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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 08/03/1988• MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD AUGUST 3, 1988 Board Members Present: Sheryl Barr Ari Michelsen Charles Davis Pat Reed Dave DuBois Bob Sanz Tim Johnson Susan Whitmer Board Members Absent: (excused) Suzanne Bassinger Denise LaRue Rich Fisher Council members present: Susan Kirkpatrick Staff Present• Roger Krempel Bob Wilkinson Brian Woodruff Alice Hubbard Mike Davis Minuteg Minutes of the May and June 1988 meetings of the board were approved as submitted. Committee Reports Water: Two new members have been appointed to the state Water Quality Commission. Both are from Denver. There is the possibility that they may not be confirmed because geographic representation from around the state is not equal. Air Quality: Johnson commended Woodruff on the City's 1987 air quality report, saying that it was good baseline information presented in a readable fashion. Woodruff reported on plans for the '88—'89 Better Air Campaign. Staff is seeking $25,000 for advertising and hiring of two part—time temporary people -- one to handle public education/advertising for the campaign, and one to manage a ride sharing program during the campaign. This year there will be more inter— city cooperation. TV advertising will focus on the entire front range (not just Denver). A campaign kick—off event is scheduled for October 28. Reorganization of Natural Resources Division Davis announced that, effective August 1, 1988, Natural Resources Division is under Development Services. Staff is working on a plan for a smooth transition. Davis met with Michelsen to discuss how he sees natural resources functioning in the City. Davis said he has assured Michelsen that natural resources will continue to occupy a very important place in the structure of the City. Davis stated that natural resources protection is a critical part of the development process. He stated that NRAB can provide important advice for all the various boards staffed by Development Services, and he would like to see better "bridges" among the boards. It was stated that Roger Krempel will not be replaced at this time, reducing the size of the Natural Resources staff to four. Davis stated he is seeking alternative funding arrangements for the Better Air Campaign, and he feels the City Manager has committed to maintaining Natural Resources program funding. Woodruff is the acting Natural Resources Director, pending final decision at a later date. It was asked how this would affect Woodruff's time for dealing with air quality and hazardous materials matters. Woodruff expects administrative responsibilities to take about one—fourth of his time, eventually, though the transition takes most of his time currently. Poudre Fire Authority is handling underground storage tank responsibilities so he will not need to spend time on that. Davis said that the City Manager is aware of the need to fill some gaps. There is a need to come up with compromises between conflicting objectives among various departments in Development Services -- the aim is to achieve a balance. Davis said that Natural Resources Division is on an equal footing with all other divisions in Development Services. Everyone is working for one common goal: highest quality development. Davis stated that on October 11 Council wants to hear information on the wetlands plan. It is important to encourage understanding of the values of wetlands. The Planning and Zoning Board should be brought into the discussion. It was suggested that old minutes or annual reports might provide background to bring Davis up to date on what NRAB has done. Woodruff stated that initially staff recommended against putting Natural Resources under Development Services. But staff realizes the potential benefits and, now that the decision has been made, everyone is eager to move forward. County Land Use Plan Wilkinson asked what the board wanted to know about the plan. Michelsen stated that initially natural resources concerns were basically ignored. What has changed, and what is the status in terms of official adoption? Wilkinson stated that the status is that it is an adopted plan. Wilkinson said that the plan reads very well, but upon close examination, some questions arise. The underlying reality is that the county is totally zoned right now, and zoning takes precedence over the Land Use Plan. Wilkinson said that the Land Use Plan is suppose to guide zoning. The new Land Use Plan is written in such a way that certain sensitivities should apply to development no matter what the zoning would be. He cited several guidelines in the plan which address natural resources issues. Davis advised that the new Urban Growth Agreement sets up a new planning body to act in the unincorporated area outside the city limits. The new planning body will have representation from the City and from the County. County Commission would give up its authority within this unincorporated urban growth area boundary. This new body would review applications for development and submit a recommendation to the County Commissioners for action. This will give the City a considerable amount of influence over development occurring in this unincorporated area. Wilkinson stated that the overall natural resources goal stated in the Land Use Plan is to "preserve and maintain all natural and environmental resources of Larimer County for the use and enjoyment of all future generations of county citizens." He cited some specific ways in which the plan addresses air quality and water quality issues. Thanks to Roger Krempel Michelsen advised that this was Krempel's last meeting with the board. He thanked him for all of his efforts and contributions in the area of natural resources. It was moved and seconded that NRAB present a certificate to Krempel for all that he has done. Motion carried unanimously. Michelsen presented Krempel with a certificate as "Most Valuable Member." Bike to Work Day Wilkinson reported that the Bike to Work Day was a real success. Around 800 biked to work on that day. Hewlett Packard alone had 259 employees who biked to work that day; they usually have about 20 employees who bike to work. The questionnaire given to the bikers asked what prevents people from biking to work all the time. Responses generally centered around safety and lack of time. Bike to Work Day was coordinated with the Transportation Department. Air Quality Report Woodruff reviewed the report stating that the information summarized in the report makes it possible to fine tune Fort Collins' strategies for air quality control. The question was raised as to whether the Better Air Campaign is reducing CO. Woodruff replied that we really can't tell. For the '88—'89 campaign, staff plans to use traffic counters to determine if the number of cars on the road is reduced as a result of the Better Air Campaign. North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council Woodruff stated that the council has met two times. The issue of how to structure decision —making on air quality and getting that group designated as an air quality planning agency has not been resolved. That is the next thing the NFRTAQPC needs to do. Gustav Swanson Nature Area Krempel commended Wilkinson for his supervisory work in getting everything in order for the dedication of the nature area. Welcome of new members Council member Kirkpatrick stated that she and Council member Mabry interviewed the candidates for the NRAB vacancies. She stated that, as usual, there were a large number of qualified applicants. She said she feels very good about the agreement she and Council member Mabry came to in making the appointments. The new members introduced themselves. Whitmer stated that she is a teacher and that she is a citizen who wants to see Fort Collins stay as beautiful as it is. Davis stated that he teaches at CSU and is very interested in environmental issues both as a professional and as a citizen. r Announcements At the September NRAB meeting, committee structure will be determined for the coming year. Chair and vice chair for the coming year also will be elected. Krempel stated that Shirley Bruns would like to meet with the recycling committee soon, probably next week. Johnson suggested NRAB members be thinking of strategy for the next few months. Things he is thinking about include the sensitive areas/wetlands plan (October 11 presentation), recycling, the National Recreation Area study. Council member Kirkpatrick stated that curbside recycling is not in the City Manager's recommended programs for the coming year. She has told him that she expects to support continuation of the recycling program and she expects to try to recruit some other Council members. She expects to recommend that it be part of the overall capital improvements program. She said that curbside recycling could be an important part of what may be the continuation of the 1/2 cent sales tax. Woodruff said that by the September NRAB meeting, staff will have developed its work program and would be glad to share it with the board and would welcome comments from the board. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.