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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Full - Legislative Review Committee - 12/06/1990 - Regular MeetingCity of Fort Collins City cCflCj1 1991 CITY OF FORT COLLINS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 300 LaPorte Avenue •EQ.Box 580 •Fort Collins CO 80522-0580 (303)221 6505 Mayor December 6,1990 Dear Area Legislators: As Mayor of Fort Collins,I am pleased to present you with the 1991 City Legislative Agenda.This is the City Council’s opportunity to highlight for you issues that are of interest to the City.This document does not necessarily state positions on legislation,but rather identifies general issues that interest the City of Fort Collins. 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 1991 is made up of three Council members who have expressed an interest and a commitment to be involved in the legislative process:Mayor Susan Kirkpatrick,Assistant Mayor Ann Azari, and Councilmember Chuck Mabry.Primary staff support will be provided this year by Administrative Services Director Pete Dallow and Wendy Williams from our Water Utility. We recognize that the 1991 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 work with you on 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. Sincerely, Susan Kirkpatrick Mayor City of Fort Collins 300 Lalkwte Avenue P0 Box 580 •Fort Collins,CO 80522 0580 (303)221-6505 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 io Administrative Services:Finance 11 Fire Services:Poudre Fire Authority 12 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 utmost 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 impact policies of the City of Fort Collins.Bills of municipal interest are reviewed by the appropriate staff and a City position is recommended to the Council Legislative Review Committee.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 Committee 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. The City of Fort Collins is fortunate to have competent,professional staff members who monitor and review pending legislation.These individuals are an essential resource for the Council Legislative Review Committee,and their expertise may be useful to legislators who might not be aware how legislation may impact the community.Legislators are encouraged to contact City staff or members of the Legislative Review Committee.Pete Dallow is our liaison between the Legislative Review Committee,City department staff,and our state legislators.Staff is 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 Legisi ative Contacts Ann Azari Assistant Mayor P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 223-8012 Chuck Mabry Council member P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 482-8403 Susan Kirkpatrick Mayor P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins, 493-1693 Staff Legislative Support Peter K.Dallow,Director Administrative Services P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6797 Susanne Edminster,Policy Analyst Finance Administration P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6784 Thomas Peterson,Planning Director Development Services P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6751 Dave Feldman,Acting Chief Police Services P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6550 Tom Shoemaker,Administrator Natural Resources P.o.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6600 Bob Nastan,Construction and Services Manager Light &Power p.0.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6724 Jerry P. Cultural, P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6350 Steve Roy,City Attorney City Attorney’s Office P.O.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6520 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 Wendy Williams,Government Affairs Coordinator Water &Wastewater Utility P.0.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221 -6681 Debra Kaestner,Assistant to the Director Administrative Services P.0.Box 580 Fort Collins,CO 80522 221-6796 CO 80522 Brown,Assistant to Director Library &Recreation Svs. 5 r SERVICE AREA:UTILITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT:LIGHT AND POWER The City’s municipally owned electric utility primarily monitors state legislation to be on guard for laws that may inadvertently impact the operation of the utility.Because there are only 29 municipally operated electric utilities out of 264 cities in the state of Colorado,it is understandable that issues impacting these utilities may not receive sufficient attention.Specific areas of concern to Light and Power include,but are not limited to the following: o Limitations on the process or amount municipal enterprise funds can charge for services or products. o Annexation limits or other legislation that would limit electric service territory. O The limitation or expansion of Authority for the Public Utilities Commission. O Limitations or mandatory bidding requirements impacting local government. o Extension of liability for municipal activities,particularly product liability for electricity. O Underground facilities and liabilities for failure to participate in a statewide locating organization. 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. Primary Contact:Bob Nastan,Light and Power 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 support the following objectives: O Facilitate the maintenance of financially stable utility operations. O Protect the investment that has been made in water rights and the ability to supply future domestic and industrial water needs. o Maintain the quality of drinking water supplies. o Encourage the protection of the environment and the public health in a cost effective manner. O Provide for fair and consistent regulation without excessive redundancies and delays. o 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 Contact:Wendy Williams,Government Affairs Coordinator r 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: o Limitations or mandatory bidding requirements impacting local government. O Changes to,use of,or distribution of Highway User’s Tax. O Safety issues dealing primarily with heavy equipment or in-the- street work. O Liability issues associated with snow,ice operations (especially pedestrian/motorist safety). o Use,storage,and disposal of hazardous wastes as they relate to street painting operations,asphalt operations or snow removal operations. o Environmental concerns resulting from the use of sand and salt during the winter,street pairitiitg operations,herbicide use,sweeping operations,and disposal of used material (concrete,asphalt,etc.). O Legislation impacting or controlling noxious weeds/undesirable plant growth Primary contact:Jon Ruiz,Streets Supervisor r 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 O Annexation O County Powers Urban Growth Areas O Limitation of development fees O Limitation of home rule powers Primary Contact:Tom Peterson,Planning Director r 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 Clean Air Colorado Campaign.During the upcoming legislative session, Natural Resources will monitor legislation concerning: O Funding Clear.Air Colorado Campaign. O Funding for air quality programs. O The state’s role in reducing ozone depleting compounds. O Restrictions on woodburning. o Incentives for recycling programs. o Government procurement of products made from recycled materials. O Wetlands and riparian habitats. O Funding for state and local programs for acquisition of property for outdoor recreation and wildlife habitats. Primary Contact:Tom Shoemaker,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: O Mandatory privatization of governmental services. o Limitations on or mandatory bidding requirements impacting local governments. O Changes to workers compensation laws,payroll tax calculations, employee benefits and pension programs. O Legislation affecting local governments’ability to self-insure or limitations on self-insurance funds and coverage. O Changes to governmental immunity limitations. O Legislation affecting taxing authority,including sales &use tax, Highway Users tax,and property tax. O Any revisions to the investment guidelines for public funds and to the Public Depositors’Protection Act. o Licensing requirements including liquor licensing,vendor licensing, and franchises. O Impact fees for planning and development. O Annexation that affects limits on utility service areas and taxing authority. O Limitations on the City’s ability to incur debt. O Changes to property valuation for tax purposes. O Legislation affecting the formation and structure of special districts and the collection of special assessments. 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 11 r r 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