HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-103-11/20/2007-CONSIDERING THE ADOPTION OF A REVISED HOLIDAY DISPLAY POLICY IN RESPONSE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF T RESOLUTION 2007-103
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
CONSIDERING THE ADOPTION OF A REVISED
HOLIDAY DISPLAY POLICY IN RESPONSE TO THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HOLIDAY DISPLAY TASK FORCE
WHEREAS,on July 17, 2007,the Council adopted Resolution 2007-062 directing the City
Manager to create and appoint a task force of citizens(the"Task Force")to review the City's holiday
display policy(the"Policy") and to submit to the City Council any recommendations that the Task
Force may have with regard to the possible modification of the Policy; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force has met weekly since August of 2007 to study and discuss the
Policy, and is now recommending that the Policy be replaced with a new policy that: (a)includes an
educational display on or around the grounds of the Fort Collins Museum; (b) recommends
collaboration with the Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art to solicit artwork centered around
a unifying theme of winter celebration that could be included in the City's holiday displays; and(c)
changes the decorating standards for Oak Street Plaza and the interior and exterior of City buildings;
and
WHEREAS, after receiving citizen and Councilmember feedback about the Task Force's
recommendations, City staff has presented for Council's consideration three alternative holiday
display policies: the current Policy, a proposed new policy based on the recommendations of the
Task Force, and a third policy that combines elements of both the current City policy and the Task
Force recommendations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the Council hereby adopts the policy attached to this Resolution as Exhibit "A",
which policy may from time to time be modified by the City Manager,in consultation with the City
Attorney, if the City Manager believes that such modifications are in the best interests of the City
and are consistent with the intent of the attached policy;provided,however,that the City Manager
shall forthwith notify the City Council in writing of any such modification.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Co it of the City of Fort C lins this 20th
day of November, A.D. 2007.
Mayo
ATTEST:
I.MLA��
City Clerk
EXHIBIT "A"
2.4 City Holiday Displays
A. Definitions
"Common Areas" refers to those interior areas of City-owned buildings that the
public can enter without an invitation, such as lobbies, hallways and public meeting
rooms. Common Areas do not include employees' personal work spaces.
"Holiday displays" means seasonal decorations sponsored by the City, erected
between November 1 and January 30, and located on City property that is open to the
public.
"Secular"means not overtly or specifically religious.
B. Display at the Fort Collins Museum
The City's primary holiday display shall be located on or around the grounds of the
Fort Collins Museum. The display shall be designed and produced by Museum staff
as an educational, multi-cultural presentation that respectfully presents our
differences and embraces our commonality. Both religious and secular celebrations
should be included, with careful thought to broad representation and balance among
different traditions.
C. City Buildings—Interior and Exterior, and Oak Street Plaza
1. Outdoor holiday displays or decorations located at or attached to other City-
owned buildings, decorations in the Common Areas of City-owned buildings, and
any holiday display at Oak Street Plaza may consist of one or more of the
following elements:
• white or colored lights;
• winter or holiday symbols that are secular in nature, including but not limited
to, snowflakes, icicles, trees (including Christmas trees), wreaths, garlands or
other foliage, either real or artificial;
• written, secular messages, the content of which shall be approved in advance
by the City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney.
2. In addition, the City may collaborate with community groups or organizations to
solicit educational artwork depicting the spirit of winter celebration—the unifying
theme of light and the diversity of traditions within our community. The City
may arrange for this art to be printed on posters, banners, etc., to be distributed
through the community, and displayed on and within City property and buildings.
This artwork may also be used as a centerpiece for Oak Street Plaza. Any
invitation to artists to participate must include specific guidelines to ensure the
City's objectives for such a display are met.
EXHIBIT "A"
D. Any displays placed on City property pursuant to this policy must be designed in such
a way that their primary purpose or effect is not the advancement or endorsement of
religion. Staff members are encouraged to contact the City Attorney's office with
any questions about this requirement.
Policy adopted 200
Darin A. Atteberry
City Manager