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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 08/19/1998MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD SPECIAL MEETING SENIOR CENTER AUGUST 19,1998 AMENDED 09-02-98 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, Bill Miller, Randy Fischer, Phil Murphy, Don Rodriguez, Kelly Ohlson Jan Behunek, Reagan Waskom, Nathan Donovan Staff Present Natural Resources Dept: Terry Klahn, Susie Gordon Guests None Agenda Review Add: Horticulture Site Selection Update, Don Rodriguez Announcements Public meetings concerning the Draft Larimer County Land Use Code. Will take feedback and will also accept written comments until September 11. August 20 -- Berthoud August 24 -- Loveland Library August 25 -- Livermore School August 27 -- Fort Collins Senior Center Phil Murphy read excerpts from memos he received regarding the NRAB's request that it be represented in the Water Board's study of development in the 100-Year Floodplain. Staff will continue to look for opportunities for the NRAB to be included in that process. Clarification is needed regarding whether action will continue on this issue unless Council provides direction. The grand opening of the Timberline Road extension is September 9, 1998. Natural Resources Advise j Board August 19, 1998 Page 2 Work Plan Review • The board reviewed each item on the Work Plan. • Phil Murphy asked board members for any additions and/or deletions to the Work Plan. Kelly Ohlson requested that the Work Plan be reviewed by the board every four months, and asked if staff could update the Plan to reflect tonight's review and comments. The NRAB would like to know about the status of the following items on 1998's workplan: • Is "Update Natural Areas Policy Plan" still on the calendar for 1998, or 1999? • What's happening with the Water Treatment Plan Master Plan? Update on Horticulture Site Selection, Don Rodriguez The Horticulture Site Selection Committee met Tuesday, August 18. The list of sites originally considered has been narrowed down to three potential sites based on issues including proximity to downtown, access and land cost. The three sites are Front Range Community College, CSU CSURF and Lee Martinez. Front Range Community College • Easternmost boundary of campus • Wonderful potential for center • A lot of cooperative partnership potential with FRCC. They are very interested in working with the Horticulture Center staff and providing opportunities for students. • Adequate parking and good access off Harmony Road. • Need to survey to determine exactly how much land is available; estimates are five to seven acres. Colorado State University • PERC site or CSURF • PERC site may not be acceptable because of "control" issues. • Part of CSURF site is in floodway/floodplain. Some of the grounds would be in the floodplain, the conservatory would be on higher ground. • Still in discussion phase with Research Foundation on what the costs of land would be for CSURF. Natural Resources Advisory Board August 19, 1998 Page 3 • Due to concerns about access and visibility, the PERC site is out of the running as a potential site. Lee Martinez • This site is still very much being considered. • Councilman Smith is trying to help create a revised plan. • The Downtown Development Association has committed $300,000 to the Horticulture Center if it's built in their area of concern. • NRAB is adamantly opposed to the Lee Martinez site. What can the board do to influence the decision of the committee? Discussion • Would it be possible for the NRD to buy part of the parkland at Lee Martinez? • Could the NRD offer some funding toward the FRCC site? • The Natural Areas committee needs to meet with Bill Bertschy about objections to the Lee Martinez site. • Try to find other options (other than Natural Areas monies) to tilt a decision toward the FRCC site and save the Natural Areas monies as an "ace in the hole" if needed. • October 29 — Council work session regarding most viable site. • First week of December — public involvement piece. Review Action Log The Action Log was reviewed and updated. Review New Future Agenda Items Board members were encouraged to consider in which committee's they may wish to participate. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.