Council adopts urban-forest plan, removes write-in candidacies; consent calendar approved

Fort Collins City Council on second reading adopted the Rooted in Community: Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan and approved an ordinance removing the city code provision for write-in candidates; the council also approved the consent calendar (items 1–19).

The council voted 5–1 to adopt the urban forest strategic plan after a brief exchange; Council member Wilson said she opposed the measure on process grounds despite thanking staff for work on a tree-replacement memo. The vote to amend the municipal code to remove write-in candidate filing also passed 5–1 after an extended discussion about how the city’s election procedures will display write-in lines under the city’s ranked‑choice voting system. The consent calendar (items 1–19) passed 6–0 with one member absent.

Why it matters: the urban forest plan will become a component of the City Plan and guide city policies around tree preservation, planting and replacement. The write‑in change adjusts the city code to reflect how write‑in candidacies are handled administratively; several council members said the change responds to ambiguity between the code and the city charter and asked staff to pursue any necessary charter alignment later.

Details on the votes and outcomes - Urban forest plan: Motion to approve on second reading passed 5–1 (one council member opposed). The ordinance was moved and seconded and recorded as adopted on second reading. Council member Wilson said she voted no because of process concerns and influence by economically vested interests, though she praised staff work on tree‑replacement policy. - Removal of write‑in candidates from code: Motion to approve on second reading (amending section 7‑103) passed 5–1. Council discussion focused on how write‑in lines appear on ballots under the city’s ranked‑choice format, timing differences between nomination petitions and affidavits, and whether the charter needs future revision; one council member maintained a no vote citing the perceived optics of removing what the public regards as a democratic option. - Consent calendar (items 1–19): Approval motion passed 6–0 with one absence. Council did not pull items for separate action; staff later provided clarifications when requested on particular consent items.

Council and staff next steps: Council asked staff to provide follow‑up materials where clarification was requested (for example, explanation of tree‑replacement policy details and any charter/code alignment steps related to election procedures). Staff said they will return with additional information between readings or in a timely manner as appropriate.

Votes at a glance - Adoption, Rooted in Community: Fort Collins Urban Forest Strategic Plan — outcome: approved, tally: yes 5 / no 1. - Ordinance amending section 7‑103 (remove write‑in candidates) — outcome: approved, tally: yes 5 / no 1. - Approval of consent calendar items 1–19 — outcome: approved, tally: yes 6 / no 0.

Ending: Council recessed after completing business; the next regular council meeting was announced as occurring in two weeks (the council will not meet the following week due to the National League of Cities conference).