HomeMy WebLinkAboutAir Quality Advisory Board - Minutes - 02/27/2017Page 1
MINUTES
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD
Date: Monday, February 27, 2017
Location: Colorado River Room, 222 Laporte Ave.
Time: 5:30–8:00pm
For Reference
Mark Houdashelt, Chair
Ross Cunniff, Council Liaison 970-420-7398
Cassie Archuleta, Staff Liaison 970-416-2648
Board Members Present Board Members Absent
Mark Houdashelt, Chair Tom Griggs
Gregory Miller Robert Kirkpatrick
Chris Wood
Harry Edwards
Jim Dennison
Vara Vissa
Staff Present
Cassie Archuleta, Environmental Planner/Staff Liaison
Mike Gebo, Chief Building Official
Lindsay Ex, Environmental Program Manager
Emily Wilmsen, Public Relations Coordinator
Guests
Mike Pruznick, Citizen
Call to order: 5:33 pm
Public Comments
Mike Pruznick presented on the subject of alternative transportation. He would like the City to consider
widening bike lanes in order to accommodate 3- and 4-wheeled bicycles and e-bikes. Mike also suggested
improving accessibility for low speed vehicles such as golf carts. Mike suggested the City have more
conversations about alternative transportation strategies, as these methods improve air quality.
Review and Approval of December and January Meeting Minutes
Greg moved and Chris seconded a motion to approve the January and December minutes as amended.
Motion passed unanimously, 5-0-1. Vara abstained.
AGENDA ITEM 1: Building Code Updates
Mike Gebo, Chief Building Official, presented an overview regarding proposed adoption of 2015
International Codes.
The City is proposing adoption of the 2015 International Building Codes. The International Codes represents
the most up-to-date standards for safety and welfare, as published by the International Code Council (ICC)
on a three year cycle. City has adopted these codes since 1924, and the last update was 2012. For the 2015
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codes, Mike reviewed with a team of construction professionals, designers, and building services people in
order to determine if they needed amending. The first Reading is scheduled to go to Council April 18.
Comments/Q&A
Are these “international” codes used internationally?
o They could be, but they are currently used more as a national set of codes.
Do the building code updates address radon?
o Yes, but no changes were made. Single and multifamily still need passive radon systems
installed.
Is this the minimum code set by the City?
o Yes, this is the minimum code, but we can add local amendments.
Greg moved and Mark seconded a motion to recommend that the City adopt the updates to the 2015
International Codes, with the expectation that the City will move toward building codes more aligned with
the goals of the Climate Action Plan in the future.
Motion passed unanimously, 5-0-0. (Jim was absent for the motion)
AGENDA ITEM 2: Climate Planning Update
Lindsay Ex, Environmental Program Manager, and Emily Wilmsen, Public Relations Coordinator, presented
updates regarding the Climate Action Plan programs and initiatives, and requested the Board’s feedback on
the proposed language around implementation.
Council adopted revised carbon emission goals in 2015. In 2016, Council asked staff to think about new
language to use to reach the community. The goals, framework, and Climate Action Plan (CAP) will
continue to be the overarching brand, and staff is proposing to use additional language when focused on
action campaigns. Proposed new title for action campaigns: Fortify Fort Collins. CAP represents the plan and
strategy, and Fortify is how we will connect to our neighbors. This new messaging has received mixed
feedback from the public.
Comments/Q&A
Fortify is not a very environmental term, like “sustainability” or “green.”
o Staff has been getting public feedback before going to Council. Nothing has gone public yet.
“Fortify” is aggressive, and fitting to the City’s aggressive goals. The new graphics are harder
hitting. Several board members expressed support for finding language that better connects with
residents.
You will need to communicate the cost; people won’t want their energy bill going up.
o The challenge is communicating the upfront cost versus long-term savings.
How do you reach people that just don’t care about this topic?
o Most people in Fort Collins support this work. Looking at hard-to-reach people, like those in
poverty, who don’t have this on their priority list. Simplifying methods by trying to identify
the 3–5 things we could ask people to do to contribute.
Don’t support this rebranding. Specific groups need to be reached, and a simple change in
terminology will not likely make those groups take action. Would like to see evidence that these
terms affect the target groups. Council is assuming that the target groups are sensitive to a change in
terminology when there is no evidence of that. Fortify only encompasses the exact same things as
CAP. Support “Lose a Watt” and “Road to Zero Waste” sub-brands, but not a renaming of CAP.
Board Updates
Mark attended the February Energy Board meeting.
Harry, Greg, and Mark attended the February Superboard meeting.
o Discussed appropriate use of public space and CAP. Feedback was that discussion of
potential sit-stand restrictions soured the mood of the audience before CAP was discussed.
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The Board is considering suggesting the development of a staff working group to further look at the
issues involved with radon. This would require additional staff time and resources not currently
budgeted, and therefore require a budget offer that would go to Council by May in order to be
considered and implemented this year.
o Options Mark has discussed with Ross Cunniff (Council liaison) to request a budget offer: 1)
Make a recommendation to Council to direct staff to draft a BFO for the formation of a
working group. As long as there are two additional Councilmembers in support they can
direct staff to develop a budget offer. 2) Have Ross bring it up at the Council retreat in May.
If it gets on their priority list for the following year, there is a guaranteed budget offer.
o The board decided to pursue the second option and prepare a recommendation to Council
after the CDPHE presentation on radon at the April AQAB meeting.
Chris brought up the Poudre River Library District’s Gadgets and Things program where residents
can check out a radon test kit (hourly continuous monitor) free of charge.
Staff Updates
The AQAB is still looking to fill one vacancy.
Cassie gave an update on an EPA Radon Grant that was recently submitted. $200K request for radon
and indoor air quality project with CSU and the Institute for the Built Environment. Crafted around 3
years of activity: first year will have radon focus. Very competitive grant; hope to hear the results in
September or October.
Jim moved and Vara seconded a motion to extend the meeting 10 minutes.
Motion passes unanimously, 6-0-0.
Future Actions and Agenda Items
March 20 meeting:
o Christine will bring Board member IDs and discuss the database.
o Radon presentation from State.
o Discussion regarding radon recommendation to Council.
Could the director of Larimer County Public Health provide a public health perspective on radon?
o Could invite the Larimer County Environmental Advisory Board to the March presentation.
Vara will be absent for the April meeting.
Chris will absent for the March meeting.
Staff follow-up: Cassie will invite the Larimer County Environmental and Science Advisory Board to the
March radon presentation.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:08 pm
Next Meeting: March 20, 2017
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Signed by Chair