HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOURTNEY ANNEXATION - ANX110004 - CORRESPONDENCE - (11)Page 2 of 2
but wouldn't a good position be that any extraordinary expenses incurred because of your personal
real estate purchase be offset somehow by an equal amount deducted from your salary? After all, if
there are any additional costs, should taxpayers have to pay them, and wouldn't it be best to
address that by stating from the start that you will take responsibility for those expenses, should any
exist? As I said, I read the article in the paper and watched the Council meeting on the annexation,
and didn't hear this discussed. I did hear one Council member say something on the way to giving
an affirmative vote, but nothing more. Did I miss something?
Regarding residential building permits, first I want to say that absolutely everyone I have spoken
with at the Building Department has been outstanding: extremely helpful, knowledgeable and
friendly. I am awaiting a permit approval for a fairly modest bathroom remodel and was made aware
that one of the reasons there might be a delay is because there is one less plan reviewer on staff
now than there used to be.
Let me say that of all the places where cost cutting measures likely make good sense, this is not
one of them! I understand that a slow down in the economy meant less demand on a reviewer's
time, but I am hearing from that department that in the last few months there has been an upswing
in permit applications both commercial and residential. What good news as an indicator of our local
economy's recovery! But ANY delay in processing those permits means idle contractors. And
homeowners like myself may lose interest and/or momentum in home improvement projects if there
are any kind of obstacles (besides the already obvious financial ones).
I hope the City of Fort Collins will re -consider the staffing levels for the permit application process in
the new fiscal year. Everyone will benefit. ,
Thank you for your service to the City. I hope my suggestions are received with the same good
intentions as they are given.
Kate Peterkin
730 Sandpiper Point
Fort Collins, CO
80525
11/28/2011
IV]
Pagel of 2
Steve Olt
From: Wendy Bricher on behalf of Darin Atteberry
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 9:35 AM
To: 'katepete@earthlink.net'
Cc: Darin Atteberry; Diane Jones; Karen Cumbo; Mark Jackson; Polly Bennett; Steve Dush; Steve
Olt; Mike Gebo
Subject: SAR #17648/ Kate Peterkin re: Building permit feedback, etc.
Attachments: 1110 Maintenance of annexed streets 11 10 11 (2).doc; AGENDA-ITEM_NOV-15-
2011_ITEM_12.pdf; ord re annexed streets.pdf
Ms. Peterkin,
Thank you for your message. I apologize for my delayed response. As you know, the annexation
of the Courtney property was approved by City Council on November 15 and went into effect on
Friday, November 25. I appreciate your concerns about City services needed to maintain this
property. I have attached several documents that I believe address your concerns, including
information about the maintenance of newly annexed streets and the Agenda Item Summary for the
November 15t' Council meeting. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have any further
questions or concerns about the annexation.
I'm pleased to hear that you found the permit staff helpful. As City employees, we are very
committed to being good stewards of the citizens' funds, especially when it comes to staffing. On
average, our plan review staff is adequate to meet the needs of the construction industry and is
able to process plan reviews within a timeframe that is within national estimates for similar projects.
We monitor the workload on a weekly basis and do make adjustments as needed, using other staff
to stay within the recognized timeframe. We continually gather data on staffing needs and are able
to present our needs during the budget process.
I agree that building services should do everything they can to help promote construction within the
City and we strive to keep that balance between staffing levels and workload needs.
Sincerely,
Darin Atteberry, ICMA-CM / AICP
City Manager
Fort Collins, CO
From: Kate Peterkin (mailto:katepete@earthlink.net]
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2011 2:59 PM
To: Darin Atteberry
Subject: SAR #17648/ Kate Peterkin re: Building permit feedback, etc.
Dear Mr. Atteberry,
First, let me say I read with interest about the City Council's vote to allow the annexation of the
property you wish to buy so as to keep your residence location compliant with the City Charter.
Honestly, I was surprised more mention wasn't made of any kind of city services (road maintenance
in particular) that might need to be added for this annexed property. I don't know any of the details,
11/28/2011