HomeMy WebLinkAboutAir Quality Advisory Board - Minutes - 03/20/1995MINUTES
AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD (AQAB)
REGULAR MEETING
281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N COLLEGE AVE
MARCH 20, 1995
For Reference: AQAB Chair, John Fooks, 229-5225
Alan Apt, Council Liaison, 224-9798
Brian Woodruff, Staff Liaison, 221-6604
Board Members Present:
Susan Bilo, John Fooks, Pete Perkins, Eric Levine, Harry Edwards, Lynne Baker
Board Members Not Present:
Bill Eckert, Rob Cagen, Tom Wyatt
Staff Members Present:
Brian Woodruff, Linda Devocelle, Eric Bracke (TDM presentation)
The meeting was called to order at 4:06. An extra hour was added to the meeting to discuss the
formation of AQAB committees.
Review and Approval of Minutes:
John Fooks suggested that the last sentence on the last page should read "The Board thanked Mr.
Lyles for his concern and asked that he let staff or the chair know if he attends a future meeting,
so that appropriate time can be allotted on the agenda to discuss his concerns." On page four
of the minutes, paragraph four, Eric Levine noted he did not think the minutes accurately reflect
his comments in the exchange between Chris Thompson and himself regarding the validity of
the epidemiological data relating radon. He also said that the statement attributed to him at the
end of paragraph four i�i reflect his feelings, but the comment was made by another Board
member.
Eric also provided a handout detailing radon data analysis and study. Prefacing the report were
two quotes from Eric to be amended to the February minutes following paragraph four, page
four: "Public health policy is not and should not be based on absolute certainty. It is based on
a conservative reasonable cause for concern. The epidemiology linking low level radiation
to increased cancer incidence, as well as the explanation proposed by Dr. Petkau (radon
researcher) and others constitutes reasonable cause for concern."
Eric asked staff to research what type of radon testing is required in other states especially as
required at point -of -sale. Brian
Woodruff noted that the radon issue seemed to merit more discussion and perhaps should be
pursued at another meeting. Susan Bilo then made a motion to approve the minutes, with the
above changes. Approval was unanimous.
Committee Reports:
a. Pete Perkins deferred the Process Committee report to the New Business portion
of the Agenda.
b. Harry Edwards reported that the Work Plan Committee had not met, but noted
that the Process Committee had reordered the work plan it to fit a proposed
committee structure.
C. Susan Bilo, liaison to the Transit Development Plan Committee, noted that they
would meet on March 29 and she would provide handouts and an update at the
next meeting.
Staff Report:
Brian Woodruff noted that the staff report was included in the Board packet.
New Business:
Transportation Demand Management:
Eric Bracke, a Transportation Planner for the Transportation Department made a presentation
on the regional program to reduce vehicle miles of travel, with initial emphasis on trips to and
from work.
Eric said the goal is to reduce the proportion of trips via single -occupant -vehicle (SOV) by 10%
over the next twenty years. A specifically designed travel demand management plan (TDM) will
be locally managed and regionally designed. The first stage of the plan includes evaluation of
successful TDM programs elsewhere and an origin and destination (O&D). The last O&D study
was conducted in the early 1970s. A budget of $350,000 has been set aside for this portion of
the TDM program. The O&D study will look at traffic inside and outside community
boundaries. It will survey by mail at least 1,500 drivers in the region to find out what kinds of
trips they are making to and from work. In addition, traffic counts will be conducted during
April to determine volume on arterial streets and above. During April, cars on major arteries
entering and leaving the three main regional communities --Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley --
will be randomly stopped. There will be 11 locations operated 12 hours a day. When cars are
stopped, drivers will be asked specific questions related to their specific travel behavior. The
data will be recorded on hand-held computers, and "dumped" into a computer each night.
Organizers will work with state police and local law enforcement to ensure the safety of the
surveyors.
Once the.O&D is completed, we will have a better idea of the driving habits of regional
residents and where we should place the focus to increase use of alternative transportation.
There will be considerable opportunities for public involvement throughout the process, and any
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program developed with be closely monitored through biennial O&D studies, traffic counts, air
quality monitoring, and study of growth rates. The TDM program will be very flexible in
achieving its goals and will be adjusted to strengthen successes and delete ineffective programs.
A professional marketing firm was hired to get people "out of the woodwork." "We really
don't have a congestion problem in Fort Collins. Our job is to prevent and preserve. TDM
looks at supply and demand. People don't have to change, so we want to create an atmosphere
in which people will want to change." The strategy will be to market the concept to such an
extent that it will create a demand for services (i.e., alternative transportation options). Eric
said he would visit the Board periodically throughout the process and at the point the data was
complete, would ask for their input.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
State Implementation Plan (SIP)
Brian Woodruff briefly explained the SIP process and the role of the AQAB, which is to advise
the North Front Range Planning Council on issues that pertain to air quality control measures
in Fort Collins. This advisory capacity includes recommending measures to reduce CO
emissions, reviewing and commenting on "conformity issues" to assure transportation plans and
programs are consistent with the SIP, and recommending a contingency plan in the event we
violate for CO at some point in the future. Brian said Fort Collins is currently in attainment for
carbon monoxide. In order to apply for redesignation as an attainment area, we must file an air
quality monitoring plan which shows that our attainment is not a "fluke" and that we will not
violate over the next ten years. We must also show that the placement of our CO monitor is
placed in the most appropriate location.
Brian noted that SB-110, if passed, would send all SIPS to the state legislature for approval.
This would place another level of bureaucracy in the process, and further dilute local control.
The City opposes the bill. At this time, final outcome is unknown.
NEW BUSINESS CONT'D•
New Committees:
Pete Perkins explained how the Process Committee divided up the projects outlined in the Board
work plan. As proposed, the Board would divide into three sub-committees--1. Air Quality
Action Plan Committee, 2. Advisory Committee, and 3. Ad Hoc Work Committee (refer to
"Process Committee Notes, March 1, 1995 in March AQAB packet). Each committee is
assigned the task of reviewing its work assignments and setting priorities according to criteria
of their choosing, e.g., is it part of the Board's charter, is an output expected by council, will
it meet Action Plan goals, etc. The committees will meet between regular meetings, learn about
the issues in their charge, discuss with members, and bring this information and a recommenda-
tion (where appropriate) to the next meeting. Pete said the process will allow members to work
in areas where they have the most interest and everyone will not have to know everything.
Lynn Baker said it appeared committee #1 had the largest work load while, committees two and
three had much smaller work loads. Brian commented that most of committee one's work items
are well defined and the task of the committee will be to determine what role the Board will play
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in each instance. Committee H2 will have a fairly "daunting" task because there will be a lot
to keep track of and several issues will be ongoing for a couple of years. Committee three's
task will be fairly consistent over the year, with several items annual in nature.
Lynn added that she liked the idea of committees. She said she felt is was important the Board
prioritize its work schedule and be realistic. "We can't do everything. Where do we expend
our energies?"
Eric said he still hoped the whole Board would be involved in major decisions and that the
committee role would be to provide a snapshot of issues to Board members.
Harry Edwards said he was very happy to see the Board start moving on the work plan. "If
channeling our energy will create more output, let's do it!" He said he felt things had moved
a little slowly over the last seven months and he was anxious to move into more of an action
mode.
Lynn said that while the Board had produced few "products" it had designed a good work plan
and defined many basic things that need to be done. Susan Bilo added that the Board had a lot
to learn and while products were minimal, she felt the past months had provided Board members
with a better understanding of the issues and made them better able to act in an informed
manner.
John Fooks said that it's up to each committee to determine how effective it would be. He said
his goal is to have the AQAB make a cohesive statement about air quality in Fort Collins and
be able to respond when issues arise.
The suggested committee structure is as follows. Members may change committees or move
between committees, and each committee is self-governing. It was decided that initially, each
committee would be made up of three members with one staff support person:
AQAP Committee Advisory Committee Ad Hoc Work Committee
Lynn Baker Harry Edwards Tom Wyatt
Bill Eckert Pete Perkins Rob Cagen
Eric Levine Susan Bilo John Fooks
Staff: Brian Staff: Brian Staff: Linda
It was decided that the committees would operate on trial basis for a few months and then
reevaluate the process and keep or restructure as needed. John asked committee members to
choose a leader and prioritize their work plan by the April 17 meeting.
John Fooks asked Board members if they were interested in having longer (3-hour) monthly
meetings. Most felt the two-hour schedule was best, with an occasional long meeting if needed.
Lynn suggested the Board prioritize its agenda so that items can be covered in two -hours.
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Initial Committee Meetings:
Do to time constraints, and the absence of some members, the committee meetings will
scheduled by each group and held prior to April 17.
Clear Bike Rack
The Board reviewed the Action Log. All items were accomplished except finalizing
arrangements for the joint chairs meeting. Brian will finish as soon as possible.
Brian also provided Board members with information about the Alternative Fuels Workshop on
March 29.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. The next regular meeting is April 17 from 4:30 to 6:30
p.m. in the 281 N. College main floor conference room.
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