Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 04/01/1998MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. APRIL 1,1998 For Reference: Phil Murphy, NRAB Chair - 491-6303 Bill Bertschy, Council Liaison - 484-0181 Susie Gordon, Staff Liaison - 221-6265 Board Members Present Phil Murphy, Bill Miller, Craig McGee, Ed Secor, Randy Fischer, Kelly Ohlson, Ed Secor and Phil Friedman Board Members Absent Jan Behunek Staff Present Natural Resource Dept: Sally Maggart, Susie Gordon and Tom Shoemaker The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. Guests Michelle Owen, CSU student, Nate Donovan, interested citizen, and Sally Craig, Planning & Zoning Board member. Review and Approval of Minutes The minutes of the March 4, 1998 Regular Meeting were approved as written. Agenda Review The Solid Waste Districting Report and the Resolution on Expenditures for Natural Areas Acquisitions agenda items times were switched. Announcements Kelly Ohlson announced that there will be a Building Community Choices Open House Thursday night at the Lincoln Center from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Phil Friedman distributed Mike Smith's response to the board's memo regarding involvement in water and water utility projects . Randy Fischer said that he was pleasantly surprised at the tone of the letter, but that the Board should continue its vigilance. Susie Gordon announced that the CoPIRG Earth Day Fair will be on Sunday, April 19, and there will be an Earth Fest activity at the Environmental Learning Center on April 17. Natural Resources Advisory Board April 1, 1998 Page 2 Committee Reports Trails • There was a field trip with the Parks and Recreation Board at the Cathy Fromme Prairie. The NRAB suggested lowering the trail along the ridge for bikes and rollerbladers, with a side trail for walking. The P&R Board wanted the most visual experience along the ridge. • Natural Resources Department staff need to be put on equal footing with Park staff regarding trail placement because most of the future trails will be on lands purchased with natural areas funding. • There is a problem with neighbors dictating where trails come into natural areas. Growth Management No meeting. Natural Areas • Site visits were made to Bignall, Nix, Kingfisher Point, Martinez, Springer and Udall natural areas to review issues and concerns related to areas along the Poudre River. • There is some concern at Springer regarding the relocation of currants after the flood. • There are concerns at Prospect Ponds concerning the safety of ice fishing and whether ice hockey is an appropriate activity in a natural area. • There are concerns about the Poudre River Trail running through Arapahoe Bend. • The private lake on the north end of Prospect Ponds is being contaminated by feed lot waste. This might be a violation of the Clean Water Act. • The plan for frisbee golf at Lee Martinez will set a bad precedent. It is recommended that boardmembers attend the Lincoln Center Open House. Solid Waste The report is part of the agenda. Education • The committee met last week and continued the discussion to make sure the education component of the prairie dog policy is accomplished. There will be a mailing to target households near prairie dog areas and users of natural areas. • The committee discussed developing a brochure similar to the DOW's "Living with (mil) in (countrvl." Discussion Strategies for Keeping Meetings to Reasonable Length of Time Phil Murnhv ISSUE • The meetings are excessive in length. • There is a fear of "burnout". Natural Resources Advisory Board April 1, 1998 Page 3 COMMENTS • Meetings should conclude by 10:00 p.m. • Members need to adjust their comments to fit within the allotted time. • Two short meetings a month would be better than one long meeting. • Political issues sometimes take longer than the time allotted on the agenda. • Start the meetings at 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. • Provide meals. • Limit staff presentations. • Spend time talking about the big picture issues of the natural area program. Have summaries of natural area acquisitions ahead of time. • Retain flexibility for timely issues. • Present a written summation of committee meetings. Develop a template for committee reports highlighting items of concern. • Have the second meeting per month a work session. • Would like the second meeting of the month to be a regularly published public meeting DECISION • Start meetings at 6:00 p.m. and end at 9:00 p.m. • Dinner will be provided once a month. • Have a regular extra meeting, if necessary, on the third Wednesday of the month. Board Membership: Re -enlistment or Recruitment for Two Po itionc Such Gordon Susie Gordon noted that the terms of two boardmembers, Ed Secor and Craig McGee, are ending. There was some discussion regarding the reapplication process. Craig McGee announced that he would not be seeking another term. Solid Waste Districting Report Susie Gordon ISSUE • The Solid Waste Committee reviewed the first draft and met with the consultants. • April 17 is the deadline to get comments to the consultants. There will be a Council worksession on May 12. • There were 814 responses to the survey; 66 percent of the respondents are willing to try districting. • Council will determine if further public input is needed. • It is not a finding that people will be put out of business. • The cost/benefit analysis shows a savings per household of over $2.00 may occur. • Trash haulers did not discount the possibility of teaming and subcontracting relationships. • State law requires one year publication before districting could be implemented. • The start up costs are lower than expected. Natural Resources Advisory Board April 1, 1998 Page 4 DISCUSSION • Include the amount of annual savings in the Executive Summary because that is the section Council will read. • It is important that the NRAB has representation at the May 12 worksession. • More information substantiating the increase in street life is needed. • It was suggested setting district sizes the same as the smallest trash hauler servicing today. • The size of the districts is a concern of the Board. • A concern is that trash haulers not presently operating in Fort Collins could bid and get a district. • What is the tone of the meetings with trash haulers? It ranges from resigned (recognizing the public benefits) to hostile. • What is the legality of a vote? The City Attorney is still considering whether it might have to go to a public election, with the next opportunity being in the spring of 1999. The City Charter states that any time a new utility is started it has to go to a vote. The City Attorney needs to clarify if districting constitutes a utility. DECISION • Boardmember comments should be given to Susie Gordon. • A detailed memo will be sent to Council before the worksession on May 12. Rpcnhrtion on Expenditures for Natural Areas Acquisitions --Building Community Choices Ordinance 29-98, Tom Shoemaker ISSUE • Staff is recommending adoption of the resolution for four reasons: 1. It reaffirms Council's commitment to funding the natural areas program. 2. It directs staff to augment the natural areas land acquisition program, with the possible use of eminent domain. 3. Council will commit to using whatever revenue sources the City has to augment the natural areas funding if there is a cash flow problem. 4. Council does not intend to provide additional enhancements to parks projects except as outlined in the ballot language. DISCUSSION • Boardmembers are concerned about the inflation factor for streets maintenance, natural areas and parks projects. Boardmembers are asking for a reduction in the parks allocation, and a speed up in natural areas land purchases. Council is supportive, but the resolution is weak. • One outcome of buying land fast would be inflated land costs. • To date over 5,200 acres have been purchased and there are three contracts, with ten more in negotiation, for 2,000 more acres. Steady progress is being made. • More staff in the Natural Resources Department, Right -of —Way Department and City Attorney's office would be needed to go faster with acquisitions. Natural Resources Advisory Board April 1, 1998 Page 5 No consistent rate of inflation is used. The City needs to be more honest with the costs. There is concern about the overage. DECISION • The Board will send a memo to Council with the following points: 1. Eminent domain does not belong in the resolution. 2. Section 4 is not strong enough. Alternative text is suggested. 3. There is concern that the overage will be chipped away. The $27 million plus overage is a major part of the program. • A subcommittee meeting will be held Monday at noon. Review Action L.Qg Add: • Memo on Martinez Park • Meeting with Rick Richter regarding transportation • Prospect Ponds contamination concerns • Building Community Choices revenue • Memo on districting • Template for committee reports Future Agenda Items • Special Meeting: April 15 • Poudre River Plans: May • Natural Areas: May, June and July • Sheldon Lake Project • Population Rate Modeling in City Plan Monitoring: May • Select representative to sort through City Plan issues Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.