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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/19/2011 - RESOLUTION 2011-067 CREATING A COUNCIL FUTURES COMDATE: July 19, 2011 STAFF: Darin Atteberry AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 29 SUBJECT Resolution 2011-067 Creating a Council Futures Committee. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY At the Council retreat on May 6 and 7, 2011, Council indicated an interest in forming a Futures Committee, the purpose of which would be to develop a vision for the future of Fort Collins, using economic modeling and other information to help inform and establish a guide for Council to consider in making decisions about the future of the community. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION Prospective committee members have met informally twice in the past month in order to more clearly define the aspirations, roles and functions, meeting schedule, and intent of the committee. The intent was clearly to look beyond the present and develop ideas about the distant future, looking beyond the typical City planning horizons and to develop informed ideas about where our community should be heading. Additionally, the Committee wanted to develop an approach to the financial strategies and systems required to successfully achieve the desired future. Some of the specific considerations were to develop a clear set of measurable goals and objectives. Key questions considered for future discussion were: • What are the visionary considerations that should shape our future and make it better as a community? • A significant focus of the committee should be on energy, water, and the built environment • Another focus will be on social issues such as homelessness and poverty. • Are there clearly stated goals and objectives that will keep the community on the path to achieving this future? • What are the potential roadblocks to success? • Is the budget aligned with the goals? • When considering future ideas, capital costs, lifecycle, operations and maintenance should be key considerations. • Is there a financial model which aligns funding strategies with the future vision? • Are advisory boards and commissions directly reinforcing the goals? Committees have been developed over the years on an ad hoc basis. Today there are overlapping responsibilities and duties that do not always directly align with the City’s goals, plans, and policies. The committee would like to take these Boards into consideration and make sure they are directly reinforcing the future direction of the community. • Are City programs and activities in alignment with the future vision? • Are there clear metrics to measure outcomes and determine success? • What are the regional contextual issues and what are the key considerations of this context? How does this City fit in with its regional partner cities? The intent is for the committee to operate in a dynamic process whereby numerous ideas are considered and evaluated. Some of the ideas may evolve into actionable recommendations to Council for programs, activities or projects, while others may not make be considered further. Generating, evaluating, and refining ideas will be a significant consideration. To add ideas to the process the committee may bring in speakers, visit sites in other Front Range communities, or attend specific seminars. Many of the City staff will be engaged with the committee on a project by project basis, and at various times, different City departments may be asked to attend committee meetings. With respect to Plan Fort Collins, the committee should recognize the value of the Plan and be familiar with its components. The focus however, will be to consider farther into the future than the current planning horizon and attempt to determine a path to the future. The committee will meet twice a month and will elect a rotating chair. Members will be appointed by City Council and appointments will be made at the start of election terms. July 19, 2011 -2- ITEM 29 STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. RESOLUTION 2011–067 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS CREATING A COUNCIL FUTURES COMMITTEE WHEREAS, at the City Council workshop held on May 6 and 7, 2011, the City Council expressed interest in forming a committee of the Council, to be known as the “Futures Committee,” the purpose of which would be to develop a vision for the future of Fort Collins over the next 30 years and beyond, utilizing economic modeling and other relevant data; and WHEREAS, the ideas, strategies and recommendations of the Futures Committee will be used to help shape City policies, programs and legislation; to align and coordinate the mission statements and work plans of City boards and commissions; and to develop a budgeting process that is increasingly responsive to the needs and interests of the citizens of Fort Collins and that allocates current expenditures in a manner that reflects the City’s vision for the future. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That, for the purposes described above, a City Council Futures Committee is hereby created, to consist of three Councilmembers. Section 2. That the following Councilmembers are hereby appointed to serve on the Futures Committee until such time as the City Council may decide to make new appointments: Gerry Horak Lisa Poppaw Wade Troxell Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 19th day of July A.D. 2011. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk