Fort Collins Mayor Speaks at FRCC

Jeni Arndt, mayor of the City of Fort Collins, came to speak to the students of FRCC at the Larimer campus on March 25^th.

She spent most of the session answering student’s questions, speaking on topics such as her experiences as a college student and living abroad, the city manager form of local government, the role of the mayor as a voice for constituents, public transportation, and public comment in city council.

Speaking on recent disruptions of city council meetings, and then the subsequent proposals to prevent recurrences, Arndt mentioned that the media campaign of misinformation had been very effective, leading many to write emails expressing concern about what they considered to be repression of public comment.

“So, the proposal was to have one hour of public comment at the beginning of council on anything anybody wants, and then to get our business started at seven, so we make sure the work of the people is being done. And unlimited public comment then for items that are on the agenda. And then once that’s over, open it back up for unlimited public comment, until one or two in the morning- fine.” She shrugged. “But It’s essential that the disruptions of the few don’t put off the work of the many.”

One example she gave of the work of the many was small, “boring” items in the agenda having to do with sewer or water. But these items are essential so that problems like the sewer getting backed up don’t happen. She spoke on working with the city in broad initiatives rather than having input in all the decisions, and how that’s healthy.

“The council manager model of government is very common in smaller towns.” She explained, “In partisan politics it’s more who’s in the majority, and this is the way it’s going, which has its place. But it’s nice in a city where that whole discussion is off the table. We can say ‘Hey, what are we doing about our trash?’ and it’s not partisan. I think a lot more work gets done because of that.”

Arndt spoke on her role as mayor, and how it offers less power than a strong mayor model. This model is frustrating for mayors who are pushing an agenda, but she says it’s a good system. Rather than seeing her role as a position of power, she considers herself to be a representative of all the members of the community, having one vote just like the other members of city council.

“Democracy, one of things I really like about it is that it’s inherently inclusive. And the people who I think are not very successful in the political world are the ones who like to divide and push half the people away even if it’s the other party. Why would you push half the people away?” She exclaimed, “The whole idea is to bring everyone together!”

Arndt expressed that her greatest concern now is the anxiety and sense of instability that people experience around Presidential elections, and how that will affect Fort Collins.

“I think this federal election in the fall is going to be very hard on everybody. No matter who you’re going to vote for or what the outcome is, I think it’s going to be quite stressful. I’m seeing what I consider to be more than average people struggling with some mental health things-mostly anxiety. I’ve asked our police chief if he’s seen more of this, I’ve asked the superintendent of schools, I asked our fire chief, and they’re all seeing signs. I’m concerned about making people get hyper-local in terms of like, maybe worrying about something else. We could take muffins to our neighbors, taking care of each other in a way. That’s what’s top of my mind.”