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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 09/03/1986MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD SEPTEMBER 3, 1986 7:00 p.m. Board Members Present: Suzanne Bassinger Denise LaRue Scott Duncan Ari Michelsen Dave DuBois Pat Reed Bill Fischer Bob Sanz Board Members Absent (excused): Gil Fechner Pat Sousa Tim Johnson Staff Present: Roger Krempel Brian Woodruff Don Yon Edith Felchle The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by the Chair. The Minutes of the August 6, 1986 meeting were unanimously approved as submitted. Picnic Rock Review Bassinger introduced Joe Maurier of the Colorado Division of Parks. Maurier presented details of the Picnic Rock management plan. He explained the process used in preparing the Visitation and Revenue page of previously mailed material. It was noted that Larimer County has committed to install a toilet at a cost of $10,000 (lottery money), but this will only be done if a plan is approved to insure management of the area for at least ten years. In response to the proposed recommendation letter from NRAB to Council, it was noted that while Fort Collins water utility fees do support ownership of the land, they do not support management. It was stated that development will be minimal and will not basically change the looks of the area. It was stated that the State has fee title ownership of the non -city land. In response to request for no -fee management, it was stated that the Division of Parks is required to be at least 60% self-supporting, so it is impossible to provide no -fee management. They said that perhaps they will charge the fee from April to September only. Pat Legel, a commercial rafter, expressed 100% support for the plan. Don Kellett, a private user of the area, expressed concern because he now can use the area at no cost but will be required to pay the day -use fee if the plan is implemented. It was stated that the trade off for the fee is increased fishing. Frank Lancaster, speaking as a private user of the area, expressed disappointment that the City had not been involved in the earlier planning on the project. He stated that he thinks there is potential for serious natural resources contamination at the site if the area is not properly managed. It was stated that with this plan, all agencies involved will have more of a vested interest in the area and hopefully this will lead to better people control. Maurier asked if the City did not approve this fee plan, would they subsidize the management plan. Response was that NRAB can only recommend to Council, but has no decision making power. The presenters were thanked for their input and were told that NRAB would go into discussion on the matter and make a recommendation to Council. Susan Kirkpatrick was introduced as Council liaison to NRAB. NRAB continued discussion of the Picnic Rock plan. Staff reported there will be a committee working on a master management plan for the water treatment plant site which could include this area but the decision has been made to defer consideration of this until the replacement water treatment plant is operational. The plant will not be abandoned until 1988. Reed cited a Forest Service report stating that only 5-10% of the boating on the river is private, the rest is commercial. Concern was expressed that this plan would simply push the problem upstream, also that a safety problem may develop with people parking on the road to avoid the fee area. It was moved and seconded to rescind the previously adopted recommendation letter. The vote was 3-5, with Bassinger, LaRue, Fischer, Michelsen, and Sanz against. Bassinger, Fischer, Sanz and Michelsen voted against because they felt the present letter was sufficient. LaRue didn't want her vote to create a tie, so she voted against. The motion was made and seconded to make certain changes in the letter. Proposed changes included (1) support of the master planning effort, (2) mention the possibility of other alternatives for funding and management, (3) mention that there is merit to pursue the protection of the area, (4) the City must make commitments to protect the area, (5) be sure there is open free access in the off season, (6) pursue alternatives such as limited lease contracts, (7) recommend that a City staff person be designated to follow—up the recommendations. The vote to approve these changes was unanimous. Krempel stated it was important that the NRAB recommendation be in agreement with the Water Board and NRAB should be in contact with the Water Board committee. It was requested that a copy of the final letter be sent to all guests who attended the meeting. This will be done. Discussion of Committees Board Members were asked to indicate any committee changes they wished to make. The committee structure is now as follows. Bylaws Committee Fechner, Fischer Legislative Review DuBois, Fischer, LaRue, Reed Mitigation Committee DuBois, Reed, Duncan, Sanz, Sousa Land Use/Wildlife Bassinger, Fechner, Sanz, Sousa, Michelsen Education/Information: Duncan, Fechner, Johnson, LaRue, Michelsen Water Committee Reed, Michelsen, Sousa, DuBois, Fischer Hazardous Materials . Recycling Committee . Air Quality Committee: DuBois, Johnson, Duncan Bassinger, LaRue Reed, Johnson, Schwartz, LaRue The Goals & Objectives Committee was inadvertently omitted from the previous committee draft. Budget Krempel stated that various boards have chosen various levels of involvement in review of the budgets of their related departments. He said Council would like NRAB to look at the DNR budget which will be mailed to them for comment at the next meeting. Susan Kirkpatrick stated that Council would appreciate input from a citizen's point of view from NRAB members. They would like to know if the performance measures in the DNR programs are what NRAB considers important to carrying out functions of the programs. Due to time constraints, she suggested individual NRAB members provide input in the upcoming public meetings rather than try to submit a consensus written statement from the entire Board. Recess Due to the lateness of the hour, it was moved and seconded to recess the meeting and reconvene on 9/15/86 at 7:00 p.m. at a location to be determined by staff. The vote was unanimously in favor.