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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 10/18/2011 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 133, 2011, AMENDINGDATE: October 18, 2011 STAFF: JR Schnelzer AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 12 SUBJECT First Reading of Ordinance No. 133, 2011, Amending Section 2-338 of the City Code Pertaining to the Duties and Functions of the Parks and Recreation Board. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Ordinance will modify the duties of the Parks and Recreation Board as contained in Section 2-338 of the City Code to broaden the scope of the Parks and Recreation Board’s functions to allow the Board to promote awareness and appreciation of the value of parks and recreation as a resource contributing to the quality of Fort Collins. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION The Parks and Recreation Board has long wanted to promote awareness and appreciation for the value that the Park and Recreation system has on the quality of life for the citizens and visitors of Fort Collins. The Board has discussed ways to communicate these values to the community but there has been no formal way that they can, as a group forward these ideas. The Board is requesting this amendment to the City Code because it is very interested in promoting the positive aspects of parks and recreation to the citizens of Fort Collins, but the current Code language does not empower the Board to do so. The amendment would also clean up outdated department and entity names in Section 2-338. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION This has been a Parks and Recreation Board discussion item since April 2011. At its August 24 and September 14, 2011 meetings, the Board discussed the wording of the Code modification and voted unanimously to recommend Council adopt the Code amendment. ATTACHMENTS 1. Parks and Recreation Board minutes, August 24, 2011 and September 14, 2011 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD September 14, 2011 DRAFT Communications & Stewardship Sub-Committee Waiting for approval of update to Bylaws to determine which way to proceed. Rob Cagen and Michael Chalona spoke with Kelly Ohlson regarding the delay to update the Parks & Recreation Bylaw language to include “promote awareness and understanding of, and appreciation for, the value of parks and recreation as a resource contributing to the quality of our city”. After the proposal was presented to the Leadership Team, they felt that other Boards bylaws should be reviewed to see if it made sense to add this language to their bylaws as well, or if it should even be added. Discussion: Kelly – The reason for the hesitation, is because historically, there have been issues with other Boards going beyond their boundaries. So, while this added language may work for the P&R Board, the question came up; “what about other Board?” Board – We understand the issue with the Code, but we’ve been working on this for about six months, and a delay in allowing this language to be added to our bylaws while they examine other Boards will reduce our chance to engage our target audience; which is the schools. Kelly – I’ll visit with the team on Monday, September 19, to see if we can move the Parks & Recreation bylaws update along, and allow the other Board to “catch up”. Board – We do have respect for the process, but we’re only asking to have the ability to promote sustainability and appreciation for the parks and recreation facilities; which doesn’t seem like an unreasonable request. Kelly – If you can send me some talking points that I can refer to at the Leadership meeting, that would be great. * Note: P&R Board worked via e-mail on Thursday & Friday and sent the following talking points to Kelly on September 16: • As Parks & Recreation Board Members, we’re amazed by all that the City is doing with parks and recreation, and want to share the information we’ve learned with the citizens of Fort Collins. To this end, our communication subcommittee spent most of 2011 researching the optimal way to do so. • We have already spent five months trying to expand our bylaws. • One of the Board’s top priorities is to coordinate with Poudre School District (PSD) to improve stewardship in parks to reduce vandalism and other inappropriate uses. If we have to wait for other boards and go as a group it may put us out 9-12 months. If this is the case, not only will we lose momentum, and enthusiasm, but we’ll lose an entire school year.” ORDINANCE NO. 133, 2011 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AMENDING SECTION 2-338 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS PERTAINING TO THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD WHEREAS, Section 2-338 of the City Code sets forth the functions of the City's Parks and Recreation Board (the “Board); and WHEREAS, those functions are presently limited to advising the City Council and City staff with regard to rules, regulation, policies, and administrative and budgetary matters pertaining to the Parks and Recreation Department and assisting the City in cooperating with Poudre School District and other organizations and individuals interested in the City’s Parks and Recreation programs; and WHEREAS, at its regular meetings on August 24 and September 14, 2011, the Board voted to recommend that the City Council adopt a proposed City Code amendment expanding the Board’s functions; and WHEREAS, the Board has recommended to the City Council that the Board’s functions be expanded to include publicly promoting awareness and understanding of, and appreciation for, the value of parks and recreation as a resource contributing to the quality of life in our community; and WHEREAS, the City Council believes that it would be in the best interests of the City to expand the functions of the Board accordingly. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that Section 2-338 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 2-338. Functions. The duties and functions of the Board shall be as follows: (1) To advise and make recommendations to the Cultural, Library and Recreational ServicesCulture, Parks, Recreation and Environment Director and the City Council for their approval as to rules, regulations, policies, administrative and budgetary matters pertaining to the Department,parks and recreation but excluding matters relating to the operation and maintenance of City-owned golf courses and cemeteries; (2) To assist the City in cooperating with the Poudre R-1 School District and other organizations and individuals interested in the City's parks and recreation programs.; (3) To promote community awareness and understanding of, and appreciation for, the value of parks and recreation as a resource contributing to the quality of life in Fort Collins. Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 18th day of October, A.D. 2011, and to be presented for final passage on the 1st day of November, A.D. 2011. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading on the 1st day of November, A.D. 2011. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk