HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 11/21/2006 - ITEMS RELATING TO THE ADOPTION OF A TRANSPORTATION ITEM NUMBER: 25 A-B
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: November 21, 2006
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Darin Atteberry
Diane Jones
Ann Turnquist
SUBJECT
Items Relating to the Adoption of a Transportation Maintenance Fee and a Community Park
Maintenance Fee.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinances on Second Reading.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
These Ordinances propose a Transportation Maintenance Fee (TMF) and a Community park
Maintenance Fee (CPMF). The total net revenue from the new special services fees will equal
approximately $3.15 million per year. The TMF revenue will be allocated to the Pavement
Management Program and the CPMF revenue will be allocated to the maintenance of City Parks.
Transportation Park
Maintenance Fee Maintenance Fee Total
New Revenue $1736568 $1,686,722 $3,423,290
Exemptions $<272 835> n/a $<272,835>
Net Revenue $ 1,463,733 $1 686 722 $3 150 455
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 184, 2006, Amending Chapter 7.5 of the City Code to
Establish a Transportation Maintenance Fee. (Option 13-1 from First Reading)
B. Second Reading of Ordinance No 185, 2006, Amending Chapter 7.5 of the City Code to
Establish a Community Park Maintenance Fee. (Options B-1 and B-2)
On November 7, 2006, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 184, 2006 on First Reading by a vote
of 5-2 (Nays: Ohlson, Roy). Ordinance No. 185, 2006 was adopted on First Reading by a vote of
6-1 (Nays: Roy). The Transportation Maintenance Fee (TMF) would be applied to all properties,
including residential and non-residential properties, with $1.06/month applied to residential
properties. The Community Park Maintenance Fee(CPMF)would be applied to each residence in
the City in the amount of$2.67 per month. Fees will be added to utility bills beginning in January
2007.
November 21, 2006 -2- Item No. 25 A-B
The monthly TMF fee will be applied according to the following schedule:
Transportation Maintenance Fees
Institutional $ 16.44 Per Acre
Industrial $ 13.09 Per Acre
High Traffic Retail $125.11 Per Acre
Retail $ 51.65 Per Acre
Commercial $ 16.44 Per Acre
Residential $ 1.06 Per Dwelling Unit
Total new fees (TMF and CPMF)to residences will be $3.72 per month.
The new fees will add$3.15 million in new revenue to the City's resources in 2007 and balance the
2007 Budget.
BACKGROUND
On First Reading on November 7, 2006, City Council approved the establishment of a
Transportation Maintenance Fee and a Community Park Maintenance Fee. If approved on Second
Reading, the fees will be effective on utility bills issued after January 1, 2007.
Council selected an option to create the two fees with approximately equal revenues. Council also
voted to implement the TMF with exemptions for governments,public and private schools(K-12)
and places of worship. The proposed TMF rates will be adjusted to increase the net revenue to
accommodate all exemptions.
Transportation Maintenance Fee
The establishment of a TMF would provide supplemental funding to maintain city streets, bike
lanes,medians(excluding landscaping),and City-maintained sidewalks.Maintenance includes such
work as keeping pavement surfaces in good condition, performing seal coats as needed, repairing
potholes and cracks, repaving and other work to keep the City's transportation system safe.
The fee would be applied to all non-exempt properties within the city limits, including residential
properties and non-residential properties.The fee would be a flat dollar amount for each residential
dwelling unit,based on trip generation data for residential uses.A flat fee of$1.06 per dwelling unit
will be added to monthly utility bills. Non-residential properties will be assessed the fee based on
various categories of use and the trip generation characteristics of those categories.
Transportation Maintenance Fees
Institutional $ 16.44 Per Acre
Industrial $ 13.09 Per Acre
High Traffic Retail $125.11 Per Acre
Retail $ 51.65 Per Acre
Commercial $ 16.44 Per Acre
Residential $ 1.06 Per Dwelling Unit
November 21, 2006 -3- Item No. 25 A-B
The net savings to the General Fund from enacting the TMF would be $1,463,733, after utility
billing costs, exemptions, rebates and bad debts. The fee of$1.06 per month or$12.72 per year per
residential dwelling unit will appear on City utility bills produced after January 1, 2007.
Nonresidential fees would be calculated based on a formula which includes trip generation data by
land use type and acreage.
The fee will be adjusted annually for inflation based on the Denver—Boulder-Greeley Consumer
Price Index and as directed by City Council. The fee will reduce the need for General Fund support
of the street system. This funding would be in addition to the voter approved Building on Basics
Street Maintenance Sales and Use Tax and revenue from state gas taxes and street cut fees.The total
cost of the street maintenance program in 2007 is projected to be over$9 million.
Community Park Maintenance Fee
The Council directed staff to provide two options for Second Reading of the Park Maintenance Fee
Ordinance. The implementation of the CPMF as originally drafted (Option B-1) would support
maintenance of the City's community park system. The implementation of Option B-2 would fund
maintenance of neighborhood parks as well as community parks. The fee will be imposed on all
residential dwelling units as defined in the attached ordinance. A flat fee of$2.67 per dwelling unit
will be added to monthly utility bills beginning in 2007.
The fee will be used in conjunction with General Fund resources to fund all aspects of maintaining
parks.Maintenance includes,but is not limited to maintenance of all landscaped areas,facilities and
infrastructure,administration, and minor capital improvements as needed to keep the park facilities
in safe and usable condition for the general public.
The net savings to the General Fund from enacting the CPMF would be $1,686,722 after utility
billing costs, rebates and bad debts. The fee of$2.67 per month or $32.04 per year will appear on
City utility bills produced after January 1, 2007.
The fee will be adjusted annually for inflation based on the Denver—Boulder-Greeley Consumer
Price Index and as directed by City Council. The fee would reduce the need for General Fund
support in the park system and provide a possible funding source for future maintenance of new
parks.
Rebates
A rebate program will be established to offset the impact of the new fees on low-income residents.
Residents will have to meet qualifications previously established through the rebate program for
sales tax on food as well as the new State immigration requirements.One rebate check will be issued
per dwelling unit for both fees and the grocery tax rebate. The rebate would be up to 100% of the
total fee paid. The rebate for both fees in 2007 will be$ 44.76 per low-income household. Rebates
would be made to qualified residents in 2008 for fees paid in 2007.
November 21, 2006 -4- Item No. 25 A-B
Exemptions
Staff recommends that the TMF exempt all property owned and occupied by government entities
and public schools. Though both generate a significant number of trips per day, charging a fee to
these entities would only serve to shift public money from one type of government to another and
would diminish the public revenues available to them to cant'out their public purposes.No new net
increase in funds available for public services would be achieved.
On November 7, Council voted to provide exemptions from the TMF for places of worship and
private schools (K-12).
EXEMPTION COSTS
Transportation Maintenance Fee
Public Schools $132,029
Government $ 77,987
Places of Worship $57,494
Private Schools $5,325
Grand Total $272,835
The final ordinance will include exemptions for government and public school properties as well
as places of worship and private(k-12) schools. The total cost of all exemptions will be$272,835.
ATTACHMENTS
1. New Fee Calculator, November 21, 2006.
Attachment 1
Transportation Maintenance Fee and Park Maintenance Fee Calculations
New Fee Recommendation Calculator Sample Transportation Maintenance Fees
Monthly Yearly Lot Size
Transporation Maintenance Fee Revenue Sought Use Fee Fee in Acres
(Enter target here) $ 2 , 640 , 000 General Fund Pvmt. Mgmt. Need Industrial
$ 700 , 000 Proposed Cut Manufacturing $70 . 71 $848 . 54 5.4
$ 1 , 940 , 000 Net General Fund Need Manufacturing $916 .64 $ 10 , 999 . 63 70
Retail
Percent of Fee
TMF Fee Schedule by Land Use Drug Store $ 108 .47 $ 1 , 301 . 64 2 . 1
Institutional $ 16 .44 Per Acre 13% Old Town Restaurant $ 10 . 33 $ 123 . 97 0 .2
Industrial $ 13 . 09 Per Acre 4% Old Town Shop $6 .20 $74 . 38 0 . 12
High Traffic Retail $ 125 . 11 Per Acre 14% Large Retail $511 . 36 $6 , 136 . 30 9 .9
Retail $51 . 65 Per Acre 24% Institutional
Commercial $ 16 .44 Per Acre 9% Church (large lot) $82 . 18 $986. 17 5
Residential $ 1 . 06 Per Unit 36% Church (small lot) $8 .22 $98 .62 0 .5
Possible Exemptions Acres Elementary School $88 . 76 $ 1 , 065 . 07 5 .4
Annual Fee for Churches 291 .50 $57 ,494 $57 ,494 x High School $ 197 .23 $2 , 366 . 82 12
Annual Fee for all Government 395.40 $77 ,987 $77 , 987 x High Traffic Retail
Annual Fee for Public Schools 669.40 $ 1327029 $ 132 , 029 x Fast Food $225 .21 $2 , 702 .46 1 .8
Annual Fee for Private Schools 27 .00 $55325 $5 , 325 x Bank $ 150 . 14 $ 1 , 801 . 64 1 .2
Total Possible Exemptions : $272,835 Convenience Store $ 100 . 09 $ 1 ,201 . 09 0 .8
(All exemptions must be paid by General Fund Contribution) Grocery Store $738 . 17 $8 , 858 . 07 5.9
Total Fee $ 1 , 940 , 000 Commercial
Administrative Cost $ ( 130 , 000) Law Office $4 . 11 $49 . 31 0 .25
Rebate/Delinquencies $ (73 ,432) Motel $23 . 01 $276 . 13 1 .4
General Fund for exemptions $ (272 , 835) Daycare Center $ 12 . 66 $ 151 . 87 0 .77
Net to Pavement Management Program $194639733
Total New Fee Cost Per Residential Unit: $3.72
Park Maintenance Fee Calculation Total New Fee Revenue $ 3 , 150 ,455
Target (enter fee total here) $ 1 , 850 , 000 Monthly Fee: $ 2 . 67 Distribution of Total New Fees By Land Use
Actual Yield (less admin , rebate , delinq ) $ 1 , 686 , 722 70% Residential
30% Non-Residential
11 /16/2006 TMF PMF att 1 .xls
ITEM NUMBER: 29
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: November 7, 2006
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Darin Atteberry
Diane Jones
Ann Turnquist
SUBJECT
Items Relating to the Adoption of a Transportation Maintenance Fee and a Community Park
Maintenance Fee.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinances under Option B on First Reading.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
These Ordinances propose a Transportation Maintenance Fee (TMF) and a Community Park
Maintenance Fee (CPMF). The t tal net r venue Poyeatthe
tecial services fees will equal
approximately $3.14 million ye a e allocated to the Pavement
Management Program and the PMF r ue Il maintenance of community
parks.
Residential Fee Revenue Total Revenue
Revenue Weighting TMF I CPMF Total TMF * CPMF
Option A: $ 1.53 $1.44 $2.97 $2,260,900 $ 879,864 $ 3,140,764
Weighted to TMF
Option B: $ 1.01 $2.67 $3.68 $1,449,702 $1,686,722 $ 3,136,424
Balanced TMF/CPMF
*TMF rates for non-residential properties are set by formula. The CPMF would not
apply to non-residential properties.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
OPTION A: Revenue WeigCno()01
1. First Reading of Ordi mend' Chapter 7.5 of the City Code to
Establish a Transportation Maintenance Fee. (Option A)
AND
First Reading of Ordinance No. 185, 2006, Amending Chapter 7.5 of the City Code to
Establish a Community Park Maintenance Fee. (Option A)
November 7, 2006 -2- Item No. 29
OPTION B: Equal Revenue from TMF and CPMF
2. First Reading of Ordinance No. 184, 2006, Amending Chapter 7.5 of the City Code to
Establish a Transportati ' t F Y
T' i
AND
First Reading of Ordinance No. 185, 2006, Amending Chapter 7.5 of the City Code to
Establish a Community Park Maintenance Fee. (Option B)
At the October 10, 2006 Work Session, City Council directed staff to prepare two alternatives for
the proposed Transportation Maintenance Fee (TMF) and Community Park Maintenance Fee
(CPMF). Option A would weight the fee revenue toward the TMF, while Option B would equally
divide the revenue between the TMF and CPMF. For each option(A and B), a TMF ordinance and
a CMPF ordinance are presented. The Option A ordinances or the Option B ordinances should be
adopted as a set.
In summary,the two options would generate the same amount of new revenue,approximately$3.14
million per year in 2007.
Option A weights the fee revr
d th$2,260,900 (72 F
• $ 879,864 (28%) from CPMF
• Residential pays 54% ($1,696,013)
• Non-residential pays 46% ($1,444,751
Option B equalizes the fee revenue between TMF and CPMF
• $1,449,702 (46%) from TMF
• $1,686,722 (54%) from CPMF
• Residential pays 70% ($2,195,497)
• Non-residential pays 30% ($940,927)
Both options generate approximately the same amount of total revenue. Staff recommends adoption
of Option B, which would establish two new fees with equal revenue from each fee. This option
would mitigate some of the imC
bu s been created under Option A.
Each of the fees is based on re ortio o e cost o he respective programs. The totalcost of the Pavement Managegr v milli 5.5 million is funded through the
Building on Basics Street Maintenance Sales Tax), and the total cost of maintaining the City's
community parks is $2.6 million. These figures represent the maximum amount that could be
charged through a special service fee. Neither of the proposed options exceeds the costs.
November 7, 2006 -3- Item No. 29
BACKGROUND
Special Service Fees
The proposed TMF and CPMFCe"specco!D SYceeeasrhave been increasingly used by
Colorado municipalities over des s of providing supplementary
funding for particular government services. In order to establish a legitimate special service fee,
several court-established tests must be met in formulating the fee and expending the proceeds from
the fee. Essentially, a special service fee is distinguished from a tax in that it: (1) is imposed on
persons or property to defray the costs of a particular governmental service rather than the general
expenses of government; (2) the amount generated by fee must be reasonably related to the overall
costs of providing the service funded by the fee;(3)the methodology used to determine the amount
paid by individual fee payers must have a rational basis; and(4)revenues generated by the fee must
be segregated and used only for the purposes for which the fee is imposed.
Both the TMF and CPMF have been prepared by City staff with these criteria in mind. Neither fee
would generate revenues in excess of the cost ofmaintaining City streets and parks,and a substantial
portion of those costs will continue to be bome by other revenue sources.
Community Park Maintenan
The implementation of the CP wou d ppo tenY
City's community park system.
The fee will be imposed on all]Cal
ial ng s asn the attached ordinance. A flat
fee of$1.44 (Option A) or$2.67 (Option B)per dwelling unit will be added to monthly utility bills
beginning in 2007.
The fee will be used in conjunction with General Fund resources to fund all aspects of maintaining
community parks. Maintenance includes,but is not limited to maintenance of all landscaped areas,
facilities and infrastructure, administration, and minor capital improvements as needed to keep the
park facilities in safe and usable condition for the general public.
Under Option A, the CPMF contribution toward the maintenance of the City's community park
system would result in net savings to the General Fund, after utility billing costs, rebates and bad
debts,of 880 000. The fee of$1.44 per month or$17.28 per year would appear on City utility bills
produced after January 1, 2007.
Under Option B,the net savingCand
012007y.
e CPMF would be 1 686 722
after utility billing costs,rebatfmonth or$32.04 per year will
appear on City utility billspro
Under either scenario,the fee would be adjusted annually for inflation based on the Denver—Boulder-
Greeley Consumer Price Index and as directed by City Council. The fee would reduce the need for
General Fund support in the park system and provide a possible funding source for future
maintenance of new parks.
November 7, 2006 -4- Item No. 29
Transportation Maintenance Fee
The establishment of a TMF would support maintaining city streets,bike lanes, medians(excluding
landscaping),and City maintain 'npe
e ud uch work as keeping pavement
surfaces in good condition,per rming s 1 coat d,r ng potholes and cracks,repaving
and other work to keep our tr orta; syste
The fee would be applied to all non-exempt properties within the city limits, including residential
properties and non-residential properties. The fee would be a flat dollar amount for each residential
dwelling unit, based on trip generation data for residential uses. A flat fee of$1.53 (Option A) or
$1.01 (Option B)per dwelling unit will be added to monthly utility bills. Non-residential properties
would be assessed the fee based on various categories of use and the trip generation characteristics
of those categories.
Under Option A, the TMF contribution toward the maintenance of the City's street system would
result in a net savings to the General Fund, after utility billing costs, rebates and bad debts, of
$2,260,900. The fee of$1.53 per month or $18.36 per year per residential dwelling unit would
appear on City utility bills produced after January 1,2007.Non-residential fees would be calculated
based on a formula which includes trip generation data by land use type and acreage.
Under Option B,the net savin o the eral n yetiuc he TMF would be$1,449,702,
after utility billing costs,rebat and ba ebts. or month or$12.12 per year per
residential dwelling unit woul e o Cit til billd after January 1, 2007. Non-
residential fees would be calculated based on a formula which includes trip generation data by land
use type and acreage.
Under either scenario,the fee would be adjusted annually for inflation based on the Denver—Boulder-
Greeley Consumer Price Index and as directed by City Council. The fee would reduce the need for
General Fund support of the street system. This funding would be in addition to the voter approved
Building on Basics Street Maintenance Sales and Use Tax and revenue from state gas taxes and
street cut fees. The total cost of the street maintenance program in 2007 is projected to be over$9
million.
Rebates
A rebate program would be established to offset the impact of the new fees on low-income residents.
Residents would have to meet �do vi s sh hrough the rebate program for
sales tax on food as well as th ew Sta immi a n u ts. One rebate check would be
issued per dwelling unit for bo fees an the a tax reba . The rebate would be up to 100%
of the total fee paid. The rebate th ' 2 would e from $35.64 to $41.16 per low-
income household, depending on the alternative approved by Council. Rebates would be made to
qualified residents in 2008 for fees paid in 2007.
November 7, 2006 -5- Item No. 29
Exemptions
Staff recommends that the TMF exempt all property owned and occupied by government entities
and public schools. Though bo a ' i er 'ps per day, charging a fee to
these entities would only sery shift lic fr o e of government to another and
would diminish the public rev ues av ble t to c ut their public purposes. No new
net increase in funds available be ' es Id be a ' ved.
Council has asked staff to also provide data and an option to provide exemptions from the TMF
for places of worship and private schools (K-12).
EXEMPTION COSTS
Transportation Maintenance Fee
Property Category Option A: Option B:
Revenue Weighted Balanced Revenue
to TMF
Govenunent LL
$74 369
Public Schools $125,904
Sub-total $303,115 $200,273
Places of worship 2 1 54,827
Private Schools I t-A7,69V $5,078
Gran al 393,7 $260,178
Staff recommends exempting government and public school properties for a total exemption of
$303,115 for Option or$200,273 for Option B. Staff does not recommend providing an exemption
for places of worship or private schools.
In case Councilmembers wish to include exemptions for places of worship and private schools,
alternative TMF ordinances for Option A and Option B have been included within the two TMF
ordinances. Options A-1 and B-1 would provide exemptions for places of worship and private
schools. If these additional exemptions were approved by the Council,TMF annual revenues would
be reduced by $90,667 under Option A and by$59,905 under Option B. "Places of worship" and
"private schools" are defined in the Ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS C CI P V,
1. New Fee Recommendation Calculator, Option A and Option B.
2. New Fee Revenue Adoption, Transportation Maintenance Fee and Community Park
Maintenance Fee, November 7, 2006
ORDINANCE NO. 184, 2006
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTER 7 . 5 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS TO
ESTABLISH A TRANSPORTATION MAINTENANCE FEE
WHEREAS , the City has, over recent years, experienced a downturn in revenues that has
challenged the City's ability to deliver the same, high-quality level of services that its residents have
historically enjoyed; and
WHEREAS , this reduction in revenues has led to substantial budget cuts and service
reductions ; and
WHEREAS , the Colorado courts have recognized the ability of home rule municipalities
such as Fort Collins to enact special service fees to help defray the costs of providing particular
government services ; and
WHEREAS , such special service fees must be cost related and calculated in a manner that
will fairly and rationally distribute the costs of the funded services among those who benefit from
the services ; and
WHEREAS, the Council believes it to be necessary and appropriate to adopt a
Transportation Maintenance Fee ("TMF ") to defray a portion of the cost incurred by the City in
maintaining City streets, with the remaining portion of said costs to be funded by other, existing
revenue sources of the City; and
WHEREAS , City staff has a proposed formula for calculating such fee that fairly and
rationally reflects the proportionate share of such costs to be borne by those who benefit from the
funded services ; and
WHEREAS , the proposed TMF would be imposed on the owners of all non-exempt,
developed property in the City, with each feepayer's share of the TMF to be based on the size of the
developed parcel of property and the number of vehicular trips typically generated by the type of
use to which the property is put; and
WHEREAS , based upon accepted Transportation Engineering practices, all properties that
would be subject to the TMF generate impacts upon the City's transportation system that are
commensurate with the amount of the fee to be assessed those properties ; and
WHEREAS , the City's street system is available to all fee payers, so that
the properties paying the fee will contirme to benefit from the use of the fee revenues to maintellance
ofinaintain the City ' s street system; and
WHEREAS , the Council believes it to be in the City's best interests to exempt from the TMF
those properties that are owned ardor occupied by publicly funded entities in order to avoid
diminishing the public revenues available to those entities and to carry out their public purposes ; and
WHEREAS , the Council further believes it to be in the City's best interests to also exempt
from the TMF properties that are owned ardor occupied by places of worship, so as to not impose
a burden on religion through the imposition of this fee, and to exempt private schools as well, so as
to treat both public and private schools equally under this Ordinance .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that a Chapter 7 . 5 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended by the
addition of a new Article IX to read as follows :
ARTICLE IX.
TRANSPORTATION MAINTENANCE FEE
Sec. 7. 5-110. Intent.
The provisions of this Article are intended to impose a special service fee for
the operation and maintenance of City's transportation system, in an amount
calculated as shown herein. Said fee shall not be used to collect more than is
necessary to fund such operation and maintenance . The revenues from said fee shall
be used to keep the City's transportation system maintained, clean and safe, and for
administration of the provisions of this Article, in order that the health, safety and
welfare of users of the City's transportation system may be safeguarded.
Sec. 7.5-111 . Definitions .
When used in this Article, the following words and terms shall have the
following meanings :
Commercial shall mean any premises not a dwelling or residential use, or a
retail, high-traffic retail, industrial or institutional use.
Director shall mean the Director of Transportation Services or his or her
designee .
Dwelling unit, shall mean one ( 1 ) or more rooms and a single kitchen and at
least one( 1 ) bathroom designed, occupied or intended for occupancy as separate
quarters for the exclusive use of a single family, for living, cooking and sanitary
purposes, located in a single-family, two-family or multi-family dwelling or mixed
use building.
Feepayer shall mean a person or entity who is obligated to pay a fee in
accordance with the provisions of this Article .
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Financial Officer shall mean the Financial Officer of the City of Fort Collins
or such other person designated by the municipality. Financial Officer shall also
include such person' s designee.
High-Traffic Retail shall mean any retail establishment (whether greater or
lesser in size than twenty-five thousand (25 ,000) square feet) which has automobile
volumes greater than one thousand ( 1 ,000) trips per day/per acre.
Industrial shall mean any business devoted primarily to manufacturing,
processing, assembly or storage of tangible personal property; any research facility,
experimental or testing laboratory, warehouse, distribution or wholesale use, utility
service facility, aircraft hangar and repair facility for aircraft, construction
contracting facility, mineral extraction facility; and caretaker' s quarters and other
accessory buildings reasonably required for maintenance or security of such uses .
Institutional shall mean any place of worship or assembly, public use, semi-
public use, community facility, school, hospital or cemetery.
Mobile home space shall mean any place designed for the placement of a
mobile home or trailer and improved with City utilities .
Multi family dwelling shall mean a dwelling containing three (3) or more
dwelling units, not including hotels, motels, fraternity houses, sorority houses and
similar group accommodations .
Place of worship shall mean a building containing a sanctuary, hall,
auditorium or other suitable room or rooms used by the occupants of such structure
for the purpose of conducting religious services . Place of worship shall include
churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and the like .
Private school shall mean any school that offers any or all grades from
kindergarten through twelfth ( 12th) grade education that is not associated with a
school district.
Retail shall mean any retail establishment (whether greater or lesser in
size than twenty-five thousand (25 ,000) square feet) engaged in the sale or rental
of goods or services to the public that is not high-traffic retail .
Trip shall mean a single or one-directional vehicle movement.
Trip Generation shall mean the number of trips attracted to or created by a
specific building or land use as defined by the Institute of Transportation
Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manual.
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Sec. 7. 5- 112 . Imposition of fee .
(a) Except as provided in subsection (d) below, there is hereby established a
transportation maintenance fee which shall be imposed pursuant to the provisions
of this Article, on property within the city for the purpose of funding the
operation and maintenance of the city's transportation system.
(b) The amount of the fee for 2007 shall be $i-.ft1 . 06 per dwelling unit per
month and, for all other uses shall be in accordance with the following schedule
and formula:
Each lot, tract, or parcel used for institutional purposes : $t :6r716 .44 per month
for each acre
Each lot, tract, or parcel used for industrial purposes : $ f -2 . 4913 . 09 per month for
each acre
Each lot, tract, or parcel used for high traffic retail purposes : $ 119 . 31- 125 . 11 per
month for each acre
Each lot, tract, or parcel used for retail purposes : $49 .2-651 . 65 per month for each
acre
Each lot, tract, or parcel used for commercial purposes : $f :G716 .44 per month
for each acre
Calculation of Fee for Each Category:
Average Daily x D .U. or = Total Daily x 365 = Total
Trips Per D .U. Acres Trips by days Annual
or Acre Category Trips
Target Annual — Trips = Cost Per x Total Annual = Annual
Revenue per Trip Trips per D .U. Fee
Year or Acre
D. U. Dwelling Unit
Acres = Parcel acreage for each non-residential utility billing customer
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(c) The amount of the fee may be adjusted up or down from time to time based
upon revised estimates of the costs of maintenance of the City ' s street system,
revised categories of uses and trip generation factors, and other factors reasonably
related to the needs created or contributed to by properties subject to the fee, but in
no event shall the amount of the fee collected exceed the projected costs for
operation and maintenance of the city's transportation system.
(d) The transportation maintenance fee shall not be charged against property
owned or occupied by the United States, the State of Colorado, Colorado State
University, Larimer County, any school district (including charter schools) or any
other political subdivision established by the law of the State of Colorado or the
United States, or anyproperty used primarily as a place of worship or private school.
Sec. 7. 5-113 . Billing ; collection ; expenditure of proceeds ; enforcement.
(a) The fee shall be billed and collected with monthly City utility bills issued on
or after January 1 , 2007, pursuant to Article XII of Chapter 26 of the Code regarding
utility accounts, billing and collections, for each property utilizing City utilities,
whether billed to the owner or occupant of property, except that the City may not
disconnect utility services to a property solely for non-payment or delinquent
payment of the transportation maintenance fee.
(b) The utility shall be entitled to retain from fee proceeds , or to otherwise be
reimbursed for, its costs of billing and collection, as required by Art. V, §23 of the
Charter. The remaining proceeds from the fee shall be deposited in a restricted
account within the Transportation Fund and shall be used solely to fund the
maintenance of city streets, including curbs, gutters, bridges, parkways, shoulders,
bike lanes, medians and city-maintained sidewalks, but not including landscaping.
(c) The Financial Officer may formulate and promulgate rules and regulations
for the administration of this Article, not inconsistent with the provisions of this
Article, with respect to the billing and collection of the transportation maintenance
fee and other related matters. Such rules and regulations shall be consistent with
rules and regulations authorized by Section 26-720 of the City Code regarding billing
and collection of utility fees and charges.
Sec. 7.5-114. Unpaid charges a lien.
(a) The fee imposed by this Article, together with interest and the collection
costs, if not paid by the due date specified on the utility bill, constitute a perpetual
lien on the property to which the fee applies .
(b) The attachment of such lien is not dependent on the recording of written
-5 -
notice, and the lien is prior and superior to all other liens, claims, titles and
encumbrances whether or not prior in time except liens for general taxes and utilities .
The lien remains attached to the property from the date the fees became due until the
delinquent fees, together with interest and costs of collection, if any, are paid.
(c) When the tenant in possession of the property served or any third person pays
the transportation maintenance fee, it shall relieve the landowner from the
obligations and lien imposed by this Article, but the City is not required to seek
payment of the transportation maintenance fee from any person other than the owner.
No change of ownership, occupation or possession shall affect the application of this
Section, and the failure of any owner to discover that he or she purchased property
against which a lien for the transportation maintenance fee exists shall in no way
affect such owner's liability for payment in full.
(d) The City may enforce the lien by a suit for foreclosure and sale of the
property subject to the lien. The proceeds of the sale shall be applied to the unpaid
fees and allowable costs in the manner provided for foreclosure of statutory liens .
The lien may also be enforced by certification of assessment upon the property to the
County Treasurer for collection by the County in the same manner as delinquent
general taxes and special assessments upon such property are collected or by any
other means provided by law.
(e) Delinquent fees together with interest and collection costs may also be
collected by civil suit against the owner of the property served, or by any other
lawful means, at any time after the charges become delinquent. The remedies
provided under this Article are cumulative and supplemental to each other.
Sec. 7.5415. Rebates .
(a) Persons who meet the requirements listed in Sec . 25 -49 of the City Code
regarding the sales tax rebate on food may apply annually for a rebate of up to one
hundred ( 100) percent of the transportation maintenance fee paid in the preceding
calendar year.
(b) The Financial Officer shall administer the rebate program established by this
Section, and may prepare a rebate application form, adopt rules and regulations
consistent with the provisions of this Article and audit and verify the applications
submitted pursuant to this Section. Any refund application form shall require the
applicant to verify and sign the application under oath. The burden shall be on the
applicant to prove entitlement to a rebate under this Section, including proof that the
applicant paid the transportation maintenance fee in full for the calendar year for
which application is made . The Financial Officer may require reasonable
information to support the rebate application.
-6-
Sec. 7.5-116. Appeals .
Property owners or tenants may appeal to the Director in writing at any time
the question of whether properties owned or occupied by them are being charged the
proper fee under the provisions of this Article. The burden shall be on the applicant
to provide substantial, competent evidence that the property that is the subject of the
appeal is not being charged the proper fee . The Director may hold a hearing on the
appeal in his or her discretion, and may consider other competent evidence provided
by City staff. The Director's written decision shall be mailed to the applicant within
thirty (30) days of receipt of the appeal. The applicant may appeal the Director's
decision to the City Manager pursuant to Division 3 of Chapter 2 of the City Code .
A successful applicant shall not be entitled to a refund of any fees paid for the
subject property prior to the date of the Director's decision.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 7th day of
November, A.D . 2006, and to be presented for final passage on the 21 st day of November, A . D .
2006 ,
Mayor
ATTEST :
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 21 st day of November, A.D . 2006 .
Mayor
ATTEST :
City Clerk
-7-
OPTION B-1
ORDINANCE NO. 185, 2006
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTER 7.5 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
TO ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY PARK MAINTENANCE FEE
WHEREAS, the City has, over recent years, experienced a downturn in revenues that has
challenged the City's ability to deliver the same,high-quality level of services that its residents have
historically enjoyed; and
WHEREAS, this reduction in revenues has led to substantial budget cuts and service
reductions; and
WHEREAS, the Colorado courts have recognized the ability of home rule municipalities
such as Fort Collins to enact special service fees to help defray the costs of providing particular
government services; and
WHEREAS, such special service fees must be cost related and calculated in a manner that
will fairly and rationally distribute the costs of the funded services among those who benefit from
the services; and
WHEREAS, the Council believes it to be necessary and appropriate to adopt a Community
Park Maintenance Fee("CPMF")to defray a portion of the costs of maintaining community parks,
with the remaining portion of said costs to be funded by other, existing revenue sources of the City;
and
WHEREAS, City staff has proposed a formula for calculating such fee that fairly and
rationally reflects the proportionate share of such costs to be borne by those who benefit from the
funded services; and
WHEREAS,the proposed CPMF would be imposed on all residential properties in the City,
with the owner of each residential dwelling unit to pay the same proportionate share of the fee; and
WHEREAS,pursuant to the City's Parks and Recreation Policy Plan, all dwelling units that
would be subject to the CPMF are located within a reasonable distance from one or more community
parks.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that Chapter 7.5 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended by the addition
of a new Article VIII to read as follows:
ARTICLE VIII.
COMMUNITY PARK MAINTENANCE FEE
Sec. 7.5-100. Intent.
The provisions of this Article are intended to impose a special service fee for
the maintenance of City-owned community parks,in an amount calculated as shown
herein. Said fee shall not be used to collect more than is necessary to fund such
maintenance. The revenues from said fee shall be used to repair park grounds and
facilities and keep them maintained,clean and safe for all scheduled and unscheduled
activities within the City's community park system, and for administration of the
provisions of this Article, in order that the health, safety and welfare of park users
may be safeguarded.
See. 7.5-101. Definitions.
When used in this Article, the following words and terms shall have the
following meanings:
Director shall mean the Director of Cultural,Library and Recreation Services
or his or her designee.
Dwelling unit shall mean one(1) or more rooms and a single kitchen and at
least one (1) bathroom designed, occupied or intended for occupancy as separate
quarters for the exclusive use of a single family for living, cooking and sanitary
purposes, located in a single-family, two-family or multi-family dwelling or mixed
use building.
Feepayer shall mean a person or entity who is obligated to pay a fee in
accordance with the provisions of this Article.
Financial Officer shall mean the Financial Officer of the City of Fort Collins
or such other person designated by the municipality. Financial Officer shall also
include such person's designee.
Multi family dwelling shall mean a dwelling containing three (3) or more
dwelling units, not including hotels, motels, fraternity houses, sorority houses and
similar group accommodations.
Sec. 7.5-102. Imposition of fee.
(a) There is hereby established a communitypark maintenance fee which
shall be imposed, pursuant to the provisions of this Article, on each dwelling unit
within the city for the purpose of funding the maintenance of community parks.
-2-
(b) The amount of the fee for 2007 shall be two dollars and sixty-seven
cents ($2.67) per dwelling unit per month. Said amount represents the portion of
total community park maintenance costs to be borne by the fee, as determined by the
City Council, divided by the total number of dwelling units within the city. The
amount of the fee shall be increased annually according to the Denver-Boulder
Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers, as published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. In no event shall the amount of the fee collected in any one (1) year
exceed the projected annual costs for maintenance of community parks.
Sec. 7.5-103. Billing; collection; expenditure of proceeds; enforcement.
(a) The fee shall be billed and collected with monthly City utility bills
issued on or after January 1, 2007,pursuant to Article XII of Chapter 26 of the City
Code regarding utility accounts, billing and collections, for each dwelling unit
utilizing City utilities,whether billed to the owner or occupant of such dwelling unit,
except that the City may not disconnect utility services to a property solely for non-
payment or delinquent payment of the community park maintenance fee.
(b) The utility shall be entitled to retain from fee proceeds,or to otherwise
be reimbursed for,its costs of billing and collection,as required by Article V, §23 of
the Charter. The remaining proceeds from the fee shall be deposited in a restricted
account within the General Fund and shall be used solely to fund the maintenance
and repair of community park facilities and infrastructure, the administration of
community parks, the construction of minor capital improvements, and the
replacement of existing facilities.
(c) The Financial Officer may formulate and promulgate rules and
regulations for the administration of this Article,not inconsistent with the provisions
of this Article, with respect to the billing and collection of the community park
maintenance fee and other related matters. Such rules and regulations shall be
consistent with rules and regulations authorized by § 26-720 of the City Code
regarding billing and collection of utility fees and charges.
Sec. 7.5-104. Unpaid charges a lien.
(a) The fee imposed by this Article, together with interest and the
collection costs, if not paid by the due date specified on the utility bill, constitute a
perpetual lien on the property to which the fee applies.
(b) The attachment of such lien is not dependent on the recording of
written notice, and the lien is prior and superior to all other liens, claims, titles and
encumbrances whether or not prior in time except liens for general taxes and utilities.
The lien remains attached to the property from the date the fees became due until the
delinquent fees, together with interest and costs of collection, if any, are paid.
-3-
(c) When the tenant in possession of the property served or any third
person pays the community park maintenance fee,it shall relieve the landowner from
the obligations and lien imposed by this Article,but the City shall not be required to
seek payment of the community park maintenance fee from anyperson other than the
owner. No change of ownership, occupation or possession shall affect the
application of this Section, and the failure of any owner to discover that he or she
purchased property against which a lien for the community park maintenance fee
exists shall in no way affect such owner's liability for payment in full.
(d) The City may enforce the lien by a suit for foreclosure and sale of the
property subject to the lien. The proceeds of the sale shall be applied to the unpaid
fees and allowable costs in the manner provided for foreclosure of statutory liens.
The lien may also be enforced by certification of assessment upon the property to the
County Treasurer for collection by the County in the same manner as delinquent
general taxes and special assessments upon such property are collected or by any
other means provided by law.
(e) Delinquent fees together with interest and collection costs may also
be collected by civil suit against the owner of the property served, or by any other
lawful means, at any time after the charges become delinquent. The remedies
provided under this Article are cumulative and supplemental to each other.
See. 7.5-105. Rebates.
(a) Persons who meet the requirements listed in§25-49 of the City Code
regarding the sales tax rebate on food may apply annually for a rebate of up to one
hundred(100)percent of the community park maintenance fee paid in the preceding
calendar year.
(b) The Financial Officer shall administer the rebate program established
by this Section, and may prepare a rebate application form, adopt rules and
regulations consistent with the provisions of this Article and audit and verify the
applications submitted pursuant to this Section. Any refund application form shall
require the applicant to verify and sign the application under oath. The burden shall
be on the applicant to prove entitlement to a rebate under this Section, including
proof that the applicant paid the community park maintenance fee in full for the
calendar year for which application is made. The Financial Officer may require
reasonable information to support the rebate application.
Sec. 7.5-106. Appeals.
Property owners or tenants may appeal to the Director in writing at any time
the question of whether properties owned or occupied by them are dwelling units
subject to the provisions of this Article. The burden shall be on the applicant to
provide substantial, competent evidence that the property that is the subject of the
-4-
appeal is not a dwelling unit. The Director may hold a hearing on the appeal in his
or her discretion,and may consider other competent evidence provided by City staff.
The Director's written decision shall be mailed to the applicant within thirty (30)
days of receipt of the appeal. The applicant may appeal the Director's decision to the
City Manager pursuant to Division 3 of Chapter 2 of the City Code. A successful
applicant shall not be entitled to a refund of any fees paid for the subject property
prior to the date of the Director's decision.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 7th day of
November, A.D. 2006, and to be presented for final passage on the 21st day of November, A.D.
2006.
ATTEST: Mayor
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 21 st day of November, A.D. 2006.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
-5-
OPTION B-2
ORDINANCE NO. 185 , 2006
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTER 7 . 5 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
TO ESTABLISH A PARK MAINTENANCE FEE
WHEREAS , the City has, over recent years, experienced a downturn in revenues that has
challenged the City ' s ability to deliver the same, high-quality level of services that its residents have
historically enjoyed; and
WHEREAS , this reduction in revenues has led to substantial budget cuts and service
reductions ; and
WHEREAS , the Colorado courts have recognized the ability of home rule municipalities
such as Fort Collins to enact special service fees to help defray the costs of providing particular
government services ; and
WHEREAS , such special service fees must be cost related and calculated in a manner that
will fairly and rationally distribute the costs of the funded services among those who benefit from
the services ; and
WHEREAS , the Council believes it to be necessary and appropriate to adopt a EomiTmnity
Park Maintenance Fee ("EPMF") to defray a portion of the costs of maintaining neighborhood and
community parks, with the remaining portion of said costs to be funded by other, existing revenue
sources of the City; and
WHEREAS , City staff has proposed a formula for calculating such fee that fairly and
rationally reflects the proportionate share of such costs to be borne by those who benefit from the
funded services ; and
WHEREAS , the proposed EPMF would be imposed on all residential properties in the City,
with the owner of each residential dwelling unit to pay the same proportionate share of the fee ; and
WHEREAS , pursuant to the City ' s Parks and Recreation Policy Plan, all dwelling units that
would be subject to the EPMF are located within a reasonable distance from one or more comirrmni
City parks .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that Chapter 7 . 5 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended by the addition
of a new Article VIII to read as follows :
ARTICLE VIII.
PARK MAINTENANCE FEE
Sec. 7 . 5- 100. Intent.
The provisions of this Article are intended to impose a special service fee for
the maintenance of City-owned arks, in an amount calculated as shown
herein. Said fee shall not be used to collect more than is necessary to fund such
maintenance. The revenues from said fee shall be used to repair park grounds and
facilities and keep them maintained, clean and safe for all scheduled and unscheduled
activities within the City' s ark system, and for administration of the
provisions of this Article, in order that the health, safety and welfare of park users
may be safeguarded.
Sec. 7.5-101 . Definitions .
When used in this Article, the following words and terms shall have the
following meanings :
Director shall mean the Director of Cultural, Library and Recreation Services
or his or her designee .
Dwelling unit shall mean one ( 1 ) or more rooms and a single kitchen and at
least one ( 1 ) bathroom designed, occupied or intended for occupancy as separate
quarters for the exclusive use of a single family for living, cooking and sanitary
purposes, located in a single-family, two-family or multi-family dwelling or mixed
use building.
Feepayer shall mean a person or entity who is obligated to pay a fee in
accordance with the provisions of this Article .
Financial Officer shall mean the Financial Officer of the City of Fort Collins
or such other person designated by the municipality. Financial Officer shall also
include such person' s designee.
Multi family dwelling shall mean a dwelling containing three (3 ) or more
dwelling units, not including hotels, motels, fraternity houses, sorority houses and
similar group accommodations .
Sec. 7.5-102 . Imposition of fee.
(a) There is hereby established a eammunily park maintenance fee which
shall be imposed, pursuant to the provisions of this Article, on each dwelling unit
within the city for the purpose of funding the maintenance of comiTmnity City parks .
(b) The amount of the fee for 2007 shall be two dollars and sixty-seven
-2-
cents ($2 . 67) per dwelling unit per month. Said amount represents the portion of
total comirrmni park maintenance costs to be borne by the fee, as determined by the
City Council, divided by the total number of dwelling units within the city. The
amount of the fee shall be increased annually according to the Denver-Boulder
Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers, as published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics . In no event shall the amount of the fee collected in any one ( 1 ) year
exceed the projected annual costs for maintenance of community City parks .
Sec. 7.5-103. Billing ; collection ; expenditure of proceeds ; enforcement.
(a) The fee shall be billed and collected with monthly City utility bills
issued on or after January 1 , 2007 , pursuant to Article XII of Chapter 26 of the City
Code regarding utility accounts, billing and collections, for each dwelling unit
utilizing City utilities, whether billed to the owner or occupant of such dwelling unit,
except that the City may not disconnect utility services to a property solely for non-
payment or delinquent payment of the community- ark maintenance fee.
(b) The utility shall be entitled to retain from fee proceeds, or to
otherwise be reimbursed for, its costs of billing and collection, as required by Article
V, §23 of the Charter. The remaining proceeds from the fee shall be deposited in a
restricted account within the General Fund and shall be used solely to fund the
maintenance and repair of connnuni park facilities and infrastructure, the
administration of conmnmity City parks, the construction of minor capital
improvements, and the replacement of existing facilities .
(c) The Financial Officer may formulate and promulgate rules and
regulations for the administration of this Article, not inconsistent with the provisions
of this Article, with respect to the billing and collection of the comnranity park
maintenance fee and other related matters. Such rules and regulations shall be
consistent with rules and regulations authorized by § 26-720 of the City Code
regarding billing and collection of utility fees and charges.
Sec. 7. 5-104 . Unpaid charges a lien .
(a) The fee imposed by this Article, together with interest and the
collection costs, if not paid by the due date specified on the utility bill, constitute a
perpetual lien on the property to which the fee applies .
(b) The attachment of such lien is not dependent on the recording of
written notice, and the lien is prior and superior to all other liens, claims, titles and
encumbrances whether or not prior in time except liens for general taxes and utilities .
The lien remains attached to the property from the date the fees became due until the
delinquent fees, together with interest and costs of collection, if any, are paid.
(c) When the tenant in possession of the property served or any third
person pays the comnmni park maintenance fee, it shall relieve the landowner from
-3 -
the obligations and lien imposed by this Article, but the City shall not be required to
seek payment of the connnuni park maintenance fee from any person other than the
owner. No change of ownership, occupation or possession shall affect the
application of this Section, and the failure of any owner to discover that he or she
purchased property against which a lien for the wit park maintenance fee
exists shall in no way affect such owner' s liability for payment in full.
(d) The City may enforce the lien by a suit for foreclosure and sale of the
property subject to the lien. The proceeds of the sale shall be applied to the unpaid
fees and allowable costs in the manner provided for foreclosure of statutory liens .
The lien may also be enforced by certification of assessment upon the property to the
County Treasurer for collection by the County in the same manner as delinquent
general taxes and special assessments upon such property are collected or by any
other means provided by law.
(e) Delinquent fees together with interest and collection costs may also
be collected by civil suit against the owner of the property served, or by any other
lawful means, at any time after the charges become delinquent. The remedies
provided under this Article are cumulative and supplemental to each other.
Sec. 7.5-105. Rebates .
(a) Persons who meet the requirements listed in § 25 -49 of the City Code
regarding the sales tax rebate on food may apply annually for a rebate of up to one
hundred ( 100) percent of the connn"111ILY -park maintenance fee paid in the preceding
calendar year.
(b) The Financial Officer shall administer the rebate program established
by this Section, and may prepare a rebate application form, adopt rules and
regulations consistent with the provisions of this Article and audit and verify the
applications submitted pursuant to this Section. Any refund application form shall
require the applicant to verify and sign the application under oath. The burden shall
be on the applicant to prove entitlement to a rebate under this Section, including
proof that the applicant paid the eonnn=i park maintenance fee in full for the
calendar year for which application is made . The Financial Officer may require
reasonable information to support the rebate application.
Sec. 7.5- 106. Appeals .
Property owners or tenants may appeal to the Director in writing at any time
the question of whether properties owned or occupied by them are dwelling units
subject to the provisions of this Article . The burden shall be on the applicant to
provide substantial, competent evidence that the property that is the subject of the
appeal is not a dwelling unit. The Director may hold a hearing on the appeal in his
or her discretion, and may consider other competent evidence provided by City staff.
The Director' s written decision shall be mailed to the applicant within thirty (30)
-4-
days of receipt of the appeal. The applicant may appeal the Director' s decision to
the City Manager pursuant to Division 3 of Chapter 2 of the City Code . A successful
applicant shall not be entitled to a refund of any fees paid for the subject property
prior to the date of the Director' s decision.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 7th day of
November, A.D . 2006, and to be presented for final passage on the 21 st day of November, A.D .
2006 ,
Mayor
ATTEST :
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 21 st day of November, A.D . 2006 .
Mayor
ATTEST :
City Clerk
-5 -