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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 01/17/2002 -r LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE Meeting Summary January 17,2002 Legislative Review Committee Present:Ray Martinez,Marty Tharp Staff:John Fischbach,Diane Jones,Ron Phillips,Tom Vosburg,Carrie Daggett,Mark Radtke The meeting was called to order at 8:35 a.m. MEETING SUMMARY APPROVED The meeting summary for December 13,2001 was approved as written. AMENDMENTS TO LEGISLATIVE POLICY AGENDA The City Council on January 15,2002,adopted the 2002 Legislative Policy Agenda.The Committee heard staff presentation on six amendments to the Policy Agenda put forward by Councilmembers on January 15. Amendment #1:The LRC approved the addition of the following policy statement to the PLANNING AND LAND USE section of the Policy Agenda:“Support enabling legislation to clearly provide for the local option to impose school impact fees.” Amendment #2:The LRC approved the rewording of PARKS AND RECREATION section statement #2 to now read:“Support the use of Great Outdoors Colorado and other state ftinding for municipal government projects,with maximum local discretion regarding local needs and priorities.” Amendment #3:The LRC approved the addition of the following statement to the PLANNING AND LAND USE section of the Policy Agenda:“Oppose federal takings legislation and protect local authority to make land use decisions.” Amendment #4:The LRC approved the addition of the following policy statement to the SALES AND USE TAX section of the Policy Agenda:“Enact federal legislation that gives state and local governments the authority to collect legally due sales and use taxes on remote sales.” Amendment #5:The LRC approved the addition of the following policy statement to the POLICE SERVICES section of the Policy Agenda:“Ensure that an adequate public radio spectrum is preserved for use by local police,fire and emergency response services.” C) Amendment #6:The LRC approved the rewording of TRANSPORTATION statement #5 to now read:“Support legislation that increases finding and promotes equity and flexibility among all transportation modes.” The amendments as approved will be brought before the next Council meeting. BILL TRACKING SYSTEM Tom Vosburg reviewed for the Committee the computer bill tracking system used by staff The system features bill data,a direct link to the latest edition of the bill and a storehouse for city-generated information and documents concerning the bill. BILL REVIEW The Committee reviewed SB 6.The bill would presume that public safety employees who contract Hepatitis C,did so in a job related incident for purposes of workers’ compensation.CML opposes the bill.Concern was expressed about the exposure it posed for the City.Police Department reaction will be sought. SB 102 allows for more flexibility in how impact fees are calculated under terms of last fall’s SB 15.It allows for school district’s to levy impact fees.Tom Vosburg of CPES said his department favors much of the bill,as an improvement over the current statute. The committee expressed strong support for school district’s ability to levy impact fees. The fact that the bill does not free home rule cities from the SB 15 language continues to be a concern. RB 1096 requires municipalities to develop ten-year plans for basic services.Tom Vosburg said the concept is one we support,however the bill does not provide fbnding for the program.He also noted the bill language does not match the usual planning terminology and some changes should be made to allow the bill to dovetail with planning statutes.A letter of support was authorized,which will contain our suggested changes. RB 1058 requires each property taxing district to approve a proposed urban renewal authority before it can be created.City Manager John Fischbach suggested the bill effectively kills any future UR.A and that we should oppose this effort.He noted Fort Collins does not currently have an active URA but it could be a usefhl tool in the future. SB 32 extends the lifespan of Downtown Development Authorities from the current 25 years to 35 years.The City is on record of supporting the measure.Mark Radtke noted the bill’s intent is to allow DDA’s some additional time so that bonds of reasonable terms can be issued. r REDISTRICTING Mark Radtke distributed the Reapportionment Commission’s final maps for legislative districts.Fort Collins remains whole in Senate District 14,while the City would be split in half roughly along College Avenue for Representative District 52 on the east and District 53 on the west.Congressional redistricting by the General Assembly is deadlocked and will be in the hands of a federal judge is no agreement is reached by January 25. Mayor Martinez and Councilmember Tharp informed staff they will be attending the CML Legislative Workshop on February 14,2002.The regularly scheduled LRC meeting for that date has been cancelled. The next meeting of the Legislative Review Committee was set for 8:00 a.m.,in the City Manager’s Conference Room,Thursday,January 31,2002. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 am.