HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-03/11/2008-AdjournedMarch 11, 2008
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
Council -Manager Form of Government
Adjourned Meeting - 6:00 p.m.
An adjourned meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins was held on Tuesday, March 11,
2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City of Fort Collins City Hall. Roll Call was
answered by the following Councilmembers: Brown, Hutchinson, Ohlson, Poppaw, Roy and Troxell.
Councilmembers Absent: Manvel
Staff Members Present: Atteberry, Krajicek, Roy.
Resolution 2008-026
Submitting a Citizen -initiated Charter Amendment to a Vote of the
Registered Electors of the City at a Special Municipal
Election on June 10, 2008, Adopted
The following is staff s memorandum on this item.
"EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On January 22, 2008, the City Clerk's Office received an initiative petition to amend the City
Charter relating to collective bargaining. The Clerk's Office completed its review of the petition
and determined that the petition contained an insujfzcient number ofsignatures to place the initiated
measure on a special election ballot. The petition circulators withdrew the petition and filed an
amended petition on February 21, 2008. The Clerk's Office has completed its review ofthe amended
petition and has determined that it now contains a sufficient number ofsignatures to require Council
to place the issue on a special election ballot. On March 4, Council adopted on second reading
Ordinance No. 011, 2008, calling a special election on June 10, 2008. Council adjourned the March
4 meeting to this date for the purpose on considering this Resolution submitting the citizen -initiated
Charter amendment to the voters at the June 10, 2008 special election, and setting the ballot title
and submission clause for the measure.
Under Section 7-156 of the City Code, any registered elector wishing to protest the ballot title or
submission clause must do so by filing a written protest with the City Clerk's Office no later than
noon on Monday, March 10, 2008. "
City Clerk Krajicek stated this Resolution places the citizen -initiated Charter amendment on the
special election ballot of June 10 and sets the ballot title and submission clause for the measure.
Don Sheridan, 2600 Dumire Court, President of the Communication Workers of America Local
7707, stated the proposed Charter amendment will give all city employees the right to organize a
union, department by department, and bargain collectively with the City about terms and conditions
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union, department by department, and bargain collectively with the City about terms and conditions
of their employment. Police employees already have the right to collectively bargain. Binding
arbitration must be in the form of a Charter amendment. City employees currently have the right to
strike. This amendment would prohibit employees from striking or work stoppage or slow down but
would include binding arbitration. If an impasse is submitted to arbitration, the elected officials will
select an arbitrator from a panel of arbitrators selected by the City Council. The arbitrator must
consider the interest and welfare of the public and the financial ability of the City to bear the cost
involved among other factors. This amendment will not waste taxes or cut City services. Passage
of the amendment does not unionize City employees, but gives them the right to do so.
Rosemary Sheridan, 2600 Dumire Court, read a statement from the Fraternal Order of Police and
asked Council to endorse the effort of City employees to unionize.
Mayor Hutchinson noted Council was required to place the Charter amendment on the ballot but the
Resolution does not include endorsement by the Council. Krajicek stated only a vote of the people
can change the Charter so the proposed amendment must go to an election.
Councilmember Roy made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ohlson, to adopt Resolution
2008-026. Yeas: Brown, Hutchinson, Ohlson, Poppaw, Roy and Troxell. Nays: none.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
Other Business
Councilmember Roy made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Troxell, to postpone Second
Reading of Ordinance No. 031, 2008, Amending Chapter 23, Article III of the City Code for the
Purpose of Adding a Division Regarding Encroachment Permits for Newsracks to April 1, 2008.
Yeas: Brown, Hutchinson, Ohlson, Poppaw, Roy and Troxell. Nays: none.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Adjournment
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