HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORK SESSION SUMMARY-09/12/2023-Work Session
MEMORANDUM
Communications & Public Involvement
215 N. Mason St.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.2209
fcgov.com
Date: September 19, 2023
To: Mayor and City Council
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Denzel Maxwell, Assistant City Manager
From: Amanda King, Communications Director
RE: September 12, 2023 Work Session Summary – 2023 Community Survey
Results
At the September 12 Work Session, staff was joined by Jade Arocha, Director of Survey
Research at NRC/Polco, to present a review of the 2023 annual Community Survey results.
Mayor Pro Tem Francis and Councilmembers Gutowsky, Pignataro, Canonico, Peel, and
Ohlson were present.
Summary of Discussion:
x Key components of the survey design methodology, distribution, implementation and
response rates were reviewed.
x Highlights from survey results, including overall comparisons to national and regional
benchmarks, and high-level trends of note were shared.
x Key Findings:
o Fort Collins residents continue to enjoy an excellent quality of life in the city and
in their neighborhoods.
o While residents feel safe in the city, some safety-related ratings have declined.
o City parks, recreation, and cultural opportunities are highly valued by residents
with top scores going to trails, natural areas and parks.
o Residents appreciate many aspects of City services and governance, with high
marks in relation to creating a fostering a welcoming and inclusive community,
encouraging sustainability and overall direction of the City. User ratings relating
to direct interactions with City employees and providing opportunities to
participate in government activities also ranked highly.
o Information sources used and preferred by residents were reviewed. For the first
time, the City website exceeded Word of Mouth as an information source and
ranked highly as a preferred method of receiving information.
Councilmember questions & Feedback:
x Q: Explain the rationale for combining data from the open (opt-in) survey with the non-
statistical sample. A: This was an emerging practice in survey design. The process
involves comparing the two datasets to verify the results are not radically different before
combining them, and ultimately gives a larger response base from which to draw
information. Additionally, the opt-in survey is used as an indirect marketing tool to
encourage sample survey recipients to complete the survey.
x Q: How do we use the Community Survey to inform decision making? A: Survey results
feed into our Strategic Planning and Budget/OMAPs processes, shining spotlights on
trends and areas of improvement which, in turn, City leadership
and staff can measure against work planning and resourcing.
x Q: Has this affected budget outcomes? A: Yes, this information is included in Budget
Leadership Team deliberations when considering budget offers.
x Councilmembers noted gradual declines in key areas, such as safety, and asked that
City leadership pay close attention to these in future work planning.
Benchmark Comparison Follow-Up:
x Where benchmark comparisons could be made, Fort Collins received 6 higher ratings,
40 ratings similar ratings and 6 lower ratings than the national benchmarks. Fort Collins
received 9 higher ratings, 42 similar ratings and 1 lower rating than the Front Range
benchmarks. Below is a table of ratings that were higher/lower than the benchmarks:
National Benchmarks
Higher Ratings Lower Ratings
Ease of travel by bicycle Traffic enforcement
Carpooled with other adults or children
instead of driving alone
Availability of affordable quality housing
Natural areas and open space Police services overall
Quality of recreational opportunities Crime prevention
Have you had contact with any City
employee(s) by phone, in person, via email or
online within the last 12 months?
Air quality
Volunteered your time in Fort Collins Availability of affordable quality childcare
Front Range Benchmarks
Higher Ratings Lower Ratings
Quality of shopping opportunities Availability of affordable quality housing
Ease of travel by bicycle
Street maintenance
Overall appearance of the city
Natural areas and open space
Quality of recreational opportunities
Availability of quality healthcare
Have you had contact with any City
employee(s) by phone, in person, via email or
online within the last 12 months?
Volunteered your time in Fort Collins
Next Steps:
Staff will continue to analyze 2023 results and trends and will review/compare data with other
survey tools. Individual department presentations are being conducted upon request, and the
survey results are being shared online with the community.
Results will also inform the upcoming Strategic Plan update and 2024 departmental work plans.
If Council is interested in an individual district reports/presentations, they can be coordinated
through the City Manager’s and Communications and Public Involvement Offices.
Environmental Services
222 Laporte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6600
fcgov.com/environmental services
MEMORANDUM
Date: September 19, 2023
To: Mayor Arndt and City Councilmembers
Thru: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Kendall Minor, Utilities Executive Director
Gretchen Stanford, Utilities Customer Connections Deputy Director
From: Katherine Bailey, Energy Services Program Manager
Brian Tholl, Energy Services Supervisor
Re: September 12, 2023 Work Session Staff Report Summary: Building Energy and Water Scoring
Update and Next Steps
Attendees: All Councilmembers were present. Brian Tholl and Katherine Bailey provided the presentation. The
meeting was conducted via the zoom platform and in person.
Purpose: Staff provided an update on the 2018 Council adopted Building Energy and Water Scoring program
including background of the building owner requirements, resources, an update on building owner compliance
with reporting requirements, and next steps for policy that staff plans to bring in 2024 for council consideration.
Discussion Summary:
x Councilmembers expressed the following regarding the program:
o Criticality of supporting building owners with assistance for a complex and potentially time
intensive process.
o Importance of transparency around the purposes of data collection.
o Recommendation to include more about the benefits and purpose of benchmarking in direct
communications.
o Clarification that there is and will continue to be a phone number listed along with email, and
staff available to take calls.
o Clarification of the citation process, amount, and partnership with Municipal Court and
Prosecution staff.
o Support of the program with request for more information regarding Council consideration of
Building Performance Standards in 2024.
Additional Information Available Now
x Staff referenced the State of Colorado Building Performance Standards requirements (HB 21-1286),
which can be found on the AQCC page under Regulation 28: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/aqcc-
regulations
Direct link here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XQMJqhS26ddbdbB1WDvbi5rEEK0RmYz9/view
x Staff also discussed the current activities related to the Fort Collins Building Performance Standards. The
BPS Task Force and related information can be accessed here:
https://ourcity.fcgov.com/bps
2
x Task Force members include: Michael Bello (North Fort Collins Business Association), Derek Getto
(Downtown Development Authority), Gary Higgins (National Inspection Services), Steve Kuehneman
(Care Housing), Kim Mary (Vintage Marketplace), Michelle McLaughlin (Mac Electric), Stu Reeve (Energy
Manager, City of Fort Collins), Jean Robbins (Ram’s Village), David Suckling (Energy Services Engineer,
City of Fort Collins), Tom Hall (Waypoint Real Estate), Kellie Falbo (Sustainable Living Association) and
Huston Hoffman (RPT Realty). Katherine Bailey hosts the meetings (Fort Collins Utilities, Project
Manager). Wendy Lowe (P2 Solutions) facilitates the meetings.
Next Steps:
x Staff will explore additional messaging on program benefits and purpose to add to upcoming
communications.
x Staff will continue to prioritize customer service and promote resources to assist with program
compliance, continuing to work with director level staff with Help Center vendor specifically around
assuring excellent customer service.
x Staff are planning for an upcoming work session on Building Performance Standards in early 2024.
CC: John Phelan, Energy Services Manager
Page 1 of 5
Social Sustainability
222 Laporte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.8055
fcgov.com/socialsustainability
MEMORANDUM
Date: September 19, 2023
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Brittany Depew, Homelessness Lead Specialist
Sgt. Annie Hill, Police Services’ HOPE Team
Kelli Pryor, Northern Colorado Continuum of Care
Thru: Jacob Castillo, Sustainability Officer
Rupa Venkatesh, Assistant City Manager
Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
RE: September 12, 2023 Work Session Summary – Overview of Homelessness Response
System and Community Report: Northern Colorado Continuum of Care
Mayor Arndt, Mayor Pro Tem Francis and Councilmembers Gutowsky, Pignataro, Canonico,
Peel, and Ohlson were present.
At the September 12 Work Session, staff provided an overview of the homelessness response
system and updated Council on current efforts underway, funding components, and next steps,
including a community report from the Northern Colorado Continuum of Care’s director.
Summary of Feedback
Discussion:
x Councilmembers asked about training required for the HOPE Team.
o Team members complete the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, conduct
learning through various community resources and in-the-field learning via
ongoing engagement with other outreach agencies.
x Councilmembers discussed the upcoming funding gaps due to occur after American
Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are used in full at the end of 2024. Staff will work with
community agencies to assess the highest needs while also researching state and federal
funding opportunities.
x Reviewed data from the Coordinated Assessment Housing Placement System (CAHPS)
and barriers to moving those on this list into housing. Top barriers are scarce housing
availability and inability to use vouchers for rental units listed above fair market rent (a
majority of rentals in Fort Collins fall into this category).
x Partnership between the City/CoC and Poudre School District/Front Range Community
College. In general, education systems tend to be fairly siloed from this work, but the
new youth shelter slated to open in 2025 has begun to bridge some of those gaps.
x Review of how some folks come to self-resolve their homelessness, including support
from friends and family, ability to secure employment, etc.
x Review ideal services for LGBTQIA+ homelessness and how shelter and services
tailored to this population can help increase safety and housing rates.
x Discussed overarching CoC goal to achieve “functional zero” homelessness:
o Functional zero: The number of people experiencing homelessness at any time
does not exceed the capacity of a community to house people (from Community
Solutions: https://community.solutions/built-for-zero/functional-zero/)
x Councilmembers discussed various points related to the Point in Time (PIT) count:
o How PIT can be utilized to understand trends and benchmark against peer
communities
o Our community saw no clear increase in homelessness between 2019-2022,
during the heart of the pandemic
o There seems to be some increase happening in unsheltered homelessness and
decreases in chronic homelessness
x Questions about whether better/more services can draw people to the area specifically for
those services. Staff discussed regular flow of people experiencing homelessness between
communities, and we do not statistically see higher numbers of influx into Fort Collins
than other areas in the region.
Questions with follow up:
x Interest in better understanding data around first-time homelessness and how these
numbers are trending.
o In Q2 of 2023, 378 individuals enrolled in the system stated it was their first
episode of homelessness.
o Based on all active enrollments in Q2, 378 experiencing homelessness for the first
time represents about 21% of the population.
o Prior quarters of this data, to help demonstrate trends over time, will be included
in October’s Q3 Homelessness Updates Memo.
x Interest in learning more about Point in Time (PIT) data and trends over time.
o Additional information attached.
x Data trends in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) were of interest,
namely if there has been an upward trend over time.
o Additional information attached.
x Councilmembers asked about self-reporting a disability. The CoC will share more
information on how disability is defined, as established by the Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD).
o This will be included in October’s Q3 Homelessness Updates Memo
x Councilmembers expressed interest in breakdown of types of homelessness (level of
acuity) and which resources/services are most effective at each level.
o This will be included in October’s Q3 Homelessness Updates Memo
Attachments
1. Point in Time Data & Trends
2. Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Data & Trends
Attachment 1: PIT Count Data & Trends
Year PIT Count # % of homeless per
capita
2017 331 2.07%
2018 263 1.62%
2019 353 2.10%
2020 260 1.53%
2021 348 2.05%
2022 284 1.65%
2023 393 -
Notes:
x Only sheltered homelessness counts were conducted in even years.
x Unsheltered and sheltered counts were conducted in odd years, leading to overall higher
numbers those years.
x Beginning in 2023, combined unsheltered and sheltered counts will be done annually.
x Official population data for 2023 is not available.
Attachment 2: HMIS Data & Trends
Period Total # Enrolled in Programs
in Fort Collins
Total # of Chronically
Homeless Individuals
Q1 2021 1,730 622
Q2 2021 1,951 569
Q3 2021 2.493 647
Q4 2021 2,717 666
Q1 2022 2,909 736
Q2 2022 2,955 764
Q3 2022 3,531 791
Q4 2022 3,247 706
Q1 2023 3,479 629
Q2 2023 2,448 600
Notes:
x These numbers are unduplicated
x Some of the more significant increases seen here are due to increasing numbers of
agencies reporting into the HMIS