HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-110-05/30/1989-DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY, AND MUNICIPAL JUDGE TO IMPLEMENT A CREATIVE STRATEGY TO A RESOLUTION 89-110
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY,
AND MUNICIPAL JUDGE TO IMPLEMENT A CREATIVE STRATEGY
TO ADDRESS THE UNDESIRABLE IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH CRUISING
WHEREAS, the City Council is concerned with the health, safety, and
livability of the community; and
WHEREAS, the longstanding custom of "cruising" College Avenue has
become a regional attraction, as other cities along the Front Range take
steps to reduce or eliminate cruising, and over half of the people cruising
College Avenue on an average weekend come to Fort Collins from other areas;
and
WHEREAS, the level of congestion along College Avenue in the downtown
has become a public hazard, and the degree of disruptive and destructive
behaviour associated with cruising has risen to unacceptable levels; and
WHEREAS, the undesirable impacts which are associated with cruising
are becoming increasingly detrimental to the downtown area and threatening
to Fort Collins citizens and visitors to our community; and
WHEREAS, the uncomfortable environment created by the excessive
congestion and undesirable behaviour is contrary to the City's efforts to
enhance the vitality of the downtown area; and
WHEREAS, the Council Health and Safety Subcommittee has studied the
situation, conducted extensive outreach efforts to obtain citizen input,
and forwarded its recommendations to the City Council .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council has determined that a serious
situation exists, and that a serious response to the problems associated
with cruising shall immediately be initiated by the City of Fort Collins.
Consistent with the distinct roles of the City Council and City staff, the
City Council herein establishes the parameters for specific action by
staff.
Section 2. That the City Manager, City Attorney, and Municipal Judge
are directed to implement a creative strategy for dealing with the
undesirable and destructive behaviour associated with cruising. This
strategy should include, but not be limited to the following elements:
■ using creative measures to change traffic and/or parking patterns
in the downtown area during cruising, to reduce the level of
traffic congestion,
■ revising the Municipal Court fine schedule for the more disruptive
violations which have been commonly associated with cruising, and
increasing fines so as to serve as a more effective deterrent to
potential violators,
■ assessing the feasibility of employing alternate sentencing as a
portion of the penalty upon conviction of these types of
violations,
■ dedicating to the downtown area sufficient Police resources to
implement the changes necessary,
■ undertaking more vigorous prosecution of cruising-related
violations,
■ initiating a public relations program to inform the citizens of
Fort Collins and the surrounding communities of the steps to be
taken,
■ expedite the study and recommendations regarding lighting needs
along streets and in parking lots in the downtown, as proposed in
Policy 14 of the draft Downtown Plan, as a means of making the
downtown a more comfortable and safe place to be,
■ forwarding to the City Council recommendations regarding the cost
of the strategy and potential funding sources,
■ continuing to work with the Council Health and Safety Subcommittee
to evaluate the implementation of these measures and to make such
adjustments as might be necessary to carry out the spirit and
intent of this Resolution.
Section 3. That the City Manager is directed to prepare for Council
consideration on June 20, 1989, any ordinances necessary to carry out this
direction, including an appropriation ordinance for the necessary
supplemental funding.
Passed and adopted at an adjourned meeting of the Council of the City
of Fort Collins, held this 30th day of May, A.D. 1989. .
Mayor
A
City Clerk