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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 10/05/1988• 0 i MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD OCTOBER 5, 1988 Board Members Present: Sheryl Barr Charles Davis Dave DuBois Rich Fisher Board Members Absent: (excused) Suzanne Bassinger Tim Johnson Staff Present: Brian Woodruff Bob Wilkinson Denise LaRue Ari Michelsen Pat Reed Susan Whitmer Bob Sanz Edith Felchle Wendy Williams (Water Staff) Minutes Minutes of the September 1988 Natural Resources Advisory Board meeting were unanimously approved'as submitted. Committee Reports Land Use: Michelsen reported that the Planning and Zoning Board unanimously adopted the resolution authorizing appropriate action relative to protection of wetlands and wildlife habitats. An informational presentation will be made to Council at its 10/11 work session. Michelsen, Reed,Sanz, and Bassinger plan to attend the work session. It appears that no additional NRAB representation is needed. It was asked whether some of the Ford Foundation grant money received by the Planning Department would be available for protection areas. Woodruff stated that the plan for use of that money called for natural resources criteria to be clarified. General: Michelsen reminded the board that all committees should designate chairs by the November meeting. Better Air Campaign Felchle reported that a Better Air Campaign kick—off press conference will be held in Denver on November 1 for the purpose of raising awareness of the fact that air quality is a Front Range problem, not just a Denver problem. Speakers at the press conference will include Governor Romer, Senators Armstrong and Wirth, mayors of Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Greeley, and Assistant Mayor Winokur from Fort Collins. Each city will present to the Governor a proclamation of support for the Better Air Campaign. Fort Collins will also advise that many residents have filled out forms committing to doing their part during the campaign. NRAB members were asked to turn in their commitment forms if they had not already done so. There will also be a local kick—off press conference, details of which have not yet been worked out. Transportation to the Denver press conference will be via TRANSPORT. NRAB members are invited to attend and 9 V should advise Felchle as soon as possible if they will be going. Felchle stated that the new temporary rideshare coordinator, Gina Janett, was unable to be at this NRAB meeting because of illness. Felchle briefly described current activities relative to ridesharing, saying that most people think of carpooling if they work in Denver or some other city, but the current campaign is to make people think about carpooling within Fort Collins. Felchle then introduced Miriam Cook, the Better Air Campaign education coordinator. Cook outlined her duties, saying that she is involved with media outreach, advertising, and school outreach. The goal for the local '88—'89 campaign is to increase awareness and participation in the Better Air Campaign and to help people realize that the air quality problem is a Front Range problem, not just a Denver problem. The theme for the '88—'89 campaign is: Better Air, What Are YOU Doing? Cook stated that she is planning activities to keep people aware of the campaign throughout the entire three months, not just at the beginning of the campaign. She highlighted examples of campaign events: Car Care Day on October 26 and competition between high schools. She also advised that there is cooperation from the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce. She said that a speakers' bureau is being established for the campaign, and NRAB members were encouraged to volunteer as speakers. Assessments of effectiveness are planned both before and after the campaign. It was asked why the Better Air Campaign runs November through January, but the oxy fuels program goes through February. Woodruff said he thinks the oxy fuels program has changed to run concurrent with the Better Air Campaign. Woodruff provided additional rideshare information stating that people usually think of ridesharing as between cities but we want to encourage ridesharing within Fort Collins. Through TRANSFORT, $42,000 per year will be put into ridesharing beginning 1/1/89. The program that Gina Janett is designing will become the permanent program that will utilize that funding. Regarding high pollution days during the campaign, it was suggested that if a high pollution day is called but does not materialize, the public be commended by feedback suggesting that their efforts may have kept the carbon monoxide levels from rising to the violation level. Review of Natural Resources work program Woodruff handed out a work program summary and a budget summary. He explained that the work program is now somewhat in retrospect for 1988, and it will be revised in the next few months for the 1989 program. He explained that 26% of Natural Resources work is in continuing responsibilities. It was asked why there appear to be more person week equivalents than actually exist. Woodruff explained that this is because projects are on the list that need to be done, but manpower to do them does not exist. Natural Resources Division Budget Woodruff said that Council approved a Natural Resources budget of $232,000 with 4.5 employees. This means that an additional 1/2 time person I can be hired to replace Roger, or the division may ask the City Manager to increase the number of employees in 1989, using the money from Roger's salary. It was explained that the Environmental Information Source Book identified in the work program would contain general information regarding natural resources. The intent is to give project designers and engineers needed information up front. Woodruff highlighted the major projects for 1989. He said the SIP will be going into high gear in a few months and can probably be completed in a short time. It was asked if anything has happened on NFRT/AQPC. Woodruff advised that nothing has happened , but a meeting is planned for this week. It was asked if the $232,000 in the budget includes recycling or the Better Air Campaign. It does not, but Council approved $30,000 for recycling (in addition to the Natural Resources budget). Better Air Campaign money is not in the budget. It needs State funds. Woodruff stated that if the campaign could be run through a consortium similar to Boulder County's, a more solid funding base for the Better Air Campaign would exist. It was asked what the Fort Collins Better Air Campaign per capita spending is compared to Denver. The answer to that was not known. It was asked what the long term plan is for Roger's position. Woodruff stated that a plan needs to be developed. It was asked what the 4800 personal contacts mentioned in the budget was comprised of. Woodruff stated that this includes such things as phone calls, speech/presentation contacts, etc. Recycling update Woodruff reported that Council approved $30,000 to continue the program but not in its present form. Curbside recycling operated by the City will end at end of 1988. The City will promote private sector recycling and will expand school participation. The $30,000 that Council approved is contingent on staff preparing a program of how the money is to be used and presenting that program to Council for approval. It was stated that there should be a media event to explain the recycling decision so the public does not think there is no longer any possibility of curbside recycling. Relative to the budget, it was asked whether the change in cost per resident includes inflation. If not, has the number of people increased, or are we providing fewer services? The answer to this was not known. Relative to the Natural Resources work program, it was asked whether other groups have a short fall in projects needed but unable to do because of manpower shortages. Woodruff replied that it varies a lot among divisions of the Development Services group. I Michelsen introduced Wendy Williams who is attending from the Water Utility department as requested by Susan Kirkpatrick. She will be attending NRAB meetings so there will be timely communication and action on water issues between NRAB and the Water department/board. National Recreation Area Reed reported that the objective of the study is to determine feasibility and make a recommendation to City Council and then to Congress. Things that will be looked at to determine the feasibility: Do we have demand, the water, etc.? A Denver firm is the lead contractor in the study. They want broad spectrum input so the final recommendation reflects the will of the people. Several public meetings being held. The report to Congress is due October 1989. Key issues include: land owners along the river; liability of land owners; can land be condemned; trespass issues. The study ties in with local fisheries studies and other City projects. NRAB will probably become involved when draft is being prepared and is presented to Council. Council may comment on the report but cannot change it. Policies Review Woodruff asked the Board if they would like staff to prepare information regarding current City policies related to natural resources issues. The concensus was that this information would be quite helpful. Announcements Michelsen again encouraged committees to appoint chairs and take action toward goals. Woodruff announced two good air quality conferences coming up: One is put on by the Metro Air Quality Council on October 24, 25; the other is an urban air quality conference in Boulder November 15-18. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.