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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/06/2007 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 021, 2007, AMENDING ITEM NUMBER: 22 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: February 6, 2007 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Mike Freeman SUBJECT First Reading of Ordinance No. 021, 2007, Amending Chapter 2 of the City Code to Create an Economic Advisory Commission. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY At the January 23, 2007 work session, the City Council discussed changes and modifications to a draft Ordinance that would establish an Economic Advisory Commission for the City. There were several recommended changes that have been included in the Ordinance on First Reading. BACKGROUND The City Council formed the Economic Vitality and Sustainability Group (EVSAG) in 2004 to advise the City on economic health issues. EVSAG submitted a report and recommendations on strategies and tactics for making improvements in the local economy that has served as the basis for the City's Economic Action Plan. The authorizing legislation that created EVSAG also included a sunset provision that called for the elimination of EVSAG on December 31, 2006. The City Council has discussed its desire to continue to have an independent group of community members who would advise it on general economic issues, strategies, challenges, and potential solutions. Staff has taken information from the Council's retreat discussion regarding a potential Commission,integrated specific comments from the January 23,2007 work session on the topic and crafted a proposed ordinance that will authorize the formation of an Economic Advisory Commission whose main purpose will be to provide ongoing advice and input to the City Council regarding the City's role in economic health, advice on key economic issues and trends, and recommendations for the City Council to consider for implementation. ORDINANCE NO. 021 , 2007 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS TO CREATE AN ECONOMIC ADVISORY COMMISSION WHEREAS , on January 6, 2004, the City Council adopted Resolution 2004-006, establishing an Economic Vitality and Sustainability Group ("EVSAG") ; and WHEREAS , the EVSAG consisted of a group of citizens and two Councilmembers and represented a broad and balanced spectrum of community views concerning economic development and community sustainability; and WHEREAS, the purposes of the EVSAG were to make recommendations to the City Council on ways to improve and sustain the health of the local economy and to provide guidance to the City Manager in developing an Economic Vitality and Sustainability Plan; and WHEREAS , in undertaking its assigned responsibilities, the EVSAG explored a wide variety of issues and challenges affecting the community's economic health and sustainability, including the strengths and vulnerabilities of the local economy; specific economic strategies ; the concepts of business partnerships and clusters; and proposed measures and benchmarks for continuing to evaluate economic health and sustainability; and WHEREAS , the City Manager, after reviewing EVSAG ' s report and recommendations, submitted an Economic Action Plan (the "Plan") to the City Council which was reviewed, refined and affirmed by the City Council through work session discussions and through the adoption of Resolution 2006-097 on September 5 , 2006 ; and WHEREAS , the City Council believes that it is in the best interests of the City to provide a mechanism for pursuing, on an ongoing basis, the research and strategic thinking and advice that led to the development of the Plan, so that the City Council can monitor and attempt to continually improve the economic health and sustainability of the community; and WHEREAS , the City Council believes that a new Economic Advisory Commission should be established for that purpose; and WHEREAS , the City Council further believes it to be important that the membership of the proposed commission represent a broad spectrum of community interests, including strong representation from the Fort Collins business community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that Chapter 2 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended by the addition of a new Division 13 . 5 which reads in its entirety as follows : DIVISION 13.5. ECONOMIC ADVISORY COMMISSION Sec. 2-220. Creation. There shall be and is hereby created an Economic Advisory Commission, hereafter referred to in this Division as the "Commission" Sec. 2-221 . Membership ; term. (a) The Commission shall consist of nine (9) members appointed by the City Council, which members shall represent a cross section of the community and shall include persons with experience in economics, business or finance and persons with experience in other areas that the City Council may consider to be especially important to the economic health and sustainability of the community. (b) Each member shall serve without compensation for a term of three (3 ) years, except that members may be appointed by the City Council for a shorter term in order to achieve overlapping tenure . Appointments shall specify the term of office of each individual . All members shall be subject to removal by the City Council. If a vacancy occurs on the Commission, it shall be filled by the City Council for the remaining unexpired portion of the term. No member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms . For the purposes of this provision, a "term" shall include the balance of an unexpired term served by a person appointed to fill a vacancy if such unexpired term exceeds twenty-four (24) months . Sec. 2-222. Functions. The duties and functions of the Commission shall be : ( 1 ) To advise the City Council on matters pertaining to the economic health and sustainability of the city, including, but not limited to, (a) events and trends occurring outside the Fort Collins community that may affect the local economy; (b) immediate and long-term threats to the local economy; (c) ways in which to enhance the City's competitive position in relation to other communities ; and (d) possible partnerships with other public and private entities ; (2) To recommend programs and strategies that may enhance the economic health and sustainability of the city; (3 ) To be aware of and coordinate with other City boards and commissions whose actions may affect the economic health and sustainability of the City; and (4) To advise Council on existing or proposed policies, practices or regulations of the City that may affect the local economy; -2- (5) To perform other such duties and functions as provided by the City Council. Sec. 2-223 . Officers ; bylaws. The Commission shall elect annually from its membership a chairperson and such officers as may be required. Bylaws may be adopted by the Commission, which bylaws shall not be inconsistent with the Charter, the Code or other policies that may be established by the City Council. A copy of the bylaws shall be filed with the City Clerk for the use of the City Council immediately after adoption by the Commission, and the same may be subject to the approval of the City Council. Sec. 2-224. Minutes ; annual report; work plan. The Board shall take and file minutes in accordance with the requirements of § 2-73 of the Code . On or before January 31 of each year, the Commission shall file a report with the City Clerk setting forth the activities of the Commission for the previous year. On or before November 30 of each year, the Commission shall file a work plan with the City Clerk for the following year. Introduced and considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 6th day of February, A.D. 2007 , and to be presented for final passage on the 20th day of February, A.D . 2007 , Mayor ATTEST : City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading this 20th day of February, A.D . 2007 . Mayor ATTEST : City Clerk -3 -