MINUTES

REGIONAL AIR QUALITY COUNCIL

Thursday, January 6, 2000

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Shirleen Tucker, CHAIRMAN

Dennis Arfmann, Holme Roberts & Owen /CACI

Theresa Donahue, City & County of Denver

Tom Norton, Colo. Dept. of Transportation

Don Parsons, City of Northglenn / DRCOG

Jim Scherer

Melanie Worley, Douglas County

MEMBERS NOT IN ATTENDANCE:

Jane Norton, Colo. Dept. Public Hlth & Env. (Excused)

Sharon Votruba, City of Thornton (Excused)

OTHERS PRESENT:

Ken Lloyd, RAQC; Misty Howell, RAQC; Patrick Cummins, RAQC; Gerald Dilley, RAQC; Laura Hagg Neslon, RAQC; Annmarie Jensen, RAQC; Rick Barrett, APCD; Doug Benevento, CDPHE; Bob Farmer; Doug Lempke, AQCC; Jim Ives, City of Aurora; Stan Dempsey, Colorado Petroleum Association; Gerry Faudel, Frontier Oil; Ken Mauro, E-470 PHA; Doug Lawson, AQCC; Denny Gibson, Douglas County; Mike Silverstein, APCD; Margy Perkins, APCD; Betty Allen, Douglas County; Jeff Cason, Highlands Ranch Metro District; Jerry Gallagher; Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News; Bob Lowdermilk, AQCC; and Mike Maxwell, Douglas County.

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The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m. A quorum was present at 4:00 p.m.

Approval of the Agenda and Minutes

Postponed until a quorum was present.

Informational Items

Chairman:

Shirleen Tucker gave an overview of how the Council has been conducting its meetings around the region to make it easier for people to be involved.

She also informed Council that she, Ken Lloyd and Jim Scherer had a meeting with the Rocky Mountain News Editorial Board. It was a productive meeting.

Executive Director:

Ken Lloyd reminded Council that the AQCC hearing on the Carbon Monoxide Maintenance Plan is on January 11^th at 9:00 a.m. at 1445 Market Street, 4^th Floor Board Room.

Ken also mentioned that no additional exceedances of the Carbon Monoxide standard occurred during December so the region maintained attainment of the standard. However, the exceedance on November 30, 1999 still served as a reminder of how meteorology can effect the Denver metro area.

Ken proposed a Council meeting schedule for 2000. Council concurred that it was important and beneficial to continue to hold meetings throughout the region. Council agreed to follow the proposed schedule as outlined.

Ken informed Council that Patrick Cummins would be leaving the RAQC staff later this month. He will be working as the Air Program Manager for the Western Governors Association. Ken thanked Patrick for his service to the RAQC.

Members:

No reports.

Committees:

No reports.

Report from Air Quality Control Commission

Shirleen Tucker indicated this is a new item to the agenda. Each AQCC staff will brief the Council on current and upcoming activities.

Doug Lempke, Technical Secretary for the AQCC, reviewed the information discussed by the Commissioners at their December 16, 1999 meeting, which included the Denver Clean Screen Pilot, Cold Carbon Monoxide Emission Model and the I/M annual audit report. He gave Council copies of the presentation materials.

Mr. Lempke then gave an overview of upcoming issues that the Commissioners will consider. He distributed the AQCC Monthly Report, which includes upcoming calendared items, to Council.

Douglas County Community Initiatives

“Ranch Rider” shuttle-on-demand service

Jeff Case, Director of Engineering and Operations for Highlands Ranch Metro District , gave the Council some background information on the “Ranch Rider” service. The Ranch Rider, operated by the Regional Transportation District (RTD), is a circulator bus operating in two areas of Highlands Ranch. The service currently connects with the Highlands Ranch Park N Ride. The Highlands Ranch Metro District set up a Citizen Advisory Group and also worked with RTD to determine the type of service that would be needed.

The program was initiated in May 1999 and is averaging more than 240 riders per day. The Highlands Ranch Metro District worked to saturate the area with literature on the new service to help gain ridership. Currently, the fare is 25 cents, however, the fare will be evaluated in Summer 2000 to determine if it should be changed.

Concurrency Ordinance

Betty Allen, Assistant Planning Director for Douglas County, reviewed Douglas County’s Concurrency Ordinance with Council. Douglas County adopted the ordinance in 1995 and its objective is to link the provision of key public facilities and services with new development. The ordinance incorporates goals and policies of the Douglas County Master Plan which restricts growth in the non-urban areas and directs growth to the primary urbanizaton area. Integration of housing, employment, recreation, shopping, and education opportunities are encouraged.

There was discussion on the jobs/housing balance issue and the zoning change to accommodate home businesses.

Low Emission and Alternate Fuel Vehicles Program

Denny Gibson, Public Works Director of Operations for Douglas County, summarized Douglas County’s Low Emission and Alternate Fuel Vehicle Program. Douglas County began using compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles in 1994. The CNG vehicles have limited use because there is only one refueling station which is in Castle Rock. Because of the issues with the CNG vehicles, the county is looking at using more low emission vehicles to meet Regulation 17 requirements.

The County will be looking at using idle set back parameters program and drivers education program to meet Regulation 17 requirements. They will also research low sulfur fuels.

Ozone Program

Mr. Gibson also quickly reviewed the program that Douglas County has set up as part of the voluntary ozone program. After the RAQC staff met with Douglas County last summer, they have made efforts to recycle refrigerants, consolidates trips, and switched cleaning solvents. They also followed the recommended fueling practices and are researching changes to other solvent types.

Approval of the Agenda

Melanie Worley moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Don Parsons. Motion passed without objection.

Approval of the Minutes

Don Parsons moved to approve the minutes. Seconded by Melanie Worley. Motion passed without objection.

Public Comment

Bob Farmer indicated he was unaware that the ozone reduction program had progressed so far. He questioned if hydrocarbon and NOx cut points had been considered.

Jerry Dilley, RAQC staff, stated the Colorado Department of Health & Environment had indicated in November 1998, that the proposed changes to the cut points for reasons of carbon monoxide control would provide a 1% reduction in mobile source VOC by summer 1999 and about 5% for summer 2000.

Mr. Farmer stated he feels strongly that something should be done to reduce the ozone precursors.

It was decided that this discussion would continue after the Ozone program information had been presented later in the meeting.

White Paper on High Emitting and Smoking Vehicles

Patrick Cummins gave Council an overview of the new changes that have been incorporated into the White Paper. Overall, Council liked the updated format.

There was discussion on who should receive a copy of the White Paper. It was proposed that the White Paper be sent to Legislative Council with a letter indicating the RAQC will work with them as needed. Another suggestion was to give the White Paper to the appropriate committees when the CO Redesignation Request and Maintenance Plan is considered by the legislature. It was decided to send the paper to Legislative Council for their research and development at this time, and furnish the paper to the appropriate committees when the SIP is considered at a later date.

Tom Norton moved to approve the White Paper. Seconded by Dennis Arfmann. The motion passed without objection.

Voluntary Ozone Program

Jerry Dilley reviewed the 1999 summer ozone program with Council. There was some discussion on whether the 8-hour ozone standard still applies. Ken Lloyd indicated EPA did not vacate the standard, they just stated that it could not be enforced at this time.

Laura Hagg Nelson informed Council of the current plans for the 2000 ozone outreach effort. The campaign will include continuation of programs started in 1999, as well as outreach to additional stakeholders.

Laura told Council that two grants have been received to help with this campaign, one from DRCOG and another from the CDPHE pollution prevention program. The next meeting of the Ozone Outreach Committee is January 19^th at 1:00p.m. at 1445 Market Street, 2^nd floor conference room.

It was suggested that a short cable program be created for use on local public access stations. This would help get the information to the masses without considerable cost. Don Parsons volunteered to help Laura with some contacts.

There was discussion on whether the daily newspapers were going to carry the ozone advisory. Laura and Chris Dann, CDPHE, will follow up with the papers.

There was discussion on approaching private sector sponsors for specific project funding.

Bob Farmer indicated that the lane data information from the I/M program for the first five months of 1999 that he has seen, shows that the new cut points have not reduced VOC. He would like Council to think about that as they move forward with their ozone program.

In response, Jerry Dilley noted that the estimated 1% reduction in VOC represents the cumulative effect of the cut point change by the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th month of 1999. It is not surprising that small incremental impact is not noticeable in the first few months. Rick Barrett, APCD, noted that the final cut points focus on CO reduction and not VOC reduction, but result in VOC reduction. More could be done to reduce VOC using the I/M program. Mr. Barrett further stated that the State Auditor’s Report found that the cut-points work.

Gerry Faudel, Frontier Oil, asked if the Council was going to pursue an ozone maintenance plan. Ken Lloyd stated that Council decided to wait and see what EPA does with reinstating the one-hour standard and redesignations. If the Denver area is redesignated as non- attainment then Council will need to take some action.

Stan Dempsey, Colorado Petroleum Association, stated that the RVP reduction is costly to refiners and they would like to see other industries and local governments make formal commitments to the RAQC regarding what they will do to help reduce ozone.

Approval of Contract for Audit of 1999 Financial Statements

Don Parson moved to approve the contract for the audit of 1999 financial statements. Seconded by Melanie Worley. Theresa Donahue made a friendly amendment that Council consider having a competitive process for selecting the company for the 2000 audit. This was acceptable to Don.

There was a brief discussion of why putting the audit to bid might not necessarily be cost effective. The time for discussing which company should perform the 2000 audit is in April or May 2000.

The motion passed without objection.

There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.