Title
A Resolution renaming the Mesa Water Treatment Plant, for Phillip H. Tollefson
Presenter:
Earl Wilkinson, III, Chief Water Services Officer, Water Services Division
Jerry A. Forte, P.E., CEO, Colorado Springs Utilities
Body
Summary:
Colorado Springs Utilities is seeking City Council approval of the attached resolution renaming the Mesa Water Treatment Plant in honor of Phillip H. Tollefson, Chief Executive Officer of Colorado Springs Utilities from 1993 through 2005. Mesa is Colorado Springs’ first water treatment plant, and Mr. Tollefson was Colorado Springs Utilities’ first Chief Executive Officer.
Previous Council Action:
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Background:
Phillip H. Tollefson joined the City of Colorado Springs Utilities Department in 1982 as Manager of Water Resources and Planning and was appointed by the City Manager to be Director of the City Utilities Department in 1992. After a charter change approved by voters in 1993, the City Council appointed Mr. Tollefson as the first Chief Executive Officer of the newly named Colorado Springs Utilities, an enterprise of the City of Colorado Springs. Mr. Tollefson served in that capacity until he retired in 2005.
Mr. Tollefson spent 13 years as Chief Executive Officer of Colorado Springs Utilities, providing safe, cost effective and reliable water, wastewater, gas and electric service to nearly 500,000 customers. He was the architect of a new brand and identity for Colorado Springs, and a new focus: focus on our customers, who are our citizens and owners. It was under Mr. Tollefson’s leadership that our ever-present motto was born, “Colorado Springs Utilities - It’s How We’re All Connected.”
Mr. Tollefson led many improvements to our four utility services during his tenure; one of the most important was the 1996 Water Resources Plan, which called for water conservation, improved system efficiency, and construction of a Southern Delivery System. It was during the historic drought of the early 2000s that Mr. Tollefson worked with City Council to begin the diplomacy and permitting process that led to the successful construction and operation of the Southern Delivery System in 2016.
Mr. Tollefson retired in 2005 after more than 34 years of experience in the utilities industry in both the public and private sectors.
About Mesa Water Treatment Plant: Our community’s first water treatment plant opened in 1942 and added capacity in 1962 and 1985. Its current capacity is 42 MGD (million gallons per day). A significant project to upgrade the plant is about to begin and will continue for two years.
This request complies with the City Asset Naming Process Policy, specifically, that Mr. Tollefson has been retired from service as an employee for a minimum of two years.
Financial Implications:
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Board/Commission Recommendation:
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Stakeholder Process:
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Alternatives:
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Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Move approval of the Resolution
Summary of Ordinance Language
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