HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 09/19/2017 - RESOLUTION 2017-087 AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN TAgenda Item 13
Item # 13 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY September 19, 2017
City Council
STAFF
Lucinda Smith, Environmental Sustainability Director
Jackie Kozak-Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
Lindsay Ex, Environmental Program Manager
Judy Schmidt, Legal
SUBJECT
Resolution 2017-087 Authorizing Participation in the Compact of Colorado Communities.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to consider a proposal to join the Compact of Colorado Communities. The Compact
of Colorado Communities is a newly forming organization that will focus on building capacity in Colorado local
governments and increasing community collaboration to rapidly scale up and advance climate action planning
and implementation. Benefits include access to pro bono resources and tools made available exclusively
through the Compact, the opportunity to identify and establish new partners and funding resources for climate
action, and free climate trainings for up to 25 staff/year (in addition to free trainings required for participation.)
To participate, the City would pay annual dues of $3,600, participate in the annual meeting, commit to the
annual training requirements, and announce a new goal or initiative that best fits Fort Collins needs by
December 31, 2019.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
At a statewide climate summit in Aspen this May, elected officials and senior staff representing 27 local
Colorado governments pledged to initiate a new network called the Compact of Colorado Communities (the
Compact). The objective of the Compact is to bring cities and counties together in taking constructive and
practical climate action. Mayor Troxell was one of the 27 signatories who pledged to champion participation in
the Compact. Signatories also committed to bringing a resolution to their governing boards for consideration
by September 30, 2017. Attachment 1 identifies the pledge signatories and participant organizations.
For more information about the Compact, see <https://www.compactofcoloradocommunities.org/>
Requirements and Benefits
A subcommittee of potential members formed in June to draft membership requirements. City staff
participated on that subcommittee. Attachment 2, Guidelines for Member Participation and Commitments,
provides the detailed participation requirements, summarized below.
Agenda Item 13
Item # 13 Page 2
Participation Requirements
Contribute annual dues ($3,600/year for Fort Collins, subject to annual appropriation)
Select one elected official and one senior staff person to serve as official representatives to the Compact
and participate in the annual meeting
Each year, identify one elected official and six City staff to participate in free trainings offered through the
Compact
Establish and announce a new goal or initiative by December 31, 2019 that meets an appropriate
aggressiveness threshold to be agreed upon by a Steering Committee.
Participation Benefits Include:
Opportunities to find cost effective and pragmatic solutions to address climate goals through working
together with other communities
Opportunity to identify and establish new partners and funding resources
Capacity building through free climate trainings for up to 25 staff per year (in addition to the seven free
training requirements specified as a requirement for participation)
Access to pro bono resources and tools made available exclusively through the Compact
Technical support and guidance on climate mitigation and adaptation efforts
Participation in the Compact would provide opportunities for increased staff education and training, greater
opportunities for collaboration on climate action, and the potential to engage more Colorado communities in
climate action. As a more mature community in climate action, Fort Collins can share our best practices with
communities just embarking on this work. Fort Collins’ successes to date include creating strong internal
alignment around our local climate goals, and significantly leveraging community investment at a ratio of 2.3 to
1. As a result of improved efficiencies, Fort Collins businesses are saving over $9.5M annually.
As more communities in Colorado embrace climate action, we can work together to find cost effective and
pragmatic approaches to our goals.
Relationship to Other Organizations
The Compact of Colorado Communities is intended to build increased capacity for climate action in local
communities through training, enhanced opportunities for collaboration with others (including many
communities newer to climate action), and access to increased funding sources. It is an engagement and
capacity building organization. It differs from the Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA), of which
Fort Collins is also a member. CC4CA is a lobbying organization with a goal to influence state and federal
legislation and regulations.
Review After One Year
City staff will conduct a review of the organization and the benefits of participation after one full year of
participation, and provide that review to the City Manager.
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The annual participation dues are $3,600 for Fort Collins. (The 2017 amount is pro-rated to $900.) Funding is
available to cover the 2017 and 2018 dues within the existing appropriated budget. There will be minor
incidental expense also associated with in-state travel to the annual Compact meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Colorado Compact-Event Signatories (PDF)
2. Guidelines for Member Participation and Commitments (PDF)
Compact of Colorado Communities
Pledge Signatories & Participant Organizations
Pledge Signatories
The following is a list of cities and county officials who pledged to champion participation in the Compact
of Colorado Communities at the launch event hosted by the City of Aspen on May 19, 2017:
Signatory Title City/County
Steve Skadron Mayor City of Aspen
Suzanne Jones Mayor City of Boulder
Elise Jones Commissioner Boulder County
Wade Troxell Mayor City of Fort Collins
Thomas Davidson, Dan Gibbs &
Karn Stiegelmeier
Board of County
Commissioners
Summit County
George Newman Commissioner Pitkin County
Jill Ryan, Kathy Chandler-Henry &
Jeanne McQueeney
Commissioners Eagle County
Auden Schendler Councilman Town of Basalt
Eric Mamula Mayor Town of Breckenridge
Christine Berg Mayor City of Lafayette
David Chapin Councilman Town of Vail
Anita Seitz Councillor City of Westminster
Dick White & Dean Brookie Mayor & Councilman City of Durango
Josef Lucero Mayor Alamosa
Shelley Kaup Councilwoman City of Glenwood
Springs
Dana Gutwein Councilwoman City of Lakewood
Nicole Nicoletta Mayor City of Manitou Springs
Joseph Behm Mayor Pro Tem City of Golden
Ronnald Akey Mayor City of Wray
Sarah Smith Hymes Mayor Pro Tem Town of Avon
Sean Murphy Mayor Town of Telluride
Daniel Richardson Mayor Town of Carbondale
Jimmy Lahrman Mayor Town of Winter Park
Andrew Jessen Member, Board of
Trustees
Town of Eagle
Hunter Mortensen Mayor Pro Tem Town of Frisco
John Widerman Council Member Town of Minturn
Anne Martens Director, Public Works Town of Snowmass
Village
Organizations that Participated
in the Summit Launch Event
• Association of Climate Change
Officers
• Citizens Climate Lobby
• Climate Reality Project
• Colorado Association of Ski
Towns
• Colorado Department of Local
Affairs
• Colorado Division of
Homeland Security and
Emergency Management
• Colorado Resiliency and
Recovery Office
• Colorado State University
• Colorado Water Conservation
Compact of Colorado Communities
Guidelines for Member Participation & Commitments (updated August 15, 2017)
Member Training & Participation
• Assign one elected official and one senior staff person to serve as liaisons and official representatives to the
Compact.
• Assign at least one elected official and one senior staff to participate in the annual convening of the Compact,
the first of which will take place in late 2017 or early 2018.
• The Steering Committee will work with the Association of Climate Change Officers (“ACCO”) to establish
parameters for each category of individuals participating in training to account for reasonable time
requirements, desired core competencies, course format/delivery and appropriate learning progressions.
• Commit leadership and staff participation in annual climate change training as referenced in the Compact’s
published guidelines per the following table:
City/County
Population Size
Elected
officials
City/county
management or
chief of staff
Staff with significant decision-making
responsibilities and authority
(e.g. planning, civil works, transportation, emergency management)
Under 20,000 1 1 1
20,001-75,000 1 1 2
75,001-125,000 1 1 3
125,001-175,000 1 2 4
175,001-350,000 1 2 5
> 350,001 1 2 6
Member Contributions & Compact Fundraising
• Encourage staff, as appropriate, to provide non-financial support to the Compact’s fundraising efforts to ensure
that the Compact has sufficient and sustainable funding to supports its members.
• Make an annual contribution to the Compact based upon the following chart, with the contribution due by no
later than 30 days after the local government’s fiscal year start date.
• Minimum contributions are based upon the table below:
Annual Budget Member Contribution Annual Budget Member Contribution
Under $10M $800 $200M - $300M $2,800
$10M - $25M $1,200 $300M - $500M $3,200
$25M - $50M $1,600 $500M - $1B $3,600
$50M - $100M $2,000 Over $1B $4,000
$100M - $200M $2,400
ATTACHMENT 2
Compact of Colorado Communities
Guidelines for Member Participation & Commitments (updated August 15, 2017)
Guidelines for 2017 Contributions
The 2017 fiscal year contributions are determined by the above contribution levels with the following prorated
percentages applied. Contributions are due within 30 days of joining the Compact.
January 1 – March 31 April 1 – June 30 July 1 – August 31 September 1 – December 31
25% 50% 75% 100%
Member Actions
• Establish and publicly announce a new goal or initiative by no later than December 31, 2019 that meets an
appropriate aggressiveness threshold to be agreed upon by the Steering Committee in consultation with ACCO,
independent experts and Compact staff.
• Each Compact member will have the flexibility to choose a commitment type that best fits their community’s
needs, opportunities, capabilities and other considerations (e.g. GHG reduction, clean energy deployment,
climate preparedness).
o Compact staff (leveraging third-party resources as appropriate) will provide guidance to members on
shaping new goals/initiatives, as well as technical support on implementation of those activities.
o Compact staff may also submit proposals to state, Federal and non-governmental organizations to secure
funding for project implementation on behalf of member communities.
• All final commitments must be publicly announced and should be completed within the time frame announced
by the member community. Examples of goals, initiatives and projects include:
o Establish a new or updated greenhouse gas reduction goal; and/or
o Establish a renewable energy portfolio requirement, build a sufficiently sized renewable energy project or
create a program enabling residents to access renewable energy; and/or
o Establish a measurable energy-related goal resulting in a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction;
and/or
o Start a new local project that meaningfully reduces energy consumption or builds resilience in your
community; and/or
o Partner with at least one other Compact member to start a new clean energy project or climate
preparedness initiative.
Member Benefits
• Technical support and guidance on local projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase clean energy
deployment and/or build resiliency to climate affects.
• Access to pro bono resources and tools made available exclusively through and by the Compact.
• Opportunities to identify and establish new partners and funding resources.
• Assistance with communicating and messaging with constituents.
• Recognition as a signatory, and as appropriate, through speaking roles, publications and media opportunities.
Compact of Colorado Communities
Guidelines for Member Participation & Commitments (updated August 15, 2017)
• Access to special events organized exclusively for Compact members and/or through third-party
events/organizers, including in particular, training topics not covered by ACCO's training resources.
• All online training furnished by ACCO to support members’ training requirements is included with Compact
membership contribution.
• In addition to the staff participating in the required training referenced above, ACCO will provide on-demand
and live online training at no additional cost to up to 25 total staff per year from each member community.
Compact of Colorado Communities
Guidelines for Member Participation & Commitments (updated August 15, 2017)
Member Benefits (continued)
• ACCO will waive the testing and application fees for up to 3 staff per year from each member community for
the Certified Climate Change Professional® (CC-P®) credential.
• Invitations to participate in ACCO’s member-only activities, including ACCO’s mentoring program.
Additional Services
• Members in need of technical or staff support beyond the scope of the Compact’s deliverables to members
may contract the Compact to provide additional technical support provided that the scope of work is consistent
with the Compact’s mission and programming. Service areas will include:
o Assessment of Your Workforce Capabilities & Governance Structure
o Workshop design & production
o Executive briefings
o Customized preliminary solar energy assessments
o Clean energy job fairs
o Facilitating energy efficiency treasure hunts
o Research and general staff support
• Service availability will be limited based upon staff availability and desired timing. Member activities that have
been included as part of the annual membership contribution will be given priority over prospective activities
being considered subsequently. A 25% discount on services will also be applied to members who secure or
reserve services as part of their annual contribution. Members interested in securing additional services should
contact Compact staff for additional information and to receive an estimate.
• All prospective contracted activities must be approved by the Steering Committee until the Compact has
engaged an executive director. Once the Compact has employed an executive director, all contract work in
excess of $15,000 per year (or more than $5,000 if it is outside the scope of the above-referenced service
menu), must be approved by the Steering Committee.
Participation
• Assign one elected official and one senior staff person to serve as liaisons and official representatives to the
Compact.
• Elected officials will be invited to participate in activities designed and appropriate for elected officials and
government leaders (to be held no more frequently than twice annually).
• Staff liaisons will be asked to address administrative issues, process annual contributions, coordinate usage of
Compact benefits and participate in Compact-wide meetings (to be held no more frequently than on a
quarterly basis).
• Member communities will be invited to assign staff to participate in supplemental training, working
groups/committees, special events and public engagement activities as they deem appropriate.
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RESOLUTION 2017-087
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT OF COLORADO COMMUNITIES
WHEREAS, Colorado communities share in common a strong quality of life deeply
rooted in the state’s vigorous economy, agricultural and environmental resources, and rich
cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, Colorado communities, residents and businesses throughout the state are
already beginning to feel the impacts of climate change such as reduced snowpack, high heat
days, earlier snowmelt runoff, and more frequent and severe floods, droughts and wildfires; and
WHEREAS, on May 19, 2017, elected officials and senior staff from Colorado cities and
counties pledged to present a formal charter to become co-founding members of the Compact of
Colorado Communities (the "Compact"), and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Compact is to build capacity of Colorado cities and
counties in developing and implementing aggressive climate change and clean energy initiatives
thus ensuring the security and economic prosperity of its member communities; and
WHEREAS, on March 3, 2015, Fort Collins City Council unanimously adopted
Resolution 2015-030, updating community greenhouse gas goals and targets to reduce such
emissions 20% below 2005 by 2020, 80% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050; and
WHEREAS, on December 15, 2015, Fort Collins City Council unanimously adopted
Resolution 2015-115 updating the Energy Policy and its supportive goals to reduce the
percentage contribution of coal-derived electricity to less than 60 percent by 2020 and increase
the overall amount of renewable energy to a minimum of 20 percent by 2020, and recognizing
that the City has a wide range of local and regional energy partners and that these resources can
best be used through continued engagement, collaboration, data-sharing and program
development, and
WHEREAS, the City’s 2016 Strategic Plan contains an objective to Achieve Climate
Action Plan (CAP) goals by reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) and to engage citizens in ways
to educate and encourage behaviors toward more sustainable living practices, and
WHEREAS, the Compact will advance climate action and preparedness of its member
communities through:
Training and technical support to member communities in developing and delivering
community improvement programs advancing GHG reduction, clean energy and climate
preparedness;
Facilitating peer learning and resource sharing between local governments;
Enhancing local government capacity to address climate related risks and opportunities
throughout critical decision-making roles;
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Securing technical support and funding resources for members’ local implementation
efforts;
Spurring creation of jobs, improving public health and demonstrating bold actions; and
Advancing statewide preparedness and resilience;
and
WHEREAS, the Compact will be governed by a Steering Committee that includes
representation from member communities nominating their own elected officials and/or senior
staff (the “Steering Committee”); and
WHEREAS, the Compact will be administered by staff hired and dedicated to its own
mission without conflict of interest; and
WHEREAS, the Association of Climate Change Officers (“ACCO”) will act as a
temporary fiscal agent for the Compact until such time as the Compact may establish its own
organization or has identified a successor organization to serve in that role; and
WHEREAS, the City also participates in the Colorado Communities for Climate Action
whose mission is to advocate for state and federal policies to protect Colorado’s climate for
current and future generations, and thus is complementary to and not duplicative of the mission
of the Compact; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that participation in the Compact to address climate
change will further the City’s 2016 Strategic Plan objective to achieve CAP goals, support the
2016 Fort Collins Energy Policy, build community resilience, stimulate the local economy and is
in the best interest of the citizens of Fort Collins; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to authorize the City's participation in Compact of
Colorado Communities ("Compact") as described in this Resolution and to designate one elected
official and an alternate to participate in the annual convening of the Compact.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes any and all determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That the City Manager is directed and authorize to take such steps as are
necessary for the City to formally join the Compact of Colorado Communities and make the
following commitments:
A. Training & Capacity Building
1. City Council will select at least one elected official and the City Manager will assign at
least one senior staff member to participate in the annual convening of the Compact.
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2. The City will commit to leadership and senior staff participation in annual climate change
training as referenced in the Compact’s published guidelines, involving one elected
official, one City management/chief of staff, and 4 additional staff annually.
B. Contribution & Funding - The City will:
1. Make an annual contribution to the Compact of $3,600, with a prorated 2017 contribution
of $900 due 30 days after joining the Compact, and the 2018 contribution due no later
than February 1, 2018. All financial commitments beyond the 2017 fiscal year shall be
subject to sufficient funds being budgeted, appropriated, and otherwise made available by
the City Council.
2. Encourage staff, as appropriate, to provide non-financial support to the Compact’s
fundraising efforts to ensure that the Compact has sufficient and sustainable funding to
supports its members.
C. Actions – The City will:
1. Establish and publicly announce a new goal or initiative by no later than December 31,
2019 that meets an appropriate aggressiveness threshold to be agreed upon by the
Steering Committee in consultation with ACCO and Compact staff.
D. Participation
1. The designated elected official and staff representatives will serve as liaisons and official
representatives to the Compact.
2. Elected officials will be invited to participate in activities designed and appropriate for
elected officials and government leaders (to be held no more frequently than twice
annually).
3. Staff liaisons will be asked to address administrative issues, process annual contributions,
coordinate usage of Compact benefits and participate in Compact-wide meetings (to be
held no more frequently than on a quarterly basis).
Section 3. That the City Council hereby designates Mayor Wade Troxell as the
elected official to serve as its representative to the Compact.
Section 4. That the City Council hereby designates Mayor Pro Tem Gerry Horak as
an alternate to serve as its elected official representative to the Compact when the designated
representative is unavailable.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
19th day of September, A.D. 2017.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Interim City Clerk
Board
• Colorado Office for Resource
Efficiency
• ICLEI-USA
• Mayors Innovation Project
• Metro Mayors Caucus
• The Mountain Pact
• Park City, Utah
• Rocky Mountain Climate
Organization
• Xcel Energy
ATTACHMENT 1