Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 3/22/2022 - Memorandum From Deangelo Bowden Re: Advance Regionalism Council Priority City Manager’s Office City Hall 300 LaPorte Ave. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6505 970.224.6107 - fax fcgov.com MEMORANDUM Date: March 16st, 2022 To: Mayor and City Councilmembers Thru: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager Kyle Stannert, Deputy City Manager Ginny Sawyer, Senior Project Manager From: DeAngelo Bowden, Project Management Assistant Re: Advance Regionalism Council Priority Bottom line: The purpose of this memo is informational. Staff will continue providing updates under the Advance Regionalism priority. The attached document is a consolidated list of current regional focused partnerships/meetings in which the City is involved. Key Highlights: Regional Economic Development Initiative The Northern Colorado Regional Economic Development Initiative (NoCo REDI) was formed as a response to the decline of the regional economic development entity OneNoCo. The economic health professionals employed by Larimer and Weld Counties along with the communities within agreed to collaborate on several issues facing the economy, including talent development, regional messaging, and industry clusters. These activities are better performed by a regional coalition than by individual communities. The partnership has been working since prior to the pandemic. Additionally, the group is supporting the Talent 3.0 initiative to develop better programs to upskill, reskill, and new skill the existing labor force in the region. Fort Collins takes a passive approach to business attraction relying on leads from the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. A coordinated response to these leads is prepared through NoCo REDI. Our approach seeks to provide solid customer service, up-to-date information on City processes, and connections that will help a business appraise our community. Last year, the partnership responded to 34 requests for information from businesses looking to relocate to Northern Colorado, Fort Collins participated in 10 of these submissions and was short-listed by one company. Community Foundation of Northern Colorado The discussion of how to approach management of water resource needs on a regional basis will expand to include municipal suppliers and County representatives within Larimer and Weld Counties this spring and summer. The work is being supported by the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado and facilitated by the Patterson Foundation. There will be facilitated discussions to determine options and recommendations for next steps this spring and summer. A discussion with City Council will be scheduled on August 23, 2022, to provide an update and seek direction of future efforts. In addition, we will incorporate lessons from the “Water Resources Matters” study conducted in 2021 with the water districts providing water within the city boundary and Growth Management Area. Additional information is attached. DocuSign Envelope ID: 39E3274B-6C3B-4031-8ED9-F0DA5562284D 2 Our Climate Future – Reimagine a Sustainable Business Program The City of Fort Collins is partnering with the Sustainable Living Association (SLA) to design a new sustainable business program to be the successor of ClimateWise. Key reasons for designing a new program vision, rather than continuing ClimateWise are: (1) centering a new business program in equity for all, leading with race, (2) creating a program that understands a COVID-impacted business landscape, (3) aligning a new program with the state-led Colorado Green Business Program, (4) and to explore OCF Big Move #1 Shared Leadership and Community Partnership through a Community/City co-led pilot example. Since the reimagining process launched in summer of 2021, SLA has convened regional partners from Boulder County, Larimer County, PRPA, and a cohort of local organizations representing both small and large businesses, BIPOC-owned businesses, and diverse industries and sectors. The new program will be tested out through a pilot of 10-20 businesses in summer 2022. Next Steps: Staff will continue to provide highlights from the listed partnerships in future Council Priority updates. DocuSign Envelope ID: 39E3274B-6C3B-4031-8ED9-F0DA5562284D COUNCIL PRIORITY DEPARTMENT PROJECT DESCRIPTION (REGIONAL EFFORT/GOAL) INVOLVED PARTNER MECHANISMS/MEETING FREQUENCY STAFF CONTACT STAFF UPDATE 31. Homelessness Initiatives Social Sustainability Dept. NoCO Continuum of Care: Regional (Weld & Larimer Counties) homelessness coordination Northern Colorado Continuum of Care (NoCO CoC) (involves over 40 local service providers, municipalities (Loveland and Greeley), Larimer County, State Dept. of Housing) - City of Fort Collins staff are on the Governing Board, CAHPS Steering Committee, and general membership team Monthly - Governing Board; Monthly - CAHPS (Coordinated Assessment & Housing Placement System) Steering Committee; Quarterly - General Membership Beth Yonce/Brittany Depew Added line item that the City staff is on the CoC Steering Committee. 31. Homelessness Initiatives Social Sustainability Dept. Mental Health & Substance Use Alliance of Larimer County: Regional (northern Larimer County) mental health and substance use coordination Mental Health & Substance Use Alliance (project of the Health District of Northern Larimer County) - approx 30 organizations represented including Larimer County, UC Health, SummitStone, Mountain Crest, CSU, and many more Monthly Beth Yonce/Dan Dworkin Sergeant Andy Leslie (supervisor of the Mental Health Response Team) has started attending the meetings. The goal of the group is to research and identify gaps in mental health and substance use disorder resources and recommend and pursue solutions. 25. Affordable, Quality and Accessible Childcare Infrastructure Social Sustainability Dept. Larimer County's strategic objective group focusing on systemic issues around childcare in the county Larimer County, United Way of Larimer County, Early Childhood Council, La Familia, Teaching Tree, Town of Estes Park, Bohemian, FRCC Quarterly Adam Molzer This project was just added the chart to reflect the regional work on childcare 27. Access funding for parks (maintenance and operations, refresh and new parks)Natural Areas Ongoing coordination with Larimer County Department of Natural Resources to coordinate on and respond to regional issues ranging from increased visitor use and land and water conservation opportunities, to land use code updates, including oil and gas regulations.” Larimer County Quarterly Julia Feder Framework drafted to facilitate work towards the following goal: Intentional regional coordination results in cross- agency collaboration and coordiantion to achieve more effective and efficient outcomes; monthly meetings between CFCNAD and Larimer County DNR schedule for remainder of 2022 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins.Natural Areas Participate as member of Local Food, Local Places Steering Committee, as well as support conservation agriculture projects in partnership with regional organization such as Poudre Valley Community Farms and Northern Colorado Foodshed Project Many partners including Poudre Valley Community Farms and Northern Colorado Foodshed Project. Quarterly Julia Feder Poudre Valley Community Farms completed its first year of operation on two natural areas, supporting three local farm businesses and harvest of more than 110 tons of vegetables; this partnership provided a strong foundation for the Northern Colorado Foodshed Project to secure a competitve USDA grant to launch a farm business acceraltor program and support emerging and underreprented farmers 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins. Environmental Services Larimer County Climate Smart Task Force is assisting with Phase 2 of the Climate Smart Initiative. CSLC task force members will guide Larimer County staff and the County’s consultant in assuring robust and effective community outreach with the goal of gathering community feedback on the Climate Smart Framework. www.larimer.org/climate-smart Larimer County (Lead) +all communities in county. (Heidi Pruess hired as LC's first climate lead in 2021) As needed through Summer 2022 Honore Depew A series of community workshops held in February. 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins. Environmental Services, Utilities Energy Services Colorado Communities for Climate Action is a coalition of 40 local governments across the state advocating for stronger state and federal climate policy.CC4CA Exec. Dir., Jacob Smith; 40 CO communities Board of Directors, Policy Cmte., Legislative Cmte. meet with various frequency - monthly/quarterly Lindsay Ex Resolution to appoint Councilmember Canonico to the CC4CA Board of Directors was adopted on 2/15. Legislative updates are coordinated with the monthly LRC meetings. 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins. Cultural Services - Gardens on Spring Creek Urban Homestead Tour Loveland Youth Gardeners Annual Michelle Provaznik Tour will take place July 30, 2022 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins. Environmental Services Shift Your Ride Equity Focus Groups - Partnered with Larimer County to put together a Spanish-speaking focus group to get community input on how to remove barriers and create effective spanish- language campaigns for sustainable transportation Larimer County Weekly Jensen Morgan/Nick Heimann The Shift Your Ride Equity Focus groups were completed in Spring 2021. Recommendations from community were shared with the FC Moves Department and Larimer County Health Department 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins. Environmental Services & Utilities Our Climate Future Next Move: Reimagine a sustainable business program - A local group of businesses with input from regional government partners (Longmont City, Boulder County, Larimer County) to evolve a new ClimateWise Longmont City, Larimer County, Boulder County Twice a month Jensen Morgan/Pete Iengo This project is currently underway in partnership with the Sustainable Living Association. A pilot is scheduled to launch May 2022. 20. Enhanced recycling education Environmental Services The Regional Wasteshed Coalition includes staff and elected officials and works toward regional waste, recycling and composting infrastructure, policy and education. Larimer County, Loveland, Wellington, Estes Park Monthly (staff) Quarterly (elected officials)Caroline Mitchell Staff and Councilmembers Ohlson and Gutowsky continue to engage in the Regional Wasteshed Coalition. Larimer County and Fort Collins are actively discussing how to advance infrastructure. 20. Enhanced recycling education Environmental Services Recycle Colorado -- the statewide recycling organization, which provides collaboration opportunities with communities across Colorado. Recycle Colorado is the entity that supports state- level recycling legislation, such as the upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility legislation. Fort Collins is an active member. Recycle Colorado, other communities and counties and businesses etc. that interact with the recycling and compost industry in Colorado As Needed Caroline Mitchell Fort Collins staff is engaging in the stakeholder process for bills this legislative session around Extended Producer Responsibility and a Circular Economy Development Center. Staff also engages on the Construction and Demolition Recycling Council within Recycle Colorado. 17. Improved Air Quality Environmental Services Engagement with the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC), which is responsible for developing plans to achieve health-based standards for ozone. City staff participate in working groups related to local government participation and reduction of emissions from non- road engine sources (such as lawn and garden equipment). Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC)Monthly Cassie Archuleta Monthly working group meetings have included discussion regarding possible Voluntary Emission Reduction Actions local governments can take during high ozone days during the summer. 15. Protect and Enhance Instreams River Flows Utilities Facilitated discussions with water resource management organizations within the Northern Colorado region to determine needs and gaps in efforts such as a shared voice in advacoacy at the state and federal level. Community Foundation, Patterson Center, Greeley, Loveland, Timnath, Windsor, ELCO, North Weld Water District, FCLWD, other water organizations As Needed Theresa Connor Discussions continue with a smaller core group to identify the next steps to expand organizations participating. 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins. Utilities Platte River Power Authority - Distributed Energy, Renewable Energy Goals, Reliable and Affordable Electric Supply PRPA, Loveland, Longmont, Estes Park Monthly Theresa Connor The PRPA Board held a strategic retreat in February to consider reaching the 2030 Renewable Energy Goals. 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins. Utilities Boxelder Basin Stormwater Regional Authority to manage stormwater in the Boxelder Creek Basin. Larimer County, Wellington, Timnath Quarterly Theresa Connor The BBRSA Board approved a contract for modifications to the East Side Facility which is the last project to finish for this Authority. 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins. Utilities Water Resources Matters Study looked at the working relationships between the City departments and the three Water Districts providing potable water service in the City GMA. Fort Collins, ELCO, FCLWD, North Weld Water District As Needed Theresa Connor/Liesel Hans Staff is working to wrap up this project and provide an overview of results to City Council. 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins. Economic Health Office Helped to co-found, lead, and collaborate with the Northern Colorado Regional Economic Development Initiative (NoCO REDI); An initiative of over 30 local municipal, county, and partners to coordinate regional economic health activities - especially focused on messaging the region and coordinating programs. Larimer County, Weld County, City of Loveland, City of Greeley, Numerous other communities, Upstate Colorado, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, and many others Montly Check-In Meetings; Coordinated activities; Multiple sub- committees/working groups Josh Birks The regional group will have a retreat in February to set 2022 priorities. 26. Create a targeted, specific plan for community recovery. Economic Health Office Working with regional partners across both Larimer and Weld Counties to develop an broad strategy to economic recovery; developed a plan that is meant to provide assistance and guide individual communities in their own recovery activities - not replace their activities; Funded a portion of the work and co-led that activity Larimer County, Weld County, City of Loveland, City of Greeley, Numerous other communities, Upstate Colorado, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, and many others Working groups (meet as needed); Bi-weekly Check- In Meetings; Direct engagement and feedback on the plan development Josh Birks Regional economic recovery plan has been drafted and regional partners are developing the implementation strategy. 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins. Economic Health Office Engagement with both Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (MDEDC) and the State Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT); Coordination on messaging activities, management of prospect response, regional and state activities; sharing of best practices MDEDC, OEDIT, Upstate Colorado Check-In Meetings every other month; episodic working group meetings an specific activities Josh Birks Team continues to remain connected with these entities and supporting partnering activities. 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins. Economic Health Office Working with regional partners to coordinate visits to local businesses to understand their needs and address any specific issues - typically referred to as Business Retention and Expansion Visits (BRE) Larimer County, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce Monthly coordination meetings; joint reporting of outcomes and annual summary Josh Birks The team had a retreat in early February and set goals for 2022. The team has continued to develop consistent practices across the region. Additionally, the team is facilitating a common repository of key insights and highlights from visits. 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins. Economic Health Office Working with regional partners to coordinate response to business relocation prospects; working through partners to ensure consistency of response and reduce work load for City staff Upstate Colorado (Weld); Larimer County As Needed Josh Birks Through the Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) the region has a strong and consistent fulfillment system. This system responded to XX leads, the City responded to 10 and was shortlisted on one. 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins.Human Resources Host dialogue sessions with peers to discuss regional talent issues and share learnings and best practices. Larimer County, City of Loveland, Poudre and Thompson school districts. Quarterly Teresa Roche I met with Robyn Fergus, Chief Human Resources Officer for Colorado State University and invited her to our quarterly meetings as well as suggested we meet quarterly. We had our Q1 meeting on February 17 that Robyn joined and we discussed child care and staff housing projects which CSU is embarking on and the school districts are looking into for the future. 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins. Human Resources All day sessions with CSU faculty, students and peers. Colorado State University College of Business Human Resources Executive Network Semi-annual April and November Teresa Roche First 2022 meeting is not until April 6 and I am helping recruit a few new members. 5. Advance Regionalism - Collaboration regionally while maintaining the unique character of Fort Collins.Economic Health Office Co-lead as a steering committee member on Talent 2.0. Additionally, working to include Weld County to develop Talent 3.0. This work is critical to having regional cooperation and collaboration since the labor shed is in the majority of the 2- county region. Current work includes diversity, inclusion and sense of belonging with our tech industry - this is led by the private industry, Chamber and. City of Fort Collins currently around talent retention. Fort Collins and Loveland Chambers of Commerce, City of Loveland, Larimer County, private businesses, and many others Monthly for private industry meetings, every two weeks for steering committee members Josh Birks Continue to particpate in the discussion as a key partner. The update to the Economic Health Strategic Plan will evaluate what on- going role the City should have in the workforce and talent development domain.