HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 05/19/2021
NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR
May 19, 2021 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Via Zoom
5/19/21 – MINUTES Page 1
1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Board Members Present
Danielle Buttke - Chair
Barry Noon
John Skogman
Samantha Williams
Hillary Mizia
Drew Derderian
Kevin Krause – Vice Chair
Dawson Metcalf
Board Members Absent
Elizabeth Hudetz
Councilmembers Present
Julie Pignataro - City Council Liaison
Staff Members Present
Lindsay Ex, Staff Liaison
Rich Anderson, Chief Building Official
Brad Smith, Energy Services Code Compliance Specialist
Lucinda Smith, Director, Environmental Services
Guests
Tim Alig
2. AGENDA REVIEW
No changes
3. COMMUNITY MEMBER PARTICIPATION
Tim Alig presented an E-Skateboard Trail Use Initiative to the NRAB and ask for the
board's feedback.
- The goal of the initiative is to allow e-skateboard users access to paved trails
(that are accessible to e-bikes, but not e-skateboards), such as the Poudre Trail
and Fossil Creek Trail.
- Using the e-bike pilot program as a benchmark, this initiative would establish
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speed limits and standard safety policies for e-skateboards.
- The board listened to the presentation, but no action was taken.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February minutes - With no edits to the minutes, Dawson moved and Kevin
seconded a motion to approve the February 17, 2021 minutes as presented. Motion
passed unanimously. 9-0-0
March minutes - With no edits to the minutes, Hillary moved and Kevin seconded a
motion to approve the March 17, 20201 minutes as presented. Motion passed
unanimously 9-0-0
As the NRAB did not meet in the month of April, there were no minutes.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Visit with Councilmember Julie Pignataro, Liaison to NRAB - to review Council's
initial conversations around the NRAB 2021-2023 priorities, work plan, and alignment
with the City's Strategic Plan.
Julie Pignataro reported that the new City Council met on May 7 and 8 with 5
new Council members and a new Mayor. They discussed their preliminary
priorities. Priorities relevant to the NRAB that are under consideration are:
Road to Zero Waste with trash districting, food waste elimination campaign, cool
roofs, Epic loan program, air quality programs, focus on climate emergency,
circular economy, Xeriscaping, Leave No Trace, and tree subsidy program.
The City's Executive Leadership Team (ELT) will mesh the priorities into focus
areas and Council will meet mid-summer to finalize and adopt them.
Discussion:
Danielle -Q - What do you foresee being necessary to put in place
regarding trash districting? A - Staff is researching what other cities have
done, are in conversations with the company Gallegos sold to, and are
investigating a path forward that will be in alignment with the City's goals for
air quality, street wear and customer service.
Barry - Regarding protecting and enhancing in-stream river flows, CSU
scientists who have worked on this agree that the NISP project will
undermine these City objectives. A - The new Council are learning much
about water law and the NISP project, and are not sure what will happen
because it seems the NISP project has done everything according to
Colorado law.
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Barry - He pointed out that the NRAB previously submitted a letter to
Council encouraging the City to join an ongoing litigation with Save the
Poudre and others against the NISP project. He encourages Council to
protect the river in any way possible. A - The previous Council did not act
on the NRAB's letter and the new Council is in a learning mode about the
project.
Dawson - Please expand on the air quality issue A – Councilmember
Pignataro would like to see Fort Collins have air monitoring stations like
what are in Boulder and Longmont that track specific gases from oil and
gas operations. However, they are very expensive. In addition, she
supports a Leave No Trace campaign to help diminish wildfires.
Danielle - Q - Does Council have any requests for the NRAB in terms of
alignment to Council priorities? A - Councilmember Pignataro would like to
have a conversation after the Council sets its priorities on how to get
meaningful feedback from the NRAB into Council's discussions
Danielle – Q - Is it OK for the board to not submit a recommendation memo
on items like the plastics pollution that have already broad support? A - If
there is another issue like that Councilmember Pignataro will reach out to
the board through appropriate channels for their input. Once Council
priorities are mapped out, it will be easier to plan how and when the NRAB
can give input.
Kevin -Q - He is the NRAB liaison for the Bicycle Advisory Committee and
wondered where Councilmember Pignataro stands on multi modal
transportation A - Councilmember Pignataro supports a bicycling
alternative and realizes much needs to be learned in order to make
alternative travel modes work better.
Danielle - A - She is concerned about buildings constructed and maintained
under older building codes that are inequitable, inefficient and not
sustainable, especially around water usage. In order to create more
sustainable housing, she expects there would need to be new laws,
ordinances and ballot measures for existing houses. Are there
opportunities for the NRAB to weigh in on these issues? A -
Councilmember Pignataro is not sure water issues are something they have
jurisdiction over. She has also not heard any discussions around changing
these older building codes.
Barry - Q - He understands the town of Windsor is planning to invest
millions of dollars to develop a river park for swimming, tubing and
kayaking. If NISP happens, there will not be enough river flow for these
activities. In addition, the Poudre River intake upstream will be significantly
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dewatering the Poudre River. He is wondering if Fort Collins City Council is
having a dialogue with neighboring cities' city councils on shared stresses
to city resources such as these? A - Councilmember Pignataro supports
regional collaboration. She also understands that the city of Windsor
supports the NISP project so they can get their water. She has recently
been appointed to the PRPA board and that group works with other
communities on local issues. Pre-Covid there were regional governmental
meetings to discuss common issues. Everyone wants what's best for their
communities but there are different strategies how to get there.
The NRAB shared their work plans including water allotments, building
codes, Emerald Ash Borer as it relates to air quality, parks and recreation,
the housing/climate/transportation nexus, oil and gas impacts, regional
wastershed, and composting. Kevin stated he would also like to see more
metrics on these items so progress can be tracked.
Kevin and Danielle stressed the group's desire to reduce Kentucky
Bluegrass use in residential yards because its maintenance negatively
impacts the environment.
b. 2021 Building Code Updates - Rich Anderson and Brad Smith
Currently, there is no state of Colorado minimum building code, mechanical
code, or swimming pool code. There is a state minimum plumbing code and
minimum electrical code, but they are very minimal. Because Colorado is a
"home rule" state, cities can adopt, amend and enforce these codes as they see
fit. Also, according to a recent statehouse ruling, jurisdictions are required to
adopt one of the three most recent versions of the International Energy
Conservation Codes (IECC) when they adopt any other construction Code.
Fort Collins was an active participant to make the 2021IECC code more
efficient by voting with various governmental entities to improve the code's
efficiency minimums.
Fort Collins is one of the most progressive cities in the state regarding building
codes. We are in the process of adopting the 2021 building codes. We are using
a hybrid approach allowing Committee members and the public to participate in
person or via Zoom. The City is reviewing the International Building Code and is
making recommendations specific to our community based on historic data and
stakeholder input, with an eye to preparing for a more sustainable future. Within
the Fort Collins Building code are many specific codes for things like mechanical,
electrical, fire, plumbing, etc. that also reference each other in this family of
codes. In addition to updating the building code, the city will also update the
2006 International Property Maintenance Code
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The codes being reviewed that will be above minimum standards are: The
International Wild Urban Interface Code (addressing wildfires), International
Code Council Performance Code (addresses fire code and egress), International
Green Conservation Code (voluntary), 90.1 2019 Performance Code
(incentivizes +10% energy performance)
Chapter 36 of the International Building Code (Sustainable Building Construction
Practices) was added to the model Building code in Fort Collins to address the
City's climate goals and sustainable practices.
Local amendments to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code are
focused on higher efficiency and are being driven by the City's Our Climate
Future plan, and a provision within, to develop an energy performance path to
zero carbon building by 2030 for new construction. There is also consideration
for efficiency upgrades to existing homes when permitted for an addition. Our
Amendments are rooted in building science and specific to our climate zone and
will lay the foundation for future higher efficiency codes.
Because the City of Fort Collins is our own municipal utility, we’re currently able
to track the impact of energy codes on residential energy use. Data shows that,
as each code cycle addresses efficiencies, energy use in the city is reducing.
The steps to adoption are: ICC code release; staff review; code review
committee; community outreach; and council adoption in January, 2022.
Discussion
Dawson - Q - What are the priorities regarding water usage in the building
codes, also gray water usage and recycling of water in general? A - There is
a proposal regarding conservation in landscape irrigation design and usage
for residential properites. Also under consideration are codes to lower
gallons per minute on fixtures. The current code has modeling for gray water
usage and there are future plans for water recovery, treatment and reuse
from plumbing fixtures and HVAC discharge.
Kevin - Q - Please expand on what is the scope of the International
Properties Maintenance code? A - It is the other side of the Nuisance Code
enforced by the Community Development and Neighborhood Services
Department. It is the usage code for the building itself designed to protect
the inhabitants from unsafe livability conditions.
Kevin - Q - What is the follow up for compliance to these new codes? A -
The City has a mechanical system performance verification that requires all
residential mechanical systems that were designed by a mechanical
engineer are tested to be sure they work to design. Commercial buildings
also have a robust commissioning verification system.
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Danielle - Q - How will the City involve the trades to come along with the
new codes? A - Enforcement will be through education, not a heavy hand to
get their buy-in by knowing the benefits of the new efficiencies and potential
savings to them. It is challenging for trades right now. We’ve developed
resources and training that include a green building lecture series, the
beginnings of a workforce training and education program and there is
always a willingness to meet on-site to review and discuss challenging
details.
Danielle will send information to the board about a Green Building
Symposium available to the public.
Rich Anderson pointed out that Brad Smith was acknowledged by the
International Code Councils Sustainability Membership Council with the
2020 National Leadership in Sustainability Award, as a result of the efforts
that Fort Collins is doing as a community.
c. 2022 Budget Process and Spotlight on Environmental Services Offers - Lucinda
Smith
Normally, the City has a 2-year budget cycle. In the "odd" years there are
Council elections, and Council sets their priorities. In addition, the City's
strategic plan is updated. In the "even" years, the BFO Budget process begins.
However, in 2020, because of financial and other unknowns due to Covid, the
2021 budget was only a one-year budget. The 2022 budget will also be a one-
year budget. After that, it is anticipated the City will return to a normal two-year
budget cycle.
The City's budget revenue comes from a variety of sources such as taxes and
funds for services. Some City revenue funds are restricted how they can be
used. Use of the General Fund (where the Environmental Services Department
is funded) is designated to address council's priorities and adopted goals and
objectives.
The BFO process develops a strategic plan which identifies the strategic
objectives the budget is intended to meet in the City's 7 outcome areas:
Neighborhood Livability and Social Health, Culture and Recreation, Economic
Health, Environmental Health, Safe Community, Transportation, and High
Performing Government. The Natural Resources Board's interests most align
with the Environmental Health outcome area.
City departments create "offers" or budget requests to fund their work. The BFO
teams meet in 3 rounds to prioritize which offers best meet the specific
objectives of the strategic plan. The City's Executive Lead Team then meets to
look at the recommendations and then develop the City Manager's
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recommended budget that goes to Council for public discussion and later
adoption.
The Environmental Health budget has basic offers for ongoing work and
enhancement offers for one-time offers and approved new projects such as:
upgrade and operation of the Timberline Recycle Center, Our Climate Future
projects, the Innovation Fund and innovation challenges, enhance volunteer
programs and coordinators, and strengthening relationships with indigenous
communities to develop city land acknowledgement.
The BFO timeline has BFO teams meeting from April - June, Budget Lead Team
deliberations in July, Council budget work sessions in September-October,
community input in Sept - November, and adoption in November. Public input is
currently being received May - July at https://ourcity.fcgov.com/2022budget.
Discussion:
Danielle - Q - What kind of projects have come from the Innovation Fund?
A - It is an internally-focused fund that has funded a variety of projects. A
few examples are: upgrading outdoor lighting at the traffic facility, solar
panels on Nix Farmhouse, a virtual pipe inspection system, an electronic
plan review system, and monitoring idling time on city vehicles.
Danielle - A - Are there opportunities for the community to connect with staff
regarding suggested projects to be funded by the Innovation Fund? A - In
the past there was an Innovation Fort Collins Challenge for the public.
Currently, funding for the Municipal Innovation Fund is limited to City
employees regarding City operations and infrastructure. It is something that
could be considered in the future.
Danielle - She reminded the board that it can review the BFO offers and
provide input on items that relate to the board's priorities, but it will be a fast
turnaround. A - It might be helpful if the NRAB wants to send a memo to
council about specific offers it in advance of their sessions where they will
discuss that area of interest. Many boards wait until the official budget
comes out before they write their letters of funding or defunding. The board
briefly discussed their preference on how to weigh in on the budget relative
to the board's objectives.
Dawson - Q - Is there funding for the Emerald Ash Borer mitigation? A - It
would be in Neighborhood Livability and Social Health outcome area.
Lindsay reported it is listed in an ongoing offer there and also as an
enhancement offer. The public is also encouraged to give feedback on the
budget document itself regarding any legibility or navigation issues with the
document.
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6. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Sammy Williams went to the Super Issues meeting in April and reported that it was
mostly about the budget. Other reports were about water allotments, and
reimagining boards and commissions. Boards will receive an email about the status
of the reimagining boards and commissions project.
Kevin attended the Bike Advisory Committee that discussed the Larimer County
Street standards updates and whether or not bikes need to come to a full stop at
lights. It is unknown if the state of Colorado will adopt legislation that bikes do not
have to come to a full stop when it is safe not to.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
a. 6-month Calendar review
b. Agenda planning
8. ADJOURNMENT
a. Kevin moved and Dawson seconded a motion to adjourn at 8:30 pm