PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
5:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING
6:00 PM
Amended 7/14/25
• City Manager Review of Agenda
• Consent Calendar Review, including removal of items from Consent Calendar for individual discussion.
(Including requests for removal of items from Consent Calendar for individual discussion.)
Individuals may comment regarding any topics of concern, whether or not included on this agenda. Comments regarding land use projects for which a development application has been filed should be submitted in the development review process** and not to Council.
• Those who wish to speak are required to sign up using the online sign-up system available at www.fcgov.com/council-meeting-participation-signup/
• Each speaker will be allowed to speak one time during public comment. If a speaker comments on a particular agenda item during general public comment, that speaker will not also be entitled to speak during discussion on the same agenda item.
• All speakers will be called to speak by the presiding officer from the list of those signed up. After everyone signed up is called on, the presiding officer may ask others wishing to speak to identify themselves by raising their hand (in person or using the Raise Hand option on Zoom), and if in person then will be asked to move to one of the two lines of speakers (or to a seat nearby, for those who are not able to stand while waiting).
• The presiding officer will determine and announce the length of time allowed for each speaker.
• Each speaker will be asked to state their name and general address for the record, and, if their comments relate to a particular agenda item, to identify the agenda item number. Any written comments or materials intended for the Council should be provided to the City Clerk.
• A timer will beep one time and turn yellow to indicate that 30 seconds of speaking time remain and will beep again and turn red when a speaker’s time has ended.
[For questions about the development review process or the status of any particular development, consult the City's Development Review Center page at fcgov.com/developmentreview, or contact the Development Review Center at 970.221.6760.]
CONSENT CALENDAR
The Consent Calendar is intended to allow Council to spend its time and energy on the important items on a lengthy agenda. Staff recommends approval of the Consent Calendar. Agenda items pulled from the Consent Calendar by either Council or the City Manager will be considered separately under their own Section, titled “Consideration of Items Removed from Consent Calendar for Individual Discussion.” Items remaining on the Consent Calendar will be approved by Council with one vote. The Consent Calendar consists of:
• Ordinances on First Reading that are routine;
• Ordinances on Second Reading that are routine;
• Those of no perceived controversy;
• Routine administrative actions.
This Ordinance, unanimously adopted on First Reading on July 1, 2025, requests an appropriation of $134,447 in philanthropic revenue received through City Give. These miscellaneous gifts to various City departments support a variety of programs and services and are aligned with both the City’s strategic priorities and the respective donors’ designation.
In 2019, City Give, a formalized enterprise-wide initiative was launched to create a transparent, non-partisan governance structure for the acceptance and appropriations of charitable gifts.
This Ordinance, unanimously adopted on First Reading on July 1, 2025, provides a supplemental appropriation to the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Zach Elementary School Project (Project). Poudre School District (PSD) contributed $25,000 to the Project and this contribution was incorrectly appropriated in Ordinance No. 144, 2023. If approved, this item will correct this error and correctly appropriate the $25,000 PSD contribution to the Project. No new funding will be appropriated to the Project. As no new funding is being appropriated, there is no proposed additional contribution to the Art in Public Places (APP) program.
This Ordinance, unanimously adopted on First Reading on July 1, 2025, requests Council approval of a Collateral Assignment of Lease (“Assignment”) involving CO Fire Aviation Leasing, Inc., the cities of Loveland and Fort Collins (the “Cities”), and FMS Bank. The Assignment allows CO Fire Aviation Leasing, Inc. (the “Sublessee”) to assign its leasehold interest as security for a $920,000 loan from FMS Bank (the “Lender”).
The underlying ground lease permits such assignments with the consent of the Cities. The Assignment, attached to proposed Ordinance No. 113, 2025, will serve as the Cities’ acknowledgement of the assignment and provide the Lender rights to receive notice of any Sublessee default, to cure such defaults, and request a new lease of the Sublease is terminated.
This Ordinance, unanimously adopted on First Reading on July 1, 2025, authorizes conveyance of a permanent access easement to Josh and Dusti Sanger on approximately 0.5 acres of Coyote Ridge Natural Area. The Sangers own a 5-acre residential inholding (2887 W. Trilby Road) within the natural area. Domestic water infrastructure (a cistern and electric pump) that exists on the adjacent natural area pre-dates the City’s ownership and provides water to the Sangers’ residence. The access easement is intended to formally document the Sangers’ access to the existing cistern and electric pump on the Natural Area and require the Sangers to use the easement in accordance with City parameters.
This Ordinance, unanimously adopted on First Reading on July 1, 2025, requests an extension to the terms of the current cable franchise agreement which expires on July 31, 2025. Staff is in current negotiations with Comcast representatives and in the best interests of both parties, recommend this extension so that negotiations can continue. The extension will run through October 31, 2025.
The purpose of this item is to appropriate $35,637 of unanticipated revenue from the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice Juvenile Diversion fund awarded for the period July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026, to support the Restorative Justice programs in the Neighborhood Services Department in Sustainability Services. Restorative Justice Programs are part of the City’s Conflict Transformation Works team, which also provide mediation services. The program will provide restorative justice services as an accountability option for 35 youth referred from the 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office.
A. First Reading of Ordinance No. 121, 2025, Making a Supplemental Appropriation of Grant Funds from the Colorado Office of Justice Programs 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Grant Award for Fort Collins Police Services.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 122, 2025, Making a Supplemental Appropriation of Grant Funds from the Colorado Office of Justice Programs 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Grant Award for Fort Collins Police Services.
The purpose of these items is to support Fort Collins Police Services in work performed as a member of the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force, which is managed by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department, with both Fort Collins Police Services and Loveland Police being members. These member agencies support a broad range of activities to prevent and control drug-related crimes.
Larimer County was awarded two grants, for 2023 and 2024 respectively, through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program in support of operating the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force.
The award for 2023 is $60,434 in total, and Fort Collins Police Services, as a subrecipient of the grant, receives $18,058 of this 2023 award to support personnel costs and other operating costs directly attributed to the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force. The award for 2024 is $50,489 in total, and Fort Collins Police Services, again as a subrecipient, receives $15,025 of this 2024 JAG grant award also to support personnel costs and other operating costs directly attributable to the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force.
The purpose of this item is to support Fort Collins Police Services in work performed enforcing Colorado’s impaired driving laws for specific enforcement periods outlined by the Colorado Department of Transportation. Enforcement periods typically occur over holidays or periods of increased tourism and travel in the state.
Fort Collins Police Services was awarded $25,474 through the High Visibility Impaired Driving Enforcement (HVE) grant to support personnel costs and other operating costs directly attributed to HVE grant activities. Police Services will provide enhanced impaired driving enforcement during specific time periods and engage in community education and outreach.
The purpose of this item is to adopt the 2025 Natural Areas Strategic Framework, attached as Exhibit A to the Ordinance, which updates the City’s 2014 Natural Areas Master Plan and serves as a systemwide guide for the planning and management of the Natural Areas Department (NAD) over the coming decade. Rooted in ballot language, extensive community engagement, and broader City policies, the Framework articulates an updated vision, set of values, and strategic goals for the Department. It provides the foundation for action-oriented planning that will be implemented through zone-level management planning. Adoption of the Framework constitutes an amendment to City Plan under its provisions for incorporating new elements into the City’s comprehensive plan.
The purpose of this item is to approve Fort Fund grants from the Cultural Development and Programming Account and the Tourism Programming Account for the selected community events in the Special Event Grant – June Deadline category, based upon the recommendations of the Cultural Resources Board.
The purpose of this item is to consider adoption of the five-year planning documents required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in order for the City to remain eligible for federal grants, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Program.
The purpose of this item is to determine substantial compliance and initiate annexation proceedings for the Moor Annexation, a voluntary annexation located northeast of the intersection of North Taft Hill Road and Laporte Avenue. The Applicant has submitted a written petition requesting annexation of 3.368 acres and zoning into the Low Density Mixed-Use Neighborhood District (LMN) zone district, which is consistent with the City of Fort Collins Structure Plan Map.
This annexation request is in conformance with the State of Colorado Revised Statutes as they relate to annexations, the City of Fort Collins City Plan, and the Larimer County and City of Fort Collins Intergovernmental Agreement Regarding Growth Management.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Staff Report: Urban Wildfire Readiness Update
The purpose of this item is to provide a progress update on the Wildfire Mitigation Plan.
The wildland-urban interface (WUI) may be defined as the zone where the built environment meets wildland vegetation. Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) has long recognized the wildfire potential in the WUI as including the foothills and grasslands adjacent to the City of Fort Collins as well as occluded wildland areas within the City. As part of the effort to identify and address the wildfire hazard in our jurisdiction, the PFA completed the third iteration of its Community Wildfire Protection Plan in February of 2025. This plan emphasizes interagency collaboration, advanced wildfire risk assessment using modern data and modeling tools, and public engagement. It outlines actionable strategies for mitigation, response, and evacuation.
PFA has a longstanding collaborative relationship with the City’s Natural Areas Program and Emergency Preparedness and Security by jointly engaging in planning, wildfire public outreach, and annual Poudre River hazard assessments. Although PFA is not a land management agency and does not lead prescribed fire projects, it supports such efforts through operational assistance. PFA co-established the Natural Areas prescribed fire program in 2003 and remains an active participant in prescribed fires throughout the region.
Given the ecological role of fire in Fort Collins' grassland natural areas, prescribed burning remains a valuable but complex management tool. Its effectiveness in reducing fuel loads in grass is transient. While its utilization is site specific and involves logistical and safety challenges, it remains an important management option.
The method of debate for discussion items is as follows:
• Mayor introduced the item number and subject; asks if formal presentation will be made by staff
• Staff presentation (optional)
• Mayor requests public comment on the item (three minute limit for each person)
• Council questions of staff on the item
• Council motion on the item
• Council discussion
• Final Council comments
• Council vote on the item
Note: Time limits for individual agenda items may be revised, at the discretion of the Mayor, to ensure all have an opportunity to speak. The timer will buzz when there are 30 seconds left and the light will turn yellow. It will buzz again at the end of the speaker’s time.
The purpose of this item, pursuant to the requirements of the City Charter when presented with an initiative petition certified as sufficient by the City Clerk, is to either:
1. Adopt the proposed ordinance without alteration within 25 business days; or
2. Submit the proposed measure to the registered electors of the City.
A. First Reading of Ordinance No. 126, 2025, Adopting a Citizen-Initiated Ordinance Regarding Preserving and Establishing the Use for the Entire Former Hughes Stadium Property as a Natural Area. (Option 1);
OR
B. Resolution 2025-073 Submitting a Citizen-Initiated Ordinance Requiring that the Former Hughes Stadium Property be Used 100% as a City Natural Area to a Vote of the Registered Electors of the City at the Regular Municipal Election on November 4, 2025. (Option 2)
If Council does not adopt the Ordinance, a protest hearing regarding the ballot title may be required before consideration of the Resolution. Under Section 7-156 of the City Code, any registered elector desiring to protest a proposed ballot title or submission clause for any initiated measure must file such a protest with the City Clerk, no later than noon on Monday, July 14, 2025. If a protest is filed, a hearing on the protest will be added to the agenda item and must take place before the Council adopts the Resolution setting the ballot title and submission clause
This section has been amended to include Consideration of a Motion to Call a Special Meeting
(Three or more individual Councilmembers may direct the City Manager and City Attorney to initiate and move forward with development and preparation of resolutions and ordinances not originating from the Council's Policy Agenda or initiated by staff.)
"In accordance with Section 2-29 of the City's Municipal Code, I move that Council call a Special Meeting to be held on August 12, 2025, at 300 Laporte Avenue, in Council Chambers, starting at 5:00 p.m., for the purpose of consideration of a motion to go into executive session for legal advice related to federal grants."
"I move that the City Council go into executive session pursuant to:
City Charter Article Roman Numeral Two, Section 11(2),
City Code Section 2-31(a)(2) and
Colorado Revised Statutes Section 24-6-402(4)(b),
for the purpose of discussing with the City's attorneys and appropriate management staff the following:
1. specific legal questions related to potential litigation related to water service in northeast Fort Collins; and
2. the manner in which the particular policies, practices or regulations of the City related to water service in northeast Fort Collins may be affected by existing or proposed provisions of federal, state or local law."
Every regular Council meeting will end no later than midnight, except that: (1) any item of business commenced before midnight may be concluded before the meeting is adjourned and (2) the Council may, at any time prior to adjournment, by majority vote, extend a meeting beyond midnight for the purpose of considering additional items of business. Any matter that has been commenced and is still pending at the conclusion of the Council meeting, and all matters for consideration at the meeting that have not yet been considered by the Council, will be deemed continued to the next regular Council meeting, unless Council determines otherwise.
Upon request, the City of Fort Collins will provide language access services for individuals who have limited English proficiency, or auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities, to access City services, programs and activities. Contact 970.221.6515 (V/TDD: Dial 711 for Relay Colorado) for assistance. Please provide advance notice. Requests for interpretation at a meeting should be made by noon the day before.
A solicitud, la Ciudad de Fort Collins proporcionará servicios de acceso a idiomas para personas que no dominan el idioma inglés, o ayudas y servicios auxiliares para personas con discapacidad, para que puedan acceder a los servicios, programas y actividades de la Ciudad. Para asistencia, llame al 970.221.6515 (V/TDD: Marque 711 para Relay Colorado). Por favor proporcione aviso previo cuando sea posible. Las solicitudes de interpretación en una reunión deben realizarse antes del mediodía del día anterior.