HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 03/14/200111
MINUTES
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
281 N. COLLEGE
March 14, 2001
For Reference: Randy Fischer, NRAB Chair -
491-6303
Bill Bertschy, Council Liaison -
484-0181
Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison -
221-6263
Board Members Present
Nate Donovan, Don Rodriguez, Bonnie Pierce, Steve Ryder
Board Members Absent
Linda Knowlton, Randy Fischer, Kelly Ohlson, Reagan Waskom, Phil Murphy
Staff Present
Natural Resources Dept: Tom Shoemaker, Mark Sears, Terry Klahn
Guests
Sally Craig, Planning and Zoning Board
Agenda Review
• Shoemaker: Do the land acquisition update in executive session.
• Shoemaker: Follow up on the DDA funding recommendation.
• Donovan: Update on the Hydrogen Task Force, and the Growth Legislation bill.
I-25 Regional Plan, Tom Shoemaker
At Council Study Session the decision was made to slow down, and not to take the plan
to Council for adoption on March 20, 2001. It hasn't been decided where they're going
with it right now. Joe Frank acknowledges there are big issues, and the board's concerns
were addressed. Frank will come back to the board when they've had a chance to digest
and figure out where they are. They are not prepared to abandon the plan.
Discussion
• Craig: It might be important to get Ken Waido here on the subarea plan. The
committee has been shown three alternatives. It will be important to weigh in on the
changes. There will be an open house in April. It all ties to the I-25 Corridor Plan.
A lot of the issues the board raised are being shifted to the subarea plan, including to
what extent the City of Fort Collins should exert leadership.
• Donovan: Was the selection of the preferred alternative on the subarea plan delayed
so it wouldn't get in front of the regional plan?
Natural Resources A1sory Board •
March 14, 2001
Page 2
• Craig: They're trying to get the regional plan completed and do the subarea plan right
after it.
• Rodriguez: Are there substantive changes?
• Shoemaker: The natural resources protection alternative was representing the null
alternative. They were using the greenish color to represent county land, it was very
misleading as to what the land use planning could be. They've tried to clarify that.
• Shoemaker: The board's comments and concerns had an impact. They've caused
people to slow down and take another look. I can't predict where it might go from
here.
• Donovan: Have you thought about when it might be appropriate for Joe Frank to
come back?
• Shoemaker: I haven't had a chance to talk with Frank. I guess it will be in April or
May.
NATURAL AREA EASEMENTS, Tom Shoemaker
The policy is not going to City Council next week, nor are any specific easements. We
initially sent it out to other City departments, who may potentially be affected, to get their
feedback. My feeling is the nature of the comments are ones I can work through pretty
successfully. I'll be meeting tomorrow with Transportation and next week with the
managers in Utilities. There is some language that needs to be clarified. If we have
Utilities and Transportation all on board I think it will pass City Council. If not, it won't
pass.
There are no new specific easements to report. On the Taft Hill water line we're waiting
for the district to respond. The deadline is the end of March if they hope to do anything
this summer. They did agree to the changes we talked about. The revisions for the
Provincetown project are coming along real well.
Discussion
• Craig: Should something be noted in the easement policy that NRD should be
involved in the master planning of utilities? Within the City of Fort Collins it is a
possibility and it does go on. Outside of that, us writing a policy doesn't make it
happen.
• Donovan: Has the policy gone to the districts yet? I sent it to the City departments. If
there were only minor comments I was prepared to send it to the districts the next
day. But, the initial comments were the harshest.
• Craig: Two years ago the NRAB was trying to get utility pipes so they don't go over
streams, could that be put in the standards. There are some places where that is not
possible.
DDA FUNDING, Tom Shoemaker
The Walmart site has been added to the DDA district. With the increased revenue the
DDA Board made a proposal to Council with recommendations on how to allocate those
funds. Initially, it didn't include anything about enhancement to the Poudre River. The
Natural Resources Asory Board •
March 14, 2001
Page 3
item is on the Council agenda next week. Do you want us to send your previous memo,
or send a new memo?
Discussion
• Rodriguez: Do they detail what the river improvements are? They are specific
projects in the downtown river implementation plan. First was Poudre River habitat.
It's unclear if this would extend to trail amenities.
• Craig: I'm thrilled at the recommendation you made. I would recommend you have
someone there. If just a memo had some impact, by going and standing up you will
support the council members who agree with you.
• Craig: River restoration doesn't have any development fees. This is our big chance to
have a chunk of money.
• Rodriguez: Restoration projects lend themselves to effective partnerships. Having
this money will help leverage and build effective partnerships.
Rodriguez: Is it possible they would put up a percentage instead of a set dollar
amount? Ifyou want to suggest that you can. The revenues will be generated from
2001 to 2006. This $400,000 is a one time deal.
Shoemaker will draft a memo to be included in Council packets for board review.
TDU's, Steve Ryder
Ryder provided the board with some background concepts, history, and an overview of
the County's TDU program.
New Business
Donovan: Put a discussion of the rezoning of the Oxbow site on the April 4, 2001 agenda.
Review of Minutes:
The minutes were not reviewed because there was not a quorum.
Committee Reports
Trails Committee: Linda Knowlton emailed a summary of the meeting to all board
members.
Solid Waste Committee: In an effort for better communication there will be a joint
meeting of the NRAB and the Larimer County EAB. The target date is Saturday, May 5.
The League of Women's Voters is trying to put together a solid waste cross currents
program and is looking for someone to be on the panel. Contact Linda Knowlton. A new
issue of the Recyclone Times is coming out.
Announcements
Donovan: The Hydrogen Task Force met this morning for their second meeting.
Donovan: Growth Forum — There was good attendance and participation with a wide
range of viewpoints. It was interesting that there was not a representative from the
real estate community on the panel.
Donovan: The next Solid Waste Committee meeting will be April 2, 2000.
Natural Resources APsory Board •
March 14, 2001
Page 4
• Shoemaker: Need to schedule a Budget Committee meeting.
• Shoemaker and Pierce will meet and schedule an Education committee meeting.
• There will be a Trails Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 20.
• Sears: There will be three vault toilets installed this weekend.
• Shoemaker: We have closed on the State Land Board property.
• Shoemaker: Met with the new Executive Director and new Deputy Director of
GOCO. Had a good discussion, and was impressed with the fact that they are going
out around the state.
• Shoemaker: We have been invited to participate in the International City Managers
Resource City program. We are the resource city to Cebu, Philippines, and were
invited to assist with solid waste and climate change issues. The first Philippine
delegation will be coming toward the end of the month. We can give you a short
presentation on the program if you like. Donovan feels that would be helpful and will
leave the timing up to Tom.
Review Councils Six Month Planning Calendar
No comments.
Review Action Log
No comments.
Review Future Agenda Items
April 4, 2001: Regional I-25 Plan - Final Plan, Joe Frank
Ken Waido
Oxbow site rezonoing
Craig: You need to weigh in on the new Council Policy Agenda. They're starting to look
at the issues.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.