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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 01/04/1989t MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD JANUARY 4, 1989 Board Members Present: Suzanne Bassinger Charles Davis Dave DuBois Rich Fisher Tim Johnson Board Members Absent: (excused) Sheryl Barr Staff Present: Brian Woodruff (Natural Resources) Bob Wilkinson (Natural Resources) Edith Felchle (Natural Resources) Council members present: Susan Kirkpatrick Denise LaRue Ari Michelsen Bob Sanz Susan Whitmer Wendy Williams (Water) Mike Smith (Water) Agenda Rearrangement Since NRAB bylaws require official action if the agenda is to deviate from that listed in the bylaws, the motion was made and seconded to allow the water treatment plant issue to be the first item of business. The motion carried unanimously. Water Treatment Plant Mike Smith from the Water Utility told about plans for Water Treatment Plant Number 1, saying that it has not been in use since September 1987. They do not want to dispose of the site and have been considering having someone manage it. It may be a good recreation opportunity, and the State Division of Parks has submitted a draft proposal to manage it. Long-range plans include rafting, handicapped fishing, small ponds for children to fish in, a nature center, and trails. The proposal is being reviewed, and in a few weeks Parks will probably be ready to present their plans. A presentation to NRAB can be arranged if desired. A 5-10 year renewable lease is being considered. In the past few years, the City renovated the dam, and built a tunnel and a new sedimentation basin. The City will continue to operate these. State Parks is working with the Division of Wildlife on its project. The area will probably be open to the public by May or June 1989. A ranger would live there full-time, and it will be a full fee park. A tour will be arranged in February for NRAB members to see the area. Basically, it will be a $1/year lease. Minutes Minutes of the November 1988 Natural Resources Advisory Board meeting were unanimously approved as submitted. Committee Reports Hazardous Materials Committee — Davis reported that the committee reviewed the underground storage tank proposals. He handed out copies of t the committee's recommendations, stating that they concur with Poudre Fire Authority's (PFA) proposal. Regarding Natural Resources Division's long-term clean-up draft proposal, the committee agrees with option 2: a City ordinance plus a clean-up capability. In addition, the committee suggests the following: (1) financial liability requirements similar to EPA's regulations in the 9/23 Federal Register, and (2) communication of the nature and magnitude of public health risk to affected citizens in the event of a major leak. Davis stated that since the State of Colorado has no UST program, strong City action may serve to put pressure on the State to enact UST legislation. Woodruff stated that he has worked with Larimer County and PFA on the long-term clean-up draft, and they substantially agree with the draft. The issue is scheduled to go to Council 2/14. There is a memorandum of understanding between the County, PFA, and the City about cooperation when a spill occurs, but it is rather vague. Woodruff suggests codification of specific steps to be taken by each entity. It was stated that proposed state regulations, if enacted as now written, would preempt City regulations, allowing that local regulations be no more stringent than State regulations. Strong pressure is being applied to make this happen. Colorado Municipal League may fight the "no more stringent" clause. PFA's program could go through anyway because it falls under the jurisdiction of fire safety. Woodruff understands Council wants to see both proposals at the same time, but he is concerned that problems associated with developing the long-term clean-up aspect may impede PFA's regulations. Kirkpatrick said that if the UST proposal is made at a regular Council meeting (not a work session), an NRAB member should make a statement during the comment time. Recycling Committee -- Bassinger handed out a staff report which updates curbside recycling, the flyer to pilot area residents, work plan for 1989 recycling activities, glass drop-off station, elementary school newspaper recycling program, and zoning ordinance modifications. Woodsmoke reductions, natural gas piping Woodruff said the issue will go to Council 2/7. NRAB can review options at its 2/1 meeting. Johnson asked that the Air Quality Committee review the material before 2/1. Woodruff gave a brief background, saying that in 1987 Council approved a woodsmoke package, but a section calling for new fireplaces being equipped with natural gas for easy conversion was not approved. It is now coming to Council again. A safety issue of considerable concern to the City's building inspector is that if piping is actually brought into the fire box of a woodburning fireplace, residents can too easily connect a gas appliance without getting a permit. The safety issue is that the permit requires specific safety actions dealing with the operation of a gas appliance. The option that will probably be recommend is to mandate that only natural gas fireplaces be allowed in new construction. Michelsen asked the Air Quality Committee to review the proposal and make a recommendation for NRAB to act on at the 2/1 meeting. Davis comments Mike Davis dropped by the meeting and wished all NRAB members a prosperous new year. He said that NRAB is a brain trust for the City. He said the board will influence not only Council but also the Planning and Zoning Board. As an example of issues in which NRAB input will be important, he said that Pace warehouse is important to the City, but we don't want it to come about at the expense of the natural environment. He said that at an upcoming meeting of Development Services board chairs, there will hopefully be a sharing of work plans so all boards will know what the other boards are looking at and know when they have areas of overlapping concern. NRAB goals/work plan After a short break, a discussion of 1989 NRAB goals was opened. Kirkpatrick said that at some point in time NRAB may want to have quarterly work plans as a way of communicating to Council. The goals of each committee were reviewed and amended to better communicate to Council what the board hopes to accomplish in 1989. Committee chairs are to get final wording to Felchle by 5:00 p.m. 1/5. Kirkpatrick said NRAB should educate Council to natural resources protection possibilities, i.e. it is possible to set local air quality visibility standards, and ask if they want NRAB to do that. NRAB should also let Council know how they feel about staff recommendations, i.e. staff may think the size of the Natural Resources staff is adequate, but if, as citizen advisors, NRAB does not agree, they should let Council know. Discussion of current Planning items Wilkinson stated that the administrative process is working in the Pace discussions. They are looking at some possible mitigation, but if used, mitigation will be monitored carefully for effectiveness. As Pace developments progress, the process activities are being watched closely as precedent for future developments of this type. Air Quality Plan This was tabled. Information will be sent out with the 2/1 agenda. Announcements Kirkpatrick said she was pleased with NRAB's goals. She encouraged anyone interested in running for Council to pick up available material for review. She announced that the Boards and Commissions appreciation event is 2/5 and encouraged everyone to attend. Michelsen announced that Pat Reed resigned in December and Sheryl Barr will resign this month. It was recommended that a letter be sent to each thanking them for their assistance. Staff is to find out if the City Clerk's office sends certificates to board members who have resigned. It was stated that the Water Department will be looking at the Halligan Reservoir Enlargement Feasibility Study report, and it was asked whether NRAB felt they wanted to review it. NRAB would like to see brief information from the report to see if there are any natural resources issues to be addressed. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.