SUBJECT:
Title
A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Adopting the Updated 2025 Legislative Agenda
Body
DEPARTMENT: Administration
Department
PRESENTER(S): Melissa Wiley, Deputy Town Manager
First Name Last Name, Title
POLICY ISSUES: Town Council will determine the direction for the upcoming legislative sessions.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve the resolution adopting the updated legislative agenda.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
To help Councilors in their liaison capacity, and staff (when asked to speak on legislative issues), the Council adopted what many municipalities call a “Legislative Agenda.” It serves as a general list of issues the Council agrees on and provides positions on those issues. Adopting a Legislative Agenda helps Council members and staff speak for the Town with a unified voice reflecting Council approved policy positions.
Town Management asked both Council and staff for any updates they wanted to see to the 2024 document for 2025. Gabi Rae, Communications & Community Engagement Director, incorporated the updates into this new version.
Changes and additions include:
• Change: the title of the “Energy & Environment” section to “Environmental Policy and Sustainability”
• Addition: Support greenhouse gas reduction in the transportation sector.
• Addition: Ensure effective implementation of Colorado’s vehicle emissions standards, GHG related regulations, adoption of electric vehicles and installation of charging infrastructure, and other regulatory and programmatic activities designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from mobile sources.
• Addition: Expand housing funding to include referring to the voters of Colorado a measure to amend the State Constitution to allow voters in towns and cities to approve a real estate transfer tax, the proceeds of which must be used to fund affordable housing and programming that preserves existing affordable units and keeps people in their homes, such as programs for rental and mortgage assistance, housing rehab, housing modifications for aging in place and accessibility, and other innovative approaches to utilize existing housing stock.
• Addition: Work with State legislators to ensure affordable housing funding and programs are designed for clarity and ease of access to both for- and non-profit developers.
• Addition: Increase the availability of tax credits and other financial incentives for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Attached is the updated Legislative Agenda.
COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Attractive Community Amenities
ü Engaged and Diverse Community
ü Prosperous Economy
ü Well-Maintained Transportation Infrastructure
ü Small Town Feel
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ü Environmentally Sustainable
ü Fiscally Responsible
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resolution
2. 2025 Legislative Agenda