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MINUTES
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
Date: Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Location: Colorado River Room, 222 Laporte Ave.
Time: 6:00 pm
For Reference
Bob Overbeck, Council Liaison 970-988-9337
Katy Bigner, Staff Liaison 970-221-6317
Board Members Present Board Members Absent
Nancy DuTeau, Chair Katherine de Leon
Bob Mann
Elizabeth Hudetz
John Bartholow
Drew Derderian
Luke Caldwell
Jay Adams
Ling Wang
Staff Present
Katy Bigner, Staff Liaison, Environmental Services
Maureen McCarthy, Waste Reduction and Recycling Assistant
Susie Gordon, Environmental Program Manager
Nancy Cramer, Minute Taker
Guests:
Alex Smiley, Community Member
Evan Cox, CSU Student/Community Member
Ben Harms, CSU Student/Community Member
John Skogman, CSU Student/Community Member
Emily Salo, CSU Student/Community Member
Judith Kristy, Community Member (wife of board member Bob Mann)
Call meeting to order: 6:00 pm by Nancy DuTeau, Chair
Public Comments:
None.
Approval of the Minutes: Nancy moved and Luke seconded the motion to approve the September
minutes with a correction on Item 2 to revise the title to: Climate Economy Advisor. Motion to
approve the September minutes as corrected passed unanimously 9-0.
AGENDA ITEM 1: Electric Bike Demonstration at 215 N. Mason, north parking lot
Lee’s Cyclery will provide a short demonstration of electric bikes for both the Transportation And
Natural Resources Advisory Board
Luke proffered that if anyone had questions regarding the electric bicycles on trails, etc., he’d be
happy to discuss them. Bob asked the reason for bringing the bicycle demonstration to the board and
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Luke replied that it was mainly to bring attention to the issue because the Transportation Board also
met the same night on the issue and it will be coming up to the City Council soon as well.
Jay said that he had spoken with a trail ranger about electric bicycles on the trails and the rangers
informed him that overall they did not believe it was a good idea to bring the electric bikes on the
trails. Luke agreed that the common viewpoint among rangers and the bicycle community in general
– especially with the mountain biking groups and to some degree road biking groups – that they
consider it “cheating.” However, he continued, that the erosion impact of electric bikes on trails has
not been proven to do any more damage than normal bikes, stating that we need to help people stay
physically fit and provide accessibility for all.
Elizabeth offered that her friend recently had heart surgery and found an electric bicycle to be an
excellent way to get out and begin exercise again, and additionally the city has a large retiree
community who could benefit from electric bicycles.
Luke stated that the electric bicycles are currently allowed for use by people with disabilities and will
provide several benefits for all, which corresponds to our initiatives on clean air, promoting physical
outdoor resources of our city and that the trails not only run through Fort Collins, but also connect to
state trails as well.
Bob explained that the electric bicycle issue was brought before the NRAB because, while the board
is mainly tasked with protecting natural resources, it is also tasked with encouraging public use of
our local natural resources, so it is an appropriate issue for the NRAB to review and consider.
Nancy then suggested that all in attendance proceed to the to the Mason Street parking lot for the
demonstration.
After concluding Lee Cyclery’s electric bicycle demonstration, all in attendance returned and
resumed the meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 2: Timberline Recycling Center Volunteer Program
Maureen McCarthy, Waste Reduction and Recycling Program Assistant, will provide a brief
overview of the new volunteer program and needs at the Timberline Recycling Center (Information:
10 minutes).
Maureen McCarthy commenced with her PowerPoint presentation on the new Recycling
Ambassadors Program stating that students from the Students to Work Alliance Program (SWAP)
assisted throughout the summer, and since the move to the new Timberline Road Recycling Center
location, they have expanded recycling services, averaging approximately 340 visitors to the facility
each day, and the Recycling Ambassador volunteers assist the public in unloading and processing the
recycling. Maureen further reviewed the volunteers’ job description explaining the Recycling
Ambassadors not only help people unload, but they provide a friendly face, answer questions, and
they create a cleaner, smoother stream for processing the drop-offs. They are a City of Fort Collins
face to the public. The Ambassadors are passionate about recycling and provide input and feedback
from public. The Ambassadors include participants from ACE (Alternative Cooperative Education
from PSD), as well as adults with disabilities, and retirees, etc. Maureen also provided data (Feb –
Aug. 2017) on the success of the volunteer program as follows: the Ambassadors have assisted
1500+ visitors; clocked over 400 hours; and submitted over 150 Shift Feedback Forms. All of the
data shows positive feedback, which eliminates some dumping of non-recyclables. Maureen
discussed the future needs of the program and noted that the volunteers help load and unload; help
with tabling/outreach education; and help with special collection events. She further informed the
board that a “Recycling Report” is in the works and it will be finalized soon and forwarded to Katy to
disseminate to the board members.
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Luke asked if Maureen modeled the Recycling Ambassador Volunteer Program after the Bicycle
Program. Maureen replied in the negative, however, she stated that she has plenty of volunteers.
John asked if there was a comparable program at the county landfill. Maureen responded in the
negative.
Nancy commented that it seems to be a great program, and Maureen suggested that the board come
out for a one-hour tour.
Luke asked if the number of visitors per day produces about the same amount of volume. Susie stated
that the volume is about the same even with the high number of visitors, and that people from
Wellington and LaPorte seem to make a stop to the TRC on their route into Fort Collins.
Elizabeth asked about the fact that there is already recycling in Fort Collins, so why would people go
to the facility, and Susie replied that people still need the TRC for large items, etc., and people in
apartments need a place to take certain items.
Bob mentioned that recycling is a big picture issue so having the TRC is a necessity.
Susie also mentioned that the TRC recently acquired a bailer to process the plastic film recycling,
which also improves processing. This concluded the presentation.
Updates and Announcements
• Tour of the Hoffman Road facility was very impressive. Nancy stated that Jason was going to get
data on how much of a demand there is for the recycled building materials.
• Air Quality Advisory Board and the County Environmental and Science Advisory Board will
hold a joint meeting with the NRAB board in November on ozone and oil/gas. It will be at the
next meeting and it will be at the same time and date: 5:30pm -8:00pm on November 15, 2017.
• December meeting is scheduled for December 20, 2017 and Nancy will to survey members as to
who will be in attendance to ensure a quorum.
• Nancy mentioned Mark Sears presented on the Goose Hollow Natural Area at the City Council
meeting.
• Nancy announced that Katherine has decided to resign from the board.
• Waste Shed Stakeholders group is meeting next Wednesday and it was suggested that the NRAB
invite staff to give a presentation at a future board meeting.
• Jackie Kozak Thiel will have an annual update in December
• Rebecca Everette asked to come back and present on the Night Sky Initiative
• Bob suggested we get an update on the Waste Shed.
• Luke thanked everyone for attending the bicycle presentation.
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Meeting Adjourned: 7:28 pm
Next Meeting: November 15, 2017