December 16, 2025 Regular Meeting

Upper Thompson Sanitation District
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
District Administrative Conference Room

Pursuant to C.R.S., §32-1-903, notice is hereby given to the members of the Upper Thompson Sanitation District Board of Directors and to the general public that the Board will hold its regular meeting, which is open to the public, at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Upper Thompson Sanitation District Administrative Office, 2196 Mall Road, Estes Park, CO, 80517. Individuals who wish to address the Board via public participation may do so “in-person,” via telephone, or virtually through online participation, facilitated by the Zoom platform. Members of the public wishing to join the meeting via online or telephone participation, please email a request for the meeting link or telephone number to Ms. Gina Moore, Financial Officer, at gina@utsdco.gov by 2:00 p.m. on December 16, 2025.

Agenda

1. Call to Order.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Roll Call, Absences Excused.
4. Next Meeting Date: Regular Board Meeting, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
5. Agenda: Correction and Approval.
6. Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest.
7. Public Forum: An opportunity for presentation by the public to provide information to the Board of Directors on anynon-agenda item. Note: The Board cannot take any action on non-agenda items but may direct staff to include the item on a future agenda.
   Public Comment on Agenda Items: Public comments will be heard by the Board at the conclusion of the presentation of the agenda item. Persons addressing the Board shall first be recognized by the District Manager or Board Chairmanand may speak only one time per agenda item. Speakers shall state their name and address for the official minutes,address comments to the Board as a Body, and shall be allotted three (3) minutes for public comment.
   All public commentary must be made at the podium or offered virtually via Zoom Chat.
8. Minutes: Correction and Approval: Regular Board Meeting, November 18, 2025.
9. New Business and Special Orders:
   1. Consideration for Adoption: Resolution No. 2025-12-01 A Resolution to Adopt 2026 Budget – presented by Ms. Jurgens and Ms. Moore.
   2. Update: Phase II - Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) and Lift Station Improvements Project – presented by Mr. Ravel, P.E., Senior Project Manager, AE2S.
   3. Request for Approval: WRF and Lift Station Improvements Project, 20% Design and Value Engineering, AE2S Invoice No. 107196 - presented by Ms. Moore.
10. Reports from Officers, Committees, and Staff: Questions, Comments, Correction and Approval:
    1. Treasurer’s Report.
    2. Plant Report.
    3. System Development Fee Allocation and Connection Report.
    4. Collection System Report.
    5. Operations Manager’s Report.
    6. District Manager’s Report.
11. Executive Session: §24-6-402(4)(e), C.R.S., Determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiation, developing strategy for negotiations, and instructing negotiators regarding the Water Reclamation Facility Project 20% Design and Value Engineering Construction Estimate.
12. Board Discussion and Possible Action: Consideration of advancing the Water Reclamation Facility and Lift Station Improvements Project to final design and construction.
13. Adjournment.

Upper Thompson Sanitation District (District) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, protective hairstyles), color, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, creed, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status in employment or in any program or activity conducted by the District. The District will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities. If any person has a disability and requires a reasonable accommodation to fully participate in this event, please contact District Manager, Ms. Suzanne Jurgens, three days before the event via email at suzanne@utsdco.gov, or telephone at 970-586-4544, or dial 711 to connect with Relay Colorado.

Record of Proceedings

Minutes Of a Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors Of 
Upper Thompson Sanitation District 
Held: December 16, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., at the 
District Office, 2196 Mall Road, Estes Park, Colorado

Call to Order: 

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Upper Thompson Sanitation District, Estes Park, Colorado, was called to order at 4:01 p.m. and held as shown above and in accordance with the applicable statutes of the State of Colorado with the following Directors present and acting: 

Pledge of Allegiance: 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

Attendance: 

Board of Directors: 
Christopher Eshelman, Chairman 
Susan Doylen, Vice-Chairman/Secretary 
Michael Morton, Treasurer 
Kent Bosch, Assistant Treasurer/Secretary 

Absent: 
It was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Bosch to excuse the absence of Director Kessler. Motion carried unanimously. 

Staff: 
Suzanne Jurgens, District Manager 
Gina Moore, Financial Officer 
Matt Allen, Operations Manager 
Nathanael Romig, Collection Superintendent 
Henry Newhouse, Plant Superintendent 
Sheryl Ponzer, Customer Accounts Manager 
Cristie Rambeau, Customer Accounts Specialist (at 4:00 p.m., joined via web conference call) 
Invited Guests: 
Steve Ravel, P.E., Senior Project Manager, Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services (AE2S) Scott Buecker, P.E., Senior Project Manager, Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services (AE2S) Dan Niehus, Owner, RN Civil Construction (virtual attendance) 

Next Meeting Date: 

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on January 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. 

Approval of Agenda: 

The Board considered the Agenda. 

It was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Morton to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest: 

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is a topic of discussion at every Board meeting to address potential conflicts of interest that may arise as new agenda items are introduced. District Directors who have disclosed potential conflicts of interest can vote as issues arise. 

Public Forum: 

Mr. Eshelman opened the meeting for public comment. 

Mr. Eshelman explained the Public Forum is an opportunity for presentation by the public to provide information to the Board of Directors on any non-agenda item. He further explained the Board cannot take action on non-agenda items but may direct staff to include the item on a future agenda. 

Regarding public comment on Agenda Items, Mr. Eshelman provided the following statement: 

Public comments will be heard by the Board at the conclusion of the presentation of the agenda item. Persons addressing the Board shall first be recognized by the District Manager or Board Chairman and may speak only one time per agenda item. Speakers shall stand at the podium, state their name and address for the official minutes, address comments to the Board as a Body, and shall be allotted three (3) minutes for public comment. 

Joining the meeting via web conference call, was Mr. Stewart Squires, of 618 Park River Place, Estes Park. Mr. Squires did not offer comment on a non-agenda item. 

Approve Minutes from Prior Meetings: 

The Board reviewed and discussed the Minutes of the November 18, 2025, Regular Board Meeting. 

It was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Morton to approve the Minutes of the November 18, 2025, Regular Board Meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 

New Business and Special Orders: 

Consideration for Adoption: Resolution No. 2025-12-01 A Resolution to Adopt 2026 Budget - presented by Ms. Jurgens and Ms. Moore: 

Ms. Jurgens stated she is pleased to present the final version of the 2026 Budget to the Board for consideration of approval. 

Ms. Jurgens said the final budget has been revised since it was presented to the Board at the public hearing during the November 18, 2025, Regular Board Meeting. The budget message and spreadsheets reflect updated information and data through November 30, 2025. 

Ms. Jurgens reminded the Board that the budget is in compliance with legal requirements showing estimated beginning and ending fund balances, previous year audited figures, year-end estimated figures for 2025, and figures for the year in which the budget will be adopted. 

Ms. Moore stated the 2026 Budget revenue includes a 10.5% increase in rates for metered, non-metered, waste hauling and data collection fees, as adopted by the Board via Resolution No. 2025-09-01 at the September 23, 2025, Regular Board Meeting. 

Ms. Moore then explained that 2026 system development revenue forecasts the sale of twelve new system development fees (SDF) at the rate of $18,700 per SDF, as adopted by the Board via Resolution No. 2025- 09-01. A total of fifteen permit fees is projected to be sold in 2026. She added that through November 30, 2025, 25 system development fees and 27 permit fees were sold.

Ms. Moore then reviewed the changes made to the 2026 budget figures since the November 18, 2025, Regular Board Meeting, at which a public hearing regarding the proposed budget was conducted. 

Ms. Moore stated the 2025 forecast spreadsheet has been updated to reflect actual year-to-date revenues and expenses through November 30, 2025. 

Additionally, Ms. Moore stated the 2025 estimated revenues and expenses have been revised based on year-to-date figures and staff input and reflect a best effort to predict final totals. 

Ms. Jurgens reported the District has received a single comment from a customer concerning the proposed 2026 budget. This individual attended the Regular Board Meeting on October 21, 2025, and provided feedback to the Board following their discussion of the document at that meeting. 

Ms. Jurgens summarized the revenue budget stating that after final revisions to the 2026 budget, the General Fund Budget Summary indicates operational revenues to be $8,029,505, capital revenues to be $230,400, and revenue from the WIFIA and CWRPDA loans to be $26,019,000. The District is budgeted to contribute $5,986,000 from cash reserves. The total revenue for 2026 is budgeted conservatively at $40,264,905. 

Ms. Jurgens highlighted that budgeted overhead expenditures for the year 2026 total $5,156,330 and budgeted operation expenditures total $1,164,600. Budgeted operation and overhead expenditures total $6,320,930, capital expenditures in 2026 are budgeted at $32,255,000, and debt service payments total $1,586,527 for 2026. All expenditures for the year, including overhead, operation, capital, and debt service equal $40,162,457. 

Ms. Jurgens noted that the 2026 budget indicates a net operating/capital surplus of $102,448. This surplus results from Project funding sourced from District reserves and proceeds obtained from the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority's Water Pollution Control Fund, as well as from the EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). 

Ms. Jurgens explained that the anticipated 2026 beginning fund balance is $24,258,236 and the anticipated 2026 ending fund balance is $24,360,684. 

Ms. Jurgens invited the Board to consider adopting Resolution No. 2025-12-01 A Resolution to Adopt 2026 Budget. 

The Board asked questions of Ms. Jurgens and Ms. Moore and discussed the 2026 Budget, including the recent revisions to the document since the November 18, 2025, board meeting. 

The Board acknowledged the District staff for their contributions and efforts on the 2026 Budget. 

It was moved by Mr. Morton and seconded by Mr. Bosch to adopt Resolution No. 2025-12-01, Adopting the 2026 Budget. Motion carried unanimously. 

Update: Phase II - Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) and Lift Station Improvements Project -presented by Mr. Ravel, P.E., Senior Project Manager, AE2S: 

Mr. Ravel provided an update on the Water Reclamation Facility and Lift Station Improvements Project (Project). He noted it has been a relatively quiet month for the Project. There were a few phone conversations with RN Civil Construction to discuss the Project and review cost model updates. Additionally, internal discussions about next steps occurred; however, no decisions were made regarding moving the design components forward. 

The Board thanked Mr. Ravel for the Project Update. 

At 4:27 p.m., Mr. Squires excused himself from the remainder of the meeting. 

Request for Approval: WRF and Lift Station Improvements Project, 20% Design and Value Engineering, AE2S Invoice No.107196- presented by Ms. Moore. 

Ms. Moore asked the Board for approval to remit payment to AE2S for an invoice received by the District: Invoice Number 107196 in the amount of $43,726.50. The invoice pertains to services provided for the Water Reclamation Facility and Lift Station Improvements Project, specifically covering 20% design and value engineering work conducted between October 11, 2025, and November 7, 2025. Ms. Moore stated she has prepared a check for payment of this invoice, and it is ready for signature at this meeting. 

It was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Morton to approve payment to AE2S for Invoice Number 107196 in the amount of $43,726.50. Motion carried unanimously.

At 4:31 p.m., Mr. Niehus excused himself from the remainder of the meeting. 

Reports of Officers, Committees, Professional Consultants, & Staff: 

The Board considered the Reports of Officers, Committees, Professional Consultants, and District Staff. 

The Board asked the staff questions regarding the departmental reports. 

The Board did not have corrections to the departmental reports. 

The Board thanked District Staff for preparing the reports. 

Ms. Jurgens commended Collection Operator Garrett Johnson for achieving his Wastewater Treatment Class B Certification. Ms. Doylen expressed her appreciation for District staff who pursue necessary certifications to advance as wastewater professionals. The Board acknowledged the effort and skills required to obtain the certifications and expressed their gratitude for the dedication exhibited by District staff. 

The Board and Ms. Jurgens discussed the District's first "Toilet Talk" event, which took place on December 10th at 5 p.m. Although the event had a small group of attendees, the conversations were productive. Mr. Bosch and Mr. Morton suggested the District distribute a newsletter to customers informing them of upcoming events, rate increases, Project status, and other District news such as the change from quarterly to monthly billing in 2026. Ms. Jurgens reported to the Board that the District did send out a mass letter to customers informing them of the monthly billing coming up, Project status, and the implemented rate increase for 2026. Ms. Jurgens mentioned that the District is working with public relations firm, GBSM, to coordinate digital quarterly newsletters available to District customers. 

Ms. Jurgens then reminded the Board and staff of the upcoming District holiday party on Friday, December 19th at 5:30 p.m. at the Estes Park YMCA, Fairchild Lodge. Ms. Jurgens thanked the Board for approving the budget for this special event. 

It was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Bosch to accept the Treasurer's Report, Plant Report, System Development Fee Allocation and Connection Report, Collection System Report, Operations Manager's Report, and District Manager's Report. Motion carried unanimously. 

Executive Session: 

At 4:48 p.m., it was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Morton to go into Executive Session pursuant to §24-6-402(4)(e), C.R.S. "Determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiation, developing strategy for negotiations, and instructing negotiators regarding the Water Reclamation Facility Project 20% Design and Value Engineering Construction Estimate. Motion carried unanimously. 

The Executive Session was attended by Directors Doylen, Bosch, Eshelman, Morton and Kessler; and Ms. Jurgens, Ms. Moore, Mr. Allen, Mr. Romig, Mr. Newhouse, Ms. Panzer, Mr. Ravel and Mr. Buecker. 

The Board did not engage in substantial discussion of any matter not enumerated in §24-6-402(4)(e) C.R.S., nor did it adopt any proposed legislative policy, position, resolution, rule, regulation, or formal action.

The Executive Session was adjourned at 5:57 p.m. 

Return to Regular Session: 

At 5:58 p.m., the Board returned to Regular Session. 

Board Discussion and Possible Action: Consideration of Advancing the Water Reclamation Facility and Lift Station Improvements Project to Final Design and Construction: 

The Board discussed and considered advancing the Project to final design and construction. 

Ms. Doylen expressed confidence in AE2S's successful engineering background, capability, and design of the Project. She also highlighted the staff's ability to communicate clearly with Project partners and RN Civil Construction's proven background in delivering projects successfully. Ms. Doylen stated there is ample reason to proceed with the Project expeditiously. 

The Board concurred with the goal of advancing the Project expeditiously to the next step of construction, at the discretion of management. The Board emphasized Project management with ample support and trust between District staff, the engineering team, and contractor to ensure completion of necessary Project tasks efficiently. 

It was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Bosch to advance the Water Reclamation Facility and Lift Station Improvements Project to final design and construction. Motion carried unanimously. 

Ms. Jurgens expressed support in the Project moving forward. Ms. Jurgens assured the Board that the Project team will work diligently to ensure the Project's advancement through final design to construction and commissioning of the Water Reclamation Facility. 

Mr. Eshelman added that special board meetings should be convened without hesitation to avoid any delays in moving the Project forward. 

Mr. Ravel acknowledged this is a significant milestone for the District. He commented that AE2s is committed to completing the Project efficiently and effectively, following management's guidance. Mr. Ravel concluded that the engineering technical memorandum for the 20% design will be compiled and AE2s will work closely with RN Civil Construction to align efforts with District objectives. 

Adjournment: 

Having no further business, at 6:09 p.m. it was moved by Mr. Bosch and seconded by Mr. Morton to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.