Ed Bonnette

The document outlines the vision for the new Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, formed by the merger of the Fort Collins Museum and the Discovery Science Center. This strategic initiative aims to create a state-of-the-art, immersive facility featuring significantly expanded exhibit space and a digital dome. The primary focus areas include providing a holistic educational experience that integrates historical and scientific perspectives, fostering deep community engagement by connecting local history to contemporary global issues, and serving as a regional cultural asset. The project is supported by public-private partnerships and community funding, with an anticipated opening in early 2012.

This document details a public meeting focused on developing a Zero Waste Plan for the City of Fort Collins. The plan aims to significantly reduce waste by prioritizing reduction, reuse, and expanded recycling and composting efforts. Key priorities include mitigating climate change through reduced landfill methane emissions, realizing economic benefits from resource recovery, and navigating regulatory hurdles for composting infrastructure. The plan emphasizes community engagement, source separation, and the implementation of advanced composting and anaerobic digestion technologies to achieve a sustainable waste management system and solidify Fort Collins' role as a leader in sustainability.

The 2013 State of the City Address for Fort Collins reflects on past accomplishments and outlines future opportunities. It highlights strategic investments in infrastructure, including transportation and utilities, and urban revitalization efforts in Oldtown and Midtown. The address emphasizes the city's commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and enhancing the overall quality of life through robust community services, parks, and natural areas. It underscores the importance of community collaboration and visionary leadership in shaping the city's future.

The event served as a forum and meet and greet for candidates seeking the position of Police Chief for the City of Fort Collins. The City Manager provided an overview of the thorough selection process, which included community tours, meetings with law enforcement staff (both sworn and non-sworn), meetings with the Mayor and City Council, and structured panel interviews with community and executive groups. The event featured introductory remarks from the candidates, who discussed their extensive backgrounds in law enforcement, including experience in various agencies, leadership roles such as Deputy Chief and Chief, and specialized areas like community policing and crisis negotiations. The candidates expressed strong interest in Fort Collins, citing the community's engagement, diversity, and proactive approach to solving complex local issues like homelessness and trauma-informed care.

The City of Fort Collins is addressing housing affordability through a comprehensive Housing Affordability Policy Study (HAPS). This study aims to ensure that residents who work in the city can also afford to live there, aligning with community values for access to services, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. Key initiatives include providing funding and incentives for affordable housing, reviewing and adjusting existing city policies and programs, and exploring new housing types. The plan seeks to develop long-term policies that balance market forces with community needs, improve the health of the housing system for both rental and ownership markets, and manage land supply while preserving neighborhood character.