Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 11/09/2006 -r LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE Meeting Summary- November 9,2006 Legislative Review Committee present:Doug Hutchinson,Ben Manvel,Kelly Ohison Staff present:Darin Atteberry,Steve Roy,Mike Smith,Brian Janonis,Mark Radtke The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hutchinson at 9:00 a.m. MEETING SUMMARY The meeting summary for the October 12,2006 Legislative Review Committee meeting was approved as written. 2007 LEGISLATIVE POLICY AGENDA Water Resources Manager Brian Janonis explained the reasoning bchind a proposed policy statement that support legislation that would reasonably allow Colorado water courts to address water quality concerns if such actions did not injure water rights.He said the qualifier was placed in the statement to ensure the City did not support bills that were designed to use the water quality issue as a tactic simply to block the transfer of water rights.The Committee agreed and adopted the statement. The Committee gave final approval to policy statements that support incentives for alternative fuels.Councilmember Ohlson gained Committee approval to specify that support would not be given to corn-based ethanol. Final approval was given to the addition of a policy statement supporting legislation aimed at reducing the unnecessary idling of vehicle engines as an air quality issue. Committee members rejected the addition of a policy statement that would oppose unfunded mandates regarding immigration enforcement.Councilmember Ohlson stated there may be specific instances where the City wants to accept the mandate.City Attorney Steve Roy noted there is a state law that prohibits the legislature from imposing unfunded mandates on local government that may already cover the issue. The Committee gave final approval to a policy statement that supports ‘buy recycled’or ‘environmentally preferable purchasing’for government procurement. The Committee approved a policy statement requested at the previous meeting that outlines the Committee’s approach to applying policy statements.Mr.Roy introduced the statement that reads:“The Legislative Review Committee is a representative group of Council members that reviews and reacts to proposed legislation on behalf of the City Council and the City.In taking a position on particular bills,the Committee interprets and applies the ~arious policies that arc included in the Legislative Policy Agenda.If a 0 bill may fall within two or more policies,then the Committee must decide how to balance those policies in taking a position.If a bill falls outside of the Legislative Policy Agenda,the Committee refers the bill to the full Council for consideration before a position is taken on behalf of the City.’Mayor Hutchinson said the statement allows the Committee to make common sense judgments on applying policies to individual bills. Councilmember Manvel said it gives the Committee the needed flexibility in taking a position on bills. Councilmember Ohlson gained Committee approval for the addition of a policy statement supporting legislation that regulates the use of cell phones by drivers. A discussion was held on the possibility of putting forward a bill in the upcoming General Assembly to extend the life of the Downtown Development Authority.Mr. Radtke reminded the Committee that efforts to extend the DDA failed in the last session. Further discussion of the issue among staff and Council will take place in the coming weeks. LEGISLATORS BREAKFAST Mr.Radtke reminded Committee members of the upcoming Council Legislators breakfast on Thursday,December 14,7:30 a.m.at the Fort Collins Senior Center. MEET[NG TIMES The Committee recommended that the 9:00 a.m.start time for Committee meetings would be workable in preparing the 2007 meeting schedule. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 am.