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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 11/05/2013 -City Manager’s Office City Hall 300 LaPorte Ave. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6505 970.224.6107 - fax fcgov.com Legislative Review Committee Agenda Meeting Notes November 5, 2013, 4:00 p.m. City Manager’s Conference Room Present: Wade Troxell, Councilmember; Lisa Poppaw, Councilmember; Ross Cunniff, Councilmember; Wendy Williams, Assistant City Manager; Steve Roy, City Attorney; Dan Weinheimer, Legislative Policy Manager Absent: None Guests: Dale Adamy; Kevin Jones, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce Councilmember Troxell called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm. Adoption of the minutes from the October 8, 2013 meeting were moved for approval by Councilmember Cunniff and seconded by Councilmember Troxell. Minutes were adopted without amendment. Dan Weinheimer started with a review of the Legislative Policy Agenda document, noting that it was scheduled for consideration at the November 19 City Council Meeting. On page 28 of the document, Councilmember Cunniff recommended striking a sentence that editorialized the City's position on marijuana. On page 21 the LRC discussed Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) and whether it was necessary to include an extension of staff review of CORA requests from 3 to 5 days. Wendy Williams indicated that staff would like more time because the CORA process often puts a burden on staff resources. Dan mentioned that the LRC had previously discussed whether additional time could be requested in the existing statute and may be more of an administrative solution. Councilmember Cunniff expressed that he was ok to leave the language in the Legislative Policy Agenda with that explanation. On page 14 under environmental health Councilmember Cunniff noted a typo in the strategic objective. Councilmember Troxell commented on the overall Legislative Policy Agenda that it is meant to be a guidance document for advocacy. He further asked for comments from the two guests. Kevin James said that in his review the document 2 seemed balanced and representative. He noted that he liked highlighting economic development. On page 19 under home rule authority, Councilmember Troxell asked whether the citation of Article XX of the Colorado Constitution meant that it was Article Twenty or was left blank. Dan said that he would check to confirm but thought that it was Article Twenty (20). The LRC reviewed the items related to the Colorado Municipal League (CML) Policy Committee meeting held on October 18. Councilmember Cunniff asked about item #8 concerning approving staff discretion to oppose mandated adoption of building codes within the wildland urban interface (WUI) as listed on the meeting agenda summary dated October 21. He asked whether consideration of any bills on the WUI would have a negative impact on Poudre Fire Authority relative to High Park Fire-like incidents. Wendy Williams responded that the Legislative Policy Agenda provides latitude to address Council (and PFA) concerns about any WUI-related legislation. Councilmember Troxell provided Dale Adamy an opportunity to ask a question. Dale asked Dan Weinheimer about the input from City Boards and Commissions in the development of the Legislative Policy Agenda. Dan noted that following Councilmember Poppaw's request he had distributed the draft Legislative Policy Agenda and 2014 Legislative Priorities to each Board or Commission Chair and Vice-chair. He said that in addition to providing copies that he'd made presentations upon request of a couple boards. He summarized the input from the Boards and Commissions as constructive but minimal. Councilmember Cunniff moved that the LRC approve the Legislative Policy Agenda and recommend it to City Council. Councilmember Troxell seconded this motion. The LRC voted unanimously to approve the Legislative Policy Agenda. Councilmember Troxell moved on to a review of the 2014 Legislative Priorities. Dan stated that this document has been altered to include photos and additional background information to make it more attractive and user friendly. Wendy Williams said that this format will also allow an easier sharing among community stakeholder groups and interested parties to foster partnerships on key Fort Collins priorities. The discussion of the LRC revolved around the content and appearance of the Priorities document. Councilmember Cunniff recommended some improvements to the photos used in order to better convey the connection to Fort Collins. Councilmember Troxell agreed and sought to ensure that photos help the reader understand issues within the text of the document and that they are photos from within Fort Collins. Dale Adamy asked whether this document would be posted 3 on the internet, Dan replied that the intention was to post both the Legislative Policy Agenda and the 2014 Priorities on the City's website. Councilmember Troxell recommended that the 2014 Legislative Priorities be included as a supportive document in the City Council Agenda Packet. He said that this document did not need to be approved by City Council but would be a useful reference document. Dan briefed the LRC on potential 2014 legislation that the City has been involved in to date. He highlighted Emerald Ash Borer, Black-footed Ferrets and urban agriculture incentive zones. Dan distributed the 2014 LRC meeting dates to Councilmembers. He noted that the calendar includes more meetings early in the General Assembly Session to facilitate going through the flurry of bills introduced early in the session. The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 pm.