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INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMAN
MERKL
RESOLUTION NO.
Series of 1977
512
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OPPOSING A PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF A
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL IN THE DENVER REGION
WHEREAS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, through the
National Academy of Public Administration, has sponsored a study concerning
the possibility of establishing some form of two-tiered government in the
Denver metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Study Panel, organized to carry out the
study in the Denver region, has now completed its work and has recommended
the creation of a Metropolitan Council to be formed under the provisions of
the Service Authority Act of 1972, which Metropolitan Council would provide
only regional planning and management services, and has proposed legislation
calling for an election in 1978, on the question of creating such a Metro-
politan Council; and
WHEREAS, regional comprehensive planning has been performed in the
Denver region for more than twenty (20) years on a voluntary and cooperative
basis by local government through the Denver Regional Council of Governments
and its predecessor, the Inter-County Regional Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, management services is a function capable of being provided
currently on a cooperative and voluntary basis by means of intergovernmental
contracts under provisions of State Law authorizing such contracts; and
WHEREAS, the provisions of the Service Authority Act of 1972, contain
no additional authority or other provisions which would enhance, or in any way
change the nature of the planning activities currently being performed, or the
ability of local governments in the Denver region to provide for their particu-
lar needs in the area of management services; and
WHEREAS, the creation of a Metropolitan Council under the provisions
of the Service Authority Act would require that regional planning activities
be funded by Ad Valorem taxes on real property rather than through voluntary
contributions by local governments from diversified revenue sources, thereby
adding to the already heavy burden of property taxes paid by Denver Metro-
politan Area residents; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council, as presently proposed to be cre-
ated, would contribute nothing to the reduction in number of regional govern-
mental entities or in any way improve the efficiency or effectiveness of plan-
ning or other services currently being provided on a regional basis; and
WHEREAS, in the absence of any such improvements, the creation of
yet another governmental entity in the Denver region with powers of taxation
would seem to be contrary to sound principles of government and would, by
Resolution No. 512
Series of 1977
the creation of yet another directly elected and compensated Board of public
officials, add to the confusion of Denver area citizens in identifying those
responsible for setting public policy, add to the cost of present services
without apparent benefit, and unnecessarily replace voluntary intergovern-
mental cooperation with mandatory government.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Wheat Ridge, Colorado, for the reasons cited herein, oppose the legislation
calling for the creation of a Metropolitan Council under the provisions of
the Service Authority Act of 1972.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a study and coordination effort be estab-
lished between the Metropolitan Study Committee and the Denver Regional
Council of Governments to fully acquaint the Metropolitan Study Committee
with the accomplishments and role of the Denver Regional Council of Govern-
ments along with the advantages of a Council of Governments organizational
structure as a metropolitan governmental agency.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that many aspects of the Metropolitan Study
are desirable and should be re-evaluated by the Denver Regional Council of
Governments and legislation, if required, be written to structure the metro-
politan concept under the existing structure of the Denver Regional Council
of Governments.
DONE AND RESOLVED by a vote of
day of May, A. D. 1977.
6
to
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on this
9th
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FRANK STITES, MAYOR
ATTEST:
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CAROL F. HAMPF, CITY C~RK
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