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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAir Quality Advisory Board - Minutes - 12/16/1996• 97-01— 1/ MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. DECEMBER 16,1996 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, Susan Bilo, Raymond Sons, Pete Perkins, Harry Edwards, Nancy York and John Scanlon Board Members Absent Eric Levine and David Gallup Staff Present Natural Resources Department: Sally Maggart, Brian Woodruff, Susan Caplan and Lucinda Smith; City Manager's Office: Darin Atteberry; Transportation Services: Gary Diede; Engineering: Mark Sears; Traffic Operations: Eric Bracke Guests None The meeting was called to order at 4:40 p.m. A revised agenda was distributed. Approval of Minutes With the following changes, the minutes of the November 18,1996 Regular Meeting were approved as written: Nancy York asked for clarification on the reference to "50 trips a day" on Page 3. She noted that "Hewlitt" was misspelled on Page 4. Review and Update Action Log See attached. New Meeting Night It was decided to meet on the fourth Thursday, beginning January 23 from 4:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. COMMITTEE REPORTS Clean Cities: Susan Bilo The team will not meet again until January. Bilo showed two videos about electric cars. Air Quality Advisory Board December 16, 1996 Page 2 Benchmark: Pete Perkins Perkins said that Lucinda Smith has contacted some consultants. Smith, Environmental Planner, reported that she contacted Cliff Doyle in Loveland. He does not have experience in air quality benchmarking but is interested in talking to the committee. She also contacted Jack Balderson in California. He is involved in public utility benchmarking and did not seem interested in the air quality project. He referred Smith to Lou Guthrie in Michigan. Guthrie provided information on how to conduct a benchmarking project. Smith added that she will present a proposal to the Benchmarking Committee in January and will report back to the board. I/M: Lucinda Smith Lucinda Smith, Environmental Planner, discussed the composition of the proposed list of members for the Non -Testing I/M Committee that was included in the board's packet. She noted the additional experts listed as possible technical advisors. She will set up a full meeting in January if the board is comfortable with the committee. Fooks suggested that four AQAB members might not be needed. AQ Tech: Susan Caplan Susan Caplan, Environmental Planner reported that $19,000 will cover the equipment and data analysis to conduct the NFRAQ study. The report would cost another $2,000. The committee needs to determine where extra funds would be best spent. Fooks noted that Dave Gallup did a great job in recommending the project. Harry Edwards said that he is not comfortable with the report. He would like the report to reflect what the city gets by participating in the study. He noted that the answer is "not very much". Edwards said that the report will show whether or not the chemical composition of pm 2.5 at the Fort Collins sampling station is very much like or not like that measured in Denver and will also determine whether or not the quantity is like or not like that measured in Denver. The report will not show the apportionment among energy sources. Susan Caplan noted that the reasons the City decided to go ahead with the study are more than technical; there are some political reasons. Fooks added that the study will produce valuable information and it is important for the City to do the study for self defense. He said that it is necessary to clearly characterize what our contribution is to Denver's pollution and what Denver contributes to ours. Edwards said that it is technically impossible to determine that from this study. He added that he does not object to the study but he has concerns about the science. He noted that Doug Lawson is in agreement with him. Caplan said that Lawson does not think that source testing is necessary here. She added that the committee will meet to determine how to spend the additional funds. 0 • Air Quality Advisory Board December 16, 1996 Page 3 OLDS Timberline Road Extension: Darin Atteberry, Gary Diede and Mark Sears Darin Atteberry, Assistant City Manager, explained the schedule and coordination of the project. He noted that a committee was formed to ensure coordination among the different service areas. Atteberry explained that he is not asking the board for specific recommendation. He said that he wants reactions on how the project is being designed, where improvements can be incorporated, and the base enhancements. He noted that City Plan creates a linkage between land use planning and infrastructure planning and is linked to the Master Street Plan. Atteberry said that Timberline plays an important role in the development of the northeast activity center. He added that another big piece is how to protect the area that the City has purchased by the river. Gary Diede, Transportation Operations Group Leader, noted that the Timberline project is planned for six lanes but only two lanes will be built now. There will be a sidewalk on the eastern side and curbs and gutters or ditches, with bike lanes on each side. Diede added that Dry Creek will flow along the west side of the road and into the Poudre. Diede distributed a list of the changes made since June. These include an addition to the airport runway, moving the bridge north of Riverbend Ponds, a 10' clearance on the bike trail and noise control on the bridge. Diede explained that $1 million was absorbed with the changes and there are no further funds for landscaping. Mark Sears, Civil Engineer, listed the enhancements that Council can choose to fund or not fund. 1. Four lane intersection plus turn lanes at Mulberry. 2. Upgrade to concrete pavement to increase the life of the road from 20 to 50 years. 3. Sidewalk along the west side of the road. 4. Street lighting. 5. Landscaping on both sides of the road and the median at the Mulberry intersection. Susan Bilo asked if the landscaping could be potential joint projects with CSU and Fort Collins Releaf. Staff will investigate. 6. Berming and water feature to create background noise on the trail. Harry Edwards asked about the effect of the project on air quality. Eric Bracke, Traffic Engineer, said that there will be a reduction in VMT; emissions will go down with the increased travel time. Brian Woodruff, Environmental Planner, said that the project is tied into the City Plan Structure Plan activity concept that reduces the VMT growth to below the population growth rate. Air Quality Advisory Board December 16, 1996 Page 4 York asked about the Mulberry and Summit View intersection. Diede responded that CDOT wanted the signal moved but closure would create a huge problem for the neighborhood. The signal will be temporarily left in and eventually moved to another intersection created between there and I-25. Atteber y noted that life will get better for the residents on Summit View. Raymond Sons said that he is upset to hear that landscaping is not in the budget. He said that it is imperative. Attebeny said that opportunities for partnerships in the natural area development will be pursued. Fooks asked if restoration will be made after construction. Diede responded that reseeding will be done Woodruff said that he is pleased to hear about the efforts for noise reduction. Fooks said that he prefers not to go with the noise enhancement along the trail. City Plan: Pete Wray Pete Wray, City Planner, explained the two parallel tracks of City Plan: the adoption phase and the implementation phase. Work is continuing with the consultants and CPAC and final adoption will be in March. It is anticipated that the first complete draft from the consultants will arrive the first part of January. There will be another newspaper insert in January showing the latest zoning map changes. Edwards expressed concern about what the City is doing to promote the reduction of VMT. He added that he did not see an aggressive plan where new neighborhoods are required to put in neighborhood centers as a condition for development. Wray responded that it is a good point and they are working on language for new creatively designed centers in undeveloped areas. Woodruff noted that this is a requirement of City Plan. Wray reported that the City is developing web pages for the various departments and they are working to get the zoning map on the web page. Susan Bilo asked how people know if their suggestions have been considered. Wray responded that comments are presented to the committees and an attempt has been made to respond back with what has been done or not been done. York asked if City Plan is under attack by developers. Wray said that there have been many calls from property owners, developers and builders wanting to know how it affects them. There have been meetings with the Northern Colorado Homebuilders Association and the DDA. 0 Air Quality Advisory Board December 16, 1996 Page 5 Wood Smoke and Radon: Linda Devocelle Deferred to next month. 1997 Work Plan Boardmembers were reminded to get their comments to Fooks or Woodruff. PM and Ozone Deferred to next month. NFRAQ (cont.) Fooks asked for closure on the NFRTAQ issue. John Scanlon noted that Edwards did not say not to go forward; he stated the limitations. He added that the EPA has been reluctant to address the issue of transport and many communities spend a lot of time to document the proof but it is not proof in the eyes of the EPA. Fooks said it is important to go in with eyes open. Edwards said that he will not oppose the study. Perkins said that he will call around if more information is needed. Capital Projects York said that Council will be making recommendations tomorrow night and board input is important. Woodruff distributed a draft memo itemizing important projects. Pete Perkins left at 7:00 p.m. Raymond Sons noted that there is nothing controversial in the memo. He added that it is important to bring to Council's attention what projects are supported for improved air quality. Edwards said that he feels rushed. York said that it is a window of opportunity. Raymond Sons made the motion to approve the memo based on editing. Nancy York seconded the motion. Edwards said that he cannot evaluate the choices in a thoughtful way and speak with any authority. He needs time to identify and digest and cannot go forward with a decision now. York called the question. The motion passed with a vote of 4-2. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.