January 10, 2023 — Downtown Management Commission Regular Meeting

Transcript

Captions from City of Boulder YouTube recording.

[0:01] Okay, it is 40'clock on the dot. I am reporting. Good afternoon. Everyone. Welcome to the downtown Management Commission meeting. It's Tuesday, January tenth 2,023, and I will call Role Susan Newson. Yeah. Here. Stephanie trees here justin and I will hand it back over to our chair. Great. Well welcome everyone so happy to see all of us together, too, which is nice because we're not always all here. But first let's approve the minutes. We have 2 different sets of minutes for both our Dmc meeting and the meeting for the Special Art Session. I move approval of both minutes. If anyone wants to approve a second on both, or we can do them singularly if we need to have any questions on either one of them. No question until a second

[1:03] Justin seconded. So I think we have moved approval on both sets of minutes. I see no public here, so we can skip the public participation and you straight into public safety. Oh, fantastic somebody Who is John Kesler? I'm sorry i'm a. Bolton Police Department. I supervise our downtown Mall team as well as our homeless outreach team and our community services here. If you have any questions about any of those units, i'd be the person to to ask. and it just as far as that time update down on the Mall. We had It's like criminal Updating the the last week we had a guy by the name of Joseph, who had committed a couple of burglaries, couple of criminal trespasses, couple of criminal mischiefs, all in that

[2:00] 1,400 by involvement area. I'll be arrested him a couple of days ago. so he's in jail for at least a little bit, but it'll be getting out soon. and a a as far as things that have happened on the Mall. There's probably the little Joule heard back in the middle of December we got a call from the hospital about a person who had been admitted. and they had a backpack full of jewelry. So we went over there, took the jewelry store owner. positively identified it. This guy's name is the suspect. I saw him when we were walking on the ball last week is spread across from the little to we just call hanging out. had a couple of earrings in his ears that were from the little jewel burglary, so he voluntarily turned those over as well, and they're working on a warrant for him a name that we have not heard that Sit down for this.

[3:02] So Brittany was well. She was admitted to the State hospital. It's good news that news is. There's a one year waiting list for that, so she will most likely be released to community restoration. of which you will not participate. and that will just be noted in the notes, and she's going to be back with us, probably sooner than we think. I don't know if she's going to come back to the ball. But I would imagine she's going to be somewhere in the downtown area. You pricing? Did I miss the good news be the unrest on the little tool. those that would have gone on a little crimes free it's better. Is there any update on the conversations with the

[4:03] the Mexico at fifteenth and Canyon in the circle there at 1480, as well as as far as the the stratified policing, and all that we still do, directed patrols there in it. Anybody who wants work there for over time as far as the security, and I know the triple K. Itself. I mean that they call. We have calls there all the time. as far as any improvements, anything like that. I can't see that there's anything coming out. I just remember your previous people had been working with their management to do more, to have more security, to lock the liquor, etc., etc. Yeah, they've done. They take it small measures, put things away that are easily stolen. That's about all we've got from

[5:05] Shit. Yes. anyone else questions. He tried. Indeed. Thank you. Well, this is massively efficient today till we get to chip. Chip, I know, has a presentation for us and Chip, I did review the your vision statement again. It is beautiful, and I can't wait for it all to come to fruition any minute. We should be done with it. So thank you. I I actually don't have a whole lot, and I don't have a slides or anything. But I did share it with you the the a vision plan that I know many of you participate in different ways throughout the past year at to bring that to to light, including that the city is a very important partner in that at work, so i'm

[6:08] both proud of it and overwhelmed by it. Because now we're we're moving into the implementation phase and part of the implementation of that is is stated in the plan is continued engagement and outreach, and and as the the downtown evolves, the vision will evolve as well, so we are going to our boards this month to officially indoors ratify the plan, and at some point at least, city council will see it in some form. whether it's in the information packet or a study session, we'll figure that out. But just thank you all for your support. Any feedback on the plan, any time we're continuing to kind of build a client, I think, in the the email you all get was our our 2023 work plan, which was derived by in in part from the work division plan, but also just all of the inputs we get through. Our stakeholder surveys our intercept studies under

[7:09] data points. So we're really focused on a a number of issues that parallel to your priorities as well. Public safety being among them economic vitality, inclusivity, and co-creation and and connectivity. So a lot of conversations with some of the exciting things happening on the hill in Boulder Junction, and how it is down town connect with the access there. We're very interested in that. A lot of conversations around activation downtown that we're responding to a lot of the last few years, and and desires for more activation. So it's all very exciting. It'll be a lot of work this year, and I just wanted to thank you all for your participation in support of the the vision plan. If that works. you have anything to add to our visual plan. Conversation, Chris, you were instrumental in it

[8:04] nothing more than what you've already mentioned, and you've it's come up a lot with these previous meetings. I guess I would say that it can be sometimes challenging for the city to into an outside organization. Partnership improvement district is to be the convener of a planning process, so that that influences things that the city is actually the key stakeholder or implementer in. But i'd say that you Chip and his team and the consultant team you work with did their job very well, and they represented this work, and I really it's thoughtful way in their engagement with not just the typical downtown boulder stakeholders and downtown businesses, but communities. That might not actually visit downtown that often.

[9:04] And so, in thinking about an effective planning process that the city would turn to through the conference of Master plan, update or amass any other master, planning the efforts that we do say that we do have great confidence in the work that was done by the Mit team and partnership. This document can be something that we can incorporate into our upcoming streets as public space. So just really appreciate the partnership, and looking forward to seeing what comes of it. Thank you. Yeah. Appreciate all that. Does Council have to approve the plan, or what? What is the city's involvement outside of permitting. I mean that's really what they do not do. This was a a plan that the city reported in a lot of ways, but it wasn't a city plan. It was very involved in it. We really wanted to

[10:01] that. A lot of the city priorities are are in alignment with the plan, and I think that's because we've been having all the same conversations together, and we are all sitting in the same needs. But the city is, it's not a city plan. So it doesn't have to be approved by the city. Having said that you know the support of the Dmc. And the City Council, and whomever else has the stake in the downtown management. it is is only going to help the implementation of support and to buy in, for so the city does not have to. The City Council does not have to. They don't have to read it. You know we've had a lot of city Council members have been involved through various. You know our business Improvement district. We have Council representation on Chris and Alley and all. We're involved in the vision in this steering committee for the vision plans, and there's been a you know it's it really has been a partnership.

[11:07] but it's not a city plan. So the city Council doesn't have to, but and it's not it doesn't have to. It's you. Don't actually want them to, because it's not a city plan, and the adoption process or Council is more than just the Council adoption it has to be. It goes through planning board, and you know it's the Transportation Advisory Board all the different boards and conditions to feel like they have a connection to a city plan. Also want to adopt that plan before council, so it's almost like it's it. It's it, and it's just the word that the word adopted is very different from presenting to so having an opportunity to make sure that the but the Council is, is very well aware of the downtown boulder vision which is being led by Chip and and his partners and his organization, so we certainly could have a conversation with Council about supporting their plan or accepting their plan, or but the word adoption is definitely not when I would.

[12:09] But if you all went into it. I'm sure she'd be like one of your children Better Chip. Where do you feel like it's all hard. But where do you feel the greatest weaknesses. What's the threat? What makes this The where do you need the most support or the most community involvement, or what's the thing that's going to make this go awry. That's a really interesting question, you know. I I think, that you know, as you all know, there's so many different things happening right now, and there's there's between now, 10 streets is public space and some activation proposals and connectivity and and civic area. There's a lot of different really exciting opportunities right now. And I, you know, I think one of my bigger concerns is.

[13:01] How do we? As downtown management team, all keep everything kind of on the same page. There, there, that I think that's one of the the immediate concerns, just because, like the vision plan represents a lot of a lot of different ideas. I'm. I'm really in encourage that. I think all all the right people are in. You know most of the people who are engaged in all these different projects are talking to each other, but that is the concern that there's so many opportunities right now that we could start going and cross purposes. We're not all together, so I encourage. We have such strong partnership that I know I i'm aware of that, I think, concerned the baby is an overseeing it. I you know I I think, part of part of the I. I don't really have a response to that. I mean, I think there's a lot of just in terms of the vision plan. I think we, you know we gave ourselves a 5 year window of you know. The fiftieth anniversary is an opportunity. We're not going to get everything we want to get done in that we some of this, you know, who knows it. It'll manifest by having

[14:10] inability to now strategically move forward with some force, so we can get some things happening in movement where that you know milestone is going to be important. No, I don't know I mean My concerns around downtown are less about implementation of this vision plan. Very curious to see how office space, what covers and what our response to office space is, you know, I I think, one of the things that you know we talk about is affordability. And how do we approach the portability in the commercial space, but also in the residential space, and and, you know, continuing to have it in a a downtown in the community. They come. People want to engage in a diversity of people and all kinds of diversity. I'm worried about age diversity. Here. We're getting older and more of fluent every year, and and

[15:08] I I question how sustainable that is for downtown, so you know I could go on about what I think the threats are. But the good news is, you know I I spend a lot of time studying and talking about this and relative to most places where we're pretty solid. We, you know we have through the management we have the activity. We have great phones, and we're doing well relatively. But I think there are some vulnerabilities that we need to be aware of. Those are one big portability and a diversity of of our our users. Yeah, I my like top 3 things, and this will turn into a question, and like vacancy with retail, which is kind of like one bucket, which is like the activation thing. And and I i'm just curious about how much of the vacancy that I see are just standard ev and flow retail vacancies, or if it represents

[16:06] a problem on the block or a broader trend, and like what you think about that we were briefly talking about like the seventeenth to eighteenth block. with all those most of the vacancies that I see, at least in the downtown great retail on Pearl, and then the other, the office facing I. Personally, I've been trying to read more on this, but it's very dense reading on the change in office space, and I don't. I think it's a fool's Aaron to think it's gonna recover. But I think that Boulder might just be more protected because of the type of office faith that had it's. It's like categorize it like high End office space, or like nicer office space or something, whereas, like the lower end sprawl, oriented office space in the country is like majorly. It won't recover. I don't think anyone thinks our cover sorry. I guess the forward thinking aspect that I'm most interested in it's like

[17:03] Will. Should the city create incentives for office space to be repurposed should like what and how does the city prevent the negative externality, except they can see so blocks that just have release, signed for years and years like, what what is this that like government's role to me? It's like prevent negative externalities that impact the vitality of the city? And I I just been thinking about that. And so my mind coming into this meeting about what the city could do, and I also read about the Denver partnership similar one where it's used to be here. It is doing this like pilot. I'm. A little confused by the pilot, but I I think it's an interesting idea, but it's like the general theme of like. If some of the vacancies here to stay in terms of trends harder to have small business, no office space really need it. And then what is the city thinking forward, thinking, going to do about it, and not just hope. It goes back to

[18:12] where it was. Yeah, I mean. Those are all really good questions. I will say a a couple of things on the they can see the the ground for retail vacancy. I. There's a couple of things that are are maybe misleading. There's a lot of places that Aren't occupied, but they're not. They can see in the sense that they're under contract. So some of the things that appear to be They don't have a tenant. They're just. I don't want to say they're all waiting for permits, but they're in various stages of They've been leased, or they're under contract, or things are happening. There are some vacancies, but we don't do a great job of tracking vacancies, but but the as much as we do. We're not that far off from we've always had.

[19:02] You know there's there's more commercial space we continue to build, you know, on the East End, but we don't have like significantly more than we did pre pandemic. In fact, in 2,020 we had more new businesses, open ground for those, you know, and then we have some some more highly visible space. Slapping, Lazy dog has been making for a while they have a I'm pretty sure that's that assigned, and it'll be a little while before that space sees much activity, because there's various stages of it. So ground floor is not our problem. You know that it will continue to. You know that that the challenge I do think, and I'll just. I try and do this for a second, because our occupancy rates are so low on ground floor. Our rents are still very expensive.

[20:02] and you know, from the pandemic, with some exception, on the East, and in a little bit of other space. There's a lot of new retail that's opened up, you know. Every outdoor Apparel and Company wants to be a folder which is great. And so it's we. We've had a lot of national and regional change open up, and they're more capitalized than a local independent. So I think that is one of the concerns is, how do how do we provide opportunities for local businesses, for dependent small businesses. When the market is is is continuing. we need to be such that it's. Our rents are very expensive. Having said that you know part of the vision plan. It's expanding the reach of downtown. Our events are very expensive on the West End, and then that Pearl Street, Mall. And then there's other places like any district that you get a farther away from the quarter it that it becomes more accessible. So I think, on the commercial property, though there's not a lot of vacancies, and and especially compared to national state of regional averages. We're fine 16 to 3. All that we're, Sarah put in. That program is

[21:12] very, very different, and people Aren't going down there, so it's in it. It's a a a incubation program where they're basically giving free rent, subsidizing the for minority business by business owners and others to open up for free for a period of time. We're not very well, I don't, I guess, comparing boulder to pass folder is to be very folder. It's just like not right, because people and people are saying like the downtown feels like it's declining, and I walk around, and i'm working on prostate again, which is great, and I walk around just after work, and that entire block. It's dark almost my seventeenth and eighteenth to me that feels like the client. even if the vacancies are normal. So I I do think ground level door fronts do really impact perception of where the city, especially if people don't know that a new tenant's coming there's something excited about they're like, oh, this is in decline like it's just

[22:08] it's an and there's a little bit of a paradox. I mean, we've done. We've done some activations with, you know, open studios and other places in in buildings that will be big in for a while. A property manager, Isn't gonna let us come in and activate a space. If they're in negotiation, it's harder. So there's almost this paradox of the worse it is the easier it is for us to activate. But when there's like, when we're negotiating contract poverty, and actually just know it's. And you know one of the things kind of that ties to the the office. Use spaces and right yeah, property. Property owners and managers have a longer kind of time. Horizon, I would say. Then then you know a lot of retail or restaurant businesses, you know, if it's if you're not making money at the restaurant this week. Here. It's gonna affect you here. I think we haven't seen a lot of

[23:06] in terms of looking at. We start thinking about reusing our spaces. We haven't seen a lot of that from the property, because I think there is this. Well, they're starting to now. We're starting to see that, but it's also. I think there is a a a long-term confidence from the people who i've talked to that will bounce back. We're both people do want to be here. We have tremendous assets, and it's a little bit of a chicken neck if people want to be here because we have a vibrant, you know, exciting downtown, and it's a beautiful location, and all of the reasons. And as we don't have office users that vibrancy downtown goes down. So so it's. You know. We we want to encourage that. That's a big part is as our work plan in terms of the economic vitality. One of the few things that we're adding this year that we haven't done in that regard is. I would do, trying to understand how we do respond to the second story. They especially given that.

[24:03] you know, adapting to residential in downtown. I just don't think, if it's so expensive it's it's cost prohibitive for most resident most commercial uses just they're not built to have the infrastructure for it. You know our zoning doesn't support that there's so many. I think it's just a process and an expense that I don't see that happening now. In response to this, I have seen it a lot of downtowns, though other uses office is being used for artistic endeavor, theaters and studio, and other things that are not residential. You so I I think it's a conversation we we can have, and but our is our response like advocating for reuse, or is it just increasing marketing in a different way? We have it marketed to commercial use? We haven't had to. You know our economic vitality in terms of commercial has been. We put up a for we sign in it, you know, in somebody's there. So now, maybe we have to rethink our role as a downtown management organization about. You know we market to

[25:12] these are those to consumers, to people to come down and go shopping and need maybe, part of our marketing. We need to focus on marketing, working with chamber economic, the vitality group in the city like, how do we? How do we work more to extract businesses here? We've never had to do that. So yeah, it's it's just starting a discussion. I want to. I'm interested in if I want to. i'll for baseball. But to figure out what that would be. But I think thinking of vacancy as a negative externality to a city. I think that it's right, because I think activation of vibrancy. It's like life. It's people. It's energy, right and vacancy in darkness, so like like nothing around it, the opposite of what we want. So i'm It's more of an interest area. It intersects with a lot of things. I'm just like hearing Council talk a little bit about it and stuff. So maybe it's like, Figure out later how I can be. But I think they are having these activation conversations. I think that's one of the things, and I I I that's being you know we're certainly taking that into account.

[26:14] You know. Where Where do we want to place that at it? Activation? It's kind of like. you know, urban acupuncture like you know you. You can do some activations in a certain place that create vibrancy, that then you know it expands. And how do you? How do you? How do you approach that from a thoughtful level of what you're saying. The the darkness, the vacancy. is not good for the block that it's on, and when the blocks that that that blocks around it, that so by just being able to activate a certain space, there's opportunities to create. But for that activation to grow. So I think we're looking at. We're trying to act new activations down town. Where? How do we do that From it? Sort of an acupuncture standpoint. hey? Good! The block that stuff is talking about the

[27:02] north side of the street. That's late for demolition, but it seems to me that where the Old Arts crafts work was some sign in just up, you know it's pretty. Maybe the same thing could be down down there. I mean, look in those windows and there like holes between the 2. Yeah, they were a series of pop up cards things in there, and now I think they're They're done with that. But I think that's a good idea we can. We can kind of out of the trees have lights in that block, either, which I I think most of them are dead, which might be part of it, but it was it also. There's some power there, and there's the power, and there's nothing so it's just like a I didn't realize that. But I I, and it could be power. It's a it's a little. It's little things that could make a difference, at least in the space. But I also i'm thinking of big things like

[28:01] I'm personally like, think that maybe Government could play a role in doing something like What are the incentives to the landlord to get the space filled. And there are interesting things there about like, how do you create meaningful incentives to get the space filled versus to leave it vacant? And there's I have a lot to learn in this space, but like. I think that's where the city can do interesting things to activate space credits or other things to support credits to people. The worst spaces, right, maybe have the most opportunity to get people in the door, and I think that's kind of what Sarah was doing at this pilots. Yeah. So there's hopefully some cool things. It sounds like people are thinking about. Okay, Sorry for the divergence. But I mean? That's one of the more important conversations we having now? And how do we? How do we do? You have a sense of where you think the activation is most stated. Or is that what the conversations are?

[29:04] I mean? Yes, I think the East End is really a place where we want to activate. I think, on the way, you know it's the vision Fan represents on the Mall of 1,400 blocks in particular has. That's been probably the least vibrant least that active. And you know there's some some activity there. I think you know we're looking at the East, and we're looking at the activity with the civic Area and Thirteenth Street, and and how to activate that area, You know. I I think, that you know we're a part of what we're doing with our activation is kind of prototyping to figure out where we are to do things and kind of make sense. And you know we don't want to do activations that are disruptive to the activation that exists. We want to be additive in that, and I think that's really important, You know, i'm encouraged. And I think we're going to hear more about Gail Studios has a lot of a lot of expertise in this area, so you know I'm. I'm. Looking for a panel on their their knowledge and experience. For how to approach activation

[30:11] you know, as as well as it kind of bringing the community and to do some Co- and these are you have any instead of when the development is going to start? Just curious. Yeah, and yeah, it's 10 and permitting i'm not sure where they're at. They're from my process. and they don't know that it's a permission at this point. Yeah, I think it might be a financing thing. I'm not don't quote me on that, but I don't know that it's a permanent thing because it's. Yeah. i'm in the New of jellyo. Some people are moving to other places from their work, which is great. But then their spaces are vacant.

[31:00] Yeah, like all the places that move they to that any amount, then that will not. It's a good spot. Yeah. I mean, we don't have much on them all. It's it's once you go, and that's where that's where we need to be activating, and you know that's all I got, unless there's other i'm super excited chip with what you've got planned, and what the fission plan offers, and if you need our help in any way. for we are your biggest champions to get it all done. So please let us know how we can assist you as well appreciate that. Thanks again. Well, thank you. Chair, for coming to our next meeting. Let's move on to the consent agenda, and I did have a couple of questions. Does anyone have other questions on the consent agenda items?

[32:06] So they wanted to have other people have a chance to chime in versus just me in page 16 of the agenda. It's talking about the caged, gateless implementation, and the city is selected a vendor. I assume it was the vendor we spoke with when I we had our call, and he they presented what they are the ones Yes, that is correct. I see Theresa's turned her camera on. She can provide an update. So they they are our top candidate. We're in contract negotiations now, so until we have a signed contract that's not officially official. so that the metropolis is who we are in conversations with on contract. You, Teresa, do you have anything to add How long? Once that's under contract for to come to reality. So right now we're shooting for an implementation right as our Q 4 permits go into place so September.

[33:07] So we've got a few months to work here. Contacting get a really solid plan getting put from our work group to make sure that we've got our. I have a question on that after dining how many we end up with 5, 4, alright, so I don't know you have 4 more, because I've only seen a few of them, or they've they're scattered around the stage. Chris looks nice. Yeah, I mean, there is a lot less than that. I don't know. If you notice all. Yeah. some of them are smaller than they were when. like the streets for closed downs, so like the penguin, that's real small. Yeah, and only like one made there did someone make their own. And I think the post built their own

[34:16] booking in your garden, I say, and they that there's like approved. That was mad. Rush. Another question that I don't know. Maybe not the space community space from your. So the the and partners have a concept. I try. I want to make sure I get the termite, but they have a a conceptual plan for the development of that space which is consistent with the conversation that we have with that many years ago. And so it's in the regular planning process. So it will be

[35:11] rooms, offices up there like conference space on that on that main floor with because it's a civic use pad. There will be some covenant around nonprofit use, and the redirection of some accommodations tax to subsidize nonprofit use of the space so really similar to our arrangement that we also will have with the University, with the conference space on the hill. So in concept review right now and in in development. So under way. Yeah. Planning. So then, it goes to planning board and present. You know it will be at 55 feet. So city council will need to approve, either on consent, after planning board or they'll call it up and work on that session. But now

[36:06] could, so we can stay coordinated. Can we know when this is presenting to planning board so we can attend planning board? If we want to be, you will be involved in the decision making process because there are cage of assets associated with Lin. the development Since Cajun owns the parking garage below. We also own the pedestrian scale lighting between walnut and canyon. so there will there will be impacts to cage, to own assets. And so Dmc. Will be a stop along the way before the project actually goes to planning with final approval. So you will all be in in the process when they're ready for tablet. So we see it before planning board. Yes. just in case. Okay, cool. Yeah. Planning Board will want to make sure that Dmc. Was consulted prior to their consideration they have, plus, I judicial authority over development that can happen, and they want to make sure that all the stakeholders that need to be moved in to the development for puzzle, have an opportunity to try, and for they

[37:16] for approval. Page 17 of the agenda talks about the amps, implementation and revitaling access and folder. It's the next to last paragraph on the page, the one in the middle, and it talks about naming the garages, and I want to know if we're having garage Mc. Garage face, or something like that in our history in our future. Oh, that's that's yeah, really preliminary. We have engaged marketing design concern. and their name is escaping Ring right now, because I have not had enough to eat today.

[38:00] Oh, Theresa may Well, then, I now! And so the part of their broader scope for outreach and communications and development of collateral materials. For all of our access. Our ants related efforts includes the possibility of a process to better brand individual garages. So that is part of our way finding and and helping people know which are, you know, which broadcast our city garages, and wanting to push for people to the garages is the economicical parking option. The the concept of naming the garage has come up as part of that package. So more information to come, Areisa, do you have anything to add Sam's timeline, or various outreach related elements stamps? No, I think we're so kind of in the very preliminary, as far as concepts for garage, namely, and things like that. But here, in the next 2 or 3 months we have a lot more. I'm really intrigued by this concept, because, you know, it was such. I'd call it a success what we did for naming the

[39:07] the snow clouds in boulder. There's a lot of news around it, and it did generate a lot of press for for them. I know we're always trying to push people to use the garages more. And so this might be just even by the naming process we might be able to engage. I' to use the crutches more as Well. that would be the intent of using the naming as a way to help people identify where they are, and draw a connection, and have a better understanding of where they where the garages are, and how they can better access them for sure. So that's they're more to come in future meetings before it, like the early discussions around the art in the parking garage. There's a thought that by expand and be connected to the dating. We think that. Will that still for your plan, or maybe not. I'd say it's too early to to to to to know how that's going to play out, but it's certainly part of the conversation.

[40:01] I hate hearing you say there's a lot to know. It's early stages, but we're very interested. I think that's a really cool concept when we always talk about the Spruce Street garage. I'm like there's 2 on spruce which one you're talking about so hopefully it's more creative. It's everyone well, and and internally each of the garages are associated with their previous service slot letter. So there's a lot a lot of the latest lot. D we're not gonna use that nomenclature, I promise. really caught on already. I had one more question on the consent agenda. Let's see here, what was it? Hello. Maybe I screwed up my comment notes, and I've deleted one of them. Any other questions on consent agenda from anyone. Yes.

[41:02] mine was on the last one. What was it? Oh, it is! It does relate the very last item on page 18 when it's talking about putting new signs, and to for the parking lots, and so on. and design of improved science. And you, on one hand. if we're about to name the garages. we want to kind of coordinate this with those new signs. I just don't know how much it costs to redesign signs. Once we got names for everything. so we don't like we do this in the right order, so that we put up signs, and then a month later, we rename everything and have to put up new signs. So there are 2 different sign efforts going on. We have the lollipop signs that have the technology issues. They're not working. And so we are working to get those rehabilitated and functioning again.

[42:09] Certainly in the context of making sure that the digital signage is able to be dynamic, and it could certainly have. We could tie it in with the branding, but we have engineering approved engineering designs for our old lollipop signs. We're not looking to. We do them, and that is part of our brand of our specifically cage it on spaces. Certainly, with the digital screens we can customize them to respond to to this naming activity. The other signing project is related to all of our on street parking. So on all, all the the block faces is part of our general fund operation. We have all the signs that are associated with the pay stations that we used to have to pay stations per block and back when we move from meter heads where there was a a a, a

[43:04] 8 parking meter head at every single parking space in the downtown, and we moved to 2 stations per block base. There was a lot of concern about. How do we let people know that they need to go pay for parking somewhere else other than right at their parking spaces? So we put them all the signage, it said. Pay to Park right here. We've reduced the number of pay stations in the downtown. but the signs are still there, so. Fortunately we have Park Mobile, and the the arrows point down to assign that tells you how to use Park Mobile, so they're not completely misdirecting. But we need to update the on street parking signs, and that's what this update is more about is our on street system and updating all of our signs because we've reduced the number of on street pay stations and park mobile zones have changed a little bit, so it's. It is a bit separate from the the naming exercise with the garage that makes sense.

[44:03] Those to me. Anyone else have items on the consent agenda before we move on to public space, update moving on to public downtown streets as public space update. Thank you. This thorough attachment that really did help me understand what's going on. Great. Yes. So we provided the the memo, the information on that was provided to council to to keep them up, to speed, and everything that's going on. So really lucky we're able to find you with that context, wanting to take the opportunity at this meeting, because this is such an accelerated process. and it's going to translate into a lot of activity. As soon as may of this year we have engaged to consultant, we being a city with planning and transportation and mobility as the lead departments, the same with community vitality support.

[45:00] So this got to provide the the memo information, and just wanted to make sure that you're all aware of just how quickly we're we are working on this. This is responding to the communities desires around more pedestrianized space in the downtown after the whole West pro conversation. And you know what is the role of the city, and how do we work with our partners to respond to those desires from the community, making sure that we're involving all the key stakeholders in that process. And you all are key stakeholders. In this work there will be a press release going out later this week announcing an online questionnaire on the be heard folder platform, and we need as many people as possible to participate in that questionnaire to inform our decision making process, as our consultant team is working to identify the areas of downtown that we are going to put in some pop up infrastructure and pop up prototypes. Maybe that's the it's gonna be pop up something, anyhow. That is, that will then need to be programmed.

[46:09] And so we have Justin Green scene here from our special events. Team Chip is also very much involved in the programming conversation, making sure that all this effort translates into the activations that we want to see in the areas that we're trying these things out. So you will be hearing from us very soon. Once that press releases out. we will be reaching out to you, asking you to make sure that it gets distributed that the links get distributed as far and wide as we possibly can, so we can have diversity of input in this conversation. That was part of our challenge in in our conversation, in 2,022 was was there. There were specific groups of folks who had really strong opinions about what they thought needed to happen, and it was not necessarily representative of the broader community. This is our first time doing a that where we're able to do that

[47:13] engagement ahead of time about possibility, as opposed to engagement about something that's already happened. Our previous engagement on this topic had been specifically about. Hey, we close west, Perl. What do you think we're taking a much more dynamic approach to our questionnaire now. So I have a bigger conversation about what are the values that drive our decision, making processes, and how how to those values be prioritized to influence when and where we do these types of pop up activations. So not much more to report other than what was in the memo. You're gonna be hearing more about this in the upcoming weeks, and we would really appreciate your help in getting this information out, and the questionnaire link out

[48:02] to as many audiences as we're able any questions for me on that I saw on page 5. I'm sorry it's just hard to know when people there on page 5. There's just a term I didn't know there's in page 5. There's a little arrows going to the next aerop, the one in the middle recommendation for initial installation possible at B and CC. Kind Study Session City Council. What's Atb That is adjustment to base. So several times throughout the year Staff will approach Council with budget changes for that fiscal year's budget. So if we have new identified revenues that we want to determine mid budget cycle, how we want to spend those dollars. We go to Council for an adjustment to base to get their approval of that budget change. So it's just it's really. It's a turn for. Yeah. Good budget cycle change.

[49:11] We typically have 3 per year. My kids want an atb to their a lot once occasionally. There you go. justin, Susan Stephanie? Any other questions on this? When is the survey going out by the end of this week? Okay, and is it going to be like? Is it a general survey, or is it specific to like which street or is it? It's not that it's a general survey, but focused on a downtown streets? Is public space. So we want people to be thinking about their experience downtown, or if they don't go to downtown, why not?

[50:00] And it's really about this shock that somebody would from those have. And so it it it's. It's focused on downtown the experience of downtown and and values and priorities around pedestrianization of space in the downtown with. But we're not. We're not. I'm not getting to the where yet an attachment, or was mentioned about this. It was like in December, 14 email right around the holidays. It was in the Council packet. Got it? Yeah, all right. Any other questions on desaps. you know, because okay. it is. public streets is downtown space

[51:13] otherwise known as the hot topic. Yeah. how about prototypes? So can you tell us about the 2,023, approved Budget Chris. So we put this side. I mean, we've spent a lot of time talking with you all about the 2,023 budget, and we we have your approval on the 2,023 budget. We have other commissions that we work with that have much more challenging budget conversations. particularly University health, general permit district. The taxing district

[52:00] last year, I think, produced about $38,000 does not allow us to go very far. Fortunately, I mean over the 50 3 years now almost of of you, Jen, we've been able to accumulate some resources that we're having some conversations about how those dollars get we deployed. How did we prioritize that? But because the resources are so much small smaller? Then what we have to work with in downtown, or even at fuller junk. Then there's a lot more focus in on how those dollars are spent. and we're pretty which isn't let's say about I think it's just an indication of where they're at. But we also want to be really sure that we're not providing this crazy, weird level of service for one district and not for another district. And so Theresa has been doing some work on a regular budget update document. We brought a proposal of the things that would be included in such a thing, for you can't see for each of their every other month meetings.

[53:06] And so we just wanted to run same format by you all, and make sure that it's consistent with. If you would like us to. We're happy to provide the same level of update on where we're at with the annual budget at each of our meetings as part of your packet, moving forward. So with that i'll hand it over to to to talk through what she's been putting together, and maybe get a thumbs up from the Commissioners. They like the approach, or there's something missing that'd be like us to consider. And what would be included in that every other month update on the budget. So Theresa. Yeah, thank you guys, that's a great summary and overview. So the intent is basically each year as we get through kind of the budget and pull a natural for the fiscal year, we're able to present our fund financials. And and so what we're attempting to do then is take basically a similar format to the fund financials.

[54:00] I was a little bit more simplicity, but basically the model would show revenues for the year, and we can go back to 2,019 kind of is just a reference point. I know it's important in an an anchor point pre pandemic. and then look at what the actuals were for revenues and expenditures through the current fiscal year, as well as having a year to date real life where we are each meeting. So by a monthly you can see how those expenses are coming through the fund and see the revenues that are coming through as well, and then breaking down on the expense side. Personnel operating expenses, just give a little light into cost allocations and transfers for some of our internal services. and then our capital improvement program. So, to provide a summary will also have the fund balance. You can kind of track how things are. And again, it's meant to just be more of a like a day, a month to date view rather than just once a year, seeing what the fun. Financial ends up, being but just giving a little bit more insight as we go throughout the year.

[55:02] Teresa, will you include a comparison to budget? Yes. Mark will use to provide this for us, so he might be able to give you some insight on the format that he used. I think that'd be great. I look forward to that from all for more transparency on finance. and i'm sorry that you say this was updated. Live to reserve. This would be part of our packet as like a separate attachment. That's what you're saying. So it wouldn't be some place we could go to the track, and it's like. I think the intent would be to provide it, and we could include a snapshot of it in the pack that it's basically tied to a macro that's tied into our financial system. So it's real live data within a day so worthy behind the the finance system. But the intent would be to just have that report run and available on each time together.

[56:06] Okay. Great. So we'll look forward to having that included in the March Meeting packet. I I do recall seeing something about this is can gentle to this topic. But I did see something about doing some repairs to the garages, and that was all just planned maintenance. Nothing special, unique and different. That was just kind of stuff we needed to do. So we've got Yeah, no, just to give some comments for that we are moving forward with some capital improvement repairs that we're planned. Our engineer records that we went through and did an assessment on all of the garages, and came back with required repairs at St. Julie and Randolph. Rtd. And I'm. Saying, what's out loud? Part of the

[57:00] 1,100 Spruce and Saint Julian? And so those all went out to bid, and vendor was selected here just about a month ago, some at Zealand, and so that work is going to be be taking place throughout the year, and the first works going to be starting in Saint Julie and I'm. Just kick off meetings there tomorrow, and then we'll see that work wrap up probably around September. It just kind of keeps us consistent with our capital improvement plan that we've been working towards and making sure that our assets are well maintained as we look into the future. Was that part of our plan maintenance? Or were these surprises and higher doing, known as we as we go through things. Sometimes there will be elements that pop up, and but the core Illness! What one of the things that's fortunate is. There were a number of required maintenance elements that were identified, and then forward thinking a few alternates. Unfortunately, our budget was able to accommodate both the necessary maintenance as well as the

[58:00] alternates that give us added time on those on the garages. And so we're really fortunate to be in a situation where in Thank you. I'm excited to see this budget. I I love you. We touch the budget once in a while when we get to approve it, but this will help us see how it's working, and that that'll give me more access to like those conversations when it really matters. So I appreciate it. Zooming right along onto the Dmc. Retreat draft agenda. We now have a time where we're meeting on March fourteenth, and we're going to meet. I think it's off the top of my head from like 8, 30 to or 8 or 8, 30 till 12 on the fourteenth. and we get to plan and figure out kind of what our next steps are a little bit. One question before we get into this with this now being the hot time for recruitment of new commissioners throughout. Boulder. Is there any update on that process?

[59:02] The deadline is January 30 for the applications? So we're just we're getting them. But yeah, we have a little bit more time to go and and start reviewing the applications, but it's open until January 30. Do you know, if Dmc. Has any applications. I I can. I can get very little, so i'm sure that we should maybe do some outrage. I was like kind of writing some of the business owners that I know. But oh, yeah, it's it's it's a property that property, right? So we have a we have a we have a we have a we have a is there, you know. I I I guess I don't know how we're going to get someone to know about it, unless we kind of go to the property owners and tell them.

[60:02] do we have like a flyer? We could hand that or yeah. So we have in the past postcards and and communications. I'd say that fortunately you have the downtown partnership. I can't step out. I mean. I actually looked at the latest Bbp email, and I didn't see mention of this in the Dvp email. So sorry. Yeah, we can. We can. We need a new property on her? You are. Is there any other kind of ideal criteria and other than property on our well, that goes to the and that commitment to the vision for downtown

[61:03] we don't even need that. That's not true. No, we do need that, but we're not convincing. It's property on our okay spread the word. Maybe I don't know. So actually, in a way, then, we have since Susan's timing out. We have Susan's replacement plus. We just have a vacant seat for properties, Susan, for one more year. I'm: not timing until next time. Oh, okay, okay. And it's just one property, right? Okay? Well, the reason I ask is because we do it in in the forming ordinances. If there is not a replacement for somebody who's rotating off. They are allowed to stay on until there is a replacement isn't that exciting the application due to January, January 30 is is when they're they have the timeline to it's. Their deadline is midnight. January thirtieth

[62:08] applications will be sent to council members February tenth and there'll be virtual interviews between February thirteenth and February 28. So we're thinking, what how do we get? It's a. Is there the email that goes out to people's their flyer that goes out to the I can't find out. I i'm happy to send it tomorrow. I'd be just a simple email. So the city clerk's office leads all of the recruitment, I mean they do broad recruitment for all boards and missions. So when we certainly we are allowed to do thought recruitment is if especially if we're having challenges. We've done that in Boulder Junction i'd be surprised if we don't have a an applicant at Dmc. Is more, is actually our more attractive commission. But there's a larger pool of folks, because there are a number, a higher number of property owners in in the changes than there are in our other districts. So but

[63:15] and now, Lane chimed in, saying they have to be sitting for the rest of not for commissions if they are property, Elder, that that qualifies. And if somebody is representing a property in your side, you know we're going to spend a lot of time on this? Did they just need a letter from the property, saying I would like to represent my head. The carts office can speak to any formalities on that front. But I think that's the yeah. I asked the owner of Lindsey Stell if she's interested because I know her, and she's like I'm already on a new board now with I was like, tang it once. They tell them all the cool people who are already on this commission who wouldn't?

[64:05] Yeah, we can get the crumbs of the Dvp. That they didn't take. So okay, i'm sharing my screen and just a draft number of items that that are based on our previous discussions that have one more to the end here. I just want to make sure that the agenda that we're putting together for your retreat. March is the system with what you would like to get out of it as well as optional. So we just actually recently went through this with the you can see commission. And so first thing is, we'll want to have a special meeting to approve minutes from this meeting. Just so we're not waiting until May to do our regular procedure items. If there is anything else that other departments in the city need some

[65:02] approvals or feedback from Dmc. We would, including that special meeting, but probably be able to hammer through that 15 minutes of not half an hour. So starting out with that, and then we've had this conversation in our orientations, but I think it's always important to kind of do a quick refresh on the forming ordinances and the roles and responsibilities of the Commission before we start getting into all the realm of possibilities of priorities. And it's interesting, you know, when we have a partner like the bed and and downtown. All the partnership is identified to identifying roles of who was responsible for what, so that we can be really thoughtful and narrowing, and on what we have the most where we can have the most impact in the work that we do. for

[66:01] we will have had the Council retreat by March, and so I can provide an overview of how the conversation went, where the the council's mid term priorities are. and then we have been doing a ton of internal work and community had this conversation with you all before, but would like to review our CD strategic plan and our our pillars of our work and our plans 2,023 work plan items in pursuit of those long-term objectives from there we'll have a, and there will be breaks in between here we're not going to just hammer through, but from there then would want to have a facilitated conversation that i'm happy to facilitate around the Dmc's objectives and goals, and and where we want to be going. If prioritization of the spending of the resources that that you really are, help us be the stewards up.

[67:04] That'll be the bulk of the work that I would admission that we do during that day. But I also want to provide an opportunity, if there are folks that you would like us to invite, whether it's city manager or you know, if you want Chip there who who are some other folks that you might want to be there to spend the conversation; for, observe, to have an opportunity of some facetime that could help you all in this work. So that's Why, that one's on their special guest question, Mark. And of course, if there's something else you want to do accomplish during this time, please let us know. So we can work that into the agenda. and then we are scheduled through noon on the fourteenth. Certainly quote we. We' to post lunch nearby if folks would like to to go to lunch after we're just to kind of wrap up and have a more casual of non business conversation. We can't discuss

[68:04] business of the the Commission, but we can get together afterwards. So with that I say yes to the city manager. Yeah, drive by here to stop by. It's just because I've never met her so selfishly would like to. Yeah, probably not for the entire. And maybe like, I. I think that the part that we cause we can't discuss business outside of the meetings. I feel like we have a you know, Justin. I met once to work on it because we're allowed to work on that letter together, and I found that very valuable to understand, so like talk through and brainstorm about

[69:01] issues that were on the top of the priority. So part of me thinking once we learn the Council priorities, or whatever we can view in advance, and then have discussion on, would make it more interactive because or to this. And for yeah, I I've been planning offset to my company, and I think we alternate between breakout presentation break out like something to make it more discussion. Stephanie, I want to make sure that you understand one over rules. You are allowed to meet with other people on our for just one on one, and there's more than 2 of us. If there's a third person there, then it becomes a meeting. But you can have coffee with me, or you can go out with Susan, or whatever we just can't. If there's more than 2 of us, then it that's where we're say in this setting when we're all together. It it's a good time for discussion to Yeah. I like that, too, because I know I have ideas, and I have had a chance to talk with some of you individually about kind of some of your goals, but I think there's

[70:05] great efficacy in us brainstorming some of that together. So I love to hear everything. Chris, you're talking about, but I would. It probably is kind of during Number 5 how we can build upon it. But in a way, yeah, like you review council priorities. What do we think in the big picture? I do know I did have a chance to talk with Chris about some of this in kind of planning for this, and while I have ideas around. and I think we all do about what we can do, and where we're going. Remember, the Dmc. Is really about capital funding and buildings and capital assets and maintenance of them, and parking and things like that. So while on our surface. Chris, can you just maybe remind us kind of what our what we're allowed to touch, you know. Really, we might have visions and plans. But really.

[71:01] you know, Chris, you reminded me that there are people who do visions and planning, and you know it's one thing for us to have ideas, but we should probably focus on what we can actually impact. Can you talk to us about that, Chris? That would be part of Number 2 right? Yeah, that would certainly include that as part of that review Roles and responsibilities. Conversation in the morning, I mean, I I think it's also an interesting topic. Because we are. they said, my understanding a less it's for in terms of I don't want to be like we're not like planning or transportation, right. We're not trying to be like that, but there may be our ways. but we can decide if we want to be more active or like as as a board, and like our role, and how we do it, not not in like authority and power, but more in like find space or focus, it's hard to to input like in the process. Are we an active partner, input or we?

[72:01] I check the box. I do think that's something for some topics. or we should be in other topics. Maybe we could be more involved in the early stages, and that that was kind of my question, like what projects are well suited for us to be involved in early stages versus just to be informed on the agenda. And what do we as it, you know, Board Carri. I I don't know if it's care about or feel like we can make an impact earlier on rather than later, because I think we should differentiate. I know personally like I'm for actively engaged, and i'm involved earlier in the process. But we don't have to be. It shouldn't be for all things. Some things probably let itself better. It's a input feedback or commission. Yeah. So I I think i'd like to talk through that about that. I think it would be nice to have the last 5 or 6 years priorities to see. You know.

[73:00] Okay enough time. What did previous words consider important? And are we Have we passed that, or we still let's see on those areas. Susan, would that be like the letters that the Council, or how would that be presented to you. Yeah, I think that would work. Yeah, or even, you know, on the bottom of each agenda there's bullet points. Right? Is that the most Yeah, we could. But yeah, there's a summary of wrap up. Yeah, that was here. So yeah, I mean, I I think that's a good example of that letter to Council on the years that I've been here was like the first time we've done something that active in a time that I've been here, and I did your feedback, but that was helpful or council to hear that. So that's a good example of where, like it's sometimes helpful for us to be a little bit more active. And I'm.

[74:00] Maybe, Chris, you have ideas about where those areas might be where it's like the perspective and diving into one area and summarizing it and presenting it would be an that add value. The Council versus that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think activation might be one of those how we can help. Well, when I is Chip still there, I just can't see who's there. Chip. We're just interested in coming. and I don't mean to pull you into things you don't want to be doing if I can be helpful if I You know I I loved being informed about what you all are thinking. It's really important to the work we do to to understand how this what this group is thinking so you know, depending on when it is and what my world's like. I I would love to be involved

[75:14] to the degree that I can, and that's appropriate. I don't know that I need to be involved with all of the the day, or all of the conversation. But I and I I would I would love to be involved in, you know. Now the downtown vision plan is published. I think that it certainly can be part of the homework, so that you will have that solidly in the context of your conversation and thinking about what is the role of in realizing the vision. That's the downtown great. Yes. one other person that I have in mind, and I open for discussion, John Kayer, from the Chamber of Commerce. when we're thinking about office space and people coming returning to downtown.

[76:00] What do people think about someone like tayer I your grass. That's that we can be. That's related to what we're doing. It's probably good if you have something to share. So Lori call from see you attended the you can see retreat. So she's the system. Vice Chancellor of our intergovernmental relations. We got that right. and so we could certainly extend the invite to her. That seems like a it makes a lot of sense for the hill. Right subject matter. Experts. Is that what you're getting at? Well, she's our she's the strongest partner at the university. It certainly makes a ton of sense, for to be really involved with you can't see it. I'm just putting it out there.

[77:04] Figure out the relationship between downtown and the hill. That'd be good for us as well to that. But I certainly do a lot of the University people who are, it considered like subject matter experts for the future downtown in the United States. Yeah. I've published several. And yeah, I don't know. I mean there's so many that that's what's so fine and exciting that downtown. It's there's so many different, I mean, if you want to call them them shoes if you want to come back. Well, I don't know that that we're going to be able to get to our, but I think it's I I

[78:06] would love to entertain the idea of. Is there a professional affiliation that Dmc. Wants to highlight that you? I would like to possibly talk about sending folks to conferences and things like that. That is the level of involvement that that could be entertained, and resources could be made available to. If I mean that's that is a time commitment, but an opportunity to get really looked in with, whether it's the International Downtown Association or for other types of of professional relations where, you know. we'd be glad to help develop our commissioners in that realm to help better work. Maybe not a conference, but I like bite size like book search. I'll, I'll put it. I just finished reading Metropolis, the history of settings I one of the most interesting books I read in years.

[79:13] I can. I can give you a whole list of chip that sounds exciting. I love that they wouldn't that be fine like increasing. I think one of my goals is to increase my knowledge of history of cities, how downtowns function! Why, they're like what makes downtown different. Why, or some I have some done well, and others not like, I just overall learning. Yeah. Yeah, it's yeah, I'm: a: it's been. I think we'll have more interesting conversations with more. And it's not books, one podcast, so I can do that.

[80:04] I've known John Tayer, for I don't know 15 years, and I know fairly well I could reach out to him to see if he has anything to add towards office, space and boulder, and the future, and how to bring people back, and how to get people downtown. I'm happy to reach out to him, and at least take that as a a point where I can see if it makes sense for him to come or not. we think so. Anything else for the retreat. I promise we'll have snacks for coffee. And yeah, we'll we'll. and to have one chapter any requests on our lunch, destination or or dietary restrictions that we have solution.

[81:12] I mean, unless you want to have. That's okay. So let me go. Let me see all right. Well, this is very helpful direction for us if there's nothing more. And now that would conclude matters from staff matters from commission. Is there anything, Chris, do you mind not sharing your screen anymore? I can't see. There we go. Is there matters from commission? Is there anything else anyone would like to bring up. Okay. No.

[82:00] I I like you this book club idea. Actually, you just can't talk about because I need not talk about Dmc business or they can't meet. I don't have to have one an agenda item on this meeting for 5 or something you can meet, socially as long as you do not discuss downtown. It's where the records come down in book clubs. No, both fine. The krist to make sure I heard you right. We are allowed to meet more than 2 if we're not talking like we could go to that lunch. But we can talk one on one. We can discuss these things, but it has to be one on one correct, so you can to discuss business, one on one you can gather for like, if if not, if you wanted to host a Saint Patrick's Day party at your house.

[83:10] and it by the Commissioners they can come. But you have to. You can not, absolutely cannot discuss any commission. My Wife's maiden name does have an oh, apostrophe in it so so well, i'd say Patrick's day is my birthday. Well, in interest. Sometimes we push a lot of time on these meetings. It's really great to see you all. I am so sorry I couldn't be there. I was really planning on it. But then, just with the birthdays plans for my family, it just didn't work out. But I do look forward to seeing you all in person on the in March. Hey! It's that's pi day. In fact, isn't it, it's march fourteenth. It's 3, 1, 4, so

[84:03] but I move we adjourn at any seconds. Second thanks to everyone else, Lane for joining and Teresa to thank you so much. Thanks, everybody. Bye, bye. Okay. what.