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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD - MINUTES - 12/18/20241 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. Members discussed wording changes to the Work Plan document. 3 12/18/2024 - Minutes 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 Minutes approved by a vote of the Board on 1/15/2025