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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 01/02/1991MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. - Conference Room JANUARY 2, 1991 Board Members Present Bill Miller Deni LaRue Will Smith Tim Johnson Harold Swope Chuck Davis Ward Luthi Dave DuBois Board Members Absent (excused) Christine Ferguson Joyce Berry Staff Members Present Tom Shoemaker Brian Woodruff Edith Felchle Julie Bothwell Bob Wilkinson Guest Susan Duba-Hayes Warren Jones Ron Gonzales Minutes It was moved, seconded, and unanimously approved that the Minutes of December 5, 1990 and the Minutes of December 17, 1990 NRAB meetings be approved as presented. The board would like to formally apologize to Linda Ripley for asking her to leave the December 17 meeting while it discussed its comments on the Harmony Corridor Plan. NRAB meetings are open to the public. Staff Reports Natural Areas Policy Plan and Environmental Management Plan maps are taking longer than anticipated; the draft will be moved to February 1, 1991. Therefore, an extra meeting in January will not be necessary. Smith asked that the record reflect that the board still wants cost information on maintenance of bluegrass open space and open parks versus maintenance of natural areas. Holnam: LaRue stated that the League of Women will have their forum Cross Currents, on hazardous waste and Holnam January 24, 1991 at 7:00 p.m. on KCSU radio and on Channel 27. Old Business Board Recommendation on Erosion Control Manual Susan Duba-Hayes from the Stormwater Utility gave an update on the Erosion Control Manual. Hayes stated they have been trying to solve erosion problems from construction sites for a long time. She said the purpose of the process is to create enforceable criteria. In developing the manual they have had input from consultants, contractors, and the public. Hayes stated that the criteria represent all views. She also stated that the criteria and requirements must be practical and enforceable and should not cause significant hardship. She said the criteria and requirements are consistent with the Federal Government, EMP goals, and NRAB's 1990 goals. Hayes noted that the utility hoped for a recommendation from NRAB for support for adoption of the criteria. She said that if the board feels the manual should be stronger, then this should be stated in the board's letter. Dubois stated that the biggest concern was that the manual didn't go far enough and he thinks the board should suggest to Council that the goal should be to make it stronger by using such wording as "require" instead of "may" or "should." Hayes stated that the utility chose to direct the performance, not dictate the method that must be used to reach desired goals. Smith asked if the public could report erosion that they see occurring. Hayes said they can and, in fact, they already do. It was moved, seconded and passed unanimously to recommend adoption of the criteria, and recommend that it be strengthened in the future. Johnson asked Swope and DuBois to work with Wilkinson and Shoemaker to draw up points for the letter. The letter is needed by January 18, 1991. Hazardous Materials Risk Reduction Plan Warren Jones from Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) gave the presentation. Jones introduced Ron Gonzales who has been hired by PFA to manage the hazardous materials program. Jones said that PFA's goal is to keep local risk from hazardous materials manageable . The mission of the hazardous material plan is to minimize the negative consequences of emergency.hazardous materials incidents through prevention, preparation, and response with an emphasis on public/private cooperation. The reason PFA is taking the lead on this is because they are the first response agency for emergencies of this type. They also have an appropriate organizational structure in place. They have a contact with every business in town, they have an ordinance process, and they have police power. In addition they can respond immediately and they have a responsibility to their employees who respond to hazardous materials emergencies. Objectives of the hazardous materials management plan are to prevent and minimize the following: 4. injuries and death 2. major incidents 3. complicated fires 4. environmental contamination Strategies of the plan include prevention, preparation, and then response. The plan has the following components: I. New Facilities - the goal is to create no new community risk. II. Existing Facilities - the goal is to hold risk at the current levels. III. Mitigation - the goal is faster and better mitigation. IV. Education - to reduce risk V. Funding - the program will be funded from user fees (75%) and general fees (25%). Jones said the overall strategy is to develop criteria, adopt code changes, adopt the hazardous materials management plan process, provide design assistance, provide education, develop mitigation procedures, and develop the funding system. Jones stated that of the 4000 Fort Collins businesses, about 450 will be impacted by the plan. Jones also added that PFA would like input on the plan. They are not seeking endorsements at this time. Jones stated that PFA will come back to NRAB in a few months and ask for endorsement. In response to questions about. CSU complying with the plan, Jones said CSU has already adopted most of the codes PFA is proposing. Swope stated that board members need to know what chemicals are and are not being intended to be regulated before the board can comment on the program. Hayes commented that the erosion control manual will go hand in hand with hazardous materials plan and will deal with many of the nuisance areas. Jones said if anyone has questions, please call him at 221- 6570. Committee Reports Education Committee: Retreat Date and Agenda: The Education Committee will come up with possible agenda items for the retreat and will bring these to the February NRAB meeting for discussion. A comment was made to perhaps postpone the retreat until the new Council is elected. It was generally agreed that April might be a good time for the retreat. Smith handed out copies of environment action awards nomination forms. The Education Committee will meet January 15, at 7:00 p.m., at Smith's home. Recycling Committee: The Recycling Committee will meet January 15, at 6:00 p.m., at Smith's home. The purpose of the meeting will be to draft goals for the curbside program. Johnson announced that Joyce Berry had resigned from the NRAB due to work conflict. New Business 1990 Annual Report The board briefly discussed the draft Annual Report that was mailed out. There were no significant changes. NRAB members will call staff or Johnson if they have any changes. It was moved, seconded, and unanimously passed to submit the Annual Report as drafted and with minor changes that may be called in. Zoo Proposal It was stated that the zoo that is being proposed for Fort Collins will enter into the City's natural areas discussion. Staff will be meeting with Zoo representatives January 3, 1991 at 4:00 p.m. at the Natural Resources Division office. NRAB members are welcome to attend. A suggestion was made to invite the Zoo representative to the NRAB February meeting. Announcements Smith said if anyone would like to have a party, it could held at his house in March. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.