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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 08/21/2001 - RESOLUTION 2001-105 SUPPORTING THREE CITIZEN-INITI AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 40 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: August 21,2001 STAFF: John Fischbach SUBJECT: Resolution 2001-105 Supporting Three Citizen-Initiated Ballot Measures Relating to Funding for a New Performing Arts Center, a New Main Library, New and/or Renovated Museum Facilities, and the Acquisition of Land And/or the Design and Construction of Improvements for a New Branch Library. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. FINANCIAL IMPACT: On November 6, 2001, the voters of the City of Fort Collins will consider a ballot measure for a .29% cent sales and use tax and two separate ballot measures to approve bonding for a new performing arts center and a new library. The first ballot measure also includes funding for increased operation and maintenance costs for the expansion of these facilities and a trust fund set up to provide an endowment following the 20-year life of the tax. There is no impact to the General Fund over the 20-year life of the tax. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Three citizen-initiated ballot measures will be considered by the voters of the City of Fort Collins on November 6, 2001. The three measures will provide for: • Construction of a new main library in the downtown • Construction of a new performing arts center in the downtown • Expansion of the Fort Collins Museum • Funding to purchase land for a future branch library (most likely in the southeast quadrant of Fort Collins) • Money for a partnership with Colorado State University on programs and facilities at the University Center for the Arts • Funding for the increased costs in operation and maintenance for these three facilities • An endowed trust fund to support costs beyond the 20-year of this proposed tax DATE: August 21, 2001 2 ITEM NUMBER: 40 BACKGROUND: A group of citizens, known as Imagine Fort Collins, has come together to place three citizen- initiated ballot measures before the voters in November. This group follows a long tradition of citizen involvement in our community. Beginning in the 1970's, a group known as Designing Tomorrow Today (DTZ) brought to the voters a question which included the construction of the existing main library, the Lincoln Center, and the remodel of the old library for use as the Fort Collins Museum. Approximately twenty-five years later, the City Council, along with the community volunteers, placed an item before the voters to begin planning for the future of these community amenities. Through Building Community Choices, the voters approved money to buy land for a new library in the downtown and a new performing arts center. Now five years later, Imagine Fort Collins has come together to implement these facilities by placing three funding-related measures before the voters in the year 2001. Since the development of the existing main library, the Lincoln Center, and the Fort Collins Museum in the 1970's, these facilities have been highly valued and well used by the community. The City has one of the highest per capita uses for libraries within Colorado. The City is also turning away performing arts groups and students from its programs because there is no longer space to accommodate the demand at the Lincoln Center. The Museum can only display 10% of its historical collection because of the limited space in the facility. By adopting the Resolution, Council is formally expressing its support for the three ballot measures and urging the voters to approve them. Voter approval of the ballot measures in November will enable current residents and future generations to maintain the quality of life experienced and expected in Fort Collins. By showing its support, the Council expresses its appreciation to the citizen volunteers of Imagine Fort Collins who have taken on the task of planning for the quality of life for the community's future, and joins with these citizens to plan for and implement a community vision that places strong emphasis and value on enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of community residents. RESOLUTION 2001-105 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS SUPPORTING THREE CITIZEN-INIITIATED BALLOT MEASURES RELATING TO FUNDING FOR A NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, A NEW MAIN LIBRARY,NEW AND/OR RENOVATED MUSEUM FACILITIES, AND THE ACQUISITION OF LAND AND/OR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS FOR A NEW BRANCH LIBRARY WHEREAS, the City currently owns and operates a library, museum and performing arts center(the Lincoln Center) that are highly valued and used by the public; and WHEREAS,the capacity of all of these facilities is presently exceeded by the demand of the community for such facilities; and WHEREAS,historically,the City of Fort Collins has sought to provide the highest level of cultural and educational facilities so as to enhance the quality of life of its residents; and WHEREAS,many City facilities,including the existing library,Lincoln Center and museum, have been funded by citizen initiative efforts that resulted in the establishment of earmarked sales and use taxes for such facilities; and WHEREAS, in 1997, as part of the Building Community Choices capital facilities tax proposals, the voters of the City approved funding to purchase land for a new library and a new performing arts center; and WHEREAS,a citizen group,known as Imagine Fort Collins,has recently proposed for the voters'consideration at a special City election to be held on November 6,2001,a new sales tax ballot measure and two bonding measures which,if approved by the voters,would provide funding for a new performing arts center, a new library, and expansion of the City's museum facility; and WHEREAS, the City Council believes that the passage of the citizen-initiated ballot measures is in the best interest of the City and that the facilities to be funded by the proposed sales and use tax increase would greatly enhance the cultural and educational experience of the City's residents. NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that the City Council hereby expresses its support for the three citizen-initiated ballot measures that have been proposed by Imagine Fort Collins,which measures would provide funding for a new downtown library,a new performing arts center,and renovation of the City's Museum,and urges the voters of Fort Collins to approve said ballot measures at the upcoming special election to be held on November 6, 2001. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins held this 21 st day of August, A.D. 2001. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk