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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAir Quality Advisory Board - Minutes - 09/21/2020 AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR September 21, 2020 5:30 – 8:00 pm via Zoom 9/21/20 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER 5:30pm 2. ROLL CALL • List of Board Members Present − Greg Clark − Karen Artel − Wayne Chuang − Matt Tribby − Emily Bitler − Jason Miller List of Board Members Absent − Nina Forsyth − Harry Edwards − Jim Dennison • List of Staff Members Present − Cassie Archuleta, Staff Liaison • Guests - none 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION a. No public comment. b. Regarding verbal comments from the public that ask for action from the board, the board agreed that any requests for action/consideration from the board also need to be submitted in writing so it is clear what action the commenter is asking the board to address. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES c. There were some clarifications submitted by board members to the draft August 17, AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9/21/20 – MINUTES Page 2 2020 minutes. Karen Artel moved and Greg Clark seconded a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously 5-0-0 6. PREVIOUS BUSINESS a. Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) - Continuation of discussion regarding current City of Fort Collins/RAQC collaboration efforts − Cassie presented a list of ways that City has engaged the RAQC: − Previous Mayor Pro Tem Gerry Horak served on the RAQC Board until 2018 and joined in SIP planning − Promoted "Simple Steps Better Air" Outreach campaign and shared RAQC social media on City's sites − Participated in a RAQC working group − Promoted RAQC's residential lawnmower rebate program in 2020 with Home Depot - STAFF FOLLOW UP: Cassie will report back how many Fort Collins Home Depot rebates were distributed from this program in 2020. − The City received more than $100,000 in grants for municipal commercial equipment from 2017 through 2019. − The RAQC attended a demonstration day of the City's electric lawn and garden equipment − The RAQC attended the grand opening of the air monitoring site at the Gardens on Spring Creek − The City's municipal fleet received some matching grants from Alt Fuels Colorado for alternative fuels vehicles from 2014 through 2017. − Discussion: - Matt asked to have a presentation to the board regarding what the City is currently working on regarding electrification of vehicles, homes, etc. and how that fits in with the RAQC’s efforts. - Greg asked for information from Alt Fuels Colorado and if they will also support other alternative fuel vehicles such as hydrogen. - Cassie pointed out that the Northern Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) also has opportunities for funding for air quality initiatives. AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9/21/20 – MINUTES Page 3 - Matt encouraged AQAB board members to attend RAQC meetings periodically and report back to the board. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. 2021 AQAB Work Plan Discussion to set priorities and initiatives − Matt suggested that the 2021 AQAB work plan have fewer, but more focused prioritized topics, with an eye to achievability, so the progress of the Board's work can be better quantified. The plan should also be flexible enough to address emerging issues. − Karen suggested the AQAB write recommendations to Council now regarding oil and gas regulations before the ruling is final. − Matt will prepare a draft 2021 work plan of prioritized topics, with achievable goals, for the group's review and discussion at the October board meeting. b. 2021 City Budget Discussion − Cassie informed the board that Council is holding public hearings on the 2021 budget for each strategic outcome area and there are opportunities for the board to weigh in. − The 2021 budget has proposed approximately $48,000 in cuts to the Air Quality budget − Clerical and catering support for AQAB board in-person meetings. − Reduction in outreach coordination and support for paid outreach for air quality campaigns such as anti-idling, radon, wildfire, and Healthy Homes. − Elimination of lawn and garden rebate program. − Reduce air quality monitoring funds, while keeping existing monitors. − Eliminates RAQC contributions and other memberships and subscriptions. − Group discussion: − Matt asked Cassie to investigate if the proposed funds can be scaled, or is it an all or nothing scenario, and to identify the must have items. − Greg was concerned that taking away funds for outreach is taking away a major tool for air quality education for the public. He also stated removing money for monitor maintenance might jeopardize their accuracy. In addition, he suggested keeping the RAQC membership. AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9/21/20 – MINUTES Page 4 − Jason supported keeping the lawn and garden rebate program. − The group agreed that the following 2021 budget items would be the most valuable to be funded, or scaled back at council's discretion: the necessity of having administrative support to take the AQAB minutes; keeping air quality outreach; lawn and garden program, monitoring equipment maintenance, and membership to the RAQC. Matt will engage AQAB Council liaison Julie Pignataro regarding how to best make this appeal to Council and report back to the board at the October meeting. 8. BOARD MEMBER AND STAFF REPORTS a. Cassie - gave some brief updates on recent Environmental Services activities − The air quality group gave Council a brief update on monitoring air quality from the wildfires. b. Karen - has been tracking the AQCC rulemakings regarding air quality impacts and monitoring oil and gas emissions. Cassie added that when the ruling is complete, the City has an opportunity to fill in the gaps in this ruling with local regulations and the AQAB could weigh in on it. c. Matt - closely following Colorado and west coast fires and the air quality impact from them in relation to ozone reporting. d. Wayne - has been investigating oil and gas setbacks in other communities and how it affects them economically. He noted that 500 feet setback is generally not enough. e. Jason - has attended the Bicycle Advisory Committee and mentioned the e-bike pilot on the trails and the scooter program have had some issues, but might be of interest to the AQAB. Also, the bike share program has ended and the City is looking at how to revamp the program. 9. OTHER BUSINESS a. 6-month Calendar review − Cassie shared Council's 6-month calendar which shows that on November 24, Council will discuss oil and gas. There will be opportunities before those meetings for the AQAB to send a memo to council . b. Agenda planning AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9/21/20 – MINUTES Page 5 − Finalizing 2021 workplan − Oil and gas recommendations to Council about setbacks and zoning. Cassie will prep the board with some background and guidance on this. − It was discussed the Board may want to consider an ozone season update and climate planning inventory updates from staff. − Presentation from NFRMPO about funding opportunities for electric vehicles 10. ADJOURNMENT - 8:30 PM