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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/21/2025 - AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD - AGENDA - Regular Meeting Air Quality Advisory Board Monday, July 21, 2025 5:30 – 8:00 PM (dinner for Board members and presenters served at 5:15 pm) 222 Laporte Ave | Colorado River Room Conference Room (first floor) Meeting link for hybrid access (requires internet access): fcgov.com/aqab-teams-meeting 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 6. PREVIOUS BUSINESS 1. Elections: the Board will revisit nominations for the Board Vice Chair 2. Air Quality Monitoring Advisory Committee update 3. Change in date for August meeting 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Our Climate Future (OCF) Refresh Project; 6:00- 7:00 Honore Depew, Environmental Services Sr. Manager, will meet with the Board to discuss the OCF Refresh Project and how to practically integrate Air Quality strategies and policies into the framework. (Discussion) 8. OTHER BUSINESS ● 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 ● Our Climate Future: https://ourcity.fcgov.com/ourclimatefuture 9. ADJOURN 1 6/16/2025 - Minutes Air Quality Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING Monday, June 16, 2025 – 5:30 PM 222 Laporte Avenue, Colorado River Room 1. CALL TO ORDER: 5:37 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Board Members Present – • Dan Welsh (Chair) • Mark Houdashelt (Vice Chair) • Michael Johnson • Adam Schmidt • Howard Gebhart b. Board Members Absent – • Michael Cheeseman • Christina Swope • Maria Moore • Matt Ayres c. Staff Members Present – • Jacob Castillo, Chief Sustainability Officer d. Guest(s) – • Nancy Wendlaind 3. AGENDA REVIEW No changes. 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – SPECIAL MEETING AND MAY 2025 Members discussed changes to the minutes. Schmidt made a motion, seconded by Gebhart, to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting meeting as amended. Yeas: Welsh, Johnson, Schmidt, Ayres, Gebhart. Nays: none. Abstain: Houdashelt. THE MOTION CARRIED. Gebhart made a motion, seconded by Schmidt, to approve the minutes of the May 2025 meeting as amended. Yeas: Welsh, Johnson, Schmidt. Nays: none. Abstain: Gebhart and Houdashelt. THE MOTION CARRIED. 2 6/16/2025 - Minutes 6. PREVIOUS BUSINESS Chair Welsh stated the AQ-MAC has split into two factions, one being the outreach and education committee and the other being the technical committee, which has not met in almost a month, but was going to meet in April to discuss an analysis method of positive matrix factorization. He noted the education and outreach committee has not had many formal meetings, but did have a table at EcoFest on Saturday, June 14th, and will also have a table at the Juneteenth event. Chair Welsh noted there was a new CDPHE ozone monitor installed at Mehaffey Park in Loveland, bringing the total number to five in Larimer County. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Elections Chair Welsh stated he is happy to remain Chair. Gebhart made a motion, seconded by Houdashelt, to appoint Welsh as Chair. Yeas: Welsh, Houdashelt, Ayres, Johnson, Gebhart, and Schmidt. Nays: none. THE MOTION CARRIED. Chair Welsh noted Houdashelt does not want to continue as Vice Chair and stated he gleaned minor interest from Cheeseman after the last meeting. Vice Chair Houdashelt stated he could remain as Interim Vice Chair until more members are present. b. Air Quality Measures for OMAPs Reporting Jacob Castillo, Chief Sustainability Officer, summarized the discussion that occurred last month, including an orientation related to the evolution of how the City sets and monitors goals. He stated it has been a challenge to have an appropriate set of metrics and measures around how the City is performing in improving and understanding air quality. He noted the Board discussed the Strategic Plan and the ENV 1 strategic objective to implement the Our Climate Future Plan to advance the City’s greenhouse ga s, energy, and waste goals, reduce air pollution, and improve community resilience. Castillo noted there are few tactical activities behind the objective and stated staff would like the Board’s help in thinking through what measures could be used to signal to the community that the City is taking air quality seriously, is trying to measure its performance around air quality, is tracking the City’s performance as an organization, and is working to improve air quality. Chair Welsh asked about the color status indicators on the document outlining air quality related ENV objectives. Lujan de Albers replied red indicates ‘not on track,’ yellow indicates 'not expected to be all the way there,’ grey indicates 'not applicable.’ 3 6/16/2025 - Minutes Members commented on the importance of the context of numbers and the results of testing. Lujan de Albers noted many of the statistics are for the City’s purposes in terms of knowing it is on the right track; they are not all intended to be community-facing. She further detailed some of the radon issues in Fort Collins. Members commented on a valuable metric being how many homes are at a critical level for radon year by year to help show progress from the testing and mitigation efforts. Castillo suggested a metric goal could be increased percent usage of radon tests that are distributed in addition to what percentage of people were given the resources for mitigation when testing showed that was necessary. He also commented on the rental registration program being a way to glean information in terms of whether property owners follow recommendations, and if so, to what degree. Chair Welsh stated the rental registration process included a checklist for self- certification of safety items being present; however, there was no information about radon. Lujan de Albers noted there is no radon testing requirement for landlords, though there is a State law requiring landlords to offer a radon disclosure radon test results if they have been performed. Vice Chair Houdashelt stated that law almost discourages testing as mitigation cwould be requested by potential tenantsired with a positive result. Chair Welsh asked if there are resources or support for mitigation. Lujan de Albers replied in the affirmative, and noted those include the low-income radon mitigation assistance program through CDPHE and rebates through the EPIC Homes program. She stated staff has considered the possibility of using some of the 2050 tax dollars that Healthy Homes has received to assist with mitigation efforts. Members discussed carbon monoxide and particulate matter as being other important indoor air quality concerns. Johnson stated there is a proposed framework that he saw presented at a conference related to ways to be quantitative about measuring indoor air quality in public spaces. Vice Chair Houdashelt asked if the Healthy Homes program does anything around general cleanliness or pet dander. Lujan de Albers replied they educate around those kinds of things. She added that there are no standards in terms of indoor air quality which makes it difficult to regulate. Vice Chair Houdashelt asked about the surveying done with the Healthy Homes program. Lujan de Albers replied there are pre- and post-surveys about health and indoor air environment. She stated those surveys have shown overall improvement in home health. Castillo commented on the importance of showing output measures as well as outcome measures. 4 6/16/2025 - Minutes Gebhart stated it might be discovered that things that promote an outcome are not occurring, in which case, resources should be placed elsewhere. Members also commented on the importance of context, scale, and trends. Vice Chair Houdashelt asked if the radon tests are distributed in a targeted fashion. Lujan de Albers replied the for- sale test kits are part of general education efforts and the kits distributed as part of a Healthy Homes assessment are more specifically targeted. She stated there is a focus on who the kits get delivered to based on grant commitments as well. Castillo requested input on outdoor air quality issues. Chair Welsh stated he appreciates that air quality index (AQI) has a place on the Organizational Measures, Analysis, and Performance (OMAPs) chart; however, he noted AQI is a difficult measurement. Castillo stated AQI is important to know, though it may not be something that can be materially influenced in a measurable timeframe and at the City organizational scale. Chair Welsh concurred that AQI numbers are due to many factors beyond the control of the City of Fort Collins. He commented on the importance of education around the numeric scale, how it differs with each pollutant represented by the AQI, the most common pollutants, and how to check the AQI. A member noted there should be data on how many times the AQI index on the City’s website has been checked by community members, which could be a valuable data point. Castillo commented on the importance of ensuring City colleagues monitor the AQI for recreation activities. Chair Welsh suggested adding some form of education and outreach to the OMAP measures in terms of informing the public about the AQI and counting the number of engagements at events as a metric. Gebhart commented on the importance of training people how to use and interpret the AQI tool if they are going to be pointed to it. Chair Welsh reiterated the importance of the availability of context when providing metrics. Ayres commented on the fact that most people would prefer to see a color severity chart rather than numbers. He suggested the website should include a dial that could be clicked on for additional information. Gebhart suggested there could also be a list of actions to take if ozone is high, for example. Chair Welsh noted there is an average time component to data that is reported which can be misleading. Members commented on transit use being a number that is tracked related to 5 6/16/2025 - Minutes air quality. Members discussed the emission inventory and its calculation. Gebhart suggested an inventory could be conducted with more than just greenhouse gasses that would provide broader information. Castillo asked if it would be beneficial to track the number of EV chargers and usage in terms of air quality. It was noted that there is a benefit in the vehicles not producing pollution; however, if the electricity provider is producing pollution, that becomes a problem. Chair Welsh noted the City’s conversion of gas to electric lawn equipment is a quantitative assessment of moving toward a cleaner operation standard. Gebhart commented on looking at trends for the City-controlled emissions sources such as vehicle miles travelled by the City’s Streets equipment and other vehicles. Castillo suggested he return in a month or two with information as to what metrics were changed and what is being tracked. He noted that could potentially inform strategy and policy. Vice Chair Houdashelt commented on having never seen information regarding the impact of any specific City program, such as Shift Your Ride for example, on greenhouse gas emissions. Castillo commented on the importance of the City organization doing a better job of measuring efficacy of various program investments, particularly as tax revenues have not increased as predicted, meaning there must be full accountability to Council and the public for all expenditures. He thanked Board members for their discussions and for sharing their expertise. Chair Welsh thanked Castillo for seeking input from the Board and members commended the conversation. Chair Welsh suggested he would like the Board to do some of its own work on structuring its Work Plan in an OMAP fashion. Lujan de Albers suggested that it couldthat could be used as a tool to check progress throughout the year. 8. OTHER BUSINESS a. Board Member Reports Gebhart noted he will be staffing a table at Saturday’s Juneteenth event. Vice Chair Houdashelt noted there is a Super Issues meeting on the Hughes Stadium site on Monday. He also noted Tricia Canonico is running for Mayor and will be having an environmental listening session Tuesday at Twin Silos Park. b. Six Month Calendar Review 6 6/16/2025 - Minutes c. Revisit Action Items from Previous Meetings and Preview of Next Meeting Lujan de Albers noted there are plans for Our Climate Future staff to attend the next meeting to discuss the refresh of the Plan and its strategic funding plan. She stated the plan was to have a conversation about Building Energy Code in August; however, there is going to be an all-day air quality forum on the scheduled date of that meeting. She asked members if they would like to change the August meeting date to allow members to attend the forum. Castillo outlined other items staff would like the Board to discuss in the next few months. 9. ADJOURNMENT ● 8:11 pm Minutes approved by a vote of the Board on 7/XX/2025 Headline Copy Goes Here Climate Program Manager Honore Depew OCF Strategic Refresh Air Quality Advisory Board - July 2025 7.21.2025 Headline Copy Goes Here 2 Prompts for NRAB Discussion • What questions or feedback on OCF Strategic Refresh? • What suggestions for integrating and aligning AQ strategies into OCF framework? • What pros & cons of AQ strategies grouped into cohorts? • Characterization, Source Reduction, Resilience Headline Copy Goes Here Project Overview OCF Strategic Refresh 3 Headline Copy Goes HereTimeline 4 Project Initiation Consultant hired Compile historic OCF-related material Dec—Jan Engagement Targeted Survey 1-1 Interviews Dept. Focus Groups OCF Summit February—May OCF Framework Refresh Aligned w/ Muni Sustainability Enhanced Our Climate Future Framework June—September OCF Strategic Funding / Next Moves Plan Assessment of funding/revenue priorities & needs Updating OCF Council Roadmap Sequencing of Next Move strategies June—Q4 Council Work Session (10/28) Strategic Funding Plan Draft Informing 2026 Council Priority Setting & Budget Q4 2025 Headline Copy Goes HereProject Overview: OCF Refresh & Strategic Funding Plan 5 Process • Gaps assessment to better understand organizational needs; peer city research • Assessment of current revenue streams, funding priorities, and sequencing Outcomes • Enhanced Our Climate Future Framework – Q4 2025 •More effective and inclusive of the City’s sustainability efforts (e.g., air quality strategy) •Aligned & integrated with municipal sustainability & adaptation efforts •Coordinated and useful planning, implementation, and storytelling • Strategic Funding Plan – Q1 2026 •Strategy and guidance document with 15-year time horizon •High-level vision and guidance in the med/long term •Clarity and focus for implementation strategy in the near term Headline Copy Goes Here 6 Our Climate Future Strategic Alignment & Goals 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. • 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 7 Our Climate Future Big Moves Headline Copy Goes Here 8 The Big Question of Local Gov Sustainability How do we achieve long-term sustainability goals for our community when commitments to transformational change can be in tension with near-term priorities and resource constraints? (2-year/4-year budget and election cycles) Our Climate Future as Strategic Framework Goals, Vision & Implementation Support Areas of Influence • Economic Drivers • Regulations & Policy • Infrastructure Investments • Behavior Change (Education) Headline Copy Goes HereOCF Strategic Refresh – Purpose Make OCF simpler to talk about, more inclusive of the City’s sustainability efforts, and a more useful tool for planning and accountability. Headline Copy Goes HereOCF Strategic Refresh – Summary of what is needed • Make OCF simpler to communicate • Navigate tensions between priorities (e.g., GHG impact vs. foundational climate work) • Clarify how Next Moves add up to Big Moves • Support for resourcing OCF-related work (2050 Tax $, Council budgeting process, grants, etc.) • Align & integrate municipal sustainability and adaptation •Identify and integrate related new and existing work into the OCF Framework Headline Copy Goes Here 11 OCF Strategic Refresh – Next steps • Incorporate input and feedback • From staff / community engagement & OCF Executives • Summarize enhancements to OCF framework • Assessment, Reporting & Storytelling • Internal Alignment & Collaboration • Structure & Governance • Develop implementation approach for 2026 • Algin with OCF Strategic Funding Plan Headline Copy Goes Here Integrate related work into OCF Framework –Air Quality strategy OCF Strategic Refresh 12 Headline Copy Goes Here 13 2019 Air Quality Plan – Goals • Continue ongoing work to reduce emissions, while identifying and implementing ways to quantify, measure and track air quality benefits of greenhouse gas source reductions, and other emission reduction strategies; • Plan for ozone attainment, by working locally to reduce pollution from sources such as gas and diesel vehicles and engines, and collaborating regionally to decrease transported pollution, such as impacts from oil and gas operations; • Increase opportunities for community members to identify and manage pollutant sources in their homes and businesses, while leveraging potential air quality benefits of energy efficiency improvements; and •Prepare for air quality impacts that may come from a changing climate, which can lead to increases in extreme events such as wildfires that can impact air quality locally and regionally. Headline Copy Goes Here 14 2019 Air Quality Plan – Focus Areas What can we measure and model? What can we control? How can we promote resilience? Priority Pollutants and Sources Ozone Contributor Sources Indoor Air Quality Environmental Compliance Air Quality Monitoring Climate Adaptation City as a Platform Headline Copy Goes Here 16 2019 Air Quality Plan What can we measure and model? What can we control? How can we promote resilience? Problem Characterization Source Reduction Adaptation & Resilience • Emissions Inventories • Climate/GHG Inventory • Ozone Attribution • Localized Air Toxics • Embedded categories/lenses • (equity, environmental justice, municipal sustainability) • Vehicles • Small (non-road) Engines • Industrial Sources • Oil and Gas • Construction • Utilities • Environmental (Wildfires) • Education/outreach • Home interventions (Healthy Homes) • Community Resilience Hubs, etc. Headline Copy Goes Here 17 Prompts for NRAB Discussion • What questions or feedback on OCF Strategic Refresh? • What suggestions for integrating and aligning AQ strategies into OCF framework? • What pros & cons of AQ strategies grouped into cohorts? • Characterization, Source Reduction, Resilience Headline Copy Goes Here Thank you! HONORE DEPEW Climate Program Manager 970-416-8072 hdepew@fcgov.com 18 Prompts for AQAB July Discussion Our Climate Future Strategic Refresh Project Project Background Project Title Our Climate Future Strategic Refresh Project Summary As OCF enters its fifth year the strategic framework is being refreshed to increase its effectiveness and integrate more dimensions of sustainability. Targeted (mostly) internal engagement, information gathering and (gaps) assessment will inform an enhanced OCF framework for coordinated planning, implementation and storytelling around the network of people, strategies, resources, reporting, and advice at the heart of OCF. Project objectives Make OCF simpler to talk about, more inclusive of the City’s sustainability efforts, and a more useful tool for planning and accountability • Provide more clarity in OCF systems and processes  Recs for consistent OCF communications and engagement to inspire and excite staff  Communication/change management to a shared leadership model for implementation and accountability • Ensure OCF is well aligned with implementing partners’ departmental work  Colleagues (re)engaged in shaping the future of OCF  Staff comfortable speaking to how their work actively advances OCF goals/Big Moves  Core functions and offerings of OCF framework accessible to and understood by staff. • City Leadership (CMO, ELT, Dept. Dirs.) comfortably speak to and clearly understand how OCF actively advances goals and drives our City Value of Sustainability.  e.g., Embedding OCF to drive department workplans and priorities • Confirm/adjust the core functions and offerings of the OCF framework:  Networking people and programs  Prioritizing and sequencing strategies  Pursuing and aligning resources  Assessing, reporting and storytelling  Offering relevant advice Project Deliverables Compilation of historical OCF planning and process documents, and related City strategic plans • An organized and annotated overview and database of materials related to the development of Our Climate Future • Integration and refinement of OCF-related City strategic plans with the OCF Moves Assessment database OCF assessment through (mostly) internal engagement with a focus on gaps • Internal survey asking SWOT-related questions to implementing departments and key partners • Written results of 1-1 interviews with a sub-set of leaders in key departments responsible for implementing OCF initiatives • Compiled and synthesized results in a SWOT workbook Results from facilitated group and departmental conversations about SWOT findings • Synthesized additional insights about priority next steps from focus groups, based on the results of the SWOT analysis • Revisit/update project charter with clarity from SWOT results Enhanced Our Climate Future framework + prioritization as needed, based on insights gleaned • Prioritized findings from SWOT analysis integrated into larger process to refresh Our Climate Future implementation • An enhanced OCF framework for coordinated planning, implementation, and storytelling around the network of people, strategies, resources, and advice at the heart of OCF. • Design and rollout of an internal education campaign to socialize and clarify enhanced OCF systems and processes. o i.e., OCF Internal Communication Plan Process Overview Extensive staff engagement was conducted in Q2 of 2024, including a survey, 1-1 interviews, and focus groups. The following objective was developed, which relates directly to aligning Air Quality strategies with Our Climate Future: • Identify and integrate related new and existing work into the OCF Framework The OCF Refresh Project Team is considering how to practically integrate Air Quality strategies and policies into the OCF Framework and would like the advice of AQAB members on priorities to consider. Staff are conducting a similar process for integrate efforts supporting municipal sustainability and adaptation practices. Please review the Strategies and Goals (below) from OCF and the 2019 AQ Strategic Plan prior to the July 21 AQAB meeting. Staff will invite discussion and thought partnership about possible approaches and considerations during that meeting. Strategy and Goals Our Climate Future | Air Quality Strategic Plan Our Climate Future (OCF) - 2021 Goals • By 2030 reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below 2005 baseline levels. • Provide 100% renewable electricity by 2030 with grid and local sources. • Achieve zero waste, or 100% landfill diversion, by 2030. Big Moves Better Together • 1 - Shared Leadership and Community Partnership: Centered in equity and leading with race, all parts of our community lead, implement and benefit from Our Climate Future. • 2 - Zero Waste Neighborhoods: We can all share and reuse so we don’t have to buy things we won’t regularly use and are able to recycle or compost the rest. • 3 - Climate Resilient Community: People, buildings, watersheds and ecosystems are prepared for the threats of climate change. Live Better • 4 - Convenient Transportation Choices: It is safe, easy, fast and affordable to get around without a car. • 5 - Live, Work and Play Nearby: No matter where we live, we all can meet our basic daily needs without driving across town. • 6 - Efficient, Emissions Free Buildings: Everyone lives and works in healthy energy and water efficient buildings which transition to become emissions free. • 7 - Healthy Affordable Housing: Everyone has healthy, stable housing they can afford. • 8 - Local, Affordable and Healthy Food: Everyone has access to healthy and affordable food, sourced or rescued from local and regional producers. Resource Better • 9 - Healthy Local Economy and Jobs: The community supports a healthy innovative local economy with new opportunities for all people and businesses to thrive. • 10 - Zero Waste Economy: Business, industry, institutions, and government collaborate to recirculate resources and eliminate waste. Breathe Better • 11 - Healthy Natural Spaces: We all are stewards of healthy natural spaces and honor the deep and historical human connection to this land. • 12 - 100% Renewable Electricity: Everyone in the community receives affordable and reliable 100% renewable electricity, including from local sources. • 13 - Electric Cars and Fleets: Residents can afford and use electric cars, including shared electric cars, and conventional fleets are converted to electric. Air Quality Strategic Plan - 2019 Goals • Continue ongoing work to reduce emissions, while identifying and implementing ways to quantify, measure and track air quality benefits of greenhouse gas source reductions, and other emission reduction strategies; • Plan for ozone attainment, by working locally to reduce pollution from sources such as gas and diesel vehicles and engines, and collaborating regionally to decrease transported pollution, such as impacts from oil and gas operations; • Increase opportunities for community members to identify and manage pollutant sources in their homes and businesses, while leveraging potential air quality benefits of energy efficiency improvements; and • Prepare for air quality impacts that may come from a changing climate, which can lead to increases in extreme events such as wildfires that can impact air quality locally and regionally. Policies ENV 4.1 Priority Air Pollutants • Focus on high-priority air pollutants, as identified in the Air Quality Plan, considering such criteria as health impacts, community concerns, air pollution trends, compliance with current state and federal standards and ability to affect improvements at the local level. ENV 4.2 Air Pollutant Sources • Implement a full spectrum of options—including engagement, incentives and regulation— that focus on prevention of air pollution at the source. ENV 4.3 Regional Pollution • Work with local and regional partners to identify and mitigate sources of transported pollutants that influence our local air quality. ENV 4.4 Ozone Attainment • Support attainment of Federal standards for ozone by implementing programs and policies that reduce local emissions of ozone-causing pollutants and supporting legislation and policy that reduces regional transport of ozone and ozone-causing pollutants. Coordinate with key partners such as the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC). ENV 4.5 Indoor Air • Provide public information regarding potential indoor air quality concerns and promote behavior change and public action to reduce potential risks in homes, schools and workplaces. ENV 4.6 Vehicles and Non-Road Engines • Promote efforts to reduce fuel consumption and associated pollutant emissions from vehicles and non-road engine sources, such as lawn and garden equipment. ENV 4.7 Monitoring and Reporting • Monitor, characterize, track and report ambient air pollutant concentrations to increase awareness of air quality issues and better identify opportunities to improve local air quality conditions and reduce emissions. o Objective 6.3. Employees incorporate innovation and management systems to achieve operational excellence.