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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 3/30/2021 - Memorandum From Cassie Archuleta Re: Martin Marietta Materials - Memorandum Of Understanding (Mou) Environmental Services 222 Laporte Ave PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970-221-6600 fcgov.com MEMORANDUM DATE: March 24, 2021 TO: Mayor and Councilmembers THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager Kyle Stannert, Deputy City Manager Jackie Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer Lucinda Smith, Environmental Services Director FROM: Cassie Archuleta, Air Quality Program Manager RE: Martin Marietta Materials Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Bottom Line The City currently has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Martin Marietta Materials (MMM) asphalt facility located outside of City limits. The MOU has several one-time requirements related to environmental concerns and aesthetics, which have been met. The MOU also has some ongoing requirements related to environmental compliance that are otherwise covered by alternate State requirements and regulations. MMM representatives have requested that status of the MOU be reviewed, with possible consideration of termination. Staff has evaluated the MOU and recommends that the agreement be terminated. Background In 2015, the City of Fort Collins and MMM entered into a MOU regarding operation of an asphalt plant on N. Taft Hill Rd. The MOU was originally implemented as the result of community member concerns prompted by a State air emissions permitting process, when the facility applied for a status change from temporary to permanent operations. The facility, which is outside of City limits, voluntarily entered into the MOU with the City. The MOU (attached) contains some one-time requirements related to environmental concerns and aesthetics, and some ongoing requirements mainly related to City verification of existing State requirements. All one-time requirements of the MOU have since been implemented, including: Installation of additional odor control technology (a carbon filtration system) Paving of haul roads (to reduce dust) Installation a fence as a visual barrier and additional landscaping Ongoing requirements of the MOU include: Implementing a response protocol when investigating odor concerns Sweeping the nearby bike lanes Implementing dust control requirements Continuing compliance with the State air permit Specific hauling route requirements for City vehicles exiting the facility 2 Current Status Asphalt Toxins or CAAT) is no longer active, as many of the members have moved out of the adjacent neighborhood. City staff contacted one remaining member in 2018, when the City proposed to discontinue on-site quarterly MOU audits. He indicated that odors are still sometimes present, especially on hot days when the winds are calm. He also indicated that he sometimes observes debris in the bike lane near the plant. Staff has evaluated ongoing requirements of the MOU in relation to potential ongoing concerns, and has determined that the City can continue to work through existing State requirements, without the MOU, to ensure ongoing attention to odor and debris issues. E.g., Odors are regulated by the State, and complaint response has included engaging the State and County to audit compliance. The City proposes to continue engaging the State and County if odor concerns are received by the City. Two (2) odor complaints related to this facility were received by the City in 2018, and one (1) in 2019. The County investigated and could not substantiate violations of odor standards. For sweeping of bike lanes related to potential track-out of debris, Martin Marietta has committed to working with the community on issues as they arise. Additionally, the State can require mitigation measures for any activities that routinely deposit materials which may create fugitive particle emissions on a public or private paved roads. Fugitive dust requirements, including the requirement that loads be covered when leaving the MOU was put in place). Compliance with the State air emission permit will continue to be audited by the County. The requirement for the City to use specific routes for entry and exit to the plant from the North to CR54G will be suspended. However, the City will retain the right and sole discretion to define specific hauling routes to/from the plant for City vehicles in the event a future change is necessary. Next Steps Unless staff hears community or Council feedback to the contrary, the City Manager will sign an MOU termination by the end of April. Outside of the MOU, the City will continue to address environmental impacts through existing alternate avenues listed above. Attachment: Signed MOU, City of Fort Collins and Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. CC: Gerry Paul, Purchasing Director 3