HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport - Mail Packet - 1/18/2022 - City Managers Monthly Update - January 13, 2022
Small Business Season Visit – El Zirahuen Ice Cream Shop
January 13, 2022
JANUARY 13, 2022
Table of Contents
ISSUES BEFORE COUNCIL ................................................................................................................. 4
JANUARY 18 REGULER MEETING ............................................................................................................................4
JANUARY 24 ADJOURNED MEETING ......................................................................................................................4
JANUARY 25 WORK SESSION ..................................................................................................................................5
JANUARY 27 URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY BOARD ..............................................................................................5
FEBRUARY 1 REGULAR MEETING ............................................................................................................................5
FEBRUARY 1 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS .............................................................................................................5
FEBRUARY 8 WORK SESSION ..................................................................................................................................5
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT – UPCOMING EVENTS ................................................................................ 6
SALES TAX - MONTHLY & YEAR TO DATE ....................................................................................... 6
CP - ENGINEERING ............................................................................................................................. 7
VINE AND LEMAY BNSF IMPROVEMENTS ..............................................................................................................7
POWER TRAIL AND HARMONY ROAD GRADE SEPARATED CROSSING ...................................................................8
LINDEN STREET RENOVATION PROJECT .................................................................................................................8
NORTH MASON ROW AND DESIGN - ALPINE TO HICKORY.....................................................................................9
TIMBERLINE ROAD CORRIDOR PROJECT ............................................................................................................. 10
CP - PARK PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................................... 11
BUCKING HORSE PARK ......................................................................................................................................... 11
EAST PARK DISTRICT MAINTENANCE FACILITY .................................................................................................... 11
MAIL CREEK TRAIL................................................................................................................................................ 12
POUDRE TRAIL AT I-25 ......................................................................................................................................... 12
SPRING CANYON DOG PARK ................................................................................................................................ 13
TRAVERSE PARK ................................................................................................................................................... 13
EDORA DISC GOLF PARK UPDATES ...................................................................................................................... 14
CP - OPERATION SERVICES ............................................................................................................ 14
FORT COLLINS/LOVELAND POLICE TRAINING CENTER ........................................................................................ 14
BLOCK 32/42 – CIVIC MASTER PLAN REFRESH .................................................................................................... 15
CP - UTILITIES.................................................................................................................................... 15
PRIORITY #7 VILLAGE EAST CABLE REPLACEMENT .............................................................................................. 15
USC REMODEL-SCO/NOC CONTROL ROOM ........................................................................................................ 16
DRAKE WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY NPT FINAL CLARIFIERS REPLACEMENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION 17
MAIL CREEK STREAM REHABILITATION--TWO-CREEKS NATURAL AREA ............................................................. 18
CITY PARK SEWER REHABILITATION AND REPLACEMENT ................................................................................... 18
PUBLIC SAFETY ................................................................................................................................ 19
POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY ................................................................................................................................... 19
POLICE SERVICES .................................................................................................................................................. 22
PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT &TRANSPORTATION ......................................................................... 25
BUILDING, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW .......................................................................................... 25
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES ................................................................................................................................. 25
GRAFFITI UPDATE ............................................................................................................................ 27
SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES ............................................................................................................ 28
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ................................................................................................................................ 28
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY ...................................................................................................................................... 29
ECONOMIC HEALTH ............................................................................................................................................. 29
UTILITIES ............................................................................................................................................ 30
CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS .................................................................................................................................. 30
COMMUNITY SERVICES .................................................................................................................... 31
RECREATION ........................................................................................................................................................ 31
PARKS ................................................................................................................................................................... 32
CULTURAL SERVICES ............................................................................................................................................ 33
NATURAL AREAS .................................................................................................................................................. 33
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ..................................................................................................................... 35
BROADBAND – FORT COLLINS CONNEXION ................................................................................. 35
COMMUNITY DASHBOARD HIGHLIGHT .......................................................................................... 36
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 4
ISSUES BEFORE COUNCIL
JANUARY 18 REGULER MEETING
Sam’s Club Fuel Station Appeal (Council extended to this date from October 19)
o Consider an appeal of the Planning and Zoning Board decision to deny the Sam’s Club Fuel
Station Major Amendment and Additional Permitted Use.
Neighborhood Livability & Social Health 1.6 – Align land use regulations and review
procedures to guide development consistent with City Plan.
Temporary Housing for Disaster Relief
o To adopt an ordinance to remove regulatory barriers for Fort Collins households offering their
homes for the Marshall Fire victims.
Timber Lark Annexation (consent)
o To adopt the Timber lark Annexation on First Reading.
Neighborhood Livability & Social Health 1.7 – Provide a high-quality built
environment, support quality, diverse neighborhoods and foster the social health of
citizens.
Staff Report: Epic Homes Program
o Provide an update to Council on the Epic Homes program as it concludes participation in the
Bloomberg Mayors Challenge.
Environmental Health 4.1 – Intensify efforts to improve resilience and to meet 2030
climate, energy and 100% renewable electricity goals.
JANUARY 24 ADJOURNED MEETING
Executive Session – 4:00 – 6:00 pm
o Meet with recruiter to review City Manager applicants and select semi-finalists.
High Performing Government 7.4 – Attract, retain, engage, develop and reward a
diverse and competitive workforce to meet the needs of the community now and in
the future.
Please note that this list is subject to
frequent change. Please call the City
Clerk’s Office for up-to-date
information. 970-416-2774.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 5
JANUARY 25 WORK SESSION
Disposable Bag Ordinance Review
o Review the Fort Collins’ Disposable Bag Ordinance in the context of the State’s recent plastic-
focused Bill (HB21-1162) and discuss opportunities for alignment.
Environmental Health 4.3 – Enhance efforts to achieve 2030 zero waste goals.
Wireless Telecommunication Master Plan Land Use Code Strategies
o Obtain feedback and direction from Council on the Strategies outlined in the recently adopted
Wireless Telecommunications Master Plan. This information will help guide the subsequent
Land Use Code updates related to wireless telecommunication projects.
Neighborhood Livability & Social Health 1.6 – Align land use regulations and review
procedures to guide development consistent with City Plan.
Draft Recovery Plan Overview (with Spanish Interpretation)
o Present and discuss draft Recovery Plan and incorporate feedback and recommendations.
Economic Health 3.1 – Facilitate government and local partners to achieve effective
regional economic resilience.
JANUARY 27 URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY BOARD
5:00 p.m. – Remote Meeting
FEBRUARY 1 REGULAR MEETING
CANCELLED
FEBRUARY 1 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
Lincoln Center – 6:00 pm
FEBRUARY 8 WORK SESSION
Housing Strategic Plan Implementation: Land Use Code Phase 1 Updates
o Provide updates on progress for the Land Use Code (LUC) Phase 1 Update, which implements
several Housing Strategic Plan strategies. Staff is seeking Council feedback about proposed
code changes prior to Council consideration of adoption.
Neighborhood Livability and Social Health 1.1 – Improve and increase availability
and choice of quality housing that is affordable to a broad range of income levels.
Advancing Transit Initiatives
o Inform Councilmembers of projects implementing the Transit Master Plan and seek feedback
on community outreach and policies.
Transportation 6.3 – Ensure equitable access to and expansion of all sustainable
modes of travel, with emphasis on growing transit ridership.
Active Modes Plan Update
o Inform and request feedback from Council for the Active Modes Plan. The Plan will combine
and update the City’s 2011 Pedestrian Plan and 2014 Bicycle Plan as well as incorporating
micromobility devices such as electric scooters and skateboards.
Transportation 6.1 – Improve safety for people using all modes of travel.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 6
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT – UPCOMING EVENTS
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: The City is proud to sponsor
and participate in this year's local Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day events in Fort Collins. The theme for this year’s
Community Celebration is The March is Far from Over, and
community members are invited to participate in a variety of
events to honor the legacy of Dr. King, including a
community march. The full list of events and opportunities to
volunteer can be found at mlkfortcollins.org.
Citywide Vigil for MLK Day
The City invites neighbors across Fort Collins to set battery-powered, tea light luminaries along
sidewalks and driveways as part of a citywide vigil on Monday, Jan. 17. These small lights throughout
our city seek to honor the words of Dr. King when he said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only
light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
To request luminary materials for your home or business to participate in the vigil, fill out the form from
Neighborhood Services. Please note that supplies are limited. For those who would like to purchase
their own materials, details can be found here.
Black/African American History & Tour
Explore sites in Fort Collins that help tell the story of Black/African Americans in the city from the
1880s through the 1970s. Great for a virtual tour from home, or a socially-distanced walk, bike, or
drive around Old Town Fort Collins. More info:
https://www.fcgov.com/historicpreservation/blackfortcollins
Draft Recovery Plan Engagement: Feedback is being sought on the Draft Recovery plan to ensure it
accurately reflects what the community needs most to build back better. Residents and businesses are
invited to share their reactions and input online in both English and Spanish at:
https://ourcity.fcgov.com/forfoco
2022 State of the City:
Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 at 6 p.m.
Join Mayor Jeni Arndt and Interim City Manager Kelly
DiMartino to reflect on 2021 and look forward to the future
of Fort Collins.
The event will be held at the Lincoln Center (details
subject to change based on public health conditions and
guidance) and streamed live online. To learn more visit:
https://www.fcgov.com/stateofthecity/
SALES TAX - MONTHLY & YEAR TO DATE
This report reflects Sales and Use Tax collected in December for economic activity that occurred in
November. Please note the sales and use tax collected in December is predominately from November
sales but also includes delinquent collections from prior periods.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 7
DECEMBER SUMMARY OVER PRIOR YEAR
Month Year to Date
Net Sales Tax Collected: 15.4% 19.7%
Net Use Tax Collected: 2.4% 4.8%
Net Sales and Use Tax Collected: 13.7% 17.5%
Year to date, sales and use tax collections excluding rebates are up 17.5% and total $158.9M.
DECEMBER SUMMARY OVER BUDGET
Month Year to Date
Net Sales Tax Collected: 21.7% 22.3%
Net Use Tax Collected: 4.9% 16.6%
Net Sales and Use Tax Collected: 19.4% 21.5%
Year to date, the City has collected 21.5% more sales and use tax revenue, totaling $28.1M over budget.
CP - ENGINEERING
VINE AND LEMAY BNSF IMPROVEMENTS
Funding Source: Keep Fort Collins Great (KFCG),
Transportation Capital Expansion Fee (TCEF), 2017 / 2018
BFO, 2021 BFO
Estimated Project Budget: $24M
Estimated Completion Date: 2022
Phase: Construction
December 2021 Progress Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EVOLt97ZR8
Project Details:
The existing Vine and Lemay intersection, which includes the
Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway crossing, is
severely congested with limited options to expand through or
turn lane capacity due to land use constraints.
Project Status:
All paving was completed, and the project was opened to vehicular traffic on December 11,
2021.
Remaining work includes final fencing, landscaping, and artwork to be installed on the
bridge and surrounding area.
A ribbon cutting and celebration is being planned for later in 2022.
More information is available at fcgov.com/engineering/vine-lemay
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 8
POWER TRAIL AND HARMONY ROAD GRADE SEPARATED CROSSING
Funding Source: Federal Grant, Community Capital
Improvement Program (CCIP - Bike / Pedestrian Grade
Separated Crossings)
Estimated Project Budget: $7M - $10M
Estimated Completion Date: Pending funding
Phase: Preliminary Design
Project Details:
The Power Trail provides connectivity between the Spring
Creek Trail to the north and the Fossil Creek Trail to the
south. The Trail currently has a gap approximately three-
quarters of a mile long north and south of Harmony Road. The detour route requires users to cross
Harmony Road at grade at McMurry. This project will design, acquire property interests, and construct
a trail underpass at Harmony Road as well as the trail connections on either side.
Project Status:
FIR Scope and Fee has been approved
FIR Restart meeting January 19th to ensure all internal and external parties are up to date
on project status and answer any outstanding questions or comments. Contacting property
owners to discuss easement conflicts
More information is available at https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/powertrailcrossing
LINDEN STREET RENOVATION PROJECT
Overall Project Improvements
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 9
2022 Construction
Funding Source: Community Capital Improvement Program (CCIP)
Estimated Project Budget: $3.8M
Estimated Completion Date: 2022
Phase: Construction
Project Details:
The goals of this project are to renovate Linden Street between Walnut Street and Jefferson Street.
Initial concepts include converting this section of Linden Street to a “convertible” street; one that can
function primarily as a roadway but can also be closed to vehicles and converted to a pedestrian plaza
during specialty events.
Project Status:
Meeting with business owners and stakeholders
Finalizing Construction Work Order and General Conditions in concurrence with GMP approval
Phase 2 construction to tentatively schedule begin the week of Jan 17th, 2022
Extended patio area barricades to be removed the week of January 10th
More information is available at: https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/linden-street-renovation/
NORTH MASON ROW AND DESIGN - ALPINE TO HICKORY
Funding Source: Transportation Capital Expansion Fee (TCEF),
Storm Water Utility, Urban Renewal Authority (URA) funding
Estimated Project Budget: $1.0M
Estimated Completion Date: 2 quarter 2022
Phase: 30% Design
Project Details:
A collaborative effort between City departments and the North
College URA to find solutions to existing drainage issues along
the west side of College Avenue, north of the Poudre River. The
project was approved through the 2019/2020 Budgeting for
Outcomes (BFO) process and will focus on roadway and storm
sewer alignments for North Mason. Construction of the storm
sewer backbone is expected to occur in late 2022 or early
2023.No funding has currently been identified for the roadway construction.
Project Status:
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 10
City staff revisited alignment strategy and existing property owner uses during the months
of October to December.
TIMBERLINE ROAD CORRIDOR PROJECT
Funding Source: Transportation Capital Expansion Fee
(TCEF), Developer Contribution, Federal Grant
Estimated Project Budget: $8M
Estimated Completion Date: 2022
Phase: Right-of-Way Acquisition and Construction
Project Details:
This project will reconstruct South Timberline Road from
Stetson Creek Drive to Zephyr Road to the City’s four lane
arterial roadway standards. Zephyr Road to Trilby Road will be
restriped to include two northbound lanes and one southbound
lane. Planned improvements include intersection
improvements at Kechter Road and Zephyr Road, multi-modal
accommodations, raised medians and center turn lanes,
access control, landscaping improvements, and roadway improvements. A pedestrian underpass
crossing Timberline Road will also be constructed near Bacon Elementary School.
This project serves to build upon the development improvements that have been completed along the
corridor. This project will improve safety, reduce congestion, and provide improved accommodations
for alternate travel modes.
Project Status:
Construction began on the Pedestrian Underpass and Mail Creek Box Culvert on December
7, 2021.
The Timberline Corridor is pending CDOT authorization to advertise for construction.
More information is available at https://www.fcgov.com/engineering/timberlinewidening
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 11
CP - PARK PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
BUCKING HORSE PARK
Funding Source: Neighborhood
Parkland Funds
Total Project Cost: $2.5 - $4 million
Phase: Design
Estimated Completion: 2023
Project Details:
Bucking Horse Park is a park planned
for the Bucking Horse neighborhood.
Project Status:
Staff are reviewing cost
estimates and completing 75%
construction documents.
Kick off meeting with APP artists complete.
More information available on project webpage.
EAST PARK DISTRICT MAINTENANCE FACILITY
Funding Source: Neighborhood Parkland &
Community Parkland Funds
Total Project Cost: $7 million
Phase: Design
Estimated Completion: Fall/Winter 2022
Project Details:
A maintenance facility to serve the East Park
District, which includes multiple neighborhood and
community parks, is proposed near the intersection
of Drake & Ziegler near the water treatment facility.
The maintenance facility will house Parks Department staff, equipment, and some minor material
storage.
Project Status:
Construction began in December and is currently underway.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 12
MAIL CREEK TRAIL
Funding Source: Multiple Funding Sources including Grants, TCEF, and Conservation Trust Funds
Total Project Cost: TBD
Phase: Pre-Design
Estimated Completion: TBD
Project Details:
When completed, the Mail Creek Trail will create a
trail connection from Kinard Middle School to the
Power Trail, providing much needed trail access for
southeast Fort Collins. Currently, design of the
Siphon overpass and Timberline trail
widening/underpass are in progress, in partnership
with the Engineering Department. In addition, Park
Planning & Development is working to identify the
best location for the future Mail Creek Trail.
Project Status:
Engineering has begun construction on the Timberline underpass.
Staff are working to finalize a request for proposals to design the section of Mail Creek Trail
east of Timberline Road.
Staff are finalizing an alignment for an overpass spanning the railroad connecting the Mail
Creek Trail to the Power Trail.
More information available on project webpage.
POUDRE TRAIL AT I-25
Funding Source: Conservation Trust Fund & GOCO Grant ($1M for Fort Collins)
Total Project Cost: $3 million
Phase: Design
Estimated Completion: 2023
Project Details:
Construction of this 2-mile section of the trail will complete the entire extent of the approximately 10-
mile Poudre Trail in the City of Fort Collins. Fort Collins partnered with Timnath, Windsor, and Larimer
County in 2019 to win a $2 million GOCO Connect Initiative Grant to complete all remaining segments
of the Poudre Trail. The GOCO project will complete approximately 4-miles of missing trail segments,
to complete the entre 40+ mile Poudre Trail from Bellvue to Greeley. The Fort Collins project will
connect the existing trail ending at the Colorado State Environmental Learning Center through the
future East Community Park to the proposed I-25 underpass to be constructed by the Colorado
Department of Transportation (CDOT) with the North I-25 project, and thereafter to the existing trail
segment in Timnath.
Project Status:
Progressing on options for trail alignment and park entry.
More information available on project webpage
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 13
SPRING CANYON DOG PARK
Funding Source: Nature In the City Grant for $75,000
Total Project Cost: TBD
Phase: Design
Estimated Completion: Fall 2021
Project Details:
The water quality at Spring Canyon Community Park was adversely
affected by the drainage out of the dog park pond. Particularly,
issues like E. coli were difficult to manage and put the dog park
pond at risk of closure. Park Planning & Development worked with
Stormwater, Parks, and Environmental Regulator Affairs to seek
and receive a grant from Nature in the City. This grant will allow for much needed LID improvements
and restoration work on the dog park and SCCP water quality ponds.
Project Status:
Design wrapping up, with construction expected to take course over the winter.
More information available on project webpage.
TRAVERSE PARK
Funding Source: Neighborhood Parkland Funds
Total Project Cost: $3.5- 4 million
Phase: Construction
Estimated Completion: December 2021
Project Details:
A new neighborhood park to be built in the Trail Head
neighborhood, located on East Vine Street. The park will
include typical neighborhood park features including a
shelter, playground, multi-purpose field, basketball court, and play area for teens.
Project Status:
Council recently approved easements on consent. Punch list items are complete on
structures.
More information available on project webpage.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 14
EDORA DISC GOLF PARK UPDATES
Funding Source: TBD
Total Project Cost: TBD
Phase: Planning
Estimated Completion: TBD
Project Details:
Staff are coordinating with two private disc golf
groups to significantly improve the course located
at Edora Park.
Project Status:
Staff have received estimate for work on
disc golf course and are reevaluating the
budget.
CP - OPERATION SERVICES
FORT COLLINS/LOVELAND POLICE TRAINING CENTER
Funding Sources:
$9.25M generated from bonds for the City of Fort
Collins
$9.25M from City of Loveland
$1M from DOLA Grant
Estimated Project Cost: $19.5M
Phase: Project Close-out/LEED Certification
Estimated Completion Date: February 2022
Project Details:
The City of Fort Collins is partnering with The City of Loveland to construct a new Police training
facility which will be located on the west side of the Northern Colorado Regional Airport. This new site
will offer a 50-yard pistol range, a 1.4-mile driving track, concrete skills pad, and classrooms for special
training.
Project Status:
Phase I – Track & Skills pad is open and being used.
Phase II - Building Construction is open and being used.
LEED Certification – LEED packet submitted for USGBC review.
Phase III – Adding Site Items with project savings.
Storage Shed – Complete and being used.
Observation Tower for Track & Skills Pad – Complete and being used.
Breach/Blast Pad – Complete and being used.
K9 Training area – Complete and being used.
SWAT Breaching Practice Area
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 15
BLOCK 32/42 – CIVIC MASTER PLAN REFRESH
Funding Source: Capital Project via BFO: $300,000
Estimated Project Cost: TBD
Phase: Conceptual Master Plan
Estimated Completion Date: June 2022
Project Details:
Space planning for Block 32 and 42 that was performed in 2013-2014 and
needs to be updated. The new planning effort will involve each affected
department to determine their space needs and anticipated growth over the
next 10-12 Years. With the completion of the refresh the City can decide
which departments to house in 215 N. Mason, 300 Laporte Ave - Building
A, and the new City Hall. The refresh will also help determine an
appropriate size of the new City Hall. Once this is determined and a
conceptual design is produced it will be submitted to Council for review, next recommended steps and
approval.
Project Status:
The Master Plan has been adopted by City Council.
Currently working with Clark & Enersen to determine the proper timing on proceeding with
the next steps outlined in the Council Work Session presentation. Specifically, the traffic
and parking studies and are likely to commence Spring 2022.
CP - UTILITIES
PRIORITY #7 VILLAGE EAST CABLE REPLACEMENT
Funding Source: BFO 8.9
Estimated Project Budget: $242,000
Phase: Design Complete, Construction Initiated
Project Details:
Electric primary cable has been evaluated through the
City based on year of installation, style of cable, and
manufacturer to establish a prioritized failure risk. This
area was calculated as Priority Area #7 citywide and
involves the replacement of 36 sections of single-
phase power and 5 sections of three-phase power.
The replacement primarily occurs within the Village
East Subdivision located between Stover Street and
S. Lemay Avenue, north of E. Horsetooth Road.
Project Status:
Due to the shortage of cable, this project has been
placed on hold. The project is anticipated to be
completed within this first quarter.
Aerial of Village East Cable
Replacement
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 16
USC REMODEL-SCO/NOC CONTROL ROOM
Funding Source: ECON 8.25 (2020)
Estimated Project Budget: $2,620,000
Phase: Complete
Project Details:
Design and construct a remodel to the Wood Street
Utilities Service Center (USC) that:
o Creates a cross-departmental (Light & Power and
Connexion) control room for the Supervisory Control
Operations (SCO) and Network Operations Center
(NOC) personnel. This includes updated operator
consoles and state of the art Audio/Video (AV)
technology for dynamic mapping and SCADA
displays.
o Reconfigures existing building space to create
necessary office space for Network Engineering, GIS,
and Substation personnel.
o Reconfigures existing building space to create new
conference rooms that can be utilized by all Utilities
personnel at USC.
Project Status:
Construction is complete (photos below).
Connexion and L&P staff have moved into their new
spaces.
Newly renovated areas will not be toured until the covid wave has subsided.
AV Solutions are being brainstormed for effective hybrid meetings.
L&P System Control Operation
(SCO) – Post Renovation
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 17
DRAKE WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY NPT FINAL CLARIFIERS
REPLACEMENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Funding Source: Wastewater
Estimated Project Budget: $6,200,000
Status: In Design
Estimated Completion Date: Late Summer 2022
Project Details:
This project includes the design and construction of both the east
and west North Process Train Final Clarifiers. Originally
constructed in 1974, the final clarifiers act as the critical last
stage in the secondary treatment process before UV disinfection.
The 2017 Master Plan condition assessment recommended
infrastructure replacement to maintain reliability and treatment
efficacy.
Project Status:
Design is ongoing.
Equipment vendor selected through procurement bid
process.
Agreement for the equipment purchase is underway.
DWRF East NPT Final Clarifier
Inspection
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 18
MAIL CREEK STREAM REHABILITATION--TWO-CREEKS NATURAL AREA
Funding Source: Stormwater
Estimated Project Budget: $3,100,000
Status: In Design
Estimated Construction Completion Date:
Fall 2023
Project Details:
The Mail Creek at Two-Creeks Natural
Areas stream reach is within an urbanized
corridor and is experiencing bed and bank
erosion, which in some cases is
threatening private property.
Rehabilitation, using bio-engineered
stream sections, typically includes replacing existing grade control structures and disconnected
channel segments with riffle drops and pools to promote native fish passage and improved aquatic
habitat.
Mail Creek at Two-Creeks Natural Areas is located just northwest of Fossil Creek Community Park in
southeast Fort Collins. This reach is approximately 3,240 feet in length and intersects at the
confluence of Fossil Creek.
Project Status:
Site Assessments & Data Collection – Completed
Citywide Project Review and Design Workshop - Completed
Preliminary Design – In Progress
Project coordination with Natural Areas & Parks – In Progress
Target Construction Start: Fall 2022
CITY PARK SEWER REHABILITATION AND REPLACEMENT
Funding Source: Wastewater
Estimated Project Budget: $2,600,000
Status: In Design
Estimated Completion Date: Summer
2022
Project Details:
Existing clay tile sanitary sewer mains
in the area West of Sheldon Lake and
both North and South of West
Mulberry Street are undersized, have
inadequate slope, numerous areas of
settlement, offset joints, broken pipes,
and heavy root intrusions. In addition, a portion of the existing system lies in the back yards of 16
houses along West Mulberry Street. This system is very difficult to access and requires frequently
needed maintenance. The result is a poorly functioning sewer system, with inadequate flows, sewage
backups, and high maintenance requirements.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 19
The new City Park Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project will be in the neighborhoods west of City Park
Lake. The project will replace the aging sewer system with new infrastructure composed of modern
materials of adequate size and slopes significantly increasing performance and reliability and reducing
field crew maintenance needs.
Project Status:
Final Design – In progress
Project notification and coordination – on-going
Private Sewer Service Investigation Data – in progress
Citywide Depts. coordination – in progress
Construction starts – spring 2022
PUBLIC SAFETY
POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY
Boulder County Fires Response
Crews and a brush unit worked alongside partner agencies to fight the fast-moving flames which
consumed over 1,000 structures at the end of December. The first crew remained on-duty overnight
and was part of a Larimer County Task Force that was assigned to structure protection in a residential
area. Their objective was to prevent the fire from jumping the road and igniting structures on the other
side. Despite horrible conditions, the task force met the objective and protected the homes. After a
three-hour rest period, they were assigned to patrol another residential area and extinguish fires until
being relieved by another PFA crew on the morning of Dec. 31.
The tragedy has left many without homes, temporarily displaced, and without work. The Boulder Office
of Emergency Management directs people interested in helping to the Boulder County Community
Foundation and Colorado Responds, which includes an animal resource link, a list of other supporting
agencies across the state, and updates on opportunities to volunteer. Please look to this page and
thank you for your interest in helping. https://www.coloradoresponds.org/wildfires.html
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 20
Multi-Structure Fire | Dec. 23
At about 11:14 a.m. PFA was dispatched to a fire that involved portions of two garages, a fence, a
chicken coop, a carport, several raised garden beds, and some electrical wires. The fire was on the
2100 block of W. Vine in a centralized yard area between homes. A resident of one of the homes saw
the flames and smoke from her window and called 911. Flames were visible reaching several feet
above the fence and smoke could be seen about a mile away. Crews arrived and quickly knocked
down the fire. In order to locate and eliminate the remaining hot spots, firefighters completed an
intensive search which required them to disassemble some of the garden beds and go through
materials.
Firefighters Battled High Winds and Fire that Spread to Two Homes | Dec. 21
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 21
Firefighters worked hard to extinguish flames that spread to two detached, single-family homes as
wind gusts peaked at over 40 mph. It was the third fire quickly suppressed in Fort Collins during the
red flag warning day. Poudre Fire Authority was dispatched at 2:41 p.m. to the 2400 block of Dalton
Dr. when a neighbor reported seeing the side of a house on fire and that they thought it was spreading
to another home. The first crew was on scene in just two minutes and found heavy flames and smoke
in a space between the two houses.
Firefighters prioritized extinguishing the flames in between the houses while others performed
searches of both homes to ensure everyone was out and accounted for. No people were home at the
time of the fire, but two dogs and a cat were rescued. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Dog Rescued after Falling through Ice | Dec. 13
PFA rescued Emme after she fell into an icy lake. Just after 8:30 a.m., a caller reported that a dog had
gone out onto the ice of a small lake off CR 44/E. Prospect Rd. and was unable to get to shore. The
dog repeatedly fell through icy areas and was struggling to make her way back to solid ground. A
trained PFA responder in a specialized ice suit was able to reach the cold pup and secure her on a
body board. Responders on shore pulled them both back to safety.
Emme, who is three years old, was treated for hypothermia after the incident. She received excellent
care and was back home by that afternoon. "Happy to report she’s home and doing great! We are so
beyond thankful for everyone’s safety and wellbeing. Your team was so wonderful. Thank you for all
you do," said one of her owners in a follow-up conversation with PFA.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 22
POLICE SERVICES
Notable Cases
Police seek information about stranger assaults – In December, FCPS shared information with the
community about three assaults that occurred during previous months. While there’s currently no
evidence that directly connects these incidents, the cases share some similarities and police felt it
important to raise community awareness. Teen girls were out about an hour after dark in August,
October, and November when they were approached by unknown men who grabbed them. All of them
women were able to fight off their attackers and get to safety. All of the suspects were described as
5’10-6’0 tall, and in two cases, as having brown hair. Suspect/s have not been identified, and police
asked community members to share any information about these or other similar incidents.
Police investigate stranger sex assault – Just after 3 p.m. on December 20, a woman went for a walk
in the 1200 block of East Elizabeth Street. A man grabbed her from behind and sexually assaulted her.
A bystander saw the struggle and yelled at the man to stop, at which time he ran away. The bystander
briefly spoke to the victim, who then left to seek care and call police. The suspect was described as a
white man dressed all dark clothing. The investigation is ongoing.
Agency News
Officers receive protective equipment donation – The City of Fort Collins received a generous
charitable gift of $193,000 from the T2G Family Foundation for the purchase of personal protective
equipment for Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS) police officers. Body armor has been part of the
standard kit for U.S. law enforcement officers for over 40 years and has saved thousands of officers’
lives. However, an increasing number of firearm threats come not from handguns but from military-
grade rifles and ammunition. Sadly, recent active shooter situations have often involved rifles similar to
an AR-15 or AK-47. The charitable gift will purchase innovative, state-of-the-art rifle plates for sworn
officers from Angel Armor. The locally owned company produces body armor to provide first
responders with secure, reliable rifle protection while maintaining a high level of mobility. City Give
facilitated this gift, and donors presented the first ten plates to officers during an event on December
15.
FCPS Hosts Crisis Intervention Teams Training Certification – Police Services hosted Crisis
Intervention Teams (CIT) certification training in December. Officers from FCPS and other agencies
went through the program, which included classroom learning as well as live-action scenarios with
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 23
professional role players. Several FCPS officers are also certified CIT instructors and assisted with the
training. CIT is a community partnership of law enforcement, mental health and substance use
disorder professionals, people who live with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, their
families and other advocates. This innovative model of police-based crisis intervention training is
designed to help people in crisis access medical treatment rather than involving them in the criminal
justice system. It also promotes the safety of officers and individuals in crisis.
All FCPS officers receive training related to mental health, and more than 1/3 have earned CIT
certification. We'll continue to invest in training and resources related to mental health so we can help
our community members find the right care at the right time.
Community Engagement
Shop with a Cop - Santa and his merry band of elves in blue had a holly jolly Saturday connecting with
new friends and wrapping gifts at Shop with a Cop. This annual event gives local kids a chance to pick
out presents for their family members. We know the holidays can be a challenging time for a variety of
reasons, and this program is always a fun way to bring a little extra cheer to families facing difficulties.
Thanks to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery for hosting and to all who volunteered their Saturday
morning to help out!
Coffee with a Cop – On December 16, FCPS officers brought coffee and treats to the Fort Collins
Senior Center for our last Coffee with a Cop of the season. Officers chatted with community members
and enjoyed connecting over hot drinks and warm conversation.
Cafecito de Noche – FCPS joined The Family Center/La Familia for an evening of fun with pizza,
laughter, and even a visit from Santa. The event, held at the Northside Aztlan Center, was well
attended with approximately 70 community members plus officers.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 24
Santa Cops Delivery Day – Santa’s helpers in blue once again spread joy and brought cheer across
Larimer County on a chilly, sunny delivery day in December. Families in need applied for a little extra
holiday help through the Santa Cops program, and the non-profit supported by local law enforcement
agencies made the magic happen. Hundreds of families received wrapped gifts delivered by area
officers and their loved ones who volunteered time to deliver presents.
Traffic Safety
In December, Traffic Unit held a commercial vehicle enforcement operation near Technology Parkway
and East Harmony Road. In a seven-hour period, officers contacted 98 trucks and completed 24 full
truck inspections, including one hazmat carrier. As a result, they discovered 68 violations, 14 of which
were critical safety issues that put trucks out of service. A total of 27 trucks had attempted to avoid the
port of entry and were sent back. Violations ranged from unsecured loads, suspended drivers,
equipment issues, and driving an out of service vehicle. Thank you to Timnath Police and the
Colorado State Patrol for their assistance with this traffic safety operation.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 25
PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT &TRANSPORTATION
BUILDING, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
Monthly Reporting
Monthly construction reporting and mapping of development review proposals and construction can be
found by visiting:
http://citydocs.fcgov.com/?dt=MONTHLY+REPORT&dn=NEIGHBORHOOD+%26+BUILDING+SERVI
CES%2FZONING&vid=2&cmd=showdt
For a detailed listing of development Proposals under review, please visit:
https://www.fcgov.com/developmentreview/proposals/
YEAR TO DATE COMPARISON
2020 2021 YTD % Change
Development Project Submittals Received 369 285 -22.76%
Conceptual/Preliminary Design/Staff Reviews 241 256 6.22%
Building Permits Issued 13,356 9,608 -28.06%
Building Permit Valuations ($M) $319.01 $408.90 9,57728.18%
Building Inspections Performed 32,220 31,029 -3.70%
Zoning Inspections Performed 421 372 -11.64%
Zoning Plan Reviews Performed 3,039 3,112 2.40%
Overall Development Review Center revenues are $2,771,026 over projection for 2021 as of
December 31st with Building Services over by $1,333,715, Neighborhood Services and Code
Compliance over by $39,477, Development Review over by $9,577 and Engineering Development
Review over by $1,388,257.
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
Mobile Home Park/Manufactured Housing Community Residents’ Rights
The Mobile Home Park (MHP) Residents’ Rights Team is working with City Attorney’s Office partners
and Fort Collins Utilities to draft Municipal Code language that supports transparency for water service
charges rebilled to residents from property owners. Public engagement with property owners,
managers, and residents will take place in Q1 2022 to align with the rollout of the mobile home park
handbook and outreach on the Immigration Legal Fund and Eviction Legal Fund services available.
The Residents’ Rights Team is collaborating with Fort Collins Utilities Water Quality Task Force and
Water Conservation Team to address the issues that arise when mobile home park water lines break
or leak.
Code Compliance Staff has been preparing to kick off the year-long needs assessment for mobile
home park Municipal Code/Nuisance Code enforcement, staffing levels, and outreach in January 2022
to improve livability in parks across the city, improve the city’s relationship with MHP managers and
owners, and increase manager and owner accountability.
The City of Fort Collins has supported the formation of a second mobile home park
neighborhood/residents’ association, this time in the largest mobile home neighborhood in the city,
Harmony Village MHP. Staff provided informational resources, meeting support, and language
services and has been assisting with relationship-building between residents and the new property
manager. Harmony Village MHP has seen almost yearly turnover of property managers in the last five
years and is owned by RHP Properties, an out of state corporation, which has added difficulty in
resolving resident issues. The Residents’ Rights Team is currently working with the University of
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 26
Colorado at Boulder College of Law to bring a mobile home park resident community organizing
training to Fort Collins. The student law office created a comprehensive guide to organizing in mobile
home parks last year. The training will be helpful for residents of all local mobile home parks and will
enhance future efforts for resident-owned communities.
Additionally, JC Ward and Emily Olivo have been participating in the mobile home park stakeholder
advisory group to assist State Representative Andrew Boesenecker as his team drafts a new MHP bill
to go to the State House committee in Q1 2022. This legislation reflects lessons learned through
enforcement of the Mobile Home Park Oversight Act and Amendments in 2019 and 2020 and input
gathered from public engagement efforts with residents.
Adopt-A-Neighbor
This month we said goodbye to our Program Assistant, who assisted with Adopt-A-Neighbor for
branch removal/clean-up since early 2021. Plans to increase the efficacy of the overall program are
underway to decrease the amount of Staff time per volunteer match and recruit for an “on call”
volunteer list to deploy for urgent requests such as short-notice snow shoveling. Neighborhood
Services Staff is working with Safety, Security, and Risk Management to explore the possibility of
opening the program to lawn care volunteers (grass mowing and weed removal are two of the most
requested services by neighbors in need and have never been offered before as part of Adopt-A-
Neighbor).
Eviction Legal Fund (ARPA BFO 2022 funded)
The request for proposals to deliver housing stability-related/eviction legal services, advice, and self-
advocacy trainings is currently open. The Eviction Legal Fund will operate in 2022 under the same
model as the CARES Act short-term funded version in 2020 and 2021. Neighborhood Services will
award grants to legal service providers as a pass through of the funds. The Neighborhood Services
Team is working closely with Purchasing and the ARPA Recovery Team on subrecipient agreement
language that reflects
the additional requirements for ARPA funding the services this year. The application deadline is
January 15, 2022, with grant recipients selected by a stakeholder panel on January 18th.
Immigration Legal Fund
The selected grant recipients that will provide immigration legal services for the pilot are Alianza
NORCO, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (“RMIAN”), and Interfaith Solidarity and
Accompaniment Coalition (“ISAAC”). Each organization was awarded $50,000 in funding and each
has a different service delivery model. Staff held an initial collaboration meeting and will begin meeting
quarterly with grant recipients in January to assist with outreach coordination and data collection.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day “Candlelight Vigil”
Following the success of the 2021 “MLK Day ‘Candlelight’ Vigil” in collaboration with Historic
Preservation Department’s Fort Collins Black History Walking Tour and Colorado State University,
Neighborhood Services will once again invite neighbors across Fort Collins to set battery-powered, tea
light luminarias along sidewalks, driveways, and the CSU MLK 2022 March path on January 17, 2022
as an act of remembrance and solidarity with the work of Dr. King, past civil rights leaders, and those
who continue to fight for social justice today. (#FOCOMLK2022) With large public gatherings
reimagined again in 2022, Neighborhood Services continues to encourage social connection in
dispersed locations throughout the city. These small lights throughout our city seek to honor the words
of Dr. King when he said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot
drive out hate; only love can do that." Materials can be picked up during scheduled times outside the
Fort Collins Senior Center, Harmony Library, and City Hall.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 27
GRAFFITI UPDATE
During the month of December 2021, the Graffiti Abatement Team abated 100 issues consisting of
277 tags measuring 726 square feet of graffiti-covered surfaces.
Month Access FC Hotline Pro-Active Total
January 7 2 17 26
February 8 2 9 19
March 5 2 17 24
April 21 8 23 52
May 20 9 25 54
June 22 9 32 63
July 18 14 15 47
August 52 11 24 87
September 16 9 72 97
October 16 5 26 47
November 19 2 29 50
December 13 3 84 100
Total 185 71 260 516
The issues were distributed throughout the City in the following Council Districts:
Month One Two Three Four Five Six
January 12 0 3 2 6 2
February 5 3 0 3 2 6
March 4 1 0 3 5 11
April 23 5 4 2 6 12
May 16 14 1 5 9 8
June 22 6 1 5 17 12
July 13 6 2 3 10 12
August 26 5 1 4 14 32
September 30 8 4 6 21 24
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 28
October 17 5 3 6 5 11
November 12 5 4 3 6 20
December 43 4 6 3 12 32
SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
January is National Radon Action Month:
January is National Radon Action Month, and the City of Fort Collins is encouraging community
members to protect their health by testing their home for radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and
naturally occurring gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Radon gas enters homes and other buildings through cracks and openings in basements, crawl
spaces, and slabs. Radon levels vary from house to house and have nothing to do with the age,
upkeep, or quality of the building; however, Colorado homes are at a higher risk for radon.
Testing the radon levels in your home is simple and inexpensive. Here are a few options:
Be one of the first 100 people to receive a free short-term kit at the Fort Collins Senior Center
during the month of January.
Purchase a radon test kit. The City of Fort Collins sells discounted short-term ($6) and long-term
($20) kits for you to test your own home. These kits are available at the Fort Collins Senior Center,
located at 1200 Raintree Dr.
If your home has high radon levels:
Hire a professional. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides links to
contractors that are certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program and the National Radon
Safety Board. Visit their website to find qualified radon contractors in your area.
To learn more about radon and its health impacts:
Attend a Radon Awareness Webinar with Larimer County, or
Visit www.fcgov.com/radon
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 29
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Calling all Nonprofits – Competitive Funding Process Now Open:
Applications for the FY22 Competitive Funding Process to support human service and affordable
housing programs opened on January 6. Intent to apply submissions must be submitted online no
later than January 26 and the full application is due no later than February 14.
Please visit the Competitive Process landing page to view all the guiding documents, timeline,
eligibility quiz and to access the application portal, as it becomes available.
Landing Page
ECONOMIC HEALTH
Reduced Fees for Restaurants & Customers using Nosh NoCo:
The City of Fort Collins recently partnered with Nosh NoCo to support the local restaurant community
by partially subsidizing fees for both the restaurant and customer.
Until February 27th, the City will cover 10% of the commission costs placed on restaurants, meaning
that a restaurant using the Nosh NoCo platform will pay reduced fees of 5% for delivery and 2.5% for
takeout orders.
The City will also be covering the processing fee ($1.99) normally charged to Fort Collins residents
placing orders on the Nosh NoCo platform during the same period.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 30
Fort Collins restaurants can also sign up with Nosh NoCo at no cost now until Feb. 27, 2022.
UTILITIES
CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS
Larimer County Conservation Corps’ Home Efficiency Assessments begin January 2022 and
will run until May 2022. This program is a partnership between Fort Collins Utilities, Loveland
Water and Power, and Larimer County. It will provide free home energy and water efficiency
assessments and installation of efficient products and fixtures, including toilets, LED lights bulbs,
and shower heads. New this year, Water Conservation and Environmental Services are partnering
together on the Shift Your Water campaign to help promote the program and boost program
customer representation and water savings with the following goals:
o Equity goals: 15-25% of assessments will be Income-Qualified Assistance Program
customers, 10% of assessments will be customers who identify as BIPOC (Black,
Indigenous, People of Color)
o Increased toilet installation goal (high water saving action): 125-175 toilets installed
(~100% increase from 2021)
For more information or to sign up, visit fcgov.com/LCCC
In the month of January, Utilities will offer the following engagement opportunities:
January 5 – CSU Housing and Dining Fair – Utilities hosted a booth and provided information to
CSU employees about utilities affordability, what not to flush, and provided conservation products
that help save money, water and energy at home.
January 12, 26 – Sustainable Business Program Development – Utilities, in collaboration with
Environmental Services Department and led by the Sustainable Living Association and Fort Collins
businesses is reimagining how sustainable business programing looks in Fort Collins. This month
aspects of a future program are being considered and prepared for prototyping. Learn more about
this project https://sustainablelivingassociation.org/sustainable-business-program/.
In 2021, Utilities Customer Connections has reached 4,747 participants through 98 outreach events
and programs.
In the month of December, Utilities offered the following engagement opportunities:
December 7, 8, 9 – Wind Lab – Staff offered the Wind Lab program to Boltz Middle School
students. Students learned about Utilities use of renewables and participated in an experiment to
test model wind turbines.
December 16, 17, 18 – Hydropower Lab – Staff offered the Hydropower Lab program to 8th
grade students from Boltz Middle School. Students had the opportunity to learn about Fort Collins’
current energy use and use different models to test best designs.
December 9 – Our Climate Future (OCF) & Utilities Education Program – An overview of how
the climate crisis impacted our Utilities served as an introduction to Our Climate Future for Rocky
Mountain High School students. The program engaged students on how the City of Fort Collins
uses real science and data to guide important sustainability plans, review how the community is
involved, and wrapped in what students can do to support sustainability in Fort Collins.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 31
COMMUNITY SERVICES
RECREATION
Camp FunQuest saw 140 enrollments for Winter Break Day camps. Campers visited the Museum
of Discovery, the Downtown Ice Rink, and Rollerland as they celebrated Favorite Pastimes!
The Holiday Tree sparkled beautifully in the Senior center Lobby during the Holiday season! After
over a year of being out of commission, a Senior Center patron kindly donated his time to restore
our holiday train! Patrons were so excited to see the train return to the tree. Many comments were
made such as, "I used to have a train like this as a child!"
As part of Recreation’s Jr. Rams partnership with CSU Athletics, Jr. Rams Day was hosted at the
basketball game on 12/04/21 against St.Mary's, with two teams playing at halftime. The arena was
sold out and was a great experience for the junior players, as everyone got behind them to cheer.
Breakfast with Santa returned to The Farm at Lee Martinez Park!
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 32
ARO Monthly Dance featured a live performance by "Mosaic Band" - a musical group made up of 2
ARO participants
PARKS
Golf courses were forced to recharge, irrigate and winterize their irrigation systems the first week
of December due to dry conditions.
New Tivoli lights installed in Tenney Alley.
Staff is developing a Goose Mitigation Integrated Pest Management Plan.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 33
Forestry Operations Staff attended a Basic & Advanced Felling, Limbing, and Bucking training.
CULTURAL SERVICES
Chrysanthemum Dream Piano, 2021, by Sofia Ramirez
The Art in Public Places Program (APP) has announced the opportunity to apply to the 2022
Pianos About Town Project. The APP Program, in cooperation with community partners Bohemian
Foundation and Downtown Development Authority, seeks to involve local artists/teams by
commissioning them to paint murals or otherwise artistically decorate working pianos. The program
is looking for diversity in artwork styles and concepts, with a preference for emerging artists and
new and exciting ideas. Selected artists will receive an honorarium of $1,000. To apply, artists
must submit a letter of intent and concept rendering. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. MST on
Feb. 1, 2022.
The Art in Public Places Program (APP) and the City of Fort Collins Utilities Department are
seeking proposals from artists/artist teams for the City's inaugural Public Artist-in-Residence
program. The intent of this program is to create a 12-month residency in which an artist/artist team
collaborates with the City of Fort Collins Utilities Department to help communicate the
departmental mission and the vital, yet often overlooked essential services the Utilities Department
performs 24/7, 365 days a year. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on February 3, 2022.
NATURAL AREAS
Through Nature in the City's grant-funded projects, residents, HOA's, schools, community groups, non-
profits, businesses, and others in the community can increase access to high-quality natural spaces
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 34
for people and wildlife. In the fourth quarter of 2021, Nature in the City reviewed proposals for 2022
Make It Happen: Implementation Grants. Submitted project proposals requested more than $545,000
to increase wildlife habitat and access to nature across the community. Grant review committees,
made up of staff from across the City and community member representatives, recommended funding
nearly $290,000 in project funding. The 15 selected projects are distributed throughout Fort Collins
and build upon more than 40 previously completed projects to help create high-quality nature
connections. These community-led projects are supported by a combination of Community Capital
Improvement Program funds and Natural Areas Enhancement Funds.
2022 awards included:
$25,500 to support six small-scale projects looking to enhance and improve habitat quality.
Projects include native plantings at an elementary school, a pollinator garden at an income-
qualified housing development, and invasive species removal at a homeowner’s association-
owned wetland.
$112,073 to support five medium-scale projects seeking to integrate native plantings and natural
features into public spaces and provide safe routes to nature within neighborhoods. Projects
include enhancing neighborhood open spaces by planting trees and native plants and projects
implementing student-led designs to create inviting natural spaces for wildlife and humans alike.
$156,048 to four large-scale projects that inspire stewardship and connection to nature by
providing diverse engagement opportunities for the community. Projects range from pollinator
walkways with nature play features to an enhanced creek-scape for wildlife and people to
diversifying a stormwater area and offering a year of stewardship activities for the adjacent
neighborhood.
Image: Rendering of Streamside HOA by CSU Landscape Architecture students. This project will improve
an area adjacent to Spring Creek trail. Through a partnership with CSU Landscape Architecture students,
Streamside will enhance a valuable urban, wildlife corridor and aa highly trafficked area of the community.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 35
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Happy Holidays and 2021 Recap Video:
BROADBAND – FORT COLLINS CONNEXION
Winter Weather and Connexion Installations
Winter weather is upon us here in Fort Collins! With our
network being 100% underground, including from the
street to the side of your house, we do occasionally run
into issues with frozen ground during the winter months.
Cold temps and snow can sometimes prove challenging
with construction and installation, but the good news is
that fiber is naturally weatherproof and works up to -25
degrees Fahrenheit!
If frozen ground is an issue when conducting an install
at your home, we can run a temporary drop above
ground for your Connexion service. This temporary drop
will be installed underground permanently once the
ground has thawed. Our OnTrac, Inc. crews regularly
monitor areas to determine if ground has thawed
enough to complete the installation and complete the direct-bury process.
New Website
Connexion has a new website! The new www.fcconnexion.com provides a stand-alone website
(separate from the City of Fort Collins) with resources and all the necessary information on service
availability, offerings, how to sign up for service and more, which will improve overall user experience.
The site also provides access to the new customer self-service portal which rolled out mid-December
along with the new Connexion billing system. Coming in mid-January 2022, we will be adding a
support hub with information and support tools for customers including FAQ’s, how-to's, speed tests
and other information.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 36
Address Look-up
Fort Collins residents can now input their address and see whether their residence is In Design, In
Construction, or has Service Available! Our address look-up tool can be found on the Connexion
website at www.fcconnexion.com.
Social Media
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @FoCoConnexion! Join the Connexion community—get
updates and information on services and more!
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.
Each month the City Manager’s Update will highlight a metric from the Community Dashboard. This
month’s feature is from the Environmental Health Outcome Area.
Analysis:
The AQI did not meet the target.
The AQI represents a combination of impacts from particulate matter and ground levels ozone
concentrations.
Higher ozone concentrations are generally observed in summer months, and the Northern Front
Range region is in violation of Federal health-based ozone standards.
A record 23 days were considered unhealthy for sensitive groups for ozone, with 2 days unhealthy
for particulate matter.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE 37
Ozone formation is influenced by many factors including intensity and hours of sunlight, stability of
the atmosphere, and sources of air pollutants.
Particulate levels were affected by large regional wildfires.
Ozone and particulate matter are regional issues.
Continued violation of Federal standards is expected to lead to tighter controls for contributing
emissions.
Enhanced regulatory efforts may include impacts to personal vehicle use, such as increased
inspection and maintenance programs.
Local efforts to improve air quality include:
Providing education and outreach to increase awareness about the health impacts of high pollution
days, including a data monitoring website (see fcgov.com/airquality)
Partnering with the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) to provide outreach regarding high ozone
days
Restrictions on outdoor solid fuel burning in residential areas
Transportation planning efforts to reduce vehicles emissions, such as promotion of alternative
transportation options and anti-idling campaigns
Regional and local efforts to reduce emissions from oil and gas development.
Incentive programs to replace gas powered lawn and garden equipment with electric options
Definition:
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is used by the EPA to communicate daily air pollution and health
implications. Shown are the number of days per quarter in which the ozone or PM2.5 AQI was
categorized as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”, “Unhealthy” or “Very Unhealthy”. The metric is a
measure of the number of 'good' air quality days (as defined by EPA's Air Quality Index - AQI) in a
quarter based on air quality monitoring data from Fort Collins. The AQI is calculated by EPA as a
measure of local air quality and its effect on human health. The higher the AQI value, the greater the
level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. 'Good' air quality corresponds to an AQI of 50
or less (on a scale of 0-500) and poses little or no risk of adverse health effects.
Why is this metric important?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is used by the EPA to communicate daily air pollution and health
implications. Shown are the number of days per quarter in which the ozone or PM2.5 AQI was
categorized as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”, “Unhealthy” or “Very Unhealthy”.
City’s impact on this metric:
Low – This metric is influenced much more directly by atmospheric conditions and emissions from
motor vehicles and industry than it is by City efforts to implement emission reduction strategies and
programs.
Benchmarks:
The AQI for ozone and particulate matter have not been benchmarked against other world class cities
because the measures are highly influenced by local and regional factors that are not comparable to
other cities. Ozone concentrations are influenced by meteorological and topographical conditions that
can be unique to each city. In addition, ozone is influenced by transport from other regions. Particulate
matter concentrations are influenced by local climate conditions and local emission sources that can
be unique to each city and can be highly influenced by natural events such as wildfire.
To view the entire Dashboard, please visit: http://fortcollins.clearpointstrategy.com/