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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 05/16/2002 -r LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE Meeting Summary May 16,2002 Legislative Review Committee Present:Ray Martinez,Marty Tharp,Eric Hamrick Staff John Fischbach,Diane Jones,Ron Phillips,Carrie Daggett,Tom Vosburg,Mark Radtke The meeting was called to order at 8:08 a.m. MEETING SUMMARY The meeting summary for the April 25,2002,Legislative Review Committee meeting was approved as written. REVIEW OF 2002 LEGISLATIVE SESSION A review of session began with a discussion of land use issues.No bills dealing with planning and land use made it through the General Assembly.Tom Vosburg expressed disappointment,as several positive measures were proposed such as SB 102 that would have given us the ability to levy school impact fees.On the other hand,he noted a number of negative bills failed including a “partial takings”bill. Diane Jones noted the actions of school lobbyists put them in conflict with municipalities over HB 1343 that would have barred local governments from imposing off-site impact fees on school districts.The Committee decided to discuss the issue with Poudre School District representatives at a future liaison meeting. Further restrictions on the use of photo radar are contained in RB 1400.Mark Radtke explained the final of version of the bill restricts the use of photo speed radar to residential streets with a top speed limit of 35 mph.A city employee will have to staff the van,but staffing by a uniformed police officer will not be required.Red-light camera rules are not changed.John Fischbach said the Fort Collins Police are looking into whether it is viable to continue the program.He said the greatest benefit of the program is to slow traffic in areas with higher speed limits,speeds that can cause greater injuries. BIB 1404 has been sent to the Governor.Mr.R.adtke said the bill will require a criminal conviction before criminal property can be seized and forfeited in major crime cases. The proceeds will be split with half going to the local government involved for public safety uses and half to drug and alcohol abuse programs.Mr.Fischbach noted an unintended consequence of the law may be delay forfeitures for months or years,causing property to decay. 0 Mayor Martinez asked about RB 1070’s final wording and enforcement provisions.Mr. Radtke said the bill requires child safety seat for children aged four and five and less than 55 inches tall.Enforcement will be handled as seat belt enforcement is now conducted. Mr.Radtke reported that SB 32 has passed.A conference committee reached a compromise that states the life of an existing Downtown Development Authority is extended five years.Mayor Martinez asked if City Council action is needed to implement the extension.Mr.Radtke said he believes it is automatic and Carrie Daggett will secure a legal opinion from the City Attorney’s office.Mr.Fischbach said the extension could mean an additional $10 million for the DDA to invest in downtown improvements. Councilmember Hamrick noted RB 1173 doesn’t give universities any tools beyond what they already have to deal with students who riot.The bill requires a one-year academic suspension of students convicted of rioting.Mr.Hamrick noted schools can already do that and can do that without there being a conviction. SB 156 is on its way to the Governor.Mr.Radtke said the final form of the bill allows donation of water rights to the Colorado Water Conservation Board for use to maintain or improve river flows.Councilmember Tharp asked who will decide how far the water will flow in the river and how it impacts other water rights.Ms.Daggett noted water courts would have to approve the use and will protect other water users interests. Mr.Radtke reported SB 74 died in House committee action.The bill would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes in employment non discrimination law. Councilmember Tharp raised the question of whether the City may want to support such issues as SB 173,SB 216 and SB 178 in the fhture.The bills deal with expanding worker’s compensation awards and requiring health benefits to be paid by city contractors.Councilmember Hamrick said it seems only fair to have contractors that do business with the city providing health benefits for their employees. Ms.Jones told the Committee that staff will be updating the Legislative Policy Agenda during the summer months and will bring a draft to the Committee next fill. Mayor Martinez asked staff to look into the possibility of putting this legislative information on CD or other readily accessible form for Ibture reference. Future Committee meetings were discussed with the view of canceling summer meeting dates.Councilmember Hamrick asked that the Committee meet if a special session of the legislature is convened.The Committee agreed to cancel its June 13,2002 meeting. The Committee adjourned at 8:55 a.m. The next scheduled meeting of the Legislative Review Committee is 8:00 a.m.,Thursday, July 11,2002 in the City Manager’s Conference Room.