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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 03/31/2005 -C C LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE Meeting Summary March 31,2005 Legislative Review Committee present:Marty Tharp,Eric Hamrick Staff present:Darin Atteberry,Diane Jones,Steve Roy,Ron Phillips,Mark Radtke The meeting was called to order by Councilmember Tharp at 7:30 a.m. MEETING SUMMARY The meeting summary for the March 17,2005 Legislative Review Committee meeting was approved as written. ISSUES FOR SENATOR SALAZAR U.S.Senator Ken Salazar had solicited a list of priorities from City Council members at a February 19 meeting in Greeley.He had recently issued a draft document reflecting those priorities offered,and asking for additional priorities.The Committee reviewed a list or additional priorities submitted by members of Council and approved a letter forwarding those priority issues to the Senator.The issues submitted were mercury emissions controls,north Front Range commuter rail,improvements to 1-25,locate federal facilities here,and the Poudre River Heritage Corridor correction bill. UPDATES ON PENDING LEGISLATION An update of bill status was presented by Mark Radtke.HB 1064 was amended in Senate Transportation committee to include additional exemptions for truckers from paying any tax levied by a Regional Transportation District.The bill has moved to Appropriations and the City opposes the bill in its current form. HB 1108 which give “privileged communication”protections to law enforcement peer counseling sessions was signed into law by the Governor.The Committee offered its congratulations to the author of the bill,Dr.Dan Dworkin,Fort Collins Police staff psychologist. Negotiations have fallen apart over HB 1277,the bill that would limit liability for landlords in nuisance cases.A compromise would have stricken the original bill language and substituted language granted landlords greater access to their properties to abate nuisance problems.Now the landlord’s association has backed away. DISCUSSION OF NEW BILLS A bill banning tobacco smoking in buildings accessible to the public has been introduced. 5B207 would declare smoking a matter of statewide concern,but allow municipalities to enact local ordinances that are more stringent.Steve Roy told the Committee smoking may be a legitimate statewide issue.Councilmember Tharp said while continues to have some concerns about a government ban a statewide bill would level the playing field and she could support that.She said restaurants and bars across the state would all be on the same footing.Councilmember Hamrick also expressed support for the bill and supported the language that allows local communities to continue their local controls.The Committee agreed upon a support position for SB 207. The Committee also received the bill summary for SB 206 dealing with changes to election rules.The bill was written by the Secretary of State’s Blue Ribbon Panel and deals with a variety of issues including dates for submitting ballot issues,paper records of ballots and D’s that can be used by voters.The Committee will await comments from the City Clerk’s office before taking a position on the bill. URBAN RENEWAL ISSUES SB 63 continues to be laid over for second reading consideration in the Senate.The bill now allows only lO°o of an urban renewal area to be comprised of agricultural land. Councilmember Hanirick questioned whether we needed to allow any agricultural land. Diane Jones said it’s important to include the agricultural land in some instances to make avoid a checkerboard development and collect tax increment financing from development on that land for the benefit of the entire URA.Councilmember Tharp favored increasing the percentage of agricultural land to as much as 40%if possible.The Committee maintains its support position for SB 63 as currently written. Mr.Roy discussed an urban renewal bill now being drafted.Staff members from the Colorado Municipal League and Colorado Counties Incorporated have been meeting for several weeks to negotiate language for the bill.The two sides have agreed that URAs should cover county costs generated by the project.Mr.Roy is drafting language to break an impasse over how to handle any disagreements over the amount of compensation. OTHER BUSINESS Mr.Radtke distributed a Housing Authority profile of families using Section 8 housing. The Committee had requested the information at its March 17 meeting. Councilmember Tharp suggested that in addition to the regular annual Legislative Policy Agenda,staff should prepare a condensed version focusing on the issues expected to come forward in the upcoming legislation session. The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 a.m.