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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAir Quality Advisory Board - Minutes - 11/21/1994MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. NOVEMBER 21v 1994 For Reference: AQAB Chair, John Fooks - 229-5225 Alan Apt, Council Liaison - 224-9798 Brian Woodruff, Staff Liaison - 221-6604 Board Members Present Pete Perkins, Harry Edwards (partial), Rob Cagen, John Fooks, Susan Bilo, Bill Eckert, Rob Cagen, Lynn.Baker Board Members Absent Tom Wyatt Staff Present Brian Woodruff, Sally Maggart, Susie Gordon, Greg Byrne Guests Scott Blom, Pam Dunlap, Dick Dunlap, Ted Liles, Dennis Houska The meeting was called to order at 4:40 P.M. John Fooks explained the format of the new agenda. Revi4ty and Approval of Minutes On a motion by Bill Eckert, the minutes of the October 17, 1994 meeting were unanimously approved. Brian Woodruff asked for comments from the board on the minutes; those present agreed the detail necessary, especially for absent members. congestion Management Plan Susie Gordon, Environmental Planner in the Natural Resources Division, replaced Greg Byrne on the presentation. She explained how the Congestion Management Plan evolved from the Air Quality Action Plan's projects on pollution, vehicle emissions and the techniques used to technically control emissions and vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Board members have already received copies of Chapter 8 of the Congestion Management Plan, but a full report is available. Since the plan goes to council on Feb. 2, staff is speaking to boards and community groups seeking input. She noted that Rob Cagen and Lynn Baker were members of the citizens committee working on this project. Susie gave the board an overview of the plan in a slide presentation, explaining how it evolved over the last 18 months. The study project was composed of citizens, staff and a consultant team. She explained how traffic "level of service" is rated on a scale from A-F. Some areas are presently at Level D, and the congestion goals in the transportation plan will allow Level E. Air Quality Advisory Board November 21, 1994 Page 2 She cited the formation of the LUTRAQ concept that links land use, transportation and air quality planning. She further explained that travel growth is the problem because it increases both congestion and air pollution. Rob asked the source of the VMT information. Susie explained that national statistics are used. Greg Byrne added that it also comes from a computer model based on traffic count on the streets in Fort Collins in 1990. He explained that the baseline data is good and the city's VMT mirrors that nationally. The rise in travel is a national phenomenon. In the area of finance, Susie explained there is not enough money for transportation needs; funding should go to both capital and operating costs and be balanced among travel modes. She noted that Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is an emerging area of action oriented to employer -based trips that account for 18 percent of trips. Incentives could be offered by employers for not using a parking space. More data needs to be gathered on travel behavior. A trip diary project is planned where a large sampling of people will document daily trips, which will provide more information on why the VMT is growing so fast. Brian noted that expendable income is a good predictor of a family's VMT. Susie explained there is a need to define an activity center concept similar to Old Town and CSU. It is a vague concept but holds potential for pedestrian motivated activities. She noted two projects that have already used the activity center concept to some degree: 1) The North College Redevelopment Plan and 2) The Harmony Corridor. Council will be asked to adopt and approve a work plan that includes three main activities: 1) Defining activity centers and how to implement them, 2) Defining urban design guidelines to support activity centers, and 3) TDM. She emphasized that the public participation process is ongoing. Comments will go into a listening log that will be submitted to Council. The citizens' role in the Congestion Management Plan is to drive no more than they are currently and increase the use of alternative modes. The city's role is to come up with more financing and incorporate activity centers, urban design guidelines, and land use regulation into the development review process. Rob pointed out that the study needs to be balanced and work toward integrating roads, bike lanes and transit issues. If the master plan is for growth, more roadways will be needed. If bicycling is 40 Air Quality Advisory Board November 21, 1994 Page 3 going to grow, more bicycle paths will be needed. People need to be encouraged to use mass transit and more frequent buses are needed. The goal should be to change behavior. He encouraged everybody to look at the whole report as it will be helpful to the Board in decision making. If it is adopted by Council, it will become a reference along with the transportation plan and air quality plan. Pete felt there should be more focus on psychology and what can be done to affect behavior. Susan Bilo felt the travel diary study might help. Lynn is not convinced that anyone is paying attention to the dollars. John noted people live here for the lifestyle, but it would be difficult to maintain the same lifestyle with 250,000 or more residents. One answer might be activity centers composed of transportation hubs and an efficient transit system capitalizing on market -driven incentives to pay for buses. Brian said Eric Levine gave him the following comments to relay to the Board: He thinks that population growth should be dealt with explicitly, rather than assume population growth and work to reduce VMT growth. He feels a limit on population growth is no more controversial than the proposed use of alternative modes of transportation. On a question from Rob, Brian stated that Eric had offered no specific ideas on population growth. He had clarified with Eric that he assumed that the Board would not deal with population growth issues, but rather would focus on VMT reduction. Brian asked if anyone sees why Council should not proceed. Rob asked if a formal motion to Council was needed at this point. If so, Pete suggested more time to study the plan. Brian noted that Council is seeking public input right now. Susan suggested the Board reads the entire plan before the next meeting and discuss it further then. Pete asked if a City bench mark network exists that would provide comments on our ideas from other cities of the same size to help find alternatives. Susie suggested having the City's consultant facilitate that process. John thinks the funding mechanism will be the most difficult part; creative thinking is needed. •Bill suggested that interstates should be toll roads. Rob suggested an extra tax on gas as a possible funding source along with an educational component on subsidization. Brian added, in addition to subsidy, there are other less obvious ways we pay actual dollars to support roads Air Quality Advisory Board November 21, 1994 Page 4 through property tax and sales tax on gas and tires. Susie was thanked for her presentation and will be sent a copy of the Board's comments for the listening log. At this point, two guests in the audience were introduced: Scott Blom, a student in a land use planning class at CSU and Ted Liles, owner of MAT Emissions testing station. Managed Growth Strategies Brian said the Chamber of Commerce material was sent to Council and to the Air Quality Advisory Board staff for feedback. Council wants comments sent to them in order to formulate an overall response in December. John noted that he is on the Chamber's Managed Growth Committee and Rob is a member of the Chamber's Legislative Affairs Committee. John attended a meeting last week composed of business people who felt the chamber's comments didn't focus enough on business issues; they felt the City needed a clearer understanding of how business supports the City. Rob felt the document had some good ideas that are already being addressed by the Congestion Management Plan and the Air Quality Plan. John said it is a comprehensive document of what the chamber feels businesses should do to be good environmental stewards. Rob asked if it was more appropriate to respond as individuals or as a group. He likes the idea that the chamber has come up with this document; it shows they are wanting to take more of a leadership role. Pete felt more time was needed to respond as a group. Lynn said she was uncomfortable with a group response and suggested it be done on an individual basis along with a note of appreciation for the chamber's efforts. Lynn suggested this is an opportunity for the City,and the chamber to work closer. John recommended sending a letter to Council stating that this document is a good start and opens the possibility of partnership between the City and business, recognizing it as draft, noting that work is needed and stating there are some programs in place already that have been identified. The Board members present agreed. Brian was asked to draft the letter for the Chair's signature, and to include a copy in next month's packet. Brian said he will also be reviewing the chamber proposal from an Air Quality Plan point of view to help formulate the staff's comments to Council. Air Quality Advisory Board November 21, 1994 Page 5 Inspection/Maintenance Project Ted Liles asked if he could record this portion of the meeting. There were no objections. Brian explained this item was held over from last month's meeting due to the full agenda. Board members received an outline of the Inspection/Maintenance Project in last month's packet. He noted this project is aimed at tailpipe emission and may require legislation to change the testing program. Rob noted there could be resistance from the state health department, and Brian confirmed that state staff think this year would be a bad time to introduce a bill. Brian explained that Council is interested in the Board's opinion as to whether to go ahead on this or put the resources into something else. He noted that changing the basic program is not the only thing that can be done. other options relate to public information, remote sensing, mechanic training, eliminating the program, or adopting a modified version of the IM-240 program. John wanted to know the emission reduction potential with the adoption of a different program. Brian said the basic program reduces CO emissions by 14 percent over having no program at all, while it is claimed that the IM-240 program in Denver doubles that effectiveness. The potential improvement on hydrocarbons is a 28 percent reduction compared to seven percent now. In Denver the 1982 and newer models go to a centralized station and the 1981 and older models go to either a centralized or decentralized station. If this were implemented in Fort Collins, then testing station operators would see their customer base shrink to 20-25 percent of what it is now, and would decline every year as older cars are taken off the road. There will be many fewer stations in Denver doing decentralized tests than presently. Ted Liles mentioned that there will be 15 centralized stations in the Denver metro area doing testing; Boulder will have just one centralized station. He felt that the present basic program needs improvement, rather than change to centralized testing. Rob noted that Ted has already bought a testing machine and Hospital Texaco has committed to one. With a maintenance contract and financing, it will be close to a $30,000 investment for a machine that is similar to the one used now except it has a modem and a PC. He questioned if a person should commit to this investment especially if the City were to choose to centralize IM- 240 or have a different program. There will be fewer than half as many tests needed as all new cars will get a four year sticker and the test will cost only $15. He recommended convening a committee Air Quality Advisory Board November 21, 1994 Page 6 including staff and business owners to study the issue. Bill asked if the Board has to decide to convene a committee tonight. Brian responded that a recommendation to Council is all that is needed on whether a study committee should be formed. Rob asked when the committee would convene. Brian responded it would be December, at the Earliest, or January. Dick Dunlap noted if a person lives in Fort Collins and works in Denver, their car has to be tested in Denver. If it does not pass the test and it is repaired in Fort Collins, it will be hard to guarantee it will pass the test in Denver. Dennis Houska said it is difficult as a businessman to make the decision to get into the state program the way it is presented. To date there is no machine that has passed the necessary certifications, but still the program is supposed to be in place by January. This is something that might only be in use for a year and with dwindling numbers, it could be hard to get the investment back. He would like to see something concrete from the City saying how the program will be changed. Ted Liles asked if a statement could be made whereby the. City would not change the basic program. Brian said the outcome of the study committee could not be guaranteed. However, it is certain that impact local businesr3 will be considered, since any change would have to be adopted by local elected officials, who then would have to get approval from the state legislature. He noted that the enhanced IM program was mandated by the federal government for the Denver area, but it could not be mandated for Fort Collins unless we violate the air quality standard, and that has not happened for the last two years. Rob noted there is a low level of trust for politicians and staff as well. He moved to convene a committee, stressing the importance of letting people know that the goal of the committee is not to undermine the basic program. He recommended broadening the task of the study committee and continue a discussion as to how we can reduce tailpipe emissions in our area. Bill seconded the motion for purpose of discussion. Bill inquired if the formation of committee creates more uncertainty. A committee formed for six months doesn't solve the problem. He noted that two major manufacturers of the testing equipment have dropped out because it is too hard to work with the state. 'Ted does not see the purpose of a committee unless something concrete results from it. John asked if Council mandated convening a committee? Brian answered yes, the March 1994 Air Quality Action Plan directs staff Air Quality Advisory Board November 21, 1994 Page 7 to do so. Lynn wondered why are we worrying about a motion if it has been mandated by Council. Brian said it is an opportunity to give Council further input on whether to go ahead with the study committee. There was no further discussion. As this would be a conflict for Rod, he abstained on the voting. The final vote was Susan Bilo and Bill Eckert in favor of the motion and John F.00ks, Pete Perkins and Lynn Baker opposed. The motion did not pass. John entertained a motion to remain silent, which Bill moved and Lynn seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Lynn thanked the guests for attending and suggested setting aside a meeting to invite interested parties to educate the Board. John recommended the following agenda items for the December 19 meeting: 1) Recommendation on the Congestion Management Plan 2) Development of a 1995 Work Plan 3) Work on process, to include study committees, soliciting feedback, how to make decisions, etc. as well as how to handle public input. Rob would like visible emissions (stationary and mobile) to be added to the agenda. John suggested that could be an item for the work plan. Adiournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.