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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Full - Legislative Review Committee - 10/27/1989 - Regular MeetingCity C0ral 1990 CITY OF FORT COLLINS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA r City of Fort Collins 300 LiPorte Avenue P.O Box 580 •Fort Collins,CO 80522-0580 •(303)221 6505 Mayor Ci of Fort Collins October 27,1989 Dear Area Legislators: As Mayor of Fort Collins,I am pleased to present you with the 1990 City Legislative Agenda.This is the City Council’s formal attempt to impact policy making at the state level in areas of municipal interest. As we embark on this Legislative Session,the positions expressed in this document are necessarily very broad,but not necessarily inclusive.The City will continue to contact you regarding our position on specific bills throughout the legislative session as we attempt to enhance our communications with you this year.The Council Legislative Subcommittee for 1990 is made up of three Council Members who have expressed an interest and a commitment to be involved in the legislative process:Chuck Mabry,Ann Azari and Susan Kirkpatrick. Primary staff support will be provided this year by Administrative Services staff members Peter Dallow and Julia Novak,and Wendy Williams from our Water Utility. This is an exciting step for the City of Fort Collins.We recognize that the 1990 legislative session promises to be significant for the State of Colorado. We offer this document to you as a guideline for your reference when considering legislation that may impact your home area.As local government officials,one of our primary responsibilities is to represent the citizens that make up the City of Fort Collins.At the State level,we recognize that your responsibility is to ultimately to do what is the greatest good for the State of Colorado.The fact that you simultaneously represent the citizens in this Northern Colorado Region,may at times conflict with action on behalf of other regional interests. We empathize with the difficulty you are faced with in making tough choices,and recognize that you want to protect the interests of those in your home district. We feel this document will assist you in your representation of the citizens of Fort Collins,and of your district. We appreciate the opportunity to dialogue with you regarding legislative matters, and would like to emphasize that we are always available to discuss issues with you should you have questions regarding issues of potential interest to the City. We thank you for your willingness to consider the City’s positions and hope we can be of assistance to you throughout the upcoming legislative session. Bob Winokur Mayor 3Ut I iPort Avenue P.O.Box 580 •Fort Collins,CO 80522 0580 (3U3)221 6505 r CITY OF FORT COLLINS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TABLE OF CONTENTS Fort Collins Legislative Process 4 Legislative Contacts 5 Statements of Interest in Legislative Process Utility Services:Light and Power 6 Utility Services:Water and Wastewater 7 Utility Services:Streets 8 Development Services:Planning 9 Development Services:Natural Resources 10 Administrative Services:Finance 11 Fire Services:Poudre Fire Authority 12 Issues for 1990 Water and Wastewater Utility:Due Diligence 13 Planning Department:Annexation 14 City Wide Concern:Impact Fees 15 r Fort Collins Legislative Process The City of Fort Collins is a home rule municipality,and we strongly believe in the importance of Article XX of the Colorado Constitution which grants home rule municipalities “the full right of self-government in local and municipal matters.”Home Rule is of upmost importance to the City of Fort Collins,and if violated,is a concept that the City generally fights strongly to protect. The City of Fort Collins works closely throughout the year with the Colorado Municipal League to monitor pending legislation that may adversely impact policies Qf the City of Fort Collins or our right to self-government.Bills of municipal interest are reviewed by the appropriate staff and a City position is recommended to the Council Legislative Subcommittee.This committee is comprised of three members of the City Council:Chuck Mabry,Ann Azari and Susan Kirkpatrick.Communication between the full Council and the Legislative Subcommittee is imperative,but the City Council has delegated its voice on legislative matters to this subcommittee.Furthermore,as a member of the Colorado Municipal League,the City relies heavily on information from the League,and respect their efforts of monitoring and impacting legislation. Official communications between the City and our State Legislators will occur from the Mayor on behalf of the City Council,and in some instances,from specific Council Members.Furthermore,as staff monitors legislation,they will contact you with official communication from the City regarding the City’s position on bills and resolutions. Peter Dallow and Julia Novak are our liaisons between the Council Legislative Subcommittee,City department staff,and our state legislators.They are available to discuss issues with you,and will assist in the communication efforts between the Fort Collins City Council and you. r Council Legislative Subcommittee Ann Azari Council Momtor P.O.Box 580 Chuck ~ #ssLtpiiL Mdyur P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 482-8403 Susan Kirkpatrick Hcyor P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 491-5156 or 493-1693 Staff Legislative Support Peter K.Dallow,Director Administrative Services P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6797 Julia 0.Novak,Assistant Administrative Services P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6796 to Director € Police Services P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins, 221-6550 1ovr~S~oent~.r ,‘Chief Steve Roy,City City Attorney’s P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins, 221-6520 &rrt~6iovan,Pss~s~A-~t~tc~ C.~pjrd,~t.ttècnA Snic.., 64Co~n.CD çOSVZ 2a1-6SCO Legislative Contacts Fort Collins,CO 80522 223-8012 Susanne Edminster,Policy Finance Administration P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6784 Thomas Peterson,Planning Development Services P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6751 Analyst Director Attorney Office CO 80522 Jon Ruiz,Streets Supervisor Streets Department P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6515 Warren Jones,Fire Marshall Poudre Fire Authority P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6570 Linda Burger,Support Services Manager Water &Wastewater Utility P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6674 Wendy Williams,Government Affairs Coordinator Water &Wastewater Utility P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6681 CO 80522 Rr4an Woodruff,Administrator Natural Resources P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6600 Bob Nastan,Construction Services Manager Light &Power P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6724 and 5 r owned electric utility primarily monitors state for laws that may inadvertently impact the operation there are only 29 municipally operated electric in the state of Colorado,it is understandable that ties may not receive sufficient attention.Specific and Power include,but are not limited to the •Annexation,and possible limits on electric service territory. •County powers and their effects on Urban Growth Area Agreements which may limit electric service territory. •The limitation or expansion of Authority for the Public Utilities Commission. •Limitations or mandatory bidding requirements impacting local government. •Extension of liability for municipal activities,particularly product liability for electricity. Furthermore,national issues which may impact power availability or rates from federal water projects are of concern to the City because they are a major source of electricity for the City of Fort Collins. SERVICE AREA: DEPARTMENT: UTILITY SERVICES LIGHT AND POWER The City’s municipally legislation to be on guard of the utility.Because utilities out of 264 cities issues impacting these utili areas of concern to Light following: Primary Contact:Bob Nastan,Light and Power r SERVICE AREA:UTILITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT:WATER AND WASTEWATER The City’s Water and Wastewater Utilities evaluate legislative proposals to determine their impacts on maintaining a reliable and high quality water supply, efficiently operating water and wastewater treatment systems,and preserving environmental values in the City of Fort Collins.We believe that state legislation should accomplish the following objectives: •Facilitate the maintenance of financially stable and healthy utility operations. •Protect the investment that has been made in the water supplies and the ability to supply future domestic and industrial water needs. •Maintain the quality of drinking water supplies. •Encourage the protection of the environment and the public health in a cost effective manner. •Provide for fair and consistent regulation without excessive redundancies and delays. •Provide for communities to develop a local balance between the need for economic growth and development and protection of the environment and quality of life. Primary Contacts:Wendy Williams,Government Affairs Coordinator Linda Burger,Support Services Manager r SERVICE AREA:UTILITY SERVICES DEPARTMENTS:STREETS The City’s Streets Department monitors state legislation to be on guard for laws that may impact the operation of the department and its resulting impact on the community,particularly with respect to the department’s ability to maintain City streets and roadways.Specific areas of concern to Streets include,but are not limited to the following: •Limitations or mandatory bidding requirements impacting local government. •Changes to,use of,or distribution of Highway User’s Tax. •Safety issues dealing primarily with heavy equipment or in-the-street work. •Liability issues associated with snow and ice operations. •Use,storage,and disposal of hazardous wastes as they relate to street painting operations. •Environmental concerns resulting from the use of sand and salt during the winter,street painting operations,herbicide use,sweeping operations,and disposal of used material (concrete,asphalt,etc.). Primary contact:Jon Ruiz,Streets Supervisor r SERVICE AREA:DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT:PLANNING The City of Fort Collins Planning Department monitors state legislation which may effect local government home rule powers,as well as state and federal legislation which may impact housing,CDBG,development and comprehensive policies. In recent legislative sessions,issues of concern to the planning department have included the following •Annexation •County Powers Urban Growth Areas •Limitation of development fees •Limitation of home rule powers Primary Contact:Tom Peterson,Planning Director r SERVICE AREA:DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT:NATURAL RESOURCES The City of Fort Collins Department of Natural Resources follows legislation that may affect City environmental programs in air quality,hazardous waste,wetlands conservation,recycling and environmental planning.The City’s objective in this endeavour is to strengthen state programs so the City can conserve its limited financial resources for environmental protection.Also,the City works to avoid legislative restrictions on the authority of local government to act in its own best interest. In recent years the City has closely followed bills regarding oxygenated fuels, underground storage tanks,and the State Budget which now includes funding for the local Better Air Campaign.During the upcoming legislative session,Natural Resources will look for legislation that would:provide for control and monitoring of the brown cloud;continue funding for the local Better Air Campaign;provide funding for wetland or natural area acquisition;and deal with recycling issues,including the purchase of commodities made from recycled materials. Primary Contact:Brian Woodruff,Natural Resources Administrator r r SERVICE AREA:ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT:FINANCE The City of Fort Collins Finance Department’s functions include centralized accounting,purchasing,revenue collection including utility billings,sales, use and property taxes,risk management and the monitoring of the City’s self- insurance fund,management of the City’s investment portfolio,the administration of three employee pension funds,and debt management.Issues of specific concern to the Finance Department include: •Mandatory privatization of governmental services. •Limitations on or mandatory bidding requirements impacting local governments. •Changes to workers compensation laws. •Legislation affecting local governments’ability to self-insure or limitations on self-insurance funds and coverage. •Changes to governmental immunity limitations. •Legislation affecting taxing authority,including sales &use tax, Highway Users tax,and property tax. •Any revisions to the investment guidelines for public funds and to the Public Depositors’Protection Act. •Licensing requirements including liquor licensing,vendor licensing, and franchises. •Impact fees for planning and development. •Annexation that affects limits on utility service areas and taxing authority. •Limitations on the City’s ability to incur debt. The Finance Department is also interested in national issues that affect the City’s ability to issue bonded debt,e.g.,arbitrage rebate requirements,changes to SEC regulations,etc. Primary Contact:Susanne Edminster,Finance Administration C C SERVICE AREA:FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT:POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY The Poudre Fire Authority monitors sate legislative activity to be aware of possible state legislation that impacts their ability to provide the best quality fire protection services to the citizens of Fort Collins.The Poudre Fire Authority prides itself on the fact that services provided by the Authority are at a higher level than many other communities.The City Fire Code and related local ordinances are the basis for these services.Legislation that would limit the Authority of Local Ordinances,or override local ordinances are of concern to the Poudre Fire Authority.The PFA believes that local authority should not be usurped on existing programs by state legislation. Primary Contact:Warren Jones,Fire Marshall