HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport - Mail Packet - 11/21/2023 - City Manager’S Update: Quarterly Report To The Fort Collins City Council And Community – 2023 Fall Edition (August – November)
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration at the Bison Mural located at Front Range Village
2023 Fall Edition (August-November)
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Table of Contents
LETTER FROM CITY MANAGER ......................................................................................................... 3
ISSUES BEFORE CITY COUNCIL ........................................................................................................ 4
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ....................................................................................................................... 5
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE ........................................................................................................................ 5
FINANCE ............................................................................................................................................... 6
SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS .......................................................................................................................... 9
FORT COLLINS POLICE SERVICES .............................................................................................................................9
POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY ................................................................................................................................... 11
COMMUNITY SERVICES .................................................................................................................... 13
RECREATION ........................................................................................................................................................ 13
PARKS ................................................................................................................................................................... 14
CULTURAL SERVICES ............................................................................................................................................ 16
NATURAL AREAS .................................................................................................................................................. 17
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT ............................................................................................. 18
SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES ............................................................................................................ 19
ECONOMIC HEALTH OFFICE ................................................................................................................................. 19
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ................................................................................................................................ 20
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY ...................................................................................................................................... 20
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICE ................................................................................ 22
UTILITIES ............................................................................................................................................ 23
LIGHT & POWER OPERATIONS ............................................................................................................................. 23
WATER OPERATIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 24
BROADBAND – FORT COLLINS CONNEXION ................................................................................. 26
COMMUNITY DASHBOARD HIGHLIGHT .......................................................................................... 26
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 3
LETTER FROM CITY MANAGER
Everyone should have a voice in shaping our community and participatory democracy is one model that
we can use as a tool for our residents to have power and influence over decisions that impact them
directly. One of the most direct ways to participate is through elections. The City held its first regular
municipal elections in November. They were previously held in April of odd number years but the timing
was shifted by voters in November 2022. Thank you to all who participated – we had one of our highest
turnouts since 2011 at 43%! We are grateful for our colleagues at the Larimer County Clerk’s Office who
coordinated elections this year to be a fair and transparent process. Read a brief recap on page 5.
Community engagement has always been important to how we function as a city and as we continue the
conversations in equity, we are always looking for ways to improve our process. Another way to get
involved is through volunteerism. Started in 1985, we now have more than 10,000 volunteers who
engage with the City annually, providing an economic impact of over $4 million dollars. The vision for
Volunteer Services is to strengthen the Fort Collins community by activating volunteerism guided by
stewardship, inclusion, and impact. Read more about our first ever Summitt on page 18.
Boards and Commissions are also a way that residents are empowered to participate in democracy,
build community, and shape public policy. Applications will be open from December 1 – January 15 and
a link will be posted here.
Part of our improvement journey is the opportunity to share and learn with other cities and countries
around the world. Last year, the City had the opportunity to participate in the German Marshall Fund
(GMF) program which is a non-partisan organization dedicated to the principles of democracy and
international cooperation between the United States and Europe. The Local Policy Lab is a U.S. focused
organization focused on the same ideals of promoting democracy. We recently participated in a
Democracy Innovation Hub workshop at Bard College which is focused on innovative and collaborative
democracy.
Locally, Colorado State University (CSU)’s theme for this year is the Year of Democracy and Civic
Engagement. The City has partnered over the years with CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation. We are
grateful to be part of a community that is continually seeking ways to offer meaningful engagement to
our residents so that everyone can be part of the process.
I hope to see you out and about participating in our wonderful community!
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 4
ISSUES BEFORE CITY COUNCIL
Below are highlights from Council meetings from August-
November and a preview of some items to come. To view full
agendas and recordings of past meetings, use this link.
August 15 – Council adopted two resolutions to refer to the November 7, 2023, ballot a three-mill
property tax to be used to fund affordable housing and a half-cent sales tax to be used for parks and
recreation, transit, and climate goals.
September 5 – Council adopted a resolution to direct City staff to present amendments to the Land Use
Code for Council consideration that increases limits on occupancy in residential development.
September 19 – On second reading, the Land Use Code was amended as it relates to buffering
between buildings with occupiable space and oil and gas facilities.
September 19 – After seven months of work by the Ad Hoc Council Committee on Boards and
Commissions, Council approved recommendations some of which included the elimination of one-year
terms and rescoping of the Women Advisory Board to a Women and Gender Equity Board and a Bicycle
Advisory subcommittee to an Active Modes Advisory Board.
October 10 – During this work session, Council heard updates on the East Mulberry Plan.
October 17 – Following several months of public engagement and updates to code language based on
community feedback, Council adopted housing-related Land Use Code changes. For more information,
please click here.
November 14 – During this work session, Council received an update on the City’s Recovery Plan to
include American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that have been spent.
During the end of November, December and January, some items Council will discuss and consider
include:
o Annual Reviews of Council Direct Reports (November 28 Work Session)
o Council end of term report (December 12 Work Session)
o Consideration of Code updates for requesting boards and commissions to have ex-officio
members (December 5, 19)
o Special Organizational Meeting to swear in recently elected officials and appointment of
Mayor Pro Tem (January 9)
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
City Priorities & Goals – Strategic Planning
In connection with citywide strategic planning efforts, the City recently partnered with CSU’s Center for
Public Deliberation to host three community-wide conversations to address the City's outcome
areas. Each session involved group conversations, facilitated by CSU students, to learn about what
each outcome area means to residents and how the City might work to realize these various outcomes.
Results from the forums, as well as online surveys and other opportunities to engage in strategic
planning outreach, will be shared on Our City: https://ourcity.fcgov.com/priorities
Boards & Commissions Open House
On Monday, November 6, the City hosted an open
house to share about opportunities to serve on a
Board or Commission. Over 30 attendees had the
opportunity to speak with Council members and staff
to learn how the City’s Boards and Commissions
shape the vision for Fort Collins.
Rooted in Community: Urban Forest Strategic Plan
The City of Fort Collins is embarking on its inaugural Urban Forest Strategic Plan: Rooted in
Community, a 20-year vision to sustain a healthy and resilient urban forest. The plan focuses on refining
existing forestry goals, incorporating best practices in urban ecology, and addressing climate change
impacts. Key objectives include advocating for the social, economic, and environmental value of the
urban forest, promoting equity in tree canopy distribution, proactive tree planting, and community
collaboration. Kickoff of the project included two Open Houses on October 25 and 26 at Northside Aztlan
Community Center and Fort Collins Senior Center. For more info and to share your views, visit
https://ourcity.fcgov.com/rooted-in-community
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
November 7, 2023, Municipal Election
The City’s first regular municipal election conducted as a coordinated election with Larimer County
occurred November 7 after months of work and preparation by both the City and County. This shift also
marked the transition from April to November for these regular elections. Initial figures immediately after
Election Day show approximately 43.55% turnout for Fort Collins voters, with ballots still outstanding.
This compares with 37.52% turnout in the April 2021 Municipal Election.
Although all regular ballots had to be received by 7:00 p.m.
on Election Day November 7, additional ballots continue to
come in after that night both from military and overseas
voters as well as provisional ballots. Results are not final
until certified by Larimer County no later than November 29,
2023. These numbers will be updated on the County’s website here:
https://www.larimer.gov/clerk/elections/results and the City will also include them at fcgov.com/vote.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 6
Congratulations to Mayor Jeni Arndt, Mayor Pro Tem Emily Francis (District 6), and Councilmember
Julie Pignataro (District 2) for their re-election and to Melanie Potyondy (District 4)! They will be sworn in
at City Hall on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. followed up with a community reception.
FINANCE
Sales Tax
Monthly Reports on the City’s Website
This report reflects Sales and Use Tax collected in September for economic activity that occurred in
August. Please note the sales and use tax collected in September is predominately from August sales
but also includes delinquent collections from prior periods.
SEPTEMBER SUMMARY OVER PRIOR YEAR
Month Year to Date
Net Sales Tax Collected: 2.5% 4.8%
Net Use Tax Collected: -7.9% -1.2%
Net Sales and Use Tax Collected: 1.2% 4.0%
Year to date, sales and use tax collections excluding rebates are up 4.0% and total $133.7M.
SEPTEMBER SUMMARY OVER BUDGET
Month Year to Date
Net Sales Tax Collected: -4.5% 0.3%
Net Use Tax Collected: 1.5% 12.8%
Net Sales and Use Tax Collected: -3.9% 1.7%
Year to date, the City has collected 1.7% more sales and use tax revenue, totaling $2.2M over budget.
Read the complete reports here: https://www.fcgov.com/salestax/salesreport
Grants
A total of 15 funding opportunities were pursued during Q3 2023, totaling $96,895,732, with asks varying
from multi-million-dollar infrastructure upgrades and investments to replacement of gas-powered lawn
and garden equipment in support of reducing the City’s carbon footprint.
Funding Opportunities Applied for in Q3
SSA – Sustainability Service Area and PDT – Planning, Development, and Transportation
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 7
A total of six awards, totaling $3,336,495 were received during Q3 2023, corresponding to efforts by
many departments in support of furthering existing programs, as well as supporting new opportunities
that align with several strategic objectives of service areas.
Funding Opportunities Awarded Q3 2023
The full report is available here: https://www.fcgov.com/finance/quarterly-grants-updates.php
Procurement
Major Competitive Procurements Completed and Contracts Awarded:
o Cloud-based Customer Service Information (CIS) and engagement software awarded to
VertexOne Software, LLC
o Recreation and Parks Management Software awarded to Daysmart Recreation
o 9/11 Memorial at Spring Park awarded to GH Phipps Construction Companies
o Architectural Services for the Municipal Court renovation awarded to D2C Architects, Inc.
o Independent Financial Audit Services awarded to Plante & Moran, PLLC
Major Competitive Procurements In-Process:
o Oak Street Stormwater Improvement Project
o Municipal Court Case Management System
o Grid Flexibility Services
o Lease Purchase Financing 2023
o Revolving Loan Fund
o Purchasing Card Program
o Poudre Trail Spur at I-25
o Meadow Springs Ranch Storage Facility
Recovery
Implementation of the City’s Resilient Recovery Plan under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is
continuing. Total ARPA funds spent at the end of Q3 are $10.4M (see below). Forecast for total spend at
the end of 2023 is $12.3M.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 8
The total ARPA funds spent by Recovery theme at the end of Q3 2023 are about evenly split between
Equity and Community Resilience, Government Operations, and Economic Recovery (see below).
Spending on the Health and Environmental Resilience themes make up the remainder of the spending.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 9
SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS
FORT COLLINS POLICE SERVICES
Police Average Response Time to Priority One (Emergency) Calls
o Q2 2023 results indicate the City’s average response time was 4 minutes (m) and 57
seconds (s). This is below the City’s target of 5m15s and far faster than our Benchmark
Cities’ 2022 average of 6m8s.
o A daily review is performed for any Priority 1 calls and a monthly reconciliation is also
conducted. These allow us to evaluate the data integrity and more closely examine any
unusually long response times.
o Specialty unit personnel supplement Patrol shifts for better staffing and supervisors are
guiding the efficient use of time on calls to maximize officer availability.
Addressing Traffic Safety Through the Expansion of Red-light Camera Systems
New Ride Light Cameras
o South Shields Street at West Harmony Road and South Lemay Avenue at East Drake Road.
o Cameras became operational at the end of September. Estimated citation start date is
November 25, 2023.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 10
Fines
o Red-Light Camera fines are $75 and no points.
o Speed Van fines are $40 and no points.
Camera Radar Vehicles
o All four camera radar vehicles have been deployed.
o The full-time new camera radar coordinator has started with Police Services. There are
currently six operators. The City is working toward hiring to accommodate seven days per
week and evening coverage.
Homeless Outreach and Proactive Engagement (HOPE) Team
Camp/Site Clean Ups (Year to Date)
o 862 camps/trash sites cleaned up (average cost $5,409)
o 1,117 sharps
o Average turn around – 8 days
Camping Related Tows
o 14 vehicles/RVs/trailers (Q3)
o 21 vehicles/RVs/trailers (Year to Date)
Calls for Service
o HOPE responded to and self-initiated 1,011 calls for service
Community Outreach
o Harvest Farm
o Listening Sessions
o Peterson Library
o Outreach Fort Collins
o Hickory Village Back to School Bash
o Homeless Outreach Breakfast
o Salvation Army Backpack Event
HOPE continues to host monthly “Coffee with a Splash of HOPE” to facilitate conversation with
community members, business owners, and service providers around homelessness in the
community.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 11
FCPS Police Explorer Post
In September, the Fort Collins Police Explorers welcomed three new Explorers and promoted several
others as senior members “aged-out.” During this ceremony, we also acknowledged the service to the
community that the explorers provided over the past year. We welcome the City’s new members,
congratulate those promoted, and thank these Explorers for the service they provide to the Fort Collins
community.
The Explorer program is for youth, 15-21 years of age, with an interest in law enforcement. For more
information about this program visit https://www.fcgov.com/police/explorers
POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY
Fire Prevention Week and Month
The week of October 8 through 14 was National Fire Prevention Week. PFA does outreach and
education all month. Outreach included:
o Risk Reduction Specialists presented in Poudre School District (PSD) classrooms (K, 2nd, 4th,
and 6th Grades).
o Weekly educational posts on social media.
o A poster contest for all K through 6 PSD students which culminated in a ride to school on a
fire engine for a winner from each grade.
o An Open House was held at Fire Station 3 on Saturday, October 28, featuring the PFA
mascot, time with local firefighters, an activity table, photobooth, tours of the antique
apparatus and engine 3, and station tours.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 12
Car vs. Building
PFA responded to a Jeep that collided with a
commercial building in the 2200 block of East
Prospect. The Jeep went completely through the
wall and was about halfway into the building.
Responders stabilized the building and worked with
the towing company to safely remove the Jeep. The
accident occurred while the Jeep was being towed
and became unhitched. It crossed a sidewalk and
open grassy area before colliding with the structure.
No one was in the vehicle at the time of the
accident.
New Engines 1 and 5 in Service
PFA welcomed the newest members of the PFA Fleet into service. Engine 1 and Engine 5 are the first
engines featuring the new red design. The engines and trucks are basically giant, customized toolboxes
on wheels which are essential pieces of the crews. Fire Stations 1 and 5 are two of the City’s busiest
stations so the apparatus there will see a lot of mileage.
Fire Investigation Determined Cause of Fire was an Explosion
On October 13 at 12:14 a.m., PFA responded to a fire in the 200 block of North Sherwood Street. The
battalion chief requested a second alarm. The Engine 1 Crew was the first on the scene and found a
working fire with flames coming from the basement windows.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 13
The fire was initially called in by a neighbor who reported hearing a loud boom. “While loud sounds are
often reported in fires, a true explosion is rare in our jurisdiction,” said the PFA fire investigator.
Some of the key evidence leading the investigator to the cause was the pattern of broken glass from the
basement windows and the location and condition of the refrigerator door, which was across the room
and the exterior was only minimally affected.
The completed investigation found that a flammable chemical was being stored inside the refrigerator.
The jar was not completely sealed so vapors escaped the container filling the refrigerator with fumes. An
electrical component likely gave a spark which ignited the fumes and caused the explosion. No one was
home and no injuries were reported.
Smoke Alarm Installation at Collins Aire Park
Poudre Fire Authority (PFA), the American Red Cross, Colorado State University students, Air Force
cadets, and other partners completed the fourth and final alarm installation event of 2023. Twenty
PFA staff members supported the event (on-duty, off-duty, and 40-hour/civilian employees).
o 109 smoke alarms were installed (many in homes with no working alarms).
o 45 carbon monoxide alarms installed.
o PFA and La Familia installed seven car seats and donated 50 bike helmets to the
FCMoves Bike Rodeo.
o The Food Bank Lunch Lab served 50 meals, plus grab-and-go grocery items.
o Evie, Poudre Library’s mobile library, had 45 children visit.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
RECREATION
The Southeast Community Innovation Center is one step closer to realization with the announcement
of partnerships with both Poudre School District (PSD) and the Poudre River Public Library District
(PRPLD). Per the 2015 Community Capital Improvement Program (CCIP) ballot that passed, the City is
obligated to build a Community Center in southeast Fort Collins focused on innovation, technology, art,
recreation and the creative process. The Center will also have a large outdoor leisure pool with water
slides, sprays and jets, decks, a lazy river and open swimming area. The partnership announced with
both PSD and PRPLD brings the City one step closer to constructing indoor lap lanes and leisure as
part of the facility, along with a more robust innovation space. Read the press release for more
information.
Northside Aztlan Community Center is currently undergoing construction to the youth area, which will
bring improvements in functionality and safety to the childcare classrooms. Construction is expected to
conclude in November.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 14
Recreation hosted the Rattlesnake Rumble in September at
Spring Canyon Park, bringing regional runners from around
Colorado together for an exciting middle school country meet.
Fall sports included participation from 250 girls in youth
volleyball and 270 kids in flag football.
Seven community members participated in an overnight
campout at the Cheley Center in the mountains as part of the
Adaptive Recreation Opportunities (ARO program). Adaptive
programs across the front range attended and participated in
activities such as hiking, archery, a low ropes course, and
more.
The ARO Flag Football teams placed 1st and 3rd at the Special
Olympics Regional Tournament fand went on to compete at the
2023 State tournament. Congratulations to Team Cowboy
Kraken for their 3rd place finish in Division 4, Fort Collins
Broncos for their 3rd place finish in the Youth Division 1 and Team Crimson Tide for their 1st place finish
in Division 1.
ARO’s elementary-aged social skills program, Friends4all, has had two sessions this quarter and will
continue on the first Friday of each month (skipping January) of the school year. Nine children have
attended and participated in camp-style activities while also practicing appropriate social skills and peer
interactions.
Fort Collins Senior Center hosted Live Involved, a resource event that promotes hobby groups,
volunteer organizations, and clubs to enhance social wellness. We had 60 community members join the
fair and presenters.
Twenty-five individuals are enrolled in the BOOTS hiking club. They have visited Windsor Lake, North
Shields Ponds, Maxwell, and other city gems.
PARKS
The grand opening of a new neighborhood park, Dovetail Park,
took place on October 23.
The pickleball courts at Twin Silo Park were recently resurfaced.
Parks Department Rangers are fully staff with one Lead Ranger
and three Park Rangers.
The Forestry Division successfully distributed 1,000 locally grown
trees as part of the Community Canopy Program.
Outreach for the Rooted in Community Urban Forest Strategic
Plan is in progress. More information on the plan and how to be
involved is available at ourcity.fcgov.com/rooted-in-community.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 15
Park Planning, Poudre Fire Authority, and City Give hosted a groundbreaking event for the 9/11
Memorial at Spring Park project.
The Golf Division supported the “Friday Knight Lights” event at Collindale Golf Course, put on by
C.B. & Potts. During the day, the Rams For Life tournament raised funds for both the City’s Youth Golf
Scholarship Fund, and the Tom Ehlers Student Athlete Endowment Fund.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 16
CULTURAL SERVICES
Terry McNerney painting the 400th Transformer Cabinet Mural
Art in Public Places
Art in Public Places just had local artist Terry McNerney paint the program’s 400th cabinet mural at
3754 Landings Drive! This is McNerney’s fifth cabinet mural to date and his design celebrates the
Program’s milestone with whimsical characters in a colorful, birthday party atmosphere.
The Gardens on Spring Creek and The Lincoln Center has successfully concluded their Live at the
Gardens Summer Concert Series! All shows were sold out, bringing together the Fort Collins community
for great music. Highlights included performances by Old Crow Medicine Show, Pink Martini, Blood,
Sweat & Tears, and more!
Upcoming Events
The Lincoln Center has kicked off the 2023-2024 LC Live Season with shows like Gaspard&Dancers
and Little Joe y La Familia. Upcoming shows include Lewis Black Live, Omnium Circus, Annie, and
much more.
The Gardens on Spring Creek will be hosting its annual Garden of Lights Winter Holiday Lights Festival
from December 8-23. The festival will include a half-mile loop filled with glowing grapevines, towering
flowerbeds, dancing color blossoms, and other imaginative displays made of hundreds of thousands of
glittering lights.
Carnegie Center for Creativity
The Carnegie Center for Creativity is currently under renovation until the summer of 2024 and will
reopen as an inclusive and accessible community space for art and culture. Recent progress has been
the installation of a new mechanical system for the nearly 120 year old building.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 17
The Carnegie Center for Creativity currently under renovation.
NATURAL AREAS
Two Colorado Open Space Alliance Awards
The Environmental Learning Center Flow Restoration project received the prestigious Blue Grama
Award for Outstanding Achievement in Ecological Restoration at the 2023 Colorado Open Space
Alliance conference. The project was recognized because it maintains instream flows valued at $220
million in the Cache la Poudre River to protect habitat for fish and wildlife, while maintaining recreation
values. An innovative low-impact diversion structure was constructed that is new-to-the-watershed and
weaves together reliable water delivery, river restoration, and equity-centered design.
The Natural Areas Department partnership with regional open space programs including Boulder
County, Jefferson County, Larimer County, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife received a second notable
award from Colorado Open Space Alliance, the Outstanding Achievement in Ecosystem Resilience Blue
Gramma Award. The Front Range Foothills Habitat Restoration Partnership takes a landscape-scale
approach to eradicate cheatgrass and restore foothills habitat for large mammals such as mule deer and
elk.
Visitors enjoy the river near the newly constructed
award-winning riffle crest diversion structure.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 18
Kestrel Fields Celebration & Community Interest in Conservation Agriculture
Thank you to the over 300 people who attended the Kestrel Fields Natural Area Celebration in
September. The event was full of joy, connection, and community. Watch the event highlights
including speeches from Councilmember Susan Gutowsky, Poudre Valley Community Farms Director,
Stacy Lishka, and Natural Areas Director, Katie Donahue, activity stations, live animals, locally grown
food, and live music. The Kestrel Fields Celebration was a success thanks to the collaboration with
partner organizations including Poudre Valley Community Farms, Irish Elementary Escuela Bilingüe's
Mariachi Band, Blue Grama Band, Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, Kestrel Fields Art Studio and local
Plein Air painters.
Conservation agriculture efforts by the Natural Areas Department were the focus of several media
stories leading up to the Kestrel Fields Celebration. Two stories aired on CBS Colorado and one on
Rocky Mountain PBS. They focused on how the partnership between the City of Fort Collins and Poudre
Valley Community Farms supports multiple City goals including enhanced conservation outcomes and
affordable access to land and water for young farmers. The first story can be viewed here, the second
story here and the third story here.
Community members help harvest at Kestrel Fields Natural Area.
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT
Volunteers have played a pivotal role in City service since 1985, when the City's first Volunteer
Coordinator was hired. Presently, more than 10,000 volunteers partner with 30 departments,
contributing to city services valued at over $4 million annually. Recent initiatives have streamlined
processes and fostered resource sharing through the establishment of a centralized Volunteer Services
Program. In spring 2023, Volunteer Services introduced a 3-year strategic plan, underscoring the
integral role of volunteerism in City priorities. The plan focuses on six key areas, emphasizing diversity
and inclusion throughout while prioritizing training for both staff and volunteers. In August, Volunteer
Services hosted the inaugural Volunteer Engagement Summit (VES), a groundbreaking event
combining training, development, and appreciation for all City staff and volunteers. VES attracted 247
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 19
participants, featured 14 diverse sessions, and concluded with a grand celebration dinner and live music
on the rooftop deck at the Lincoln Center.
SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES
ECONOMIC HEALTH OFFICE
The Economic Health Office hosted a business listening session with City Manager Kelly DiMartino and
Councilmembers Tricia Canonico and Susan Gutowsky for clients of the Multicultural Business and
Entrepreneur Center (MBEC) on September 12, 2023, at Board & Brush. The goal of the listening
session was to gain an understanding of challenges and opportunities small businesses are facing.
Seven businesses shared their insights with City leadership and staff.
Growing from the success of the Talent 2.0 initiative, NoCo Works is composed of collaborators from
across Weld and Larimer counties working collectively to address regional workforce challenges and
opportunities. In September 2023, NoCo Works and its six subcommittees were launched. These six
subcommittees comprise of over 200 participants representing various community partners, propelling
this regional workforce initiative forward and initiating the work related to regional talent and workforce
development within the Northern Colorado ecosystem. Partners include Larimer County Economic &
Workforce Development, Employment Services of Weld County, Poudre School District, Front Range
Community College, Aims Community College, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, Greeley
Chamber of Commerce, and many more.
The Economic Health Office hosted the 10th annual Business Appreciation Celebration on
October 12, 2023. This annual event celebrates business owners, managers, representatives, and
leaders' contribution to the local community. The event includes a panel discussion and short film with
local business leaders sharing their lived experiences in the community. A special added touch this year
is “Merchday Thursday,” where attendees were encouraged to wear merchandise from their favorite
local business. Over 200 attendees representing 135 different businesses and organizations were in
attendance at Block One.
The City’s Revolving Loan Fund for Small Businesses was approved through Ordinance No. 126,
2023. In Fort Collins, businesses with 1-50 employees make up 96% of all companies. A revolving loan
fund offers a gap financing tool for small businesses development and expansion. The City is partnering
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 20
with Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) to administer the revolving loan fund. To qualify, businesses must
have 1-50 employees, less than $2 million in annual revenue, and their primary business operations in
the City of Fort Collins Growth Management Area. This program includes nonprofits. The program
anticipates launching in early 2024.
The Economic Health Office partnered with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and
International Trade on August 22, 2023, to host 30 semiconductor businesses and support organizations
to discuss the first established CHIPS Zone (Fort Collins) in Colorado.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
The City of Fort Collins recently completed the Northside Aztlan Community Center Resilience
Project. This project added battery storage and upgraded the solar system at this vital community
space. The solar and battery system together help support the community through environmental and
energy savings benefits while increasing resilience to the future impacts of community-level events. This
project was partially funded by a grant from the State of Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs (DOLA)
and relied on the close collaboration of several departments including Utilities' Energy Services,
Environmental Services, Operation Services, and Recreation. Much more detail on the project can be
found in this article.
The Timberline Recycling Center was recently awarded Front Range Waste Diversion (FRWD) grant
by the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) for nearly $300k to
purchase new equipment. These purchases will provide capacity to receive more recyclables at this
much-loved community site that receives over 400 recyclers per day, as well as improve its safety and
day-to-day functioning.
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
2023 Real Estate Development Partner Award:
The City of Fort Collins was awarded a 2023 Real Estate Development Partner Award by the Mercy
Housing Mountain Plains division of Mercy Housing. This award recognized the City’s support of the
newly constructed Northfield Commons. When finished, this community will offer 84 affordable 1-, 2-, 3-
bedroom apartment homes. The City provided Private Activity Bond capacity, affordable housing fee
credits, and investment through the City’s annual Competitive Grant process. This was also made
possible in part due to a partnership with Landmark Homes which was formed to satisfy Landmark’s
metro district obligations for a neighboring development project.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 21
NPR’s 1A Show Panel Discussion About Housing Affordability in Colorado:
On September 28, NPR’s 1A show recorded a panel discussion about Housing Affordability in Colorado
for a radio broadcast later in October. NPR’s host was Jenn White. Panelists included Sue Beck-Ferkiss
from City of Fort Collins, Patricia Alvares-Havill (sic) from Mi Voz at La Familia, and Stephanie Daniels,
a podcaster with KUNC covering Colorado Housing issues.
The discussion was taped before a live audience at the Lincoln Center. Questions centered around why
Colorado has become less affordable, what is Fort Collins’ experience and what is the City doing about
it, what is happening with mobile home parks, and what is going on in the Mountain communities. The
panelists were given questions ahead of time, but the audience was so engaged and asking so many
questions that most of the time was spent answering audience questions about the land use code
update, occupancy regulations, inclusionary housing, homelessness response, and rights of mobile
home residents.
Community Groundbreakings:
October 3 – Village on Impala Affordable Housing renovation and redevelopment project – Housing
Catalyst
o 86 homes
o 62 new apartments
o 12 renovated duplexes
October 5 – Heartside Hill Affordable Housing project – CARE Housing
o 72 multifamily housing apartments
o 9 Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity single-family homes for low-income buyers
o 2 L’Arche Fort Collins congregant style homes for adults with intellectual and developmental
disabilities
o A community center with early childhood education, after-school care, behavioral health
services, and workforce development
October 5 – Community Hub at Coachlight apartments renovation and redevelopment project –
Neighbor to Neighbor
o Rehabbed 68 2- and 3-bedroom apartment homes
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 22
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICE
October 2023
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Celebration
On October 9th, the Equity and
Inclusion office co-sponsored in
partnership with Trees, Water &
People (TWP) a community gathering
where many local Indigenous
community members from the City
joined together in celebration. City
Manager Kelly DiMartino read the land
acknowledgement and Mayor Jeni
Arndt read excerpts from the 2022
resolution, declaring the first Monday
of October as Indigenous Peoples’
Day. This event featured local Native
Elders who shared an opening prayer and blessing, as well as artists and musicians featuring flute,
drums, and traditional dancers. The celebration was held at the Bison Mural, which is located at Front
Range Village in the Courtyard on Council Tree Avenue. The beautiful mural was created by Oglala
Lakota artist, Isaiah Stewart. This event is an example of the City’s commitment to support and bring
visibility to the rich cultural history and continued cultural contributions from the diverse local Native
American community representative of multiple Tribal Nations.
On Saturday October 14th the Equity & Inclusion hosted the
first annual Latiné/Hispanic Heritage Month Community
Celebration. This is the first community-wide collaboration
engaging non-profits, agencies, small businesses, several
city departments, and over 800 community members in
honor of this cultural gathering. Cultural Services took the
lead in creating a vibrant list of performers to showcase the
rich diversity of Latin America. The Gardens on Spring
Creek was a beautiful setting for all to enjoy.
CSU Symposium for Inclusive Excellence
The City was a proud sponsor of CSU's Symposium for
Inclusive Excellence which was held the week of October
23-27. It was a week full of workshops, panel discussions,
guest speakers, and events centered around diversity,
equity, inclusion, and social justice.
The City's Equity Office partnered in three specific sessions
on Tuesday, October 23, around topics of community
disparity data, mapping community assets to foster places
of belonging, and building personal relationships and
community networks.
For more updates please visit: https://www.fcgov.com/equity/
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 23
UTILITIES
LIGHT & POWER OPERATIONS
Rossborough Cable Replacement Priority #14
Estimated Project Budget: $120,000
Phase: Constructed
Project Details:
o Replacement of seven submersible transformers
o Replacement of 16 sections of single-phase underground
cable, approximately 5,200 linear feet.
o Replacement of two sections of three-phase underground
cable, approximately 1,300 linear feet.
Project Status: Project has been 100% completed.
Overhead to Underground: Overland Trail
Estimated Project Budget: $170,000
Phase: Under Construction
Project Details: This project will convert approximately 1,200 linear
feet of overhead (OH) high voltage power line to underground
facilities along South Overland Trail. This will provide the reliability of
underground power to three customers along Overland Trail.
Project Status:
o All underground (UG) primary cable and facilities have
been installed along South Overland Trail.
o The new UG system will be energized in late October
2023 and the OH will also be de-energized at that time.
o Pole and OH cable removal is scheduled for November
2023.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 24
Overhead to Underground: Drake Road
Estimated Project Budget: $42,000
Phase: Under Construction
Project Details: This project will convert approximately 560 linear
feet of overhead (OH) high voltage power line to underground
facilities along West Drake Road. This will provide the reliability of
underground power to two customers and will finalize the
underground projects within City Limits. There are only two other
properties (one section of OH cable) to be converted within City
Limits, but that section has been placed on hold due to these
properties currently being under Development Review.
Project Status:
o Easements have all been obtained by the private
property owners.
o Boring construction has begun with the completion time
to be within the next couple of weeks.
o Full construction of the new infrastructure is planned to
be completed in the first part of November 2023.
o Pole and OH cable removal is scheduled for the first part of December 2023.
WATER OPERATIONS
Project Name: Fossil Creek and Stanton Creek
Stream Rehabilitation
This project is intended to rehabilitate Fossil Creek
and Stanton Creek for better flood conveyance
and stream and ecological health in the basin.
Project status summary:
o A contract has been awarded to Jacobs
Engineering
o Field work including land survey,
wetland delineation, fish survey, and
geomorphological survey have been
completed
o A letter was sent to eleven native nations to
inform them of the City’s intent to dig test pits to better understand what, if any, cultural
material is in the project area. Four nations have responded they would like to consult. Tribal
consultation was held on November 6 and 7 in conjunction with two Natural Areas projects
o A 30% design will be ready by the end of November
o Community Engagement with Natural Areas and Parks and Recreation to inform the public
about the project will come in 2024
o The total budget for the project is $5M: $1M for design and $4M for construction. These
numbers include staff time
o Construction is scheduled for the fall 2024 into the spring of 2025
Consultant Team collecting data for the Fish
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 25
Project Name: Oak Street Stormwater Project
Budget: $41.0M - $3.0M (Design), $38.0M
(Construction)
Project Phase: Pre-construction until summer 2024,
including hiring a general contractor and a construction
manager, permitting, assisting the contractor with
permitting and material submittals.
Project Details: This is the design and construction of
the Oak Street Stormwater Improvements Project
(OSSP) that is part of the larger Downtown Stormwater
Improvement Program (DSIP). The project is located on
Oak Street from Mason to Jackson and will include
storm laterals on Meldrum, Loomis, Washington, Mack,
and Jackson. There will be ~9,900 LF of new storm
pipe installed with this project, over 50 new inlet banks,
and three “rain garden” systems at Howes, Washington, and Jackson.
Status: Design completed in June 2023; Pre-construction activities commencing until anticipated
construction start in summer of 2024.
Poudre River Raw Waterline Replacement at Gateway
Natural Area
Budget: $3.2M
Project Phase: Design Complete, Construction mobilization
in October 2023, construction planned completion by April
2024
Project Details: The existing 27” Steel Raw Waterline is one
of two pipelines that transport the City’s water supply
through 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. Currently completing
preconstruction planning with construction contractor and
starting mobilization to construction staging area.
Mobilization to construction site will began in October 2023 and work on the waterline started in
November 2023.
Rain event on July 31, 2023, in downtown Fort Collins
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 26
BROADBAND – FORT COLLINS CONNEXION
Grant Funding Applications
Recently, the Connexion team has been working on applications for various grant funding opportunities
that would allow Connexion to expand into areas in Larimer County like Red Feather Lakes and Rist
Canyon. These are key locations within the Larimer County broadband strategic plan, and residents and
businesses in these areas need faster, more reliable internet for employment, emergency response, and
equality with the nearby urban areas. Applications were submitted the last week of September and we
should receive the results by the end of the year. If successful, work start the first half of 2024.
2 Gig Early Access Customers
Current Connexion customers are now able to sign up for Early Access 2 Gigabit speed! Beginning in
October, the sales team started scheduling upgrade appointments for interested customers. The
Outside Plant team has done a wonderful job working with a handful of beta tester customers upgraded
to 2 Gig. We are eager to start delivering this speed to current customers. We will offer this speed to the
broader community in January 2024.
Refer a Friend Program
This quarter, we launched the long-awaited Connexion Refer a Friend program. This program allows
current customers who refer others to Connexion to receive a $50 credit on their monthly bill. The new
customer will also receive a $50 credit on their monthly bill. We’re looking forward to seeing loyal fans
and unofficial community ambassadors getting credit for their copious customer referrals. For more
information, please visit https://fcconnexion.com/support-and-resources/refer-a-friend/.
Connexion Dedicated Customer Service Team
This quarter we successfully transitioned to a dedicated Connexion Customer Service Team and hired a
new Connexion Customer Service Manager. This team has been key in improving customer retention
and offering customers the support they need.
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 Safe Community Outcome.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 27
Analysis of Performance
The 90th percentile time in the second quarter of 2023 in the urban area (City of Fort Collins GMA) was
09:08 with an overall increase of incidents over the second quarter of 2022 (2022 = 6,174 / 2022 = 6,209
increase of 0.57%). The overall benchmark goal for the PFA Standards of Cover is to respond to
emergent calls within the urban area is 7:20 minutes 90 percent of the time. This is a lofty goal that is
designed to be difficult to achieve. This represents a 69.4% successful completion of this goal.
Several system changes have contributed to the performance of PFA units on this measure. PFA has
seen an increase in all emergent call processing times with the re-establishment of Emergency Medical
Dispatching (EMD). This process involves call screening through a nationally recognized protocol
(software provided by the Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority, LETA) that allows for dispatchers to
take emergency action with callers over the phone such as directing and coaching callers to provide
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). This contributes to PFA’s mission as “prompt” response begins
with the call to 911. PFA and FC911 moved away from EMD and send in 2015 to specifically improve
call processing (time from receiving the call in dispatch to sending response units) which is one of three
components of total response time (call processing + turn out + travel = total response time). The need
to return to EMD and send is for overall system efficiency and to “right size the response”. This involves
sending more efficient units to specific incident types.
The second system change was in the definition/designation of the urban and rural response zones. The
urban area is larger now, moving from 48 square miles to 62 square miles. This includes far northeast
Fort Collins which doesn’t currently have a fire station. The Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE)
removed the suburban designation from its accreditation model. Most of the old suburban area became
urban. The PFA has continued to develop a specific policy on the urban and rural designations which
are:
Urban Zone: Within Fort Collins and Timnath city limits. Residential, commercial, and industrial zoning.
112 or more addresses per quarter mile. Rural Zone: Agricultural, rural residential, and open space.
Small areas surrounded by an opposing zone are incorporated into the surrounding zone.
The PFA Standards of Cover compliance model as adopted by the Poudre Fire Authority Board of
Directors designates the plan for improvement. The recommendations of the 2020 Community Risk
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 28
Assessment and Standards of Cover specify the following analysis. Items two through five have the
potential to improve this measure:
1. Analyze system improvement with an additional company and determine the optimal location.
In January of 2023, the Poudre Fire Authority added a third support company (truck functions) to the
system, operating out of Station 4. Ongoing analysis will be conducted to determine overall
effectiveness of this apparatus and impacts to system reliability.
2. Analyze the impact of an additional RAM unit in the south/southeast portion of the jurisdiction.
In 2022 the single, existing RAM in the system was deployed to split their time between the south part of
the system in the morning hours and north part of the system in the afternoon and evening hours.
Ongoing analysis will help determine ongoing effectiveness and the needs for additional RAM units in
the system.
3. Analyze the impact of an additional static planning zone in the southwest or western portion of
the jurisdiction.
4. Analyze the optimal static planning zone station location in the northeast portion of the
jurisdiction.
5. Analyze the impact of the current training schedules and rotations to ensure optimal coverage
of the entire jurisdiction.PFA outcomes measures (specifically flashover and fire loss data as well as
cardiac arrest survivability) continue to be at a high level. The cost of improving response time
performance will need to be weighed against possible improvements in outcomes.
Metric Definition
Fire response time measures the time elapsed from when the citizen/customer dials 911 to when the
first PFA personnel arrives on-scene. This data includes calls for emergencies in the urban response
area of PFA. PFA's target is to respond within 7 minutes, 20 seconds at least 80% of the time. This is
aligned with PFA's baseline performance goals under fire service accreditation.
Why is this important?
Quick response times mean that fire-rescue staff reduce the potential for fire loss and respond to
medical/rescue calls within critical time frames for delivering patients to definitive care. Rapid response
has the potential to limit costs to residents, the community, the health care system and other responding
agencies.
City Organization Impact on Performance
High – Response times for emergency calls are influenced by fire companies through efficient turn-out
times, firefighter training, effective station location, and the use of technology for efficient dispatch and
call mapping.
Benchmark Information
Benchmarking in progress.
To review all the metrics on the Community Dashboard, go to https://fortcollins.clearpointstrategy.com/