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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 06/15/19870 i MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD JUNE 15, 1987 7:00 p.m. Board Members Present: Suzanne Bassinger Denise LaRue Gil Fechner Ari Michelsen Bill Fischer Pat Reed Tim Johnson Bob Sanz Board Members Absent: (excused) Dave DuBois Staff Present: Roger Krempel Bob Wilkinson Brian Woodruff Edith Felchle Approval of Minutes Minutes of the May meeting were unanimously approved as submitted. Committee Reports Legislative Review: Fischer informed the board of proposed legislation which would prohibit cities from claiming in -stream flow rights. The House and Senate have passed this legislation. Fort Collins has filed for such rights, although it is a very junior right. Fischer emphasized he mentioned this matter for information only. His law firm has an interest in this matter and if the board decided to consider discussion or action, he would remove himself from such consideration. Air Quality: Opened discussion of the woodsmoke issue. Minutes of the 6/8/87 public in -put meeting were distributed. Johnson reviewed the public meeting saying there was a small turnout, which indicates that either (1) people are very busy or (2) this subject is not very controversial. Those who commented at the public meeting were generally supportive of the proposed actions. Johnson asked about the cost of opacity reading. Woodruff replied that the County has indicated they will do this for the City at a cost of approximately $25/incident. Fechner stated he felt disappointed the board had no chance to have in -put on who the speakers at the public meeting would be. It was stated that that was the purpose of sending out the invitee list for NRAB approval, and board members did not add anyone to that list. Johnson stated that the Air Quality Committee supports the staff's approach but wants to do additional deliberation before making a recommendation. Deliberations would include: 1) What would education costs be? 2) No -burn days -- should natural gas be exempted? 3) Possibly omit the recommendation to monitor smoke levels and instead put the money into additional education. 4) How many turnovers would the air quality loan fund recommendation i stimulate? 5) A property tax rebate was not recommended -- maybe it should be. If it is recommended, what should be included in the program? 6) Why was smoke density of 40% chosen? Woodruff replied it is consistent with other cities. 7) Would Coalbrick be banned if coal is banned? 8) Point of sale regulation was not recommended -- maybe it should be. 9) Need to compare the cost of running a gas line to a fireplace to the cost of a phase II stove. The following points were brought up in general discussion about the recommendations: o There should be more education dealing with the fact that it is not economical to burn wood. o Do phase II stoves deteriorate and thus become less efficient? Woodruff replied that this depends on the technology of a particular stove. o Maybe all stove dealers in Fort Collins should be certified by the City at a workshop where they would be given the kinds of information that should be passed on to consumers upon purchase of a stove. o Krempel mentioned that the tax rebate and the point of sale aspects could be very controversial. It might be wise to let Council know that they have been reviewed by NRAB but are not recommended at this time. The Air Quality Committee will meet to discuss this information and will come to the July meeting with a recommendation. (Recommendation will be mailed out ahead of time for NRAB review). Johnson referred the board to the State Board of Health publication, "Report to the Public — 1986" saying that it contained good information and if board members wanted to read it maybe Natural Resources staff could order additional copies. Staff Reports Krempel reported that curb —side recycling will begin June 30. Pick—up will be weekly, instead of bi—weekly as earlier announced. Woodruff introduced Jane Mitchell, a volunteer who will be working on the UST program. Woodruff handed out a draft letter which Mayor Estrada is expected to sign regarding the City's stand on oxygenated fuels. The signed letter will be read into the public hearing record as the City's testimony on the issue. Woodruff emphasized that fuel quality standards are an absolute requirement for this program to succeed. Krempel stated that the City fleet will be using MTBE fuel to demonstrate the City's stand on the issue. Felchle handed out the proposed resolution recognizing Fort Collins as an Urban Wildlife Sanctuary. The resolution is a part of the process of seeking sanctuary certification through the National Institute For Urban Wildlife. The City's benefits include (1) being listed in a national directory available to businesses and individuals considering relocation, and (2) increased credibility for the City's own certification program. This was brought to the board for information only, no action was sought. i Announcements LaRue ,expressed appreciation to the staff for the recent picnic. Everyone was encouraged to be thinking about the NRAB election of officers coming up at the July meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.