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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 04/21/1999MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD SPECIAL MEETING 281 N. COLLEGE April 21,1999 For Reference: Phil Murphy, NRAB Chair - 491-6303 Bill Bertschy, Council Liaison - 484-0181 Susie Gordon, Staff Liaison - 221-6265 Board Members Present Phil Friedman, Randy Fischer, Kelly Ohlson, Don Rodriguez Bill Miller, Nate Donovan, Rick Harness, Reagan Waskom, Board Members Absent Phil Murphy Staff Present Natural Resources Dept Terry Klahn, Susie Gordon, Tom Shoemaker Utilities: Bob Smith Guests Sally Craig, Planning and Zoning Board Jason Butchko, Citizen 7 Colorado State University students Agenda Review Bill Miller: Feedback from FIDOS meeting Committee Reports Don Rodriguez distributed an update regarding new developments in the Horticulture Center site selection process. Discussion • Miller: Stated that if Natural Areas monies are to be used for the two acres there should be a Natural Areas designation for the parcel. A recommendation should be made to Council to bite the bullet and come up with the $68,000 in general funds. • Rodriguez: Echoed Miller's sentiment and said it's his opinion the easement for the tunnel under College will happen regardless of whether or not it's in the mix. This may be an opportunity for the City to get some value from it. • Friedman: Agree that if Natural Area monies are used for the purchase, a NA designation would be in order as a pre -condition. • Miller: Suggested a memo to Council expressing support for the process to continue. • Staff will check to see if there's a sensitivity issue with P&R Board at this stage of the negotiations with CSU. Natural Resources Adviso., Board April 21, 1999 Page 2 Phil Friedman: Friedman was asked by Sue Kenney if he would be willing to participate as a board representative on an interpretation committee for Riverbend Ponds, Prospect Ponds and Coyote Ridge. The time frame of the committee will be nine to twelve months, and Friedman will be leaving the board in June. He asked if anyone would have an objection to this, or would like to serve on the committee. Discussion • Ohlson: Would it be a problem if someone else wanted to be on the committee if Phil stays on it? • Friedman: That might be an alternative. • Ohlson: It's important for the Board to be plugged in as the process moves from acquisition phases to education. It's important to get this right. • Rodriguez: Once Phil leaves the board, the board's memory (of these projects) leaves with him. It would be good to have a member of the board on the committee. • Donovan: Would like to see Phil (Friedman) involved now, and work the rest out later. • Ohlson: There needs to be institutional memory. Would like to see Phil (Friedman) on the committee too, but there needs to be a board member as well. • Freidman: Will get with Sue Kenney and see how to structure a transition. • Ohlson: May be interested in being on the committee if no one else is interested. Follow up on communiques to Council None Flood Plain Task Force, Bob Smith Bob Smith distributed a hand-out which included the role of staff, the role of the task force, a process flow chart, the Floodplain Regulations Task Force Work Plan and the task force's top 12 ideas for change. Smith stated they are looking at having open houses in June with property owners in the floodplain. In June and July staff will present recommendations. There are no recommendations tonight, but there is a list of the top 12 items identified by the task force. Some of the top 12 items are pretty broad statements. In some areas we're currently above FEMA standards, we need to determine if in certain areas we do nothing, become somewhat more strict, or go all the way. Discussion • Ohlson: Being more restrictive than FEMA doesn't mean a lot in the technical sense; they're minimal standards. That's how we look at it, as minimal standards. • Ohlson: Caution against saying this is stricter than FEMA, the average citizen will think, "Oh Wow!" • Fischer: Emphasize that this is your opportunity to react to ideas that have been brought up. A memo that came from the Water Utilities Board kicked this off. The flood was the catalyst, the Water Board is responsible to address the regulations for flood plain management. Need to determine what is trying to be accomplished, is the Poudre River treated the same in Old Town as it is in other areas? Natural Resources Advisory Board • April21, 1999 Page 3 • Fischer: It seems to me that the Water Board memo suggested that the riparian flood plains should be pretty much left alone. This board is interested in that concept because this is a vehicle to try to preserve some of the values this board holds. The other thing is the process, the task force will not make a recommendation, staff will make a recommendation, and it was stated at the outset this is not a democratic process. Staff will make the recommendation, right now we don't know what the recommendation will be. The comments came from brainstorming. The problem I've had with the process is the issues haven't been discussed as they should be. Number five is an example: Purchase areas where flooding can cause loss of life or danger to some people. I live in a flood plain, but I am not in imminent danger. The idea was to purchase properties that are in imminent danger. Another is the regulation of the Old Town section. I wouldn't be in favor of regulating those undeveloped portions of Old Town differently, but there would be a need to make accommodations. It's important at this point in the process for Bob (Smith) to hear our values. All staff has heard is our discussion about ill-defined concepts. Task force members were asked to brain storm, there were about 60 ideas that were condensed to 40. It was necessary to figure out which ones to ident)� as critical issues. • Ohlson: Will the staff recommendation come for NRAB's review? Yes, you'll react to the recommendation. • Ohlson: It's real important, there's a lot of comment on takings, and the people who comment don't always know what they're talking about. Need to make the committee aware of the different interpretations of takings. • Ohlson: Is the Oxbow site in the 100-year flood plain? Yes. The word on the street is they want to put a new cultural arts center in there, the City should lead by example and avoid new construction projects in flood plains. • Ohlson: Have we done what we are going to do to implement BMP's on stormwater? It hasn't gone to Council, we're currently pulling the final stuff together. Does it need to go to Council? Staff will verify this. • Miller: Task force needs to wrestle more with affordable housing issues. If you put affordable housing in the flood plain it forces the owners to purchase flood insurance, which is an additional expense.. • Friedman: A gentleman was interviewed after the flood of 1997 and he said there was limited damage because of limited development. Let's don't forget that the way to limit damage is to not have anything that can be damaged. • Friedman: I'm leary of the idea of regulating the Old Town section differently, it's an opportunity for old rules to sneak in. • Ohlson: Agree with Phil (Friedman) completely about Old Town. Bob, thank you for coming when the input can still be made in time to make a difference. Council Policy Agenda Discussion, Tom Shoemaker Shoemaker stated that this is an opportunity to take a pro -active approach to send the new Council thoughts on priorities of a policy nature during the next two years. Council will have study sessions in May to formulate themes. The goal is to identify major themes. Natural Resources Advisc. Board April21, 1999 Page 4 Kelly Ohlson said the work plan and the budget are the two most important things the Board does. The board identified a preliminary, brainstormed list of agenda items. The items identified, which will be discussed further and finalized at the May 5 meeting, are listed below. ➢ Flood Plain Regulations ➢ More dog parks ➢ Expansion of recycling opportunities ➢ Preserving prairie dog towns ➢ FIDOS ➢ VMT and air quality monitoring ➢ Ensure growth is paying its own way ➢ Employee compensation ➢ Protection and preservation of the Poudre River corridor ➢ Increase funding for education and interpretation for natural areas. ➢ Habitat development in parks and golf courses ➢ Pursue creative partnerships: GOCO, HOA's ➢ Aggressive acquisition of natural areas (through partnerships) ➢ Gateway Park ➢ Implementation of LUC as it relates to variances and deviations and how that will affect future development ➢ Ensure inspection and enforcement of LDGS conditions and City Plan code. ➢ Creation of a new advisory board with respect to long term financial planning ➢ Radon standards for new construction ➢ Location and monitoring of air quality monitors and vehicles for recording data. ➢ Create a communication network so ongoing monitoring is reported back to the public ➢ Stormwater quality monitoring ➢ Landfill issues ➢ Domestic water supply quality issues ➢ Environmentally unfriendly HOA covenants ➢ Transportation issues ➢ Monitor monies for natural area acquisitions Budget Proposal Discussions, Tom Shoemaker Shoemaker stated we are in the early stages of budget preparation and the City Manager has formally requested input from boards and commissions on budget priorities. The idea is not to get down to dollars and cents, but to service priorities. The budget process will continue through October and November. Ideas were suggested to be added together with the policy agenda list and reviewed at the May 5 meeting. ➢ Funding for staff salaries ➢ Long term stewardship of natural areas Natural Resources Advisory Board is April21, 1999 Page 5 ➢ Maintenance shop expenses and responsibilities ➢ Staffing for a P2 position Natural Area Acquisitions, Tom Shoemaker Shoemaker updated the Board regarding the Legacy/LOCO project. A map was provided showing areas owned prior to Legacy, and purchases and acquisitions that are in different phases and in different levels of discussions. He said the LOCO requirements have been met. An additional four million dollars (Phase 2) has been requested from LOCO. The City of Fort Collins currently owns a site on the eastern Larimer County boundary originally purchased for a regional water treatment plant. The chances of a treatment facility being built are close to nil. Also working on the Three Bells Ranch. Between the two properties there are approximately two miles of river, a prairie dog colony and a bald eagle nest. The threat of development is extremely high. The listing price is $5,000,000, or approximately $10,000 an acre. The board scheduled a field trip for Friday, May 14 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Members will meet at 281 N. College. Van transportation and lunch will be provided. Review Future Agenda Items May 5, 1999: May 19, 1999 June 2, 1999 Review Action Log See update in packet. Mobility Report Card Finalize Council Policy & Budget Review City Separators Project Downtown River Corridor Plan Cities for Climate Protection Review Minutes March 17, 1999 Harness: Page 5, Is'bullet; change to "The LaFarge company must go through the US Fish and Wildlife service and get a permit before they can cut the trees down at the heron rookery. Ohlson: Noted that he was surprised that the entire discussion regarding the Meadow Springs Ranch Update was omitted from the minutes. The minutes were approved as amended Announcements Tom Shoemaker: A representative from FIDOS talked to Council about what they're interested in. It was represented that Tom is ok with dogs off leash in natural areas. Shoemaker sent a memo to John Fischbach and Greg Byrne clarifying his position. Nate Donovan said using Natural Areas funds to buy a dog park would be illegal. Natural Resources Advisc. Board April21, 1999 Page 6 Randy Fischer stated he doesn't believe dog parks or additional places for them to operate will solve the problem, their ultimate goal is free reign. Phil Friedman believes it will solve the problem for some dog owners, maybe there is a compromise that can be reached. Susie Gordon: Tomorrow is Earth Day Susie Gordon Has a report about solid waste diversion rate, there will be an article in the paper tomorrow. Kelly Ohlson: Did staff ever respond to the RV park along the river that the County approved? Now it's turned out they need to extend City services there. No, we haven't weighed in on that. Initially NRD, CP and AP send recommendations saying it's not a good idea. The opinion was reversed in terms of land use, not on acquisition. We can weigh in, but we haven't so far. The meeting adjourned at 10:15