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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 04/03/1996MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. APRIL 3,1996 For Reference: Phil Murphy, NRAB Chair - 491-6303 Gina Janett, Council Liaison - 493-4677 Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Board Members Present Linda Kirkpatrick, Katy Mason, Ed Secor, Phil Friedman, Phil Murphy, Jan Behunek, Bill Miller, Kelly Ohlson Board Members Absent Craig McGee Staff Present Natural Resources Dept.:Tom Shoemaker, Linda Devocelle, Brian Woodward, Edith Felchle, Karen Manci, Sally Maggart, Margit Hentschel. City Manager's Office: Ann Tumquist Guest Amy Kass, CSU Student (did not stay long enough to be introduced) The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. Review and Approval of Minutes The minutes of the March 6, 1996 meeting were approved as written. Agenda Review Due to a scheduling conflict, the Air Quality Action Plan Review and the Foothills Natural Areas Management Plan agenda items were switched. Announcements Jan Behunek announced that there will be a lecture on wetland restoration at noon on Friday, April 5, in the Lory Student Center at CSU. Phil Friedman announced that Friends of the Poudre, the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and the League of Women Voters are hosting a discussion of Northern Colorado Water from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, in the City Hall Council Chambers. Natural Resources Advisory Board April 3, 1996 Page 2 Capital Improvement Program Update, Ann Turnquist Ann Turnquist, Council Policy Manager, explained that boards and commissions are being asked for input on projects proposed in the 20-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). She added that Council is asking boards to hold public hearings on their specific related topics. Turnquist noted that the three 1/4 cent sales taxes, streets maintenance, natural areas and Choices 95, are expiring in 1997. She said that the committee is looking at voter renewal of these in April 1997. Behunek asked if all the projects will be lumped together in one ballot issue. Turnquist explained that the committee is contemplating a citizen survey and seeking input from boards and commissions to determine the packaging. Behunek said that he thinks one package would be too much. Ohlson noted that nothing is being built into the CIP for the replacement of the 1/4 cent natural areas tax. He said that it is unwise and illogical to not include natural areas. Tumquist agreed. She noted that staff will have more detail on cost projections when project sheets are completed. Phil Murphy asked how the public hearings are planned. Tumquist said that decision is driven at the board and commission level; some boards might want to hold joint hearings, depending on the issue. Phil Friedman said that he agrees with Behunek on the ballot packaging. He added that it is important that capital projects look at the nature of the future needs of the community. Ed Secor suggested wording the ballot for flexibility. Ed Secor made the motion that the Natural Resources Advisory Board feels that the Capital Improvement Program should include a significant element of natural areas and open space funding. Phil Friedman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (8-0). The Board thanked Tumquist for her presentation. Foothills Natural Areas Management Plans (continued) Murphy said that so many topics were covered at the special meeting that he was not convinced that everyone had a chance to address all the issues in the plan. He added that before getting together with the Parks & Recreation Board he wanted closure on the Board's comments. Ohlson said that the Overland Trail Extension was not addressed. Behunek asked where it is at in the planning process. Tom Shoemaker said that it will be revised in the Master Transportation Plan that will come before the Board in the next three to four months. He added that Natural Resources Department staff is involved in the process. E Natural Resources Advisory Board April 3, 1996 Page 3 Edith Felchle, Environmental Planner, reported that the Foothills Management Plan team is in the process of writing the second draft of the Foothills Management Plan; it should go before both boards early in June. She added that the final plan should be ready by the end of June. Mason questioned the length of time the process is taking. Felchle explained that revisions received from the public and boards, plus staff and board scheduling constraints, are causing the delays. Friedman said that the educational component is critical in explaining restrictions and management methods. He added that it should be clearly defined at the onset. Felchle said that a CSU intern is working on a site brochure that focuses on the value, impact and reason for protection of natural areas. Friedman suggested that the ranger be trained in law enforcement and have an environmental background. Secor agreed. Felchle noted that the team is looking for balance in the job description. Bill Miller suggested that trained Master Naturalists reinforce what the ranger is doing. Felchle said that Master Naturalists will conduct guided tours. Mason said that it is critical to include the educational component and the ranger wording in the plan. Karen Manci, Environmental Planner, noted that it is included in the revisions. Secor asked if there is a need for an ordinance that addresses molesting plants and animals. Manci said that there is a city ordinance and a state law on mistreatment of wildlife, but nothing on trampling vegetation. Mason asked about the impact of sledding. Manci explained that a hillside can be degraded with a lot of use. She added that there is also a liability issue. Murphy noted that on Page 48 in the section on controlling wildfire, it states "fires will be suppressed". He said that fire is a management tool and he felt the statement limits using fire for whatever useful purpose in natural areas. Manci noted that Poudre Fire Authority controls fires in urban areas but opportunities will be pursued for managed burns. She added that burning is not needed in short grass prairies as much as in mid -grass and tall grass prairies. Murphy suggested changing the wording to "Fire can be used as a management tool". Ohlson said that he had three concerns: 1) The Parks Master Plan looks like the PICK proposal; 2) Streets and Parks will be part of the CIP, but there is no mention of natural areas; and 3) There are four parks, one stormwater, one forestry and two natural resources staff members on the open space management team and Parks people are deciding how to manage what was purchased with 95 percent of open space/natural areas funds. Shoemaker responded: 1) This concern has been conveyed to parks staff and they are aware of the issue; 2) Do not assume that staff is not going to propose eight years of additional funding for trails Natural Resources Advisory Board April 3, 1996 Page 4 and natural area programs; 3) It is a mistake to judge people by the department they are working for; the team represents different expertise and there is not a power struggle. The Natural Resources Department staff expect to have a strong role in the Parks Master Plan and want to ensure the importance of this interchange. Ed Secor said that the most recent proposal of the Parks Master Plan is still too focused on active recreation. Murphy suggested researching the minutes and sending a memorandum of concerns based on the minutes and what has been said tonight. Shoemaker agreed that the more specific, the better. He said that he will work with Murphy on the memorandum. Ohlson said that the Board needs to let people know that they do not want lottery funds moved from trails to parks. Behunek agreed that a motion is needed opposing the transfer of Conservation Trust Fund monies. Katy Mason made the motion that the Natural Resources Advisory Board opposes any Conservation Trust Fund money being converted for parks use. Bill Miller seconded the motion. Behunek suggested clarifying that the money goes for open space acquisition and trail construction. The motion passed unanimously (8-0). Shoemaker reported that a County Board has been appointed to advise the Commissioners on County expenditures from the Help Preserve Open Spaces Initiative. He is the representative for the City. Behunek asked if the County Board will determine how the money is spent in Fort Collins. Shoemaker said that Fort Collins will control how the City's share of the money is spent. Recap of City Council Study Session on the Air Quality Action Plan Review, Brian Woodruff Brian Woodruff, Environmental Planner, explained the objectives of the Air Quality Action Plan. VEHICLE MILES: • Reduction of vehicle miles traveled (vmt) growth. • Clean Cities designation (use of alternative fuels). TECHNOLOGY: • Use of best sanding and sweeping technology. • Convening a study commission to review the problems with the inspection program and make recommendations for a local emission testing program in 1997. • Joint project with the County on road dust. COMMERCEANDUSTRY: • Pollution prevention program aimed at small to medium-sized businesses to reduce emissions. 0 Regulatory actions dealing with new sources. E Natural Resources Advisory Board April 3, 1996 Page 5 .WOODBURNING: • Information program and ZILCH loan program working well. Ninety percent surveyed responded that they were not bothered by wood smoke. • Working on a woodsmoke ordinance to require upgrading of stoves and fireplaces at point of sale. INDOOR AIR POLLUTION: • Add radon information program for homeowners to test and mitigate high radon levels. • Working on a radon ordinance to require new homes to be tested and information given to the purchaser at point of sale. OTHER: • Planning, partnerships and networking opportunities. • The legislative component is minimal because the City does not have a lobbying presence at the State House. • Continue visibility monitoring. • Initiate a PM 2.5 source apportionment study (particulate matter less than 2.5 microns that impacts visibility and health). • The Air Quality Advisory Board wants a benchmarking study to find communities that have done the best job. • Revise the federally mandated CO State Implementation Plan. Fort Collins has not violated CO for the last two years and is eligible to be redesignated as an attainment area. This would require an evaluation study of the existing CO monitoring site to show that, over a ten year period, the City will not drift back into nonattainment. Woodruff asked for comments. Behunek asked if the department has enough staff to cover the assignment. Woodruff responded that Council has budgeted for the hiring of an additional person. Linda Kirkpatrick asked what chance there is to reduce vehicle miles by getting people out of cars. Woodruff said that the transportation planning process has specific goals of working with employers to reduce employee work trips and study travel patterns. He added that City Plan is taking vmt growth under advisement in planning land use patterns and road use support. Secor said that he would like to see consequences built into the plan. He added that if goals are not attained, efforts should be redirected. Woodruff said that consequences have not yet been built into the plan. Friedman asked if there is any effort to address the issue of alternative fuels technology. Woodruff explained that the Clean Cities program is a voluntary association of fleet and fuel suppliers. Friedman suggested that something stronger than voluntary may be needed. Linda Devocelle, Natural Resources Advisory Board April 3, 1996 Page 6 Environmental Education Specialist, explained that there are 31 stakeholders in the program representing the alternative fuel and vehicle industry, including Weld County, Larimer County and Rocky Mountain Park. She reported that the City of Fort Collins has 103 alternative fuel vehicles. Behunek noted that the ZILCH loan is the only economic incentive. He suggested subsidizing the bus system, charging for parking and removing older vehicles from the road as additional incentives. Mason noted that the plan is comprehensive but lacks in action, regulation and enforcement. She expressed concern about the effectiveness without more consequences or regulations. Ohlson suggested recommendations to direct Council to enforce existing laws and sending a message that if they are serious about air quality, funding is needed. He added that indoor air quality is a real issue and action is needed on design and airflow in buildings. Woodruff explained the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. He said that the purpose is to enlist cities around the world to work actively on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Woodruff added that a resolution is needed and he did not get any takers from Council. Murphy said that it is a good issue that would reinforce the plan and he suggested a motion. Jan Behunek moved that City Council include Fort Collins in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign because it meshes closely with a number of the outlined objectives that need to be addressed Phil Friedman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (8-0). Murphy summarized the Board's comments on the Air Quality Plan: 1. Regulation: Ensure state and federal minimum standards are being enforced. Economic incentives along with voluntary programs and regulations to encourage companies and people to improve air quality. 2. Indoor AirQuality: Look at building code changes, construction materials and ventilation. 3. Budeet: Recommend that Council provide adequate funding for all the programs. 4. Monitoring Sunnort: Seek funding for an additional site. Woodruff said that he will incorporate these recommendations. Murphy said that a copy of the memo to Council will be sent to everyone for input. International Dark Sky Update, Tom Shoemaker Shoemaker announced that a seminar featuring Dr. David L. Crawford, president of the International Natural Resources Advisory Board April 3, 1996 Page 7 Dark Sky Association, will be held on Tuesday, April 23 from 11:30 - 3:00 p.m. in the CIC room at City Hall. Other Business Shoemaker reported that HB 1272 did not pass. The bill would have gutted all local environmental regulatory programs. He added that staff worked hard with the Colorado Municipal League on the opposition to the bill. Shoemaker said that he may be bringing new acquisitions to the May meeting; two along the foothills and two along the Poudre River. Ohlson suggested that the Board get together and have a social event. He also suggested changing the regular meeting time from 7:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Miller said that the Audubon Birdathon will be held in May and he is accepting pledges. He added that the pledge money funds the Audubon's legislative efforts at the state level. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.