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| 970-221-6700 | TDD 970-224-6003
 Fort Collins Utilities’ Payment Assistance Fund helps keep the electric and water utilities on for many community members experiencing job loss, failing health or another financial crisis. The fund is maintained entirely by customer donations and has benefited more than 2,000 residents since 2004. More than ever, local residents need help paying their utility bills—and the fund cannot keep up. Community members have been turned away because there simply isn’t enough money available. Utilities’ goal is to increase funding so that financial assistance is available to all customers who need it. A one-time donation of $150 or an ongoing monthly contribution of $12.50 will help keep the heat, lights and water on for many local residents. Donation forms are available online at fcgov.com/paf, by calling 970-221-6700, or from Utilities’ offices at 117 North Mason Street and 700 Wood Street. One hundred percent of the donated funding is used for assistance. To apply, residents should contact Catholic Charities Larimer County (The Mission) at 970-484-5010. For more information, visit fcgov.com/paf.
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Beth Sowder | Neighborhoods |
 The Student Housing Action Plan strives to develop community driven strategies that encourage and provide an adequate supply of quality student housing while maintaining neighborhood quality and compatibility.
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This project is a collaborative effort between the City of Fort Collins and Colorado State University (CSU). The stakeholders also include Front Range Community College, neighbors, property owners, developers, Colorado State University Research Foundation (CSURF), Fort Collins Board of Realtors, Northern Colorado Rental Housing Association, Associated Students of CSU (ASCSU), students, and more. The purpose of the study is to work with these stakeholders to identify strategies to address the increasing need for student housing, identify key preferences for development, and develop strategies to resolve compatibility issues.
During the Plan Fort Collins process, the need to address the student housing supply was identified. Fort Collins has and is continuing to experience an increase in population, increasing CSU enrollment, and a limited supply of multi-family and student housing. This combined with very low vacancy rates and challenges addressing neighborhood concerns regarding potential development projects are driving the need for the development of strategies to help facilitate adequate housing supplies while identifying compatibility issues upon existing neighborhoods. City Plan identified this need with the following policies:
• Policy LIV 7.2 – Develop an Adequate Supply of Housing
• Policy LIV 7.7 – Accommodate the Student Population
• Action Plan – Student Housing Plan
CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation, a department dedicated to enhancing local democracy through improved public communication and community problem solving, is assisting with the community engagement process. Feedback received through the community engagement process will drive the specific recommendations, strategies, and action items for this project, which could include recommended code or process changes, design criteria, and mechanisms for reviewing and monitoring of the implemented strategies.
Since March, the staff team has formed an identified the scope and issues to be addressed, conducted data collection, gathered background information, identified and collaborated with CSU, and identified additional partners and stakeholders. Several focus groups with developers, designers, students, neighbors, and property owners have met and discussed student housing preferences, issues, and ideas. Additional focus groups will meet in January. City Council received a written update in September, and a work session is scheduled on February 14, 2012. Additionally, an update was provided to the Affordable Housing Board, and updates are scheduled in January with the Planning & Zoning Board and the Landmark Preservation Commission.
If you would like more information, please visit fcgov.com/studenthousing.
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Kim Newcomer | Communications |
 Be the first on your block to hear about important City policies, programs, services and events; subscribe to one or all City e-newsletters. You are already receiving Neighborhood News. our e-newsletter—chockfull of important info on codes, classes and seasonal events. Maybe you’d like to know more about the Mason Corridor and the construction happening along Mason Street this summer—sign up for the Mason Corridor E-news. There’s also one on Economic News, Natural Areas, City Council voting results and the City Manager’s Monthly Report. Check out the whole list and enter your email for a few or all of the e-newsletters.
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Are you on Facebook or Twitter? The City is! Follow us on Twitter @fortcollinsgov or on Facebook at City of Fort Collins. We give updates during snow removal, alert people to special events, and provide up to the minute changes during construction season to name a few.
Access Fort Collins is another way to contact the City--it’s available 24/7 and allows citizens to report graffiti, potholes, street light outages, and more!
Have a smart phone? Download the FREE Access Fort Collins app (available from iTunes) for iPhone/iPad to submit a case no matter where you are! Thanks for staying connected with the City!
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Ginny Sawyer | Neighborhoods |
 Neighbors will once again have the opportunity to vie for grant money for events benefiting their neighborhoods! Neighborhood Grants can are perfect for social events including picnics, potlucks, and ice cream socials (like Neighborhood Night Out). The grants are also great for project-based events like neighborhood clean-ups, yard waste clean-ups, and community gardens.
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If you’ve been thinking about trying out an event or project in your neighborhood, the grant program could be just the boost you need to get your idea off the ground. Neighborhoods can get $25-$500 in grant money. Applications are judged on fostering positive relationships, building a sense of community and pride, the number of neighbors participating and benefiting, and the amount of matching donations and neighbor effort involved.
The 2012 application deadlines are March 2 and June 1. Neighbors can apply at either deadline but the event or project must be scheduled at least 3 weeks after the deadline (this allows time for grant review, notification, and fund dispersal.) The grant process is competitive. In 201, Neighborhood Services received 79 grant applications with a total of $26,350 in requests! We only have $10,000 to give so start planning now. To download an application and a sample budget form, visit fcgov.com/neighborhoodgrants. Tip: be as thorough as you can.
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Molly Ward | Larimer Humane Society | larimerhumane.org
 As the temperature drops and snowflakes begin to fall, our pets—like us—will be seeking refuge from winter’s chill. While we can easily put on warm jackets and hats to stay toasty, please remember that our pets rely on us to make sure they are not left out in the cold. There are many simple things you can do to make sure your cat or dog stays safe and cozy this winter season. Here are a few great tips to keep in mind.
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Who's in the doghouse?
If your dog spends time outdoors, make sure he has access to a doghouse with a raised floor where he can stay warm, dry and protected from the elements. Older dogs and pooches with short coats get chilled faster than younger dogs and long-haired canines, so it’s a good idea to limit their exposure and bring them in sooner from the cold. If the temperature dips below 20°F, it is recommended that pets not be left outside. Be sure to bring pets indoors at night when the temperature is often at its coldest.
Pets love a harmful antifreeze "dessert"
Did you know that antifreeze and windshield de-icer are both sweet-tasting? Sadly, they’re also highly toxic to pets, so check your driveway and garage floor regularly for drips. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet ingests these chemicals.
Water tips and sticks
Monitor outside water bowls frequently to ensure that water hasn’t frozen and that your pet has fresh drinking water available at all times. To prevent your pet’s tongue from sticking to a frozen metal water bowl, consider choosing plastic or ceramic bowls instead for outside use.
Beware...use paw care
During the winter season, regularly check the underside of your pet’s feet for ice-melter, which can irritate or burn the pads of the feet and can be poisonous if ingested.
Don't give your pet the brush off
Brush your pet’s coat regularly to keep skin moisturized in the cold winter air.
Check for feline stowaways
Finally, keep in mind that outdoor cats may curl up under cars to in order to escape the cold and soak up the heat of a car engine. Before starting your vehicle when heading off to work, tap on the hood and check inside the tires to make sure that a feline has not taken refuge overnight.
The weather outside may be frightful, but by following these tips for winter safety, the season can remain delightful for you and your animal companion. For other great safety and behavior training tips, be sure to check our website at larimerhumane.org.
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Robin MacDonald | Neighborhoods |
 Are you familiar with the broken window theory? In a 1982 Atlantic Monthly article titled “Broken Windows,” James Wilson and George Kelling popularized the idea that a broken window sends a signal that nobody cares, and that neighborhoods that neglected minor signs of decay and disorder were opening the door to more serious crimes.
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Communities enact laws, often referred to as nuisance codes, to address common “signs of decay and disorder”. In Fort Collins, Chapter 20 of our municipal code regulates conditions on private property including inoperable vehicles, rubbish, outdoor storage, yard maintenance, fences and parking on unimproved surfaces. While these codes primarily address aesthetics, the overall intent is to maintain an acceptable standard and keep properties or neighborhoods from heading down the road to blight.
I’ll focus on our inoperable vehicle code to illustrate. Paraphrasing the code, any motor vehicle must be kept in legally-operable condition, which includes having valid license plates. Examples of other unacceptable conditions include essential parts missing or broken, flat tire(s), on jacks or blocks, wrecked or dismantled. If a vehicle is inoperable for more than 30 days, it must be screened from public view. This 30-day window allows for short-term home vehicle repairs.
When an inspector observes an inoperable vehicle, a letter is sent to the property owner with a due date for compliance that is 30 days from the mailing date. If the owner’s address is different than the property address, a letter is also sent to the tenant. Upon reinspection, if the vehicle has not been removed or made operable or screened from view, the inspector may send a second letter giving ten additional days to comply. Prior to issuing a civil citation, the inspector posts a final notice of violation on the door of the residence or on the vehicle, allowing one additional working day for compliance.
A single vehicle with expired plates in a neighborhood hardly qualifies as “decay and disorder.” A single violation of any of the nuisance codes may even seem like a trivial issue. However, in order to prevent the gradual degradation of a property or a neighborhood, a proactive approach is beneficial. Inspectors and support staff are empowered to work closely with residents when they call, discussing creative solutions to achieve compliance. The goal is always a win/win situation, preferably without the need for a civil citation. The neighborhood and our community reap the benefits.
For more info on the City's code compliance efforts, visit fcgov.com/codecompliance.
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| 970-221-6700 | TDD 970-224-600
 The City of Fort Collins is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Residential Environmental Program Series with eight programs throughout winter and spring. This free and innovative series provides valuable information on City services and technologies. All programs are at the Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive.
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Resilient Communities - Feb. 1, 7-9 PM
Watch Carbon Nation, a documentary on climate change solutions and learn about local food and purchasing options.
Your Electric Bill: Learn to Cut Costs - Feb. 8, 7-9 PM
Learn to interpret your bill, compare your usage to averages and discover clues about the biggest electricity guzzlers in your house.
Your Electric Bill: Custom Consultation-Feb. 15, 7-9 PM
Take action with a custom consultation and chart steps to a lower bill. Prerequisites: Attend the Feb. 8 program and be a Fort Collins Utilities electric customer.
Beauty and Bugs in Urban Streams-Feb. 29, 7-9 PM
Learn how nature and art are combined and see the wonders of aquatic invertebrates found in local urban streams.
Xeriscape from the Ground Up. -March 14, 7-9 PM
Learn fresh ideas to convert an area of your yard into a beautiful, water-saving landscape.
Xeriscape by Design - April 4, 7-9 PM
Learn how to prepare a design for year-round enjoyment with structure and delightful plants.
Wild Shots: Local Wildlife Photos. -April 11, 7-9 PM
Discover the amazing behaviors and diversity of wildlife in local natural areas through remote, self-triggering.
The Art and Science of Composting. -May 9, 7-9 PM
Learn to turn your household’s yard trimmings and food scraps into an excellent soil amendment and discover more advanced techniques.
For more info, visit fcgov.com/reps.
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