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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAir Quality Advisory Board - Minutes - 03/18/1996MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS AIR QUALM ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. MARCH 18,1996 For Reference: John Fooks, AQAB Chair - 229-5225 Will Smith, Council Liaison - 223-0425 Brian Woodruff, Staff Liaison - 221-6604 Board Members Present John Fooks, John Scanlon, Eric Levine, Lynne Baker, Harry Edwards, Nancy York, Susan Bilo, Pete Perkins, and Bill Eckert (5:40 p.m.) Board Members Absent None Staff Present Natural Resources Department: Brian Woodruff, Sally Maggart, Linda Devocelle, Susan Caplan Transportation Services: Ron Phillips, Suzanne Edminster Community Planning and Environmental Services: Tom Vosburg Guests None The meeting was called to order at 4:35 p.m. Agenda Review John Fooks noted that Items 2 and 3 under New Business will be rescheduled. Approval of Minutes With the following changes, the minutes of the February 26, 1996 meeting were approved as written. Harry Edwards noted that on Page 4, fourth paragraph, he "called" for a motion rather than "made" a motion. Edwards noted two typographical errors in the fourth paragraph on Page 4; the apostrophe should be after the "s" in "Edwards' signature" and there should be no apostrophe before the "s" in "Edwards asked". Review Action Log The Board reviewed and revised the items (revision attached). 0 Air Quality Advisory Board March 19, 1996 Page 2 New Business Transportation Maintenance Fees Ron Phillips, Transportation Services Director, explained that because the transportation utility fee was eliminated when the 1/4 cent street maintenance sales tax was approved in 1989, there is now a shortfall in street maintenance funds. He said that emphasis on roadway maintenance is changing to include all types of transportation modes. Phillips reported that the $8.1 million budgeted for travel lane maintenance in 1996 does not include new streets. He noted that $3.5 million has been collected each year for the past seven years from the 1/4 cent sales tax. Phillips explained that the total revenue received from all sources is $8,069,948; with the reinstatement of the transportation maintenance fee, the total would be $11,773,362. He gave examples of efficiencies that have been implemented and explained the unfunded needs resulting from the $3.6 budget shortfall. Phillips explained that the average monthly cost for basic services based on a single family dwelling would be $3.12 monthly. He further explained that the residential fee is based on trip diaries and the non residential fee is based on national research. Eric Levine asked how the fee will encourage a behavior change that will help air quality. Phillips responded that, as part of the Transportation Master Plan, the TDM (Transportation Demand Management) program is moving toward addressing inappropriate travel behavior. Nancy York asked if the $1 million in one time costs as described in the chart on Unfunded Needs are ongoing. Phillips said that the fee would be adjusted once those costs are taken out of the formula. . Harry Edwards stated that the proposed TMF is addressing the problem of a revenue shortfall in the street maintenance department, but it does not address air quality. Phillips said that the signal system timing maintenance will allow better mobility, less idling and fewer emissions and the increased sweeping will lower the dust particulate matter. Woodruff added that the proposal is a fair way to break out costs, but it does not create an incentive or disincentive for drivers. Fooks suggested the Board consider supporting the project with some caveats to address the shortfall on air quality issues. He recommended a sunset provision that forces a reassessment and modification of the program to fund more alternative transportation. Phillips noted that the Transportation Board supports the program but would also like to see it refined to provide incentives for proper travel behavior. Pete Perkins recommended, as part of the motion, looking at the best practices in snow removal and sweeping to improve air quality. Air Quality Advisory Board March 19, 1996 Page 3 York expressed concern about the issue of affordability to all city residents. She said that some people are getting priced out and people without cars are being penalized. Lynne Baker made a motion to support the Transportation Maintenance Fee with the following attachments: A sunset provision that provides for a reassessment of the program; modification of the program to fund alternative transportation; a provision to look at the best practices in snow removal and sweeping to improve air quality; and, a study of the signal process Eric Levine seconded the motion. Levine said that he will not support the motion because of the caveats. He added that some funds are needed, but this is a tax that does not reward good behavior and penalize bad behavior. Perkins said that designating $100,000 to sweep bike lanes would be an incentive for people to use those lanes. Suzanne Edminster, Transportation Services Policy Analyst, said that a sweeper and operator will be included in the funding. Fooks called for a vote on the motion. The motion failed to pass (3-6). . Perkins made a motion to write to Council outlining the caveats, but not to recommend approval or denial Harry Edwards seconded the motion. Woodruff noted that Baker's motion was not to approve the plan; it was to recommend to Council that the Board supports the plan with attachments. Phillips said it appears the Board is against an increased sweeping program and a better program to reduce particulate matter. He said he does not understand this stance. Woodruff agreed and said he is puzzled because this voids an opportunity to support a strong proposal that funds transportation maintenance for the whole system. Fooks noted that many Board members do not feel that funding transportation programs is under the auspices of the Air Quality Board. Perkins and Scanlon agreed. Scanlon added that the TMF does not deal with air quality. Fooks called for a vote on the motion. The motion passed (7-2). TDM Presentation Postponed VMT Growth Issues and LDGS . Postponed Air Quality Advisory Board March 19, 1996 Page 4 Civic Center Briefrn¢ Tom Vosburg, Community Planning and Environmental Services Policy Analyst, said the Civic Center project is part of the City Plan for redevelopment of downtown as a mixed use center. Components of the long-term downtown plan include a new Larimer County Justice Center on Block 31. The issue will go before voters in November. Vosburg said that there is also potential for La Porte Avenue to be developed as a major retail street. He added that the street would be narrowed in order to provide for significant pedestrian use. Woodruff asked about plans for the existing transit center. Vosburg replied that the lot would be redeveloped and become a parking structure with other uses wrapping the ground level, similar to Boulder's transit center. He added that the transit center could provide support for rail use. Bill Eckert asked if there was general accord between the City and County on the plan. Vosburg replied the interaction was positive. Eckert asked about the timeframe. Vosburg replied that the Civic Center Master Plan adoption is planned for June 18. He added that the County will move forward with a detailed site plan and determine the amount to seek from the voters in November. Vosburg noted that the County would probably want to move within a couple of years to develop their parcel. Fooks asked if the proposed library would replacing the existing one. Vosburg said he is not sure, but there has been a need identified for a new main library. Fooks asked about the area north of Cherry St.. Vosburg explained area would provide a linkage with the trail north to the Poudre River. He added that there is a possible residential development site between the railroad and Lee Martinez Park. Edwards asked about the air quality implications of the plan. Vosburg responded that the Congestion Management Plan strategy outline is being used to develop the area into a mixed use center to accommodate a variety or modes of travel. York asked if lost parking spaces will be replaced. Vosburg said appropriate ratios are being studied, but it would not be one -for -one. Scanlon asked if it would be fee or free parking. Vosburg responded that it has not yet been determined. Eckert asked how tall the courthouse will be. Vosburg predicted it would be consistent with the existing buildings in Old Town; three to four stories high. Perkins inquired about the criteria for the architectural design. Vosburg responded there are zoning and urban design guidelines. i U 0 Air Quality Advisory Board March 19, 1996 Page 5 York asked if bicycles or skating will be accommodated on any of the east -west streets. Vosburg answered that it would be difficult because diagonal parking is planned, but one concept is to include a dedicated bike lane on Mason to link campus with downtown. York asked about the justification for the new street by the library. Vosburg explained it will increase the porosity to support the pedestrian connection and enable the library to have long term parking as well as quick turnaround. Woodruff asked if Vosburg needed a recommendation from the Board. Vosburg replied that the Planning & Zoning Board needs to make the recommendation because this is a land use issue. He added that the purpose tonight was to brief the Board. Committee Reports A. State Implementation Plan (Harry, Pete, Eric) No report. B. Brown Cloud 3 (John F.) No report. C. New Source Review (Eric) No report. D. Transit Development Plan No report. Recap of Council Study Session on AOAP Review Postponed to the April 15 meeting. Fooks asked board members to get comments on the summary to Woodruff. AO Action Plan Postponed lip „� ;� . I'• .• Air Quality Advisory Board March 19, 1996 Page 6 WRAP UP, NEXT MEETING AGENDA Fooks listed the items for the next meeting: Air Quality Action Plan Study Session Review, Wood and Radon Update, VMT, TDM and Work Plan. Linda Devocelle said that she would arrange a five minute presentation on the Capital Improvement Project for the next meeting. Levine suggested a joint study session with the Transportation Board. Woodruff recommended a joint meeting in May. Fooks said that since the Board has enough to do, anyone interested should attend a Transportation Board meeting. Levine agreed, unless the same issues are being studied. York requested copies of the Congestion Management Plan and the Master Transportation Plan. Devocelle said that she will send those. The meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m. 1. Convene Benchmark Committee. Pete/]Brian/Susan Mar 18 2. Convene New Source Review Committee. Brian Mar 18 ✓ 3. Arrange presentation on TDM marketing program. Linda Mar 18 ✓ 4. Arrange presentation on VMT growth issues Brian Mar 18 ✓ looking at LDGS changes. Emphasis on incorporating AQ standards in LDGS. 5. Memo to Council regarding TDM marketing plan. Brian Mar 18 ✓ Recommendation: Plan should be re-evaluated giving priority to the 20,000 Poudre R-1 and 25,000 CSU students/staff, and the 60% shopping, recreation, school, errands and daycare trips as opposed to the 13% home -based work trips. Have Harry review and sign. 6. Contact John F. and decide format for March 12 Brian Mar 8 ✓ Council Study Session on the AQ Action Plan.