HomeMy WebLinkAboutConstituent Letter - Mail Packet - 11/2/2021 - Letter From Mayor Jeni Arndt To Natural Resources Advisory (10)
Mayor
City Hall
300 LaPorte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.2154
970.224.6107 - fax
fcgov.com
October 26, 2021
Natural Resources Advisory Board
c/o Honore Depew, Staff Liaison
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Dear Co-Chair Kevin Krause and Board Members:
On behalf of City Council, thank you for providing us with the October 25, 2021 memorandum
regarding “Support for 2021 International Building Code Adoption with Local Amendments”
wherein you summarized the Board’s support for Council to fully adopt the 2021 International
Building Code, including all local amendments.
It’s encouraging to hear your enthusiasm for the updates which are projected to improve
efficiency, health and resilience, and modernization.
Thank you for the expertise and perspectives that you bring to the Board and share with City
Council.
Best Regards,
Jeni Arndt
Mayor
/sek
Cc: City Council Members
Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager
Environmental Services
215 N. Mason
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221-6600
970.224-6177 - fax
fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
DATE: October 25, 2021
TO: Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Natural Resources Advisory Board
SUBJECT: Support for 2021 International Building Code Adoption with Local Amendments
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
On October 20, 2021, Russ Hovland (Chief Building Official), Kirk Longstein (Project Manager),
and Brad Smith (Energy Code Specialist) presented to the Natural Resources Advisory Board on the
2021 International Building Code Adoption. Through a formal motion, the board recommends that
City Council follow staff’s recommendation to adopt all local amendments, in addition to the 2021 I-
Codes, as consistent with City Plans and Policies (e.g. City Strategic Plan, Our Climate Future,
Housing Strategic Plan, Water Efficiency Plan).
More specifically, within staff’s presentation, some of the local amendments were indicated as “not
supported” (by the code review committee). However, the board believes these to be pertinent to said
city plans and policies, and in particular, steps toward EV-readiness to be non-negotiable in moving
our city beyond fossil fuels to achieve emissions-free transportation.
While we are overall enthused with the direction of the 2021 I-Code updates, and the projected
incremental improvements across the themes of efficiency, health & resilience, and growth &
modernization, we look forward to future updates that further drive energy efficiency requirements.
To support the City’s established goals, we are calling for a swift, purposeful move towards even
higher performing and tighter electric-only homes, and look forward to further dialog in the near
future to establish a path towards such standards.
Very Respectfully,
Kevin Krause
Co-Chair, Natural Resources Advisory Board
cc: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager
Jackie Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
Honore Depew, NRAB Staff Liaison and Climate Program Manager
Julie Pignataro, City Council Liaison to the NRA
Attachment: NRAB 2021 Work Plan
The main purpose of the NRAB is to help ensure the Sustainability of Our Community, i.e., to
systematically, creatively, and thoughtfully utilize environmental, human, and economic
resources to meet our present needs and those of future generations without compromising the
ecosystems on which we depend. We will also strongly consider human health in crafting our
recommendations. We work closely with other boards and actively engage in joint board
initiatives to encourage the goals of high functioning government and high impact civic
engagement. To address these goals, the NRAB has identified the following areas of specific
interest in 2021, with an overall view of integrating the principles of sustainability in each target
area:
1)Waste Reduction and Recycling
The NRAB is excited to provide input and leadership on implementation of the Regional
Wasteshed Plan as part of “Our Climate Future”, including: monitoring and responding to
impacts of the Cameron Peak fire on the lifespan of the landfill; hauling services oversight;
Timberline Recycling Center; Community Recycling Ordinance (extending recycling services);
Community Composting Project; education campaigns to increase residential and commercial
recycling; mandatory recycling of construction debris and Hoffman Mills Road grinding facility;
expansion of multi-family recycling; and expansion of commercial recycling.
As needed, we will also review and comment on: hazardous waste or spills, toxic substances, air
and water pollution prevention and remediation programs; and associated community outreach
and education.
2)Water Resources
The NRAB will focus on the variety of city-wide water resource issues including: Water Supply
Vulnerability Assessment; the Stormwater Master Plan; Low Impact Development (LID)
requirements for development and Metro Districts; and monitoring and reporting of water quality
in Fossil Creek, Spring Creek, and the Poudre River. NRAB will continue to monitor and
coordinate with Staff and other boards' review of water related projects and issues; e.g., NISP/
Glade, City of Fort Collins Water Conservation Plan, Thornton Pipeline, and Halligan/Seaman
Reservoir Expansion. The NRAB will also review and monitor fire, spill and flooding impacts on
water supply and storm and wastewater discharges.
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We will continue to review and comment on policies and funding affecting the health of the
Poudre River’s ecology, including Poudre River restoration and stabilization projects; health of
aquatic organisms; Downtown River Master Plan; river rehabilitation projects; and Poudre River
ecosystem modeling and health status projects. As appropriate, we will also look at near-river
water resources such as gravel pits. We may also review city policies with respect to
xeriscaping, permaculture, and urban agriculture (where feeding animals and the environment
are considered), “keyline” irrigating, and other actions that promote more efficient water use.
3)Energy/Climate Action
NRAB will review and comment on renewable energy issues and work to identify opportunities
and needs to ensure equity and inclusion in each of these initiatives. The NRAB will work with
the Energy and Economic Health Boards to provide input on the Climate Economy Action Plan,
Metro District incentives, EV Readiness Roadmap. Specific areas of consideration include:
energy efficient development (e.g., building codes that can contribute to CAP goals); plastic
pollution; transitioning PRPA power facilities from coal and natural gas to renewable energy
sources; residential and small-scale commercial solar rebate program; ongoing conservation and
efficiency programs; and community solar gardens.
As appropriate, the NRAB will work together with the Air Quality Board, Energy Board, and
Transportation Board to provide input on the greenhouse gas emission goals for the City and the
City’s Climate Action Plan and inform Our Climate Future.
4)Transportation Planning
Explore, review and comment on regional and local issues affecting transportation planning in
cooperation with the Transportation Board, including review of Metro District plans; vehicle
miles of travel; need for safe pedestrian and bicycle design and function at major intersections in
both existing and new construction; and implementation of the Bicycle Master Plan.
With respect to the logical connection between transportation and access to nature, the NRAB
will also monitor planning and implementation activities related to the Natural Areas Plan. We
may review issues related to trail experience and crowding, increased use of trails for bicycle
commuting, including appropriate signage, as well as trail adoption programs.
5)Other Related Issues
a.NRAB will monitor progress on the Triple Bottom Line Assessment Tool and the
progress of the Sustainability Services overall.
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b.Nature in the City. The NRAB is excited about the Nature in the City program. The
NRAB will look for opportunities to explore public-private partnerships to enhance
“natural” areas available to city residents.
c.Local Agriculture. Explore issues and ideas in the local agriculture and food security
movements.
d.Oil and Gas. Monitor environmental issues related to oil and gas development in Fort
Collins.
e.Night Sky Protection and Outdoor Lighting Requirements. Monitor environmental issues
related to impact of outdoor lighting.
f.Natural resource impact in the Harmony Gateway Plan.
g.Participate in the West Nile Technical Advisory Committee to provide technical expertise
to evaluate, assess, and discuss how to improve the City’s West Nile Management Plan.
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