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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 10/04/1995E E MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. OCTOBER 4, 1995 For Reference: Phil Murphy, NRAB Chair - 491-6303 Gina Janett, Council Liaison - 493-4677 Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Board Members Present Lisa Steffes, Katy Mason, Phil Murphy, Ed Secor, and Kelly Ohlson. Phil Friedman joined the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Board Members Absent Craig McGee, Bill Miller Staff Present Tom Shoemaker, Sally Maggart, Sue Kenney - Natural Resources Department, Felix Lee - Building and Zoning Department, Doug Swartz - Light & Power The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. Guests Dan Chapin, K-Lynn Cameron - Help Preserve Open Spaces, and Bruce Brown - Latimer County Weatherization Approval of Minutes With the following changes, the minutes of the September 6, 1995 meeting were unanimously approved: Kelly Ohlson noted that on page 7, second paragraph, it should read "review" instead of "code check". Agenda Review Phil Murphy noted that he had received an e-mail from Phil Friedman regarding Water Treatment Plant 1; this will be discussed at the end of the agenda. Tom Shoemaker said that staff anticipates bringing two new natural area acquisitions to the November board meeting. He noted that board members have not yet toured the two areas; one is the Fossil Creek Drainage located on the west side of College across from Fossil Creek Meadows, and the other one is east of Shields and south of Trilby. Shoemaker asked if board members would like to tour the areas as a group or individually; most members agreed that a Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting October 4, 1995 Page 2 group tour would be best. Shoemaker said that he will schedule the tour, provide a map and invite the Parks and Recreation Board. Announcements Katy Mason distributed an article entitled "Not So Fast" from the New York Times magazine. She announced that members of the Growth Management Committee need to stay after the meeting to set a committee meeting date and time. Shoemaker announced that the WREN Pit Reclamation Project was given a Stewardship Award from Latimer County; the Plan for the Region Between Loveland and Fort Collins was given a Governor's Smart Growth Award; and the Northern Colorado Regional Planning Study that the board acted on last month was awarded a Statewide Planning Excellence Award from the Colorado Chapter of the American Planning Association. In addition, the Foothills North Tributary Channel Design received a statewide engineering excellence award. Help Preserve Open Spaces Proposal,.K-Lynn Cameron K-Lynn Cameron told the Board that she is returning to ask for formal support of the Help Preserve Open Spaces initiative that will be on the City Council agenda October 17. She noted that the Parks and Recreation Board voted support at their last meeting. Phil Murphy asked about Cameron's perception of voter approval. Cameron said that it looks favorable; there is no organized opposition and a wide spectrum of support. She noted that the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Realtors, the Audubon Society, the Sierra Club, Citizens Planners, Larimer County Horsemen Association and the Estes Valley Improvement Association have all expressed support. Katy Mason moved to support the Help Preserve Open Spaces initiative and express to Council the Natural Resources Advisory Board's strong backing of the measure. Lisa Steffes seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, Murphy called for a vote on the motion and it passed unanimously (5-0). Tom Shoemaker will prepare a letter of support for the Chair to review. He asked for key points for inclusion in the letter. The following suggestions were made: 1. It will tie into the City's ongoing natural area program, integrate with the County and be an important continuation once the City tax ends. 2. The City will get a direct share. 0 Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting October 4, 1995 Page 3 3. This will increase the possibility of obtaining future GOCO grants by providing matching money and partnering. 4. The need is great and the time is now. Cameron thanked the Board for their support. Kelly Ohlson suggested that the Chair or a representative of the Board attend the Council meeting on October 17 in support of the initiative. Murphy said he would attend. The Board thanked Cameron for her presentation. Energy Code, Felix Lee, Director, Building and Zoning Department Lee stated that he hoped the question and answer format that was included in the board's packet answered the concerns expressed by members at the September meeting. He added that the proposed energy code is ready to go to Council on October 17. Lee noted that the Building Review Board endorsed the proposal unanimously on the non-residential portion and by a 5-2 vote on the residential. He said he is seeking approval from the Natural Resources Advisory Board. Lee asked for questions and comments from the board. Ohlson asked if the Building Review Board made any changes to the code in their second vote. Lee answered that they had not changed anything, but after studying the proposal and getting their questions answered, they voted to approve the proposal as presented. Following are the questions asked by the board members and the answers from staff: 1. Why is the energy code updated every ten years rather than on a five year cycle? The energy code will be reviewed on the same cycle as the building code, with a target for implementation every four years. 2. Is the referenced dollar amount in question #14 corrected in the text of the code? The amount noted came from the Affordable Housing Board meeting and is not accurate as stated. 3. Is the National Association of Home Builders an unbiased information source? The Northwest Lab researched the data and they felt comfortable with the numbers. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting October 4, 1995 Page 4 4. How will the code be enforced? There will be on -site enforcement as well as plan review. 5. Will a copy of the disclosure form be given to the homeowner? Yes. There is no statute of limitations on code violations. 6. If code violations are found, would there be follow-up investigation on the builder's work at other locations? Yes, enforcement is the key. How can a house have an adequate air supply yet cannot be "leaky"? Gas furnaces use combustion air. This should not create a difference in the pressure and prevent the flue from carrying the combustion products out of the house. Kelly Ohlson made the motion that the Natural Resources Advisory Board recommend the adoption of the Revised Energy Code to City Council. Additionally, he wanted the motion to reflect that, while the code revision represents only a modest improvement, the Board is supportive of it and does not want it weakened. Katy Mason seconded the motion. Ed Secor asked if there would be both a residential and a commercial ordinance. Lee answered that there is one ordinance covering both residential and commercial. Secor asked for more detail on the commercial. Shoemaker noted that the commercial information was included with the residential in last month's packet, but it had not been discussed. Jon McHugh, Energy Service Engineer at Light & Power, explained the ASHRAE 90.1 Code for commercial buildings. He noted that requirements are different for houses and commercial buildings. McHugh added that the cost impact is larger in operating a commercial building; cooling is the primary load in commercial while heating is the primary load in residential. He noted that this is the first time that the City has had a separate non-residential energy code. He said that there are standards for commercial energy consumption. There being no more questions, Murphy called for a vote on the motion recommending adoption of the August 10, 1995 Energy Code Revision, noting that, while the code revision represents only a modest improvement, the Board is supportive of it and does not want it weakened. The motion passed unanimously (6-0). 40 Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting October 4, 1995 Page 5 Environmental Action Awards, Sue Kenney and Phil Friedman Sue Kenney said that the Education Committee met on September 21, reviewed the 16 award nominations, and are recommending three, possibly four, for board approval. Mason asked how many nominations were in each category. Kenney answered that there were two in wildlife, three in air quality, five in environmental education, two in recycling, one in hazardous waste and three in natural areas. Mason asked how the committee decided on the final categories. Friedman explained that the decision was made on individual applications, not categories. Friedman noted that one of the finalists, LaserWolf, is a new business that recycles laser cartridges and there is no way now to tell the permanence of the company or the direct benefit to Fort Collins. Ohlson said that the committee's concern was that the award should be based on performance. After further discussion, the board decided to send LaserWolf a letter of explanation and encourage them to apply again next year. Friedman cited the city nominations as another topic for consideration. He said that the committee felt that city applicants were doing their projects in the course of their work and that it would not be appropriate competition for the other applicants. Friedman added that the committee decided to have an internal competition within the city. Shoemaker noted that since the rules of the awards allowed city departments to submit applications, a recognition program would be a good way to acknowledge city programs. Mason asked if this can be implemented this year. Shoemaker recommended thinking it through and deciding later on the format for the city awards. Murphy suggested that the Education Committee discuss it and make a decision. Murphy asked what the committee needs from the board. Friedman answered that approval of the recommendations of the three nominees is needed. He also recommended special acknowledgment for the application from the "Fox Family". Phil Friedman moved that the Board approve the three nominees for the Environmental Action Awards, with a special acknowledgment for the "Fox Family", and request that the Education Committee meet and determine a way to acknowledge the City of Fort Collins' employee nominees. Ed Secor seconded the motion and it passed unanimously (6-0). It was noted that the awards will be presented at the first City Council meeting in November. Ohlson noted that it is important to have the awards at a time that Council is seated. He stressed the importance of the city -sponsored awards and said that these people deserve acknowledgment before the seated Council. Shoemaker said he will look at what else is on the Council agenda for November 7 and will work with the committee on the presentation. Compost/Recycling Update, Susie Gordon Susie Gordon, Environmental Planner in the Natural Resources Department, briefed the board on Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting October 4, 1995 Page 6 the composting and waste reduction efforts and her involvement as part of the recent staff reorganization. She said progress had been made last year when Jon Ruiz from the City's Policy Agenda office issued an RFP (Request for Proposal) and awarded the contract to the consulting firm of R.W. Beck. Gordon explained that Ruiz moved to Utah and the project came to a halt. She added that she, Shirley Bruns, Recycling Coordinator in the Natural Resources Department, and Scott Harder in the Water Utility are working together to "jump start" the process. Gordon said she is asking the board if they agree with the approach and if they will help by expanding the Recycling Committee into an advisory group that includes the County and the waste haulers. Ohlson said he was not clear on the purpose of the task force; will it also study the feasibility of a city trash hauling utility? Gordon responded that Council has approved studying the feasibility of a city trash hauling utility and the study will be included with the composting component. Ohlson expressed concern about the trash haulers being on the committee. He said he is worried that a committee dominated by a vested interest would be biased. Shoemaker noted that the board can invite other members to join the committee. He explained that having the trash haulers on the committee will provide active involvement with the board. Gordon noted that the trash haulers will bring experience to the group in determining what type of composting facility will work. She added that it will not be a voting group; decisions will come to the board through the Recycling Committee. Secor said that the trash haulers would have the ability to help sell the board's decision. Gordon presented the work schedule. She noted that there will be an introductory meeting on October 5. Gordon reported that after the first task force meeting, committee members will have the opportunity for input on scheduling future meetings. Murphy suggested having the task force meeting scheduled closer to the board meetings for reporting purposes. Gordon said she will document the decisions and discussions and provide a report to committee members. Ohlson expressed concern that the trash haulers have not notified their customers that recycling is part of the trash hauling package. Gordon said that the staff change will help do that. Ohlson suggested including representatives from Citizens Planners and the Sierra Club on the task force. Friedman recommended having a representative from the horticultural field. Shoemaker said that Jim Clark might be a good choice. Gordon emphasized the importance of keeping the committee at a manageable level. Oblson agreed on the importance of giving the haulers the opportunity to participate from the ground floor. The board thanked Gordon for her presentation • C, Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting October 4, 1995 Page 7 Natural Resources Department Reorganization, Tom Shoemaker Shoemaker distributed a draft of the proposed Natural Resources Department organizational chart. He said he will be sending out the final chart with a formal memo. Shoemaker explained that the board will be seeing different faces and there will be different assignments within the department. He explained that the reorganization is an effort to move toward a more formal definition of the program areas: Administration, Clean Air (implementation of the Air Quality Plan), Environmental Review (involvement in the planning review process), Natural Areas, Waste Reduction, Special Projects (environmental information, education and outreach activities, and work outside the department). Shoemaker said that two new positions were requested for the 1996 budget. He explained that they were requested as ongoing or permanent but the City Manager recommended them as one year contractual positions; one is in the air quality program to assist in outreach and education and the other is an environmental planner in waste reduction. Ohlson asked if there is a movement in Council of pushing for one, if not both positions, to be permanent. Shoemaker said that the City Manager's office is now recommending that the air quality information specialist be a permanent position. Friedman asked what "one year contractual" meant. Shoemaker explained that there would be an option to renew or it would be one year with a definite end; the funding does not automatically continue or discontinue. Budget Followup, Tom Shoemaker Shoemaker distributed copies of the board's May 4, 1995 budget memo to Council, the program budget information, the 1996 Budget Summary and the program sheet for the natural areas budget. He said tonight he wanted to focus on the board's memo to Council; time will be reserved at the November meeting to discuss the other areas. Shoemaker reviewed the status of the recommendations made to Council in the May 4 memo: 1. The Cost of Development Study is adequately funded and proposals should be completed this year. 2. The City Plan will be completed in a timely manner; funds are committed for completion next year. 3. The Poudre River Corridor concerns will be handled through GOCO grants and City Plan. 4. The Master Naturalist Program funding has been increased within the capital budget. 5. Funding is included in the budget to pay a share of the Ranger/Naturalist position. 6. The natural area management plans will be completed by the end of 1996. The Foothills Plan is almost at the public draft stage. 7. With department reorganization, Shoemaker should be able to focus more on the Fort Collins/Loveland Corridor. There is money in the budget for the No. Co. Planning Study. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting October 4, 1995 Page 8 8. At present there is $25,000 budgeted for opening Water Treatment Plant 1 to public use. There was fear that with more dollars committed to the project some of the partners might drop out. 9. Solid waste and recycling is being handled with the department reorganization. In summary, Shoemaker said that all identified issues have been handled well except for Water Treatment Plant 1 and the item on the special planning study around the Fossil Creek Reservoir. He noted that Greg Byrne, Community Planning and Environmental Services Director, tried to get $30,000 budgeted, but it is not happening. Shoemaker noted that Fossil Creek Reservoir is a critical part of the implementation of the Plan for the Region Between Fort Collins and Loveland. Mason asked if the board could reintroduce the Fossil Creek Reservoir budget request. Secor suggested making one recommendation that includes the other items. Murphy cautioned the board about "going to the well" too often and asking for money. He suggested the board prioritize what needs to happen. It was agreed to continue the focus on the funding for Water Treatment Plan 1 and that would be discussed under Other Business. Other Business Friedman noted the letter from Tim Johnson questioning Council's cutback on the $80,000 budget request for Water Treatment Plant 1. Shoemaker said that Council had not been provided the rationale on the funding amount. He added that there is strong support from Mike Powers and K-Lynn Cameron in the Parks and Recreation Department, but they do not want to send the message that the City is providing all the funding and have the partners back off. Friedman noted that Johnson believes that the partners are more likely to walk away from the project without the City's $80,000 commitment. Friedman said he also did not understand the $25,000 amount. Shoemaker said that he will meet with Powers and get his rationale. Mason said that Council needs to hear a reaffirmation from the Board on the request for $80,000. Friedman said he is not clear on how the math works. Shoemaker said he will draft a letter to Council for the Chair's signature and will talk with Powers to get a better understanding of the request. Friedman said he will talk with Johnson. Shoemaker notified the board that he has not yet had a chance to speak with Don Tidd about his resignation. He said that the opening cannot be advertised until Tidd has formally resigned. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m.