HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - SUMMARY AGENDA - 08/09/2011 - 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
Wanda Krajicek, 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
August 9, 2011
6 p.m.
1. Call Meeting to Order.
2. Update on the City’s Targeted Industry Cluster Strategy. (staff: Josh Birks, Mike
Freeman; 45 minute discussion)
On August 17, 2010, City Council adopted Resolution 2010-055, authorizing and
directing the City Manager, on behalf of the City, to continue supporting participation in
the formation and development of cluster initiatives relating to the identified targeted
industries of the City; to work with regional partners and local business entities to
develop strategic plans for the clusters; and to support the advancement of the plans as
they are implemented for the purpose of primary job retention, expansion, and creation.
This work session item will provide an update on the activities of these clusters,
including recent employment trends, active projects, and funding. In addition, leadership
from the private sector associated with each cluster will attend to answer questions about
the activities of each cluster.
3. Digital Sign and Pole Sign Regulations. (staff: Peter Barnes, Bruce Hendee, Steve Dush,
Ginny Sawyer; 1 hour discussion)
In 2006 the City Council adopted Code provisions intended to further regulate the use
and appearance of on-premise digital signs (signs that display words, symbols, figures or
August 9, 2011 Page 2
images that can be electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic
means). These regulations control such things as brightness, color, size and method of
display. The number of on-premise digital signs in the city has increased significantly
since the 2006 regulations were adopted. In response to this increase, City staff is
evaluating this type of sign and its relationship to the economic and aesthetic
environment of Fort Collins now and into the future. At the work session, staff will:
1. provide a brief history of the Fort Collins Sign Code;
2. provide an overview of the process to date;
3. provide potential options, ranging from the status quo, to modifying existing
regulations, to prohibiting such signs altogether; and
4. seek direction from Council whether to continue to pursue a code change.
Once direction is received, staff will refine the approach, incorporate Council comments,
inform the outreach groups, and prepare any necessary follow up materials to present to
the Planning and Zoning Board for consideration at its September 15, 2011 meeting. The
Board’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for consideration on First
Reading at its October 4, 2011 meeting.
Staff will also discuss a second Sign Code issue at the work session. This issue involves
establishing design criteria for pole signs (signs that are supported by usually one or two
poles instead of by an enclosed “monument” base). Direction will be sought regarding
the acceptability of the proposed criteria and whether or not all nonconforming pole signs
should be subject to a new amortization period and eventually removed or converted to a
sign that complies with the criteria.
4. Jefferson Street Project Update. (staff: Kathleen Bracke, Aaron Iverson; 45 minute
discussion)
The Jefferson Street/SH14 Alternatives Analysis Study is a joint effort of the City of Fort
Collins, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and the Colorado Department of
Transportation (CDOT). The project team is supported by Atkins consultants. This
Alternatives Analysis Study includes the development and evaluation of a thorough set of
design options for the Jefferson Street/SH14 corridor, including the intersection of
Jefferson/SH14 and Mountain/Lincoln Avenue, and the intersection of Jefferson and
Linden streets.
The purpose of the Jefferson Street project is to improve the air quality, livability, and
urban character of the Jefferson Street Corridor while enhancing the experience for
pedestrians, bikes, and transit and maintaining mobility of autos and trucks. The corridor
begins at College Avenue and extends along Jefferson Street and includes the Mountain
Avenue/Riverside Avenue/Lincoln Street, and Linden Street intersections.
This project process includes the development and evaluation of many options such as
traditional roadway and intersection designs, roundabouts, and other innovative, context-
sensitive design solutions based upon local, state, and national best-practices.
August 9, 2011 Page 3
Implementation of the Jefferson Street improvements can move forward beginning in
2011, based upon approval of the Corridor plan by City Council, Downtown
Development Authority, and CDOT. The schedule for construction of the Jefferson
Street Corridor improvements will be based upon the approved preferred alternative and
implementation/phasing plan as well as the available budget. The goal is to complete the
initial improvements within the 2011-13 time frame.
The purpose of this City Council work session is to present a project status update, share
the draft alternatives and findings from the alternatives analysis process, and share
feedback received to date from project partners and the community.
5. Other Business.
6. Adjournment.
Karen Weitkunat, President City Council Chambers
Kelly Ohlson, District 5, Vice-President 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
Gerry Horak, District 6 Cablecast on City Cable Channel 14
on the Comcast cable system
Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Steve Roy, City Attorney
Wanda Krajicek, 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.
GENERAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1
WORK SESSION
August 9, 2011
(after the Council Work Session)
1. Call Meeting to Order.
2. Downtown General Improvement District No. 1 Capital Improvements Plan. (staff:
Clark Mapes; 45 minute discussion)
City Council sits as the Board of Directors of General Improvement District No. 1 (GID).
The GID is a property tax district formed by property owners in 1976 to fund parking,
pedestrian, and street beautification improvements to enhance the downtown as a
business and commercial area.
The City’s Advance Planning Department is currently developing a new Capital
Improvements Plan to guide the use of the GID’s revenues, from 2012 going forward 15
years. It will essentially consist of a new list of potential projects to pursue using the
GID Fund.
The main purpose of this work session item is to review a preliminary list of potential
projects and priorities derived from recent public outreach. The Capital Improvements
Plan is scheduled for consideration of adoption by the Board on October 18, 2011.
4. Other Business.
5. Adjournment.
GENERAL IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT NO. 1 AGENDA