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Home My WebLink About2012 - Air Quality Advisory Board - Annual ReportEnvironmental Services Department 215 North Mason PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6600 970.224.6177 Fax fcgov.com/environmentalservices M E M O R A N D U M TO: Mayor Weitkunat and City Councilmembers FROM: Greg McMaster, Chair Air Quality Advisory Board DATE: January 3, 2013 RE: 2012 Air Quality Advisory Board Annual Report In 2012, the Air Quality Advisory Board held twelve regular meetings and one special meeting. The Board submitted the following recommendations to City Council: • a white paper outlining the threats to air quality from oil and gas activity and proposing actions the City could take to address the threats (6/20/12) • 2013/2014 budget recommendations on the Environmental Health Result Area (9/11/12) • support for the Parking Plan and recommending three modifications (9/19/12) • ways to increase broader and deeper community engagement in support of the Climate Action Plan (9/19/12) • support for an ordinance to ban cardboard from the waste stream (11/19/12) • support for adoption of ordinances that would significantly reduce single use plastic bags (11/19/12) • support for the dual track oil and gas review processes, and requests that the City explicitly itemize air quality maintenance requirements, ask staff to evaluate additional air monitoring needs for effective protection of Fort Collins’ air quality, implement monitoring, inspection, and audit functions that address local concerns, work with the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) on enforcing oil and gas-related air quality regulations, support staff engagement in the State regulatory processes, support the rule-making process that would provide authority and staffing to the APCD to address oil and gas air emissions, and periodically review the Oil and Gas Land Use Code (11/19/12) The Board participated in the following activities: • A representative of AQAB participated in the Parking Plan Focus Group. • A representative of AQAB continued to participate on the Bicycle Advisory Committee. • A representative of AQAB continued to participate on the West Nile Virus committee. • Two representatives of AQAB participated on the Oil and Gas Advisory Committee. • Two representatives from AQAB attended the Women’s Commission board strategy meeting. • A representative of AQAB participated in the CSU Student Housing Plan. The table on the next two pages provides a review of our 2012 activities pertaining to our work plan items. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for the opportunity to advise City Council and serve the community. 2 Air Quality Advisory Board 2012 Work Plan – December 2012 Status The goal of the Air Quality Advisory Board is to promote the City’s overarching goal, ‘To continually improve air quality”. The Board plans to prioritize the 2012 Work Plan actions according to importance, urgency, and attainability. HIGH PRIORITY STATUS Air Quality and Planning Review air quality strategies in the Air Quality Plan and BFO proposals related to air quality and make recommendations to City Council for prioritization, investment and implementation. Board discussed “Request for Results” and AQ metrics in February; reviewed the Air Quality Plan for potential BFO ideas in March, had a presentation on electric vehicle status and proposal in April, reviewed BFO offer ideas in April, selected top priority offers in May for input into on-line comments tool in June; held a special meeting to discuss budget on September 4, and submitted a memo to Council in Sept. Review progress on implementation of City Plan, Transportation Master Plan, and Air Quality Plan updates and provide input to staff and City Council. Board discussed the NFR Transit Vision project in December. Track the NFRMPO’s investment in air quality planning and provide input to staff and Council on MPO-related matters. Not addressed in 2012. MPO air quality planner position was vacated and not refilled. Better understand how policy is codified. Explore the practical implementation of adopted air quality-related policies through the Development Review Process, Land Use Code, and Building Codes, and Planned Development Overlay District and make air quality- specific code recommendations, if needed, to enhance implementation. Board discussed the Planned Development Overlay District in May. Review and comment on ozone SIP development. Ozone SIP update not formally in progress in 2012 as new ozone standard was not promulgated Examine community and regional developments that may adversely affect Fort Collins air quality/climate and make recommendations to Council." (Uranium mining, oil and gas drilling, etc.) Oil and Gas Board had a presentation on O&G Emissions Inventories in the Intermountain West, discussed regional O&G impacts and a draft white paper in May, sent a broad overview recommendation to Council regarding O&G development in June; provided 2 members to the O&G Advisory Committee, discussed proposed LUC changes in October and made recommendation in November. Wildfire -Board discussed air quality status and impacts from the High Park Fire in May. Understand the use and impact of 2-cycle engines on FC 3 Understand local choices and impacts on climate change and recommend choices that benefit city plans. Not specifically addressed in 2012 Track the AQ-related goals and objectives and recommendations of public and private planning processes that could affect the future of Fort Collins and the MPO. Not addressed in 2012 Climate and Sustainability Review progress of the City’s implementation of the Climate Action Plan and make recommendations, as needed, for adjustments to meet the City’s goals. May invite local climate leaders, e-waste experts, etc. to make presentations to the board. Board had update presentations on GHG inventory in July, Climate Wise in August, and GHG progress in September. Board submitted a recommendation to Council on climate action planning in September. Board submitted recommendation to Council in November supporting a ban of cardboard from the waste stream and City requirements to reduce single use grocery bags. Mobility Management Broaden communication and collaboration with the Transportation Board and other organizations (PSD, CSU, etc.) to better understand barriers and opportunities to a strong multi-modal transportation system. Board discussed CSU Student Housing Plan in May. Study issues that could impact VMT (i.e. school closures, Safe Routes to School) and make recommendations to Council. Board discussed CSU Student Housing plan in May. Participate in the Bike Advisory Committee by sending an AQAB representative. Michael Lynn represented AQAB at on the Bike Advisory Committee. Lower Priority STATUS Review General Fund subsidies to various transportation modes and recommend changes. Not addressed in 2012 Track implementation of ozone compliance plan for the NRF region. Not addressed in 2012 Review the City’s response to West Nile Virus and make recommendations on the funding and other elements in the WNV programs. Board discussed WNV Advisory Committee process in September, October, and December. Track implementation and evolution of vehicle inspection and maintenance programs. Briefly discussed in December. Track the development of national urban visibility regulations. Not addressed in 2012 UNANTICIPATED ISSUES STATUS Parking Plan AQAB discussed the Parking Plan in February, August and September, and made a recommendation to Council in September. AQAB provided a member to the Parking Plan focus group. Air Quality Monitoring Received a presentation from CDPHE on routine air quality monitoring and monitoring related to O&G in June and on the Garfield County study in November. and their impact on air quality. Not addressed in 2012