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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 11/06/1997MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. NOVEMBER 6,1997 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, Phil Friedman, Ed Secor, Randy Fischer, Kelly Ohlson, Jan Behunek and Craig McGee Board Members Absent Don Rodriguez and Bill Miller Staff Present Natural Resources Dept: Sally Maggart and Susie Gordon Water Utilities: Owen Randall and Christian Cece After a reception for former boardmembers Katy Mason and Linda Kirkpatrick, the meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. Guests Bob Bates, Bates Engineering; Andre Duvall and Jerry Craig, Colorado Division of Wildlife; Nagesh Baral, CSU student Review and Approval of Minutes With the following comments, the minutes of the October 3, 1997 meeting were approved as written: Kelly Ohlson said that he did not want to correct the minutes, but pointed out to staff that the model mentioned in the third bullet on Page 2 was for trail placement. Phil Friedman said that it was his understanding that the State Land Board Update is not an upcoming agenda item. Agenda Review Kelly Ohlson requested five minutes at the end of the meeting. Susie Gordon requested time at the end of the meeting to discuss scheduling a special meeting. Announcements Kelly Ohlson announced that there will be a growth conference at CSU on November 8 from 8:30 a.m, to 4:00 p.m. Natural Resources Advisory Board November 6, 1997 Page 3 Futures: • The committee did not meet. Prairie Doe: • There will be a joint meeting of the Natural Resources Advisory Board and the Parks & Recreation Board in December to review the revised prairie dog policy. Water Tank at Watson Lake: Owen Randall Water Utilities ISSUE • The project is in the final design stage after six months of work. • A two million gallon tank will provide more efficient pumping, eliminate backwash pumping, and increase fire protection in northwest Fort Collins and the LaPorte area. • The site was selected because of elevation. There are two ridges that will make construction difficult. The challenge is to make the tank blend with and enhance the quality of the environment. • The contractor was involved in the design, and was chosen on qualifications, not price. • The conceptual technical review has been approved by the County. • A public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 13 at 6:00 p.m. at the Water Utility Service Center, 700 Wood St. • Residents are concerned about poor drainage. • Construction will take approximately eight months. • The tank will be located about 2,200 feet from a golden eagle nest site. Deer are also in the area. • The site will have a 6 ft. chain link fence with barbed wire. DISCUSSION • Wildlife concerns need to be adequately addressed and mitigated. • Andre Duvall, Division of Wildlife, said that the distance from the nest is at a "comfort envelope" for the eagles biologically. The rest of the wildlife will be displaced at first, but will come back. • Blasting will be lessened from an overall disturbance standpoint; charges will be set below the surface. • Jerry Craig, raptor specialist with the Division of Wildlife, explained that December, January and February are the most critical months for breeding; eggs are laid around mid February, and there are 42 days incubation. The young leave the nest around mid June. DECISION • Construction will start March 15 to April 1 and be done by December 1. • County planning staff will be made conscious of the concerns, and the start date. Natural Resources Advisory Board November 6, 1997 Page 4 Review Air Quality Action Plan Update: Brian Woodruff Natural Resources ISSUE • Board recommendation is needed for this special one year plan for 1999 in order to get in synch with the two year budget cycle. • The Policy Plan is long term and the Action Plan is for now. • Council adoption is set for March 1998. DISCUSSION • Visibility should be one of the planning indicators. • The City needs to be a more aggressive role model in operating alternative fuel vehicles. • Large fleet owners should be encouraged to use alternative fuel vehicles. • Accurate air quality data needs to be reported in the Coloradoan. DECISION • Boardmembers will send their comments to Woodruff. • Boardmembers will receive the final draft of the plan before it goes to Council. 1998 Work Plan: Susie Gordon ISSUE Need to define work plan and prioritize realistically. Broader issues need to be included. DECISION • Phil Murphy will look at other boards' work plans. • A draft will be included in the packet for the November 20 Special Meeting. Schedule Second Meeting A Special Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 20 to discuss the work plan, the Harmony Interchange Transit Facility and the Kingfisher Point restoration plan and trail design. Role of Chair: Phil Murphy Chair Murphy distributed a draft statement that was approved by boardmembers. Final Review of Communication Plan: Susie Gordon The Communication Plan was approved. It will be reviewed every September. Action Log Review Included in the packet. 0 Natural Resources Advisory Board November 6, 1997 Page 5 Upcoming Agenda Items November 20 Special Meeting • Work Plan • Kingfisher Point • Harmony Interchange December Regular Meeting • Environmental Learning Center • Prairie Dogs • Rangers Other Kelly Ohlson said that he is concerned that there has been no response to the Natural Resources Advisory Board from the City regarding trail placement. Phil Murphy asked Ohlson where the problem is. Ohlson responded that the problem is with Parks and Recreation and Mike Powers not getting the NRAB involved. Murphy suggested that the board needs to meet with Mike Powers. Phil Friedman said that Bill Bertschy should be included in the meeting. Ohlson said that he wants the City Manager and Tom Shoemaker to attend also. Murphy suggested that the Natural Areas Committee meet. Susie Gordon said that she will help make the arrangements. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m. Natural Resources Advisory Board November 6, 1997 Page 2 Phil Murphy said that an open house on the final draft of the prairie dog policy will be held on Monday, November 10. He noted that the committee has done good work. Phil Friedman said that the Board should look at floodplain issues and formulate a statement. Jan Behunek suggested that the Growth Management Committee spend time roughing out ideas to bring to the full board late in November or early December. Committee Reports Growth Management: • Discussed the Fiscal Environmental Impact Model and drafted a memo to Council. • Considered more future -oriented changes to the land use code regarding natural resource issues and drafted a memo to Council. • The next meeting is Tuesday, November 11 at noon. Natural Areas: • Phil Murphy said that he left the committee report from Don Rodriguez on his desk. • Kelly Ohlson reported that the committee met the two new rangers. • Ohlson said that he would like the issue of moving natural areas management to the Natural Resources Department on the January agenda. Solid Waste: • Ed Secor noted that a copy of the biennial review sent to Council is in the Board packet. The committee agreed that staff should report annually on the semi-annual data. • November 15 is America Recycles Day. • The Recycling Center accepts soft covered books. • The leaf drop off has been hamstrung so far with bad weather. Staff will reevaluate the program. • EcoCycle in Boulder is accepting chipboard. • Staff is moving ahead with a detailed cost benefit analysis study on trash districting commissioned by Council. Ohlson asked to be involved in the survey. Staff will work with the committee on the development of the survey instrument. • The landfill replacement task force has reorganized and is moving forward. • Next meeting is December 1. Education: • Provided feedback to Karen Manci and Sue Kenney on the prairie dog open house. uB dget: • Discussed the two year budget cycle process. • Next meeting will address the "de-Brucing amendment" passed in the last election. The City will be able to keep $900,000 in revenues this year.