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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/15/2025 - NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD - AGENDA - Regular Meeting Natural Resources Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING – Wednesday, January 15th 2025 LOCATION: 222 LAPORTE AVE. AND VIA MS TEAMS <<LINK>> 6:00 CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL 1. AGENDA REVIEW 2. COMMUNITY MEMBER PARTICIPATION 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4. NEW BUSINESS 6:10-6:50 Community Capital Improvement Program (CCIP) Ginny Sawyer (Sr. Policy and Project Manager) will share information about the City’s long-running dedicated ¼ -cent tax for building capital needs throughout the community. [CCIP link] This tax will expire in December 2025 and the City will be seeking a voter-approved renewal in November 2025. Staff and City Council have been working to create a package that furthers masterplans, meets community desires, and advances Council priorities and would like board member feedback. (Discussion) 6:50-7:20 Our Climate Future 2025 Strategic Refresh Honore Depew (Sr. Environmental Manager) will preview the project outline for a 2025 strategic refresh of the Our Climate Future framework and seek board member input. (Discussion) 5. OTHER BUSINESS / UPDATES a. Board Member Reports b. Six Month Calendar Review https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/planning-calendar.php c. 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 12/18/2024 - Minutes Natural Resources Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, December 18, 2024 – 6:00 PM 222 Laporte Avenue 1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:02 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Board Members Present – • Kelly Stewart (Vice Chair) • Matt Zoccali • Barry Noon • Lisa Andrews • Teagan Loew • Kelen Dowdy • Sara LoTemplio b. Board Members Absent – • Dawson Metcalf (Chair) c. Staff Members Present – • Honore Depew, Staff Liaison d. Guest(s) – • None Zoccali and Andrews noted they would not be reapplying for their positions on the Board and Depew announced Todd Simmons has resigned. 3. AGENDA REVIEW Vice Chair Stewart stated the Building Performance Standards memo item will be removed from the agenda as a draft has yet to be completed. 4. COMMUNITY MEMBER PARTICIPATION None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 2024 Noon made a motion, seconded by Andrews, to approve the November 2024 regular meeting minutes as presented. The motion was adopted unanimously. 2 12/18/2024 - Minutes 6. NEW BUSINESS a. 2024 Annual Report Vice Chair Stewart summarized the Annual Report which identifies what occurred at each meeting. Zoccali commended the work on the Annual Report. b. 2025 Work Plan Vice Chair Stewart summarized the changes that have been made to the Work Plan since it was last reviewed by the Board. Andrews commended the changes. Members discussed including the Land Use Code phase two changes in the Work Plan. Zoccali suggested including an item regarding the wasteshed given the landfill is closing and a new one will be opening. Depew discussed the diminished functionality of the Regional Wasteshed Coalition, but noted those relationships remain important. He stated this Board has historically been the one that advises around waste and recycling and supported adding a related item to the Work Plan. Members discussed adding an item related to Monarch butterflies and habitat conservation. Noon commented on the County effort to reduce woody biomass as a means of fire mitigation. He noted he took on the effort to write a memo about the appropriate way to thin forest stands without exacerbating the fire risk and minimizing adverse effects on biological diversity. Noon also commented on the Halligan Reservoir project and the existence of the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, an endangered species, in the area. He noted there is a habitat conservation plan and designation of critical habitat for that species under the Endangered Species Act. Depew noted Water Utilities staff will be at the February meeting and he will make sure someone is present who can address Halligan. Members discussed adding a general statement related to projects that could potentially impact listed species. Noon suggested including an example of incorporating a nest box program in Fort Collins. Depew noted Natural Areas staff would like to return before the Board and suggested some of those types of specific projects could be included in the Natural Areas Strategic Framework updates. 3 12/18/2024 - Minutes Members discussed wording changes to the Work Plan document. Zoccali commented on possibly moving the oil and gas production item. Depew noted there will likely be little action taken on the topic in 2025 given the action taken by the State in 2024. He suggested it may not make sense to include oil and gas well abandonment and remediation in the Plan. Members concurred. Zoccali noted his company has been contracted by the City to do some environmental site assessments in the area where the wells are being abandoned. He stated it may be beneficial for the topic to remain on the list and for the Board to have a presentation from Cassie Archuleta about how the City is approaching the well abandonment and the City’s interaction with the ECMC at the State level. He stated he does believe there is a natural resources and public health and safety benefit to at least watching what is happening with the issue. Depew asked if there are anticipated decisions in which City Council would be involved. Zoccali replied that would occur if the City opts to purchase some of the land for open space or Natural Areas. Depew stated the topic is considered under equity and environmental justice in Council’s priorities. Noon made a motion, seconded by Dowdy, to approve the 2025 Work Plan as amended. The motion was adopted unanimously. 7. OTHER BUSINESS/UPDATES Loew provided additional detail on the Monarch butterfly situation noting the species has officially been proposed to be listed as federally threatened and the public comment period on the issue is open until March 12th. He discussed widely available seed mixes that include attractive flowers for the butterflies. Depew noted the issue would fall squarely in the Natural Areas Department in terms of habitat conservation and land management. Vice Chair Stewart noted there will be three openings on the Board and applications are due January 10th. Depew outlined upcoming Council regular meeting and work session items, including Building Performance Standards, the Strategic Trails Plan, the 2050 tax revenue that is allotted for parks, the Water Efficiency Plan, and impact fees and housing affordability. He discussed the planned topics for upcoming Board meetings, including a presentation by Utilities staff regarding One Water. Members and Depew discussed planned and potential meeting topics and time allotments for various items. 8. ADJOURNMENT • 7:27 pm 4 12/18/2024 - Minutes Minutes approved by a vote of the Board on 1/XX/2025 Headline Copy Goes Here Community Capital Improvement Program ¼-cent Tax Renewals 01-15-25 Natural Resources Advisory Board Headline Copy Goes HereHistory of Dedicated Taxes 2 Tax Rate History 2.25% Base on-going rate from 1984- 2021 2.85% Base rate starting in 2021 with the addition of .60 increase from Keep Fort Collins Great 3.00% Total rate from 1994-2016 3.85% Total rate from 2016-2024 4.35% Headline Copy Goes Here 3 Tax Renewals Over Time Long-term Look at Possible Tax Renewals MULTIPLE ASSUMPTIONS 20502045204020352030202520202015 Open Space Yes (25 yr.) | 2006 - 2030 KFCG (10 yr.) | 2011 - 2020 KFCG.25 (10 yr.) | 2021 - 2030 Assume KFCG (10 yr.) | 2031 - 2040 Street Maintenance (10 yr.) | 2016 - 2025 Street Maintenance (20 yr.) | 2026 - 2045 Community Capital Improvement (10 yr.) | 2016 - 2025 Assume Capital Renewal (10 yr.) | 2026 - 2035 Assume Capital Renewal (10 yr.) | 2036 - 2045 2050 Tax Parks, Climate, Transit (26 yr.) | 2024 - 2050 Open Space Yes (25 yr.) 2030 – 2055? Headline Copy Goes Here EPIC, Natural Areas, & Choices 95Project RECAPDesigning Tomorrow Today Capital Quarter-Cent History 4 1973-1980 •Lincoln Center •Mulberry Pool •Fire Station #4 •City Hall Building •Main Library •Parks Acquisition •Sewer to Andersonville/Alta Vista •Street Improvements 1985-1997 •Choices 95 •Senior Center •Eastside Neighborhood Park •Southwest Community Park Land Acquisition •Indoor Pool Renovations •Fire Station #10 Land Acquisition 1984-1989 •Major Street Improvements •Sidewalk Pedestrian Access Ramps •Indoor Pool Renovations •Open Space and Trails Acquisitions & Construction •Bikeways on College, Timberline, and Horsetooth •PFA Equipment Replacement & Land Acquisition Headline Copy Goes Here Building on BasicsBuilding Community Choice Capital Quarter-Cent History 5 1997-2005 •Police Building Land •EPIC Second Ice Sheet •Northside Aztlan Community Center •Pavement Management Program •Gardens on Spring Creek •Fossil Creek Community Park 2016-2025 •Poudre River Whitewater Park •Willow Street Improvements •Carnegie Building Renovation •Nature in the City Projects •Lincoln Avenue Bridge •Gardens on Spring Creek Visitor's Center Expansion •Affordable Housing Fund 2006-2015 •Fort Collins Museum of Discovery •Senior Center Expansion •Bicycle Program Plan Implementation •North College Avenue Improvements •Pedestrian Plan and ADA Improvements CCIP Headline Copy Goes Here 6 Community Capital Improvement Program 2016-2025 (~$75M) •Arterial Intersection Improvements $6.0 M •Bicycle Infrastructure Improvements $5.0 M •Bike/Ped Grade Separated Crossing Fund $6.0 M •Bus Stop Improvements $1.0 M •Pedestrian Sidewalk / ADA-Compliance $14.0 M •Transfort Bus Fleet Replacement $2.0 M •Lincoln Ave. Bridge $5.3 M •Linden St. Renovation $3.0 M •SE Community Center w. Pool $14.0 M •Gardens on Spring Creek Visitor's Center $2.0 M •Willow Street Improvements $3.5 M •Carnegie Bldg. Renovation $1.0 M •Club Tico Renovation $250k •Downtown Poudre River Enhancements Whitewater Park $4.0 M •Affordable Housing Fund $4.0 M •Nature in the City $3.0 M Headline Copy Goes Here 7 Renewal Timeline 2024 Q1 2025 Q2-Q3 2025 Q4-2025 ›On November ballot›Begin Public Outreach and Engagement ›Refinement of all projects and Programs ›To-be-scheduled: ›February CFC ›April/May Work Session ›Start to finalize total package ›Continue outreach ›Ballot Referral in late July/early August ›To-be-scheduled: ›June/July Work Session ›July regular meeting ›Begin package Development ›February Work Session ›March CFC ›April Work Session ›July CFC ›October CFC ›November Work Session Headline Copy Goes Here 8 Capital Tax – Lessons Learned Helpful to… -Advance projects from Master Plans that have been informed by community input. -Ensure items put forth represent community desires and priorities across broad geography, types of services, and personal passions. -Utilize community engagement to help prioritize projects and programming. Have learned to… -Adjust for inflation and add on years of operation and maintenance. -Balance flexibility and specificity to ensure voters get what the ballot promised while allowing flexibility to take advantage of unforeseen opportunities (grants, development, etc.) -Avoid singular projects that would absorb a majority of the funding. -Solidify a plan far enough in advance of referral to ensure adequate budgeting analysis and community awareness. The last two measures passed with 80% voter approval Headline Copy Goes Here 9 Capital Tax – Successful Project Package Asset Management & Master Plans Council Priorities Community Appeal Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes Here Culture 7% Parks & Recreation 19% Public Safety 1%Housing 6% Transit 13%Mobility/Safety 18% Active Modes 27% Zero Waste Infrastructure 3% 6% 11 Totals & Summary ¼ Cent Tax Revenue •$11M annual revenue (2024) •$110M total revenue 2026-2035 Proposed Projects •$166M total project proposals to-date (2024) Chart includes all proposed projects ($166M) Headline Copy Goes Here 12 Comprehensive Project List Culture Children’s Garden and Event Infrastructure Downtown Trolley Building Renovation Parks & Recreation Bike Park (Early Phase) Dog Parks Downtown Parks Shop Lee Martinez Farm Renovation Mulberry Pool Replacement Pickleball Complex Mobility/Safety Arterial Intersection Improvement Program Active Modes Bike Infrastructure and Overpass/ Underpasses Pedestrian Sidewalk Program Strategic Trails Implementation Zero Waste Infrastructure Timberline Recycling Center Improvements Construction Waste Diversion Equipment Housing Affordable Housing Fund Transit Transfort Bus Stop Upgrades and Bus Replacement Transfort Maintenance Facility Nature & River Poudre River Health & Accessibility Nature in the City Headline Copy Goes HereOngoing Capital Programs 13 Transportation/Engineering o Arterial Intersection Improvement Program o Bicycle Infrastructure & Overpass/Underpass Program o Pedestrian Sidewalk Program o Bus Stop Upgrades & Bus Replacement o Strategic Trails Implementation (new) Headline Copy Goes Here 14 Parks & Recreation/Culture Children’s Garden & Event Infrastructure Downtown Trolley Building & Museum o Building has been identified in the Downtown Masterplan as asset for community centered use o Currently houses object artifact collection and other storage o Need both storage and renovation funding Mulberry Pool o Remaining in package at $10M o Recognize pool replacement will require multiple funding sources Bike Park o Bike Park feasibility study to be completed in April/May 2025 timeframe o $5M not likely to cover full cost Dog Parks o Highly rated in Recreation Masterplan o Need to determine best funding/timing/and locations Downtown Parks Shop Lee Martinez farm Improvements Pickleball o Strong community desire/feasibility study in final stage o Possible funding opportunities Headline Copy Goes HereNature, River, and Environment 15 River/Accessibility Projects o Lee Martinez and Legacy Park area to College o Focus on access for neighborhoods north of the river and river health – expanded scope to include Hickory Trail and Soft Gold Park Timberline Recycling Center Improvements o ADA accessibility through ramps and walkways. o Expanded access to recycling bins to meet demand. Construction Waste Diversion Equipment Nature in the City Headline Copy Goes HereHousing 16 Affordable Housing Fund o Proposed at $10M o Revolving Loan fund start-up o Bonding against the fund to create $7.5M in available funds Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes Here 18 Capital Tax 2025-2026 Naming - Brainstorm Capital By Design Capital Improvement Tax Quarter Cent Capital Current: Community Capital Improvement Program Community By Design Headline Copy Goes HereNext Steps 19 •Continue to refine projects and programs •Public outreach & engagement •Finalize package •Refer to 2025 ballot Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes Here Sr. Manager, Environmental Services Honore Depew OCF Strategic Refresh 2025 Project Overview January 2025 1.15.2025 Headline Copy Goes Here 2 OCF Strategic Refresh and Funding Plan:Purpose 1) Update OCF Framework to be More Accessible, Inclusive and Effective •Reconnect with City and community partners to understand needs Build clarity in the organization about what OCF is and is not – and what it could be! •Better integrate under-emphasized elements of sustainability Air Quality, Water, Adaptation & Resilience, Public Health •Refresh and Integrate How the City Leads By Example for Municipal Sustainability (MSAP) 2) Create a Strategic Funding Plan that is Instructive for the City’s Budget Process •Plan for the future to leverage funding opportunities 2050 Tax, future grants, existing revenue, etc. •Align implementation strategies with new Council calendar  Fall elections  priority setting  budgeting Headline Copy Goes Here 3 OCF Refresh Scope of 2025 Work •Compile historical ESD/OCF planning and process documents •Provide context, as needed. Create an organized and annotated overview document. •OCF assessment with a focus on gaps •Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) in relation to the OCF framework. •Facilitate group and departmental conversations about SWOT findings •Based on the results of the SWOT analysis, facilitate group and/or departmental conversations to gain additional insight on priority next steps. •Update Our Climate Future Framework + Prioritization as Needed, Based on Insights •Create an OCF Strategic Funding Plan and updated OCF Next Moves Plan •Develop a funding strategy framework and guidance document to improve prioritization of strategies and implementation efficacy. Headline Copy Goes Here 4 OCF Refresh Timeline of 2025 Work Q1 Q2 Q3+ Headline Copy Goes Here 5 OCF Gaps Assessment Process for SWOT (Strength-Weakness-Opportunity-Threat) Analysis •Gather feedback on SWOT goals and research questions. •Share a survey asking SWOT-related questions to implementing departments and key partners. •Conduct 1-1 interviews with a sub-set of program managers in implementing departments. •Compile and synthesize results in a SWOT workbook. •Consider consultant recommendations based on SWOT findings. •Prioritize and integrate findings into larger process to refresh Our Climate Future implementation processes. •Share back results, recommendations, and next steps with implementing departments and external stakeholders.