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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Full - Legislative Review Committee - 08/04/1999 -rCitytager City of Fort Collins Memorandum Date:August 4,1999 To:Mayor and City Council Legislative Review Committee Members Through:John Fischbach,City Manager ~)24 Diane Jones,Deputy City Manager From:Ginny Brown,Legislative Affairs Coordinator Re:Legislative Agenda and Tentative Meeting Agenda Attached is the revised legislative agenda based upon the last LRC meeting on July 8, 1999.The punpose of the revisions was to streamline the document.The major changes include: >Changing the layout to be council/legislator friendly >Condensing the document where appropriate >Articulating what we oppose and support in a more distinct fonnat >Removing the rational of why we support or oppose what we do At the last LRC meeting concern was expressed that some of our legislative policy statements were broad and others were very specific.For example,on page 3 we state that we oppose needle exchange programs.This is a specific statement that could be stated more broadly or dropped all together. All Legislative Review Committee support staff members are asked to evaluate changes based upon the following criteria: >Does this document articulate general policies for your service area/department? >Are the current statements easy to understand? >Would you add or drop any statements? >Do we need revisions? Please review and let me know of any changes by Tuesday August 10,1999. 300 LaPorte Avenue •P.O.Box 580 •Fort Collins,CO 80522-0580 •(970)221-6505 •FAX (970)224-610? State Interim Committees being monitored: >Growth and development >Special Water >Fiscal Study >Telecommunications >Transportation Legislative Review Committee TENTATIVE AGENDA 8/12/99 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM CIC Room Agenda Topics Approval of Minutes September Meeting w/Sam Mamet Legislative Process Legislative Agenda November 5,Meeting wI Delegation Municipal interest in State Interim Committees Mayor John Fischbach Ginny Ginny Ginny Ginny Ron Phillips Dennis Sumner Liz Stroh Alan Krcmarik Tom Vosburg 5 5 5 15 5 20 Transportation Telecommunications Telecommunications Fiscal Policy Growth &Development Other Information City of Fort Collins 2000 Legislative Agenda AIR QUALITY Support +State and Federal standards that improve air quality and public health protection. (•Encouragement of regional planning efforts +The ability of County and State Health Departments to have a the responsibility,authority and resources necessary to enforce regulations adopted by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission +Enforcement of County,State and Federal air quality regulations +Using economic incentives and disincentives,removing hidden cost subsidies to motor vehicle users etc.in order to facilitate the reduction of vehicle miles traveled. +lnspectionlmaintenance legislation that contributes to the reduction of tailpipe emissions per mile and helps prevent total vehicle emissions from increasing after the year 2000 +More stringent tailpipe standards +Establishment of equal standards for cars,light trucks and sport utility vehicles +Fuel neutral standards for gasoline and diesel that decrease sulfur content of fuels and that promote advanced low emission vehicle technology +Increased fuel efficiency of motor vehicles +Increased energy efficiency and use of renewable energy resources (excluding residential woodbuming) (•Pollution prevention +Colorado’s self-audit law Oppose +Restricting local governments authority to improve air quality beyond minimum state or federal requirements CULTURAL SERVICES Support +Enhancement of the City’s ability to provide cultural services for the education,entertainment and enrichment of the community. +Fostering the creation and presentation of the arts. +Strengthening the role of culture and the arts in our educational system. +Preserving our cultural heritage +Enhancing public access to and awareness and appreciation of the arts. EDUCATION Support +Funding for K-12 and higher education +Fair funding mechanisms that provide real dollars and are not regressive +Consideration of other viable funding options +Imposing school impact fees,consistent with the Governor’s Smart Growth recommendations?(Is this consistent with Owen’s administration) ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Support +Flexible application of financial resources +Local efforts to plan and regulate the interrelationships of land use,transportation and air quality. Oppose +Preemption of local authority to adopt environmental and land use ordinances. +Restriction of local govemment environmental and land use authority now authorized by the Colorado Constitution Support FEDERAL BUDGET +All entitlement programs +Treating all programs with equity in the budget process +Review and updating of federal tax expenditures +Postponing tax cuts until a balanced federal budget is achieved Oppose +Local programs bearing the burden of federal program reductions +Discrimination and favoritism +Cutting discretionary programs resulting in a disproportionate share of the burden being placed on cities and towns +Converting local assistance to state control +Altering accounting,procedural or budget rules in place of actual deficit reduction FINANCE Support •:•Strengthening local financing authority of municipalities. +Public and private economic development efforts that are consistent with the City’s economic development policies. •:•Equity among taxing jurisdictions when offering financial incentives to business. +Removal or modification of Article X,Section 20,due to inability to receive user fees for services that residents want +Taxation of e-commerce or mail order goods. +Property tax reductions for renewable energy. +Voter approval for replacement funding to City’s revenue base. Oppose +State mandated reductions to property tax structure without specific revenue replacement provisions. I FIRE PROTECTION Support +A minimum standard for fire code enforcement in existing and newly constructed structures (Uniform Fire Code should be 1997 or later). +Municipalities imposing more restrictive standards for fire code enforcement •Municipal,county and fire district control regarding the prohibition and of use and sale of all fireworks. •Fire safety education that leads to the prevention of injury,loss of life and property damage. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT Support 4•Municipal control of risks associated with the use,storage,and transportation of hazardous materials. +Environmental impact assessments,health risk assessments and receipt of a Certificate of Designation from counties or municipalities,to establish new hazardous waste incineration facilities. +Pollution prevention programs +Enforcement and strengthening of state hazardous materials regulations. Oppose (~Restricting the City from adopting local strategies for hazardous materials and waste reduction. 4•Restricting the City’s ability to review and approve the location of facilities that use or store hazardous materials or waste. HOME RULE Support +Strengthening home rule authority of local municipal govemments. Mandating state or federal intercession in matters of local con cam Support +Protection of investments by govemment entities. +Adequate investment disclosure. Oppose 4•Requirement of municipalities to participate in investments that do not meet the objectives set fort in the City’s policies. +My restrictions on the City’s abilities to adopt its own Investment policies. +Enhances the City’s ability to provide library services 4•Enhances the City’s ability to provide children and adults with the skills they need to read to proficiency with computers and to help them use information resources available in a modem, global information society LIGHT AND POWER Support +Net Metering legislation as a way to promote renewable energy. RETAIL WHEELING Oppose +My federal or state mandate requiring municipal utilities to implement retail wheeling. +Duplication of distribution facilities +Creating retail competition in Colorado until states adjacent to Colorado create competitive retail markets. +Mandating an ‘effective date’ Support +The constitutional and statutory right of consumer-owned utilities to establish their own rates. +Local control for rates,terms and conditions if retail wheeling service is offered by a municipality. +Distribution utility retaining the right to meter and bill all customers. 4•Retaining the right to investigate and claim recovery for energy diversion. +Retain the right to disconnect service for nonpayment +All industry sectors being subject to identical requirements concerning open meetings and public records. 6~Full recovery of costs associated with the ownership of the distribution system that delivers the electric supply to the retail- wheeling customer. 4.Requiring the customer to secure back-up power. 4.Requiring industry participants not to engage in unfair competitive practices 4•Promotion of reliable and quality service. (•Giving the incumbent a right of first refusal to match any offer to provide comparable power at comparable prices. MUNICIPAL UTILITY SERVICE TERRITORY Support (•Allowing citizens the ability to determine the level and extent of municipal services they will receive. Oppose +Limiting a municipalities right to annex or to provide municipal utility services to any of its citizens. +Reduction of City’s revenue tax base Oppose •:• INVESTMENTS LIBRARY SERVICES Support +Promoting libraries as a great democratic institution •Protection of intellectual freedom NATURAL AREAS &OPEN LANDS Support +Tax incentives for voluntary land conservation by private landowners. 2 C +Additional funding for state and federal land conservation programs. Oppose +Restricting local government environmental and land use regulatory authority. +Reducing the effectiveness of existing federal and state protection for wetlands,wildlife habitats,and other sensitive natural areas. OBSOLETE SUBDMSIONS,VACATION OF Support +Review of all subdivisions up to 160 acres,by the County,to allow jurisdictions to vacate obsolete plats and subdivisions, where appropriate. PARKS &RECREATION Support +Enhancing the City’s ability to provide parks,trails,forestry, horticulture and recreation services and facilities. +The Colorado Lottery and its current distribution +Great Outdoors Colorado Program and full funding for municipal government projects,with maximum local discretion regarding local needs and priorities. +Facilitating publiclprivate and publiclpublic partnerships that improve the provision of parks and recreation services and facilities to the comrnunity. +Promoting programs for youth and at-risk teens and for persons with disabilities. •:•Volunteerism and community service to address the civic,social and recreational needs of our community. PLANNING &LAND USE Support +Establishment of programs to remove barriers to effective local land use planning and land development. +Establishment of programs that promote intergovernmental or regional cooperation in land use planning and land development regulation. +A baseline of consistent and coordinated basic land use and transportation planning. Oppose +Limiting local government authority to regulate land development. +Extending the definition of a compensable taking beyond the provisions of existing court decisions and case law. •:•Broadening the definition of vested property right beyond the provisions of current state law. Oppose •:~Mandates that increase the complexity and cost of service without improving those services. PUBLIC SAFETY &VIOLENCE PREVENTION Support +Preventing incidents of violence especially youth violence. +Development of treatment and intervention programs for youth violence. +Greater protection for victims of domestic violence. •Prevention of domestic violence. +the City’s right to use camera radar and to establish fine levels associated with its use. +Requiring the state to support the use of camera radar +Continuing the current law regarding permits to carry concealed weapons. +Financing of a statewide communications program. Oppose •:•Needle exchange programs PUBLIC SAFETY PENSIONS Oppose +Reducing the current state funding of these benefits +Shifting funding of these benefits to local governments beyond current proportions. Support RECYCLING &SOLID WASTE Integrated waste management plan for Colorado +Incentives and funding for efforts by local government and private enterprise +Procurement of products made from recycled materials by federal,state and local government (•Expanding state and regional markets for materials collected in local recycling programs. +broadening the regulatory authority of local government to ensure the efficient collection and processing of recyclable material and solid waste. (•Establishing a goal for Colorado’s rate of diversion of its waste stream from landfill disposal. +State involvement regarding monitoring data on trash volumes and rates of diversion from landfill disposal. +Implementation of pay as you throw’programs throughout Colorado. Oppose +Limiting local government the ability to regulate the activities of private waste or recycling collectors. +Limiting local govemment the ability to provide waste or recycling collection or processing services to citizens. PRIVATIZATION Support +Provision of services through private enterprise when in the public good. +Local control for awarding contracts Support + SALES &USE TAX Local control over base,rates,collections and administration of sales and use taxes. +Cooperative audits by governmental agencies. 3 Oppose (.Creating state sales and use taxes exemptions that would contradict current local interpretations. (.Preemption local authority to impose and collect sales and use taxes. SOVEREIGN &GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY Support +Protecting the interests of municipalities in the lawful and proper performance of their duties and responsibilities. •Discouraging daims and demands that can be made against municipalities Oppose +Increasing municipal liability. Support + + SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS Local governments to create special improvement districts Collection of delinquent assessments Strengthening the lien position of assessments IJenholders to foreclose special assessment liens quickly and reduce carrying costs. +Reducing the complexities of obtaining clear title to properties acquired through the Treasurer’s Deed process. TELECOMMUNICATIONS Support •Public access to municipal and community information +Individual right to privacy and the right of access to public records for citizens using the information infrastructure. +Universal access to telecommunications services by citizens, commercial,educational and governmental sectors. +Open marketplace for telecommunications services in a competitively neutral environment +Local control for: 1.Zoning requirements and siting standards for above ground telecommunication transceiver structures. 2.Local public rights of way 3.Mhedng to customer service standards 4.Mitigating negative impact on local infrastructures 5.Recovering costs associated with rights of way maintenance. 6.Managing methods of facilities installation. +Collecting tax revenue as permitted by law from merchandise purchases via electronic media. +Granting franchises to telecommunication companies. +Rights of Way (ROW)for the installati&n of telecommunications facilities to engage in private,for profit enterprise demands a fair payment for the use of public assets as permitted by law. +Maximizing the City’s ability to access telecommunication resources. •Adequate allocation of public radio frequencies for public safety, emergency services,public works,etc. +The ability to charge for the cost acquisition,compilation, provision of or access to,electronic and hardcopy pu blic data information. TRANSPORTATION Support +Meeting basic transportation needs via cooperation between local,county,state and federal governments. •:•Current Highway User Tax Fund (HUTF)allocation of 60%state, 22%counties and 18%municipalities. +Share back with local governments any appropriation for transportation from the state general fund using the 60-22-18 formula. +Fund analysis and implementation of the linkages between commuters and railltransit alternatives. +Regional planning for alternative transportation and reduction in single occupant vehicle usage. (•Increased funding for highway projects with flexibility for all modes of transportation. +Use of federal transportation trust funds and motor fuel taxes for federal purposes. +‘Off the top’diversions for the Colorado State Patrol and for the Ports of Entry from the Highway UsersTax Fund. +Highway Users Tax Fund monies flowing directly to the transportation needs for which they are intended by changing budget support to the state general fund. WATER UTILITIES Support -General (•Reasonable limitation of liability for Water,Stormwater and Wastewater operations. +State primacy over federally mandated water,stormwater and wastewater environmental regulatory programs. +Reasonable water quality control regulations that are cost effective and can show identifiable benefits. +Election of directors for water conservancy districts. +Local development of watershed protection efforts. 4.Cooperation between City Water Utilities and other water and wastewater treatment providers. Support —Water •Maximizing local control efforts for water conservation activities. 4.Umiting the federal governments ability to affect water rights 4•State and federal funding of mandated programsunder the Safe Drinking Water Act. Oppose —Water +My legislation not founded on sound and comprehensive scientific research. 4’Any dean water legislation or regulations that do not consider the impact on other contaminants and the contaminant removal process. Support —Wastewater +State and federal funding of mandated programs under the Clean Water Act 6•Providing the state with the flexibility to tailor federal legislation and regulations to local conditions. 4 Oppose -Wastewater +Clean water legislation or regulations not founded on sound and comprehensive scientific research. +My clean water legislation that ignores a potential impact on contaminants and the contaminant removal process. WORKER’S COMPENSATION Support +Improving the administrative efficiency of the Division of Workers’Compensation. Oppose +Increasing insurance premium costs to employers +Mding administrative burdens or taxes to self-insurance programs. +Promoting litigation DRAFT #2 7126199 ~\EXEtNE1W0L2WGRS\Brown1LRCiRevIsedIegbbIive agenda.doc