[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6393168,"mediaKeyId","2107804-cad471b9c6d75eec7ac0ce286e930406","parentId",2107804,"title","Council shortens appeals timeline and updates mobile infrastructure bond rules; approves temporary easement for utility work","audioSeconds",1990,"startMs",2718000,"endMs",4708000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2107804-cad471b9c6d75eec7ac0ce286e930406&start=2718&end=4708","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2107804-cad471b9c6d75eec7ac0ce286e930406/thumbnail_2718000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6393168/Fort-Collins-City/Larimer-County/Colorado/Council-shortens-appeals-timeline-and-updates-mobile-infrastructure-bond-rules-approves-temporary-easement-for-utility-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393168-ea1ea1f21eb826a82d32f3da30971a73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162092&Signature=XixanAW0ihX9e~TW8vnoG4icJRE4Dh39u1X85~~0O3aQJFmv3jVN2U-pbBaUTt1XJP3vWVaQL8V3zdKGqgNfxKZ99cwERcLXfnqcldgoT0zvmAZzlNkwCzSM-GFvfTgwMswfe0oEos2ZwGII7oLcd7K4jJfKXJUELBpJLi-c54n68v6C~m6myD4tT27CvzohS~h-mSwPog9rGc4NqK2pwYvWFvVM1Ak0OhyR0NOoEjEA0A6EgJpT~5ii58dhRJpG~0-GvrUJow~JhIVuVvB3EnYiWwwEeUkf8ojJf5wonfHLBl14FW9AByMO0O3ofxNUJojNVbYBJ40JdrR8V4L6ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Fort Collins, CO","date","2025-01-07T00:00:00Z","article","Fort Collins City Council voted unanimously on first reading to overhaul the city's appeals procedures, reduce the appeals timeline, and adopt several process changes intended to make appeals clearer and faster. The council also approved, on first reading, an ordinance amending bond requirements for small‑cell contractors and a separate ordinance authorizing a temporary construction easement to Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) at Whitewater Park to support work at the Poudre River Regulatory Station.

\"We are trying to clean that up and clarify exactly what appeals are for,\" Kim Meyer, principal city planner, told council during a staff presentation. Heather Jarvis of the city attorney’s office summarized the ordinance's principal changes as clarifying who has standing to appeal, narrowing the grounds for appeals to issues that were raised and considered during the original decision, and separating appeals that are questions of code interpretation (which would go before council) from administrative \"fair hearing\" matters (handled administratively).

Key procedural changes: the proposed code narrows standing to those who participated in the original decision by submitting written comments or appearing at the earlier hearing; it adds a completeness check within two working days after an appeal is filed; it authorizes a screening review to verify that each ground for appeal is legally sufficient and was raised before the original decision maker; it establishes party registration and prehearing conferences so all parties hear consistent answers; it updates filing fees (the last fee update the staff identified occurred in 1990); and it shortens the maximum scheduling timeline for appeals from about 77 days to 35 days in the new procedure.

Meyer and Jarvis emphasized limits on new evidence for matters that go to council: appeals that reach council will focus on code interpretation or application rather than fresh factual evidence. Meyer noted the changes were intended to reduce unpredictability and staff and counsel time spent on appeals that fail to identify viable legal grounds.

Small‑cell contractor bond ordinance: Council also approved on first reading Ordinance No. 1, 2025, amending chapters 15 and 23 of the City Code to change bonding requirements for small‑cell providers operating in the public right‑of‑way. City engineer Brad Buckman and chief construction inspector Ken Zetti explained that during a recent project a cellular provider's financial and contractual issues raised a threat that the city could be left with roughly $800,000 in uncompleted right‑of‑way repair costs. Zetti said the contractor group ultimately completed about 90–95% of the work and the city does not expect to incur the full exposure; the ordinance sets a bond cap of $250,000 per boring contractor as the threshold for city protection.

Temporary easement for PSCo: The council voted to authorize a temporary construction easement at Whitewater Park for Public Service Company of Colorado to permit construction work at the Poudre River Regulatory Station H‑111‑8; the measure passed on first reading. Several council members asked staff to follow up in writing on the property’s ownership and transfer history — record research presented at the meeting indicated the land was transferred to the city from the Light and Power Division and that the Parks and Natural Areas departments have been involved in decisions about the site; documents cited a 2014 Community Capital Improvement Program that funded the Whitewater Park work.

Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance No. 1, 2025 (amending Chapters 15 and 23 — small‑cell contractor/provider bond requirements): adopted on first reading, vote recorded as 7 yes, 0 no.
- Ordinance No. 2, 2025 (conveyance of temporary construction easement at Whitewater Park to Public Service Company of Colorado): adopted on first reading, vote recorded as 7 yes, 0 no.
- Ordinance No. 3, 2025 (repeal and reenact Chapter 2, Article 2, Division 3 — appeals procedures): adopted on first reading, vote recorded as 7 yes, 0 no.
- Consent calendar (items 1–6): approved as presented, roll call recorded 7 yes, 0 no.

Why it matters: The appeals rewrite is intended to make municipal land‑use and code appeals more predictable, reduce administrative burden, and provide clearer pathways for appellants and applicants. The small‑cell bond change responds to a documented risk that the city could face substantial repair costs if outside providers fail to complete work in the public right‑of‑way. The easement authorizes time‑limited construction access for PSCo infrastructure upgrades.

Follow‑up: staff committed to provide additional written clarifications in the small‑cell item about the $800,000 exposure, how the $250,000 per‑contractor cap was determined, and the Whitewater Park property transfer history. Councilmembers also noted that changes to the appeals code could be adjusted if unintended consequences appear once the new process is implemented.

Ending: All three ordinances advanced on first reading with unanimous council votes; staff will return with requested clarifications and any further refinements ahead of second readings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fort Collins City Council Regular Meeting 1/7/25","oneSentenceSummary","Fort Collins City Council voted unanimously on first reading to overhaul the city’s appeals procedures and to approve two additional ordinances: an update to small‑cell contractor bond requirements and a temporary construction easement for Public Service Company of Colorado at Whitewater Park.","taxTitle","Fort Collins City, Larimer County, Colorado","taxId",5777,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6393174,"Residents, labor groups urge Fort Collins to recognize Connection Workers Coalition and consider Denver-style ballot framework",1387,323000,1710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2107804-cad471b9c6d75eec7ac0ce286e930406&start=323&end=1710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2107804-cad471b9c6d75eec7ac0ce286e930406/thumbnail_323000.jpg","/articles/6393174/Fort-Collins-City/Larimer-County/Colorado/Residents-labor-groups-urge-Fort-Collins-to-recognize-Connection-Workers-Coalition-and-consider-Denver-style-ballot-framework","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393174-463c138aea954b5c0d24aa380841038d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162092&Signature=maSSrYU3Eb8Vd~IZasypq2pRRE0p5Ajbal-45-Lewi9JAGU5KFwXWFqnYsQEJwPDPGgd6nlI4xWtbEZR9EhAkdjq4d38YjT3fvs-nhQ--gBY2HVMbmXQNOMpfI6k~hM4OlV6ARsugrnAo3pmArqGC0Rmp2WpGidTEYjY5qWGtqcYemS8pMsZOh5GqfS7S1Rrp38n4oSiQ-DEAyp3oGAXXM1keQaclPzETO8rnVnTGafgoNF0wH5N4-ObnN97OHB~qXXAs8MDWbVpoKOuA3fm-pdkZNpezdeWzLAIE4Ikp5g599YE81pDnZS3E5TvExeTmYOUBSLE2hbTO9NdFZGe4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents and labor leaders urged the Fort Collins City Council at its regular meeting to press the city to recognize the Connection Workers Coalition (CWC) and to explore a ballot measure modeled on Denver’s \"2U\" to establish a municipal framework for recognizing public-employee unions.

Speakers in favor of recognition included Connection employees and organizers, representatives of area labor groups and residents. John Ramstead, a District 2 resident and Connection customer, said, \"the workers have decided to organize and decide they wanna bargain collectively for their rights, and they should be recognized.\" Nicholas Sawan, a Connection tech support worker and an organizer, said a recognition framework could help avoid strikes and urged the council to engage publicly about drafting such a measure. Kevin Caffrey, president of the Northern Colorado Labor Council, described the request as part of ensuring city workers receive livable wages and respect.

The comments repeatedly cited Denver’s 2U ballot measure as an example. Corey Kaiser, a resident of District 2, told the council that Denver estimated implementation at about $3 million for 15,000 employees and suggested Fort Collins’s cost would be lower given its smaller workforce. Several speakers also referred to state law described in the meeting as the Protection for Public Workers Act (PROPWA), arguing it affirmed workers’ rights to organize.

Council members asked for follow-up rather than acting immediately. Council member Melanie asked the city manager whether staff had updated information about the CWC’s membership and whether legal guidance was available about what the council and city manager can say publicly. The city manager said she had not received recent membership figures since a memo circulated earlier and said staff would follow up and clarify what council and management can say and do. Heather Jarvis from the city attorney’s office was present during a separate agenda item and was cited elsewhere in the meeting as assisting staff on legal wording, but the comment period produced no formal vote or direction that night.

Why it matters: speakers said municipal recognition or a local ballot framework would create a clear, consistent path for municipal union recognition and reduce the need to decide recognition in ad hoc or contested settings. Supporters argued a local framework would protect workers regardless of changes at the federal level and avoid repeated ballot fights for each new unionizing effort.

What the council did: the meeting record shows public comment concluded and council requested that staff return with clarifying information, including any legal constraints on communication and whether different rules apply to councilmembers versus city management. No formal resolution, referral, or vote to recognize the union was made during the meeting.

Context and next steps: multiple speakers asked the council to place a 2U‑style measure on a future ballot. Councilmembers asked staff to bring back information about what the city can lawfully do, whether there are differences in obligations for the city manager versus council, and any factual data staff can share about the scope of the unionization effort. The transcript shows staff committed to follow-up and to provide legal clarification to council members.

Ending: Public comment on the topic concluded with council members asking staff to collect information and counsel to advise on allowable public statements; no formal action was adopted at this meeting.","Dozens of residents, workers and labor leaders pressed the Fort Collins City Council during public comment to ask the city manager to recognize the Connection Workers Coalition and to pursue a ballot framework similar to Denver’s \"2U\" measure so municipal unions can be recognized without protracted disputes.","actionData","errors"]

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Council shortens appeals timeline and updates mobile infrastructure bond rules; approves temporary easement for utility work

Residents, labor groups urge Fort Collins to recognize Connection Workers Coalition and consider Denver-style ballot framework