HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 10/15/2008NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
October 15, 2008
DATE: Wednesday, October 15, 2008
LOCATION: 215 N. Mason - Conference Room 1-A
TIME: 6:00pm
For Reference: Alan Apt, NRAB Chair 221-9875
Ben Manvel, Council Liaison 217-1932
John Armstrong, Staff Liaison 416-2230
Board Members Present: Alan Apt, Clint Skutchan, Joe Piesman, Phil Friedman, Heather
Manier, Liz Pruessner, Glen Colton
Board Members Absent: Linda Knowlton
Staff Present: Natural Resources Department: Alexis Hmielak, John Armstrong, Karen
Manci, Lucinda Smith, Ana Arias
Alan Apt called the meeting to order at 6:08 pm.
Introduction of Guests
Owen Randal and Matt Fater — Fort Collins Utilities
Joe Scholer — CSU student observing
Agenda Review
none
Public Comments
none
Review and Approval of September 17, 2008 Minutes
Glen Colton pointed out his name had been misspelled at the beginning of the minutes.
Liz Pruessner moved and Glen Colton seconded a motion to approve the September 17,
2008, minutes as amended.
Motion passed unanimously
CIPO Project
Owen Randall and Matt Fater of Fort Collins Utilities and Karen Manci of Natural Areas
Program addressed the NRAB with a broad overview of the Canals and Importation Ponds
Outfall (CIPO) project. Matt stated he would be happy to give a tour of the project to any
members of the board.
• The Canal Importation Ponds and Outfall (CIPO) drainage improvement project is one of 13
storm water basins in Fort Collins and is located in the west central part of town. Many
irrigation canals crisscross here. This is a joint project between Utilities and Natural Areas
and has a north component of storm water infrastructure and a south multi -use component at
Red Fox Meadows. The project goals are: flood mitigation, storm water quality treatment
and habitat improvement
o Flooding in this area has been an issue for 25 years.
o In 2001, the storm water utility and City Council adopted a canal importation master
plan that identified this project.
o In 2004, the City Council adopted the city-wide master plan for all basins in town.
o In 2006, the City Council determined the design for this program should begin.
o Storm water is quite dirty with a lot of debris and chemicals. This project would help
clean the storm water before it enters Spring Creek and subsequently into the Poudre
River. This is a new approach. Ten years ago the Cityjust diverted water off the
streets without cleaning it.
o As a result of CIPO, Red Fox Meadows natural area will also have improved public
access with trail connections and bridges over the irrigation ditches.
o This area is in the 100 year flood plain and was developed before the storm water
criteria was put in place. The natural drainages were farmed over in early 1900's and
development built over it. There are approximately 180 houses and businesses in this
area that would flood with any heavy rain over 2"..
o The project will create detention basins and underground storm sewers begining at
Glenmoor and continuing down Castle Rock Drive to Avery Park and ending at Red
Fox Meadows Natural Area. The intent is to pick up water coming from the west and
release it through storm sewers; slowing it down to offset the impact on Spring Creek.
o Every inlet has a "snout" to collect the majority of trash and sediment, oils, etc. In
addition, they will use new technology to clean storm water with vacuum trucks.
o Owen Randall stated this has been a very challenging project. It will cost about $120
million and they are on or under budget. It should be completed in 2009 but they
will wait for all the revegetation to stabilize and will open it to the public in 2010.
o Utilities and Red Fox Meadows natural area have partnered since the early 1990's to
create a detention pond. The CIPO project will have a low flow stream running
through it that will fill up during large storms. People will be able to enjoy the
natural area and will not know it's a storm water facility. There will also be a trail
connection and parking area west to Taft Hill. There will be habitat islands for foxes,
a wetland area and outdoor classrooms. Art in Public Places has designed a concrete
headwall with carving of herons and grasses.
o Items completed (they are ahead of schedule)
■ Utility Relocations
■ Concrete Structure Removals
■ Storm water Facility Installations (culverts, headwalls, spillways)
• Earthwork and Contouring 95% complete
■ Topsoil and Wetland Topsoil Replacement
■ Under drain Installation
■ Temporary Seeding - 50% complete
Work Remaining
■ Completion of Outfall Structure
■ Minor Earthwork
■ Temporary Seeding
■ Irrigation System
■ Trails and Pedestrian Bridges
■ Outdoor Classroom
■ Landscaping and Native Seeding
■ Trailhead Parking Lot
■ Natural Area Opening Date 2010-2011
o A major part of the program is to inform the public with signs, open houses and
mailings
Questions and discussion
• In answer to a question by Joe Piesman, Owen Randall stated the 1997 flood was greater than
a 100 year storm and if the CIPO project had been in place then it would still have been
overwhelmed. It was the largest rainfall over an urban area in Colorado's history and caused
Utilities to rethink this area of town.
• In answer to several questions, Owen stated there will not be many trees planted and the Red
Fox Meadows area should ultimately look so natural people won't know it's a storm water
detention pond.
• Phil Friedman questioned how the community feels about this project and how it was
advertised to the public. Owen answered they tried to publicize in all media and had open
houses. There was a flyer in utility bills and on the Utilities storm water webpage.
• Joe Piesman asked if Utilities sprayed for mosquitoes in standing water in the ditches. Owen
did not think there would be much standing water, but suggested Joe should contact Mike
Calhoun regarding this. Karen Manci stated all natural areas are surveyed for standing water.
• Karen Manci pointed out one half of Red Fox Meadows natural area will still be open to the
public during the CIPO construction.
2009 NRAB Work Plan
John Armstrong projected the proposed 2009 work plan on the screen for everyone to see. The
group read through it and dictated changes, which John typed in place. John Armstrong will
email the edited work plan to the group. The plan is due to Council by November 30, 2008. The
NRAB will vote on it at the November 19, meeting.
Alan Apt will call Council Liasion Ben Manvel and ask him if he can come to the next NRAB
meeting to give feedback on the proposed plan, or give feedback by email.
Climate Action Plan Update
Lucinda Smith and Ana Arias presented an overview of the status of the Draft Climate Action
Plan and recognized that the NRAB has been closely following this process. The Draft Plan will
be presented to Council October 28, 2008. The City Council has set new carbon reduction goals
to match the State of Colorado's goals of for 2020 and 2050 because the previous goals were
determined to be unachievable.
• The vision of the Climate Action Plan in May, 2008, was 20% reduction below 2005 levels,
by 2020, and 80% reduction below 2005 levels, by 2050. The intent to reduce current
community -wide emissions by the end of 2012 was to be to a level not to exceed 2,466
million tons.
• Using the assumption of business as usual in order to meet the 2012 goal, the plan would
need to reduce 485,000 tons by 2012 and 1.3 million tons by the 2020 goal. The 2050 goal
of 508,000 million tons is too distant to be calculable at this time.
• Council asked staff to calculate specifics on emissions from the trash services and transit
strategic plans and give them recommendations.
Lucinda stated it was announced yesterday that Fort Collins will get federal grant money to
implement energy -efficiency projects from the Department of Local Affairs.
The draft Climate Action Plan is still largely based on the Climate Task Force's
recommendations. It doesn't go into cost and savings, however, because work is already
underway.
o The CTF made 16 short term recommendations. Most are in the Plan. This Plan is
more generic in the energy area but retains most strategies of the previous plan.
o Smart meters aren't specifically spelled out
o Adds "Residential energy code update"
o Removes "15% renewable energy by 2011 ".
o Removes incentives for individual renewable projects because some are not cost
effective
o Removes incentives for low emission vehicles because the high cost of gas is already
enough incentive.
■ Phil Friedman stated the IRS is considering a $7500 tax incentive for plug-in
hybrid cars when they are available.
■ In answer to a question from Alan Apt, Lucinda stated the City looks at
alternative and high fuel efficiency vehicles for every vehicle purchase.
■ Alan Apt stated he would rather see subsidizing insulating low income homes
than for hybrid vehicles. It's important for incentives to be transparent. We
should support the low income people first.
o Considers "time of sale ordinance" as a long-term strategy.
o The energy policy is reducing focus on renewables and shifting focus to carbon
reduction achieved with efficiency.
o In answer to a question from Alan Apt, Lucinda stated it is critical that the plan have
periodic reporting and re-evaluation and this plan needs to evolve as circumstances
evolve.
The plan incorporates energy policy strategies to:
o Reduce electric utility related emissions 20% below 2005 levels by 2020.
o Reduce electricity use 1 % per year through energy efficiency
o Develop a SmartGrid road map by 2009
o By 2020 manage 10% of peak load demand through load management, smart grid,
and distributed generation.
o Comply with the state -mandated Renewable Portfolio Standard (10% renewable
energy by 2020)
o Increase the contribution of renewable energy enough to reach 20% reduction by
2020, after accounting for the contributions of energy efficiency, conservation,
minimum renewable energy requirements and voluntary renewable energy programs.
■ In answer to a question from Joe Piesman, Lucinda stated Fort Collins'
reduction is currently at approximately 6%.
The Plan contains cost-effective strategies such as:
o ClimateWise program
■ Climate wise partners' average net savings for reducing carbon are $2/ton
o Reduce electricity use 1 % per year through energy efficiency and conservation
programs which is the cheapest way to reduce
o Updating building energy codes
o Advanced meter infrastructure
• Longer term strategies include:
o Focus on green building
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o Regular updates on building energy codes
o Continued support for above -code green building initiatives
o Require green building as prerequisite for public financing for buildings
o Promote net zero ready homes
o Promote LEED for neighborhoods
• Discussion
o Joe Piesman mentioned the nature of the low bid structure does not promote building
great buildings. Lucinda stated that a mandate for state agencies requires them to
consider environmentally referable products and to not necessarily or automatically
go with the lowest bid.
o Clint Skutchan stressed people need to arrive at decisions themselves and not be
forced to accept becoming sustainable and practical. Lucinda stated the Plan has both
voluntary and regulatory approaches.
o Glen Colton felt conservation makes sense, but suggested keeping everyone involved,
even those who are already doing a lot — be sure to offer them programs and options
too.
Some strategies in the Plan support the local economy:
o Climate Wise partners have saved money
o Colorado Carbon Fund — local purchase (Colorado projects) of carbon offsets return
reinvestment funds to Fort Collins for implementing more clean energy projects.
■ Carbon offsets have features that are verified by set criteria, including
additionality, permanence of carbon reduction and document ownership.
■ RECs are things that produce energy and are measured in units of energy.
They don't have the additionally component.
o Energy efficiency and green building
■ Has great local job potential since there are very few people currently with
these skills in our area. Governor Ritter stated 90,000 jobs have already been
generated either directly or indirectly by green industry.
The Draft Plan brings multiple other benefits such as:
o Reduce energy costs for heating, cooling and lighting
o Reduce motor vehicle fuel costs
o Support local businesses and the economy
o Redirect investments back into local economy
o Reduce dependence on foreign fuel sources
o Reduce vulnerability to energy price increases and volatility
o Reduce peak demand and need for new base load capacity
o Diversify energy supply
o Reduce air pollution emissions (incl. ozone precursors)
o Improve public health
o Improve local visibility
o Reduce waste and increase landfill diversion rates.
o Reduce road congestion
o Increase Fort Collins' ability to adapt to a changing climate
o Provide opportunities for leadership
• The Plan estimates for carbon reduction will fall short.
o The Plan would only achieve 55% - 78% of the reduction goals.
o Council can opt to purchase carbon offsets to fill a gap.
Clint suggested the Plan needs to have a funding stream identified and the
City should have a strategy on how offsets will be purchased and define that
early on.
Alan questioned why we are looking outside the community instead of
subsidizing local businesses such as Climate Wise partners. Focus on Fort
Collins first. Then spend money elsewhere.
Glen Colton suggested the community needs to decide if it wants to pay
higher electric rates to help meet these goals, plus reduce usage to reduce
bills.
• Alan suggested better insulated homes or smart meters would help
avoid volatility of electric rates.
• Some felt a pilot program for smart meters soon would be a good way
to start.
• Lucinda stated any electric rate change is also an opportunity for other
funding mechanisms. For example, Boulder is considering a ballot
initiative for creative ways to fund energy efficiency.
• Rosemarie Russo stated the Governor's Committee wants to come to
Fort Collins to talk to Utilities and may want to partner with us. If so,
there may be some money available there.
The Plan requires monitoring and reporting
o Requires a bi-annual review, looking ahead and recommendations of new strategies.
That's how the plan will evolve.
Plan Implementation flexibility - Council can determine implementation priorities in context
of evolving City budget and policy priorities, carbon markets and technology opportunities.
o If Council adopts the Plan by resolution, it will provide a framework, but Council will
not be committed to do it until money is in the budget.
o Possible Fall 2008 Decisions
• 2009 budget exception requests to support Utilities' programs?
• Pursue a franchise fee agreement with Xcel for natural gas?
• Adopt new Energy Policy?
• Adopt Climate Action Plan?
• Decisions regarding Trash Services Study and Recycling programs
o Possible 2009 Decisions
■ Electric rate changes?
■ Adopt Transit Strategic Plan?
■ Implement new waste reduction initiatives such as commercial recycling,
curbside yard waste, or changes to haulers' licensing requirements?
o Possible 2010/2011 budget requests
Capital and operations funding for transportation?
Capital and operations requests for municipal carbon reduction
projects?
Budget requests for any new solid waste reduction initiatives?
Next Steps
o October, 2008 — Board updates
o October 28 — City Council Work Session
o November — Additional public outreach and board recommendations
o November 12 — public open house, Northside Center
o December 2 — Council considers adoption of Climate Action Plan
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o 2009 and ongoing — Council considers implementation of specific strategies in the Plan
Challenges
o Targets are aggressive.
o More funding and outreach will be required.
o Immature EE infrastructure and slow ramp up.
o Responsible measurement, verification and reporting.
Opportunities
o Energy efficiency and conservation
o Manage risk: energy prices, carbon regulation, environmental impact
o Plug-in hybrids, smart grid, connecting transportation and electric distribution
infrastructures
Questions and discussion
• Lucinda stated the Council will be discussing the draft plan in their October 28, work
session. She has been asked to work on costs/benefits as it relates to a household in dollars
per year but that information is not included in the Draft Plan. It is to give Council a better
sense of the impact on the community.
• Clint thanked Lucinda for taking notes when board members had suggestions.
• Liz Pruessner commented she liked the way it's evolving, especially tying things together to
do big things in as coordinated way as possible. It's also very challenging and exciting.
• In answer to a question by Heather Manier regarding how you know when carbon is reduced,
Lucinda stated that carbon dioxide concentrations are measured in the air. It is calculated by
creating a carbon inventory, based on things like electricity use, fuel consumed and trash
generated
• Alan Apt applauded the Draft Plan and asked if Lucinda wanted a recommendation from the
Natural Resources Advisory Board. After discussion, the NRAB agreed to wait until after
the October 28, Council work session. Lucinda will convey the NRAB discussion points to
Council so they know what the board is thinking.
• Joe Piesman suggested Council keep in mind how quickly the U.S. economy and energy
prices are changing and suggested Council focus on the long term, keep focused on reducing
our carbon footprint and that be aware that actual budget initiatives will make this Plan a
reality.
• Glen Colton questioned whether Fort Collins should do things based on population growth.
• Lucinda pointed out that the 1 % reduction in electricity usage may not be a true reduction
because the population is still growing — The goals are not based on per capita. Actually,
there is an effort to develop a statewide network of communities working on climate.
Sometimes things can be done more effectively if regional. Transportation might be one.
Larimer County is already moving in this direction.
• Glen Colton stated people need to realize when Governor Ritter sets a goal they should take
into consideration the population could triple.
Internal City Sustainability
City Sustainability Coordinator Rosemarie Russo addressed the NRAB with an update on the
City's internal sustainability plan.
• Rosemarie informed the NRAB that the City is having an internal energy savings challenge
between various City buildings. hi the first month of the challenge the 215 N. Mason
building had a 12% energy savings by turning off lights and computers when not in use,
among other things. Comparing Fort Collins's sustainability data with other cities in
Colorado, we are slightly ahead. However, nationally, we are not.
Rosemarie suggested the NRAB might be able to play a role in helping the City implement a
community -wide energy challenge. She stated the Environmental and Business Series has
had good attendance, but attendees are already on board with sustainability. The challenge is
to have the rest of the community to have buy -in.
Clint Skutchan suggested reuse should be a part of the energy challenge because it plays to
the segment of the community that doesn't recycle. Rosemarie mentioned that at the state
Sustainability meeting — Telluride was showcased because they have a reuse drop-off center
and box on their webpage for citizens to reuse material.
Rosemarie Russo then gave an update on the Action Plan for Sustainability for the City of Fort
Collins.
There are three parts to the internal City Sustainability Program
o Environmental stewardship
o Fiscal responsibility
o Taking care of people
Priority areas
o Green purchasing
o Wellness program for healthy productive employees
o Green building
o Healthy ecosystems
o Sustainable Energy
o Pollution and waste reduction
o Management tools and planning
Lessons learned
o Structure and role of team
o Clarify relationship of Team to other internal efforts
o Engaging all employees (interested and not interested)
o Empowerment
o Need a more cohesive, well -communicated structure and focus, perhaps restructure
this with a steering committee.
City Baseline
o The net annual baseline with recycling is 58,675 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
o Gross annual baseline was 59,092
o Electricity is biggest portion.
o The baseline also takes into account ClimateWise and Larimer County and considers
utilities, transportation and solid waste/recycling — Delete ( The community baseline
takes these things in but not the city baseline)
Other things the City is doing to support sustainability:
o LEED ordinance for new buildings and pursuing silver and gold LEED standards for
existing buildings.
o Recycling program
o Well days
o Alternative fuels
o Earth Day E-collection
o Paperless timesheets
o Sustainability scholarships
o Fleet purchasing of more efficient vehicles.
• The Sustainability Team
o Has a modest budget, meets quarterly and provides quarterly reports to the City
Manager.
■ Subcommittees are employee outreach, water standards and
transportation.
• Personal sustainability for City employees is encouraged
o Bike to Work
o Walk to Meetings
o Recycle
o Turn Off Lights
o Shutdown Computers
o Shop the Farmers' Market
o No Idling
o Take Advantage of City Programs
There are also external sustainability programs, mostly through utilities that provide
education and rebates
o CFL and LED discounts
o Appliance Recycling and Rebates
o Green Energy
o Residential Environmental Program Series
o Xeriscape Workshops
o Sprinkler Audits
o Pay as you Throw
o Compost Exchange
o Sofa Roundup
o Leaf Exchange
o Bike Library
o Toilet Recycling
o Christmas Tree Recycling
New campaigns:
o Go Green Campaign
■ All City employees will be eligible to earn prizes for using alternative modes
of transportation to commute to work.
■ Walk, bike, carpool, or ride Transfort and log trips online - All City
employees are given FREE bus passes.
o Green it, Mean it and Recycle This intemet educational programs
■ The sustainability team has put a "Green it. Mean it." column on the internal
Citynet website with tips and facts for green purchasing and vendor
information for environmentaly preferable products (EPP)
■ Clint Skutkan suggested these could also be shared with the public on the
external page.
Rosemarie introduced some draft interim goals based on measurable objectives rather than
priority areas
o Goal 1 GHG Totals - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below 2005 levels by
2020. This equates to a reduction of 11,734 tons from the baseline emissions of 58,674.
o Yearly reductions should equate to a reduction of 1,066 tons per year.
o Goal 2 ( Electricity) Reduce per capita employee electrical consumption by 20% by
2020, and reduce per capita employee demand peak use by 15% by 2020.
o Goal 3 — (Fuel) Reduce traditional fuel use by the state vehicle fleet by 20% by 2020.
o Goal 4 — (Solid Waste) Reduce solid waste generated by 20% below 2005 baseline. It
equates to 1,019,5601bs.
o Goal 5 — (Funding) In addition to reporting on annual GGH inventory, savings will be
tracked and funds deposited into a Sustainability account to invest in appropriate projects.
o Goal 6 - (Education and Outreach) Information should reach all levels of the community
— K-12 as well as all departments.
o Goal 7 —9 (Planning) External and internal coordination between initiatives.
Indicators
o Rosemarie pointed out our plan is focused on environmental and not on social and
economic factors.
o Other cities are taking sustainability to another level by including more in-depth quality
of life indicators.
o Joe Piesman commented the NRAB had previously talked about producing a state
of the environment report for Fort Collins.
Rosemarie stated the NRAB might also think about more controversial goals.
o Funding — is there a pool of money in account
o Need education and outreach projects
o Planning, with no overlapping goals
o Focusing on greenhouse gasses misses the boat. We need to focus on healthy ecosystem,
too.
o Setting some environmental indicators for the City of Fort Collins
Group discussion:
• John Armstrong mentioned communities are increasingly using the same indicators; for
example, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and there might be power in considering
trends of cities gravitating towards common indicators.
• In answer to a question by Joe Piesman if the City has the capacity to measure these items,
John Armstrong stated it depends on indicators. The City has good information on recycling
but not for all types of indicators and GRI has a lot of indicators.
• Glen Colton asked how can we determine the carbon footprint of things we consume. He
stated we need to evaluate our inventory methodology and be responsible for what we
directly and indirectly consume. Rosemarie mentioned that some cities such as Denver and
Longmont are starting to account for building materials because concrete accounts for high
GGE.
• Clint stated he was concerned we are moving to a carbon based measuring system and we
don't really know how to measure it. He suggested if you want citizens to have buy in on
sustainability, find business partners to give prizes and incentives for them to do it.
• Regarding the supply and quality of water, John Armstrong stated GRI has some models that
the NRAB might want to weigh in on and identify some of these indicators. The NRAB
might also coordinate work with other boards on this.
• John Armstrong also asked the NRAB to consider what level of detail does it want to get
into. Is it to help guide Council to ask staff to get involved or help write policy
o Clint stated if it is actionable item, yes, the NRAB should establish framework and
push for it. If the NRAB is not giving input, they are wasting staffs time doing
presentations.
o Alan Apt pointed out almost everything falls under sustainability — the action items
come from there and Council is working on these things.
o Joe Piesman was concerned that other communities are actually doing something
about sustainability and Fort Collins is just talking about it.
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• Rosemarie Russo will send the NRAB some information from Global Reporting Initiatives
(GRI) regarding indicators and tips.
• Rosemarie also stated Climate Wise is one of Fort Collins' strongest programs. There are
125 partners right now.
New Business
none
Announcements
none
Glen Colton moved and Joe Piesman seconded a motion to adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Submitted by Alexis Hmielak
Administrative Secretary I
Approved by the Board on 2 L ( 2008
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Date
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