MINUTES
REGIONAL AIR QUALITY COUNCIL
Thursday, May 3, 2001
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jim Scherer, CHAIRMAN
Theresa Donahue, City & County
of Denver
Jane Norton, Colo. Dept. Public Health &
Environment
Tom Norton, Colo. Dept. of Transportation
Don
Parsons, City of Northglenn / DRCOG
Dave Sladek, The Clayton Group
Melanie Worley, Douglas County
MEMBERS NOT IN ATTENDANCE:
Dennis Arfmann, Holme Roberts & Owen
Sharon
Votruba,City of Thornton
OTHERS PRESENT:
Ken Lloyd, RAQC; Misty Howell, RAQC; Gerald Dilley, RAQC; Laura Hagg Nelson, RAQC; George Gerstle, CDOT; Kerri Fiedler, EPA; Tim Russ, EPA; Jim Ives, City of Aurora; and Rob McCoy, BKD.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Scherer at 3:10 p.m. A quorum was present at 3:30 p.m.
Approval of the Agenda
Postponed until a quorum was present.
Approval of the Minutes
Postponed until a quorum was present.
Informational Items
Chairman:
None.
Executive Director:
Ken Lloyd asked Council to consider cancelling its July meeting since it would occur the day after a holiday. Council will decide once a quorum is present.
Members:
No Reports.
Committees:
No Reports.
Report from the Air Quality Control Commission
Doug Lempke was unable to attend the meeting. Ken Lloyd informed Council of the AQCC’s retreat next week. If there are any issues the RAQC would like the AQCC to consider, please contact Ken.
Ken also informed Council that the AQCC unanimously approved the PM-10 Maintenance Plan on April 19, 2001.
2001 Summer Ozone Program
Laura Hagg Nelson presented the 2001 ozone program to Council for consideration. The 2001 program will continue the ozone action advisories, “Put a Cap on Ozone” program, RVP reduction, “Stop at the Click” program and local government outreach. The new components of the 2001 effort include “Car Care for Clean Air” Clinics and sponsored radio public service announcements.
The program kick-off events include issuing a press release announcing the start of the ozone season, conducting a press briefing on June 6, and holding the “Conoco’s Car Care for Clean Air” clinic at the Pepsi Center.
Jane Norton moved to approve the 2001 summer ozone program as outlined. Seconded by Don Parsons. The motion passed without objection.
Approval of the Agenda
Jane Norton moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Don Parson. Motion passed without objection.
Approval of the Minutes
Jane Norton moved to approve the minutes. Seconded by Melanie Worley. Motion passed without objection.
Public Comment
None.
Audit of 2000 Financial Statements
Rob McCoy, BKD, reviewed the 2000 audit of financial statements with Council. He explained that the 2000 audit was reclassified to governmental accounting at the suggestion of the State Auditor’s office. The audit includes a finding regarding segregation of duties, which indicates that Council should periodically consider whether further segregation of accounting duties are warranted.
Don Parsons asked for Mr. McCoy’s characterization of the RAQC’s ending fund balance as it relates to the annual expenditures. Mr. McCoy said the RAQC has a strong balance sheet. Ken Lloyd indicated the fund balance summary was included in members’ packets.
Jane Norton moved to accept the audit. Seconded by Theresa Donahue. Motion passed without objection.
Theresa Donahue suggested that since some of the segregation of duties recommendations were not major changes, Council may want to address them. Mr. McCoy stated as a practical matter, it is almost impossible for the RAQC to further segregate these duties since there is only one person doing the accounting and not a department. He said it is common for small businesses to have this same audit comment. BKD needs to include it each year to make sure Council is aware of the situation. Mr. McCoy commented that Ken and Misty have done a good job segregating as much of the duties as possible. He suggested that Council’s time and energy would be better spent on programs rather than this issue of segregation of duties.
Status of Legislation
Ken Lloyd reviewed the status of inspection/maintenance legislation. He informed Council that HB 1091 was killed in Senate Appropriations. Currently, there are two other bills introduced, HB 1402 and SB 242. HB 1402, sponsored by Rep. Paschall and Sen. Dyer, passed the House and has been referred to Senate Public Policy Planning committee. SB 242, sponsored by Sen. Linkhardt, used elements of HB 1091. Ken indicated that it was his understanding that legislators were going to take HB 1091 and attach it to HB 1402. This would allow CDPHE to extend the Envirotest contract for two years, then possibly an additional four years or rebid. After that the contract would have to be re-bid.
Council discussed whether this bill would allow for clean screen. Council decided to keep watching the progress to make sure clean screen was included in the bill while the legislators work out the details.
Ken also informed Council that the PM-10 bill was introduced and would be discussed this afternoon.
Discussion of Increasing Private Sector Funding
Council discussed ways to increase private sector funding. Ken Lloyd stated that historically, soliciting for private sector funding has been successful when there is a specific project involved. Companies are less likely to fund the RAQC for planning activities which they perceive to be a government function. Some project ideas included diesel engine change-outs and lawnmower change outs. It was suggested that Council look for ways to package projects when developing the 2002 work program.
To provide incentive for 2001, Denver has agreed to match private sector funding up to $59,500.
Council discussed grants as an additional opportunity for funds. There may be opportunities to partner with a business on a grant. Don Parsons indicated he would call the chairman of the Rose Foundation.
Other Matters
Jane Norton moved to cancel the July 5 meeting. Seconded by Melanie Worley. Motion passed without objection.
Jim Scherer reminded Council that the June meeting will be in Arvada.
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.