April 14, 2026 Meeting Minutes

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District, (the “District”) was held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Attendance:

A regular meeting of the District was scheduled in compliance with the laws of the State of Colorado, with the following directors in attendance:

  • Karen Morgan, President
  • Roger Wendell, Vice President/Secretary
  • Philip Hardinger, Treasurer
  • David Wiechman, Director
  • Arthur Martinez, Director

Also present were:

  • Dylan Woods, Title 32 Attorney
  • Josh Stanley, District Manager, GMWSD
  • Sam R. McKay, GMWSD
  • Jesse Daveport, GMWSD
  • Dave Garner
  • Ludmila
  • Alex
  • Other Guests

Call to Order / Declaration of Quorum:

Noting a quorum of the Board, Director Morgan called to order the Regular Meeting of the Board of the Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District at 6:30 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance:

The Board stood and recited the pledge of allegiance.

Directors & Disclosure Matters:

None.

Approval of/Deletions from the Agenda:

None.

Public Comment:

Members of the public wishing to address the board during the public comment period are asked to indicate the agenda item number or public comment period next to their name on the sign-in sheet. Members of the public will then be recognized by the Board as each agenda item is undertaken.

Dave Garner: Congratulated the Board on the vote on the Lakewood zoning changes and expressed his personal support.

Ludmila: Greeted the Board and commented on the “Yes Campaign,” expressing satisfaction with the results. She also expressed concern about the complaint campaign against GMWSD and the Ravine issue.

Alex: Commented on recent drought conditions, asking if the Board could investigate the specific conditions of the current stage 1 drought and whether Denver Water will provide information on how much water is available.

Approval of Minutes:

  • March 3rd town hall meeting (Summary)
  • March 3rd town hall meeting (Detail)
  • March 10th regular meeting
    • The Board discussed the minutes needing approval, noting a correction to the attendance section of the March 3rd town hall meeting minutes (Detail). (10:20)
    • Director Wendell MOVED to accept March 3rd (Summary) minutes, March 10th minutes, and March 3rd (Detail) minutes with the correction. Director Martinez seconded, following discussion and upon vote the motion PASSED unanimously (12:51)

Financial Matters:

  • The Board reviewed the March 2026 Daily/Monthly Operating Expenses & Capital Expenditures. (13:19)
  • Director Morgan MOVED to approve the operating expenses and expenditures, as well as the unaudited financial statements for the period ending March 31, 2026. Director Martinez seconded. (14:10)
  • Director Wendell commented on the office furniture expenses, stating that it was a well-deserved expense for the office staff and noting that the old furniture was donated to a neighboring water district. (14:24)
  • Returning to the tabled motion, upon vote it PASSED unanimously. (15:55)

District Reports:

  •  Maintenance Report
    • Mr. Stanley reported two main breaks in March and noted a few valve replacements and two tank cleanings. (16:07)
    • Mr. Stanley provided an update on the drought and the surcharge implemented by Denver Water. A discussion about water usage in the District followed, including what the drought entails for the community and what a stage 2 drought would bring if conditions worsen. (17:19)
    • Director Morgan expressed concern about the drought and balancing costs and fees but wanted to get legal advice regarding the issue before discussing it further. (26:57)
    • The Board reviewed answers to questions seen on social media, including topics on assigned watering days, hand watering, and fire hydrant water release. The Board will investigate setting up a schedule of hydrant water releases so that people bucket the water, and whether the District can monitor significant changes in water usage in a home. (31:00)
    • The Board and Mr. Stanley discussed enforcement of designated water days, as well as Denver water sources and what actions the District can legally take regarding water acquisition. (35:38)
    • The Board deliberated how to reduce water consumption and how to handle violations and warnings. (46:48)
    • Mr. Stanley presented an estimate of the drought surcharge based on billing data from Denver, if there is no reduction in water use. (55:46)
  • District Manager Report
    • Mr. Stanley reported on development reviews, noting that the sewer flow study for 12795 W Alameda Pkwy is underway and sewer main installation is complete for Fossil Ridge Filing 21. (56:54)
    • Mr. Stanley provided an update on current IRPs, stating that Drip #2 is in progress and Drip #1 will begin construction on April 13th. He also noted a construction button on the website that will allow people to view weekly updates on what streets they will be rolling out to. (58:12)

Directors Matters:

  • Consider adding a president's message to the agenda ahead of public comment
    • Director Wendell MOVED to adopt a new agenda item before public comment for the president to comment on anything related to district business. Director Wiechman seconded, and the Board discussed reasons to adopt or not adopt the motion. (1:00:58)
    • The Board discussed reasons why to adopt or not adopt a “president’s message” agenda item. (1:01:21)
    • Returning to the motion, the motion FAILED with Director Wendell in in favor. (1:10:35)
  • Discuss a possible meeting for a conference on impacts from rapid development on water and infrastructure
    • Director Morgan brought up holding a conference on high density where the District would bring in experts to discuss water supply, infrastructure, and how to handle district growth. (1:10:56)
    • The Board discussed the benefits and drawbacks of holding a conference and pursuing studies on densification. Topics discussed included: how densification will actualize in the district; a master study already under way investigating how to handle distribution; and whether densification falls within the district’s purview of obligations and is worth investigating. (1:13:25)
    • Mr. Stanely discussed the master plan that will be implemented, which will include new gallons per person per day calculations and what factors may affect those numbers. (1:27:35)
    • The Board deliberated how to organize the conference and considered a committee to look for speakers, collect data, and coordinate the event. Special open meetings will be held once a month with a committee consisting of Director Wiechman, Director Hardiger, and Director Martinez. (1:29:31)
    • The Board discussed holding the summit in September, with the committee to figure out the details and gather speakers. (1:34:46)
    • Director Morgan requested Mr. Stanely investigate doing a study to calculate the amount of tree canopy, green land, and developed land in the District. (1:40:18)

Legal Matters:

  • Mr. Woods provided an update on general legal matters. The Timmins’ lawsuit is on appeal, with the opening brief due in two weeks; additionally, Timmins has garnished one of the bank accounts in the District, with the funds being withheld by the bank until a court order. (1:42:13)
  • Mr. Woods further reported that the Ravine lawsuit is set for mediation in May, the Rezoning lawsuit is set for trial at the end of the year, and the Federal Center is no longer a part of the district and the matter is resolved. (1:45:00)

Executive Session:

  • Denver Water supply and surcharge
    • At 8:18 p.m., Director Morgan MOVED to go into Executive Session. Director Martinez seconded the motion. The motion PASSED by unanimous consent. (1:46:43)
    • The Executive Session held pursuant to §24-6-402(4)(b) and/or §24-6-402(4)(e), C.R.S. for the purpose of receiving legal advice regarding: Denver Water supply and surcharge. (1:48:11)
    • The Board concluded the Executive Session at 9:18 p.m. (1:48:21)
  • Ravine Complaint
    • At 9:19 p.m., Director Morgan MOVED to go into Executive Session for advice regarding the Ravine. Director Martinez seconded the motion. The motion PASSED by unanimous consent. (1:49:03)
    • The Executive Session held pursuant to §24-6-402(4)(b) and/or §24-6-402(4)(e), C.R.S. for the purpose of receiving legal advice regarding: Ravine complaint. (1:49:18)
    • The Board concluded the Executive Session at 9:27 p.m. (1:49:29)
  • Campaign finance complaint
    • At 9:28 p.m., Director Morgan MOVED to go into Executive Session. Director Martinez seconded the motion. The motion PASSED by unanimous consent. (1:49:47)
    • The Executive Session held pursuant to §24-6-402(4)(b) and/or §24-6-402(4)(e), C.R.S. for the purpose of receiving legal advice regarding: Campaign finance complaint. (1:50:01)
    • The Board concluded the Executive Session at 9:49 p.m. (1:50:09)

Legal Matters – Action Resulting from Executive Session

  • Discussion about the drought surcharge and setting a date for a new rate hearing
    • The Board discussed holding a new rate hearing in response to the drought surcharge and rules set in place by Denver Water. They will consider a tiered system based on individual usage and a community system where a calculation of the surcharge will be divided among all water users. Additionally, if going with the latter method, the Board will discuss assessing half of the calculated surcharge to the community and using District reserves for the remaining half. (1:50:31)
    • The Board briefly talked about warnings and penalties for watering on off days, as well as variance and appeal processes. (1:56:43)
    • The Board discussed doing a mailer after the rate hearing to explain the decision that comes from it. Mr. Woods will investigate whether the Board can provide variances and will prepare some language to adopt a variance policy. (2:00:15)
    • After brief deliberation, the Board decided to hold the rate hearing meeting on Tuesday, May 19th. (2:02:03)

New Business:

  • The Board will add to agenda for next meeting discussions about sending a mailer on the drought response and about any new considerations for the change of use form. (2:05:44)

Other Matters:

  • There were no other matters to come before the Board.

Adjourn:

  • The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m.