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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 11/28/2007Community Planning and Environmental Services Natural Resources Department MINUTES NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD Regular Meeting November 28, 2007 DATE: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 LOCATION: 200 West Mountain Ave. Suite A TIME: 6:00pm For Reference: Ryan Staychock, NRAB Chair - 481-1801 Ben Manvel, Council Liaison - 217-1932 John Armstrong, Staff Liaison - 221-2230 Board Members Present Ryan Staychock, Alan Apt, Glen Colton, Amy Dean, Rob Petterson, Joseph Piesman, , Clint Skutchan, Ben Manvel Board Members Absent Liz Pruessner, Linda Knowlton Staff Present Natural Resources Dent: John Stokes, John Armstrong, Alexis Hmielak Ryan Staychock called meeting to order at 6:00 Introduction of Guests Ann Hutchison from the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce and Fort Collins City Forester Ken Buchanan. Approval of October 17, Minutes As there was an error in emailing the minutes to the Board and the members did not have time to review them before this meeting, the Board agreed to review the minutes at the December 19, meeting. Agenda Review John Stokes introduced John Armstrong as the new liaison to the Natural Resources Advisory Board. John apologized that due to a heavy work schedule he could not continue to be the staff liaison to the NRAB, but would always be available for consultation. He enjoyed helping the board, but assured the group that John Armstrong would be a valuable asset to them. Ryan Staychock thanked John Stokes for all he had done for the NRAB. 200 West Mountain Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6600 2007 Legislative Policy Agenda Review John Stokes stated that the City Council had adopted the 2007 Legislative Policy Agenda by resolution awhile ago, with a few minor changes regarding air quality and renewable energy. He pointed out that this is a living document and the Board can review it with John Armstrong at any time and submit ideas. The Board asked John Stokes to email the new, adopted version, to them. Ben Manvel explained that the legislative policy agenda gives advance notice of issues that will come up in the state legislature. Fort Collins lobbyist, currently Mark Radke, would then meet with a sub -committee of the Fort Collins City Council to discuss upcoming bills that could impact Fort Collins. John Stokes announced that Mark Radke was leaving to work for CML, Colorado Municipal League, who lobbies on behalf of municipalities around the state and that his leaving was a great loss for the city. Ben Manvel stated, even though Mark would be gone, his work at CML would still benefit Ft. Collins. John Stokes asked that the Northern Integrated Supply Project be put on the NRAB agenda next month. In addition he asked, in advance of that meeting, that the board watch a taped presentation about it that is being made for the December 11 City Council work session. It will be aired on Channel 14 on December 6 and 7. John Stokes will also notify the Board when the agenda item summary will be available on line. Ben Manvel asked if Natural Resources had anything to do with the anti -uranium mining proposal. John Stokes stated it would be coming before the City Council at its next meeting and Council had asked Natural Resources to draft a resolution opposing the proposed uranium mining. Ben Manvel pointed out the resolution had been created under deadline and the NRAB has not had a chance to give input. John Stokes will send the board the resolution and a flowchart created by Carol Webb in Utilities which shows the uranium mining permitting process. Urban Forestry Presentation by Tim Buchanan Ryan Staychock pointed out that Fort Collins has been a Tree City USA for about 28 years and that often people do not see the value of urban forestry. Because of that he invited Fort Collins City Forester, Tim Buchanan, to give a comprehensive overview of the Forestry program of Fort Collins. Ryan pointed out that a lot of the urban forestry's funding on a national scale has come through the 1990 Farm Bill and federal funding has been drastically reduced in the past several years. The City of Fort Collins Urban Forestry and Horticulture Division is responsible for the care, maintenance and perpetuation of over 37,000 city property trees valued at S30,000,000. These trees are a substantial value to the city and provide many benefits to the public. Providing a safe urban forest is very important. It requires tree pruning, removal, planting and insect management. o Pruning is done every 12 years on a rotating cycle, plus crisis situations, and takes about 60% of the budget. Wood byproducts from 12" diameter and smaller are chipped and used in the parks and given away to the public at Rivendell School and the Gardens On Spring Creek. Because of that effort, 60%-80% of waste wood is kept out of landfill. o Approximately 800 trees are planted on City property each year, many in new subdivisions and parkways, medians and replacements for dead and diseased trees. A new streets tree replacement budget was approved this year for $55,000 for the street trees that are lost. o Managing insect and disease problems is an ongoing effort. Dutch Elm Disease has been a problem since the early `70's. IPS beetles prey on spruce trees and currently, losses from this pest are on the decline. Gypsy moths were accidentally introduced in the eastern US, migrated west and were eventually eradicated in Fort Collins. o In answer to a question from Clint Skutchan, Tim Buchanan stated he did not think the pine beetle would be a threat to the urban forest of Fort Collins; only to trees near firewood that has been brought down from the national forests. o The Emerald Ash Borer is a potential danger and could decimate Fort Collins' ash tree population. It is migrating westward and the local ash trees have no resistance to it. Tim is hoping the Great Plains can stop them and is educating the public and master gardeners to the dangers. Public education is a major effort of the Forestry department o Arbor day programs in the elementary schools o Partnerships with other agencies such as the Twilight Garden Series program in CSU and the City Park Arboretum which is home to 220 different species and varieties of trees. o The climate in this area is hardiness zone 5 which goes from -10 to -20 degrees; however, winters today are not as cold as in the past. o The urban forest isn't native to this area. It is composed of trees selected to be the best ones that will adapt to our semi -arid climate. o Hard and late freezes with rapid temperature changes and early snows cause much damage to trees and the resulting storm cleanup diverts resources from forest maintenance. o Contractors need to be aware of the value of trees and take care to protect them when doing excavation and construction. Great effort is made to preserve existing trees o Developers are to preserve to the extent it is reasonably feasible. o Significant existing trees are to be protected and, if removed, they shall be replaced with with I — 6 trees planted within one quarter mile of the development site. o If a tree is rotted and is a danger, it will be removed. o Colorado law states that a tree belongs to the property it was planted on. If there is encroachment or damage from falling tree it is a legal issue. o Some methods of protecting trees are erecting fences around them, pruning, relocation of bike paths and roads, no underground utilities or trenching, and respecting root spaces. The city has 28 arborists who are highly trained and licensed to work high in the air on large trees and spray chemicals. Trees need to be pruned back to 8 ft. over a public sidewalk and 14 ft. over the travel lanes of a street or alley and to provide visual clearance for traffic signs. The Forestry Department has the authority to give notices to property owners to maintain this distance. City Ordinances regarding trees include: o It is unlawful to sell or import into Ft. Collins the following trees: cotton -bearing cottonwood, seed -bearing box elder, Russian olive and salt cedar. o A tree permit is required from the City Forester to plant, prune or remove a tree or shrub upon the public right-of-way of any street or sidewalk or other city property. o The City Forester or his or her designee or contractor is authorized to go upon private property to inspect trees or shrubs, or for the purpose of completing work required in a notice sent to the property owner. Benefit -cost analysis of Fort Collins' municipal forest. o Annual benefits total = $2.17 million ($70/tree). For every $1 invested in tree management, residents receive = $1.17 million ($38/tree $9/capita) o Aesthetic benefits/increased property value = $1.6 million $52/tree o Reduced storm water runoff = $404,000, $13/tree o Energy savings from reduced heating and cooling = $112,000, $4/tree. o Carbon dioxide reduction = $25,000, $2/tree o Improved air quality by absorbing gaseous pollutants, intercepting particulate matter, releasing oxygen, transpiring water and shading surfaces, thereby reducing ozone levels. Stormwater Permit Presentation by Susan Strong Susan Strong is Environmental Regulatory Specialist with Fort Collins Water Res. & Treatment Service Department. Her main function with the city is to manage the stormwater quality permit. It is a MS4 Permit (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) that is separate from the sanitary sewer system, which means the stormwater receives no treatment before discharge to state. She explained it is a best management practices (BMP) permit which requires Fort Collins to control any and all pollutants that go into the sewer system. She made a presentation that focused on their annual report, what they committed to do, what they got done and their measurable goals. The City of Fort Collins is permitted to discharge stormwater under the Colorado Water Quality Control Act CCR 61. Fort Collins was designated a Phase It city in 1990 when Fort Collins' population was under 100,000. Phase II regulations are more stringent than for Phase I (larger than 100,000 pop.) cities • Minimum control measures (MCM) and accomplishments o Public education • School groups, Master Naturalists, public events, brochures, public and business outreach and storm drain stenciling. • Targeting pollutants from businesses such as grease and power washing. o Public participation/involvement ■ Water Board meetings and presentations to other organizations. o Illicit discharge detection and elimination ■ Walking creeks and waterways and looking for suspicious effluents. ■ Mapping of water bodies, storm sewers. • Future project -adding GPS coordinates to all mapped outfalls. o Construction site stone water runoff control • They have a new inspector — DA Black — call at 224-6015 if necessary. He inspects 62 active construction projects every 2 weeks and can give notices to clean up, possibly holding up a C.O. if in non-compliance. ■ New construction inspection form and database now includes concrete trucks washout, chemicals and sanitary waste. • New construction brochure under development . • City project manager and contractor training — DVD available. o Post -construction stone water management ■ Report site plan reviews, inspections, and enforcement actions for the design, construction, and long-term maintenance of post -construction Best Management Practices (BMPs). ■ Site plan reviews by Development Review ■ Are inspecting 94 water quality ponds and 136 "other" ponds not required by permit and made contacts on 14 ponds needing remediation with a goal of finding owners of these ponds, educating them and requiring them to remediate any violations. ■ Develop and implement a long-term operation and maintenance program by 12/31 /07 by using inventory inspections, education, remediation and enforcement and reporting o Good housekeeping for municipal operations ■ Continue Education Activities and training to Streets and Traffic. ■ Address Streets Maintenance. ■ Conducted training, worked with Streets on waste management and street sweeper cleaning issues. ■ Log stormwater maintenance activities. ■ New goal is to develop and implement a long-term operation and maintenance program by 12/31, includes inventory, inspections, education, remediation and enforcement, reporting. ■ Site visits; data collection. ■ Worked on template; not fully developed yet. • Can extend deadline to March 9, 2008 if necessary without penalty. What's new Second permit teen begins March 9, 2008 Draft Permit is up for Public Comment - 30 day comment period at: httD://www.cdDhe. state.co.us/wa/PermitsUnit/nublicnotice/Dubliccomment.html Colorado Stormwater Council is similar to wastewater utility council — Website is: www.coloradostormwatercouncil.orQ Goals • Working on stormwater educational website. • Adopt a water week program. • Developed discharge detection program for municipal employees which includes a spill tree with instructions of what to do when you see it, plus phone numbers. Ryan Staychock asked if stormwater pollution from drains increases in potency when there is less water in the river and, if so, would Glade Reservoir be a potential problem because of less water in the river. Susan responded if the pollutants in the river exceed the water quality standards, we would have to find ways to reduce pollutants. She told the group the Poudre River Monitoring Group which includes Ft. Collins has done sampling along the river, along with the waste water treatment plant. Susan offered to share the new permit with the NRAB when it is ready, and if the group has any input, she would like to hear it. Bike Plan Update — Denise Weston and David Kemp Denise stated the City put out a Bicycle Plan in 1995 and encouraged the NRAB to read the entire Bike Plan on the city's website. Her presentation tonight was to highlight the 2007 updates to the Bike Plan and the suggestions they have gotten to date from the various Fort Collins boards and commissions. The Bike Plan focuses on the Four E's • Engineering o Linking the bikeways with activity centers. o Improving the standards for high -quality facilities. o Has a Hot list II for implementation. o Coordination among the City Deparments. • Education o Full-time bicycle coordinator focusing on youth, adults and motorists. o Special events, education campaigns and encouragement events. • Encouragement o Creation of public, private and NPO partnerships. o Fostering relationships between the city departments and the public. o Continuation of education and encouragement events. • Enforcement o Expand relationships between bicycle program and police services. o Creation of "self -governed" enforcement concept through marketing endeavors. and peer influence so both bicyclists and pedestrians know the rules. • 2007 recommendations to improve bicycle and transit o Improving town bike parking long term. o Making sure all transit destinations have bike parking. o The Mason corridor busses will have space on interior of busses. o Greatest benefit will be a community -wide bicycle program and a bicycle advisory committee — not an advisory board — more like a task force. • Hot List II — lists maintenance/construction of various large projects around the city that need to be addressed. o Created by a citizen group o No current funding for these projects, but are being designated so they would be ready to go when funding becomes available. The group discussed why the bike plan should designate projects that have no funding without completion dates, unsafe biking practices such as running traffic lights, the possibility of removing one parking lane on 2-parking lane streets to allow a bike lane when none exists on the street and more signage to "share the road". Suggestions to date: o Pursue platinum level bicycle friendly status with League of American Bicyclists. o Create image and campaign of a bike friendly place to live work and visit from the environmental, economic and quality of life standpoints. o Expand hot list II to include interim solutions and far reaching visions. o Make sure bike plan addresses cyclists of all ages and levels. o Emphasize mix of all transportation modes. o Address continuity by eliminating or signing abrupt endings of bike facilties. o Evaluate economic benefits/costs of a bike friendly community and use it as an economic development tool. o Emphasize safety as a priority of the bike plan. o Use bike level of service as measurement tool. o Including bicycle facilities in the City's way -finding study. o Build a downtown velodrome (Board discussed this should be a private venture, not a city facility). o Identify and increase bicycle parking downtown. o Additional bicycling education enforcement downtown. Denise pointed out that a goal is to make sure the bike plan encourages economic development in the City of Fort Collins. The group discussed promoting higher echelon specialty biking activities and noteworthy bike races, how the Bike Plan should address how bicycling positively effects the environment and how bike lending could negatively affect local bike sales/repair businesses. Denise encouraged the NRAB to email her any further input on the Bike Plan. She announced there will be a public meeting in December to present the Bike plan. The Transportation Board will be approving the plan in January, and it will go to the City Council for final approval in February. Review NRAB Work Plan The NRAB discussed its work plan which must go to the City Council by December 30, 2007. The group has the support of council liaison Ben Manvel for the plan. Ryan Staychock reported he chaired a task force to review the 2008 Work Plan and that they decided to keep last year's action items and would refer to them as issues of interest. They looked at the agenda and put a list of priority action items under General NRAB Actions including the addition of "follow up with council or staff on recent recommendations". The group discussed bulleting action items instead of numbering them so as to not imply priorities. It was suggested to add an "other" category to include environmental assessment of parks, efficiencies and maintenance and the possibility of an annual "state of the environment" report. Joe Piesman moved and Amy Dean seconded a motion to approve the 2008 Work Plan with the addition of the following points: 1) An environmental impact of parks operations; 2) An annual "state of the environment" report. Motion passed unanimously The amended 2008 Work Plan will be sent to Council liaison Ben Manvel for his review and approval and, with that approval, the plan will be submitted to the Fort Collins City Council before December 30, 2007. New Business Clint Skutchan discussed the issue of meals being served at the NRAB meetings. Even though they are appreciated, it was his feeling they were an unnecessary expense for the city. The group discussed this issue without any recommendation for the future. John Armstrong pointed out the City provides meals for all the various Boards and Committees to thank them for their service to the City. The group also discussed becoming a "paperless board" or at least reducing copies presented at the meetings. John Armstrong discussed possible December. 19, 2007, NRAB meeting agenda items. o Presentation from Planning or Economic Development on activities at I-25 and Harmony Road and Prospect and 1-25. o Climate Task Force report o Review of City Council resolution against uranium mining and vote to support Ryan Staychock adjourned the meeting at 9:15 pm. Meeting adjourned 9:15 PM Submitted by Alexis Hmielak r Administrative Secretary I Approved by the Board on X ��GL !v / ( 2007 Signed d Date Administrative Secretary I Extension: 6600 0