Ken Lloyd, RAQC; Misty Howell, RAQC; Gerald Dilley, RAQC; Sara O’Keefe, RAQC; Steve McCannon, RAQC; Kerri Fiedler, EPA; John Van Kirk, City of Aurora; Margy Christiansen; Jim Brandon, ESP; Mike Silverstein, APCD; Joey Bunch, Denver Post, and Jeff May, DRCOG.

The meeting was called to order by Chair Jim Scherer at 3:10 p.m. A quorum was present at 4:40 p.m.

None.

Ken Lloyd informed Council that the CO Maintenance Plan was scheduled to be proposed to the AQCC last month. However, that meeting was cancelled due to the snow storm. (NOTE: The AQCC held a conference call and set the plan for hearing in June as originally planned)

Committees

None.

Members

None.

None.

Ken Lloyd gave Council an overview of the new lease proposed by Junior Achievement. He indicated the square footage rate has decreased. The RAQC received the same pricing as other tenants that recently renewed.

Approval postponed until a quorum present.

Sara O’Keefe gave Council an overview of the projects that will make up the voluntary ozone reduction program for this summer. Outreach includes: Voluntary RVP Reduction; "Put A Cap On Ozone"; "Citizens Choose Clean Air; "Bike to Work Day"; "Stop at the Click"; Media Advertising; Local Government Outreach; Paint Retailer/Supplier Outreach; and a Partnership with CDOT.

Sara explained the new programs for this season. Through the "Citizens Choose Clean Air" we will be providing wallet-sized cards with the top ten reasons for citizens to choose clean. These cards will be handed out at all of the RAQC events. The RAQC will be hosting a "bike stop" at the Civic Center bus station for the Bike to Work event on June 26^th. Sara indicated that an ozone awareness survey will be conducted to determine the level of citizen awareness before and after ozone season. A web page has been developed to help local government public information officers disseminate information. This year staff will be targeting paint retailers and suppliers to educate them on low-solvent paints and stains. CDOT in going to include the air pollution advisory on its COTRIP homepage and announce ozone alerts on the Highway Advisory Radio.

Steve McCannon gave Council an update on the "Repair Your Air" program. The campaign goals include using RapidScreen remote sensing to identify high emitters and repair up to 250 high HC vehicles; educate vehicle owners about maintaining their vehicles; and evaluate the feasibility of a full- scale program.

Steve explained there are two "cycles" to the program. The high HC vehicles will be put in the "test and repair cycle" which includes a free emissions test, free rental car, and up to $500 in repairs. The vehicle owner will be notified that their car has been identified as a high HC vehicle and asked to call the hotline number to become a program participant. RAQC staff will call the State Emissions Technical Center who will then call the participant to set an appointment. If the vehicle fails the emission test, then the owner qualifies for a free rental car and up to $500 in repairs. If the cost of the repairs exceed $500 the vehicle owner has the option to pay the additional cost, have repairs made to the $500 limit, or opt out of the program. After repairs, the vehicle is put through another emissions test. Then six months later, the vehicle owner is asked to bring it in for a follow up emissions test.

The high CO vehicles will be put into a "test only cycle". Those identified can take the vehicle to Envirotest for a free inspection. If the car fails the test the owner is offered a ten percent discount on repairs made at participating repair facilities.

Car care clinics will be held in June at five locations around the metro area.

The project final report is expected in 4^th quarter 2003 or 1^st quarter 2004.

Sara O’Keefe gave Council an status report on the Clean Air Fleets program. The program is designed to encourage voluntary initiatives by on- and off-road diesel fleet operators to reduce emissions. Component of the program include subsidizing retro fit and alternative fuels projects, educating fleet operators on cost-effective maintenance practices and recognizing those fleet operator who undertake voluntary initiatives to reduce emissions.

There is a program advisory team (PAT) that will provide input and make important technical decisions throughout planning and implementation. The PAT is made up of representatives from the following industries: trucking, fuel, environmental, and local, state, and federal governments.

A "Clean Diesel Conference" will be held on June 11 -12, 2003 to kick off the program. There will be guest speakers from Diesel Technology Forum, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, and Fleetguard Emission Solutions. The topics will include:

• Advances in diesel engine technology
• Clean Air Fleets program overview
• Colorado’s diesel I/M program
• Vehicle idling reduction strategies
• Emission control technology
• Vehicle and engine replacement
• Alternative fuels and
• Funding opportunities

Staff is developing an extensive folder of outreach material for this conference.

Sara explained that there is currently $75,000 available for retrofit funding. Staff is preparing grant proposals for additional money from EPA for school bus fleet retrofits.

Heavy-duty diesel vehicles, model years 1990-1995 will be eligible for the program. These vehicles will be retrofitted with EPA-verified catalysts or other approved technologies. The bus portion of the program will include public, private, and school bus fleets housed in the 7-county metro area. Fleet owners will submit applications to the PAT, who will then review them and determine awards.

The recognition program will recognize fleets that undertake voluntary measures to reduce emissions. The PAT will review applications and select the fleets to be recognized at a special awards presentation.

Through the Clean Air Fleets program staff will make a special effort to educate school bus fleet operators on maintenance practices. Workshops will be held to focus on specific topics.

Sara indicated that a separate web site, www.cleanairfleets.org will be launched to provide the most recent information on all topics included in the outreach folder from the conference.

Sara reviewed the funding with Council.

Council discussed how the school bus retrofit would work and also why the oxidation catalyst was selected. Sara indicated the PAT decided that the EPA verified technology would be the most cost effective equipment.

Sara also indicated that 15-20 trucks and 15-20 buses could be retrofitted with the current program funding.

Ken Lloyd gave Council an update on legislation of interest. House Bill 03-1053, concerning emissions testing for diesel vehicles, has passed both the House and Senate. House Bill 03-1340, concerning revisions to the motor vehicle emissions budgets contained in the carbon monoxide maintenance plans according to the latest federally-approved mobile source emissions model, is scheduled for hearing on April 14. Both HB 03-1016, concerning effective duration of emissions compliance issued on new vehicles, and HB 03-1313, concerning exclusions of particular region from the emissions program, allow revisions to the I/M program. HB 03-1016 passed in the House and has been introduced in the Senate. HB 03-1313 passed the House and passed the Senate with amendments.

Ken Lloyd reviewed the Ozone Early Action Compact implementation schedule. The team of Environ/Alpine Geophysics has been selected by the review panel to conduct the dispersion modeling.

There was discussion on the terms of the contract and under what circumstances the RAQC and partners could cancel it or discontinue work. Ken indicated that very specific tasks were outlined in the RFP and the contract costs are listed by task. Therefore, if it is determined that no further work is needed after a specific task, the contractor would discontinue work.

Council also discussed if and how the dispersion model might be used in the future.

Quorum present at 4:40 p.m.

There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.