HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Advisory Commission - Minutes - 04/20/20111
Minutes
City of Fort Collins
Economic Advisory Commission
Regular Meeting
300 LaPorte Ave
City Hall
April 20, 2011
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
For Reference:
Bill Timpson, Chair 493-3673
Pending, Council Liaison TBD
Mike Freeman, Staff Liaison 416-2259
Wendy Bricher, Minutes 221-6506
Commission members present:
Christophe Febvre
Michael Kulisheck
Kevin Shaw
Stu MacMillan
Bill Timpson
Blue Hovatter
Channing Arndt
Commission members absent:
Rick Price
Jim Clark
Guests:
Ann Hutchison, FC Chamber of Commerce
Staff Present:
Josh Birks, Economic Advisor
Wendy Bricher, Minutes
Jim O’Neill, Director of Purchasing and Risk Management
Agenda Item 1: Meeting called to order
Meeting called to order at 11:07 a.m.
Agenda Item 2: Approval of Minutes
Unanimous approval of minutes 2/16/11
Agenda Item 3: Public Comment
None
Agenda Item 4: Follow-up discussion regarding previous meetings
EAC members discussed the Boards and Commissions Attendance Policy. It was clarified that written
notice should be forwarded to Chair Bill Timpson and Wendy Bricher in the event a member is unable to
Financial Services
300 LaPorte Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6505
970.224.6107 - fax
fcgov.com
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attend a meeting, and final approval of the absence is at the Chair’s discretion. Members agreed that
attendance should be a priority (as Council members would like to see the attendance go up) and the
Chair will address poor attendance on a case-by-case basis. Bill Timpson asked about sending an
alternate substitute; however, this is not possible as EAC members are appointed by Council and an
alternate would not able to vote. EAC members suggested an alternate (back-up) time slot on the 3rd
Wednesday of each month from 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. in the event that members were unable to obtain a
quorum at the regularly scheduled time (known well in advance). Rescheduling the meeting on an
occasional basis would be dependent on EAC member availability, staff availability, room availability,
and other logistics necessary to reschedule the meeting if needed. Blue Hovatter suggested the EAC also
invite the new Council liaison to attend meetings on a regular basis (bi-monthly).
Agenda Item 5: Member Updates/ Future Agenda Items Discussion (6 mo planning calendar)
Kevin Shaw asked for an update regarding the North College Redevelopment Agreement. Josh Birks
relayed that the Developer has requested to move the savings from the streets category to cover the
overages in the other line items. Staff is evaluating the project and agreement, but has not made a
recommendation to Council at this time.
Kevin Shaw asked for an update regarding the Economic Action Plan. Josh Birks relayed that TIP
Strategies out of Austin, Texas has been selected. There were two bids on the project, with no local
companies submitting a bid. Bill Timpson asked if the firm might consider a local apprentice to work on
the project. Josh Birks responded that the local businesses will benefit from the project, but that the firm
is under a contract to perform, and an apprenticeship could be considered a liability to them. The EAC
will have the opportunity to meet directly with the firm on several occasions and be involved in forming
the final Economic Action Plan.
Christophe Febvre asked for an update regarding the Midtown Existing Conditions Report. Josh Birks
relayed that report will be presented to Council in draft form at the Tuesday, April 26 work session with
final decisions made in July; the draft is currently available on the URA website. EAC will receive a full
briefing at the May meeting regarding the report as well as a primer on blight and Tax Increment
Financing (TIF). A follow-up discussion will occur in June focusing on direction and planning and may
include a speaker from the South Fort Collins Business Association (SFCBA).
The MAX BRT update was canceled due to a last minute scheduling conflict. Staff will provide a report
on the project and, if desired, will reschedule the update for a future meeting.
Kevin Shaw asked about the Development Review agenda item in June. Fact finding/education on the
item will occur in June, and deliberative discussions will occur in July.
Agenda Item 6: Taxes and Fees – Bill Timpson
After thorough discussion, Bill Timpson motioned:
Toward More Diversified, Equitable, and Sustainable City Tax and Fee Revenues
A Motion for consideration by the Economic Advisory Commission (EAC)
William M. Timpson and Christophe Febvre
It is occasionally a reasonable and necessary task for city governments to evaluate their revenue stream to
ascertain that they are aligned with needs, values, and outcomes-based policy directions.
The Economic Advisory Commission (EAC) has been meeting for several years and has been considering
numerous and varied issues directly and indirectly pertinent to the City’s economic vitality and long-term
sustainability as well as its alignment to the City’s resources and values. City revenues, employment,
services, and tax policy are each individually, and as a whole, a major component of the City’s economy.
The EAC notes that the way in which the City is able to serve its varied population, foster its economy,
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promote jobs, culture, and quality of life, affect policy, and promote specific objectives is significantly
affected by the City’s tax and fee structure and by the stability of the City’s revenues.
The EAC is fully aware and acknowledges that the question of taxes and fees is not only one of necessity
but also one of policy and politics at several levels of government. However, taxes and fees are collected
in a dynamic and evolving environment in which changing needs and contemporary ideas should be
aligned with revenue generation to promote fairness, sustainability, and a consistently high level of
government accountability and citizen accord. It is for these reasons that it is important and consistent
with the mission of the City’s government to occasionally re-evaluate the mechanisms and policies that
generate its own working revenues.
As members of the Economic Advisory Commission, we offer the following recommendation:
1. In order to achieve a more stable revenue source;
2. Open a discourse on tax policy and community values about fairness, in particular;
3. Examine how revenue issues intersect with concerns about environmental, societal, and economic
health, and;
4. Consider how all this impacts the City’s other policy objectives.
The EAC recommends that City Council explore ways to make City tax and revenue fees efficient,
diversified, equitable, and sustainable.
Motion seconded by Blue Hovatter. The EAC unanimously passed the motion (7-0). Jim Clark and Rick
Price abstained from voting, as they were not in attendance.
Agenda Item 7: Local Preference – Jim O’Neill
Jim O’Neill, Director of Purchasing and Risk Management, provided information to the EAC regarding
the City’s Purchasing Policies. Information included policies and practices, advantages and
disadvantages, outreach, and current City spending trends. In addition, every few years the City
communicates with the Chamber regarding their current position on the issue and agrees that everyone
should have the opportunity to compete and that no artificial barriers are in place for our local businesses.
Bill Timpson asked if any analysis or review from Wyoming has been done since adding a local
preference policy; Jim O’Neill indicated that he was not aware of any review. Further discussion took
place regarding local impact vs. local preferencing. The EAC members agreed that quantifying local
preference is difficult to do, and maybe educating the community on why it matters to spend local should
be increased (Shop Fort Collins, etc.). Josh Birks indicated that the Uniquely Fort Collins Cluster offers a
14-week bootcamp for business owners to take their business to the next level. After thorough
discussion, no action was taken.
Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled May 18, 2011 from 11:00a.m.–1:30p.m.
CIC Room, City Hall