HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-05/19/1998-RegularMay 19,1998
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
Council -Manager Form of Government
Regular Meeting - 6:00 p.m.
A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins was held on Tuesday, May 19, 1998,
at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City of Fort Collins City Hall. Roll Call was answered
by the following Councilmembers: Azari, Byrne, Kneeland and Wanner.
Councilmembers Absent: Mason and Smith. Bertschy arrived at 6:10 p.m.
Staff Members Present: Fischbach, Harris, Roy.
Agenda Review
City Manager Fischbach stated that item #1213, Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance No. 85,
1998, Amending the City Code Relating to Historic Buildings by Adopting the 1997 Uniform Code
for Building Conservation, needed to be pulled from the Consent Calendar to provide an opportunity
for a hearing. He also noted that there are changes to item #7 Second Reading of Ordinance No. 74,
1998, Amending Chapter 7.5 of the City Code so as to Add a New Article III Pertaining to Fees in
Lieu of Land Dedication for School Site Acquisition Purposes, item #10 Second Reading of
Ordinance No. 80, 1998, Amending Section 2-73 of the City Code Concerning Minutes of Meetings
for Boards and Commissions, and item #13 Items Relating to Revisions to the Land Use Code.
CONSENT CALENDAR
7. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 74, 1998, Amending Chapter 7.5 of the City Code so as
to Add a New Article III Pertaining to Fees in Lieu of Land Dedication for School Site
Acquisition Purposes.
Ordinance No. 74, 1998 was unanimously adopted on First Reading on April 21, 1998.
Three changes to the ordinance are being proposed by staff on Second Reading. The first
expands the definition of "school site development' in Section 7.5-47 so as to again allow
for the construction or expansion of school facilities. This change would more clearly permit
fee revenues to be used for developing existing school sites to accommodate the expansion
of schools, as well as the development of new sites.
The second change appears in Section 7.5-48(c), whichpertains to the dedication ofproperty.
Two provisions are added. The first states that, at the time of dedication, the dedicated site
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shall have overlot grading, direct access to a publicly dedicated street improved to city
standards, and utilities stubbed to the site. The second states that, upon completion of the
conveyance of the dedicated property to the school district, in a manner consistent with the
provisions of the ordinance, the school district shall promptly certify to the City in writing
that the dedication has been made.
The final change is to Section 7.5-50(b), which details the location of school sites where fee
revenue maybe expended. The Ordinance provides that funds for elementary andjunior high
schools must be expended in the high school feeder attendance area boundaries in which the
fee is collected. Funds for high school sites may be expended anywhere in the District. The
proposed changes have been provided to the school districts.
8. Second Reading of Ordinance No 78 1998 Appropriating Prior Year Reserves in the
General Fund for Police Seizure Activity.
Nearly 100 years ago, Colorado law created a process for the seizure of illegal contraband
used in or gained from criminal activity. The intent is to deter crime and to have criminals
help defray the costs of policing.
State statutes specify that the proceeds from such seizures are to be used for law enforcement
purposes, and require that the governing body (City Council) of the seizing agency (Police
Services) appropriate these proceeds to supplement the seizing agency's budget or forfeit the
proceeds to the general fund of the State of Colorado. The Colorado Supreme Court and the
United States Supreme Court have consistently upheld the constitutionality of these statutes.
Ordinance No. 78, 1998, was unanimously adopted on First Reading on May 5, 1998.
9. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 79, 1998, Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue in the
Transportation Services Fund for the Transit and University Communities Conference and
for the 2020 Regional Transportation Plan and Authorizing a Related Transfer of Funds
Ordinance No. 79, 1998 was unanimously adopted on First Reading on May 5, 1998, and
appropriates unanticipated revenue in the Transportation Services Fund for the "Transit and
University Communities Conference" and authorizes the transfer of funds appropriated as
the local match for the 2020 Plan to the MPO Administration budget, for use in completing
that plan.
10. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 80, 1998, Amending Section 2-73 of the City Code
Concerning Minutes of Meetings for Boards and Commissions
Section 2-73 of the City Code currently requires that minutes of a board or commission
meeting be filed with the City Clerk prior to the next regular meeting of the board or
commission. Typically, this is not possible as the board or commission has not had the
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opportunity to review and approve the minutes until its next regular meeting. The board or
commission could, and often does, file "draft" minutes with the City Clerk prior to its next
regular meeting in an effort to comply with this Code provision. However, the "draft"
minutes have not been reviewed by the board or commission before submittal and
occasionally contain errors or inaccuracies which have the potential of misleading City staff
and the public.
Ordinance No. 80,1998, was unanimously adopted on First Reading on May 5,1998, at that
time Council expressed concern about its ability to access at least draft minutes of the
meetings of boards, commissions and committees in a timely fashion. In response to this
concern, the proposed ordinance has been amended on second reading so as to require
boards, commissions and committees to approve minutes oftheir meetings no later than their
next regular meeting, except in those instances where an audio or video recording has been
made of the prior meeting. Council would then have access either to the audio or video
recording of a meeting, or to draft minutes prepared with the agenda for the next regular
meeting of the board, commission or committee, pending formal approval of the minutes.
11. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 83,1998 Calling a Special Municinal Election to be Held
in Conjunction with the November 3, 1998 General Election
This Ordinance, which was unanimously adopted on First Reading on May 5, 1998, calls for
a special municipal election to be held on November 3,1998 in conjunction with the Larimer
County General Election.
12. Items Relating to the Uniform Building Code and the Uniform Code for Building
Conservation.
A. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 84, 1998, Repealing and Reenacting Chapter 5,
Division 2, of the City Code for the Purpose of Adopting the 1997 Uniform Building
Code, with Amendments.
The 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC) has undergone extensive review by staff, and for
the first time, by a regional ad hoc review committee. In the interest of standardizing the
building codes throughout the Larimer County area to the extent practical, a code review
team (composed of construction professionals, public board members and code officials from
across the Larimer County region) completed a six-month review of the 1997 UBC and draft
amendments. The UBC is published every three years and has been the national model
building code in use by much of Colorado, including Fort Collins, for many years.
Ordinance No. 84, 1998 was unanimously adopted on First Reading on May 5, 1998.
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B. Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance No. 85, 1998, Amending the City Code
Relating to Historic Buildings by Adopting the 1997 Uniform Code for Building
Conservation.
The 1997 Uniform Code for Building Conservation (UCBC) is virtually the same as the
currently adopted 1991 UCBC it replaces. Differing slightly only in format from the earlier
version, the 1997 UCBC is a regulatory tool that allows greater flexibility for alterations to
existing buildings, particularly those designated as "historic". Ordinance No. 85, 1998 was
unanimously adopted on First Reading on May 5, 1998.
13. Items Relating to Revisions to the Land Use Code.
A. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 90, 1998, Amending the City's Land Use Code.
B. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 91, 1998, Amending Section 2-353(4) of the City
Code Regarding the Functions of the Planning and Zoning Board.
Ordinance Nos. 90 and 91, 1998, which were unanimously adopted on First Reading on May
5,1998, make certain amendments to the Land Use Code address a variety of issues that have
recently emerged or have otherwise been identified as being appropriate to address at this
time.
Two changes to draft code revisions adopted at first reading have been proposed by staff for
second reading. Both changes relate to the same issue, which was listed as a "consent" item
at first reading. These refinements relate to clarifying the process and criteria used in review
requests to abandon old plans.
14. First Reading of Ordinance No. 92 1998 Appropriating Prior Year Reserves and
Unanticipated Revenue in the General Fund.
This Ordinance appropriates 1997 lodging tax receipts dedicated to Cultural Development
and Programming (CDP), Visitor Events, and Tourism Capital. In addition, it appropriates
unexpended 1997 appropriations for CDP and visitor events, and revenue received for CDP
in 1997 and 1998 for use in the specified programs. The following information explains
each of these funding sources.
Lodging tax revenue for 1997 was estimated to be $441,993, while the actual receipts totaled
$488,625. The 1998 budget appropriated the estimated 1997 receipts of $441,993. The
additional 1997 lodging tax receipts in the amount of $46,632 have not been appropriated.
In accordance with City Code Section 25-244, 75% of the total receipts are to be used for the
promotion of convention and visitor activities, and 25% for cultural development and
programming (CDP) activities. In accordance with the City's contract for services with the
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Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) for 1996, the City's 1996 payment to CVB was set
at $250,000, with annual increases at a rate not to exceed the prevailing rate of inflation as
established by the Denver -Boulder consumer Price Index.
15. Items Relating to Capital Improvements for the Fort Collins Library
A. Resolution 98-83 Approving the Library Capital Improvement Plan as Part of the
City's Comprehensive Plan.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 93, 1998, Appropriating Prior Year Reserves in the
Capital Expansion Fund for Improvements Relating to the Provision of Library
Services.
The Library staff and the Library Board have been working on updating the Capital
Improvements Plan for the Library. The Board submitted its long-range plan, entitled "Into
the 21 st Century" to Council in October of 1995, but did not request Council approval of that
Plan. Since that time, Council authorized certain capital improvement expansion fees,
including a fee for library capital improvements. These fees are found in Chapter 7.5, Article
II of the City Code. This Article provides that the expansion fees may only be spent on
improvements identified in the Capital Improvements Plan for library services and further
provides that this Plan must be part of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The "Into the 2lst
Century" Plan was not previously approved as part of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The
approval of this Resolution will make the Library Capital Improvements Plan part of the
City's Comprehensive Plan and will allow the appropriation and expenditure of library
capital improvement expansion fee revenue. Staff has planned to use a portion of this money
to buy books and materials for the Harmony Library, and these funds, in the amount of
$268,000 are appropriated for this purpose by adoption of the Ordinance.
16. Items Relating to Latimer Home Improvement Program.
A. Resolution 98-84 Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Application to Request
Funding for the Ensuing Fiscal Year from the Colorado Division of Housing for the
Larimer Home Improvement Program.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 94,1998, Appropriating Funds from the Affordable
Housing Trust Fund Reserve for Use as Matching Funds for the Larimer Home
Improvement Rehabilitation Program.
The Latimer Home Improvement Program (LHIP) is a multi jurisdictional program that
focuses on providing loans to low income households for the purpose of making safety and
structural repairs to their homes. Since its inception in 1994, the program has issued 41
home rehabilitation loans to low income households in Fort Collins. The program is
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administered by the Loveland Housing Authority and uses State of Colorado HOME funds
as the primary funding source. In addition to the HOME funds, the state requires each
participating jurisdiction to provide 25% in matching funds. The City of Fort Collins match
has continued to be $22,500 annually. In previous years funds for the LHIP have been
allocated by City Council from the City's Affordable Housing Fund. In order to facilitate the
City's participation in the LHIP, it is necessary for the City Council to adopt the Resolution
and the Ordinance on First Reading.
17. Items Relating to the Harmony Road Bikeway Project
A. Resolution 98-85 Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Intergovernmental
Agreement with the Colorado Department of Transportation for the Construction of
the Harmony Road Bike Path Project - Phase 11.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 95,1998, Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue and
Authorizing the Transfer of Appropriations to be used for the Construction of the
Second Segment of the Harmony Road Bikeway Project.
The proposed contract between the City and CDOT will allow for work to proceed to prepare
final design documents and construction of the second phase of the Harmony Road bikelane
project:
(1) Provide a bikelane on the south side of Harmony Road from College Avenue to
Boardwalk Drive. The bikelane on the north side will be constructed as part of the
Harmony Market Center development project.
(2) Provide bikelanes on both the north and south sides of Harmony Road between
McMur y and Timberline. The bikelane on the south side of Harmony just west of
Timberline will be built as part of the new development proposed for this site.
18. First Reading of Ordinance No. 96, 1998 Amending the Zoning Man of the City of Fort
Collins by Changing the Zoning Classification for That Certain Property Known as the
Northstar Mobile Home Community Rezoning_
On March 18, 1997, the City Council passed Ordinance No. 51, 1997, adopting a new Land
Use Code, and Ordinance No. 52, 1997, adopting a new Zoning Map, which were designed
to help implement the land use policies of City Plan, the update to the City's Comprehensive
Plan. At the time of the adoption of the ordinances, approximately 27 rezoning issue areas
had been identified where either the property -owner and/or the adjacent property -owners and
residents did not agree with staff s recommendation for the zoning of an area or piece of
property. Rather than delay the adoption of the new Land Use Code, it was agreed that the
rezoning of the issue areas would be further reviewed after adoption of the ordinances. The
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May 19, 1998
process would look again at the City Structure Plan and potential zoning designation. This
property is one such issue area. This is a request to rezone approximately 2.79 acres located
north of LaPorte Avenue and west of Fishback Avenue from the T, Transition, Zoning
District to the LMN, Low -Density Mixed -Use Neighborhood, Zoning District.
APPLICANTS: Mike Bond/Robyn Laird
NorthStar Mobile Home Community
1700 LaPorte Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80521
OWNERS: Same
19. First Reading of Ordinance No. 97, 1998, Adjusting the Capital Improvement Expansion
and Neighborhood Parkland Fees for Increases in Inflation Based on the Denver -Boulder
Consumer Price Index.
With the adoption of Ordinance No. 172, 1997, Council approved increases in the Capital
Improvement Expansion Fees. Upon receipt of the most recent updates to the City Code,
staff noted that two of the fee amounts in the Fire Protection Capital Improvement Fee
Schedule were incorrect. When Council adjusted the fee schedules for the increase in the
Denver -Boulder Consumer Price Index, all fees were to increase by 7.32%. Two fee
categories, those for housing units from 1,701-2,200 square feet and those 2,200 square feet
and over received incorrect adjustments. This Ordinance makes the corrections to the fee
schedule, effective as of the intended date for the new fees, January 1, 1998. The correct
amounts are $149 for units in the 1,702 to 2,200 square feet category and $181 for units
2,201 square feet.
20. First Reading of Ordinance No. 98, 1998, Authorizing the Convevance of Certain Real
Property at Maxwell Open Space and an Access Easement to Fort Collins -Loveland Water
District in Exchange for Certain District Property.
In the fall of 1997, the District requested that the City assist in correcting two problems that
affect the District's foothills water storage site. First, the District proposed that the City
work with the District to clarify and adjust the legal boundaries of the District's water storage
site, to reflect the actual location of the District's water tanks. Second, the District requested
that the City formalize an access easement that has been used historically by the District in
connection its water storage facility.
The District originally purchased the water storage site from Venture Development, Inc., in
1972. Since the time of that purchase, the site has been surrounded by the City's Maxwell
Open Space. As a result, the City's cooperation is needed to assist the District in correcting
the listed problems.
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The District's access is across Colorado State University property, up the Dixon Lateral
Road, and finally up the hillside over an access road which has been used by the District
since 1972 but is not of record. This access can be best resolved by the City conveying an
access easement to the District over the existing access road.
The proposed boundary line adjustment reflects the existing configuration and location of
the District's facilities, and will result in no net loss of property for the City. It is proposed
that the City and District exchange by quitclaim deed land parcels to result in District
ownership of the property on which District facilities are located. The above actions have
been coordinated with the Parks Planning and Development staff and as a result, staff
recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
21. First Reading of Ordinance No. 99, 1998, Authorizing the Conveyance of a Non -Exclusive
Easement for a Sanitary Sewerline to the Boxelder Sanitation District
The City and the District are assisting Colorado Department of Transportation ("CDOT") in
correcting a serious problem with the failure of CDOT's highway rest station septic system.
If the District does not provide service to the rest station, there is a danger of contaminated
waste reaching the Poudre River from the rest area. The rest station is located on the east
side of I-25 near the Poudre River and the City's Archery Range.
In anticipation of a heavy spring runoff, the City and the District entered into a license
agreement on March 28, 1997 which allowed the District access to City property for the
installation of two river crossings. The District obtained a Corps of Engineers 404 Access
Permit and the appropriate Endangered Species Act studies were performed. In addition, the
City's Resource Recovery Farm and Open Lands, Natural Areas Team inspected the crossing
sites with District representatives and approved the District's proposed plans for the River
crossings. The City's contingencies were that both crossing sites be revegetated with
natural grasses and willow shrub replacements. Using the license agreement, the crossings
were installed before the major runoff started. The final step in the process is to convert the
license agreement into an easement agreement. As a result, staff recommends adoption of
the Ordinance on First Reading.
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May 19, 1998
22. Resolution 98-86 Amending the City of Fort Collins' General Employees Retirement Plan.
The General Employees Retirement Committee (the "GERC") is responsible for the
management of the Plan and for making recommendations regarding modifications to the
Plan. The GERC has conducted educational classes for the Plan's members over the past
few years. One of the membership's desired changes to the Plan is better portability of
pension benefits. Through the amendments provided in the Resolution, the GERC is
recommending a change to provide the ability for single -sum benefit payments to be made
to members of the Plan upon retirement or severance of employment. This increases the
portability and flexibility of pensions benefits. The GERC also recommends amendments
to other related sections of the Plan to remove areas of ambiguity.
The proposed amendments are not expected to significantly increase the funding
requirements of the Plan. The proposed provision for the single -sum payment of benefits is
designed to be revenue neutral.
23. Resolution 98-87 Authorizing the Purchase ofApproximately Seventeen and One -Half Acres
of Land for Natural Area Pumoses and Ground Leases on the Property to Existing Tenants
for a Term of up to Two Years.
The Resolution authorizes the purchase of 17.5 acres of land along the Poudre River for
public natural area purposes. The land is located on the north side of the River immediately
adjacent to McMurry Ponds Natural Area (owned by Larimer County). The parcel has
significant natural values and will help meet the objectives of the Natural Areas Policy Plan,
the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan, and City Plan.
The Resolution also authorizes leases of mobile home sites to five tenants who currently
have mobile homes located on the property. The terms of the lease provide for continued
residency by the tenants for up to two years and a $10,000 buyout by the City for each of the
mobile homes. All of the tenants have agreed to the leases.
24. Routine Easement.
A. Deed of Easement from P. V.H.S. and Mountain Crest Behavioral System, Inc. for a
duct bank to Hewlett Packard, located at 4601 Corbett Drive. Monetary
consideration: $10.
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May 19, 1998
Items on Second Reading were read by title by Deputy City Clerk Rita Harris.
7. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 74, 1998, Amending Chanter 7.5 of the City Code so as
to Add a New Article III Pertaining to Fees in Lieu of Land Dedication for School Site
Acquisition Purposes.
8. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 78, 1998 Appropriating Prior Year Reserves in the
General Fund for Police Seizure Activity.
9. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 79, 1998 Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue in the
Transportation Services Fund for the Transit and University Communities Conference and
for the 2020 Regional Transportation Plan and Authorizing a Related Transfer of Funds
10. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 80, 1998, Amending Section 2-73 of the City Code
Concerning Minutes of Meetings for Boards and Commissions
11. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 83,1998 Calling a Special Municipal Election to be Held
in Coniunction with the November 3. 1998 General Election.
12. Items Relating to the Uniform Building Code and the Uniform Code for Building_
Conservation.
A. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 84, 1998, Repealing and Reenacting Chapter 5,
Division 2, of the City Code for the Purpose of Adopting the 1997 Uniform Building
Code, with Amendments.
B. Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance No. 85, 1998, Amending the City Code
Relating to Historic Buildings by Adopting the 1997 Uniform Code for Building
Conservation.
13. Items Relating to Revisions to the Land Use Code.
A. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 90, 1998, Amending the City's Land Use Code.
B. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 91, 1998, Amending Section 2-353(4) of the City
Code Regarding the Functions of the Planning and Zoning Board.
Items on First Reading were read by title by Deputy City Clerk Rita Harris.
14. First Reading of Ordinance No. 92, 1998 Appropriating Prior Year Reserves and
Unanticipated Revenue in the General Fund.
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May 19, 1998
15. Items Relating to Capital Improvements for the Fort Collins Library.
A. Resolution 98-83 Approving the Library Capital Improvement Plan as Part of the
City's Comprehensive Plan.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 93, 1998, Appropriating Prior Year Reserves in the
Capital Expansion Fund for Improvements Relating to the Provision of Library
Services.
16. Items Relating to Larimer Home Improvement Program.
A. Resolution 98-84 Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Application to Request
Funding for the Ensuing Fiscal Year from the Colorado Division of Housing for the
Larimer Home Improvement Program.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 94, 1998, Appropriating Funds from the Affordable
Housing Trust Fund Reserve for Use as Matching Funds for the Larimer Home
Improvement Rehabilitation Program.
17. Items Relating to the Harmony Road Bikeway Project.
A. Resolution 98-85 Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Intergovernmental
Agreement with the Colorado Department of Transportation for the Construction of
the Harmony Road Bike Path Project - Phase 11.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 95,1998, Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue and
Authorizing the Transfer of Appropriations to be used for the Construction of the
Second Segment of the Harmony Road Bikeway Project.
18. First Reading of Ordinance No. 96, 1998, Amending the Zoning Map of the City of Fort
Collins by Changing the Zoning Classification for That Certain Property Known as the
Northstar Mobile Home Community Rezoning.
19. First Reading of Ordinance No. 97, 1998, Adjusting the Capital Improvement Expansion
and Neighborhood Parkland Fees for Increases in Inflation Based on the Denver -Boulder
Consumer Price Index.
20. First Reading of Ordinance No. 98, 1998, Authorizing the Convevance of Certain Real
Property at Maxwell Open Space and an Access Easement to Fort Collins -Loveland Water
District in Exchange for Certain District Property.
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May 19, 1998
21. First Reading of Ordinance No. 99, 1998, Authorizing the Conveyance of a Non -Exclusive
Easement for a Sanitary Sewerline to the Boxelder Sanitation District
Councilmember Kneeland made a motion, seconded by Councihnember Wanner, to adopt and
approve all items not removed from the Consent Agenda. Yeas: Councilmembers Azari, Byrne,
Kneeland and Wanner. Nays: None.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
Staff Reports
Greg Byme, Community Planning and Environmental Services Director, introduced two new rangers
working in the Natural Resources Department. He noted that the rangers are now commissioned
Community Service Officers and are now patrolling the natural areas and trails.
Ron Phillips, Transportation Services Director, introduced the new City Engineer Cam McNair.
Councilmember Reports
Councilmember Byrne reported on the Poudre School District Liaison Committee which continued
the dialogue regarding Building Community Choices and discussed the Fossil Creek school site and
communication facilities with Larimer County and Poudre R-1.
("Secretary's Note: Councilmember Bertschy arrived at 6:10 p.m.)
Councilmember Bertschy reported on a meeting held with Senator Allard about the national ferret
recovery center proposal. Funding for the move of the center from Wyoming to Colorado is in the
President's 1999 budget proposal, and Senator Allard and his staff are very supportive of the move.
Councilmember Kneeland reported on the Growth Management Committee's discussions with
representatives from the City of Loveland about the space between Fort Collins and Loveland as a
cooperative planning area. A meeting will be held with Windsor, Timnath and Larimer County in
June.
Mayor Azari asked for an update on the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Transportation
Services Director Phillips reported that the main item on the last MPO meeting was hearing a
presentation concerning rural transportation authorities. The regional transportation plan is
proceeding and will likely be adopted in July, and there have been discussions with CDOT regarding
resource allocation among the four transportation planning regions within CDOT Region 4 area of
northeastern Colorado.
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May 19, 1998
Mayor Azari also asked for a report on the Legislative Review Committee. Transportation Services
Director Phillips reported that HB 1256 has been adopted, putting an issue on the November
statewide ballot for the voters to decide whether $200 million of the surplus over the TABOR limit
should go to transportation, public education and higher education. HB 1202 also passed, which puts
$100 million into state highway funding and extends until 2008 an appropriation of 10% of the state
sales and use tax for state highways. The adoption of HB 1256 by the voters would increase the
City's share of Highway Users Tax Fund monies by about 20% or about $400,000 for five years.
Mayor Azari commented on Greeley's Independence Stampede proclamation and noted that
Councilmembers have been invited and can get tickets from Linda Gula for the Greeley
Independence Stampede.
Resolution 98-62
Reaffirming City Council's Commitment to the
Natural Areas Program and to the Acquisition of Land Through
That Program in a Timely and Cost Effective Manner, Adopted Option 1
The following is staffs memorandum on this item.
"Executive Summary
Option 1. This version of Resolution 98-62 was prepared pursuant to Council direction at the
Study Session on April 28. As compared to Option 2, it contains "stronger"
language in Section 4 (pertaining to the projected costs of the Parks projects), and
also supports the extension of the existing Natural Areas and Parks Tax when it
expires in December, 2005.
Option 2. This is the version of Resolution 98-62 that was originally presented to Council on
Apri17, 1998. It reaffirms Council's commitment to thefunding ofthe Natural Areas
program as outlined below.
On April 7, Council conducted initial discussions regarding a resolution reaffirming its commitment
to the Natural Areas Program and the funding of projects in the Building Community Choices
NaturalAreasandParkspackage. Council tabledfurther discussion about the Resolution until after
it had discussed the Natural Areas Policy Plan update at the April 28 Study Session.
Provisions in the original proposed Resolution (Option 2) included the following:
1. Council reaffirms its commitment to the funding of the Natural Areas program and its
commitment to fulfilling its obligations under Ordinance No. 29, 1997.
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May 19, 1998
2. Council directs staff to explore opportunities to augment its land acquisition program
through the use of buyer brokers, or other methods which ensure that the City is effectively
achieving the goals set out in the Natural Areas Policy Plan.
3. In order to hasten the acquisition of natural areas, Council will consider opportunities to
supplement revenues from the 114 cent tax with other revenue sources which are lawfully
available to it should opportunities arise which require more funding for the Natural Areas
Program than is available under the approved funding schedule.
4. Council expresses its intention to limit the scope oftheparkrelatedprojects which are apart
of Ordinance No. 29, 1997, so as to maximize excess revenues for natural areas. The
estimated costs of the Parks Projects to be constructed with revenues generated by the
Natural Areas and Parks Tax are as follows:
Community Park
Improvements
Community
Horticulture Center
Fossil Creek
Community Park
Regional Trails
Maximum Natural Areas &
Parks Tax Expenditure
(including inflation)
$ 576,332
$2,250,542
$9, 829,167
$1,678,418
Year to be Completed
2004
1999
2002
2003
At the April 28 Study Session, Council discussed the Resolution and suggested the following
modifications to the Resolution, which are contained in Option 1.
B. Section 4 oftheResolution has been revised to strengthen Council's expression ofcommitment
to limiting the City's expenditures of Ordinance No. 29, 1997 revenues for parks projects.
The funding schedule in the Resolution now refers to a "Maximum Expenditure" of funds
from the Natural Areas and Parks Tax revenue which may be expended for the parks projects.
Council noted that it did not wish to limit the total amount that could be spent on these
projects should some unforeseen circumstance arise, but rather to limit the finds from this
revenue source. Other sources of revenue could be used to supplement these projects, if
needed.
C. Section 5 was added to express Council's support for renewing the Natural Areas and Parks
Tax when it expires to further fund the Natural Areas program. "
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May 19, 1998
Ann Tumquist, Assistant to the City Manager, highlighted changes that are included in Option 1 of
Resolution 98-62.
City Attorney Roy noted Resolution 98-62 Option 1 should include the language set out in Section
5 of Option 2 if Council wishes to consider Option 1.
Councilmember Wanner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Bertschy, to adopt Resolution
98-62 Option 1 as amended by the inclusion of a new Section 6 reading "That nothing in this
Resolution shall be construed as superseding the provisions of Ordinance No. 29, 1997."
Linda Stanley, 2040 Bennington Circle, spoke in favor of Option 1.
Phil Friedman, vice chair of the Natural Resources AdvisoryBoard, supported Option 1, noting that
many of the concerns of the Board have been addressed in this option.
Bill Miller, Natural Resources Advisory Board and Fort Collins Audubon Society member,
suggested striking the word "possible" from Section 5, Option 1.
Gina Janett, 620 Colorado, spoke in support of Option 1 and encouraged accelerating purchases in
the early years of the tax.
Tim Johnson, 1337 Stonehenge Drive, supported Option 1.
Ramon Ajero, 3712 Soderberg Drive, supported Option 1 and favored achieving abalance of funding
for parks and natural areas.
Alan Apt, 1406 Freedom Lane, supported Option 1 and spoke about the historical context of the
issue.
Kelly Ohlson, 2040 Bennington Circle, supported Option 1 and thanked Council for its support of
natural areas.
Councilmember Bertschy asked the City Manager how tax revenue is looking for the year. City
Manager Fischbach stated that revenue is currently running ahead of projections.
Councilmember Bertschy asked if opportunities came along to purchase land but the revenue was
not available what would be done. Natural Resources Director Shoemaker stated that the City would
look at other funding options and ways of structuring the purchase to pay over time.
Councilmember Byrne stated that Council is serious about the issue of missed opportunities and
supported Option 1.
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May 19, 1998
Councilmember Kneeland stated she does not support Option 1 because Option 2 reaffirms the
commitment to natural areas and parks and all of the items funded as part of the ballot initiative, and
most fully honors the intent of the voters in Building Community Choices.
Councilmember Bertschy supported Option 1 as the best way to honor the contract with the voters
for Building Community Choices, and stated that this option protects natural areas purchases.
Councilmember Wanner supported Option 1.
Councilmember Wanner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Bertschy, to make a friendly
amendment to Option 1 to omit the word "possible" in Section 5.
Mayor Azari thanked staff for its work on the issue and stated she does not support Option 1. She
noted that this option assumes that this Council can obligate future Councils.
The vote on Councilmember Wanner's motion was as follows: Yeas: Councilmembers Bertschy,
Byrne and Wanner. Nays: Councilmembers Azari and Kneeland.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance No. 85,1998,
Amending the City Code Relating to Historic Buildings
by Adopting the 1997 Uniform Code for Building Conservation
City Manager Fischbach noted that this item was pulled from the Consent Calendar to allow an
opportunity for a public hearing.
Mayor Azari asked why the hearing on this ordinance is being held on Second Reading. City
Manager Fischbach stated that hearing is being held on Second Reading because the newspaper did
not publish the legal notice that had been submitted for the hearing on First Reading.
Councilmember Wanner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Byrne, to adopt Ordinance
No. 85, 1998 on Second Reading. The vote on the motion was as follows: Yeas: Councilmembers
Azari, Bertschy, Byrne, Kneeland and Wanner.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
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May 19, 1998
Other Business
Councilmember Byrne asked how the County's contribution for the library is determined and
whether the City has approached the County to arrive at a formula for determining the County's
contribution. He also asked about the library services impact fee per dwelling and asked if the
County has an equivalent impact fee. He noted there is agreement on the need for an increased level
of service from the library, expressed concerns about the need for a higher percentage of
participation from the County and supported asking the Library Board to focus on this problem to
identify alternatives.
The consensus was that this would be worth pursuing. Mayor Azari supported asking the Library
Board to take a look at this issue and suggested taking a look at the Estes Park library district and
how other communities have addressed this issue.
Mayor Azari asked about the status of a review or assessment of Type 1 versus Type 2 reviews. City
Manager Fischbach stated that the Planning and Zoning Board would like to know if a report to
Council rather than a study session would be satisfactory. The consensus was to review the report
from the Planning and Zoning Board and to schedule a study session if it is determined to be
necessary.
Mayor Azari noted that Ron Phillips is a candidate for the Colorado Municipal League Executive
Board and encouraged Council to support his campaign.
The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Adjournment
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