Ken Lloyd, RAQC; Misty Howell, RAQC; Gerald Dilley, RAQC; Sara O’Keefe, RAQC; Steve McCannon, RAQC; Shirleen Tucker, CDPHE; Franz Hawkins, Lazy H Enterprises; Larry Pace, Adams County; Margy Christiansen, RAQC; Pam Milmoe, Boulder County; Bill Johnson, DRCOG; Jeff May, DRCOG; and Jim Brandon, ESP.

The meeting was called to order at 3:15 p.m. by Chairman Jim Scherer. A quorum was present at 4:50 p.m.

Chairman

Jim Scherer informed Council that he has been serving on an EPA Advisory Committee which is reviewing air quality management in the U.S. The committee is looking at the SIP process as well as the use of science and technology in the process. If RAQC members have any suggestions they would like Jim to bring to the committee, please let him know. Jim indicated the committee will give its recommendations to EPA in mid-December.

Jim also told Council that he and Ken met with Englewood City Council to discuss the RAQC and air quality issues.

Ken Lloyd announced that he and Jerry Dilley recently received awards from EPA and CDPHE for work on the Ozone Early Action Compact. He stated that the awards reflect the good work of the entire organization and staff.

Ken also directed Council to the article in the University of Colorado Law Review written by Supreme Court Justice Greg Hobbs, which outlines the sequence of quality improvements in the Denver area.

He reminded Council that there would be no meeting in October, the November 4 meeting is tentative and December 2 is definite. Please mark your calendars.

Committees

None.

Members

None.

Public Comment and Discussion

None.

Sara O’Keefe gave Council an update on the Clean Yellow Fleets for Blue Skies program. She outlined the RFP process that was used to select vendors. The goal is to have Phase I retrofit installations complete by December 2004. The Phase II funds from the Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality program will be available in October 2004 and installation will begin in January 2005. Sara indicated that a kick-off press event is scheduled in October, which is also Children’s Health Month.

There were questions regarding testing and tracking of emission benefit. Sara said staff is working with NREL on some possible pre- and post- testing opportunities. The Transportation Manager for each participating district will be tracking the operational issues.

Steve McCannon gave Council an update on the Clean Air Fleets program. He indicated the funds have been allocated and installation of the retrofit technology is scheduled to be complete by December 2004. He stated that because there was not as much private sector participation as anticipated, the remaining funds have been allocated to the City and County of Denver Public Works project to retrofit sweepers, tractors and trash trucks.

Steve also informed the Council that staff received tentative approval for a $75,000 EPA grant to retrofit off-road heavy duty diesel vehicles. The fleet must work around sensitive populations so staff is targeting hospital construction.

Gerald Dilley gave Council an update on the recently completed ozone seasons. He reviewed that status of the 1-hour ozone standard and the 8-hour standard. He outlined the meteorological difference between 2003 and 2004 and stated that the weather effects in 2004 overwhelmed the impact of control measures implemented in 2004. He informed Council that the 2005, 2006 and 2007 ozone seasons are critical for attainment under the EAC.

There was discussion on the monitoring system, specifically the new Lookout monitor. Council members asked for additional information on the location and siting criteria for this monitor.

Ken Lloyd informed Council that staff had requested funds for the ozone reduction program through DRCOG’s CM/AQ process. The request has successfully cleared a couple of DRCOG committees and still needs approval from the DRCOG Board.

Sara O’Keefe reviewed the 2004 voluntary ozone reduction program. She also briefed Council on the components of the 2005-2007 ozone programs, which include a more aggressive outreach approach. The program budget will be $1.35 million over the next three years.

Jeff May, DRCOG, gave Council an overview of the transportation conformity finding for the new 2030 Regional Transportation Plan.

Bill Johnson, DRCOG, then reviewed Metro Vision 2030. He stated there are three major elements: growth and development, transportation, and environmental quality. He summarized the assumptions that were used. He then outlined the RTP adoption schedule.

Tabled until next meeting.

Ken Lloyd reviewed the 2003 audit of financial statements with Council. There was a short discussion on the last time a RFP was done for the auditing firm. Ken explained that one was completed a few years ago.

The auditing firm suggested that Council adopt a Code of Conduct and place a carry over limit on vacation hours. Ken explained that he and Misty Howell did an extensive internet search to compile a Code of Conduct, which was included in the meeting information.

The Council discussed the Code of Conduct. There was discussion regarding the conflict of interest section and whether a formal disclosure statement should be required. The Council decided that a written disclosure was not necessary. Council members would indicate conflicts on a case-by-case basis. Melanie Worley suggested that Council members sign an acknowledgment of the Code that would be kept with the RAQC’s official documents.

There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. The next meeting will be on Thursday, November 4.