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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