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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 03/17/2015 -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 March 17, 2015, 4:00 p.m. Commons Conference Room Present: Wade Troxell, Councilmember; Ross Cunniff, Councilmember; Lisa Poppaw, Councilmember; Wendy Williams, Assistant City Manager; Ingrid Decker, Senior Assistant City Attorney; Dan Weinheimer, Legislative Policy Manager Absent: None Guests: Kevin Jones, Chamber of Commerce Councilmember Troxell called the meeting to order at 4:06 pm. Adoption of the minutes from the February 24, 2015 meeting were moved for approval by Councilmember Cunniff and seconded by Councilmember Poppaw. Minutes were adopted without amendment. Dan described new Colorado General Assembly bills for LRC consideration: HB15-1038 – concerns the creation of Flexible Water Markets which could be used as an alternative to buy-and-dry practices related to agricultural water rights. This bill was postponed indefinitely in the Senate Agriculture Committee before LRC could consider. Dan noted this bill was carried by Rep. Arndt (Fort Collins), had previously been introduced by Rep. Fischer (Fort Collins) and might be back in 2016 when LRC could consider adopting a position. HB15-1115 – addresses restrictions to the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and would prevent their use for personal surveillance. LRC adopted a monitor position. HB15-1236 – seeks to create a Tax Credit for Improving Energy Efficiency. The bill creates an income tax credit for construction or improvements to affordable housing, multi-family or commercial buildings that attain certain standards of energy efficiency. LRC adopted a support position. HB15-1257 – seeks to Eliminate the Penalty to Increase Compliance at Cigarette Sale. This bill eliminates the prohibition on local governments that levy fees or taxes on selling cigarettes from receiving a portion of state cigarette tax 2 revenue. Dan asked that LRC not adopt a position on the bill pending additional information. LRC adopted no position. HB15-1259 – concerns allowing Residential Precipitation Collection Rain Barrels. If approved, the bill would allow residences to use rain barrels to store and utilize small amounts of precipitation at their property. LRC adopted a support position. HB15-1264 – is the Homeless Persons’ Bill of Rights and concerns allowing “rest” or camping at public spaces and sets up a process limiting harassment of homeless persons who are resting. Dan stated this bill will do little to address homelessness and rather creates a two-tier system giving camping rights to homeless persons in City parks or natural areas that are currently restricted for camping. Dan noted that he has reached out to Senator Kefalas, the Senate sponsor, to arrange a meeting on the bill. LRC adopted an oppose position. SB15-183 – is a bill to Quantify Water Rights Historical Consumptive Use. The bill concerns the adjudication of water rights and requires that the measurement of historical use of water be based on the actual historic use for its designated purpose over a representative study period. Utilities staff has indicated that this bill could impact the Rigden Reservoir project and possibly other future projects. LRC adopted a support position. SB15-212 – would have an impact on emergency situations concerning Storm Water Facilities not Injure Water Rights. The bill specifies that storm water detention and infiltration facilities and post-wildland fire facilities do not injure water rights and so would not need to secure water rights for retention purposes. The bill is aimed at clarification of the State Engineer’s interpretation that has concerned the storm water community. LRC adopted a support position. The LRC then briefly discussed the March National League of Cities conference in Washington DC. Dan briefly summarized the meetings and follow-up from the March 2015 NLC trip. Dan asked for feedback and process improvement opportunities and stated he would circulate some ideas via email after the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 4:40pm.