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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/16/2025 - NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD - AGENDA - Regular Meeting Natural Resources Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING – Wednesday April 16, 2025 LOCATION: 222 Laporte Ave. and via MS Teams: fcgov.com/nrab-teams-meeting 6:00 CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL 1. AGENDA REVIEW 2. COMMUNITY MEMBER PARTICIPATION 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 4. NEW BUSINESS 6:10-6:40 New Member Welcome Council liaison, Kelly Ohlson, to visit with board and discuss board-Council relations. (Discussion) 6:40-7:30 Council Priority Update: Our Climate Future Honore Depew (Environmental Services, Sr. Manager) and Brian Tholl (Energy Services Director) will seek board feedback on a draft presentation for an upcoming Council Work Session (May 13) providing an update on the Council Priority to Reduce Climate and Air Pollution Through Best Practices, Emphasizing Electrification. Energy Services (Discussion) 7:30-7:45 Large Methane User Fee Proposal Board members will discuss how to respond to community request for formal 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 3/12/2025 - Minutes Natural Resources Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, March 12, 2025 – 6:00 PM 222 Laporte Avenue and via Microsoft Teams 1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:04 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Board Members Present – • Dawson Metcalf (Chair) • Kelly Stewart (Vice Chair) • Lisa Andrews • Sara LoTemplio • Kelen Dowdy • Teagan Loew b. Board Members Absent – • Matt Zoccali • Barry Noon c. Staff Members Present – • Honore Depew, Staff Liaison • Julia Feder, Natural Areas Conservation and Stewardship Manager • Caroline Mitchell, Environmental Services Lead Waste Reduction and Recycling Specialist d. Guest(s) – • Xavier Pereira • Leslie Coleman 3. AGENDA REVIEW Chair Metcalf reviewed the agenda items. 4. COMMUNITY MEMBER PARTICIPATION Xavier Pereira introduced himself as one of the new incoming Board Members and discussed his interest in natural resources issues. Leslie Coleman introduced herself as one of the new incoming Board Members and discussed her interest in natural resources issues. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 2025 Andrews made a motion, seconded by Vice Chair Stewart, to approve the February 2025 2 3/12/2025 - Minutes regular meeting minutes as presented. The motion was adopted unanimously. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Natural Areas Strategic Framework Julia Feder, Natural Areas Conservation and Stewardship Manager, stated the Natural Areas Strategic Framework is the 10-year high-level guiding plan that is intended to be followed with more tactical based planning over the coming years. She stated the public feedback period ends March 31st and the Framework is slated to go before Council for adoption in mid-June. She discussed the public outreach process and mixed methodology review of the main concerns and priorities within the Natural Areas sphere. Feder stated the key considerations that arose from the public outreach included conserving land and water, protecting water bodies and water quality, and leveraging partnerships to improve ecological conditions and address climate-related risks, and accessing nature near home. Feder stated the new vision for the Strategic Framework is “Thriving ecosystems for a greater Fort Collins community,” and there are eight associated values: service, resource protection, partnership, connectivity, ecological function, integrity, health and wellbeing, and belonging. The four goals of the Framework are: conserve and protect land and water, strengthen habitats and ecological resilience, support access to nature, and foster community connections and stewardship. Feder commented on the importance of nature being an amenity for all community members as part of the 15-minute city concept. Feder noted the draft Framework is available for feedback on Our City until March 31st and stated staff would like a recommendation from the Board at its May 21st meeting ahead of Council’s consideration in June. Chair Metcalf asked if any gaps were revealed during the engagement process. Feder replied in the negative but noted Council did request strengthening language around property acquisition and connectivity. Chair Metcalf asked about the tangible access pieces. Feder replied this document is more of a high-level effort and stated connectivity will look different in each of the zones. She stated calls to action will be prioritized in zone updates, which are also open for public feedback. Chair Metcalf asked about the Hughes Stadium property. Feder replied it is not represented in this Framework, though Natural Areas will provide some background information and assessments about what it would mean if the entire site became a natural area. She noted there are varying opinions in the community about the property and its future use. Vice Chair Andrews asked how the public has been made aware of the Framework and feedback opportunities. Feder replied there have been about 5,000 community touchpoints that occurred during the phase 2 engagement, including a statistically valid survey, and information about feedback opportunities has been provided through City channels, through the Natural Areas e-news, and social media. Additionally, personal 3 3/12/2025 - Minutes outreach has occurred with historically underrepresented groups and meetings have occurred with community partners. b. Accelerate Zero Waste Infrastructure and Policies Depew noted this is a draft presentation. Caroline Mitchell, Environmental Services Lead Waste Reduction and Recycling Specialist, noted this item is focused on the Council priority around zero waste and aligns with Our Climate Future, City Plan, and the Strategic Plan. She noted staff is seeking feedback from Board Members and Council regarding any questions about the elements included in the Zero Waste Council priority, including deeper focus on the compost infrastructure project, a possible single use plastics policy, or a possible commercial yard trimmings policy. Mitchell stated the overall goal is zero waste by 2030, and the primary measure of making that progress is a diversion rate, which is a weight-based measurement gathered from haulers and service providers in the community. She noted that number resets every year and is variable. In 2023, the combined community diversion rate for composting and recycling, including residential, commercial, and industrial uses, was 61%. She noted the Hoffman Mill City facility is an important part of the industrial number. Dowdy asked if staff surveys residents regarding at-home composting. Mitchell replied home composting is encouraged and resources are provided through the City, though it is difficult to measure and is not something about which residents are surveyed. She noted diversion numbers that do not come through a community hauler is a gap in the data. Mitchell noted communities all measure recycling and composting numbers differently and stated other area communities have stronger composting programs and policies than does Fort Collins. Mitchell stated most high performing communities top out at approximately 85% of material being recycled or composted, and key opportunities to get to that number include construction and demolition materials recycling, food scraps and yard trimmings composting, and industrial materials recycling. She outlined current policies and programs around waste reduction and recycling, including detached residential volume- based trash pricing, no charge for recycling and yard trimmings, and contracted hauling for consistent, affordable pricing. Commercial and attached residential programs include recycling being included with trash service and a requirement for grocers to compost. Industrial programs include construction and demolition requirements to recycle cardboard, metal, wood, and aggregates and regular inspections of those sites to help support compliance with those requirements. Mitchell noted various programs that cross sectors include the plastic bag and Styrofoam ban and paper bag fee, education and outreach efforts, a landfill ban on cardboard, and infrastructure resources including the Timberline Recycling Facility and Hoffman Mill Crushing Facility. Mitchell stated the priority element that is currently underway is identifying pathways to infrastructure for construction and demolition recycling and food scraps composting. The 4 3/12/2025 - Minutes priority element that is completed is the contracted hauling program with increased yard trimming collection and composting. Mitchell noted there is grant-funded consulting work underway to identify pathways to increase composting, including either the City building a compost facility or building a transfer station that could enable more cost-effective transport of compost to another facility. She noted the closest facility that accepts food scraps is 60 miles one-way from Fort Collins and stated additional feasibility analysis for both options will occur in the summer. Additionally, Mitchell noted Larimer County has expressed interest in potentially building a mixed construction and demolition recycling facility and have requested a state grant to help support that effort. She stated City Council has just approved a letter of support and a financial contribution for that facility, assuming the state grant is received, and noted there is already a policy in place that would direct materials to the site. In terms of the high diversion deliverable items that are part of the Zero Waste Council priority, Mitchell noted the expanded yard trimmings collection for detached residential through contracted hauling is complete, the development of a food scraps composting site or compost transfer station will likely take years to complete, as will a mixed construction and demolition recycling sorting facility. Next moves could include a commercial yard trimmings policy, a food scraps policy, an increase in municipal reuse and recycling, deconstruction practices, additional plastics reduction policies, and additional measurement approaches and updated waste characterization. Chair Metcalf commended the presentation and asked about the single-use plastics issue. Depew stated the question about whether Council wants to advance policies or programs targeting the use of single-use plastics is due to recent community activism around the topic and because it is a concern. Trade-offs include the fact that a policy would not impact the diversion rate much, but it could impact health and plastics pollution. Chair Metcalf asked what is being considered in terms of feasibility. Mitchell replied a great deal of initial work has been done to determine that yard trimmings and food scraps composting is a major area of opportunity, both from a climate perspective and a waste diversion perspective. She stated feasibility references the middle level of analysis that is coming out of this project, which is focused on site cost and requirements. Chair Metcalf asked if there have been examples of communities coming together to construct a regional composting facility. Mitchell replied there are examples nationally, though Colorado is less developed in its compost infrastructure. She stated there is regional partnership interest, particularly in Boulder County as they have composting policies in place, but at high costs. Mitchell noted staff will be going to Council on April 8th and anticipates going back to Council next fall after the feasibility study is completed. Additionally, staff is going through internal processes to help identify which of the next moves are prioritized. Depew noted the strategic planning around zero waste is inherently linked with Our Climate Future strategic planning. 7. OTHER BUSINESS/UPDATES 5 3/12/2025 - Minutes Depew provided a reassurance that Fort Collins remains committed to sustainability, equity, inclusion, and creating a safe environment for all residents despite the changing political climate. a. Board Member Reports Chair Metcalf offered a farewell to Andrews and thanked her for her perspective and service on the Board. Dowdy stated the Northern Integrated Water Supply Project settled a lawsuit with Save the Poudre for $100 million and there is now a new Poudre River fund through NoCo Community Foundation with those dollars that will offer grants. b. Six Month Calendar Review Depew outlined upcoming Council items, including the Zero Waste Council priority, One Water, and the capital tax renewal, among others. He discussed the plan and agenda items for upcoming Board meetings, including Chair and Vice Chair elections in May. Chair Metcalf stated he is interested in potentially stepping down from the Chair role and Vice Chair Stewart stated she would be happy to remain as Vice Chair, but would not want the Chair position. 8. ADJOURNMENT • 7:57 pm Minutes approved by a vote of the Board on X/XX/2025 Headline Copy Goes Here Climate Program Manager Honore Depew Council Priority Update: Reduce Climate and Air Pollution Through Best Practices, Emphasizing Electrification NRAB 4-16-2025 Brian Tholl Energy Services Director Headline Copy Goes Here 2Strategic Alignment City Plan Reduce Climate and Air Pollution Through Best Practices, Emphasizing Electrification Principle ENV 2: Become a carbon neutral community by 2050 and improve the community’s resilience to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Environmental Health 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. Strategic PlanCouncil Priority Our Climate Future 80% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030 100% renewable electricity Headline Copy Goes HerePresentation Contents 4 1)Climate Context 2) Current Efforts 3) Bridging to the Future Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes HereCommunity-wide OCF Goals 7 •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 Here 8 Our Climate Future – Big Moves 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 Equity – Resilience – Mitigation Headline Copy Goes HereGHG Inventory Basics •Fort Collins Annual GHG Community Inventory includes emissions from: •Electricity consumption •Electricity distribution and transmission losses •Natural gas use •Fugitive natural gas •In-boundary ground transportation •In-boundary waste generation •Water supply and reclamation •Industrial processes •Follows the Global Protocol for Community-scale GHG Emissions Inventories (GPC) •Consultant provides quality check •Annually reported locally and globally •CDP - compliance with the Global Covenant of Mayors and ICLEI’s Race to Zero Headline Copy Goes Here 11 Community Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory 0 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,500,000 20 0 5 20 0 6 20 0 7 20 0 8 20 0 9 20 1 0 20 1 1 20 1 2 20 1 3 20 1 4 20 1 5 20 1 6 20 1 7 20 1 8 20 1 9 20 2 0 20 2 1 20 2 2 20 2 3 Community GHG Emissions Annual MTCO 2 e Electricity Natural gas Ground travel Solid waste Water Industrial -27%2023: 27% below 2005 baseline Headline Copy Goes HerePathways to Progress (2030 GHG Goal) Buildings account for more than two-thirds of our local greenhouse gas emissions Headline Copy Goes HerePathways to Progress (2030 Renewable Electricity Goal) Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes HereCouncil Priority: Reduce Climate and Air Pollution Through Best Practices, Emphasizing Electrification Electrification of Buildings Electrification of Transportation/Fleet Vehicles Electrification of Small Engine Equipment Headline Copy Goes Here 19 Important Considerations 1919 Utility Rates Incentives Financing Other City Fees Distribution Grid Contractors & Workforce Advanced Grid Management Education Awareness Transparency Technical Assistance Policies Building Codes Standards The City of Fort Collins has several methods, or “levers”, for making community progress with electrification and decarbonization.Taking a balanced approach across a diverse portfolio of methods can optimize: •Customer service •Achievement of goals •Triple bottom line benefits Points of Intervention (City Levers) •Economics •Regulations •Infrastructure •Behaviors Headline Copy Goes HereCurrent Infrastructure based efforts •$ Incentive based programs framework •Operational technology enhancements Investments in Virtual Power Plant (VPP) efforts •% conversion status and goal progress •SMART Grant implementation Electrification of fleet vehicles •80-85% complete and status Electrification of gas- powered landscape equipment Electrification of Utility task vehicles •7 utility carts replaced •2050 tax supported Distribution planning enhancements •Support electrification through asset management Headline Copy Goes HereCurrent Regulatory based efforts •Municipal operations on track for compliance, Summer 2025 Compliance with CDPHE Regulation 29 •Pilot underway supporting policy development Development of Building Performance Standards framework •2025 work session and/or adoption Zero carbon building code framework, new construction •No EV policy currently under development N/A Headline Copy Goes HereCurrent Economic and Behavioral based efforts •$ Incentive based programs framework Enhance incentive and educational initiatives for efficiency, electrification and grid Flexibility efforts •Supporting alternative electric transportation options •EV ownership and charging availability •EV Readiness Roadmap Update to be published soon Supporting community education and awareness on electric transportation options Promoting clean air benefits within municipal operations •Time of Day Utility rates and electric capacity fee evaluation Evaluate rates and fees framework to eliminate barriers Headline Copy Goes HereComplete: Efficiency and local generation projects 23 $4.4M paid in incentives, upgrading over 1,300 buildings 2024 Efficiency and solar participation: Headline Copy Goes HereNext steps: Building electrification 24 •Leading by Example: Continue to seek grant funds for municipal operations •Continue incentive development using enterprise and 2050 tax •Implement 2028 and 2031 Building Energy code implementation •Explore requirement for point-of-sale energy use requirement •Explore requirements and alignment with rental registry •Enhance Utilities operations and planning to support increased Community electricity use Headline Copy Goes HereNext steps: Electric Transportation 25 •Leading by Example: implement and operationalize SMART grant •Implementation planning for EV Readiness Roadmap •Study to support developers for level 3 charging opportunities •Revisit code requirements Headline Copy Goes Here 26 Next Steps: Small Engines •Leading by Example: Compliance with Regulation 29 Headline Copy Goes Here2050 Tax – 2024 Summary •16 projects across 8 Big Moves •$3.8M allocated; $3.0 spent in 2024 •Remainder is allocated to continue projects in 2025 •Focus on main contributors to GHG and AQ pollution – transportation, buildings, and electricity – while improving resilience, safety, and accessibility •Leading by Example – 3 projects for City efficiency, renewables and electrification Or other info on 2050 Tax? Headline Copy Goes HerePrimary Outcomes •Reducing the impact of rising energy costs, benefitting affordability, comfort and safety, especially for low income and underserved households •Building relationships and create opportunities for the City to learn from our community •Increasing climate resilience and health for residents, especially regarding increasing summer temperatures and poor air quality •Foundational planning or research on topics including integrated community transportation systems, under-resourced community buildings and riparian carbon sequestration Headline Copy Goes Here2024 Summary Stats •75 direct home upgrades and 31 loans for residential energy efficiency, comfort and safety •60 residential indoor air quality assessments •27 sustainability workforce scholarships •16 grants to local food service businesses to reduce single-use plastics •7 electric utility carts to replace gas carts •3 major Active Modes infrastructure improvements for safety, connectivity and accessibility •3 comprehensive lighting upgrades to community centers •Support for 180 affordable homes to go above-and-beyond code for sustainability •Repair of community solar project, supporting 500 kW of local solar generation Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes Here 31 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 Here 32 The Big Question of Local Gov Sustainability How do we achieve medium- and long-term goals for our community when commitments to transformational change can be in tension with near- term priorities and resource constraints of two-/four-year budget and election cycles? Points of Intervention (City Levers) •Economics •Regulations •Infrastructure •Behaviors Our Climate Future as Strategic Framework: Goals, Vision & Implementation Headline Copy Goes HereOur Climate Future – Strategic Refresh 33 Process •Targeted (mostly) internal engagement, information gathering and gaps assessment, to better understand organizational needs Outcome •Enhanced Our Climate Future Framework •More effective and inclusive of the City’s sustainability efforts •Aligned & integrated with municipal sustainability & adaptation efforts •Better coordinated planning, implementation, and storytelling •Support for the network of people,strategies,resources, and advice at the heart of OCF Headline Copy Goes HereOur Climate Future – Strategic Funding Plan 34 Process •Assess current revenue streams and funding priorities •Assess categories of funding needs and sequencing •Peer city research Outcome •Funding strategy and guidance document with 25-year time horizon (to 2050) •High-level vision and guidance in the med/long term •Based on OCF Big Moves & adopted goals •Clarity and focus for implementation strategy in the near term •Informed by dept. plans and Next Moves strategies •Advising Council Priorities & funding investments (OCF Roadmap) Headline Copy Goes HereOCF Strategic Refresh & Funding Plan: Project Timeline Project Initiation Consultant hired Compile historic OCF-related material Dec—Jan SWOT Analysis Targeted Survey 1-1 Interviews Dept. Focus Groups February—May OCF Framework Refresh Aligned w/ Muni Sustainability Enhanced Our Climate Future Framework June—July OCF Strategic Funding / Next Moves Plan Assessment of funding/revenue priorities & needs Sequencing of Next Move strategies July—Q4 Council Work Session Strategic Funding Plan completed for 2026 Council Priority Setting Q4 2025 Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes Here 40 Headline Copy Goes Here 41