HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 10/06/2020 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 121, 2020, AMENDIN Agenda Item 8
Item # 8 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY October 6, 2020
City Council
STAFF
Delynn Coldiron, City Clerk
Carrie Daggett, City Attorney
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 121, 2020, Amending the Code of the City of Fort Collins to Correct an Error in
Section 7-134 Relating to the Registration of Committees During Election Campaigns.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to correct a long-standing error in Section 7-134 relating to the registration of
committees prior to accepting any contributions or making any expenditures.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
In November 2000, Council established local election campaign provisions, which were patterned after the
language of the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act at that time.
One of the local provisions enacted relates to the timely registration of various types of committees engaging in
election campaigns. At the time of enactment of the local provision, a typographical error was made, which
error still remains in the City Code today.
This Ordinance, if adopted, will correct the error so that it makes clear that committees engaging in election
campaign activities must register prior to accepting any contributions or making any expenditures. The
current language reads, “….prior to accepting any contributions or making any contributions.”
Other provisions of the City Code make it clear that committees are prohibited from making contributions.
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ORDINANCE NO. 121, 2020
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
TO CORRECT AN ERROR IN SECTION 7-134 RELATING
TO THE REGISTRATION OF COMMITTEES DURING ELECTION CAMPAIGNS
WHEREAS, on November 21, 2000, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 162, 2000,
establishing local election campaign provisions as Article V of Chapter 7 of the City Code; and
WHEREAS, at the time of adoption of Ordinance No. 162, 2000, the local provisions
were patterned after the provisions of the Fair Campaign Practices Act; and
WHEREAS, one of the local provisions enacted relates to the timely registration of
various types of committees engaging in election campaigns; and
WHEREAS, said provision, currently contained in Section 7-134 of the City Code,
contained a typographical error at the time of enactment, which error still remains in the City
Code today; and
WHEREAS, the Council believes that the interests of the public are best served by
correcting said error.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS that the first paragraph of Section 7-134(a) is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 7-134. Registration of committees; termination.
(a) All candidate committees, political committees and issue committees shall
register with the City Clerk before accepting or making any contributions or making any
expenditures. Registration must be on a form provided by the City Clerk and must
include the following, together with any other information required to complete the
registration form.
…
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Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 6th day of
October, A.D., 2020, and to be presented for final passage on the 20th day of October, A.D.
2020.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on this 20th day of October, A.D. 2020.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk