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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/17/2001 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 113, 2001, AUTHORIZ AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 13 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: July 17, 2001 STAFF: Craig Foreman SUBJECT: First Reading of Ordinance No. 113,2001,Authorizing the Appropriation of Reserve Funds in the Neighborhood Parkland Fund for Raw Water Purchases. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Neighborhood Parkland Fund presently has a reserve balance of about $2,500,000. The appropriation amount of$800,000 will reduce this balance and will be placed in the New Park Acquisition Account. 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The development of a new neighborhood park requires the one-time acquisition of raw water for the irrigation of the park. A City Water Utility policy that went into effect in 1997 requires raw water be purchased for each new park. Previously, raw water for parks was supplied from the City's existing raw water inventory. Funds are identified in the budget of each new park for the purchase of raw water. The Neighborhood Parkland Fee was increased in 2000 to cover the increased raw water costs. Raw water will be purchased in 2001 for Westfield,English Ranch,Case,Miramont,Soft Gold,Iron Horse,and Harmony Parks. The anticipated cost for this water is about$1,300,000. Allocated funds are available in the amount of$500,000. The appropriation of$800,000 from reserves will allow the City to purchase the raw water this summer. The $800,000 is needed to cover the dramatic increases in the cost of raw water. The City Water Utility is in the process of requesting an increase in the cost to purchase raw water. DATE: July 17,2001 2 ITEM NUMBER: 13 Parks are designed to minimize water requirements. The planting of fescue grass,rather than blue grass,results in a 15 to 25%reduction in the annual water demand for a park. Park designs often include sections, such as drainage areas,where irrigation is minimized and more drought tolerant grasses and plants are introduced to reduce water demand. ORDINANCE NO. 113,2001 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROPRIATING PRIOR YEAR RESERVES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKLAND FUND FOR RAW WATER PURCHASES WHEREAS,the development of a new neighborhood park requires a one-time acquisition of raw water for the irrigation of the park; and WHEREAS, the City Water Utility policy, effective as of 1997, requires raw water to be purchased for each new park; and WHEREAS,Neighborhood Parkland Fees are charged to cover the cost of raw water and appropriated in the budget for each new park for the purchase of raw water; and WHEREAS,raw water costs have increased dramatically and the City Water Utility is in the process of requesting an increase in the cost to purchase raw water; and WHEREAS, raw water will be purchased in 2001 for Westfield, English Ranch, Case, Miramont, Soft Golf, Iron Horse, Ridgewood, and Harmony Parks; and WHEREAS,the anticipated cost for this raw water purchase is about$1,300,000; and WHEREAS, $500,000 has already been appropriated in various projects; and WHEREAS, $800,000 is needed from reserves to cover the dramatic increases in the cost of raw water; and WHEREAS, there are adequate prior year reserves in the Neighborhood Parkland Fund to cover the total appropriation of$800,000; and WHEREAS,Article V, Section 9,of the Charter of the City of Fort Collins permits the City Council to appropriate by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as may be available from reserves accumulated in prior years,notwithstanding that such reserves were not previously appropriated; and WHEREAS,it is the desire of the Council to appropriate the sum of$800,000 from prior year reserves in the Neighborhood Parkland Fund to be used for the purchase of raw water for several parks. NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from prior year reserves in the Neighborhood Parkland Fund the sum of EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS($800,000) to be used for raw water purchases. Introduced and considered favorable on first reading and ordered published this 17th day of July, A.D. 2001,and to be presented for final passage on the 21st day of August,A.D. 2001. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading this 21st day of August,A.D. 2001. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk