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Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - SUMMARY AGENDA - 05/08/2012 - SUMMARY AGENDA (WORK SESSION)Karen Weitkunat, Mayor Council Information Center Kelly Ohlson, District 5, Mayor Pro Tem City Hall West Ben Manvel, District 1 300 LaPorte Avenue Lisa Poppaw, District 2 Fort Collins, Colorado Aislinn Kottwitz, District 3 Wade Troxell, District 4 Cablecast on City Cable Channel 14 Gerry Horak, District 6 on the Comcast cable system Darin Atteberry, City Manager Steve Roy, City Attorney Rita Harris, Interim City Clerk The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs, and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call 221-6515 (TDD 224- 6001) for assistance. WORK SESSION May 8, 2012 6 p.m. 1. Call Meeting to Order. 2. Public Engagement Strategies for the City of Fort Collins. (staff: Darin Atteberry, Kelly DiMartino, Kim Newcomer, Ginny Sawyer; 1 hour discussion) The City of Fort Collins recognizes the importance of sincerely engaging residents in the development of policies, programs, and services. Community engagement is also the basis for building healthy, strong, and inclusive communities. In 2011, City Council identified the need to develop a strategic framework for community involvement organization-wide. City staff has developed a Public Engagement Strategic Plan to accomplish the following goals: (1) better equip City staff to successfully manage public engagement projects; (2) foster an engaged citizenry; and (3) ensure accountability and promote excellence in community engagement. The proposed Public Engagement Strategic Plan outlines a deliberate approach to the City’s community engagement efforts while acknowledging that each situation demands its own customized process. May 8, 2012 3. Transfort Fare Structure, Funding Agreements and MAX Introductory Period.. (Kurt Ravenschlag; 1 hour discussion) Staff is seeking direction from City Council on whether or not it would like to see changes to the Transfort fare structure. In order for Transfort to keep pace with rising expenses and to attain its targeted revenue recovery rate of 20% for fares, passes, and funding agreements, Transfort evaluated three options against the status quo for Council consideration (status quo, increase, decrease, or hybrid). Transfort has not altered its rate structure for either fares or passes since 2004, but has adjusted its agreements in the last three years (e.g., with Associated Students of Colorado State University). Since 2004, the Mountain States Regional Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased over 17%. Transfort will continue to review its fare structure every two years in conjunction with the City budget cycle. Transfort staff is also seeking direction regarding an introductory fare-free period for the MAX service planned to begin in May 2014. Many transit agencies across the country have offered initial fare-free service to help promote a new service and provide an opportunity for citizens to learn the procedures of riding. Three options have been evaluated for Council consideration: fare-free service from May – December 2014; fare-free service from May – July 2014; or no fare-free period. 4. 2012 Water Supply Outlook. (staff: Donnie Dustin, Kevin Gertig, Brian Janonis; 30 Minute discussion) Due to very low mountain snowpack this year, runoff from the Poudre River is expected to be well below average and will reduce the amount of water available to the City from its Poudre River water supplies. However, allocations from the Colorado-Big Thompson Project have been set high giving the City more than adequate supplies from Horsetooth Reservoir. The City does not own or control Horsetooth Reservoir and has a limited ability to hold water in that reservoir for subsequent years. In addition, the City owns very little other storage that can hold conserved water. The Water Utility is already prepared to maintain these reserves for next year’s use, while also meeting higher than average demands. Since water savings will not improve the City’s water supplies for next year, mandatory restrictions are not required. Water savings could provide additional water to local irrigators, but would result in lower revenues and the potential for rate increases. 5. Other Business. 6. Adjournment.