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MINUTES
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
Date: Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Location: Colorado River Room, 222 Laporte Avenue
Time: 6:00–8:00pm
For Reference
Bob Overbeck, Council Liaison 970-988-9337
Katy Bigner, Staff Liaison 970-221-6317
Board Members Present Board Members Absent
John Bartholow Nancy DuTeau, chair
Bob Mann Katherine de Leon
Elizabeth Hudetz
Luke Caldwell
Drew Derderian
Ling Wang
Jay Adams
Staff Present
Katy Bigner, Staff Liaison, Environmental Services
Stephanie Kopplin, Environmental Planner, Natural Areas
Guests:
David Tweedale
Call meeting to order: 6:00 pm
Agenda Review: No changes
Public Comments: None
Approval of February 15 Meeting Meetings: Elizabeth Hudetz motioned to accept the minutes as
presented; John Bartholow seconded; all in favor, motion passed unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM 1— Nature in the City Update
Stephanie Kopplin, Environmental Planner for Natural Areas, provided an update on 2016
accomplishments related to implementation of the Nature in the City (NIC) Strategic Plan, as well as
an overview of capital projects and initiatives that NIC will focus on in 2017.
The Nature in the City Program is focused on connectivity and accessibility to nature for the
community. Outreach includes reaching out to other City departments to collaborate on projects,
being involved in development review to promote habitat enhancement, access to nature, developing
information and training materials to support public education, and partnering with the community to
support neighborhood-scale capital projects. Other resources and focuses include: design guidelines
(step-by-step, free reference and information on how to maintain gardens or specific project types);
biodiversity monitoring (CSU and the Wildlife Conservation Society) with citizen data collection on
species which assists in locating capital projects sites. 2016 projects included: a living wall at 222
Laporte, a habitat hero garden near the Manhattan Townhomes, a nature center expansion at McGraw
Elementary, and the installation of 30 shade trees in the Greenbriar neighborhood. Some 2017
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priorities include community capital project partnerships, outreach and training, and strategic
alignment with new plans.
Discussion/Q&A:
• How much funding does Nature in the City have?
o Year 1 – $100K; Year 2 – $120K in capital project funding; ramps up over the course of
10 years.
• Will the gardens attract bees (recent pilot project near Power Trail)?
o It’s for all pollinators, but bees included
• Neighborhood input?
o Reached out to HOAs, included information through inserts in utility bills.
AGENDA ITEM 2— Results of Lose-A-Watt/Georgetown University Energy Prize
Katy Bigner, Environmental Planner for Environmental Services, provided an overview of the
activities and results of the City’s participation in the Georgetown University Energy Prize
competition.
National energy efficiency competition for a $5M prize hosted by Georgetown University; focus on
natural gas, heating oil, electric energy use with focus on three specific sectors: residential, municipal
buildings, and education (K-12 academic). The business sector was excluded due to diversity of
business sizes and types. It was two year competition from January 1, 2015 and ended December 31,
2016. The initial was application submitted in 2014. The top ten finalist will be announced later this
spring. Xcel Energy declined to participate in marketing efforts but provided data as part of
competition requirements. Staff focused on promoting energy saving opportunity via energy efficient
appliances, light bulbs, co-branding with existing efficiency programs, etc. Community involvement
focused on community outreach through encouraging competitive atmosphere. Involved K–6 via
separate programs developed for children; engaging business community through ClimateWise
employee focused program. City staff included social science and local expertise to target effect
marketing language in our advertising, making it action based. Tried Crowdfunding for efficiency
financing, but it was not productive/successful. Now transitioning out of the brand Lose-a-Watt since
competition ended. City focus was to research methods to create a more energy efficient community
and build on existing programs.
Discussion/Q&A:
• Who bought the idea forward?
o City Council member bought the idea forward and staff had heard the announcement of
the prize in 2014.
• What was the measure? How much you are saving?
o Through 2016 Q3, the sectors reduced energy use by 5.6%
• Should you win, what will you use the money for?
o The funds are strictly for energy efficiency and we heard that using money for low
income population was desired.
AGENDA ITEM 3— Other Business
Announcements/Open Discussion
• Discussion on ditch maintenance company cooperation; research incentives.
• Discussion on electric bicycles on specific paths.
Meeting Adjourned: 7:45 pm
Next Meeting: April 19, 2017