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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 03/01/1995NE NUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. MARCH 1, 1995 For Reference: Phil Friedman, NRAB Chair - 493-2959 Chris Kneeland, Council Liaison - 221-2950 Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Board Members Present Lisa Steffes, Phil Murphy, Phil Friedman, Don Tidd, Tim Johnson, Arlene Blum and Katy Mason (after the approval of the minutes) Board Members Absent Craig McGee (excused), Bill Miller (excused) Staff Present Tom Shoemaker, Sally Maggart The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. Introduction of Guests Phil Friedman introduced Janelle Henderson, Larimer County Natural Resources Director, and Susanne Cordery-Cotter, Stewart Environmental Consultants, Inc. Bruce Hendee, BHA Design Inc., joined the meeting prior to agenda item 6, the Poudre River Land Use Framework. Approval of Minutes Phil Murphy moved and Phil Friedman seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the February 1, 1995 meeting. The motion passed unanimously (5-0). Tim Johnson noted that in the minutes on page 4, last paragraph, there was an action item regarding the need for reviewing internal development projects the same as those from the outside. He offered to draft a letter addressing the issue and will submit it to the board at the April meeting. Update on Wastewater Treatment Plant al, Randy Balok Because Randy Balok could not attend the meeting due to a conflict, this agenda item was deferred to later in the meeting and will be presented by Tom Shoemaker. Update on Groundwater Contamination at Landfill, Janelle Henderson Janelle Henderson, Director of the Larimer County Natural Resources Department, said she wanted to update the board on the landfill contamination issue due to the recent publicity. She reported that Larimer County has hired Stewart Environmental Consultants to study the situation. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting March 1, 1995 Page 2 Susanne Cordery-Cotter, Stewart Environmental Consultants, narrated a slide show on the history of the landfill and explained how the unregulated disposal of hazardous materials during the 1960's and 70's resulted in the present groundwater contamination. She noted that the household hazardous waste program began at the landfill in 1989 and the following procedures are presently in place to reduce hazardous waste disposal: 1) a waste screening program where loads are checked for hazardous waste; 2) a recycling program that raises awareness on the disposal of hazardous waste; 3) the installation of 48 groundwater and gas monitoring wells that are analyzed every three months; 4) the diversion of the landfill tributary to the northwest comer of the landfill; and, 5) a deep slurry wall and the installation of a concrete lined structure to convey the Trilby Lateral over Fossil Creek. Henderson said because of the slow movement of the groundwater, samples are taken quarterly for over 40 things, including an extensive list of volatile compounds. She noted that the water is naturally poor and cannot be used for domestic or agricultural purposes because of the high mineral and lead content. Henderson reported that prior to the city buying the Cathy Fromme Prairie in 1993, access onto the land for determining the extent of the contamination was not allowed by the owners, the Resolution Trust Corporation. Phil Murphy asked if the contamination site is expected to get bigger. Henderson said because of the surface evaporation of the water, the plume is not expected to get much larger. Henderson reported that the EPA recently became involved in evaluating the landfill as a Superfund site. If declared a Superfund site, the parties responsible for the contamination would be identified and charged for the cleanup. She noted that because it typically takes three to five years to determine who is responsible for the contamination, it could take five to six years before the cleanup would be started. Arlene Blum said it sounded like a bad system. Henderson agreed that it needs to be revised; fortunately, once the EPA looked at the site, it was concluded that it would be more expedient to defer the remediation action to the State. She noted that the community will have a chance to review the information on the site. Henderson said that The Coloradoan thought the contamination information had been hidden, but there have been articles since 1990 on the issue. In addition, she said information on the contamination is given out at every tour of the landfill and a newsletter is sent to homeowners in the area. Katy Mason said she did not remember the contamination issue being addressed during the purchase of the Cathy Fromme Prairie. Shoemaker said it was discussed, but the extent of contamination was not known at that time. Henderson said the contamination problem is included in the recent Cathy Fromme Prairie Management Plan. She noted that there was an 0 11 Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting March 1, 1995 Page 3 assessment study on the risks to human health and the ecosystem that showed a healthy wildlife population and no stressed vegetation on the prairie. Henderson reported that there will be a press conference a week from tomorrow at the landfill to provide the media an opportunity to see the site. She noted that the plume will be outlined with flagging to provide a visual perspective on the size of the area. Johnson asked if the contamination was headed to Fossil Creek. Henderson answered that it is confined to the channel. Don Tidd asked if there were cattle in the area. Shoemaker noted that the cattle are to the south of Fossil Creek and cannot get into the drainage area. Henderson said there will be a state sponsored public forum April 6 for public input on the cleanup agreement. She noted that the groundwater monitoring plan must be certified by the health department by June 30. She added that the surface water monitoring assessment will be due in September 1997, and the state review should be done by March 1998. Henderson emphasized that with EPA oversight it would have been the year 2000 before action could have been taken. Johnson asked how much hazardous waste is now getting into the landfill. Henderson said that maybe 50 percent of the total is getting by. Johnson asked how the city can help to lower this level of contamination. Henderson responded that the biggest threat comes from small businesses because of the expense involved in transportation costs and the lack of local disposal facilities. Friedman suggested some type of corporate cooperation where small businesses could "piggyback" off of large companies that already have the infrastructure for disposal. Cordery- Cotter said that was a good idea but provisions would have to be made to minimize the liability for the large companies. Henderson reported that random trash loads are searched for illegal waste disposal and offenders are turned in to the state. Lisa Steffes asked if the state fines the offenders. Henderson responded yes, and said the state also requires the offenders to provide documentation of proper disposal. Steffes asked if the bottom parts of the landfill are lined. Henderson said no, but the landfill is built on impermeable Pierre shale that acts like a natural liner. Cordery-Cotter noted that this contamination is not that severe compared to other landfills. The board thanked Henderson and Cordery-Cotter for their presentation. Shoemaker noted that this is not a formal action item for the board but asked if the members concur in having the state continue the oversight of the program. Johnson moved and Blum seconded the motion that the board approve deferral to the state. The motion passed unanimously (7-0). Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting March 1, 1995 Page 4 Update on Wastewater Treatment Plant #1, Tom Shoemaker Shoemaker presented the updated information received from Randy Balok on converting the water treatment plant to public use. He noted that Tim Johnson and Bill Miller have been very involved in this process. Shoemaker noted that the grant applications submitted to the Department of Transportation for funding the change to the vehicular access to the site were not approved. He said that a similar grant was submitted to GO Colorado but it did not fit their criteria this year. Shoemaker reported that he and the director of GO Colorado, Will Shafroth, will be attending a regional retreat in April on interagency cooperation and there might be an opportunity then to provide more information on the project. Also, he reported that the GO Colorado board will be meeting in Fort Collins in September. Mason asked if a different access route had been considered. Johnson said that option has not been discussed. Mason suggested visiting the site in late April or early May. All of the board members present agreed; the exact date will be set at the April meeting. Friedman suggested that rather than lose the opportunity because of the road, the city council include the funding in the budget. Johnson recommended that the city budget $50,000 a year to ensure matching funds for a grant. He said this would communicate to GO Colorado that the city is serious about the project. Shoemaker noted that Gary Kimsey wrote the two grants and he might have a different perspective to share with the board. Friedman suggested having him meet with the board on the site field trip. Friedman requested a chronology of action taken to date; Shoemaker said he will request that information from Balok. Poudre River Land Use Framework, Tom Shoemaker Shoemaker introduced Bruce Hendee, BHA Designs, Inc. Hendee reported that there is a parallel effort involving a master trail plan between Greeley and the Larimer County border. He said Greeley, Weld County, the University of Northern Colorado and the landowners are moving rapidly and achieving good success in attracting funding. Hendee encouraged the board to approve the plan requested in the Poudre River Land Use Framework. The board thanked Hendee for his comments. Shoemaker told the board that the plan is going to Council on April 18 and he is seeking formal comments and recommendations from the board on the framework and the action items included in the document. He reported that the Parks and Recreation and the Planning and Zoning Boards have unanimously recommended that Council adopt the report. Shoemaker noted that the major recommendation of the framework is to get a master plan for the river, and the most critical action item is the acquisition of several parcels (the Harmony Gateway parcel has already closed). Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting March 1, 1995 Page 5 Friedman thought that this version of the framework was more coherent than the first draft. He said it was good to have the time -sensitive aspects spelled out. Johnson wanted to know how long the process would take for the river study plan. Shoemaker said that it is not clearly defined; it depends on the public process. Steffes asked who would write the master plan. Shoemaker said it would either be staff in consultation with boards and citizens or consultants in consultation with all, depending on. funding. Mason said she felt this study is causing more delay and she asked how much money was spent on it. Shoemaker responded that the fee was $30,000. Mason thought the intent of the money was more of a wrap-up rather than a recommendation for another study and would like to see another big study avoided. Johnson felt that more emphasis should be put on the reestablishment of the oxbow area as a natural area. He thought it looked like the amphitheater was the main consideration and he questioned if the city should invest in an expensive structure in the floodplain. He noted that the board had rejected similar plans in the past. Mason said she would be more comfortable knowing the scope of work in terms of the cost and timeframe. Johnson thought it would look better in the GO Colorado funding effort to have a plan for the whole area. He requested a timeframe of the master plan along with the projected costs and the scope of work. Shoemaker said he could obtain the information. Phil Murphy moved and Tim Johnson seconded the motion to table the discussion and recommendation until the April 5 meeting. The motion passed unanimously (7-0) Board Retreat, Phil Friedman Johnson, Friedman and Murphy met to discuss the agenda for the upcoming retreat Sunday, March 26. Friedman explained that the board members will carpool to Prospect Ponds for a picnic lunch (box lunch provided) and then walk to the Environmental Learning Center for Cook's presentation and the rest of the retreat. He said that if the weather is bad, the plan is to meet at the Environmental Learning Center. He noted that the facility is not heated but Jim Petruzzi, Associate Director of the ELC, has offered to provide space heaters. Friedman said that Mr. Petruzzi also offered the facility at no charge, including a tour. Shoemaker said that he will make the final arrangements with Kevin Cook and provide a map prior to the retreat. Shoemaker asked for clarification regarding Edith Felchle's presentation as to whether the board was interested solely in natural areas education or wanted a broader overview of environmental education. The board requested a broader overview. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting March 1, 1995 Page 6 Growth Management Committee Report, Katy Mason Mason reported that Joe Frank, Advance Planning Director, presented information on the comprehensive plan at the committee meeting. Frank explained to the members that the city plan is the comprehensive plan and the city dialogue is the input communication process for the comprehensive plan. Mason said that Alan Krcmarik reported on the Cost of Development Study. She said the committee was disappointed that nobody has been hired yet and that more progress has not been made. She noted that the board has been the champion of determining the costs of development and the need to make decisions based on hard data. Johnson noted that the article in the packet on "Tax Increases Do Not Cover the True Costs of Growth" was discussed at the meeting. He said the board needs to make a determination on the cost of service and revenue comparisons in Fort Collins. Mason suggested the purchase of the book, "Economic Benefits of Land Protection" mentioned in the article. Recycling Article, Tim Johnson Johnson referred to the price comparisons in the February 20, 1995 article in the Denver Post on "Treasured Trash". He noted, with the increase in values, the need to have an economic strategy for haulers to pick up additional recyclables. Friedman reported that there was no way to get his neighbors to agree to using the same hauler. Johnson suggested pursuing the districting policy. Shoemaker said there is a need to look at customer satisfaction with the trash service. He said the full package on recycling will come before the board in April and could go to Council in late April. Other Committee Reports RECYCLING: No report. NATURAL AREAS: No report. EDUCATION: No report. Other Business Friedman distributed a March 1, 1995, Rocky Mountain News article titled "Saving Species Isn't Radical Act". Announcements Friedman reported on an editorial in the February 2 edition of Inside Fort Collins regarding the PICK (Parks and Ice for the Community and Kids) proposal. He said it appeared that the author Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting March 1, 1995 Page 7 was not happy with PICK and wanted tax money to go to open space acquisition. Friedman said that the article also implied that parks and ice rinks should have been paid for by the growth in the community. Mason asked if the board could tour Riverbend Ponds in order to become more informed about the wetlands in that area. Johnson suggested doing it on the same day as the retreat by starting an hour earlier. The board agreed and suggested that this would also present an opportunity to look at the proposed alignment of Timberline. Shoemaker said he would get an engineer to report on the status of the Timberline Project. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:45.