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Legislative Review Committee Agenda
Meeting Notes
October 27, 2015, 4:00 p.m.
Commons Conference Room
Present: Ross Cunniff, Councilmember; Ray Martinez, Councilmember; Gino
Campana, Councilmember; Carrie Daggett, City Attorney; Dan Weinheimer,
Legislative Policy Manager; Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Absent: Wendy Williams, Assistant City Manager
Guests: Darin Atteberry, City Manager; Bob Overbeck, Councilmember; Kevin
Jones, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
The meeting came to order at 4:04 pm.
Councilmember Martinez moved approval of the minutes from the September 22,
2015 meetings, Councilmember Cunniff seconded. Minutes were adopted without
amendment.
Dan presented an overview of the upcoming Colorado Oil and Gas
Conservation Commission (COGCC) rulemaking to the Committee. He
indicated that a staff team has been tracking this process for several months and
that the State would be conducting rulemaking hearings in mid-November. Dan
explained that the scope of the rulemaking is confined to implementing two
recommendations of the Governor’s Oil and Gas Task Force. He also provided an
overview of the timing set by the State for the rulemaking. LRC provided input
that this item be considered by the full City Council with a resolution. The intent
of full Council consideration would be to provide the public information and a
chance to comment. LRC also discussed who should speak before the COGCC at
the hearings and Councilmembers expressed that on such a technical topic that
testimony may be more effective coming from staff that are familiar with the
scope of the rulemaking.
LRC discussed the draft Legislative Policy Agenda. The Committee expressed
support for the redline draft comments circulated by staff. LRC did make
suggestions to the draft document specific to statements on “rolling coal” and to
augment a statement about police-worn body cameras.
As part of the policy agenda discussion the LRC discussed “rolling coal” and
where to include this topic in the document. Discussion focused on the question of
whether this topic is a legislative fix or whether it’s a question of City resources
needed to enforce existing laws. Staff was asked to do additional research on what
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other states have done, to reach out to other City departments – specifically Police
Services – for recommendations, and to gather information about Colorado’s
vehicle and emission inspection regime. Dan mentioned that New Jersey had
passed a state law and Illinois had considered one (it was not enacted into law).
LRC determined that rolling coal should be included in the policy agenda
but it was not listed as a priority issue.
LRC reviewed the draft 2016 calendar of meetings. Dan reiterated that he had
received direction that the March National League of Cities trip should not be a
full lobbying trip and that a lobbying trip to Washington, DC should be
calendared. Dan highlighted the change of calendar – moving the legislative
breakfast to February and explained that the rationale was to offer City Council a
chance to interact with legislators while the General Assembly was in session.
The hope is that February would give City leaders greater input on topics of
interest. LRC will continue the June lunch where City Council could engage
legislators after the session. LRC would also continue inviting legislators to a
September meeting in order to share bill ideas and work collaboratively ahead of
the next General Assembly session.
Dan provided a brief update on the City’s efforts to coordinate with like-minded
communities for a climate-oriented advocacy coalition. He indicated that the
initial meeting was productive and that staff would be meeting again in
November.
Darin and Councilmember Martinez provided a brief update of the Colorado
Municipal League (CML) policy committee meeting which occurred October
16. Materials from the meeting were shared with the LRC and the City supported
the adopted policy committee positions.
LRC decided to cancel its planned November 24 meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:09 pm.