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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORK SESSION SUMMARY-08/26/2025-Work SessionForestry Division 413 South Bryan Ave Fort Collins, CO 80521 CC: [list any additional recipients] WORK SESSION MEMORANDUM Date: September 4, 2025 To: Mayor and City Councilmembers Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manger Dean Klingner, Community Service Director From: Sylvia Tatman-Burruss, Sr. Policy & Project Manager Kendra Boot, City Forester Subject: August 26, 2025 Work Session Summary: Proposed Tree Preservation and Mitigation Policies BOTTOM LINE The purpose of this memo is to provide a summary of the discussion and follow-up items from the August 26 Work Session. All Councilmembers were present. Staff are available to answer any questions or offer clarification regarding the proposed tree policy updates. Policies will be brought forward for Council consideration in October/November. DISCUSSION SUMMARY Staff provided an overview of five tree policy updates (listed below) and the purpose behind the proposed changes. In general, the five policies aim to create a more predictable and simplified code and an increased focus on preserving large trees. Council questions were wide-ranging, focusing most specifically on the logistics of how each policy would work in practice. After a lengthy discussion, staff noted both concerns and support for each policy. Councilmembers recommended that staff be available for further discussion and to answer outstanding questions. Proposed Code Changes 1 Establish Commercial Tree Removal Permit Program 2 Enhanced measures for tree protection during construction 3 3-year establishment period for Street Trees 4 Expand exemptions for tree mitigation to include Russian-olive, ash, and Siberian elm species under 11” 5 Enhanced Tree Mitigation Policies Councilmembers also asked for additional information on what other communities are doing in terms of tree removal permits and mitigation. This information can be found in the Clarion Associates - Best Practices Report attached. There was additional clarity requested by Docusign Envelope ID: B036A2A4-827A-4B26-A986-1E22C4EA88CF 2 Councilmembers about the Tree Mitigation policy final summary slide. Staff adjusted the righthand column to show the case study comparables in terms of cost rather than percent increase or reduction. As noted within the work session discussion, this policy proposal is generally seen to be “cost neutral” as many existing projects would have seen either a cost increase or cost reduction depending on the site when the proposed policy is applied. Because all sites are different with different configurations of existing tree sizes, this was seen to be as “cost neutral” as possible, while shifting value toward larger, more mature trees. In addition and hypothetically, if the projects that show a cost increase with the proposed mitigation changes would have saved one or two more mature trees on site, then they too would have shown a reduction in tree mitigation owed. However, with existing policy, there is currently no incentive to keep trees of any size on a development or redevelopment site. NEXT STEPS Staff will be available for two-on-two meetings with interested Councilmembers in September and will begin to draft both municipal and land use code based on this feedback. Staff will bring draft code to Planning and Zoning Commission in October, seeking feedback and recommendations for Council. FOLLOW-UP ITEMS Docusign Envelope ID: B036A2A4-827A-4B26-A986-1E22C4EA88CF 3 Staff acknowledges the clarifications asked by Councilmembers and we’ll be working on preparing more information for both the two-on-two discussions if Councilmembers are interested and we’ll also provide more clarity in the agenda information summary leading into Council consideration for adoption. Docusign Envelope ID: B036A2A4-827A-4B26-A986-1E22C4EA88CF Finance Department 25 N Mason St, Fort Collins, CO 80524 PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522 WORK SESSION MEMORANDUM Date: September 4, 2025 To: Mayor and City Councilmembers Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager Caleb Weitz, Chief Financial Officer From: Victoria Shaw, Interim Finance Director Rupa Venkatesh, Assistant City Manager Subject: August 26, 2025 Work Session Summary – Visioning our Future: Budget & Organizational Systems Alignment BOTTOM LINE The purpose of this memo is to document the summary of discussions during the August 26, 2025, Work Session. All Councilmembers were present. Staff reviewed feedback received from the 2025/2026 budget process, reviewed current budget revenue and expense allocations, and provided context and background for the work that has been underway to transition to a new budget process, replacing the Budgeting for Outcomes process for the 2027/2028 biennial budget. Staff also reviewed work being done to improve the council onboarding process. DISCUSSION SUMMARY  Overall, Councilmembers are in support of the proposed changes. Feedback was positive on the proposed change to provide additional context to budget levels and funding requests through visuals, while simplifying narrative inputs.  Feedback was also positive on the council onboarding changes.  A common theme highlighted in the budget process discussion was desire for the included metrics to be robust and meaningful. It was acknowledged that various departments have different experience levels and competences with their current metrics, and the 2027/2028 budget work will include a staff effort to strengthen business acumen and work towards more meaningful metrics.  There was also interest in approaching the funding requests and budget materials from a community member perspective and presenting things holistically.  Councilmembers expressed interest in additional information and context on definition of base and discretionary spending, scenario planning for options for changing service levels, context on fees and cost recovery, and for furthering investment in Affordable Housing. Docusign Envelope ID: 6312F1E9-288F-43D8-9DA0-99D9692F7ABC NEXT STEPS Staff will incorporate Council members’ feedback as they work on design of the transitional 2027/2028 budgeting process, which will kick off in Q1 of 2026. Council onboarding and priority setting discussions will continue throughout the remainder of 2025 with Leadership Planning Team and Council. 2027/2027 Budget materials will also incorporate the scenarios requested. Docusign Envelope ID: 6312F1E9-288F-43D8-9DA0-99D9692F7ABC