HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport - Mail Packet - 11/8/2022 - City Manager’S Quarterly Report - November 3, 2022
NextGen Serve
Q3 2022 (August-October)
NOVEMBER 3, 2022
Table of Contents
LETTER FROM CITY MANAGER ......................................................................................................... 3
ISSUES BEFORE CITY COUNCIL ........................................................................................................ 4
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ....................................................................................................................... 5
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE ........................................................................................................................ 5
Election Information ...............................................................................................................................................5
SALES TAX .......................................................................................................................................... 6
ROAD CONSTRUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 6
TRAFFIC DATA FROM FORT COLLINS POLICE SERVICES ............................................................. 7
PUBLIC SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS ........................................................................................................... 8
FORT COLLINS POLICE SERVICES .............................................................................................................................8
POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY ......................................................................................................................................9
PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT & TRANSPORTATION ........................................................................ 11
BUILDING, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW .......................................................................................... 11
COMMUNITY SERVICES .................................................................................................................... 12
RECREATION ........................................................................................................................................................ 12
PARKS ................................................................................................................................................................... 12
PARK PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................................ 12
CULTURAL SERVICES ............................................................................................................................................ 13
NATURAL AREAS .................................................................................................................................................. 14
SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES ............................................................................................................ 16
ECONOMIC HEALTH OFFICE ................................................................................................................................. 16
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ................................................................................................................................ 17
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY ...................................................................................................................................... 17
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICE ................................................................................ 18
UTILITIES ............................................................................................................................................ 20
FINANCE ............................................................................................................................................................... 20
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ............................................................................................................................... 20
CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS .................................................................................................................................. 22
BROADBAND – FORT COLLINS CONNEXION ................................................................................. 22
COMMUNITY DASHBOARD HIGHLIGHT .......................................................................................... 23
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 3
LETTER FROM CITY MANAGER
Welcome to the first edition of the new City Manager’s Report! The intent of these reports is to share
with the community highlights of the work Council and staff are doing in service to the community.
Moving forward, reporting frequency will be done quarterly.
I’m pleased to share that on November 1, Council adopted on first reading the 2023-2024 budget,
culminating work that staff and the community started over seven months ago. This budget cycle marks
the first time since 2018 that the organization has undergone a full two-year cycle, and it reflects several
important guiding principles:
• A focus on Council priorities with an emphasis on environmental and housing-related offers
• Investments in asset management
• Organization-wide technological improvements
• Preserves a meaningful and market-competitive employee experience
• Advances equity and prioritizes work that advances Our Climate Future goals
• Supports ongoing economic recovery efforts and advances resilience
The budget reflects an organization and a community that is transitioning from recovery into resilience.
On October 15, I lifted the city’s local emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic. As we near
the end of the 2022 and I reflect on the last three years, I am reminded of our resiliency as a community.
In many ways the pandemic derailed our lives, and yet our residents and businesses found ways to
maintain our businesses, care for our children, and navigate the complexities of health guidance. Check
out the information from the Economic Health Office (page 16) about available grants to support
businesses during this ongoing time of recovery.
On Friday, Nov. 4 the City in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority will turn on the
beautiful downtown lights, marking the start of the holiday season. I encourage you to come down and
enjoy the festivities. If you have any questions or feedback about the City Manager’s Report, please
reach out to me at kdimartino@fcgov.com.
Wishing you all a safe and joyous holiday season!
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 4
ISSUES BEFORE CITY COUNCIL
Below are highlights from Council meetings from August –
October and a preview of some items to come. To view full
agendas and recordings of past meetings, use this link.
August 23 – During this work session, a potential Rental Housing
Strategies pilot program was discussed for rental licensing/registration and small landlord incentives.
o Council will consider an ordinance on first reading on January 17
o Occupancy regulations will be discussed at the January 24 work session
September 6 – Adopted the Graywater Ordinance to allow graywater systems to be installed in the city.
It enacts a voluntary program for graywater use for toilet flushing in City water and wastewater service
areas and service areas of consenting districts in the Growth Management Area. This was a Council
priority.
o Starting November 1, apply for a permit here: https://www.fcgov.com/building/
September and October – Three work sessions were held to discuss the 2023-2024 budget.
o Public hearings were held on September 20 and October 4th, with first reading approved 7-0
on November 1
o Consideration to adopt the final budget will be on November 15
o To learn more about what is in the recommended budget, click here.
October 11- Our Climate Future presented a plan for waste, renewable electricity, and greenhouse gas
(GHG) reductions.
o On October 25, Council adopted an interim GHG goal of 50% reduction below 2005 levels by
2026
October 25 – During this work session, the draft Active Modes Plan was discussed. It identifies key
opportunities to significantly improve and expand the city’s active modes networks, support facilities,
policies and programs.
o Council will consideration adoption of this plan on December 6
November 1 – Adoption of the Land Development Code
o The Phase 1 Update implements policy direction in City Plan, the Housing Strategic Plan,
and Our Climate Future Plan.
In November and December, some items Council will discuss include:
o Setting 2023 Utility Rates, Fees, and Charges – read more about proposed increases on
page 20. This was approved 7-0 on first reading on November 1. Second reading will be on
November 15.
o Potential East Mulberry Annexation phasing financial models
o Aquatics strategy surrounding a future Southeast Community Recreation Center
o 1041 regulations
o Local minimum wage
o Vision Zero Action Plan
Future items are subject to change.
Please call the City Clerk’s Office at
970-416-2774 for up-to-date
information.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 5
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Budget Forum with CPD: On September 28, the
City partnered with CSU’s Center for Public
Deliberation on a budget forum. Around 40
community members joined the facilitated dialogue to
learn more about the budgeting process and to
participate in a budget balancing simulation. Insights
from the event were presented in the final budget
work session on October 11.
CityWorks 101: The 2022 CityWorks 101 class
graduated on October 4. The six-week class covered
a variety of presentations from dozens of City staff
and featured interactive tours of several City
facilities. Twenty-five community members
participated in this year’s class getting a behind-the-
scenes look at City programs and operations.
State of the City 2023: Save the date!
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023
Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St.
Join Mayor Jeni Arndt and City Manager Kelly DiMartino as they reflect on the past year and look ahead
to the future of Fort Collins. Join us in person at the Lincoln Center or watch live online at
www.fcgov.com.
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
Election Information
November Election Basics
Ballots for the November 8 General Election were mailed to all registered voters the week of October 17.
Ballots continue to be mailed to voters who register through October 31 and eligible voters can register
and vote at the same time through Election Day. All ballots must be returned to Larimer County
Elections by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters can utilize drop boxes throughout the community to drop off
their ballots by 7 p.m. on November 8 or can mail in ballots, allowing enough time to ensure they are
received by the same deadline. Ballots can also be cast in person at Voter Service and Polling Centers.
Visit larimer.gov/elections for a range of voter resources, including online registration, sample ballots,
and locations and timing for drop boxes and Voter Services and Polling Centers.
What is on the Ballot?
This election includes state and county level offices on the ballot, as well as several ballot questions at
both the state and local level. Fort Collins has placed three questions on the ballot for our voters to
consider changes to the City Charter. These questions relate to the level of compensation provided to
elected officials in the City, potentially shifting the timing of regular City elections from April in odd years
to November in odd years, and conducting all City elections using a ranked voting method starting in
2025.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 6
SALES TAX
Monthly Reports on Our Website
The City’s sales tax collection remains strong. The latest report in September for economic activity that
occurred in August shows that year to date, the City has collected 11.1% more sales and use tax
revenue, totaling $12.9M over budget and is up 9.3% (excluding rebates) compared to last year. Read
the complete reports here: https://www.fcgov.com/salestax/salesreport
Disposable Bag Fee Update
Effective May 1, 2022, the City enacted regulation prohibiting large grocers from providing disposable
plastic bags and requiring payment of a 10-cent fee for disposable paper bags.
In the first quarter, the City collected $54.4K in fees. The majority of this revenue is used towards
outreach efforts to reduce plastic pollution and administration costs. To learn more about this initiative,
please click this link.
State Carryout Bag Fee
In 2021, Colorado passed legislation to put a 10-cent bag fee on disposable paper and plastic carryout
bags at retail stores. This 10-cent fee will begin on January 1, 2023. Then, on January 1, 2024, single-
use plastic bags will be banned at retail stores, and the 10-cent bag fee will continue for paper carryout
bags.
Polystyrene (brand name Styrofoam) containers will be banned at retail food establishments on January
1, 2024. Small stores that operate solely in Colorado and have 3 or fewer locations are exempt.
Consumers that receive state and federal food assistance are exempted from the bag fee.
Impacted businesses will begin remitting quarterly starting April 1, 2024, covering the bag fees from the
previous quarter.
The state legislation does not impact the local City disposable bag fee at large grocers.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION
In order to maintain the quality of our city streets and improve safety and flow of traffic, road construction
is inevitable. Keep your commute hassle free by staying up on current projects by visiting this website:
https://www.fcgov.com/transportation/construction.
Below is a snapshot of current and future projects with anticipated completion dates:
o Citywide Pedestrian Access – Ongoing - http://www.fcgov.com/engineering/pedneeds.php
o Vine and Lemay BNSF Improvements – 2022 - fcgov.com/engineering/vine-lemay
o Linden Street Renovation – Ribbon Cutting occurred October 26 2022 -
https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/linden-street-renovation/
o North Mason ROW and Design – Alpine to Hickory – Fall/Winter 2022
o Transportation Capital Projects Prioritization Study (TCPPS) - Fall/Winter 2022 -
https://ourcity.fcgov.com/tcpps
o Laporte Avenue Bridge Replacements – Spring 2023
o South Timberline Corridor Early Summer 2023 -
www.fcgov.com/engineering/timberlinewidening
o Vine Drive and Timberline Road Intersection Improvements – Fall 2023
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 7
o Power Trail and Harmony Road Grade Separated Crossing – Preliminary Design complete-
https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/powertrailcrossing
o College Ave (SH 287) and Trilby Road Intersection Improvements – 2024 -
https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/college-trilby
TRAFFIC DATA FROM FORT COLLINS POLICE
SERVICES
The Fort Collins Police CRASH (Collision Reconstruction And Scene Handling) team investigates
collisions that result in serious injury or death. Of the YTD CRASH call outs, 14 involved vulnerable
roadway users (5 pedestrians, 5 motorcycles, 3 bicycles, 1 moped). The vulnerable roadway users
accounted for 6 out of the 8 fatalities. One pedestrian fatality was ruled a suicide. Another one of the
fatalities was deemed a primary medical event, which then caused the crash.
Camera Radar Enforcement
FCPS conducts camera radar enforcement with the use of a mobile camera van that is stationed at
different locations to address chronic speeding, increased safety risks, and reports from concerned
community members. The data below reflects enforcement efforts through the first eight months of 2022.
Hours Deployed 2,261
Violations Detected 8,572
Citations Issued 7,333
*YT end of August 2022
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 8
PUBLIC SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS
FORT COLLINS POLICE SERVICES
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
In the last quarter, FCPS hosted and attended numerous community events. Community engagement is
an integral part of our agency’s approach to relational policing. By connecting in non-enforcement
situations, officers, dispatchers, and professional staff members work to develop trust through mutual
understanding and shared goals. Some of the recent events include:
o CityWorks 101
o Police in the Park
o Coffee with a Cop
o 911 education seminar
o CSU Football RamLife event
o Community Police Academy
o Salvation Army Community Carnival
o Recognize a Responder at Cooper Home
o Community meeting at Housing Catalyst
o Active Shooter education for business staff
o Little Bear’s Childcare talk & demonstration
o Rocky Mountain High School Charity Women’s Softball event
o Partner appreciation coffee event for PVH emergency/crisis staff
o Critical incident debrief/Q&A for local mental health service providers
o CSU Fire Safety, Community Emergency, and Preparedness Outreach event
o Birthday party at Highpointe (provider for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities)
MAJOR CASES
Domestic violence hostage situation
In late September, FC911 received a report of a hostage situation. A man had broken into the home of
people he knew and was armed with a knife. He had injured the victims and wouldn’t let them leave.
Members of the SWAT team entered the home and rescued both women. The suspect was safely taken
into custody within an hour of the 911 call, and multiple knives were recovered during his arrest. One
victim suffered minor injuries and one had serious injuries. The man was booked into the Larimer
County Jail and was issued a $1M cash/surety bond.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 9
Investigation into Old Town shooting
In mid-September around 1:30 a.m. officers working foot patrol in Old Town heard multiple gunshots.
They ran toward the sound of the gunfire near South College Avenue and East Oak Street. Upon arrival
they located a victim with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers immediately provided first aid to the man,
who was later transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Throughout the night and early morning
hours, police worked to locate all people associated with the incident and learned that it stemmed from a
disturbance earlier in the evening. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the
shooting and will consult with the District Attorney at the conclusion to determine appropriate charges.
Burglary suspect safely arrested after 9-hour standoff
In mid-September, FC911 received a report that a man had broken into an unoccupied apartment on
Kirkwood Drive. When police arrived, they tried to contact the man in the parking lot. He ran and broke
into a different apartment that was occupied. The residents manage to safely escape, and the man
refused to leave the home for 9 hours. During the investigation, police received information that Hall was
possibly armed with a gun. The Fort Collins SWAT team, K9 team, UAS (drone) team, and crisis
negotiators responded to assist. Larimer County Sheriff’s Office All Hazards/Crisis Response Team also
provided support. In addition to negotiation efforts, police deployed several less-lethal tools to get Hall to
surrender, but he refused to come out. Members of SWAT team ultimately entered the apartment and
safely took Hall into custody.
Armed robbery at a convenience store
On an afternoon in early August, police were notified of an armed robbery at a convenience store on
West Horsetooth Road. A man entered the store with a bag and a semi-automatic rifle. He yelled at the
patrons in the store to get out while two store clerks remained inside, then brandished the firearm at the
clerks while demanding money from the registers. After getting the money, he left the scene.
Fortunately, nobody was injured in this incident Investigators identified the suspect and arrested him
several days later.
Local organized crime suspects sentenced to prison
After hundreds of hours of investigative work, 11 criminals were convicted and sentenced for the harm
they caused in Larimer County in 2020. This group used social media to find and target 25 victims in 21
separate criminal incidents. We're extremely grateful to the detectives who pieced this puzzle together,
built a strong case, and supported a successful prosecution. Thank you to all of our partners who helped
bring down this violent criminal organization. Read details about the case here.
POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY
Listening to the Community: New Tool to Gather Feedback
Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) responds to calls for help every day, 365 days a year. As part of
the agency’s dedication to continuous improvement, PFA launched a feedback system last
February to follow up and learn more about the experience of community members during the
more than 24,000 calls for help PFA responds to annually.
The tool can send a text message to the number that called 911 asking for feedback about the
experience and the firefighters that responded. It offers a simple rating system. Participants
are given the option to provide additional feedback if they would like. Here are some of the
results and feedback:
o Response Rate: 43.2%
o Percentage of a Positive Rating: 96.1%
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 10
“They were kind and attentive and took care of me not just my husband but made sure I knew
what was going on and even talked to my daughter …"
“Response time was truly amazing, that was pivotal in giving me peace of mind when the
experience leading up to calling 911 felt chaotic and helpless.”
“Excellent communication and care skills. So impressed and so grateful. Thank you.”
Fire Prevention Week
This is the 100th year of Fire Prevention Week, the longest running public health initiative in
the United States. At Poudre Fire Authority, FPW lasts all month long. The PFA Community
Outreach and Risk Reduction Team spent October out in the community (both in-person and
virtually) spreading the word about fire safety, especially focused on this year’s theme, “Fire
Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape!” The time to escape a fire has dropped drastically in recent
decades. People now have as little as two minutes to safely escape a home fire.
What To Do?
o Know two ways out of every room
o Have working (test regularly) smoke and CO alarms in every bedroom, outside all
sleeping areas, and on every level of the home
o Talk to all residents of the home about how to escape
o Establish a pre-selected and static meeting place outside (i.e., a tree, not a car)
Fire Prevention Month Activities
o School visits to kindergarten through 3rd grades
o Fire Prevention Poster Contest for 1st through 5th graders (email
education@poudre-fire.org for details)
o Fire Station Open House at Station 3 on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10:00 to 1:00
o Social media shares all month
HeroFest and 9/11 Memorial Park
PFA and the CityGive Team attended HeroFest, a free event focused on celebrating first
responders and their families. Division Chief Rick VanderVelde, who responded to the scene
of the 9/11 attacks, accompanied the steel I-beam which was a center piece of the event. The
beam was gifted to PFA by the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund in honor of the agency’s
assistance. The 9/11 Memorial Park was honored to be the recipient of the event’s proceeds.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 11
PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT &
TRANSPORTATION
BUILDING, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
For a detailed listing of development Proposals under review, please
visit: https://www.fcgov.com/developmentreview/proposals/
Building Services
2021 YTD 2022 YTD % Change
Building Permits Issued 7,465 6,991 -6.35%
Building Permits Valuations ($M) $288.82 $381.53 32.10%
Building Inspections Performed 23,136 24,588 6.28%
Zoning Inspections Performed 285 286 0.35%
Zoning Plan Reviews Performed 2,369 3,027 27.78%
Overall Development Review Center (DRC) revenues are $(1,338,621) under projection for 2022 as of
September 30th, with Building Services under by $(1,091,527), Neighborhood Services and Code
Compliance over by $ 80,037, Development Review over by $7,726 and Engineering Development
Review under by $(334,857). The shortfall in DRC actual revenues vs projections has been anticipated
since early 2022. Due to the anticipated shortfall, an analysis of the fee structure by PDT Finance is
planned by 2023 with the intent of having revisions for the January 1, 2024 fee update.
Neighborhood Services
To kick off the start of the Fall 2022 semester, Colorado State University (CSU) and the City of Fort
Collins put on the 22nd annual Community Welcome event. The goal of the program is to help foster a
sense of community and connection between students and long-term Fort Collins residents, while
informing all on local ordinances and how to be good neighbors to one another. Teams are volunteers
consisting of students, community members, City and CSU employees, Fort Collins Police Services and
Colorado State Police Department officers.
This year, the collaboration reached nearly 700 homes and 300 apartment tenants. City Manager Kelly
DiMartino, as well as the Interim President of CSU, Dr. Rick Miranda, were keynote speakers that
welcomed almost 100 volunteers from across the community.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 12
New Resources for Mobile Home Park Residents
o On October 1, 2022, Colorado Bill 22-1287, “Protections for Mobile Home Park Residents”
went into effect. One provision includes the prohibition of park owners to increase rents if
they have not registered with the state, owe penalties, or failed to comply with an order from
the State Division of Housing. Read more about the law here.
o Partnership for Age Friendly Communities (PAFC), City of Fort Collins, Larimer County, and
Neighbor to Neighbor have collaborated on a resource booklet for Mobile Home Park
residents throughout the county. Printed copies are being delivered to every park, and a
digital version can be found on PAFC’s website here.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
RECREATION
o After staffing difficulties related to COVID-19, Mulberry Pool has recently reopened at full
capacity and with normal operating hours.
o The Farm hosted the annual Treatsylvania event for children, with more than 2,000 tickets
sold. The event took place the last weekend of October.
o Recreation and Park staff members are currently working on the Downtown Holiday Lighting
event that will take place in Old Town Square on Friday, November 4.
o On September 24, the Sports team hosted the Rattlesnake Rumble, a cross country meet
with PSD middle schoolers and CARA Cross Country runners from around Northern
Colorado. Runners competed on a 2k, 3k or 4k course, depending on their age, with 450
children participating.
o City Park Pool was recently closed and winterized after a successful summer hosting
swimming for the community from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
PARKS
o Through the Community Canopy Program, the Forestry Department provided 1,000 trees to
residents.
o Completed Ips beetle treatments of 60 spruce trees in City Park.
o SouthRidge Golf Course irrigation system replacement is underway.
o Park Rangers had 4,562 contacts in Q3.
PARK PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
o Dovetail Park is currently under construction and is set to be Fort Collins’ newest
neighborhood park with an anticipated opening in spring 2023. This 6-acre park is located off
Miles House Ave. It will include a picnic shelter, playground, multi-purpose field, basketball
court, seasonal restroom, bocce ball court, table tennis, corn hole, and a space designated
for daytime hammocking and slacklining.
o Construction is ongoing for the East Park District Maintenance Facility, with landscaping
and interior finishes expected to complete this fall. The facility is located near the intersection
of Drake & Ziegler and will house Parks Department staff, equipment, and some minor
material storage.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 13
o Spring Canyon Dog Park Pond Project continues to be underway with an anticipated
opening in spring 2023. Water quality improvements were made after adverse drainage out
of the dog park pond led to challenging issues like E. coli. Access surrounding the pond will
remain limited while Parks Department crews continue to work on the project through the fall.
o Edora Disc Golf Course construction is nearly complete. New course signage has been
designed and will be installed in the coming weeks. The updated course has 18 holes and
will accommodate beginner to advanced disc golf players.
o The 9/11 Memorial at Spring Park will be a garden destination site honoring the tragic
events of September 11, 2001. A steel I-Beam from the World Trade Center towers will be
the centerpiece of the memorial, creating a space for visitors to reflect on the historic events
of that day. Other amenities include, a cascading water feature, turf steps, memorial signage,
and 343 paving stones to honor the 343 firefighters that lost their lives. Park Planning &
Development is currently working in partnership with CityGive and the Poudre Fire Authority
to evaluate funding options to move the project forward.
The Park Planning & Development team has received several awards of distinction for completed
projects in recent months including:
o American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Colorado, Merit Award for Design for the
Poudre River Whitewater Park
o ASLA Colorado Merit Award for Design for Sugar Beet Park
o Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) Best New Park Design for the Poudre
River Whitewater Park
o CPRA Best Park Renovation for Sugar Beet Park
o Urban Design Award for the Poudre River Whitewater Park
For more detailed information on all of Park Planning & Development’s current projects please visit
fcgov.com/parkplanning.
CULTURAL SERVICES
o The Museum of Discovery’s current exhibit, Earth Matters, is now open through January 8th,
2023. Earth Matters: Rethink the Future covers important themes such as biodiversity and
rising global temperatures, taking visitors on an interactive journey and offering fun ways to
rethink the future. The exhibit gives participants the chance to reimagine a more sustainable
future – starting in their own backyard.
o The Lincoln Center has had a successful start to their 2022/2023 Lincoln Center Live
Season. Shows presenting before the end of the year include Parsons Dance, Postmodern
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 14
Jukebox, and the Whose Live Anyway tour with Drew Carey. Show information and tickets
can be found at lctix.com.
o The Gardens on Spring Creek is preparing for the holiday season with their special event
Gardens of Lights. From December 9th – 24th visitors will be able to see the holiday display
with hundreds of color blossoms illuminating the Great Lawn in multi-colored motion, a
holiday village, and a half-mile loop of towering flowerbeds, glowing grapevines, and other
imaginative displays constructed entirely from hundreds of thousands of LED lights. Tickets
are on sale here .
Gardens of Lights
NATURAL AREAS
Third Quarter Land Conservation: 10 Acres in Dry Creek Area
This quarter, the Natural Areas Department conserved 10 acres in the Dry Creek corridor, in the
northwest quadrant of the Fort Collins Growth Management Area. This new acquisition added to the
previously conserved 30 acres along Dry Creek. This property is within the Core Natural Areas
conservation focus area designated in the 2014 Natural Areas Master Plan.
The Dry Creek corridor is an area long identified as a priority for wildlife values and as a potential trail
corridor. With the completion of this acquisition, Natural Areas anticipates moving forward to fully
onboard the property beginning in 2023. This is the first step in working to open the property for public
access and to provide a connection to nature for a currently underserved section of the community.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 15
Natural Areas 30th Anniversary
In November of 1992, the community voted to fund Fort Collins
Natural Areas with a quarter-cent sales tax which led to the
conservation of over 55,000 acres and counting. This effort was
initiated by a committed and thoughtful group of citizens
including current Councilmember Kelly Ohlson.
The Natural Areas 30th Anniversary kicked off on November 1,
2022 with special activities through the end of October 2023.
Invitations for the 30th Anniversary Celebration on November 30
at The Lincoln Center went out in October. Community members are invited to celebrate 30 years of
Natural Areas land conservation, stewardship, and more.
The event will feature the following:
o Heavy appetizers
o Specialty beer from Horse & Dragon
o Photo booth and activities
o 30th Anniversary video
o Speakers
o A special announcement of a new Natural Areas Conservation Award
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 16
Nature in the City Community-Driven and City Projects
Nature in the City invests in projects that build wildlife habitat and increase access to nature throughout
Fort Collins. Community members can receive funding through Nature in the City grants. The application
deadline was Oct 21 for planning projects and applications for shovel-ready projects will be available
next fall at https://www.fcgov.com/natureinthecity/.
City-driven projects create cross-city partnerships and opportunities to showcase how one project can
achieve many City goals to benefit the community. In 2023, Nature in the City will be moving forward on
five more projects with collaborations including Golf, Neighborhood Services, Natural Areas, Utilities,
and more. These projects will convert water-heavy turf to native, low-water, and wildlife friendly
landscapes, create nature play areas, assist historically underserved neighborhoods, and find creative
wayfinding to improve awareness and access to nature.
SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES
ECONOMIC HEALTH OFFICE
Economic impacts from the pandemic are still being felt throughout the community and many
businesses are still struggling due to lost revenue, increased costs, workforce challenges and supply
chain issues. The City is supporting economic recovery for these businesses through a variety of
different programs, including the establishment of a Multicultural Business and Entrepreneur Center and
a new round of recovery grants.
Small Business Economic Recovery Grants
This program provides up to $10,000 to small businesses who make less than $1M in gross revenue a
year. Applications for Round 2 of this program occurred October 3 - November 2. Grants are available in
three areas: stabilization, technical assistance, or workforce training/retention.
The first round of this program ended in August and over 60 businesses were awarded ARPA funds
resulting in over $420,000 in grant money deployed to local businesses.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 17
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
RFP Released for Contracted Trash and Recycling System
On July 19, 2022 City Council passed a Resolution directing City staff to proceed with developing a
Request for Proposal (RFP) for a single-hauler contracted system for trash and recycling. The RFP was
released on September 13, 2022 for about six weeks and outlines requests for various service options
and system elements that the City would like to see pricing for. Staff will review the proposals received
and present results to City Council for a final decision in early 2023. Here’s a sampling at what the City
has asked to see in hauler proposals:
o More service options for yard trimmings, bulky waste, and weekly recycling collection
o Options for super-low generators that don’t typically have enough trash to fill the small, 32-
gallon cart size
o An opt-out fee equivalent to the service cost of the smallest trash cart size
o Customer service and billing services are provided by the hauler
o Alley and door-to-truck services for homes that require them at no additional cost
While the RFP is the guiding document by which a contract will be developed, it does not mean that the
City will move forward with a contract or that all elements in the RFP will end up in the contract. View the
Contract For Trash project page to see a more detailed view of the RFP elements and share your
thoughts.
Radon Awareness Month Education Events
In September and October, the Air Quality Team hosted three community education events for residents
to learn about the risks of radon in their homes. Over the course of the three events, the team was able
to engage with over 100 community members.
Radon gas enters homes and other buildings through cracks and openings in basements, crawl spaces,
and slabs. Radon levels vary from house to house and have nothing to do with the age, upkeep, or
quality of the building; however, Colorado homes are at a greater risk for high radon levels. Learn more
at fcgov.com/radon.
Leading By Example
The City of Fort Collins Parks Department has converted 56% of their equipment to electric and limits
the use of handheld 2-stroke engine equipment on Ozone Alert Days. Gardens on Spring Creek, the
Cemeteries Division, and Natural Areas are also using primarily electric equipment! The City is reducing
its contributions to ground level ozone by:
o Increasing access to public transportation
o Electrifying fleet vehicle and gas-powered landscaping equipment inventories
o Adhering to the internal City vehicle idling reduction policy.
o Implementing an ozone action day policy including limiting the use and fueling of combustion
engine equipment
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Homelessness in the Community
Homelessness is a complicated issue with equally important community values that sometimes are in
opposition with one another: compassionately aiding those most vulnerable and protecting public health,
safety, and welfare for all residents and visitors. Traditionally, social services have been under the
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 18
purview of counties; however, homelessness is happening in our cities and residents are contacting City
elected officials to solve it. Therefore, cities across the nation have been expected to find creative
solutions with partnerships being the key to making an impact. Learn more about ways the City is
helping those experiencing homelessness in Fort Collins at fcgov.com/homelessness.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICE
The Equity Office has several exciting community focused initiatives underway. We partner with
community-led initiatives and events by providing behind-the-scenes support such as facilities and
space, food, sanitary services, planning and guidance, and connections to other City departments and
resources. Read our first-year impact report here and some highlights below:
Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 -October 15 was Hispanic Heritage Month and the community celebrated their roots,
traditions, historic and present-day contributions to the vibrancy of the Fort Collins community. The
Equity Office partnered with the Cultural Services Department, Poudre River Library, Larimer County,
community non-profits, and members of the Latino Business Chamber to host a beautiful Hispanic
Heritage Month Community Celebration at Aztlan Center on Sunday September 18th. Over 600
community members enjoyed free food, performances from across the Americas and being in
community.
On Sunday October 2nd, Fuerza Latina hosted nearly 300 older adults, adults, youth, and children at the
Senior Center from 12-4pm for a Spanish resource fair. The event offered civic engagement information
and voter registration, post-secondary educational and workforce readiness with PSD, Front Range
Community College and Larimer County Workforce, rent financial assistance and Know-Your-Rights
with Neighbor to Neighbor and Colorado Poverty Law Project, 9HealthFair and UCHealth flu and COVID
vaccines and other health resources.
Disability Advisory Board
In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, (NDEAM) the Office of Equity and
Inclusion recognizes Terry Schlichting, Assistant Director of Health Professions Advising Collaborative
for Student Achievement, Colorado State University, for his dedication to serving on the Disability
Advisory Board (DAB) as Chair for 8 consecutive years. Terry has advocated in the community for over
20 years for disability inclusion in the workplace. DAB members recently formed a disability workforce
subcommittee to connect with local organizations and businesses drawing awareness to recruitment and
hiring qualified people with disabilities.
Native American Community
A resolution recognizing the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day was passed
unanimously at City Council on Tuesday, October 4th. The resolution was written collectively by Native
American community members, and a group highlighting the diversity of the Fort Collins urban Native
community read the resolution during the public comment portion of the City Council meeting. Before the
meeting, the community gathered for a celebration in the Xeriscape Garden in front of City Hall,
featuring the Iron Family Singers drum group.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 19
The passing of the resolution was a joyous occasion for the Fort Collins Native American community,
which has been advocating for recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day for decades. Future work with the
Native community, as outlined in the resolution, will work to create a strong relationship with the
community, building trust and reciprocity by addressing equity gaps, health access disparities,
educational opportunities, and other needs. The most important need, as identified by the community, is
a dedicated space for gathering, culture and language classes, traditional healing practices and
ceremonies, a sweat lodge, space for powwows, and a garden where the community can engage in
Indigenous agricultural practices.
A proclamation was shared at City Council on November 1st recognizing November as Native American
Heritage Month. The Native American Cultural Center at CSU has planned many events for the month,
including the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s Powwow on Saturday, November 5th
and keynote speaker D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai from FX’s Reservation Dogs.
The City is hiring an Indigenous Community Relations Specialist to work with Fort Collins Native
American and Indigenous community. This new position, funded with federal Covid recovery dollars, will
address community needs and build strong relationships with both the urban Native community and
Tribes with historical ties to the Northern Colorado area. This new position is expected to start before the
end of the year.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 20
UTILITIES
FINANCE
On November 15, Council will consider on second reading proposed rate increases for 2023. These
adjustments fund rises in wholesale costs, infrastructure improvements and new projects. Increases this
year are also due, in part, to inflation. The average proposed rate increase for each utility is:
o Electric: 5% (varies by rate class)
o Water: 4%
o Wastewater: 4%
o Stormwater: 3%
In 2023, a typical residential customer, based on average annual use, could expect to pay an additional
$7.98 per month. Even with these adjustments, Fort Collins Utilities’ rates remain some of the lowest
across the Front Range. There are also several resources available to assist with paying utility bills
through Utilities Affordability Programs.
There is also a 9% proposed increase for development fees, including the electric capacity fee and
water, wastewater and stormwater plant investment fees (PIFs).
Learn more: fcgov.com/utility-rates
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
So far in 2022, Utilities Community Engagement has reached 12,031 participants through 203
engagement opportunities. Here are some highlights from August –October, particularly around stream
ecology education, mobile home park community engagement, community events, and student
engagement:
o 10 different Stream Ecology Education watershed field trips. Participants explored the
Poudre River by dip netting for macroinvertebrates which are an indicator for water quality
health. Some groups included:
• Train-the-Trainer program for 34 NextGen Serve club members to learn about public
engagement. They used their new knowledge and skills to support a river education
program for youth and an outreach booth.
• 51 campers from Foothills Unitarian Summer Camp
• Natural Areas staff and 84 community members
• 25 Front Range Community College students
• 65 McGraw Elementary 5th grade students
• 110 Fort Collins High School students. This was a field trip organized by the school
taking place in Lory State Park. This location allowed students to be immersed in the
local environment and to visit one of our drinking water sources.
o Engagement with our mobile home park communities:
• September 17 – Harmony Village Mobile Home Park Meet & Greet – Utilities staff
engaged with 55 residents and shared information regarding the Utilities Assistance
Programs and the different efficiency options residents have to help lower the cost of
water and electric bills.
• October 15 – Hickory Village Mobile Home Park Event – Utilities staff shared
information on our Utilities Affordability Programs, electricity safety, water
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 21
conservation, and energy efficiency information while also providing fun activities for
residents at this community resource event.
• October 22 – Pleasant Grove Mobile Home Park Event – Utilities staff shared
information on Utilities Affordability Programs electricity safety, water conservation,
and energy efficiency information while also providing fun activities for residents at
this community resource event.
o Participation in community events:
• August 2 – Neighborhood Night Out – Four Utilities staff visited several
neighborhood events where they answered questions and shared Utilities updates
with 60 different community members.
• August 20 – Poudre River Festival – Utilities staff engaged with 347 community
members and discussed water and electric usage and efficiency. This festival
celebrates the Poudre River, promotes restoration, and educates people about our
river corridor, an important natural resource in our community. This event was held at
New Belgium Brewery and included booths, bands, educational activities and
presentations.
• September 10 – Household Hazardous Waste – Community members in 1,155
vehicles disposed of over 27,308 pounds of hazardous waste. Thanks to the 60 staff
members who helped unload vehicles, break down cardboard, greet, survey, and
assist with traffic flow.
• September 18 – Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month Celebration – Utilities staff
engaged with 85 community members and provided information on efficiency and
resources for the Utilities Assistance Programs.
• October 13 – Water Treatment Facility Tour – Utilities staff will provide a high-level
educational facility tour of the water treatment facility. This group of community
members participated in the CityWorks 101 program in September and wanted to
continue learning about Utilities.
• October 22 – Neighbor to Neighbor Fall Festival – Utilities staff shared information
on our Utilities Affordability Programs, electricity safety, water conservation, and
energy efficiency information while also providing fun activities for residents at this
community resource event.
o Student Engagement
• September 14 – Utilities Career Pipeline Program – Utilities staff brought together
field crews and other staff who set up 6 education stations. A total of 130 high school
students rotated through these stations and learned about the diverse job
opportunities within Utilities along with educational requirements and certifications
needed for those positions.
• September 29 & 30 – Hydropower Lab Education – Utilities staff offered a
Hydropower Lab to 113 8th grade students at Cache la Poudre Middle School.
Students had the opportunity to learn about Fort Collins’ current energy use and use
different models to test best designs for hydropower.
• September 29 – Give Next Kick Off Event – Utilities staff participated in a career
panel for the 2022 Give Next Kick-Off event. 580 students and teachers attended this
event, which is focused on inspiring students as they embark on their Give Next
grantmaking journey.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 22
• October 3 – Project Based Learning – Utilities staff provided a Project Based
learning lesson to 130 Shepardson Elementary 2nd grade students. Students had the
opportunity to learn about the important role Utilities plays in providing clean and
healthy drinking water.
CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS
o Sprinkler Checkup Program
• Sprinkler Checkup Program – The season ended on September 23 with 489
checkups completed. This is the second largest number of checkups completed in a
season in the program’s 24 years! Customers can sign up on our waitlist to be
among the first contacted to schedule a checkup in 2023, when the season opens in
May: fcgov.com/sprinker-checkups. A free sprinkler checkup helps customers save
water by using their automated and non-automated sprinkler system more effectively.
o Imagine a Day Without Water
• October 18, 2022 - A campaign to bring awareness of the value of water and its
importance to the community’s everyday quality of life. A proclamation was read at
City Council and a social media campaign highlighted the importance of water and
what we do to protect and preserve it.
BROADBAND – FORT COLLINS CONNEXION
o The current Take Rate of 30% is the direct impact of installer labor shortage. However, we
have found additional installers and now able to meet residential customer demand resulting
in the highest number of installations to date!
o Connexion is fully staffed for the first time ever with fantastic key hires. Meet some of them in
the next quarterly report.
o We will also be re-engaging a previous group of residents on an ongoing basis to discuss the
current and future state of Connexion.
o Final audit revealed that additional construction is needed for the main build out. Construction
will be complete by the end of the year and all residents and businesses will be able to sign
up by the end of the year with appropriate property owner approval.
o View the current construction map - https://fcconnexion.com/construction-map/
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 23
Total Fiber Areas Complete
COMMUNITY DASHBOARD HIGHLIGHT
The Community Dashboard features performance data and information that highlights how the City is
doing in achieving its seven Outcome areas: Neighborhood Livability and Social Health, Culture and
Recreation, Economic Health, Environmental Health, Safe Community, Transportation and Mobility, and
High Performing Government. The Dashboard is made up of 37 total metrics that are published quarterly
and demonstrate where the City is doing well and where there are opportunities to improve. The color
status of performance for each metric is determined based on the actual result for the quarter compared
with the target. The color status of performance for the Outcome is determined based on the average
calculation of the performance of each metric within that Outcome.
This report contains a metric from the Culture and Recreation Outcome.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 24
Analysis of Performance
Golf activity was strong in Q2 2022, after weather conditions were not conducive to play in January and
February. A new golf system that allows online booking for tee times was implemented in March 2022.
Metric Definition
The total number of participants at all three City of Fort Collins Golf Courses.
Why is this important?
This metric provides an indication of the popularity of these facilities which, in turn, indicates how well
the facilities are meeting the needs of the community. The annual target is determined based on keeping
revenue greater than expenses and each quarter is adjusted for seasonality.
City Organization Impact on Performance
High – The Parks Department directly influences the number of participants by providing a quality
experience at City golf courses. The Parks Department also influences participation through marketing
and outreach of these facilities.
Benchmark Information
This metric contains benchmark data for cities that offer 9 and 18-hole municipal golf courses similar to
those in Fort Collins. Regional similarities create similar weather and economic conditions, and give
these benchmarks comparable operating seasons, administrations, and demographics. Private courses
were not included since they do not generally share similar data.
To review all the metrics on the Community Dashboard, go to https://fortcollins.clearpointstrategy.com/ .