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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 01/04/1995MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. JANUARY 4, 1995 For Reference: Phil Friedman, NRAB Chair - 493-2959 Chris Kneeland, Council Liaison - 221-2950 Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Board Members Present Craig McGee, Phil Friedman, Lisa Steffes, Phil Murphy, Bill Miller, Tim Johnson, Don Tidd, Katy Mason Board Members Absent Arlene Blum Staff Present Tom Shoemaker, Sally Maggart, Linda Devocelle, Edith Felchle, Sue Kenney The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Introduction of Guests Chris Kneeland, Council Liaison Approval of Minutes Bill Miller moved and Tim Johnson seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the December 7, 1994 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Recap of Master Naturalist Program Edith Felchle, Environmental Education Specialist, told the board that Sue Kenney, a contract employee, coordinated and facilitated the training sessions and field trips for the first master naturalist class. Felchle introduced Linda Devocelle, Environmental Education Specialist, who participated in the training as a private citizen. Devocelle explained to the board how the program provided excellent comprehensive naturalist training because of the depth of the presenters. She said the training included visiting natural areas and open spaces, learning about the Poudre River, reservoirs, raptors, insects, short grass prairies and all that Fort Collins has to offer. Devocelle reported she is now one of thirteen naturalists trained to go out and share their knowledge with the community. Johnson asked about the follow-up and how the naturalists will work in the community. Devocelle explained they will lead field trips, prepare brochures and give classroom Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting January 4, 1995 Page 2 presentations. Felchle noted there have been a variety of requests from the community. In the past, CSU had requested a tour of natural areas for a convention and there have also been requests from businesses to staff displays for bird days. She noted more interest is needed from the schools and she believes this will happen once they know what is available. Mason stated it made sense to get a demand for the naturalist services before continuing the training. Chris Kneeland asked if all applicants were able to participate in the program. Kenney said out of 30 applicants, 18 were accepted. She added that a total of 16 showed up, one dropped out and two will finish with the next class. Miller asked when the next class would be held. Felchle explained the plan is to have the class once a year, either in the spring or the fall. She said there is enough interest to fill two classes a year, but this would be a funding decision. Friedman asked what the criteria were for selecting participants. Kenney said the main goal was to have a variety of backgrounds. Teachers, students and people without a background in the field were automatically accepted. She explained that homework was assigned, reading material provided, and research required. She added that the problem was trying to cover so much subject matter. Shoemaker commended Felchle on coordinating the hiring of Kenney, who did an excellent job, and on organizing the training. Process for Naming Natural Areas Edith Felchle, Environmental Education Specialist, explained that a process is needed on naming natural areas. She researched the processes used in naming parks (a staff person does this) and naming streets (complex and not recommended), but feels there is community ownership in naming the natural areas. Felchle explained the media will be used to generate community interest. She said she is seeking board input on the naming process. McGee said he likes the criteria and priority level where people donating land get recognition. He felt there is no need for the board to review the names. Friedman thought it appropriate to have the board involved when an area is named after a person, but not if named otherwise. Felchle noted that all the suggested names will be going back to the board for review. Tidd did not think there was a need for board review. Mason said it might make sense to have the board involved in order to protect staff from scrutiny. Kneeland noted that the naming of the Senior Center created the only problem she can remember. Shoemaker noted the suggested process is trying to hit a balance with an appropriate level of review. Johnson said he did not want to spend a whole meeting on debating names. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting January 4, 1995 Page 3 Kneeland commented that the "Natural Category" was important as it provided something descriptive about the area. Friedman asked for clarification on what "A" and "B" were implying in the Section II criteria. Felchle said the criteria under "A" (donations, contiguous areas and ecological features) would be absolute with no discussion, while that in "B" (natural category, confusion avoidance and history) would be desirable but not required. Steffes thinks the "Confusion Avoidance" should go under Priority I. Tidd suggested.having all present park and street names placed in a computer program for cross-referencing. Steffes asked what would happen if the media doesn't pick up on the information after a press release is issued. Felchle said that is a risk. She said the possibility of buying ad space had been discussed, but it was decided not to do it for now. Friedman said it is an excellent idea and after it is finalized as a working program, a press release should be issued. The board agreed it is a good document and thanked Felchle for her presentation. 1994 Annual Report Friedman explained that Shoemaker drafted the annual report that is due at the clerk's office the end of the month. He said the board needs to review and approve the report or meet again if there is no agreement. He felt Shoemaker did a good job of summarizing the four particular areas of importance. Mason asked why the four highlighted areas (Natural Areas, Poudre River Land Use Framework, Waste Reduction and Trash Trucks, and Water Treatment Plant 1) did not coincide with the 1994 activities (Natural Areas, Recycling, Education and Growth Management). She questioned the inclusion of Water Treatment Plant 1. Miller said the water treatment issue has been around three or four yeas. He noted that he and Johnson attended many meetings of an ad hoc group headed by Randy Balok. Johnson thought it would be good to invite Balok here next month to review the issue. Shoemaker noted that the board has been the main champion of the project. Friedman said if the board needed more time, the decision on the annual report could be postponed for a week and the individual board members could phone in their comments to Shoemaker. Johnson said he is comfortable with the draft. Tidd moved to pass it tonight as presented and McGee seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. City Dialogue Process Friedman referred to the memo on City Dialogue from Steve VanderMeer thru Diane Jones that was sent to each board member. It said there will be a series of general meetings on January 18, 19, 21 and 22, with a second round of forums in the spring. The City is looking for small group facilitators for the second round. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting January 4, 1995 Page 4 Mason asked about the time commitment. Kneeland said it is a one night forum for three hours. The City is using small group forums, mailings and open houses to get out the information. They are excited about the dialogue process as it will be a way to involve the whole community. Shoemaker said the board will be actively involved in dialogue participation through facilitating, reviewing and commentingoon identified issues, and analysis preparation. Kneeland added that board members are included because they have more experience and information than the average citizen. Comprehensive Plan Kickoff Shoemaker referred to the copy of an e-mail message on Council Outreach and the Comprehensive Plan Update that was included in the board packet. He explained this is a parallel process to the City Dialogue. Mason asked how the community is being informed. Shoemaker said there will be ads as well as publicized Council Outreach sessions. At this point Kneeland had to leave. She thanked the board for the dinner and commended them on all of their work. Recycling Shoemaker distributed an Agenda Item Summary containing a resolution establishing policy direction on trash collection and waste stream reduction, an ordinance change on solid waste collection and recycling services and a proposed ordinance appropriating funds for recycling projects. He also distributed the draft of a memo to the Mayor and City Council that is a follow-up to the board's direction at the December 7, 1994 meeting on recycling recommendations to Council. Shoemaker explained that staff is proposing to take some but not all action items to Council on January 17. The ordinance changes to the existing recycling ordinance and a resolution for Council as follow-up to their worksession will be presented. The ordinance changes would increase the tax collection licensing fee to $30 per vehicle. This revenue will be used by the City to provide more frequent and uniform information to the citizens. This will take that burden off of the haulers. Johnson asked how many trucks are involved. Miller calculated that the fee would increase revenue to $3,000 per year and that would mean there are 150 trucks among the six haulers. Johnson felt the fee is extremely modest. Shoemaker noted that while this proposal does not incorporate the board's recommendation to Council on using the fee to cover street damage, consolidating solid waste and recycling services will be one way to address the issue. Shoemaker said the second thing the ordinance change will do is require bundling of the trash and recycling services and provide uniform billing. He cited the effective dates for this will Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting January 4, 1995 Page 5 accommodate the hauler's quarterly billing cycle. The residential section will go into effect 120 days after the ordinance, with 180 days for the commercial and multi -family portion. Steffes asked if the commercial recycling will include cardboard and plastic. Shoemaker said it will. Tidd asked when residential collection will include cardboard. Shoemaker responded that there is not an effective way yet at CRINC to separate the residential cardboard. The commercial cardboard is already separated when picked up. Miller asked if the bundled fee will remove the incentive for people to segregate recyclables. He thought with one flat rate, the tendency would be to dump everything in the trash. He suggested the need for an economic incentive to recycle. Shoemaker responded that he is not saying that this is all the action needed. There will be work done on future ordinance changes involving the true volume -based system as well as required consolidation for new homeowner's associations. The purpose now is to try to get the relatively easy things that have been discussed before Council. Shoemaker noted there have been some complaints about haulers being in residential areas too early; the proposed change would restrict operation after 7:00 p.m. and before 7:00 a.m. Another proposed change is to delineate the information required from haulers as to how much they collect, not just how many customers they have. He said another change would require haulers to provide weekly service, eliminating the monthly option. Shoemaker referred to the proposed resolution establishing goals and objectives to reduce the total waste stream by 20 percent and to reduce landfill waste by 20-30 percent by the year 2000. He noted these are ambitious goals based on where we are now and what the government requires. He noted there are specific targets that measure progress: reducing the number of trash trucks per week on residential streets from six to two, diverting 70-80 percent of compostables, increasing participation in the curbside recycling program, reducing paper products from commercial waste customers and increasing commercial participation. These will be looked at every year. Shoemaker explained the proposed ordinance appropriating funds for hiring a consultant to assist in a Request For Proposal and a marketing plan for a regional composting facility. The source of this funding is $50,000 reserved in 1986 for future recycling projects. Tidd asked if yard wastes would be picked up by the trash haulers. Shoemaker said yes. Johnson questioned the length of time involved for an ordinance change on the per -bag charge. He thought it would be wiser to wait on the ordinance until the changes could all be put together. He also thought people might dump everything together if there is bundling without a per -bag charge. Shoemaker said that was a good point. Mason thought people wouldn't stop recycling because of the bundling. She noted the cost should be lower if everyone is doing it. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting January 4, 1995 Page 6 Miller said the people not recycling now will be getting a rate increase and might not have the incentive to recycle. McGee questioned the timing on the future ordinance changes. He noted that if the proposed ordinance passed in January and had a second reading in February, it would be the middle of May before it became effective because of the 120 day phase -in period. This would coincide withthe opening of the composting facility in the spring or summer of 1995. He wondered why there had to be an additional future ordinance since the timing will be off only a month. He thought it would be administratively easier to do it all together. In addition, he wondered about the delay on requiring new homeowners associations to consolidate as this was one of the key points at the Council worksession. Mason was concerned about changing the recycling rules all the time; she thought it was very confusing and frustrating. Miller agreed it was confusing and would like the per -bag or volume -based put in right away. Friedman asked how the trash haulers will keep track of the volume with a per -bag system. Johnson suggested using the sticker system. Friedman felt this issue is the missing piece that would lock in the incentive to minimize trash volume. Mason agreed it needs to be done in conjunction with the volume -based to provide incentive. Steffes questioned the operating time restrictions on haulers and asked if complaints were expected. Shoemaker said there should not be any complaints as it is restricted to residential areas. Shoemaker said he is looking for formal action by the board in terms of a recommendation on how to proceed. Friedman asked the board if the recycling resolution and ordinances should be put on hold. Johnson moved to put the ordinance on hold until the volume collection issue can be researched and included, even if it means a delay. Miller seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Friedman asked what the timeframe is for the revised ordinance to come back to the board. Shoemaker said it could be two to three months, but there is no firm date. Friedman asked if the board still wanted to transmit the letter to Council on the recycling program recommendations. The board members agreed that the letter was more of a follow-up to the discussion at last month's meeting. Miller moved to approve the letter and Friedman seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 7-1, with McGee dissenting. McGee felt the same things can be achieved with strict adherence to the ordinance. He suggested spending the money for an outreach program with neighborhoods rather than funding a feasibility study on districting. Retreat Friedman asked if the board wanted to reschedule the retreat. It was agreed to hold the retreat Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting January 4, 1995 Page 7 on Sunday, March 26, from 12:00-5:00 p.m. Friedman asked Shoemaker to invite Kevin Cook to give a presentation. The board will discuss the retreat further at the February meeting. Committee Reports GROWTH MANAGEMENT: No report. Mason asked the committee members to meet afterwards to schedule a meeting. RECYCLING: McGee asked if the committee should still invite the trash haulers to discuss districting. Johnson said it should wait a few months to allow the City to do the feasibility study. Shoemaker suggested the committee meet with the haulers to talk about the fees but noted it is difficult to get all of the haulers together. Ram, BFI and Waste Management will probably attend. Steffes said she would like to hear how the smaller haulers feel. NATURAL AREAS: No report. EDUCATION: No report. Announcements Miller said the Larimer County Advisory Board turned in their first report. The Advisory Board has prioritized 16-18 recommendations that various task groups have identified and they continue to develop the mechanism of public input. Miller reported they are going to implement a GIS system to identify natural areas; it will be a joint study along with the CDOW. Also, he said they are looking at an environmental awards program. Friedman informed the board of a newspaper article about four counties putting together a consortium for a mountain backdrop study. Shoemaker said that K-Lynn Cameron is representing Latimer County on that project. Friedman announced that the governor is sponsoring a Growth Summit that is open to the public on January 25 and 26. The registration fee is $60. The contact number is 866-2817 for the Colorado Leadership Summit. Shoemaker said the Natural Resources Division will pay the registration fee for any board member who wants to attend as a representative of the board. Friedman will let him know. Friedman also reported on a hypercar article in the January issue of the Atlantic. He cited a follow-up article on the future of transportation infrastructure as it relates to the urban environment. He gave a copy to Tom. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.