HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-12/01/1987-RegularDecember 1, 1987
' COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
Council -Manager Form of Government
Regular Meeting - 6:30 p.m.
A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins was held on
Tuesday, December 1, 1987, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the C.ity
of Fort Collins City Hall. Roll call was answered by the following
Councilmembers: Estrada, Horak, Kirkpatrick, Mabry, Stoner, and Winokur.
Absent: Councilmember Maxey
Staff Members Present: Noe, Huisjen, Krajicek
Citizen Participation
Jim Creeden, P.O. Box 1022, expressed his appreciation for the
professionalism exhibited by City Clerk Wanda Krajicek, City Attorney John
Huisjen, and Personnel Specialist Jaime Mares. He suggested the City
institute an "Employee of the Month" award. He spoke of the lack of
response from several department heads and requested those department heads
be directed to respond to his letters and phone calls.
Agenda Review: City Manager
Deputy City Manager Skip Noe requested Item #15, Resolution 87-176
Accepting the Improvements and Ordering Notice of the Assessment in the
Provincetowne/Portner Special Improvement District No. 81, be removed from
the Consent Agenda for individual consideration so that amendments could be
made to the item.
Councilmember Horak requested Item #8, Second Reading of Ordinance No. 182,
1987, Amending Section 29-414(b)(22) of the Code Pertaining to the River
Corridor District, and Item #12, Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance No.
188, 1987, Amending Chapter 18 Relating to Mobile Home Electrical Services,
be withdrawn from the Consent Calendar.
Jack Richardson, 2912 Eagle Drive, asked that Item #14, Hearing and First
Reading of Ordinance No. 190, 1987, Appropriating Prior Year Reserves and
Unanticipated Revenue in the General Fund and the Employees Retirement Plan
Pension Fund, be removed from the Consent Agenda.
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December 1, 1987
Consent Calendar
'
This Calendar is intended to allow the City Council to spend its time and
energy on the important items on a lengthy agenda. Staff recommends
approval of the Consent Calendar. Anyone may request an item on this
calendar be "pulled" off the Consent Calendar and considered separately.
Agenda items pulled from the Consent Calendar will be considered separately
under Agenda Items #17 and #22, Pulled Consent Items, except items pulled
by anyone in the audience or items that any member of the audience is
present to discuss that were pulled by staff or Council. These items will
be discussed immediately following the Consent Calendar.
5. Consider approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of November
17.
6. Denial of Items Relating to the Front Range Farms Annexation and
Zoning.
A. Denial on Second Reading of Ordinance No. 169, 1987, Annexing
Approximately 88.50 Acres Known as Front Range Farms II
Annexation.
7.
B. Denial on Second Reading of Ordinance No. 170, 1987, Zoning
Approximately 88.50 Acres, Known as Front Range Farms II
Annexation, into the I-L Limited Industrial Zoning District.
The property owner, Front Range Farms II, a Colorado general
partnership, has submitted a request to withdraw the petition. Staff
recommends that the petition be withdrawn, that no public hearing be
held and that the Ordinances annexing and zoning the subject property
be defeated on Second Reading.
This Ordinance was unanimously adopted as amended on First Reading on
November 17. These Code amendments are intended to reduce the impact
of wood and coal smoke in City neighborhoods. Individual amendments
are included that: (1) restrict wood stove installations to
low -pollution units, (2) limit allowed smoke density from any chimney,
(3) ban coal burning in existing units unless no alternative heat
source is available, and (4) ban installation of new coal burning
units.
The Ordinance as presented on First Re'ading contained a provision
requiring natural gas piping to be provided to within 36 inches of new
fireplaces. This provision was deleted on November 17.
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December 1, 1987
This ordinance, which was unanimously adopted on First Reading on
November 17, amends the RC, River Corridor Zoning District to allow
repair and storage facilities in conjunction with public utility
installations (which are already permitted in the RC Zone). This
amendment is initiated by the Planning staff to broaden the
application of the zone so that there is not a conflict between the
zone specifications and uses traditionally and customarily associated
with permitted principal uses. In short, this amendment is a
housekeeping measure. Proper site design, access, and buffering of
repair and storage areas associated with utility installations will be
a requirement by administrative review of new proposals.
a
Group Homes,
u a
This Ordinance, which was unanimously adopted on First Reading on
November 17, amends certain sections of Chapter 29 of the City Code.
Two changes concern the home occupation ordinance. The purpose of the
changes would be to provide a mechanism to allow the City to better
assure that home occupations are in compliance with the Code by
requiring periodic license renewal. It would also add group homes to
the list of uses which are not allowed to be conducted as a home
occupation. Additional changes would modify several aspects of the
Code dealing with group homes for the purpose of providing more
specific review criteria for the Planning and Zoning Board, while
other changes would clarify existing regulations and add needed
definitions and requirements which will make the ordinance more
effective.
These proposed changes reflect the consensus of opinion of the
Planning and Zoning Board as expressed to staff at a special
worksession held on September 2. The changes were also presented at
an informal public forum which was held on September 3 and reflect
some modifications in wording as a result of feedback from this public
forum. The changes were then unanimously adopted by the P&Z Board on
November 2. Staff feels that the present group home ordinance has
worked satisfactorily and does not view these amendments as a
substantial rewrite of the current Code.
10.
This Ordinance was unanimously adopted on
17. The City solicited lease/purchase
approximately 12 firms. The bids were
' November loth. The lowest net effective
from Maryland National Leasing Corporation
First Reading on November
financing proposals from
opened at 10:00 A.M. on
interest rate was received
of Towson, Maryland. Money
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December 1, 1987
11.
12.
13.
14.
for the 1988 lease/purchase payments was budgeted when the 1988 Budget
was adopted in October, 1987.
This Ordinance, which was unanimously adopted on First Reading on
November 17, amends Section 11-1 of the Model Traffic Code to prohibit
the stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle within thirty (30) feet
of an intersection in order to improve visibility at intersections.
Section 19-9 of the Model Traffic Code is being deleted due to the
changes in the State law regarding certification of emissions control.
Section 20-13 is amended to apply to motor -driven cycles as well as
motorcycles.
A recent appeal based on the previous "Chapter 76" surfaced an
oversight in the recently revised Mobile Home Ordinance. The minimum
standard for new mobile home manufacture of 50 ampere electrical
systems, inadvertently included existing mobile home electrical supply
receptacles by not stipulating an exclusion in the utility provisions
of Section 18-7(a). The proposed amendment will allow existing
smaller capacity service outlets to continue as long as the same
mobile home remains on the lot. Upgrading to 50-amp service outlets
will then occur individually as mobile homes are moved and replaced.
This ordinance will increase the Street Oversizing Fees for the 1988
Budget. The Residential, Commercial, and Industrial fees will
increase 4%, but will be less than the projections reviewed and
approved by Council during the effective term of the 1986 Street
Oversizing Ordinance.
Several funds require supplemental appropriations for 1987
expenditures.
A. General Fund. Expenses fo
31 property. are paid out of ai
Block 31" in the General Fund.
when the original budget was
estimating them. Miscellaneous
items has amounted to $33,375
r upkeep and maintenance of the Block
i account which shows as "Reserve for
These expenses were not appropriated
adopted because of the difficulty in
income from rent, interest and other
For 1987 and expenses are expected `to
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December 1, 1987
' amount to approximately $96,000 for the year. An appropriation of
$96,000 is needed in the General Fund for these expenses.
B. Employees Retirement Plan Pension Fund. At the time of adoption
of the original budget the final figures were not know for the cost of
the early retirement program in the Employees Retirement Plan Pension
Fund. Based on current information, additional appropriations of
$101,000 are needed for the cost of additional retirees and
administrative costs. This Ordinance appropriates the additional
$101,000.
Monies for the additional appropriation are available in the Employees
Retirement Plan Pension Fund in the form of unappropriated fund
balance which currently amounts to approximately $12.7 million.
15.
In September of 1984, Council established the Provincetowne/Portner
Special Improvement District No. 81. The purpose of this district was
to construct street, waterline, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage
improvements in the Provincetowne PUD and the Portner Estates PUD.
The district contains approximately 460 acres of undeveloped land and
is located at Trilby Road on the west side of Lemay Avenue.
'
The water and sanitary sewer improvements are located within the City
limits but have been dedicated
and will be maintained by the Fort
Collins/Loveland Water District and the South Fort Collins Sanitation
District.
The City is now prepared to close out the district. In accordance
with Chapter 22 of the City Code, preparation of a statement of cost,
preliminary assessment roll and a notice to be sent to property owners
have been completed.
This resolution will direct the City Clerk to have written notices
published in the Coloradoan and send individual notices to each
property owner. This will notify the owner of the cost of
improvements, the portion to be paid by the City, and the hearing date
of the assessment ordinance (January 5, 1988).
The City Engineer has inspected the completed improvements and has
certified to the City Council that all improvements in the district
are complete.
Staff plans'to bring the assessment ordinance to the City Council at
the January 15, 1988- meeting after all notice requirements have been
met.
Im
December 1, 1987
16. Routine Easements. t
a. Powerline easement from Liston E. Leyendecker and Barbara B.
Leyendecker located at 305 E. Magnolia needed to install
underground electric services. Consideration: $1.
b. Powerline easement from Garth W. Rogers and H. W. Rogers located
at 207 E. Vine Drive needed to underground existing overhead
electric system. Consideration: $700.
c. Powerline easement from Victor H. Specht and Doris I. Specht
located at 120 W. Laurel needed to underground existing overhead
electric system. Consideration: $1,350 ($4/sq.ft.)
Ordinances on Second Reading were read by title by Wanda Krajicek, City
Clerk.
Item #6. A.
Q
Item #7.
Item #8.
Item #9.
ccupations and Group Homes.
Item #10.
Item #11.
Ordinances on First Reading were read by title by Wanda Krajicek, City
Clerk.
Item #12.
Item #13. Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance No 189 1987 Adhi ting '
the Street Oversizing Fee for the 1 888 Bud et.
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December 1, 1987
�I
Item N14.
Councilmember Kirkpatrick made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Stoner,
to adopt and approve all items not removed from the Consent Calendar.
Yeas: Councilmembers Estrada, Horak, Kirkpatrick, Mabry, Stoner, and
Winokur. Nays: None.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
Ordinance No. 182, 1987, Amending
Section 29-414(b)(22) of the Code
Pertaining to the River Corridor
District Adopted on Second Readies
Following is staff's memorandum on this item:
"This ordinance, which was unanimously adopted on First Reading on November
17, amends the RC, River Corridor Zoning District to allow repair and
storage facilities in conjunction with public utility installations (which
are already permitted in the RC Zone). This amendment is initiated by the
Planning staff to broaden the application of the zone so that there is not
a conflict between the zone specifications and uses traditionally and
customarily associated with permitted principal uses. In short, this
amendment is a housekeeping measure. Proper site design, access, and
buffering of repair and storage areas associated with utility installations
will be a requirement by administrative review of new proposals."
Councilmember Stoner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Mabry, to
adopt Ordinance No. 182, 1987 on Second Reading.
Senior Planner Kari Van Meter responded to questions from Council about the
need for this amendment.
Councilmember Horak expressed concern that the Agenda Item Summary did not
reflect why the item was proposed and what City property was affected by
the amendment.
The vote on Councilmember Stoner's motion to adopt Ordinance No. 182, 1987
on Second Reading was as follows: Yeas: Councilmembers Estrada, Horak,
Kirkpatrick,_. Mabry, Stoner, and Winokur. Nays: None.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
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December 1, 1987
Ordinance No. 188, 1987, Amending '
Chapter 18 Relating to Mobile Home Electrical
Services. Defeated on First Reading
Following is staff's memorandum on this item:
"Financial Impact
City programs are not affected fiscally. However, if the amendment is not
adopted, perhaps half of all owners of mobile home parks in the City may be
forced to upgrade mobile home service receptacles to 50 ampere capacity
regardless of the maximum electrical loads of the mobile home. Many of
these smaller, older units have maximum loads of 30 amps and less. Because
the current language applies to all existing parks and both rental and
owner occupied units, some park owners will be facing total costs of
thousands of dollars based on estimates of $200 to $300 per lot service.
Executive Summary
A recent appeal based on the previous "Chapter 76" surfaced an oversight in
the recently revised Mobile Home Ordinance. The minimum standard for new
mobile home manufacture of 50 ampere electrical systems, inadvertently
included existing mobile home electrical supply receptacles by not
stipulating an exclusion in the utility provisions of Section 18-7(a). The
proposed amendment will allow existing smaller capacity service outlets to
continue as long as the same mobile home remains on the lot. Upgrading to
50-amp service outlets will then occur individually as mobile homes are
moved and replaced.
Background
Many older, smaller mobile homes in several parks throughout the City have
electrical supply cords and internal distribution systems with less
capacity. Increasing the receptacle size to 50 amps on mobile home lot
services would require that the mobile home electrical distribution system
be rewired to match, or the new 50 amp receptacle would, itself need to be
"Fused" at a lower rating not exceeding the mobile home capacity. As long
as service cords and lot receptacles are matched for these smaller units,
no inherent electrical hazard exits. Should electrical hazards be found
during the inspection process, naturally, these will require correction.
During the development of the new Chapter 18, owners of the small, older
parks were led to believe that other than inspection and possible upgrading
of mobile home rental units, expensive, upfront improvements throughout
existing parks would not be imposed with the new law. The issue surfaced
coincidentally when an electrical correction notice, issued in August under
the earlier "Chapter 76", was appealed and reached thes8ui7ding Review
Board shortly after second reading but prior to the effective date, by only
a few days, of the current ordinance. Disposition of that case specified
upgrade of all service outlets in the park to 50 amps within one year:. '
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December 1, 1987
As a result of that appeal staff immediately began looking at amending the
current ordinance for existing parks in order to avoid imposing costly
retroactive legislation that does not necessarily reduce electrical hazards
nor improve the life safety of existing mobile homes. The proposed
amendment will allow existing service outlets less than 50 amp capacity to
remain indefinitely. The upgrade provision will be triggered only when
existing mobile homes are moved off lots and replaced. The current mobile
home, however, does not exclude small mobile homes manufactured prior to
the 50-amp standard from being installed in the City provided they meet all
other specified safety criteria.
The attached staff memorandum explores other options considered by staff
relative to this issue.,,
Councilmember Stoner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kirkpatrick,
to adopt Ordinance No. 188, 1987 on First Reading.
Director of Building Inspection Felix Lee gave a brief explanation of the
proposed amendment and responded to questions from Council.
Carol Podmore, 1205 West Mountain, representing the City Park Neighborhood
Association, expressed opposition to the amendment and outlined support for
the 50 amp requirement.
' Jim Creeden, P.O. Box 1022, stressed the need of consistent enforcement of
City ordinances.
Councilmember Stoner stated he would support the ordinance because he
believes it is not appropriate to impose the Council's quality of life
standards on others.
Councilmember Kirkpatrick stated she did not believe the Council should be
legislating the types of appliances individuals have the ability to operate
in their homes, stated she would support the amendment.
Councilmember Mabry stated this amendment requires the service to a unit to
be upgraded and requires the wiring and service within the unit to be
upgraded, and noted he would support the ordinance.
Councilmember Horak stated although he understood staff's desire to make
the amendment, he could not support the ordinance. He stated the points
made by Ms. Podmore were very convincing and indicated any problems with
the current standards could be handled through the appeal procedure.
Councilmember Winokur he also preferred to, give the appeals process an
opportunity to deal with the issue: He stated the mobile home issue was
just recently resolved and he was not willing to amend the Code before
giving the new regulations a chance. He noted he would not support the
ordinance.
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December 1, 1987
Mayor Estrada concurred with Councilmembers Horak and Winokur, noting the
appeals process can be utilized on this particular issue. He stated he
would not support the amendment.
The vote on Councilmember Stoner's motion to adopt Ordinance No. 188, 1987
on First Reading was as follows: Yeas: Councilmembers Kirkpatrick, Mabry,
and Stoner. Nays: Councilmembers Estrada, Horak, and Winokur.
THE MOTION FAILED.
Ordinance No. 190, 1987, Appropriating Prior
Year Reserves and Unanticipated Revenue in
the General Fund and the Employees Retirement
_Plan Pension Fund Adopted on First Reading
Following is staff's memorandum on this item:
"Executive Summary
Several funds require supplemental appropriations for 1987 expenditures.
The Background Summary gives the details for each appropriation.
Background
A. General Fund
Expenses for upkeep and maintenance of the Block 31 property are paid
out of an account which shows as "Reserve for Block 31" in the General
Fund. These expenses were not appropriated when the original budget
was adopted because of the difficulty in estimating them.
Miscellaneous income from rent, interest and other items has amounted
to $33,375 for 1987 and expenses are expected to amount to
approximately $96,000 for the year. An appropriation of $96,000 is
needed in the General Fund for these expenses.
FROM: Available reserves in the Block 31 account $ 62,625
Unanticipated Revenue $ 33,375
FOR: Upkeep and maintenance for Block 31 $ 96,000
B. Employees Retirement Plan Pension Fund
At the time of adoption of the original budget the final figures were
not know for the',cost of the early retirement program in the Employees
Retirement Plan Pension Fund. Based on current information,
additional appropriations of $101,000 are needed for the cost of
additional retirees and administrative costs. This Ordinance
appropriates the additional $101,000.
1
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December 1, 1987
Monies for the additional appropriation are available in the Employees
Retirement Plan Pension Fund in the form of unappropriated fund
balance which currently amounts to approximately $12.7 million.
FROM: Available reserves for employee retirement $101,000
FOR: Employees' retirement $ 91,000
Administrative costs 10,000"
Councilmember Horak made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Stoner, to
adopt Ordinance No. 190, 1987 on First Reading.
Jack Richardson, 2912 Eagle Drive, asked for a clarification of the
expenses included in the General Fund appropriation.
Finance Director Alan Krcmarik answered questions relating to the General
Fund appropriations.
Larry Scott, 2821 Eagle Drive, questioned the need to appropriate $96,000
rather than $62,625.
Jim Creeden, P.O. Box 1022, asked for information on the Block 31
properties covered in the upkeep and maintenance.
The vote on Councilmember Horak's motion to adopt Ordinance No. 190, 1987
' on First Reading was as follows: Yeas: Councilmembers Estrada, Horak,
Kirkpatrick, Mabry, Stoner, and Winokur. Nays: None.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
Resolution 87-176 Accepting the
Improvements and Ordering Notice
of Assessment in the Provincetowne/
Portner Special Improvement
District No. 81 Adopted as Amended
Following is staff's memorandum on this item:
"Financial Impact
This resolution begins the closeout and assessment of this special
improvement district. Upon assessment, the City will begin to collect
monies to retire the SID bonds issued for the construction.
Executive Summary
In September of 1984, Council
Improvement District No. 81.
street, waterline, sanitary
' Provincetowne PUD and the
established the Provincetowne/Portner Special
The purpose of this district was to construct
sewer, and storm drainage improvements in the
Portner Estates PUD. The district contains
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December 1, 1987
approximately 460 acres
on the Lemay
of undeveloped land and
is located at Trilby Road
I
west side of Avenue.
The water and sanitary
sewer improvements are
located within the City
limits but have been
dedicated and will be
maintained by the Fort
Collins/Loveland Water
District and the South
Fort Collins Sanitation
District.
The City is now prepared to close out the district. In accordance with
Chapter 22 of the City Code, preparation of a statement of cost,
preliminary assessment ro71 and a notice to be sent to property owners have
been completed.
This resolution will direct the City Clerk to have written notices
published in the Coloradoan and send individual notices to each property
owner. This will notify the owner of the cost of improvements, the portion
to be paid by the City, and the hearing date of the assessment ordinance
(January 5, 1988).
The City Engineer has inspected the completed improvements and has
certified to the City Council that all improvements in the district are
complete. This Resolution begins the closeout and assessment of the
project by ordering notice to property owners and setting a date for public
hearings on the assessments. The property owners in the district will be
assessed for all costs associated with construction, engineering formation,
and financing of the district improvements.
The Director of Finance has prepared a statement of costs for the district,
indicating the amounts for construction, engineering, Legal,
administration, and bond issuance costs (including capitalized interest).
This district has been completed at approximately $100,000 under the cost
estimates. These monies saved will immediately be used to retire bonds
issued, in accordance with the City Code.
Upon passage of the resolution, the City Clerk will have written notice
published in the Coloradoan and will send an individual notice to each
property owner in the district. The public notice will be in the form of
Exhibit "A" of the resolution and will notify each property owner of the
cost of the improvements, the portion to be paid by the City, and the
hearing date of the assessment ordinance.
Staff plans to bring the assessment ordinance to the City Council at the
January 5, 1988 meeting after all notice requirements have been met."
Councilmember Kirkpatrick made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Stoner,
to adopt Resolution 87-176.
Finance Director Alan Krcmarik read amendments to the notice portion of the
Resolution.
Councilmembers Kirkpatrick and Stoner accepted the amendments as friendly ,
to their original motion.
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December 1, 1987
The vote on Councilmember Kirkpatrick's motion to adopt Resolution 87-176
as amended was as follows: Yeas: Councilmembers Estrada, Horak,
Kirkpatrick, Mabry, Stoner, and Winokur. Nays: None.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
Councilmember Reports
Councilmember Horak reported he had been asked by the Northern Colorado
Water Conservancy District to serve on an advisory committee on the
continued engineering and environmental studies dealing with the Poudre
project.
Councilmember Kirkpatrick noted the CSU Women's Volleyball Team game
against USC on Thursday, December 3.
Mayor Estrada congratulated the students of Fort Collins High School for
construction of the gingerbread house in the mall.
Resolution 87-178 Making Appointments
to the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors'
Bureau Board of Directors Tabled to December 15
Following is staff's memorandum on this item:
"Executive Summary
On November 4, 1986, the City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the
City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Fort Collins Convention
and Visitors' Bureau. The Council is authorized to name six of the
seventeen Board members. Two positions representing the performing arts and
the City -at -Large are vacant due to expiration of their term.
Advertisements were placed seeking applicants and interviews were conducted
by Susan Kirkpatrick for the Board of Directors.
In keeping with Council's policy, this Resolution will be tabled until
December 15, 1987 to allow for public input.
Background
The City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a contract for
services with the Bureau and has authorized the allocation of a portion of
the Lodging Tax revenues to purchase those activities. Due to the public
funds allocated to the Bureau, Council is authorized to make six
appointments to the Board of Directors. The remaining eleven members are
appointed by the Convention and:Visitors' Bureau from its membership.
Members selected
for
the Board' of Directors represent
broad community
'
interests as well
as
business interests related to the
convention and
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December 1, 1987
visitors' industry. Board members are selected to represent: advertising
and public relations,
'
performing arts, visual arts, recreational service,
City of Fort Collins, Chamber of Commerce, Colorado State University (2),
food and beverage industry (2), lodging industry (1 representative from the
large hotels and I representing hotels with less than 50 rooms), media,
retail and two from the community at large.
The initial terms of office were set up on a rotational basis. Due to this
rotation the first terms to expire were for one year. The term of office
for these two appointments is now for three years.
City staff recommends adoption of the Resolution."
Councilmember Kirkpatrick introduced outgoing Convention and Visitors'
Bureau President Pam Garcia and Executive Director Deane Drury who gave
presentations highlighting the activities of the Convention and Visitors'
Bureau over the past year and plans for the future. Mr. Drury responded to
questions from Council.
Councilmember Kirkpatrick made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Mabry,
to adopt Resolution 87-178 inserting the names of Bruce Freestone
(representing the performing arts) and Terry Sarazin (representing the city
at -large).
Councilmember Mabry made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Winokur, to
table Resolution 87-178 to December 15. Yeas: Councilmembers Estrada,
Horak, Kirkpatrick, Mabry, Stoner, and Winokur. Nays: None.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
Items Pertaining to a Water
Supply Policy and Water Metering
Following is staff's memorandum on this item:
"Financial Impact
This Resolution on water supply policy provides broad policy criteria which
in itself does not have a financial impact. Separate actions on policy
elements may have financial impacts in the future. This Ordinance would
require meters in all new residences and provide for installation of meters
in existing homes on a voluntary basis. The builder of a new home would be
assessed $72 for the cost of a meter and installation. An existing
homeowner who volunteers to be metered would not 'be charged unless he or
she agrees to pay any costs that exceeded 55OO.
Executive Summary
Resolution 87-179 Adopting a Water Supply Policy.
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December 1, 1987
B. Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance No. 191, 1987, Amending the Code
Relating to Metering Policies for the Water Utility.
This Resolution provides for the adoption of seven water supply policy
elements that were developed by the Water Board and staff during the last
year and were reviewed and discussed at a Council work session on June 23,
1987. It deals with policy elements in the following areas: (1)
Cooperation with Agricultural Community, (2) Reliability of Supply, (3)
Timing of Acquisitions, (4) Process of Acquiring Water Rights and Storage,
(5) Raw Water Requirements for New Development, (6) Regional Participation/
Cooperation, and (7) Demand Management.
The Ordinance would implement a water metering program with the following
elements:
Meters will be required on all new construction.
The City will pay (up to $500) to meter an existing residence when
a homeowner volunteers.
Background
In September of 1986, the staff and a special Water Board committee started
the process of reviewing the City's water
supply policies.
This review was
initiated as a result of two factors: (1)
the findings and
recommendations
'
of three previous studies regarding water
management, and (2) the City of Thornton's
rates, droughts,
acquisition of
and water demand
a large quantity
of water rights in northern Colorado.
The Water Board
completed their
review of the Water Supply Policy Report
in May 1987 and
voted to support
the recommendations.
The Water Supply Policy Report was presented to the City Council at the
June 23, 1987 work session. Much of the discussion at that work session
focused on the metering strategy proposed in the report and whether or not
the City should undertake a metering program in one form or'another. The
balance of the report appeared to be acceptable to Council. At the November
3, 1987 meeting, Council adopted Resolution 87-166 which directed staff to
take the steps necessary to implement a metering proposal which would
require all new residences to be metered and would encourage voluntary
metering of existing residences.
Adoption of the Resolution and the recommended water supply policies will
provide significant closure on issues that have been researched and
discussed over the past three years. It will provide a more complete set
of guidelines for the City Council, Water Board, and staff to measure
progress over time.
Adoption of the Ordinance will implement a metering program which will
become effective on January 1, 1988."
' Councilmember Horak made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kirkpatrick,
to adopt Resolution 87-179.
I
December 1, 1987
Deputy City Manager Skip Noe stated staff was recommending this item be '
tabled until a full Council is present to consider the issue.
Mayor Estrada stated he believed the item should be considered because a
quorum was present. He noted there were several individuals in the
audience interested in this item.
Councilmember Horak stated this is not the first time an item was tabled in
order to have a full vote of the Council. He stated comments could be
received at this meeting and then the item tabled to a later date.
Councilmember Stoner stated he would like to receive input at this meeting
and would prefer to table the item.
Councilmember Kirkpatrick stated she would also like to hear comments from
the audience and table the item to a later date.
Councilmembers Mabry and Winokur stated they would like to hear citizen
comments at this time.
Utility Services Director Rich Shannon gave a brief presentation on this
item. He and Deputy City Manager Skip Noe responded to questions from
Council.
Barbara Allison, 1212 Lynnwood Drive, stated she believed the water meter 1
issue should be put to a vote of the citizens.
Greg Beaver, 825 Cambridge Drive, stated he would prefer Council table the
issue so that local developers could meet with the Water Utility to discuss
the pros and cons of metering.
Jim Creeden, P.O. Box 1022, stated he would like to see the Council vote on
the issue at this meeting and expressed his desire that the item be
defeated.
Councilmember Stoner made a motion to amend Resolution 87-179 to delete
paragraph H5, Raw Water Requirements' for New Development.
THE MOTION DIED DUE TO LACK OF A SECOND.
The vote on Councilmember Horak's motion to adopt Resolution 87-179 was as
follows: Yeas: Councilmembers Horak, Kirkpatrick, and Stoner. Nays:
Councilmembers Estrada, Mabry, and Winokur.
THE MOTION FAILED.
Councilmember Stoner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kirkpatrick,
to adopt Ordinance No. 191, 1987 on First Reading.
Barbara Allison, 1212 Lynnwood Drive, questioned how water metering would I
affect duplexes.
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December 1, 1987
Councilmember Kirkpatrick stated this Ordinance is a small piece of a very
detailed water policy that has been developed by staff and the Water Board,
and noted the water metering portion pertains only to demand management.
She stated she would support the Ordinance.
Councilmember Winokur stated he has a great deal of respect for staff and
the individual Councilmembers who have taken firm positions on this issue,
but disagrees with their views on this issue. He noted this issue is only
a piece, and stated what is really needed is a long-term policy. He stated
he would be more willing to support a comprehensive water metering program.
Councilmember Horak stated he would support the Ordinance and expected to
reconsider the issue in the future.
Councilmember Mabry stated he would not support the Ordinance because he
does not agree that meters will restrict peak demand by 20% and therefore
delay the need for water treatment expansion.
Mayor Estrada stated he did not favor water meters for a number of reasons
and would not be supporting the Ordinance.
The vote on Councilmember Stoner's motion to adopt Ordinance No. 191, 1987,
was as follows: Yeas: Councilmembers Horak, Kirkpatrick, and Stoner.
Nays: Councilmembers Estrada, Mabry, and Winokur.
THE MOTION FAILED.
Adjournment
Councilmember Mabry made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Stoner, to
adjourn the meeting. Yeas: Councilmembers Estrada, Horak, Kirkpatrick,
Mabry, Stoner, and Winokur. Nays: None.
The. meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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