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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Read Before Packet - 2/4/2014 - Memorandum From Wanda Nelson Re: Leadership Planning Team (Lpt) Meeting - February 3, 2014City Clerk 300 LaPorte Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6515 970.221-6295 - fax fcgov.com/cityclerk MEMORANDUM DATE: February 3, 2014 TO: Mayor and Councilmembers FROM: Wanda Nelson, City Clerk RE: Leadership Planning Team (LPT) Meeting Mayor Karen Weitkunat, Mayor Pro Tem Gerry Horak, City Manager Darin Atteberry, Deputy City Manager Diane Jones, Assistant City Manager Wendy Williams, City Attorney Steve Roy, and City Clerk Wanda Nelson, met on Monday, February 3, and the following summarizes the discussions that began at 8:02 a.m. February 4 Regular Meeting Consent Agenda Item #5 waives certain fees for the Housing Authority’s Redtail Ponds Project. Mayor Pro Tem Horak requested that if we are going to re-examine housing fee waivers, staff is asked to consider “affordable housing” in the broader context—what are the needs, not just for low-income but for middle income earners; do we need to re-examine our policy targets in light of the elements that the City can impact or influence vs. what the private sector can do. Also, what can be done to gain efficiencies to ensure the highest value for the dollars being spent? To address citizen concerns, Consent Agenda Item #7 pertaining to Utility Manual Meter Reading Charges will be pulled and discussed under, “Consideration of Council-pulled Consent Items.” Staff is asked to provide an update on the status of the Southwest Annexation project. What has been done, and what is ahead? Prior to the hearing officer’s consideration of the Stoner Subdivision Major Amendment (Agenda Item #12), staff had recommended denial of the project. For the appeal hearing, staff is asked to be prepared to reply how the project could be modified to meet City standards. Six Month Calendar The order of items for the February 11 Work Session will be: 1. Retail Marijuana 2. Community Green House Gap Analysis 3. Social Sustainability Gab Analysis Discussion was held regarding retail marijuana, cultivation, and the display and transfer of personal marijuana. As property owners, the City can control what is occurring on City-owned property, but not on property that is owned by Larimer County, DDA, CSU, PSD, etc. Staff is asked to reach out to these entities and explore the possibility of an IGA that would prohibit the display or transfer of recreational Leadership Planning Team Meeting February 3, 2014 Page 2 of 4 marijuana on all public property. Since the County has permitted two retail marijuana establishments, staff is asked to describe their regulations on retail marijuana and marijuana production. Staff is asked to address the following questions regarding the Community Greenhouse Gas Goal Review: 1. What are we going to do with the results? 2. Where is the report being distributed (a suggestion was made to distribute the report to other social service agencies)? 3. What is the plan to address the data contained in the report? 4. What is the plan to engage stakeholders regarding the report? 5. Also, before we change our current Greenhouse Goal(s), what are our plans to meet those goals and what are the budget implications? Due to the length of the report, staff provided Council with the Social Sustainability Gap Analysis last Thursday. When this item is discussed at the upcoming Work Session, staff is asked to describe the major report findings and what the areas/issues that the City can impact and address. The first draft of the Strategic Plan will be presented at the February 22 Council Retreat. It was requested that a discussion be held (on February 22) regarding the February 24 meeting with Board and Commission members. For the February 25 Work Session on the Old Town Historic District and Downtown River Standards and Guidelines, staff is ask to describe the purpose of this item and the public engagement process to ensure that all shareholders (such as environmental groups, etc.) have been involved. Due to Council’s attendance at the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference March 8 – 12, there will not be a Leadership Planning Team meeting on March 10. Other Discussion Items: Assistant City Manager Williams indicated that a $25,000 request was received for funding a shade structure at Veterans Plaza. The overall cost of the project is $75,000. Staff will provide information about how these types of requests have been handled in the past and how “matching funds” have been utilized to fund projects. Assistant City Manager Williams provided an update on the planning for the Utilities Building. A two-day charrette was held with the designer and builder, and a proposed design has been created. The financial plan for the building will be presented to Council late spring and construction is expected to begin this summer. Deputy City Manager Jones indicated that the City will be submitting an application to the “Let’s Move” campaign for cities, towns, and counties sponsored by First Lady Michelle Obama. The focus of the campaign is to address childhood obesity and promote healthy eating. This is the City’s chance to underscore our policies and programs that support active lifestyles. Information about the initiative will be sent to Council in the Thursday packet. Deputy City Manager Jones reported that the Urban Land Institute (ULI) is planning a panel discussion over several days in June on the flood response and recovery efforts. The typical cost for a ULI event is Leadership Planning Team Meeting February 3, 2014 Page 3 of 4 $125,000. Community Foundation grants are lined up to cover the majority of the cost. Fort Collins, in addition to Estes Park, Windsor, Greeley, and Loveland has been asked to support a $5,000 sponsorship. Members of Council are encouraged to contact City Manager Atteberry if they have concerns about this sponsorship; otherwise he plans to support the request. Ms. Jones also indicated: 1. The panel made up of members of Council who participated in the Chamber’s Leadership Class (Local Government and Economy) received high marks on the class evaluations. 2. Councilmember Overbeck is requesting that the City partner with the Forest Service regarding the issue of climate change. City Manager Atteberry reported on: 1. In his 1:1’s with councilmembers, he will be asking them to describe what accomplishments and the types of offers they would like to see in the 2015-16 budget. Also during these meetings, Mr. Atteberry will be discussing the transportation maintenance fee and extension of the quarter-cent sales tax. 2. The Chamber of Commerce will be bringing Great by Choice author Jim Collins to Fort Collins in the spring. The City plans to participate in the community conversations. 3. Upon the invitation from the ICMA Executive Director, Mr. Atteberry participated in a discussion hosted by ICMA regarding topics to address as part of the 100 year anniversary of ICMA, including a focus on the future challenges of city management, such as civic engagement, technology, workforce trends, and sustainability. 4. Fort Collins will celebrate its 75th year as a Council-Manager form of government this year. 5. About 40 “No Smoking signs” will be posted in strategic locations downtown. 6. Interest has been expressed in holding a Work Session on the issue of hazardous materials being transported in Fort Collins and surrounding communities via trains. 7. Federal funding may be made available to CDOT to evaluate local bridges that were in danger due to the 2013 floods. Should bridgework be contemplated in the future, staff will work to ensure, where possible, that appropriate trail over/underpasses be included in their redesign. Mayor Pro Tem Horak is requesting that a member of Council attend the Senior Advisory Board on February 12 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the upcoming meeting of Board and Commission members. Mayor Pro Tem Horak plans to be a part of the stadium visits and would like more information on why the costs of some of the cited renovations/new construction seem to be markedly less that the proposed CSU stadium. For those communities who have built an on-campus stadium, Mayor Pro Tem Horak requests that newspaper articles and school newspaper articles be researched to hear about the community’s perspective. Staff member John Stokes did a great job during the Natural Areas Master Plan meeting last week. On Saturday, February 8 at 1:30 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Horak will be meeting with Betty Aragon regarding the BAVA neighborhoods and the Lincoln Corridor Plan. CDNS Director Laurie Kadrich may also attend that meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Horak attended the “Midtown in Motion” workshop and indicated that the consultants did an excellent job. Leadership Planning Team Meeting February 3, 2014 Page 4 of 4 Police Chief Hutto was commended for the recent community meeting on Body Worn Cameras. Mayor Pro Tem Horak participated in the recent “U Count Campaign” that focused on human trafficking. Several officers from Police Services attended and provided good information. During the NLC Conference, the American Public Power Association (APPA) will be hosting a legislative rally and workshops from March 10 – 12. PRPA General Manager Jackie Sargent will obtain more information in case Council would like to participate. Staff is asked to address these items relating to the Fort Collins Extreme Heat Report: a. Why is there no data prior to 1961? b. What is the effect of the heat island effect on the numbers contained in the report? c. Staff is asked to explore how we operationalize climate change issues so that presentations include mitigation strategies to reduce the impacts to the climate. Additionally, if climate change is causing more heat days, what are we doing to address this? Do we do this for cold weather events? What difference do the efforts make? A citizen received a letter in the mail on pink paper with “Energy Payment Reduction Opportunity” at the top indicating he might qualify for an energy cost reduction. At the bottom of the page is a message indicating that “your utility company and local government are not associated” with this company; however, when the citizen called, he was led to believe this company was working with the City. Citizens should be aware that the City is not sponsoring this effort. Mayor Weitkunat addressed a letter written by citizens requesting that improvements be made in 2014 to Willow Street. Staff is asked to respond to the letter. The discussion ended at 10:24 a.m.