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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution-1977-0512 .... '"""" 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 o on this 9th .' .I 1.'\ 1 I r'.. T / ) ,. .,~'-' FRANK STITES, MAYOR ATTEST: ,,/ ,- / /c :,>?T ~/_ i _~ /. / ...n" , J ___. ,_ L-- ~. .' ~.r" .~. CAROL F. HAMPF, CITY C~RK -2-