HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 8/15/2023 - City Manager’S Quarterly Report – 2023 Summer Edition
Colorado State University Flower Trial Gardens
2023 Summer Edition (May-July)
AUGUST 10, 2023
Table of Contents
LETTER FROM CITY MANAGER ......................................................................................................... 3
ISSUES BEFORE CITY COUNCIL ........................................................................................................ 4
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ....................................................................................................................... 5
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE ........................................................................................................................ 5
FINANCE ............................................................................................................................................... 6
TRAFFIC HIGHLIGHTS ........................................................................................................................ 8
PUBLIC SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS ......................................................................................................... 10
FORT COLLINS POLICE SERVICES .......................................................................................................................... 10
POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY ................................................................................................................................... 13
COMMUNITY SERVICES .................................................................................................................... 14
RECREATION ........................................................................................................................................................ 14
PARKS ................................................................................................................................................................... 14
CULTURAL SERVICES ............................................................................................................................................ 15
NATURAL AREAS .................................................................................................................................................. 16
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ............................................................................................................... 18
SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES ............................................................................................................ 18
ECONOMIC HEALTH OFFICE ................................................................................................................................. 18
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ................................................................................................................................ 19
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY ...................................................................................................................................... 19
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICE ................................................................................ 20
UTILITIES ............................................................................................................................................ 22
LIGHT & POWER OPERATIONS ............................................................................................................................. 22
WATER OPERATIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 23
BROADBAND – FORT COLLINS CONNEXION ................................................................................. 23
COMMUNITY DASHBOARD HIGHLIGHT .......................................................................................... 24
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 3
LETTER FROM CITY MANAGER
It’s August, which means it’s back to school season and students will be rolling back into town at
Colorado State University (CSU)! CSU enrolls about 30,000 students and is the City’s largest employer.
In many ways, CSU and the City have grown up together and exemplify what strong relationships can
yield: increased community livability, partnerships in addressing community challenges, and innovation.
One example is the Powerhouse Energy Campus. This was a former Fort Collins power plant
constructed in 1936 in response to the City’s desire to help residents during tough financial
circumstances of the Great Depression era. It was eventually decommissioned from service in 1973.
As the only Art Deco style industrial building in the City, it was designated as a local historic landmark
in 1987.
In the early 1990s, a CSU assistant professor saw the potential setting for an engines lab and testing
facility and the rest is history! Read more about the history of the powerhouse here. Through the City
and university partnership, the research conducted in this facility has a global impact in advancing
energy and climate goals and will continue with a Powerhouse II addition.
The City and the University share many common values around climate and environmental health, and
equity and belonging. Our aligned thinking and common language in these areas are sure to open more
opportunities to collaborate and innovate.
Collaboration is essential as we work to address community challenges such as housing availability and
affordability that also impact CSU students and workforce. Both entities are working to find solutions
through policy, partnership and creative solutions like CSU’s new workforce housing development on
South Timberline.
Fort Collins is indeed fortunate to have CSU, as well as other wonderful partners such as Poudre School
District and Front Range Community College, as part of our community fabric.
Enjoy the remaining days of summer!
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 4
ISSUES BEFORE CITY COUNCIL
Below are highlights from Council meetings from May – July
and a preview of some items to come. To view full agendas
and recordings of past meetings, use this link.
May 9 – Potential Charter amendments to refer to November 2023 ballot were discussed during this
Work Session to include referendum process clean-up, residency requirements for employees,
computation of time provision, and ordinance publication requirements.
May 16 – First reading of an ordinance to establish a Fort Collins local minimum wage failed 3-4.
May 23 – During this Work Session, staff updated Council on engagement conducted so far related to
Land Use Code changes, received feedback regarding potential code alternatives and received
guidance on next steps.
June 13 and July 25– After work done in Council Finance Committee, Council held two Work Sessions
to discuss revenue options for sustainable funding and ballot language considerations. Final ballot
language will be considered during the August 15 Regular meeting.
June 20 – Second reading regarding an ordinance requiring rental housing registration, improvements
to the complaint-based inspection system and software, enhanced mediation, education and outreach
and incentives for voluntary compliance.
July 15 – Council approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with Larimer County for the Poudre River
Trail segment grant of $2M from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). The grant will fund construction of
gaps in the trail from CSU’s Environmental Learning Center to River Bluffs Open Space west of Windsor
including a spur connection to Windsor’s Kyger Reservoir property.
July 31 – Council dedicated this Work Session to hear public feedback and alternatives as it relates to
the new phase of the Land Use Code discussion. Visit the project page here.
August 8 – Ad Hoc Council Committee on Boards and Commissions shared its recommendations.
Full Council consideration to adopt recommendations will tentatively occur during the September 5 and
19 meetings.
In mid-August, September, and October, some items Council will discuss and consider include:
o Ballot Referral questions including occupancy regulations (August 15 Regular Meeting)
o Land Use Code (August 22 Work Session)
o Overview of homelessness response question (September 12)
For the most up-to-date information on upcoming Council agenda items, please view the six-month
planning calendar here.
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
Community Survey
Public participation in the Community Survey concluded May 31, 2023. The survey serves as a
consumer report card for Fort Collins by providing residents the opportunity to rate the quality of life in
the City and is a significant input into the City’s Strategic Plan. Polco/National Research Center (NRC)
administers the survey. The final report is now available here and a presentation will be shared
tentatively during the September 12, 2023 Council Work Session.
Land Use Code - Housing Updates
Public engagement to support decisions regarding the City’s Land Use Code (LUC) are ongoing and
moving into a new phase. Staff presented to Council at a special Work Session on July 31, 2023:
o Memo outlining alternatives for Council consideration
o Evaluation framework used by City Staff to analyze possible Land Use Code
alternatives for alignment with project guiding principles and goals as directed by City
Council.
o Memo outlining community engagement activities and analysis of activities to-date
Public feedback has informed alternatives for the next draft of the Land Use Code that seek to address
concerns heard throughout our public engagement process. Now, staff will bring these alternatives back
to the public to help City Council learn more about perceptions, benefits and potential tradeoffs of each
approach. The community is invited to share their thoughts via the Land Use Code Alternatives
Questionnaire.
Information about upcoming LUC engagement opportunities, as well as detailed summaries of past
engagement events, are hosted on the project's Our City (https://ourcity.fcgov.com/lucupdates-2023)
and FCGov pages (https://www.fcgov.com/housing/lucupdates).
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
Election Day is Tuesday, November 7, 2023
There is a regular City election this year. For the first time, these regular elections have moved from
April to November and will be coordinated with Larimer County.
What’s on the Ballot
City offices on the ballot in this election include:
o Mayor
o City Councilmembers for Districts 2, 4 and 6
Ballot questions and initiatives are also possible. At this time, City Council has placed one Charter
amendment question on the ballot regarding candidate qualifications to comport with the Colorado
Constitution. Additional Charter amendments as well as potential ballot initiatives are currently being
considered by City Council and all ballot content is required to be set by the beginning of September.
Because this will be a coordinated election, Fort Collins voters will also see other offices and questions
on their ballots. For most city voters, this will include Poudre School District board member seats as well
as any ballot questions placed by the County or State.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 6
Key Election Dates for 2023:
o August 8-28: Period for candidates for City offices to circulate nomination petitions to get on
the ballot
o September 5: Deadline for write-in candidates to file an affidavit of intent in order to have any
votes cast for them counted
o September 8: Deadline for the City Clerk to certify ballot content to the County
o Campaign Report Deadlines:
• October 3
• October 17
• October 24
• November 3
• December 12
o October 16: First day ballots can be mailed to registered voters by Larimer County
o October 30: Last day residents can register to vote and still be sent a mail ballot – eligible
voters can still register when voting in person
o November 7: Election Day
o November 29: Deadline to complete canvass and certification of the election
o January 9, 2024: Council Organizational Meeting where new Councilmembers are sworn in
Please check fcgov.com/vote for more information as it gets updated.
FINANCE
Sales Tax
Monthly Reports on Our Website
This report reflects Sales and Use Tax collected in June for economic activity that occurred in May.
Please note the sales and use tax collected in June is predominately from May sales, but also
includes delinquent collections from prior periods.
JUNE SUMMARY OVER PRIOR YEAR
Month Year to Date
Net Sales Tax Collected: 3.5% 5.6%
Net Use Tax Collected: 3.7% -3.3%
Net Sales and Use Tax Collected: 3.6% 4.3%
Year to date, sales and use tax collections excluding rebates are up 4.3% and total $88.8M.
JUNE SUMMARY OVER BUDGET
Month Year to Date
Net Sales Tax Collected: -3.0% 1.8%
Net Use Tax Collected: 4.3% 14.3%
Net Sales and Use Tax Collected: -2.2% 3.2%
Year to date, the City has collected 3.2% more sales and use tax revenue, totaling $2.8M over budget.
Read the complete reports here: https://www.fcgov.com/salestax/salesreport
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 7
Recovery
Implementation of the City’s Resilient Recovery Plan and the spending of American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) dollars continues to progress. The total spend of ARPA funds to date is $8.3M. 2023 programs
have started and the forecast for total spending by the end of 2023 is $12.3M. Also, the Recovery
programs successfully completed their first federal audit with no findings. The public-facing Recovery
Dashboard (https://fortcollins.clearpointstrategy.com/recovery/) will be updated to include Q2 metrics
and impacts in September 2023.
.
Procurement
Major Competitive Procurements In-Process or Completed:
o Customer Information System (CIS) and Implementation Services
o Residential Solid Waste Collection Services
o Oak Street Stormwater Improvement Project
o Recreation and Parks Management Software
o Purchasing Card Program
o Municipal Court Case Management System
o Architectural & Engineering Services - Municipal Court
o Contract Manager/General Contractor Laporte Avenue
o Mail Creek Rehabilitation/Enhancement at Two Creeks Natural Areas
o Financial Audit Services
o Custodial Services
Accounting & Treasury
2022 Audit Results
The accounting team wrapped up a busy second quarter with the submission, and online publishing of
our Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and People’s Annual Financial Report (PAFR).
https://www.fcgov.com/finance/reports
Our 2022 audit provided insight and challenges for continuous improvement, and assurance the City’s
financial and accounting operations continue to perform at a high level.
o The City received an Unqualified Opinion for the overall financial audit for 2022
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 8
o Auditor suggested areas of focus include reconciliation and cleanup of immaterial escrow and
capital work in process accounts without recent activity, and improved efficiencies in grant
reporting.
o The City received the certificate of excellence for financial reporting from the Government
Finance Officers Association for the 2021 ACFR, and PAFR. We hope to repeat this
achievement for our 2022 submissions.
Hughes Stadium Land Purchase
This 164-acre parcel property was closed on June 30th for $12.5 million. The land was previously owned
by Colorado State University and was approved for purchase by Fort Collins voters in April 2021. There
are currently no plans for future use or changes to the property. Initial public engagement efforts were
conducted in Fall 2022 with plans to resume in 2024. To stay updated on this project, please visit this
page.
TRAFFIC HIGHLIGHTS
South Timberline Corridor Improvements
As of mid-July, Phase 2 work to widen the west half of Timberline Road is mostly complete and Phase 3
is underway. Phase 3 includes set up of work zones to build medians near Bacon Elementary School
and build the east half of the Kechter/Timberline intersection. This work will be done in conjunction with
the Streets Department project to overlay Timberline Road from Harmony Road to Carpenter Road. The
last phase of roadway construction will begin in mid-August to install top lift asphalt and stripe the
roadway in its final lane configuration.
In addition to the roadway project, the City is also building the first segment of the Mail Creek Trail from
the Union Pacific Railroad tracks to Timberline Road. This work will be completed in mid-September and
is the first of three trail segments that will connect southeast neighborhoods to the City’s Power Trail.
Visit the project website for more information: https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/timberlinewidening
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 9
Laporte Corridor Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements
Phase 3 of this project is underway as the crews
work to build out the sidewalk and bicycle facilities on
the north side of the road from Grandview to Stodgy
Brewery. Eastbound traffic is open on Laporte as is
full access for pedestrians and bicycles. Full
vehicular traffic was opened the end of July. There
will be some minor work remaining including some of
the stonework on the bridge structures that will be
ongoing after traffic is opened on the road. This
project is projected to be completed under budget
and more than a month ahead of schedule.
Additionally, the Project is seeking a Greenroads
certification and anticipates a silver award.
Please visit the project website for more information: https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/laporte-road-
and-bridge-improvements
Traffic Operations
Reporting Period: 4/1/23 - 6/30/23
Service Requests - 374
Work Area Traffic Control - 812
Neighborhood Traffic Mitigation Program (NTMP) - 99 Requests
Transfort Highlights
Transfort has received a $10.7 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity
(RAISE) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for design and construction of the
Foothills Transit Center on the west side of Fort Collins as a result of a collaborative effort among the
City, Colorado State University (CSU) and community partners.
The new transit center will be located at the intersection of Overland Trail and West Elizabeth Street and
will serve as a destination and transfer center for several existing Transfort bus routes. The transit
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 10
center will tie into the future West Elizabeth Bus Rapid Transit project and will include a roundabout at
Overland and Elizabeth, which will facilitate traffic movements in the area and create a safer intersection
for bicycles and pedestrians.
CSU assisted in the project through a match of land value, meaning CSU will allow its property to be
used for the project and the value of that land is used as an in-kind match for the USDOT grant.
The total cost for the Foothills Transit Center, including the roundabout, is estimated to be $12.9 million.
In addition to the grant and CSU’s land match, the remaining money will come from other federal funds,
Xcel’s Commercial EV program and other local funds.
Final design of the Foothills Transit Center will begin in 2023 and wrap up in 2024. Construction is
expected to begin in 2025.
PUBLIC SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS
FORT COLLINS POLICE SERVICES
Fort Collins Police Basic Police Academy (FCPA)
The Session #4 cadets graduated from our academy on June 13th. Eight police officers and two
community service officers (CSOs) entered the field training portion of their development and will
graduate to solo patrol later this year. Session #5 began on July 10th. Six police officers and two CSOs
were joined by a City Park Ranger and one Transit Service Officer (TSO). The CSOs, Ranger and TSO
complete only a portion of the academy due to different role requirements. The FCPA is held twice each
year with 6-15 officers and others as needed.
Community Police Academy Application Open (CPA)
Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 Community Police Academy (CPA). Please visit
https://www.fcgov.com/police/community-academy to learn more and to apply. Registration will close
August 21st or sooner if all spots have been filled.
The FCPS CPA provides community members with an inside look at local law enforcement. Participants
learn about the training of police officers, special units including the K9 program, mental health
response, investigations, arrest control techniques, Internal Affairs, dispatch, records, and more. The
CPA is free and will be held Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:00 pm from Sept 7 – Oct 26, 2023.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 11
Police Explorer Scouts Continue to Earn Top Honors
The Fort Collins Police Explorer program acquaints young people with the field of law enforcement as a
future career choice. Explorers receive ongoing police training through instruction, hands-on practical
exercises and valuable real-world experiences. Police Explorers not only receive training but regularly
assist patrol officers with their duties. They are required to attend regular meetings and training
sessions. Again this year, our Explorers earned awards at a national competition. To learn more, please
visit https://www.fcgov.com/police/explorers
Explorer Topeka Challenge Results:
Physical Ability: 1st and 3rd place
Advisor Physical Ability: 1st place
Drug Paraphernalia & Identification: 1st place
Undercover Operations: 1st place
Crime Scene Investigation: 2nd place
High-Risk Car Stop: 3rd place
Tactical Manhunt: 3rd place
Unknown Trouble Calls: 3rd place
Overall: 3rd place
Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement
In June, our Traffic Enforcement Unit partnered with Colorado State Patrol Mobile Ports to conduct
commercial motor vehicle (CMV) inspections. Multiple CMVs were stopped for bypassing the Port of
Entry. Thirteen full CMV inspections were completed resulting in 65 violations and 11 critical out-of-
service safety violations. We appreciate the professional drivers who properly maintain their equipment
and follow the laws. Some of the more egregious violations are pictured below.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 12
Homeless Outreach and Proactive Engagement Team (HOPE)
We receive numerous complaints and our HOPE Team responds with City partners! The HOPE team
alone responded to and self-initiated 254 calls for service since June 12, 2023! Recently, the team
helped residents with employment, clothing, and transportation while also addressing matters such as
illegal camp refuse. The pictured cleanup took the entire day and resulted in 350 industrial trash bags,
261 needles and the area was infested with rodents. These sites pose a huge risk to the safety of our
City’s storm waterways and to anyone who may be there. The HOPE Team offers a number of services
and resources to assist people they encounter in a camp.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 13
POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY
Independence Day Parade: Poudre Fire Authority personnel, families, and apparatus participated in
the Independence Day Parade, and were honored to be selected as a winner in the parade alongside
Tandem Real Estate Team.
Wildland Fire Deployment: Three Poudre Fire Authority (PFA)
wildland firefighters and a brush unit were deployed to the Spring
Creek Fire near Parachute, Colorado on June 29, 2023. At arrival,
the fire was 2,910 acres in size and 21% contained. Deployments
can last up to two weeks and extensions are requested as needed.
Each deployment serves as an opportunity to help our neighbors
and gain priceless firefighting experience.
Bike Safety: Sunny days mean more people on bikes the potential
for bike accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, most bicycle deaths occur between the summer
months of June and September. Whether you’re enjoying a ride
with family or friends, commuting by bike, or traveling by car
through town, here are a few things you can do to be extra careful on or around bicycles:
o ALWAYS wear a helmet, no exceptions.
o BE SEEN. Wear brighter colors and if riding at night, equip your bike with headlights and
taillights, (just like any vehicle on the road).
o Obey all traffic laws. A bicycle is a vehicle, and the cyclist is the operator. Ride with the flow
of traffic, obey traffic signs and signals, signal when turning, and use bike lanes when
available.
o BE ALERT. Wait for vehicles to fully stop at an intersection before turning or crossing.
Unfortunately, some drivers fail to stop before crosswalks or attempt to race through
intersections moments after a light has changed. Be extra cautious and practice defensive
driving.
o Share the road. Drive defensively and respect bicyclists while driving.
o Always look to the right AND behind when turning right on red.
o Search your surroundings for bicycles at intersections, in parking lots, and when parking.
o Be sure to double-check for bicyclists when opening doors in parking lanes.
o Always stop BEFORE the crosswalk at an intersection. These spaces are for pedestrians and
cyclists, not cars.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 14
COMMUNITY SERVICES
RECREATION
After several summers of staffing shortages, Recreation’s seasonal
staffing vacancies are filled! This enables Recreation to fully operate
summer camps, pool facilities and sports programs as safely and
efficiently as possible.
Recreation youth summer camps are underway at several facilities. A
few highlights for the 300+ kids attending the youth camps include a
recent spinning demonstration by the Weaver’s Guild on a Lady Bug
Spinning Wheel at The Farm, field trips to local attractions and lots of
time spent outdoors having fun!
The Recreation Department, in partnership with several other City
departments, successfully planned and hosted the 4th of July
community parade. More than 6,000 people gathered to watch 40+
floats parade down Mountain Avenue.
A new volunteer program kicked off recently at the Senior Center, focused
on training Lead Event Volunteers to help support activities throughout
the City. Key training topics for the group include safety procedures,
navigating the Engage software and kitchen protocols.
The sports team had more than 750 children participate in a successful
girls’ softball and youth summer basketball season!
In the last quarter, Adaptive Recreation Opportunities (ARO) staff
provided more than 1,141 hours of inclusion support to individuals in
recreation programming. This is equivalent to 47.5 days of 24/7 inclusion
support.
PARKS
Successful Memorial Day recognition events were
hosted, in partnership with community groups, at Edora
and Spring Canyon Parks as well as Grandview and
Roselawn Cemeteries.
The Parks Department also hosted the 4th of July
community events in City Park including food trucks, live
music and a fireworks display. Despite some inclement
weather, fireworks were still launched on time over
Sheldon Lake.
An awareness project highlighting the annual Downtown
flower installation was launched this summer with informational signage, social media posts, and a
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 15
webpage to showcase the beautiful floral displays. More information on the Downtown Flower Project
can be found at fcgov.com/downtown-flowers.
Dovetail Park, located in the Bucking Horse Neighborhood, is under construction with an anticipated
completion in the next couple months.
Southridge Golf Course irrigation replacement project is complete, along with netting replacement
along hole #16.
The Forestry Team recently attended an Arbor Day Celebration event at Irish Elementary School,
sharing information about the importance of trees in our community!
CULTURAL SERVICES
The Gardens on Spring Creek and The Lincoln Center have had a successful start to the Live at the
Gardens Summer Concert Series! Three shows have already wrapped, including Old Crow Medicine
Show and Pink Martini. Upcoming concerts include Blood, Sweat & Tears on September 16 and WAR
on September 23.
Cultural Community Programs just reached its one-year anniversary in June. The program has
reached many milestones during the first year including 239 artists hired, 96 different engagements and
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 16
192 hours of programming. Cultural Community Programs will continue to engage artists and community
members throughout the year and is already on track to surpass year-one numbers!
Art in Public Places implemented the new Bus Art Project. The program involves local artists/teams by
commissioning art to display at Transfort bus stops or inside the buses in Fort Collins. The intent of this
project is to share artists’ unique perspectives of Fort Collins with the community.
NATURAL AREAS
New Lands Expand Natural Areas
Two new land acquisitions totaling 44.26 acres
were made in the second quarter including an
addition to the Cooper Slough conservation area
and eight acres adjacent to Crossline Canyons
Natural Area. The lands support wildlife habitat and
may provide trail access in the future.
Natural Areas - Public Engagement
Over 300 people shared feedback about the
management of their natural areas this quarter.
Natural areas in the Urban Zone (10 sites) and the
Poudre River Zone (21 sites) were the topic of
community dialog March - June. Comments were
shared through an online form and at 15 natural
areas events. New Addition to Crossline Canyons Natural Area
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 17
The feedback will influence how these natural areas will be managed. Learn more at
https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/feedback
2023 Land Conservation Summary
Land Conservation Life to Date Acreage Cost
Acres of Land Purchased 40,288
Acres of Land Leased 87
Acres of Land in Conservation Easements 17,649
Total Conserved – Life to Date 58,024 $ 121,438,755
2023 Total Acquisitions (fee and conservation easement) Acreage Cost
Total Conserved - Year to Date 305 $ 4,888,016
Property Under Contract Acreage Cost
Total Under Contract 0 $ 0
Land Conservation Funds Budgeted for 2023 $4,300,000 + Re-
appropriation $10,100,000 $ 14,400,000
Land Conservation Funds Expended in
2023 to Date $ 4,888,016
Acquisitions Under Contract $
Net Land Conservation Funds Remaining for 2023 $ 9,391,984
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.
In-Stream Water Right Secured
The City of Fort Collins, in partnership with Colorado State University, has completed construction on a
low impact diversion structure to keep water flowing through a side channel of the Cache la Poudre
River at the CSU Environmental Learning Center. This work was co-managed by Natural Areas and
Utilities and is critical for maintaining a water right valued at $220 million that keeps flows in the Poudre
River for fish, wildlife and recreation.
New addition to Cooper Slough conservation area
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 18
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Newsletter Launched
“Historic Preservation Matters” is the new monthly newsletter of the Historic Preservation Services
division. If you’d like to learn more about ongoing preservation items that are going before the Historic
Preservation Commission and staff for approval, as well as interesting anecdotes about local historic
places, please visit fcgov.com/subscriptions and subscribe.
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Recruitment
This winter, the HPC will be seeking applications for two new members to start in April 2024. If you have
a background in historic preservation, local history, architecture, planning, real estate, or preservation
law and are interested in serving Fort Collins on this quasi-judicial commission that meets on the second
and third Wednesday evenings of each month, please contact Davina Lau in the Clerk’s Office at
dlau@fcgov.com for more information about the application process.
SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES
ECONOMIC HEALTH OFFICE
Economic Health Strategic Plan (EHSP) Outreach
The Economic Health Office recently completed their additional outreach and engagement in partnership
with the Communications and Public Involvement Office. Outreach and engagement efforts included
online questionnaires, individual interviews, small group discussions and event engagements at the
CSU Lagoon Concert Series and Bike to Work Day. This effort added over 350 additional inputs to the
EHSP from community members. To learn more about this project, please visit this page.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 19
South College Business Listening Session
Economic Health, in partnership with Councilmembers Peel and Canonico, Community Development
and Neighborhood Services (CDNS), and Utilities, hosted a Business Listening Session on June 21st.
The goal of the listening session was to gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities
as seen by the businesses along the South College Corridor between Bueno Drive and the area just
south of Trilby. Fourteen businesses shared their insights with City staff and Councilmembers Peel and
Canonico.
Multicultural Business and Entrepreneur Center (MBEC)
MBEC continues to support local entrepreneurs and small businesses. In addition, MBEC is offering
small business grants to clients. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and requires being a
current client with MBEC and grossing revenue of less than $250K annually. Learn more here.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Third Innovate Fort Collins Challenge (IFCC) Grant Opportunity
o Application is open until 5:00 pm on August 31, 2023. For more information and to apply
please visit: www.fcgov.com/IFCC
o Competitive process will award projects up to $7,499 each to implement.
o This innovation grant seeks community-led solutions to addressing the challenges that a
changing climate and housing affordability present to our community.
o Proposed projects must impact at least two individual homes and should address the needs
of those most impacted by the challenge. Projects cannot just be improvements to a single
home. However, the project could improve a single structure serving the community, such as
a club house. Implementation must occur in the Fort Collins growth management area.
o Eligible housing includes mobile homes, rental housing, single family units, clubhouses,
homeless and domestic violence shelters.
o The City will prioritize funding projects that are designed by and benefit those groups and
housing types that most affected by affordability, climate and weather-related impacts
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Extreme Heat Response Planning
o A collaborative team from Social Sustainability, Environmental Services, Safety & Risk
Management and Larimer County’s Department of Health & Environment has launched an
extreme heat response plan to pilot in summer 2023.
o The extreme heat response plan will be activated when the National Weather Service
declares a “Major Heat Risk” for Fort Collins using their “HeatRisk Prototype” index, which is
determined by using factors including how unusual the heat is for the time of year, the
duration of the heat, daytime and nighttime temperatures, relative humidity and elevated risk
of heat-related illness.
o Once activated, internal and external partners will be notified to share this information with
their staff and unsheltered individuals; additionally, the Murphy Center will extend their hours
into the late evening to provide an indoor cooling center for people experiencing
homelessness.
o After this pilot season, the coordination team will reconvene to discuss successes, number of
activations, process feedback and to assess any changes needed in future years.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 20
Northern Colorado Continuum of Care (NoCO CoC) Point in Time (PIT) Count
o The 2023 PIT count was led by the NoCO CoC and conducted on January 24, 2023.
o In Fort Collins, the count showed 273 sheltered and 120 unsheltered people experiencing
homelessness. In comparison, there were 263 sheltered and 84 unsheltered people counted
in 2022.
o This year’s count saw better process and data collection with increased engagement from
Outreach Fort Collins, and included smaller communities like Windsor, Estes Park, and
Johnstown for the first time.
o The 2023 PIT Count Data Dashboard can be viewed on the NoCO CoC’s website:
https://www.nocococ.org/data-reports
County-wide Homelessness Strategic Planning
Homeward Alliance is leading efforts to create a County-wide homelessness strategic plan, with
partnership from Larimer County, United Way of Larimer County, NoCO Continuum of Care, City of
Loveland and City of Fort Collins. Homeward Alliance was awarded a $500,000 grant from the State
Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to lead this process which will begin this summer. It will be a two-
year process with the first year focusing on engagement and planning and the second year will begin
implementation.
Housing and Human Services Annual Funding
On June 6th, City Council approved the Human Services and Funding Board’s funding recommendations
for affordable housing projects and human services programs.
The following affordable housing projects and programs were approved for funding:
o Construction of Heartside Hill Apartments
o Acquisition of Kechter Townhomes
o Construction of four Habitat for Humanity homes at Harmony Cottages
o Preservation of 2155 West Plum apartments
o Construction of L’Arche Group Homes
o Creation of a new Tree Removal Program for low-income households
Human Services programs approved for funding include:
o Funding for 36 human services programs
o $908,000 total in grants ($1.6M requested)
o Grants range from $15,000 to $54,000 (average $25,222)
o Of the 36 grants awarded, six were new programs
Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Funding
o Housing Catalyst’s Impala redevelopment commenced in July. CDBG/HOME contracts have
been finalized and the tax credit closing occurred July 18th.
o SSD deployed the HOME-ARP Housing application the week of July 17th.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICE
The Equity Office has a dynamic internal employee and community-facing approach to diversity, equity,
and inclusion work. To read the recently published 2023-2026 Work Plan, please click this link. Below
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 21
are some highlights of impactful work taking place to build a strong sense of belonging and to
demonstrate the City’s commitment to equity and demonstrate that All Are Welcome.
Gender-Neutral Restrooms
The Equity Office and PRIDE Employee Resource Group continues to partner with Operation Services
to identify where Gender Neutral, single occupancy restrooms will be located. Signage for those
bathrooms will be specific to show that all gender identities may use them.
Employee Education and Training
The Equity Office collaborated with the Parks Department to offer two one-hour trainings on
Understanding Sense of Belonging in the workplace and connecting to the revised mission, vision, and
values the City recently adopted. The Equity office partnered with seasoned facilitator Kyle Oldham from
CSU to prepare and deliver the trainings to nearly 80 Parks team members.
Community Engagement
On July 15, the Equity Office was a sponsor and tabled at the PRIDE Community Celebration at Civic
Park. Over 4,000 attendees joined the celebration. The Equity Office engaged event goers with four
questions. Each stickie note represents a conversation with a community member:
o What is your favorite place in Fort Collins?
o What makes you feel welcome in Fort Collins?
o What would make you more welcome in Fort Collins?
o What is one thing you’d like to the City to focus on in the next 5 years?
-
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 22
UTILITIES
LIGHT & POWER OPERATIONS
Laporte Avenue Relocation
Estimated Project Budget: $205,000
Phase: Construction
Project Details: Electric system relocations, system modifications and
streetlighting improvements in conjunction with the Engineering
Department’s Capital Project, W. Laporte Avenue Bridge and Road
Widening.
Project Status: Currently under construction
Overland Trail Conversion
Estimated Project Budget: $170,000
Phase: early construction
Project Details: This project will convert roughly 1,400 feet of
overhead high-voltage powerline to underground conductors in
conduit. The project will convert two customers with underground
power. The project is located just south of Mulberry along Overland
Trail.
Project Status:
o The project has been released for construction.
o The project is scheduled to be completed by early
November.
Teft Acres Overhead Conversion
Estimated Project Budget: $324,000
Phase: Construction
Project Details: This project will convert the existing overhead
powerlines to underground around Moffett Drive and Moore Lane.
Project Status:
o Construction has been completed.
o Poles will be removed where possible as well as Comcast
is vacating most of them.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 23
WATER OPERATIONS
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Poudre River Raw Waterline Replacement
Budget: $3,200,000
Project Phase: Design Complete, Construction in Fall 2023
Project Details: The existing 27” Steel Raw Waterline is one of two
pipelines that transport the City’s water supply down the Poudre
Canyon. A portion of the pipeline downstream of Gateway Natural
Area is exposed due to erosion of the river. This portion of the
pipeline will be relocated and buried at a depth to protect it from future
erosion. The relocated section of the waterline will also be enlarged to
allow for future operational flexibility.
Project Status: Final design, cost estimates, permitting, and early
procurement of materials complete. Temporary and permanent
easements secured. Successfully procured Construction Contractor
and currently in the preconstruction planning phase.
Fossil Creek and Stanton Creek Stream Rehabilitation
This project lies in the Fossil Creek Basin and is part of the Stream
Rehabilitation Program. The Fossil Creek section runs from Trilby Road
to the railroad tracks. The Stanton Creek portion starts at Carpenter
Road and ends at the confluence of Fossil Creek. Irrigation flows have
created high vertical banks along the creek and does not allow for
floodplain connectivity which results in decreasing water quality as
banks cave in and potentially create an unsafe situation.
Below is a summary of the status of the project:
o The Request for Proposals for the design phase of the
project have been reviewed and a consulting firm has been
selected.
o Preliminary conversations started with the Equity Office
regarding specific concerns from the Native Nations.
o Design scope includes a 30%, 60%, 90% deliverable as well
as all applicable permitting.
o Several City Departments are involved including Natural Areas Wetland and Cultural
Resources Staff, Transportation Engineering, and Parks and Recreations Parks Planning and
Asset Management.
o The total budget for the project is $5M: $1M for design and $4M for construction.
o Construction is scheduled to start in Fall 2024 with completion by Spring 2025.
BROADBAND – FORT COLLINS CONNEXION
Q2 2023 Highlights:
o Connexion is currently in the process of transitioning to our own Connexion Customer
Service Team and has hired a Customer Service Supervisor who started in late July.
o Connexion sponsored several community events in May and June and configured and
deployed an outdoor Wi-Fi solution for the Taste of Fort Collins.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 24
o The main infrastructure buildout is almost 100% complete with only three FDHs
(neighborhoods) yet to be released. The Outside Plant team continues to complete
construction on various MDUs throughout the community every week. We are in the process
of hiring a Construction Manager to help accelerate MDU construction.
o The Connexion Sales and Marketing team will be launching two new promotions in August
and September to capitalize on the return of CSU students and college move-in season.
o Financially, Connexion continues to see year over year growth acceleration. View our
monthly financial reports at: https://fcconnexion.com/reports/.
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.
Analysis of Performance
Total participation in Q1 is near pre-pandemic levels.
Trends over the next quarters will be monitored for continued participation growth and consistency in
meeting targeted goals.
Metric Definition
The total number of participants in Recreation programs, events and facility visits.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 25
Why is this important?
This metric provides an indication of the diversity and popularity of our Recreation programs. Offering a
wide range of popular programs is a hallmark of successful operation.
City Organization Impact on Performance
High - Recreation influences participation by offering a variety of diverse programs that appeal to the
community while reflecting the community's demographics. Recreation also influences participation
numbers through marketing and community outreach. Recreation directly influences the number of
programs by determining the recreational needs of the community and developing programs that appeal
to the community.
Benchmark Information
Benchmarking in progress.
To review all the metrics on the Community Dashboard, go to https://fortcollins.clearpointstrategy.com/