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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 - Air Quality Advisory Board - Work PlanEnvironmental Services 215 North Mason PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6600 970.224.6177 Fax fcgov.com/environmental services Air Quality Advisory Board 2017 Work Plan September 19, 2016 Purpose The Air Quality Advisory Board (AQAB) will advise the City Council on matters pertaining to policies, plans, programs, and ordinances to improve the City’s air quality. The AQAB will coordinate closely with and advise other City boards, City staff, and regional authorities on air quality issues. The AQAB by-laws, including a more detailed statement of the Board’s purpose and functions, are available at http://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/air-quality-advisory.php. Air Quality Topics of Greatest Interest (in alphabetical order): • Air Quality Analysis Tools for City Planning • Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change • Indoor Air Quality • Ozone Non-Attainment • Particulate Matter • Transportation Emissions City of Fort Collins 2016-2017 Strategic Plan Objectives Supported by the AQAB’s Purpose and Functions: 1.4 Protect and preserve the City’s quality of life and neighborhoods. 1.5 Guide development compatible with community expectations through appropriate planning, annexation, land use and development review processes. 1.6 Improve neighborhood parking and traffic issues. 2.3 Promote health and wellness within the community and provide sustainable access to nature. 2.5 Plan, design and implement improvements to the citywide trail system. 3.5 Foster sustainable infill and redevelopment. 4.1 Achieve Climate Action Plan (CAP) goals by reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs). 4.3 Engage citizens in ways to educate and encourage behaviors toward more sustainable living practices. 4.4 Implement indoor and outdoor air quality improvement initiatives. 4.5 Work towards long term net zero energy goals within the community and the City organization using a systems approach. 4.6 Work towards long term zero waste goals within the community and the City organization. 4.7 Increase the community’s preparedness and resiliency for changes in climate, weather and resource availability. 4.9 Meet all regulatory requirements while supporting programs that go beyond compliance. 5.4 Develop and implement emergency preparation and resiliency plans in collaboration with other regional efforts. 6.2 Improve traffic flow to benefit both individuals and the business community. 6.3 Identify strategies to reduce motorist delays due to trains. 2 6.4 Improve transit availability, grow ridership and address MAX parking concerns. 6.5 Fill the gaps for all modes of travel and improve the current transportation infrastructure while enhancing the aesthetic environment. 6.6 Develop long-term transportation plans that improve local and regional transportation networks. 6.7 Develop plans that address adequate infrastructure within the northeast area of Fort Collins. 7.1 Provide world-class services that meet the needs of the community. 7.5 Broaden methods of public engagement to reach all segments of the community by giving additional consideration to diverse backgrounds, languages and needs. 7.6 Enhance the use of performance metrics and benchmark data to assess results and program effectiveness. 7.9 Proactively influence policy and legislation development at all levels of government regulation. Major Focus Areas for 2017 Work (in no particular order): 1. Provide input, feedback, and advice on the development of a manual for assessing the air quality impacts of transportation-related projects and corridor plans, including training of city staff on use of the manual, and initial implementation efforts. 2. Review progress and provide recommendations on implementation of the Climate Action Plan and related initiatives. This could include issues such as the solar compatibility of buildings, land-use planning, or the development of a greenhouse gas impacts guidance manual. 3. Update the Fort Collins Air Quality Plan, after seeking public input through a citizen survey and/or other means. 4. Develop recommendations for sustaining and improving the City’s Healthy Homes program, which promotes voluntary indoor air quality improvements, as well as recommendations for potentially expanding the program to reach more homes and commercial buildings. 5. Address planning, development and policy decisions of interest that have the potential to positively or negatively affect regional haze and ozone levels in Fort Collins and recommend integrated, leveraged actions to reduce haze and ozone formation or to mitigate its impacts. 6. Review City policies and enforcement practices related to indoor air quality, including exposure to asbestos and radon, and recommend changes as needed. 7. Propose and review off-cycle budget offers relating to or affecting air quality and make recommendations to City Council on those offers. 8. Provide recommendations and advice on the development and implementation of policies and programs for reducing the public’s exposure to outdoor air pollutants, such as: a. transportation-related emissions (e.g., emissions from diesel vehicles, including rolling coal, vehicles idling at places such as drive-through facilities and schools, and in- commuters), b. fugitive dust, and c. smoke from wildfires, woodstoves, and other outdoor burning activities. 3 9. Address unanticipated air quality issues and respond to requests from City Council for advice on any subject relating to the Board’s purpose. 10. Communicate regularly with the Transportation Board, Energy Board, Natural Resources Board and other Advisory Boards and collaborate with those Boards where appropriate to better advise City Council and educate and collaborate with the public on air quality and climate change issues. 11. Advise Council on any opportunities that might arise for the City to participate in and influence air quality-related decisions affecting Fort Collins but falling under the jurisdiction of county, regional, state or national air quality authorities.