HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 03/10/2004 -r
LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
Meeting Summary
March 10,2004
Legislative Review Committee present:Ray Martinez,Eric Hamrick
Staff present:John Fischbach,Diane Jones,Ron Phillips,Carrie Daggett,Mark Radtke
A quorum was acquired at 8:31 a.m.
DISCUSSION OF NEW BILLS
FIB 1367 creates a process for municipalities or neighborhoods to remove themselves
from a library district.Mark Radtke outlined objections expressed by Fort Collins Public
Library staff that the bill creates instability that would result in high bond rates.Council
member Hamrick noted the opt-out provisions could also result in the remainder of the
district being saddled with higher costs in paying off existing bonds.City Manager John
Fischbach said not only municipalities could opt-out but property owners could form an
exclusionary district to avoid the tax contribution to the district creating a fatal flaw for
the library district statute.Mr.Radtke will provide the Committee with more detailed
information on the process outlined by the bill.
FIB 1374 grants to water and sanitation districts the authority to levy a voter-approved
sales tax.The bill would apply to such districts as the Fort Collins-Loveland Water
District which serves a portion of the City.Councilmember Hamrick said the potential
for a different sales tax base in one portion of the City would cause a conflict for any
fUture move by the City to secure a sales tax in support of transportation or other capital
improvements.The Committee agreed on an opposition position.
HE 1385 limits landlords’liability.Diane Jones reported that Council member Tharp
and Assistant City Manager Darin Atteberry were in Denver this morning to testif5’in
opposition to the bill.Carrie Daggett said the bill goes to the heart of Fort Collins’public
nuisance ordinance and our ability to hold landlords ultimately responsible for activity on
their property.Mr.Radtke reported there is an amendment being drafted that could
change the scope of the bill.Mayor Martinez suggested we might want to await the
amendment before taking fUrther action on the measure.The City has an “oppose”
position to the bill.
FIB 1396 requires all business fees levied by local government to be uniform,rather than
by business category.Ms.Daggett said the bill would tie our hands on fees directly
coimected to costs.She noted it pre-empts local authority over fees and licensing.The
City has an “oppose”position on the measure.
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PEER SUPPORT LEGISLATION
The proposal for legislation that grants confidentiality to conversations between police
peer counselors and officers will not be introduced in this session.Mr.Radtke reported
that there continue to be issues of concern posed by the state police chiefs association and
the sponsor has asked all parties to settle their differences between sessions,so a bill can
go forward with the support of all major groups in 2005.
MEETING SUMMARY
The meeting summary for the February 11,2004 Legislative Review Committee meeting
was approved as written.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 a.m.