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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Read Before Packet - 1/8/2013 (4)City of Fort Collins MEMORANDUM DATE: January 7, 2013 TO: Mayor and Councilmembers n' FROM: Rita Harris, Chief Deputy City Clefk RE: Leadership Planning Team Meeting City Clerk 300 LaPorte Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6515 970.221-6295 - fax fcgov.com/cityclerk Mayor Karen Weitkunat, Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Ohlson, City Manager Darin Atteberry, Deputy City Manager Diane Jones, City Attorney Steve Roy, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Rita Harris met on Monday, January 7, 2013, and the following summarizes the discussions that began at 12:35 p.m. January 8 Work Session The first item on the Work Session Agenda is the Midtown Plan, focusing on design concepts. Staff is seeking Council feedback on the emerging concepts to determine if staff is on the right track. The second item addresses the history, building financing, and current and future activities of the Rocky Mountain Innosphere. The Leadership team requested additional background on all of the financial transactions relating to RMI and the positions and salaries of the employees (if available). January 15 Regular Meeting The Draft Agenda for January 15 was reviewed. In relation to second reading of an ordinance to authorize the use of eminent domain proceedings relating to the Mason Corridor Bus Rapid Transit project, Mayor Pro Tem Ohlson indicated that navigating along the corridor is problematic. City Manager Atteberry indicated that the current design is not final, and will be altered. Staff was asked to provide information on why the railroad was allowed to build the "pit" deeper than it needed to be, and whether or not the curb on both sides of the track is built to the agreed upon width. Staff was asked to provide background information regarding Xcel pipeline negotiations in this Thursday's mail packet. Discussion items will appear in the following order: - Resolution adopting the Parking Plan - Second Reading of the Medical Marijuana Ordinances - Second Reading of the Ordinance Designating the Whitcomb Street Historic District - Second Reading of the Door -to -Door Solicitation Ordinance - Second Reading of the Ordinance Amending the Conflict of Interest Provisions - Resolution Affirming the Authorization of Use of Eminent Domain by the Urban Renewal Authority Leadership Planning Team Meeting January 7, 2013 Page 2 of 3 The regular meeting will be followed by a meeting of the Urban Renewal Authority Board of Directors. Six Month Calendar It was noted that the discussion of Revenue Diversification was moved from the February 12 work session to Unscheduled Items to allow time to vet it with the Finance Committee and Futures Committee, as well as the Economic Advisory Commission. First reading of an ordinance establishing a plastic bag fee was scheduled for February 19. Due to the length of the March 5 meeting, second reading will occur on March 19. Additional Land Use Code (LUC) changes will be considered by Council in conjunction with the Student Housing Action Plan on February 19. This will finish out the LUC amendments scheduled to be considered in 2012 and early 2013. Research and outreach will continue in 2013 on the three remaining proposals. Other Discussion Items/Questions City Attorney Roy inquired as to when and how he might receive direction, if any, to prepare a ballot measure related to (racking. It was determined that Mayor Pro Tem Ohlson will raise the issue at the January 8 work session. Council consideration to place an issue on the ballot must occur in February. Deputy City Manager Jones reported that a few of the wayfinding signs in the downtown area have been installed, primarily relating to the location of restrooms. City Manager Atteberry indicated staff is working on an ordinance to decriminalize barking dogs and to address other animal enforcement issues. He also indicated staff is exploring moving the animal contract management function from Police Services to Neighborhood Services and the Code Enforcement Program. City Manager Atteberry stated the issue of parkway landscaping and maintenance is more complicated than originally thought, and information will be coming soon to Council regarding changes staff is considering relating to administration, processes, approvals, etc. Mayor Weitkunat and City Manager Atteberry met with Josh Awtry, Executive Editor of the Coloradoan, regarding mid -week newspapers and the unwanted distribution. He indicated the Coloradoon is committed to working on a solution. The publisher, Judi Terzotis, was not available for that meeting, but followed up with a message that the Coloradoon takes this issue seriously and promised to report back to Darin in the next week or so. With regard to the development review process and transparency on the City's website to neighbors, City Manager Atteberry noted that a comprehensive memo outlining improvements made and a timeline for additional actions will be sent to Council in this Thursday's packet. Staff was asked to provide information on whether or not the City instituted review processes and regulations regarding the aesthetic appearance of cell phone towers on public and private land. _. f Leadership Planning Team Meeting January 7, 2013 Page 3 of 3 Staff was asked to prepare a memo that addresses some questions that relate to affordable housing projects that have benefitted from Low Income Tax Credit financing and for which related rents are kept affordable. The question relates to what happens when the tax credit program expires (usually after 20 years) and the owner is ready to sell. In the instances where the Housing Authority purchases such property to retain the affordable rents and keep the project affordable, does the Housing Authority end up paying a premium or a price that exceed the market value? Mayor Weitkunat asked for an update on the Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center and the City's participation in a solution. City Manager Atteberry reported that temporary financial assistance from the City, as well as some other community organizations, is being explored. The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.