HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-06/18/2024-RegularJune 18,2024
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS,COLORADO
Council-Manager Form of Government
Regular Meeting —6:00 PM
PROCLAMATIONS &PRESENTATIONS
5:00 PM
A)PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
PP 1.Declaring June 17 through 23,2024,as National Pollinator Week
Mayor Pro Tern Francis presented the above proclamation at 5:00 p.rn.
REGULAR MEETING
6:00 PM
B)CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tern Francis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.in the City Council Charnbers at 300
Laporte Avenue,Fort Collins,Colorado,with hybrid participation available via the City’s Zoom
platform.
C)PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tern Francis led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
0)ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Pro Tern Emily Francis
Councilmember Susan Gutowsky
Councilmember Julie Pignataro
Councilmember Tricia Canonico
Councilmernber Melanie Potyondy
Councilmernber Kelly Ohlson
ABSENT
Mayor Jeni Arndt (Excused)
STAFF PRESENT
Acting City Manager Tyler Marr
City Attorney Carrie Daggett
Interim City Clerk Heather Walls
E)ACTING CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA REVIEW
Acting City Manager Marr provided an overview of the agenda,including:
.All items on the consent agenda were recommended for approval with no changes.
City of Fort Collins Page 444 City Council Proceedings
•The item on the discussion agenda was reviewed.
F)COMMUNITY REPORTS
None.
G)PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY TOPICS OR ITEMS OR COMMUNITY EVENTS
(Including requests for removal of items from Consent Calendar for individual discussion.)
Kristin Candella,Director of Habitat for Humanity,thanked Council and the City for supporting funding
home ownership in the community for homes in the Harmony Cottages neighborhood.
Cherie Trine spoke in support of Council adopting a Gaza ceasefire resolution and commented on the
community support for the resolution.Additionally,Trine encouraged people to attend the court
proceedings for the individuals who were charged after protesting at a Council meeting.
William Timpson discussed civic,non-violent protests around the world that have led to dramatic
changes in conflicts and wars.
Gene Gobble encouraged Council to oppose any increase in housing density.
Patricia Babbitt expressed concern with the results of the Council discussion on the Hughes Stadium
property at its last work session noting voters voted to conserve the area as a public open space
without compromising the ecosystems upon which we all depend.
Adam Hirschhorn discussed the climate crisis and wildfire projections.
An Powers expressed support for indigenous engagement in the decision-making process for the
future of the Hughes Stadium site.
Will Risheill expressed support for returning the Hughes Stadium site to indigenous peoples.
Christinia Eala discussed an indigenous land back initiative and requested the Hughes Stadium
property be returned to the indigenous peoples.
Kurt Kniegge discussed the Old Town North neighborhood and stated houses have been built on
Osiander Street that have been left unfinished for years.He requested Council take steps to have the
issue resolved.
Public comment ended at 6:44 p.m.
H)PUBLIC COMMENT FOLLOW-UP
Councilmember Ohlson requested a staff response to the Old Town North issue.Acting City Manager
Marr replied staff agrees the situation is unacceptable and stated the Building Department has been
dealing with the issue since early 2023 when a notice of violation was issued and the builder has since
been billed for work done to shore up the properties.Marr also stated new plans have been submitted
to hopefully get the project back on track.
Councilmember Potyondy thanked the speakers.
Councilmember Pignataro stated there was some early engagement with the indigenous community
when the ballot measure first passed and requested a follow-up memo on future outreach.
City of Fort Collins Page 445 City Council Proceedings
I)COUNCILMEMBER REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
None.
J)CONSENT CALENDAR
1.Consideration and Approval of the Minutes of the May 21,2024 and June 4,2024 Regular
Meetings.
The purpose of this item is to approve the minutes of the May21,2024 and June 4,2024 regular
meetings.
Adopted.
2.Items Relating to the Appropriation of Federal Funds in the Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG)and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME)Program Funds.
A.Second Reading of Ordinance No.074,2024,Making Supplemental Appropriations in the
Community Development Block Grant Fund.
B.Second Reading of Ordinance No.075,2024,Making Supplemental Appropriations in the
HOME Investments Partnerships Grant Fund.
These Ordinances,unanimously adopted on First Reading on June 4,2024,appropriate the City’s
FY2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)Entitlement Grant and FY2024 Home
Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)Participating Jurisdiction Grant from the Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),and CDBG program income from FY2022 and
FY2023 and HOME Program Income from FY2022 and FY2023.
Ordinances Adopted on Second Reading.
3.Second Reading of Ordinance No.076,2024,Making Supplemental Appropriation for the
Charter Review Council Priority from General Fund Reserves.
This Ordinance,unanimously adopted on First Reading on June 4,2024,appropriates funds to
allow work to begin on the City Charter review process included in the Council-adopted Council
priorities.The amount appropriated,$25,000,will be used to fund special legal counsel with
municipal charter expertise to take the lead on the review and drafting of Charter provisions to
update and modernize the City Charter.
Adopted on Second Reading.
4.Second Reading of Ordinance No.077,2024,Appropriating Philanthropic Revenue
Received Through City Give for the Cultural Community Program Through Cultural
Services.
This Ordinance,unanimously adopted on First Reading on June 4,2024,requests an
appropriation of $30,000 in philanthropic revenue received through City Give for Cultural
Community Program,a department within the City’s Cultural Services area,for live music as
designated by the grant award.
In 2019,the City of Fort Collins launched City Give,a formalized enterprise-wide initiative to create
a transparent,non-partisan governance structure for accepting and appropriating charitable gifts.
City of Fort Collins Page 446 City Council Proceedings
Adopted on Second Reading.
5.Second Reading of Ordinance No.078,2024,Appropriating Prior Year Philanthropic
Revenue Reserves Received by City Give for the 9/11 Memorial at Spring Park.
This Ordinance,unanimously adopted on First Reading on June 4,2024,requests an
appropriation of $12,500 in philanthropic revenue received by City Give for the construction of the
9/11 Memorial at Spring Park,2100 Mathews Steet,Fort Collins,CO.
A partnership between the City of Fort Collins and Poudre Fire Authority (PFA),the 9/11 Memorial
will be located in midtown Fort Collins,and will honor firefighters,emergency medical technicians,
law enforcement officers,and nearly 3,000 others who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
Adopted on Second Reading.
6.Second Reading of Ordinance No.079,2024,Making a Supplemental Appropriation and
Authorizing Transfer of Appropriations for The Gardens on Spring Creek Internship
Program.
This Ordinance,unanimously adopted on First Reading on June 4,2024,supports The Gardens
on Spring Creek internship program by:
•Appropriating $4,200 of unanticipated grant revenue awarded by the Colorado Department of
Agriculture (CDA))and
•Utilizing matching funds in the amount of $4,200 from existing 2024 appropriations into to this
new grant project.
In May2024 the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA)awarded the City of Fort Collins (City)
$4,200 under the CDA ‘s Agricultural Workforce Development Grant Program (Attachment 2).The
City will be pro viding an additional $4,200 in required matching funds.The award funds and City’s
matching funds will support hiring an intern for The Gardens’summer 2024 internship program.
The $4,200 in funds through the CDA’s Agricultural Workforce Development Grant Program are
federal pass-through funds.
As presented per Attachment 2,the $4,200 is provided pursuant to a State of Colorado Purchase
Order,with corresponding terms and conditions.There is no requirement that the City sign an
agreement Rather upon the City submitting the first request for reimbursement to CDA,the City
agrees to all terms and conditions of the award.
Adopted on Second Reading.
7.First Reading of Ordinance No.080,2024,Amending Ordinance No.107,2023,and
Appropriating Prior Year Reserves Designated for Fire Services in the Fire Protection
Capital Expansion Fund for Payment to the Poudre Fire Authority to be Used to Pay for a
New Headquarters Building.
The purpose of this item is to appropriate and reappropriate funds from the Are Protection Capital
Expansion Fund and transfer funds to Poudre Are Authority (PFA)for purchase of a new
Headquarters Building.
Adopted on First Reading.
City of Fort Collins Page 447 City Council Proceedings
8.Public Hearing and Resolution 2024-077 Approving the Programs and Projects that will
Receive Funds from the Federal Community Development Block Grant Program,the HOME
Investment Partnerships Program,the City’s Affordable Housing Fund,and the City’s
Human Services Program.
The purpose of this item is to approve funding recommendations of the 2024 Spring Cycle of the
Competitive Process.This Resolution will complete the 2024 Spring Cycle of the Competitive
Process for allocating $3,772,510 in City financial resources to affordable housing and public
facility projects,human service programs,and administration of the programs.
Adopted.
9.Resolution 2024-078 Approving the Appointment of Delynn Coldiron as City Clerk Effective
June 24,2024.
The purpose of this item is to approve the appointment of Delynn Coldiron as City Clerk.
Adopted.
10.Resolution 2024-079 Adopting Findings of Fact in Support of the City Council’s Decision
to Overturn on Appeal the Historic Preservation Commission Determination that 2601
South College Avenue is Eligible for Fort Collins Landmark Designation.
The purpose of this item is to make findings of fact and conclusions regarding Council’s decision
at the June 4,2024,appeal hearing about the historic landmark eligibility of 2601 South College
Avenue (the “Property”)that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC “Commission”)failed to
properly interpret and apply City Code Section 14-22 and thereby overturned the HPC’s Apr11 17,
2024,determination that the Property was eligible for designation as a Fort Collins Landmark.
Adopted.
11.Resolution 2024-080 Making Appointments to the Downtown Development Authority
Board.
The purpose of this item is to fill vacancies that will exist as of June 30,2024.
Adopted.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Pignataro moved,seconded by Councilmember Potyondy,to approve the
recommended actions on items 1-11 on the consent calendar.
The motion carried 6-0.
Ayes:Mayor Pro Tem Francis,Councilmembers Ohlson,Potyondy,Canonico,Pignataro,and
Gutowsky.
Nays:None.
Absent:Mayor Arndt (Excused).
K)CONSENT CALENDAR FOLLOW-UP (This is an opportunity for Coundllmembers to comment on
items adopted or approved on the Consent Calendar.)
Councilmember Pignataro welcomed former City Clerk Delynn Coldiron back to the position.
City of Fort Collins Page 448 City Council Proceedings
Mayor Pro Tern Francis also welcomed Coldiron and thanked Interim City Clerk Heather Walls for her
work.
Councilmember Gutowsky commented on Item No.5,Second Reading of Ordinance No.078,2024,
Appropriating Prior Year Philanthropic Revenue Reserves Received by City Give for the 9/11
Memorial at Spring Park,noting the memorial will soon be opened.
Councilmember Gutowsky commented on Item No.7,First Reading of Ordinance No.080,2024,
Amending Ordinance No.107,2023,and Appropriating Prior Year Reserves Designated for Are
Services in the Are Protection Cap ital Expansion Fund for Payment to the Poudre Fire Authority to be
Used to Pay for a New Headquarters Building.
Councilmember Gutowsky also welcomed Coldiron to the City Clerk position.
L)STAFF REPORTS
None.
M)COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Gutowsky reported on attending the Police Services graduation,a lunch and learn
session at the Chamber of Commerce,the first anniversary celebration at the Teen Activity Center,
and the ribbon culling ceremony for the Morningstar Senor Living facility.
Councilmember Pignataro reported on attending the international Town and Gown Association annual
conference.
Councilmember Canonico reported on attending the Colorado Communities for Climate Action annual
meeting and the National League of Cities Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting,and
announced Bike to Work (or wherever)Day on June 26.
Councilmember Potyondy reported on community Juneteenth celebrations and announced a listening
session at NoCo Pride on Saturday,June 29.
Councilmember Gutowsky commented on the Multicultural Business and Entrepreneur Center.
N)CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR INDIVIDUAL
DISCUSSION
None.
0)CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS PLANNED FOR DISCUSSION
12.Items Relating to Residential Occupancy Ordinance.
A.First Reading of Ordinance No.081,2024,Amending the Land Use Code of the City of Fort
Collins to Remove Residential Occupancy Limitations.
B.First Reading of Ordinance No.082,2024,Amending the Code of the City of Fort Collins to
Conform with the Removal of Residential Occupancy Limitations from the Land Use Code.
The purpose of this item is to consider adoption of changes to the City’s Land Used Code and
Municipal Code to comply with House Bill 24-1007,which prohibits residential occupancy limits
based on familial relationship.
City of Fort Collins Page 449 City Council Proceedings
Sylvia Tatman-Burruss,Senior Project Manager,stated this item contemplates changes to the
Land Use Code and Municipal Code to comply with House Bill 24-1007,which prohibits residential
occupancy limits based on familial relationships,but does offer the ability to limit occupancy based
on demonstrated health and safety standards.The effective date of the bill is July 1,2024.
Tatman-Burruss noted the current occupancy ordinance does limit occupancy based on familial
relationships,or no more than three unrelated occupants,and enforcement of that ordinance
began in 2005.Tatman-Burruss outlined the proposed Code changes.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Rich Stave expressed disappointment with the state’s suppression of home rule and the role that
some of the Larimer County representatives played in the introduction and passage of the bill.
Stave particularly opposed the elimination of group home regulation and expressed concern the
bill increases taxes without fair and open representation.
COUNCIL QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION
Councilmember Ohlson stated the occupancy ordinance came into effect when it became
apparent that neighborhoods within one to four miles of the CSU campus were physically
deteriorating rapidly.He stated the offense was changed from criminal to civil in 2005,which
made it easier to enforce,and the neighborhoods have dramatically improved since that time.He
stated the state’s change will have a negative impact on affordability and he would have preferred
if the state would have allowed home rule cities to maintain control over the issue.
Councilmember Ohlson stated the City’s occupancy ordinance was not unconstitutional and did
not violate the fair housing act.Additionally,he noted the City is not aware of a single challenge
to the occupancy ordinance based on discriminatory practices.He stated he anticipates a future
Council will be making changes based on changes the state will make after negative
consequences of the legislation are made apparent.
Councilmember Ohlson stated the occupancy ordinance has served Fort Collins well over the
past twenty years by improving neighborhoods and helping affordability.
Mayor Pro Tem Francis stated it is difficult to attribute one policy to that many positive changes
over the past twenty years.She noted the public nuisance ordinance was passed to help address
some of the key problems that did not have anything to do with the number of people living in a
home.
Councilmember Pignataro noted the rental registration program is also in place which will provide
much more information on poor landlords.
Councilmember Pignataro moved,seconded by Councilmember Canonico,to adopt on
First Reading,Ordinance No.081,2024,Amending the Land Use Code of the City of Fort
Collins to Remove Residential Occupancy Limitations.
The motion carried,5-1
Ayes:Councilmembers Potyondy,Canonico,Pignataro,and Gutowsky,and Mayor Pro
Tem Francis.
Nays:Councilmember Ohlson.
Absent:Mayor Arndt (Excused).
City of Fort Collins Page 450 City Council Proceedings
Councilmember Pignataro moved,seconded by Councilmember Potyondy,to adopt on
First Reading,Ordinance No.082,2024,Amending the Code of the City of Fort Collins to
Conform with the Removal of Residential Occupancy Limitations from the Land Use Code.
The motion carried,5-1
Ayes:Councilmembers Potyondy,Canonico,Pignataro,and Gutowsky and Mayor Pro Tem
Francis
Nays:Councilmember Ohlson.
Absent:Mayor Arndt (Excused).
P)OTHER BUSINESS
08 1.Possible consideration of the initiation of new ordinances and/or resolutions by
Councilmembers.
(Three or more individual Councilmembers may direct the City Manager and City Attorney to
initiate and move forward with development and preparation of resolutions and ordinances
not originating from the CounciPs Policy Agenda or initiated by staff)
Councilmember Potyondy requested Council support to direct staff to draft a City ordinance
prohibiting the retail sale of dogs and cats sourced from large-scale commercial breeders,
specifically written to limit provisions to dogs and cats,to not impact the operations of small,
reputable,in-home breeders,and to provide best practices for the existing pet store to
rehome any animals it has and to reimagine its business model should it choose to do so.
Mayor Pro Tem Francis opposed moving forward with an ordinance questioning whether it
would actually address a problem and whether it would move a regulated business to an
unregulated business.She expressed support for getting a memo on those items before
moving straight to an ordinance.
Councilmember Pignataro supported moving straight to an ordinance given information from
other communities and knowledge that the local pet store has sold at least four puppies in
the last few years from one of the Humane Society’s hundred worst puppy mills.
Ginny Sawyer,Project and Policy Manager,noted that information has come from community
advocates,not from staff research.
Councilmember Ohlson expressed support for Councilmember Potyondy’s proposal.
Councilmember Gutowsky also expressed support for Councilmember Potyondy’s proposal.
Councilmember Canonico commented on the City being a data-driven organization and
would like to start with a memo rather than an ordinance.
Councilmember Potyondy stated there have already been two staff memos on the issue and
asked what other information Councilmembers would like to see.Sawyer noted the City
Attorney’s Office put together a confidential memo early on that outlines what other
communities have done,and that memo was recirculated after the election with a bit of
additional information.Sawyer stated staff could look for information coming from a more
neutral source.
Councilmember Potyondy stated this type of ordinance does reflect Fort Collins values in
terms of pets and animal welfare.
City of Fort Collins Page 451 City Council Proceedings
Acting City Manager Marr stated staff has clear direction to bring forward an ordinance for
Council consideration on August 20 as well as a memo with additional information prior to
that meeting.
Councilmember Ohlson commented on the National Pollinator Week proclamation and
suggested the City ultimately develop an internal and external pollinator policy.Acting City
Manager Marr stated a memo will be coming forth in July on the collective pollinator work
being done as a City organization.
Councilmember Pignataro noted a pollinator policy may be a missing part of the Pollinator
City designation for Fort Collins and suggested that be part of the memo.
Q)ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Council,the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tern
ATTEST:
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Interim City Clerk
City of Fort Collins Page 452 City Council Proceedings