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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 05/03/2022 - RESOLUTION 2022-055 AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A Agenda Item 16 Item # 16 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY May 3, 2022 City Manager STAFF Ginny Sawyer, Policy and Project Manager Carrie M. Daggett, Legal SUBJECT Resolution 2022-055 Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement Regarding Regional Opioid Settlement Implementation and Designating a City Representative to the Larimer Regional Council. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to approve and authorize execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement with Larimer County, the City of Loveland and the Town of Wellington, establishing a regional governing body to oversee funding received from the national settlements reached with opioid distributors and manufacturers. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION The City has been tracking and participating in the processes regarding nationwide settlements with major opioid distributors and manufacturers. In December 2021, Council adopted a Resolution approving participation in the settlements and authorizing related agreements. To date, the City has, along with other Colorado local governments, entered into the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiated by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, which outlines settlement fund distribution and establishes a regional collaboration model moving forward. The MOU requires each of the 18 designated regions in the state to establish a regional council and enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to develop a plan to implement and govern the distribution of funds. The Larimer County Region is made up of Fort Collins, Loveland, Wellington, and Larimer County. Staff from these communities, along with the Larimer County Board of Health, have been meeting regularly to develop the IGA which outlines the regional council structure. Each of the participating local governments, and the Board of Health, must approve the IGA and designate a representative to serve as a voting member. City management staff is recommending that Council appoint Social Sustainability Department Director, Beth Yonce, as the City’s initial representative to the Larimer County Regional Opioid Council (Regional Council) based on her familiarity with the issues and impacts surrounding the opioid epidemic in the community and her relationships with agencies already working in this area. The IGA highlights that: • The Regional Council will have its initial organizational meeting prior to July 1, 2022; • Voting members will serve 2-year terms; • Larimer County will serve as the initial fiscal agent for the Regional Council; and • The Regional Council will develop and submit to the state a 2-year plan identifying how funds will be used. All member entities of the Regional Council will be considering and adopting the IGA over the next few weeks. -1- RESOLUTION 2022-055 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT REGARDING REGIONAL OPIOID SETTLEMENT IMPLEMENTATION AND DESIGNATING A CITY REPRESENTATIVE TO THE LARIMER REGIONAL OPIOID COUNCIL WHEREAS, communities throughout the State of Colorado, including the City of Fort Collins (“City), are suffering from an epidemic of opioid addiction; and WHEREAS, the opioid epidemic has not only affected individuals and families across the country, but it has also burdened the local and state governments charged with providing the services needed to address the wave of addiction; and WHEREAS, local and state governments across the nation, including in Colorado, have filed lawsuits against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies for creating the opioid epidemic; and WHEREAS, the parties to the various opioid lawsuits have been negotiating settlement agreements to resolve the litigation which include incentive payments for maximizing participation by local governments; and WHEREAS, through extensive negotiations, local governments and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office developed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to govern how opioids settlement funds will be allocated in Colorado; and WHEREAS, in order to participate in and receive funds from the Colorado opioids settlements, the City was required to approve and sign the MOU and associated settlement participation forms, releasing the City’s claims against the opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies; and WHEREAS, on December 7, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution 2021-113, approving the MOU and directing the Mayor to sign the MOU and related releases of legal claims against certain opioid industry defendants; and WHEREAS, a significant portion of the Colorado opioid settlement funds will be distributed to 18 designated regions comprising the state, including the Larimer County Region; and WHEREAS, as a condition of distribution of funds to any region, including the Larimer County Region, that region must establish a regional council to govern the distribution of the regional funds, and enter into an intergovernmental agreement to set out the terms of implementation for the region; and WHEREAS, in 2021 a group of staff representing the local governments of the Larimer County Region (Fort Collins, Loveland, Wellington and Larimer County) along with the -2- Larimer County Board of Health, have met regularly to develop a proposed regional structure and agreement to enable the Larimer County Region to plan for utilization of opioid settlement funds, and receive and distribute those funds in support of the plan and consistent with the terms of the opioid settlement; and WHEREAS, in order to initiate regional implementation, each of the participating local government members, with the Board of Health, must approve the Intergovernmental Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and incorporated herein by this reference (the “Regional IGA”); and WHEREAS, the IGA calls for each party to the IGA to designate at the time of approval a representative to serve as one of the five voting members of the Larimer Regional Opioid Council; and WHEREAS, the Council desires to approve the IGA and to endorse the appointment of Social Sustainability Department Director, Beth Yonce as the City’s initial representative on the Larimer Regional Opioid Council. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and findings contained in the recitals set forth above. Section 2. That the City Council hereby approves the IGA and the City’s participation in the Larimer Regional Opioid Council. Section 3. That the City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to execute the IGA in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, together with such additional terms and conditions as the Interim City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney, determines to be necessary and appropriate to protect the interests of the City or to effectuate the purposes of this Resolution. Section 4 . That the City Council hereby appoints Social Sustainability Department Director, Beth Yonce as the City’s representative to the Larimer Regional Opioid Council, until such time as the City Manager designates a different City representative from within the City organization, or the City Council acts to modify this appointment. -3- Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 3rd day of May A.D. 2022. ______________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk 1 COLORADO REGIONAL OPIOID INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR THE LARIMER COUNTY REGION THIS COLORADO REGIONAL OPIOID INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT (the “Regional Agreement”) is made between the City of Fort Collins, the City of Loveland, the Town of Wellington and Larimer County, all Participating Local Governments, as defined in the Colorado MOU, in the Larimer County Region (“Region”). The parties are individually referred to herein as a “Regional PLG” and collectively as the “Regional PLGs” and the Larimer County Board of Health. RECITALS WHEREAS, the State of Colorado and Participating Local Governments executed the Colorado Opioids Summary Memorandum of Understanding on August 26, 2021 (the “Colorado MOU”), establishing the manner in which Opioid Funds shall be divided and distributed within the State of Colorado; WHEREAS, the Regional Agreement assumes and incorporates the definitions and provisions contained in the Colorado MOU, and the Regional Agreement shall be construed in conformity with the Colorado MOU (any conflict in definitions between this Regional Agreement and the Colorado MOU shall be resolved in favor of the Colorado MOU); WHEREAS, all Opioid Funds, regardless of allocation, shall be used for Approved Purposes; WHEREAS, there shall be a 20% direct allocation of the total Opioid Funds received by the State to Participating Local Governments as a Local Government Share; EXHIBIT A 2 WHEREAS, allocations to Participating Local Governments from the LG Share shall first be determined using the percentages shown in Exhibit D of the Colorado MOU; WHEREAS, The LG Share for each County Area shall then be allocated among the county and the other Participating Local Governments within it. Exhibit E reflects the default allocation that will apply unless the Participating Local Governments within a County Area enter into a written agreement providing for a different allocation; WHEREAS, the Regional PLGs desire to modify the default allocation of the LG Share in the Colorado MOU; WHEREAS, Participating Local Governments shall organize themselves into Regions, as further depicted in Exhibit C to the Colorado MOU; WHEREAS, Regions may consist of Single-County Regions, Multi-County Regions, or Single County-Single City Regions (Denver and Broomfield). WHEREAS, there shall be a 60% direct allocation of Opioid Funds to Regions through a Regional Share; WHEREAS, each Region shall be eligible to receive a Regional Share according to Exhibit F to the Colorado MOU; WHEREAS, the Colorado MOU establishes the procedures by which each Region shall be entitled to Opioid Funds from the Abatement Council and administer its Regional Share allocation; EXHIBIT A 3 WHEREAS, the procedures established by the Colorado MOU include a requirement that each Region shall create its own Regional Council; WHEREAS, all aspects of the creation, administration, and operation of the Regional Council shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of the Colorado MOU; WHEREAS, each such Regional Council shall designate a fiscal agent from a county or municipal government within that Region; WHEREAS, each such Regional Council shall submit a two-year plan to the Abatement Council that identifies the Approved Purposes for which the requested funds will be used, and the Regional Council’s fiscal agent shall provide data and a certification to the Abatement Council regarding compliance with its two-year plan on an annual basis; WHEREAS, the Regional Agreement pertains to the procedures for the Regional PLGs to establish a Regional Council, designate a fiscal agent, and request and administer Opioid Funds in a manner consistent with the Colorado MOU; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Regional PLGs incorporate the recitals set forth above and agree as follows: 1. DEFINITIONS. The defined terms used in this Regional Agreement shall have the same meanings as in the Colorado MOU. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined within the Regional Agreement or in the Colorado MOU shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the body of the Regional Agreement. EXHIBIT A 4 2. OBLIGATIONS OF THE REGIONAL PLGS. The Regional PLGs and Board of Health shall perform their respective obligations as set forth in the Regional Agreement, the Colorado MOU and the accompanying exhibits to the Colorado MOU and incorporated herein by reference. 3. REGIONAL COUNCIL. 3.1. Purpose: In accordance with the Colorado MOU, a Regional Council, consisting of representatives appointed by the Regional PLGs and Board of Health, shall be created to oversee the procedures by which a Region may request Opioid Funds from the Abatement Council and the procedures by which the allocation of its Region’s Share of Opioid Funds are administered. 3.2. Membership: The Regional Council shall consist of Voting Members and Nonvoting Members as set forth in the Regional Governance Structure, attached hereto as Exhibit X and incorporated to this IGA. Appointment and participation of Nonvoting Members shall be determined by the Voting Members as further set forth in the Regional Council’s Bylaws. 3.3. Provisions of Regional Council: a. Chair: The Voting Members for the Region shall appoint one member to serve as Chair of the Regional Council. The Chair’s primary responsibilities shall be to schedule periodic meetings and votes of the Regional Council as needed and to serve as the point of contact for disputes within the Region. The Chair must be a Voting Member representing Fort Collins, Loveland, Wellington or Larimer County. EXHIBIT A 5 b. Non-Participation: A Local Government that chooses not to become a Participating Local Government in the Colorado MOU shall not receive any Opioid Funds from the Regional Share or participate in the Regional Council. c. Terms: The Regional Council shall have its initial organizational meeting prior to July 1, 2022. In order to do so, if not already selected by the Regional PLG’s and Board of Health, within sixty (60) days of the first Settlement being entered, Voting Members shall be appointed consistent with Exhibit X, and shall serve two-year terms. Following the expiration of that two-year term, the Regional PLGs and Board of Health may reappoint that Voting Member, or appoint a new Voting Member consistent with Exhibit X. All terms shall be two- year terms unless earlier terminated in accordance with the Agreement. (i) If a Voting Member resigns or is otherwise removed from the Regional Council prior to the expiration of their term, a replacement Voting Member shall be appointed within sixty (60) days in accordance with Section 3.2. The newly appointed Voting Member’s full term shall begin upon appointment. Any Voting Member who is an elected official shall have their term automatically expire upon leaving office. (ii) The purpose of the two-year term is to allow representatives of the Regional PLGs and Board of Health an increased opportunity to serve on the Regional Council. However, Voting Members who have already served on the Regional Council may be appointed more than once and may serve consecutive terms if appointed to do so by their respective Regional PLG governing body or Board of Health. 3.4. Duties: The Regional Council is responsible for engaging with the Abatement Council on behalf of its Region and following the procedures outlined in the Colorado MOU for requesting EXHIBIT A 6 Opioid Funds from the Regional Share, which shall include developing 2-year plans, amending those plans as appropriate, and providing the Abatement Council with data through its fiscal agent regarding Opioid Fund expenditures. Upon request from the Abatement Council, the Regional Council may also be subject to an accounting from the Abatement Council. The Regional Council shall also solicit, review, and approve funding of projects with regional abatement funds and local government abatement funds that are shared with the Region, if any, in accordance with the terms of the Colorado MOU and any parameters adopted by the Regional Council, which shall not conflict with the Colorado MOU. At its first meeting, the Regional Council shall certify to the Abatement Council that the Regional Council has been formed and that a Fiscal Agent has been designated; such certification shall include the names and affiliations of the Regional Council’s members and the name of the designated Fiscal Agent. 3.5. Governance: The Regional Council may establish its own procedures through adoption of bylaws if needed. Any governing documents must be consistent with this IGA and the Colorado MOU. The initial Bylaws attached hereto as Exhibit Y, are adopted as the initial Bylaws for the function of the Regional Council until such time as the Regional Council shall modify and adopt Bylaws as they deem appropriate. The Regional Council is empowered to adopt subsequent Bylaws to address any necessary matters not inconsistent with this Regional Agreement and Colorado MOU. The Voting Member appointed from the same entity as the Fiscal Agent shall be the interim chair of the Regional Council until appointment/elections are held pursuant to the initial Bylaws. 3.6. Authority: The terms of the Colorado MOU control the authority of the Regional Council and the Regional Council shall not stray outside the bounds of the authority and power vested by the Colorado MOU. Should the Regional Council require legal assistance in determining EXHIBIT A 7 its authority, it may seek guidance from the legal counsel of the county or municipal government of the Regional Council’s fiscal agent at the time the issue arises. 3.7. Collaboration: The Regional Council shall facilitate collaboration between the State, Participating Local Governments within its Region, the Board of Health, the Abatement Council, and other stakeholders within its Region for the purposes of sharing data, outcomes, strategies, and other relevant information related to abating the opioid crisis in Colorado. 3.8. Transparency: The Regional Council shall operate with all reasonable transparency and abide by all Colorado laws relating to open records and meetings. To the extent the Abatement Council requests outcome-related data from the Regional Council, the Regional Council shall provide such data in an effort to determine best methods for abating the opioid crisis in Colorado. 3.9. Conflicts of Interest: Voting Members shall abide by the conflict-of-interest rules applicable to local government officials under state law. Nonvoting Members shall disclose any existing or potential conflicts of interest in connection with their participation and shall comply with any conflict-of-interest requirements of the Regional Council’s Bylaws. 3.10. Ethics Laws: Voting Members shall abide by their local ethics laws or, if no such ethics laws exist, by applicable state ethics laws. Nonvoting Members shall comply with any ethics requirements of the Regional Council’s Bylaws. 3.11. Decision Making: The Regional Council shall seek to make all decisions by consensus. In the event consensus cannot be achieved, the Regional Council shall make decisions by a majority vote of its Voting Members. 4. REGIONAL FISCAL AGENT EXHIBIT A 8 4.1. Purpose: According to the Colorado MOU, the Regional Council must designate a fiscal agent for the Region prior to the Region receiving any Opioid funds from the Regional Share. All funds from the Regional Share shall be distributed to the Regional Council’s fiscal agent for the benefit of the entire Region. 4.2. Designation: The initial fiscal agent shall be Larimer County. However, the Regional Council may nominate and designate a future fiscal agent for the Region by majority vote. Regional fiscal agents must be a Regional PLG. 4.3. Term: A Regional fiscal agent may serve as long as the Regional Council determines is appropriate, including the length of any Settlement that contemplates the distribution of Opioid Funds within Colorado. A Regional fiscal agent may terminate their appointment by giving the Regional Council one hundred twenty (120) days notice. 4.4. Duties: The Regional fiscal agent shall receive, deposit, and make available Opioid Funds distributed from the Abatement Council and provide expenditure reporting data to the Abatement Council and Voting Member entities on an annual basis. In addition, the Regional fiscal agent shall perform certain recordkeeping duties outlined below. a. Opioid Funds: The Regional fiscal agent shall receive all Opioid Funds as distributed by the Abatement Council. Upon direction by the Regional Council, the Regional fiscal agent shall make any such Opioid Funds available to the Regional Council or to approved entities performing abatement activities approved by the Regional Council. Any approved abatement activities shall have a contract or other written document outlining the requirements and approved funding, and shall be entered into on behalf of the Regional Council by a Regional PLG designated by the Regional Council. EXHIBIT A 9 b. Reporting: On an annual basis, as determined by the Abatement Council, the Regional fiscal agent shall provide to the Abatement Council the Regional Council’s expenditure data from their allocation of the Regional Share and certify to the Abatement Council that the Regional Council’s expenditures were for Approved Purposes and complied with its 2-year plan. c. Recordkeeping: The Regional fiscal agent shall maintain necessary records with regard the Regional Council’s meetings, decisions, plans, and expenditure data. 4.5. Authority: The Regional Council shall have authority to decide how funds allocated to the region shall be distributed in accordance with the Colorado MOU and adopted two-year plan and shall authorize a Regional PLG to execute agreements accordingly. The terms of the Colorado MOU control the authority of a Regional Council, and by extension, the Regional fiscal agent. 4.6. Administration Costs: In accordance with the Colorado MOU, the Regional fiscal agent may distribute to the Regional PLGs reasonable administrative costs associated with overseeing and administering of Opioid Funds that shall not exceed actual costs or 10% of the Region’s regional abatement funds and local government abatement funds that are shared with the Region, if any. The Regional Council shall determine the funds allocated to the administrative costs of the Regional fiscal agent and Regional PLGs upon adoption of the budget as required by the Regional Bylaws. Regional PLGs must submit to the Regional fiscal agent a proposed budget for administrative costs associated with execution and management of agreements as authorized by the Regional Council. The Regional PLGs must submit to the Regional fiscal agent all supporting invoices, bills, time sheets, and other documents necessary to justify their administrative costs no less than ninety (90) days prior to the date which the budget must be completed by the Regional fiscal agent as required by the Regional Bylaws. EXHIBIT A 10 5. REGIONAL TWO-YEAR PLAN 5.1. Purpose: According to the Colorado MOU, as part of a Regional Council’s request to the Abatement Council for Opioid Funds from its Regional Share, the Regional Council must submit a 2-year plan identifying the Approved Purposes for which the requested funds will be used. 5.2 Development of 2-Year Plan: In developing a 2-year plan, the Regional Council shall solicit recommendations and information from all Regional PLGs, Board of Health and other stakeholders within its Region for the purposes of sharing data, outcomes, strategies, and other relevant information related to abating the opioid crisis in Colorado. At its discretion, a Regional Council may seek assistance from the Abatement Council for purposes of developing a 2-year plan. 5.3 Amendment: At any point, a Regional Council’s 2-year plan may be amended so long as such amendments comply with the terms of the Colorado MOU and any Settlement. 6. LG SHARE ALLOCATION. Pursuant to the Colorado MOU, the Regional PLGs agree to the following modified allocations of the LG Share stated in Exhibit E: ● Larimer County 56.0589% ● City of Fort Collins 21.00975% ● City of Loveland 21.00975% ● Town of Wellington 0.3653% 7. DISPUTES WITHIN REGION. In the event that any Regional PLG disagrees with a decision of the Regional Council, or there is a dispute regarding the appointment of Voting or EXHIBIT A 11 Nonvoting Members to the Regional Council, that Regional PLG shall inform the Chair of its dispute at the earliest possible opportunity. In response, the Regional Council shall gather any information necessary to resolve the dispute. Within fourteen (14) days of the Regional PLG informing the Chair of its dispute, the Regional Council shall issue a decision with respect to the dispute. In reaching its decision, the Regional Council may hold a vote of Voting Members, with the Chair serving as the tie-breaker if necessary, or the Regional Council may devise its own dispute resolution process. However, in any disputes regarding the appointment of a Voting Member, that Voting Member will be recused from voting on the dispute. The decision of the Regional Council is a final decision. 8. DISPUTES WITH ABATEMENT COUNCIL. If the Regional Council disputes the amount of Opioid Funds it receives from its allocation of the Regional Share, the Regional Council shall alert the Abatement Council within sixty (60) days of discovering the information underlying the dispute. However, the failure to alert the Abatement Council within this time frame shall not constitute a waiver of the Regional Council’s right to seek recoupment of any deficiency in its Regional Share. 9. RECORDKEEPING. The current Regional fiscal agent shall be responsible for maintaining records consistent with the Regional Agreement on behalf of the Regional Council. All records maintained by the individual PLG’s shall be maintained pursuant to Section 18.12. Any former Regional fiscal agent shall forward copies of records to the current Regional fiscal agent. Former Regional fiscal agents may retain copies of records it deems necessary to comply with any accounting or fiscal obligations. EXHIBIT A 12 10. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES. Each Regional PLGs’ and the Board of Health’s initial representative designated below shall be the point of contact to coordinate the obligations as provided herein. The Regional PLGs and the Board of Health designate their authorized representatives under this Regional Agreement as follows: 10.1. Larimer County designates the County Manager or their designee(s). 10.2. City of Fort Collins designates the City Manager or their designee(s). 10.3. City of Loveland designates the Acting Library Director or their designee(s). 10.4. Town of Wellington designates the Town Administrator or their designee(s). 10.5. Board of Health designates the Larimer County Public Health Director or their designee(s). 11. OBLIGATIONS OF THE REGIONAL PLGS. The Regional PLGs and Board of Health shall perform their respective obligations as set forth in the Regional Agreement, the Colorado MOU and the accompanying exhibits to the Colorado MOU and incorporated herein by reference. 12. TERM. The Regional Agreement will commence upon the date of the last signature of the PLG’s and Board of Health, and shall expire on the date the last action is taken by the Region, consistent with the terms of the Colorado MOU and any Settlement. (the “Term”). The Regional Council may specify a specific end date to clarify when the “last action” has been taken by the Region. EXHIBIT A 13 13. Informational Obligations. Each Regional PLG hereto will meet its obligations as set forth in § 29-1-205, C.R.S., as amended, to include information about this Regional Agreement in a filing with the Colorado Division of Local Government; however, failure to do so shall in no way affect the validity of this Regional Agreement or any remedies available to the Regional PLGs hereunder. 14. CONFIDENTIALITY. The Regional PLGs and Board of Health, for themselves, their agents, employees and representatives, agree that they will not divulge any confidential or proprietary information they receive from another Regional PLG or Board of Health, or otherwise have access to, except as may be required by law. Nothing in this Regional Agreement shall in any way limit the ability of the Regional PLGs or Board of Health to comply with any laws or legal process concerning disclosures by public entities. The Regional PLGs and Board of Health understand that all materials exchanged under this Regional Agreement, including confidential information or proprietary information, may be subject to the Colorado Open Records Act., § 24-72-201, et seq., C.R.S., (the “Act”). In the event of a request to a Regional PLG or Board of Health for disclosure of confidential materials, the Regional PLG or Board of Health shall advise the Regional PLGs or Board of Health of such request in order to give the Regional PLGs or Board of Health the opportunity to object to the disclosure of any of its materials which it marked as, or otherwise asserts is, proprietary or confidential. If a Regional PLG or Board of Health objects to disclosure of any of its material, the Regional PLG or Board of Health shall identify the legal basis under the Act for any right to withhold. In the event of any action or the filing of a lawsuit to compel disclosure, the Regional PLG or Board of Health agrees to intervene in such action or lawsuit to protect and assert its claims of privilege against disclosure of such material or waive the same. If the matter EXHIBIT A 14 is not resolved, the Regional PLGs or Board of Health may tender all material to the court for judicial determination of the issue of disclosure. 15. GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE. This Regional Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado. Venue for any legal action relating solely to this Regional Agreement will be in the District Court of the State of Colorado for Larimer County. Venue for any legal action relating to the Colorado MOU shall be in a court of competent jurisdiction where a Settlement or consent decree was entered, as those terms are described or defined in the Colorado MOU. If a legal action relates to both a Regional Agreement and the Colorado MOU, venue shall also be in a court of competent jurisdiction where a Settlement or consent decree was entered. 16. TERMINATION. The Regional PLGs and Board of Health enter into this Regional Agreement to serve the public interest. If this Regional Agreement ceases to further the public interest, a Regional PLG or Board of Health, in its discretion, may terminate their participation in the Regional Agreement, in whole or in part, upon written notice to the other Regional PLGs and Board of Health. Each Regional PLG and Board of Health also has the right to terminate the Regional Agreement with cause upon written notice effective immediately, and without cause upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the other Regional PLGs and Board of Health. A Regional PLG’s or Board of Health’s decision to terminate this Regional Agreement, with or without cause, shall have no impact on the other Regional PLGs or Board of Health present or future administration of its Opioid Funds and the other procedures outlined in this Regional Agreement. Rather, a Regional PLG’s or Board of Health’s decision to terminate themselves from this Regional Agreement shall have the same effect as non- participation, as outlined in Section 3.2.1(b). EXHIBIT A 15 17. NOTICES. “Key Notices” under this Regional Agreement are notices regarding default, disputes, or termination of the Regional Agreement. Key Notices shall be given in writing and shall be deemed received if given by confirmed electronic transmission that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process, but specifically excluding facsimile transmissions and texts when transmitted, if transmitted on a business day and during normal business hours of the recipient, and otherwise on the next business day following transmission; certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, three business days after being deposited in the United States mail; or overnight carrier service or personal delivery, when received. For Key Notices, the Regional PLGs and Board of Health will follow up any electronic transmission with a hard copy of the communication by the means described above. All other communications or notices between the Regional PLGs and Board of Health that are not Key Notices may be done via electronic transmission. The Regional PLGs and Board of Health agree that any notice or communication transmitted by electronic transmission shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original written document; any such notice or communication shall be considered to have the same binding and legal effect as an original document. All Key Notices shall include a reference to the Regional Agreement, and Key Notices shall be given to the Regional PLGs and Board of Health through the representatives outlined in Section 9. 1. For Larimer County County Manager 200 W. Oak St. Fort Collins, CO 80522 City Attorney EXHIBIT A 16 224 Canyon Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80521 2. For the City of Loveland Amy Phillips Acting Library Director Loveland Public Library 300 N. Adams Loveland, CO 80537 amy.phillips@cityofloveland.org City Attorney 500 E. Third Street, Suite 330 Loveland, CO 80537 CityAttorney@cityofloveland.org 3. For the City of Fort Collins: City Manager 300 Laporte Avenue P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 [email address pending] City Attorney 300 Laporte Avenue P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 caseniorstaff@fcgov.com 4. For the Town of Wellington: Patti Garcia Town Administrator P.O.Box127 Wellington, CO 80549 garciap@wellingtoncolorado.gov With copy to: Dan Sapienza March & Olive, LLC 1312 S. College Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80524 EXHIBIT A 17 dan@bmarchlaw.com 5. For the Board of Health: Public Health Director 1525 Blue Spruce Dr. Fort Collins, CO 80524 County Attorney 224 Canyon Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80521 18. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS 18.1. Independent Entities. The Regional PLGs and Board of Health enter into this Regional Agreement as separate, independent governmental entities and shall maintain such status throughout. 18.2. Assignment. This Regional Agreement shall not be assigned by any Regional PLG or Board of Health without the prior written consent of all Regional PLGs. Any assignment or subcontracting without such consent will be ineffective and void and will be cause for termination of this Regional Agreement. 18.3. Integration and Amendment. This Regional Agreement represents the entire agreement between the Regional PLGs and Board of Health and terminates any oral or collateral agreement or understandings. This Regional Agreement may be amended only by a writing signed by the Regional PLGs. If any provision of this Regional Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, no other provision shall be affected by such holding, and the remaining provision of this Regional Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. EXHIBIT A 18 18.4. No Construction Against Drafting Party. The Regional PLGs, Board of Health, and their respective counsel have had the opportunity to review the Regional Agreement, and the Regional Agreement will not be construed against any Regional PLG merely because any provisions of the Regional Agreement were prepared by a particular Regional PLG. 18.5. Captions and References. The captions and headings in this Regional Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be used to interpret, define, or limit its provisions. All references in this Regional Agreement to sections (whether spelled out or using the § symbol), subsections, exhibits or other attachments, are references to sections, subsections, exhibits or other attachments contained herein or incorporated as a part hereof, unless otherwise noted. 18.6. Statutes, Regulations, and Other Authority. Any reference in this Regional Agreement to a statute, regulation, policy or other authority shall be interpreted to refer to such authority then current, as may have been changed or amended since the execution of this Regional Agreement. 18.7. Conflict of Interest. No Regional PLG shall knowingly perform any act that would conflict in any manner with said Regional PLG’s or Board of Health’s obligations hereunder. Each Regional PLG and Board of Health certifies that it is not engaged in any current project or business transaction, directly or indirectly, nor has it any interest, direct or indirect, with any person or business that might result in a conflict of interest in the performance of its obligations hereunder. No elected or employed member of any Regional PLG or Board of Health shall be paid or receive, directly or indirectly, any share or part of this Regional Agreement or any benefit that may arise therefrom. 18.8. Inurement. The rights and obligations of the Regional PLGs and Board of Health to the Regional Agreement inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Regional PLGs, Board EXHIBIT A 19 of Health, and their respective successors and assigns, provided assignments are consented to in accordance with the terms of the Regional Agreement. 18.9. Survival. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Regional PLGs and Board of Health understand and agree that all terms and conditions of this Regional Agreement and any exhibits that require continued performance or compliance beyond the termination or expiration of this Regional Agreement shall survive such termination or expiration and shall be enforceable against a Regional PLG and Board of Health if such Regional PLG or Board of Health fails to perform or comply with such term or condition. 18.10. Waiver of Rights and Remedies. This Regional Agreement or any of its provisions may not be waived except in writing by a Regional PLG’s authorized representative. The failure of a Regional PLG or Board of Health to enforce any right arising under this Regional Agreement on one or more occasions will not operate as a waiver of that or any other right on that or any other occasion. 18.11. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Enforcement of the terms of the Regional Agreement and all rights of action relating to enforcement are strictly reserved to the Regional PLGs. Nothing contained in the Regional Agreement gives or allows any claim or right of action to any third person or entity. Any person or entity other than the Regional PLGs receiving services or benefits pursuant to the Regional Agreement is an incidental beneficiary only. 18.12. Records Retention. The Regional PLGs shall maintain all records, including working papers, notes, and financial records in accordance with their applicable record retention schedules and policies. Copies of such records shall be furnished to the Parties request. EXHIBIT A 20 18.13. Execution by Counterparts; Electronic Signatures and Records. This Regional Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. The Regional PLGs and Board of Health approve the use of electronic signatures for execution of this Regional Agreement. All use of electronic signatures shall be governed by the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, C.R.S. §§ 24-71.3-101, et seq. The Regional PLGs and Board of Health agree not to deny the legal effect or enforceability of the Regional Agreement solely because it is in electronic form or because an electronic record was used in its formation. The Regional PLGs and Board of Health agree not to object to the admissibility of the Regional Agreement in the form of an electronic record, or a paper copy of an electronic document, or a paper copy of a document bearing an electronic signature, on the ground that it is an electronic record or electronic signature or that it is not in its original form or is not an original. 18.14. Authority to Execute. Each Regional PLG and Board of Health represents that all procedures necessary to authorize such Regional PLG’s and Board of Health’s execution of this Regional Agreement have been performed and that the person signing for such Regional PLG and Board of Health has been authorized to execute the Regional Agreement. REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK City of Loveland, Colorado Signature: ______________________________ Name: Stephen C. Adams Title: City Manager EXHIBIT A 21 ATTEST: ________________________ ______________________ City Clerk Date APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________ Assistant City Attorney EXHIBIT A 22 City of Fort Collins, Colorado Signature: ______________________________ Name: ______________________________ Title: ______________________________ ATTEST: ________________________ ______________________ City Clerk Date APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________ City Attorney EXHIBIT A 23 Town of Wellington, Colorado Signature: ______________________________ Name: ______________________________ Title: ______________________________ ATTEST: ________________________ ______________________ Town Clerk Date APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________ Attorney EXHIBIT A 24 County of Larimer, Colorado Signature: ______________________________ Name: ______________________________ Title: ______________________________ ATTEST: ________________________ ______________________ County Clerk Date APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________ County Attorney EXHIBIT A 25 Larimer County Board of Health Signature: ______________________________ Name: ______________________________ Title: ______________________________ ATTEST: ________________________ ______________________ County Clerk Date APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________ County Attorney EXHIBIT A 26 Exhibit X LARIMER REGIONAL GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE Membership Structure 1. Voting Members ● 1 representatives appointed by Larimer County o Initial Voting Member-______________________________ ● 1 representatives appointed by Fort Collins o Initial Voting Member-______________________________ ● 1 representatives appointed by Loveland o Initial Voting Member-______________________________ ● 1 representatives appointed by Wellington o Initial Voting Member-______________________________ ● 1 representative appointed by Board of Health o Initial Voting Member-______________________________ 2. Advisory Members (Optional) (Authorized to Participate in Deliberation) ● 1 representative from the county human services department ● 1 representative from county behavioral health services ● 1 Community Representative - Lived Experience ● Fiscal Agent - financial representative ● 1 representative appointed by CJAC ● 1 representative appointed by Chief Judge of 8th Judicial District 3. Subject Matter Experts (Optional) (Authorized to Present, but do not Deliberate) ● Health District of Northern Larimer County ● Thompson Valley Emergency Health District ● Municipal Judicial Representative(s) ● representatives from behavioral health providers ● representatives from health care providers ● recovery/treatment experts (at least one opioid addiction specialist) ● other county or city representatives (including other local governments) ● representative from District Attorney’s Office ● representative from Public Defender’s Office ● representatives from local school districts EXHIBIT A 27 Exhibit Y OFFICIAL BYLAWS OF “LARIMER REGIONAL OPIOID COUNCIL” ARTICLE I - NAME AND STATUS The name of this organization shall be the “Larimer Regional Opioid Council”, also referred to as “LROC” or the “Council”, which is comprised of the City of Fort Collins, the City of Loveland, the Town of Wellington, and Larimer County (These parties are individually referred to herein as a “Regional PLG” and collectively as the “Regional PLGs.”), and the Larimer County Board of Health. ARTICLE II – PURPOSE The State of Colorado and Participating Local Governments executed the Colorado Opioids Summary Memorandum of Understanding on August 26, 2021 (the “Colorado MOU”), establishing the manner in which Opioid Funds shall be divided and distributed within the State of Colorado. The Colorado MOU organized Participating Local Governments into Regions eligible to receive a Regional Share, a portion of the 60% direct allocation of Opioid Funds allocated to regions. The Regional PLGs formed the Council through the Colorado Regional Opioid Intergovernmental Agreement for the Larimer County Region (“IGA”). Each Region must create its own Regional Council while giving consideration to the regional governance models illustrated in the Colorado MOU. The Regional Council must be formed by the Participating Local Governments within the Region and designate a fiscal agent for the Region. Regional fiscal agents shall be county or municipal governments only. All funds from the Regional Share shall be distributed to the Regional Council's identified fiscal agent for the benefit of the entire Region. The organization is constituted for the purpose of formulating and submitting a 2-year plan, implementing the plan as well as reporting and auditing at the end of each annual cycle for the LROC funds for the Larimer County area. The organization is not formed for any pecuniary or financial gain and no part of the assets, income, or profit of the organization shall be distributed to or inure to the benefit of the directors, officers, committee members, or staff of the organization. ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP 1. Voting Members of the Regional Council shall consist of one representative from each of the four Regional PLGs plus one representative from Larimer County Health with only one vote counted from each. The representative shall consist of a representative appointed by each municipality, Larimer County, and Larimer County Board of Health. Each entity will designate an alternate to serve in the absence of the appointed representative. The alternate may only vote in the absence of the appointed representative. EXHIBIT A 28 2. Advisory Members of the Council shall include those entities identified in the Larimer County Regional Governance Structure, Exhibit X of the IGA, (“Governance Structure”) and may be allowed to participate in deliberations of the Council, as determined by the Voting Members of the Council. Advisory members are not allowed to vote. The Council may vote to include additional Advisory Members. Advisory Members shall not be counted for purposes of quorum. 3. Subject Matter Experts of the Council may include those entities and individuals identified in the “Governance Structure.” Subject Matter Experts are not entitled to participate in deliberations of the Council unless invited to participate by the Council and are not entitled to vote. The Council may vote to include additional Subject Matter Experts. Subject Matter Experts shall not be counted for purposes of quorum. ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION The officers of the organization will consist of the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary. The Council as a whole will elect these officers. 1. The Chair will be elected by a majority vote of the Council as a whole. 2. The Vice-Chair will be elected by a majority vote of the Council and will assume the position of Chair upon the death, disability, removal from office or inability of the Chair to serve. If the assumption of the position of Chair is to be permanent, the Council as a whole shall elect a new Vice-Chair at their next regular meeting. 3. In the event that a vacancy occurs in both the positions of Chair and Vice-Chair, the Secretary/ shall temporarily assume the office of Chair, and elections shall be held at the next regular meeting of the Council to replace the two vacant positions. Elections for officers shall be held at the first regular meeting of the Council each calendar year. Only those persons who have signified their consent to serve if elected may be nominated or elected to hold office. An officer or member of the Council may be removed from office or from the Council for cause. Cause is defined as follows: ● Failure to disclose or properly manage a conflict of interest. ● Misuse of confidential information. ● Missing three consecutive Council meetings. ● Obstructive behavior or other behavior that interferes with the organization's purpose. ● Upon removal from the Council by the appropriate appointing organization. Upon removal from the Council, the appropriate appointing organization shall appoint a new representative. ARTICLE V – DUTIES OF OFFICERS 1. CHAIR: The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Council. They shall perform other duties as may be prescribed in these Bylaws as assigned to them by the Council or committee and shall EXHIBIT A 29 coordinate the work of the Council, committee, and any special or standing committees, contractors, and staff as may be developed. 2. VICE-CHAIR: The Vice-Chair shall perform all duties of the Chair in the absence or incapacity of the Chair, and other specialized duties as assigned by the Council or the Committee. 3. SECRETARY: The Secretary shall assure that minutes are kept of the meetings of the organization, see that timely notice of meetings is given, and be custodian of organization records. ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS The Council will meet monthly on the _________________of the month, subject to change. The Council will meet every __________ for the purpose of an Annual Meeting to certify committee membership for the following year, review organization progress, and set major policy matters. A quorum will be required to transact business. A quorum will be defined as a majority of filled Voting Member positions. The Council at the annual meeting may set other regular meetings of the Council for that calendar year. A meeting of the Council may be called at any time by the Chair, or by a majority of Council voting members with three days written notice to all Voting Members. In addition to in-person meetings, the Council and any committees or subsidiary bodies of the Council may conduct a regular or special meeting by electronic means only in accordance with these Bylaws. The following are minimum requirements that must be met in connection with electronic participation and conduct of meetings by electronic means: 1. For the Council, the Chairperson of the Council, or Vice Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson, or the chair of any committee or other formal subgroup of the Council, may determine that any meeting will be conducted by electronic means, due to convenience, ease of access, public health or safety concerns, or other reasonable considerations, so long as a minimum of twenty-four hours advance notice is provided to all Voting Members of the body to meet and is provided to the general public, along with instructions for how to participate in or observe the meeting. Individual Voting Members of the body may request to participate in any meeting remotely by providing notice sufficient to allow arrangements to be made and to allow twenty-four hours advance notice to be provided to other Voting Members. 2. The technology in use to conduct a meeting using electronic means must allow all members of the Council, committee or other subgroup to hear each other and to hear any presentation or comment offered, and should allow viewing of any visual materials presented. The general ability to view all members of the body and any speakers on video is also preferred and will be a consideration in determining whether the overall technology for the meeting is adequate. 3. Applicable procedural requirements for the conduct of a meeting, such as requirements for a quorum or the taking of minutes, are not affected by the use of electronic means to meet. 4. All votes shall be conducted by a call of the roll. EXHIBIT A 30 5. If at any time the Chairperson or a majority of the Voting Members meeting determine that the electronic technology in use is interfering with the effective conduct of the meeting, the meeting shall be ended and continued either in person or after addressing the technology issues. All meetings of the Council shall be in accordance with Colorado Open Meetings Law and all other applicable laws. The Chair may call an executive session as allowed by law. ARTICLE VII – BUDGET AND FISCAL CONTROLS The Council will approve a line-item budget prepared by the fiscal agent annually. Adoption of the Budget will be at the final scheduled meeting of the year. Fiscal controls will be established by the Council, and will be voted on by the Voting Members. The Chair and Vice-Chair will sign the requisition to be presented to the fiscal agent for payment. All funding and/or grant expenditures approved by the Council shall be executed through a contract or grant award agreement with the identified service or project provider. One of the PLG’s will be assigned for every approved expenditure and such PLG shall be responsible for preparing, reviewing and executing all necessary contractual documents. ARTICLE VIII – FISCAL YEAR The fiscal year of the Council shall be the calendar year. ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS These Bylaws may be amended or repealed by a majority vote of the Voting Members of the Council (not a majority of those present) at any meeting of the Council provided, however, that written notice of the proposed amendment or repeal, verbatim, shall be provided to each Voting Member not less than ten days prior to such meeting. EXHIBIT A