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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/20/2024 - NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD - AGENDA - Regular Meeting Natural Resources Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING – November 20th, 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 4. NEW BUSINESS 6:10-7:00 Building Performance Standards (BPS) Following up on the March, 2024 NRAB meeting on Building Performance Standards (BPS), Katherine Bailey (Project Manager, Energy Services) will provide an update on progress toward BPS policy adoption with a focus on costs and benefits. Content with include economic and environmental considerations associated with BPS. Should the board support the proposed policy, staff request NRAB consider expressing formal support for BPS to City Council prior to a January 14, 2025 Work Session. (Possible Action) 7:00-7:30 Strategic Trails Plan Dave Kemp (Sr. Planner, Trails) will provide an overview of the Strategic Trails Plan, including purpose, goals, planning process, deliverables, project resources, and timeline prior to a January 14, 2025 Work Session. (Discussion) 7:30-7:50 2025 Annual Work Plan Dawson Metcalf and Kelly Stewart (NRAB Chair/Vice Chair) will lead a discussion reviewing the draft 2025 NRAB work plan, which is due at the end of November. The board will need to consider formal adoption of the 2025 work plan. (Action) 5. OTHER BUSINESS / UPDATES • Board Member Reports • 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: • Air Quality Advisory Board webpage: https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/boards/air-quality-advisory • Natural Resources Advisory Board webpage: https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/natural-resources.php • Our Climate Future: https://ourcity.fcgov.com/ourclimatefuture 6. ADJOURN 1 10/16/2024 - Minutes Natural Resources Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, October 16, 2024 – 6:00 PM 222 Laporte Avenue 1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:06 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Board Members Present – • Dawson Metcalf (Chair) • Kelen Dowdy • Matt Zoccali (arrived late) • Sara LoTemplio • Barry Noon b. Board Members Absent – • Lisa Andrews • Teagan Loew • Todd Simmons • Kelly Stewart (Vice Chair) c. Staff Members Present – • Honore Depew, Staff Liaison • Julia Feder, Natural Areas Environmental Planning Manager • Kristy Bruce, Natural Areas d. Guest(s) – • None 3. AGENDA REVIEW The approval of minutes item was moved to the end of the meeting pending quorum. 4. COMMUNITY MEMBER PARTICIPATION None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 2024 LoTemplio made a motion, seconded by Dowdy, to approve the September 2024 joint meeting minutes as presented. The motion was adopted unanimously. Dowdy made a motion, seconded by Noon, to approve the September 2024 regular meeting minutes as presented. The motion was adopted unanimously. 2 10/16/2024 - Minutes 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Natural Areas Strategic Framework – Julia Feder and Kristy Bruce Julie Feder, Natural Areas Environmental Planning Manager, stated the Natural Areas Strategic Framework is the overarching plan that will guide Natural Areas planning work for the next ten years, and noted it is a different approach to planning than has occurred previously. Feder stated the plan will go out for public comment after being drafted in early 2025 with adoption following in the second quarter of 2025. Feder stated this plan will not replace the 2014 Natural Areas Master Plan, but will address the major tenants of Natural Areas work moving forward. Feder outlined the public engagement process which included the “Our Land Our Future” statistically valid survey, a technical advisory committee, focus groups with historically underrepresented groups, and many other components. Key themes from the public engagement process included health, resilience of the community, thinking about how people are accessing nature, and the equity of that experience. Feder discussed the history of Natural Areas funding through County and City tax initiatives and noted the Strategic Framework will include three main elements: an updated vision for Natural Areas, a suite of values that help to filter the work, and four main goals, all of which filter into management zone updates. Feder stated there are six management zones generally arranged geographically. Feder noted the Strategic Framework Plan will be forward looking, illustrate habitat and community needs, be data and community informed, be easily understood and engaging for the community, and support a foundation for ongoing Natural Areas planning efforts. The vision for the Plan is: thriving ecosystems for a greater Fort Collins community, and the values include: resource protection, connectivity, ecological function, service, partnership, health and wellbeing, integrity and belonging. Feder stated the goals for the Plan include: conserve and protect land and water, strengthen habitats and ecological resilience, support access to nature, and foster community connections and stewardship. Feder outlined the importance of beavers in the ecological system and stated it is vital to support valuable and useful habitat for beavers as well as learning from and mimicking the work of beavers to make appropriate places more inviting for them, and to mirror the functions that they provide where they are not yet present. A member commented on the goal to foster community connection and stewardship and asked about the possibility of an education piece related to the role of Natural Areas in wellbeing. Feder replied education was a large theme in the public engagement process. Bruce commented on an event held along the river for the Latinx community and on an event held at Pine Ridge for people experiencing homelessness. A member asked how the City’s volunteer network will be involved. Feder replied staff has many ideas around that and are working on plans for ensuring the volunteers can be ambassadors for Natural Areas. 3 10/16/2024 - Minutes A member asked if this document is meant to be a decade-long standing framework with an update occurring after that time period, or if it will be more of a living document. Feder replied there has been a shift away from lengthy planning documents and large comprehensive site plans that were generally full of good ideas, but weren’t active and referenced by staff very often. The management zone updates are meant to be active with frequent check-ins that include new conditions. Feder commented on the upcoming Natural Areas tax renewal ballot initiative. A member asked how the story map was used in a tool in the outreach efforts. Bruce replied this was the first time various groups were asked questions, though relationships have been ongoing, and staff did not present a lot of information on the front end, but left questions more open-ended and broader. Feder stated the story map is a great resource and will potentially be an appendix to the Plan. Feder stated staff will be taking feedback and Council direction to continue to move toward Plan adoption next year. A member asked about the inclusion of integrity in the Plan. Feder replied one of the places it is included relates to community input about what residents authentically want with transparent conversations. Another member commented on ecological integrity and metrics that can be measured as well as on monitoring. Feder commented on adaptive management, which cannot be done without monitoring. She noted there is currently an open position that would oversee adaptive management and monitoring. Members commended the work on the Plan thus far. 7. OTHER BUSINESS/UPDATES Depew noted he forwarded a flyer about an upcoming Aldo Leopold event. Noon reported on the recent County Environmental Advisory Board meeting during which a presentation was given by Earthworks Action on the air quality impacts of oil and gas facilities. Noon suggested this Board may also want to hear the presentation and noted there is no cumulative effects analysis occurring in Colorado. Depew commented on the CSU initiative called METEC, the methane emissions technology evaluation center. Chair Metcalf and Depew discussed topics for future meetings, including the Water Efficiency Plan, the Strategic Trails Plan, the Pouder River Health Assessment, and necessary changes to the plastic bag policy. Depew reviewed upcoming Council agenda items. Members discussed holding the December meeting on the 18th. A member noted there are tours of the Environmental Learning Center. 4 10/16/2024 - Minutes 8. ADJOURNMENT • 7:33 pm Minutes approved by a vote of the Board on 11/XX/2024 Headline Copy Goes Here Katherine Bailey Building Performance Standards (BPS) 11.20.2024 Energy Services Program Manager Headline Copy Goes Here 2 BPS Overview A BPS requires buildings to meet performance targets by specific deadlines. Covered buildings % distance to proposed targets Headline Copy Goes HereBPS – where are we now Work to date with Council •Work session 1: April 23, 2024 •Policy recommendations •Work Session 2: June 11,2024 •Implementation and Support •Follow up memo: •City cost overview •Work Session 3: January 13, 2025 •Economic review, final considerations Environmental HealthEconomic Health BPS Barriers •Concern for cost •Perceived tensions Headline Copy Goes HereEnvironmental Impact BPS savings are not guaranteed •2030 GHG goals requires all moves + additional electrification •BPS is by far the most impactful direct policy action the City can take to reduce emissions by 2030 •Regulatory efficiency allows for additional electrification within our renewable allotment Headline Copy Goes Here 5 Environmental Impact •Once final targets are met, BPS savings are projected at 65,000 MTCO2e annually (almost 10,000 homes’ use) •By 2050, that equates to cumulative savings of 1.5 million MTCO2e (over 227,000 homes’ use) •Policy adoption delay would result in ~10,000 of additional MTCO2e annually •Equal to ~1/2% progress toward OCF emissions goals annually MTCO2e avoided due BPS increase annually, tapering after 2030 Headline Copy Goes Here 6 Environmental Impact – Natural Gas BPS is a significant portion of projected natural gas savings •More natural gas savings projected from BPS by 2030 (3 million therms) than electrification (2.5 million therms) •BPS enables future electrification through efficiency Headline Copy Goes Here 7 Economic Impact: Costs and Savings Estimated Costs •Total program cost: $290 million •Administrative and community costs •Community costs exclude rebates, BAU assumptions, admin costs include existing resources Estimated Savings •By 2050, the community would save $630 million in energy costs (total area after 2039 in the graph) •BPS pays for itself by 2039 •By 2050, BPS benefit is $2.50 in energy savings for every $1 spent Headline Copy Goes Here 8 Economic Pathways: Efficiency Works Business Incentives have curbed the impact of growth but haven’t reduced overall electric use •Fort Collins Utilities has offered rebate programs to commercial customers since 2002 •EWB accounts for ~60% of Energy Services historic program savings. •EWB has resulted in a total nearly 200,000 mWh electricity saved since the program was initiated •More than 27,000 homes use in a year. •Historic programs have kept use steady through population growth •Opportunity/Engagement is waning •FCU spent half the money on commercial rebates and incentives in ’23 that were spent in ’22 •5,823 mWh reduced electricity use in 2023, down from 11,492mWh in 2022 Headline Copy Goes Here 9 Case Studies Status Occupancy Type Purpose Estimated Cost/SF Completed Office Moderate energy savings required (9% reduction) $2.85 Completed Multifamily Housing Energy savings cap (25% reduction)$4.44 Completed Retail Store Energy savings cap (25% reduction)$4.36 Completed Strip Mall Energy savings cap (25% reduction)$5.79 Case studies provide examples for other building owners Case studies are provided on the most common property use types covered by the proposed BPS Headline Copy Goes HereEconomics of the ‘Low Hanging Fruit’ Efficiency is cheaper than electric rates •Administrative: •Average electric cost of conserved energy: $28/mWh saved •26.7% less than wholesale energy costs •BPS estimated at $12/mWh saved •Community: •Community cost: $108/mWh avoided •2024 community electric rates: $118/mWh •Wholesale purchased energy cost projected to increase 35% by 2030 •Efficiency reduces load in dark calms Efficiency is cheaper than new generation: •Lowering consumption = less future renewables needed to meet / maintain renewable goals •Next future renewable build: 2034 •Not factoring in new efficiency measures Strategic Electrification •Benefit of ‘strategic’ electrification •Costs associated with increased electric use •Oversized systems = excess use = excess costs Headline Copy Goes HereEconomics of Environmental Inaction: Broader Lens •Global measures to reduce emissions will require a “minimum six-fold increase” in investment •In Larimer Co: •Insurance premiums have increased by 37% •Increasing extreme heat is correlated with fires and high ozone, both of which are associated with respiratory morbidity Since 1980, the US has spent over 2.6 trillion on climate disasters, not including 2024 Estimated global cost of climate change damage: $1.7 trillion - $3.1 trillion per year by 2050 •Current global policies will lead to 3.1C of warming by the end of the century •A best-case scenario of 2.6C represents “catastrophic” warming with “debilitating impacts to people, planet and economies” Headline Copy Goes Here 12 Final Thoughts Demographics •Owner benefits •Who are our owners? •~1100 owners local to Colorado •Occupant benefits •Who are our occupants? •Covered multi-family buildings: 17,000 bedrooms •Covered office buildings: 11,825 computers; 11,534 workers on main shift •Buildings are community assets Moving Forward •Policy pause v consideration of supporting resources BPS recommendations were community driven Headline Copy Goes Here 13 What’s next •Work Session 3: January 13, 2025 •Economic review, final considerations •Stakeholder Role •Share understanding of costs: benefits •Share understanding of impact of delay •Savings and feasibility of 2030 targets •Relay community feedback Headline Copy Goes Here Questions on BPS: 14 Kbailey@fcgov.com 970-221-6818 Program Manager, Energy Services Katherine Bailey Headline Copy Goes Here For More Information, Visit THANK YOU! https://ourcity.fcgov.com/bps Headline Copy Goes Here Energy Services Program Manager Katherine Bailey Building Performance Standards (BPS) 3.20.24 Headline Copy Goes Here 2 Building Performance Standards (BPS) Buildings account for over 2/3 of our local GHG emissions Our Climate Future (OCF) Plan is a framework and set of implementation strategies to address climate and energy while improving community equity and resilience outcomes. •Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 2005 baseline levels by 2030 27.10% 16.70% •Direct 8.90% •Incentive 7.80% 4.40% 4.10% 1.60% 0.10% 27.10% 16.70% •Performance 16.10% •Construction 0.30% •Electrification 0.30% 4.40% 4.10% 1.60% 0.10% Headline Copy Goes Here •BPS is by far the most impactful direct policy action the City can take to reduce emissions by 2030 •BPS has a much higher impact on natural gas than other FCU programs •The impact of BPS by 2030 is projected to be just under that of all other efficiency programs combined Building Performance Standards Big Move 6: Explore Building Performance Standards LIVE BETTER 3 Headline Copy Goes Here 4 Why BPS? Disproportionately impacted communities benefit from BPS •BPS in Equity Local Benefits: •Health •Safety •Comfort •Resilience •Reduced energy burden •Economic growth •Increased competitiveness •Higher building occupancy & tenant retention •Increased productivity of occupants •Mitigate utility impacts of rising temperatures •Improved indoor and outdoor air quality Headline Copy Goes Here 5City Council OCF Action Roadmap *indicates a change or addition from 2022 OCF Council Roadmap 2024 202620252023 •Adopt Land Use Workstream 1* •Sustainable Revenue - Franchise Fee* •Adopt Building Performance Standards​ •Develop energy code step towards net-zero carbon​ •Adopt Water Efficiency Plan* •Start contracted residential waste service including yard trimmings​ •Allocate initial 2050 Tax funds for climate and transit* •Start Building Performance Standards •Start West Elizabeth Bus Rapid Transit •Start home energy listing requirements •Start commercial/ industrial policy for yard trimmings​* •Develop Building Performance Standards •Develop home energy listing requirements •Adopt Economic Health Strategic Plan (including Circular Economy)* •Adopt Energy Code •Adopt home listing requirements •Adopt commercial/ industrial policy for yard trimmings* •Adopt Land Use Workstream 2* Headline Copy Goes Here 6 •A BPS requires buildings to meet carbon or energy performance targets by specific deadlines. •Can include multiple standards, allowing for flexibility while increasing performance for a different aspect of a building. •Targets become stricter over time, driving continuous, long-term improvement in the building stock Building Performance Standards drive gradual efficiency improvements in existing building stock Building Performance Standards (BPS) •What are BPS? Headline Copy Goes Here 7 Executive Order Federal Building Performance Standard: net-zero emissions by 2045; 50 percent reduction in building emissions by 2032. The State of Colorado introduced BPS Buildings greater than 50K SF: GHG reduction of 7% by 2026 and 20% by 2030. Mayor’s Pledge The City of Fort Collins joined a national coalition of mayors and governors to commit to adopting local building performance standards by Earth Day, 2024 Building performance standards are the most powerful policy tool available to drive improved building performance BPS in Practice at State and Federal Level​ Building Performance Standards have been implemented at the local, State and Federal level Headline Copy Goes Here 8 BPS Development Contributors: Planning to Adoption O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M Internal Stakeholders Task Force Technical Committee Equity Engagement Broad Community Engagement Targets 2027, 2030 2022 2023 2024 Headline Copy Goes Here 9 Task Force and Technical Committee Recommendations •Covered Buildings •5,000ft2 + multifamily (MF) and commercial •Buildings 5,000ft2 -10,000ft2 with more attainable targets and timelines •Efficiency Targets •Energy Use Intensity (EUI) •Maximum flexibility •Resources and off-ramps •Education, technical, financial •Adjustments •Additional assistance provided to under-resourced buildings Task Force recommendations are published at ourcity.fcgov.com/BPS Headline Copy Goes Here 10 Discussion Final questions and thoughts Headline Copy Goes Here For Questions on BPS: 11 Kbailey@fcgov.com 970-221-6818 Program Manager, Energy Services Katherine Bailey Headline Copy Goes Here November 20, 2024 Natural Resources Advisory Board Strategic Trails Plan Headline Copy Goes HereBackground Purpose: •Update framework for planning, design, construction, maintenance, and preservation of the paved trail system •Create seamless integration of low-stress network (on and off-street) to achieve a 15-Minute City while maintaining its recreational value •Ensure priority trail connections are made to underrepresented neighborhoods, schools, parks, and natural areas Goals: •Assess if paved trail system meets the needs of community and determine challenges and opportunities for improvement •Develop shared vision for expansion of paved trail system to meet future needs •Create transparency to trail planning, design, funding, construction and maintenance •Explore and develop new policies to improve current and future paved trail system Headline Copy Goes HereProject Scope and Schedule –3 Phases 3 1.Vision & Needs (March – May) •Assessing needs (trail connectivity, amenities) •Congruence with other city plans •Trail inventory & maintenance assessment 2.Proposed Trails & Policies (June – October) •Interactive proposed trails map available for comment: https://ourcity.fcgov.com/stp •Policy Development:⎻Level of Service⎻Irrigation Ditch/Trail Compatibility ⎻Development Review – Potential Code Refinements ⎻Update Design and Construction Standards⎻Address Safety, Mobility, and Accessibility ⎻Develop Funding & Implementation Strategy 3.Draft Strategic Trails Plan (October – May 25’) •Refine proposed trails map (October/November) •Public review period (February – April) •Anticipated Council adoption (May) Headline Copy Goes Here 4 15-minute City Headline Copy Goes Here 5 Questions regarding the STP or current trail projects? Dave “DK” Kemp Senior Trails Planner Park Planning & Development Parks Department dk@fcgov.com Environmental Services 215 N. Mason PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221-6600 970.224-6177 - fax fcgov.com MEMORANDUM FROM THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD DATE: December 18, 2024 TO: Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Dawson Metcalf on behalf of the Natural Resources Advisory Board SUBJECT: Natural Resources Advisory Board (NRAB) 2024 Annual Work Plan Subject to further Council guidance, the general topics we anticipate covering in 2025 include: ● Reviewing City policies and planning initiatives for consistency with the City’s environmental goals and values, supported by Our Climate Future, through the principles of sustainability, via regular and subcommittee meetings; ● Addressing specific policies, plans and regulations by participating in task forces and special committees, and providing feedback to Staff as a result of such participation; ● Developing recommendations to Council through Board discussion and consensus, followed by written memoranda and periodic attendance at Council meetings or hearings; ● Coordinating activities with other City Boards and Commissions as needed, such as the Air Quality, Energy, Economic, Water, Land Conservation and Stewardship, Parks and Recreation, Active Modes Advisory Board, and Transportation Boards. This work plan (attached) identifies issues that we anticipate will be considered by the NRAB during the year 2025. Of the Seven Key Outcome areas in the Fort Collins Strategic Plan, Environmental Health, Transportation and Mobility, as well as Neighborhood Livability and Social Health will largely shape our work. Other related issues will be addressed by the Board as they are brought before us by Council, Staff, or our own observations with the goal of providing timely input, using Council’s six- month calendar and Policy Agenda to help determine agenda items for our meetings. Finally, as appropriate, we will identify opportunities to promote sustainability in the face of natural resource management priorities. We look forward to a productive year of volunteer service to Council, the citizens of Fort Collins, and our environment. Within the constraints of an advisory board, we will employ our knowledge, talents, and passions to the best of our abilities. As always, please feel free to contact us with any comments or questions regarding our work plan for 2025. 2 Dawson Metcalf Chair, Natural Resources Advisory Board cc: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager Jacob Castillo, Chief Sustainability Officer Honore Depew, Climate Program Manager Kelly Ohlson, City Council Liaison to the NRAB 3 NRAB 2025 Work Plan The Natural Resources Advisory Board serves as an advisor to the Fort Collins City Council regarding sustainability policy and programs to achieve the goals and visionary "Big Moves" for Our Climate Future. This board advises on many aspects of community resilience and sustainability with a focus on water quality and availability for fish, wildlife and people, greenhouse gas mitigation, waste reduction and recycling, sustainable behavior change, and supporting the City's commitment to environmental justice. With an understanding that environmental processes (e.g., photosynthesis, the water cycle, etc.) are the building blocks of life and that human behaviors are leading to an expanding human footprint and accelerating climate change effects on our natural and social environments, the NRAB works to ensure the sustainability of the Fort Collins community. Utilizing the perspective that the natural environment provides life sustaining services, which is not exclusive to human life, the NRAB prioritizes sustaining ecosystem health and function, as well as building social resilience, to maximize positive systems-level impacts in our approaches and recommendations. The NRAB is particularly interested in and supportive of programs and initiatives that recognize: ● the interconnectedness of social and ecological systems and taking bold action to prioritize environmental health, ● the importance of identifying community vulnerabilities and implementing approaches to increase the capacity to adapt to change, ● and that inequity acts as a driver of climate change. To address these priorities, the NRAB will also collaborate with other boards by actively engaging in joint board initiatives to encourage the goals of high functioning government and high impact civic engagement as they pertain to the natural resource management challenges and opportunities faced by the community. Regarding those challenges and opportunities, NRAB has identified the following areas of specific interest in 2025, with an overall view of integrating the principles of sustainability in each target area: ● Our Climate Future ● Waste Reduction and Recycling ● Water Resources ● Transportation Planning, including the implementation of the Active Modes Plan ● Circular Economy ● 15-Minute City Concept Priority ● Nature in the City ● Local Agriculture ● Oil and Gas ● Night Sky Protection and Outdoor Lighting Requirements ● Equity and Environmental Justice ● Rights of Nature for Cache la Poudre River ● Resilient Urban Forest