HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 12/21/2004 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 199, 2004, AMENDING ITEM NUMBER: 14
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: December 21, 2004
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Jean Helburg
Steve Budner
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 199, 2004, Amending Section 2-398 of the City Code Relating to
the Functions of the Senior Advisory Board.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Senior Advisory Board (SAB) is asking that Section 2-398 of the City Code regarding the
Board's functions be amended to better describe the role the Board serves. The Board is concerned
that the current description of its functions implies duties and responsibilities that the Board is not
equipped to perform. The Board's recommended changes have been approved by staff in the City
Attorney's office and the Recreation Division.
BACKGROUND
The Senior Advisory Board and the City Attorney recently reviewed the City's bylaws to determine
if any updates or changes were needed. In the course of its review, the SAB discussed its purposes
and functions as described in Section 2-398 of the City Code and concluded that the Code did not
accurately describe the SAB's role.
The proposed changes to the Board's functions in Section 2-398 and the Board's reasons therefore
are as follows:
1. To serve as a enardinatin supporting agency for all senior citizen services and activities in Fort
Collins;
Comment by Board: The Code should be clear that the Board's work is confined to those services
and activities that impact Fort Collins because that is where the Board is responsible. Additionally,
the Board understands the scope of its work should not be limited to activities that are offered by the
City government but should deal with all issues facing older adults in the community. The word
December 21, 2004 -2. Item No. 14
"coordinating"has been changed to"supporting"because the Board believes that coordinating would
require a central resource (office, phone, and staff) that the Board doesn't have.
2. To assess, publicize and support present senior citizen services and activities in the community;
Comment by Board: The Board suggests that the word "assess" be eliminated because the Board
does not have the criteria or tools to do assessments. If Council expects the Board to do so,then the
Board would like to know what tools would be made available to them in order to do an appropriate
job of judging.
3. To investigate and evainate mquests make recommendations regarding new senior citizen
services and activities;
Comment by Board: Concern was expressed that there was no formal system for evaluation. This
might mean that the Board would base an evaluation on liking or disliking a proposal rather than on
measurable criteria. The Board believes its only charge is to advise City Council. The Board is also
unsure where "requests" would come from and to whom they would be directed. The Board does
not believe that it has the credentials to evaluate services. The Board is, however, prepared to
express opinions based on members' knowledge of needs, trends, etc. when asked by others to do
so.
4. To pian, initiate, deveiop and encourage new senior citizen programs as need is indicated and,
when appropriate, to participate in the planning and development of such programs if asked to do
so;
Comment by Board: Relates to #3. The Board does not have the ability to actually develop and
implement programs and services, although the Board believes it can encourage, advocate for and
make suggestions regarding new programs.
5. To provide encourage and support widespread opportunities for more meaningful and useful
participation of senior citizens in community activities and programs;
Comment by Board: Again as indicated above.
6. To establish and maintain communication with local, state and federal national groups and
government agencies concerning senior citizens;
Comment by Board: Changing"federal"to"national"and including groups as well as government
agencies better reflects the types of organizations with whom the Board communicates and
cooperates.
7. and 8. No changes requested by the Board.
ORDINANCE NO, 199, 2004
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING SECTION 2-398 OF THE CITY CODE RELATING TO
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD
WHEREAS , in May, 2004, the Senior Advisory Board ("SAB"), with the assistance of the
City Attorney' s Office, began reviewing the SAB bylaws to determine if any updates or changes
were needed; and
WHEREAS, in the course of its review, the SAB discussed its purposes and functions as
described in Section 2-398 of the City Code and concluded that the Code did not accurately describe
the SAB ' s role, as the wording used in Section 2-398 implies duties and functions that seem beyond
the scope of what an advisory board can accomplish with its limited time and resources ; and
WHEREAS , the SAB is proposing changes to Section 2-398 of the City Code, and
recommends that the City Council adopt the Code amendments set forth herein; and
WHEREAS , it is in the best interests of the City to amend the SAB ' s functions and duties
as proposed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that Section 2-398 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended to read as
follows :
Sec. 2-398. Functions.
The board shall have the following functions :
( 1 ) To serve as a supporting agency for all senior citizen services
and activities in Fort Collins ;
(2) To assess, publicize and support present senior citizen services and activities
in the community;
(3 ) To investigate and evaluatc requests for make recommendations regarding
new senior citizen services and activities ;
(4) To plan, initiate, develop and encourage new senior citizen programs as need
is indicated and, when appropriate, to participate in the planning and
development of such programs if asked to do so ;
(5 ) To provide encourageand support widespread opportunities for more
meaningful and useful participation of senior citizens in community activities
and programs ;
(6) To establish and maintain communication with local, state and federal
national groups and government agencies concerning senior citizens ;
(7) To advocate policies and practices within the community that respect and
consider the needs and interests of senior citizens ;
(8) To work to dispel stereotypes about aging through education and awareness
activities .
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 21 st day of
December, A.D. 2004, and to be presented for final passage on the 4th day of January, A.D . 2005 .
Mayor
ATTEST :
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this 4th day of January, A.D . 2005 .
Mayor
ATTEST :
City Clerk