Train issue:

Unfortunately the railroads do not have a set schedule, nor do they publish a schedule, as their activity changes daily and varies widely. I strongly suggest to citizens that they call the railroads directly to voice complaints about crossings being blocked for unreasonable amounts of time.

 

This location is a shared track by UPRR 1-800-848-8715 and Great Western Railway 1-877-276-3777. A violation report can also be filed on the FRA webpage: www.fra.dot.gov/app/violationreport

 

The great majority of states do place restrictions on the amount of time a rail grade crossing can be blocked. The time allowed varies, but does not exceed more than 20 minutes. Colorado has no such applicable statute. In the past, the railroads have verbally agreed to try to keep the blockages less than ten minutes, but unfortunately there is no mechanism or authority in place for the City to enforce any time limitations. The railroads are regulated by the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration), however they do not specifically regulate the length of time a train may block a grade crossing either.

 

UP and GWR do have capital improvement projects in progress in Greeley and Windsor that we hope will alleviate much of the switching that occurs in Fort Collins. We are also currently conducting a railroad study to identify short term congestion relief options, as these railroad improvements won’t be completed for 2 years. The results of that study will be completed later this year, and we will continue to share our (and your) frustrations with the various railroads. 


 

Vine and Timberline Road has a 4-way stop sign.  Can we get the county to possibly change this to a 2-way stop sign for East and Westbound traffic?  This would help with traffic flow for North and Southbound traffic once the train clears the intersection.  I’m going to see if the 4-way stop can change to a 2-way stop sign.  We’ll have to do what is the most safe first.

 

 

Link to Additional Resource

Fluoridation of water–can it be stopped or taken to the voters:

Since that time the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) recommended that water treatment plants change their recommended level of fluoridation from a range of 0.7 – 1.2 mg/L to a single value of 0.7 mg/L that was communicated in April of 2015.  The recommendation included two years of solicited and analyzed public comment and expert review on the proposed recommendation.  On May 12, 2015, the City of Fort Collins lowered fluoride levels in the drinking water to match the recommended level.

 

Fort Collins Utilities has been managing fluoridation of our water supply since the 1950’s and was reauthorized to do so via a public vote in 2005.  Therefore, based on City Code, Fort Collins Utilities is directed to fluoridate its water to the levels established by the state Department of Public Health and Environment.

 

Fort Collins Utilities strives to provide clean, safe, good-tasting water to all of its customers. The City’s source (untreated) water generally has a background level of 0.15 to 0.25 mg/L fluoride. 
 

The City of Fort Collins participates in the State of Colorado’s non-regulatory fluoride program, which advocates for the provision of an optimal fluoride level in drinking water in order to reduce dental cavities.

Our Charter grants registered electors the power to propose ordinances or resolutions via the initiative process.  Citizens may circulate petitions for the purpose of getting the measure on the ballot.  When the Council is presented with a petition containing a sufficient number of signatures for placement on the ballot, the Council has the option to adopt the proposed ordinance or place the measure on the ballot.  More information on the petition process can be found at http://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/initiativegdlns.php.

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Mosquito spray …where are we and will we spray?

Here are last years parameters of how to get notified of mosquito spraying … Opt-out ability o Future spray notifications of WNV policy and spraying decision parameters …

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Utilities Smart Meters?

Fort Collins Utilities has been aware of the “Take Back Your Power” documentary since its release.  The Advanced Meter Fort Collins (AMFC) project managed a deliberate approach with educating and informing customers about smart meters, including health related concerns.  Below is the link to the Utilities AMFC FAQs, and I have cut and pasted the information from the “Concerns” section of the FAQs below.  

 

http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/sustainability-leadership/advanced-meter-fort-collins/faqs

 

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Update on Comcast:

Comcast has been directing a lot of time, attention, and resources toward improving customer service, and last week, at the Internet and TV Expo (INTX) in Chicago, our CEO of Comcast Cable, Neil Smit, discussed this critical challenge for our company and announced that Comcast will be taking on a multi-year commitment to transform the customer experience.

* More customer service reps and technicians:  We announced a commitment to create 5,500 more customer service jobs.

  • Automatic credit for missed appointments:  A $20 credit for missed appointments will automatically be reflected on a customer’s bill.
  • Tech tools for diagnosis/resolution:  We’re further investing in technologies that enable our care representatives and technicians to quickly diagnose and solve customers’ issues early and the first time that they contact us.
  • Tech tools for customers: We’re providing tools like “Tech Tracking,” so customers know the location of the tech assigned to their appointment and when that tech is on the way. Also, we’re continuing to advance our “My Account” app’s capabilities, with services like account review, bill paying, “virtual hold,” appointment scheduling, and more.
  • More staff at Xfinity Stores:  We are increasing staff to help further reduce wait times.
  • Billing clarity and simplification:  We’ll be making changes to our bills to make them simpler, clearer and more consistent.

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South College Ave Access plan:

Some have asked about the South College Access Plan for South College from Trilby to Carpenter Road.   Here is a link to a number of documents about the plan, depending on what area you are interested in.

Your link to the various plans.