HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-062-05/19/1998-REAFFIRMING CITY COUNCILS COMMITMENT TO THE NATURAL AREAS PROGRAM AND TO THE ACQUISITION OF LAND THR RESOLUTION 98-62
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
REAFFIRMING CITY COUNCIL'S COMMITMENT TO THE NATURAL AREAS
PROGRAM AND TO THE ACQUISITION OF LAND THROUGH THAT PROGRAM
IN A TIMELY AND COST EFFECTIVE MANNER
WHEREAS, in April 1997, as part of the Building Community Choices capital projects
program,the voters of the City of Fort Collins approved Ordinance No.29, 1997(the"Ordinance"),
which authorized a quarter-cent sales tax(the"Natural Areas and Parks Tax")to be collected for the
purposes of funding the City's Natural Areas Program and certain parks projects; and
WHEREAS, the term of the Natural Areas and Parks Tax began January 1, 1998, and will
run through December 31, 2005; and
WHEREAS, the Ordinance authorizes and requires the City to use at least twenty-seven
million dollars ($27,000,000) from the proceeds of the Natural Areas and Parks Tax to fund its
Natural Areas Program, to the extent that such tax revenues equal or exceed said amount; and
WHEREAS,the Ordinance also authorizes the construction of four park-related projects,to
the extent that additional revenues from the Natural Areas and Parks Tax are sufficient for such
purposes, which projects include a community horticulture center, certain park improvements,the
development of Fossil Creek Community Park,and funding for a regional trails program(the"Parks
Projects"); and
WHEREAS,the Parks Projects have been described in the Ordinance in general terms,with
construction cost estimates based on 1996 dollars; and
WHEREAS,the Ordinance requires that any excess revenues which are collected as a result
of the Natural Areas Tax, after the completion of all of the Parks Projects, must be committed to
further funding of the City's Natural Areas Program; and
WHEREAS, the Council wishes to take a fiscally responsible approach to the allocation of
funds to the Parks Projects; and
WHEREAS, in the face of ever escalating land cost, the Council wishes to maximize the
City's ability to purchase natural areas by augmenting staff and financial resources without
compromising the integrity of the Park Projects approved by the voters.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the Council reaffirms its commitment to the funding ofthe Natural Areas
Program and to the fulfillment of its obligations under Ordinance No. 29, 1997.
Section 2. That the Council directs staff to explore opportunities to augment its natural
areas land acquisition program through the use of real estate professionals, or such other methods
as may ensure that the City effectively achieves the goals set out in the City's Natural Areas Policy
Plan.
Section 3. That the Council will consider opportunities to supplement revenues from the
Natural Areas and Parks Tax with other revenue sources which are lawfully available to it, should
opportunities arise which require more funding for the Natural Areas Program than is available under
the approved funding schedule for revenues from the Natural Areas and Parks Tax.
Section 4. That in order to ensure that adequate excess revenues are available for natural
area purposes after the completion of all of the Parks Projects, those projects shall be constructed
according to the descriptions contained in Exhibit A to Ordinance No.29, 1997,with the maximum
amount of revenues from the Natural Areas and Parks Tax not to exceed the amount shown below,
and in accordance with the following schedule:
Maximum Natural Year to be Completed
Areas and Parks Tax
Expenditure
(including inflation)
Community Park
Improvements $ 576,332 2004
Community Horticulture
Center $2,250,542 1999
Fossil Creek Community
Park $9,829,167 2002
Regional Trails $1,678,418 2003
Section 5. That at such time as the existing Natural Areas and Parks Tax expires, the
Council supports submitting the extension of such tax to the registered electors of the City, so as to
ensure the ongoing funding of the Natural Areas Program.
Section 6. That nothing in this Resolution shall be construed as superseding the provisions
of Ordinance No. 29, 1997.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of e C;i 6f Fort Co 'ns heldX is
19th day of May, A.D. 1998. / f
Mayor
ATTEST:
IL
��w City Clerk