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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation And Stewardship Board - Minutes - 06/09/2021 Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Regular Meeting/Zoom Meeting June 9, 2021. 06/12/2019 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER: 5:31 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: David Tweedale, Mike Weber, Cole Kramer, Joe Piesman, Vicky McLane, Andrea Elson, Raymond Watts Excused: Alycia Crall 3. AGENDA REVIEW: Prior to land conservation updates Ray would like to briefly discuss status of NISP and whether actions from the Board are appropriate CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Elena Lopez, public 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Andrea’s last name is wrong. Joe sent corrections to Michelle. Joe Piesman made a motion that minutes be approved. Andrea Elson seconded the motion. The motion was unanimous to approve the amended minutes. 5. NEW BUSINESS Bicycle Advisory Committee update Mike updated the board on the last bicycle advisory committee meeting. An overview of design standards in parks, vision zero to eliminated bicycle accidents, scooters, etc. To ease transportation through town. Nothing to report specifically related to natural areas. Draft Oil and Gas regulations from Larimer County Ray asked if anyone on the Board had reviewed the regulations and had any comments. Ray shared his screen showing two links; the first one concerns the County Board of Commissioners Resolution that continues a moratorium on any new oil and gas activity until December 15th, the second link refers to the draft regulations. Ray is encouraged by what is written into the draft regulations in terms of standards for protecting our natural areas. The County is including City protected lands should be covered with extra protection from oil and gas facilities. Basically, they are wrapping their arms around Fort Collins Natural Areas as well as the County Natural Areas. Ray suggested sending a letter to City Council to encourage them to continue to support the County and their efforts to protect. Discussion: The Board agreed they want to extend their appreciation to the County for their efforts to continue to support eh County and their efforts to protect natural areas. Julia is working DocuSign Envelope ID: 24783812-0108-43A5-9C6F-162E0665F8AD Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Regular Meeting 06/12/2019 MINUTES Page 2 with Kelly Smith and Cassie Archuleta, with Community Development, who are leading the city’s oil and gas regulations. Joe suggested copying them on the memorandum. The Board agreed that Ray and Andrea will work on the memorandum. Zoe will inquire whether the Board can send a memorandum to the County. Joe Piesman made a motion that the LCSB send a memorandum to City Council supporting the efforts Larimer County is making to support natural areas under the proposed oil and gas regulations. Mike Weber seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Hughes Memorandum Ray asked if Board members felt any changes needed to be made to the memorandum or if everyone was comfortable with it. Vicky commended Ray’s work on the memo. Vicky commented the property was not currently appropriate for a natural area and felt the memorandum clearly described that. Vicky McLane made a motion the LCSB send a memorandum to City Council outlining the Board’s concerns regarding the Hughes Stadium Property. Mike Weber seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Zoe ensured the Board that the city is doing everything to comply with the ballot measure and honor what the voters intend. Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Succession Ray included in the Board packet material a summary of Board member terms and expiration dates. There was discussion about those Board members terms that will be expiring. Ray reported that the City Clerk’s office relayed that some Boards currently do not have quorums. Those Board will be priority in terms of filling those positions. Ray asked if Board members were comfortable with the current board members rolling over to their next term or. Mike suggested having potential recruits to the Board attend meetings. It is informative to have members attend meetings prior to being officially on the board. Additional conversation evolved around expired terms coming up in December and filling those positions. The Board agreed to draft a memo with preferences as to how positions are filled and frequency. Vicky McLane made a motion to send a memo to City Council expressing need for Kelly Ohlson’s replacement and setting things up for rapid replacement as members leave the Board. Cole Kramer seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. DocuSign Envelope ID: 24783812-0108-43A5-9C6F-162E0665F8AD Land Conservation & Stewardship Board Regular Meeting 06/12/2019 MINUTES Page 3 NISP Update Ray reported to the Board that Save the Poudre sent a letter to the City Manager saying that the SPAR process in the city code says that it only applies to developments by public entities on land that they own. Save the Poudre has filed a lawsuit against Northern Integrated Supply Project’s (NISP), in state district court. Ray confirmed that and interpreted the same. The SPAR process seems to be contradictory to the Land Use Code. Ray suggested to note that we cannot make legal opinions, but we can state that we have looked at alternative ways of permitting for NISP. The SPAR process is a much weaker process in protecting natural areas than the 1041. We urge the city to adopt 1041 as its application. The 1041 has limited applicability but one of the categories is a major water project. Ray asked the Board if they were comfortable with continued efforts to of concerns to City Council. Vicky suggested letting Saving the Poudre begin the process. City Council is aware of our concerns. The Board agreed to see how this moves forward before we take any further action. Land Conservation Future meetings (Zoom or in person) Board members agreed to participate in a hybrid Zoom meeting for July. Tentatively following meetings will be held in person, here at the office, provided members are comfortable with the hybrid option. Some Board members liked being able to meet on- line as the shorter days move forward. Land Conservation Updates Dave Myers, Land Conservation Manager reported there are four acquisitions under contract, totaling 189 acres. Those are in three different areas. 155 acres is adjacent to Crossline Canyons. One conservation easement is under contract near the Poudre River near Butterfly Woods Natural Area. Dave has a couple of other potential land acquisitions he is working on and hopes to report on those later. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. _______________________ ____________________ Raymond Watts, Chair Date DocuSign Envelope ID: 24783812-0108-43A5-9C6F-162E0665F8AD 7/19/2021