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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 12/03/1997 (3)CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. DECEMBER 3,1997 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, Randy Fisher, Jan Behuek, Phil Friedman, Ed Secor, and Kelly Ohlson Board Members Absent Don Rodriguez and Craig McGee Staff Present Natural Resource Dept: Tom Shoemaker, Sally Maggart, Susie Gordon, Edith Felchle, Kristin Powell and Todd Kettner The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. Guests Sally Craig, Planning & Zoning Board member, and Glen Haas, CSU, College of Natural Resources Review and Approval of Minutes With the following changes, the minutes of the November 6, 1997 Regular Meeting were approved as written: Phil Friedman said to rephrase the second bullet under Discussion on Page 3 by deleting "biologically" and adding "biological' before "comfort". He said that he did not recall that the decision was made to start construction on March 15; this is erroneous. Friedman said that a good faith effort was to be made to start then. He asked to rephrase the first bullet under Decision on Page 3 to say that the Water Department will make an effort to start construction after the critical nesting period. Friedman said that the first bullet under Discussion on Page 4 should say "accurate" instead of "complete". Kelly Ohlson said that the second bullet on Page 2, Growth Management Committee Report, is in error and should be deleted, or changed to "will consider". Agenda Review Kelly Ohlson asked for three minutes at the end of the meeting to discuss prairie dogs. Natural Resources Department December 3, 1997 Page 2 Announcements Tom Shoemaker announced that, as reported at the last meeting, Karen Manci, Environmental Planner, will be supervising Natural Areas maintenance crews and overseeing implementation of the management plans. The field staff includes Jim Miller, Crew Chief, and Crystal Strouse, Donna Dees and Byron Elliot. Jan Behunek announced that there will be a Growth Management Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 9, to discuss the land use code. Shoemaker announced that there will be a meeting on Monday, December 8, of the chairs from the Planning and Zoning Board, Transportation Board, Natural Resources Advisory Board and the Air Quality Advisory Board. Phil Murphy read a thank you card from Katy Mason. Committee Reports Solid Waste: • Participation in the leaf drop-off program increased 70 percent, and there was a 169 percent increase in volume. Staff is looking at the cost involved and reexamining the program. • An internal trash audit has been implemented. NRAB members are invited to participate in the six month tracking. • Larimer County Environmental Advisory Board Update (Bill Miller): The County is looking at disposal options for a large stockpile of tires from the Roberts Ranch. Nothing has transpired yet. • The next committee meeting will be February 2, 1998 at noon to discuss the districting survey. Education: • The committee will meet within the next two months to discuss the educational aspect of the prairie dog policy. • Sue Kenney, Karen Manci and Edith Felchle were complimented on the prairie dog displays for the November 10 open house. Environmental Learning Center Complex: Glen Haas Glen Haas, CSU College of Natural Resources, complimented Tom Shoemaker for being a great partner with CSU and good to work with. ISSUE There are 212 acres along the Poudre River that are owned by the City and CSU. CSU is committed to the preservation of natural areas and the restoration of the integrity of the Cache La Poudre River. Groundbreaking will take place in March on a building that will house the City's Convention and Visitor Bureau and the Colorado State Parks. The City will pay $300,000; State Parks will pay $400,000; and CSU will pay $600,000. Natural Resources Department December 3, 1997 Page 3 • A modest amphitheater will be built and a children's exploration area is planned. • Western Mobile is considering helping with the funding of the 89-car parking lot. • $500,000 in funding received from Coors is going into the building. The idea of naming a portion of the building "Coors Ecotorium" is being explored. • $325,000 is in the bank for the amphitheater and the exploration marsh. • The area is proposed as an environmental learning district focusing on environmental education. There is some interest in a community horticulture center and the relocation of the Discovery Center. • The Geological Society of America, located in Boulder, is interested in building a geologic model of Colorado to the south of the Learning Center. • This project is a component of the $3 million Poudre/Big Thompson GOCO grant to implement natural area conservation along rivers and foothills, recreational access and environmental education. • Completion date on the building should be November 1, 1998. • The 212-acre site will be a major wildlife sanctuary. There will be no roads built through it. • Flatiron owns 103 acres behind Hageman's. Roger Hageman would like to buy the 16 acres that he presently leases from Flatiron. He is also looking at other private land along Prospect. DISCUSSION • Concerned about "Disneyland on the Poudre" and damage to wildlife corridors. • Need to be sensitive about the "Coors" issue. Coors funds non -environmental groups and holds the record for pollution. • The land between the river and railroad tracks is owned by Western Mobile and parts of it are under contract. The Rigden Farm is owned by Flatiron and is under an active mining permit by Western Mobile. • Maintaining a large area of undisturbed habitat is very important. Proposed Ranger Program: Kristin Powell and Todd Kettner, Rangers ISSUE • The rangers, Kristin Powell and Todd Kettner, are working on developing the program with an educational philosophy that assumes when people are doing something against the rules, they are not aware of it. • The rangers are working with the Parks Department and the Police Department. • The rangers will be responsible for patrolling trails and natural areas looking for problems: maintenance, vandalism, misuse of facilities, and will provide initial response to emergency situations. • Communication will be through brochures, pamphlets, verbal and written warnings, and citations, when necessary. • A draft of the ranger manual was distributed. • Once uniforms and equipment are ready, the rangers will be introduced to the police, Council, press, etc. • Scheduling will be staggered so patrols will not be predictable. Natural Resources Department December 3, 1997 Page 4 DISCUSSION • It was suggested that TV Channels 10, 14 and 27 be used as well as articles in the Coloradoan and the Collegian. • More money should be invested in adequate signage at the Cathy Fromme Prairie and Coyote Ridge. • Information sheets on why dogs have to be on leashes, why prairie dogs are vital to the ecosystem, etc. should be provided to the public. • The rangers should check to see what parking enforcers use for tracking warnings. • The rangers should make sure the court judges know the importance of the rules and regulations. • A meeting with the Coloradoan's Editorial Board to give them the background, policy and reasons for the program was recommended. • It was suggested to make presentations at the schools. DECISION • Staff was complimented on the hiring of the rangers. • Boardmembers expressed support of the program. Natural Area Acquisitions: Tom Shoemaker POE (Point of Entry) Pit • 78 acres • $117,000 ($1,500/acre) • One-time $200,000 water augmentation liability. Cost could be shared with the Water Dept. • Under contract (legally binding document if agreements are met.) • Approval by the NRAB is written into the contract. Flatiron Pro ep a • 103 acres • Appraised at $870,000 • Purchase price of $650,000, so there is a significant donation. • 16 acres currently used by Hageman's EarthCycle for composting; Hageman would like to buy this separately. • Possibility of incorporating Hageman's operation into the overall concept of the ELC discussed earlier. DECISION • Boardmembers expressed approval of the POE purchase. • Boardmembers agreed that staff should work with Roger Hageman to make his site become an amenity to the ELC area. • Staff was given the direction to guard against Hageman selling the 16 acres by having a first right of refusal or restricted easement for use. Natural Resources Department December 3, 1997 Page 5 Rigden Property • Approximately 100 acres owned by Flatiron and permitted by Western Mobile. • Looking at options to provide an alternative gravel site for Western Mobile. McMurry Annex • 17 acres appraised at $250,000. • Priority acquisition. • This is located in the flood plain, not the floodway. • This includes a 7-8 acres lake. • There are five mobile homes on the property with month -to -month leases. It will be necessary to work out a period of time for them to stay and a reasonable time to leave. • Staff is exploring the option of having the rent go into an escrow account for tenant's relocation. DISCUSSION Five years is too long for the escrow account; drop it to two years. The price is reasonable for the area and land use. DECISION Boardmembers are okay with proceeding on the purchase. Action Log Review Included in the packet. Future Agenda Items January • Fossil Creek Area Plan • Prairie Dog Policy Action • Review Annual Report Other Ohlson requested that a memo be sent to the City Manager about the NRAB becoming involved earlier in issues like the water tank and the parking lot. Phil Murphy said that he would draft the memo and put it in the January packet. It was suggested that the work plan be sorted chronologically under themes. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m