HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 11/03/2009 - RESOLUTION 2009-100 ADOPTING THE CITYS 2010 LEGISL DATE: November 3, 2009 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
STAFF: Tess Heffernan FORT COLLINSCOUNCIL
Resolution 2009-100 Adopting the City's 2010 Legislative Policy Agenda.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Each year the Legislative Review Committee(LRC)develops a legislative agenda to assist in the analysis of pending
legislation. The Legislative Policy Agenda is used as a guide by Council members and staff to determine positions
on pending legislation and as a general reference for our state legislators and congressional delegation.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Legislative Policy Agenda is developed every year and includes policies on issues that affectthe quality of life and
governance of our community. It is used as a guide by Council and staff to determine positions on pending legislation,
and as a general reference for our state legislators and congressional delegation.
The 2010 Agenda was written over the course of several months, following detailed input from City staff and review
by the Legislative Review Committee. It contains policy statements on a wide variety of topics, covering the following
areas:
• Affordable Housing
• Air Quality
• Cable Television Franchise
• Climate and Environmental Protection
• Cultural Services
• Finance: Investments, Privatization and Special Improvement Districts
• Fire Protection
• Hazardous Materials Management
• Home Rule
• Human Resources
• Natural Areas and Open Lands
• Parks and Recreation
• Planning and Land Use
• Public Safety
• Recycling and Solid Waste
• Risk Management
• Sovereign and Governmental Immunity
• Transportation
• Utility Services: Energy, Water Supply and Quality
The proposed 2010 Legislative Policy Agenda is attached to the Resolution as Exhibit A.
SUSTAINABILITY: ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS
The Legislative Policy Agenda contains a number of policies that directly speak to economic,environmental and social
impacts. The Finance section(page 7)contains several statements that address the need to protect the City's revenue
base. It also calls for support for legislation"that promotes sustainable economic development." Other policies that
support sound fiscal practices are imbedded throughout the document.
November 3, 2009 -2- ITEM 21
Several sections of the Legislative Policy Agenda directly address environmental impacts and support for legislation
that will help the City forward its environmental goals. These include statements under the headings of Air Quality
(page 4), Climate and Environmental Protection (page 6), Natural Areas and Open Lands (page 11), Recycling and
Solid Waste (page 13), Energy (page 16) and Water Supply and Quality(page 17).
As a whole, this document is about the quality of life for Fort Collins citizens, thus statements that address social
impacts are included throughout. Additional sections not noted above include Affordable Housing (page 4), Cultural
Services (page 6), Fire Protection (page 9), Human Resources (page 10), Parks and Recreation (page 11) and
Transportation (page 15).
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The Legislative Review Committee has reviewed and approved the draft 2010 Legislative Policy Agenda.
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
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RESOLUTION 2009-100
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
ADOPTING THE CITY'S 2010 LEGISLATIVE POLICY AGENDA
WHEREAS, state and federal legislation may impact the citizens of Fort Collins,
affecting their quality of life; and
WHEREAS, such state and federal legislation may also influence the operations of
municipal governments, including the City; and ,
WHEREAS, the City has an interest in providing input on proposed legislation; and
WHEREAS, Councilmembers and staff are asked to state the City's policy position on
legislation; and
WHEREAS, members of the Legislative Review Committee desire to be more effective
in their reaction to state and federal legislation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the policy statements contained in the attached 2010 Legislative
Policy Agenda accurately reflect the City's policies on these issues.
Section 2. That the City Council hereby adopts the 2010 Legislative Policy Agenda
attached hereto as Exhibit"A" and incorporated herein by this reference.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
3rd day of November, A.D. 2009.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
EXHIBIT A
City of
Fort Collins
LEGISLATIVE POLICY AGENDA
Y
2010
Adopted November 3, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC PAGE
INTRODUCTION 3
FORT COLLINS LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE 3
LEGISLATIVE POLICY STATEMENTS 4
AFFORDABLE HOUSING 4
AIR QUALITY 4 4
CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE 5
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 6
CULTURAL SERVICES 6
FINANCE 7
INVESTMENTS 7
PRIVATIZATION 8
SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS 8
FIRE PROTECTION 9
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT 9
HOME RULE 10
HUMAN RESOURCES 10
NATURAL AREAS AND OPEN LANDS 11
PARKS AND RECREATION 11
PLANNING AND LAND USE 12
PUBLIC SAFETY 12
RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE 13
RISK MANAGEMENT 14
SOVEREIGN AND GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY 15
TRANSPORTATION 15
UTILITY SERVICES 16
ENERGY 16
WATER SUPPLY AND QUALITY 17
CITY LEGISLATIVE STAFF 18
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INTRODUCTION
Fort Collins is a community of 137,000 residents located at the foot of the Rocky
Mountains along Colorado's Front Range. Incorporated in 1873, the City has grown to
become the commercial, educational and cultural hub of northern Colorado. The City
adopted a home rule charter in 1954 and operates under a Council-Manager form of
government.
The 2010 City of Fort Collins Legislative Policy Agenda identifies issues of importance
to the City of Fort Collins. The Agenda expresses policies and positions on issues that
affect the quality of life and the governance of our community. We offer this Agenda to
our Legislators as a guideline when considering legislation that impacts Fort Collins.
We encourage Legislators to contact Fort Collins City Council Members and our
Legislative Policy Manager should they have any questions regarding our policy
positions.
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
The Legislative Review Committee (LRC) is a representative group of Council members
that reviews and reacts to proposed legislation on behalf of City Council and the City. In
taking a position on particular bills, the LRC interprets and applies the various policies
that are included in the Legislative Policy Agenda. If a bill is governed by two or more
competing policies, then the LRC may decide how to balance those policies in taking a
position. If a bill falls outside of the Legislative Policy Agenda, the LRC refers the bill to
the full Council for consideration before a position is taken on behalf of the City.
Council Members presently serving on the Legislative Review Committee are:
• Mayor Doug Hutchinson, Chair
• Mayor Pro Tern Kelly Ohlson
• Council Member Lisa Poppaw
Staff liaisons support the LRC by contributing expertise in various areas of municipal
service. The City works closely with the Colorado Municipal League on many legislative
items.
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LEGISLATIVE POLICY STATEMENTS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The City of Fort Collins supports policy and funding mechanisms that help the City
develop and maintain affordable housing for our community's lowest income families.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support State and Federal legislation that maintains or enhances current levels of
funding for affordable housing throughout Colorado.
2. Oppose legislation that limits local ability to regulate, manage or generate
alternative sources of funding for affordable housing, including public-private
partnerships.
3. Oppose legislation that increases administrative burdens and costs associated with
affordable housing without increasing provision of services at the local level.
4. Support legislation that protects the rights of low-income and/or disabled
residents in tenant-landlord disputes, especially as it relates to safety issues.
AiR QUALITY
The City's Air Quality Plan establishes a strong overall goal to "continually improve Fort
Collins air quality as the city grows."
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support legislation and regulations adopting state and federal programs and
policies that improve public health and air quality.
2. Support legislation that maintains or increases the stringency of state and federal
air quality standards.
3. Oppose legislation that restricts local government authority to improve air quality
beyond minimum State or Federal requirements.
4. Support legislation that promotes regional improvement of air quality,
recognizing that air pollution does not follow jurisdictional boundaries.
5. Support legislation to assure that Federal, State and County agencies have
adequate authority and resources (funding and personnel) to enforce air quality
regulations.
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6. Support legislation that removes barriers and promotes voluntary actions to
reduce air pollution:
7. Support legislation and regulations that reduce vehicle emissions by:
- Using the price mechanisms of the free market to shift citizen and business
travel behavior toward actions that reduce vehicle emissions and vehicle miles
of travel, including removing hidden cost subsidies to motor vehicle users
- Employing economic incentives and disincentives and other market
approaches
- Encouraging behavior changes, such as limiting unnecessary idling of vehicles
8. Support legislation and regulations that provide authority for local governments to
implement vehicle emissions reductions programs.
9. Support legislation and regulations that make tailpipe emissions and fuel economy
standards more stringent for all vehicles.
10. Support programs and policies that promote advanced low emission vehicle
technology; and encourage or promote alternative fuels such as biodiesel,
cellulosic ethanol, hydrogen and compressed natural gas.
11. Support legislation and regulations that reduce residential wood smoke emissions.
12. Support legislation that promotes research on, or use of, hydrogen fuel and its
methods of production, to reduce fossil fuel consumption in the transportation and
building sector.
CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE
The City of Fort Collins encourages a competitive, open market for cable services in
order to ensure the public has access to a variety of cable television programming at the
lowest cost possible.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statement:
1. Support legislation that maintains and enhances local franchising authority. This
helps ensure local governments' ability to negotiate, in the public interest, for
cable charnel space, institutional networks and public education and government
programming.'
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CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
The City of Fort Collins encourages local, state and national efforts to protect and
enhance our environment. Additionally, the City has a policy goal to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions 20% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050.
Therefore the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support legislation and regulation that reduce Fort Collins' vulnerability to
climate change impacts.
2. Support legislation that provides incentives to business and citizens to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, including incentives for green building and sustainable
design.
3. Support state and national legislation that establishes reduction targets for
greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Support legislation and regulations to promote pollution prevention.
5. Support the Colorado self-audit law.
CULTURAL SERVICES
The City recognizes that art and culture are vitally important to the quality of life in our
community and is committed to providing the citizens of Fort Collins with excellent
cultural services.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support funding for cultural services for the education, entertainment and
enrichment of the community.
2. Support legislation that facilitates the creation, performance and presentation of
the arts.
3. Support legislation that protects and preserves our cultural heritage.
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FINANCE
As a municipality, the City of Fort Collins faces many.complex financial issues. Strong
fiscal planning, prudent debt management and preservation of the City's revenue base are
vital in maintaining and improving the City's financial health.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support legislation that maintains or expands municipal authority to establish
alternative funding mechanisms, including financing tools such as public
improvement fees (PIF) and certificates of participation (COP).
2. Support tax increment financing as a tool to support Downtown Development
Authorities and Urban Renewal Authorities, taking into consideration the land use
impacts of such legislation and the compelling interests and concerns of other
taxing entities.
3. Support legislation that promotes sustainable economic development.
4. Support increased state funding and budgetary autonomy for-Colorado State
University and Front Range Community College.
5. Support legislation promoting the equitable treatment of sales and use taxes to
residents and corporations residing or doing business in Colorado. The City
strongly recommends that taxes be as broad-based as possible for both local and
state government and that exemptions be limited.
6. Support federal legislation that recognizes the importance of sales and use tax to
local, self-collecting municipalities and equitably distributes sales tax collections
on e-commerce transactions.
7. Oppose legislation that reduces the City's revenue base (sales, use and property
tax)
INVESTMENTS
The Fort Collins City Council has adopted investment polices to be used by the City.
The policies are reviewed and update periodically to ensure the safety and quality of the
portfolio to maintain liquidity and to maximize portfolio earnings.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support legislation designed to protect, without unnecessarily restricting, the
investments of government entities.
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2. Support legislation that provides for adequate transparency of the City's
investment activity.
3. Oppose any legislation that would require municipalities to participate in
investments that do not meet the objectives set forth in the City's policies.
4. Oppose restrictions on the City's ability to adopt its own investment policies.
PRIVATIZATION
The City of Fort Collins utilizes outside contracts for procurement of many goods and
services. This practice of privatization provides citizens with a balance of quality and
cost efficiency.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support legislation enabling provision of services through private enterprise in a
manner that fosters cost effective, sustainable, quality services.
2. Support local control of the awarding of contracts and the accountability of local
officials for those actions
3. Oppose mandates that increase the complexity and cost of services without
improving those services.
SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
Special improvement districts are a viable financial tool for needed infrastructure
improvements.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support local government ability to create new and maintain existing special
improvement districts with tax exempt financing authority.
2. Support legislation that facilitates and enables the timely collection of delinquent
assessments and strengthens or maintains the lien position of those assessments.
3. Support any reduction in the complexities of obtaining clear title to properties
acquired through the County Treasurer's Deed process.
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FIRE PROTECTION
The Fort Collins City Council recognizes the critical importance of maintaining a safe
environment and protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Fort Collins from
fire.
Therefore the City supports the following policy statements:
l. Support legislation adopting a State fire code, the code of choice being the 2006
International Fire Code, and allow municipalities to impose more restrictive
standards.
2. Oppose legislation that limits local enforcement of the International Fire Code as
adopted with local amendments, or imposes inspection requirements or prevents
collection of permit or inspection fees as required by the local jurisdiction.
3. Support legislation that requires the installation of fire protection systems in
structures to enhance life safety and property protection when appropriate.
4. Support legislation that strengthens the City's ability to prohibit the use and sale
of fireworks and that allows counties and fire districts to prohibit and otherwise
control fireworks.
5. Support legislation that promotes fire safety, education and prevention with the
goal of reducing injury, loss of life and property damage.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
It is an important concern of the City to safeguard Fort Collins' health and environmental
safety by reducing risks from the unauthorized release of hazardous materials or
hazardous waste.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support legislation that allows the City to continue controlling risks from
hazardous materials use, storage and transportation through the Uniform Building
and Fire Codes and related local amendments.
2. Oppose legislation that restricts the City's ability to adopt local regulations for
hazardous materials, including review and approval of the location of facilities
that use or store hazardous materials or hazardous waste.
3. Support legislation that strengthens the enforcement of state hazardous materials
regulations.
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HOME RULE
The City of Fort Collins is a home rule municipality under Article XX of the Colorado
Constitution, which grants home rule municipalities "full right of self-government in
local and municipal matters." Home rule authority affords the citizens of Fort Collins
greater access to government and increased opportunity for participation and contribution
to the decision making process.
Home rule is of utmost importance to the City of Fort Collins. The City recognizes,
however, that there are particular areas in which insistence on local control may be
untimely or unwise. Therefore, proposed legislation must be reviewed on a case-by-case
basis to determine when it is in the City's best interest to assert home rule authority and
when the City should support statewide intervention. For example, the City must be free
to regulate local activities that primarily impact the area within the City's boundaries,
such as the speed of local traffic or the effects of particular land use developments. On
the other hand, the cumulative effect of these and other activities has substantial
statewide ramifications which may call for statewide regulation, so that, for example,
state regulation may be needed to effectively manage overall growth and development in
the state, traffic congestion in major transportation corridors and environmental quality.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support legislative efforts to strengthen home rule authority of municipal
governments.
2. .Oppose legislation that requires State or Federal intervention in matters of local
concern and which unnecessarily or adversely affect the City's ability to manage
pursuant to its home rule.authority.
HUMAN RESOURCES
The City of Fort Collins is committed to the safety and well-being of its employees. The
City works diligently to be an efficient and responsible steward of tax dollars while
ensuring that employees receive fair and competitive compensation and benefits. The
City believes that its citizens, through their elected representatives on City Council, are in
the best position to determine appropriate City employee compensation, benefits, and
policies.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Oppose legislation that creates unnecessary burdens on or limits the City's ability
to decide employment issues, including collective bargaining, binding arbitration,
benefits and leaves.
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2. Support legislation that expands the City's ability to offer health, welfare and
wellness services for employees.
3. Oppose legislation that reduces current state funding for police officer death and
disability benefits.
4. Oppose legislation that would permit employees with defined contribution plans
to return to defined benefit plans if there is a cost to local government.
NATURAL AREAS AND OPEN LANDS
The City has a vigorous program to protect natural areas and other important open lands
within Fort Collins, within our Community Growth Management Area, and regionally.
The City works in partnership with other communities, Larimer County, private land
trusts, Great Outdoors Colorado, community groups, and state and federal agencies to
achieve community and regional conservation goals.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support legislation that maintains or enhances tax incentives for voluntary land
conservation by private landowners.
2. Oppose legislation that reduces the effectiveness of existing federal and state
protection for wetlands, wildlife habitats, and other sensitive natural areas.
3. Support additional funding for state and federal land conservation programs.
4. Support federal legislation necessary to fully implement the Cache la Poudre
River Corridor Act.
PARKS AND RECREATION
The City is committed to providing the community with excellent parks and recreation
services and facilities. Our citizens enjoy a better quality of life, improved health, less
crime and a greater sense of community because of our quality parks and recreation
programs.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support legislation that maintains or enhances funding for parks, trails, forestry,
horticulture and recreation services and facilities.
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2. Support use of Great Outdoors Colorado and other state sources for full funding
of municipal government projects, with maximum local discretion regarding local
needs and priorities.
3. Support legislation that enhances the City's ability to provide quality parks and
recreation services and facilities for its citizens.
PLANNING AND LAND USE
Effective local land use planning and land development regulation contributes to the
quality of life enjoyed.primarily by Fort Collins residents, yet shared regionally within
Larimer County. State legislation can influence local governments' ability to develop
and implement land use plans for their communities.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support legislation that requires regional cooperation in land use and
transportation planning, and legislation that fosters sustainable development,
without unduly constraining the City's home rule powers.
2. Support legislation that prohibits the annexation of land that is located within the
boundaries of a Growth Management Area that was legally established by an
intergovernmental agreement between a municipality and a county by any
municipality not a party to the agreement.
3. Support legislation that sets reasonable limits on the inclusion of agricultural land
in Urban Renewal Areas.
4. Oppose federal and state legislation that would extend the definition of a
compensable taking and/or the definition of vested property rights beyond the
provisions of existing law.
5. Oppose legislation that would inappropriately limit local government authority to
impose growth impact fees.
PUBLIC SAFETY
The Fort Collins City Council recognizes the critical importance of maintaining public order,
providing a safe environment, and protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Fort
Collins.
Therefore,the City supports the following policy statements:
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1. Support legislation that has the potential to reduce incidents of violence in the
community, especially through the development of treatment and intervention
programs for youth.
2. Support legislation and funding that provides greater protection to victims of
crime.
3. Support legislation that maintains or enhances the City's right to use camera
enforcement of traffic laws, reduces operational restrictions on the use of camera
enforcement, and increases the fines associated with violations.
4. Support legislation establishing protocols and funding for shared, statewide
emergency response communications.
5. Support legislation that regulates medical marijuana manufacture, distribution and
dispensaries.
6. Oppose programs that have the potential to compromise officer safety.
7. Support legislation that formally legitimizes the field of Alternative Dispute
Resolution (ADR) by establishing minimum training criteria and professional
mediator certification.
8. Support legislation that regulates the use of cell phones by a motorist while
operating a vehicle.
9. Oppose legislation that decreases funding for treatment of mental illness and
substance abuse disorders.
RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE
The City of Fort Collins endorses a multi-pronged approach to waste minimization that
includes recycling, re-use, composting and source reduction. Additionally, the City has
adopted a goal of diverting 50% of the community's waste stream from landfill disposal.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support legislation that clarifies and broadens the regulatory authority of local
government to ensure the efficient management of recyclable material and solid
waste.
2. Support legislation that encourages integrated waste management planning and
implementation for state and local communities, including but not limited to
creation of a State waste diversion goal.
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3. Support legislation that provides incentives and funding for programs that
promote waste reduction, reuse and recycling and development of related
infrastructure.
4. Support legislation that enables "buy recycled" or"environmentally preferable
purchasing" policies for government agency procurement.
5. Support legislation that continues or increases funding for State programs to
collect and monitor data on trash volumes, rates of diversion from landfill
disposal and economic impacts of recycling.
6. Support legislation to require greater producer responsibility, such as "take back"
regulations that assist consumers to appropriately recycle electronic equipment(e-
waste.)
7. Support legislation that establishes a deposit fee on beverage containers and that
would be used to pay for recycling programs.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The City of Fort Collins recognizes the dual purpose of the workers' compensation
system—providing benefits promptly to injured employees in a cost-effective manner and
minimizing costly litigation. Council also recognizes that the City's self-insurance
program is a cost efficient method to insure workers' compensation and that government
intervention or taxation can negatively impact the City.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support legislation that improves administrative efficiency of the Division of
Workers' Compensation.
2. Oppose legislation that increases insurance premium costs to employers.
3. Oppose legislation that would add administrative burdens or taxes to self-
insurance programs.
4. Oppose legislation that would promote claim litigation.
5. Oppose legislation that restricts the City's ability to manage workers'
compensation claims, such as removing existing off-sets to workers'
compensation benefits or limiting the City's ability to designate treating
physicians.
6. Oppose legislation that presumptively expands workers compensation coverage to
illnesses or injuries that are not work related.
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SOVEREIGN AND GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY
The Fort Collins City Council recognizes that the complexity and diversity of City
operations and services required to meet the needs of the citizens of Fort Collins may
expose the City and its officers and employees to liability for damage and injury. The
Council further recognizes that City officers and employees must be confident that they
have the City's support in the lawful and proper performance of their assigned duties and
responsibilities.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
1. Support legislation that protects the interests of municipalities and their officers
and employees in the lawful and proper performance of their duties and
responsibilities.
2. Support legislation that discourages baseless and frivolous claims and demands
made against municipalities, their officers and employees.
3. Oppose legislation that expands or increases municipal liability, or, conversely,
further limits municipal immunity.
TRANSPORTATION
The City actively promotes the safety and ease of traveling to, from and throughout the
community using a variety of modes of transportation. Additionally,the City's policy is
to encourage the use of alternative transportation whenever appropriate.
Therefore, the City supports the following policies:
1. Support legislation that facilitates cooperative programs among government
agencies in order to help the City meet its basic transportation needs, including
transit, street, highway, road and bridge construction and maintenance, and safe
corridors for bicyclists and pedestrians.
2. Maintain and increase elected representatives' support for earmark funding for the
balance of the Mason Corridor Small Starts project in 2010.
3. Oppose legislation that seeks to reduce the present allocation formula of 60% state,
22% counties, and 18% municipalities for Highway User Tax Fund (HUTF) or any
appropriations from the State using the same formula..
4. Support exploration and analysis of alternative methods of funding state and federal
transportation infrastructure needs.
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5. Support reauthorization of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation
Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) by Congress.
6. Support legislation to fund analysis and implementation of inter- and intra-regional
transit linkages, including future commuter rail connectivity.
7. Support legislation that facilitates regional planning for various modes of
transportation with the goal of providing practical solutions to reduce reliance on
single occupant vehicles.
8. Support efforts to encourage flexibility in federal funding and regulations in order
to better meet the needs of small to medium size communities.
9. Support preservation of the federal guaranteed levels of funding for transportation,
and allocation of all federal motor fuel taxes and other federal transportation trust
funds for their intended transportation purposes. .
10. Support legislation broadening the definition of the gasoline tax to a"fuel tax" that
encompasses other fuel options as they become more prevalent.
11. Support legislation that limits the ability of railroad trains to block street and
highway grade crossings for unreasonable periods.
12. Support legislation that facilitates the implementation of railroad quiet zones in
municipalities and that reduces current train horn decibel and duration
requirements.
UTILITY SERVICES
It is critical that the City operate its electric distribution, drinking water, stormwater and
wastewater services in a financially sound, reliable, safe and environmentally acceptable
manner. Like other municipal utilities across the country, Fort Collins is faced with
many new and evolving challenges associated with changes in the industry, the age and
security of its infrastructure and the necessity of managing a changing workforce.
Therefore, the City supports the following policy statements:
ENERGY
1. Support legislation that recognizes the importance of infrastructure security while
minimizing restriction to the Utility's ability to manage security as an integral part of
the system.
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2. Support federal and state programs that provide assistance to local government, and
that encourage and allow for local design and implementation of greenhouse gas
reduction strategies.
3. Support legislation at the national and state level that establishes uniform standards
for the reduction of carbon emissions related to electric generation.
4. Support legislation that encourages and funds energy efficiency and conservation
while allowing local design and implementation of the programs.
5. Support legislation and regulations that provide incentives to encourage renewable
energy production, including wind power, and provide for"State Implementation
Plan" credits for renewable energy (excluding residential wood burning and corn-
based ethanol) and energy efficiency.
6. Oppose legislation that attempts to prevent or inhibit provision of municipal electric
service in newly annexed areas.
7. Oppose legislation restricting a community's public power generation and
distribution entities' ability to sell power from existing facilities. This not only
jeopardizes the financial stability of local governments, but also presents substantial
risk to bond holders.
WATER SUPPLY AND QUALITY
1. Support legislation that maintains or expands the authority delegated to the State to
administer federally mandated water, stormwater and wastewater environmental
regulatory programs (primacy).
2. Support water quality legislation that results in reasonable water quality control
regulations that are cost effective and can show identifiable benefits.
3. Support legislation that enables local development of watershed protection.
4. Support legislation that provides the City the flexibility to enhance in-stream flows to
preserve or improve the natural environment of the stream while protecting the
integrity of Colorado's appropriation doctrine and City water supply.
5. Support legislation that recognizes the importance of infrastructure security while
minimizing restriction to the Utility's ability to manage security as an integral part of
the system.
6. Support adequate state and federal funding of mandated programs.
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CITY OF FORT COLLINS LEGISLATIVE STAFF
Legislative Revlew,Committee
Name District/Title Email
Mayor Doug Hutchinson At large dhutchinson@fcgov.com
Mayor Pro Tern Kelly Ohlson District 5 kohlson@fcgov.com
Council Member Lisa Poppaw District 2 Ipoppaw@fcgov.com
Darin Atteberry City Manager dtteberry@fcgov.com
Wendy Williams Assistant City Manager wwilliams@fcgov.com
Steve Roy City Attorney sroy@fcgov.com
Tess Heffernan Legislative Policy Manager teffeman@fcgov.com
Legislative Staff Liaison Members
Topic Area Name Email
Affordable Housing Julie Brewen jbrewen@fcgov.com
Air Quality Lucinda Smith lsmith@fcgov.com
Cable Television Franchise Carson Hamlin chamlin@fcgov.com
Climate and Environmental Protection John Stokes jstokes@fcgov.com
Natural Areas and Open Lands
City Clerk Rita Harris rharris@fcgov.com
Cultural Services J.R. Schnelzer jrschnelzer@fcgov.com
Parks and Recreation
Energy Patty Bigner pbigner@fcgov.com
Water Supply and Quality
Finance Chuck Seest cseest@fcgov.com
Fire Protection Kevin Wilson kwilson@pfafireprevention.org
Hazardous Materials Management
Human Resources Janet Miller jmiller@fcgov.com
Legal Carrie Daggett cdaggett@fcgov.com
Neighborhood Services Jenny Kidd jkidd@fcgov.com
Planning and Land Use Timothy Wilder twilder@fcgov.com
Public Safety Rita Davis rdavis@fcgov.com
Recycling and Solid Waste Susie Gordon sgordon@fcgov.com
Risk Management Lance Murray lmurray@fcgov.com
Transportation Mark Jackson mjackson@fcgov.com
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