HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation And Stewardship Board - Minutes - 08/10/2022
Land Conservation & Stewardship Board
Regular Meeting | 1745 Hoffman Mill Road
August 10, 2022
Members:
Andrea Elson, Chair Vicky McLane, Member
Ross Cunniff, Vice Chair Alycia Crall, Member
Mike Weber, Member Elena Lopez, Member
Denise Culver, Member Cole Kramer, Member
Joe Piesman, Member
08/10 /20 22 – MINUTES Page 1
1. CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL: Andrea Elson, Mike Weber, Denise Culver, Ross Cunniff, Elena Lopez, Cole
Kramer, Joe Piesman, Vicky McLane
Excused: Alycia Crall
City Staff: Rachel Ruhlen, FC Moves
NAD Staff: Ryan Vincent, Julia Feder, Bernadette Kuhn, Jesse Green, Matt Parker,
Kristin Powell, Dave Irwin, Katie Donahue
3. COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS: None
4. AGENDA REVIEW: Chair Elson reviewed the agenda with no changes.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Chair Elson made a motion to approve the July LCSB meeting minutes. Member
Kramer seconded the motion. The motion was approved 8-0.
6. ACTION ITEMS:
Municipal Code Updates
Jesse Green, NAD Ranger led the LCSB through a brief review of the proposed changes to the
municipal code he presented to the board during the July meeting, answered follow up
questions and explained the rational for the changes. Prior to his presentation to the Board,
Jesse reviewed the changes with City’s attorney and assured LCSB the changes are primarily
refinements of definitions and will not impact the day-to-day work of the NAD Ranger staff. The
proposed changes align with the Natural Areas Department mission and values as well as
Colorado State statutes. The proposed changes only apply to the Fort Collins Municipal Code
Chapter 23, Article IX, which cover Natural Areas regulations.
Discussion: The Board and NAD staff engaged in a brief discussion of the proposed changes:
that a property outside city limits must be at least partially open to the public to allow NAD
jurisdiction and enforcement capabilities; dusk to dawn closures now include a 30-minute buffer
on either end of the day; added enforcement capability for illegal hunting in natural areas; and
align with Larimer County in the prohibition of air mattresses/pool toys (which are not
designated for open water use) on Natural Areas ponds. LCSB acknowledged the importance of
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clarifying definitions and updating the code. Member Cunniff stated data reporting before and
after implementing the changes would be informative.
Member Piesman made a motion that Land Conservation and Stewardship Board
recommend that City Council approve the proposed updates and changes to the Natural
Areas Municipal Code. Member Elson seconded the motion. The motion was approved
8-0.
GOCO Grant Application
Julia Feder, Environmental Planning Manager, introduced the Buckeye Ranch Conservation
Project, to conserve nearly 1,000 acres north of Fort Collins, in partnership with Larimer County.
The County and City are submitting a GOCO grant application to support this project. Natural
Areas intends to purchase 700+/-acres of this property to protect important wildlife habitat and
potentially provide access to nature close to the proposed Hwy 287 realignment. Larimer
County intends to hold a conservation easement on 250+ acres retained by the landowner.
Contingent on Council approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement, the County will likely hold a
separate conservation easement on the City’s potential purchase. The City and County will
partner on the purchase price of the fee and CE acquisitions. These will most likely be multi-
year acquisitions. Larimer County Department of Natural Resources and Natural Areas staff are
developing relationships with other landowners in this area and the success of this project has
great potential to serve as a catalyst for adjacent landowners who want to conserve their
properties.
The total potential contribution by the City is estimated at $2.5-$4 million of the estimated total
cost of $4-6 million – dependent upon forthcoming appraisal of the property and receipt of
GOCO funds. The estimated cost split would be City 65% and County 35%. Larimer County will
potentially contribute up to $1.5M and Great Outdoors Colorado will potentially contribute up to
$500,000.
Discussion: Staff and LCSB engaged in a general discussion about the property and its
alignment with the Natural Areas 2014 Master Plan. Board members had questions about
Larimer County’s role in the acquisition, the possibility of purchasing without grant aid, eventual
public access, ranger enforcement, and future GOCO funding opportunities. In addition to
answering these questions, staff reported they have had conversations with other departments
within Community Services regarding funding priorities and they are supportive of this effort.
Staff noted because the parcel lies within the Dry Creek drainage it offers additional opportunity
for wildlife connectivity and increased habitat value through restoration; NAD would manage the
property (Mountains to Plains Zone). Julia assured Member Piesman that public access to the
property would not be dependent on the realignment of US Hwy 287. Staff has been advised by
GOCO that securing support from LCSB, City Council and Larimer County Board of
Commissioners would be an important component of the application.
Member Cunniff made a motion that the Land Conservation Stewardship Board
recommend, and City Council support an application for Great Outdoors Colorado grant
relating to a land acquisition opportunity in the Buckeye Region in partnership with
Larimer County. Member Kramer seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously
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approved 8-0.
FC Moves Active Modes Plan
Rachel Ruhlen, Transportation Planner, FC Moves presented an overview of the draft Active
Modes plan which combines and updates the City’s 2011 Pedestrian Plan and 2014 Bicycle
Plan as well as incorporating micromobility devices such as electric scooters and skateboards.
The full draft plan and a summary are available for public review on the project website at
fcgov.com/WalkBikePlan through August 24, 2022.
Discussion: Rachel stressed throughout her presentation that the Active Modes plan is focused
on how to safely move people around the city including natural areas; that it is not a trails plan.
The focus is increasing safety throughout the bicycle and pedestrian networks as people move
around the city on foot or bike to access basic needs like school, work, shopping. Member
Cunniff asked about non-capital policy or operational changes needed to successfully
implement the plan. Rachel stated that 15-minute access to basic needs is heavily influenced by
land use policy and is addressed in the plan. Member Kramer expressed concern about a lack
of robust land use planning to address connectivity. Member Piesman voiced the ongoing need
for safety. Rachel reminded everyone the focus of the Active Modes Plan is safe and connected
networks by creating safe intersections with increased predictability and visibility. Rachel
prompted everyone to consider posting comments/feedback about the plan on the interactive
website.
Member Cunniff made a motion that the LCSB make a recommendation to City Council to
adopt the Active Modes Plan. Member Elson seconded the motion. The motion was
approved 7-0 with member McLane abstaining.
RESTORE Grant Intergovernmental Agreement
Bernadette Kuhn, Senior Environmental Planner presented an overview of the RESTORE
Big Game Critical Winter Habitat Range Project. The project will focus on treating cheatgrass
(Bromus spp.) and feral rye (Secale cereale), two annual invasive grasses that outcompete
native vegetation food sources for elk and mule deer and create fine fuel loads that increase
wildfire risk. These grasses have invaded the native shrublands, grasslands, and ponderosa
pine forests at Coyote Ridge and Bobcat Ridge natural areas that serve as important wildlife
migration corridors and critical winter range habitat for elk and mule deer.
A $328,900 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation RESTORE Colorado Program grant was
recently awarded to the Larimer County Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR) in
partnership with Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW), City of Fort Collins Natural Areas
Department (FCNAD), Boulder County Parks & Open Space, and Jefferson County Open
Space, to control and eradicate invasive annual grasses across 4,385 acres of foothills open
spaces. As a partnering agency, FCNAD will receive $58,500 to treat 780 acres across Coyote
Ridge and Bobcat Ridge Natural Areas. FCNAD is contributing $22,875 in cash match and
$9,562 in-kind match (staff time). To share the funding, Larimer County has requested that the
City of Fort Collins enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA).
Discussion: The Board and staff engaged in extensive discussion about the project with
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questions focused on the herbicide’s pre-emergent properties, the potential impact on non-
target native plants and animals, bioaccumulation, combining herbicide application with other
management techniques and run-off. Staff explained that a combination of management
strategies is ideal, but the steep terrain prohibits grazing and cheat grass thrives post-fire
without competition from other plant species. Staff noted they only apply herbicide to heavily
infested areas. There will be on-the-ground pre- and post-application monitoring and the use of
GIS remote sensing to map cheatgrass levels. Staff explained the monitoring requirements of
the grant and agreed to research existing and potential monitoring of herbicide run-off and
impact non-target species. Matt Parker, Senior Supervisor for Restoration Management will
report back to the Board with a memo outlining research requested.
Member Cunniff made a motion for Land Conservation and Stewardship Boar to support
the City signing the IGA with Larimer County, and that Land Conservation and
Stewardship Board recommend that Natural Areas Department staff investigate and
report on existing and potential monitoring on non-target animal species. Member Culver
seconded the motion. Motion was approved 8-0
Staff and Board members agreed with the request by Member Cunniff to reorder the
agenda to put the Executive Session after all the updates.
Staffing Update
Katie Donahue, Director, Natural Areas provided a brief update on staffing: Michelle Vattano,
Business Support III is leaving, and Mary Boyts will assume LCSB packet material preparation
and meeting support. The Land Conservation Manager position remains vacant with a revised
posting going out in the next week or two. Because several qualified candidates of the strong
applicant pool withdrew, staff decided to pause and assess why that occurred and ensure the
position meets the department’s need. Kelly Smith will be joining Natural Areas as a Senior
Environmental Planner on September 6th. She will continue her 1041 work through the end of
2022. Facility Operations has hired Rachael Russell as a Coordinator and she will be managing
Primrose Studio and the studio space at the Buckhorn addition to Bobcat Ridge.
Miscellaneous Updates
Katie Donahue, Director, Natural Areas shared updates on several items of interest to the
Board.
Gateway Natural Area
The decommissioned water treatment plant at Gateway Natural Area has been boarded up to
make the building more secure and deter vandalism. Unfortunately, part of the reason for the
added security is the recent detection in the building of the fungus that causes White Nose
Syndrome.
NAD Budget
There are two enhancements in the department’s proposed budget (West Nile Virus mitigation
and the addition of an Environmental Planner). Katie stated that otherwise, everything else in
the budget is business as usual.
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Hughes Stadium Property
The City has contracted with a public engagement firm to manage the community
engagement/feedback. Currently, there is no update or movement to completing the sell. The
recent indigenous community event at the site was permitted by CSU.
Bird City Americas: The City will be awarded Platinum level certification as a Bird City with the
announcement coming next month. The city was already engaged in most of the best practices
activities required of the certification.
Easement application
KIA-Nissan asked NAD to proceed with presenting the easement request to City Council. Katie
will notify LCSB members when that presentation gets scheduled with City Council.
Outdoor Lighting at Mental Health Facility
Member Cunniff asked about the night sky lighting at the new Mental Health facility because of
its location between Fort Collins and Loveland. Katie will follow up.
Meadow Springs Ranch
Member Piesman inquired about progress on the potential conservation easement at Meadow
Springs Ranch and transferring some portion to Natural Areas. Julia stated that a property
appraisal is scheduled. Katie will follow up with Utilities about a presenting an update to the
Board and added it to the future topics list.
BOARD UPDATES
Bicycle Advisory Committee
Member Weber stated the Bike Advisory Committee hosted FC Moves for a presentation on the
Active Modes plan, albeit more in-depth.
1041 Committee Update
Member Cunniff reported at this stage of policy development, there is limited opportunity to
weigh in, but the Board will be asked to review the policy and proved feedback before it goes to
Council in November. His assessment is the City will create a tiered system of review based on
various criteria. Member Cunniff requested for the definitions of criteria to be very specific, i.e.,
measurable, and not subjective. Member Lopez reported there will be a mechanism in place for
residents to appeal any of the permit decisions. She also shared there is a clause that will allow
developers to override the City and community’s loss (social, environmental, archeological, etc.)
if they can provide evidence of benefit.
Board Retreat
Board discussed possibly holding a retreat February after new members are in place.
Future Agenda Items
Meadow Springs Ranch, Prairie dog update, birds and recreation data.
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Member Kramer made a motion that the LCSB move into Executive Session to discuss
potential real property and specific legal questions regarding such property acquisitions.
Member Cunniff seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved 8-0.
The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:52 pm
The Board reconvened into regular meeting at 8:30 and adjourned at 8:33 pm
___________________________________ _____________________
Ross Cunniff, Vice Chair Date
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9/15/2022