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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 08/03/1994MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. AUGUST 3, 1994 For Reference: Bill Miller, NRAB Char - 493-7693 Chris Kneeland, Council Liaison - 221-2950 Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Board Members Present Bill Miller, Chair, Phil Friedman, Lisa Steffes, Craig McGee, Phil Murphy, Tim Johnson Board Members Absent Don Tidd (excused), Arlene Blum (excused), Katy Mason (excused) Stan Present Tom Shoemaker, Sally Maggart Guests Present Will Smith, City Council Approval of Minutes After making the following change to the "Changes" reported at the July 1, 1994 meeting, Tim Johnson moved and Craig McGee seconded the motion that the Minutes of the July 6, 1994 meeting be approved; motion passed unanimously. Page 7 - "cost" should read "costly". Board Recommendation on Biosolids and Water Treatment Plant Residuals Johnson feels this is a good plan and would like to encourage the study of the possibility of reverting to the historical use of the area for buffalo grazing. Steffes felt the project very comprehensive and a good use of biosolids. Johnson expressed concern about whether a heavy rainfall on the solids would contaminate the well water. McGee said there were studies made and runoff was minimal; Miller affirmed this and stated that the runoff was less than expected in the treated area as compared to adjacent untreated land. He recommended that the board endorse the project and draft a letter to Council. Johnson moved and McGee seconded that the Board write a letter approving the project, with a strong endorsement, citing multiple use options for the future, including looking at the possibility of buffalo grazing. Friedman asked to amend the motion to encourage the consideration of recreational use of the appropriate areas of the property. Johnson accepted this as a friendly amendment to the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Miller wanted the Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting August 3, 1994 Page 2 minutes to reflect that a permit system for recreational use might be considered to lower management costs. Update on Recycling/Trash Trucks on Street Jon Ruiz was unable to attend the meeting; he will be asked to attend the September meeting. With a background in public policy analysis, he is assisting the department in improving recycling policy and controlling trash trucks on the street. Shoemaker reported that at the Council work session in December, he recommended looking into districting to improve recycling, with the City bidding out to the private sector. This was not endorsed by the Council. They want us to look at overall waste reduction, not strictly recycling. Two teams were formed: 1) the Trash Truck Team to focus on the issue of the impact of trash trucks on the streets, whether anyone cares and what the issues are. Jon Ruiz heads the team along with representatives from the offices of the City Manager, Finance, Engineering and Natural Resources; and, 2) the Resource Conservation Team which consists of Larimer County, Water, Utility, Parks, Employee Development and Natural Resources. Shoemaker passed out copies of the transparencies of his presentation to the Board. The Project Goals included developing a neighborhood outreach program to recruit master recycling volunteers, contacting the commercial recycling sector, changing some recycling codes and fee structures, and designing the most efficient and cost-effective system. Also presented were data from the Larimer County Landfill which showed a downward trend in trash generated, an upward trend in curbside recycling (40 percent participation), and a breakdown of waste types with paper, yard and wood (construction and tree trimming) representing a large percentage. The main objective is waste reduction; where should we put our efforts? Some possible answers are creating more drop sites (which is expensive), improving commercial participation, and working with Larimer County on developing a regional composting facility, and taking bids from the private sector. Shoemaker will report progress on the goals at the September meeting. Shoemaker stated that the community perspective on the impact of trash trucks on the streets is very important. A sample telephone survey of Fort Collins' residents produced a lot of data which concluded that this is an issue we should be worried about. The primary concern is the impact on the streets. Additional data will be used from trash haulers comparing their trucks to single vehicle use. With one trash truck trip equaling 655 car trips, and with approximately 200 residential street miles in the city, at five trucks per week on all the streets, the maintenance need is approximately $185 thousand per year city-wide. This represents a significant physical and financial impact on the streets. Jon Ruiz and his team will be presenting this information to local civic groups and organizations. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting August 3, 1994 Page 3 In response to the graph on curbside recycling customers, Friedman was concerned that an increase in curbside recycling resulting from separating wood and yard waste would increase the number of trucks on the street. Shoemaker agreed but emphasized that something needs to be done on waste reduction. He advised the board of a Trash Summit which will be held September 22 from 7-9 P.M. at the Lincoln Center. Shoemaker reported that, in a mail survey, 25 percent of the neighborhoods polled have consolidated, resulting in a reduction in the number of trucks and companies. A listing of countermeasures was presented to define different approaches to problem solving, with a range from minimum to maximum government involvement. All four countermeasures on consolidation will be evaluated in detail for cost and effectiveness. More information will be presented at the September meeting. Friedman expressed concern about pointing the finger at the trash haulers. He felt they are not the primary problem; the customers generating the trash are. Perhaps more fees need to be charged the customers, not the haulers. Shoemaker stated this was a good point and we need to be sensitive to it. Miller suggested collecting a fee based on volume of trash to cover the cost of street repair; trash haulers could include this is in the customer's billing as a road impact fee. Miller thought having the fee included in the trash bill would be a good way to reach the renters who do not directly pay property taxes. Shoemaker said that we are operating in an environment where resources are becoming scarce; nobody wants to pay more taxes. Johnson feels consolidation is a good idea and in the best interest of the homeowners and the City. Shoemaker said the City has a neighborhood partnership team that helps neighborhoods organize and take charge of dealing with their own problems. This team might help determine the concern of the neighborhoods. Process for Reviewing Natural Areas Program and Acquisition Priorities The staff is embarking on a review of what has been done to implement the natural area policy plan. The program is at the point where we need to review and revise the action plan, check to see how we are doing on the sales tax and look at the acquisition program. He asked the board what issues they want to see. Johnson asked if there would be more tours. Shoemaker said one option might be to have several different tours at various sites. McGee felt the tour last year was helpful, but didn't feel it was necessary to spend a lot of time at the site. Before a big acquisition, it might be helpful to tour the site. Another tour of the high priority areas would be helpful. Friedman felt that tours are a good opportunity to see the sites, but videos might be helpful for those who cannot make the tour. Shoemaker said proposals will be forthcoming in September or October. Miller asked if there were any percentage figures for anticipated total revenues vs what has been spent. Shoemaker said the revenues are higher than initially projected. When the Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting August 3, 1994 Page 4 initiative was sold, the estimate was $10-12 million; the most recent projections are at $14.7 million. We have acquired about 1,200 acres of the 2-3,000 acres set as high priority with a better rate of acquisition vs cost per acre than expected. So, we are further ahead on the goal, but land prices have gone up. Another major factor is that public appetite has increased for acquisition. Johnson asked if there was anything happening along the river. Shoemaker said yes that he recently met with Western Mobile and Garth Rogers, local attorney and landowner, who, with his partners, owns 285 acres on both sides of Taft Hill along the river (Rogers Pond). There are two issues: 1) how to handle the remaining mining, and 2) the water augmentation question. There is work to do on it,, but there is general agreement on this acreage. The W.R.E.N. Pit project is proceeding as well, but has not yet been finalized. Johnson asked about what was happening with the River Walk Proposal. Shoemaker responded that the river study has been launched by a consulting team (Kari Henderson and Jeff Iakey from CSU) working with City staff. The intent of the project is to develop a land use framework for the river from LaPorte to the Interstate. Johnson suggested scheduling tours of "non -river" and "river" areas. Shoemaker noted that touts would include the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Board. Smith wanted to know how the maintenance portion vs acquisition is doing now that we are two years into the program. Shoemaker replied that this is the first year that maintenance of an area has been required. Parks Department staff, supplemented by seasonal staff and youth conservation crews funded by Iarimer County, are working on the areas needing repair and Russian olive removal. Next year's 1995 budget proposal includes a full time Open Space Management Coordinator position that will be jointly funded with existing Parks money and the Natural Areas fund. Viewing of "Nature Next Door" Video This video was created by a CSU student intern, Grady Candler, at a cost of $600. The "Nature Next Door" map and viewing guide was designed and written by Matt Phillips, a Natural Resources Department intern, with assistance from Karen Manci, Edith Felchle and the Engineering Graphics Department. Smith asked if the video had been offered to Channels 14 or 17, and Johnson wanted to know if it would be offered to the schools. Shoemaker said this will be done as soon as copies are made. Copies will also be available for purchase. Johnson recommended school tours to go along with the video and the map. Shoemaker will try to accommodate that; the intention is to get a volunteer master naturalist network to recruit and train volunteers for the tours, Smith cited another good outlet for the video would be the Convention and Visitor Bureau. 0 0 Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting August 3, 1994 Page 5 Committee Reports Growth Management: Mason absent, no report. Natural Areas: Johnson reported on the Water Treatment Plant #1 meeting. 1) Of two transportation grants, neither were funded; 2) Go Colorado has a couple of funding projects specifically for acquisition and planning due August 19. They are looking for joint interaction with other agencies, rather than one agency acting alone. Also, there has to be a significant local contribution. They are looking at inter -city lakes and trails, river corridors, buffers and natural areas related to open space. We need to look at those areas where we can apply with other agencies and set priorities. One possibility is a State Parks plan which was put together six or seven years ago that could be updated. The strategic plan on funding is due in October or November. Shoemaker advised there are two other GoCo grant opportunities in acquisition funding, representing $1.5 million statewide. A little known group, PROM (Park, Recreation and Open Space Managers) looks at regional priorities and they will be putting together a proposal to GoCo on natural area acquisition. Also, he is meeting with representatives from Larimer County, Loveland, and Larimer County Land Trust to discuss corridor projects. Smith emphasized the importance of getting these groups together and working on an area -wide basis. Miller asked if there was a chance for a Forest Service donation. Johnson replied it was not in the budget. Shoemaker advised of smaller grants from the Division of Wildlife for non -game habitat protection. Recycling: McGee wants a meeting to get an update from the two task groups. Shoemaker said there will be a recycling work session, Wednesday, August 17 at 6:00 p.m. in the upstairs conference room of the Natural Resources Division. Education: Friedman reported there will be an August 15 meeting at 7:30 p.m. to look at the Environmental Action Award applications. Other Business Miller reported that the Land Use Wetlands and Wildlife Task Force of the Larimer County Environmental Advisory Board met two weeks ago. John Barnett thought it might be appropriate to hold a joint meeting with the Natural Resources Advisory Board on the Fort Collins -Loveland Corridor. Shoemaker felt the impetus for that was because the study has had difficulties, but it is proceeding and they are looking at alternative plans. Staff and consultants on the planning teams are seeking input; the plan is to bring the draft to the board before the adoption by the three entities. Shoemaker will check on the time line for this. Miller reported that Dem LaRue of the Larimer County Environmental Advisory Board is starting an environmental awards program on the county level. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting August 3, 1994 Page 6 Maggart asked the board members to advise her of the minutes they would like to receive from other boards. The following was decided upon: Parks & Recreation Board - Miller and Johnson; Water Board - Johnson, .Friedman and Steffes; Electric Board - Friedman and Steffes; Air Quality Task Force - McGee. Johnson recommended a water treatment plant tour in the fall with an invitation to the governor to attend. He will work on the date and time with Randy Balok. Smith suggested also inviting the LCEAB, County Commissioners and Latimer County Parks Board. Friedman noted on the Water Board minutes that there was a comment on the wilderness designation of Rocky Mountain Park. Estes Park City Council voted 6-2 against the designation. Because of the question of federal reserve water rights, the Board nerds to maintain awareness of this. Shoemaker advised that the Legislative Committee of the Council is following this and he will research and report back to the Board. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.