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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 05/02/1990MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL WEST - CIC ROOM MAY 2, 1990 - 7:00 PM Board Members Present Joyce Berry Bill Miller Charles Davis Will Smith Tim Johnson Harold Swope Deni LaRue Susan Whitmer Ward Luthi Council Liaison Present Bob Winokur Board Members Absent Dave Dubois Ari Michelsen (resigned) Staff Members Present Tom Shoemaker Edith Felchle Brian Woodruff Connie Caddis Bbb Wilkinson Minutes Minutes of the April 4, 1990 Natural Resources Advisory Board meeting were unanimously approved as submitted. New Business New Council Liaison. Bob Winokur was introduced as the new City Council liaison to the Board. Winokur has been a member of Council for four years. This will be his first term as liaison to the NRAB. He also is the liaison for the Air Quality Task Force. Winokur provided a brief personal introduction. He has a strong interest in natural resources issues due to his work as a research scientist with the U.S. Forest Service. He specifically requested to be named liaison to the NRAB to help move the Environmental Management Plan and several other natural resource policy issues forward for Council decision. Winokur noted that he would not be involved in discussions of the National Heritage Corridor proposal on the Poudre River because his employer is a participant in the program. Councilmember Mabry will serve as liaison on this issue. Winokur stated his commitment to help the Board with its work and advised members to communicate their needs to him. Johnson asked how the Board can be more effective. Winokur advised the Board to continue to pursue its goal of advising Council on natural resources issues. Council expects the Board to provide advice on a broad spectrum of natural resource issues. Luthi requested Winokur's advice on steps to take to discontinue use of styrofoam cups in City offices. Winokur said he would look into the issue and report to the Board. staff Reorganization. Woodruff announced a reorganization of staff responsibilities within the Natural Resources Division. At Woodruff's request, he has been reassigned to the position of Air Quality and Hazardous Materials Coordinator. Tom Shoemaker has been promoted to the position of Administrator for the Division. Woodruff thanked the Board for their support and stated that he looks forward to working with them in his new role. Shoemaker expressed enthusiasm for his new assignment. He noted that the Board and staff form a talented team for working on some very important issues within the City. He informed the Board that they can expect the same level of help and support as they have received in the past. Committee Reports Legislative Review: Davis reported on the pesticide bill under consideration in the State legislature. The bill has passed the Senate and has an even chance of passing the House. Davis reported that the content of the bill is mixed. The bill would require pesticide applicators to notify adjacent landowners before spraying. of concern were provisions that preempted local ordinances and that protected pesticide applicators from liability claims. Davis noted that the bill is very controversial and subject to amendments. He suggested that the Board continue to monitor the State legislation before considering a local ordinance. If warranted, local governments could pass legislation that would be more restrictive than the prospective state statute. Woodruff noted that the Parks and Recreation Department is reviewing pesticide use by City crews. This review may provide useful background information if a local ordinance is considered in the future. Land Use: Luthi noted that the Planning and Zoning Board has begun a review of the Land Development Guidance System (LDGS) and has set a deadline of May 12 for responses to a survey regarding the effectiveness of the system. He questioned the adequacy of the public review time and requested staff clarification of the public involvement process proposed by the Planning Department. Shoemaker said he would obtain an answer from the Planning Department, but his understanding was that there would be several opportunities for public comment. Luthi emphasized that the review of the LDGS had important natural resource implications and should be of concern to the Board. Winokur commented that the LDGS review is one of the items on City Council Is Policy Agenda. Council wants the program to proceed on schedule, yet allow for effective public outreach. Johnson requested that the Land Use Committee seek clarification on the proposed process for the LDGS and report back to the Board. Luthi also expressed concern over several aspects of the Harmony Corridor Plan, including neighborhood planning processes, air quality considerations, and mass transit. Johnson reminded the Board that Linda Ripley of the Planning Department gave a presentation on the Harmony Corridor Plan at the April 4 meeting and that the Board would consider a response under Old Business. Wilkinson reported that, in response to Board comments at the April 4 meeting, he met with Ripley to discuss the interrelationships between the Harmony Corridor Plan and the EMP. Woodruff commented that there are several important planning efforts underway, in addition to the Harmony Corridor Plan, and the Land Use Committee may want to coordinate with the Planning and Zoning Board. Luthi noted that the Rocky Mountain Institute performs energy audits for cities that have resulted in significant cost savings for local communities. He suggested the Board may want to encourage the City to investigate the Institute's programs and other programs that produce economic incentives for energy conservation. Johnson noted that the Energy Score program relates to that idea. Education: LaRue stated that the Natural Resources Symposium was very successful, with attendance of close to 400. The keynote speaker, Dr. Evan Vlachos, was well received. The Transportation Division had a booth and asked for input on bicycle, pedestrian, and bus problems in the city. The display developed by staff on office recycling was also effective and informative. The Board's display on reuse of household items also went very well. Shoemaker reported on the slide show, "The 3 R's," that he presented at the Symposium. The show was developed by a Denver group called Speakers for a Sustainable Future, but has been modified for local use. Shoemaker and Will Smith attended a speaker orientation program sponsored by Speakers for a Sustainable Future and are available for other local presentations of the show. Presentation of the show requires about 30 minutes, although the program may last up to an hour if there are many questions. Felchle reported that Natural Resources staff were involved in many speaking assignments during the previous two weeks, in conjunction with Earth Week. There was a lot of public outreach, especially in the school system. Johnson read a citation for Edith Felchle highlighting her excellent accomplishments in organizing the Natural Resources Symposium. He asked that copies of the citation be sent to City Council, Steve Burkett, and Mike Davis. A motion to approve the citation as written was proposed, seconded, and unanimously approved. The citation will be sent to Council, Steve Burkett, and Mike Davis and included in the next issue of the Environmental Record. Smith suggested that the Board consider developing an awards program to recognize the conservation efforts of local citizens, groups, and businesses. He suggested that the awards would be presented each year at the Natural Resources Symposium. The ensuing discussion was favorable and it was suggested that the Education Committee develop a proposal for review by the Board. Water: Swope announced that Fairway Estates will be having a clean-up day on May 19th. There will be a tour of the Mail Creek area to point out problems caused by the Arbor Plaza development. Invitations are being sent to various city officials and other interested parties. A barbecue will follow the tour. Recycling: Smith presented an update on the citywide curbside collection program. He noted that the March 20 Council resolution directed staff to include all classes of customers in the program, not just residential. Details need to be worked out on the type of service to be provided to multi -family, commercial and industrial customers. Council direction also provided for General Fund support for start-up costs for containers and public education. The schedule for finalizing the program is as follows: May 15 to June 1 - Staff work to design program June 6 - Review and recommendation to NRAB June 7 to June 21 - Review and comment by public July 1 - Report to Council Important issues to be resolved include: materials to be collected, phasing of the program, start-up date, educational needs, and the City's role as a consumer clearing -house. Also, Larimer County is considering a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at the landfill which may affect the city-wide program. Shoemaker and Woodruff reported on their April 27 meeting with trash haulers. The major issue raised by the haulers was the need for an adequate processing and brokering facility. Shoemaker reported that, based on the level of concern expressed at the meeting, staff would investigate the potential need for a City role in developing a processing and brokering facility. This investigation will include discussions with the Economic Development Department, existing brokering companies, and Larimer County. Shoemaker reported that there had been some delays by the County in issuing the request for proposals on the Material Recovery Facility at the landfill. Frank Lancaster expected to get the requests out by early the following week. The expectation remains that evaluation of the MRF will coincide with the City's schedule for developing the final proposal for the curbside program. Smith asked if their was any potential to reopen the question of landfill tipping fees to provide incentives for recycling. Winokur stated that this issue might be affected by the state legislature. Smith asked if there were any statistics on tipping fees from other cities? The landfill is operated as a utility and the fees only cover their expenses, according to Woodruff. There was further discussion of ways to achieve source reduction, including a strong role for the educational program that will be an ongoing part of the recycling program. Shoemaker reported that the Executive Team endorsed staff proposals to enhance the internal recycling program and to adopt a procurement program regarding recycling products. Staff Reports CFCIs: Woodruff stated that the Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) report will be going to City Council on May 15th. Council is then expected to direct staff on how to proceed with a local CFC reduction program. Woodruff noted that Denver has passed an ordinance similar to the one proposed by Natural Resources staff. EMP: Wilkinson stated that there will be another open house at the Foothills Fashion Mall May 5, from 10:00 to 6:00 and May 6, from 12:00 to 5:30. The purpose of the additional open house is to attempt to reach a broader cross-section of the community. Wilkinson also reported on plans to meet personally with a number of business leaders to discuss the EMP. Swanson Area Work Day: There were about 20 workenders and 10- 15 other citizens involved in the work day. Approximately 100 to 150 trees and shrubs were planted and approximately one-half acre was re -seeded. The old building was repainted, some trail was worked on, and there was a general clean up of the whole area. Work days in the future will be May 12th and May 26th and will involve similar work activities. Johnson suggested announcing scheduled work days at the Board meetings and also looking into involving Scout troops in the work days. Underground Storage Tanks: Winokur reported on the State effort to adopt a program to clean-up leaks from underground storage tanks. He is on the Governor's advisory board which is helping develop the program. He noted that Fort Collins was the first city in the state to adopt a local program to regulate Underground Storage Tanks. New Business National Heritage Corridor. Mr. Winokur excused himself from this part of the meeting. Kari VanMeter from the Planning Department discussed the proposal to designate the Poudre River as a National Heritage Corridor. She said this proposal was the recommendation of a task force appointed by Council to review potential federal designation for the river (either National Recreation Area or National Heritage Corridor). The Heritage Corridor proposal would reduce the role of the federal government, which was of concern to many citizens. The Heritage Corridor designation would still require a federal partner, either the Park Service or the Forest Service, and would still result in federal appropriations for programs along the river. The Heritage Corridor proposal would be more flexible than the National Recreation Area designation. There are only three National Heritage Corridors in existence and this would be the first one west of the Mississippi River. VanMeter reported that Council endorsed the National Heritage Corridor proposal and appropriated money for the ongoing work to develop the details of the program and prepare the federal legislation. Current work is focusing on internal management and coordination and meetings with the City of Greeley, CSU, and Weld County. Smith asked what the additional benefit will be from making the area into a National Heritage Corridor? VanMeter commented that it would give the city the ability to acquire land for critical areas and conservation easements. It also allows for an advisory commission and ability to elevate achievement of existing plans and policies. Johnson asked if the funds might be available from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. VanMeter replied that the Heritage Corridor will rely primarily on local incentive and support and not federal money. The Corridor proposal is still in preliminary stages and land acquisition needs and potential will need to be assessed. Miller stated that no wildlife values have been mentioned and VanMeter replied that the federal legislation will be developed locally so there is opportunity to include program elements focused on wildlife values. Old Business Harmony Corridor Plan. Johnson began discussion on the gateway elements of the Harmony Corridor Plan. He noted the opportunities that the Gateway area might provide as an entry to the National Heritage Corridor. He noted that some of the land is undevelopable and that the Land Use committee should look at the relationships between the Gateway and the Corridor. Johnson asked Board members to comment on the proposals for the Gateway area as they are currently structured in the Harmony Corridor Plan. Luthi questioned the conclusion that the community does not support purchasing the area. He did not think the public outreach program was adequate to assess this issue. Miller noted that a Great Blue Heron nesting colony occurs near the east end of the interchange by the gravel pit. He said that the birds are very sensitive and may abandon the nesting area if adjacent land uses are intensive. to be addressed. He said wildlife aspects need Swope stressed the need to avoid making the area look like College Avenue. He agreed with Miller's comments, development needs to be carefully watched. Smith noted that the area will be well used if there is public access. One of the concerns regarding the conclusion about lack of public support for acquisition is that there is no public access at present. There is limited awareness about the resources of the area at present. Whitmer noted that the view to the west is gorgeous from the Gateway area. She doesn't want to see that change. Luthi suggested that the area not be developed at all. Instead the area should be a kept as wildlife habitat and open space. This use would set an example for other communities. It was agreed that these comments would be synthesized by the Land Use Committee into a letter of comment to the Planning and Zoning Board. The letter will be presented for Board consideration at the next meeting. Luthi commented on other aspects of the Harmony Corridor Plan. He questions the theory that mixed neighborhoods (live/work/play within a neighborhood) really produce the benefits claimed and would like to see statistics from the Planning Department. It was suggested that the Land Use Committee frame these questions for review by the Board and then direct them to the Planning and Zoning Board. Announcements Ari Michelsen has resigned from the Board. He is working in Wyoming now which makes it difficult for him to attend regular meetings. The Erosion Control Plan will be having an open house on May 4th, 5th and 8th. The Poudre River Trust is asking how they can participate in the preservation of the river. May 25th is the deadline for committees to submit agenda items. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.