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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport - Mail Packet - 4/11/2017 - Memorandum From Darin Atteberry Re: End Of Term ReportCITY COUNCIL Wade Troxell, Mayor Gerry Horak, District 6, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Overbeck, District 1 Ray Martinez, District 2 Gino Campana, District 3 Kristin Stephens, District 4 Ross Cunniff, District 5 INTRODUCTION This report provides an update to City Council and to the community on the City Council Initiatives. This report highlights some of the major accomplishments and strategic direction this Council has provided during the last two years. The current City Council Initiatives were developed in 2015 and are focused in seven outcome areas. 2015-2017 COUNCIL END-OF-TERM REPORT 2 | 2015-2017 COUNCIL END-OF-TERM REPORT BACKGROUND As we near the end of another City Council term, it is important to look back and acknowledge the work and impact City Council has had and will continue to have on the community now and in the future. This Council passed over 300 ordinances and over 200 resolutions during their term. The City of Fort Collins continues to improve as an organization and Council is a large part of that work. It’s not just how many ordinances are passed (300)! The more impressive work is the steering, guiding, and continued attention to making this community the best it can be. In the 2015-2017 time period, City Council completed the foundational work of updating the Strategic Plan and adopting the 2017-18 budget. The adopted budget includes funding for maintaining the high level of service citizens expect in Fort Collins and it shows commitment in the following areas: Neighborhood Quality Neighborhood Services will see the addition of code compliance staff and expanded funding for the Residential Permit Parking Program (RP3.) Public Safety Police Services will also see the additional of staff as well as technology upgrades and work towards the future in the way of a regional training facility and additional substations. Environmental Goals Citizens will see continued efforts to enhance resiliency, energy efficiency, and investments in natural areas and the Poudre River. Future Visioning The next few years will see updates to critical long-term plans including City Plan, the Transportation Master Plan, the Transit Master Plan, and the Cultural Plan. HIGHLIGHTS The following are just a few of the major efforts addressed by the 2015-2017 sitting Council. Housing Affordability Initiated efforts to address middle-income and low-income housing accessibility. Efforts included reviewing changes to the Land Bank program and collaborations to work regionally to address affordability. Neighborhood Livability In addition to additional staff in both Neighborhood Services and Police Services, the Neighborhood Connections program has moved into a pilot phase with 20 neighborhoods participating. City Council has also ensured that the City remains highly engaged with CSU to minimize neighborhood impact from the opening of the stadium. 3 | 2015-2017 COUNCIL END-OF-TERM REPORT HIGHLIGHTS Public Safety After multiple years of effort, a Campus West police sub-station will become a reality in 2017- 18. Safety efforts also include continued implementation of body worn cameras and community based efforts including the It’s On Us campaign to combat sexual assault. Air Quality In 2016 a fugitive dust ordinance was passed. After many trainings and educational campaigns enforcement started in November 2016. The City strongly supported state legislation to address nuisance exhibition of excessive vehicular exhaust and the bill progressed further than last year but ultimately died in committee. City of Fort Collins Foundation A fund is in motion to be established under the Community Foundation with a goal of leveraging grant opportunities with a focus on youth participation and supporting organizational performance initiatives. I-25 Widening Efforts Council recognizes the critical infrastructure and performance that is currently lacking in I-25. Many milestones were achieved to address this issue including approval of matching funding from Fort Collins and other communities, completion of an IGA with CDOT, joint submittal to GOCO for regional trail connections, and success on Phase 1 improvements which will start in 2017. CSU Stadium The City has continued to be heavily engaged in the stadium project including involvement with the Stadium Advisory Committee, development of game day operation plans, and conversations around future use of the Hughes stadium site. Climate Action The 2015 adoption of climate action goals will result in $12M in energy, waste, and transportation investments which have been leveraged by $2.30 for every City dollar invested. Fort Collins increased local solar capacity by more than 3x between 2014-16. 4 | 2015-2017 COUNCIL END-OF-TERM REPORT HIGHLIGHTS Transportation This City Council saw the introduction of the Bike Share program and a Zipcar launch in the City. Budget dollars were also committed to work towards seven-day service for MAX and Transfort. OPENINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS Soapstone Bison Release Opening of the Timberline Recycling Center Completion of the Utility Administration Building at 222 Laporte Avenue EPIC Center Upgrades Safe Routes Tavelli School Trail Connection Skate Park Lights at Northside Aztlan 1 PROGRESS KEY 25% 50% 75% 100% March - 2017 CITY COUNCIL INITIATIVE DASHBOARD The purpose of this dashboard is to track the progress of priorities established during the April 2015 Council retreat. It will be updated quarterly and included in packets to guide the scheduling of items on the 6-month planning calendar. Last Updated: March 30, 2017 Next Major Update: Late Summer, 2017 PROGRESS COUNCIL RETREAT PRIORITY PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES SERVICE AREA ACTION PLAN ECONOMIC HEALTH CITY FOUNDATION Purpose: Provide funding to projects or the ideas “outside norm” of General Fund Spending: Outcomes: • Provide framework for creation of a foundation Financial Services Staff shared with CFC on Jan 23rd, at a work session Feb 28th and will bring forward a resolution of support March 28th. Ongoing INNOVATION COMMUNITY Foster and promote a community of innovation, which allows the triple helix model to thrive and which also provides the support necessary for startup businesses • Complete assessment of existing innovation assets in the community. • Support Colorado State University in their efforts for innovation designation • Develop Innovation Community Strategic Plan Sustainability Services City staff has convened an internal City as a Platform Task Force, which will identify and examine policies, procedures and procurement standards. The task force will present to the Council Futures Committee in June and expects to have task force results by July 2017. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH BOXELDER STORMWATER DISTRICT COUNCIL APPOINTMENT City Council desires to appoint one of their members to the BBRSA Board. The IGA allows the City to appoint one member independently and one at-large member 2 PROGRESS KEY 25% 50% 75% 100% March - 2017 CITY COUNCIL INITIATIVE DASHBOARD PROGRESS COUNCIL RETREAT PRIORITY PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES SERVICE AREA ACTION PLAN AIR QUALITY ENFORCEMENT Ensure air quality standards and rules are being met by utilizing various enforcement mechanisms. Focus will be on fugitive dust and rolling coal • Pass fugitive dust ordinance • Achieve legislative action on rolling coal Sustainability Services Council passed, Fugitive Dust Ordinance on May 3, 2016. Internal and community trainings and outreach have been conducted and enforcement began on Nov. 1, 2016. Quarterly trainings planned in 2017 Rolling coal legislation was defeated in the Legislature in 2016 and 2017. Similar legislation may come back this session. City adopted Dust Manual into Administrative Policy requiring all City projects control dust WATER TAP FEES/DISTRICTS Explore options for addressing impacts of increasing water development fees on affordable housing and look at long-term water supply planning • Begin regional discussions about water • Find solution to provide cost- effective water to new affordable housing projects Utilities A Steering Committee was appointed at the May 31st Water Workshop and met several times to develop a Collaboration Charter. Both ELCO and the City have formally adopted the Charter. FCLWD’s approval is pending. The Committee is currently drafting strategies for collaboration and will continue to meet quarterly. A budget offer was submitted by Sustainability Services to fund the purchase of ditch 3 PROGRESS KEY 25% 50% 75% 100% March - 2017 CITY COUNCIL INITIATIVE DASHBOARD PROGRESS COUNCIL RETREAT PRIORITY PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES SERVICE AREA ACTION PLAN Ongoing WASTE TO ENERGY Examine means to reduce the amount of waste being put into landfill and increase recycling by looking at methods such as waste to energy • Optimized use of materials and increased waste diversion Sustainability Services City Council passed Community Recycling Ordinance unanimously on first reading Sept. 6, 2016. Staff subsequently met with haulers to ensure familiarity with ordinance requirement and review educational materials. Analysis of organics options underway and work session planned for May 2017. Timberline Recycling Center opened on Aug. 22, 2016, collecting more “hard to recycle” items in addition to regular recyclables. Plastic film collection pilot initiated in February 2017.. Mayor Troxell and Councilmember Cunniff serve on regional wasteshed coalition. Regional survey and Regional Wasteshed Planning Study completed. Regional forums completed in Fall 2016. Phase II analysis and engagements efforts in development. Staff has developed a partnership with Woodward to construct and operate a cogeneration unit at DWRF. This is a re-design of a project that was included in the ’15-’16 budget. Council funded an additional appropriation in the Budget to complete the project, which captures more methane than the original design. 4 PROGRESS KEY 25% 50% 75% 100% March - 2017 CITY COUNCIL INITIATIVE DASHBOARD PROGRESS COUNCIL RETREAT PRIORITY PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES SERVICE AREA ACTION PLAN SAFE COMMUNITY POLICE SUBSTATION IN CAMPUS WEST Increase police presence in the Campus West area through the deployment of a Police substation • Work with potential partners in Campus West Area to identify possible sites • Focus on providing a presence in the neighborhood to foster positive relationships Police Services An offer to acquire space for this project was funded by City Council in the 2017-18 Budget. Final lease negotiations expected complete by mid- April. Council approved one- time funding for build-out of the space on March 21, 2017. Project entering renovation and build-out in Q2 2017. Ongoing COMMUNITY POLICING APPROACH Increase community engagement through the increased use of bicycle patrol • Be seen in an approachable way in the community through the use of expanded bike patrols Police Services Ongoing - Incorporating feedback from Council Work Session into Patrol division such as: Expanded number of officers trained to deploy on bicycles Currently deploying officers on overtime to help with transient concerns in the downtown area, with seasonal adjustments as appropriate into warm weather months of 2017. NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY & SOCIAL HEALTH Ongoing NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY Discuss and investigate methods and tools to increase neighborhood livability city-wide • Provide additional resources for code enforcement and education in targeted neighborhoods 5 PROGRESS KEY 25% 50% 75% 100% March - 2017 CITY COUNCIL INITIATIVE DASHBOARD PROGRESS COUNCIL RETREAT PRIORITY PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES SERVICE AREA ACTION PLAN EXPAND IGA DISCUSSION TO USE OF HUGHES STADIUM Engage CSU in a discussion on the use of Hughes Stadium. Suggest a community conversation with the County, CSU, residents, and the City • Help CSU engage in a community discussion about future uses of the stadium site Executive Services/PDT City Manager and staff met with CSU to review the property assessment timeline in August. CSU solicited feedback regarding public engagement process and land use planning. Cameron Gloss was identified as the lead staff member to work with CSU. The initial assessment process is planned to conclude in the summer of 2017. Staff has continued planning and outreach efforts to assist CSU as needed in this process. Ongoing HOUSING AFFORDABILITY Explore options to address middle income issues and affordable housing for low income/homeless • Secure funding for the development of additional parcels • Review Land Bank program • Engage in regional conversations about the affordability of housing Sustainability Services Land Bank Program: Three public Land Bank Briefings arescheduled for March with a Workshop to follow in spring. Council to consider code changes this summer. Housing Northern Colorado The Board of Realtors merged their housing affordability work group with the County Commissioners’ effort. Five 6 PROGRESS KEY 25% 50% 75% 100% March - 2017 CITY COUNCIL INITIATIVE DASHBOARD PROGRESS COUNCIL RETREAT PRIORITY PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES SERVICE AREA ACTION PLAN CULTURE AND RECREATION AS PARKS REACH BUILD OUT, SHIFT FOCUS TO REFRESHING Fort Collins parks are aging and in need of improvements in order for them to adequately meet the growing demands of today’s users. • Keep pace with changing trends in recreation • Adapt to changing community needs • Provide equitable experiences city wide • Connect people with nature • Replace and improve antiquated infrastructure Community and Operation Services Avery Park improvements to be completed this summer. Staff is using as pilot project for neighborhood park refresh. Extensive community outreach conducted for City Park refresh over past year. Will be used in defining a phase I project to be identified late ’17 or early ‘18 Funding options for refresh efforts to be explored as part of Parks and Recreation Plan update in 2018 or 2019. TRANSPORTATION TRAIN UNDERPASS Look at options to provide priority access to emergency vehicles across or under train tracks. Examine sharing train schedules in real time • Explore alternatives to improve the Vine and Lemay railroad crossing experience Planning, Development, & Transportation The frequency and duration of train delays have been significantly reduced as a result of the Union Pacific and Great Western Railroad capital project completion. A partial offer was funded for the next budget cycle related to 7 PROGRESS KEY 25% 50% 75% 100% March - 2017 CITY COUNCIL INITIATIVE DASHBOARD PROGRESS COUNCIL RETREAT PRIORITY PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES SERVICE AREA ACTION PLAN I-25 WIDENING FUNDING Explore mechanisms and strategies to work with other regional jurisdictions to identify local funding opportunities that help leverage state and federal funding to accelerate the improvements needed to I- 25 in Northern Colorado. • Identify local funding opportunities that leverage state or federal funds • Engage regional officials to leverage additional dollars from the region • Secure funding for expansion of key bridges along I-25. Note: CDOT received TIGER grant award of $15 million to help accelerate these projects and other improvements forward by fifteen years). Planning, Development, & Transportation $2.25 million funded in2017- 2018 Budget for local match to be used for I-25 improvements in Northern Colorado. Council approved in March a contract with CDOT for 2017 contribution of $1.125M in local match. Council will also appropriate year 1 contribution of $455K to Larimer County as part of regional contribution. City of Fort Collins, town of Timnath and private property owners entering into agreement to provide as much as $18.5M to CDOT to share in costs for Prospect/I-25 Interchange improvements. City of Fort Collins provided CDOT with letter of intent to commit to funds on March 1, 2017. Fort Collins, Timnath, and property owners working on a public- private partnership agreement to decide local share responsibilities and repayment mechanisms. Phase I of I-25 improvements (SH-7 to SH-402) to begin in 2017 and be completed in 2020 8 PROGRESS KEY 25% 50% 75% 100% March - 2017 CITY COUNCIL INITIATIVE DASHBOARD PROGRESS COUNCIL RETREAT PRIORITY PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES SERVICE AREA ACTION PLAN Ongoing OPEN DATA POLICY Develop a robust open data policy and Fcgov.com open data portal to improve citizen access to information and to enhance transparency • Develop initial website • Develop Open Data Proclamation • Develop internal Open Data Policy • Research and implement a robust open data portal platform Information and Employee Services Resolution to Adopt Open Data Policy adopted at February 7, 2017 Council Meeting. Completed What Works Cities assessment and site visit. Currently in discovery phase awaiting project identification. Design and configuration of first phase of Open Data Portal nearly complete. “Soft launch” to organization scheduled for March 30th. Will be available to the public the first week of April. Open Data position funded beginning in 2018 as part of 2017-2018 BFO process. Ongoing SALES TAX RECAPTURE INITIATIVE Examine ways to recapture sales tax dollars lost to surrounding communities near the community’s Growth Management Area • Evaluate opportunities to enter into revenue sharing agreements with surrounding communities and if feasible develop revenue sharing agreements Sustainability Services Finance & EHO developed a list of potential target areas for future sales tax sharing agreements. Staff met with Timnath on June 10th. The existing IGA already includes agreement to consider Revenue Sharing in key influence areas along I-25. PDT Staff will continue to lead the broader IGA conversation with Timnath, with Finance/EHO providing support in discussions as needed. WHAT IS THE CITY’S FUTURE? Engage citizens, visitors, and businesses in visioning about the future of Fort Collins as part of the City Plan update Planning, Development, & Transportation City Plan is scheduled to be updated in 2017. BFO Offer funding the update was funded by City Council and staff is in early stages of scoping the project. POLICY ON USE OF EXCESS USE TAX AT YEAR END Provide clarity on how Use Tax in general and how Use Tax greater than budget is utilized within the budget process Financial Services Complete - policy drafted, reviewed and finalized with CFC in December 2015 (CDOT). HIGH PERFORMING GOVERNMENT SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AS KEY OUTCOME AREA Discuss the potential of adding Social Sustainability as an 8th Key Outcome Area Financial Services Complete - Memo to Council recommended we maintain our current 7 Outcome Areas and modify one to Neighborhood Livability and Social Health. Completion of Social Sustainability Strategic Plan will also help achieve goals planning, design, and right of way work for the Vine and Lemay crossing and staff has met with railroad officials to assess the re-location of the switching yard. committees were formed to tackle the topic of regional efforts that could improve housing affordability. IGA ON COMMUNITY SEPARATORS Engage the Town of Timnath in a discussion to examine the use of community separators • Continue to focus on natural areas and agricultural separators • Engage Timnath officials in discussions about a potential IGA Executive Services/PDT/ Community and Operation Services While Timnath has been willing to evaluate shared planning and revenues along the I-25 corridor, to date they have not expressed an interest in developing a shared community separator plan Natural Areas continues to actively monitor potential separator sites for purchase Executive Services/PDT Staffing resources were approved for 2017-18. additional Code Enforcement officers to target “key” areas in 2017 for increased levels of enforcement have been hired and onboarded. company shares for use by affordable housing developments; however this offer was not funded. Staff is now considering potential options moving forward. that is mutually agreed to with the County. • Appoint new board member after current appointment term expires Utilities Complete - Mayor Pro Tem Gerry Horak was appointed to be the City Representative to the BBRSA Board. Mr. Horak was elected as Board President at their April meeting. Mr. Sampley continues to be available as a technical expert and support Mr. Horak in his role.