Ken Lloyd, RAQC; Misty Howell, RAQC; Gerald Dilley, RAQC; Sara O’Keefe, RAQC; Cliff Davidson, MPO; Vicky McLane, MPO; Suzette Thieman, MPO; John Daggett, MPO; Margie Joy, MPO; Kay Woods, MPO; Lisa Helme, MPO ; Mary Warring, MPO; Shirleen Tucker, CDPHE; Mike Silverstein, APCD; Margy Perkins, APCD; John Peacock, Front Range Railroad/CO Transit Alliance; Aaron Willis, CDOT; Don Feldhaus, City of Greeley; Bill McCord, Town of Berthoud; Lucinda Smith, City of Fort Collins; Mark Engemoen, Larimer County; Don Bachman; Stan Elmquist; Tom Frazier; Bill George; Frank Hempen; Keith Reester; Bill Sterling; Joan Boes; Tom Fenney; Myron Hora; Evelyn King; Sheble McConnellogue; Marti Morgan; Len Roark; Doug Ryan; and Karen Scopel.

The meeting was called to order by the North Front Range MPO Chair Glen Gibson at The Ranch Events Center in Loveland at 3:45 p.m. A quorum of RAQC members was present.

Welcome and Introductions

MPO Chair Glen Gibson welcomed everyone to The Ranch Events Center and gave a brief overview of the facilities. The North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council (NFRMPO), the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) and the audience introduced themselves.

Cliff Davison, NFRMPO Executive Director, reviewed the MPO’s responsibilities, future growth and travel patterns, and planning efforts.

Ken Lloyd, RAQC Executive Director, presented an overview of the RAQC’s history, duties, organization, relationships and funding. He explained the accomplishments and future challenges for the region. He outlined the public education programs that have been implemented.

Sara O’Keefe, RAQC Communications Manager, gave an overview of the RAQC’s Voluntary Ozone Reduction Program. She explained that the Denver region launched the Voluntary Ozone Reduction Program in 1999 in response to high ozone levels during the summer of 1998. The program is aimed at raising awareness about health issues surrounding ozone pollution and individual actions to help reduce ozone.

Sara described the components of the program: Ozone Action Alerts, Voluntary RVP Reduction Campaign, "Stop at the Click", "Put a Cap on Ozone", Car Care Fairs, "Mow Down Pollution", "Repair Your Air" Campaign, Paid Advertising, and Outreach and Education with local governments, media and professional associations and organizations.

Sara stated that the "Keep it Clean" campaign is new for 2004. Through this partnership with Envirotest, CDPHE, Ethanol Management Corp., ALA of Colorado, NAPA Car Care Council and metro-area local governments, the campaign will educate citizens on air quality achievements and the importance of continuing improvements as well as vehicle maintenance. "Keep it Clean" campaign includes a Car Care Fair/Gas Can Exchange, Clean Air Poster contest, Paints, stains and solvent education and outreach program.

Sara indicated that RAQC staff has been meeting with the North Front Range staff to discuss collaborative efforts. The City of Fort Collins participated in the Car Care Fairs/Gas Can Exchange held in April.

There was a discussion of the contributors to ozone and whether voluntary programs like gas cap testing actually reduce the contributions. Sara O’Keefe stated that photochemical modeling has been done to help identify the contributors to ozone. She further indicated that RAQC staff has continually found that ten (10) percent of gas caps tested fail a leak test.

An audience member asked why the RAQC did not encourage alternative transportation as part of this program. Sara O’Keefe stated that encouraging alternative transportation is part of the RAQC’s overall message. She said DRCOG, RTD, RAQC and other partners are planning a "Ride Smart Thursday" program for the metro area.

Dennis Arfmann further explained that the program Sara outlined is a voluntary program. He said it is important to differentiate the RAQC’s voluntary programs from mandatory programs.

Cliff Davidson asked who is responsible for mandatory programs in the metro area. Ken Lloyd explained the RAQC, through its planning process, recommends mandatory programs to the Air Quality Control Commission or local governments.

Cliff Davidson expressed funding concerns regarding participation in these programs. He explained that the MPO does not have funding for the additional staff time. Ken Lloyd explained the RAQC has a base budget of about $500,000 and gets additional funding through project grants and business participation.

Kurt Kastein, City of Fort Collins, asked what occurred to cause the non-attainment status. Ken Lloyd explained that EPA announced a new standard in 1997. High values in 1998 caused the Denver region to take action. The standard was not implemented until 2001. Ken further stated that the hot weather in 2002 and 2003 was a contributor to the high readings. Ken said the region is only 3% over the standard. Ken explained that ozone is formed when Volatile Organic Compounds (any type of petroleum based activity) combine with Nitrogen Oxides (produced by combustion processes) on hot sunny days. He indicated ozone producing emissions are actually decreasing due to new stringent federal standards for mobile and area sources, as well as current area practices. The Early Action Compact added measures to help get the region into attainment by the end of 2007. The next four years are critical for the region to show compliance. If the region shows compliance then the region will not be labeled as non-attainment and will not have to deal with the consequences into the future.

Mike Silverstein, APCD, presented an overview of the Ozone Early Action Compact and the mandatory programs that are included.

There was discussion on the Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program in the Northern area. Mike Silverstein stated the State is conducting an evaluation of the basic program. Dennis Arfmann interjected that the RAQC through its high emitter identification pilot program, "Repair Your Air" Campaign, is attempting to show that the IM program can be made more convenient for those with clean cars.

Jim Scherer, RAQC Chair, expressed the importance of maintaining the designation of attainment for the region, especially for economic improvement. He indicated that the RAQC is willing to provide assistance to the NFRMO to help implement ozone reduction programs.

The joint meeting was concluded at 6:00 p.m.