Drought Contingency Task Force

Drought Contingency Task Force Agenda Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Roswell City Hall 425 N. Richardson Roswell, New Mexico 88201 Judy Stubbs and Tom Jennings – Residential Customers Aron Balok – Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District Nathan Cobb – Eastern New Mexico Hospital Sean Benedict – Roswell Independent School District Cristina Arnold - City Councilor Jonathan McGary – Supervising Ranger, Bottomless Lakes State Park- Ex Officio Member Staff Liaison: Chantel Longway - Water Conservation Specialist CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JUNE 19, 2023 MEETING, AUGUST 16, 2023 MEETING, OCTOBER 19, 2023 MEETING NON-ACTION ITEMS 1. Notes from the November 15, 2023 meeting ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve Updates and Changes to Communications and Outreach Plan 3. Approve Updates and Changes to the Work Plan 4. Approve meeting dates for 2024 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ADJOURN Notice of this meeting has been given to the public in compliance with Sections 10-15-1 through 10-15-4 NMSA 1978 and Resolution 24-02. NOTICE OF POTENTIAL QUORUM – A quorum of the City Council may or may not attend, but there will not be debate by the City Council. The Council, acting as attendees to an informational presentation, will not be discussing public business and no action will be taken. If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact Human Resources at 575-624-6700 at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents including the agenda and minutes can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the City Clerk at 575-624-6700 if a summary of other type of accessible format is needed. Printed and posted: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Drought Contingency Task Force Roswell Convention & Civic Center 912 N. Main Monday, June 19, 2023 Notice of this meeting was given to the public in compliance with Section 10-15-1 through 10-15-4 NMSA 1978 and Resolution 23-01. CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 5:33 p.m. by Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway. ROLL CALL Members present: Judy Stubbs (Residential Consumer), Rose Duran (Commercial Consumer), Aron Balek (Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District), Sean Benedict (Roswell Independent School District), City Councilor Cristina Arnold, Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway, and Jonathon McGary (Supervising Ranger, Bottomless Lakes State Park- Ex Officio Member). Members absent: Tom Jennings (Residential Consumer) and Cameron Grimm (Commercial Consumer) Guest Present: Robert Glenn, WaterSmart Grant Technical Officer Rick Young, and Roswell Daily Record. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion and a second to approve the agenda for the June 19, 2023 meeting. A voice vote was 5-0, and the motion passed with members Tom Jennings and Cameron Grimm being absent. NON-ACTION ITEMS 1. Project Overview Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway presented a power point, showing the ultimate goal of this project, which is to decrease water use, which will increase the reliability of the water source. The timeline for completion of this project is November 2024, so as it can be submitted to the Roswell City Council for approval December 2024. 2. Drought Contingency Planning Requirements a. Drought Monitoring i. Set up a framework that uses available information and tools to confirm existing drought and to predict the probability of future droughts in the area. The framework will define the signs, thresholds, and stages of drought that will be used to define the mitigation and response actions for the watershed. b. Vulnerability Assessment 1 Regular Meeting of the Drought Contingency Task Force Roswell Convention & Civic Center 912 N. Main Monday, June 19, 2023 i. Evaluate the risks and impacts of drought. Develop a list of priority critical resources for the development of mitigation and response actions that are supported by research, policy makers, and the public. c. Mitigating Actions i. Identify, evaluate, and prioritize mitigation actions, for the critical resources identified during the vulnerability assessment. Mitigation actions conserve water and improve resiliency during non-drought conditions to mitigate risks to assets and resources. d. Response Actions i. Evaluate, and prioritize response actions that focus on the critical resources identified during the vulnerability assessment. Response actions conserve water during drought conditions to reduce risks to assets and resources. e. Operational and Administrative Framework i. Develop a framework to clarify the ongoing roles and responsibilities for the Drought Contingency Plan and to facilitate a quick and efficient response to emergency drought conditions. f. Plan Update Process i. The Roswell DCP shall be evaluated and updated on an ongoing basis to ensure its effectiveness. A specific timeframe for plan updates will be developed. Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway presented a slide show, showing the different components of a Drought Contingency Plan (Sections A-F) to the Task Force. Discussion and examples were given of different ideas that could be considered for each component. 3. Communication and Outreach Plan Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway presented a power point, showing the objectives of the Communication and Outreach Plan. This was to build awareness and understanding of the water-related challenges in the City of Roswell area, build credibility and accountability for the DCP planning process and, build support for implementation of the DCP recommendations. A copy of the Communication and Outreach Plan was given to Task Force Members. 4. Drought Contingency Plan Ground Rules Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway presented a power point, asking the Task Force Members to have attendance at meetings, not to alter documents and to let the Water Conservation Specialist edit the documents as to keep a running record of changes, and remain respectful during meetings. 5. Work Plan A copy of the Work Plan was given to the Task Force Members. Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway presented a power point, showing the steps that needed to be made to the Work Plan. It showed that they would be presented with the Work Plan. 2 Regular Meeting of the Drought Contingency Task Force Roswell Convention & Civic Center 912 N. Main Monday, June 19, 2023 They would need to review the plan and submit any changes to the Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway. ACTION ITEMS 6. Consider approval of Work Plan and Communications and Outreach Plan No action was taken during meeting due to time restraints and to give the task force more time to review the document and submit changes to Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway The next three action items were discussed and no vote was taken due to it being volunteers to research ideas pertaining to the assignment: 7. Assignments for the Drought Monitoring Team Two volunteers are needed to research this area to be discussed at the next meeting. Rose Duran and Judy Stubbs both volunteered. 8. Assignments for the Vulnerability Assessment Team Two volunteers are needed to research this area to be discussed at the next meeting. Sean Benedict and Jonathon McGary both volunteered. 9. Assignments for the Mitigation Action Team Two volunteers are needed to research this area to be discussed at the next meeting. Aaron Balek and City Councilor Cristina Arnold both volunteered. 10. Discuss and appoint Chair & Vice Chair. Discussion was made about who to appoint as the Chair and Vice Chair. City Councilor Cristina Arnold moved for Judy Stubbs to be appointed the Chair. Seconded by Sean Benedict. A voice vote was 5-0, and the motion passed, with members Tom Jennings and Cameron Grimm being absent. City Councilor Cristina Arnold volunteered to be the Vice Chair. Seconded by Rose Duran. A voice vote was 5-0, and the motion passed, with members Tom Jennings and Cameron Grimm being absent. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was no public participation at this meeting. ADJOURN Meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m. with the next meeting to be held tentatively on August 16, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. 3 Regular Meeting of the Drought Contingency Task Force Roswell Convention & Civic Center 912 N. Main Wednesday, August 16, 2023 Notice of this meeting was given to the public in compliance with Section 10-15-1 through 10-15-4 NMSA 1978 and Resolution 23-01. CALL TO ORDER For the record the meeting was not called to order due to the fact there was no established quorum. ROLL CALL Members present: Judy Stubbs (Residential Consumer), City Councilor Cristina Arnold, Tom Jennings (Residential Consumer), Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway. Members absent: Cameron Grimm (Commercial Consumer), Rose Duran (Commercial Consumer), Aron Balek (Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District), Sean Benedict (Roswell Independent School District), and Jonathon McGary (Supervising Ranger, Bottomless Lakes State Park- Ex Officio Member). Guest Present: WaterSmart Grant Technical Officer Rick Young and Roswell Daily Record. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES 1. Approval of Agenda for August 16, 2023 – no action taken – no quorum. 2. Approval of Minutes for June 19, 2023 – no action taken – no quorum. NON-ACTION ITEMS 3. Discuss Findings on Researched Topics from Last Meeting (Drought Monitoring, Vulnerability Assessment, and Mitigation Actions) – no discussion– no quorum. 4. Obtain Volunteers for Research for Response Action– no discussion– no quorum. 5. Obtain Volunteers for Research for Operations and Administration Framework– no discussion– no quorum. 6. Obtain Volunteers for Research for Update Process– no discussion– no quorum. ACTION ITEMS 7. Discuss Updates and Changes to Communications and Outreach Plan– no action taken – no quorum. 8. Discuss Updates and Changes to the Work Plan – no action taken – no quorum. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 1 Regular Meeting of the Drought Contingency Task Force Roswell Convention & Civic Center 912 N. Main Wednesday, August 16, 2023 – No Discussion– no quorum ADJOURN Next meeting will be held September 28, 2023 at 6:00 p.m., at City Hall. 2 Regular Meeting of the Drought Contingency Task Force Roswell Convention & Civic Center 425 N. Richardson Roswell, NM 88203 Thursday, October 19, 2023 Notice of this meeting was given to the public in compliance with Section 10-15-1 through 10-15-4 NMSA 1978 and Resolution 23-01. CALL TO ORDER For the record the meeting was not called to order due to the fact there was no established quorum. ROLL CALL Members present: Judy Stubbs (Residential Consumer), Tom Jennings (Residential Consumer), and Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway. Members absent: Cameron Grimm (Commercial Consumer), Rose Duran (Commercial Consumer), Aron Balek (Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District), Sean Benedict (Roswell Independent School District), Councilor Cristina Arnold, and Jonathon McGary (Supervising Ranger, Bottomless Lakes State Park- Ex Officio Member). Guest Present: Roswell Daily Record APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES 1. Approval of Agenda for August 16, 2023 – no action taken – no quorum. 2. Approval of Minutes for June 19, 2023 – no action taken – no quorum. NON-ACTION ITEMS 3. Discuss Findings on Researched Topics from Last Meeting (Drought Monitoring, Vulnerability Assessment, and Mitigation Actions) – no discussion– no quorum. 4. Obtain Volunteers for Research for Response Action– no discussion– no quorum. 5. Obtain Volunteers for Research for Operations and Administration Framework– no discussion– no quorum. 6. Obtain Volunteers for Research for Update Process– no discussion– no quorum. ACTION ITEMS 7. Discuss Updates and Changes to Communications and Outreach Plan– no action taken – no quorum. 8. Discuss Updates and Changes to the Work Plan – no action taken – no quorum. 9. Discuss Meeting Set Times and Dates – no action taken – no quorum. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 1 Regular Meeting of the Drought Contingency Task Force Roswell Convention & Civic Center 425 N. Richardson Roswell, NM 88203 Thursday, October 19, 2023 – No Discussion– no quorum ADJOURN 2 Regular Meeting of the Drought Contingency Task Force Roswell City Hall 425 N. Richardson Wednesday, November 15, 2023 Notice of this meeting was given to the public in compliance with Section 10-15-1 through 10-15-4 NMSA 1978 and Resolution 23-01. CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 4:07 p.m. by Chair Judy Stubbs. ROLL CALL Members present: Judy Stubbs (Residential Consumer), Rose Duran (Commercial Consumer), Aron Balek (Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District), Tom Jennings (Residential Consumer), and Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway. Members absent: Sean Benedict (Roswell Independent School District) arrived at 4:16 p.m during item 1, and City Councilor Cristina Arnold. Guest Present: WaterSmart Grant Technical Officer Rick Young (Virtual via Microsoft Teams) APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Aron Balek and a second by Tom Jennings to approve the agenda for the November 15, 2023 meeting with the additional item 5. Code Enforcement brought up by Tom Jennings. A voice vote was 4-0, and the motion passed with members Sean Benedict and Cristina Arnold being absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JUNE 19, 2023 MEETING There was a motion to approve the minutes for the June 19, 2023 meeting. A voice vote was 4-0, and the motion passed with members Sean Benedict and Cristina Arnold being absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM AUGUST 16, 2023 MEETING There was a motion to approve the minutes for the August 16, 2023 meeting. A voice vote was 4-0, and the motion passed with members Sean Benedict and Cristina Arnold being absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 19, 2023 MEETING There was a motion to approve the minutes for the October 19, 2023 meeting. A voice vote was 4-0, and the motion passed with members Sean Benedict and Cristina Arnold being absent. NON-ACTION ITEMS 1. Discuss Findings on Researched Topics from Last Meeting a. Drought Monitoring 1 Regular Meeting of the Drought Contingency Task Force Roswell City Hall 425 N. Richardson Wednesday, November 15, 2023 Judy Stubbs and Rosie Duran stated they were using the National Integrated Drought Monitoring maps to observe drought conditions. Water Conservation Specialist advised that the city was in the process of installing well monitors to help observe the recharge rates in certain wells. This is set to be completed by July 2024. Sean Benedict arrived during this discussion at 4:16 p.m. b. Vulnerability Assessment Sean Benedict discussed the issues of 1) lowering the water table which affects agricultural economy and causing people's wells to go dry 2) Stressing the urban forest and causing trees to die or become diseased throughout the municipal area. This would have an aesthetic and an economic impact 3) Increased risk of fire due to dry accumulation of vegetation, possibly enhanced by dead and/or dying trees 4) Increased risk of negative wildlife encounters in the city due to lack of forage 5) Excess stress on athletic facilities, parks, school grounds, and private facilities, resulting in economic loss and reduced opportunity for our children to exercise and compete and 6) Disadvantage the local economy in competition for tourist dollars, new move-ins, and economic development. Rosie Duran added in a vulnerability of 7) the rising temperatures. c. Mitigation Actions Aaron Balek advised the mitigation action would be educating the public about xeriscaping and bolstering the supply of the water by lowering the per person usage for the average current use of 120 gallons a day to the national average of 70 gallons. 2. Obtain Volunteers for Research for Response Action Volunteers are needed to research this area to be discussed at the next meeting. Aron Balek, Sean Benedict, and Tom Jennings volunteered. 3. Obtain Volunteers for Research for Operations and Administration Framework Volunteers are needed to research this area to be discussed at the next meeting. Judy Stubbs and Tom Jennings both volunteered. 4. Obtain Volunteers for Research for Update Process Volunteers are needed to research this area to be discussed at the next meeting. Rose Duran volunteered. 5. Code Enforcement Tom Jennings asked if there were water ordinances that were enforced by code enforcement. It was advised that Chapter 26 in Municipal code defined the current enforceable actions, which is currently being updated and there will be additions based upon the drought contingency plan. ACTION ITEMS 2 Regular Meeting of the Drought Contingency Task Force Roswell City Hall 425 N. Richardson Wednesday, November 15, 2023 6. Discuss Updates and Changes to Communications and Outreach Plan No action was taken during meeting due to time restraints and to give the task force more time to review the document and submit changes to Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway. It was discussed that any changes or additions needed to be submitted before the next meeting in February of 2024. The plan is set to be approved in February and forwarded to the WaterSmart Grant Technical Officer Rick Young. 7. Discuss Updates and Changes to Work Plan No action was taken during meeting due to time restraints and to give the task force more time to review the document and submit changes to Water Conservation Specialist Chantel Longway. It was discussed that any changes or additions needed to be submitted before the next meeting in February of 2024. The plan is set to be approved in February and forwarded to the WaterSmart Grant Technical Officer Rick Young. 8. Discuss Meeting Set Times and Date Future meeting set times and dates were discussed. The meetings will be on the fourth Wednesday, every three months, at 4 p.m. The meetings frequency may increase towards the end of the set timeline of December 2024. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was no public participation at this meeting. ADJOURN Meeting was adjourned at 5:37 p.m. with the next meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 28, 20234, at 4:00 p.m. 3