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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/17/2024 - NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD - AGENDA - Regular Meeting Natural Resources Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING – July 17, 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 – JUNE 4. NEW BUSINESS 6:10-6:45 Our Climate Future Background Honore Depew (Sr. Manager for Environmental Sustainability) will provide an overview Our Climate Future (OCF) goals and strategies, related City Council Priorities, and the 2050 Tax for climate funding, approved by Fort Collins voters in November 2023. (Discussion) • Review OCF Goals, Pathways, & Big Moves o Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Zero Waste, and 100% Renewable Electricity • Review Council 2024-25 Priorities o #6: Reduce climate pollution and air pollution • 2050 Tax – OCF Funding o Dedicated revenue for Climate & Air Quality investments 6:45-7:30 Budgeting For Outcomes (BFO) • 2025-26 BFO Timeline and Process Overview • Review and discuss offers (budget proposals) from related Outcome Areas: o Environmental Health (ENV) o Transportation and Mobility (T&M) o Neighborhood & Community Vitality (NCV) 5. OTHER BUSINESS / UPDATES • Board Member Reports • Preview of proposed joint meeting(s) 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 6/26/2024 – MINUTES Natural Resources Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, June 26, 2024 – 6:00 PM 222 Laporte and Via Zoom 1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:03 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Board Members Present – • Dawson Metcalf (Chair) • Kelly Stewart (Vice Chair) • Lisa Andrews • Kelen Dowdy • Teagan Loew • Barry Noon • Todd Simmons • Matt Zoccali b. Board Members Absent – • Sara LoTemplio c. Staff Members Present – • Honoré Depew, Staff Liaison • Jan Harrison • Alice Conovitz • Hailey Mendoza d. Guest(s) – • None 3. AGENDA REVIEW Chair Metcalf reviewed the agenda. 4. COMMUNITY MEMBER PARTICIPATION None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (May) Zoccali made a motion, seconded by Vice Chair Stewart, to approve the May Page 2 6/26/2024 – MINUTES meeting minutes. The motion was adopted 8-0. 6. NEW BUSINESS (**Secretary’s Note: Members and staff members provided brief introductions of themselves at this point in the meeting.) a. Water Efficiency Plan (WEP) Update Alice Conovitz, Water Conservation Specialist, and colleagues will present and 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) Alice Conovitz, Water Conservation Specialist, and Haley Mendoza, Water Conservation Intern, introduced themselves. Jan Harrison, Utilities Public Engagement, noted the update to the Water Efficiency Plan is underway and one specific goal is to maximize community and ecological benefit through water conservation. Conovitz discussed Fort Collins Utilities water supply sources: the Poudre River and the Colorado River and discussed the usage of water throughout the Utilities water service area, which covers about 80% of the City’s population. Conovitz commented on the water conservation programs that are designed to decrease the amount of water used, or water saved, and stated water that is not used generally remains in either in the Poudre River or Horsetooth. Conovitz stated water conservation efforts aid in being prepared for the future and outlined the risks identified by the 2019 water supply vulnerability analysis, which included a warmer, dryer climate and a potential reduction in Colorado Big Thompson supplies. Solutions to ensuring future water demands are met include adequate storage. Noon asked if refilling underground aquifers is being considered for water storage. Conovitz replied that is not currently being considered for Fort Collins Utilities. Noon commented on the benefits of aquifer storage. Loew asked if Glade Reservoir and the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) is being built for multiple municipalities. Conovitz replied there are multiple partners; however, the City of Fort Collins is not currently a partner. Conovitz went on to detail the benefits of water conservation and discussed the successes of the programs, noting there has been a 16% increase in population of the service area since 2000, but a 34% decrease in the number of gallons per capita per day use. Conovitz further discussed the Utility’s water conservation programs for different types of uses and noted there is also work being done in a regulatory space to advise on land use and building codes, making it illegal to have water overspray running down hard surfaces, Page 3 6/26/2024 – MINUTES the institution of a grey water program for indoor use, and mandatory use restrictions when needed. Additionally, Conovitz discussed the tiered rate system which has a conservation benefit. Simmons suggested the possibility of reframing water restrictions through education and utilizing them more frequently. Loew asked about the form of water restrictions and penalties for breaking them. Conovitz replied there are different levels of restrictions depending on the predicted level of shortage and they focus on outdoor water usage, starting with three days a week of overhead irrigation being allowed, and decreasing in days if necessary. Additionally, there are restrictions on things like pressure washing, though irrigation is the primary target. Penalties can include fine and rate increases can also be implemented during shortages. Conovitz noted the Water Efficiency Plan is a state-required document that is a guide to Utilities and the city as a whole on water conservation which includes goals for lowering water use and identifies strategies that are going to be pursued to meet those goals. Conovitz discussed the internal guiding principles for the document, including engaging marginalized or disproportionately impacted community members in the planning process, an emphasis on preparedness and resilience, and targeting strategies that have multiple benefits. Conovitz outlined the timeline of the development of the Water Efficiency Plan. Noon asked if any of the ongoing modeling processes and data sets that are being used are publicly available. Conovitz replied in the affirmative but noted the model is being built using customer demand data. Noon asked if anyone at CSU is involved in the modeling. Conovitz replied in the negative but stated individuals at CSU are working on the development of a new demand modeling tool that could be given to providers as a package. Conovitz clarified this model is a demand model only, not a supply model, though the Water Resources Department has a very sophisticated supply side model with which this demand model will ultimately connect. Conovitz discussed the public engagement efforts for the Plan development, including a survey, meetings, providing all information in both English and Spanish, and working with community consultants. Conovitz outlined some of the highlights from the survey which showed primary concerns being water shortages, drought, and having enough water to support growth in future generations. Additionally, one of the goals of the Water Efficiency Plan update is to ascertain how much appetite exists for regulatory action as most of the emphasis now is on incentives and voluntary action. Most survey respondents supported a mix of voluntary action and regulations which could lead to occasional water shortages. Page 4 6/26/2024 – MINUTES In terms of knowledge gained from community consultants, it was made clear that the community does not know what programs are already available, there is a great deal of support for water efficient landscapes, and confusion exists around the existing gallons per capita per day goal. Noon stated the discussion about trends in water quality was missing and noted declines in flows result in declines in quality which will place additional burdens on water treatment facilities and increase expenses. Noon asked if anyone is modeling changes in water quality. Conovitz replied the City has a robust water quality monitoring program; however, she was unsure about how much modeling is being done. Dowdy stated the City of Fort Collins has been working with the City of Greeley, the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, and professors at CSU toward some modeling. Harrison stated one of the objectives of the Water Efficiency Plan is to have ten to twenty strategies that will guide the programs, education, and regulatory proposals, and requested members provide particular input as to how the strategies would align with the Plan’s update guiding principles. Specifically, Harrison requested members provide at least five water efficiency strategies focused on the guiding principle of ‘targeting water efficiency strategies that provide multiple benefits for the community, the environment, and considerations of the entire water system, including the river.’ Harrison stated two case studies will be discussed in two groups. Conovitz detailed the case studies, one related to raw water and one related to urban trees. Members broke into two groups and brainstormed ideas. Loew summarized the urban tree group’s ideas, including smarter species selection in general, smarter drip irrigation, ultimate savings of water with larger trees, and emphasizing green infrastructure methods to help with watering trees. In terms of raw water, Dowdy stated its use is a savings of treated water and is an incredible cost savings. Harrison outlined next steps in the Plan process and noted staff will return to the Board once strategies have been developed based on this type of initial feedback. b. NRAB Board Elections Board to nominate and elect Chair and Vice Chair roles for 2024. (Action) Chair Metcalf and Vice Chair Stewart reviewed the responsibilities of the Chair and Vice Chair. Chair Metcalf stated he has the capacity to continue in the role, particularly if Page 5 6/26/2024 – MINUTES the Vice Chair is available to step in; however, he stated he does not want that to deter anyone from nominating themselves or others. Members commended both Chair Metcalf and Vice Chair Stewart. Vice Chair Stewart also stated she has the capacity to continue in the Vice Chair role. Zoccali made a motion, seconded by Noon, to nominate Dawson Metcalf as Chair. The motion was adopted 8-0. Chair Metcalf made a motion, seconded by Noon, to nominate Kelly Stewart as Vice Chair. The motion was adopted 8-0. 7. OTHER BUSINESS • Board Member Reports  Noon stated he is on the Environmental Advisory Board for the County Commissioners, which recently approved a 1041 permit for the Thornton pipeline. He noted the Environmental Advisory Board was disallowed from making comment on the topic and stated Save the Poudre has filed a lawsuit challenging the decision of the County Commissioners. Additionally, a decision will also need to be made by the City as the pipeline will go through the bounds of the city. Noon commented on some documents he would like to share with fellow members.  Chair Metcalf asked if the City’s 1041 regulations were formally passed and implemented prior to Thornton’s application submittal. Noon noted this is a new application as the first application was denied by the County Commissioners.  Depew stated Fort Collins has limited authority over this project.  Noon commented on the Halligan Reservoir project which will affect the habitat of a listed species, the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. He requested staff provide the Board with information as to whether the conservation plan has been studied and whether conversations have occurred with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Depew encouraged members to observe the July 9th Council Work Session as staff will be providing a Halligan update. • 2025-26 Budgeting for Outcomes – process and timing update  Offers now public.  Depew outlined the timeframe for the Board providing recommendations.  Members discussed the possibility of a joint memo with the AQAB. • Preview of July 15 joint meeting of NRAB and AQAB  AQAB Chair hesitant to hold meeting without budget offers being available – unsure if this will occur in July or August, but likely on a Monday. • Six Month Calendar Review https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/planning-calendar.php • Revisit action items from previous meetings & preview of next meetings Page 6 6/26/2024 – MINUTES  Halligan  Natural Areas Strategic Plan  Poudre River Health Assessment  Wasteshed and waste diversion infrastructure  1041 permit process 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. 8:19 pm Minutes approved by a vote of the Board on XX/XX/XX Headline Copy Goes Here Honore Depew Natural Resources Advisory Board: July 2024 Presentation Our Climate Future Overview 2025-26 Budget Process 07-17-2024 Headline Copy Goes HerePresentation Outline Our Climate Future (OCF) Overview & Background •OCF Big Moves and Core Concepts •OCF Pathways to Goals •Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Zero Waste, and 100% Renewable Electricity •City Council Priorities for 2024-25 2025-26 Budget Process •BFO Overview and Timeline •2050 Tax –OCF Funding •Revenue for Climate & Air Quality investments 2 Headline Copy Goes Here 3 Our Climate Future Strategic Alignment Strategic Objective ENV 1: Implement the Our Climate Future Plan to advance the City’s greenhouse gas, energy and waste goals; reduce air pollution; and improve community resilience. Headline Copy Goes HereAmbitious OCF Goals 4 •Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction •50% below 2005 baseline by 2026 •80% below 2005 baseline by 2030 •Carbon Neutral by 2050 •100% renewable electricity by 2030 •Zero waste, or 100% landfill diversion, by 2030 Headline Copy Goes HereOur Climate Future Big Moves 6 BETTER TOGETHER RESOURCE BETTER LIVE BETTER BREATHE BETTER • Shared Leadership and Community Partnership • Zero Waste Neighborhoods • Climate Resilient Community • Convenient Transportation Choices • Live, Work and Play Nearby • Efficient, Emissions Free Buildings • Healthy Affordable Housing • Local, Affordable and Healthy Food • Healthy Local Economy and Jobs • Zero Waste Economy • Healthy Natural Spaces • 100% Renewable Electricity • Electric Cars and Fleets Headline Copy Goes HereOCF Guiding Principles We all share responsibility for Our Climate Future. Responding to the ongoing climate emergency requires shared leadership between businesses, community organizations, government, and residents. Injustices have the same root cause. Exploiting people and nature causes environmental injustice, racial injustice, and climate disruption. Governments are accountable for injustice. The City of Fort Collins, and other governments, have an obligation to help correct past and ongoing harms by investing in the most impacted communities. People know what they need. The most impacted people are best able to define successful solutions. OCF listens to and trusts what they say is needed. Equitable solutions are best. Solutions to limit and respond to climate disruption should also address equity and fairness. Headline Copy Goes Here 8 Mitigation Resilience Equity OCF – Expanding what climate action means Headline Copy Goes Here 9 Shared Leadership and Community Partnership City-led Co-led Community-led How can collaborative projects… •share leadership and influence •distribute roles and recognize strengths •respect existing governing structures How can the community… •take ownership and action •build capacity and organize •secure funding and resources •leverage but not depend on City support How can the City… •increase community influence on our work •increase accountability on equity Headline Copy Goes Here 12 Emissions Forecast 2030 “Do Nothing More” Forecast •Includes population growth, weather, existing regulations and resource changes •Range based on historic variation Headline Copy Goes Here 13 Emissions Pathways to 2030 Pathways •Quantified pathways result in a 70% carbon emissions reduction by 2030 Headline Copy Goes Here 14 Emissions Pathways to 2030 Pathways Electricity Buildings Industrial Manufacturing Transportation Waste Land Use Undetermined to Goal 2030 24.5% 15.0% 4.5% 4.0% 0.9% 0.1% 10% Headline Copy Goes Here 15 Community Waste Pathways to 2030 47% 27% 49% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 20 0 5 20 0 7 20 0 9 20 1 1 20 1 3 20 1 5 20 1 7 20 1 9 20 2 1 20 2 3 20 2 5 20 2 7 20 2 9 Community Landfilled Waste % of materials generated Historic Forecast Pathway Pathways Construction and Demolition Materials Recycling Food Scraps & Yard Trimmings Composting City Industrial Materials Recycling Remaining potential (e.g., behavior change, circular economy, extended producer responsibility, etc.) 2030 12% 6% 2% 27% 15% Landfilled Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes Here 19 Reduce climate pollution and air pollution through best practices, emphasizing electrification (#6) Problem Statement Building energy use accounts for over 2/3 of the community emissions inventory; vehicle transportation emissions account for 25%; small engines (such as lawn and garden equipment) contribute to both local Greenhouse Gas emissions and air pollution; and the North Front Range is in a severe non-attainment zone for air quality under the Clean Air Act. Without significantly reducing emissions from these sectors, it will be impossible to improve air quality and meet Council-adopted climate goals. Examples of short-term goals •Adopt policies and performance standards for energy use in existing buildings and new building energy codes for new construction •Strategic allocation of 2050 Tax funds through 2024 & 2025/2026 budgeting for outcomes process •Continue electric conversion of City-owned, gas-powered equipment Headline Copy Goes Here 20 Accelerate Zero Waste infrastructure and policies (#5) Problem Statement Fort Collins is currently missing the nearby infrastructure needed to meet its commitments to becoming a Zero Waste and Carbon Neutral community. Policies and programs for diverting material away from landfills are dependent upon viable, community-scale facilities for recycling, composting, and other waste diversion actions. Examples of short-term goals •Infrastructure pathways: Develop clear pathway to local/regional construction & demolition waste sorting facility to enhance opportunities for recycling of building materials and for local/regional food scrap processing facility/facilities to enhance opportunities for keeping materials out of landfills •Policies leveraging existing infrastructure: Implement the contracted hauling program to expand yard trimmings collection; develop policy for commercial/multi-family yard trimmings •Once infrastructure pathways identified: Engage in policy/program development for residential and commercial food scraps as well as construction and demolition materials Headline Copy Goes Here 21 Improve human and social health for vulnerable populations (#2) Problem Statement Obstacles and barriers exist that impede access to services for our underserved community members. We need to work with our regional partners and invest in a robust and accessible safety net to create conditions where one is not needed. Existing oil and gas wells in and around Fort Collins cause harmful pollution and have negative environmental and human health impacts. Examples of short-term goals •Healthy Homes program funding to implement more residential home improvements in underserved communities •Develop and implement plans to remove or mitigate obstacles and expand funding and services to our underserved community members •Take direct actions to ensure compliance and reduce oil and gas operations in and around Fort Collins, especially in northeast Fort Collins Headline Copy Goes Here 22 Advance a 15-Minute City by accelerating our shift to Active Modes (#8) Problem Statement Multiple departments and funding sources are necessary to implement the Active Modes Plan and Vision Zero Plan, with an emphasis on Safe Routes to School. Examples of short-term goals •Prioritize Active Modes and Safe Routes to School projects for all implementing departments and existing funding sources (e.g. FC Moves, Streets, Traffic, Engineering, Parks) •Update a substantive set of policies, standards and guidelines that are currently barriers to implementing the AMP and Vision Zero.City Staff will complete an audit in 2024 •Leverage upcoming Tax Renewal efforts (Community Capital Investment Program and Street Maintenance Program Tax) and Budgeting for Outcomes (including 2050 Tax) to further prioritize and centralize funding for collective impact of Active Modes Plan and Strategic Trails Plan implementation Headline Copy Goes Here Budgeting for Outcomes - BFO 101 Headline Copy Goes Here 24 How Does City of Fort Collins Allocate Revenue? •Uses a priority-based process called Budgeting for Outcomes or BFO •The process focuses on community priorities, reflected in the City’s Strategic Plan •Offers for the 2025-2026 budget cycle are organized into seven Outcome Areas: •Neighborhood and Community Vitality •Culture and Recreation •Economic Health •Environmental Health •Safe Community •Transportation & Mobility •High Performing Government Headline Copy Goes Here 26 Strategic Linkages Key Outcome Strategic Objectives Budget Offers for Programs and Services • The City’s 7 highest-level priorities / areas of focus • Used in City Plan, Strategic Plan, BFO, Community Outreach • Multiple Objectives (i.e., goals) per Outcome • Achieving the Objectives helps realize our Outcomes • Documented in the City’s Strategic Plan • Progress shown by metrics linked to each Objective • Includes all City programs and services •Offers designed to help achieve the Objectives ​ •Multiple Offers can be linked to one Objective •Metrics are tied to each budget Offer Headline Copy Goes Here 27 Big Picture of Strategic Planning and Execution PL A N N I N G EX E C U T I O N 2024 Strat Plan: 5 Yr. View BFO 2025-26 ELECTIONS Onboard new Council 2023 Delivery of BFO Programs & Initiatives approved in the 2025-26 Budget 2024 2025 2026 Year 1 Budget Year 2 Budget Year 1 Budget Year 2 Budget Delivery of BFO Programs & Services approved in 2023-24 Budget The New Council’s Priorities are a Key Input into the Refreshed Strategic Plan; the Purpose of the Budget is to Resource the Strategic Plan Headline Copy Goes Here 28 Where the Money Comes From (Revenue) Headline Copy Goes Here 29 Budgeting For Outcomes (BFO) Timeline •July - Aug Public Engagement to inform Recommended Budget •Aug 30 City Manager's Recommended Budget published •Sep - Oct Public Engagement regarding the Recommended Budget •Sep 10 Council Work Session #1 •Sep 17 Council Meeting – Public Hearing #1 •Sep 24 Council Work Session #2 •Oct 1 Council Meeting – Public Hearing #2 •Oct 8 Council Work Session #3 •Nov 6 or 7 Council Meeting – First Reading of the Budget Ordinance •Nov 15 Council Meeting – Second Reading of the Budget Ordinance Headline Copy Goes Here 31 2050 Tax Summary 2023 Ballot Language: •SHALL CITY OF FORT COLLINS TAXES BE INCREASED BY $23,800,000 IN THE FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR (2024), AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS COLLECTED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, FROM A .50% SALES AND USE TAX BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024, AND ENDING AT MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 31, 2050, WITH THE TAX REVENUES SPENT ONLY FOR THE FOLLOWING: •50% FOR THE REPLACEMENT, UPGRADE, MAINTENANCE, AND ACCESSIBILITY OF PARKS FACILITIES AND FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR RECREATION AND POOL FACILITIES, •25% FOR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS ADVANCING GREENHOUSE GAS AND AIR POLLUTION REDUCTION, THE CITY’S 2030 GOAL OF 100% RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY, AND THE CITY’S 2050 GOAL OF COMMUNITY-WIDE CARBON NEUTRALITY,AND •25% FOR THE CITY’S TRANSIT SYSTEM, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT, AND UPGRADED AND EXPANDED SERVICES; Headline Copy Goes Here 32 Goals for 2025-26 Process for 2050 Tax OCF Funds •Develop 2050 Tax – OCF Funding recommendations strategically to advance Big Moves in a balanced way •Maintain focus and commitment to resilience and equity •Give staff time to consider new programs and needs •Expand decision-making beyond OCF Lead and OCF Exec teams •Better integrate support for community-led work 25% FOR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS ADVANCING GREENHOUSE GAS AND AIR POLLUTION REDUCTION, THE CITY’S 2030 GOAL OF 100% RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY, AND THE CITY’S 2050 GOAL OF COMMUNITY-WIDE CARBON NEUTRALITY