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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 04/06/1988MINUTES (: CITY OF FORT COLLINS APR 21 1988 NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD APRIL 6, 1988 CITY Board Members Present: Suzanne Bassinger Denise LaRue Bill Fischer Ari Michelsen Rich Fisher Pat Reed Tim Johnson Board Members Absent: (excused) Sheryl Barr Bob Sanz Dave DuBois Staff Present: Roger Krempel 0 Bob Wilkinson Brian Woodruff Edith Felchle Shirley Bruns Approval of Minutes The Minutes of the March 2, 1988 meeting were unanimously approved as submitted with LaRue's clarification that her statement in the Education Committee report was made to thank Deborah Shimkus for her involvement in the February symposium. Committee Reports Recycling: Bassinger reported that the Recycling Committee met with staff to discuss the curbside recycling program. The committee plans to prepare a recommendation for NRAB's review at the 5/4/88 meeting and subsequent presentation to Council. Bruns distributed a information packet about the curbside program and provided an update on the program. She reported that 396 tons of materials have been collected during the eight months the program has been in operation. Participation is seven percent higher than projected. It was asked if a curbside program could be self—supporting if materials were collected every three months instead of weekly. Staff responded that collectors believe that volumes are greater when pick—up occurs weekly. It was cited that Longmont has monthly pick—up and participation levels are low. A guest in attendance asked why the private sector makes a profit on recycling but government cannot. Staff replied that private sector recyclers do not necessarily make a profit. The major private recycler locally never reported a profit until the curbside program began. Grocery stores provide recycling as a service. began. If energy saving dollars were included in income reports, recycling programs would probably break even, but energy saving dollars do not show up in people's pockets, thus they are perceived as non—existent. It was stressed that jobs are created by recycling programs. It was announced that public hearings regarding curbside program continuation/expansion will be held 4/14 and 4/21. Participants in the current curbside program have been surveyed regarding their opinions on continuation of the program. Results of the survey are not yet available. Sensitive Areas Plan public meetings Wilkinson briefly reviewed the public meetings that have been held thus far regarding the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Plan. He reported that people are generally in favor of the plan in concept. But there are concerns about government telling people what to do with their property. He stated that the low turnout at the meeting for the environmental community was disappointing. It was later discovered that some groups felt they knew what was going on so they didn't come to the meeting. Wilkinson stated that negative comments at the meetings have been balanced by positive remarks about the plan being plausible. He stated that staff will probably continue to implement the plan administratively within existing guidelines. He cited positive environmental plans that are beginning to show up. These are apparently a result of awareness created by the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Plan and the Benson Reservoir issue. Earth Day events at Gustav Swanson Nature Area Wilkinson reported that the Environmental Leaders Forum is sponsoring a series of activities the week of April 18, culminating April 23 with a work day at the Gustav Swanson Nature Area., They hope to have lots of people from environmental groups show up to work; the work day will end with a picnic. Mitigation Banking Wilkinson identified mitigation banking as up —front mitigation, in which creation or enhancement of a specified area creates credits against which a developer can draw when unavoidably impacting other regulated areas. He also identified some of the positive aspects of the concept. Felchle handed out information from the initial information meeting she and Wilkinson attended in Denver and reiterated the positive aspect of developer and agency working together to create a mitigation understanding up front to avoid confrontation as projects progress. She stated that she has talked to one developer who sees the up —front aspect of mitigation banking as very positive. The promoters of the concept may be invited to speak to NRAB in a few months. North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council (NRFTAQPC) Woodruff reported that the recommendation that had been requested of NRAB at the March meeting now appears to be premature. At the NFRTAQPC meeting, it was agreed to rough out a structure for the planning council. Only transportation issues would be addressed in the initial agreement. Woodruff stated that Council Member Horak feels this is the only way it can work politically right now. As the NFRTAQPC gains success, other aspects may be added. It was asked why a more generic approach which could include other things was not being taken. The reply was that the committee felt the group should be explicit about what would be done. Woodruff is preparing the document that ultimately will go to the Governor's office. The document will be reviewed internally; NRAB's Air Quality committee will be among the reviewers. The draft will probably be finished by April 8. Other air quality issues will be handled just as they are now. Johnson and Fisher reported that they had met with Raju Jairam of the Chamber of Commerce Air Quality Committee regarding that committee's objectives, and that many of the objectives of the Chamber's Air quality committee were similar to the objectives of NRAB's Air Quality committee. Johnson and Fisher attended the 4/6 meeting of the Chamber's Air Quality Committee, and a member of NRAB's Air Quality committee will probably attend all meetings of the Chamber's Air Quality Committee. The Chamber has suggested that they may sponsor a survey to see how to reduce traffic when it contributes most to the CO problem in Fort Collins. It was stated that there is a very positive line of communication now open between the City and the Chamber on the subject of air quality. Woodruff stated that he has asked the Chamber if they want to become partners with the City in the Better Air Campaign. There is the possibility that they may help with the Better Air Campaign advertising budget next year. Council Boards and Commissions Subcommittee recommendations The board discussed content for their reply to Council regarding the Council subcommittee's recommendations concerning NRAB. The following suggestions were made: What does goals clarification statement mean Original NRAB goals included working with other boards and commissions Invite Council subcommittee to an NRAB meeting to clarify expectations At the Council meeting, NRAB speaker can enlighten Council on positive outcomes of NRAB actions Other boards should also consult with NRAB Restate NRAB goal #1 Make the response positive Conflict isn't always counter productive Would like clarification of goals soon May want to limit response letter to the recommendation itself It was requested that Felchle review all NRAB Minutes to determine instances of overlapping concerns and consultation with other boards. There was some discussion as to whether or not Council was asking for a consensus whenever NRAB was involved in a matter of overlapping concern with other boards or if Council was just wanting to make sure NRAB consulted with other boards before making a determination. Announcements Michelsen announced Deborah Shimkus' resignation, stating that she has accepted a job in Idaho. Felchle announced that a copy of the "Fort Collins Community Opinion Survey" is available for NRAB review. Copies of Colleen A'Hearn's report on the interviews regarding the upcoming possible relocation of the Natural Resources division were distributed. Krempel announced that the Corps of Engineers' Joint Notice of Permits Pending and Notice of Public Hearings and the Metro Denver Water Supply Final EIS (Two Forks) were available for review. It was suggested that a letter be written to Deborah Shimkus thanking her for her contributions to NRAB. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.