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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-088-07/20/1999-ADOPTING CITY COUNCIL 1999-2001 POLICY AGENDA RESOLUTION 99-88 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS ADOPTING CITY COUNCIL'S 1999-2001 POLICY AGENDA WHEREAS, under Article II of the City Charter, the City Council is responsible for the determination of all matters of City policy and for the provision of all public services; and WHEREAS,the Council has met with the City Manager to discuss the Council's vision for the Council's policy work over the next two years; and WHEREAS, the Council has identified eight major theme areas in which it wishes to concentrate its efforts during the two-year period; and WHEREAS, the Council has identified a number of policy issues and questions that it will consider as it works to achieve these goals; and WHEREAS, the Council wishes to formally establish a Policy Agenda which will provide a guideline for the Council and citizens of the community for tracking the goals established by the Council and evaluating the accomplishments of the organization. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, that the 1999-2001 Policy Agenda, attached hereto as Exhibit "A", is hereby adopted by Council to serve as the basis for such future legislative and administrative actions as may subsequently be deemed necessary and appropriate to address and resolve the various issues identified therein. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins held this 20th day of July 1999. Mayor 5 ATTEST: City Clerk EXHIBIT "A" 1999-2001 Council Policy Agenda Themes and Goals THEME I. Planning a City The Council is concerned that, as the City develops under City Plan, it effectively achieves the vision that the comprehensive plan sets forth. Effectiveness should be measured both by the outcomes and the costs. Another part of building a livable community will be to ensure that existing codes are enforced and monitored for their effectiveness. Policy issues and questions that Council will consider as it works to achieve these goals will include: A. City Plan and Land Use 1. Rural and Open Land —Develop strategies for implementing the Structure Plan regarding this land use designation. 2. Mountain Vista Sub-Area Plan-- How can the City implement the vision for development of this quadrant of the City? 3. West Elizabeth/Campus West Subarea Plan -- What should be the City's long-term vision for the West Elizabeth/ Campus West area? 4. Poudre River Corridor -- What vision should the City and its neighboring communities have for the future of the Poudre River Corridor? What policy decisions can the City implement in the next two years that specifically address the downtown portion of the plan? 5. East Mulberry Corridor Plan -- What shall be the vision for the future development of the East Mulberry Corridor? What financial commitment does the City want to assume if the area is annexed? 6. I25 Corridor Plan—How shall the City and its neighboring communities coordinate development standards in transportation planning and natural resources protection along the I-25 corridor? 7. Buckingham, Alta Vista, and Andersonville Neighborhoods Plan -- What is the long-term vision and strategic plan for BAVA neighborhoods? 8. Regional Planning Efforts - How shall the City cooperate with other local governments for planning development in the region? Issues may include the County Rural Land Use Center, a Legacy Grant for Community Separators and the state Responsible Growth Act. 9. Stormwater Master Plan—What revisions are needed in the various basin master plans? 10. Community Gateways --What can the City do to enhance the entrances to our community, including Mulberry/ Highway 14 and North College? 11. Big Box Development Standards— Should the City extend big box standards to other uses such as Multi-plex theaters? Should the policy regarding big box developments be revised for projects in excess of 25,000 square feet to enlarge the sphere of off-site impacts? Page 1 20001hmes 7urovv 12. Transfers of Development Rights—How will the City implement the TDU policy with Larimer County? 13. Urban Growth Area Boundary—Does the UGA boundary warrant modification, especially in northern and northeast portions of the UGA? 14. Redevelopment—What role can the City play in the redevelopment of the community's core areas, including Midtown, Campus West, BAVA,North College and the downtown? B. Monitoring, Updates and Enforcement: 1. Monitor City Plan's effectiveness and impacts -- After experience with City Plan and its Land Use Code, what policies and implementing strategies require updating? What have been the effects, to date, on affordable housing, the environment, and new home starts? Has the quality of projects improved? What services become more difficult to provide in a climate of accelerated development, specifically for operations and maintenance? How can the City improve its enforcement of the code? 2. Comprehensive Update of City Plan --What issues should be addressed in the 5-year update, beginning 2001? 3. Rainfall standards—What impacts have the new standards had on development? Do these impacts call for a review of the policy? 4. Problem Rental Properties -- What role can the City take in mitigating the impact of rental properties on neighborhoods? Page 2 20001hemes THEME II. Building a Transportation System Another part of building a livable community will be to ensure that the transportation system is adequate and meets the citizen's needs, now and in the future. An adequate system should provide infrastructure for cars, pedestrians, transit services, bicycles, and other alternate modes. Policy issues and questions that Council will consider as it works to achieve these goals will include: A. Traffic Signal Control System—How can system improvements be financed in light of the defeat of the Transportation Tax? B. Master Street Plan—What amendments to the Master Street Plan are needed related to the Fossil Creek area? Should the City reexamine the alignment of Overland Trail in the Master Street Plan? Does the Plan adequately address high traffic volumes and congestion? C. Transit Development Plan— Should the assumptions of the TDP be reviewed and reprioritized towards the most successful routes? Should the City reallocate existing funds to implement the plan? How can we enhance public transportation for seniors? Should more emphasis be placed on a policy to improve headways for more-often-used routes? Are other creative alternative modes of transportation appropriate for consideration (e.g. shuttles)? D. Neighborhood Safety (Crossing Guard) Program -- Should the school district participate financially in the School Crossing Guard Program? E. Mason Street Transportation Corridor Implementation -- What facilities should the design of the Corridor embody? F. Highway 14 Alternative Route Study—Given Council's recent decision not to designate the Modified Vine Route as an "enhanced major arterial," how should the City proceed? What are the implications for Building Community Choices funds for an alternative truck route in northeast Fort Collins? G. Long-term financing for Transportation -- What funding methods should be used for the City's transportation system? Could our policies be changed to help ensure that we receive appropriate funding from regional sources? How does the City address the backlog of street needs and major repairs that existed prior to the creation of-development impact fees? Consider how operations and facilities, that result from VMT growth, should be financed. Consider how to finance intersection improvements (those that are below service levels) —what portion should be supported by development; by the public. H. Parking—Should the City's parking fee policy be revised to increase the share of operations and maintenance costs that are recovered by the fees? If not, should the General Fund provide a subsidy so that the Parking Program is fully funded? Page 3 2000themes THEME III. Protecting the Environment As our City continues to grow, we must diligently protect the environment, which is one of the area's most valuable assets. In particular, we want to continue to improve our air quality, protect the Poudre River, and explore other ways to improve our environment, both through our actions as an organization and through our regulatory powers. Policy issues and questions that Council will consider as it works to achieve these goals will include: A. Poudre River Corridor Plan - What vision should the City and its neighboring communities have for the future of the Poudre River Corridor? How much and what type of development is acceptable along the corridor? B. Air Quality Policy Review-- Should the City change its policy that sets a priority on voluntary clean air programs over mandatory programs? How long should voluntary policies be pursued before mandatory programs are initiated? Are the City's current monitoring and sampling programs adequate? C. Energy Policy -- What policies would enhance the City's efforts toward energy conservation? Should the City review homeowner association covenants restricting clotheslines and solar panels? D. Smoking in Public Places -- Should the City revise the existing ordinance regarding smoking in public places? E. Wind Power— Should the City make it its policy to purchase wind power for City facilities? F. Water and Stormwater Quality —Are the City's stormwater policies protecting water quality? Continue to seek out"best management practices" to protect water quality, including pre-treatment practices. Does the City need to increase monitoring of stormwater quality in our major stream corridors? G. Flood Plain Development—What should be the City's regulation of development within the floodplain? H. Radon—Should the City's policy regarding radon standards be reviewed? I. Greenhouse Gases—How definitive should the City's policies and action plan be regarding this issue? J. Xeriseape Methods—Can the City's land use codes encourage and facilitate the use of xeric landscaping? K. Solid Waste— Consider what the City might do to encourage more recycling. Page 4 2000themes THEME IV. Preserving our Economic and Financial Health Our goal is to ensure that the local economy remains strong and well balanced, and that we ensure that the City's financial matters are managed in a way that ensures the organization's fiscal health. The City's revenue sources are an area of key concern as we review our dependence on sales and use taxes. Balancing these sources and ensuring that they are appropriate to meeting the community's long-term financial goals will be important. As we address the 2000 —2001 City Budget, we will be faced with a number of significant challenges. As we address these opportunities, we will look to our funding priorities resolution for guidance. This resolution outlines primary services, secondary services and support services, and describes their place in our funding goals. Policy issues and questions that Council will consider as it works to achieve these goals will include: A. Economic Policy Team—How can an Economic Policy Team help to anticipate and address local economic issues? B. Economic and Revenue Policies-- What policies should the City consider or revise to ensure the future financial health of the organization and community? Policies should include local economic business development; revenue mix; tourism impacts; sales tax impacts (including Internet sales) and downtown development. C. Utility Deregulation -- Should there be retail competition for electric services within the City? D. Environmental and Fiscal Impact Model— Should the model be updated to include streets, parks, environmental costs and other items? E. Budget Issues—in 1999, Council will adopt the 2000-2001 Budget. Issues of concern in the process will include: • 10 year budget plan implications • Police Department staffing levels • Police Substation • Funding Street Maintenance in General Fund • Long-term financing for Transportation • Scheduling of new park construction • Operation and maintenance of new facilities coming on line (e.g. 10 year budget plan) • City retiree cost of living adjustments • Inspection services and follow-up on conditions of approval • Affordable Housing F. County Road and Park Capital Expansion Fees - Should the City participate in the County's proposed regional road and park capital expansion fees? G. Investing in Re-development-- What will be the role of the DDA in funding improvements in the downtown? In addition to downtown, what other areas should benefit from public investments in redevelopment? Page 5 2000themes H. Excess Revenues from Capital Projects — What should be the City's policy for using revenues that are generated by earmarked taxes that are in excess of the amounts needed to complete the projects? I. Capital Projects Planning—When should the City begin planning for the next round of capital improvement projects? J. Downtown Development Authority—Should the City continue to use the DDA tax increment financing district when its current authorization expires? K. Art in Public Places—Should the City continue to apply the policy to Utility projects? Page 6 2000rhemes THEME V. Creating Opportunities for Youth The City should be doing its part to support youth in the community by providing recreational opportunities, employment opportunities and by partnering with other agencies to provide a good foundation of education and activities for our youth. Policy issues and questions that Council will consider as it works to achieve these goals will include: A. Youth Activity Center—When the City vacates the Old Fort Collins High School site, will the center be relocated? If so, where? B. Youth Advisory Board—How can the Council work with the board to receive input on issues and programs of concern? C. Poudre School District/City Joint Capital projects—Are joint ballfields an appropriate use of the funds approved from the Building Community Choices program? Page 7 2000themes THEME VI. Helping Make Housing Affordable to Our Citizens Affordable housing is an important issue in our community and one in which the City can have an important role. Housing which is available to residents at all income levels is essential because it ensures that people can both live and work in the community. By enhancing this breadth of housing opportunities, we can reduce vehicle miles traveled to and from housing in other communities, and its related impact on traffic congestion and air quality. Housing at all income levels also contributes to the rich diversity that we enjoy in our population. Our goal will be to seek opportunities and implement policies that improve housing affordability. Policy issues and questions that Council will consider as it works to achieve these goals will include: A. Non-profit housing providers -- What role shall the City play in stimulating the formation of non-profit housing providers? B. Providing housing—Should the City take a role in the housing market by acquiring existing affordable housing units? C. Regional Housing Planning-- How can affordable housing be framed as a regional planning issue? D. Land Banking -- Can the City develop a Land Bank policy to help address future needs? E. Rebates-- Should the City change its policies to provide a rebate of sales and use taxes on building materials for affordable housing projects? F. Redevelopment—How can the City support affordable housing through its redevelopment policies? G. Housing Authority—What, if any, changes should be made in the governance of the Housing Authority? Page 8 2000themes THEME VII. Enhancing Public Safety Safety of our citizens is a significant goal of the Council. Adequate resources are essential to ensure that Police Services can be both proactive and responsive to issues of crime and safety in our community. Our goal is to enhance the public's safety in a cost effective manner. Policy issues and questions that Council will consider as it works to achieve these goals will include: A. Strategic Plan for Police Services—What strategic issues should the Council consider relative to the provision of Police Services? What should be the City's goal for Police staffing needs? How should the need be measured? B. Regional Police Service Issues -- How will the City participate in specific regional police service issues? C. Camera Radar-- How should the City continue its Camera Radar program? D. Traffic Safety —How can the City enhance traffic safety through its enforcement policies? Are there opportunities to enhance traffic calming measures? E. School Safety—How can the City work with Poudre School District to ensure the safety of students and staff? F. Weapons Policy—Should the City develop a local weapons ordinance? Page 9 ZOOOthemes THEME VIII. Hearing the Voice of the Community Listening to and responding to the views of citizens is a cornerstone of how we want to operate as a local government. We view the City Council's role as representing the voice of the community. In order to fulfill that role, we must make information about the City's business available to the community, and create opportunities where they can provide ideas and input. Part of our role in expressing the will of the community is to be involved in regional and state issues. Our goal is to represent the interests of the community both in working with other governmental entities in the community and at the state legislature. Policy issues and questions that Council will consider as it works to achieve these goals will include: A. Community Dialogue—Develop a process for citizens and Council Members to discuss community issues and directions. B. Enhance Citizen Communications -- How can communications between the City and its citizens be improved? C. Public Access -- What should be the City's policy on public access to City information via technology? D. Boards and Commissions --Should the City review the use of its Boards and Commissions? Are there overlapping missions? Could the number be consolidated? Should policy guidelines for the operation of Boards and Commissions be reviewed? E. Neighborhood Involvement --How should neighborhood groups be involved in City processes and decisions? F. Intergovernmental Cooperation — How can the City build bridges with CSU, Poudre School District, Latimer County, Windsor, and Loveland, and be an active partner in regional planning? How can the City and Larimer County work together for the benefit of the people regarding such items as Library funding, regional fees and transportation? G. Legislative Policy Agenda-- What legislative issues should the City be involved in on the state and federal level in the coming year? H. Charter Amendments -- Is the City's current Charter in keeping with the wishes of the community or does it require revision, e.g., should the City consider adding more Council districts" I. Neighborhood Link— Explore option of implementing neighborhood web site for neighborhood groups. Page 10 :000themes PROJECTS OF INTEREST TO COUNCIL (not necessarily policy issues) • Building Community Choices web page and updates • Implement Building Community Choices projects on schedule • Kiosk at Mall for public information and participation • Parks, Trails and Natural Areas => Gateway Park => Continue acquisition of Natural Areas and Conservation of Open Lands =:> Develop new parks currently in planning stages • Twice the Ice fundraising • Arts Alive fundraising • Report on Fleet Services re: Solvents and run-off, and Alternative Fuels • Poudre School District joint project—determine most appropriate project (s) Page 11 20001hemes