HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Advisory Commission - Minutes - 01/06/2010Approved March 3, 2010
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Minutes
City of Fort Collins
Economic Advisory Commission
Regular Meeting
300 LaPorte Ave
City Hall
Jan 6, 2009
11-1:30 p.m.
For Reference:
Christophe Fabvre, Chair 227-0282
Mayor Doug Hutchinson, Council Liaison 416-2154
Mike Freeman, Staff Liaison 416-2259
Erin Gill, Minutes 221-6505
Commission members present:
Christophe Febvre, Rick Price, Blue Hovatter, Tom Clevenger, Beena Bawa, Jim Clark, Bill Timpson, Stu
MacMillan
Commission members absent:
Kevin Shaw
Guests:
Ann Hutchison, Fort Collins Chamber
Dale Adamy, Air Quality Advisory Board member
Staff Present:
Mike Freeman, CFO
Erin Gill, Minutes
Agenda Item 1: Meeting called to order
Meeting called to order 11:05
Agenda Item 2: Approval of minutes
Unanimous approval of minutes dated Dec 2, 2009
Agenda Item 3: Public Comment
None
Agenda Item 4: Follow-up discussion regarding previous meetings
Agenda Item 5: Member Updates/ Future Agenda Items Discussion and Vote (6 mo planning calendar)
Tom Clevenger suggested following up on the Manufacturing Use Tax agenda item at the February meeting.
Tom Clevenger encouraged the Commission to continue to consider City Budget Forecast Projections for 10, 20 and
30 years. The EAC is considering combining the City Budget Forecast Projections with City Plan once City Plan
becomes available later this year.
Financial Services
300 LaPorte Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6505
970.224.6107 - fax
fcgov.com
Approved March 3, 2010
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Agenda Item 6: Bicycle safety and economic development
The following recommendation will be included in Council packets Feb 9, 2010:
Rick Price motioned
The Economic Advisory Commission, as part of our 2009 and 2010 Work Plans, has had discussions regarding the
fact that Fort Collins has been recognized as a "bike friendly community" and that there is a positive economic
benefit to this based on marketing and quality-of-life. In light of the pending
February 9 Council work session on transportation safety, the EAC, at our January 6, 2010 meeting, discussed the
issue of bicycle safety and education and the impact on the overall viability of being a "bike friendly community." It
is in this context that the EAC has unanimously voted on and
agreed to the following recommendation to Council:
The EAC finds that Bicycle Safety Education is an important part of being recognized as a "bike friendly
community," and that this recognition plays an important role in the Economic Health of Fort Collins.
Accolades that Fort Collins receives as a great place to retire, work, raise a family or locate a business are
jeopardized by twenty-five serious injuries or fatal bike/car crashes involving cyclists since 2007. Incidents
such as these may seriously jeopardize our image as a bicycle friendly community and our ability to continue to
receive such recognition.
Therefore, we encourage you to ask staff to explore best practice solutions to take bicycle safety education to the
community.
Motion seconded by Tom Clevenger. The EAC unanimously passed the motion.
Kevin Shaw abstained from voting since he did not attend.
Agenda Item 7: Discuss tax diversification/policy
Following are some points highlighting the diverse ideas exchanged among EAC members and Mike Freeman, City
staff.
• Is the EAC looking at de-emphasizing volatile revenue to replace it with more sustainable sources of
revenue?
• Alternatively, is the EAC looking at enhancing City revenue?
• Is taxing national cell phone services a possible source of revenue?
• How does Council view advertising City services as a source of revenue?
• Will the City propose a sales tax increase in November?
• How will City services be impacted without a sales tax increase?
• Will tax support for low-income families create local community economic stability?
• Can we look at raising sales tax but lower the grocery tax? Will lowering the grocery sales tax help low-
income families?
• Is taxing services a solution in the future and how does the Fort Collins community view this?
• Should people using services outside their local jurisdiction be taxed?
• Car rental or hotel tax increase in Fort Collins? Car rental tax is higher in surrounding communities.
• When comparing Fort Collins, Co to other states the EAC needs to look at the overall tax burden of
comparable communities in other states. For example, the state of WA does not have any income tax.
• Should EAC recommend to Council that the City bring in a consultant to look at our tax revenue?
• Gallagher issues make increasing property taxes difficult.
• Assuming a sales tax increase may happen, the EAC may want to consider making a recommendation to
Council regarding specifically where sales taxes may want to be increased i.e. sales, use, PILOT.
• How is the City revenue affected by the local multiplier effect/locally owned companies/franchises?
Approved March 3, 2010
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In light of the current ideas and conversations, Bill Timpson will be ready to propose a motion regarding this subject
at the next meeting Feb 3, 2010.
Agenda Item 8: Next meeting times and location
Next meeting is scheduled for Feb 3, 2010 11-1:30