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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 05/21/1997MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD SPECIAL MEETING NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCES CENTER 405 CANYON AVE. MAY 2191997 For Reference: Phil Murphy, NRAB Chair - 491-6303 Bill Bertschy, Council Liaison - 484-0181 Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Board Members Present Linda Kirkpatrick, Ed Secor, Phil Murphy, Bill Miller, Phil Friedman, Jan Behunek, Katy Mason and Craig McGee Board Members Absent Kelly Ohlson Staff Present Natural Resources Dent: Tom Shoemaker, Sally Maggart; Light & Power Dept.: Steve VanderMeer The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Agenda Review Phil Friedman asked for time at the end of the meeting for an update on prairie dogs and a proposal for a wildlife sanctuary. Tom Shoemaker said that because Stormwater Dept. staff needed more information about what questions and concerns the board has about rip rap, this item will be deferred to the July meeting. Guests Jerry Craig, Colorado Division of Wildlife, and Sally Craig Announcements Phil Friedman said that the I 1 th Annual Friends of the Poudre Festival at Gateway Park will happen again this year. The City of Greeley's site at the entrance to the canyon will be used for staging. Tom Shoemaker confirmed that the board had received invitations from Larimer County Open Lands for the Ute Snowy Ridge reception. He noted that this is the first time that the three entities (Fort Collins, Loveland and Larimer County) have joined together for a purchase. Ed Secor reported that the Recycling Committee met and discussed the pay -as -you -throw ordinance and how to evaluate how it is working. He said that Shirley Bruns suggested recruiting people to keep diaries of what is put out each week and compare with the billings from the haulers. The Natural Resources Advisory Board May 21, 1997 Page 2 Committee also discussed the landfill issue and questioned if the county wants the landfill, where it is going to go and the strategy needed for the solid waste reduction programs in Fort Collins and Loveland. Secor said that the Committee recommended that the Natural Resources Advisory Board send a follow-up memo to Council. Update on Wind Power Project: Steve VanderMeer, Light and Power; Jerry Craig, CDOW ISSUE Steve VanderMeer, Light and Power Department, said that the wind power project is a pilot program that should last three to five years. • There has been strong interest in this renewable energy, with 660 subscribers to date. • There will be two 750 kw horizontal access turbines, costing from $700,000 to $1,000,000 each, planned for a site near Medicine Bow, WY. • Each turbine will provide power to 350 subscribers. • This is the largest green power pricing project in the nation right now. • Platte River Power Authority managed the RFP. Avian Issues • There are a lot of studies about raptors being killed by turbines, but no conclusive studies. • Location of the turbines is important. • Technology is moving from a lattice work to a monolithic pole, smooth turbine housing, and slower rotor speed. • The turbine site will be monitored. Jerry Craig, CDOW, explained how turbine construction impact birds. He said that birds are able to avoid the more slowly moving blades. Craig added that he recommends not fencing the turbine area and weekly patrolling to provide a scientific sampling of the mortality rate. He said that people focus on raptors, but there is also concern about other birds. Use of rip rap in City projects; Rob Wilkinson, Natural Resources Dept., and Jay Rose, Stormwater Dept. Deferred to June meeting. Tom Shoemaker explained that the Stormwater Department wanted feedback about board concerns. CONCERNS • Effect of rip rap on wildlife habitat. • The original understanding was that rip rap was not going to happen at the Heatheridge Project. • Is there anything in the design review process that addresses the use of rip rap on water bodies? • What happens downstream from the rip rap area? • What is the effectiveness of oversight as related to plans vs reality. • What type of rock is used? Natural Resources Advisory Board May 21, 1997 Page 3 Expansion of SouthRidge Golf Course, Tom Shoemaker ISSUE • The Golf Board proposes expansion of SouthRidge through a joint purchase with Natural Resources. • There are a couple of big parcels with wetlands. • Golf has no capital funds for land purchase. • This would provide for golf needs and better natural area protection. • There would be more buffer along the holes next to Fossil Creek. • There would be a five to seven year payback for Golfs share of the land acquisition depending on how much natural area value there is. • City policy is to look at natural area integration. • The City Attorney still needs to review the proposal. DISCUSSION • Are they willing to explore the issue of working toward habitat certification? (City Park Nine has the certification). • Have they discussed this with the railroad? (Yes, they would need to do an underpass; this has railroad approval). • The parcels are not identified as a priority acquisition but the wetlands are in the inventory. • The estimated cost is $300-400,000 for 15-20 acres. • A management strategy has not been discussed. • A precedent has been set through joint acquisitions with the Stormwater and Parks Departments. • Need to look at cost relative to gain. • This would be a management challenge. • Concerned about disruption to existing wildlife. DECISION • Shoemaker will provide a sketch of the area at the Cathy Fromme Prairie field trip on May 28. Boardmembers can combine a tour with the field trip or visit the site on their own. • This is worth taking a look at. Transferable development rights/conservation easements, Tom Shoemaker • Conservation easements are more logical in the Larimer County Open Lands program because of the need to have someone who wants to stay with the land. • The easement restricts the type of use. • It needs to be perpetual for tax benefits. Transferable Development Rights • These will not happen within the City of Fort Collins because of set densities. • It needs to be a formal program with rules Natural Resources Advisory Board May 21, 1997 Page 4 • This involves shifting development rights from one property to another, shifting density from one property owner to another. • There have not been many successful TDR programs. Other Business Wildlife Sanctuary Phil Friedman said that he would bring more information to the board in June about the bird sanctuary recently approved in Estes Park. He added that the city might want to pursue the idea for the natural areas. Prairie.Does Phil Friedman said that he was concerned about the bad public relations in a recent Coloradoan newspaper article regarding killing prairie dogs. He suggested planning time on an agenda for a future meeting to discuss management of prairie dogs. Friedman also suggested fomring an ad hoc group composed of board members, NRD & Light & Power staff, CDOW, CDC and Larimer County Health Dept. representatives to revisit and understand this issue better. Bill Miller said that he would like to be on the committee and recommended that Karen Manci, Kellan Duncan, Nancy Faust, Nick Pinela and Ken Gage of the CDC be included. Phil Murphy asked for a presentation to the board on the natural history of prairie dogs. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.