Ken Lloyd, RAQC; Misty Howell, RAQC; Gerald Dilley, RAQC; Meg Deane Franko, RAQC; Sara O’Keefe, RAQC; Annmarie Jensen, RAQC; Margy Christiansen; Doug Lempke, AQCC; Bob Farmer; Deborah Kielian, City & County of Denver, Dept Environmental Health; Gregg Thomas, City & County of Denver, Dept Environmental Health; Maureen Dudley, City & County of Denver, Dept Environmental Health; Steve Eandi,  City & County of Denver, Dept Environmental Health; Melissa Young, Colorado Rock Products Association; and Jim Ives, City of Aurora.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Scherer at 3:25 p.m. A quorum was present.

Chairman:

None.

Executive Director:

Ken Lloyd introduced new staff member, Sara O’Keefe. She will work on communications and public relations with Meg Franko.

Ken noted that Governor Owens has appointed two new members to the RAQC Board and has appointed Melanie Worley as the DRCOG representative. The new members are Ed Tauer from Aurora and Randy Ahrens from the City and County of Broomfield.

Ken stated that EPA Region 8 has approved the Carbon Monoxide Maintenance plan. It will soon be published in the Federal Register and will become effective 30 days after publication. EPA has indicated they are working on the PM10 Maintenance plan.

Ken directed Council to a memo which outlined some information on producing an air quality video. There was discussion on putting an RFP out to determine funding options. Melanie Worley indicated she would check with Front Range Cities for funding. Dennis Arfmann said he would check with some industry contacts. Ken Lloyd and Dennis Arfmann are going to follow up on this potential project.

Members:

None.

Committees:

Dave Sladek said the meetings continue to be well attended. The work group has been getting backgound on technical information. At the December meeting, the group identified 19 issues relating to the diesel I/M program for further discussion. At its next meeting on Tuesday, January 15, 2002, the group will discuss and narrow the issues. Dave indicated the meetings will continue to be held on the first Wednesday of each month during February, March and April, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Doug Lempke stated the Commission will consider establishing a Clean Screen Enterprise at its December 20, 2001 meeting.

Theresa Donahue welcomed Council to Denver and introduced the presenters.

Steve Gordon, Development Program Manager for Denver’s Community Planning and Development Agency, gave Council an overview of Denver’s Blueprint Denver plan. This comprehensive plan outlines a vision for Denver’s future that includes mixed-use development and transportation alternatives. Some of the goals for the Blueprint Denver include increasing transit, shared parking, development of transit corridors, expanding housing options to include mixed use, managing neighborhood traffic, and encouraging pedestrian friendly development. Mr. Gordon indicated that other scenarios that were looked at were based on 1950's zoning.

For this plan to move forward the City will have to revise zoning codes, create mixed use, invest in multi-modal transportation and support transit. Citizens will need to vote for RTD transit, support bond issues, take advantage of mixed use areas and alternative transportation and participate in community events.

Maureen Dudley, Senior Engineer for the Denver Department of Health, Environmental Division, briefed the Council on Denver’s efforts to model hazardous air pollutants. Maureen indicated that amendments to Denver’s zoning provisions created the need for air toxics modeling. She discussed the process Denver has used to develop an air toxics inventory, model predictions and evaluate potential risk.

Deborah Kielian, Program Manager of Mobile Sources for Denver Department of Environmental Health, Environmental Protection Division, reviewed Denver’s Smoking Vehicle Program. Denver’s smoking vehicle ordinance was passed in 1979 and is enforced by 150 trained city inspectors. She explained the details of the ordinance.

Ms. Kielian described the policy and procedures for handling complaints made by citizens, as well as trained inspectors. The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) works closely with the Motor Vehicle Department to obtain owner information. She explained that on Mondays environmental court is held to review environmental issues. The smoking vehicle program has recommended fines based on how and when the owner handles providing proof of compliance. When a vehicle owner receives a summons they have the option to prove the vehicle does not smoke by having a "free" inspection performed by DEH staff, selling the vehicle and providing a signed notorized "Certificate of Sale", or relinquishing their plates.

DEH staff is working with the American Lung Association of Colorado to introduce a region-wide plan. There are plans to create smoking vehicle billboard messages, to update the vehicle make and model year trends report, and to use the smart sign. Ms. Kielian indicated that DEH would like to work with the RAQC on this issue.

Bob Farmer thanked staff for their work on the voluntary ozone program. He expressed his disappointment in the Car Care Clinic and suggested having one at a shopping center in the future.

He also distributed a memo regarding IM240 emissions testing as it related to clean air for Council’s information.

Jane Norton indicated negotiations with Envirotest are going well. An agreement should be reached before December 31, 2001.

Ken Lloyd indicated staff prepared the smoking vehicle paper to see what, if anything, Council wants to do on this topic.

Annmarie Jensen reviewed the definition of a smoking vehicle and presented information on actions undertaken by the RAQC in the past to address the problem of smoking vehicles. She also informed Council of actions taken by other states. Staff recommended creating a subcommittee to look at options.

Council discussed some of the issues that would be involved with this committee.

There was a brief discussion about the health insurance changes.

Don Parsons indicated this was his last meeting before retiring as Mayor of Northglenn. He thanked the staff and Board for their work and wished everyone well.

There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.