HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 - Natural Resources Advisory Board - Annual ReportMEMORANDUM
FROM THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
DATE: January 31, 2009
TO: Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Alan Apt on behalf of the Natural Resources Advisory Board
SUBJECT: 2008 NRAB Annual Report.
In 2008, the City of Fort Collins Natural Resources Advisory (NRAB) held l l regular meetings (and one without
quorum), during which 32 agenda items were considered, 13 actions were taken, and 10 memoranda were sent to the
City Council.
One NRAB member served on the Climate Task Force and another served on the West Nile Virus Task Force. Alan
Apt and Ryan Staychock were elected chair and vice -chair respectively. Ryan Staychock left the NRAB in July,
2008. Alan Apt was elected Chair and Liz Pruessner Vice Chair, serving in these capacities for the remainder of the
year. Table 1 outlines NRAB activities in 2008.
Among the most important recommendations NRAB made in 2008 related to the Climate Action Plan and Trash
Services Study. The Climate Action Plan was seen as the most important initiative because of the profound
impacts of Climate Change, and our ability to address the challenge. NRAB recommended adoption of the plan,
and suggested several items that the board felt provided the greatest impact per dollar spent:
1) Enhanced Energy Efficiency - Green Energy funds could be used to providejobs for people to do
energy audits and install insulation, better windows, etc. for low-income homeowners. The payback is
only 2.5 years. Hopefully there will eventually be federal money to leverage.
2) Smart Meters/Smart Grid - This would help implement net metering and would provide infrastructure
for business and residential customers so they could save energy and money. Payback is 4 years.
3) One major item that overlaps both plans is the impact of solid waste on carbon. After examining several
solid waste reducing options for cost effectiveness, the board recommended banning cardboard from the
landfill. Climate Wise partners, for example, have found that recycling cardboard is less expensive than
putting it in a dumpster. Cardboard has a severe impact on the landfill and carbon emissions. NRAB
continues to support this measure given it would mean that all businesses and office buildings would
finally have to have recycling options.
NRAB recommended adoption of the Energy Policy, but also asked that as much as possible of the Green Energy
Fund money be diverted from the purchase of RECs to fund local energy efficiency jobs; or grants to support
energy audits, and implementation of energy efficiency measures for low income residents. NRAB also supported
the use of these funds to enhance the Solar Rebate Program.
Though NRAB advised City Council on many other issues, implementation of these particular items continue to
be priority for consideration in 2009. Please feel free to contact me regarding this 2008 Annual Report for the
NRAB.
Respectfully Submitted,
Alan Apt, Chair
Natural Resources Advisory Board
221-9417
analaptna riverrock org
cc: Darin Atteberry
Marty Heffernan
John Stokes
John Armstrong
Table 1. Summaryof 2008 City of Fort Collins Natural Resources Ad isory Board Accomplishments
Date of Regular
Meeting
Topic/Agenda Item
Board Action?
Memo to
Council?
U date on Building Code
YES passed 7-1
YES
January 16, 2008
Sustainability Plan
NO
NO
Trash Services Study
NO
NO
February 20, 2008
Parks and Recreation Policy Plan Update
NO
NO
City Green Building Program and LEED Overview
NO
NO
Harmony Corridor Plan Amendment
NO
NO
Climate Task Force update and setting long-term
reduction goal
YES — unanimous
support
YES
March 19, 2008
Establish a City Sustainability Sub -Committee
YES — unanimous
support
NO
Harmony Corridor Plan Amendment 1-25 Gateway
Area
NO
NO
Adoption of 2006 IBC and 2007 ASHRAE 90.1
YES
YES
Hageman Earth Cycle Lease — 2 motions
1: YES — Passed 6 - 22: YES — Passed 6 - 2
YES
April 16, 2008
West Nile Virus Advisory Committee update
NO
NO
Climate Task Force Update
NO
NO
2006 International building Code and Commercial
Energy Code adoption
Yes — Passed 6-1
YES
May 21, 2008
No Quorum for meeting
N/A
N/A
West Nile Virus Advisory Committee update
NO
NO
Climate Task Force Status
NO
NO
June 18, 2008
Northern Integrated Supply Policy/Glade Reservoir
—two motions
1: YES — unanimous
support 4-2
2: YES — assed
YES
July 16, 2008
Trash Services Study
YES — unanimous
support
YES
Climate Task Force Recommendations and Project
Status
NO
NO
August 20, 2008
Northern Integrated Supply Project/Glade Reservoir
NO
NO
Electric Supply Policy
NO
NO
Se tember 17, 2008
Bicycle Plan
NO
NO
CIPO Project
NO
NO
October 15, 2008
7Climate Action Plan
NO
NO
Internal City Sustainability Initiatives
NO
NO
SH392/1-25 Interchange Project
NO
NO
Draft Climate Action Plan Proposed Addendum
YES —Passed 5-1
YES
Draft 2008 Energy Policy — 2 motions
1: YES — Passed 3-2
2: unanimous Sul22ort
YES
November 19, 2008
Motion to adopt 2009 NRAB work plan
YES — unanimous
Support
YES'
December 17, 2008
Annual Stormwater Permit update
NO
NO
Net Metering and Service Area Code change
NO
NO
Bicycle Advisory Committee — NRAB representation
YES — unanimous
suP2ort
YES
t 2009 NRAB Work Plan was submitted to City Council via the City Clerks Office.
2