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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/26/2024 - NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD - AGENDA - Regular Meeting Natural Resources Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING – June 26, 2024 Location: 222 Laporte Ave. and via Zoom - https://fcgov.zoom.us/j/94115567733 6:00 CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL 1. AGENDA REVIEW 2. COMMUNITY MEMBER PARTICIPATION 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MAY 4. NEW BUSINESS 6:10-7:15 Water Efficiency Plan (WEP) update Alice Conovitz (Utilities Water Conservation) and colleagues will present an overview of the in-progress update to the State-required Water Efficiency Plan, which sets water efficiency and conservation goals and outlines areas of opportunity for water savings within the Utilities Service Area. (Discussion) • Staff will present slides to describe information learned from extensive engagement with community members and staff. • Staff will lead NRAB members through an engagement activity to seek input on aligning water conservation strategies with one of the WEP guiding principles: Target water efficiency strategies that provide multiple benefits for the community, the environment, and consider the entire water system, including the river. • Staff seek to inform the NRAB about the Water Efficiency Plan update, get feedback on specific elements, and provide foundational information ahead of asking for a recommendation to Council on the updated Water Efficiency Plan in Q4 of 2024. 7:15-7:30 NRAB Board Elections • Board to nominate and elect Chair and Vice Chair roles for 2024. (Action) 5. OTHER BUSINESS / UPDATES • Board Member Reports • 2025-26 Budgeting for Outcomes – process and timing update • Preview of proposed joint meeting between NRAB & Air Quality Advisory Board • Six Month Calendar Review https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/planning-calendar.php • Revisit action items from previous meetings & preview of next meeting City Websites with Updates: • Natural Resources Advisory Board webpage: https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/natural-resources.php • Our Climate Future: https://ourcity.fcgov.com/ourclimatefuture 6. ADJOURN Page 1 5/15/2024 – MINUTES Natural Resources Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, May 15, 2024 – 6:15 PM 300 Laporte and Via Zoom 1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:20 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Board Members Present – • Kelly Stewart (Vice Chair) • Teagan Loew • Todd Simmons • Matt Zoccali • Sara LoTemplio b. Board Members Absent – • Dawson Metcalf (Chair) • Lisa Andrews • Kelen Dowdy • Barry Noon c. Staff Members Present – • Honoré Depew, Staff Liaison • Cortney Geary • Dashiell Bubar-Hall • Kendra Boot • Christine Holtz • Renee Colton d. Guest(s) – • Xavier Pereira 3. AGENDA REVIEW Vice Chair Stewart reviewed the agenda. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Pereira (guest) asked about the energy intensity unit measurement mentioned at the March meeting about Building Performance Standards. Depew replied he would provide contact information for the appropriate staff member. Page 2 5/15/2024 – MINUTES 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (April) Vice Chair Stewart made a motion, seconded by Zoccali, to approve the April meeting minutes. The motion was adopted 5-0. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. FC Moves – Updates and Connection to NRAB 2024 Work Plan Cortney Geary, Active Modes Manager, will provide background on the 15- minute city analysis and related City Council priorities, as well as progress implementing the Active Modes Plan since adoption in 2022. Dashiell Bubar- Hall, Transportation Planner, will seek feedback on an update to the Electric Vehicle Readiness Roadmap and the Shift Your Ride Travel Demand Management Plan. (Discussion) Cortney Geary, Active Modes Manager, discussed the 15-minute city analysis in Fort Collins, noting the goal of a 15-minute city is for every resident to be able to walk, bike, or roll to their daily destinations within 15 minutes of their home. Geary noted Council created two priorities around this topic, one focused on neighborhood centers and one focused on shifting to active modes transportation. Geary discussed the analysis which looked at how people are able to use low- stress biking and walking routes to access daily destinations, including places such as high-frequency bus stops, schools, parks, grocery stores, and other services. Geary noted strategies for improving the 15-minute city concept include increasing housing capacity in areas with strong connectivity, supporting mixed-use neighborhoods, and expanding the active transportation network. Additionally, supporting themes included expanding access to nature and parks, expanding access to transit services, increasing awareness through education and outreach, and improving safety conditions for vulnerable users. Loew asked about the methodology utilized by the consulting group. Geary replied there were certain destination types that were weighted more heavily than others with high-frequency transit stops and schools being ranked among the higher destinations. Geary stated approximately 15% of the city’s built-out area is meeting the 15-minute city goals. Geary discussed the adopted Active Modes Plan which has a vision that active transportation is an integral part of daily life and the local cultural experience and that Fort Collins is a place where walking, biking, and using other active modes are safe, accessible, convenient, joyful, and desired by people of all ages and abilities. The two main goals of the Plan are to achieve a 50% active modes share of all trips by 2052 and eliminate active modes fatalities and serious injuries by 2052, in support of Vision Zero. Geary Page 3 5/15/2024 – MINUTES outlined the Plan’s policy and program recommendations and discussed various program implementation techniques including the Shift Your Ride neighborhood programs, asphalts art program, and the City employee walking program. Geary stated updating street design standards and operationalizing active modes maintenance are some of the tactics for policy implementation. Additionally, the Plan recommends 144 miles of bike facilities and 165 spot improvements with a total cost estimate of just over $150 million. Geary outlined some of the needed infrastructure improvements. LoTemplio commented on winter bike lane conditions and asked if the benefits of separated bike lanes are worth the challenges of snow removal. Geary replied the bicycle network has been built out primarily on residential roadways with additional bike lanes on arterials up to this point. One of the key themes that arose during public engagement for the Active Modes Plan was that people desire more direct routes along arterials and don’t feel comfortable biking in traditional bike lanes. Separated bike lanes are needed for the City to achieve the Active Modes Plan goal of 50% active modes share of trips by 2032. Vice Chair Stewart asked how the Plan accounts for winter weather during which it is more difficult to utilize active modes. Geary replied maintenance is critical. Loew asked how the school consolidation plans will impact City Council’s 15- minute city priorities. Geary shared that City staff are reaching out to PSD to find out whether they’ve analyzed how each scenario will impact students’ ability to walk and bike to school. Zoccali commended the work of staff on the Active Modes Plan and discussed the difficulties of navigating Old Town for individuals in wheelchairs. Additionally, he commented on the need for additional education around the parking of SPIN scooters and bikes. Geary noted the Code was recently changed to allow the devices to be parked in the street. Geary outlined the budget offers related to strategies for advancing a 15- minute city by accelerating the shift to active modes. Dashiell Bubar-Hall, Transportation Planner, discussed the Electric Vehicle Readiness Roadmap (EVRR) which was developed in 2017 to help facilitate increased EV adoption. Bubar-Hall noted there are greenhouse gas emission reductions and sustainability goals associated with EVs. Additionally, there are long-term cost savings associated with EVs when they are implemented in a fleet such as the one owned by the City. Bubar-Hall discussed the update to the EVRR which focuses on equity and Page 4 5/15/2024 – MINUTES increased access to EVs. He outlined the strategies and recommendations which fall into short-, medium-, and long-term categories, and include things such as clarifying the City policy regarding EV charging, revising the Building Code to require EV infrastructure, and upgrading the electricity distribution infrastructure, respectively. He further detailed the City’s vehicle fleet noting there is a plan for Transfort to become a fully electric bus fleet over the next 15 to 20 years. Bubar-Hall discussed the workplan for the EVRR update and stated the draft plan will be available in August or September and will include the focus areas of mobility, equity, environmental, utility/infrastructure, housing, and policy. Depew asked if the EVRR will be adopted by Council and if part of the workplan engages City leadership. Bubar-Hall replied it is not a Council adopted plan; therefore, formal recommendations are not required. However, staff is planning to visit with Boards and Commissions as more analysis and recommendations come forward. He noted there is a possibility Council will look at the plan given Council priorities. Zoccali asked if the plan addresses the wave of vehicles that come into the city each morning in terms of offering charging infrastructure for people coming in from outside the community. Bubar-Hall replied providing charging along some of the regional commuting corridors will be examined and noted the County is also considering those types of investments. Additionally, Bubar-Hall commented on mobility hubs that will facilitate transit and potentially include charging infrastructure. (**Secretary’s Note: The Board opted to postpone the travel demand management discussion to a later date.) b. Urban Forestry Strategic Plan (UFSP) Kendra Boot, City Forester, will provide an overview of a draft UFSP – Rooted in Community – to seek Board feedback and support for Plan adoption. (Action) Kendra Boot, City Forester, defined the urban forest as all trees within the built environment and stated the Urban Forestry Strategic Plan (UFSP) looks at all trees within the Fort Collins Growth Management Area. Boot stated the UFSP will create a 20-year vision for trees in Fort Collins and she outlined the canopy percent by block data and noted about 85% of trees in the community are on private property. She noted the Forestry Department maintains about 60,000 trees on public property in the built environment throughout the community. Boot outlined the community engagement process for the Plan which included an online survey, three public meetings, and focus groups. She noted there is mixed public opinion around regulation of trees on private property. Boot discussed the vision for more equitable distribution of the tree canopy Page 5 5/15/2024 – MINUTES and acknowledged the challenges related to insects and disease, climate change, the relatively young public urban forest, and development and redevelopment. Boot outlined the eight recommended strategies that fall into two categories: foundational initiatives and transformational initiatives. Vice Chair Stewart asked if there is a goal of tree canopy coverage that is being sought. Boot replied staff has not set a specific goal; however, the belief is that the canopy will increase with the Plan recommendations and existing policies. Loew asked if there is a focus on native species. Boot replied the context is important when considering what species of tree to plant and there is a goal for the urban canopy to be as diverse as possible. She noted the City no longer plants ash trees and discussed the ash borer treatment plan for the existing ash trees. Vice Chair Stewart asked if the City is or has partnered with CSU to help provide resources. Boot replied in the affirmative stating the City works with many CSU extension employees. Vice Chair Stewart offered general support for the Plan and stated it dovetails nicely with the Active Modes Plan as there is research that shows pedestrian safety and traffic calming. Boot provided slides depicting the tree canopy at bus stops and along bike lanes throughout the city. Vice Chair Stewart echoed support for equity as a key consideration. Boot discussed the priority planting map which includes social variables and health and environmental considerations. Depew noted the Board has the option to take a formal action for a recommendation on the Plan. Boot further discussed the diversity of the urban canopy and the use of high drought-tolerant species. Depew pointed out the climate vulnerability section of the Plan. Vice Chair Stewart shared general support and that the Board would work to figure out how best to support staff working towards plan adoption either via approval of meeting minutes or via a memo. Boot outlined the timeframe for consideration of the Plan. Zoccali expressed support for the general direction of the Plan but wanted the time to do additional review of the plan and follow up in June meeting to get consensus from the board. Depew outlined the proper protocol for the Board to consider drafting a memo Page 6 5/15/2024 – MINUTES or conducting a vote regarding the Plan. 7. OTHER BUSINESS • Board Member Reports  Simmons expressed disappointment that Larimer County approved the Thornton pipeline project. • 2024 Super Issues Meetings of Fort Collins Boards and Commissions will be held at the Lincoln Center. The dates are as follows:  Monday, June 10 (Founder’s Room) – Topics: Tax Program, Strategic Trails Plan, and Natural Areas Strategic Framework  Monday, September 9 (Founder’s Room) • Six Month Calendar Review https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/planning-calendar.php  Legislative review  Traffic safety  Housing and urban development  Land Use Code, phase 2  Building Performance Standards  Hughes Property  Budgeting for Outcomes  Halligan  Platte River Power Authority community report  Transit initiatives • Revisit action items from previous meetings & preview of next meeting  Thornton pipeline/1041 regulations  Poudre River Health Assessment  Board elections  Water Efficiency Plan  Council priorities  Move June meeting back a week  July – joint meeting with Air Quality Advisory Board  Budgeting for Outcomes  2050 tax revenue  Natural Areas Strategic Plan City Websites with Updates: • Natural Resources Advisory Board webpage: https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/natural- resources.php • Our Climate Future: https://ourcity.fcgov.com/ourclimatefuture 8. ADJOURNMENT a. 8:15 pm Minutes approved by a vote of the Board on XX/XX/XX Headline Copy Goes Here Public Engagement Specialist Jan Harrison Water Conservation Specialist Alice Conovitz​ 6-26-2024 Water Efficiency Plan (WEP) Update Natural Resources Advisory Board Headline Copy Goes HereWEP Agenda (6:10-7:15 p.m.) 2 Objectives •Share information about Water Efficiency Plan update •Seek feedback on maximizing community and ecological benefit through water conservation Agenda •Presentation •Conservation strategy engagement activity •Q&A Headline Copy Goes HereFort Collins Utilities Water Supply Sources Cache la Poudre River •Tributaries •Michigan Ditch •Joe Wright Reservoir Colorado River •Via the Colorado-Big Thompson Project •Horsetooth Reservoir fcgov.com/utilities/water-sources Headline Copy Goes HereWater Districts in Fort Collins Utilities’ water service area (orange) 36,000 accounts (3,000 commercial) 145,000 people ~7.8 billion gallons/year 24/7/365 Legend Growth Management Area Major streets City limits Railroad ELCO Water District Fort Collins -Loveland Water District Fort Collins Utilities (water) Sunset Water District West Fort Collins Water District Water Districts Headline Copy Goes HereWater Fast Facts Where does our water go? •40% outdoor (>60% in summer), 60% indoor •60% residential, 40% commercial + irrigation -only Who uses it? •28,872 single family & duplex accounts •2,332 multi-family building accounts •2,818 commercial accounts (includes irrigation - only) How much do we save? •156 million gallons (MG) = avg. annual water conservation program savings •2.3% avg. reduction in annual demand Single-family Indoor 22% Single-family Outdoor 18% Multi- family Indoor 16%Multi- family Outdoor 4% Commerical Indoor 22% Commercial Outdoor 18% 5-year Average Water Use, 2019 -2023 (Avg. total water use = 5,802,703,605 gal.) 5-year average water use 2019-2023 (Average total water use = 5,802,703,000 gal.) Headline Copy Goes Here 6 Water Supply: Risks and Solutions Warmer, drier climate poses largest risk Potential reduction in Colorado-Big Thompson poses risk Adequate storage is crucial to meet future water demands Managing demands is crucial to minimize water restrictions Headline Copy Goes Here Make supplies last longer and go further Help keep rates and fees down Create resilience for increased temperatures and population Recognize that water is finite, precious, essential Why Water Conservation and Efficiency? Headline Copy Goes HereCurrent State: Making Progress Water conservation works •16% increase in population •34% decrease in GPCD •42% based on wet 2023 Current WEP goal: 130 GPCD by 2030 •Additional decrease of 3-6% needed to meet goal •5-year average = 134 GPCD •More action needed WATER CONSERVATION AND EFFICIENCY AT A GLANCE GPCD is down 42% since 2000. Community Gallons per Capita per Day (GPCD) & Population Headline Copy Goes HereCurrent State: 2023 Conservation Programs Regulations/Codes • Land use • Building/plumbing • Wasting water prohibitions • Graywater • Shortage responses Rates • Tiered rate structure • New development water fees Programs Headline Copy Goes Here ourcity.fcgov.com/WEP Water Efficiency Plan (WEP) Headline Copy Goes Here What Success Might Look Like •Thoughtful use of water resources through more informed planning decisions •Listen to community •Use data •Prepare for hotter, more populated future: Minimize frequency and severity of water shortages •Offer programs that support more equitable and resilient outcomes for all Water Efficiency Plan (WEP): 2024 Update Guide Guide Utilities and City on water use and conservation Set Set goals for lowering water use Identify Identify conservation and efficiency policies & programs 2015 Water Efficiency Plan: fcgov.com/WEP Headline Copy Goes Here 5 Many Ways to Manage Demands Water Conservation and Efficiency Water Shortage Restrictions Long Term Short Term Pros •Resiliency •Conservation behaviors •Water literacy •Flexibility Cons •Requires mandatory efforts to go beyond low-hanging fruit •Requires ongoing resources •Takes years to see accumulated savings Pros •Fast-acting •Can achieve deep reductions Cons •Living infrastructure •Business •Time •Water revenue •Little flexibility Headline Copy Goes HereWEP Internal Guiding Principles •Engage marginalized community members and address systems of oppression, while also pursuing broad engagement. •Reduce water demand to increase preparedness and resilience for ongoing and uncertain climate, economic, and social risks to our water availability. •Align processes and outcomes with other City and Utilities priorities. •Create water efficiency strategies based on future supply and demand projections , of which the decision -making is data-driven and regionally adaptive and considers the triple bottom line and affordability. •Target water efficiency strategies that provide multiple benefits for the community, the environment and considers the entire water system, including the river. •Commit, as stewards of the City, to continue be leaders in conservation and efficiency. Headline Copy Goes HereKey Tasks Project and Model Set-up Q1 2023 – Q1 2024 Analyze to Prioritize Q1 – Q3 2024 Prepare and Submit Q2 – Q1 2025 Engage Q2 2023 – Q3 2024 →Goal setting →Strategy selection Headline Copy Goes HereEngagement Activities & Tactics Information and engagement hub: ourcity.fcgov.com/wep •Materials, survey, social media in English and Spanish •Community Consultant sessions (109+ engaged) •Climate Equity Committee input (x2) •External meetings & focus groups (estimate ~100-150 engaged) •2/12 Landscape professionals (51) •3/20 Spanish language, mobile home parks (9) •4/16 CSU students (16) •5/29 Small businesses (10) •6/20 HOAs (~ 10) •Survey in digital and paper format (1,326 responses) •75 signed up for newsletter/updates •Movie theater ads with QR codes •Social media posts •My Water email to ~ 20,000 •Tables at two libraries, Utilities lobby, events •Council work session, Water Commission, B&C Super Issues •City staff focus groups & meetings: municipal water use & goals Headline Copy Goes HereSurvey Sentiment Analysis: Concerns Utilities issues mandatory outdoor water restrictions in times of shortage such as drought… If restrictions were more frequent, how would that impact you? What are your primary concerns related to water use in Fort Collins? Water shortages such as drought Having enough water to support growth and future generations Using water to irrigate grass areas that are rarely or never used Health and attractiveness of landscapes and trees Ability to pay water bills and fees 30.3% 28% 17.8% 13.6% 10.2% 41 (4.7%) 111 (12.8%)240 (27.6%) 477 (54.9%) I'm not sure A lot Not at all Somewhat Headline Copy Goes HereSurvey Sentiment Analysis How willing are you to accept new, required actions that limit how or when people use water on lawns? 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 A mix of voluntary incentives and rules and regulatons, leading to occasional water shortage restrictions Rely heavily on rules and regulations, leading to rare shortages and restrictions Rely mostly on voluntary incentives to manage water use, leading to more frequent water shortage restrictions I don't know How should Utilities balance voluntary incentives, rules/regulations, and shortage restrictions? 171 104 18 568 Nu m b e r o f R e s p o n d e n t s 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 I don't know No Willing 87.5% 10.7% 1.8% Don’t care/doesn’t affect me Very willing Slightly willing Only in drought/shortage Not willing Headline Copy Goes HereCommunity Consultants: Takeaways Engagement: 100+ people, ~10 events/meetings •College students, renters, small business, local indigenous community, 65+, religious group, mobile home park residents Key Takeaways •Community doesn’t know what we already offer •A desire for print materials •Support for water-efficient landscapes •Concern about aging infrastructure •Current GPCD goal is not meaningful Headline Copy Goes Here Jan Harrison Activity, Break, Discussion – 30 minutes Public Engagement Specialist jharrison@fcgov.com Headline Copy Goes HereWater conservation strategy selection factors WEP objective: 10 – 20 strategies that will guide programs, education, regulatory proposals •Water savings (model) •Cost •Feasibility to implement •Equity • Opportunities to participate • Avoid unintended negative outcomes •Alignment with WEP update guiding principles Headline Copy Goes HereIndependent Thinking (5 minutes) Target water efficiency strategies that provide multiple benefits for the community, the environment and considers the entire water system, including the river. •Write the first five ideas you have on sticky notes (one idea per note) •Now apply thinking to 2 case studies What water conservation strategies come to mind for you when you think about this guiding principle? Headline Copy Goes HereCase Study: Raw Water Key question: How should raw water use be considered in water conservation programming? Example conservation strategy •Incentivize conversion of treated water irrigation to raw water, contingent on efficiency measures Possible benefits of raw water •Stormwater collection •Habitat •Natural area recreation/enjoyment •Less chemical use/treatment cost •What else? Headline Copy Goes HereCase Study: Urban Trees Key question: How to balance the benefits trees provide with increased outdoor water use? Example conservation strategies •Evaluate code requirements for trees in parking lots, medians, parkway strips •Further incentivize dedicated drip irrigation to existing trees •Develop a tree watering guide Example benefits of trees •Habitat •Community health •Improve air quality •Shade •Pedestrian/traffic buffers •Shading to homes/landscapes Headline Copy Goes HereBring it All Together (5 minutes) Share out: What are the highlights from your small -group conversations? What else do you recommend we consider in the WEP as we prioritize conservation strategies? Headline Copy Goes HereNext Steps 25 •Continue incorporating public and staff engagement •Finalize water demand model and equity evaluation tool •Develop draft community -wide and municipal water conservation goals •Prioritize conservation strategies (ultimately 10 – 20 strategies) •Seek NRAB recommendation before coming to Council (Q4 2024/Q1 2025) Headline Copy Goes Here Thank you! ourcity.fcgov.com/WEP