Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 10/02/1991Board Members Preserxt Phil Friedman Bill Miller MINUTES • CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD 291 N. COLLEGE AVE. - CONFERENCE ROOM OCTOBER 2, 1"1 Steve Erthal Will Smith Tim Johnson Chuck Davis Christine Ferguson Staff Present Tom Shoemaker Edith Felchle Julie Bothwell Rob Wilkinson Karl Henderson Guests Present Howard Alden - (Colorado State University, Northern Colorado Environmental Learning Center) Marian Block - League of Women Voters It was moved, seconded, and unanimously approved that the Minutes of the October 2, l"I NRAB meeting be accepted. Northern Colorado Environmental Learning Center (NCE ) Smith stated that Henderson was in attendance for the purpose of considering the ELC in the context of the National Heritage Area Basin Plan. Smith would like the Board to make spec recommendations to Council relative to certain actions in terms of generating "flagship projects" that can be rolled into the National Heritage Area Basin Plan. The "flagship projects" would include the ELC and Water Filtration Plant One. Alden said that the ELC has to be consistent with the guidelines of a land grant institution in the sense of a balanced program of teaching, research extension, and public service. In that context, the ELC is to serve as a field labatory. He said that they are specifically concerned about how humans influence the natural environment. Alden stated the following goals for the ELC: 1. Maintain a substantial riparian wetland area for educational purposes, understanding of ecology and urban resource management demonstration area, nature appreciation, and environmental ethics; 2. Develop quality on -site year round educational facilities for Colorado State University and community use; 3. Provide a range of environmental education programs; 4. Develop a basis for a sound conservation ethic into the twenty-first century. Alden said ELC programs involve projects that can be accomplished with or without the National Heritage Area. The ELC has been in existence for several years and they have struggled with lack of resources and staffing. There has been improvement, but there are still things that can be achieved. Colorado State University has to do some very specific site planning and ELC master planning. There are some things that have to happen with or without a National Heritage Area or without an urban natural areas program. Alden stated that this was not a negative statement that there are things that they have to do to move ahead to enhance their program; however, they do have to be sensitive to natural systems. 1 Alden said they have one projector which Rotary is involved. They have submitted a proposal for this project to an interested corporation. This does fit the National Heritage Area theme. They are proposing an educational and xeriscape area that deals with touch, fragrance, color gardens, and handicapped accessibility. There is a bird garden, an orchard, an insect and reptile garden. The cost is $270,000. Alden stated that he has a design team consisting of a professional landscape architect and a landscape designer. The project is now at corporate headquarters and will be consider for funding the second week in December. Friedman asked if the corporation was local or national. Alden answered that it might be both. Smith asked if, since this is all through a public service organization, there is any advantage to having citizen groups add any additional information and support directly to the corporation, e.g., letters. Alden replied not at this time. Alden, Henderson, and Wilkinson have met to discuss related activities in this area. One of the key stumbling blocks now is a permanent education facility at the ELC. The ELC now owns the gravel mining area east of the Wren Pit that has the weigh station and offices. It would cost more to move the building than to build a new one. An interim measure is being negotiated prior to the overall plan: i.e., an education facility, a "front door" to the ELC, a place where the Fort Collins Audubon Society, the Colorado Native Pant Society, and the Poudre River Trust, can have an office if they would like. Alden said this is going to require a joint venture and NRAB might want to discuss their role in this. A long-term quality facility is something that everyone is going to have to work together on. It needs to be decided who is going to be part of some strategic planning group and then develop the mission, goals and objectives, strategies, where the resources are coming from, and how it will be done. Relative to the building, an addition has been made of professional interior design people from CSU. As far as an overall master plan for the ELC, Alden stated that within the next four or five months they will have something that is creative, responsive to the resource attributes and responsive to the gateway concept to put in front of Flatiron and Western Mobile and solicit their buy -in to something that is very positive for the community. Smith asked if the City has a role in that. Alden said it does in the context of the gateway. Wilkinson said that staff has looked at the reclamation plan for the Wren Broadcasting site. He stated that, starting north of Riverbend Pond where the Timberline extension will occur and going as far south as the interstate, there are a lot of things going on that need coordination. Tice Storm Drainage Division is developing a master plan for the Poudre River for flood management, water quality, enhancement, etc. Water and Wastewater is looking for a pilot project to do tertiary polishing of wastewater. There are some flood issues associated with wastewater treatment. Wilkinson said an overall master plan relative to the area along Prospect could be worked out and coordinated between the City, CSU, and other affected parties in such a way that everyone gets what they want. Smith asked if this was doable within the six months. Alden replied no; they are talking about three levels of planning. Wilkinson stated that the site level, the area level, and the ELC level all need to interrelate. If everyone goes about solving problems individually they may solve their own problems, but the overall effect will not be as good if coordination is done. Alden agreed and said that coordination is definitely needed between the City and CSU. Shoemaker stated that it is a little bit disorganized, but it is a big step forward in that a lot of people are thinking along the same lines. His prediction is that within the next 30 days a team will be developed to begin work on at least a bubble type diagram of a master plan of some larger area. He said they are going to debate the boundaries a bit to form a larger project so they can define how they go after it and what the different roles of various people will be. Shoemaker feels the partners eventually will be the City, CSU, the gravel company. Part of the implementation would be to expand it to the Division of Wildlife, Fish and Wildlife Service and others to make it a large vision. Alden stated they already have involovement from the Operation Osprey, the Raptor Rehab Program, and the Audubon Society. Smith said that a ballot issue has been put forward to raise money for a zoo. He wanted to know how this would all work out. Alden stated that in the context of what came out of the National Heritage Area, the overall boundaries are scaled down to doable local projecIpEducation and water management are gon�to be higher priority in terms of federal funding through the National Heritage Area. Henderson said that the National Heritage Area is still waiting for a hearing date before the Senate Subcommittee. Congressman Allard is having a press conference October 4, at the Gustav Swanson Nature Area to announce the introduction of a Heritage Area Bill on the House side. Allard's Bill is similar to Brown's Bill with some provisions made for representation on the Heritage Area Commission. She said Allard feels that a House Bill has a better chance of getting to the House with a drastically reduced authorization. Brown's Bill, Senate Bill 1174, authorizes one million dollars over five years. Allard's Bill authorizes $250,000. Henderson said the difference between Allard's Bill and Brown's Bill will be settled in a Joint Conference Committee, assuming the Bill is passed on both sides. Henderson said that Greeley has adopted a resolution of endorsement. The Greeley Water Board voiced some concerns about Senator Brown's Bill, and he met with them September 28, to hear their concerns. Allard and staff were also present. Their concern was a perception that this measure is driven by the City of Fort Collins for the City's benefit alone. One of the board members believes that this is a pork barrel project and is really challenging Brown on the authorization. Henderson thinks this is why Allard reduced his authorization so much, to be responsive to their concern. Shoemaker said that there has been some discussion of turning Water Filtration Plant I into a public facility that offers both recreation, education, and nature appreciation. He said that Johnson feels this is an opportunity for a great flagship project under the National Heritage Area. The question is what will the process be to develop project proposals and get then in line early for consideration once the bill passes. Smith stated that the basic comment for the past three years is that there has always been consideration of taking part of the entrance to Water Filtration Plant I and making it more of a general river access. The State Highway Department has always fought that because of their criteria for entrance and exit to the site. So the project has been held up for a long time. Now there is the potential for it to become part of the National Heritage Area. Alden said that there is always the question of "can we move this or that project forward," but legislation says there will be a commission and that commission's responsibility is to develop a plan. Within the context of that plan, a project like this one is put forward. The project has to be compatible with the theme. The water treatment plant project fits very well in the context of the theme. Henderson stated that in respect to the National Heritage Area, Council has already spoken. Alden stated that on behalf of the City, they told Senator Brown to move ahead, along with Larry Simpson on the Water Conservancy District, CSU, the County, and other organizations. Shoemaker said he sees two points where the Board could let Council know that there are some exciting things going on, and that there are some opportunities to look at how the City's proposals and policies relate to those. With respect to the ELC and the concepts that have been talked about, the next best opportunity would be in the context of formal recommendations on the natural areas policy plan and specific projects for implementation. Council also is looking at policies and options for multiple use management of City facilities. Mostly what they are thinking of is the new regional water treatment plant facility, but they could also be thinking of the old facility. Smith asked when it was set for the agenda. Shoemaker replied that they will start work on it in the next three to four months and will probably complete it in a year, but now would be a good time to suggest that it be part of the work program. Smith requested that the Land Use Committee take that as an action item and write a letter for Council to include those in the considerations. Miller stated that a letter had already been drafted and may include comments with respect to the water treatment plant bang considered a key cmnponent in the interpretative infra -structure of the heritage area. It will be presented to Council if left in thee. Erthal moved that the Board recommend to Council that in correspondence it suggest to Allard's and Brown's offices that funding be increased in the Joint Conference Committee. Miller seconded the motion. As a friendly amendment Friedman suggested leaving out the names and just stating that when it gets to Joint Conference Committee, Council should urge that increased funding be considered. He fat that if the focus is on Allard, and if the reading of his position is correct in regard to his bill, then he will stand by his bill and fight it. Alden stated that the board should make specific reference that the funding is for the commission to carry out it's planning. He feels it should be specific to that extent, because later on, in the sense of implementation, the National Heritage Area designation allows this collimunity and the commission to leverage for other federal grants and money from foundations to actually implement the recommendations. Miller asked if the 3 million dollars that was initially talked about was for planning purposes. Henderson replied that the 3 million dollars would be spent on the America Industrial Heritage Project resulted in omassing 15 million dollars for project implementation. Erthal said that Fat Collins is the largest area of constituents for Wayne Allard, and he feels he would get the message once the Bill gets to Joint Conference Committee. He stated that, granted Allard is not going to budge in his bill now, but he certainly will get a clear message when it comes to committee time. So Erthal did not accept Friedman's suggest as a friendly amendment. The motion failed 2-3. Smith, Friedman, and Davis opposed the motion because they felt that individual action directly to Allard was inappropriate. In terms of the board's role and where the legislation stands now, it would be appropriate to pass the recommendation to Council and to urge rapid action at Joint Conference Committee level to get• that forward. Miller stated they can let Council decide on who and when to approach Alden asked if there will be committee hearings in both House and Senate and testimony can be made before those hearings. Henderson answered that there are at least two hearings on each side. Shoemaker explained how Council's Legislative Committee functions. There is a very active committee of Council that works on legislative issues, they plan to have the Mayor give testimony. They are following this legislation actively, and Henderson updates them monthly. Shoemaker said that within procedures, it would be acceptable to raise the issue of the lower funding level in the Allard Bill, encourage Council in their testimony on the bills to push for higher level of funding sufficient for the commission to carry out its planning responsibilities. Smith recommended that the Fort Collins spokesman in hearings in the House urge the House to increase the level of funding from what is currently stated in the House Bill. Erthal stated that be felt that if the recommendation is directed away from Allard and instead put to a committee, the full effect would be lost. He does not want to back down. Friedman stated that the issue here is how to read Allard's strength behind his Bill. If he in fad is not going to back down and increase the money, there is no point putting together a motion for Council to specifically suggest that. Henderson stated that Allard's staff in Washington indicated that the authorization that is contained in the Allard Bill is in response to the Water Board concerns that were stated in Greeley. Mike Emerson, of Allard's staff, said "the Greeley Water Board does not vote on this bill in the House." When this reaches the Joint Conference Committee the figures can be renegotiated. At this point Allard has decided that the $250,000 is appropriate for the introduction of the bill. Henderson stated that when it gets to conference committee he will regain some flexibility. Erthal stated that Allard is not from Fort Collins, he is from Loveland, but Fort Collins is his largest source of constituents. He reintroduced his fast motion. Shoemaker suggested that instead of choosing the most effective point, the NRAB could urge Council to lobby for a higher level of funding throughout the process. The motion died due to lack of a second. Erthal moved that the Board advise Council to continuously lobby throughout the entire legislative process and up to a Joint Conference Committee, if appropriate, and when it passes both Houses, and at their discretion, direct correspondence with Representative Wayne Allard and Senator Hank Brown to urge increased funding. Miller seconded. The Motion carried unanimously. Smith thanked Alden, Henderson and Wilkinson for their presentation to the Board. Update on the Larimer County In�ediate Processing Center (IPCI Shoemaker stated that the survey being conducted by the County is underway to determine if County residents are interested in supporting the 1PC. It should be completed within two weeks. Although the tipping fee will be doubled or tripled, the homeowner's trash bill will only be about $1.00 to $1.50 more. Shoemaker reviewed the survey before it went out and was satisfied with it. At a joint meeting of the Commissioners and Council, Council stated that the center is needed. The Commissioners were supportive of it. A delegation from Northern Colorado will be visiting processing center sites in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Illinois on October 9 - 11 (two sites each from Waste Management and Crinc) to see how they operate and to compare the facilities. The delegation includes Shirley Bruns, City of Fort Collins; Frank Lancaster and Rex Smith, Larimer County; and Mick Mercer, City of Loveland. From the survey and the sites, a recommendation will be made to the Commissioners hopefully by the end of October. Clarification of Informal Meetings Postina Reouirements This item is a response to questions the Board raised at the September meeting after Shoemaker distributed a memo from the Mayor regarding the new requirements for posting committee meetings and other gatherings of Boards and Commissions in addition to the existing requirements for public notice on formal meetings. Shoemaker reported that the City Attorney's Office has rendered an opinion on this issue. State Law, City Charter, and Council Resolution aim in the direction of making sure that public business is conducted in a public setting. A public business meeting is defined under state law as including a telephone conversation. So there does need to be a public notice of a telephone meeting, but more important, along with the public notice, there needs to be the opportunity for citizens to attend and see what is going on at the meetings. The City Attorney's office recommended that formal meetings of committees occur not on the telephone, but at a meeting setting in a public place, and that the 24 hour posting notice requirement be followed. These are public bodies conducting public business and we need to make sure the public has the opportunity to participate. Smith asked if minutes were compiled from a public meeting and needed to be reviewed by other members of the committee, what must be done to do it by a telephone call. Shoemaker replied that it is not being said that a telephone conservation cannot occur between two members of the board to clarify a point. Felchle stated that clarifying the point cannot become a new discussion. Erthal stated that be feels, as a public board, the board should operate in a public place. He does not like the idea of a conversation being held on the telephone between two board members if board business is being discussed. Davis stated that he thought it was dumb because the committee will make recommendations to the board and it is the board interaction that should be public. He feels that the committee meeting phone conversation is something that is similar to executive session within Council. He asked if the City Attorney interpreted executive session to include public input for participation. Shoemaker stated that what is being seen here is that Council in particular, but also in response to state legislation, apparently is looking very hard at itself, and at the groups that advise it, in terms of when an executive session is appropriate. This particular Council rarely will use it and when it is appropriate it is very carefully constrained by law. Smith's concern, even though he agrees with having open and public meetings, is that it is sometimes necessary to use the telephone to conduct business. It is not the intent behind it that is the problem, but it is the implementation and that is where Smith is looking for clarity from Council in terns of when they have crossed what would be considered the appropriate line. Erthal stated that he would hate, as a public board, to come across to the public that the board is in favor of closed meetings. Friedman asked if the NRAB is allowed to go into executive session. Felchle replied that in the legal defuution of executive session, she can think of only one possible area, natural areas purchases. She explained that executive session can only be used for personnel matters and certain financial matters. Smith said that the board agreed in 1990 that all meetings would be held as open meetings. 5 Friedman asked if telephone calm m which official business is conducted coas�ute a meeting, then what does E- mail messages sent between Couucilmembeis constitute. He said that members of the public have no access to that, and he does not see any diffeence. Shoemaker replied that the difference is committee meetings vs. communication, and what is being talked about is a formal meeting of the Board or a committee on the Board. Council has committees which meet and they adhere strictly to all the public notice requirements. The City Attorney's office will be providing some practical guidelines to Boards and Commissions in response to these questions. Shoemaker said that meetings do need to be posted 24 hems in advance, and Felchle will take care of that. He also stated that the best rule in terms of meeting locations is to have the meeting in a public location, e.g., City building, because it is accessible. Also staff should not be spending City money for meals in order to attend committee meetings. New Business Woodwaste Shoemaker stated that the City, County, City of Loveland and others are in the early stages of looking at a City and County wide approach to the 18% of the waste stream that comes from organics. The big picture on organics is moving along; as a premliminary step toward that, Council has asked The Forestry Department if there is a way that a better job can be done of using the wood that is processed from City operations instead of sending it to the landfill. The City processes about 5,000 cubic yards a year. They recommended that a chipper be purchased and modify one of the dump trucks so that they can chip on site. Loveland's experience is that hauling it, piling it, and then trying to go back and chip it, does not work well because of lost efficiency and product compaction. They are looking at $20,000 for the chipper, and $5,000 to convert the dump truck. The item was viewed as important, but did not rise to the top as priority in the budget process so it is not in the City's recommended budget. Councilmember Edward suggested they look around and see if there are some oportunitites for joint purchase by several departments for use of private funding. It was suggested that Natural Resources, Forestry, Parks, Water and Wastewater, and Steams all chip in some money and find a way for this to happen. Shoemaker asked if the board would concur brat it is an important priority for the City to purchase a chipper and convert a dump truck so that the City can process wood on site, and then use those chips in City landscaping operations, make then available to the public, and use then in composting operations at the resource recovery farm. Shoemaker also asked for other ideas. Davis asked if supporting the first point includes supporting the way in which Councilmember Edwards is recommending that it be funded. Shoemaker replied no, it would be scattered between different departments and come together with funding. There will eventually be budget items Ghat state this is for the woodchipping. Miller said that the gross economics would show not only making fewer trips to the landfill, but getting more chips in a truck than you can unco mpacted tree limbs. The fad that it will be taken out of the waste stream at the landfill is important. Erthal asked if the chips would be available to the public at a cost. Smith asked if it would be available to the public for mulching and can it be used with animal waste which would provide the nitrogen and other components because wood is a high carbon fiber to essentially make a very high value compost. Shoemaker replied that this question is part of the longer term big picture of how the overall organic waste will be handled. Until a larger composting project gets underway, the first priority is using, the chips in City landscaping operations, second would be using it in the existing composting operations at the sludge farm, and third if there is surplus, making it available to the public. Davis asked what this would do in terms of bumping down another budget item. Shoemaker replied that in the Natural Resources Division budget he was able to make a nominal contribution in the order of $2,000 to it, and it does not substantially detract from other priorities. Erthal moved that the board encourage acquisition of the chipper and the modification of the dmnp truck, and recommend the City research ways in the future to finance this, including selling some of the product to the public Davis seconded the motion. 6 Smith asked if this is beinALhased only by the City; he thought the mal discussion was in terms of an Mort with Larimer County. Shoemaker replied that they have investigated Larimer County options; they have a chipper of their own and it is in use consistently and is not available to the City. In the future there will be consideration of a joint arrangement for a tub grinder. Smith said this only deals with tree, leaves, grass waste. He wanted to know what about wastewood (construction by-products). Shoemaker replied that is not part of this specific item, but definitely part of the larger investigation. Erthal made this addition to his motion: the City look into ways of making it available to the public for recycling woodwaste, i.e., construction products. Davis accepted the addition. Smith asked, in tams of funding, if the chipper would be available for lease by companies to cover some of the cost. Shoemaker replied that it would be in continual use by the City. The motion carried unanimously. Staff will draft a letter to Council. Committee Reports (Scheduled) Transportation Committee Smith handed out the Transportation Committee's comments about the Transportation Plan. Smith stated that they are looking for an endorsement of the comments by the board. He explained that they are broken down into several groups: general comments, and then comments on each section. They will be sent to Earl Wilkinson, Ad Hoc Transportation Committee and Eric Bracke, Transportation Department. He stated that the Transportation Committee is working on getting a joint meeting of transportation committees of the various boards meeting to occur. Davis moved that the Transportation Committee's comments of the Transportation Plan be accepted. Erthal seconded the motion. Smith said the Air Quality Task Force is focusing on more issues related to air quality measures. Smith, Johnson, and Brian Woodruff are looking at this also to try and include, consideration of general effects of land use and other environmental area issues in addition to air quality; and to see how transportation gets incorporated and worked into the Environmental Management Plan, Natural Areas Policy Plan, and other plans. Motion passed unanimously. Education Committee Friedman handed out a list of the Education Committee's goals and objectives. Friedman said the committee decided on the following four items to be discussed at a retreat: 1) staff/board interactions; 2) revisit the board's charge, limitations, freedoms; 3) what Council will be looking for from the board; what the board needs to look at in the future; 4) Strategic Development of Informed Consent. Friedman said this list is open for modifications and/or deletions. Smith added to the list a year long schedule of what programs and considerations are going to be presented to the Board. Smith appointed the Education Committee to decide on a plan and date by the November meeting so they can take action on it. It was suggested that the retreat not be held before January so Cathy Fromme, Council Liaison, could attend. C nniNee Goals/NRAB Weak Plan Committee Goals Smith stated that the intent of this was for each committee to bring forward their draft plan of goals and objectives. He would like to compile and approve than at the November meeting. Smith stated that he and Johnson have a friendly motion: they challegene the remainder of the Board and Staff to outride them in the 1M year; put in more commuting miles on bicycle. If Johnson and Smith win they receive ice cream and if the remainder of the board and staff wins, Smith will bake cookies of choice. All draft work plans have been turned in except for Hazardous Waste. NRAB Work Plan Shoemaker said that he and Smith thought it would be advisable for everyone to be able to look ahead to furture agenda items drafted a quarterly planning calendar throughout 1992 of what is known now of Council Policy projects. Shoemaker handed out the calendar along with sheets that the Council has which describe briefly what each of the projects outcome is likely to be. He also included the Natural Resources Division 1992 work program. NRABAM Diener It was decided to have the board/staff dinner the night of the December meeting. A place will be discussed later. Smith said that a questionnaire was sent out by Steve Burkett, City Manager, to each Board and Commission chair asking if they thought the allocation of resources was sufficient to conduct business. He handed out a copy of the questionnaire along with his response. Smith asked the board to review it for comment. Annommements Shoemaker announced that Natural Resources Division has some bumper stickers, "Reuse, Reduce, Recycle", and invited the board to take some. Shoemaker announced that their will be a party Sunday October 13, at 2:00 at Gustav Swanson Nature Area to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the habitat restoration. Friedman announced that there was an article in the August 12 issue of the Rocky Mountain News, and Colorado was 16th in environmental health. Friedman announced that he was asked to speak before ten civics teachers with regard to volunteerism. He was the envirommemhlist speaker. Friedman announced that Rocky Mountain Battery Service is now charging to accept recycables and feels that this is one more justification for the IPC. Miller announced that the Fort Collins Wildlife Coalition, parent organization of Operation Osprey, is in the mode to accept suggestions for other projects or N an ongoing project needs some manpower. Adimmo cent The meeting was adjourned at 9:25. 8