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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 11/02/1988t y MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD NOVEMBER 2, 1988 Board Members Present: Sheryl Barr Denise LaRue Suzanne Bassinger Ari Michelsen Charles Davis Pat Reed Dave DuBois Susan Whitmer Tim Johnson Board Members Absent: (excused) Rich Fisher Bob Sanz Staff Present: Brian Woodruff Edith Felchle Bob Wilkinson Agenda Rearrangement Since NRAB bylaws require official action for the agenda to be in any order other than that listed in the bylaws, the motion was made and seconded to allow the underground storage tank presentation to be the first item of business and Wilkinson's update on the wetlands/wildlife habitat plan to be the second item of business. The motion passed unanimously. Underground Storage Tank Program Woodruff identified the following aspects of underground storage tank issues: 1) New tank standards, 2) Leak detection standards, 3) Leak response and short—term cleanup (fire/safety issues), and 4) Long—term clean—up (health/environment issues). He then introduced Bob Poncelow of the Poudre Fire Authority. Poncelow stated that the Poudre Fire Authority is legislated to deal with the first three issues that Woodruff identified. The Authority is recommending that the City or the State undertake the fourth issue. Poncelow then presented a slide show about the Fire Authority's proposed program, including the following information. Fort Collins has had many major underground storage tank leaks. Fort Collins probably has had no more leaks than other cities, we are just more aware of them. Colorado is one of the few states that has no state—wide underground storage tank law. Cleanup of a leak is expensive, thus early detection and action are important to keep costs down. Above —ground storage tanks are not generally considered to be the answer to the problems of underground tanks because above ground tanks present a high fire danger. There are five main problems involved in dealing with underground storage tanks: 1) Fire safety, 2) The environment, 3) Health hazards, 4) Clean up, and 5) Loss of public confidence (when the Fire Authority is powerless to solve a leak problem. Proposed solutions to the problems include improving contractor licensing, improving monitoring of tank removal, locating and evaluating all abandoned tanks, certifying disposal of used tanks, improving W installation quality, secondary containment, education, improving inspector qualifications, certifying and approving tank testers and methods, leak detection, and active hazard mitigation. The issues that come into play when considering solutions are cost, proper government level to deal with the problem, technology, clean—up complications, orphaned tanks, and a program that is considered by some to be less comprehensive than desired. "It comes down to dollars against risk," Poncelow said. One of the major problems with leaking underground storage tanks is the lack of knowledge about the level of contamination. Currently there are no state, local, or Federal laws requiring the owner of a leaking underground storage tank to determine the extent of the leak. The proposed regulations include a provision to require that a resource impact assessment be completed within a specified time. NRAB members raised several questions regarding financial responsibility for clean—up. Poncelow said this is supposedly being addressed by EPA. On December 13 the Poudre Fire Authority board will meet and is expected to make a recommendation regarding adoption of the Authority's proposed plan. That recommendation will probably go to City Council by February 1989. NRAB members asked how they can be involved in supporting the plan. Poncelow said he can come back to NRAB with concrete information about the proposed plan after the Fire Authority board has made a formal recommendation. NRAB can then evaluate the plan and, if they support it, write a letter of recommendation to Council. Update on Wetlands/Wildlife Habitat Plan Wilkinson stated that after Council reviewed the wetlands/wildlife habitat plan, it gave the go ahead to review existing regulations to see how the maps and criteria fit in and to see what changes need to be made. Since the National Recreation Area study is dealing with some of the same property, and is currently going to the public for input, staff is concerned about confusing property owners if they are approached about two different functions. Therefore, staff plans to wait about six months to get public input on possible regulation changes needed for implementation of the wetlands/wildlife habitat plan. Staff will in the meantime review existing regulations to identify needed changes. Wilkinson handed out copies of a related article dealing with EPA enforcement of wetland legislation. Continuation of Underground Storage Tank Discussion The board reconvened after a short break and Woodruff presented City considerations for the issue of long—term clean—up of underground storage tank leaks. He identified four considerations: 1) use of State Health Department procedures to require site assessment and negotiation of final clean—up plan, 2) use of home rule power, 3) requirement by the City Manager for risk assessment and mitigation plan, and 4) need for a sunset clause. He said that risk assessment needs to consider horizontal extent of the plume, geology and hydrology, contaminant concentration, estimate of volume released, identification of possible sources, identification of j y migration pathways, identification of possible receptors, discussion of need for risk reduction, and proposal for risk reduction and monitoring plans. The City Manager has raised questions such as: "Where are we going to get the needed manpower?" "What if there is contention?" "What are the costs to the City?" Woodruff stated that the leak at South College and Swallow is a good example of what may happen if the City does nothing more on underground storage tank long—term clean up requirements. Damages and City costs can increase substantially if no action is taken. In response to one of the City Manager's questions, it was stated that in addition to increasing damages, the costs to the City could be great if the City were found to be liable. The Hazardous Materials Committee will work with Woodruff on putting together answers to the City Manager's questions. Minutes Minutes of the October 1988 Natural Resources Advisory Board meeting were unanimously approved as submitted. Committee Reports Chairs were identified for Legislative Review Land Use Education/Information Water Hazardous Materials Recycling/Solid Waste Air Quality each committee as follows: -- Davis Sanz -- Johnson — DuBois — Davis — Bassinger — (will meet soon to determine chair) It was suggested that the NRAB goals review process be moved to a calendar year basis. Each committee was asked to review their goals, revise the goals if desired and take appropriate action to pursue the goals. Better Air Campaign Felchle reported on the Better Air Campaign kick—off events of November 1. NRAB members Davis and DuBois, City Manager Steve Burkett, Assistant Mayor Bob Winokur, Transfort Manager Ken Sylvester, and Natural Resources staff members Woodruff, Janett, and Felchle went to the Front Range press conference in Denver at which Winokur, Governor Romer, and other Front Range dignitaries spoke. Felchle stated that this visual show of support from Fort Collins was important in the on —going need for Fort Collins to be recognized at the State level as a viable entity to be dealt with. There was also a local press conference and a three—hour remote broadcast on KIMN from TRANSFORT buses to kick off the Better Air Campaign. Felchle outlined the advertising program for the '88—'89 campaign, saying that it is heavy on radio and that the amount of newspaper advertising will depend on the support received from the Chamber of Commerce. North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council Woodruff reported that he had met with Rick Ensdorff and Eric Bracke. They have now looked at the documents drafted last spring. Woodruff advised them that other jurisdictions and NRAB must be involved in planning and decision making. Everyone has agreed that there was confusion regarding what everyone thought a lead planning agency was. Woodruff said there should be reevaluation as to where we want to go with the lead planning agency. They agreed that the Governor's office should be asked what his interests are in this matter. The problem, as Woodruff sees it, is that planning council people want to be the lead planning agency but do not understand what a lead planning agency should do. There will be a meeting on 11/10 at 1:30 in the transportation planning office regarding this issue. NRAB members are welcome to attend. Recycling Program Update Woodruff said that staff wants to have a work program and a budget (for use of the money allocated by Council) by the third week of November. The NRAB Recycling Committee will meet on this issue next week. Shirley Bruns wants to communicate with people in the recycling area about what happens at the end of the program. She has prepared a draft of a newspaper format flyer to use as a communication tool. Copies of the draft were handed out. Bruns is currently trying to expand the school program to include all Poudre R-1 schools. National Recreation Area Reed reported that the second public meeting was held 10/25 to present to the public the maps of what the consultant thought was important to consider. The purpose of the meeting was to get public comments, including suggestions for additions, deletions, etc. The meeting, however, degenerated into a session to educate the audience of what the NRA study is all about. The next public meeting will be on 11/14 at the Fort Collins Public Library. New Business Johnson said he thought the NRAB Land Use Committee might want to look at what is being planned for the old water treatment plant. He understands that a plan has been developed and thought NRAB might want to review it. Water department staff will be contacted to see if a presentation to NRAB is appropriate. The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.