HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 06/03/1992• MINUTES •
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
281 N COLLEGE AVE - CONFERENCE ROOM
JUNE 3, 1992
For Reference: Will Smith, NRAB Chair - 221-0425
Cathy Fromme, Council liaison - 223-9360
Tom Shoemaker, Staff liaison - 221-6263
Board Members Present
Will Smith, Bill Miller, Steve Erthal (left at 8:30), Hal Swope, Tim
Johnson, Deni LaRue, Phil Friedman (arrived 7:30 - excused)
Board Members Absent
Chuck Davis (unexcused)
Staff Present
Tom Shoemaker, Julie Bothwell, Edith Felchle, Diane Jones, Claudia Haack -
Benedict, Joe Frank
Guest Present
Terry Whitaker, applicant for appointment to the Board
Bob Blinderman, Stewart Environmental Consultants
Introduction of Guests
There were brief introductions of members and guests.
minutes
It was moved, seconded, and unanimously approved that the Minutes of
the May 6, 1992 NRAB meeting be accepted as written.
Now Business
Cost of Development
Diane Jones, Deputy City Manager and Claudia Haack -Benedict,
Management Analyst, were present to review the Statement of Purpose and
work plan for the Cost of Development project.
Haack -Benedict reviewed the information that was mailed to the Board.
She asked the Board to give some feedback on the Statement of Purpose.
Jones added they would like to know if it frames the importance of the
issues of the project.
Swope said he thought the project should consider public education
function and look at what it costs citizens to have the number of people
brought in, to educate the young people. Related to that, what is the cost
of fire protection, police protection, hospitals, library; all have gone up
because of growth. Jones asked Swope if his expectation of the purpose of
the project was to address those kinds of costs that were driven or would
drive growth in the community. Swope said yes.
Johnson asked if there was an intent to do that. He explained that
one could read, "What is the cost of development," expansively. He said
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that the primary cost and ,econdary cost could be in(-�uded. It is not
clear. He feels that the statement should identify when and if primary and
secondary cost will be identified. He said primary costs would be
infrastructure: building the sewer lines, the electric lines, streets.
Secondary cost would be the police, fire, library, school.
Erthal said the increase in growth and development in the community
has increased the need to set aside areas for sanctuaries, wildlife
habitat, preserving wetlands. He would like to see a certain amount of
fees paid by developers to go into a fund for open space and wetlands.
Miller said that as the City gets larger, so do the levels of
bureaucracy. So as the City infrastructure gets larger, you are going to
find more and more people on the top end doing the management and not
actually performing the services for which the tax dollars go, but this
requires an increase in tax revenue. Jones replied they do have to be
conscious about that, but just because that was the trend in the past does
not mean that should be the trend in the future. Jones said that as growth
occurs, whether it is driven by internal growth or external growth in terms
of people moving in or children growing up and staying in the community,
there are points where you need more services. But that always has to be
balanced by what a community wants; either the range of services or the mix
of services, and it is not just a straight incremental growth.
Smith stated that he would like to make sure "develops" and "grows"
are not being used synonymously.
LaRue is concerned with social services; more people means more social
services are needed in terms of quality of life. Miller added that by
becoming a larger city with more opportunities we also may become a target
city for those on welfare to take advantage of the social services that are
provided.
Jones said the direction from Council was to build a foundation, look
at the cost of development first, througha cost of service study. She
said Council also wants other elements associated with development looked
at, such as some elements that are more difficult to quantify. That is
where they are heading with this process. They are working on outreach and
looking at what other communities have considered. But it also has to
balance with what people in this community think is important. They will
be defining and redefining as they go.
In reference to Swope's question, Jones said they are not sure if they
will be looking at education costs. Some of this can become so broad that
it becomes difficult to figure out what the elements are.
Smith said when the average person looks at their cost of living in
the city, the cost associated with schools is considered part of the city
cost. So he thinks it would be remiss not to extend the boundaries to
include essentially what is considered the school district.
Smith said the Natural Resources Division has already done a fairly
comprehensive document looking at a number of the policies and it would be
nice to see the Framework for Environmental Management incorporated into
parts of this.
Smith said, relative to the Goals and objectives the terminology,
"discourage", "encourage", "promote" , etc., the fee policies, the LDGS,
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and all of those are Ssed to encourage aoorooria(be growth. but in innkina
at the cost of growth, he wondered if it also would tell how well some of
those policies do or don't work. He asked if`the'policy structure and the
fee structure associated with that are encouraging community oriented, as
opposed to a suburb -oriented, development. Jones replied that goals are
broad statements about what is hoped to be achieved. She said they do not
want to mislead by saying this study will be able to do it all; it cannot.
This is the foundation project.
Haack -Benedict stated that a comprehensive analysis of all policies
that exist within the City framework cannot be done within this project.
What they can look at are those policies that have a fee related to them.
They can see how they interrelate, and that would give a good idea of where
to look next. If you look at affordable housing, for example, you can see
there are a couple of policies that promote affordable housing, but might
have a fee structure that does not promote that at all.
Smith asked how Jones
how people can check in on
she is the best contact for
closely with the media and
Old Business
and Haack -Benedict felt about the timeline and
the status periodically. Haack -Benedict replied
that. Jones said she would like to work
press to keep the public informed.
Prospect Streetscape Recommendations
Joe Frank of the Planning Department was present to discuss the
Prospect Streetscape project. Smith distributed a draft letter about
NRAB's opinions regarding the Prospect Road Streetscape Program for the
Board's review.
Johnson suggested "especially trails for wheels separated from walking
trails" be added to paragraph four.
Smith said the letter also should include the "ISTEA" (Intermodal
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act) funds, as discussed at the May 20
worksession.
Johnson moved and Miller seconded that the letter be approved with
changes and the addition of "ISTEA" funds.
LaRue commented on the pole structure in regard to lighting; instead
of placing poles on the outside of the road, place them in the center.
Erthal said that he does not feel that a four lane highway is needed.
Smith was concerned about inequity of funding for the redesign of
portions of Shields, in terms of commuter ways, as opposed to the Prospect
Project, and would like to see.this issue addressed.
Johnson restated his motion that the Board accept the letter with the
"ISTEA" inclusion and the addition of the separation of the wheeled from
non -vehicle traffic. Miller seconded with grammatical changes.
Friedman said the statement in the second paragraph, fifth sentence,
"The whole area as it stands is an important wildlife (both botanical and
biological) region", was unclear.
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LaRue stated she woum like to make sure that the guard rail in regard
to lighting be included.
Erthal again asked if a four lane highway was needed. Frank said that
looking at the traffic volume was not part of the study. It would be
appropriate to include it in the development of The Master Street Plan.
The motion was passed unanimously. Erthal abstained because he had
not been present for the presentation at the worksession.
Proposed Methods for Evaluating Recycling Proaram
Smith distributed a memo from Shoemaker and Shirley Bruns, recycling
coordinator, regarding the recycling program evaluation.
Shoemaker reviewed the memo with'the Board. He suggested that the
Board review the memo more in detail and then discuss it at a Recycling
Committee meeting/worksession on June 17.
The memo gives an overview of how staff is approaching the recycling
program evaluation. Shoemaker stated that they are particularly interested
in comments and feedback on Attachment D, which is a draft survey
instrument for a telephone survey regarding recycling and solid waste
issues. He said they are reviewing it with the Board and other staff and
also with Frazier Advertising.
Shoemaker said the general scope of the evaluation is to find out how
the Citywide residential recycling program is doing. This is a Council
Policy Agenda item. He said there are six components of the evaluation; 1)
how is residential recycling structured, 2) how effective are recycling
programs, 3) how is the Curbside Collection Ordinance working, 4) how is
the City's promotion program working, 5) how does Fort Collins compare with
other cities, and 6) how can residential recycling be improved.
Shoemaker said staff is collecting new data for this; sources include
a semiannual report from waste haulers that has already been mailed, a
survey of recycling drop-off centers which has also been mailed, and the
telephone survey. He said they will also be using incidental data sources,
i.e., complaints that have been received, and literature to compare our
program to other programs.
Shoemaker said that he would like comments from the Board on the
approach and specific comments on the survey instruments by June 17. Staff
will be working to get all survey work completed by the end of July. A
report will be ready for the Board's review and recommendation in early
September and presented to Council in late September.
LaRue felt the memo was comprehensive. She commented that on section
2.2 there was no mention of centers in which citizens have to pay the
center to take the recyclables.
Miller said he would be interested in finding out how many people are
taking recyclables to a buy back or drop off center, but are not collecting
the money.
Smith referred this item to the recycling committee for further
discussion.
NRAB By-laws Revisions
Felchle had some corrections to the proposed by-laws that were
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included in the mailoo: 1) Page two, article t1tee, section two, "The
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board shall elect in August or September from its membership a chair and a
vice -chair each elected for a term of one year." 2) Page three, article
five, section five, the time of the work sessions has been taken out. 3)
Page four, article six, section B, relative to the absentee policy should
read, "If a member is absent from more than 25 percent of the regularly
scheduled meetings during any calendar year, whether or not the absences
are excused, the Chair will discuss the absences with that member and after
the discussion, if the attendance problem cannot be resolved, the Chair may
notify Council of that member's absences and ask that Council remove that
member from the Board and fill the resulting vacancy."
Felchle said she would not discuss every change in the proposed bylaws
that Board members had received. She asked if Board members had comments
or questions about any part of the proposed bylaw changes.
Miller asked if page three, article five, section four, absolutely
locked the Board into having meetings, regular or special, on Wednesdays.
Smith answered only regular meetings. Felchle added that is how it is
identified now. He also questioned the wording on article three, section
two: "A secretary shall be provided by the Natural Resources Division;" in
relation to page four, article seven, section three, "duties of the
Secretary". He questioned this inclusion because the secretary is not an
officer. The title of Article VII will be changed to "Duties of Officers
and Staff Secretary."
The By-laws as presented and changed, will be voted on at the July 1
meeting.
Recommendations Regarding Water Treatment Plant # 1
Smith distributed a letter that he drafted regarding NRAB hosting a
meeting of all interested parties to discuss the conversion of Water
Filtration Plant #1.
LaRue suggested bulleting the items in paragraph three so it would not
look crowded. Johnson suggested that items in paragraph two also be
bulleted.
Johnson suggested that the fourth sentence in paragraph three be moved
to the first paragraph and be written: "The goal is to look at
opportunities for converting that facility from non-use to public use."
Friedman stated that in the first paragraph, last sentence, the word
"collate" would be confusing. He also said the second paragraph, third
sentence could be combined with the fourth sentence by adding "however."
The third paragraph, first sentence should read, "The Natural Resource
Advisory Board is hosting a meeting of all interested parties."
Johnson recommended the last sentence of the first paragraph read, "We
want to learn the interests and visions of various groups, organizations,
and agencies."
LaRue suggested writing a sentence at the beginning of the letter that
would read, "If you are interested in a City owned canyon park read on."
It was decided the meeting and tour will be August 29. Lunch will not
be provided. Smith said a lot more detail needs to be worked out before
paragraph four becomes final.
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Smith deferred further discussion of the details --to the worksession on
June 17.
Committee Reports (Unscheduled)
Smith distributed an article, "Where Student Parking Has a Price,"
from Tom Peterson, City of Fort Collins, planning director.
Smith said that Davis' term to serve on the Board has expired and he
is not reapplying. Smith will write a letter to Davis and let the Board
sign it. Ferguson resigned from the Board earlier. A letter will be sent
to her also.
Announcements
Friedman announced May 15, that the Water Court granted the City a
right for instream flow whereby recreational uses are valid use of water.
Miller discussed the Great Outdoors Colorado Initiative. It is an
effort to find alternative methods of funding for public agencies and also
to restore what was perceived to be the original intent of the state
lottery monies that got siphoned off from the general fund. It is now
alive. The Colorado Heritage Foundation was formed to administer monies
that the Division of Wildlife receives as gifts, but cannot accept. There
are citizen initiatives to get this on the ballot, and if anyone is
interested Miller has the information. The proposed allocations of all
monies that would be received through the lottery would be 25% matching
funds for local parks and open space; 25% statewide open space acquisition;
25% toward nongame and endangered wildlife; and 25% to state parks.
Smith cautioned that the Board can speak of things for informational
purposes, but cannot do anything for advocacy for outside political groups.
Shoemaker stated that if the Board did want to pursue it, communication
and/or recommendation to the Council Legislative Committee would be the
appropriate way to handle it.
Miller commented that this was just for information.
Friedman announced that on June 6 and 7 Volunteers for Outdoor
Colorado will be building a trail to Horsetooth Falls. If anyone would
like to volunteer to help, meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Horsetooth trail, just
past Horsetooth Reservoir.
Felchle announced she has extra copies of the Environmental News,
Summer edition, if anyone needs some to distribute.
Smith announced that Brian Woodruff is working on a joint meeting/ice
cream gathering between AQTF, Transportation Board, and NRAB to discuss
issues to resolve areas of responsibility between the Boards. At the
present the date is set for June 29.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
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