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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAir Quality Advisory Board - Minutes - 12/17/1997MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. DECEMBER 17,1997 For Reference: John Fooks, AQAB Chair - 229-5225 Scott Mason, Council Liaison - 226-4824 Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Board Members Present John Fooks, John Schroeer, Harry Edwards, Nancy York, Mandar Sunthankar (until 9:48 p.m.), David Gallup, Raymond Sons, Eric Levine and John Scanlon Board Members Absent None Staff Present Natural Resources Department: Tom Shoemaker, Sally Maggart, Susan Caplan, Linda Devocelle, and Lucinda Smith Transportation Department: Tom Frazier and David Lilly Fleet Services: Ken Mannon and Tracy Oschner Guests Scott Mason, Council Liaison The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. Approval of Minutes With the following changes, the minutes of the November 19, 1997 meeting were approved as written: Harry Edwards noted that on Page 2, second paragraph he said data "are", not "is". Review Action List Included in packet. Review Council Six -Month Planning Calendar • 2020 Regional Transportation Plan • Fossil Creek Reservoir Area Plan (Councilmember Mason suggested that the AQAB send a letter to the Planning & Zoning Board expressing air quality concerns.) Alternative Fuel Buse • Bus Rider Tom Frazier, Transportation Services, said that the City has been aggressive with alternative fuels and alternative modes since the early 1980's. He noted that technology is expensive for large bus conversions, and requires a large amount of funding support. Frazier added that because the demand for increased bus service has been high, there has not been enough funding available to purchase CNG buses. He noted that City Plan calls for increased transit service. Air Quality Advisory Board December 17, 1997 Page 2 Tracy Ochsner, Fleet Services, distributed copies of his slide presentation about the City of Fort Collins' Alternative Fuels Program. He explained the evolution of the program, compared the average fuel costs, and described the alternative fuels policy. Ochsner noted that there are currently one CNG mid size car, two CNG minivans and 152 propane units in the City's fleet. Ochsner described the Office of Energy Conservation Rebate Program, and explained the EPA certification categories. He noted the results of a vehicle operator's survey, and compared Diesel vs. CNG emissions and Gasoline vs. Propane Emission Tests. Ochsner listed the barriers to alternative fuels, and said that technology will dictate which fuel to use in the future. Mandar Sunthankar said that he does not see that there is much improvement in pollution for the money being spent. Hang Edwards said that he is mystified why there would be a change in CO2 in the Gas vs. Propane Emission Test charts. A significant dispute over the data followed. Sunthankar said that there is no point in trying to convert vehicles when there is no improvement in pollution. Ken Mannon, Fleet Services, noted that unleaded vehicles are burning cleaner now, and the City is looking at factory equipped CNG vehicles. Edwards asked what fraction of VMT is due to buses. Mannon responded that Transfort is a small segment of the entire City fleet; there are 65 police cars that put on more miles per year than buses. Eric Levine noted that a large bus containing 30-35 people represents a modal shift. Edwards noted that bus data suggested that CSU ridership dropped by about 20 percent. David Lilly, Transfort Manager, said that one reason ridership appears down is because the transfer system calculation was changed this year. He added that CSU ridership was actually up one percent this year. Levine inquired about the overall ridership. Lilly responded that ridership is up three percent this year. Levine noted that since population is up 3.3 percent, there is a loss in market share. Maranon noted that the City is looking at a prototype battery operated bus with a generator powered by a small John Deere natural gas engine. Sunthankar inquired about the safety of natural gas. Mannon said that natural gas is lighter than air and dissipates. Sunthankar suggested looking at the cost of fuel per thousand miles or dollars per miles instead of cost per gallon. David Gallup suggested adding in all of the conversion costs or differential costs plus maintenance costs on a per vehicle mile traveled basis. Raymond Sons asked how many buses are bought each year. Maranon responded that it fluctuates; four were bought last year, five this year, and maybe three more in the next three years. Frazier said that during the last few years buses have been replaced with better diesel engines and emissions are better. He noted that the current system will need to more than double to provide the level of service called out in City Plan. Air Quality Advisory B•d • December 17, 1997 Page 3 Indoor Air Quality Issue Paper Linda Devocelle said that she is seeking a recommendation from the Board. She noted that no formal Council action will be required. Devocelle said that the final IAQ paper will be included in the Air Quality Action Plan. Devocelle noted the following changes resulting from the Board's input last month: • Page 11: Biennial IAQ survey reworded to determine increased awareness as a result of the program. • Page 7: Clarified in the footnotes CSU's management of OSHA. • Introduction changed to indicate the AQAB had reviewed and recommended the program. • Added a Cover, Table of Contents and Charts listing agencies and organizations involved with indoor air quality. • Listed and addressed additional items on Pages 14 and 15: Pollution prevention; outreach to neighborhood associations; and, public workshops on air toxics. • Added an introductory paragraph in the education section emphasizing that it is the most important part of the indoor air quality program. Mandar Sunthankar said that the issue paper is good and easy to read. He asked if there is a listing available of houses with problems. Devocelle said that she will get that information from the City's Building Department. Harry Edwards said that he is concerned that the statement on Page 7 referring to CSU not assisting government agencies might be taken out of context. Devocelle said that she will modify it. David Gallup said that he would like to see the Board draft a letter making a specific recommendation regarding working with rental property owners because this is a big problem for renters. Devocelle noted that these recommendations can be incorporated in the Air Quality Plan. John Scanlon said that the problem needs to be identified and documented before taking action. Devocelle suggested forming an ad hoc committee to look at the top indoor air quality issues. Gallup expressed concern about turning over radon kit sales to local merchants. He said that he would not like to see testing wane because the price is beyond reach. Devocelle said that in order to use partners more effectively, the City implements programs and then turns them over to the private sector. Gallup said that he wants affordability maintained. Eric Levine said that public health agencies could distribute radon kits. Sunthankar said that he thinks public awareness is not heightened enough. Devocelle noted that 1,800 radon kits were sold during November. Gallup said that he will raise the issue at the next board meeting of the American Cancer Society. Edward asked about the philosophy on the tobacco smoke ordinance. Gallup said that, as a member of the Alliance for Smoke Free Kids and Communities, he will be making a presentation at a future board meeting. Edwards said that he is concerned that staff is trying to stay at arm's length on this. Raymond Sons said that it is more logical to have an advocacy group rather than City staff push for Air Quality Advisory Board December 17, 1997 Page 4 this. York noted a typographical error on Page 3. Edwards congratulated Devocelle on a good product. Nancy York made the motion to adopt the issue paper and to recommend that it be forwarded to CityCouncil. Raymond Sons seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (9-0). At this point, the meeting was officially extended 15 minutes. Auto Emissions Testing Lucinda Smith, Environmental Planner, distributed and reviewed the Inspection and Maintenance Update. She explained that the reason to start looking at the issue now is because the current regional program sunsets December 31, 2001. Smith explained that the basic emission test gives the percent of concentration but does not take into account the size of the emission plume. She said there are concerns about the conclusions drawn on Page 12. Smith added that CO concentration by community will be provided at the next meeting. John Fooks said that the Health Department might be pushing for redesignation. Smith said that the committee is looking at redesignation to attainment. She added that the I/M program in the past has been focused on CO reduction. Smith pointed out the summary of communities' goals from the CO Roundtable Meeting. She noted that goals differ in the North Front Range Area. Smith said that the Regional I/M Committee has an unstated goal to develop a menu of I/M program options for the future, along with cost -benefit information. She added that the AQAB would have the opportunity to evaluate those opportunities. Smith said that the types of future programs that may have viability are listed on Page 16. She noted that work is being done on the emissions sticker compliance study. Fooks apologized to Smith for the agenda running later than expected. Smith distributed a copy of a memo to the Transportation Board from the Benchmark Committee. Propose Items for Next Meeting ► Approve Air Quality Action Plan ► Benchmark Committee Report Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m. n u AGENDA AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 984W-l" DATE: 28 January 1998 LOCATION: 405 Canyon, Neighborhood Resources conference room TIME: 7:00 - 9:30 o.m. 7:00 CONVENE 1. Call meeting to order 2. Review and approve 17 December minutes 3. Review and update action list 4. Review Council six-month planning calendar 7:10 ACTION ITEMS 1. Transportation Transfer Center and I-25 Interchange. Kathleen Reavis (Transportation Planning) will review the Hannony Road TTC and the I- 25 interchange proposed plans. Please review materials (98-01-04) ACTION: Recommendation to Council 8:10 2. Transportation Feasibility Study. Vicky McLane (Transportation Planning) will present the short list from the TFS. Please review materials (98-01-05). ACTION: draft joint resolution (with T-Board) to Council 8:25 INFORMATION ITEMS 1. T-Board report - Nancy York 8:35 2. Benchmark - Lucinda Smith 8:55 3. State Implementation Plan - Brian Woodruff 9:10 4. AQAP - Brian Woodruff (98-01-07) 9:25 Propose items for next meeting agenda. 9:30 Adjourn