HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Futures Committee - 12/14/2015 -
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MINUTES
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
FUTURES COMMITTEE MEETING
Date: December 14, 2015
Location: CIC Room, City Hall, 300 Laporte Ave.
Time: 4:00–6:00pm
Committee Members Present: Committee Members Absent:
Wade Troxell, Chair
Kristin Stephens
Gino Campana
City Staff: City Staff Absent:
Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Jacqueline Kozak-Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
Dianne Tjalkens, Admin/Board Support
Jeremy Yonce, Police Lieutenant
Laurie Kadrich, Director of PDT
SeonAh Kendall, Economic Policy and Project Manager
Mike Beckstead, Chief Financial Officer
Kelly DiMartino, Assistant City Manager
Ginny Sawyer, Policy and Project Manager
Gerry Horak, Councilmember
Ingrid Decker, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Wendy Williams, Assistant City Manager
John Hutto, Chief of Police
Jerry Schiager, Assistant Chief of Police
Invited Guests:
Community Members:
Dale Adamy, citizen
Ann Hutchison, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
Wade Troxell called meeting to order at 4:04pm
Approval of Minutes:
Gino moved to approve the November minutes as presented. Kristen seconded. Motion passed
unanimously, 3-0-0.
Chairman Comments: March topic will be Shared Economy. April will be Community
Architecture, during which will discuss what is considered historic in our community. Also
looking at Regional Relationships in near term.
Jackie added that engaging thought leaders on topics. Members are
requested to send additional topic items to Jackie.
Think Tank Item 13-2015: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems— Jeremy Yonce, Laurie
Kadrich
Jeremy Yonce:
Working with Loveland, County, PFA and UMEX.
Applications for police and emergency services:
• Traffic accident and crime scene photography, measurement, diagramming, investigation,
etc.
• EOD (explosives) and hazardous materials threat or spill—safely approach scene
• Fire and other natural disaster reconnaissance
• Search and rescue (urban and rural)
• Fugitives and SWAT (life threatening)
FAA regulations are challenging, but changing/developing:
• Must have certificate of authorization to fly under government auspice
• Cannot just buy and use
• One year training required. UMEX leads training.
o Five agencies involved
o Policies/procedures
o Consultation
o Public outreach
o Provide equipment
o FAA certified
Laurie Kadrich:
Exploring in terms of building inspections.
Challenges:
• Pilot licensing
• Rule changes making more likely to use for roofing standpoint
Benefits:
• Emergencies. Safer than sending person into building for damage inspection.
• Roof inspection: Increases safety and decreases resources.
• Other uses: light and power (Xcel is piloting project), media relations, videos.
o None are currently allowed until permitted through FAA.
Comments/Q & A:
• Risk management, legal issues, public perception of big government. Business case for
need.
o Companies building businesses in this area. Opportunities to
test/pilot/demonstrate blended air spaces. COA is authorization to use volume air
space to be managed by air traffic control.
o Challenges: scale, identifiers, licensing, and management of personal devices.
• Ad hoc advisory group to address public concerns. Local experts. Get in front of issue.
• Check in with CML. Determine what other communities are doing.
• Pilot license currently required for commercial/government use. Hobbyists don’t need
license.
o Will be under UMEX license for training. Rules may change soon.
o FAA requiring registration by February.
Can’t use within five miles of airport.
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o Regulations may become more restrictive. Move faster
rather than slower. Don’t wait to see what will happen.
Will have specific technicians for SUAS use.
Potential risks/liability—keep use limited. Make and keep promises about
what will be used for. Control.
• Press release at time that begin training.
o License with person or organization?
Pilot license with individual. COA with organization.
o Can hire third party consultants to fly for accidents/events now. Don’t need all
expertise in house.
In emergencies contract with helicopter pilots now.
Outreach is important.
Don’t be afraid to expedite process.
Can’t hire any company, must have COA in air space.
Public deliberation, discussion, and raise awareness of how it works.
• Concern for privately sold SUAS. Loss, damage, hobbyists filming accident scenes.
o UAB park.
Boulder doesn’t allow in parks.
o No state laws or municipal ordinances for hobbyists.
Causing problems for emergency response.
DO: Next Steps
• Deliberative about City use and messaging, what is the promise. Can begin today. Clarify
benefits and address concerns.
• Enforcement/safety. Economic opportunity while doing the right thing.
• User groups/communications.
• Intentional as enterprise, not just one-off uses. Consistent policy and application. Honor
promise to community.
• Move forward quickly, being intentional with messaging. Understand timeline and be
specific about uses.
• Move forward with COA.
• Police can lead.
• Talk with CML about best practices.
• Boundaries and areas for hobbyists. Lead by example and manage externally.
Think Tank Item 14-2015: KFCG Renewal & Other Revenue Priorities—Mike Beckstead,
Kelly DiMartino
Mike Beckstead:
Revenue needs:
• KFCG—0.85% tax, $26M in 2016. Bring down to .5% and diversify?
• Transit funding—federal and general fund, plus transit revenue—need additional revenue
to increase service
• Railroad Crossings
o Vine/Lemay—state, federal, and City funding—$20-25M.
o Lemay/Riverside switching relocation or grade separated crossing—$15-35M.
o Vine/Timberline needs $20-25M. Not required within next 10 years.
• Asset Management & Replacement—Capital Improvement Plan. Park analysis.
• CAP—More in 2016. Utility rates and debt capacity. Private capital.
• SCFD (Arts & Culture)—Districting. One per county. 1/8 cent tax for
programming/content.
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• Lodging Tax
Every five years have dialogue with voters as taxes renew. Should we
change the times of going to voters? 10 year cycles on quarter cent
renewal.
Staff suggestions for prioritization:
• Renew KFCG in 2017—Complete revenue diversification, determine renewal rate, begin
community conversations
• Transit funding in 2018/19
• Vine/Lemay 2018/19
• Other needs TBD
Diversification Effort Ideas:
• Tax on services
• Transportation fee
• Occupational tax
Comments/Q & A:
• Okay to tell voters will come back in five years to renew a tax. Let them have data. Show
renewals. Better to talk about it.
o Funding operations, not capital, through KFCG. Legitimate conversation about
reductions or diversification. If no interest in reducing must change to reliance on
other options. When KFCG expires and isn’t continued, will have to make
significant reductions.
• Would rather have easier-to-understand taxes. Disadvantage to have additional taxes
other communities don’t have.
o Due diligence. Demand for goods versus services is changing. Finance Committee
is advocating looking at this. Track record on sales tax. Complete transparency.
Easier to continue what already doing with proven record.
o Diversification protects when sales tax numbers change.
o Shared Economy—should pay for infrastructure and creates diversification.
• Additional property tax?
o Finance Committee has discussed and did not bring forward.
• Others in state doing occupational tax?
o State charter issues.
• Main street fairness tax? Increased revenue.
o Internet sales. Lost sales tax right now.
• Transit: Have strategic plan that requires new funding source for final phase. Success of
Max. Need evening and weekend hours. RTD cities have 1 cent tax (operations and rail
system). Quarter cent would fund gap in Fort Collins.
• Do KFCG sooner for security sake?
o Critical funder. If not passed, can mitigate and/or ask again.
o Passed by over 60% last time. Approved during recession. No organized
opposition.
o More specificity around KFCG. Reporting has always been good.
• Response to FRA ruling. Community asking, “What now?” Council needs to answer.
Liability for quiet zone.
DO: Next Steps
• Talk about renewals right away. No surprises.
• Be specific what is included in KFCG.
• Prioritization headed in right direction.
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Future Agenda Items
• January: Arts and Culture; Smart Cities
• February: Diversity and Inclusivity
Meeting adjourned at 5:20pm.
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