Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Date:02/10/2015
ATTENDANCE
Time:02:00 PM to 03:34 PM
Crowder
X
Donovan
X
Place:SCR 353
Kefalas
X
Martinez Humenik
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Ulibarri
*
Senator Marble
Balmer
X
Marble
X
This Report was prepared by
David Beaujon
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
SB15-135
HB15-1017
SB15-114		Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only


02:00 PM -- SB 15-135

Senator Martinez Humenik, Co-prime sponsor, described the provisions of Senate Bill 15-135 concerning public bodies and urban renewal. This bill amends statutes governing the exercise of urban renewal authority by municipalities, modifying the composition of the urban renewal authority and specifying the manner in which certain excess funds are redistributed to other local taxing entities.

The following persons testified on the bill.

02:04 PM -- Gini Pingenot, Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI), explained that CCI has yet to take a position on the bill and identified concerns that some counties have expressed about the cost of providing services to urban renewal projects. She also discussed county concerns with HB 14-1375 that was vetoed by the Governor and responded to questions from the committee about potential amendments to the bill that may address the concerns of counties

02:14 PM -- Evan Goulding, Special District Association of Colorado, spoke in opposition to the bill and identified potential costs to special districts that may be required to provide services to urban renewal projects. He also responded to questions from the committee about potential amendments to the bill that may address the concerns of special districts.

02:25 PM -- Mike Waid, Mayor, Town of Parker, spoke in support of the bill and explained how the city has used its urban renewal authority to develop blighted areas. He identified other local governments that receive revenue from the urban renewal projects in the city and responded to questions from the committee about urban renewal revenue sharing with affected governments.






02:32 PM -- Andrew Amador, Commerce City Urban Renewal Authority, spoke in support of the bill and explained how the city has used its urban renewal authority to develop blighted areas. He also identified urban renewal revenue sharing with affected governments and distributed a handout on the bill (Attachment A).

150210 AttachA.pdf150210 AttachA.pdf

02:35 PM -- Jim Borgel, National Association of Industrial Office Properties, spoke in support of the bill.

02:38 PM -- John Carpenter, City of Westminster, spoke in support of the bill and distributed a handout on the bill (Attachment B). He also explained how the city has used its urban renewal authority to develop blighted areas.

150210 AttachB.pdf150210 AttachB.pdf

02:41 PM

Testimony was closed on the bill. Senator Martinez Humenik and Senator Jahn closed their remarks on the bill. They also responded to questions from the committee about county concerns with the bill.
BILL:SB15-135
TIME: 02:48:36 PM
MOVED:Crowder
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-135 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 6-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Crowder
Yes
Donovan
Yes
Kefalas
Yes
Martinez Humenik
Yes
Ulibarri
Yes
Balmer
No
Marble
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




02:50 PM -- HB 15-1017

Senator Roberts, sponsor, described the provisions of House Bill 15-1017 concerning volunteer fire departments. This bill, recommended by the Wildfire Matters Review Committee, creates the "Volunteer Fire Department Organization Act" which lists the requirements for creating a volunteer fire department (VFD) in areas of the state lacking organized fire protection services. She also responded to questions from the committee concerning House amendments to the bill.

There was no testimony.
BILL:HB15-1017
TIME: 02:57:33 PM
MOVED:Crowder
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1017 to the Committee of the Whole, and with a recommendation that it be added to the consent calendar. The motion passed on a vote of 5-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Crowder
Yes
Donovan
Yes
Kefalas
Excused
Martinez Humenik
Yes
Ulibarri
Excused
Balmer
Yes
Marble
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:58 PM

The committee recessed.

02:59 PM -- SB 15-114

The committee returned from recess. Senator Crowder, sponsor, described the provisions of Senate Bill 15-114 that prohibits a county government from using eminent domain (condemnation) for the acquisition of property for parks, recreation, open space, conservation, or for similar purposes. Counties are also prohibited from providing funding to any public or private party for the acquisition by condemnation of similar properties.

The following persons testified on the bill.

03:10 PM -- Jeff Huntley, Summit County, spoke in opposition to the bill and explained when Summit County has used its eminent domain powers, including the acquisition of the Hunter Mine property.

03:24 PM -- Bill Clayton, Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI), explained that CCI has yet to take a position on the bill and identified potential concerns counties may have.

03:26 PM -- Greg Romberg, Arapaho County, expressed concern about the ability of counties to build recreational trails near roads that are acquired by eminent domain and proposed an amendment to address this concern.



The following person submitted written testimony in opposition to the bill but did not testify.

Steven F. Childs, Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners (Attachment C).

150210 AttachC.pdf150210 AttachC.pdf

03:33 PM

Testimony was closed and the bill was laid over for action only on February 17.

03:34 PM

The committee adjourned.