HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 10/17/2007Community Planning and Environmental Services
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MINUTES
NATURAL RESOURCES MINUTES
Regular Meeting
October 17, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
200 West Mountain Ave. Suite A
6:00pm
Ryan Staychock, NRAB Chair - 481-1801
Ben Marvel, Council Liaison - 217-1932
John Stokes, Staff Liaison - 221-6263
Board Members Present
Alan Apt, Glen Colton, Amy Dean,, Rob Petterson, Joseph Piesman, Liz Pruessner, Clint
Skutchan, Linda Knowlton
Board Members Absent
Ryan Staychock
Staff Present
Natural Resources Dent: John Stokes, Alexis Hmielak
As Ryan Staychock was absent, Linda Knowlton called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
Introduction of Guests
Akiko Okawato— CSU student
Ann Hutchinson — Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce
Agenda Review
John Stokes suggested the following items be on the November agenda:
• Susan Strong from Utilities to talk about storm water permits
• Tim Buchannan, who is the forester for the city to talk about urban forestry
• Fort Collins Transportation Department wants to present an updated bicycle plan
for the city.
The next NRAB meeting is scheduled for November 21; the day before thanksgiving. John
Stokes suggested the NRAB reschedule it to the week after — Wednesday, November 28,
2007. The members of the Board agreed to this meeting date change.
Liz Pruessner pointed out that the Climate Task Force wants to brief the board, most likely
in November. The Board discussed whether to put it on November or December's agenda.
CSU/City of Fort Collins Land Exchange
200 West Mountain Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6600
John Stokes gave a brief overview of a land exchange that was endorsed the previous night
by the Fort Collins City Council. He also pointed out that the City Council unanimously
approved the City of Fort Collins' 2008-09 budget at the same meeting.
The parcels of land that are affected are:
• 143 acre parcel at I-25 and Prospect — Currently owned by Fort Collins General
Fund and Natural Resources. This land will continue to be under the same zoning
and development restrictions — 40% must stay in a vegetated condition, which can
include a parking lot. The rest will be developed by CSU's new solar panel
company by the end of 2008.
• 267 acre parcel near Claymore lake at the end of Michaud Lane — currently owned
by CSU. The City owns lands adjacent to it, plus the Primrose Art Studio which
was donated by Rob and Mary Udall with the stipulation that it be fixed up and
made available to the public for classes with conservation themes. It will be open
after November 18, 2007.
• Fort Collins Natural Resources will also purchase a small parcel adjacent to the
natural area to complete the natural area. This land will be purchased from a trust
that was donated to CSU by the same family that gave Natural Resources the
Primrose Studio.
• John Stokes mentioned the city previously bought the Andrijeslci farm which goes
to Overland Trail Road. The city might build another parking lot along Overland
Trail to gain access to the natural areas and in the future perhaps make a trail
connection under Overland Trail to the Poudre River.
Public Comments
none
Review and Approval of September 19, 2007, Minutes:
Joe Piesman moved the minutes be approved as presented. Liz Puessner seconded and the
minutes were unanimously approved.
Climate Wise Presentation
Kathy Collier presented an overview of the Climate Wise Program. Highlights of the
presentation are:
In 1999 Climate Wise was identified as part of the City's Climate Change Action
Plan, developed by Lucinda Smith, to reduce greenhouse gas emissins and was a
key outreach piece under that umbrella plan.
In 2000 Climate Wise was initiated as a local adaptation of the federal EPA
program. When the EPA lost funding for this program, the City of Fort Collins
chose to continue the program under the general fund.
Climate Wise is a network of business partners who share goals and help each
other.
What the program does:
• Promotes voluntary greenhouse reduction through energy efficient projector
measures.
o Pollution prevention, waste reduction, water conservation, transportation
reduction, alternative transportation, and trip optimization
Develops partnerships with businesses — not dictated by the City of Fort Collins
Provides, among many things:
o Technical assistance, public recognition, peer networking opportunities,
carbon quantification and cost savings
o Carbon quantification of partners' businesses to see how they are impacting
the community.
The staff from Natural Resources, Utilities and Transportation department provides:
o Free technical advice
o Assesses a new partner's business to help them operate in a more energy
efficient manner.
o Public recognition of the partners' efforts
o Peer networking opportunities
The program requires business partners to:
• Attend at least 2 seminars a year
• Higher level partners are to have a talking tour their facility.
There are currently 72 Climate Wise members. They are a diverse group of businesses,
including the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County, large businesses like Walmart and
smaller ones like small coffee shops. The Climate Wise program would like to have 5 new
partners join the each year. This year 22 joined. Currently larger companies such as
supermarkets have chosen not to join, but will be approached again next year.
The Climate Wise partners are currently doing projects or measures such as:
• Recycling/waste reduction, purchasing in bulk, oil spill containment, construction
recycling, turning off appliances, purchasing wind power, using biofules, hybrid
vehicles, xeriscaping, green cleaning and more.
• Partners are encouraged to implement one measure a year.
The Climate Wise Business Outreach Program is a business plan with tiered partner levels
(bronze, silver gold and platinum). The Partner Steering Committee provides input into the
Business Plan and Climate Wise operations. This year the Committee is focusing on
growing a valuable partnership through:
Helping the companies with cost savings and environmental impacts.
Developing a GREEN NETWORK which requires platinum partners to educate
their employees.
Platinum partners are required to have three promotional challenges a year as
incentives to employees, such as recycling cans and not using water bottles.
Climate Wise provides support for partners:
• Data collection tool — data is collected once a year. Next year Larimer County will
allow Climate Wise to use their computer lab to allow partners to log in utility bills
and projects and determine trends.
• Greenhouse Gas Baseline Tool
• Self -assessment checklist
• Carbon quantification and cost savings
• Creative custom business solutions
The Climate Wise Goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 93,290 tons/year CO2e
by 2010. Results to date:
• 283 projects are now being managed by Climate Wise partners
• Some large companies are not recycling. Not knowledgeable about cardboard and
single stream recycling.
• Walmart in Fort Collins said they are one of 1 pilot stores nationwide for
sustainability. After working with them they are now recycling cardboard,
paperback books, wood and compost. Also they dimmed their lights for 3 months
and saved $37,000.
• Cumulative savings of Climate Wise partners through 2006
o more than 2.1 billion gallons of water
o more than 150 million kWh of electricity
o more than 3 million therms of natural gas
0 52,000 tons diverted from the landfill
o Total cumulative cost savings is nearly $6 million
• 2006/Early 2007 Accomplishments
o Data reporting has increased by 88% and new businesses by 66%
o Increased partner activity. The number of projects increased by 48%
0 36 new partners
o New assessment reporting
o New training opportunities
o Had lots of media attention, some in national magazines. Leveraged $9,000
in advertising
o Revised goals to reflect program growth.
o Improved website
o New Partner List Sery — partners can share ideas between meetings
o Green summit in April — 350 people
o Chamber nominated Climate Wise to be one of the most innovative
government programs — came in at #6
o New confidentially rules
o Working on educational campaigns for employees
o Doing a pilot program with apartner to help fund recycling containers
around town with their logo on it.
o Looking into a Purchasing Green Product Co-op and a community green
trust — no one has done this before.
The group discussed the fact that Platinum level partners need to be continually active, a
green trust would be seed money for companies that can't afford to do more, and the
possibility of Zilch loans being granted for carbon reduction projects being funded by a
green trust, grants or a local foundation the community and philanthropic organizations
could make donations to in addition to other creative funding possibilities. The ultimate
goal is to invest in the local economy.
The Natural Resources Advisory Board supports the Climate Wise program and had
preciously sent a recommendation to the city council regarding solid waste.
2007 Legislative Policy Agenda Review
The Board had asked for the 2007 Legislative Policy Agenda Review to be on the October
agenda because the Board wanted to be involved. However, because John Stokes had to
leave the meeting early, and the board would like his input, the Board decided to table this
issue and discuss it at the next board meeting.
New Business
A Natural Resources sub -committee consisting of Joe Piesman, Ryan Staychock, Clint
Skutchan and Alan Apt will meet to go over agenda recommendations for the 2008 work
plan which is due November 30, 2007.
Announcements
none
Committee Meetings
none
Council Six Month Planning Calendar
The Board discussed upcoming items on City Countil's Six Month Planning Calendar:
o Harmony corridor plan is coming up in December
o $30 million for the waster water treatment plant.
o Liz Pruessner announced the Climate Task Force's timeline will be extended as
their report to the City Council will not be complete by the end of the year, with a
presentation in February. They will also make this presentation to all the Boards in
November and December, 2007. In addition, there will be a public open house Dec
5, 2007, to discuss the plan. The group discussed putting the Climate Task
Force's report in the November 28, 2007, agenda.
o Presentation of the City's Bicycle Plan
o Would like to put the activities at I-25 and Harmony put on the agenda in
December.
Adjourn
Rob Petterson moved to adjourn. Joe Piesman seconded and the meeting was adjourned at
7:32 pm.
Meeting adjourned 7:32 PM
Submitted by Alexis Hmielak
Administrative Secretary I
n
Approved by the Board on �,cn2Z%�' ( 2007
Signed
Date
Administrative Secretary I
Extension: 6600