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AGENDA
Town Hall 551 Hot Springs Blvd Sanitation General Improvement District Meeting
Pagosa Spring, CO 81147 March 17, 2026 @ 5:00 PM
REMOTE PARTICIPATION
Join Zoom Meeting By Computer - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84183643649
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Remote participation is at the risk of attendees. The meeting will continue in person regardless of the broadcast capability.
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. DISCLOSURES AND/OR CONFLICT OF INTEREST
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
V. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of the March 3, 2026 Meeting Minutes
VI. REPORTS TO BOARD
1. Sanitation District Update
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Messaging and Communication
VIII. NEXT BOARD MEETING APRIL 9, 2026 AT 5:00 PM
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Shari Pierce
Public comment and agenda comment item sign-up sheets are available at the meeting
Copies of proposed Ordinances and Resolutions are available to the public from the Town Clerk
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Board President
Public comment and agenda comment item sign-up sheets are available at the meeting
Copies of proposed Ordinances and Resolutions are available to the public from the Town Clerk
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MINUTES
Town Hall 551 Hot Springs Blvd Sanitation General Improvement District Meeting
Pagosa Spring, CO 81147 March 3, 2026 @ 5:00 PM
A regular meeting of the Town of Pagosa Springs Sanitation General Improvement District was called
to order on March 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM in the Town Hall 551 Hot Springs Blvd.
BOARD PRESENT: Board President Pierce, Board Member Bergon, Board Member
deGraaf, Board Member DeGuise, Board Member Lindner, Board
Member Martinez, and Board Member Williams
BOARD ABSENT:
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. DISCLOSURES AND/OR CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
V. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of the Feburary 17, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes
Board Member deGraaf moved to approve the consent agenda, Board Member Bergon
seconded. Motion Passed
VI. REPORTS TO BOARD
1. Sanitation District Update
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Sanitation General Improvement District
March 3, 2026
Public Works Director Karl Johnson provided a sanitation district update on the pump station
failures. The pumps are currently running with bypass pumps until new pumps are received
and installed. Staff said the prior fence around PS2 was removed by the request of Timber
Ridge Association.
The discharge and reuse permits for the WWTP have been submitted to CDPHE for
approval. Staff has requested pricing for a temporary WWTP that could handle up to
150,000 gallons per day.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Capital Projects Update: San Juan WWTF
Public Works Director, Karl Johnson, along with Maggie McHugh with Roaring Fork Engineering, provided
an update of the capital items.
The contract with Roaring Fork Engineering started in 2023 with an assessment to include 4s and 5s.
They have assisted with finding funding for a new WWTP and after the flooding, they assisted with the
design of the replacement of the 1st Street lift station. An updated contract to expand the scope of the
design and engineering work is needed.
Roaring Fork Engineering has institutional knowledge from their work with staff on all the projects that
have been presented. Board Member DeGuise said a new contract needs to be signed. Board Member
Martinez said there should be a new contract for the WWTP and 1st Street lift station to make it cleaner.
Board Member Williams said the District is in a state of emergency.
Mr. Johnson said the conveyance system was engineered at the least possible cost to build. Ms. McHugh
said CDPHE is trying to get the discharge permits approved as soon as possible. To be safe, the current
conveyance system needs to operate for another year or so until a temporary WWTP can be set up.
Town Manager Harris said the Town may have to continue operating the conveyance system for the
foreseeable future. The short term solution might be a temporary packaged WWTP and replace pumps to
get the pipeline operating. Staff will work to get a new contract in place with Roaring Forks Enginnering
for the 1st Street lift station and WWTP.
The board is in favor of declaring an emergency of the conveyance system due to system failures.
VIII. NEXT BOARD MEETING APRIL 8, 2026 AT 5:00 PM
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Board President Pierce adjourned the meeting at 5:30 pm.
Shari Pierce
Board President
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AGENDA BRIEF
MEETING: Pagosa Springs Sanitation GID Special Board Meeting
3/17/26
FROM: Karl Johnson
PROJECT: Sanitation District Update
ACTION: I nformation Only
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
PS1 and PS2 failure response:
• Scheduled maintenance on the bypass pass pump has been completed by vendor Velocity twice
to date. No issues were found needing further repairs.
• Replacement parts have been quoted and ordered. Some of the item deliveries received.
• Critical spares have either been ordered or requests for quotations have been completed.
• Review of New Flygt pumps completed.
San Juan WWTP:
• Discharge permit application receipt has been confirmed by CDPHE. No additional information is
requested. The review process is a minimum of 60 days with no updates.
• Re-use water permit application has been submitted and receipt by CDPHE confirmed. The
review process is a minimum of 60 days with no updates.
LS Overflow Vaults:
• Site visits by staff and Roaring Fork Engineering to Lift Station locations to identify utility
conflicts and placement of overflow vaults for design.
Category 5:
• Site visits by staff and Roaring Fork Engineering to five of the remaining Category 5 locations to
identify utility conflicts for design.
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AGENDA BRIEF
MEETING: Pagosa Springs Sanitation GID Special Board Meeting
3/17/26
FROM: David Harris
PROJECT: Messaging and Communication
ACTION: D iscussion
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
Sewer: Unified Wastewater System Talking Points: Stabilize • Prevention • New Plant
As we prepare for our March 17 meeting, the Town's communications professionals and
staff want to make sure we are all aligned on consistent, accurate messaging regarding
the wastewater system. While the immediate situation is stabilized (temporary bypass
pumping is in place and Pump Stations #1 and #2 are operating), we still have significant
work ahead. Our message should be clear: this is not a “state of emergency,” but it is a
serious infrastructure reliability challenge—and we have a plan.
Below are recommended talking points to keep us on the same page:
1) Where we are today: stabilized operations
• The system is currently operating with temporary bypass pumping in place, and
PS1/PS2 are stabilized on a temporary basis
• Crews are actively addressing ongoing issues tied to electrical corrosion, ordering
critical parts, and implementing equipment improvements to reduce repeat
failures.
2) “Not an emergency” does not mean “problem solved”
• We should avoid language that suggests the system is fixed. The right framing is:
stabilized now on a temporary basis, strengthening reliability next, and delivering
long-term solutions over the coming years.
• Our focus is on getting the system to a state of no repeat failures through targeted
equipment and electrical upgrades, and continuing pipe rehabilitation.
3) The real costs we are managing right now (accurate numbers)
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• Current bypass pumping costs are $58,000 per month for six pumps at PS1 & PS2,
and if bypass pumping is needed for a minimum of eight months, the estimated
total is $464,000.
• The near-term reliability package includes: purchase of eight Flygt pumps
($1,508,000), electrical work ($200,000), and contractor installation ($400,000)—
for a total near-term need of $2,572,000.
4) The plan: “Stabilize • Prevention • New Plant”
• Stabilize: Maintain operations with bypass pumping where needed; replace pumps
and harden electrical systems; continue rapid response readiness.
• Prevention: Continue asking for community help during high-risk periods
(conservation steps), and continue targeted fixes that reduce inflow/infiltration and
strain on the system. McCabe Creek Category 5 project officially starts on 3/16/26
to address the system's number one source of I&I (Infiltration and Inflow), which
contributes to unnecessary water being pumped and treated.
• New Plant / Long-term: Thanks to voter approval of Ballot Issue 2A, we have begun
design work for critical pipe replacements and are advancing long-term wastewater
planning, including engineering work with Roaring Fork Engineering. Major
improvements will take time; the overall timeline is estimated at 5–7 years.
5) How to respond if asked about a “state of emergency”
The current pump station issues qualify as a critical situation but not an "emergency."
Declaring an emergency does nothing to put the Town in a position to receive any federal
or state funds. Additionally, it will not produce any favorable expedited review status.
Instead, consider the following suggested response:
• “Council asked staff to explore the concept. Staff’s assessment is that the
immediate incident is stabilized, and we are in an operational stabilization and
prevention posture. Regardless of labels, we are moving forward with the work that
matters: stabilizing reliability now and advancing the long-term solution.”
6) What we need from Council
• Consistent language: stabilized now + prevention actions + long-term solution
underway
• Support for the operational and engineering steps that keep the system stable and
move the long-term plan forward.
Attached is a one-page “Quick Facts” handout that summarizes the above in plain
language for residents and the media.
ATTACHMENTS:
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1. Sewer System Quick Facts March 26 DJH
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Sewer System Quick Facts | March 17 Council Meeting
Town of Pagosa Springs | Pagosa Springs Sanitation General Improvement District (PSSGID)
What’s the situation today?
• The wastewater system is operating with temporary bypass pumping in place.
• Pump Stations #1 and #2 are stabilized and being closely monitored.
• Crews are addressing issues tied to electrical corrosion, ordering critical parts, and
moving forward with equipment improvements.
Is this a “state of emergency”?
• No. The immediate incident is stabilized.
• But: “Not an emergency” does not mean “problem solved.” The system remains
vulnerable, and the Town is taking steps to prevent repeat failures while building long-
term solutions.
What does “stabilized” mean?
• Temporary bypass pumps are helping keep wastewater moving through the system.
• Critical stations are operating while the Town completes repairs and upgrades.
• Backup equipment and parts are being staged/ordered to reduce downtime.
What’s causing repeat failures?
• Ongoing operational strain from a system that has proven difficult and costly to
maintain, including:
o Electrical corrosion and wear in critical components
o Pumps and equipment requiring frequent repairs/replacement
o A configuration that is not ideal for long-term wastewater demands
What is the Town doing now?
Near-term stability and reliability work includes:
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• Repairing corrosion-related electrical issues
• Installing reliability upgrades and equipment improvements
• Moving forward with new pump replacements to reduce repeat failures
• Continuing targeted work on critical sewer pipes that contribute to system strain
What does it cost to keep the system stable right now?
• Temporary bypass pumping is currently about $58,000 per month for six pumps at
Pump Stations #1 and #2.
• If bypass pumping is needed for ~8 months, the estimated total is about $464,000.
Planned near-term reliability investments (order-of-magnitude):
• Eight new pumps: ~$1.5M
• Electrical work: ~$200K
• Contractor installation: ~$400K
• Estimated near-term total: ~$2.57M
(Costs are estimates and may adjust based on final scope, procurement, and delivery timelines.)
What’s the long-term plan?
Thanks to voter approval of Ballot Issue 2A, the Town has begun the work needed for long-term
reliability:
• Design work is underway for critical pipe replacements in the collection system
o McCabe Creek project awarded and work to begin Monday, March 16, 2026
• The Town is advancing long-term wastewater planning, including:
o Application for Discharge Permit (submitted February)
o Engaging engineering work with Roaring Fork Engineering
• The overall infrastructure improvement effort is expected to take 5–7 years (design,
permitting, and construction)
What can residents do to help if there is a pump station failure?
Residents within the PSSGID (generally east of Piedra Road, including downtown) are asked to
continue conserving water:
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• Keep showers short
• Delay laundry and dishwasher use when possible
• Flush only when necessary
• Do not flush wipes (even “flushable” wipes)
These steps help reduce strain on the system and lower the risk of disruptions.
Where will updates be shared?
• The Town will continue providing updates through official Town channels (website,
social media, and meeting updates) as work progresses.
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