HomeMy WebLinkAboutAir Quality Advisory Board - Minutes - 04/15/2019AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD
TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR
April 15, 2019 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Colorado River Room, 222 Laporte Ave.
4/15/19 – MINUTES Page 1
1. CALL TO ORDER
5:36 pm
2. ROLL CALL
• List of Board Members Present
− Karen Artell
− Greg Clark, Vice-Chair
− Harry Edwards
− Arsineh Hecobian, Chair
− Jakob Lindaas
− Jason Miller
− Jim Dennison
− Matt Tribby
• List of Board Members Absent – Excused or Unexcused; if no contact with Chair
has been made
− N/A
• List of Staff Members Present
− Cassie Archuleta, Staff Liaison
− Megan DeMasters, Senior Air Quality Coordinator
• List of Guests
• N/A
3. AGENDA REVIEW
• Arsineh reviewed the evening’s agenda with the addition of a short staff update
regarding oil and gas operations within Fort Collins.
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
• N/A
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• Harry moved and Jakob seconded a motion to approve the March 19, 2019 minutes
as revised. Motion passed, 7-0-1
AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD
TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR
4/15/19 – MINUTES Page 2
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Radon Memo, 5:45 – 6:50
The Board discussed its memo to Council to make recommendations on the next steps for
the City’s radon program (2019 Work Plan Item #5). Jim generated a draft document,
which members reviewed during the meeting. The Board then summarized the memo and
voted on its intent and content; finalization of the document will be completed
electronically.
• The following recommendations were agreed upon:
− The City shall require radon testing and disclosure in residential sales and
residential rental transactions.
− The City shall require all radon contractors and/or all persons performing radon
work to be certified.
− The AQAB supports additional education and outreach ideas as presented by Staff.
− The AQAB supports mitigation assistance (rebate programs) offered based on Staff
recommendation for maximum gain.
• Jim moved and Harry seconded a motion to endorse the four recommendations shown as
bullet points above and prepare a memo consistent with those recommendations to be
sent to City Council prior to the upcoming retreat. Motion passed, 8-0-0
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Issue Index Overview, 6:50 – 7:00
The Board discussed updates to the Issue Index and future use of the tool.
• Cassie recently updated the Issue Index with priority-levels as assigned by Board
members. Those who volunteered to personally track topics and provide periodic
updates have also been noted.
• Two topics were added upon member request: secondary impacts of vaping and air
quality issues related to 5G deployment.
• The Index will be considered in future agenda planning; members are invited to
bring up concerns or additions during time allotted for agenda planning.
Staff Follow-Up: Cassie will email the Issue Index to AQAB members for reference.
b. Regional Air Quality Council Update, 7:00 – 7:30
Several Board members provided updates regarding the April 5, 2019 RAQC meeting and
considered a potential recommendation to the RAQC Board (2019 Work Plan Item #10).
AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD
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4/15/19 – MINUTES Page 3
• Highlights from the meeting included presentations from local municipalities, RAQC,
and the North Front Range MPO regarding regional air quality studies and planning
efforts.
• The Board briefly discussed Longmont’s VOC monitoring project and inquired if Fort
Collins has funding to perform VOC testing.
− Cassie responded that while the City does not currently have funds allocated
for VOC monitoring and analysis, such studies have been performed in the
past at the Prospect Energy oil pad, in downtown Fort Collins and at
Soapstone Prairie.
− The purpose of the Longmont study was to determine major contributors to
the City’s air quality. In Fort Collins’ case, the FRAPPÉ Study, in conjunction
with attribution modeling and background VOC sampling performed by CSU
have shown the oil and gas operations in Weld County affect the City’s air
quality significantly.
• The Board expressed a desire for RAQC members to meet with communities that
have high ozone concentrations and discussed RAQC’s stance in response to SB
19-181.
Staff Follow-Up: Cassie will invite a representative from the NFRMPO to discuss potential
funding sources.
• The Board discussed ways to engage with RAQC via Larimer County Boards and
Commissions and participation in outreach programs (Simple Steps Better Air).
RAQC welcomes anyone to sit on their committees; Cassie regularly attends the
Transportation Planning and Land Use Code committee meetings and offered to
report back to the AQAB. Matt attends most Stationary/Area Sources Committee
meetings and will report back to the AQAB.
8. BOARD MEMBER AND STAFF REPORTS
Staff Report
• The City of Fort Collins has requested a consultation with CDPHE to examine
common issues and concerns that may arise regarding a recompletion permit for
MSSU # 30-08.
• Cassie provided an overview of recent code changes adopted in association with
outdoor burning.
Member Reports
• Jakob provided a summary of last week’s TBL meeting which included an opportunity
to test and provide feedback on a Scan Tool. The results from TBL Scans may
become common in Board presentation and may be used as a tool to foster
collaboration during joint board meetings.
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4/15/19 – MINUTES Page 4
• Matt briefly discussed HB 19-1261 and possible effects that it may have on Fort
Collins’ CAP. The bill will give the State the ability to enforce greenhouse gas
emissions rules beyond current federal regulations.
Staff Follow-Up: Cassie will follow up with City Staff on potential implications of the bill and
provide a summary to the AQAB.
• Greg attended a Larimer County Environmental and Science Advisory Board meeting
at which the development of an oil and gas task force was discussed; there are 85
applications for 6-8 available spots. The task force will aid in interpretation of HB 19-
1261 and SB 19-181 with regards to County land-use.
• Karen attended a Natural Resource Advisory Board meeting at which the
implementation of water surcharges for large irrigation operations and multifamily
buildings to promote xeriscaping was discussed.
• Matt summarized a LUT University report which suggests that a global transition to
100% renewable energy is attainable by 2050. Key assumptions of the report include
an emphasis on government action including subsidies and incentives; Matt will send
out a link to access the report.
9. OTHER BUSINESS
Arsineh reviewed the agenda and 6-month Council planning calendar.
Staff Follow-Up: Cassie will arrange for a tour of the Traffic Operations Center during the May
AQAB meeting.
10. ADJOURNMENT
7:58 pm