 A Look Back - Beth Sowder | Neighborhood Services Manager |  For many organizations, businesses, and individuals, 2009 was a challenging year. This was true for the City of Fort Collins, too. Two of the functions provided by Neighborhood Services, Code Compliance and Mediation Services, were impacted significantly in 2009. We lost one of our full-time Code Compliance Inspectors due to budget reductions and saw many reductions in our other programs, too. We also saw large increases in requests for mediation services. We worked hard to make changes to ensure that we continued to provide the Fort Collins community with the services they expect and deserve.For most of 2009, we had three full time Inspectors (usually, we have four plus a seasonal inspector during the summer months). These inspectors respond to complaints as well as proactively patrol Fort Collins to ensure compliance with over 17 different codes. These codes include things like trash accumulation, overgrown weeds or vegetation, parking on yards, smoking in public places, sidewalk snow removal, etc. In 2009, our inspectors issued 8,109 violations. This equates to approximately 16,200 inspections! Voluntary compliance occurred in 94% of cases – this means that the property owner or tenants corrected the violation once they were notified without the need of any further enforcement action by the City. The good news is that City Council decided to reinstate the Code Compliance Inspector position, so we will have four full-time Inspectors for 2010. This helps us maintain safe, attractive neighborhoods for all Fort Collins citizens. Additionally, our Community Mediation Program was extremely busy with a record number of service requests in 2009. In fact, 2009 has proven to be the busiest year by far in the 13 year history of the City of Fort Collins Community and Municipal Court Mediation Programs. There was a 63% increase in requests and 232% increase in issue resolutions since 2007. These increases can likely be linked to:
The Landlord-tenant component of the Community Mediation Program has grown exponentially over the years. While the Landlord-tenant services we provide have always been well-utilized, it is in the last 2-3 years that a remarkable spike in rental housing problems and requests for help has occurred. This undoubtedly correlates with the increasing level of foreclosures, evictions, and money-related lease problems in our community. The good news is that even with these increases in the need for mediation services, the settlement rates for both the Community and Municipal Court Mediation Programs average 95%. We could not offer this program without the skills of 20 professionally-trained and certified mediators from the Fort Collins community. Neighborhood Services is looking forward to 2010 and our continued efforts to meet customer expectations!  Welcome New Staff! - Ginny Sawyer | Neighborhoods |  Neighborhood Services is excited to welcome two new staff members in 2010. Dale Wood joined Code Compliance and will take on occupancy enforcement as his main focus. As a previous police chief, he brings good communication and investigative skills to this position. Dale is a life long resident of Colorado from Evergreen who started his career in Jefferson County before eventually ended up as police chief in Mountain Village.Code Compliance also added Eric Kesselburg to their staff. This position was lost in April 2009, and was reinstated by Council as part of their adoption of the 2010 budget. Eric spent time in the Navy prior to moving to Fort Collins. He and his wife and daughters moved to Fort Collins in 1997. Eric comes to us from Parking Services where he was a Parking Enforcement Officer for over a year. Eric's excellent customer service skills and enforcement background make him a valuable new member of our team. Winter Code Issues - Robin MacDonald | Neighborhoods |  A combination of severe cold, strong winds and repeated snowfalls has made for a short autumn and early winter here in Fort Collins. “Kind” is not a word I would use to describe our recent weather here. As a result, we have all had to deal with broken branches and drifting snow.Is drifted snow covering a sidewalk a code violation? According to our code it is. So in spite of people’s efforts to clear snow from the Dec. 23 storm, many sidewalks were re-buried, some under two to three feet of dense hard-packed snow. According to the code, sidewalks must be kept “free and clear of snow and ice.” During winter months, Code Compliance Inspectors respond to complaints and patrol for nuisance code violations. Because of the snow and wind, and widespread damage to trees, inspectors have delayed some types of enforcement to allow residents to have time to cut and haul branches.
By taking advantage of some of Fort Collins’ recycling programs, you can save time, money and be ecologically responsible at the same time! Check fcgov.com/recycling to find convenient options for leaf and Christmas tree disposal. Branches are also considered to be rubbish unless cut to a “burnable length” and stacked as firewood. The next greenest option is to haul your branches to be ground into mulch at Hageman’s Earth Cycle (3501 E. Prospect Rd). The landfill also accepts yard waste including branches. Both locations charge a fee for drop-off. We can all hope Mother Nature still has a heart and will bless us with sunny days to do some yard clean-up. Please? CSUnity is Back - Melissa Emerson | | CSU Liaison
 For the 14th year running, approximately 2,000 CSU student volunteers will be out in the community taking part in CSUnity. These students are available to assist neighbors with outdoor spring cleaning projects that may be a little more work than one person can accomplish on their own. We have begun the process of recruiting projects for this year’s CSUnity event. If you are interested in having student volunteers aid you during this one-day service plunge, please download the project sign-up sheet and mail it in by March 12, 2010.When: April 17, 2010 Time: 10AM-2AM Types of projects: outdoor yard maintenance (raking leaves, cleaning flower beds), gutters, window washing, and painting. Deadline for registering: March 12, 2010 Requirements: Residents MUST provide equipment/tools (i.e. rakes, garbage bags, paint, etc) required to complete the project. Additionally, we ask that you be present (or at least in your residence) when students are volunteering. City Looking At Medical Marijuana Dispensary Regulations - Ginny Sawyer | Neighborhoods |  In November 2000, Coloradoans passed Amendment 20 allowing for the medical use of marijuana for people suffering from debilitating medical conditions. This Amendment tasked the Colorado Department of Health and Environment with implementing and administering a Medical Marijuana Registry program. The State did not, and does not currently, regulate beyond the patient registry program.Recently, Fort Collins and other communities have seen a significant rise in Medical Marijuana Dispensaries (MMDs) including those operating as home occupations in residential neighborhoods. Because of this sudden increase in MMD sales tax license requests and because the City of Fort Collins does not have specific regulation regarding MMDs, City Council imposed a moratorium on any new MMD licenses through March 31, 2010. During the moratorium, City staff is conducting research and public outreach and developing proposed regulations to take back to City Council. Currently, the first reading of a draft ordinance is scheduled to be heard on March 2, 2010. Please mark your calendars for the Open House on Thursday, January 21, 2010 This drop-in session runs from 4-7 PM in the Community Room at 215 N Mason St. This a great chance for residents to provide feedback and input on what should be considered when drafting regulations related to medical marijuana dispensaries in our community. Full meeting schedule:
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We are now recruiting participants for the 4th offering of Cityworks 101. This free, in-depth program gives residents a behind the scenes look at the many facets of running a city. If you have ever wondered exactly how your city government works, what goes on day to day to provide the services that residents need and desire, or where your sales tax dollars go then this 8-week class series is for you!
