October 21, 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, October 21, 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@utsd.org by 2:00 p.m. on October 21, 2025.
Agenda
- Call to Order.
- Pledge of Allegiance.
- Roll Call, Absences Excused.
- Next Meeting Dates: Regular Board Meeting, Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
- Agenda: Correction and Approval.
- Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest.
- Public Forum: An opportunity for presentation by the public to provide information to the Board of Directors on any non-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 Chairman and 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. - Minutes: Correction and Approval: Regular Board Meeting, September 23, 2025.
- New Business and Special Orders:
- Update: Phase II - Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) and Lift Station Improvements Project – presented by Mr. Ravel, P.E., Senior Project Manager, AE2S.
- Request for Approval: WRF and Lift Station Improvements Project, 20% Design and Value Engineering, AE2S Invoice No. 106299 - presented by Ms. Moore.
- 2026 Proposed Budget Comments and Discussion.
- Reports from Officers, Committees, and Staff: Questions, Comments, Correction and Approval:
- Treasurer’s Report.
- Plant Report.
- System Development Fee Allocation and Connection Report.
- Collection System Report.
- Operations Manager’s Report.
- District Manager’s Report.
- 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@utsd.org, 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: October 21, 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
Andrew Kessler, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
Staff:
Suzanne Jurgens, District Manager
Gina Moore, Financial Officer
Matt Allen, Operations Manager
Nathanael Romig, Collection Superintendent
Henry Newhouse, Plant Superintendent
Sheryl Panzer, Customer Accounts Manager
Cristie Rambeau, Customer Accounts Specialist
Naomi McCracken, Secretary (at 4:00p.m., joined via web conference call)
Invited Guests:
Steve Ravel, P.E., Senior Project Manager, Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services (AE2S) (Joined via web conference call)
Next Meeting Date
A regular meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on November 18, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
Approval of Agenda
The Board considered the Agenda.
It was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Bosch 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.
In attendance was Ms. Patti Brown, of 270 Cyteworth Road, Estes Park. Ms. Brown indicated she was observing the meeting on behalf of the Estes Valley Voice. Ms. Brown did not offer comment on a nonagenda item.
In attendance was Ms. Rebecca Urquhart, of 1955 Homestead Lane, Estes Park. Ms. Urquhart indicated she was observing the meeting on behalf of the League of Women Voters. Ms. Urquhart did not offer comment on a non-agenda item.
Approve Minutes from Prior Meeting:
The Board reviewed and discussed the Minutes of the September 23, 2025, Regular Board Meeting.
It was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Kessler to approve the Minutes of the September 23, 2025, Regular Board Meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business and Special Orders:
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 regarding the value engineering and 20% design progress for the Water Reclamation Facility and Lift Station Improvements Project (Project). He stated Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services (AE2S) has completed a draft technical memorandum with attachments, an update of a decision log, and additional documents that were provided to the District's Project contractor, RN Civil Construction. Mr. Ravel reported that RN Civil Construction is working through those documents and preparing a cost estimate for the 20% design. Mr. Ravel noted that a progress update meeting is scheduled with RN Civil Construction on October 22nd.
Mr. Ravel then shared three dimensional images of the proposed water reclamation facility. Mr. Ravel stated the goal of presenting these drawings is to show the Boar;d the overall site layout along with the design of the pre-engineered metal buildings which will house the equipment, chemical storage, and other components of the facility. Mr. Ravel emphasized these drawings are not the final design, but a 20% design with the value engineering effort added. Mr. Ravel explained that the site layout illustrates the revised WRF Project that RN Civil Construction will use to develop a preliminary cost estimate.
Mr. Ravel and the Board discussed the proximity of the site layout setback line along Mall Road including the underground utilities, storm drainage, and other site improvements.
Mr. Ravel answered questions of the Board regarding RN Civil Construction providing pricing alternatives for various components to reduce overall Project costs.
The Board thanked Mr. Ravel for the Project update.
Request for Approval: WRF and Lift Station Improvements Project, 20% Design and Value Engineering, AE2S Invoice No. 106299 - 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 106299 in the amount of $67,894.06. 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 August 16, 2025, and September 12, 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. Bosch to approve payment to AE2S for Invoice Number 106299 in the amount of $67,894.06. Motion carried unanimously.
2026 Proposed Budget Comments and Discussion:
Ms. Jurgens stated that discussion of the proposed 2026 budget is on the agenda to facilitate an opportunity for the Board of Directors and members of the public to ask questions, offer comments, and discuss the proposed document.
Ms. Jurgens noted the proposed budget for 2026 complies with all legal requirements, including estimated beginning and ending fund balances, and provides previous year audited figures, year-end estimates for 2025, and projections for 2026, the year in which the budget will be adopted.
Ms. Jurgens reported that, in compliance with statutory requirements, the Notice of Public Hearing for the Proposed 2026 Budget, scheduled for November 18, 2025, was published in both the Estes Park News and the Estes Park Trail Gazette on October 17, 2025. Additionally, the Notice was posted on the District's website and at the administration office on October 15, 2025.
Ms. Jurgens informed the Board that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the proposed budget was officially presented for the Board's review at the Special Board Meeting on October 14, 2025. She further noted that, as of this date, only one member of the public has provided feedback on the budget. This individual attended the Special Board Meeting on October 14, 2025, when the proposed 2026 budget was first introduced, and spoke with the Board about the District's finances, including the budget and service rates.
Ms. Jurgens stated that following today's meeting, edits and revisions will be made to the document, and the updated version will be presented to the Board at the public hearing scheduled for November 18, 2025, during the regular board meeting.
Ms. Jurgens stated that the final version of the 2026 budget will be presented to the Board for adoption at the December 16, 2025, board meeting.
Ms. Jurgens noted that the Board's input is critical to ensure the budget reflects the District's priorities and supports the District's mission to provide reliable sanitation services to the Estes Park community.
Ms. Jurgens invited the Board to ask questions and provide comments concerning the proposed budget, and after the Board's discussion and remarks, she invited members of the public to do the same regarding the document.
Mr. Eshelman commented that the budget was well presented at the October 14, 2025, Special Board Meeting.
Mr. Kessler expressed his appreciation for District staff's commitment to budget efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
Ms. Doylen emphasized a budget defines the priorities of an organization and for the District these priorities include maintaining and caring for the system that the ratepayers are invested in, future improvements, along with staying current in meeting the requirements of the state and federal government. Ms. Doylen added another priority for the District is treating its employees with dignity and respect. Ms. Doylen stated she is proud that the District's budget reflects these priorities.
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.
Mr. Allen responded to questions of the Board pertaining to auctioning the 2018 Kenworth Dump Truck and trailer.
Public Comment: Ms. Urquhart suggested the District consider collaboration with Estes Park Sanitation District on their needs related to the dump truck and other equipment the District is planning to auction.
Ms. Jurgens responded stating the auction is the best option for the District at this time and that Estes Park Sanitation has the ability to participate in the auction if interested.
Adding to the District Manager's Report, Ms. Jurgens commended and thanked Mr. Allen for coordinating a two-day training session led by Ms. Sidney lnnerebner of Indigo Water Group, held at the District administration office. Ms. Jurgens highlighted that Ms. lnnerebner is a renowned wastewater industry professional and instructor, based in Denver, Colorado. The training session was focused on hydraulics, the collections system, and lift stations.
The Board did not have corrections to the departmental reports.
The Board thanked District staff for preparing the reports.
At 4:54 p.m., Mr. Ravel excused himself from the remainder of the meeting.
It was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Morton 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.
Adjournment
Having no further business, at 5:00 p.m. it was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Bosch to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.