managing water rights, emphasizing her long practice and commitment to institutional clients.
  • The board passed Resolution 26-01 to govern operations and compliance, including filing a map of the service area, budgeting timelines, and posting notices on the district website, while authorizing the sale of old equipment and supplies.
  • District Manager Jessie Shaffer announced that Highway 105 Phase B easements are being handled by Transportation Resource Services, with WWSD utility lines affected and relocated before construction; the board authorized Shaffer to sign the related documents as they come.
  • Financially, revenues in November exceeded expenditures by $550,000, with construction budgeting shifting to 2026 and strong reserves noted; operational reports highlighted multiple water leaks, a blocked sewer line, and ongoing Loop water projects with 30% design progress and plans to hire an executive director for the Loop.

By James Howald

At its first meeting in 2026, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board hired attorney Tamara Seaver to replace Erin Smith. Smith is retiring after representing WWSD for 26 years. The board took care of two pieces of housekeeping that are needed annually: an administrative matters resolution and authorization to dispose of equipment of “de minimis,” or insignificant, value.

District Manager Jessie Shaffer was authorized to sign Highway 105 Phase B easement agreements. The board heard operational and financial reports from District Manager Jessie Shaffer, Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine, board Treasurer Dana Franzen, and District Engineer Cydney Saelens. The meeting ended with an executive session.

Seaver’s experience with public-private partnerships a plus

Smith introduced Seaver, telling the board she is “an experienced district lawyer from an experienced district law firm.” Smith pointed out that Seaver’s experience with public-private partnerships would benefit the Loop water re-use project as well as WWSD. She said Seaver’s law firm, Icenogle Seaver Pogue P.C., was one of the strongest in the state regarding public-private partnerships.

Seaver said she began practicing law at 25 and had been retained by WWSD previously to litigate its Joint Use of Facilities Agreement that governs the Tri-Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility that WWSD operates in partnership with the towns of Monument and Palmer Lake. She has served other districts that are managing their water rights portfolios, Seaver said. A Colorado native, Seaver said she had been with the same law firm since beginning to practice law, and she enjoyed serving institutional clients.

The board voted to authorize board President Brian Bush to sign a Letter of Engagement hiring Seaver as the district’s attorney.

Administrative resolution passed

The board adopted Resolution 26-01, which lays out the rules that govern the board’s operations and ensures compliance with state laws. The resolution addresses issues including:

  • The requirement to file a map of the district’s service area with the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder.
  • The schedule for preparing and filing a proposed and final budget.
  • The use of the district web page at https://www.woodmoorwater.com for posting regular and special meeting notices.

The board also authorized General Manager Jessie Shaffer to sell old computers, office furniture, used well drop pipe, and brass water meter bodies.

Highway 105 easements

Shaffer told the board that Transportation Resource Services Inc. is acquiring rights of way and easements required by El Paso County’s effort to widen Highway 105 to the east of Lake Woodmoor Drive to Martingale Road. Some of WWSD’s utility lines will be affected by the Phase B construction and will be relocated before construction begins. Board President Brian Bush recommended that Shaffer sign the necessary paperwork as it is submitted to the district.

Financial and operational reports

Franzen noted that in November, revenues exceeded expenditures by $550,000. “We are back in the sweet spot we were in a few months ago,” he said, noting that some construction budgeted for in 2025 was postponed until 2026. “We have strong reserves and are in excellent shape,” Franzen said.

In his Manager’s Report, Shaffer said all of the Loop’s consultants were getting their designs to 30% completion. He said the Loop’s participating districts had agreed to hire an executive director who would report to the Loop board. To date, the Loop has not hired any staff directly; it has used consultants instead.

LaFontaine reported seven water leaks and a sewer line blocked by 6 feet of tree roots.

In her Engineering Report, Saelens said she had given Lewis-Palmer School District 38 comments on its Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) plan, which includes construction of a bridge over the spillway at the south end of Lake Woodmoor. Bush commented that the SRTS project has been under development for nine years.

Saelens also reported that El Paso County plans a traffic roundabout at the intersection of Deer Creek Road and Woodmoor Drive, with construction starting in March.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to receive legal counsel regarding potential agreements with El Paso County and Monument Fire District. No action was taken following the executive session.

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The next meeting is on Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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