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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/19/2025 - NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD - AGENDA - Regular Meeting Natural Resources Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING – Wednesday, February 19th 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 – JANUARY 4. NEW BUSINESS 6:10-7:40 One Water – Projects Update Staff from several departments will share updates and host general discussion regarding: One Water Planning, 2025 Poudre River Health Assessment, and Water Reclamation Practices. (Discussion) Attending staff include: Jill Oropeza (Sr. Dir. Of Sciences and Planning, Utilities) Bernadette Kuhn (Sr. Environmental Planner, Natural Areas), Susan Strong (Sr. Specialist, Env. Regulatory Affairs, Utilities) Christina Schroeder (Director of Plant Operations, Ut. Water Rec. and Biosolids Div.) 7:40-7:50 Information Committee Designee for Civic Assembly Process NRAB is asked to designate one member of the Board to play a vital role in the upcoming Civic Assembly process related to the former Hughes Stadium property. Part of the Civic Assembly process is the formation of an Information Committee (IC) that will spend time reviewing information, considering prioritizations, developing rationale, and helping to ensure that the Assembly members (approximately 20 residents randomly selected) have thorough and accurate information for their deliberations. The IC will be meeting once in mid-March and once in mid-April. (Action) 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 1/15/2025 - Minutes Natural Resources Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, January 15, 2024 – 6:00 PM 222 Laporte Avenue 1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:05 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Board Members Present – • Dawson Metcalf (Chair) • Kelly Stewart (Vice Chair) • Matt Zoccali • Lisa Andrews • Barry Noon • Teagan Loew • Sara LoTemplio b. Board Members Absent – • Kelen Dowdy c. Staff Members Present – • Honore Depew, Staff Liaison • Ginny Sawyer, CMO • Joe Wimmer, Utilities d. Guest(s) – • None 3. AGENDA REVIEW Chair Metcalf reviewed the agenda items. 4. COMMUNITY MEMBER PARTICIPATION None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – DECEMBER 2024 Andrews made a motion, seconded by Stewart, to approve the November 2024 regular meeting minutes as presented. The motion was adopted unanimously. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Community Capital Improvement Program (CCIP) – Ginny Sawyer, Senior Policy and Project Manager, and Joe Wimmer, Utilities Finance Director 2 1/15/2025 - Minutes Ginny Sawyer, Senior Policy and Project Manager, noted the decision was made to separate the CCIP and street maintenance tax renewals, and the street maintenance tax renewal was passed on November’s ballot with a 20-year sunset. She provided an overview of the City’s dedicated taxes and summarized the proposal for the Community Capital Improvement Program tax measure which sunsets at the end of this year, and if approved, would continue for ten years beginning January 1, 2026. Sawyer provided a list of the previous items that have been funded by the tax and noted Council has an August deadline to refer the measure to the November ballot. Sawyer discussed the components of a successful project package for the tax, including asset management and master plans, council priorities, and community appeal. Joe Wimmer, Utilities Finance Director, stated the ¼ cent sales tax will generate about $11 million of revenue per year, in current numbers; therefore, over the ten years, there will be approximately $110 million available for projects, and the current list contains approximately $166 million in projects. Sawyer noted several transportation projects are included in the list as many are grant- matched. She provided a list of the proposed projects in the following categories: transportation/engineering, parks and recreation/culture, nature, river, and environment, and housing. Noon asked if there has been any conversation about adding an additional pool like the City Park Pool. Sawyer replied the ballot measure that approved the Southeast Community Center called for an outdoor leisure pool and that will be part of the design. Sawyer outlined possible names for the tax and requested feedback from the Board. Members discussed the importance of ensuring the word ‘community’ is in the title. Zoccali requested additional information on the sliver for public safety that was part of the project list. Wimmer replied that was a project that was in the early list for renovating the Police facility to include office space for the mental health team, which actually found other funding sources. Zoccali commented on the importance of critical infrastructure updates for community resiliency and asked where those capital improvements are being captured. Sawyer replied many of those investments will come directly from the enterprise funds and stated resiliency costs should likely be placed in the City’s ongoing budget. Sawyer noted the top issue that prioritizes transportation projects is safety. She stated staff has just started reaching out to Boards and Commissions for input; however, initial feedback has shown support for dog parks, pickleball facilities, an affordable housing fund, bike infrastructure, and swim lanes. Sawyer and Wimmer provided polls to the Board related to which of the capital projects would have the greatest and least community impact. Sawyer noted staff will be seeking input on the project list over the next five months. b. Our Climate Future 2025 Strategic Refresh – Honore Depew, Senior Environmental 3 1/15/2025 - Minutes Manager Honore Depew, Senior Environmental Manager, stated this will be a year of staff engagement and refreshing how the Our Climate Future (OCF) framework is implemented across the organization and community to be more accessible, inclusive, and effective. Depew discussed the 2050 Tax and intention to create an OCF Strategic Funding Plan that is instructive for the City’s budget process. Depew outlined the 2025 scope of work for the OCF refresh, including assembling a historic document archive and conducting an internal assessment and gaps analysis. Depew outlined the OCF refresh timeline and suggested the Board may want to have a conversation in the spring with the consultant who is conducting interviews. LoTemplio asked how OCF tracks progress toward meeting goals. Depew replied there are sophisticated greenhouse gas accounting systems and protocols for monitoring and reporting on both community-wide and municipal emissions, and increasingly, staff is working to expand the way that information is presented. He noted goals are set around emissions reductions, 100% renewable electricity, and zero waste in terms of resilience, equity, and mitigation, though it is harder to set tangible goals for resilience and equity. LoTemplio asked about the progress toward mitigation goals. Depew replied the 2020 goal of a reduction of 20% below the 2005 baseline was met as a community, and the City organization achieved 44% below the baseline over the same time period. Given current policies, programs, and renewable electricity plans, estimates show the reduction will be around 70% below the baseline by 2030 - if key policies and programs advance. Loew asked about the largest changes that reduced emissions. Depew replied the main change was the conversion of the energy grid through Platte River Power Authority. Additionally, building energy efficiency programs and some changes to transportation have made a difference. Chair Metcalf asked if there are examinations or reexaminations of other cities as part of the refresh review. Depew replied that is intended to be part of the refresh. Chair Metcalf commented on the Los Angeles fires and on the importance of resiliency and adaptation and framing the necessity for that in a way to get community buy-in prior to disasters occurring. 7. OTHER BUSINESS/UPDATES Zoccali noted the Loveland City Council had a study session and voted to turn down the proposal of new oil and gas rules within the municipality and remain with the standard Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) regulations. Zoccali stated the Council was concerned about potential lawsuits and noted the revenue from oil and gas activities is too good an opportunity to lose to neighboring areas that have more favorable oil and gas regulations. Depew stated twelve applications were received for the four vacant Board seats and interviews will be forthcoming, with the new members starting to serve in April. 4 1/15/2025 - Minutes Depew noted the March meeting falls during spring break and asked members if they want to change that date. Members opted to move the meeting from March 19th to March 12th. Depew outlined upcoming meeting topics, including One Water for February, and Natural Areas Strategic Framework, Council priorities, and other topics for March and later meetings. Noon suggested the Board read the recent Poudre River Report Card prior to the February presentation. 8. ADJOURNMENT • 7:45 pm Minutes approved by a vote of the Board on 1/XX/2025 Headline Copy Goes Here February 20,2025 Jill Oropeza, Sr. Director of Sciences & Planning, Utilities Bernadette Kuhn, Sr. Environmental Planner, Natural Areas Susan Strong,Sr. Specialist, Env. Regulatory Affairs, Utilities Christina Schroeder, Director of Plant Operations, Ut Water Rec. and Biosolids Div. Water Projects Update Natural Resources Advisory Board Headline Copy Goes Here One Water Provide Integrated & Equitable Water Management Ensure Long-term Resilience & Reliability Meet Community & Ecosystem Needs One Water Planning Headline Copy Goes HereOne Water Approach 3 One Water approach manages all water — whether from the tap, a stream, a storm, an aquifer, or a sewer —in a collaborative, integrated, inclusive, and holistic manner. - US Water Alliance Headline Copy Goes HereGuiding Principles of One Water 4 •Value water at every stage and in every form •Solutions that achieve multiple benefits •Approach decisions with a systems mindset •Use watershed-scale thinking and action •Intervene with right-sized solutions •Rely on partnerships and inclusion •Account for climate action urgency and opportunities Headline Copy Goes Here 5 Why One Water? Why Now? Water Quantity – Too Much, Too Little Water Quality & Regulations Ecosystem Degradation Aging & Inadequate Infrastructure A Changing Climate Pricing & Affordability Headline Copy Goes Here 6 One Water Planning Contracting (May) Scope Development (May) Data Gathering (June) Gaps and Needs Inventory (July) One Water Vision & Guiding Principles (September- November) One Water Framework “Current State” Report (November- February 2025) Phase 1 – Assessing Organizational Readiness Phase 2 – Planning & Action Scope Development (March 2025) Key Strategies & Actions Performance Metrics Tracking System Development One Water Action Framework (June 2026) Phase 3 – Performance (2026 and beyond) Headline Copy Goes Here 2025 Poudre River Health Assessment Bernadette Kuhn Sr. Environmental Planner/Restoration Project Manager Susan Strong Sr. Environmental Regulatory Specialist 7 Headline Copy Goes HereVision 8 A healthy, resilient Poudre River watershed. Headline Copy Goes HereRoadmap 9 •Project •Previous Efforts •Actions •Early Indicators Headline Copy Goes Here 10 What Is It? 10 Poudre River Health Assessment: A comprehensive, repeatable river sampling project that measures the health of Cache la Poudre River from headwaters to the South Platte River confluence. Headline Copy Goes HereGoal 11 To provide a high -quality, reproducible data set that reflects the physical, biological, and chemical conditions of the Cache la Poudre River so that its stewardship is guided by the best available science. Headline Copy Goes Here 12 Timeline RHAF developed 2015 Middle Zone sampled 2016 Lower Zone sampled 2017 Upper Zone sampled 2020 Updated RHAF Manual released 2024 Round 2 sampling begins for Upper, Middle, and Lower Zones 2025 Headline Copy Goes HereAdaptive Approach 13 Document conditions Prioritize actions based on results Engage with community Implement actions Assess outcomes using RHAF Headline Copy Goes Here 14 Indicators & Metrics Aquatic Habitat River Flow Wood RegimeSediment Water Quality Riparian Floodplain River DynamicsAquatic Life Headline Copy Goes HereRHAF Grading 15 Grade Scale Descriptor Explanation A 90-100 Optimally Functional The indicator is self-sustaining and supports functional characteristics appropriate to sustain river health. B 80-89 Highly Functional The indicator maintains essential qualities that support a high level of function, but there is some influence of stressors at a detectable, yet minor, level. C 70-79 Functional The indicator is altered by stressors that substantially impair functionality, but basic natural river functions are still sustained. D 60-69 Functionally Impaired The indicator is severely altered by stressors that impair basic natural river functions and overall river health. F 50-59 Non-Functional The indicator is profoundly impaired by massive or overwhelming stressors that render it incapable of supporting basic natural river functions, or it is unable to sustain biological river communities. Headline Copy Goes Here2016 Water Quality Scores 16 Water Quality Metrics •Temperature •Nutrients •pH •Dissolved Oxygen 2016 Water Quality Results by Zone Canyon Rural Urban Plains B-B-B+B+ 80 83 88 87 Headline Copy Goes Here 17 2016 Overall Scores Top 3 scoring reaches (2016) •Reach 1 Munroe Canal Diversion to North Fork Poudre •Reach 2 North Fork Poudre to Poudre Valley Canal •Reach 3 Poudre Valley Canal to Greeley Diversion Lowest 3 scoring reaches (2016) •Reach 7 Overland Trail to Larimer & Weld •Reach 10 College Ave. to Lincoln St. (=Parks Reach 4) •Reach 15 Prospect to Fossil Creek Inlet Diversion Headline Copy Goes HereRHAF Results In Action 18 •Basis for restoration priority ranking (City, CPRW, USFS) •Poudre Wildfire Ready Action Plan •Adoption of Lower Poudre Master Plan by cities of Greeley and Windsor •Habitat restoration for Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse •Monitoring for Poudre Flows Project •Monitoring framework pre- and post-restoration on City restoration projects (Natural Areas/Utilities) Headline Copy Goes HereEarly Indicators for 2025 Sampling 19 •Improved scores at restoration projects (ELC, McMurray Natural Area) •Sediment Indicator/Fine Structure metric dropped from C to D in some Urban Zone reaches Headline Copy Goes HereLooking Ahead 20 Next Steps •Comprehensive data set released in 2026 •Community engagement phase 2026-27 •Incorporation of new data into City and CPRW restoration prioritization •Increased use for project-level monitoring Questions? Headline Copy Goes Here Water Reclamation 21 Headline Copy Goes HereWater Reclamation Areas of interest expressed by NRAB members: ▪Challenges WW faces in meeting community needs and river health ▪Plans to alter points of discharge related to Northern Integrated Supply Project or other projects Key Messages: ▪ Water Reclamation master planning effort is underway to assess near - and long-term needs including changing regulatory requirements. ▪ More holistic approach includes other water stakeholders. Headline Copy Goes HereProcess Overview Treatment: ▪Two Permitted Facilities ▪Processes: ▪Liquid ▪Solids ▪Unique connection between Drake and Mulberry Facilities Headline Copy Goes HereDrake Water Reclamation Facility Headline Copy Goes HereMulberry Water Reclamation Facility Headline Copy Goes HereDischarge Locations Points of Discharge: ▪Mulberry: o Cache La Poudre River, Segment 11 (Cold Water Segment) ▪Drake: o Fossil Creek Inlet Ditch o CLPR, Segment 12a (Warm Water Segment) ▪Discussions over the years to change Mulberry discharge location. o No plans at this time. Headline Copy Goes HereRegulatory Challenges Changing Nutrient and Quality Crit eria: ▪Regulation 85 (effective): o Phosphorus and Nitrogen limits, effective 2021 o Meeting or doing better than permitted limits with installation of two major capital projects ▪Regulations 31 and 38(future): o More stringent limits o Additional parameters ▪Key focus: o Temperature requirements o Nutrients o Emerging concerns Headline Copy Goes HereOther Challenges Challenges: ▪Limits of Technology o Are future limits achievable? ▪Competing Needs o Future Regs vs Aging Infrastructure ▪Funding Sources Headline Copy Goes HereSolutions Potential Solutions: ▪Master/Comprehensive Plan ▪Holistic Approach ▪Engage stakeholders Headline Copy Goes Here Feedback & Questions Hughes Civic Assembly: Information Committee Description High-quality information from a variety of sources is a cornerstone of any deliberative process, and there are several ways we ensure the Assembly has the information they need to complete their work. The Information Committee (IC) is a key part of this. The IC has three primary responsibilities: 1. Select presenters – background experts and relevant parties – and background information for the information-gathering phases of the Assembly. 2. Prioritize and categorize the resources to be shared with Assembly members. 3. Provide feedback for HD staff, as-needed,related to the IC process. The IC will be made up of representatives from the City of Fort Collins Boards and Commissions, Community Guides, and Fort Collins community members. We aim for the following distribution: ● 4 representatives from City of Fort Collins Boards and Commissions ● 4 Community Guides from the Center for Public Deliberation ● 4 at-large community members Role of the Information Committee The IC will meet for one 3-hour meeting in mid-March and one 1.5-hour meeting in mid-April (TBD by HD staff). We also ask that members commit to 3-5 hours of independent work. Before meeting, members will be asked to: ● Review the information inputs gathered from the Community Survey, Community Guides, and/or the Assembly members. ● Consider gaps in the suggestions that have already been made. ● Consider who should be prioritized as background presenters to the Assembly and why. ● Consider which resources should be prioritized and why. ● Optional meeting with HD staff to answer questions and get acquainted. The IC meetings will include: ● Introductions and group agreements; Orientation; Review and discussion information. ● Sense-making; Initial deliberation; Categorization; Gaps analysis. ● Deliberation on suggested presenters and information; Creation of rationales. ● Prioritization & Agreement Seeking; Final selection of presenters, resources, and background information packet for the Assembly. After the meetings, Committee members will be asked to: ● Add brief rationales to each resource explaining why it was selected. Role of HD Staff ● Facilitate IC meetings and orientation of IC members ● Invite the selected parties to present at the Assembly; curate initial information packet ● Prepare menu & rationales to give to Assembly members. ● Ensure integrity of IC’s decisions is maintained throughout the process. The Information Committee is one of the most vital components in setting up the Assembly for success and public credibility. Thank you so much for your service to the Hughes Civic Assembly – and to your community – and we look forward to answering any questions you may have. Questions? Lauren Babcock, Program Director | lauren@healthydemocracy.org | 202-921-1072