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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAir Quality Advisory Board - Minutes - 07/22/2008AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING AGENDA DATE: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 LOCATION: 215 N. Mason Conference room 1-A TIME: 5:30 -8:00 P.M. Dinner is served starting at 5:15 For Reference: Eric Levine, Chair - 493-6341 David Roy, Council Liaison - 407-7393 Brian Woodruff, Staff Liaison - 221-6604 Board Members Present: Eric Levine, Nancy York, Dave Dietrich, Dale Adamy, Kip Carrico, Greg McMaster, Katrina Winborn Board Members absent: Dennis Georg, Staff Present: Lucinda Smith, Alexis Hmielak, Susie Gordon, Ann Turnquist Eric Levine called the meeting to order at 5:35 Public input Fort Collins citizen Eric Sutherland addressed the AQAB regarding the practices of the "green pricing" program, also known as the wind power program, and stated his concerns about the policy and how the city is enacting it. • It was Mr. Sutherland's impression that improving air quality is the goal of the energy supply policy started by Fort Collins City Council. It includes the current electric energy supply policy and, in 2003, it mandated that Fort Collins develop an energy portfolio containing 15% renewables by 2017. However, after adopting the "green pricing" policy, the decision was made to add RECs into the mix, counting them as renewable energy. • He came to the AQAB meeting to ask the board to consider his proposal to recommend that citizens de -subscribe from the wind power program because he feels the benefits associated with wind power pricing are inaccurately evaluated. He also feels there is a nationwide and a worldwide problem of hyper valuing new energy credits. Mr. Sutherland feels the trading of environmental commodities as part of climate solution can only work if these credits are accurately evaluated. o Katrina asked where they could read more about this. Eric said he would send information to Eric Levine who will pass along to the rest of the 047 1 • Mr. Sutherland said Fort Collins built Medicine Bow wind farm but he would like to see Fort Collins stop supporting the wind power program because we can't be assured our contributions are doing anything.. • It is his impression that Fort Collins City utilities does not want to act on this because RECs are cheap; why invest in renewables. • His main concerns are: o Additionality of the RECs. o Verifiability — Was the purchase additional to renewables? o Ownership — The people selling the RECs don't have ownership of them. In answer to Kip Carrico's request for clarification, Mr. Sutherland said if Fort Collins continues to purchase environmental commodities they need to follow higher standards and buy them locally. He feels hyper valuation of these commodities will continue and thinks it is important for FC to take the lead and turn it around. o Eric Levine pointed out the Climate Task Force is also interested in buying local energy credits and has included this suggestion in the CTF's recommendation to Council o Lucinda pointed out that part of the CTF recommendations was 15% reduction by 2011 with a mix of RECs and delivered energy - moving in the direction of more delivered energy. o She stated the CTF recommendations will be reviewed several times in the coming months: Council will review these recommendations at the August work session; in early September when they review the energy policy and the Council will review the climate plan and the energy plan at their October 21 meeting. • Eric Sutherland stressed that people don't seem to realize the cost of electricity here is cheap, but when they choose to participate in RECs, they are voting to pay more. He suggested if there was a 1 % increase in electric bills it would be enough to keep Medicine Bow operating. Trash Services Study Ann Tumquist, Project Manager for Fort Collins Trash Study, made a presentation to the AQAB. • Ann stated they met with City Council in January to talk about the scope of the project and what they had in mind. They then hired a consultant to do data collection and analysis. • They are now in the process of gathering community feedback. People are passionate and widely divided about the issue. They wanted to get community input early in the process. • They will present more detailed options and recommendation for the Council at their September 23, work session. • The City of Fort Collins licenses local trash haulers who operate in an open, competitive system. o Residentsfbusinesses can choose from 3 residential and 11 commercial haulers. The residential haulers are required to offer "pay as you throw" pricing structure; also curbside services to single family residential customers Commercial trash hauling is also an open market but does not have the same recycling requirements as residential customers and does not have requirements for pricing. o Commercial trash hauling is also an open market but does not have the same recycling requirements as residential customers and does not have requirements for pricing. o Multi -family trash hauling is similar to commercial. ■ Greg McMaster stated some neighborhood HOAs use the same trash hauler and negotiate a better price. He is also dismayed by the astonishing lack of recycling for multi family dwellings. Ann stated the City Council gave her group a two-part problem to work on: The impact of trash trucks on neighborhoods o Regarding the financial impact of multiple trash trucks in neighborhoods on street wear, They looked at the number of trash vehicles and number of trips per week per vehicle and the consultant calculated that one trash truck equaled the same impact as 1200 passenger vehicles. They are the largest and heaviest trucks that use the neighborhood streets, which are not built as strong as major streets or highways. They also only get 2.8 miles per gallon of gas. • They calculated there are an average of 2 haulers per neighborhood with 2 trucks (trash and recycling) x 2 trips each (both sides of street) = 8 trips/week. • Current cost to the city on street wear = $354,000/yr • Council wanted to know how much would be saved if the trash districting model was adopted with one trash truck per neighborhood x 4 trips/week. — Estimated savings could be $170,000 o The neighborhood aesthetics is degraded because of so many trash cans on the streets The effect of trash trucks on air quality • Large diesel trucks idling • Consultant analyzed emissions = 271 tons/year of CO2 emissions and other impacts. • There will be stronger vehicle emission standards from EPA in 2010 that will significantly impact diesel vehicles. As the trash haulers replace vehicles, the newer ones will be more efficient. However, there are no regulations regarding the quality of a trash truck. o Truck noise 2. The opportunity to improve the diversion/recycling rate. • The city's goal is to increase total community diversion from 27% currently to 50% by 2010. • 7% of the total community waste stream comes from curb side program. • The rest of the waste stream comes from recycle centers and contracts from. large businesses. • In answer from a question from Dave Dietrich, Susie Gordon explained if recycling is increased to 50%, there would be more pickup but might alternate recycling vs. lawn waste. Ann Tumquist explained the alternatives to the current trash hauling system under consideration are: 1. Districted Trash Service o The city would put out for bid some of districts for haulers to bid on who would be awarded an exclusive multi -year contract for the groups they won. This would be to provide all the residential services (not commercial). 2. Additional regulations of haulers o There could be increased regulation of haulers such as: vehicle emissions and noise; performance standards for recycling; vehicle loads and hauler reporting requirements. However, there would be no improvement in vehicle miles traveled or number of trucks in neighborhoods. o Would protect choice and current hauler's interests. o Continue single -stream recycling program with possible incentives in hauler contracts for them to increase trash diversion rate. o Set standards about vehicle age, appearance or emissions o Not sure if we would have to bill customers through city utility bill 3. Focus on increased recycling options: o Provide 65-90 gallon City -owned single stream roll -out recycling containers that would be picked up once a week, or require haulers to offer it. o Have haulers explain the "pay as you throw" program better to the public. o Change the rate structure as an incentive to recycle more by making the third bag of trash substantially more expensive. o Release the haulers from picking up recycling by hiring someone else to do it. o Adding yard waste service to recycling ordinance with cost built into all rates. Ann reviewed the pros and cons of districted trash service: • Pros • Would cut down on street wear caused by truck traffic and air quality issues • Cons • People would lose choice. o Ann indicated City Council does not want to survey the public until they narrow down the options. o Eric Levine recalled a previous survey that indicated choice of hauler was not that big of an issue to customers. He strongly suggested any survey should include supporting information such as road damage, price and environmental aspects. In answer to a question from Dave Dietrich, Ann Tumquist clarified if there is districted trash hauling, it is not decided yet what size and share the districts would be or if one hauler could win the whole city. Currently trash hauler share in Fort Collins is 60/20/20. Ann pointed out the Council was clear it did not want a trash utility and wanted options that didn't necessarily harm the haulers. Greg McMaster asked what is the national trend of open competition or utility trash service. Susie Gordon stated it is mixed throughout the US. In summary, Ann stated the consultant's study has been completed. Before making a recommendation, she was presenting to various boards asking for input and is also waiting for input from: • Fort Collins website comment form • Letters, phone calls • League of Women Voters Forum - August 7 • City Public Meeting - September 3 • City Council work session — September 23 General discussion: Nancy stated if the City took over the billing, she would like the billing to allow those who don't make much trash to have less pickups and lower charges o Eric and pointed out a city utility would most likely want to have less pickups and more diversion, versus trash haulers who might want less diversion to make more money by picking up more trash. Ann explained they discussed increased regulations on haulers to increase recycling. Other regulations could include: vehicle emissions and noise standards; performance standards for recycling; vehicle loads and hauler reporting requirements. They have a shortage of data about the trash businesses since it's a private business. o A district model would still protect choice and not put haulers out of business, but wouldn't help with vehicle miles. • In answer to a question from Dale Adamy, Ann explained the scope of the current project is about residential, but Council could choose to impose regulations on commercial trash hauling as well. • Ann stated the switch to trash districting would take awhile since the state requires a long notification period and business plan. • Dave Dietrich stated that part of Florida and Pennsylvania have mandatory recycling. He suggested if Fort Collins made recycling mandatory, more people would do it because people generally obey the law. Ann explained the consultants did not make this recommendation. • Nancy York said she attended a meeting held by Colorado Representative John Kefalas where a GSI man suggested one possibility is to get larger containers for recycling and not pick them up every week. • Dale Adamy asked whether the trash trucks have to be weighed on scales at the landfill. Ann stated no, because in a landfill it's an issue of space, not weight, plus the City doesn't run the. landfill. • Dave Dietrich suggested we need further legislation against packaging. • Dale Adamy asked Ann to add the words "trash reduction" to her presentation so there are 2 goals: diversion and reduction. • Nancy suggested the trash trucks should have more efficient routes — i.e. start at the north end of town and work towards landfill. Ann pointed out there is a landfill NE in Ault. • Dave said there are many residents who put their trash in commercial dumpsters. Susie Gordon pointed out this is against the law. • Nancy suggested implementing the trash situation piecemeal. Also more public education on how to divert yard waste and working as a team with haulers and citizens to show how to be more effective in trash diversion/recycling. Also inform neighborhoods to get together for cost savings. • Eric stated he has a big concern here. The Climate Task Force has spent years working on a great climate program with the most effort on short term measures. The City's entire waste diversion goal of 50% is 226,000 tons. This diversion goal is the largest component of the CTF team's recommendation and is vital to achieve the CTF goal. They were assured by the consultants and the City that this goal can me met. He hopes the Council will make good on the promise they made by changing the system to achieve 50% trash reduction as soon as possible. o Ann explained this program cannot be in place by the first of the year, 2009, because, if the City Council acted on it this fall, the haulers would have to be given 6 months notice with bidding during that time period. • Eric stated Loveland has over 50% now recycling in the residential communities. Are there any strategies that Loveland has done that we could adopt and some we were thinking of Loveland doesn't have that a utility could accomplish? o Ann and Susie pointed out Loveland has a trash utility and controls 98% of the trash revenue stream. • In answer to a question from Dave Dietrich, Susie stated a homeowner in Loveland plays approximately the same in trash hauling as citizens in Fort Collins. • Greg McMaster asked Ann for a clear list of possible options on how to do diversion. Ann said a strategic plan done two years ago that is an attachment to the study. It has a whole list of options • Eric also asked for a breakdown of what the city has done and where the 50% goal will come from. • Dale Adamy suggested the AQAB could help Ann in constructing a survey. In summary, Ann stated they will be going back to Council September 23 with this issue. If the AQAB would like to make comments to council they have two months to do so through normal routes. The group discussed the trash issue and their possible recommendations: • Dave Dietrich would like to see a comparison of what the Loveland city utility achieves versus what Fort Collins has achieved since the costs are same. He is frustrated Council didn't give instruction to achieve a goal. He also isn't convinced choice is an issue with the public. • Eric stated his opinion that Loveland's reputation is more conservative than Fort Collins'. He remembered hearing a presentation by planners discussing the trash hauling issue as far back as 1992 and Fort Collins still has not acted on it. o Nancy remembered Fort Collins had a trash utility a long time ago. Not sure why they don't currently. • Dave voiced his opinion that a trash utility should not be taken off the table. Also if a contractor is given incentives you will get results. Eric stressed the City has prior commitments such as to the Climate Task Force and that the City should evaluate the various opportunities or changes to trash and recycling in context of those commitments and not start from scratch. Greg McMaster stressed the AQAB should give as much information and justification and support to those in favor of districting and tie it into the Climate Task Force recommendations. However, he is certain they won't convince all council members. Nancy suggested doing more creative thinking and education to the public, especially doing more with yard waste — such as neighborhood cleanups. She liked the forum presentation that John Kefalas conducted where haulers offered creative solutions. o Greg pointed out the City used to do this but because of a liability issue with citizens doing their own chipping, etc.. He suggested the City should make an organized effort with staff doing the chipping. o Dave Dietrich would like to see a transcription of the Kefalas forum to see what ideas were discussed. Greg pointed out it was available as video -on - demand. Lucinda will investigate whether or not there is a written summary of the forum. • Greg McMaster stated the goal should be reduction and diversion of the trash stream to landfill, with supporting ideas how to reach that goal. • Dave Dietrich suggested the AQAB can respond to the report by saying: o We recommend districting with the fewer the districts the better. o Allow bidding for all districts at one time. o Have an incentive -based compensation for winner of contract. ■ If you win the bid, you must include these things... (list whatever they are) o Be done immediately. o Work within the system to have close to what we had before. • Eric also suggested meeting cleaner diesel requirements. • Eric stressed Council should be made aware the City has goals, policies and commitments when considering this. • Lucinda pointed out staff is working hard to provide information to Council about the relationship between the Trash Services Study (including all mechanism to reduce waste), the Climate Task Force and the Electric Energy policy. They are all big costly items for Council to consider. It is important the relationship between these things be made known every time presented to council. They will hear about all of these in all upcoming work sessions. • Eric stated he has no problem with voluntary measures and creative measures, but would like regulatory measures such as districting that help us meet our 50% goal first. Reduction of miles by trash trucks fits with the CO2 reduction goals. • Nancy pointed out districting addresses VMTs and air emissions but doesn't touch reduction of waste — that's important • Dale suggested making regulatory issues secondary. As a utility they could make decisions faster. • Dave stated another regulatory item could also be reduction of diesel emissions. o Whoever wins the contract must provide larger recycling bins. Eric stated a fee structure to promote reductions can be instituted to make it logical for people to recycle. Nancy wondered if the fee structure can be done electronically so every bin is accounted for recycling as part of like pay as you throw. o Require haulers to provide feedback to consumer if they noted recyclables in the trash. o Dale stated the haulers are already doing this with commercial accounts. They look in the can and if they find trash in recycle bins, they charge them for trash. o Lucinda stated New Jersey and California require clear trash bags so if they see recyclables in it they don't pick up or enforce regulations • Nancy pointed out yard waste is a large issue here because of methane. o Greg pointed out if you take your own waste to Hageman's, you are driving more. o Dave and Nancy wanted to know where commercial lawn services take their grass. Eric Levine's neighbor has a lawn service and he will ask him where he takes his grass clippings. • Dale suggested the study address the air quality aspect of composting/mulching lawn clippings and air quality from trash trucks and how to reduce it. • Greg pointed out the AQAB is mainly interested in the Climate Task Force's recommendation and suggested the AQAB recommendation could be worded... "While we're not specifically concerned with recycling and landfill issues, from an air quality standpoint and because it's so instrumental to the CTF, the AQAB recommends the following to achieve the 50% diversion goal.." • Dale further suggested..."We recommend anything to help air quality the most and would keep on the guidelines and goals of the CTF." o Dale also suggested the members of the AQAB would contact the City Council members individually with the AQAB recommendations. • Eric Levine pointed out the AQAB hasn't discussed construction and demolition waste. • Greg questioned why apartments are not part of trash hauling study and suggested the AQAB also address them. He is astonished at the full dumpsters during student turnover. There is no option for recycling for these people. He suggests the AQAB weigh in on this and make a recommendation to Council. o Nancy suggested CSU could do a better job providing recycling and instruction for recycling. In summary, Eric Levine stated, because the AQAB has not had much time to review the Trash Services Study Report to Council, the AQAB will compile and prioritize the above ideas/suggestions for discussion at the August AQAB meeting. Kip will email the group for email discussion. • Kip Carrico volunteered to make the initial draft summary. • Executive summary will include recommendation with specifics and talking points and with rationale as attachments. • Reduction not just diversion is message. • Tie into CTF goals and AQAB policy. • Dale suggested the group convene before next regular meeting to discuss. Approval of June 24, 2008 minutes Eric Levine had some minor changes on page 2, 2"a bullet. Nancy York moved and Greg McMaster seconded a motion to approve the June 24, 2008 minutes as amended. Motion approved unanimously New Meeting dates The Air Quality Advisory Board decided to change future meeting dates from the 4'h Tuesday of the month to a time when Council liaison David Roy could attend the AQAB meetings and the AQAB could attend Council Meetings. Greg McMaster moved and Nancy York seconded a motion to change the AQAB meeting date from the fourth Tuesday of the month to the third Monday of each month, effective August 18, 2008. Motion passed unanimously Lucinda will check with Jeff Scheick to see if he is available to present to the AQAB on that date. Alexis Hmielak will notify City Council liaison David Roy of the date change. Preparation for September "Conversation with the Planning Development and Transportation Director" The AQAB discussed questions/topics they would like to discuss with Planning Development and Transportation Director, Jeff Scheick when he attends the August meeting. Questions would focus on the air quality aspects of transportation issues. Nancy York o Downtown parking structure questions from June minutes ■ Is there too much investment in downtown parking? ■ Is public financing going to automobile infrastructure at the expense of transit, etc? • How well is the downtown shuttle connected to other downtown projects? ■ How is the planning profession responding to the new paradigm of high -cost gasoline? Is excess parking just the last gasp of a dying land use & transportation model? • How is the City doing on integrating land use, transportation, and air quality planning [LUTRAQ]? ■ Is there a holistic plan that considers and integrates all the downtown issues, e.g., traffic, alternative travel modes, hotels, entertainment, air quality, etc? ■ Will the planned investment in Mason Corridor be worth it? ■ Is current development, such as the boom along Harmony Road consistent with the City Plan vision? o Building a parking structure costs $20 million — money could be spent better elsewhere. o Travel safety issues — electric wheelchairs in bike lanes o Would like Jeff to be familiar with the Mobility Management Plan of 2006 and suggested using the Mobility Management Report as a guide for the discussion. o Institutional reform in mobility management report o Ozone and green house gas emissions from Transfort o Proposal of parking meters in downtown. o Would like to hear from Jeff what the long term trends are, where we're going and his feelings about that. o Since it is in the City plan, how does Jeff see the VMT issue and what are his thoughts on it. o According to the City's organization chart, Transfort reports to Jeff Scheick. Ask him how is Transfort being integrated into transportation and planning. • Dave Dietrich o Is the city considering scooter/bicycle routes? o Alternative transportation such as golf carts o Emphasis on transportation seems to be focused on downtown. Most people don't live down town. Transportation plan needs to extend to north and south perimeter of Fort Collins. o Links through development areas — connecting dead end roads and bike paths for better connectivity. o He would like the "straight scoop" from Jeff since they don't have the staff or money to get things done. c Is there anything new between the City and CSU? New parking garage? Greg McMaster o How to get around downtown without riding on sidewalks — one option could be taking out center parking and put bike lane. o Transfort • What is their budget and how to address their lack of money to do what's necessary. • Air quality aspect of Transfort and Dial -a Ride • What is the equation of the fleet? o Wants to know what Jeffs vision is. Greg suggests Transportation Board change their long term vision from old school to forward thinking to address current issues of multi -modal, mobility management and air quality. o Are there any policy changes Jeff would like to change. 10 o Suggests giving Jeff the AQAB list of questions prior to the August meeting so he has time to prepare. o Suggests conversations with Jeff should be the entire August meeting. Dale Adamy o Does the Transportation Department refer to mobility management plan in their planning process. If not, they should. o Are they weighing in on trash districting and if so, what. o How does Jeff concentrate his efforts in the various arenas he supervises. o Does he support the Bike Plan? Dale would like to see the language of the Mobility Management Plan incorporated into the bike plan. o The strategic transportation plan includes Poudre School District, Loveland and Ft. Collins, but not CSU. Is a public forum coming? • Lucinda asked if any of the recommendations the AQAB Mobility Management sub committee made to council would be something to talk to Jeff about. She also suggested the AQAB prioritize the topics mentioned tonight. • Eric Levine o He was curious why the agendas for the Transportation Board did not list issues similar to what the AQAB are addressing, since air quality is closely linked with transportation issues. He would like to see them address issues that work towards their stated mission statement printed on their agendas: The goal of the Transportation Board is to promote the implementation of a balanced transportation system that provides choice, mobility, access, congestion mitigation and safety for all people while achieving: 1. Efficient and Effective movement of people and goods throughout the community; 2. A reduction in the rate of VMTgrowth to equal the rate of population growth; and 3. Enhanced mobility through emphasis of modal shifts. o Surely there are some steps and policies that can be developed even without money to implement big things to pave the way for future actions. Brief updates Greg McMaster gave several brief summaries: AQAB periodic review with City Council • The session went well and seemed to be well received by the public. • Wade Troxel asked if the AQAB has considered the issue of urban hens and any adverse air quality resulting from them and would like a report from the AQAB. o Dave Dietrich pointed out if air quality issues resulting from urban hens are to be studied, so should other animals such as prairie dogs and rabbits and domestic animals that could also create a nuisance. 11 o Lucinda pointed out this issue has come up several times. Brian Woodruff did some calculations and determined the adverse effects are insignificant. That study will be part of the official materials sent to Council for the consideration of the urban hens issue. o The AQAB agreed to review this and report back to Wade with the board's evaluation of the Brian's study. Eric will contact him. • Greg stated he got good feedback regarding his idea about a possible annual "state of the air" report evaluating air quality in Fort Collins. • He was disappointed the Council seemed to be tap dancing around the idea of the Council interacting with the AQAB to discuss their recommendations. o Eric felt a citizen review board would tell it more like it is. o Nancy voiced her opinion that the administrative staff leads council instead of Council leading them. o Dale suggested the AQAB let the issue rest right now. • Greg stated when he met with Darin Atteberry on West Nile Virus, Darin agreed the AQAB should put enough info in the recommendations and that the Council really does read them. • Greg thanked David Roy for his attention to the AQAB's communication. • Lucinda asked about code changes to the Electric, Transportation and Natural Resources boards to add they should communicate with the AQAB. • Greg was told it is not in the board's charters, but could be changed by Council. • It was not resolved whether their charters would be changed or the AQAB's charter would be changed. • Greg McMaster reported he was contacted by Ray Smith who was unhappy about the inaccurate way the Coloradoan newspaper reports the air quality listings. • Lucinda pointed out the forecast can be a Red Alert day, but still have good air quality. • Greg questioned how the city can do a better job communicating the air quality issues. o Dale suggested having an Air Quality Advisory Board page linked to the fcgov.com website. o Dave pointed out the weather data comes from the state and the Coloradoan is reporting data from yesterday. o Eric suggested having a "factoid" page that could be linked to the Coloradoan to explain the ozone issues. • Lucinda reported Brian Woodruff is working on getting the fine particle monitor installed and running by the end of the year. When that happens, the City will have an opportunity to include that information in reporting. Perhaps the City could have an article in the Coloradoan and on the website to get it out there quickly.. 2. New advisory panel on West Nile Virus • Greg reported there are two other members on the WNV.Advisory Board: Joe Piesman, who is a member of the Natural Resources Advisory Board, is a well 12 respected tick expert at CDC, and a physican who is an infectious disease physician at Poudre Valley Hospital. • Communication has been good from Mike Calhoun and Adrian LaBailey, however, it is not as transparent to public as it could be. • Darin truly wants our personal opinions. o Greg gave his opinion that, by and large, the technical advisory committee tends to be more cautious. • So far we have had a cool dry year which has reduced mosquito numbers. • Last week they had the I" positive mosquito trapping. • Two confirmed cases of West Nile in Boulder /Longmont area • One case in Loveland — not sure where they got it. • One case in Fort Collins of a person who got it from Arkansas. • So far — looks like best years for mosquito numbers — It's been dry - heat Nancy York moved and Dave Dietrich seconded a motion to adjourn. Eric Levine adjourned the meeting at 9:08 Submitted by Alexis Hmielak Administrative Secretary I Approved by the Board on a 2008 i Signed 13