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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-03/29/1983-AdjournedADJOURNED MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO March 29, 1983 1:00 P.M. An adjourned meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins was held on Tuesday, March 29, 1983, at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the City of Fort Collins City Hall. Roll call was answered by the following Council members: Cassell, Clarke, Elliott, Horak, Knezovich, Miller, and Wilmarth. Staff Members Present: Arnold, Meitl, Huisjen, Krajicek, Lewis. Trolley Update and Discussion Councilmember Clarke reported on the meetings of the committee composed of representatives of the Fort Collins Railway Society, the Parkway Preser- vation Society, City staff, D.D.A. and himself. He spoke of the location alternatives considered and noted that Phase I of the new route began at Linden and Jefferson, down Linden to Walnut, Walnut to Mountain Avenue, Mountain Avenue to Peterson, Peterson to Olive and then Olive Street west into the museum area. Phase II would run from Jefferson -to Linden, north on Linden to the Poudre River Bridge and then 'northwest to the Old Power Plant as Phase III. He noted the problems associated with the route change and stated it was felt financial support could be obtained from the down- town that would equalize the difference between the new route and the original Mountain Avenue route. Councilmember Clarke presented a Resolution he had drafted authorizing the City Manager to enter into negotiations with Fort Collins merchants and the Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society to explore the feasibility of installing and operating a trolley line in the downtown area. Councilmember Clarke made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Wilmarth, to adopt the Resolution. Councilmember Clarke noted the Resolution contained statements noting the problems associated with the Mountain Avenue route and stating that there appears to be an opportunity to construct and operate the trolley down- town . He added the Fort Collins Railway Society had agreed to review alternate routes. The City, through the City Manager, would begin to ex- -140- March 29, 1983 plore the feasibility of running the trolley downtown. He noted that no direct City funds would be involved but staff might be involved in the coordination of the project. He hoped that within the 60 day time frame mentioned in the Resolution an alternate barn will be found to replace the barn constructed in City Park. He added downtown merchants had indicated a willingness to participate financially to offset any loss due to operation in the downtown area. He pointed out the Railway Society would be required by the Resolution to delay any installation of track or tree relocation during the 60 day negotiation period. Mark Bassett, 316 North Loomis, President, Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society, stated he felt the Society had the implied consent of the ma- jority of the neighborhood on West Mountain Avenue. He noted the Society had received monies from 239 corporations and individuals for the project on West Mountain and felt obligated to check with those contributors to see if they would allow their money to be used for any other route. Some have already indicated the funds would have to be returned for a route other than West Mountain. He noted the proposed changes alter the scope of the ' project and before the Society could give its approval, all members would have to be polled. He added the costs of the new route were extravagant and that the Society had agreed to the 60 day period to give the City the opportunity to prove to the Society that the monies could be raised. He noted the Society would require iron -clad guarantees before agreeing to move the project. Dave Fricke, 1300 West Mountain, disagreed with the Society's opinion that the downtown was not economically viable to support the project. He noted the downtown merchants had agreed in concept to provide some subsidies whereas the West Mountain residents would not agree to subsidize the trol- ley. He felt the downtown route was viable and would bring business to the area. Martha Trimble, 1909 Stover, spoke in favor of the West Mountain route and urged Council to regard the trolley car as an historical object and not place it on streets where it could be damaged by other vehicles. Al Dunton, 1400 Ash Drive, member of the Railway Society, noted there were those persons who did not favor the Resolution as proposed by Councilmember Clarke. He added the Resolution passed on a vote of 4-3 of the Board of Directors of the Railway Society. He urged Council to seek advice from transit systems throughout the country as to what is practical for the project. He felt the downtown route would fail any valid objective look at the criteria for construction, operation, maintenance, potential rider- ship, safety of operation or attracting attention to the downtown area. , -141- March 29, 1983 Councilmember Knezovich felt no action should be taken since adoption of the Resolution would place the City in the middle of a disagreement between citizens that dates back several years. He felt the costs of the alter- natives were staggering and that monies would not be raised to support the trolley in the downtown area. He added he felt the only practical route is on West Mountain Avenue. Councilmember Miller stated since the Society was not in default, their contract still exists and should be honored. He felt the downtown proposal was not viable. The vote on Councilmember Clarke's motion to adopt Resolution 83-60 relating to negotiations on the trolley project was as follows: Yeas: Councilmembers Cassell, Clarke, Elliott, Horak, and Wilmarth. Nays: Councilmembers Knezovich and Miller. THE MOTION CARRIED. There being no further business to come before the Council , the meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m. ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor -142-