HWUA 2022 Membership – Annual Meeting Minutes
[DRAFT TO BE APPROVED AT NEXT ANNUAL MEETING]
August 1, 2022 – 10:00 am MDT
Type of Meeting: Regular annual meeting of HWUA Membership
Location: Estes Park Public Library
Meeting Facilitator: Don Piepgras
Board Members Present: Don Piepgras, Ralph Turner, and Jim Redman
Call to order at 10:02 am by Board President Don Piepgras
Agenda items:
- Welcome Membership and Introduction of Board:
Don Piepgras introduced himself and the current board members in attendance.
2. Reading and approval of the 2021 Annual Meeting:
Ralph Turner, Board Secretary, read the minutes from the 2021 membership meeting. There were only 14 members in attendance so we did not have a quorum. The 2021 minutes will be voted on at the 2023 annual meeting along with the minutes of the 2022 annual meeting.
3. Presidential Report:
A. New Operator Richard Hopp – Don Piepgras reported that we hired a new system operator after sending out a request for proposal. The company hired is RH Water & Wastewater. Bill Harvey is still here in Estes Park and continues to work on our system. Bill Harvey is still the first point of contact.
Don introduced Richard Hopp from RH Water & Wastewater. Richard Hopp told everyone a little bit about himself and then started to describe the new regulations for cross connection and what this means for Hondius Water Users Association and their members. Richard described the difference between a 4” air gap and a back flow apparatus. All pools, hot tubs, wells, cisterns and any other devise that physically add water to needs to be inspected for the “back flow” possibility. Most of these can use the 4” air gap, but some will need to have a back flow preventer added to the water lines. An annual report needs to be filed each year by Hondius Water Users Assoc. and needs to verify compliance for all owners involved. A notice will be sent out to owners describing what is needed and a database will be created with this information.
B. Status of the pumps – Don Piepgras reported that last year the lead time for a pump was 5 to 6 months due to COVID. We did purchase two pumps last year so that we have them and one motor in reserve.
C. Water Quality Reports – Richard Hopp collects water samples and sends the results to the board and the state. We have clean water.
Some repairs have been done this year. There have been two leaks this year, one by the tank and one on Laurel. Both have been repaired.
D. Timing of anticipated Opening and Closing – Don Piepgras reported that the opening and closing of the water lines are dependent on the weather. We do try to have the water on April 15th (never earlier) and close on October 15th (never later). We may open later and close earlier, but we do try to keep to that schedule since some areas of the water lines are above ground and are subject to freezing.
E. Reminder of member responsibility for their service lines – Hondius only responsible for main line. Don Piepgras reminded everyone that Hondius is only responsible for the main lines. Anything after the main lines is considered a service line and needs to be addressed and paid for by those involved in the repair work. When some service lines were put in, several owners opted to share services lines to reduce their initial cost. Those involved in the shared lines would need to come to some decision on who would pay for what share of repair costs.
F. Reminder of information being posted on internet site – hondiuswater.org – Jim Redman posts items on the website; minutes, the latest news, etc. The website is updated frequently.
Reminder of timing of billings and expectations for prompt payments – Jim Redman reported that the billing is sent out two (2) times per year. The first half of the annual fee ($750.00) has already been sent out in the spring. The second half of the annual fee along with a base charge, electric charge, and water usage are sent out in November after everything has been shut off for the year.
4. Back Flow Requirements for the system and the individual users:
Don Piepgras reported that Hondius has a back flow preventer in place on the system. The back flow preventer needs to be certified each year by a licensed technician. This has been completed for the 2022 year.
5. Follow-up on “Next Door Group”:
Don Piepgras has set up a Hondius Water Users Assoc. Facebook account since the “Next Door Group” does not seem to fit our needs. Please send a request to Don to join the Facebook group. Don is doing posts as well as email at the same time.
6. Treasurer’s Report:
Jim Redman reported (in the absence of Randy Hall, Treasurer) that $500 per member of the spring assessment has been put into a separate account from the checking account. This account currently has a balance of $33,000. This account will be allowed to grow for use on potential repairs and/or upgrades. Everyone has paid their spring assessment.
7. Follow-up on Small Communities Water and Wastewater Grant:
Jim Redman reported that we applied for a grant last year; however, as discussed at last year’s meeting, we did not receive the grant. This year, no such grant program was provided by the state.
8. Call for Nominations of Directors from the Floor:
No nominations from the floor due to not having a quorum.
9. Election of Directors:
No election of directors due to not having a quorum.
10. Other business:
The current lease from Rocky Mountain National Park runs through 2031. It is limited to 10 year increments so that Rocky Mountain National Park staff may sign the lease.
11. Adjournment – meeting adjourned at 11:05 am MDT