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Home My WebLink AboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 01/19/2022 NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR January 19, 2022 6:00 – 8:00 pm Via Zoom 11/17 /21 – MINUTES Page 1 CALL TO ORDER 6:01 pm ROLL CALL • List of Board Members Present - − Danielle Buttke – Chair − Barry Noon − Dawson Metcalf − Hillary Mizia − Kevin Krause – Vice Chair − Victoria McKinnon – New Member • List of Board Members Absent – Excused or Unexcused; if no contact with Chair has been made − Samantha Williams − John Skogman − Avneesh Kumar – New Member • List of Staff Members Present − Honore Depew, Staff Liaison − Sarah Meline, Recovery Policy and Engagement Specialist − Molly Saylor, Lead Sustainability Specialist − Caroline Mitchell, Waste Reduction and Recycling Program Manager • List of Guests − none 1. AGENDA REVIEW 2. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - none 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER a. Dawson moved and Hillary seconded a motion to approve the November minutes with no changes. Motion passed unanimously. 6-0 NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1/19 /22 – MINUTES Page 2 4. NEW BUSINESS a. City Recovery Plan – Sarah Meline, Recovery Policy & Engagement Specialist, presented the draft City Recovery Plan for feedback and recommendations. − Discussion | Q + A − Danielle – Given the role that environmental services play in mental health support, community cohesion, and general wellbeing for the community, we should note the impact of environmental services within the “Health” recovery theme. She also noted the health benefits of increasing access to natural spaces, particularly for historically underrepresented communities. Kevin agrees and reiterates that natural spaces are also a source of accessible transport (commuting to work, etc.). − Barry Noon – Q – Given that the word “recovery” implies a return to a previous state, how did the choice of the word “Recovery” come about? A – This was thought through in the development of the Recovery plan. It was determined to be the best word available, and Sarah reiterates that the plan is focused on progress forward, not a return to a pre-pandemic state. − Barry Noon – Q – Does the word “Resilience” here reflect the definition used within ecology; defined as the ability of an adaptable system to return to a mean state after a stressor. A – Yes, a similar definition is used here, but as it applies to the ability of the community to regain stability quickly and to thrive. − Barry Noon – Dynamic social, economic, and environmental systems necessitate adaptive capacity that is increasing over time. Given this, we need to really focus on looking to the future to make sure we prepare for novel challenges moving forward. He overall is impressed with the plan. − Dawson – Q - Referring to Recovery Outcome 4c: ‘Open space, natural amenities and ecosystems are thriving and accessible’, has there been attention placed on connectivity, specifically regarding the accessibility piece (transport, physical connectivity between natural areas, ability for species to navigate natural spaces, etc.). A – Yes, this did come up in discussions and is termed “Nature in the City” within the plan’s actions, but we are happy to address this more explicitly within the plan. Kevin supports this being referenced more explicitly, especially given multiple meanings when applied to people, communities, and wildlife. Danielle also supports connectivity and multivalent thinking as a way of increasing resilience. NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1/19 /22 – MINUTES Page 3 − Hillary – Appreciates reconnecting some of these outcomes within the summary, notes the forward-thinking inclusion of funding sources within the plan. She also notes the importance of social justice and increasing access to environmental services. Sarah notes that a large portion of funding for recovery comes from the American Rescue Plan, supplemented by other sources, with a requirement to distribute these funds as equitably as possible. − Danielle – Notes the importance of air quality in health outcomes, especially during COVID-19. Including this could help us advocate for use of American Recovery Act funds towards air quality improvements. − Kevin – Advocates for telling hopeful, real-world stories to communicate positive outcomes associated with this plan; we could help communicate these outcomes through storytelling. Sarah – Yes, this would help justify impact of dollars when it comes time to report spending. This recovery project will also be key to the budget review this Summer. b. Waste Reduction and Recycling (WR&R) 2022 Work Plan – Molly Saylor, Lead Specialist and Caroline Mitchell, WR&R Program Manager, outlined the five+ Council Priorities assigned to the Waste Reduction and Recycling program in Environmental Services so NRAB members can plan future agendas and offer input. − Discussion | Q + A − Danielle – Q - Are there any local or state-level ordinances under discussion currently that require producers of recyclable waste to pay for recycling costs? Caroline – A - The State-level recycling organization called Recycle Colorado has been working towards legislation related to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), although this is hard to implement locally. Producers have recently shown more openness to work with the state to figure out best practices. An EPR bill has been drafted and introduced very recently in CO, which hopefully could serve as a nationwide model. If passed, this would open up funds for waste reduction and recycling in Fort Collins. − Kevin – Q – Regarding the regional wasteshed project, do you feel that there are things county citizens can do to elevate the EPR bill as a priority? Caroline – A – The Quarterly Policy Advisory Council minutes and presentations are on the country website. Also engaging with County Commissioners is a great idea. Timeline on the project is TBD. − Hillary – Q - Did you say that composting plans included commercial, or is it just residential sectors? Caroline – A – Conversations surrounding districting refer to single-family homes. State law prohibits districting in multi-family and commercial sectors. Infrastructure changes regarding food scraps and yard NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1/19 /22 – MINUTES Page 4 trimmings would impact all sectors (multi-family, single-family, and commercial). − Danielle – We should think creatively in both planning and implementation about how to use American Rescue Act dollars to support the cost of composting for small businesses, especially given pandemic-related budget constraints. c. Disposable Bag Ordinance Review – Molly Saylor, Lead Specialist, provided an overview of proposed changes to the Fort Collins' Disposable Bag Ordinance (May 2022 start date) in the context of the State's recent plastic-focused Bill (HB21-1162). − Discussion | Q + A − Danielle – Q - Does the state ordinance apply to only businesses of a certain size? – A - Yes, the state plastic bag ordinance exempts all Colorado retailers that have 3 locations or less. − Danielle – Q - Given that microplastics make up a large portion of plastic pollution, how can we link this to Our Climate Future (OCF) and our active modes plans to address this issue? – A - Microplastics can be really difficult to manage in some cases, such as tire erosion, but we are hoping to build off this ordinance to develop a larger plastic pollution plan moving forward. Hillary noted this could be a great educational opportunity for community members about wider plastic pollution issues. − Hillary – Q – What kind of reusable bags will be modeled and provided, and are they durable? – A – The city will distribute sturdy, 100% cotton bags and the ordinance itself details how much weight the bag should be able to carry, etc. We are encouraging people to use whatever reusable bags they may already own as opposed to buying new cotton bags to avoid further waste. − Danielle – Q – Given the fast turn-around for this plan and especially the composting decisions, will there be an opportunity to chat before the April 12th Work Session? – A – Yes, the team would love to engage again with the board between now and then. 5. BOARD MEMBER AND STAFF REPORTS a. Board Member Reports − Hillary – There is some ongoing rights of nature work on the Poudre River. Gailmarie Kimmell may like to meet with the board to share her insights and gain some guidance from the board. Barry is also happy to contribute to the effort. NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1/19 /22 – MINUTES Page 5 − Kevin – Bicycle Advisory Committee update: Trying to make progress on the active modes plan using available data and reports. − Danielle – Summary report for last year’s West Nile Season was released. 27 Cases in Larimer County; 1 death. Unusually late tim ing of West Nile season was intriguing. 6. OTHER BUSINESS a. NRAB Annual Report − Board went over 2021 NRAB Annual Report. Danielle noted that general themes included OCF, the Northern Integrated Supply Project, energy efficiency, and water resources. No comments of changes made. − Kevin moved to adopt the 2021 NRAB Annual Report and Hillary seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously 6-0. b. GOCO Grant Application Memo − Goal: increase access to the Poudre River, especially for underserved communities. Danielle – Q – When is the best time to bring this up? − This issue is open for public comment. − Barry moved to write a memo to Council in support of the GOCO Grant application and associated in-stream diversion removal. Kevin seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously 6-0. c. to 1041 Regulations Working Group − This working group is responsible for regulating the Northern Integrated Supply Project. Objective tonight is to vote on who should represent the board in the working group. Board determines no conflict of interest and reiterates Barry’s capability for the role. Barry and Dawson hope to collaborate on this. Dawson nominated Barry. Kevin seconded the nomination. Barry’s nomination unanimously passed 6-0. d. Representative to Bicycle Advisory Committee − Kevin serves on the committee and would like to continue as a representative upon the end of his current term. Danielle nominates Kevin as a NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 1/19 /22 – MINUTES Page 6 representative to the Bicycle Advisory Committee and Barry seconds the motion. Nomination passed unanimously 6-0. e. West Nile Virus Technical Advisory Committee − Tonight was the committee’s first meeting. Danielle has previously been the NRAB representative, but has not been heavily involved. Q – would anyone else like to represent NRAB in this committee? No interest at this time. f. Six Month Calendar Review https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/planning-calendar.php − Board members advised to look at February and March subjects on the calendar − In particular, Danielle urges attendance at the building code adoption city council meeting and at the Active Modes Plan discussion during the Feb 8th work session. − Delayed a more careful review of calendar until next meeting due to time. g. Revisit action items from previous meetings & preview of next meeting − None 7. ADJOURN - 8:30 pm