HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport - Mail Packet - 2/14/2023 - 05 - City Manager’S Quarterly Report – 4Th Quarter 2022
Q4 2022 (November-January ‘23)
FEBRUARY 9, 2023
Table of Contents
LETTER FROM CITY MANAGER ......................................................................................................... 3
ISSUES BEFORE CITY COUNCIL ........................................................................................................ 4
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ....................................................................................................................... 5
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE ........................................................................................................................ 6
SALES TAX .......................................................................................................................................... 6
ROAD CONSTRUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 7
TRAFFIC DATA FROM FORT COLLINS POLICE SERVICES ............................................................. 8
PUBLIC SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS ........................................................................................................... 9
FORT COLLINS POLICE SERVICES ............................................................................................................................. 9
POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY .................................................................................................................................... 11
COMMUNITY SERVICES .................................................................................................................... 13
RECREATION ......................................................................................................................................................... 13
PARKS .................................................................................................................................................................... 13
PARK PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................................. 14
CULTURAL SERVICES ............................................................................................................................................. 15
NATURAL AREAS ................................................................................................................................................... 16
SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES ............................................................................................................ 17
ECONOMIC HEALTH OFFICE .................................................................................................................................. 17
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ................................................................................................................................. 19
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICE ................................................................................ 20
UTILITIES ............................................................................................................................................ 21
BROADBAND – FORT COLLINS CONNEXION ................................................................................. 25
COMMUNITY DASHBOARD HIGHLIGHT .......................................................................................... 26
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 3
LETTER FROM CITY MANAGER
Happy New Year and Happy Birthday, Fort Collins! 2023 is the 150th anniversary of the City’s
incorporation. A lot has changed since 1873, but the heart remains the same: our community. As we
move into the next 150 years, I believe even more strongly in the City’s mission statement: exceptional
service for an exceptional community.
The foundation of City operations is our core services: things like water, electricity, transit, snow
removal, street maintenance, and parks and recreation, to name just a few. Through the years, our
investment in these core services has built resiliency, from the foresight of past leaders to underground
our utilities, to our more recent response and recovery through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Law enforcement is another core service that is continuously looking for ways to learn, innovate, and
adopt to community needs so that we are truly providing exceptional service. One example is the
partnership among Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS), UC Health and Vitals Aware Services. The
Vitals app allows vulnerable adults and their caregivers to create personalized profiles with medical
information, behavior triggers, and critical needs so that first responders can properly interact with
vulnerable adults. I appreciate the forward-thinking mindset of FCPS and am proud to say we are the
first community in Colorado to use this service.
I am encouraged every day by our City staff, community partners, and our residents. Thank you for your
kindness, thought-provoking questions and suggestions, and your willingness to engage in community
conversation. To stay up to date on all that is happening, please check out fcgov.com/subscriptions
where you can register for updates about a wide array of city topics.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 4
ISSUES BEFORE CITY COUNCIL
Below are highlights from Council meetings from November –
January and a preview of some items to come. To view full
agendas and recordings of past meetings, use this link.
November 7 – After additional public feedback, the second draft of 1041 regulations were reviewed at
this work session.
o November 15 – Moratorium extended for three months to allow for staff to continue with
public engagement
o February 7 – Postponed first reading of ordinance to May 2, 2023
November 15 – The 2023-2024 budget was adopted. To view the adopted budget, click here.
December 6 – Active Modes Plan adopted. It identifies key opportunities to significantly improve the
city’s active modes networks, support facilities, policies and programs.
Also on December 6, the updated Public Nuisance Ordinance was adopted which adds new
enforcement mechanisms for abating public nuisances and chronic nuisance properties.
January 10 – During this Work Session, an update was provided regarding Connexion broadband
service and its rollout.
January 17 – The first reading for a proposed rental housing program was postponed by Council so
that staff can continue to work on possible program and policy implementation. To find more information
about this item, please click here.
o This item will be brought back during the February 28 Work Session.
Also on January 17, Council repealed Ordinance No. 114 which adopted the land development code.
This matter was brought back to Council after receiving a certified referendum. As a result, the new code
did not go into effect on January 1, 2023. Please visit this website which will be updated as more
information on engagement opportunities become available.
In February, March, and April, some items Council will discuss and consider include:
o Vision Zero Action Plan (February 14)
o Land Use Code (LUC) next steps (February 14)
o Residential Waste Services (February 21) - more information on page 19
o Economic Health Strategic Plan (March 14)
o Amending LUC to include new Oil and Gas facilities second reading (April 4)
o Local minimum wage (April 11)
o Council priorities update (April 11)
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
Engagement Highlights:
Land Use/Development Code Information Session: The City hosted an information session on
previously adopted changes to the Land Development Code on Tuesday, November 29. Nearly 300
people attended the session and over 150 questions were submitted and answered either live during the
forum or in follow-up information on the website.
Safe Choice Parking Program: Parking Services publicly launched its
Safe Choice program in Downtown Fort Collins in November with inform-
level outreach to the broader community and individual outreach to
downtown businesses. It was also the highest performing post on the City’s
Facebook account in Q3, reaching 127,260 people and earning 5,527
engagements. As of January 9, 52 requests have been made to use the
program.
Transfort Feedback: Transfort continues to conduct its Fall/Winter survey,
which includes a section about moving to permanent fare-free operation.
The survey opened in December with a larger promotion in January and
runs through February 15. There have been 1,341 responses to date. Take
the survey here .
Rental Housing Information Session: On January 26th, renters, landlords and homeowners attended
an information session via Zoom about Fort Collins rental housing and ways we could move toward our
vision of healthy, stable housing that everyone can afford. While City Council opted to not enact a
potential rental housing registration and inspection program at this time, attendees can learn more about
what was proposed and how we aim to keep the conversation moving forward. More information about
the program and meeting details can be found at www.fcgov.com/rentalhousing.
State of the City 2023:
Mayor Jeni Arndt and City Manager Kelly DiMartino hosted the State of
the City on January 31 at the Lincoln Center. This year commemorates
the sesquicentennial of the incorporation of Fort Collins! We celebrated
150 years of municipal service and the coming together of our
community, reflected on 2022 and our shared accomplishments, and
looked ahead to the future of Fort Collins.
Transportation Projects Fair – Save the Date – Feb 23
Planning, Development and Transportation will bring back their annual
Transportation Projects Fair on Thursday, February 23, from 5:30-7:30
p.m. at the Fort Collins Senior Center. Join City staff and other
community member to learn more and ask questions about the various transportation-related projects
expected in the coming year. For more information, please visit this website:
https://www.fcgov.com/fcmoves/projectsfair
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 6
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
Shifting to November Elections
The next regular City election will be November 7, 2023. On the ballot will be four City offices: Mayor,
and Councilmembers for Districts 2, 4 and 6. It is also possible to put City questions or issues on the
ballot. This new timing for regular City elections resulted from the approval by Fort Collins voters at the
November 2022 special election to shift regular municipal elections in odd years from April to November.
The Election Code Committee of the City Council has determined this year’s election will be coordinated
with Larimer County. Key changes to City Code are in progress to make this shift in timing and
administration possible. As part of a coordinated election, it is necessary to change the timelines for
filing for office.
There are two steps for anyone wishing to appear on the ballot for a municipal office. First, an affidavit of
candidacy must be filed with the City Clerk’s Office within 10 days of becoming a candidate. This is
defined as declaring their candidacy publicly in any form and must be done before accepting or
expending any funds on behalf of the candidate.
The second step candidates must follow to have their name placed on the ballot is the submission of a
nomination petition during the candidate filing period. The period for candidates to circulate and submit
these nomination petitions will be between August 8 and August 28, 2023. This shift is required under
state statute to meet the timing for submitting ballot content to Larimer County, and results in
lengthening the period of time candidates are actively campaigning for office by nearly a month.
The City Clerk’s Office is working on ensuring all needed code and process changes are in place with
ample time for candidates and voters to be ready for this year’s election. Please check
https://www.fcgov.com/elections/ for more information as it gets updated.
SALES TAX
Monthly Reports on Our Website
The City’s sales tax collection remains strong. The latest report in December for economic activity that
occurred in November shows that year to date, the City has collected 8.9% more sales and use tax
revenue, totaling $18.4M over budget and is up 11.9% (excluding rebates) compared to last year. Read
the complete reports here: https://www.fcgov.com/salestax/salesreport
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 7
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. Fort Collins adopted the
switch more rapidly than anticipated, reflecting a successful roll out and thus lower revenue collected
than projected.
Through December 2022, the City collected $123K 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.
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:
Active and Upcoming Construction:
o Vine and Lemay BNSF Improvements – Awarded 2022 ENR Mountain West Region Road
and Bridge Project of the Year fcgov.com/engineering/vine-lemay
o Laporte Corridor Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements – Road closure from
January 3, 2023 – May 30, 2023 https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/laporte-road-and-
bridge-improvements
o South Timberline Corridor – Early Summer 2023
www.fcgov.com/engineering/timberlinewidening
Planning:
o Linden Street Renovation – https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/linden-street-renovation/
o North Mason ROW and Design, Alpine to Hickory – on hold while right of way alignment
decisions are being considered
o Transportation Capital Projects Prioritization Study (TCPPS) – Spring 2023 anticipated
completion for Phase III https://ourcity.fcgov.com/tcpps
o Vine Drive and Timberline Road Intersection Improvements – Summer/Fall 2023 anticipated
construction start
o College Ave (SH 287) and Trilby Road Intersection Improvements – 2024 anticipated
construction start https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/college-trilby
o Taft Hill Road Improvements, Horsetooth to Harmony – Summer 2024 anticipated
construction start https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/taft-hill
o Lincoln/Timberline/Mulberry Intersection Improvements – Fall 2024 anticipated construction
start www.fcgov.com/engineering/timberline-lincoln
o Power Trail and Harmony Road Grade Separated Crossing – Preliminary design completed
https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/powertrailcrossing
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 8
TRAFFIC HIGHLIGHTS
Neighborhood Traffic Mitigation Program – Traffic Operations
Did you know that the City of Fort Collins can help to reduce the negative impacts of traffic in your
neighborhood? The City’s Neighborhood Traffic Mitigation Program provides a toolbox of education,
engineering, and enforcement to help achieve calmer neighborhood streets. A total of 24 speed tables
were installed on seven streets in 2022 to help alleviate speeding concerns on their respective
neighborhoods. In addition to speed tables, we offer mobile radar trailers and “Please Slow Down” signs
that can be quickly deployed in neighborhoods on a request basis. Contacts and information about the
program can be found on the Neighborhood Traffic Mitigation Program website.
Camera Radar Enforcement
FCPS conducts camera radar enforcement with the use of mobile camera vehicles that are stationed at
different locations to address chronic speeding, increased safety risks, and reports from concerned
community members. By law, they must be in areas with 35 mph, or below, speed limits. The data below
reflects enforcement efforts for all of 2022.
Hours Deployed 3,284
Violations Detected 12,879
Citations Issued 11,147
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 six out of the eight fatalities. One pedestrian fatality was ruled a suicide. Another one of
the fatalities was deemed a primary medical event, which then caused the collision.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 9
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 Maher Blood Drive for Garth Englund Blood Center
o Rescue Mission Thanksgiving Meal service
o Safe Gun Disposal
o Coffee with a Cop
o Shop with a Cop
o Santa Cops
o Cops Fighting Cancer
o Books and Badges
o MLK March and Events
Staffing Changes
Congratulations to two Executive staff members who left to lead other regional agencies!
o John Feyen (Assistant Chief of Special Operations) began his elected position as
Sheriff of Larimer County.
o Tim Doran (Assistant Chief of Criminal Investigations) began his role as the
Loveland Police Chief.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 10
Major Cases
Narcotics Investigation with DEA
A Fort Collins Police Services narcotics detective who is assigned to the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) received the DEA Task Force Officer Outstanding Investigator Award!
In 2022, his tenacity helped dismantle three drug trafficking organizations. The first, a heroin trafficking
group that shuffled operational hubs from North Carolina, Colorado, Utah, and California. This
investigation resulted in 14 arrests, 12 wire-tap intercepts, seizing approximately $13,000 in cash, and a
combined 23 kilograms of heroin and methamphetamine.
Murder-Suicide
On December 3, 2022, a man called 911 to report three deceased people inside of a home on Stratton
Drive. Officers responded and did not receive a response from anyone inside the house, so they made
an emergency entry with the assistance of the SWAT team. Once inside, they unfortunately found two
children and one man, all of whom were deceased. The man had called 911 and was the father and
suspect in this tragic case.
Hostage Situation
On December 12, 2022, officers were dispatched to a verbal disturbance between two men at a home.
As the situation escalated, the female resident hid with her 8-year-old daughter in a locked bedroom.
The suspect was armed with multiple firearms, forced entry into the home taking the male resident, and
then forced entry into the bedroom before officers were at the scene.
A Patrol officer was able to talk the suspect into releasing the child. The scene was turned over to
SWAT personnel and negotiators who did an amazing job negotiating the suspect’s surrender. The
suspect was arrested, and the residents treated for injuries.
Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) Investigations
Detectives responded to a record 10 CIRT investigations in 2022, including six since September. The
previous record was six in 2017, and the average is less than four per year. The 2022 CIRT cases were:
o 1 - Assault on a Fort Collins Police Sergeant
o 1 - Fort Collins Police Services Officer Involved Shooting
o 1 - Larimer County Sheriff’s Office vehicle pursuit/PIT resulting in injuries to the suspect
o 7 - Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Officer Involved Shootings
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 11
POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY
Anniversary of the Marshall Fire
December 30th marked the one-year anniversary of the fire that destroyed more than 1,000
homes and businesses in Boulder County. The impacted communities will take years to heal
and the incident has left many in PFA's jurisdiction asking, “Can that happen here?” In
response, PFA has been expanding partnerships and increasing efforts to spread awareness
about wildland fire risk and prevention. A two-week digital and radio campaign ran from
December 26th to January 3rd directing people to this webpage filled with information and
resources about how to prevent wildfires and protect homes. The campaign also offered the
opportunity to reach out to the PFA Community Outreach and Risk Reduction Team directly
for more information or to request a presentation about wildland safety and preparedness for
their HOA or neighborhood.
Largest Fire Academy in PFA’s History
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 12
On December 2nd, the 2022-2 PFA Fire Academy graduation was held at Timberline Church.
The class of 28 was PFA’s largest as well as the first independent fire academy led by PFA.
Each graduate took the firefighter oath and a friend or family member pinned their badge to
their uniform for the first time. Graduates received their assignments and began to serve in the
fire stations a couple weeks later. Watch a short video of one of their last (and most intense)
days of academy at the PFA Training Center.
New Rescue 4 Went into Service
The new Rescue 4 apparatus went into service on December 19th along with a new company
of highly trained responders. The rig was designed specifically for the needs of PFA’s
jurisdiction and with the help of the responders who will use it. The crew and apparatus
operate out of Station 4 near the intersection of Drake Road and Taft Hill Road, which greatly
increases the service and resources ready to respond to the community. The first photo
shows the ribbon cutting at Station 4. The photo to the right offers a look inside the apparatus
which is filled with tools needed for technical and complex incidents.
Big Rig Course for Firefighters across Colorado
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 13
PFA hosted a Big Rig Course at the Training Center in late November and welcomed
responders from several agencies to learn advanced extrication and stabilization techniques
on large vehicles such as semis, which can weigh over 15,000 pounds.
“They spent a lot of time on the science and math needed for responses like these,” said PFA
Battalion Chief Gene Maccarini. They learned about the strengths of different chains, the
manipulation of specialized tools, and how to align work with outside resources such as tow
companies.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
RECREATION
o The Recreation Department hosted its most successful registration day on Thursday,
January 12, collecting more than 16,000 enrollments for upcoming summer programs.
o The Sports group participated in Jr. Rams Day at some recent CSU basketball games. Four
city teams had the opportunity to play at half time, showcasing their developing basketball
skills.
o The Farm hosted Santa during the holiday season for visits with children.
o Restroom improvements at The Farm are currently underway to update the facilities and
implement ADA compliance measures.
o The Winter Artisan Market, hosted at the Fort Collins Senior Center, saw more than 2,000
people in attendance.
o More than 150 people participated in the Front Range Forum program, which has been an
ongoing activity for more than 30 years.
PARKS
o City Park Ice Rink at Sheldon Lake opened for the first time in two years. Parks staff maintain
the ice and monitor for safety.
o Golf finished the 2022 season with over 94,000 rounds played at the three municipal courses.
o Improvements at the Spring Canyon Dog Park Pond are in progress and expected to be
completed by the spring.
o The Annual Wreaths Across America event took place in December at Grandview Cemetery
where 835 wreaths purchased by the community lay on veterans’ graves.
o The new East Maintenance Facility opened for Parks staff to use.
o Irrigation system replacements are underway at Southridge Golf Course, as well as facility
improvements.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 14
PARK PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Dovetail Park
Construction of the new park, Dovetail Park, located near the
Bucking Horse neighborhood is ongoing. Playground and park
amenity structures have started to be installed and framing
and roofing for the seasonal restroom is underway. Work with
the contractor to finalize construction schedules continues with
the park opening anticipated Summer 2023. Park amenities
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.
9/11 Memorial
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 a memorial at Spring Park, creating a space for
visitors to reflect on the historic events of September 11, 2001.
Design processes continue as the Park Planning &
Development and CityGive teams continue to evaluate and
identify funding and delivery options to move the project
forward.
Oak Street Plaza
The Park Planning and Development team is continuing work on the next phase of refurbishments for
Oak Street Plaza. New furnishings and plantings are being designed with anticipated installation in
Spring 2023. Continued coordination with the Parks and Engineering Departments is ongoing to address
drainage concerns and overall improvements.
Poudre Trail
Construction of the portion of the Poudre Trail connecting Arapaho Bend Natural Area under the new I-
25 underpass is anticipated to begin Spring 2023. Coordination is underway with CDOT to align with the
scheduled building of the new Poudre River Bridge and demolition of the old interstate. Fort Collins
partnered with Timnath, Windsor, and Larimer County in 2019 to win a $2 million GOCO Connect
Initiative Grant to complete the remaining segments of the Poudre Trail.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 15
For more detailed information on all of Park Planning & Development’s current projects please visit
fcgov.com/parkplanning.
CULTURAL SERVICES
Cie Hervé Koubi: January 27, 2023
Art in Public Places currently has calls out for 2023 Pianos About Town, Transformer Cabinets, and
Pedestrian Paver artists. Pianos About Town is in cooperation with community partners Bohemian
Foundation and Downtown Development Authority to involve local artists to paint murals or otherwise
artistically decorate working pianos. The Transformer Cabinet projects are intended to help mitigate
graffiti, as well as create artful objects within the public sites designed and painted by local artists and
groups. Pedestrian Paver drawings from artists aged 3-18 years old will be sandblasted into 16" × 16"
granite pavers and incorporated into the City’s streetscape. All calls can be found at
https://www.fcgov.com/artspublic/current-competitions
The Lincoln Center will continue their 2022/2023 Lincoln Center Live Season with an exciting line up of
shows in the coming months. Shows presenting before the end of the season include Cie Hervé Koubi,
Legally Blonde – The Musical, The 5 Browns, National Geographic Live: Greenwood, A Century of
Resilience, and much more! Show information and tickets can be found at lctix.com.
The Gardens on Spring Creek will continue their adult learning classes with Winter Tai Chi in the
Gardens through the month of February. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese system of body movement that
has been cherished over the centuries for its beneficial impact on health of the heart, bones, nerves,
muscles, immune system, and the mind. Gardens on Spring Creek will collaborate with our local Tai Chi
practitioner and instructor, Min Fan, to offer members and the community this special class, suitable for
all levels.
Despite almost all nights being well below freezing
during the Garden of Lights, 23,323 visitors came
through!
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 16
NATURAL AREAS
Natural Areas 30th Anniversary
November 2022 marks 30 years since the first ballot measure
was passed to establish dedicated sales tax funding for the
conservation of natural areas. Everyone is invited to celebrate
this amazing milestone.
The anniversary celebration party in November was enjoyed by
over 300 people including several of the individuals who initiated
the ballot measure in 1992, as well as City leaders and staff past
and present, volunteers, partners, and many engaged
community members. Party photos and a video of the event are
available at https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/30-anniversary
Kelly Ohlson Natural Areas Conservation Award
The first ever Natural Areas Conservation Award was given to
Councilmember Kelly Ohlson, on November 30th. The award
recognizes truly exemplary and outstanding efforts in local land
conservation. Going forward, the recognition will bear Ohlson’s
name. Ohlson was a key leader of the eight citizen ballot measures
that make natural areas conservation possible. He served on the
Natural Resources Advisory and Land Conservation and
Stewardship boards for 16 years and has been recognized for his
decades of significant land conservation activism.
National Award for Explorer Publication
The Natural Areas Department’s Public Engagement Team won a
2022 Interpretive Media Award for the 2021 Explorer publication.
The Explorer was recognized for excellence and received a first-
place award in the Site Publication Category by the National
Association for Interpretation. The Explorer is a yearly catalog of
free community events which also contains community-submitted
art and writing, important information, self-guided activities and
much more. The 2023 Explorer will be available in June.
Fort Collins Invited to National Summit
Jen Shanahan, Natural Areas Senior Watershed Planner, represented Fort Collins at the Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) Summit “Measuring What Matters: Towards a More Comprehensive Evaluation of
Benefits.” This event brought together more than 1,000 government, nonprofit, academic, and private
sector collaborators to share recent progress in planning integrated water resources projects and
valuing a comprehensive range of economic, environmental, and social benefits in support of President
Biden’s priorities. Jen took this opportunity to showcase Fort Collins’ progress in developing multi-
objective floodplain projects, integrating across silos and departments, and inclusion of the City’s DEI
objectives in project prioritization.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 17
Three Land Acqusitions in the Fourth Quarter
Three new land acquisitions were made this quarter which total 1,564.3
acres. These include an addition to the Dry Creek conservation area, 17
acres adjacent to Puente Verde Natural Area, and a partnership with
Larimer County to conserve a 1,547 acre property west of Loveland. The
lands support wildlife movement corridors and habitat and are anticipated
to have trail access in the future.
Land Conservation Life to Date Acreage Cost
Acres of Land Purchased 39,983
Acres of Land Leased 87
Acres of Land in Conservation Easements 17,649
Total Conserved – Life to Date 57,719 $ 116,550,739
2022 Total Acquisitions (fee and conservation easement) Acreage Cost
Total Conserved - Year to Date 2,415 $ 8,060,853
Property Under Contract Acreage Cost
Fee Acquisition Regional- Foothills Closing First Quarter 2023 261 $ 2,662,000
Total Under Contract 261 $ 2,662,000
Land Conservation Funds Budgeted for 2022 $4,300,000 + Re-appropriation $10,900,000 $ 15,200,000
Land Conservation Funds Expended in 2022 to Date $ 8,060,853
Acquisitions Under Contract $ 2,662,000
Net Land Conservation Funds Remaining for 2022 $ 4,477,147
Note: The “Total Conserved-Life to Date” cost in the above table has been updated to reflect only Natural Area’s portion of total acquisition
costs to date. In recent previous quarterly reports, this value was reported as the total purchase price of all acquisitions to date, including any
partner or grant contributions.
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.
Multicultural Business and Entrepreneur Center (MBEC)
The Multicultural Business & Entrepreneur Center (MBEC) is a free bilingual (English & Spanish) center
that provides business owners and entrepreneurs easy access to business service providers, resources,
mentorship, and specialty training. It also connects them with critical resources to create, launch and
grow a business in Fort Collins.
All services at the MBEC are free. Walk-ins are welcomed, appointments are suggested.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 18
Locations:
o Monday: Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St, Fort Collins - Second Floor, Meeting Room B
o Tuesday: Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce, 225 S Meldrum St, Fort Collins - Back
Conference Room
o Wednesday: Front Range Community College, 4616 S Shields St, Fort Collins - Blanca Peak
(Larimer Small Business Development Center Office)
Hours:
Every Monday through Wednesday
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Book an appointment now.
Making the Best of Construction
You've learned construction is coming, what do you do? Be pro-active. Communicate. Collaborate.
The Construction Toolkit has been created as a helpful resource for our community-based business
owners during public or private construction projects. In the Toolkit you will be able to:
Get fresh ideas from other businesses who managed successfully through construction projects.
And create your success plan for managing construction impacts in your area using the resources found
in the Construction Toolkit.
While you are undergoing construction, we want you to be as successful as possible which is why we
created this Toolkit, to improve the process for our business partners. Download the toolkit.
Small Business Grants
Small Business Recovery Grants are funded by ARPA for Fort Collins owned businesses in three
separate categories. Basic criteria included having gross revenue under $500K annually for round 1 and
$1million annually for round 2, having less than 50 employees, and operating in the City of Fort Collins.
o Stabilization (funding up to $7,500)
o Technical Assistance (funding up to $5,000)
o Workforce Talent and Retention (funding up to $2,500)
Round 1 Round 2
o 182 English applications
– 4 Spanish applications
o Total requested = $1,771,015
o 61 applications awarded
– 57 English & 4 Spanish
o Total awarded = $402,500
• Stabilization: $114,500
• Technical Assistance: $234,500
• Workforce Development: $70,500
o 174 applications (all English)
o Total Requested: $2,067,630
o 51 applicants reapplied from round 1
o 101 businesses received awards
• Of the 51 who reapplied –
33 received awards
o Total awarded 420,000
• Stabilization: $187,750
• Technical Assistance: $155,500
• Workforce Development: $74,750
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 19
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Citywide Contract for Trash Council Session Scheduled for February 21
On September 13th, 2022, City staff released a Request for Proposals (RFP) detailing the services Fort
Collins seeks. Haulers have drafted proposals based on that RFP and submitted them to the City. A
proposal assessment committee has reviewed the proposals, selected a proposal based on
predetermined criteria, and negotiated with that hauler to draft a contract. The draft contract will have the
first reading with Council at a regular session tentatively scheduled on February 21, 2023. At this
session, staff will request a final decision from Council on moving forward with the contract. Service
would expect to start 12-18 months after the contract was signed.
The RFP includes:
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 The hauler provides customer service and billing services
o Alley and door-to-truck services for homes that require them at no additional cost
o See more details in the RFP Chart: Elements for a Contracted System document
o To stay up to date on developments with a citywide contract for trash, visit
https://ourcity.fcgov.com/contract-for-trash
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. To stay
up to date on developments with a citywide contract for trash, visit ourcity.fcgov.com/contract-for-trash.
Cold Weather Tips
Climate change is here, and we will see more extreme weather, including very low temperatures in the
winter. Here are some sustainable ways to keep your home and your loved ones safe this season:
1. Sign up for a discounted Epic Homes home energy assessment to learn about the energy
efficiency upgrades, including HVAC, windows, insulation and air sealing, that can help you
enjoy a more comfortable, healthy and energy-efficient home. Rebates and incentives are
available to help you make the upgrades needed.
2. Know what to do during a freeze to keep pipes from freezing and what to do if you find a leak or
suspect pipes have frozen.
3. Cold air can contribute to respiratory issues, so be sure to layer clothing, wear gloves and cover
your face when going outside.
4. Keep pets safe by bundling them up, limiting time outside, and only using pet-friendly ice melt for
stubborn icy spots.
5. Stay safe on ice by walking or driving slowly, using winter walkers, and keeping a snow kit in
your car that includes kitty litter for traction, blankets for warmth, extra water, and a first aid kit.
We Are Reducing Waste!
The City is leading by example in reducing event waste by encouraging recycling, composting, and
reuse.
At the 2022 Health Fair, City Wellness staff partnered with the Lincoln Center to plan a low-waste event
that welcomed over 500 attendees. The Lincoln Center provided labeled containers and separated
plastic film, trash, recycling, and compost. With these efforts, 33 gallons of compost and 50 gallons of
recycling were diverted from the landfill.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 20
The 2022 Pumpkins on Parade at The Gardens on Spring Creek welcomed 5,274 attendees in only four
days! To reduce waste, over 5,000 pounds of display pumpkins were donated to local farms to feed
animals.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICE
The Equity Office has been cultivating partnerships that demonstrate and advance the City's
commitment to equity for all. These partnerships are creating a city environment where all identities are
included and foster a culture of belonging. Equitable support was offered to match the needs of groups
leading efforts in the community and included services such as interpretation and translation services,
facilities and food for community to gather, organize and learn, facilities and food for cultural
celebrations, as well as spaces for staff to continue learning, growing, connecting, and thriving. Most
notably was the space created for staff to learn with Dr. Cori Wong of Positive Philosophy who hosted a
three-part series titled Foundations of Equity and Inclusion. One hundred City staff attended this learning
opportunity that was designed to build organizational capacity around how to take equity and inclusion
work at the City from concept to action.
Native American Community
Fall was a busy time for the Fort Collins Native American community, which collaborated with the Equity
Office to write a resolution honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day and a proclamation recognizing November
as Native American Heritage Month. Dr. Valerie Small was hired as the ARPA-funded Indigenous
Community Relations Specialist after open forums with the Native community. Her primary focus is to
build relationships, support Native community-led initiatives, and conduct community engagement with
the Fort Collins Native American and Indigenous community and local Native-serving nonprofits.
The Equity Office was honored to collaborate with Our Climate Future to provide funding to help support
the Northern Colorado Intertribal Powwow Association (NCIPA) 17th annual winter drive for Native
American community families in need. They partnered with NCIPA Executive Director Jan Iron in
completing the necessary shopping to ensure 30 families (129 children and adults) within our community
received food for a Christmas dinner and at least two gifts (1 need, 1 want) for each family member.
On December 18th, volunteers delivered gifts and food baskets to the Senior Center where many of our
Native community members gathered for a day of food, games, visiting and giveaways in celebration of
Christmas with our Indigenous relatives. A’hoo! (Thank you) to those who volunteered, donated gifts and
assisted NCIPA and the City of Fort Collins in making this their best year yet!
Equity Indicators
As part of the Equity Indicators Conversations, the Equity Office hosted a session in October to discuss
and inform about affordable housing opportunities. They coordinated with the City’s Housing team and
Elevations Community Land Trust https://www.elevationclt.org/ to inform about the important work the
Housing team is doing make affordable home ownership attainable to Fort Collins residents. Elevation
Community Land Trust makes homeownership more accessible for Colorado families through the
community land trust model, a proven tool for creating and preserving accessible, inclusive communities
for generations.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 21
Human Relations Commission
The Human Relations Commission Awards ceremony took place in December and recognized influential
leaders and organizations who advocate for human rights and social justice in the Fort Collins
community. This event was attended by over 100 people demonstrating the community's commitment to
equity and social justice. Photos of award winners available here: https://www.fcgov.com/hra/
Transgender Acceptance Proclamation
In November, the Equity Office celebrated Transgender Month of Acceptance with a proclamation and
community reception with about 60 attendees. The receptions have been a new space for individuals to
connect and celebrate their identities and lived experience together. These spaces foster a sense of
belonging for community members of diverse identities and builds trust between our government entity
and the community.
UTILITIES
Utilities Customer Care & Technology
The Utilities Customer Care & Technology (CCT) staff are committed to exceptional service and have a
history of exceeding customer expectations. In September 2019, with the addition of a fifth Utility, the
City was challenged to maintain longstanding high-quality Utilities customer service standards. At the
time, Utilities employees were caring for existing customers and offering new residential internet and
phone services, while transitioning to a new billing system. In 2020, along came COVID-19, which
added unprecedented challenges to providing the exceptional service our community expects.
In 2021, Utilities worked to identify root causes and find solutions to address these levels of service. We
assessed training needs, improved communications between the five utilities, and reviewed best
practices and benchmarking within the customer service industry. Customer service metrics have
returned to our customary high-quality levels, thus increasing satisfaction and enhancing the customer
experience.
In 2022, CCT reduced call abandonment (a call ended before a conversation occurs) by 73% and
reduced average speed of answer (the time a customer spends waiting for the call to be answered) by
66% over 2021 stats. It is important to note:
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 22
• Connexion calls increased to about 20% of total Utilities call volumes.
• Average call handle times increased from approximately 4 minutes in September 2019 to 6
minutes in December 2022.
• The CCT team responded to 122,272 calls for all five utilities in 2022.
The Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP) for Residential Customers
Incentivizes water customers to convert high water use areas to waterwise landscapes, issued 94
rebates in 2022. Customers converted 99,924 square feet for an estimated water savings of 599,544
gallons. The 2023 program opened in September and already has 29 customers enrolled.
Sprinkler Checkup Program
Four hundred eighty-four sprinkler systems across three water districts were assessed in 2022. This is
our second highest number of sprinkler checkups ever (the record was set in 2021 with 505 checkups).
In 2022, July was our busiest season of the month with 163 checkups, which is 41 checkups per week
on average. The total irrigated property area assessed through checkups in 2022 was 1,976,800 square
feet, and the program yielded approximately 454,700 gallons of savings this year.
2023 Water Supply Outlook The Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP) for Residential Customers
Fort Collins’ water supplies are adequate to meet our winter demands. Work continues with Water
Resources and other departments to monitor water supply, particularly in light of the ongoing
megadrought and aridification of the Colorado River Basin, which is the source of the Colorado-Big
Thompson (CBT) water that is administered by Northern Water and makes up about 50% of our water
supply. In October, Northern Water set a lower-than-normal initial CBT quota due to uncertainty
regarding the Colorado River Basin. We use this initial quota is used as a water availability planning tool,
but we rely more on the adjusted quota Northern Water will release in April 2023 after snowpack and
storage levels are known. In collaboration with other departments, the Water Conservation team
administers the Water Shortage Action Plan (WSAP) to guide our decisions and actions
(fcgov.com/WSAP) related to potential water shortages. We have developed key messages for internal
and external communications and will continue to update City leadership and departments on water
supply.
Larimer County Conservation Corps’ Home Efficiency Assessments began January 2023 and will
run until May 2023. This program is in its 14th year and is a partnership between Fort Collins Utilities,
Loveland Water and Power, and Larimer County. It provides free home energy and water efficiency
assessments and installation of efficient products and fixtures, including toilets, LED lights bulbs, and
shower heads. For more information or to sign up, visit fcgov.com/LCCC
Freezing Temperatures Warning & Preventing Freezing Pipes
On December 21st, Water Conservation sent an email through the MyWater Portal to warn customers
about the anticipated freezing temperatures and prevention of freezing pipes. These communications
reached 22,002 residential and commercial customers. Seventy-two percent of these emails were
opened. Utilities also posted six social media posts warning customers about the cold weather and
ways to prevent freezing. There were two posts per Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. These posts
received 4,578 views, 212 interactions, and 22 link clicks. During the extended freezing temperatures,
there was about a 40% increase in leak alerts sent from December 21 – 27. These alerts helped
customers identify leaks caused from freezing pipes quicker, especially those that may have been out of
town for the holidays. Some customers did respond to these leak alerts confirming they were running
water to prevent freezing pipes or that they did have frozen pipes. For tips to prevent freezing pipes
during cold weather, visit fcgov.com/cold-tips.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 23
Mail Creek Stream Rehabilitation Project at Two-Creeks Natural Areas
Budget: $3,100,000
Project Phase: Under Construction
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 24
Project Details: The Mail Creek at Two-Creeks Natural Areas stream reach is within an urbanized
corridor and is experiencing bed and bank erosion, which in some cases is threatening private property.
Rehabilitation, using bio-engineered stream sections, typically includes replacing existing grade control
structures and disconnected channel segments with riffle drops and pools to promote native fish
passage and improved aquatic habitat.
Mail Creek at Two-Creeks Natural Areas is located just northwest of Fossil Creek Community Park in
southeast Fort Collins. This reach is approximately 3,240 feet in length and intersects at the confluence
of Fossil Creek.
Project Status: Construction of the improvements began in early 2023. Contractor mobilization,
installation of perimeter control and outreach to local neighborhoods complete. Water control setup
underway via 3,000 feet of diversion pipes extending down to the confluence with Fossil Creek. In-
channel work scheduled to begin the last week of January and will continue into May.
Drake Water Reclamation Facility – NPT Final Clarifiers
Budget: $6,200,000
Project Phase: Design Complete, Construction in June 2023
Project Details: Final clarification acts as the critical last stage in the secondary treatment process
before UV disinfection. This project will replace the two existing mechanisms for the final clarifiers that
were originally construction in 1974. The project will also remove and replace the grout surface in the
bottom of the clarifies and improve the concrete fillets each of the corners.
Project Status: Final design complete, and CM/GC contractor selected. Early procurement of
mechanisms completed by the City. Final cost estimates complete.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 25
OVERHEAD TO UNDERGROUND CONVERSIONS – 2022 SPOTLIGHT
Combined Highlighted Project Budget: $697,500
Phase: Complete
Project Details: Consistent with Fort Collins’ legacy and with the City Council’s priority to convert
overhead electric lines to underground electric lines, L&P appropriated funds in 2020 for nine projects to
replace the remaining overhead distribution lines in Light & Power’s service territory with underground
infrastructure. Work to convert overhead electric distribution areas not only improves electric reliability
but allows for additional resiliency during extreme weather events. Of the nine projects, four were
completed in 2022 and are highlighted here, with three remaining in the design phase.
The 2022 work has increased the underground circuit percentage from 99.867% to 99.905%.
Project Status: Overhead to underground conversion projects are moving forward with the completion of
the following conversion projects in 2022:
o Mountain Vista Drive - July
o Willox conversion - July
o Hyline conversion – September
o Kyle and Lynn Street - September
BROADBAND – FORT COLLINS CONNEXION
o The current Take Rate is 33% and continues to increase.
o Almost all of construction was complete by the end of 2022 with a few areas remaining due to
permitting challenges and putting a pause on construction activities in Old Town during the
holidays. Construction is anticipated to be 100% complete by the end of Q1 2023 and all
residents and businesses will be able to sign up by the end of Q1 2023.
o View the current construction map - https://fcconnexion.com/construction-map/
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 26
New Key Hires Include:
Deputy Director: Brian Hudson
Sales Manager: Joshua Hales
Marketing and Communications Lead Specialist: Jill Marx
Financial Planning and Analysis Manager: Jeff Rochford
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 Transportation and Mobility Outcome.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 27
Analysis of Performance
Traffic volume weighted average travel times (in minutes/mile) on City streets including Harmony,
Horsetooth, Drake, Prospect, Mulberry, Taft Hill, Shields, College, Lemay, and Timberline during the
p.m. peak period on weekdays.
Q3 2022 travel times were up .88% compared to the Q3- 2021 travel times.
Q3 2022 travel times were down 2.23% compared to the previous 5-year average for Q3.
Metric Definition
Traffic volume-weighted average travel times (in minutes/mile) on City arterial streets including
Harmony, Horsetooth, Drake, Prospect, Mulberry, Taft Hill, Shields, College, Lemay and Timberline
during the p.m. peak period on weekdays.
Why is this important?
Efficient travel on the arterial street system in Fort Collins is important for the quality of life for residents,
the safety of residents and the economic vitality of the City.
City Organization Impact on Performance
High – Virtually everyone in the City is impacted by the transportation system. While there are many
external factors -- particularly economic factors that impact the operation of the City transportation
system, there is still much that the City can do in terms of policies, priorities, planning and operations
that affect the performance of the system.
Benchmark Information
To date there is not reliable benchmark information from other cities as the technology deployed in Fort
Collins to measure travel times is relatively new. Not many cities are using it yet and reporting methods
are not consistent.
To review all the metrics on the Community Dashboard, go to https://fortcollins.clearpointstrategy.com/