HomeMy WebLinkAbout137 - 12/04/2007 - APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED REVENUE IN THE NATURAL AREAS FUND AND THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND SOAPSTON ORDINANCE NO. 137, 2007
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED REVENUE IN THE
NATURAL AREAS FUND AND THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND -
SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS CAPITAL PROJECT TO
BE USED FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC
IMPROVEMENTS AT SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE NATURAL AREA
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program ("NAP") purchased
approximately 12,579 acres in 2004, known as the Soapstone Ranch, from the Soapstone Grazing
Association; and
WHEREAS, additional parcels of land adjacent to the Soapstone Ranch, totaling
approximately 6,149 acres, have subsequently been purchased by the City's NAP; and
WHEREAS, the additional parcels and Soapstone Ranch are now known as the City's
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area and encompass 18,728 acres of shortgrass prairie, foothills shrub
lands, cliffs and rock outcrops, wetlands, springs, and prairie streams; and
WHEREAS,on September 25,2007,NAP staff adopted a comprehensive management plan
(the"Plan")for Soapstone Prairie Natural Area following a careful,deliberate,and detailed planning
process using input gathered from the public, technical experts, and various agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Plan establishes preliminary management decisions and provides a solid
platform from which to make future decisions at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area; and
WHEREAS, NAP staff has used the Plan to develop improvements at Soapstone Prairie
Natural Area intended to provide outstanding visitor experiences and preserve the natural and
cultural resources of the site; and
WHEREAS, using the Plan, staff has identified improvements needed at Soapstone Prairie
Natural Area(the"Project") to allow for public recreation at the site beginning in June 2009; and
WHEREAS, the scope of the Project includes construction of 9.5 miles of gravel access
roads, an entrance station, two gravel parking areas, interpretive features, picnic shelters, vault
toilets, and over 30 miles of soft trails; and
WHEREAS,the estimated cost of the Project is$5.1 million with construction of the access
roads to be completed by Spring 2008 and construction of the remaining improvements scheduled
for completion prior to June 2009; and
WHEREAS, staff has identified the following funding sources to construct the Project:
Natural Areas Fund - 2007 Budget Existing Appropriations $ 2,166,000
Natural Areas Fund - 2007 Budget Unanticipated Revenue -
Savings from 1/4 Cent Natural Areas Capital Project $ 800,000
Natural Areas Fund - 2008 Budget $ 2,000,000
Natural Areas Fund - 2009 Budget S 134,000
Total $ 5,100,000
WHEREAS,Article V, Section 9,of the Charter of the City of Fort Collins permits the City
Council to make supplemental appropriations by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year,
provided that the total amount of such supplemental appropriations,in combination with all previous
appropriations for that fiscal year, does not exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated
revenues to be received during the fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, City staff has determined that the transfer of project savings from the Capital
Projects Fund- 1/4 Cent Natural Areas capital project will not cause the total amount appropriated
in the Natural Areas Fund to exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be
received during the fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Council to appropriate the sum of$2,166,000 in the
Capital Projects Fund - Soapstone Prairie Public Improvements capital project, and authorize the
appropriation of$800,000 in the Natural Areas Fund,representing project savings from the 1/4 Cent
Natural Areas capital project in the Natural Areas Fund for transfer to the Capital Projects Fund -
Soapstone Prairie Public Improvements capital project, for appropriation therein,to be used for the
design and construction of public improvements at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from unanticipated revenue
in the Capital Projects Fund - Soapstone Prairie Public Improvements capital project, the sum of
TWO MILLION ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS($2,166,000)representing
a transfer from the Natural Areas Fund, to be used for the design and construction of public
improvements at Soapstone Natural Area.
Section 2. That there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from unanticipated revenue
in the Natural Areas Fund, the sum of EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($800,000),
representing project savings transferred from the 1/4 Cent Natural Areas capital project, for transfer
to the Capital Projects Fund - Soapstone Prairie Public Improvements capital project, and
appropriated therein,to be used for the design and construction ofpublic improvements at Soapstone
Natural Area.
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Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 20th day of
November,A.D.2007,and to be presented for final passage on the 4th day of December,A.D.2007.
A/
May
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 4th]dayZDeb;er, A.D. 2007.
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ATTEST:
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City Clerk
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