HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 03/04/1992((0)) • MINUTES •
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
281 N. COLLEGE AVE. - CONFERENCE ROOM
MARCH 4, 1202
For Reference: Will Smith, NRAB Chair - 223-0425
Cathy Fromme, Council liaison - 223-9360
Tom Shoemaker, Staff liaison - 221-6600
Board Members Present
Tim Johnson, Will Smith, Hal Swope, Chuck Davis (left at 9:45 p.m.), Bill
Miller, Phil Friedman, Steve Erthal, Deni LaRue
Board Members Absent (excused)
Christine Ferguson
Staff Present
Tom Shoemaker, Julie Bothwell, Edith Felchle, Paul Eckman, (City Attorney's
Office) Rob Wilkinson, Jan Meisel and Joe Frank (Planning Department)
Guests Present
Marian Block, Nancy Moir (Both from the League of Women Voters)
Introduction of Guests
There were brief introductions of members and guests.
There was one change to the Minutes of the February 11, 1992 NRAB
meeting: The date of the meeting should be February 11. Minutes were
unanimously approved; LaRue and Erthal abstained because they were not at
the meeting.
The following changes were made to the Minutes of the January 15, 1992
NRAB meeting: Friedman's absence was excused. Page 2, last paragraph,
sentence 6 should read, "The Stormwater Utility is proposing a policy so
that the State and permittees will know what the City is going to require
under the general permit." Minutes were unanimously approved with Friedman
abstaining.
The following changes were made to the Minutes of the February 5, 1992
NRAB: page 5, paragraph 4, line 6 should read, "As part of the retreat the
Board wants to hear from some Councilmembers about how they are perceived
and how they can be more effective, and let Councilmembers decide how that
will happen." Minutes were unanimously approved with LaRue abstaining.
Old Business
Ethics Review Board Opinion
Smith said that at the February 5 NRAB meeting, some Boardmembers, who
participate in other citizen groups, asked where they should draw the line
of personal interest and participation in certain discussions of the NRAB.
Paul Eckman of the City Attorney's Office was present to discuss this
issue. Eckman stated that the law is fairly clear that it is not an
ethical problem for members to appear in front of their board as long as
they are not appearing i. an official capacity. The.Athics Opinion stated
that it was acceptable to appear on behalf of yourself as an individual,
but not as a representative for some other organization.
Eckman said another ethics opinion stated that a Boardmember could
represent and participate in decisions pertaining to an organization of
which the Boardmember was a member, if the Boardmember was a member of that
organization in "the line of duty." For example, sometimes Mayor
Kirkpatrick, as member of the Platte River Power Authority Board, can still
vote on Platte River Power Authority issues that are before the Council.
The three deciding factors were: 1. The nature of the organization and
whether it serves a bonafide public purpose. 2. If the reason for the
Boardmember's involvement was to benefit the Boardmember, that would be a
negative factor. 3. Whether the organization is competing with other
organizations for City support; If not, the Boardmember was not serving for
personal gain, and if the organization serves a bonafide public purpose,
there is no conflict at all.
Smith asked if, for example, as a member of Choice City Cycle
Coalition (C4), because of his personal interest in bicycle advocacy he
would have a conflict of interest when there is Board discussion of issues
related to transportation. Eckman answered that this does not seem a "line
of duty" kind of membership. Even though he has a public interest, Smith
was not appointed to C4 by the City. Although in this ethics opinion the
ethics review board believes that the same line of reasoning holds true
even when no formal Council appointment has occurred but the activities of
an individual Boardmember can legitimately be viewed as furthering the
public interest. He added that if Smith could prevail in the argument that
his membership in C4 furthers the public interest, is for bonafide public
purpose, is not for his particular personal benefit, and is not competing
with other organizations for City support, then maybe Smith does not have
an interest to worry about. So Smith could participate with NRAB and vote
on such issues.
Johnson said all members should identify any possible conflict of
interest upfront. Eckman said Boardmembers could go to the Council Ethics
Committee, through the Board's Council liaison, and ask for an opinion on a
specific possible conflict. If the Ethics Committee advice is followed,
the Board then has a good argument that its actions were taken in good
faith.
Erthal asked if a Boardmember could identify himself as a Board member
speaking as a Boardmember, then identify himself as an individual speaking
on an opinion, and then identify himself as a representative of a group.
Eckman explained that the Charter defines a personal interest as, "any
interest other than a financial interest, any interest arising from blood
or marriage relationships, from close business, political or personal
associations or concerns, which would in the judgement of a reasonably
prudent person tend to impair independence of judgement or action in a
performance of your official discretionary duties." So if a reasonable
person would think, "that guy is not going to be fair minded on this
because of one of those reasons, then there would be a personal interest;
or there might be a financial interest if the Boardmember will gain money
out of it. So then the Charter says, "any officer or employee who has, or
whose relative has a financial interest or personal interest in any
decision of the public body of which he/she is a member or to which he/she
makes recommendations, shall upon discovery thereof disclose such interest
in the official records of the City. That person shall refrain from voting
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on, attempting to inffence, or otherwise particsting in such decision in
any manner as an officer or employee." ,
Miller noted that he serves on two other organizations that are
wildlife -related. He asked if the Board gets involved with an issue and
decides to take a stance, and he falls on one side of the issue with
respect to wildlife values of the land, and he has strong opinions which he
would make known to the Board, does he have to issue a disclaimer that he
is not a boardmember speaking, but a member of a citizen organization that
has these particular interests. Eckman answered yes, the Ethics opinion
that came out in September states, "appearances to other Boards in a
representative capacity should be permitted."
Eckman stated that if the Board had any other questions it should
refer back to the Charter first and the Ethics Opinions second, because the
Charter is the law, and the Ethics is an opinion.
Felchle suggested that when a member sees an item on the agenda which
there may be a question about possible conflict of interest, that person
might want to call the City Attorney before the meeting and discuss the
issue. Eckman reiterated the option of getting an Ethics Committee
opinion.
Prospect Streetscape
Jan Meisel of the Planning Department was present to discuss the
Prospect Streetscape project.
Smith asked if Meisel was looking for a recommendation or simply
providing information. Meisel said she wanted to bring the Board up to
speed and would like comments or concerns that the Board may have. She
explained that they have completed the first two steps of the work program:
(1) inventory and analysis and (2) design development for design concepts.
She has presented the program to the Storm Drainage Board, and Parks
and Recreation Board, had two public open houses, and met with
approximately 90% of the residents and/or property owners along the
corridor. From the summary of comments received from citizens, staff, and
boards, staff will go back into design development and come up with one
preferred concept. She will bring that concept to the NRAB at the May 6
meeting. At that point the final alternative, the set of design guidelines
and standards, will be reviewed and taken to the Planning and Zoning Board
and then ultimately to Council for approval. The last step that is not
completed is implementation.
Meisel said that the purpose of the project, the mission statement,
was to establish design guidelines and standards for the future streetscape
development, to include recommendations for open space along the trail
network. The reason they are proceeding with the program is that this area
is an important entry way to the city and a primary gateway to CSU. With
the Environmental Learning Center moving up closer to Prospect Road, it is
important that a unified approach be provided along the streetscape to
encourage viewing natural resources within this area as an integrated
resource.
Meisel said that the existing gravel operations are phasing out. This
project was identified as a most important priority project in the 1990
Land Development Guidance System Audit, and Council also identified this
project as high priority in their 1991 work program.
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Meisel said they ha.._ a draft of the standards .Ad guidelines, which
was included in the mailout packet, which addresses set -backs, landscaping,
fencing, and lighting. She said they will not do signage. They will be
looking at parking lots in terms of setbacks, trails, sidewalks, service
areas, maintenance, and architectural design. The last step to be
completed in the next six to eight weeks will be the implementation
strategies.
Meisel said that most of the corridor has potential to be mined. So
the question is how to handle that and whether the guidelines and standards
address those issues.
Meisel said they looked at habitats in the Corridor with the help of
the Natural Areas Plan and other resources. The most important thing that
came out it is that they do need to look at wildlife and the crossings that
occur.
They looked at ownership and land use. East side is rural/
agricultural area. As you come into the Poudre Floodway, it is mostly in
open space, either owned by CSU or by the City, and/or it is in gravel
operations, and some of those are reclaimed. To the west is the more urban
area: the existing business parks of Seven Lakes, Prospect Park East, and
the orthopedic center.
The zoning in the area is about 50% City and 50% County. A lot of the
floodway is in the county and is zoned agriculture. If it comes into the
city, it will stay in agriculture or low development impacts because of the
floodway. East of I-25 there is a large commercial area that is in the
county and until it becomes surrounded it will probably stay in the county.
When the dominant transportation corridor, Prospect Road, is improved,
it will be widened to a four -lane arterial. In addition to the four moving
lanes, it will have two six -foot -wide on -road bike lanes. Meisel said that
these are the standards that they are using for their design, and until the
City Transportation Master Plan has been revised or updated those are the
standards that will be used.
Meisel presented the various design concepts. She said Concept A
applies to the developed Urban Area or Highway Corridor Area. She said all
the areas would have a 50 to 80 foot setback. They have a formal row of
street trees, informal planting to the back where the berms occur, and a
meandering sidewalk. The building setback at the present is 50 feet and
they would maintain that so no building or parking would be allowed within
50 feet of the right-of-way.
Meisel said Concepts B and C apply to the riverway. There are two
separate concepts developed out of two different historical themes.
Concept B is "pre -irrigation." It would include shrub masses which would
carry it across the road to make a more natural setting with the road
cutting through the shrubs instead of the shrubs paralleling the road.
Concept B would use native "thicket -forming" shrubs. Meisel said they
would preserve the open meadows and wetlands and would be able to preserve
the views and enhance them in some ways. Trees would be planted in a
random pattern.
She explained two different alternatives for the trail concepts and
two different road alternatives. Planning has also looked at a different
roadway designs in this area because it is more natural and native in
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character. Meisel sa* it is possible this area4kll not have curb and
gutter. Of the two trail concepts, the first would be to use one trail,
but have it set back a minimum of 20`feet and have the trail 10 feet wide.
Because of the split floodway there will be another bridge diversion. In
order for the two bridges to meet, the road will have to be raised. Meisel
said they would like to make sure there is more of a separation and perhaps
even lower the trail. The split trail concept would pull the sidewalk
closer to the road and would be paved. The next trail lower down would be
unpaved, but a maintained surface. It would be more useable for mountain
bikes and/or horses.
The difference between Concept B and C is that C uses a riparian
forest or a cottonwood -willow theme and which is dominated by the tree
canopy itself. There would be tree massing that would probably be parallel
to the river with a heavier emphasis close to the river itself, and then
two or three smaller crossings. This would have a detached walk and could
serve as either a split walk or as one walk or trail together.
The next two concepts, D and E, apply from Summitview east to County
Road Five. Concept D is a Suburban Style. The concept includes both shrub
and tree massing on either side of the walk along with berms. There is no
dominant street tree. The walk would be detached and eight feet wide.
Meisel stated that they would like to have it as wide as possible because
of the mixed uses of commuters and bicyclists. Concept E is a Windrow
Style. Windrow plantings and tree masses would be utilized in this
concept. It would use two rows of trees, different species and different
sizes, to reduce wind problems and allow for screening and open visibility
where needed.
Meisel stated that part of the mission statement was also to design
concepts for the I-25 gateway. The windrow theme was chosen to illustrate
how it would work in two different concepts. One concept would take the
windrow and stretch it out so it would parallel Prospect Road and the
frontage road areas. There are two different themes relative to
approaching an entry way or gateway as you get to the top. This theme
takes the more standard approach that as you slow down in a car you can
usually relate to your environment more, so typically when you approach an
interchange you start with the shrub community and then move up to trees,
that. The other concept would take the windrow along the edges, but spread
out more along the frontage roads. As you approach the top and come to the
overpass, there would be small trees, shrubs, and low growing plantings.
This would allow an open view.
Swope said that he cannot understand why the design uses standard city
lighting. Lights are not needed every hundred feet, just at certain times.
The row of light towers will detract from the beautiful view.
Meisel said that, within the riverway, lighting will be limited.
Lighting will probably only be needed for security e.g., crossing under the
bridge, and entrance to sites. Metal halite light is a better source, more
expensiveupfront, but cheaper in the long run. She will make that
recommendation.
Erthal said he would like to see the Poudre River Area evaluated as a
wildlife habitat and compared to some of the other areas that the City is
concerned with spending money on; he would like to see how it would be
evaluated on a priority basis. He is concerned about creating a wildlife
sanctuary between trails on an increasingly busy street. He does not think
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a meandering trail systems really serves the function,-,& purpose of bike
trails. He is not confident that they will be successful at combining
mountain bikes with horse traffic. He basically feels this is an effort
just to promote aesthetics rather than real preservation value. He is
concerned about buffers that stop after 50 ft.
Meisel said they recommend that adjacent property owners extend the
same streetscape theme so they create the same thing throughout the valley.
The City will follow this recommendations CSU probably will also. There
are some questions about maintenance, and wildlife is a big concern. They
are trying to work with Natural Resources and Stormdrainage when they do
the bridge improvements. It may be possible to encourage a pathway for the
wildlife. She looked through some research on snow fences. They may
attract wildlife, but they do not deter it from crossing. Animals are
going to cross whether the snow fence is there or not.
Smith wanted to know how many signals would be added between County
Road 5 and Timberline. He does not believe that the AASHTO standards
allow, or recommend, an attached bike path when speeds exceed 40 or 55 mph.
He does not see anything that moderates speeds as the roadway is widened.
Meisel said signals are not an element of this project. It will
become part of the City's Master Transportation Study. Signals will not
impact the design or the concept directly. She said they are using the
City's standard which allows for bikeways. Speed is one of the main
concerns of the residents in the community, but will not impact the design
standard itself.
Friedman asked what attempt is being made, relative to the floodway
aspect of concepts B & C as compared to A, D, & E, to integrate what
happens in the floodway area with as opposed to what happens in the A area
and the D area north and south. A & B are potentially developable, but the
floodway area has no potential for development in the future.
Meisel answered that if any of those parcels came through for
development, they would come through the Land Development Guidance System.
Most of that is agriculture; ultimately some of that will be mined.
Friedman asked if there has been any consideration of the fact that
there is a different type of control in place for that corridor or floodway
area as opposed to the urban area and more rural area because they will be
treated differently in the long run.
Meisel said that some of that will fall into the stormdrainage master
plan, and part of it falls in the Natural Areas Plan.
Shoemaker said the direction the City would like to go is for public
open space and natural vegetation north and south of the corridor. To a
large extent that already occurs in this area. Several departments feel
that, from both a habitat perspective and a recreation perspective, trying
to block up the "out parcels" that are not in public ownership is real
critical.
LaRue stated that she appreciates the sense of ergonomics and the
comfort of the traveler along these byways. She is concerned that the area
might be too manicured. She feels it puts too much emphasis on the
gateways into the City. What is inside is more important to her; the air
quality and the animals getting across the road. On section E she does not
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mind the idea of thedrow, because it is pret�consistent in the
community, but she wou d like to see it functions She asked what kind
of ground cover would be planted. Meisel answered that both D & E
recommend a drought tolerant grass, probably moderately irrigated.
LaRue asked Meisel to define river scouring. Meisel answered that
when the river floods, it usually takes away all the top soil and all the
top vegetation; it scours the surface. That is predominately what happened
before we started divert water for irrigation.
Johnson suggested that another thought for the secondary trails might
be multiple trails instead of having the idea that "one shoe fits all."
They could keep the width of the meandering trails narrow the paved part,
and then think about a second track for walkers, runners, etc. Separate
the wheeled traffic, the faster moving traffic, as opposed to the foot
traffic.
Meisel said there is discussion right now in Transportation as to what
is the best mode. AASHTO standards would pretty much determine what should
be separated. There is a conflict when pedestrians move 2-5 miles per hour
and bikes move 25-30.
This concept would really strive to have two modes except in the river
way, where they could accommodate three, and that is why they are moving to
a wider standard. Right now a typical standard sidewalk on an arterial is
between 5 and 7 ft. There is a real conflict right now if you put
recreational bikers and/or bladers with pedestrians.
Johnson said he looks for the transportation plan to define other
alternative commuter modes.
LaRue said she is concerned about wildlife - making sure that buffers
and whatever needs to be done is done. She also likes the split trail
alternative.
Erthal reiterated his concern about aesthetics. It appears this is
just for the purpose of creating a gateway for CSU. CSU should draw people
on their own with education. He is also concerned about the sand and
gravel areas, about doing it nicely and then having development come in
later.
Friedman agreed with Erthal concerning aesthetics. He likes the
concept of the site view as opposed to the riparian.
Miller stated that with the river valley he tends to go more toward
the B concept except there are some advantages of having some tree lines.
Assuming that the area ultimately becomes accessible as far as being
vegetated, the tree lines would provide a funneling effect for the larger
wildlife and if a culvert is put in that would probably become an ideal
place for them to cross. He likes a mixed concept for trees. To preserve
a view, logic says put the trees on the eastside. But, it may not fit in
aesthetically. On the other hand, trees could be put down there along the
river. All in all he likes it.
Davis said he agrees with the split paths and with what Miller said
about maintaining some commitment to preservation.
Swope restated his concern with the light standards. He stated that,
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to enhance the open feel g, where there is setback`-Ath the buildings and.
parking lots for commercial developments, maybe they could be required to
have some of the parking between the setback and the building to get away
from having the buildings sit on the setback line.
Smith said that he is also concerned with the lighting and about the
minimal discussion in terms of signage with buildings. He feels it should
be better thought out and better explained in terms of what will be
allowed. He thinks there is too much reliance on planting trees; it is
somewhat artificial.
The NRAB took a two minute break at this time.
Key Business
Year of the River
Smith said that the Land Use Committee met and discussed many issues
with the Year of the River. Miller drafted a letter, Smith went around the
table for comments and questions regarding the letter.
Swope said his comments are already reflected in the letter.
Davis asked if the proposed "clearing house" that Howard Alden spoke
of has have any potential relevance for this. Johnson answered that
potentially it does.
Shoemaker said the City and CSU have agreed to do some joint planning
for the ELC area to develop a master plan to implement CSU's plans for the
ELC and the City's plans for open space. Jeff Lakey from CSU is
coordinating the effort. Staff from Natural Resources, Planning,
Stormwater, and Parks are cooperating.
Friedman said that he thought some kind of educational effort was
missing to inform people about the benefits of the Poudre River, what makes
it unique. He would like to see some type of river history display.
Erthal agreed with Friedman.
LaRue said that she was not clear on whether it included consideration
of downtown riverways. Miller said that it was not specifically mentioned.
Miller stated that Mayor Kirkpatrick had two paragraphs in her State
of the City address, declaring The Year of the River. These addressed the
idea of the National Heritage Area. ELC and Prospect Corridor Streetscape
Plan are only a few of the existing activities that involve the river. The
Year of the River can touch all age groups. It is an inclusive theme which
values the natural environment and recognizes the human interaction with
part of the natural system. He said that the downtown area has been
mentioned and if LaRue thinks it needs to be in the letter then he will add
it. LaRue said that she was thinking of the Gustav Swanson Nature Area.
Miller said that the Poudre River Trust is also trying to make sure
that some of the areas down in the Old Town area are cleaned up. LaRue
suggested something along the line of supporting organizations that are
underway with cleaning up the river and the downtown area.
Smith agreed with Friedman regarding education about the Poudre River.
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He suggested so4 eformatting of the lette with some focus and
explanation about why he Board is writing the le ter, and adding a closing
paragraph. He said that he feels this is an opportunity to look at in
terms of City and Civic cooperative efforts, e.g., Gustav Swanson Nature
Area. Smith also stated that there are some portions of the river that
are often forgot then e.g., west of College over to Shields. This is a
good opportunity to look at the river as a corridor.
Johnson suggested combining paragraphs one and two to be more
forceful. He would like to keep a separate focus on developing the ELC
into a world class environmental learning center. He suggested development
of a safe access to the old Water Treatment Plant for the purposes of
creating Fort Collins first mountain park, an extended world class learning
center, and providing interpretation for the National Water Heritage Area.
He would like to expand the Year of the River to The Decade of the River.
Johnson also agreed with Friedman's comments on more education about the
river.
Friedman said that he thought The Decade of the River was good, but
suggested that The Year of the River usher forth the decade of the River.
Friedman moved and Erthal seconded that the Board review the revised
draft of the letter at the April 1, meeting and approve it with a person(s)
designated to make the revision before then.
LaRue stated that Miller, as the Chair of the Land Use Committee,
should work with Johnson to revise the letter.
The motion was opposed unanimously.
Friedman moved and Johnson seconded that the letter be revised and
corrected and sent on to Council with the Board's explicit approval. The
motion was passed unanimously.
The Land Use Committee will revise the letter.
NRAB Attendance Policy
Smith said that he wants to develop a draft attendance policy and
would like Boardmembers' comments. He will bring it back to the Board at
the April 1 meeting for a vote. Smith explained that the concern at the
present time is when a member misses a substantial number of meetings it
can lead to problems in subsequent meetings because that person had not
been present for the continuous flow. He said that as Chair it sometimes
becomes difficult to reprimand members, in terms of saying that a member is
not attending enough meetings. So he would like to have a policy. Smith
stated that he has reviewed the attendance policy with Council Liaison
Fromme.
Smith recommended that excused or unexcused absences not exceed 25% of the
regularly schedule meetings. If there is going to be a problem where a
member misses three scheduled meetings in a row, that should be brought to
the Board's attention beforehand.
Johnson stated that at times there is a threat that there may not be a
quorum for a meeting so he is in favor of an attendance policy being set.
He suggested that if a member has two unexcused absences in a year he/she
be asked to step aside. He likes the idea of 25% relative to excused
absences.
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LaRue stated that tl :e should be no reason for_1n unexcused absence;
all a member needs to do is notify staff. When members were appointed to
the Board they accepted the position on the Board with the understanding
that it would be one meeting a month. She has nothing against one meeting
a month, but feels that if a 25% policy is adopted based on two meetings a
month, the policy should be phased in so that any new person coming aboard
understands that. She agrees with three in a row.
Erthal stated that he likes the 25% rule. He also thinks members with
two unexcused absences should step aside. He thinks the 25% rule should
only be applied to the regularly scheduled first Wednesday meeting.
Friedman agrees it should only be applied to the regularly scheduled
first Wednesday meeting. He asked what is counted as excused. He also
wondered if absent members should meet with someone to catch up on what
was discussed at the meeting. Felchle stated that may be similar to a
committee meeting and need to be posted.
Miller stated that he liked the idea of only being allowed two
unexcused absences and 25% total of first Wednesday meetings.
Davis asked about during the summer when members are gone on vacation.
LaRue stated that she was once told by a Councilmember that if a lot of
members are going to be on vacation in a given month that the meeting can
be canceled.
Swope said that he agreed with 25% of the regularly scheduled
meetings.
Smith said that he will present a proposal at the April 1 meeting for
Board discussion and approval.
Felchle clarified that the attendance policy right now allows three
unexcused absences in a year.
Smith stated that Shoemaker suggested an additional informational
meeting be held in addition to the regularly scheduled meetings. Smith
will look into that. Shoemaker followed up by saying that it was a
suggestion of how to approach things. Staff will research the procedures.
Committee Reports - (Sahedulod)
Land Use Committee - Fort Collins High School
Shoemaker stated that he included a memo to Boardmembers in the packet
because he knew that the subject was on the agenda for the meeting. The
memo was written to try and clarify for Council and others what the review
process was for consideration of the new high school. Shoemaker said he
mailed it for background information purposes.
Smith said he expected an answer from Council relative to the letter,
NRAB previously sent to Council on this topic. That answer has not been
received yet. Shoemaker said that at a Council worksession the Board's
letter was discussed. That prompted the Planning Department to put
together the memo that Shoemaker sent. It talks about the complexity
issues of the high school and prompted a number of efforts to make sure
that the City and the School District were working together on issues
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related to the High Stool. •
Shoemaker said the high school and related developments are just
coming in to the formal process. The comments of the Board have been
conveyed in that.
Shoemaker referred to a recent article in the paper about plans for
alternative transportation. Partly as a result of the Board's and staff's
concerns about transportation/air quality issues, the City has stated that
this is a critical issue with the school development. Poudre R-1 has
agreed to work with the City on an alternative transportation program at
this school and other schools within the district.
Shoemaker said that he needed direction from the Board on how it would
like to be informed. Johnson said that he would like to be informed as it
proceeds forward, especially with the alternative transportation program.
Smith said that he agrees with Johnson. He is still confused about
the interaction between PR-1 and the City. It sounds like it is very good
and cooperative relative to discussion. The outcome is yet to be seen.
PR-1 is responsible for the school. The City does not get to review and
provide input until it goes through the Planning and Zoning review process.
Shoemaker stated that the process is that the school comes through the
planning and zoning review process as an advisory review. The School Board
can override the Planning and Zoning Board recommendation. NRAB is
advisory to Council and not to P&Z. So in order to keep the Board
informed, Shoemaker said that staff needs to make special efforts.
Education Committee -- NRAB Retreat
Friedman said that the Retreat will be held at the Holiday Inn -
University Park from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Suzanne Jarboe -Simpson of
Employee Development will facilitate the retreat. LaRue, Friedman, Miller,
and Felchle will be meeting with her to "set the stage."
After lunch there will be a field trip to the old Water Treatment Plant,
The Parks and Recreation Board has been invited to go on the field trip.
Transportation will be provided.
Smith said that Councilmembers Fromme and Azari will be attending.
Smith read a letter from the Parks and Recreation Board basically
stating that they did not expect the facility to come under their purview,
partly because they only provide advice relative to parks within the city
limits.
announcements
Johnson announced that Friends of the Poudre did a cleanup on the
river February 29.
Johnson announced that CSU had an interesting seminar February 28
talking about Zero Energy Building -- commercial buildings that use 1/4 the
energy of conventional buildings. He stated he would like the Board to
recommend that when the City builds some of their large buildings they try
hard to incorporate some of these designs.
Swope asked if the Commissioners were "second guessing" the IPC.
Shoemaker answered that the Commissioners have been proceeding cautiously
and have not made a final commitment. Waste Management called a meeting in
response to concerns about how much business they are going to be taking to
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the landfill. The questi n is, will they use the IPC', and how will their
new facility in Windsor affect the IPC. Shoemaker said basically the
meeting focused on those issues and Waste Management said that they would
use the IPC. Other trash haulers stated that they were not sure if they
would use the IPC so the Commissioners decided that another meeting needed
to be held. So there is a concern that trash haulers are not going to use
it.
Smith asked for member's alternative transportation challenge sheet.
Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Juli4 Bothwell, Board Secretary
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