Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 09/02/19871 MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD SEPTEMBER 2, 1987 7:00 p.m. Board Members Present: Suzanne Bassinger Dave DuBois Bill Fischer Tim Johnson Denise LaRue Board Members Absent: (excused) Rich Fisher Staff Present: Roger Krempel Brian Woodruff Ari Michelsen Pat Reed Bob Sanz Deborah Shimkus Sheryl Barr Bob Wilkinson Edith Felchle Approval of Minutes The Minutes of the August meeting were approved, with eight voting in favor of approval and Bill Fischer abstaining from voting because he did not attend the August meeting. Committee Reports MITIGATION AND LAND USE COMMITTEES: Report on Wildlife Management Plan recommendations -- Bassinger handed out copies of a draft of a letter of support for the Wildlife Management Plan. Krempel advised that a meeting of some City staff members suggested a change in strategy for implementation of the plan, stating that, rather than going to Council, in work session, for review and adoption in the near future, staff should simply attempt to apply as much of the plan as possible, within current regulations, administratively for a while. Later, if needed, the plan will be presented to Council for review and possible adoption. Wilkinson reported that he has met with Planning staff and is working with other departments involved with initial implementation of the plan. The question was raised, "How would this strategy of implementation of the plan prevent loss such as that which occurred at Wal—Mart?" The reply was that this type of loss might not be prevented, significant resources could still be lost. Current development negotiations regarding plans for the Benson Reservoir area on the east side of South College (where the developer seeks to fill in the wetlands at the west end of the reservoir for commercial development next to the highway) were cited as a potential test of how the administrative strategy might or might not work. Board members expressed strong disappointment and opposition to the limitations of administrative implementation, and the statement was made that the Board should proceed with their own recommendations to Council for adoption of the plan, even if staff and administration propose differently. There was discussion regarding the possibility of this board meeting with the Planning and Zoning Board to present the Wildlife Management Plan and discuss its implementation. It making a presentation at a Planning NRAB present. was decided that staff would look into and Zoning Board work session, with Several individual board members stated that they plan to contact Councilpersons to discuss the Wildlife Management Plan. It was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously, that the Land Use Committee's draft letter of support for the plan be modified slightly and sent immediately to Council, independent of any staff action. AIR QUALITY COMMITTEE: It was reported that the committee met several times during August regarding the lead air quality planning agency issue. Some committee members were concerned that all options were not being presented to Council, thus they personally contacted Councilpersons to let them know of their concerns. NRAB members were pleased that the resolution adopted by Council on 9/l/87, establishing the North Front Range Transportation Planning Council, was amended to include the possibility of further review of options for a lead air quality planning agency. Air Quality Planning Organization Woodruff introduced Dr. Lawrence Johnston of the Larimer County Health Department, who was in attendance because Fort Collins' air quality will affect other parts of the county. Krempel presented basic information about the need for an air quality planning agency, stating that City transportation planners had proceeded as they had always done before the existence of the Natural Resources Division or the Natural Resources Advisory Board. The planners' proposal was for a Transportation Planning Council, which would include a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for Greeley and one for Fort Collins. A TAC subcommittee for air quality would be added, but might be limited by the wishes of both the TAC and the Transportation Planning Council. The Natural Resources Division preferred that another option be considered, an Air Quality Commission with subcommittees for various aspects of air quality. This type of structure would have a direct voice, unaffected by possible conflicts of interest, on all air quality issues. It was decided that NRAB should hold a special work session in September to consider the options on this matter. The meeting will be held Monday, September 21 at 7:00 p.m. Picnic Rock "Event" Sanz reported that he had set up Saturday, September 19 as the date for an informal review of the site. Board members should meet at Picnic Rock at 9:00 a.m. on that date. Those who wish to car pool should meet at 8:30 in the City Hall West parking lot. Conflict of Interest Krempel stated that the City Clerk's office had suggested that staff remind all boards of the City guidelines regarding conflict of interest. He brought these guidelines, outlined in the Boards and Commissions Manual, to board members' attention. Air Quality Planning The issue of an air quality planning agency was reopened. Dr. Johnston stated that while he was attending this meeting only as an observer, he supports some type of commission that would consider all air quality issues, stating that all people in Latimer County need to look at aspects of air quality. Woodruff reviewed the alternative organizational structures presented earlier by Krempel, providing additional detail. He reminded the board that Fort Collins will have to do a SIP revision soon and that the air quality lead agency could take responsibility for this. In addition to the two previously mentioned options for a lead air quality planning agency, Woodruff mentioned two additional options: (1) a hybrid which would be somewhat of an overlap of the Transportation Planning Council and the Air Quality Commission, and (2) the possibility of NRAB serving in the capacity of an air quality commission (a representative of the state's Air Pollution Control Office had expressed support for this possibility). Woodruff briefly cited examples of pros and cons of each option. He will prepare written background material on this issue. The material will be mailed to the board prior to the 9/21 meeting. Announcements Michelsen announced that Sheryl Barr has been appointed to fill Gilbert Fechner's unexpired term. DuBois announced that the Front Range Water Planning Commission has been recommended to the Governor for approval. Regarding the National Recreation Area study, Krempel mentioned that the Forest Service has thus far been unable to program and budget funding to proceed. They are seeking ways to do initial work until funds can be allocated for the study. The question of what was happening regarding Grey Rock (and other related) dams was raised. Krempel will send out copies of Minutes of the last Water Board meeting, which dealt extensively with this matter. Dr. Johnston announced that the County has a need for a pond to house 20,000 gambusia fish (a species used for mosquito control). Woodruff was asked to report on the gasoline in City Park Lake. He stated that a leak has been discovered at the gasoline station at the corner of Mulberry and Taft Hill. The leaking material had gone directly through the storm sewer into City Park Lake. The corroded tank has been replaced and the company has hired a consulting firm to determine the extent of environmental damage and to recommend a clean-up plan. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.