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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 07/09/1998 -City Manager C Ci of Fort Collins Sr I I H P ~I II.I This update is designed to keep you informed of the legislative activities undertaken by the City of Fort Collins.It is provided bimonthly,throughout the legislative session,following every Council-Staff Legislative Review Committee meeting.Please direct all questions and comments regarding this update to Blair D.Leist via e mail or extension 6796.Thank you. I.Minutes of the July 9,1998 meeting 300 LaPorte Avenue •P0.Box 580 •Fort Collins,CC 80522-0580 •(970)221-6505 •FAX (970)224-6107 0 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS Council Members Ann Azari Mayor (970)221-6505 Scott Mason Councilmember 221-6505 Will Smith Mayor Pro Tern 221-6505 Staff Members John Fischbach City Manager Guy Boyd Poudre Fire Authority, Director of Administrative Services 221-6570 Stewart Ellenberg Risk Manager 221-6774 Marty Heffernan Assistant to the Director of Cultural,Library and Recreational Services 221-6064 Randy Hensley Transportation Services 221-6608 Diane Jones Deputy City Manager 221-6505 Alan Krcmarik Finance Director 221-6788 Blair Leist Assistant to the Director of Administrative Services 221-6796 Legislative Affairs Coordinator Gale McGaha Miller Water Quality Technical Manager 221-6231 Rita Davis Senior Project Manager,Police Services 221-6628 Rondall Phillips Director of Transportation Services 221-6615 Steve Roy City Attorney 221-6520 Tom Shoemaker Natural Resources Director 221-6263 Michael Smith Water/Wastewater Utilities Director 221-6681 Liz Stroh Integrated Resources Manager 221-6522 Bill Switzer Utility Economist,Light and Power 221-6713 Tom Vosberg Community Planning and Environmental Services Policy Analyst 221-6224 Kevin Wilson Fire Marshall,Poudre Fire Authority 221-6570 Brian Woodruff Environmental Planner 221-6604 Legislative Review Committee Council Member-Staff Meeting Meeting Minutes for July 9,1998 Council Attendance:Scoff Mason Staff Attendance:Rita Davis,Marty Heffernan,Diane Jones,Ron Phillips,Liz Stroh,Alan Krcmarik,Blair D.Leist (Recorder) 1998 Surplus Investment Package Ballot Measure During the last General Session the Legislature passed HB98-1256 which refers to the registered electors of the State a proposal which would authorize the State to retain for the 1997-98 fiscal year and for four years thereafter,a portion of the State’s Surplus revenues which exceed the limitations imposed by Article XX of the Colorado Constitution,and to expend those excess revenues for transportation and education capital construction needs. Transportation Services will be submitting to Council (July 21)a resolution supporting this ballot measure.If approved,the measure would allocate up to $1 billion over a five year period,of which $500 million would be allocated for state and local transportation using the HUTF formula of 60%state,22%counties and l8°o local. The total amount to the City is estimated to be $560,000 per year;$2.8 million over the next five years.These funds would be used to help meet the $42 million in unfunded transportation capital needs which the City has identified for the next eight years including upgrade of the traffic operations and signal systems. II.Collections of Information Antipiracy Act On May 19,1998 the House passed H.R.2652,the “Collections of Information Antipiracy Act”which creates civil and criminal penalties for extracting substantial parts of databases if this could cause harm to the actual or potential markets for such databases.The bill creates a new category of protection for “collections of information” which goes beyond existing copyrights law because,in order to obtain protection under the bill,it is only necessary that the database provider have invested substantial monetary or other resources in creating the database. The bill is poorly written and it is unclear how it might impact the City.In particular, the bill states that extraction of information can lead to penalties.It does not,however, define extraction.Consequently,the concern has arisen regarding the City’s liability in regards to computer use at the library.For instance,if a library patron uses one of the computers to “extract”information and then the patron uses the information for financial gain,is the City liable?Marty Heffernan will investigate this issue. The bill has been forwarded to all LRC staff members,including the City Attorneys office for their input.If their is concern over this bill the City will take contact our 0 Congressional delegation. HI.Finance and Taxation Internet Tax Bill:The latest House version of the Federal Internet Tax bill bars federal or state regulation of Internet access or online services; imposes a three-year moratorium on state and local taxes specifically targeted to Internet or online services;and creates a commission of state,local,federal,and direct marketing and electronic commerce businesses-excluding Main Street retailer and consumer representatives-to reach decisions regarding future Internet taxation. The bill also identifies taxes as fees making Amendment 1 harder to justi&and has the potential to create lots of interesting case law in the future. Action:1.Continue to work with CML 2.Look into tracking the reduction in sales tax as influenced by the increase of sales on the Internet. 3.Consider talking to local groups about how reduced revenues from sales tax will impact the community. Year 2000:The Securities and Exchange Commission has released disclosure requirements regarding Y2K.In short,it requires that local governments disclose more information about what actions they are taking to address the problem including what actions their vendors, suppliers and primary tax payers are taking.The City has some hesitation about providing information about major tax payer actions. Public Power:H.R.3927 has been introduced and would require public power systems to lose the tax-exempt status of their bonds and their federal income tax exemption if they sell electricity outside their traditional market boundaries.The legislation applies prospectively only to bonds issued after the effective date of the bill. IV.Other Business Camera Radar:Trial date for camera radar has been set for the third week in March 1999. Respectfully Submitted this 9th day of July,1998 Blair D.Leist