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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 09/14/19949 MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. SEPTEMBER 14, 1994 For Reference: Bill Miller, NRAB Chair Chris Kneeland, Council Liaison Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison 493-7693 221-2950 221-6263 Board Members Present Bill Miller, Chair, Phil Friedman, Lisa Steffes, Craig McGee, Phil Murphy, Katy Mason, Don Tidd, and Tim Johnson (after the election of officers) Board Members Absent Arlene Blum (excused) Staff Present Tom Shoemaker, Sally Maggart, Edith Felchle, Sue Kenney Guests Present Mike Pretz, Fire Marshal, Poudre Fire Authority The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. The following guests were introduced: Sue Kenney, Natural Resources contractual staff member developing the Master Naturalist Network, and Mike Pretz, Fire Marshal with the Poudre Fire Authority. Approval of Minutes Phil Friedman moved and Craig McGee seconded to approve the minutes of the August 3, 1994 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Election of Officers For the Chair position, Bill Miller nominated Phil Friedman and Don Tidd nominated Bill Miller. Craig McGee moved that the nominations be closed for the Chair position; Tidd seconded and the motion passed unanimously. A secret ballot followed. Upon counting the votes, Edith Felchle declared Phil Friedman the winner. For the record, the vote count was six for Friedman and one for Miller,, Katy Mason nominated Bill Miller for the Vice -chair position. Phil Friedman nominated Craig McGee, who declined. Don Tidd moved to close the nominations for Vice -chair; Craig McGee seconded and the motion passed unanimously. All board members were in favor of Miller's nomination as Vice -chair. The new officers will take over at the next meeting, October 5. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting September 14, 1994 Page 2 Proposal for a Noncombustible Class A Rooting Ordinance Mike Pretz, Fire Marshal for the Poudre Fire Authority, corrected the original agenda listing of "Proposal to Ban Noncombustible (Class A) Materials" to read "Proposal for a Noncombustible Class A Roofing Ordinance". The action intended is for a roofing ordinance, not a ban. He is working with a group composed of insurance representatives, area building officials, the sheriff's office and wildland fire fighting groups. They have been working since March 1993 towards putting together a proposal to make Class A roofing the standard in new construction and re -roofing. Class A roof materials exclude shake shingles, whether treated or untreated, because when they catch fire, the wind can spread the embers to other roofs. This was demonstrated in a slide presentation. It was further explained that there are now more varieties of safer alternative roofing products than years ago; informational materials were distributed on fire retardant roofing. Support is being sought for the proposal because it would mean one more step toward better fire protection for the community. The suggestion was made by Chair Miller to introduce a motion in support of the roofing ordinance in order to promote the use of Class A materials. Tidd so moved and Johnson seconded. Mason stated that the ordinance is especially important as the City moves toward higher densities and experiences growth. Johnson noted that there is an additional environmental benefit of maintaining air quality if the ordinance helps limit the spread of fires. The motion passed unanimously. The board thanked Mr. Pretz for his presentation. Environmental Action Awards Friedman reported that the public sector portion of the environmental awards will be given out at the Environmental Fair on Saturday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m.; the school segment has already been presented. He noted that there were not as many nominations this year as in the past and this made it more difficult for the committee to determine winners. The award structure will be evaluated before the end of this year in order to get better participation. Because the board did not meet before the deadline to order plaques, information was sent to each board member and a telephone poll was conducted. Edith Felchle reported the results of the telephone poll revealed that there were two deviations from total consent; one member felt that "A" should have been an award instead of a certificate, and another member felt that "G" should not have been an award. Tidd explained that he voted against "G" because he did not feel rats qualified for wildlife. Felchle explained that the award was for Kellan Duncan's prairie dog project at Light & Power, and Friedman explained that prairie dogs are not rats. Tidd asked if there ware other wildlife projects; Friedman explained this was the only submittal with wildlife as the sole title. Friedman introduced the motion that the Board concur with the committee's decision; Johnson seconded. The motion passed, with Tidd dissenting. The environmental awards will be presented as recommended by the Education Committee. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting September 14, 1994 Page 3 Poudre River Festival Friedman notified the board of the Poudre River Festival Sunday, September 18. Felchle explained that the Natural Resources Division is going to have a natural areas exhibit from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Lee Martinez Park and board members are invited to participate. Katy Mason and Craig McGee felt that it would be easier to attend if the Environmental Fair and the Poudre River Festival were held on the same day. No formal action was taken; board members will attend if they can. Master Naturalists Network Sue Kenney explained the Master Naturalist training program will begin October 5 and will involve classroom work on consecutive Wednesday evenings from 7:00-9:30 p.m., with some half day field work on Saturdays until mid -November. A manual has been developed for the program which provides the framework for the training; it is designed so trainers and participants can supplement the information for more personalized use. The training will cover a variety of subjects, including the values and importance of open spaces, open areas and basic ecology. Kenney reported that with very little formal publicity, the response has been great and there should be no problem filling the class with 15 participants. Criteria will be developed to ensure applicants have a balanced background. Classes will probably be offered annually, possibly twice a year depending on response. Friedman suggested instead of an evening during the week, perhaps it could be held on Saturdays in order to give the opportunity to participate to people who cannot attend in the evening. Felchle noted that the class time could be changed each time it is offered. Miller asked about the criteria for certification. Kenney answered that work is still being done on the evaluation portion. Mason suggested attendance as one criteria; Kenney agreed that participants have to be there. Felchle explained that one of the elements in certification would require each person to conduct a tour through a natural area. Mason asked what the time commitment of the participants would be after the training is completed. Kenney explained that 30 hours of volunteer work over a period of two years will be required. Friedman asked itthe trained naturalists would respond to any request, e.g., Boy Scouts, etc. Kenney affirmed that all areas would be covered including tours, school presentations, organized eventt, group meetings (homeowners association, service clubs), etc. In response to discussion regarding the intensity of the training, Shoemaker noted that the purpose of this program is to provide people enough training to do a competent job of leading lay people on an experience in the field or classroom. Kenney emphasized it is an Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting September 14, 1994 Page 4 introductory program. The board thought the program to be a good idea and thanked Ms. Kenney for her presentation. Update on Proposed Acquisition of Natural Area — Humane Society Wetlands Shoemaker reminded the Board that at the May 4, 1994 meeting, the Board recommended the acquisition of a site known as the D.O.L.L. property as a public natural area. He noted that at the May meeting the Board had several questions, and he wanted to respond to those questions before proceeding with the proposed acquisition. He said that the questions related to (1) the relative priority of the site, given that the entire natural area could not be acquired, and (2) the overall status of the acquisition program. Shoemaker described the location on a map and summarized the values of the property. He noted that the 53 acre site is part of a 300 plus acre area that is used extensively by birds of prey in winter. He said that staff had worked towards acquisition of a very large area, but development was proceeding on some areas of the Huntington Hills property. As a result, it looks feasible to retain an area approaching 90 - 100 acres, including the 53 acre D.O.L.L. property and about 38 acres of the Southside Service Center site, which is owned by the City. The purchase price of the D.O.L.L. property is $150,000. Shoemaker stated that although the overall natural area will not be as large as hoped, staff believes the remaining area is still large enough to support most natural area values and recommends proceeding with the acquisition. Friedman asked if the Southside Service Center site would just be transferred., or if it would be sold, since it is already City property. Shoemaker responded it would be a sale because the Light & Power utility owns it. Shoemaker gave a review of the acquisition program to date. He said that 1,206 acres have been acquired at a cost of $3 million and an addition 555 acres are under contract, or have agreed terms at a cost of $1.2 million. An additional 789 acres are under negotiation at a potential price of $4.5 million. If all of this property closed, there would still be an additional $3 million available during the 5-year program for additional acquisitions. Friedman asked if the area under contract are a done deal. Shoemaker explained that the buyer and seller agree to the terms and the rest is dependent on Council approval. Mason made the motioh to approve the acquisition of the D.O.L.L. property; McGee seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Proposal to Name a Natural Area in Honor of Rob and Dorothy Udall Shoemaker reported that the 25-acre property known as Reid -Burton located along the Poudre River across from Ranchway Feeds is proposed to be named the "Udall Natural Area" Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting September 14, 1994 Page 5 after Rob and Dorothy Udall who are known for their work in river restoration. Mason asked if all natural areas are going to be named. Shoemaker replied that this will be discussed at the October meeting but he thinks that they should all have a signature or geographic name. In recognition of the Udalls, Shoemaker asked for the board's support in this naming. Johnson moved and Friedman seconded the motion to name this area after the Udalls as the "Udall Natural Area". There was no further discussion and the motion passed unanimously. Update on Poudre River Study In response to a question asked at the last board meeting, Shoemaker reported that Henderson Associates has been awarded the contract to do the Poudre River Land Use study. A memorandum was included in the board packet. A quick summary was given: The purpose is to put together a land use framework for the entire Poudre River. The approach is to look at various policy documents, identify central concerns and analyze areas of discord. They are partway through that review and are coming up with ideas regarding how the river naturally breaks out. The next step is to combine a variety of people from boards and commissions to form a charette to lay the groundwork and present it to the community at an open house. Shoemaker asked for volunteers from the board to participate in the charette and report back. This would involve meeting October 17 for instruction, one half day October 24 for the charette and the afternoon of October 31 for the open house. Lisa Steffes volunteered to be a participant; she will be able to make all the dates. Johnson will also be able to attend all three, although he will be late for the October 17 meeting. Miller said he would try to make the October 24 meeting. Meeting places are undetermined at this point. Follow-up to Meeting with Colorado Department of Natural Resources Miller reported that the new executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, James Lockheed, led a meeting seeking input on concerns, happenings and growth issues. There was good representation from the NRAB. Committee Reports GROWTH MANAGEMENT: RECYCLING: NATURAL AREAS: EDUCATION: Mason will meet with members to plan a meeting time after the regular meeting adjourns. A meeting was held on 9/14. McGee reported there will be a Trash Summit on Thursday, September 22. Steffes will be attending and will report back at the October meeting. No report. Friedman's report is in these minutes. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting September 14, 1994 Page 6 Other Business Miller reported that the Larimer County Health Department sought a $55,000 grant for pollution prevention from the State of Colorado. The grant came through at $35,000; they are seeking an additional $10,000 from the County and $10,000 from the City. Shoemaker advised that an ad hoc technical advisory group was formed, with Larimer County taking the lead, to prepare the grant application. The Natural Resources Division was involved in assisting with the grant that: 1) focuses on furniture manufacturers for pollution prevention, and 2) looks at a pollution prevention program and what it should accomplish. After discussion, Mason moved to support the allocation of funds ($10,000) for the pollution prevention program. Tidd seconded; it passed unanimously. Shoemaker will formulate a letter of support. Miller advised the board that a representative needs to be elected to attend the Larimer County Environmental Advisory Board meetings held on the first Tuesday of the month. He is presently the representative, with Johnson as the alternate, and is willing to continue. Tidd moved to continue as is; McGee seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Tidd asked why the board got the letter from the Horticulture Center. Shoemaker explained that it is a private organization that asked that these letters be submitted to the board for information; a presentation can be arranged if desired. Tidd felt it should stay a private organization. Johnson asked if there is money in the budget to have people from other prairie natural areas projects in surrounding states visit us or have Natural Resources staff visit other areas of prairie management. Shoemaker explained that it did not have to be in the budget as a specific line item. He reported that Karen Manci, NRAB staff, and Jim Miller, Parks staff, attended a national conference in Manhattan, Kansas last spring on managing prairies. Also, the division is helping co-sponsor the Colorado Native Plant Society meeting in October: "Colorado Prairies, Vanishing Resource". Announcements Mason passed out POST 2001 brochures. Shoemaker reported that Council has endorsed this and no action is required by the board. Miller announced the neXt regular board meeting will be on October 5. The November meeting will be on the second -Wednesday, November 9. Staff will arrange for a meeting place for the November meeting. '. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.