July 23, 2025 — Boulder Junction Access District Regular Meeting

Transcript

Captions from City of Boulder YouTube recording.

[0:01] All right. We are recording it. Welcome to the Boulder Junction, Access District Parking and travel demand management during commission meeting. It is July 23, rd 2025, and I will call Noel. Kevin. Knapp is not here. Robin Rowan. I'm here present. Yeah. Daniel Eisenman, present Rebecca du Michelle. Presence. Kevin Krause is not here yet. I will now turn the meeting over to chairs. Ronan and Duke Michelle, for procedural orders. Robin, do do you want to leave today? But I I have one thing before we get started, even though we're recording already. Daniel. It's my 1st time meeting you because I was not at the May meeting, so it's nice to meet you. Nice to meet you as well.

[1:00] Thank you. Was that your only point, Rebecca? Before we before we get to yeah. That's before official business. Is that your point? Sorry? Yes. Yes, yes. I was just saying Hello. Thank you. In that case I'll go ahead and start. We're gonna start with procedural procedural items. Starting with the approval of the may 2025 meeting minutes. Do we have any corrections or notes to the meeting? Minutes. I don't believe we have a quorum for either board for that, because I wasn't there for those for that meeting. Okay. I don't think we can either. For parking right now. We have a quorum for parking, but we don't. Yes, but I'm I'm 1 of the members of parking, and I was not present, so therefore ascertain whether or not it's correct. In that case I don't think we can vote on it. I also don't think we can do the second point, which is elections for chair and vice chair of Bjad. Tdm.

[2:04] Because we don't have a quorum. That's correct. Okay. In that case I will. I believe I'm looking, and please correct me if I'm wrong at the revised matters from Staff, which is the final draft of 2026 budget proposal from Scott. Yep, that'll be me. In that. So we didn't approve the change to the agenda. Sorry to interrupt real quick, but that reflects what you're saying that we, we would love to just switch things around so that matters from staff appears after number 2. And so if we could just get a quick vote to approve an amended agenda before we proceed. Sure Rebecca. I move to approve the amended agenda. Second. Thank you. Okay.

[3:00] In that case, agenda. Item, 3 matters from staff. Chris, would you like to proceed. I would thank you if you all wouldn't mind giving me a sec to get set up here with my presentation. Sorry one. Sec. Please. okay, can everyone see that slide? Yes, you can see it. Oh, now we're back on here. Yeah, there we go. You're good, right, cool.

[4:00] awesome. Well, thank you. So Hi, everyone. My name is Chris Scott, and I am the budget analyst for community vitality. Typically Elliot Labonte would be the one handling this presentation. But he is out on a well-deserved vacation, so I am stepping in to help out the best I can to provide you all with some information on our 2026 budget submission. So before I begin, I will ask if folks could hold any questions or comments just until the end of the presentation. And one thing to note, I will just say, I'm just here filling in for Elliot. There may be some questions that you all have, that I may be unable to answer. So if that's the case, Elliot has assured me that she could take down some questions and notes, and we'll make sure to get those to Elliot for some responses. So with that being said, I'm going to jump right in. So the purpose of this presentation today is to give you all an update on the budget process for 2026 for community vitality, while, of course, you all focus on the 2 B Jab funds, and I'm sure Elliott gives you updates on fund financials. The purpose of this presentation today is really just to give you a pretty high level overview

[5:14] of community vitality's budget submission as a whole rather than just a focus on just either, bjad, but I will bring up some some Bjad related items in this presentation. So where are we in the budget process? We are at the point where Cv. Has submitted its proposals to the Central Budget team who is now reviewing. And as part of that process. Next is the executive Budget team meetings. So what is Ebt? And who is it composed of? So ebt is composed of the city manager's office. the city manager, as well as Hr. And communications, as well as some floating department directors that that go around each year, also our Central Budget team as well.

[6:02] So they look at the proposals across the organization. They see how they align with the city's priorities, and then our meetings for community vitality are scheduled next week, and in those meetings the Ebt will come with questions for us about the proposals. There'll be some back and forth, and afterwards the city manager's office will provide us with its budget recommendations, and finally, we'll come back to you all, probably around September to determine support on the budget specifically for the 2 beach ads. And then finally comes the city Council vote on the final budget which comes in late October. So what's changed, our operating budget will decrease by around 9%. And this is mainly actually totally due to the move of our parking enforcement team to planning and development services. So their entire program is being moved. However, operations will remain entirely the same. The purpose of that move is to bring all enforcement planning services kind of together under one roof.

[7:15] So the biggest increase from our budget is coming from our capital budget. This is mainly due to increasing costs from our larger garage renovation effort. Primarily in Cajun that is, tackling a lot of deferred maintenance and really ensuring that our garages are safe and accessible to community members and visitors alike. Now in our current cip, most of this increase is coming from caged like I mentioned, but some is coming from Bjad, and I'll get into more specifics in the next slide, specifically, Bjat parking. So we are asking for 300,000 in 2026 for the electronic signage updates in Bjad coming from Bjat Parking. And then beyond that, we are asking for 500,000 over the course of 5 years, starting in 2027 for capital improvements in Bjad, and the purpose of those dollars is to continue to provide general capital enhancements, maintenance, and wayfinding in Bjad. And that also is coming from parking.

[8:22] So just a little bit more detail around our major cip changes and projects that are coming up. So like, I said, the bulk of our cip is coming from our Cmgc. Meaning construction management. General contractor project for our cajun parking garages. So that's anticipated to be 25 million over 6 years. Most of that investment is going to go into the 1,500 pearl and spruce garages. However, of course, we're also investing in St. Julian, Rtd. And Randolph Garages. This year we were also awarded a grant by Dr. Cog, another acronym. Denver Regional Council of Governments to investigate how to implement mobility hubs in our garages. We're asking for 3 million dollars over 3 years from 2027 to 2030 to account for that potential implementation or

[9:13] not potential but implementation. So next, the Pearl Street, Mall's 50th anniversary is coming up. And as part of that, we're looking at 3 million dollars next year, and that's split. So it's 2 million dollars from our Caj fund and a million dollars from Ccrs. This was part of our budget submission last year for the 2025 to 2030 cip. and those funds will be appropriated to us next year to help us get ready for the anniversary. The intention for the dollars is not really any big, you know. Capital changes on the Mall. Sure, Matt can talk more about that if you have questions, but really just for refreshing it and making it look really nice for the anniversary on the hill. There's still a surface parking lot that is solely for transient parking. Although we have launched a new permit option for long term parking the cip dollars we're asking for. There are intended to help improve the lot.

[10:11] And then, in addition, for our normal Ccrs funding, we have 800,000 in public art projects. And then, finally, the Bjat digital signs. I don't have a whole lot of details on the project itself. I'll direct you to Elliot, or, I believe, Regan Brown, for more specifics. But we have asked for 300,000 for next year in our 2026 to 2031 cip for those digital signs from Bjat parking so just some notable items for you. All that I think could act as kind of a guiding light for both our budget submission and your support. So, even though across the organization. We have been talking about budget reductions. We want to make clear that we are not changing any of our essential services. Our other guiding principle is that we want to address deferred maintenance

[11:08] and all of our district assets. And this is really important to us. This will make sure that we will promote safety and access, especially as we increase our special events in city, and more people utilize those assets. So what's next next week? Ebt will be meeting with departments, including us. August 29th is City Council's kind of 1st look at the budget. 1st Review. The next step will be reviewed by commissions like yourself in September to determine support, and then we'll bring that info back to city council for the final budget. Vote and adoption of the budget will be in by the end of October. So I'm gonna wrap up here and just open it up to any questions or feedback like, I said, I will say I am just standing in here for Elliot. If I'm unsure of a response, we'll make sure to to write your question down and have Elliot review when he's back on vacation from vacation. So thank you.

[12:10] We have a couple of questions. Sure one is. Can you describe the capital improvements to the downtown garages? What what all is involved in that. Yeah, Christine could. Probably. Yeah. The process that we've been going through is we bring been bringing the 3rd party engineering firm to look at security and structural Mep all that good stuff in all of the garages. We're primarily trying to focus on one garage at a time, because we don't want to shut down all the garages all at one time, and make a big old mess of the city. So we're starting with the spruce garage which is our highest utilized garage they've gone through and done assessments of the things that we need to focus on. We're looking at the budget and then bringing together the maintenance team will be responsible for maintaining the garages after the construction is done, and the leadership, as well as the downtown management and prioritizing the work that needs to be done, because I'm sure, as you know, when it comes to managing

[13:10] managing facilities, there's always more work that you want to do than there's usually ready for so prioritizing the work. We had to do some emergent work this past spring. At the southeast corner in the north. I'm sorry the south west corner and the northern side right along the the elevator curbs and the stairwells needed some Tlc. So that was done this spring, but in reality we have to go back through. We don't have as built drawings of those garages, so we have to get the as-builts done. Then we're in the process of going to Dd, so then we're going to be figuring out what the design is of the items that we want to do. and then we will go to permitting, and we all know that concrete we don't. All that concrete needs to be at least before when it's 50 degrees and rising. Otherwise it doesn't cure properly. So we're looking at construction at the spruce garage in the spring of 2026

[14:08] at the same time. We're also doing this work at Saint Julian. Saint Julian is trying to do an extension project as well, and it's a 4 Star Hotel that we share walls with in that garage. So it turns out, concrete work is very, very loud, and they don't like it. When we close down or we make we disrupt their They're people who are coming to visit tourists to town. So we're trying to thread the needle of aligning our Cmgc work along with their development, so that when they're being allowed and pouring concrete in the building. We are also doing it at the same time. So those are the 2 projects that we're trying to do in 2026. That's when it seems like the St. Julian's project will be trending, and we're working really closely with them on that. And then we're hoping to do the same thing. You're at 1,500, Pearl in 2027.

[15:03] So we we're going through the procurement process and doing all of this, the assessments now and second question, the need for digital signage at Bj. is that a 1 or a new that is a good question. So based on our last meeting that we discussed here. Talking about ways to encourage people off of the streets, show help them way, find their way to the garage. in Bjd. It seems like the way finding, when we installed these light up all the trolling pop signs at all of our garages. It's really helped. Tourists, and still coming to town, identify where the garages are, and be able to get to the garages. So I would say, is it a want or a need? Is the world yourself turning without them? No. But if

[16:00] based on the conversation that this group had Lab 2 months ago, whenever it was in that last it seemed like there was a lot of interest. So this is the Annivers. Thank you. Area of the garage. It's like under parked as of today. But was that just the Rtv portion, or is it the garage as a whole garage? Okay? And so what you're saying? Signs aren't so much we did to signal to people that there is capacity. They're just okay. So, but it's not like a go to a space camp system. And we could have. We do have those space counters here in some of our garages. It isn't a not always perfect system. So we can decide if that's what we want to install in your area, or if we just want to do the light up signs where people can see like perfectly this way. Because right. Now, if you look at the signs around the garage, it's really hard. It's really easy to miss the signage to the garages. That's why I understand those monies are coming from Beta, right? From this one. Yeah.

[17:13] And we can determine whether that's the best resource driver. We actually need to spend 300,000 to be 2 sites for a hundred 1,000 in our plate. Yeah. And one of them, we've determined. Part of the complication with those signs is that there isn't currently, especially on the the pearl side, is, there are 2 entrances into the garage. The pearl side does not have access to electricity right there, that is on by our garage, and so it wouldn't just be the sign. One of the signs the one that's pumped in you're driving in from Pearl driving west. You only need a single sign or a single sided sign, so it would be less expensive. The one inside of the Bj area should be double sided because people can come from either direction. However, the complication is going to be getting electricity out to those spots.

[18:03] I have additional questions about the signs. Sure. Sorry. There, there's a little bit of a benefit bias to being in the room versus those of us that are virtual right now. So apologies for for just stepping up here. on the signs, and I can give a little bit more background, Daniel, on the fact that drivers do have a hard time finding their way into the garage, and they do circle the neighborhood and the the temporary signs that are waited on the street. They get blown over or knocked down by wind, and and things like that just drivers are very confused while they're going through the pedestrian there, and apologies, if if you have been through the district recently, or several times, or even lived there, I don't know your background on that. I can just give you my experience on that. Because there is a there's a budget item here. Do we actually have a quote on this that we have spec out what these signs look like. That is my 1st question.

[19:06] No, the problem with this is, it has to even really be approved for us to go through the process of expecting it all out. So this is a finger in the wind, generally based on what it costs to install the signs around. If the money is not at least set aside in the budget next year we won't be able to spend it if we decide to move forward with it, but you can move forward with, or you can decide to not move forward with it, even if it is budget. So it's a placeholder for no. Okay. And then. Sorry, Rebecca, if if you don't mind. If I could address the second part of that question about the decision points on Budget, is you and your advisory role can definitely tell us good advice on how to you know what to look for and how to work on the next steps. But in the budget process for city council as the Board of directors to approve

[20:00] the cip budget, there's also a chance for you to interact on giving your advice to city council, so that'll be in those steps that Chris Scott laid out in the future steps, probably at September meeting. So we'll keep you informed about opportunities for you to, ran on the budget specifically. And I'll say that I'm relatively new to the city. I've been through the budget process twice 3 times at this point, and I'm always amazed that we have to start thinking about next year's budget in April. So we have to think about any possible thing that we we might want. We have to build it the budget now, and we can kind of chisel our way through what we actually want, as we get closer and have more eyes on for clearer vision of what might happen in the coming year. But we have to at least ask for it now. Sorry to interrupt. No, thank you. I guess my other question on the signs is that there's been an assumption made that it will be digital and I, you know, as we get through whatever process of expecting this out, you know. What size would that be? What kind of light pollution might that be at night for neighboring hotel guests and residents. All of those things might be part of of that request for information when that comes up.

[21:22] Okay. Learn more? That was given the questions, I actually, yeah, I do have one more question. Oh, this is the only project Bj, is gonna be doing this year. I think that's the one bigish project that is on. I don't know. We'll have to double check that with either Chris or Ellie or Scott. Do you know, if there's anything else in. No, as far as I know, that is the only submission that we had for Bjad. I do know that I believe in previous years we had asked for $100,000 a year in Cip for Bjad improvements. We are not asking for that this year, and it is kind of part of this bigger project. So the additional $100,000 that I mentioned over the course of the next 5 years will be, I think.

[22:15] for those other purposes I laid out of general improvements, enhancements, maintenance, etc. I will mention. It's it's not in our budget, because it's a responsibility of the the Ownership Association. But there are repairs to bollards and lamp posts associated with the construction. So when that construction is complete, that work will go on. But it's not responsibility. So you may see some other work going on. So yeah. Sorry, Chris, I wanted to clarify. I thought at the beginning of your presentation, that you said it would be 500,000 over 5 years. It is. Yeah. Okay, so it's 100,000 per year. Then and then.

[23:00] Here, yeah. You have an actual like, more details on what those capital improvements might be. Especially if the way finding is is happening outside in this other, you know, pool of money for for signs. Yeah, I don't have any specifics about it. I know that as part of our proposal, when we ask for these dollars it's a general ask for district capital enhancements, maintenance, and wayfinding. I'll leave it to maybe Christine or Matt. If they have any additional details about specifics on those. We're gonna have to follow up with you to get that info. Okay? And then as the part of the Ci P budget is that in addition to budget dollars that come from bj, or is that just aligning Bjat dollars that are in reserves today? 4 items. So I will say it's it's not technically from any reserve we are using, you know, just our general fund balance and and our overview of the fund financial to make the determination of using these dollars. So yeah, they are kind of part of the one big bucket of of Bjat parking. Specifically.

[24:18] Okay? So they. So this $100,000 per year, even though it's it's factored into this one lump sum. Here would come from Beja parkings. Correct. Yeah. And it'll come from each each year. Basically. Great. Thank you. And then one final question about budget. That is, you know, I think this city is going to face. Possibly shortfalls or funding changes due to many reasons right now has. And yet this budget overall for all the districts is not going down. What consideration was given to reduce or delay expenses, and in any of the cip areas.

[25:01] Sure. I don't know Christine or Matt. If you want to chime in first, st I'm happy to to provide any more details on that if you need me to. Yeah, that may be something, too, that we can detail in a follow up. I will say. Generally, every city department is looking at reductions and with the districts that has a little bit of nuance. So we are preparing concepts for reductions. And actually, next week is when we have our 1st conversations about that. So right now, I don't have anything to say about what this specifically might be, because there's going to have to be a negotiation at the staff level to understand what the staff proposal is. so we can follow up with that, and certainly before the next meeting. But as our as-. As these things become finalized. We'll get them out for your information quickly as we can. Thank you, Matt. What's the what's the income of that garage a year?

[26:00] Cool, Chris, do you know what the income is of that girl. Yeah. So do you. Do you mean income for like both? the permits and and short term parking. Yeah. Torture parking the one that. Sure. So if I look at it now. While you're looking it up there- there's context to to the signage and the revenue. Because if, as we expect, our service there, that changes the equation for that use. So we're gonna tell you things that are gonna take toll specifically. yeah. Oh, you're specifically talking about the Jack garage. Yes. So so sorry to to butt in so as far as I can tell from our financials. We anticipated about 90 90,000 in revenue from the parking garages in permits and fees. So that was our estimate for this year. I don't have specifics on like kind of targets of where we're at for this year, because there, we just haven't caught up on on our revenues for the garage. But that's basically what we anticipated.

[27:17] It just dawns on me that the revenues are minimal. $90,000. It's almost nothing. And then we're gonna spend on signage. But then most likely people are not working there because it costs money. I'd rather would it be possible to subsidize parking for a while and bring people to the district and encourage people to use the Rtd. For a while while things get going rather than adding to a project that's just going to cost money 4 million. I would say that you are certainly as a group. Welcome to make proposals like that that we can investigate. The challenge this year, is it? Didn't

[28:02] a situation where we're looking at city wide productions, $90,000 needs somewhere. Instead of spending $300,000, we subsidize it so we don't kill the 90,000. We just subsidize the 90,000 and start encouraging people to come to the district, start encouraging people to use the Rtd garage and transport, and then January comes, or march, or whenever we believe makes sense. Then we start charging parking again. You just got to bring people into the district. It's not being used. So you know, that's not the expert. So stop me, please stop me. Yeah, totally like if that's the will of the commissions to like for us to investigate that that's something we could do, I would say. The revenue projections and our plans are really on year cycles, so to do a short term change right now, this is a big lift that we have to like, really consider throwing switches on and off on encouraging people to be, yeah, 100.

[29:11] Daniel. Yeah. Sorry. Can I provide some background, please? Again, as somebody who's from the district? The the issue is not one of cost, because all street parking in the in the neighborhood is also okay, pay to park. So that's not the issue. It is actually wayfinding as far as subsidizing the parking. 1st of all, if you're an Rtd user, you already get a certain number of hours free to park. There we are getting Rtd Bus service back this year, which is great. A lot of the parking there is actually leased out to employers. Employers are paying for that parking. Again, the cost is not the barrier to using the garage. It is absolutely

[30:00] finding your way through the pedestrian plaza and knowing to turn around the depot square restaurant and into something that looks like it is a is a utility entrance, right versus park here. So it's not a matter of you know. paying for other people to park there. The other thing I will say is that you know, as far as fun performance goes, we do have reserves there. I wouldn't say that, you know, this would necessarily be like, we're spending money that we don't have. We have this Monday property. Owners, like my neighbors, have been paying a 10 mil levy just to live in the district, and we have not been spending that money on anything now. My neighbors would prefer to have their taxes back instead of spending on wayfinding. But there's also a quality of life perspective here, which is that when we have lots of people coming into the district in the car in their cars, that is, against the transit oriented focus of this neighborhood, especially if we have people like circling the block looking for spots on the street. So we do want to encourage them to find the parking that they need. Right after that they've set it off of off of Pearl Street.

[31:25] Okay, I mean. completely. Understand? The way finding is a real thing. Don't get me wrong. It's a real thing. I failed to do a driven around. I am just wildly concerned that the district is not thriving because there's no people there. And what is it that we're doing to bring people to the district? That's the overarching question. Maybe science will help a little bit, but it's really not solving for the thing that's actually got a great tax revenue that pays for these things and for people to say, Hey, this is all worth it, right? So just like to invite us to start thinking about. How? How do we bring people into this room?

[32:04] Daniel, can I ask what your metrics for success, of what thriving means to you. Thriving. It's just storefronts that are leased and sales tax. Right? That would be a metric of success. We have a lot of. There's a lot of vacancy in the storefronts. so that would be a metric for success. Hi. I would say, I mean, like to your point, and I take both of your points. My experience on this commission has been that there are a lot of factors there. There are a variety of factors that lead to the lack of utilization, as somebody who, you know, has spent a lot of time in that area and in that district it is. It is extremely hard to find your place, and when I go over there, which actually quite a bit to pick people up from hotels and spots. For work. It's like really confusing, I can tell you, just as a like, I usually bike everywhere in town, but I do drive there to get people, and I find it extremely difficult to know sometimes where to park. And since we are talking about multi multi air like.

[33:15] I'm sorry having problems speaking today. It's like, because we're talking about different pricing structures involving street pricing and everything else. There's I hear everything, Rebecca saying on that. I appreciate where you're coming from. On the other aspect, I do think it's important that we focus on things that are within the purview of the Advisory Commission on this particular thing. But also I when I see Bjad, and then I compare it to places like downtown. I actually don't know how relatively problematic some of the storefront is doing relative to the rest of Boulder, and that's actually just something I would like to know like numbers. Wise, I don't know, because, like when I go down to Pearl Street, it seems like there's a lot of storefronts closed there as well, so I guess if we're gonna make those decisions or like making recommendations and we're doing it based upon things like storefront closures having a comparison would be helpful.

[34:10] but I take your point, and I appreciate both of your perspectives on it. I can tell you. We own a whole block in downtown boulder, and it's doing really well downtown is doing very, very well. Street storefronts closing in downtown has to do with just businesses closing in natural cycle. But serious storefront problem it's just not least. It's been vacant for 2 years now. and it's not bringing people. So I think that that metric is very interesting. If if it's okay, I'd like to just add a little notice, too, because, with, you know, great respect to how do we use the money for wayfinding smart like that? That's a line. But I don't think that precludes us from also talking about how we get the vibrancy. And so I'm going to point back to the blueprint. The commercial areas blueprint that we're going to hopefully get kicked off in 2 weeks here that we're going to ask some of those core questions about what is the purpose of our 2 Gids, what are the community's goals and needs? And how do we check in with the community about the long term hopes so that our funding goes into things like that. So I think there will be a lot more conversation about tactics.

[35:29] very cool, awesome. Okay? Realized. I'm completely in the dark about what they're gonna do that already funded. Is that already in there we'll have a pocket park update in September. There you go. Okay, so we don't need to worry about funding for it for next year right now. No, I think that'll be a 2027 budget cycle conversation.

[36:07] Not good. Do we have any other questions from commissioners on this point? Okay, Anything else. Jumping on. Yeah, thanks. Chris. Yeah, no problem. Thank you. Everyone. So now we come to the public participation section. I don't see any members of the public online. Do we have any members of the public. I see your hand, Rebecca. I don't see any members of the public online. I don't know if there were any in the room, but before we start that, Rebecca, did you have any other comments. I have a request from a member of the public who is not here. That's come to me. I was. The request is, can we add mirrors to the entry and exits from Goose Creek path to improve visibility around those blind corners of bikes coming in and out. So it is quite a narrow path, those corners on the western side that that entrance, I believe, is still closed right now due to the construction blocking it. No, it's not well, okay. It still can be a tight corner to come around. And then the other one is completely blind, especially

[37:20] if you are coming from underneath the railroad tracks that underpass there, but also the under the bridge for Junction Place. Thank you any other matters from public that the other Commissioners would like to share. and I didn't hear a yes or no on my end of whether or not there were any members of the public in person over there. Or at all. Okay, thank you so much for letting me know if that is the only if that's the only point. Do we have any questions from the commission based upon the consent agenda. Today

[38:09] I have to apologize because I only see part of the room. So if any of y'all are over here talking. I I can't see. So please just verbalize Anyone. There's no one talking. There's no one else. Okay, fantastic. So 3, 2, 1 will. Would you like to take over for the boulder transportation connections? Update. Yes, I would. A quick audio check my coming through to everyone. Very good. I was smiling a lot from Rebecca's comments because I have multiple hats. I live in Boulder Junction. I ride a bike every day. I'm actually teaching a toddler how to ride his bike. Very happy to say that we're using those entrances to Goose Creek Bath. So I won't go too into a actually I won't advocate at all. But I will confirm that, as of

[39:05] a few hours ago, that the western entrance to Goose Creek multi use path is open. There has been tons of construction there. I. I also have a few different points. that I didn't have in my agenda. So just for new updates, Boulder Commons is one of the residential developments. The Gray Star community businesses also have commercial properties that Daniel might be aware of. From the residential side. I'm happy to say that approximately 80 units are going to be available for leasing, I believe, in the next few weeks. So the the housing capacity in the district right there at the shared street 31st and Spruce Junction place in spruce for a map measurement. That's going to be coming online very soon. There's another development that I believe is an acronym, or maybe just letters of WYEI think, and I saw that they've got their leasing sign a banner sort of vertically on the bricks

[40:14] of the exterior eastern facing wall. I noticed that just a few hours ago, and they've emailed our team at the Chamber about ecopass. Sort of Tdm. Support, but they didn't yet have their certificate. Sorry certificate of occupancy. I believe that must have happened in the last few days, so it's exciting news for that Southern segment of the district. Happy to share that. That's probably a hundred units or more that will be coming online. Within the next few months I should probably go back to my agenda, so I can speak effectively. We love bike to work day. It's 1 of the really big things we do at Boulder Chamber transportation connections, citywide and regionally. And I'm sorry I need to pull up my agenda. It's

[41:06] I've had a lot to navigate outside of work recently. But bike to work. Day was on June 25, th and it was a huge success. You might be able to reference the packet, so I won't read it to you. But we've grown. I'm saying we because I live in district and love the district work in the district. So the Boulder Junction has grown from a few breakfast stations to up to 5. Several of those were just outside the district boundary, but we're joining for the 1st time, and my colleague, Elaine Herb, almost has a sense that we've almost peaked at bike to work day, because the Chamber had over 900 people stopped by their station. And that's that's a record. Denver seemed to have lower than average station participation. Boulder overall had above average station participation. So I'm really happy to see that trend translated directly into the district.

[42:02] On the bike to work day. Note, I really respect Cassiopeia a lot as a part of the cultural vibrancy and district vitality in action. I think Diana Freeman, who's the owner of Cassiopeia. has had a vision, and it is now really coming to life. So if anyone has not been into the district on a weekend, I strongly recommend a Saturday morning, so you can really witness and feel how many people are coming in. Sometimes they're driving with a bike on their car. But a lot of people are utilizing these Tdm networks. Specifically the multi-use path. but different routes around town to come in and have coffee, have a Belgian waffle, build community and go utilize our infrastructure safely throughout town. So it's it's a really beautiful thing. In addition to the breakfast stations that were a big success, we had a happy hour at Zeal, which is within the district on Pearl Parkway and Junction place

[43:05] a really good turnout from there. And again, I'm I'm sorry I've had a lot going on, so I don't want to just read you my notes, but I'll also hold a little bit of time for questions at the end. So the the active mobility was really celebrated on what has officially become walk and bike, to work day, both in the morning and the evening. We have a I am helping to facilitate a city pilot program that Regan Brown is very involved with, called boulder clean commute, as some of you might know, from prior sessions and Cassiopeia, as well as Logan's and Zeal Restaurant and Curtis Park Deli, who are all district businesses, are participants and sort of leading the charge, so to speak, in the Bmt vehicle. Miles traveled reduction

[44:00] reward based incentive. Where there's a approximately $5 a day contribution available for employees who track their trips. There were some Grant funds provided by the Boulder Chamber, a different department as well as matching funds from the city of Boulder. So we're we're seeing that this potential pilot program is really being absorbed and engaged with in a in an active way here in Boulder Junction in terms of the Tdm benefits. I I've started a new count at Chris Jones's request, and I really appreciate his feedback. Hope you're having a great vacation, Chris. So we're over 50 neighborhood eco passes just since our last meeting in May. I've got 52. It's actually 53, as of about an hour ago, and over 20. So I'm seeing 27 business Eco passes. Just for a quick context. Anyone who lives or works within the boundary of Boulder Junction gets a free Rtd Eco pass, either on their phone through the my ride app, or on a physical card as well as a I would call it a No cost annual membership to boulder peace cycle and a substantial discount to Colorado car share

[45:18] primary utilization. Rather the primary implementation of those benefits that we see is always through the ecurpass program. So I'm starting to track this a little bit more closely and I'll give a special aside to splunk, which is one of the longstanding businesses in the district that closest to 34th and Belmont. They seem to be doing very well in their business. I won't get into any of their financials or presumptions, but they've had a intern roster for the last 2 summers, and this year it's robust. There's more than 45 different interns who are primarily remote but commuting into the district for some seasonal work and career development. And so I've been able to issue and activate over 45 of those what we're calling a temporary pass issue. But in logistics it's it's the same thing as someone who just works in the district. So that takes us to well, over a hundred eco passes in under 6 weeks, which we're really happy to see.

[46:18] and and I will be careful in my wording here because it's not been formally confirmed by Rtd. Terms of service changes. But we are planning a celebration of the Boulder Junction Depot Square, Rtd. Station reopening with an Ff. 4 route which will serve from the district to Denver Civic Center Station several stops along Highway 36, but into and out of the underground garage right as well as the airport route, and we're not sure how that's going to be presented. It might be Ab 3, which would. I think, most effectively, route along 28th Street to the Table Mesa Park, and ride with a little bit of time, shift there for luggage, loading and things, and then essentially one more stop until the airport. So guests at the Hyatt residents and employees of Boulder Junction and the overall community

[47:14] should be able to start utilizing these transportation routes from Rtd. I'm choosing my words very carefully here in early September. The service changes are set to take effect on August 31.st So I would expect that's what's to come. But I've literally been watching the website most days of the week, and there's nothing yet that we're seeing most of that hinges on Rtd. In terms of fulfillment of service schedule. But we are working with the city and some of our transportation partners to plan. Sort of a small scale celebration that is, tentatively. And I'm just gonna say this internally for a present company. September 3.rd That might change a little bit since it's so close to Labor Day. But we we've been advocating for this for years. My work and activating these eco passes is giving us data driven advocacy where we can

[48:10] proposed Rtd service to Union Station more frequent service to the airport. So that's sort of the the tools that we're using in Tdm. To reactivate. not just the Rtd station, but the depot plaza from a community standpoint and the whole district overall. I see Kevin's here, so I did want to give a little accolade beyond the Eco Pass to B cycle. I need to go back into Zoom here. So these postcard mailers, which I probably need to turn my background on. They have arrived. So I know this is a long it was. It was a It was a lot of refinement to get specific residential and business addresses to have this direct postal communication about P. Cycle, and I've had, I think, 4 people. Now tell me. Oh, we were talking about those bikes.

[49:02] I got a postcard. I'm set up now. So I'm actually seeing in the lived experience conversion of folks who are aware of the service, but maybe not ready to do it. not confident in bike riding, but the season for cycling has arrived, which is every day, but it's nice to have warm weather. So I'm I'm happy to share that there were. And, Kevin, if you want to speak to this at all. There were many postcards sent out to almost all residents in the district, and we're starting to see more and more uptake of B cycle usage. I feel like I've talked a lot. So I'm gonna pause and I'll welcome any Q. And A. That might be. I see Rebecca. Oh, well, thanks for addressing the upcoming service changes for Rtd, I did actually check the website again today. It was on my list to ask whether or not we had confirmation of those changes because August is approaching. But you're saying it's August 31, st that those would take effect if there are no changes.

[50:05] i. 1 other thing on that I do believe that the the airport service from Boulder Junction will remain ab 2 if I recall correctly, Ab. 3 is the weekend service, perhaps from downtown, which will be really confusing. But I might have that backwards. So to have weekday, a b weekend, a B something boulder Junction, ab something else that. not at liberty nor willing to speak on Rtd's route or communications on that. There is an email address. I believe it's service change at Rtd. Dash Denver, which is a great Rtd. Dash denver.com, which is a great way to get individuals, and I really believe, personally and professionally businesses and city staff

[51:03] communicating the lived experience of what you see. If Rebecca is someone who utilizes Tdm. Practices in your daily life. please let them know. And and as a quick aside to that, there's been quite a bit of discussion on this meeting so far about the Boulder Junction parking depot square parking garage. And Rtd. Does have some information which I'm going to link in the chat. They quote 75 parking spaces within the garage that's been in discussion. I would imagine that's gonna be something that is getting more attention as the station resumes, because in my personal, or rather as a a work project I've tried to investigate. How does a commuter confirm that they? How does the commuter pay for parking? And the from the best that I can tell the payment kiosk for an Rtd. Rider is within the Rtd. Station, which has been closed.

[52:04] Therefore I do not believe that commuters have been able to pay for parking, since service has been suspended. I don't have a lot of I don't have exact clarity on that, but I will link right now the details to that garage, and looks like Robin has a question as well. Actually just have a request which is I take your point. And 1st of all, I appreciate your ample hedging on, not getting our hopes up too much. But I was wondering if you could possibly share that contact and email information as well, both in the chat and in the notes for the meeting. Select Commission. Related related to the service change. So we can, so that we can do that offline. Happy to do that. I think Rob and I actually sent you directly. So everyone should now be able to see the details from Rtd. For Depot Square Station, parking. Thank you.

[53:07] Do we have any questions from the Commissioners? Thank you, Rebecca. And there it is, quick on the draw. There, Rebecca, thanks. Appreciate the community, support. Takes a village? So do we have any other questions from the Commissioners. Anyone else in the room. I'll take the floor just for one more second something that is not Rtd. But is related. Is there still any movement in bringing the hot bus across 30.th Hmm. So I'm going to diligently deflect that one. As some of you, I will assume, know the hot bus is actually operated by Via mobility, which is one of our transportation partners based in Boulder

[54:04] they are a route of Rtd, so there's an interesting combination in terms of driving capacity, parking access. Frank Bruno is the principal. I believe his title is CEO at this point with via mobility, and he could probably provide some details on that. From what I've seen, that's probably not going to be part of these initial service changes. but from a lived experience standpoint. I think that's an excellent target for us to achieve. or at least a goal to strive for, because the the fact of winter commuting into downtown and having a warm, clean station to wait for the bus is great, and this is a bi-directional route, so it would go from Boulder Junction towards the Cu campus, or towards downtown 7 days a week. I think. Administerable. There was a study group, a public study group in Boulder about this question. Back in like 2,016 or 2,017.

[55:06] Hmm. That's how long it's installed. During that time Builder Junction has definitely built out. There's a lot more residents and businesses there, and that is another way for for patrons to come in and visit the district is, if they don't get dumped on the other side of 30, th and have to navigate their way across the intersection. so. Yeah, just some of the conjecture that I've gleaned from office conversations doesn't seem like that. Rerouting will take effect this fall. and I fully agree with what Rebecca shared. It's a great way to get folks into the district, and via is working to have more and more of their hot fleet electric. So for more utilization and just the experience of what 0 emissions travel can be. It's a great combination, but I don't have a formal.

[56:01] I'm measuring my words carefully. Here. Opening up to additional questions, comments hearing none. We have already gone over matters from staff which was moved earlier. Do we have any matters from commissioners that have not been addressed yet. Rebecca. But before I take over, does anybody else have their hand raised in the room? Okay, Kevin, I think you brought up a question about the pocket park. One of my questions is is going to be related to that which is you know, as we look to the future and plan that. a, do. We have any updates on on phase 2 TV app. I haven't had an update on that. For the past several meetings, and then will that include any playgrounds for for resident children?

[57:03] Because that is absolutely something that is missing in the district as well as as a shared dog run right? So someplace that the residents can meet and interact with each other. And also, you know, be safe. Right? So and yeah, we don't even have this this grassy, grassy knoll that's in the in the neighborhood. That's not grassy right now. So. That's a question we could follow up. Thanks. Fine, but we will have perks and recreation coming to the September meeting to give an update on the market part. Not quite sure what the subject matter will be, but know that they're coming. Okay, great. And then you know just that that follow up question about whether or not we get an update on on TV, and whether or not it will include any community amenities such as park space, things that we expect from other neighborhoods in the neighborhood, in the in the city, but that older junction has been has been very lean on.

[58:14] We'll we'll get those 2 questions for follow up. Other commissioners. Okay, so our next announcing our next Vj. Commissions meeting will be September 7.th Oh, sorry, Matt. You want to interrupt. But now that you have a quorum for feedback, if you wanted to go back to the. Yes, I would thank you so much for mentioning that so procedural. We're skipping back to procedural items at the beginning. Do we have an approval for the May meeting. The May 2025 meeting minutes.

[59:00] I I think we may still have a problem with quorum here, right? Because again, I'm 1 of those members. Oh, okay. Oh, same issue with, yeah. Sorry. That's correct. I was hoping for the vice chair, both. Okay, that we can do. Elections for chair and vice chair of Bjad. Tdm. y'all have a quorum for that. So do we have. Who is who is stepping into the position of chair. Here. Consider that more fun into this meeting. Sorry, Kevin. I didn't hear that. I just said I had not yet considered volunteering myself before coming to this meeting. Okay. Currently. Rebecca, you are the chair. I am the chair, and we have no vice chair.

[60:00] Have no vice, chair. To keep it that way. We would just need either Daniel or Kevin to volunteer for Vice Chair. We can keep. We can keep Rebecca as the chair and volunteer someone else as vice chair. Would that work for you if I volunteered to myself over as vice chair. Yes. Would you like to move to nominate yourself? You can nominate yourself. We can vote on it Parking Hill office. Alright. All all in favor of of Kevin becoming vice. Chair of Bja. Tdm. Bye. Congratulations. Oh, thank you. My second meeting. Would you like flowers or or song? I can't sing, but. All of the platforms brand new name tag that says vice chair. So.

[61:05] We don't even have those. We'd. Thank you. Not only do we not have those. Thank you. I want to point out that I have to spend every time. I tell people that I'm on the beach at Parking Commission the 1st thing they ask is, if I can fix their tickets. I'm like, no. those tickets. Secondly, that's not what we do. So can we get anything else resolved, now that we have Kevin in the room? And or was that our one, and done. Think that sets it. 1st of all, thanks for being my eyes and ears in the room. I appreciate you pointing out that now skipping all the way back down to 0 point 9. I would like to announce our next Bjad commissions meeting is September 17, th Wednesday, at 4 Pm. Please mark your calendars, Rebecca. I'm so sorry. I knew we were skipping forward. I just wanted to give Ellie a chance while she's in the room and has people in front of her to to pester anybody who has not completed

[62:06] agenda request items for the Cv. Meeting or doodles for availability for October, Would you like. Any of the other. Across the way. Ellie. Yeah, I appreciate that, Rebecca. Yes, if you haven't filled out the Doodle link for the October 7th meeting dates, go ahead and do that I am trying to. Okay, what? What is the time of day? It depends on the date. One of them is is 8 am. To 2 Pm. And then the others are 2 Pm. To 8 Pm. Think I failed to do right. Think I did. Stupid. Oh, that's you know what I actually have heard the same 2 8. There didn't

[63:04] didn't know what those numbers meant. It was either 8 Am. To 2 PM. Or 2 8 8 Pm. Got it alright. I submitted them. Anyway, I was like, probably make whatever it is for. This is usually the case. as is usually the case, I'm probably the problem here, Ellie, this is not your fault, but just so it's top of my email, and I cannot avoid it. Could you resend it to me? I do have your responses actually already. So we're good. Never mind. I was totally on top of it, I just assumed, based upon I I know I'm always the last one like Oh, sorry and I really appreciate your professionalism and kindness to me when I am constantly late getting you back. What you have asked for in a very timely manner. Is there anything else. And, Ellie, do you have anything you want to share additionally to that. Oh, this time.

[64:01] I guess we're gonna bring it up in September. But we just closed the applications for recruitment for board commissioners, and we did not have any more applications this round. So it's all of y'all and Kevin now or no. I know. Think so. I know this is never an agenda item, and I'm going completely out of order. But I'm gonna take advantage of the fact that I'm chair and leading the meeting to just completely steamroll over the agenda and say that as matters for staff, is it possible for us to add Ellie in as a point to make sure that their concerns are being taken care of in all these meetings. Sure. Yeah. Great. Let's let's do that. I I would love to say like, let's do that going forward. And with that, if we have no other points. I will go ahead and adjourn the meeting. Thank you also. Thank you. Thank you. Be well.