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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 06/01/1988i 0 MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD JUNE 1, 1988 Board Members Present: Sheryl Barr Dave DuBois Bill Fischer Board Members Absent: Suzanne Bassinger Denise LaRue Staff Present: Roger Krempel Brian Woodruff Alice Hubbard (all excused) Rich Fisher (arrived 7:30) Tim Johnson (arrived 7:20) Ari Michelsen Pat Reed Robert Sanz Bob Wilkinson Edith Felchle General Information For informational purposes only, Fischer briefed the board on the Excalibur case saying that Excalibur filed for water rights outside Walden for the purpose of diverting water to the Denver area. On June 20 it will be known if the City's Motion to Dismiss will be granted. Krempel advised the board that staff has submitted a budget request for recycling. Staff is trying to identify recycling options that would not require new fees but would accomplish the same result as the recycling program. One problem in this type of program is that there are costs within the operation (internal costs), but it is difficult to equate them to external benefits such as the saving of energy and natural resources. Natural Resources staff's new intern, Alice Hubbard, was introduced. Report on Anheuser—Busch Waste Line Spill Woodruff reported that when the waste lines were pressurized for the first time, gaskets were blown. These were repaired and no further spills are expected from these pipe lines. The spill contained organic wastes from the brewery. It was not caustic, and there was no fish kill. Keith Elmund's report on the'spill was handed out. A question was raised about the brewery's effect on the waste water treatment plant. It was stated that after the brewery's input, there is no change in waste water treatment plant output. Department Reorganization It was reported that there is no news on the reorganization of the Natural Resources division. Krempel stated that Rich Shannon was disappointed with the newspaper report of discussions at the May NRAB meeting regarding the division's reorganization. Krempel said he has received numerous phone calls and people have stopped by the office and expressed favorable comments on keeping the division as is. Boards and Commissions Report Action on this report is on hold for the time being pending Natural t • • 1 Resources division's reorganization. Kirkpatrick has been reappointed as Council liaison to NRAB for the current year. Water Availability/Two Forks Dam Fischer brought up the subject of the proposed Two Forks Dam and how it might affect Fort Collins' water supply. He said water is vital to Fort Collins' quality of life, and we may run out of water at some time. He asked if NRAB should do something similar to the Water Board's action, i.e. asking the Mayor of Fort Collins to write to the Governor in support of Two Forks. He proposed that NRAB write a letter to Council stating a stand on Two Forks. Krempel stated that he thought a letter to the Governor was drafted by the Mayor addressing Fort Collins' water concerns. The letter did not support or oppose Two Forks. NRAB's ensuing discussion included the following comments: We are not really talking about drying up Fort Collins' water supply. We are actually talking about drying up northern Colorado's water supply. The issue is actually the economic issue of agricultural water dollar value vs. domestic water dollar value. Whether or not we support Two Forks, agricultural water is still cheaper and will be sought before the more expensive Two Forks water. In the EIS and other documents, there appears to be nothing convincingly in favor of Two Forks. Fort Collins should not indicate to the Governor what other areas should do. We haven't really done an objective analysis of Two Forks. It is beyond what NRAB should be involved with. The time frame is too tight. NRAB might want to review the EIS with another City board and respond that way. The EIS does not address the impacts on the water of a place like Fort Collins. Would like to know what is happening with the letter that is reported to have been drafted, and then respond. Opposed to taking any additional action. Have Water Committee see if the drafted letter has gone out; then take appropriate action. Since some have strong feelings, it would be better for the entire board to take action (instead of just Water Committee). R. Fisher moved that the Water Committee search out whether the letter to the Governor has been signed by the Mayor and mailed. If it has, no action be taken. If it has not, NRAB's Water Committee should look at the letter and evaluate whether or not they want to make a comment on it. The motion passed unanimously. Johnson was invited to sit in on the Water Committee meeting (if there is one) since he has strong feelings on this matter. Announcements B. Fischer announced that his NRAB term expires in June and he did not reapply. He said he has enjoyed serving on the board and wishes NRAB the best of luck. Michelsen said that Bassinger has reapplied for NRAB membership, and he would like for the board to write a letter of support for her reappointment. There was unanimous agreement. R. Fisher brought up the subject of particle measurement air quality sampling, saying he would be proposing to staff that the City, the Forest Service, and CSU operate such a sampling device. He will be discussing this with Woodruff. The City would pay for analysis of the samples. The project would be part of a national network. There is nothing new on the North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council. Wilkinson announced that the City will sponsor a Bike -to -Work Day on June 22. It will be part of Bike -to -Work Week (the week of June 19). Hubbard, who is working on that program, briefed NRAB on the plans. The purpose is to get as many people as possible to bike to work on the 22nd. A survey will be distributed to major employers. Individuals who fill out the survey will be able to select from several offers, such as two -for -one meals, etc. Breakfast feeding stations will be set up on Bike -to -Work Day; volunteers are needed to work at the stations. Staff also will be talking to NRAB's Education Committee. It was announced that staff has issued an air quality report for 1987 which will be distributed soon. It was announced that Wilkinson and Council member Gerry Horak will present papers at the Urban Wetlands and Riparian Habitat conference sponsored by the Association of State Wetland Managers June 26-29. Michelsen said that some NRAB members have mentioned canceling some board meetings during the summer because of vacation schedules. He said he would like for NRAB to go ahead and meet through the summer since there are many issues to be addressed and new members will be coming onto the board. Fisher suggested a retreat which would include a discussion of goals. It was suggested that a notice go out in the next packet asking for board member-s comments. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.