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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Full - Legislative Review Committee - 09/10/1993 - Regular Meeting(F TUE COUNCIL OF TilE CiTY OF FORT COLLINS LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE AGENDA Septsiber 10,1993 CIC Pcari 12:00 P.M. 1.Update on Interim Committees: Tax Policy Youth Violence School Finance Water and State School Land 2.Enhanced air quality and opt-in legislation. 3.LRC decisions in the City’s environmental newsletter. 4.Issue paper format and process. 5.Other Business THE LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE CIC ROOM.CITY CABLE 27 WILL BE CABLECAS’flNG MEETINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITrEE.THE MEETINGS WILL BE CABLECAST LIVE ON CHANNEL 27 FROM 12 TO 1:30 P.M.AND REPLAYED ON FRIDAY AT 8:00 P.M. HPDesk Local Print for Andrea RIEGER Start of Item 25. Message.Dated:09/02/93 at 0941. Subject:Interim Committee Sender:David FELDMAN /CFC/01 Contents:2. TO:Andrea RIEGER /CFC/01 Part 1. TO:Andrea RIEGER /CFC/01 Part 2. INTERIM COMMITTEE ON YOUTH VIOLENCE The interim committee is presently in a fact finding mode.Their emphasis is on intervention and prevention.The committee is following a different path than the Governor whose efforts are directed toward the immediate problems of youth violence being experienced throughout the state. Primarily,this committee is interested in how to help the next generation of youth.They are reviewing various programs that have been successful throughout the country. An additional meeting for the interim committee was scheduled for September 2.At this time they were to flesh out bills that were to be introduced on September 7 during the special session.Legislators with bills to submit were encouraged to allow the interim committee to review them for recommendations.However,there is no requirement for committee review. It is expected that there will be a final report prepared following the November 5 final meeting. I have requested copies of the committee’s meeting minutes and reports. I was advised that these are not routinely sent out and I have not received any. Contacts:Elaine Gleim and Jim Hill End of Item 25. Admrstrative_Services MEMORANDUM DATE:September 10,1993 TO:Legislative Review Committee FROM:Andrea Rieger,Assistant to the Director of Administrative Services e.~.. RE:Interim School Finance Study The Interim Committee on School Finance held two days of hearings on August 23 and 24, during which they received the staff report from the Legislative Council.The Legislative Council’s recommendations are: 1.To calculate school district funding using a unit funding amount that is adjusted on an individual district basis to recognize district cost of living.The Legislative Council is still analyzing additional methods of determining the unit funding component values. 2.Funding be allocated to districts using instructional units derived from the instructional unit funding ratio formula.Instructional unit funding rations should be determined annually on an individual district basis,and that enrollment be the determining factor for a districts ratio.The formula provides for increases in the funding ratio as enrollment increases. 3.Additional funding be allocated to districts based on children receiving free lunches. Data on children receiving free lunches would be used as a proxy for at-risk youth. However,additional funding for students participating in the free lunch program be phased out for districts with the lowest instructional unit funding rations,based on the premise that these districts have class sizes small enough to provide needed services to at-risk youth.Generally,the phrase “at risk”refers to those students who have the potential to perform poorly in or to drop out of school prior to graduation. 4.Further explore the issue of whether to include other sources of revenue in the school finance act in light of the restrictions imposed by Amendment #1. 5.That the General Assembly consider some method of equalizing revenue received by school districts from specific ownership taxes.Options for such equalization could include remittance of the school district portion of the specific ownership tax to the state for distribution through the school finance act;use of specific ownership tax as Ci of Fort Collins 300 LaPorte Avenue •P.O.Box 580 •Fort Collins,CO 80522.0580 .(303)221-6790 r Interim School Finance Study September 10,1993 Page 2 of 2 part of the local contribution applied to the districts total program;or equalization of a specified dollar amount per pupil. 6.If the General Assembly wishes to consider the other 37%of additional revenue school districts receive,further steps need to be taken to account for these revenue sources. 7.Consider beginning the application process for equalization of revenue received under Public Law 81-874,if the General Assembly is concerned about these revenues being a disequalizing influence on funding for public schools.The revenue provided under Public Law 81-874 is federal revenue provided to compensate school districts for loss of property value due to the presence of federal facilities and Native American reservations,or the increase in educational services required because of students whose parents work or live on these federal installations. The committee will re-convene on September 13 and 14.The preliminary agenda for this meeting indicated that the interim committee will be reviewing the Colorado Boards of Cooperative Services regional educational service plans report;reviewing the state categorical programs to determine whether they should be combined with school fmance funding;and examine the pupil population serviced by school districts. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Adm strative Services r MEMORANDUM DATE: TO: FROM: RE: Attached Agenda. September 10,1993 Legislative Review Committee Legislative Review Committee Staff Fort Collins 1994 Legislative Agenda -Preliminary Format is a sample of the issue papers staff is developing .for the 1994 Legislative Policy At the July meeting,the Legislative Review Committee agreed to expand our current issue paper format to include more detail on each issue and more issues.The committee also discussed using these issue papers as a policy document,which would increase the City’s ability to react to pending legislation in a timely fashion. PROPOSED PROCESS As staff discussed how to best put together a more comprehensive packet of legislative issues,we came up with the following process: 1.September 10 -Bring a “mini-packet”of issue papers to the LRC for feedback on format,level of detail,and approach. 2.October 8 -Bring a complete packet of issue papers to the LRC for discussion on the content of each issue paper,and guidelines for using these issue papers. 3.November -Issue papers (legislative agenda)adopted by the full Council. 4.December -Evening meeting with area legislators to present our Legislative Agenda and to work on specific issues/bills. USE OF THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA The guidelines for using this Legislative Agenda are still being drafted.As we discussed at the July LRC meeting,however,a more comprehensive legislative agenda (with policy statements)may be beneficial in these cases: Ci of Fort Collins 300 LaPorte 4wenue •P.O.Box 580 •Fort Collins,CO 80522.0580 •(303)221-6790 1994 Legislative Agenda -Preliminary September 10,1993 Page 2 of 2 1.Allow us to better respond to questions from legislators and from committees about the City’s policy position.Staff would carefully adhere to the stated policy in the Legislative Agenda in such cases.If any such inquiry was received,staff would notify the LRC of the content and context of the information exchange as soon as possible via electronic mail. 2.Allow us to react quickly to “simple”bills (those with very clear issues,which are moving quickly)which clearly violate the City’s position.Staff would immediately update the LRC via electronic mail or via the phone about any action taken. 3.Provide a forum for the LRC to discuss complex issues before the 1994 General Assembly convenes.Discussing these issue papers as a committee in October and November will allow staff time to provide additional technical or historical information if requested,and will also allow the LRC members an opportunity to provide policy direction before we have to respond to actual legislation. 4.Inform area legislators about issues that are of concern to the City at the December evening meeting. ACTION REOUESThD Please review this “mini-packet”of legislative issues,and respond to these questions: 1.Are the issue papers and policy statements detailed enough?Any formatting preferences? 2.Do you think pre-defining our positions (policies)is worthwhile?Are the policy statements in the attached draft acceptable? 3.Is the proposed process acceptable? 4.Should the full Council approve our Legislative Agenda?What type of information do we need to provide to other Council members? 5.Are the proposed “areas of use”in line with the LRC’s understanding? Thank you for your help.If you still see value in this approach,we should have a “full packet”of legislative issues for your review at the October LRC meeting.The “full packet” will include the guidelines for using the Agenda,an index,a listing of LRC members,as well as more issue papers. r CiTY OF FORT COLLINS 1994 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA The City of Foil Collins’1994 Legislative Agenda identifies issues of importance to the City of Fort Collins.The agenda expresses policies and positions on issues which affect the quality of life and the governance of our community.This Agenda has been adopted by the full Council,and we offer this Agenda to our Legislators as a guideline when considering legislation which impacts Fort Collins. The issues identified have historically been addressed by the General Assembly and may also apply to some federal legislation.The policy statements in the 1994 Agenda were developed in advance of the 1994 General Assembly,and are necessarily very broad and are not all- inclusive. The City will continue to contact Legislators regarding City positions on specific bills throughout the 1994 legislative session.We encourage Legislators to contact Foil Collins City Council Members and staff should they have any questions on our policy positions. FORT COLLINS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS Legislation which impacts the City will be reviewed by the City’s Legislative Review Committee,and compared with the City’s Legislative Agenda.The Legislative Review Committee is a small,representative group of Council members that analyze proposed legislation and express City policy in reaction to the legislation.Legislation which cannot be compared to previous City policy is referred back to the full Council for consideration before any position is taken. The Council members presently serving on the Legislative Review Subcommittee are Council Member Chris Kneeland,Chair of the Legislative Review Committee,Mayor Ann Azari and Council Member Alan Apt.The Committee is supported by City staff with expertise in various technical areas.The City works closely with the Colorado Municipal League on all legislative items. HOME RULE The City of Fort Collins is a home nile municipality.We strongly believe in the importance of Article XX of the Colorado Constitution which grants home nile municipalities “full right of self-government in local and municipal matters.Home nile is of utmost importance to the City of Fort Coffins,and is a concept that the City generally fights strongly to protect. The Fort Collins City Council believes that the principle of home nile authority affords the citizens of Fort Collins greater access to local government and greater opportunity for participation in and contribution to the decision malcing process,thereby enhancing the quality of life in the community and the ability of local government to respond to the needs of its citizens. Therefore,the Fort Collins City Council supports the following policy statements: -Support legislative efforts to strengthen home nile authority of local municipal governments. -Oppose legislation that mandates State or federal intercession in matters of local concern and which unnecessarily or adversely affects the City’s ability to manage pursuant to its home nile authority. SOVEREIGN AND GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY The Fort Collins City Council recognizes that the complexity and diversity of City operations and services required to meet the needs of the citizens of Fort Collins may expose the City and its officers and employees to liability for damage and injury.The Council further recognizes that City officers and employees must be confident that they have the City’s support in the lawful and proper performance of their assigned duties and responsibilities. Therefore,the Fort Coffins City Council supports the following policy statements: -Support legislation that protects the interests of municipalities and their officers and employees in the lawful and proper performance of their duties and responsibilities. -Support legislation that discourages baseless and frivolous claims and demands that can be made against municipalities and their officers and employees. -Oppose legislation that expands or increases municipal liability,or,conversely, further limits municipal immunity. 2 PUBLIC SAFETY AI’~1)VIOLENCE PREVENTION The Fort Collins City Council recognizes the critical importance of maintaining public order, providing a safe environment,and protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Fort Collins.The City Council is particularly concerned with the issue of violence,particularly youth violence,in the community and has adopted this matter as one of its policy agenda items. Therefore,the Fort Collins City Council supports the following policy statements: -Support legislation which has the potential of reducing incidents of violence in the community,with special attention to legislation directed towards escalating youth violence. -Support legislation which impacts youth violence problems through the development of treatment and intervention programs. FIRE PROTECTION AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS The Fort Collins City Council recognizes the critical importance of maintilning a safe enviromnent and protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Fort Collins from fire and the unauthorized release of hazardous materials. Therefore the Fort Collins City Council supports the following policy statements: -Support legislation adopting a State fire code,the code of choice being the Uniform Fire Code,which establishes a State minimum standard for fire code enforeement in existing and newly-constructed structures.Permit local option for municipalities to impose more restrictive standards. -Support legislation that allows the City to continue prohibiting the use and sales of fireworks and support legislation that allows other governmental jurisdictions to prohibit and/or otherwise control fire works. -Support legislation that allows the City to control the risk of hazardous materials use and storage through the adopted editions of the Uniform Building and Fire Codes and related local amendments. -Oppose legislation that restricts the City’s ability to review and approve the location of hazardous materials facilities. DRAFT SALES MID USE TAX The City of Fort Collins levies,administers,and collects its own sales and use taxes under its home rule authority.Sales and use taxes comprise 57%of General Fund revenues and these revenues would decrease dramatically if the City were forced to adopt the much narrower State sales tax base and revert to central,State collection of revenues.In addition,the State would pass revenues to the City forty-five days in arrears of collection which would mean further lost revenue from investment earnings. Therefore,the Council of the City of Fort Collins supports the following policy statements: -Support legislation that maintains local control over base,rates,collection and administration of sales and use taxes. —Support cooperative efforts of State,business,and municipal entities to simplify sales and use tax collection. —Support cooperative audits by governmental agencies of major taxpayers to provide better customer service and minimize disruption to business. INVESTMENTS The City Council adopted investment policies to be used by the City of Fort Collins.Those policies are reviewed and updated periodically to ensure the City is able to maintain the quality of its portfolio,control liquidity,and maximize earnings. Therefore,the Council of the City of Fort Collins supports the following policy statements: -Support legislation designed to protect the investments of government entities -Oppose any legislation that would require municipalities to participate in pooled trusts —Oppose restrictions on the City’s ability to determine its own investment policies. PRIVATIZATION The City of Fort Collins spends approximately fifty-eight percent of its budget on outside contracts for goods and services.This level of privatization has given the citizens of Fort Collins good r r DRAFT quality and cost efficiency for many years. The Council of the City of Fort Collins supports the following policy statements: —Support provision of services through private enterprise when in the public good —Support local control of the awarding of contracts and the accountability of local officials for those actions —oppose mandates that increase the complexity and cost of service without improving those services SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS The City of Fort Collins intends to maintain special improvement districts as a viable financial tool for needed infrastructure improvements.It provides adequate and accurate disclosure to investors purchasing special assessment bonds. The Council of the City of Fort Collins supports the following policy statements: -Support the ability of local government to create special improvement districts —Support legislation that facilitates the collection of delinquent assessments and strengthens or maintains the lien position of those assessments —Support legislation that enables lienholders to foreclose special assessment liens quickly and reduce carrying costs -Support any reduction in the complexities of obtaining clear title to properties acquired through the Treasurer’s Deed process