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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 12/05/1990MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. - Conference Room DECEMBER 5, 1990 Board Members Present Dave DuBois Tim Johnson Ward Luthi Will Smith Harold Swope Chuck Davis Deni LaRue Bill Miller Christine Ferguson Board Members Absent (excused) Joyce Berry Staff Members Present Tom Shoemaker John Daggett Edith Felchle Bob Wilkinson Julie Bothwell Guests Mike Vermeulen Pam Doten Minutes It was moved, seconded, and unanimously approved that the Minutes of the November 7, 1990 NRAB meeting be approved as presented. Choice City Cycling Coalition (C4) Presentation Mike Vermeulen and Pam Doten from C4 handed out bicycle usage surveys to be filled out. Mike said several general questions must be considered: "Is it up to the City to promote alternative transportation?," "What are the values for alternative transportation in the Transportation Plan?," "What emphasis should be put on bicycles?," "What role should bicycles have?" Luthi commented that if we do not look at what is happening now, we will be in trouble in the future. We must plan well to incorporate bicycle access. He also mentioned that sidewalks and bikeways should be the focus, instead of adding auto lanes. Ferguson suggested that some roads be designated "no motorized vehicles" roads. Johnson suggested bicycle expressways, and bicycle connections to Loveland. Doten closed the conversation by stating that C4 is looking for new people and new ideas in their group. Transportation Plan John Daggett from the Transportation Department led a discussion on the Transportation Plan. Johnson said that air quality is one of the main things driving the Transportation Plan. We all contribute to the brown cloud every time we drive and we all have to accept the ownership of the problem. Daggett gave an overview of how the Transportation Plan is progressing and what it is trying to accomplish. The Ad -Hoc Transportation Committee (Policy Committee appointed by Council) is setting up policy parameters. These parameters will be the overall umbrella of the plan. The Staff group working on the Transportation Plan includes: an air quality specialist, two City planners, people that work with the LDGS, demographers, people that work with overview of planning, and parking, transit, bikeways, and auto transportation staff. They are modeling many different transportation scenarios. He said the group has heard the public loud and clear on bikeways, alternative modes, and the use of the automobile. He also commented that there are 1.4 million miles of travel a day in Fort Collins. Parameters they are looking at now include auto driver, single occupancy. He said a study done last year by CSU showed 1.14 passengers per vehicle; he commented that we will see problems in the next 20 years if changes are not made. Initial modal shift parameters currently under consideration: auto driver - -15% passenger - + 6% transit - + 7.5% cycle/foot - + 1.5% Bus transportation now represents .43% of all trips; these goals would increase the percentage to 7.5%. Luthi asked if modeling considers average trip distance. Daggett answered that it does not. A question was raised about how a citizen finds out opportunities to participate in Transportation Plan discussions. The response was to call 221-6608, and talk to Rick Ensdorff. Ferguson suggested translating technical data into a picture that means something to the average resident. It was stated that we are behind the times in terms of transit in this community if we want first class pedestrian facilities and a first class bikeway system. It was asked if the City has taken a look at monorail for I-25 or even just through town. Daggett replied that City Council is not interested in Front Range light rail. Board members were encouraged to attend or watch the Council work session December 11, on Channel 27. First draft of the policy issues will be presented to Council at the work session. Ferguson asked how issues can be presented to Council without public input. Shoemaker stated Council will only indicate issues and directions. The February document will be the policy draft; that's when there will be the opportunity for public input. Ferguson stated that the auto manufacturer should be billed for their part in the air quality problem. Shoemaker commented that data on tail pipe emissions are available for new car buyers. Luthi stated that the Harmony Corridor plan states that mixed land use works. He said we need proof that it does work. EMP Framework Update Shoemaker reported that the framework will be the documentation for the action agenda. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year and adopted by Council by mid Feb. There will be citizen input. Natural Areas Policy Plan Shoemaker briefly reviewed staff s plans for the Natural Areas Policy Plan. He outlined the plan's context as follows: I. Definition and Inventory II. Goals for protection, enhancement, management III. Policy direction for a. acquisition program b. cooperative program c. regulatory program d. education program IV. Roles and Responsibilities V. Funding alternatives Shoemaker said the Natural Areas Plan will be an element of the Comprehensive plan; therefore, the adopting agency is the P&Z Board. He said staff wants to work closely with the NRAB and with other boards such as Parks and Recreation, and Stormdrainage. Shoemaker suggested the following timeline: 12/19 brainstorm 1/2 draft to NRAB 1/16 NRAB review draft 2/6 recommendation 2/15 tour 2/25 P&Z hearing 3/19 Council Adoption This will mean two extra meetings for NRAB: one in Dec. and one in Jan. Shoemaker said NRAB needs to look at a wide range of policy questions, issues, and directions. It was moved, seconded and passed unanimously to hold a special NRAB meeting for Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. Location will be announced. Ideal Basic Companies Proposed Hazardous Waste Burn Shoemaker said staff is producing a memo about the regulatory process, etc. to Council. He said that access to reliable information is difficult. Ferguson said she has a press file of Ideal violations, she asked staff to copy the file and send to NRAB. Shoemaker said that Dr. Johnston of Larimer County Health Department will ask the County Commissioners to require a review and that Holnam would then be required to fund a study and risk assessment. Ferguson moved that NRAB send a letter to City Council about this issue, raising the issues of materials, spills, and transportation and supporting the recommendation that Holnam fund a study and risk assessment. LaRue seconded the motion. Discussion of the motion: LaRue said that Council's action on this will show that Council is interested in all that affects Fort Collins citizens, even events that occur outside the city limits. Miller said that NRAB should not take a stand against Holnam's proposal at this time. Luthi said that NRAB should strongly oppose the proposal, that NRAB must say "No" to this no matter what is done elsewhere. Johnson said it is important educationally to reject the proposal on solid information, not just on emotion. Ferguson added that copies of NRAB's letter to Council should be sent to the County Commissioners, the Council, the EPA, and the Colorado Department of Health. NRAB was reminded that Council's direction to boards is to advise Council, but not to speak independently to other entities. Ferguson said that NRAB must tell Council that the board cannot be isolated this way, that the board wants to extend its charter to speak directly to the County Commissioners. Shoemaker said that coordination with other entities is needed, but that Council members are the spokespersons for the City. There was lengthy discussion on this aspect. Most t board members agreed that Council's direction that boards provide advice to Council but leave it to Council to speak for the City was appropriate. Ferguson disagreed. At the end of the discussion, Ferguson withdrew her recommendation that letters be sent to other entities. Luthi said that NRAB still has other options available to it. It can hold a public meeting on the subject. The motion was amended to ask Council to send copies of NRAB's letter to County Commissioners, the Colorado Department of Health, and the EPA. The motion passed unanimously. There was a short break. Davis and Ferguson left the meeting at this time. Recycling There was a brief discussion about goals for the City's recycling program. It will be discussed further at the board's January meeting. NRAB Work Plan Felchle handed out a draft work plan based on information provided by committee chairs. The board went through the draft, discussing each proposed goal. There were some wording changes. Chairs will get final wording to staff within a few days. It was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously to adopt the 1991 Work Plan (with discussed revisions). NRAB Retreat Johnson asked if NRAB members were interested in another retreat (similar to the retreat held in February 190). It was agreed that a retreat will be held in February 191, probably 2/16 or 23. Johnson said that Mike Davis has expressed in interest in talking to the board at the retreat. Sign Code Swope moved that NRAB send Council a letter of comment on the sign code. The motion passed unanimously. Integrated Pest Management Shoemaker handed out a letter regarding integrated pest management. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.