Ken Lloyd, RAQC; Misty Howell, RAQC; Gerald Dilley, RAQC; Meg Deane Franko, RAQC; Sara O’Keefe, RAQC; Margy Christiansen; Shirleen Tucker, APCD; Margy Perkins, APCD; Mike Silverstein, APCD; Chuck Easterly, Town of Parker; Brad Mueller, Douglas County Planning; Fred Stark, Town of Parker; Gary Woods, Bradbury Properties; Gary Lasater, Town of Parker; Doug DeBord, Douglas County; Peter Italiano, Douglas County; Jim Brandon, ESP; Derrick Pickeral, Envirotest; Nancy Reubert, Envirotest; and Houston Elam, City of Centennial

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 & Minutes

Postponed until quorum present.

Council and audience introduced themselves.

Jim Scherer welcomed Randy Ahrens, City and County of Broomfield, to his first meeting as a member of the RAQC.

Mayor Gary Lasater welcomed Council to Parker and gave a brief overview of Parker’s history.

Gary Woods, Bradbury Properties Inc., gave Council an overview of the plans to develop property along I-25 as the end of the light rail line. He indicated there have been numerous types of development considered for the property. Current plans include creating a light rail station with RTD with 1,146 parking spaces, as well as mixed use structures for residential and public use. The plans include pedestrian friendly landscaping.

Mr. Woods indicated one of the challenges they are facing is parking structures. Currently, 2,600 spaces with 630 underground and 1,500 structured are planned. There will also be challenges with infrastructure due to changes in density zoning. Mr. Woods stated that Douglas County has been very helpful to the developer during the planning phase of this project.

Fred Starr, Development Review Manager for the Town of Parker, reviewed some planning efforts that Parker has been undertaking which help improve air quality. These efforts include incorporating narrow streets, promoting mixed use development, and encouraging reduced vehicle trips. There was also discussion regarding Parker’s use of roundabouts.

There was a brief discussion on monitor placement and whether Parker had any monitors. The Air Pollution Control Division, based on guidance from EPA, determines that placement of monitors based on demographics and other factors.

Jane Norton presented the RAQC with two plaques in recognition of the RAQC’s ongoing work to bring the Denver metropolitan area to attainment status for carbon monoxide and ozone.

None.

None.

Executive Director:

Ken Lloyd informed Council that EPA released the MOBILE6 model in January. APCD staff and RAQC staff have been conducting interagency meetings to review modeling results. The group is planning to update the RAQC and AQCC in June 2002.

He also indicated that the PM₁₀ Maintenance Plan is pending approval as EPA’s issues have been resolved. EPA is expected to publish proposed approval in the next couple of months.

Ken then reviewed the 2002 meeting schedule with Council. Council decided to continue to meet every other month at alternate locations around the metro area. Council will review the meeting schedule later in the year to determine if additional meetings may be necessary.

Committees:

Dave Sladek indicated the Work Group will now begin to discuss issues related to the preliminary recommendations. He gave the Council a copy of the preliminary diesel inspection/maintenance program conclusions and recommendations. He also gave Council some background information on a proposed "Green Fleets" program, which is under consideration.

Dave stated the Work Group has agreed that any changes need to be positive and not regulatory. The Work Group will lay out implementation issues in its final report.

Dennis Arfmann indicated the Smoking Vehicle Work Group has met twice and developed a list of options. They are working on prioritizing the options and have asked staff to produce a rough cost and benefit analysis. The work group will meet again in May.

Jane Norton indicated the winter High Pollution Season has official ended and the region had no violations of the carbon monoxide or PM₁₀ standards.

Ken Lloyd reviewed the history of EPA’s new 8-hour ozone standard and gave Council an update on the recent U.S. Court of Appeals decision ratifying the standard. He indicated that EPA is currently evaluating options for implementing the 8-hour ozone standard. EPA will probably propose the implementation rule by late 2002, promulgate it in mid-2003 and establish non-attainment designations in 2004.

Meg Deane Franko reviewed the plans for the 2002 Voluntary Ozone Reduction Program. The program includes continuation of the ozone advisories, "Stop at the Click" program, voluntary RVP reductions, and "Put a Cap on Ozone" program. The program will also include a new project, "Mow Down Pollution".

Meg indicated the "Put a Cap on Ozone" program would focus on employer gas cap fairs. The "Mow Down Pollution" event will be held on May 4 and 5 at various Home Depot locations throughout the metro area. The program will encourage people to recycle their old lawn equipment and offer discounts on the purchase of low and zero emissions equipment. Partners for the event include Home Depot, Black & Decker and local governments. It is estimated that 320 pounds of VOCs will be permanently reduced for every 100 mowers exchanged.

Outreach materials for the summer program include lawn- and car-oriented bookmarks, an updated brochure, updated information on the RAQC’s web site, radio spots, and article placement in newspapers, business association publications and local government publications.

Margie Perkins, Director of the Air Pollution Control Division, briefed Council on the process and outcome of the new contract for the emissions testing program. She indicated the State put the RFP out for solicitation world-wide. The key objectives were to avoid a lapse in the I/M program, to coordinate efforts with the Northern Front Range pilot program, to initiate remote sensing, and to provide a provision for flexibility for future changes.

Margie indicated there are five major areas to the contract. The introductory clause includes basic contract information including the effective date of January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2005. The contract has provisions for early termination. The second area describes continuation of the current program and ties back to assuring the State continues to stay in compliance with SIP requirements. Another area outlines the integration and coordination of a clean screen program with the Northern Front Range program. The fourth section addresses implementation of a clean screen program in the metro area. The last section contains standard contract provisions.

She indicated the clean screen program uses a phase-in approach developed in the EPA- approved SIP that restricts the region from moving too fast into this area.

Margie stated the funding system set up by House Bill 1402 was not solvent. The State has been working to develop system that is solvent so the program can be implemented. The clean screen portion of the program will not begin until a solvent funding mechanism is in place. There may be late legislation to accomplish this. If legislation is passed the program could start in Fall 2002 or early 2003. Under the contract, once the clean screen program is implemented, the cost will increase to $25.

There are provisions in the contract for special studies. A high emitter evaluation is included in this area.

Ken Lloyd reviewed the legislation of interest with Council. He indicated SB137, concerning the elimination of oxygenated fuels mandate from the state implementation plan, has been killed. He also stated that SB198, concerning the elimination of the Clean Fuel Fleet Program, was recently introduced. This bill will eliminate the program from statute. However, it does keep the tax incentives for alternate fuel vehicles. This program has already been removed from the state implementation plan.

Ken stated SB190, concerning expanding Xcel’s voluntary emission reduction program, has been introduced and assigned to Senate Business Affairs and Labor. Ken reminded Council that in 1998 the Legislature passed a bill that set up the voluntary reduction program and allowed Xcel to recover its costs. With this bill, Xcel is seeking to use the same process to recover costs for putting emissions reduction equipment on additional facilities, including the Cherokee plant in the metro area.

A bill to revise the Clean Screen Program funding mechanism will probably be introduced before the end of session. This bill would create a solvent funding mechanism as outlined by Margie Perkins.

Council had a discussion on lobbying and positions on legislation with respect to how it effects the planning process. Council agreed that they would continue to be an informational entity with respect to legislation.

There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.