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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/20/2001 - RESOLUTION 2001-44 APPROVING THE 2000-2003 AIR QU AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 25 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: March 20, 2001 FROM: Lucinda Smith SUBJECT: Resolution 2001-44 Approving the 2000-2003 Air Quality Action Plan Mid-Course Correction. RECOMMENDATION: Staff, the Air Quality Advisory Board and the Natural Resources Advisory Board recommend adoption of the Resolution. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The 2000-2003 Air Quality Action Plan ("AQAP") lays out the staff work program aimed at achieving the City's air quality goal and objectives.The AQAP calls for a mid-course correction to occur in 2001 to address urgent and emergent issues that may require minor amendments to the plan. The Natural Resources Department Clean Air Team staff,with input from the Air Quality Advisory Board, evaluated the Air Quality Action Plan. No significant urgent issues were identified. One important emergent issue was identified;consideration of a program to reduce emissions during high pollution periods. The mid-course corrections to the AQAP recommended below primarily represent clarification of existing activities. BACKGROUND: Air quality protection in Fort Collins is based on the Air Quality Policy Plan and the Air Quality Action Plan("AQAP"). The AQAP lays out a four-year plan that identifies objectives and strategies for achieving air quality goals and provides the framework for staff actions. The AQAP is updated and approved by City Council every four years. The current 2000-2003 AQAP calls for a mid- course correction: "9.1 Air Quality Action Plan Update A mid-course review and redirection will occur in 2001 to address urgent and emergent issues that may require minor amendments to the Plan." Priority Issues Staff and the Air Quality Advisory Board have identified the following areas as high priority for 2002-2003. Only minor revisions to the AQAP are needed to promote these areas as high priority. In most cases, actions are already identified that address these issues. ' DATE: March 20, 2001 2 ITEM NUMBER: 25 I • Episodic (high pollution days) education/outreach program I • Expanded Pollution Prevention("P2")activities(business and municipal);package message of P2, waste reduction, and energy savings • Promote clean/altemative fueled vehicles I • Role of Inspection and Maintenance as an air pollution control measure • Support Green Building Program evaluation as part of Building Code update • Work more closely with Poudre Health Services District and Latimer County on indoor air quality • Increase public education efforts regarding air quality . Summary of Proposed Changes to AQAP Clean Air Team staff and the Air Quality Advisory Board have worked together to evaluate the AQAP and develop a list of changes to recommend to City Council for the mid-course correction. Key New Work Areas: 1. Consider an education/awareness program to identify local high pollution episodes and increase outreach/incentives during these periods.This program would illustrate how desired actions(i.e., vehicle miles travelled("VMT")reduction)could improve air quality and visibility and,working together with other City programs (i.e.,SmartTrips),could offer incentives to reinforce desired actions during high pollution episodes. 2. Support Building and Zoning's efforts to develop a Green Building Program during Code update. Clarification of Existing Key Work Areas 1. Develop purchasing guidelines/incentives to encourage use of low-emission equipment on City projects. 2. Work internally and with other employers to require proof of passing emissions test before issuing parking permits. 3. Adopt State diesel emissions standards into local law for easier enforcement. 4. Remove low-income guidelines for ZILCH radon mitigation loans. 5. Develop recommendations about changes to the radon program by June 2002(rather than during the next full AQAP update in 2003). iPublic Outreach No public outreach was conducted regarding the minor adjustments being recommended to Council in this Air Quality Action Plan Mid-Course Correction. DATE: March 20, 2001 3 ITEM NUMBER: 25 Board Review Air Quality Advisory Board Staff worked closely with Council's Air Quality Advisory Board in developing the recommendations. Staff and a sub-committee of the Board developed the first iteration of recommended changes. At its January 23, 2001, meeting,the AQAB made five recommendations regarding content of the mid-course correction. Staff has incorporated the AQAB's comments in the final recommended language, as follows: y (1) Municipal purchasing_guidelines to give preference to users of low emissions , construction equipment i "Implement, where technically and financially feasible, municipal purchasing guidelines that give preference to providers who use low-emission equipment....." (2) Adoption of State diesel vehicle emissions standards into local law "Prepare an ordinance for Council for adoption of State diesel vehicle emissions standards into local law...." ` (3) Radon program evaluation "Based on the outcome of the reevaluation of the two radon ordinances in 2001, the programs will be assessed for effectiveness and possible revision by June 2002." (4) Removal of low-income guidelines for ZILCH radon mitigation loans "Prepare the necessary documents for Council to remove the low-income guidelines as soon as possible." (5) PMio monitoring site "Work with the State to reevaluate the current monitor's location based on valid sampling criteria to ensure the new location fits into regional and State monitoring plans." The AQAB then voted 8-0 to recommend the Air Quality Action Plan Mid-Course Correction to Council, as amended. Natural Resources Advisory Board The Natural Resources Advisory Board reviewed the proposed Mid-Course Correction changes on February 21, 2001 and voted unanimously to support the recommended changes. The Board specifically wanted to call out the importance of public education on air pollution. As public education has always been and continues to be the first approach to achieving the City's air quality goals, staff added that to the list of priority work areas identified for 2002-2003. I I RESOLUTION 2001-44 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROVING THE 2000-2003 AIR QUALITY ACTION PLAN • MID-COURSE CORRECTION WHEREAS,air quality protection in Fort Collins is based on an Air Quality Policy Plan and an Air Quality Action Plan, as the same are, from time to time, adopted by the City Council; and WHEREAS, the Air Quality Action Plan lays out a four-year plan that identifies objectives and strategies for achieving the City's air quality goal and provides the framework for staff actions; and WHEREAS, on March 16, 1999, the City Council, by its adoption of Resolution 99-29, adopted the 2000-2003 Air Quality Action Plan (the "Plan"); and WHEREAS, Section 9.1 of the Plan calls for a mid-course review and redirection to occur in 2001 to address urgent and emergent issues that may require minor changes to the Plan; and WHEREAS, since November 2000, City staff has worked together with the Air Quality Advisory Board to develop the recommended changes to the Plan for the mid-course correction, which are attached hereto as Exhibit"A"and incorporated herein by this reference(the"Mid-Course Corrections"); and WHEREAS,priority air quality areas for 2002-2003 include expanded pollution prevention activities,promotion of clean and alternative fueled vehicles,and increasing public education efforts; and WHEREAS,the City Council has determined that approval of the Mid-Course Corrections is in the best interest of the citizens of the City. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS,COLORADO that the 2000-2003 Air Quality Action Plan be and hereby is amended to include the Mid-Course Corrections described on Exhibit"A" hereto. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins,Colorado held this 20th day of March, A.D. 2001. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk • EXHIBIT SW 2000-2003 AIR QUALITY ACTION PLAN MID-COURSE CORRECTION March 20, 2001 Recommended Changes to the 2000-2003 Air Quality Action Plan Editing Notes: Additions are underlined. Explanatory comments are italicized. OBJECTIVE 1 —Reduce Growth of Vehicle Miles of Travel (VMT) 1.1.2 Episodic Controls Program. Consider an education/awareness program to identify local high pollution periods and increase TDM outreach/incentives duringthese hese periods. An episodic controls program was recommended by Air Resource Specialists following their assessment of the City's visibility data and air quality improvement programs. OBJECTIVE 2. Reduce Per-Mile Emissions 2.4 Diesel Vehicles. 2.4.2. Where technically and economically feasible, implement municipal purchasinWcontracting guidelines that give preference to providers who use low-emission equipment, including construction and lawn maintenance equipment. Explore incentives to increase use of clean equipment in all municipal contracts. This was recommended by Air Resource Specialists following their assessment of the City's visibility data and air quality improvement programs. 2.5 ^'.e ffiatiir,e Feel Vehi,les (AFV) Ultra Low/Low Emission Vehicles (ULE/L.EV) Rename this section to include a broader spectrum of vehicles that will help improve air quality, as ULEV/LEV vehicles include both clean gasoline-powered and alternative fueled vehicles. 2.5.2 Evaluate the Fesewees needed eAd the benefits that eould be oehieved by Feft Gellins DROP this action; DOE and DOT have dropped sponsorship of the EV Ready program. 2.5.2 Municipal Fleet Services explore alternatives to diesel-powered buses. This is currently being done, but it has not been specifically called for in the AQAP previously. 2.5.3 Evaluate basis for creating a City policy to become a Hydrogen-Ready City. This effort is already underway through the City Manager's Hydrogen Task Force. 2.5.4 Municipal Fuel Use Reduction Program. Develop a Municipal Fuel Use Reduction Pro%zram that considers vehicle idling, cold-starts, and clean vehicle purchasing criteria. Include in updated Administrative Policies Document. This was recommended by Air Resource Specialists following their assessment of the City's visibility data and air quality improvement programs. It is also included in Fort Collins'Local Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 2.8. Emissions Test Law 2.8.2 an , o m the tieke. , afd du Garr «.,cc -.. ....:•t't �..:'c ac`c cn'uovioFis:ncoaccrie�ioma-Fcc-ir,�icumz�-FsFvccvaio-¢i cv�rScncz a pg-peffriE 2.8.2 Work within the City government and simultaneously with other local employers such as CSU to establish programs that require proof of a passing valid emissions test before issuing parking permits. Because of the high student turnover at CSU, it is especially important to maintain a supportive relationship with CSU Parking Services to ensure a successful on-going_ education program. 2.11 A,.,._,,ativ. Fuel Vehiele '"�"" Ultra Low/Low Emission Vehicles (ULE/LEV) Rename this section to include more vehicles that will help improve air quality. ULEV/LEV vehicles include both clean gasoline-powered and alternative fueled vehicles. 2.11.1 Continue outreach efforts, through Clean Cities and other avenues, to encourage citizens and businesses to purchase clean-burning vehicles, including clean AFVs. The City Clean Air Team will stay involved with Clean Cities, assisting as a stakeholder, but will no longer be a corridor co-coordinator, due to the reclassification of Rocky MountainlWeldlLarimer Clean Cities as a 501 C3. 2.15.2 The North Front Range Air Quality Study shows that diesels cause 11% of Fort Collins' PM2_5 (very small particle pollution). Staff recommends development and implementation of methods to better enforce vehicle-related air pollution laws relating to diesel vehicles. Prepare an ordinance for adoption of State diesel emissions standards into local law, thereby strengthening justification for local enforcement and for implementing supportive programs. This was recommended by Air Resource Specialists following their assessment of the City's visibility data and air quality improvement programs. Objective 4. Reduce Total Emissions from Commerce and Industry 4.1.3 Industrial Energy Sources. Evaluate an incentive program to minimize fuel oil consumption by existing industrial sources during natural gas curtailment. This was recommended by Air Resource Specialists following their assessment of the City's visibility data and air quality improvement programs. Objectives 5/6. Reduce Area-Wide Wood Smoke and#of Non-certified Wood Stoves and Conventional Fireplaces 5/6.1.4 Increase Citizen Access to Fire/Smoke Information. Coordinate with county and federal land managers to provide timely info via the Web on status of prescribed and wildfires. 5/6.1.5 Chimineas and Recreational Burning. Monitor trends in recreational wood burning and chiminea use: conduct outreach as appropriate. 5/6.2.1 Continue the ZILCH loan program for wood stove and wood stove insert removal and/or upgrades through 1999. Spring 2001. Sunset the program- in 2AAA and re. evaluate Then, reevaluate allocation of funds for another air quality program. 5/6 44 Although the eufrefit sttfvey instfument is adequate, we have been unable to effeetively gather eei4ain types ef data (i.e., numbef ef weed steve insefts and nen eei4ified Units). 5/6.4.1 Following professional evaluation of the City's four air quality surveys, the Wood Smoke Survey and the General Air Quality Survey have been combined into one "Outdoor Air Ouality Survey" which will be conducted biennially, starting in 2001. 5/6.8 Evaluate City programs designed to reduce residential wood smoke emissions and recommend improvements, if needed. Objective 7. Increase Actions by Residences and Workplaces to Reduce Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution 7.1.1 Review the IAQ Issue Paper in 2002-03 in conjunction with the four-year update of the AQAP and identify the top three or four IAQ issues for 2004-2007 as well as the appropriate levels of staff involvement. 7.5.1 ZILCH Radon Mitigation Loan Program. The ZILCH loan program will continue and will be evaluated annually for effectiveness. Pending the outcome of the evaluations, a request may be made to Council for additional funding. Prepare necessary paperwork for Council to Drop low income guidelines as soon as possible. Since the initiation of the radon mitigation loan program, no loans have been issued because no applicants have met the established low income guidelines. 7.6 IAQ Partnerships 7.6.1 The City will continue these activities. Especially, seek a closer relationship with Poudre Health Services District and Larimer County on IAO public outreach, including evaluating the need for and conducting workshops. Include school building management in discussions. Have PHSD and Larimer County review AOAP updates. 7.10 IAQ Survey 7.10.1 An IAQ sufve y will be ,,,.. ducted l., '^^'. Following professional evaluation of the City's four air quality surveys, the Indoor Air Quality and Radon Surveys have been combined into one "IAO Survey"which will be conducted biennially, starting in 2000. 7.11 Radon Survey 7.11.1 Raden sufyeys will be eendueted in 2000 and in ... . Following professional evaluation of the City's four air quality surveys, the Indoor Air Quality and Radon Surveys have been combined into one"IAO Survey"which will be conducted biennially starting in 2000. 7.15.1 Based on the outcome of the reevaluation of the two radon ordinances in 4999-2001, the programs will be assessed for effectiveness and possible revisions during the update &f- the AQAP itr2893 by June 2002. 7.16 Carbon Monoxide in Homes 7.16.1 Evaluate a ehange in the Building Code du6fig its regulff review (2000 01) te require e- . Identify the most appropriate way to expand the use of carbon monoxide detectors in homes. (mandatory in Building Code: voluntary in Green Building program, promote through education, etc.l 7.17 Green Building Program. Explore adoption of a Green Building Program during the regular review of the Municipal BuildingCode . ode . Objective 9. Data Collection and Monitoring The official PM10 monitoring site was moved to CSU Facilities roof in 1999. PMio monitoring will continue at the Courthouse for a limited time. Work with the State to reevalaute the current monitor's location based on valid sampling criteria to ensure the new location fits into regional and state monitoring plans. Air Quality Advisory Board January 23,2001 Page 1 Excerpt from the approved AQAB minutes for January 23, 200I. MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. January 23, 2001 For Reference: Eric Levine, Chair 229-5225 Scott Mason, Council Liaison 226-4824 Brian Woodruff, Staff Liaison 221-6604 Board Members Present Jim Dennison, John Schroeer, Don Voss, Eric Levine, Harry Edwards (until 7:00 p.m.), Nancy York, Linda Stanley and Mandar Sunthankar Board Members Absent Chris Kavanaugh Staff Present • Natural Resources DeWment: Brian Woodruff, Sally Maggart, Lucinda Smith, Sarah Fox and Susie Gordon Transportation: Tom Reiff Air Quality Action Plan,Mid-Course Correction, Lucinda Smith Lucinda Smith noted that the updated recommendations for changes to the Air Quality Action Plan, as part of a mid-course correction, were in the Board's packet. She reviewed the main changes, and asked the Board for a recommendation. 1. Section 2.4.2 — purchasing guidelines. Smith said that the Board asked for broader use of clean equipment on City projects. Harry Edwards made a motion to replace the word "consider" with the word "implement". Nancy York seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (8-0). 2. Section 2.8.2 — proof of emissions compliance before issuing parking permits. The Board asked Smith to clarify the requirements for municipal staff. 3. Section 2.15.2 — diesel particulates. Smith explained that this is to recommend the addition of adopting state diesel standards into local law. Harry Edwards made a motion to delete this section. Dan Voss seconded the motion. After lengthy discussion, the motion failed to pass, with a vote of I in favor (Edwards) and 7 opposed (other boardmembers present). Nancy York made a motion to drop the word "consider". This was seconded and passed with a vote of 6-2. Edwards and Dennison were opposed. Air Quality Advisory Board January 23,2001 Page 2 4. Section 2.11 - renaming the reference to alternative fuel vehicles. Smith distributed a handout illustrating that LEV and ULEV vehicles are cleaner than the Tier 1 vehicles now in place. She asked if the Board is comfortable renaming this section. Boardmembers indicated that they were okay with this. 5. Section 7.15.1 — recommend evaluation of radon ordinances changed to 2001. Smith said that the Board will have an opportunity to provide comments to Council on the radon issue at the next meeting. Linda Stanley made a motion to strike "during the update of the AQAP in 2003" and replace with "possible revisions by June 2002". Harry Edwards seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (8-0). 6. Section 7.5.1 — ZILCH loan program. Linda Stanley made a motion to drop the wording "consider dropping" low-income guidelines and replace it with "drop". John Schroeer seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (8-0). 7. Section 9.5.3 — PMIO monitoring site. Dan Voss said that the top of a building in north Fort Collins is not the best location for valid sampling. He suggested moving the location to southeast Fort Collins. Woodruff said that staff could work with the State Health Department to reevaluate the location. Dan Voss made a motion to add the additional language "reevaluate the current monitoring location and propose moving the sampling sites to an on-ground predominantly worst case location." Nancy York seconded the motion. A friendly amendment was proposed and accepted to take out the wording "worst case". The motion passed unanimously (8-0). Harry Edwards made a motion to approve the Air Quality Action Plan mid-course correction, as amended. Linda Stanley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (8-0).