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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 02/03/1988e MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD FEBRUARY 3, 1988 7:00 p.m. Board Members Present: Sheryl Barr Dave DuBois Bill Fischer Rich Fisher Board Members Absent: (excused) Suzanne Bassinger Tim Johnson Staff Present: Roger Krempel Brian Woodruff Visitors: (for various parts of the meeting) Frank Lancaster Council members present: (for part of the meeting) Susan Kirkpatrick Ari Michelsen Pat Reed Bob Sanz Deborah Shimkus Denise LaRue Bob Wilkinson Edith Felchle Rick Ensdorff Approval of Minutes The Minutes of the January 6, 1988 meeting were unanimously approved as submitted. Committee Reports Legislative Review: Fischer reported that Linda Burger will work with the board to review some pertinent bills. Education: Shimkus reported on final plans for the 2/4 symposium. She asked that board members try to serve as hosts and hostesses during the symposium if possible. Air Quality: Krempel reported that he has contacted the Chamber of Commerce relative to NRAB's air quality committee meeting with the Chamber's air quality committee. Plans for the meeting have not yet been finalized. Woodruff stated that the Chamber's air quality committee asked him to sit in on their meetings. A major focus of the Chamber's air quality committee is public education. Woodruff will continue to be involved with their air quality committee. Sensitive Areas Plan public meeting Wilkinson handed out and discussed comments from the 1/27/88 property owners meeting, saying that he felt it was a positive meeting, but he is not sure all concerns were expressed. A follow—up letter will go out to those who attended. Wilkinson also may meet individually with some property owners. Meetings are scheduled for 2/17, 2/29, and 3/3 with property owners, environmental organizations, and other interested parties. City/County Hazardous Waste Study Woodruff introduced Frank Lancaster of the Larimer County Department of Natural Resources. Lancaster handed out copies of "Hazardous Wastes from Homes" and began a discussion of the recently completed hazardous waste study. He stated that impetus for the study began four and one—half years ago with an incident of hazardous materials dumping at the landfill on a free dump day. A citizen committee was put together to look at the problem of hazardous waste and what could be done about it. The first step was to conduct a small quantity generator survey. The second was to look at household issues. Lancaster cited the 1985 household hazardous waste collection day, and the fact that about one percent of the hazardous waste in the community was collected that day. He stated that this Was not a big enough impact, based on the cost, to repeat this type of activity. The joint Fort Collins/Loveland/Larimer County study was a one—year study which began in January 1987. Lancaster stated that it wap almost impossible to determine what hazardous wastes are actually out there. He stated that study research included a look at hazardous waste disposal elsewhere, to help determine what might be done here. He stated that there is a substantial amount of hazardous waste in Larimer County. He estimated that there are 500 small quantity generators in the county, but only 40 are registered. Most of these small quantity generators are disposing of their hazardous wastes improperly. The study recommends the following: 1) a public education program, 2) a household hazardous waste management program, and 3) an inspection/ technical assistance program for small businesses. For funding, the study recommends a minimal charge ($5/load) for household hazardous waste, to offset disposal costs and encourage source reduction. The remainder of the funding would come from a 21—cent increase in landfill tipping fees. Total program costs are estimated at $127,000/year. Program costs per household are estimated at $8/year. It was asked how NRAB could help with the program. Lancaster replied that help is needed in selling the recommendations to city councils and in getting information to the public. He stated that a good hazardous waste disposal program will be good for economic development. Nortn Yront Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council Michelsen introduced Rick Ensdorff, the City's traffic administrator. Ensdorff opened by saying that the North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council became necessary because of the demise of the Council of Governments (COG). Thus, new, non COG, types of organizations were looked at. The entities involved are Greeley, Loveland, Fort Collins, Evans, LeSalle, Garden City, and Larimer County. Loveland and Fort Collins are required to have such an organization. Weld County chose not to participate. Ensdorff stated that the new planning council has not met yet. fie stated that staff has been trying to figure out the logistics that will be required if air quality is to be part of the planning council. The transportation part is easy, he said, but air quality is different. The State has indicated a desire for a broad scope in the air quality part. The structure would have a citizen advisory council which would advise the planning council. They have been processing the MPO and the lead planning agency at the same time. There has been lack of closure on the air quality part; they have not reached the point of feeling comfortable with what they want to do. Larimer County hasn't reached an answer on the air quality advisory council yet. Documents should get to the Governor soon to implement the MPO and thus get the federal money. Thus the processes are being separated, to get the MPO processed. They will continue to work on the lead agency for air quality. The first meeting of the planning council will be next Thursday night (2/11). Ensdorff was asked who is doing the work that is currently being done. He replied that the.. City, mainly he himself, is doing most of the work, while working with other entities. Ensdorff stated that funds that will be available to the planning council are the funds previously assigned to COG. He stated that Greeley and Fort Collins will have separate air quality advisory committees. There is no money for the air quality advisory element. The money must be spent on transportation related things. By the end of February they want to have the MPO process to the Governor, and want MPO designation by the end of March or first of April. During that time, they will move ahead with the air quality structure. He stated that Larimer County doesn't want anything to keep the MPO from working smoothly. "We assured them it would not," Ensdorff stated. They will then ask the State to officially designate the air quality group as an official organization. There is an outside chance that there could be problems with the MPO because the lead agency has not been completely determined yet. Ensdorff continued by identifying the concept as an advisory council that would be a broad based advisory panel, selected by the North Front Range Planning Council, that would review the unified work program for the MPO to see how it impacts air quality, and other air quality issues ,if they arise. Just how broad based the air quality advisory committee can be is under discussion. He stated that the MPO processes are mandated to deal with transportation and not other air quality issues. The federal money is for transportation planning as it relates to air quality issues, and no other air quality issues. He said they want to look at structure, and then at the details of funding. Ensdorff was asked what Larimer County's hang—up is. He replied that it is fear that the process would bog down the MPO element. He stated that review of the unified work program would probably be a key issue. The air quality group would review the work program each year. The SIP would also have to be packaged to go through the advisory committee. He stated that the planning council is a decision —making body. Two technical advisory committees are under that. They will work to produce transportation plans, studies, etc. and then they will be approved by the planning council. The air quality advisory body would review products of the advisory committees and advise the planning council; just how, however, is unclear. It was stated that the Fort Collins City Council does not want multiple agencies advising them on air quality. NRAB would probably be on the air quality advisory committee. Fort Collins and Loveland have decided that this would work. Larimer County has not responded. Fisher suggested that it might simplify things to insert the air quality council between the other two groups and the air quality and transportation people would work together to advise the planning council. Ensdorff replied that they have presented alternatives to Larimer County. The planning council is put together to do transportation planning, nothing else. "Transportation is our main focus," stated Ensdorff. Michelsen stated that he wanted to be sure NRAB and DNR are involved in discussions regarding the air quality advisory council issue. Ensdorff replied, "We will keep you advised." Krempel suggested Ensdorff come to the March NRAB meeting to report on the progress of the planning council. Ensdorff said that he was not aware that the Fort Collins City Council had designated a representative to the planning council. New water quality organization Because of the time, this matter was tabled. Announcements Felchle announced that the date on the committee structure recently mailed out to the board should be January 1988, instead of August 1987. Krempel announced a mitigation banking seminar to be held in Denver 2/23. The seminar is free. DNR will advise NRAB when we have more information. Wilkinson announced a seminar on 2/5 and 2/6 regarding landscaping with native plants and wildflowers. It was announced that a notice from the Corps of Engineers is being reviewed, also a notice regarding materials used as fill in waters of the United States. It was requested that copies be sent to Sanz, Michelsen, and Bassinger. Michelsen asked Kirkpatrick for Council's comments on NRAB goals. She stated that the Council boards and commissions subcommittee has reviewed NRAB and its goals. Response will be forthcoming. She stated that Council will be working to better integrate NRAB goals with Council goals, and that NRAB goals need to be more clearly linked with economic opportunity issues. Michelsen thanked Kirkpatrick for her feedback and advice. The meeting adjourned at 9:30.