HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 06/17/2015MINUTES
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Location: 215 N. Mason Conference Room 1A
Time: 6:00–8:30pm
For Reference
Bob Overbeck, Council Liaison 970-988-9337
Susie Gordon, Staff Liaison 970-221-6265
Board Members Present
John Bartholow, chair
Kelly McDonnell
Joe Halseth
Bob Mann
Jeremy Sueltenfuss
Harry Edwards
Luke Caldwell
Nancy DuTeau
Staff Present
Susie Gordon, Staff Liaison
Dianne Tjalkens, Admin/Board Support
Jason Graham, Water Reclamation and Biosolids Manager
Beth Sowder, Social Sustainability Department Director
Tessa Greegor, Bikes Program Manager
Guests: none
Call meeting to order: John called the meeting to order at 6:00pm
Public Comments: none
Agenda Review: no changes
Approval of Minutes:
Harry moved and Nancy seconded a motion to approve the May minutes as presented.
Motion passed unanimously, 7-0-0. Kelly arrived after vote.
AGENDA ITEM 1—Wastewater Treatment System Projects
Jason Graham, Water Reclamation and Biosolids Manager, discussed federal Nutrient Discharge
Allowances from wastewater plants, anaerobic digestion and methane production at the Drake Water
Reclamation Facility, and the Biosolids Management program at Meadow Springs Ranch.
1949 Mulberry Water Reclamation was built, Drake Water Reclamation Facility was built in 1968.
Meadow Springs Ranch was purchased in 1990 for beneficial reuse of biosolids. Mulberry has all
processes covered, with activated carbon- and bio-filters. Odor has been an issue, so invested in
covering and odor control. It is a state of the art facility: unmanned and chemical free (UV
1 | Page
disinfection). Three stages: anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic. Microbes do the work of digestion, and
are used over and over. In disruption event or in case of processing issues, can divert to Drake. All
solids handled at Drake. Highly advanced systems and automation. Have provided infrastructure to
add additional stages if need to make adjustments to discharge. Mulberry discharges to Poudre Rive,
Drake discharges to Fossil Creek Ditch. Drake has 4 anaerobic digesters. Have chlorine and counter-
reactor so don’t discharge chlorine, as well as sulfur dioxide. Will convert Drake to UV with chlorine
back-up for community and employee safety. Evidence that UV sterilization will not be enough due
to bacteriophage and associated viruses. UV won’t get to all of the viruses, so need additional
treatment. Drake does not currently have carbon filters. Use biogas for process and building heat.
High efficiency blowers. #1 user of electricity. Reductions make big impact on overall GHG
emissions. Have a 5 acre drying pad for solids at Meadow Springs Ranch (biosolid facility). Very
well-choreographed and organized. City owns water rights at Meadow Springs, but not mineral
rights. There are endangered species and neighbors nearby. Biosolids are safe product but can have
odor. Do work with neighbors on road access and fencing. Actively acquire property to increase
buffer. Manage prairie dogs, and have reintroduced black footed ferret. Naturally manage vegetation
with cycle of prairie dog management with ferrets, and use of biosolids to re-vegetate. Have some
homesteads, old saloons, and teepee rings on the ranch so historical preservation is important for the
site. Soapstone and Rawhide have buffalo. Meadow Springs will not, due to cattle. Water treatment is
heavily regulated including spill prevention, water reuse (send to Rawhide for cooling tower), risk
management plan, nutrient control limits, resource recovery and conservation, etc. Have many safety
and environmental audits: identify gaps and make improvements. ISO 14001 Certified
Environmental Management System. All operators are wastewater certified. All mechanics are
certified. Maximo Maintenance Database, SCADA system to help run facilities. Also have
alternative project delivery process. 100% compliant with all regulations. Know they need to do
better job of carbon efficiency. Do not have enough carbon coming in to optimally remove nitrogen
and phosphorus. Looking to supplement with brewery waste pilot project. Fermentation byproducts
are an ideal and local source versus methanol which is a hazardous chemical. However, brewery
waste issues include consistency of product and amount. For nutrient recovery in the dewatering
process could capture and convert phosphorus into pellets which could be sold. Market is in Middle
East. Companies will come in and set up system. Exploring options. Get phosphorus out of effluent
and process so can stop recycling. Agriculture is major contributor of nutrients in surface water and
is unregulated. Exploring ways to recognize discharge and have reclamation over-treat to
counterbalance. Currently generate biogas, and use it, but not all. Flare off some. Wastewater
facilities are really resource recovery centers: can use kitchen oil/grease, have dirt sifting operation,
opportunity for solar power, opportunity for metal recovery, etc. Can recover metals from wastewater
and there is market. Already treating at parts per trillion. Potential to generate energy. Have
partnerships with local businesses, CSU, etc. Have integrated planning. Promoting alternative
transportation (solar powered golf carts, electric vehicles).
Discussion/Q & A:
• Are virus levels consistent or episodic?
o Not sure yet. Preparing plan for 10-20 years and will be ready.
o Human viruses?
Bacteriophage viruses. Want to protect public and environment. Do not want
negative impacts to downstream users.
• Emergency plan for major load of BOD?
o Monitors in system to detect. Monitor influent, have DO analyzers onsite. Have taken
industrial hit. Trace issue upstream to try to pinpoint source, but very difficult.
o Most common event would be oil spill?
Yes.
• Times of year for applying biosolids?
o Year round
2 | Page
o Impact on nesting birds?
Unknown. Collaborations with CSU and USDA at Meadow Springs Ranch.
Regional EPA director tests site. Tracked and measured.
o Are heavy metals being distributed there?
Reports and limits on accumulation rates. EPA has determined how high
metals can be before toxicity in land. Focus on removing nitrogen and
phosphorus. Nitrogen off-gasses, but phosphorus does not go away.
Opportunity to capture phosphorus and sell it. Valuable.
• How much of Fort Collins do the Mulberry and Drake plants treat?
o City sewers. Not Laporte. Mulberry to Horsetooth almost to Laporte, and Mulberry to
slightly south of Harmony. There are two other treatment facilities in the area.
o Sewage from CSU facilities?
We treat that.
• Is stormwater kept separate?
o Yes. Sanitary stormwater system.
• Will this system be sufficient for population growth?
o Capacity standpoint, flow is manageable. Drake has a lot of capacity. Was built to
deal with Anheuser-Busch. Could actually apply to one-acre year round from
regulatory standpoint, but don’t want to do that to the land.
• Limit to lifetime of Meadow Springs facility?
o Unsure of how to quantify. The property has been there and is and will be protected.
Cooperate with cattle association it was purchased from. From biosolids standpoint,
new technology will come into play. May eventually become a federally protected
property. Steward of the land.
• Where do mineral rights stand at Meadow Springs? Could fracking be done there?
o Oil and gas do have some mineral rights. Try to be active participants when rights are
leased. Not much potential in the area currently.
o State manages majority of mineral rights at Meadow Springs and Soapstone. Will not
lease mineral rights on Meadow Springs unless compliant with Energy by Design,
which takes wildlife and vegetation into consideration. Very little ground could be
utilized. Could control roads and access. Do not currently support.
o Nature Conservancy envisioned Mountains to Plains. Whole block of land that
includes Meadow Spring is protected.
• Footprint for biosolids and facility versus cattle grazing?
o 5000 acres.
• When people want to sell land do they come to you?
o Yes. They come to City to sell land knowing it will be protected.
• How do you protect water rights?
o Irrigation and cattle. Will do everything we can to protect endangered butterfly plant
that requires marshy land and animals to disturb soil. Meadow Springs is good habitat
for this plant. Fought for water rights to continue marshy area.
• Security for hacking?
o Have cyber-security. Redundancies for everything, switchovers for power loss, dual
sources, etc. Currently reevaluating cyber-security at request of City IT department.
• What about residential composting to add carbon?
o Do receive food waste from CSU. Food waste could do what we need it to do. Lawn
clippings, etc., but no good way to deliver. Putting more food waste down disposal
would improve carbon.
• Discussing taking outflow and putting it back into drinking water? Is it “ew” factor more than
anything else? Would water rights interfere with that?
o Will probably have to do this. Would put into discharge at basically drinking water
standard. “Ew” factor comes more into play in biosolids. Currently Class B. If could
3 | Page
improve to Call A should be able to sell or give away solids for use in gardening. Can
overcome “ew” factor with willing community.
• Members can contact Jason directly with additional questions.
ACTION ITEM: John will contact Jason via email to organize facility tours.
AGENDA ITEM 2—Social Sustainability Strategic Plan
Beth Sowder, Social Sustainability Department Director provided an overview of the Strategic Plan
and invited comments, in preparation for finalizing the plan for Council's approval in late
summer/early fall.
Seeking general input/feedback on where going with strategic plan. Plan helps direct staff and let
know community what to expect for next 3-5 years. Will be part of Superboard meeting at the end of
July; continuing to reach out to partner agencies, end users, etc. Want to make sure policies are not
developed without system-wide thinking and integration of three legs of sustainability. Want to
influence core thinking of all projects toward overall sustainability. Mission is to create diverse and
equitable community. Purpose of plan is to prioritize in alignment with City’s strategic plan.
Economic Health adopted their new strategic plan; Environmental Services is starting development
of their strategic plan. For 30 years City has allocated federal and local funding to human service
agencies and affordable housing. The department also focuses on poverty and homelessness
alleviation. No direct service, but provide funding, collaboration, partnering, etc. Role is to build
resources for the social safety net and ladder to self-sufficiency. Example of safety net: one time
rental assistance. Example of self-sufficiency: workforce development training, financial literacy
skills. $1.5M comes through City that goes to housing and human services. There is never enough
funding for all the worthy agencies and the competitive process for allocation is challenging.
Example of human service support in early childhood development: Funding for Basecamp, Boys
and Girls Club, Family Center, Teaching Tree, etc.; advocate for policies for CCAP; and partner with
United Way’s Be-Ready Campaign.
Four theme areas:
1. Community Wellness: includes physical and mental health and access to healthy foods.
2. Diversity: Vision to have welcoming, inclusive community. Will work closely with
transportation for increased access to transportation options. Equity to access.
3. Community Prosperity: Spectrum. Economic Health will help employers identify workforce
options; Social Sustainability will look at workforce training to help people become more
employable. Closing skills gap and creating career pathways. Includes caregiving services that
are barrier to work. Maintain mix of land uses to encourage broad mix of housing options.
4. Housing: All citizens should have access to housing that is affordable to them and meets their
needs. Increase supply and availability of affordable housing, especially for special populations;
increase opportunities for ownerships; support housing stability.
Discussion/Q & A:
• Public outreach: Population that needs safety net and tools to be self-sufficient aren’t
necessarily those who can attend open houses. Do you have ways to reach them?
o Had a meeting for service providers, and will work with them to go to facilities and
affordable housing complexes, mobile home parks, etc. to reach them. Want to make
sure hear from people who typically don’t have a voice in our community.
• Does Social Sustainability monitor the community and gather data, then seek out partners to
work with, or other way around?
o Both. Have criteria for funding. Mostly nonprofits and affordable housing providers.
Process is clear for housing providers. Have to leverage dollars with federal tax
credits to make projects work, etc. For human service agencies can appear to be
duplication, but serve different levels of low income, be in different parts of
4 | Page
community, etc. Collect data from grant recipients. Ex: Work closely with Homeward
2020, Murphy Center, Catholic Charities, Rescue Mission, etc. Watch national
trends, work together to collaborate.
• Can imagine people saying City government can do what the people want them to do, but can
also see where some would say we should not be engaged in social engineering. How do you
address right role for City?
o Not trying to duplicate or provide what Larimer County Human Services does. But,
federal and state funding are decreasing, so the City is supplementing. City
management and Council support efforts. Also watched by many leaders in this area
and have opportunity to show how municipality can have role in overall sustainability
of community, which includes people. Supplement and complement what is already
being done.
• Social piece can be weakest leg of the stool. Can find economic benefit to environmental
improvements. In social arena, economic benefits are longer term and more subjective. In
providing resources through Social Sustainability do we reduce crime, etc.? City model,
would be interesting to explore longer term revenue sharing with other two legs of the stool.
Only city with all three legs of TBL under one umbrella. Begin to act in ways that share. Ex:
enterprise zone opportunities from wastewater treatment. How do we support this leg of the
stool?
o Starting to learn longer term solutions to social issues can help economic issues. Ex:
chronically homeless are higher users of ER, police services, etc. Housing them
actually costs less than having them on the street. Have first permanent supportive
housing at Redtail Ponds.
o If address that, addresses other concerns about it not being City function.
• Legacy Senior Residences?
o FCHA, but City provided resources. Legacy 2 is underway. Will be seeing more
seniors, so also discussing senior housing.
• How do you envision encouraging private developers to build affordable housing? Costs?
Market system? Where do you envision lower income people living as costs of housing
increase?
o City has been doing a good job of having affordable housing distributed throughout
the city, not only in certain sectors. Affordable Housing developers are looking at our
Land Bank properties, which would be sold at a discounted rate. City Council is
interested in looking at that as well. Consultant is evaluating properties. Have 3
viable properties and have interest from FCHA, Care Housing, and private
developers. Also need to preserve existing affordable housing; need more options.
Not enough yet.
• Community wellness would align with Nature in the City goals.
o Social Sustainability staff is on that team.
• Long term: universal pre-K. 20+ year vision/investment. Encourage collaboration to move
this forward.
ACTION ITEM: Beth Sowder will provide draft plan to Susie Gordon, who will forward to the
board.
AGENDA ITEM 3—FC Bikes Projects
Tessa Greegor, Bikes Program Manager, gave a presentation on projects that are underway,
including protected bike lanes on Laurel Street.
FC Bikes is part of FC Moves. FC Bikes is a comprehensive program including education,
encouragement, data collection, transportation planning. Focused on increasing bicycling. In 2013
earned Platinum Level Bicycle Friendly Community (one of four in country). Next level is Diamond,
5 | Page
which no community has yet achieved. Will be based on specific metrics. But real goal is increasing
safety and ridership. Have 7.4% of adults commuting by bike. Also have most bicycle friendly
businesses in the country. In 2014 adopted Bicycle Master Plan. Focuses on safety and comfortable
network to access key destinations by bike. Key piece of plan is orientation to 2020: have 20%
bicycle mode split, zero fatalities, increase number of students and public who receive education, etc.
Planning and design of bicycle infrastructure: 2020 low stress network strives to leverage existing
assets that are already more comfortable for biking and create a network. Need improvements at
specific locations, such as major intersections, spot treatments, buffered bike lanes, protected bike
lanes for higher traffic streets. Current projects include Laurel Street protected lane pilot which
encourages biking on street, rather than sidewalk. It is a three block project to fill a in gap in the
network. Features include protected lane (physical protection) and bike box to let cyclist move to
front of line at intersection and take lane, which prevents “right-hook.” One year pilot to collect data.
Have been educating public in the area. Citizens encouraged to send feedback via the online survey.
Remington Greenway will connect to Laurel Street improvements. First greenway project, will have
double buffered bike lanes. Mini round-about going in at Laurel and Remington and removing some
stop signs. Efficient, traffic calm corridor, etc. Wayfinding is part of low stress network and bike
plan. Have nice trail connections. Wayfinding is way to navigate low stress network. Bicycle
ambassador program: have over 50 ambassadors. Have lots of classes available. Info on website:
http://www.fcgov.com/bicycling/
Discussion/Q & A:
• Effect on sensors at intersections with bike boxes?
o Video detection does detect bikes.
• Alternative approach in Amsterdam is separate lights for bicyclists. Keeps motorists separate.
o One on Mason that works wonderfully.
• Laurel and College intersection, is there no right on red sign?
o Typically there would be but there is a right turn lane. Next phase is dedicated bike
signal. Very high volume of right turns at this intersection. Want bikes to left of
them. Alternate solution is to keep them to the curb and have separate light.
Removes ambiguity.
Also removes conflict of waiting for bikes to get across intersection.
Will also cut down on cyclist riding through cross walks. Procedure is to walk
bike across cross walk if using sidewalk.
• Not a law.
• Is not illegal to ride bike on sidewalk, except in downtown.
o Was parking removed for this project?
Estimate removing 15 spaces total. Have kept for businesses on north side
where have shared lane markings. Pilot project and expect feedback.
• Should bike bells be mandatory? Curtesy we don’t discuss. When cyclist overtakes
pedestrian, would be appreciated to have notification. Could that be part of education?
o Have given out bells in the past and is part of education, but would be challenging to
mandate.
o Outreach events include what to do when passing. Encourage bell or audible signal.
o Required to give audible signal. Noted on bike maps and trails. Continues to be an
issue.
o Education component is huge for having a bicycle friendly community.
Trails are shared resources.
• Right on red is an American thing. Makes it more challenging to ride a bike in the city.
• Remington project, how will bikes travel through intersection?
o Will look into it and address striping.
o Roundabout at Vine and Taft causes confusion for cyclists.
o Sign at small roundabout near museum to not pass bicycles in roundabout.
6 | Page
AGENDA ITEM 4—Update on Status of Community Recycling Center
Susie Gordon, Senior Environmental Planner, described higher costs that have been recently
calculated for operating and maintaining the expanded recycling center which is under development;
costs have prompted the need for Council to discuss at their June 23 Work Session.
The project Susie has been working on for hard-to-recycle items has had many stages. Were granted
additional money to complete project in last BFO cycle, but operating expenses were not approved.
Vendor has responded to RFP, discovered changes in cost to operate. Plan is for the site to be staffed
but recycling market has changed significantly. These have added new cost dimensions. Finance
modelled as worst case scenario—may be approx. $150K/year but could even go up to $300K or
more if catastrophic problems. Original estimate in 2014 was $80K/year. Need to see what Council
wants to do. Will present options: go into midyear BFO cycle; build site and move Rivendell facility
there, continuing as unmanned site (without collecting hard-to-recycle items); or discontinue project.
Community is not very aware of project. Fully vested to build if Council decides to move forward:
have permits and funds.
Bob added he is concerned about a lost opportunity: have land, have permits, have RFP, have spent
2.5 years to get to this point. The economic piece is based on market which is at its lowest point in
many years. The better job we would do as a community in using the facility, the greater the cost so
long as the recyclables have little to no value. Catch 22 from economic standpoint. But also is step in
right direction for Road to Zero Waste. Identified that need hard-to-recycle facility and a place more
convenient for small businesses and multifamily residents to recycle. Market for recyclables will
change. As more products are developed to use the recyclables, demand will increase. Should move
forward. Also consistent with Climate Action Plan. Bob wrote a draft memo and recommendation
and provided copies to the board.
Discussion/Q & A:
• Don’t want to lose site.
• What is site permitted for?
o For full complete facility. Has taken a long time, but if completed will be model
facility.
o Does clock go back to zero on permits if just move Rivendell there?
Might need minor amendment if over two years, but otherwise good. Includes
grading and paving.
• Contracts with potential partners? Landfills? Who?
o WasteNot Recycling is bidder on operations of site. But as prices change, could
potentially revenue share with operators. Public-private partnership.
City is paying for costs when prices are low, only appropriate to reap benefits
when prices are high.
• Cost of not having recycling of this nature: environmental costs of dumping and other costs
hard to quantify but real nonetheless.
• Is this site only for Fort Collins residents?
o Rivendell is open to anyone. Practicality of being unmanned. Loveland site is free for
residents or pay if not. A lot of people come to Fort Collins to work, go to school, etc.
and may bring recyclables if we have appropriate place.
o Gate fees will not offset costs. Should the City encourage higher fees?
• Feel strongly site should go forward and be developed. Should determine which options we
want Council to consider. Or can vote to make fully operational.
• Is the issue one year of operations?
o There was no budget for operations. It will be every year. Rivendell has a budget of
$60K/year and have had savings from revenue sharing.
Essentially bringing $60K to operations.
7 | Page
Pay school $16,500 in rent annually for Rivendell.
Would still spend $60K for Rivendell portion and need additional $150K?
• Yes.
o Rivendell just takes standard recyclables. Cost is in additional items like household
hazardous waste, electronic waste, etc.
o All would be proponents of having Council determine how to pay for this.
• Would center duplicate what landfill recycling center does?
o No. They do HHW (household hazardous waste). This would include many other
materials.
o More likely to end up at center than landfill if have one central place to recycle.
• Constrained to residential, or includes commercial?
o Both. HHW would be residential only, but would encourage contractors to recycle
remodeling/construction materials too.
Multipurpose facility as HHW event is losing its CSU site.
o Support from community would build.
• Really only one choice for this board: to ask Council to have staff figure out funding for full
implementation.
• Are there any negatives to keeping Rivendell and not moving this forward?
o People dump other places, the landfill gets full.
o We have adopted Road to Zero Waste, so would be antithetical to plan and already
have dollars in it.
o If we think this is important and consider other costs the City incurs, this is not a
great cost to provide a service to the community.
Harry moved to endorse the memorandum as written with leeway to edit in consideration of board
member comments. Luke seconded.
Motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0.
AGENDA ITEM 5—Other Business
Review City Council’s 6-Month Planning Calendar/Agenda Planning
• John will relay information to board via email.
Announcements/Open Board Discussion
• Open Streets pamphlet: please read.
o Last event was very successful.
• Update on West Nile?
o Easier now to obtain information on potential spraying. Accepting that County may
spray. Will know more in next few weeks.
o Who appoints members of advisory committee, since there is an open position?
May be a shift this winter, soliciting new members from technical side.
Susie will ask Mike Calhoon.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:38pm
Next Meeting: July 15
8 | Page