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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORK SESSION SUMMARY-03/10/2009-Work SessionUtllltles C'+� electric - stormwater • wastewater • water O� Fort or Woad Street PO Box 580 Collins Fort Collins, CO 80522 F 970.221.6700 970.221.6619619 —fax 970.224.6003 — TDD utilities@fcgov.com fcgov.eom/utifities Memorandum Date: March 13, 2009 To: Mayor and City Council Members Through: Dann Atteberry, City Manager (� Brian Janonis, Utilities Executive DirectorAl G. Kevin Gertig, Water Resources and Treatment Manager Pi From: Carol Webb, Regulatory and Government Affairs Manager cu,, ,,66 Re: Review of Chemical Materials Employed in City Operations — March 10 Council Worksession Councilmembers Present Doug Hutchinson, Mayor Kelly Ohlson, Mayor Pro Tem Wade Troxell Lisa Poppaw Ben Manvel Worksession Participants Darin Atteberry, City Manager Kevin Gertig, Water Resources and Treatment Manager Carol Webb, Regulatory and Government Affairs Manager Larry Schneider, Streets Superintendent Matt Parker, Natural Areas Crew Chief General Direction Sought and Specific Questions to be Answered 1. Does Council have any comments or concerns on the snow/ice control products, fertilizers, and pesticides employed in City operations? Council Comments • Council complimented staff.on the depth and breadth of the review and was generally appreciative of the information provided on the snow/ice control products, fertilizers, and pesticides employed in City operations. Council thanked staff for including information City of on the potential environmental impacts of the chemical materials employed in city operations in the presentation and in the supporting material provided to Council. • Council expressed concern that the organization that sets the best practices standards for snow/ice control operations be an independent group rather than a trade group and that independent research and data be considered when adopting these standards. • Council asked the difference between standard management practices and best management practices (BMPs). Staff responded by saying that the BMPs discussed in the presentation aren't necessarily standard for other organizations and that City departments have taken a leadership role in adopting some BMPs. • Council asked about staff's plans to follow through on recommendations made as a result of the chemical materials review and why we have not implemented an environmental management system to'date. Staff responded that some of the recommendations can be implemented in the short term while others will need to be further researched and resourced. Staff also stated that implementation of environmental management systems is a learning process, and while some systems are in place, it is a continual improvement process. Staff explained the International Standard Organization (ISO) 14001 Environmental Management System standard and that staff was implementing a system following this standard at a pilot facility and planned to roll it out to other facilities in the future depending on available resources. • Council requested that staff provide six month updates on progress and implementation of the recommendations made as a result of the chemical materials review. • Council asked if there was a resource available to citizens to request information on the personal use of pesticides. Staff discussed the availability of a citizen information hotline, which is advertised on the City's website. Another Council member pointed out that CSU's extension office can also field these types of questions. • Council inquired about the training of seasonal Natural Areas employees. Staff responded that seasonal staff does attend at least 40 hours of training since they are applying chemicals in City Natural Areas. • Council asked if the next review may include other chemicals used in city operations not covered in this review. Staff stated that this review would require an organizational wide chemical inventory and can be conducted when resources are available to conduct such a review. Staff also stated that the new approach of a centrally coordinated sustainability effort will facilitate the ongoing effort of adopting a systematic approach to environmental management.