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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 02/16/2006 -LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE Meeting Summary February 16,2006 Legislative Review Committee present:Doug Hutchinson,Ben Manvel,Kelly Ohison Staff present:Wendy Williams,Ron Phillips,Carrie Daggett,Mark Radtke The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hutchinson at 8:05 a.m. MEETING SUMMARY The meeting summary for the February 2,2006 Legislative Review Committee meeting was approved as corrected. NEW BILLS A bill allowing cemeteries to reclaim and resell abandoned gravesites was supported by the Committee.Mark Radtke outlined HB 1268 that would allow reclamation of graves that have not been used or improved for 75 years or longer.The parks department reports more than 1,400 gravesites would be freed for use at Grandview Cemetery. SB 169 eliminates “blight”as a definition allowing the creation of an urban renewal authority leaving only the more restrictive “slum”definition.Carrie Daggett said the bill severely reduces when a URA can be used,as blight is the more commonly found problem being addressed by a IJRA.Councilmember Ohlson cautioned that the City should not hold a reactionary viewpoint to efforts to curb abuses of urban renewal powers.He said to just continually oppose changes is not right.Mayor Hutchinson described the total elimination of “blight”as a basis for urban renewal as an overreaction to abuses.Councilmember Manvel said SB 169 is cutting urban renewal powers too much.The Committee affirmed the City’s position in opposition to the bill. SB 169 is scheduled for hearing in Senate State Affairs on February 20.The Committee directed that Senator Steve Johnson be sent the message that the City opposes SB 169, but favors reasonable limits to urban renewal powers. UPDATES ON LEGISLATION An update on SB 37 was received by the Committee.The bill has moved to the Senate floor for action.Mr.Radtke relayed the comments of City water utilities that the bill would not affect the City’s existing recreational water rights on the Poudre.He also said the recreationalist community is beginning to express concerns that the bill will not provide them enough water for a quality recreation experience.The Committee took no position on the bill. The Committee discussed SB 52 which would allow counties to exceed the current cap on sales tax by a half-cent if the tax were devoted to open space.Ron Phillips noted state statute caps the total sales tax that can be levied at 7°o.He said home rule cities are not bound by the cap.The Committee asked staff to determine the Larimer County position on the bill. Mr.Radtke reported Steve Roy was in Denver this morning to testify in opposition to SB 156.The bill would require nearly all fees charged by state and local governments to be submitted to a TABOR vote. HB 1053 has been rewritten to remove requirements for local master plans,and timetables for their adoption.The bill now simply allows local governments the option of making master plans legally enforceable. The House killed HB 1173 would ban state and local taxation of telephone calls made over the internet.Known as Voice over Internet Protocol the calls would not be treated the same as cellular or land-line telephone calls.The City had opposed the bill. The bill banning on indoor smoking has passed the House and moved to the Senate.HB 1175 bans indoor smoking in buildings with public access with the exception of casinos. Bars and restaurants remain covered by the ban.The bill continues to allow cities to enforce more stringent ordinances. HB 1159 has moved to the House floor.The bill requires cities to form citizen transition advisory committees to serve an information conduit when considering enclave annexations. CML LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP Councilmember Manvel gave a report on yesterday’s Colorado Municipal League legislative workshop in Denver.He said CML is particularly concerned about SB 169 and the severe limits it would place on the future use of urban renewal authorities.A panel discussion among legislators and local officials on illegal immigrant issues came to the consensus that this is a federal issue and the solutions must be found at the federal level.The Governor’s speech underlined the need for additional transportation funding. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 am.