August 12, 2024 — Transportation Advisory Board Regular Meeting

Transcript

Captions from City of Boulder YouTube recording.

[0:00] I'm like me, and he's like cobblestone or whatever. and I just wanna keep it all one smooth again. I know you wanna make it pretty. I do, too, but I want to make it in sizeable for all. That's a good reminder. Yeah, is a 5 foot wide sidewalk. Ada. Compatible. compliant, I assume. So. Yeah. Okay. Oh, we don't. I am more confused than I was before. I'm so sorry, John. I didn't mean to interrupt you. No, you're fine. I'll be digging our dog. But yeah, I think Bill knows what he's got there. Okay, go ahead, trainee. So I was. Just so. If this is a a thorough way, and it's supposed to be a bike way, how can this be like fenced off. I'm just very, very confused now. I mean it can't be. It has.

[1:01] and there there should be no offense. That's why they're asking for. And that amendment. and even with a gate I mean. Yeah, so. Yeah, so we would, we. If it was a normal multi-use path it wouldn't be gated. And they're saying, If if we agree to remove the requirement for multi-use path. This is what it would look like. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, does that make sense. Yeah, but it doesn't. I mean, you know. Well, I got you. We're making a revised proposal to to say if you would like to protect it with a public access easement, then fences would not, would be illegal, and they wouldn't be part of the project anymore for that, for that path. That would be a public access. 1 1 thoroughfare cut through. What? What about using that alleyway? That's Between buildings 6 and 7. Here. Nope, next one over. Sorry. Oh, yeah. Yeah, like that, like continuing that alignment and then jogging over to exit the site.

[2:07] We, I'm fairly sure. And the civil engineer is not on the call, but I'm fairly sure that there we have all kinds of utilities in there. And there's there's things that are not. And also that's a detention area. So none of that is allowed where there's a multi-use path. Okay. that explains why you went to the sidewalk. Okay? Hmm. so I'm quite unfamiliar with a public access easement. what kind of signage is typical and or required for such a thing like, how how would a passer by on spruce know this is a perfectly acceptable and approved route for you to use to cut through this to, to, you know. Cut through this block.

[3:01] This is Chandler Ranscock with planning again. I don't think we could require signage, but like, Bill said, you can't have any obstructions in a public access. Easement. So really it would just it would have to be open. So I think the only thing that would really indicate that it was open to the public would just be lack of a fence lack of a gate. It would connect seamlessly to the existing sidewalk on spruce. But it functions as city property. The the difference is that the applicant has to maintain it and take care of it. But the city has absolute they they own the rights to move people through the site. So if the city decided that they wanted to put up signage in their pae. If the city decided to change the surface, they can do anything they want, it's theirs. They own the race to that bae. Okay.

[4:00] so, Natalie, where does this leave us? We do. We? We don't want to approve what they've shown us. it. It appears there might be a middle ground, that tab would be open to do. We schedule this for another meeting before October 10, or before whenever it goes to planning board. I didn't write down that. You could amend the recommendation if you wanted if you want to change the recommendation to say something like you know we recommend approval of or recommend removal of the multi-use path conditioned on dedication of a public access easement or a sidewalk. Through the middle of the site you could do something like that. Okay. and then what would, if, if we required a multi-use path. it would basically take the same routing that Bill is talking about.

[5:01] but be 12 feet wide and in concrete. or we would you would go back to the drawing board and come back with something different. We'd have to go back to the drawing board, we wouldn't be able to satisfy everything that planning board and city council are asking us to do so. I think we'd have to reconceive the project from scratch, because. Okay. Yeah. Okay? So then, I think the fundamental question for tab is, if we if we agree to remove the requirement for a full on multi-use path in exchange for a public access easement, roughly as shown here. So not a 12 foot wide path. but a 5 foot kind of meandering sidewalk. Would that satisfy the sort of public interest that was originally at stake in dedicating this as a multi-use path?

[6:03] I mean, that's not an official description of what our job is, but I think that's a fair way to assess what we're being asked here. And you know, Trini was expressing sort of a desire to support this project overall, but not wanting, you know, to kill it. I don't. We're not here to. I don't think this would kill it honestly. Think they'd have to figure it out, but they've presented some pretty good connections here, and I think the pedestrian connect ability compared to what I saw 3 years ago is vastly improved. So I don't wanna have the perfect be the enemy of the really darn good Darcy, your hand is up. Yeah, I I agree with that. And I think the way that Bill characterized it, as you know. If you're a little, if you're a family that lives in here, and you have little kids, and they're on their bikes, and they're winding through, you know, that's that's great access. And then, if pedestrians can can walk through here. I mean, it's not. It's not gonna meet the need that Alexi was describing. You know where you know, bicyclists could, could confidently go through this, and it would serve as more of a multi-use path.

[7:06] but it would mirror a lot of other places in Boulder that have this style of pathway going through a neighborhood that's very comfortable for the neighbors and for visitors, and it doesn't attract a lot of, you know, so called outsiders, or just you know, it doesn't attract people who don't. I mean. it's accessible, and it's comfortable. And it's not something that is, you know, people are going to go out of their way to to access like. But it's just something that provides a key through this area, because of all of the access points that exist around it. Mike, what! What's your thoughts? Yeah, I agree, there needs to be amendments to ensure public access.

[8:01] I don't. I don't think we need to. I mean, if that can be satisfied quickly. Well, if we, if we don't amend anything, there will be public access. There will be a multi-use path that has to go through here. True. Huh? Yeah. Yeah, so. But that would have a bunch of standardized requirements. Right. And it doesn't seem like it would connect anywhere other than the middle of a block. Yeah. Well, but we have a history of building little paths to nowhere that ultimately connect. I I don't find terribly persuasive the argument that there's 3 turn lanes on Pearl right now that are preventing a good Milt East Path connection, because we we configure how streets work a lot. I I also have no idea what the timeframe would be for. You know, adding on to this multi-use path to through several parcels to the south.

[9:01] And this would be, you know, the the end of the multi-use path or the beginning. I mean, they all have to start somewhere. but I think it would be usable for sort of the lower confidence writers and slower speed writers. To get from pearl to spruce in a way that we were envisioning 3 years ago. So I am. I am attracted to the option of amending the requirement for a multi use path to be able to preserve public access through this otherwise private site. I think that's really the function that that multi-use path idea was supposed to preserve. And I think that that is a reasonable compromise. To quote from a couple of other things from that October 22,000 0, 21 meeting

[10:03] I had said. If we change the alignment of the 3 road, it'll still connect a point A and a point B, just different points to get through, and it preserves pedestrian permeability. Hutchins said. He doesn't want a walled fortress. So again I would discourage the fencing all around and then but it would he? But it would. He said. Residents would be able to walk in and out, but other people would be able to walk in and out, too. So our concern was predominantly about pedestrians. and I think that's appropriate. Given sort of the relative comfort level of 26th Street, the enhanced comfort level on Spruce Street with a a buffer bike lane. To say that bikes ought to be, you know, if you're gonna go fast you use these streets. If you're gonna go super slow and behave like a pedestrian, you can use this little cut through. So I am at the moment in favor of of Bill's proposal.

[11:04] Any other thoughts? Should we do another straw? Poll? Mike, you just unmuted. No, I have no thoughts. Okay. alright. So I I would entertain a motion to support an amendment to the Boulder Valley Regional Center Transportation Connections Plan related to site. Review LUR. 2024, dash 0 0 20 to remove the requirement for a multi-use path in exchange for a public access easement from Spruce Street through Pearl Street. I don't know how we describe the sighting, because I know these building like configurations and numbers, might change.

[12:03] but approximately through the center and diverting to the to slightly west of Center to access Pearl Street. And for a a sidewalk. Width. Public use, public access, easement. No, no less than 5 feet wide. I prefer to see 6 feet wide, but it looks like you've been doing a lot of math here we could make this one wider. I think that's a good idea, Tila. And the other one's narrower. Yeah? So. Just after that. To be wider. Because that would be. That would give a signal that this is the public. This is this is the main route. Yeah, exactly. That's what I'm picturing. Bill, what do you think about that. We'll make it as wide as we can. We're really, really pinched with the with the water quality ponds. I know we can do 5 feet. If we can do 6, we'll definitely do 6. Okay, no less than 5 feet.

[13:00] Gotcha. And I'm gonna I'm gonna trust you here. and I'm gonna get bitten for that. But okay, so. Yeah, we can sit in and we'll do it. Like, I just articulated emotion, does anyone want to second that one. I second that Taylor. Thank you, Darcy. Should we discuss this any further? I think. With the can you remind me the date? This is going to planning board. October first.st No, that's oh, planning board on October first.st That's right. Okay, excellent. I did write that down. I would like to make sure one of us. Is at planning board on October 1st to answer questions. I will reach out to Mark Mcintyre directly, and to kind of fill him in on the substance of our discussion.

[14:01] October 1st is a Tuesday. As the date gets closer I'll put in a reminder, and I'll see which of us is available. But I just I wanna make sure that we are all trust, but verify that we're all on the same page, because, some of those statements in the memo really concern me, and for you to say, Oh, we'll fix it. It's fine, and here's the sighting for the public access easement. So I'm we will be following up. We will be counting, you know. noses and if we smell a rat we're gonna call it out any discussion on the motion? Any questions? Are we all clear on the motion. I'm all clear. I have what I need. Thank you. Okay. Terrific. All in favor. Great. Thank you so much. It's unanimous.

[15:01] Chandler. If you need anything. In the meantime please reach out But Meredith Meredith has a. You're muted, Meredith. There goes. So sorry. Okay, so that was a motion to. And you moved. Yes. Is there a second. Darcy seconded. Thank you. I'm so sorry. Okay? No. Problem. Let let me just say thank you to all of you. That was actually a pretty good conversation, and always appreciate your expertise. And yes, when you verify it will be done. I appreciate that. No, but thanks. Thanks for a good conversation and a good discussion about the community needs appreciate it. Yeah, no. Appreciate you. Thanks. Thanks for your openness, Bill. Thanks. Everyone. Okay. Okay. Item, a number 8. Here we are. No. Item 7.

[16:02] That's why I didn't know I put my notes in the wrong spot request for tab feedback on proposed parking reduction, transportation connections and site circulation. So these are the 3 buildings in the South flattered port in the sort of flatirons office development. And this is not a public hearing. We're not making a firm recommendation. We're just giving them feedback. Hi, thanks for the introduction. My name is Alison Blaine. I'm a senior planner with the Planning and Development Services Group Case manager on this project. and I will try to keep it quick tonight. and I will be presenting the project on behalf of the applicants. However, they are on the call, and will be available to answer any questions that come up the project summary. This is in for Site Review. It's for 3 new life sciences, buildings totaling about 208 square feet.

[17:04] Parking will be located on the 1st floor of each of the buildings, with some parking on service level parking as well adjacent to the buildings and along the road surrounding the development. Vehicular access to the site will be taken from South Flat Iron Port. Access to the individual buildings will be taken from sort of a ring road that goes around all 3 of the buildings with bicycle access connecting from Either south, South Flat Iron Port, as well as the adjacent multi-use path. That was proposed to cross the northern boundaries shown here in Red connect to south the iron port, and also connect internally internal to the site is the vehicular drop off circulation area as sort of like a cul-de-sac roundabout, with interior pedestrian access and walkways, as well as pedestrian access immediately adjacent to all 3 buildings.

[18:04] This project was brought originally as concept plan in 2,023 it was referred to tab by City council, which is why we're here tonight. There are no proposed amendments to any of the area plans just here for feedback and recommendation. Looking for tab recommendation feedback specifically on the strength of the Tdm plan due to the project size and proposed parking, reduction. access, and connectivity to the existing multi-use path, and then alignment with site, review criteria related to site circulation. This will ultimately be a planning board decision in the project. Our key issue. One is, does the submitted Tdm plan support the proposed parking reduction? Given the scale of the development anticipated number of trips generated and potential impacts to traffic and transit in the area. They are requesting a 23% parking reduction which is under the 25% threshold. Therefore it will be a staff decision just for that parking reduction piece with 2,314 anticipated daily trips.

[19:08] Tdm, measures do include some of the following eco passes, dedicated car share bike parking, and then that access to the multi-use path key issue. 2 does have feedback on the amount of land dedicated to impervious services for site circulation, especially as it relates to meeting site review criteria which is quoted below that criteria states the design of regular circulation and parking areas make efficient use of the land and minimize the amount of pavement necessary to meet the circulation and parking needs of the project. And our final key issue is does to have a feedback on the proposed connection to the multi-use path as shown in the submitted plans and required by the connection shown in the East Boulder sub community plan. There's a this is a image from the actual sub community plan showing the proposed connection, and then the design that was submitted as part of the Site Review. Package at the top right?

[20:03] And that's all I have for my presentation. I can open it up if there are any clarifying questions, and, like I said, the applicant is here to answer questions on the proposal. Thank you. That was quick. Well done. Can you remind us what the Site Review criteria are for the circulation. Yes, I can go back up to. It's just for this one specific criteria that was sort of identified as part of the concept plan process by planning board and city council. So I'll just leave it here on the screen for your read. Okay. gotcha. Any other questions on Tab? Sorry I changed my view. And now I can't see you. Okay, Darcy, go ahead.

[21:02] Sorry unmute. So I I appreciate the inclusion of this Tdm plan, which is really comprehensive and fun for someone like me to read, because I'm a Tdm professional. So it's exciting and interesting. And also, you know, this is one of those places that is currently a bit of a transit desert. I do appreciate the request for reduced parking, and I think there are lots of great options for this site with access to multi-use paths and good bike infrastructure. And all the things. I think that we do have good information about the intention of the designer developer here to really create a lot of access. But this is one issue that I've been kind of working on in my work is access to this this office park, and it's it can be challenging. But I do appreciate that in the Tdm plan there's reference to carpooling and van pooling and other alternatives ways to kind of link up the current transit networks to the site, which I think will be really important. But yeah, right now. And of course, we have the Co. 7 project that is eventually will have bus Rabbit transit along Arapaho. And so there, there is good

[22:13] kind of future connectivity. I guess my my comment is just great Tdm plan. And I want to see this, you know, realized in terms of you know, really being able to exemplify what reduced parking can can lead to in terms of, you know, access for employees. So I don't think I have any questions. I just wanted to commend the Developer for doing this really comprehensive plan. Great any other comments. Mike, go ahead. Yep. Well, I would just say issue, one is easy, because I I don't think we should be mandating parking, so I'm glad they're asking for a parking reduction.

[23:05] And they know best what they need. and issue 3 is I. I think it's great to have a connection to the multi-use path. so I guess I just I'm not clear exactly what what we're being asked on issue. 2. Okay, so alignment with the site review, no access and connectivity to the existing multi-use path is issue 2. You mean alignment with the Site review, criteria. Issue 2 is the design. Do we have feedback on the amount of land dedicated to impervious surfaces versus. Thank you. Okay. I'm with you now. Yeah.

[24:01] I guess I mean, is this, this is about watershed issues. Yeah, how much concrete there is. yeah, I'd have to defer to experts on that issue. Has has there been feedback from city council, or something on this already? Yeah, this. This came up briefly during the concept plan phase, That. Yeah. Yeah, concerns just for the the amount of payment that was used that serves specifically vehicular circulation. and it did. It was sort of echoed when it was referred, by city council to tab. And so, yeah, that's just for your feedback and recommendation. I understand you don't review the site review criteria as often as I do. Right. Are there alternatives? Are there reasonable alternatives for reducing the amount of

[25:00] pavement in the design? I mean to accommodate the reduced parking that's being requested. and circulation through the property. I'm I'm not aware of that, but I don't know if the applicant has thoughts on. You know some of the design intent and approach for the site. I can speak to that and I'll also look to the rest of our team. Kevin and Perkinson will. My name is salen paupli. I'm with biomed realty. this is my 1st time participating in the the session here. Tab Review. So appreciate feedback. the the the organization of the site. as you can see, we've sort of concentrated all the quote unquote good stuff in the middle, the garden, the park, the landscaping, you know, engagement for folks to come through and occupy that in a meaningful way. The outside ring, you know. It's essentially a key piece of what supports our clients. Our customers

[26:11] most of them end up, you know, in in the research space, and it's set up for deliveries and trucks, and so on, sort of out of sight, out of mind. So we've separated. There's 2 systems operating here, one in the middle and then one on the outside. and we've tried to keep them separate, you know, deliberately and sort of hidden the back house, the service end of it, away from the wonderful garden that our design team at Parkinson world has created for us. Does that help? Thanks. Thanks for that. I do appreciate the kind of campus design, you know, with the interior of the project inviting active uses, and that, like you said a sort of garden style, where people will be comfortable, moving through their own foot, or on bikes or scooters, or whatever.

[27:01] So I mean to me. I mean, I'm not a designer, but it does seem to minimize the amount of pavement in the design. And, like you, said. restrict those delivery, and you know the necessary vehicular uses to the outside of the the property. If I could weigh in here on on that. In particular, it looks to me like it's designed in places to basically have a a roadway width adjacent to parking as opposed to, and so that if someone is is sort of coming out of a parking spot I'm looking at like the the sort of the roadway on the southern edge of the property. Here I could imagine a vehicle backing out and someone still being able to pass them. And that that indicates to me there's there is a little excessive sort of width there, and it might lend itself to sort of higher speed driving that we don't want to see. It's I. I think it seems possible to sort of spread the buildings out slightly more and expand the campus space in the middle.

[28:10] By restricting sort of the thoroughfare nature of of the road around the outside. Now, that being said, I don't know what size of trucks you're talking about, and maybe this this amount of clearances is necessary for for larger vehicles. But it seems to me like you. You're the the current design looks like it's it's a little excessively wide on the exterior. I do really appreciate putting most of the parking and vehicular access around the perimeter. I think you know smart cities are built that way. Smart campuses are built that way. I think that's terrific. But I it does look to me like there's room to maybe narrow. That that exterior thoroughfare a bit in places so that there might be occasional conflicts with someone pulling out of a parking space, or, you know, pulling in, and the person behind them has to wait a bit, and I think that's actually good.

[29:06] We am I allowed to respond. Please, do. The yeah, I think we've tried to strike a balance between competing objectives, but we're happy to look at it again. I know we have Jba Sharon, our civil engineering. So we'll definitely take a look at that. The competing. Yeah, go ahead. The the competing objectives. You know, there's also, like life, safety, fire, truck, access. For these buildings. That was one. And then, you know one key kind of circulation path we look for in our business and our customers. Business is like nitrogen tanks for delivery of nitrogen for research. That's got a specific turning radius as an example. So that's often the criteria. But the one thing you mentioned you know about speed, you know there's other ways to solve it, I understand, you know, is to like calm things down, so folks aren't zipping trucks don't need to drive that fast, but cars might given the width. And so I'm guessing there's design solutions that we can incorporate to address that piece of it.

[30:07] Yeah. And again, I'm I'm looking at at that southern section. That's just a straight away. And that's exactly where you know where vehicles tend to speed up when they think they can see everything. And they're they're not expecting anything to come up from the south. So yeah, just having something that interrupts that sight line makes them go around makes them go over. I don't know but I I would think that that would be a concern just for humans on the property as well. And so I would encourage you to to look at that. And and and then yeah, Sharon, if you've got comments to fill in the details, and then I I don't want one additional like 10 seconds to close on one comment. No worries. I. I think these are good feedback, and that's why we're here. Cause. I think we have been kind of wiggling these routes as we've moved the buildings as we've moved. Parking and access code requires 24 feet of backing distance for all parking stalls. So we do have to fit to the boulder. Dcs requirement.

[31:05] We did look at at 1 point at one way, routing with fire and safety. That was a concern. So we did end up, reverting back to backing distance. Only. If there's things that we can do, though, to provide that visual cue, we can look at the shape and orientation. I will point out on the South there is a wetland and drainage easement, so we don't want to infringe on that by creating too much movement or variability that encroaches. But I think to your point, it is a straight away. So that's something we can study. Great. My closing remark just to. Wait! Wait! I'm not done. I'm not done. And, Mike, you're unmuted. You have something here. Oh, well, I I had on issue 3. And but if we can talk, continue on issue 2. If if we're not done with that. Whatever you like. Oh, I was just noticing this multi-use path. You see here that if I'm a cyclist or a pedestrian?

[32:07] yeah, actually, let's look at the the other one issue 2 slide, because it shows the whole site. and I was thinking, what if I want to get to one of these southern buildings, and and I'm walking or cycling. Why do I have to go all the way around the parking lot? But then I was thinking, maybe your idea is to take that that cyclists would take these paths through the center rather than negotiating the cars in the parking lot is that is, that the thought there. Yeah. The the intention is that that's that's a good map to pull up. And also you've sited the all the bike parking sort of toward the entrances of the building that are facing onto this campus. Okay. Right. We are very constrained because that Maltese path is on a levee. Only have certain areas. We can get down safely and meet Ada.

[33:03] Is that? Why, it's curved instead of a longer, just straight ramp. Exactly. Okay. Mike. Sorry. One thing to Mike's point with the we wanted to minimize the amount of crossing between bikes and pedestrians versus cars. and so the Maltese path comes all the way to the Flat Iron Court. But it just crosses once. From the multi-use path kind of into the center of our site. Okay. Thank you. It looks like, and I read in the memo that the bike parking is either covered or indoors. Is that correct? All the interior bike parking is covered. We do have exterior. Oh, you do. Okay. Yeah. I saw like a couple of temporary spots. I guess I see them now here on the courtyard. It's kind of hard to see, but it says short term and long term. On them. Yeah. So the short terms are outside.

[34:01] Right. Okay. that's terrific. I noticed that there was sort of preferentially located parking for Evs. With. you know, opportunity to expand so ev ready spaces, but I didn't notice, and it was kind of hard in the memo to like Zoom in on some of the the text. I didn't notice preferential parking for things like car share or van share, or, you know, just shared vehicles. Carpooling kind of stuff is that on the menu. Per the Tdm report. We do have 3 car shares. So one per building. And it doesn't show the internal building parking here. That's on our level. One floor plan. Yep. Here we go! So car share, though, is like, you know, ego car share where or now it's Colorado Carshare, where I'm just a single. I'm still a single occupancy vehicle I'm talking about like ride share kind of stuff where people are carpooling.

[35:01] Or like Uber, or. No. Oh! Like. Yeah. Or something. Yeah. Carpool vampool. Yeah. The more like signage that we would put on the exterior to set aside some spaces additionally to Ev. For for those kinds of special uses. Okay. Our share can be used for that purpose as well. I mean that. I was. Gonna say, some car shares are Evs. But I think that's maybe as something we could talk to our traffic engineer about the best place for those. Okay. My only other comment is back on the multiuse path connection. Because it's on the northern edge of the site. In the winter there are sort of shadow considerations. And so I would recommend just deciduous tree plantings on that section, so that there's not evergreen

[36:00] complications that that, you know, impede snow and ice melt. I don't know how persuasive that is purely advisory here, but deciduous trees are the way to go in that kind of a location. I think those are all all the comments that I have. Jen, I see your hand up. This is when you do back your comment about shades in the snow. Because if we're a wheelchair user. no, he's not your French. So I know most walkers would say the same. So you know, make that something you think about when you do that to die. Thanks, Jen.

[37:01] so do you need any more specific feedback than what we've given you at the moment? It looks like that's all of our comments. Okay, I think that's all we have. So we have a 1010 second closing. Now. I won't time you. Oh, no, I just meant I just wanted to finish my thought to. Yes, of course. Question, you know, which wasn't the grand closing. I didn't mean to preempt the end of this at all, you know I just because we don't, you know, we haven't presented to you before, you know, I just want to take a minute to, you know. Thank you for the feedback but also remind, you know ourselves of very on fundamental like underlying theme that's animating our business, you know. Couple of years ago we thought we knew how to do this, which is research, life, science, real estate campuses. But post covid. We had to go way back to the drawing board and like figure it out from scratch, because even in research, never mind office, even in research, you know, it was

[38:08] so interesting to see how work from home was picking up. And so we committed double down on creating places right? Like really special, like real estate placemaking. So that's been a central animating theme for our work across the portfolio, like everywhere. You know that we do this. And so my comment around that, creating that special thing in the middle and separating out, you know the service end of it. That special thing in the middle, you know, is going to drive success for our customers because they need their employees back to work, and we want to help them do it. And so in that sense, that's my long way of saying, I think our incentives very aligned. You know we want to make this a special place. We want people to move through here. We want people to like occupy it. And you know, in in a very good like productive. 3rd place, way, you know, between home all those things we're trying to do, all the things that I think are the right things, you know. So at a very fundamental level, I think we're aligned.

[39:00] So that was it. Yeah. 10 seconds. Great. Thank you. Best of luck. Thank you. Alright! We'll move on now. Now we get to matters matters from staff. Oh, I. Okay. Our 1st matters from staff is an update from Garrett on the downtown boulder station construction. Take it away, Garrett. And I am getting my slide ready to share here. There we are. Okay. So we just wanted to provide a brief update on the status of the downtown Boulder station. We're not seeing any slides. Oh, you're not seeing it. Okay, let me try one more time.

[40:00] There we go! Okay? So this is a the the plan view concept that was shared during the the seat, the community environmental assessment process that went before Tab and City Council. We have been working over the last year and a half to work with the adjacent property owners, as well as some utility coordination to get the project ready for construction, and it will be advertised for construction here in the next week or so, with construction scheduled for this fall, so you can expect over the next few months to see construction activity occurring here on 14th Street, so that we can implicate implement these additional 5 gates to serve the downtown boulder station. So that's the the brief update, and happy to answer any questions you might have about timing and schedule. New speed record by Garrett Slater.

[41:02] Any questions. Tab. Can you describe the timing on this Garrett. Yes, so we're looking to advertise the project for construction here in the next week or so, and have a contractor on board, and about 4 to 6 weeks, and so that would put us into a construction timeframe in October and November, and we expect probably about 2 months maybe 3 of construction for these gates to to be built. Thank you. That's yeah. Yeah. And and then we would expect that Rtd would do start working on their service planning as schedule changes roll out in spring timeframe that they would start incorporating these gates into that service, planning. Okay. I use the bus service not terribly, frequently, and just for a couple of routes. And so I know where they go. And then, when there's a new one, when I'm trying to do something new, I'm like, where the heck am. I am I supposed to go, and some of them are around the corner on 13th Street. And so what kind of like wayfinding or or passenger direction are we envisioning at the main station

[42:20] to tell people who are maybe not everyday, regular commuters about where to catch their various buses, because this is going to be even more spread out than it is now. Yes. so we don't yet know which routes are going to be on the other side of Canyon so until Rtd. Lets us know where that will be. We can't obviously communicate or put that in our project documents. But what we have agreed to with Rtb, is that once these come online that will have both a bunch of temporary as well as permanent signage and wayfinding that is placed both north and south of Canyon to help get folks to to the correct gate.

[43:03] It's it's certainly going to be a big change for a lot of frequent transit users, and it's not an intuitive thing to cross a 4 Lane Street to get. Right. That's. Right. So we all understand that in order to effectively communicate that to the to the users of the system that they'll want to. Well that we'll need to make sure that we're super proactive in the communication. Thank you. Questions or feedback from anyone else. Looks like. No, thanks, Garrett. Thank you. Thanks. Garrett and Jean is here to present on the regional transportation update. Next. thanks. Alright. So that's a really tough act to follow Garrett. You had one slide and about a 1 min presentation. I am here this evening to share an update on some of our regional transportation projects. And if you give me just a minute, and this is Jean Samson, I'm a principal transportation planner with the department. If you give me just a second I will pull up my slides

[44:30] alright. Are you seeing a title slide? Yeah, okay, wonderful great so, as I mentioned, I'm Jean Santan, and I wanted to come to Tab this evening to provide you some background and context as to how and why we, as the city of boulder work, with our neighboring jurisdictions as well as our regional and our state partners, to advance both our local and our regional mobility goals. So think of all projects and programs that transcend the city of boulder boundaries. And that's what I'm going to be covering this evening, and then I want to share progress on just a handful of the important projects listed here that are helping us to provide these safe, affordable, and reliable regional travel options.

[45:17] So why do we even care about regional transportation? Well, it's pretty important, right? Because we know that since we've been collecting data for over 30 years now that non resident employees continue to be a demographic that uses single occupant vehicles when traveling to work in boulder from surrounding communities so essentially you know, over the last 30 years, these numbers haven't budged with about 80% of people coming in in Sovs and the average commute distance is also increasing for non resident employees over time. Now it's about 18 miles in each direction, and this part is in part and parcel due to the lack of affordable housing in and around boulder and other factors, and we also know from our most recent greenhouse gas inventory that transportation emissions show the biggest increase

[46:11] across all categories. So for these reasons, our focus on regional transportation, particularly providing high frequency, fast reliable, affordable regional transit is so critically important. So how do we respond to these trends that aren't headed in the right direction, or when we're looking at regional travel? Well, here's a little bit of context and history for you all, and I know that this this map is familiar to many of you or to several of you, but may not be to all tab members. So this map that we're looking at right here is called the Northwest Area Mobility Study. And this is really our long term vision for improving regional mobility throughout our Northwest area network with a number of bus rapid transit corridors with, like, I said, high frequency, fast reliable transit that connects communities throughout the northwest area.

[47:06] And how did this come about? Well, 10 years ago, about well, just over 10 years ago, recognizing the significant cost increases and delays associated with delivering the Northwest Rail Project from Longmont to Denver, Rtd. And local governments convened to map out this network of priority quarters that you see here and this Northwest area mobility study or nams, as we call it, locally, became a consensus agreement between elected officials. Rtd cdot 13 area jurisdictions, Cu and Cu on transit priorities for the region. So much of the work that we've done in the convening years to collaboratively plan design and implement improvements on these corridors model the success of the Us. 36 improvements that we completed in 2,016, so like dedicating roadway space for the flatland fires to ensure that that service is fast and reliable. Building separated commuter bikeways which are becoming even more popular as commuters are traveling longer distances on e-bikes, and, what's becoming more and more a foundation for each of these projects

[48:15] is a focus on holistic safety improvements to ensure safe and comfortable access and mobility for all travelers. Now, much of the work that we do to build our regional transportation network depends on the strong relationships with our state and regional partners. So as an example. The city of Boulder works closely with the Colorado Department of Transportation or Cdot to ensure that our priority projects are in a pipeline of statewide transportation plan projects to ensure that dollars continue to flow to our area. Also, important to note is that most of the regional corridors coming into and out of boulder are cdot facilities, meaning that any infrastructure enhancements we want to make to a roadway like 28th Street or Broadway. As Garrett mentioned earlier this evening must be closely coordinated with cdot.

[49:06] Rtd is another key partner providing the majority of Boulder's bus service, and, as I think you're all aware, drastically reduced bus service during the pandemic and with its system optimization plan is expected to restore service over the next few years at about approximately 85% of pre pandemic levels for route serving boulder. So not great news, but better than where we have been, and we continue to advocate we, the city for Rtd. To return our priority routes, such as the Flat Iron Flyers, Additional Airport Service, and the reopening of Boulder Junction Station. and then finally, a very important piece of the Regional transportation partnership is the Denver Regional Council of Governments, or Dr. Cog. I think you heard a lot of from Garrett related to that tip program, and how successful we have been in leveraging limited local dollars with State and Federal money to advance many of our prior priorities.

[50:02] So as a regional Government entity. Dr. Cogg does many things. It establishes guidelines. It sets policy and allocates transportation funding, which we've discussed. And is quite frankly a large source of where many of our infrastructure dollars come from. And I would just want to share, because I think she's in this meeting. That mayor pro Tem. Nicole spear is our representative on the Dr. Cog board. So, thanks to her for that. okay, so while we work closely with our state and regional partners. We have also formed coalitions with our neighboring jurisdictions to advocate for regional projects. So specifically, the Northwest Mayors and Commissioners. Coalition, or the Mcc. Is a group that was founded over 25 years ago as a coalition of local governments in Colorado's Northwest Metro region, and the mission of this call of this coalition is to speak with one voice regarding regional transportation investment priorities.

[51:03] And at the core of these investment priorities is the build out of the regional nams transit network that I showed earlier. So the coalition retains State lobbyists and they help to guide positions on State legislation, much of which we've covered earlier this year, as well as Federal lobbyists who've been instrumental in helping to secure Federal dollars for several of our nams projects. and Mayor Brockett is a city of boulders representative on the Mcc. And travels to Washington, DC. Annually to meet with Federal delegates and agencies, to advocate for transit transportation investments in the region. So really the success of this coalition in advocating for Federal funds to our area, will be evident in the next several slides as we look at progress being made on Co. 1, 19, or the Diagonal Highway Co. 7, the Arapaho Corridor, both of which are being made possible by significant Federal grants. So so that 1st part of the presentation sort of covered the why and the how. And now I'm going to share a primer on where we are status updates, if you will, on some of these larger regional corridor projects. So let's start with the Co. 119 or the diagonal highway safety and mobility project. So, as I mentioned earlier, with nams as our guide, much of our focus over the last 10 years has been on transforming this corridor

[52:24] through this collaborative partnership with, as I mentioned, Cdot and Rtd. But also Boulder County and the city of Long a little bit of perspective. So the diagonal highway is our second largest in commuting corridor into boulder, but, as I think many of you know, it faces challenges. It's a high crash. Corridor bus service can be slow, it can be unreliable, and the corridor lacks safe and direct by connection between Longmont and Boulder, which was made even more evident by the tragic loss of Magnus and the ensuing that's being done to raise awareness and advocacy and dollars to ensure that safe bicycle infrastructure is a component of this project. So by 2,040, getting back to sort of that larger scale of how people are moving through the corridor, we're expected to see a 25% increase in traffic

[53:16] resulting in more congestion delays, crashes, and tailpipe emissions. So to respond to these challenges. This project is anticipated to reduce severe crashes by mitigating the most common crash patterns and improve equitable affordable mobility. Options for all travelers. So key elements of the projects, as you, as you see here include intersection, safety improvements, both at the major intersections shown here that are identified with the with the little symbols, J. Lookout, mineral, etc, as well as the unsignalized intersections where access will be changing onto and off the corridor to ensure that we're mitigating some of the crash patterns that we see onto and off of the highway.

[54:04] We're also looking to implement high frequency bus rapid transit to connect Boulder and Longmont, as shown in the orange and the blue lines, and construct a regional bike way, as shown in the green line that provides not just end to end. Travel between Boulder and Longmont, but direct connections for people riding bicycle bicycles to the Brt system. I just wanted to take a minute to share an illustration of a typical Brt station along the diagonal with a park and ride bus, rapid transit platforms and a commuter bikeway overpass located in the meeting in the highway. This particular location at 63rd Street will be the only overpass of the bike way. The other major intersections will be underpasses, but because of some utility conflicts in this area. The project is designing this particular crossing as an overpass, and I'm going to share a bit more in a minute on that. But you know unique features of this project are when we're talking about transit queue bypass lanes which are essentially dedicated bus only lanes through the intersection. So when a bus approaches one of these intersections, it pulls into a dedicated bus only Lane

[55:14] bypassing traffic, waiting at the signal, and then special traffic signal allows the bus to proceed across the intersection while the general traffic is still stopped at the red light. So with the bus only traffic signal buses get a head start, they jump ahead of the traffic and then merge back into the general traffic lanes, and so they help buses, avoid delays and congestion at intersections which really expedites travel for transit passengers. And again, to ensure that travelers can safely and comfortably access the stations. The city is working with cdot to ensure that 1st and final mile pedestrian and bike connections to and from the bikeway and the Brt. Stations are in place before the project is completed. And I. The Safety Mobility project, as I mentioned, has been years in the making full construction will begin this fall, in fact, next month, with completion in 2026 and Brt. Operations. Starting in 2,027.

[56:12] I would encourage you all to participate in the upcoming public meeting later this week, and hope that you might spread the word among your friends. colleagues, and neighbors. This will be an opportunity to share a project update. Let folks know what they can expect in terms of traffic or traffic lane closures and changes that they can expect over the next couple of years and also provide feedback on that that bike way overpass. That I showed you at 63rd Street since that's a newer element of the project. So that is all things. Co. One Co. 1, 19 or diagonal. Now, I'm going to switch gears to an East West Corridor. What we're looking at here is Co. 7 State Highway, 7 or East Arapaho, within the city of Boulder along with the Us. 36 project and the diagonal highway. It's 1 of our most heavily traveled commuter corridors that we're looking to make improvements on the map. You see, here is Co. 7, between Boulder i. 25,

[57:14] in Brighton, spanning more than 30 miles, and incorporating 8 jurisdictions. So like, I said, like our other nams corridors, the approach that we take in designing and implementing improvements is a coordinated and collaborative one. We are a member of what's called the Co 7 Coalition, and we're pleased that former Tab member. Now, Council Member Shu Hart is our representative to this group the coalition is made up of Cdot Rtd. Elected officials and other member organizations, such as Cu and provides a forum to coordinate and advocate for the planning and implementation of safety and multimodal improvements to the quarter. And so what we're looking at on this map is a program of projects that are part of what's called the Corridor Co. 7 Quarter Development Plan, which is essentially a guidebook to how to move from design to implementation. And you can see these projects that are the projects that are either in design, construction, or soon to be in construction along Co. 7. So a lot happening along this long corridor.

[58:16] When we zoom into the western end of the quarter within the city of Boulder, or what we refer to as East Arapaho, you'll see that we have a number of projects underway. with the East Arapaho transportation plan as our policy guide. We've been working closely with Cdot and Rtd to design and construct improvements. So, for example, we expect to begin construction between 38th and Marine Street and Cherryvale Road later this year, to fill in missing links in the multi-use path system and enhance several bus stops. We've also just completed preliminary design for the East Arapaho corridor, which Garrett mentioned, and will now move into final design for the Western Segment from 28th Street to Foothills Parkway in the coming year, and through the safe streets and roads for all Federal funding. We've now secured about 10 million dollars for safety improvements along Arapaho, including bike and pet improvements along Arapaho between 28th and 33rd Street.

[59:14] which will include a protected intersection at Arapaho and 30th Street. And then, last, but not least, like, I said, there's a lot happening on this corridor. Cdot is going to be resurfacing Arapaho next year a project that's sorely needed. If you've been out there recently and will stripe and sign the outermost lanes for bus only lanes, bus and right turn right training vehicle lanes in conjunction with the resurfacing project. So this is going to expedite transit travel for those using the jump today, and travelers who will use the high frequency bus service between Boulder and Brighton that will begin operating in 2,026 I'd just like to quickly share a couple of renderings from the preliminary engineering project we just completed as inspiration for us all. I think these renderings illustrate how the street will be reconfigured over time to provide safe travel for our community's most vulnerable members, for the high volumes of people traveling in vehicles, and for the transit transit passengers who will be better be able to, who will be better able to move safely and comfortably across

[60:23] the high frequency and high volume road. So while this is a prototypical rendering of an intersection along Arapaho, it illustrates the separation of space for all users to safely and comfortably travel along and across Arapaho. And here's just one more rendering. I especially appreciate this graphic, because it illustrates the much needed and long overdue improvements to our transit stops. some of which, as Jen has rightly pointed out in regard to the bus, stop at Arapaho and 30th Street, are almost inaccessible, for people with limited mobility or in wheelchairs. So in this case we could be looking at the future eastbound stop at 30th and Arapaho, that with our safe streets and roads for all Grant dollars will be reconstructed within the next 2 to 3 years.

[61:12] Now I'm going to jump to another East West Corridor, and that is the South Boulder Road corridor. So this is a project that's looking at a 9 mile corridor that connects Boulder Lewisville and Lafayette. The Denver Regional Council of Governments, which I mentioned earlier as part of its corridor planning program, is leading this study in partnership with Boulder County and the cities of Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville, and Rtd. Key outcomes that they're looking for is to identify mobility and safety issues, establish a shared vision and prioritize recommendations to advance along the corridor to meet that vision, and I'd like to extend a special thanks to Trini for being our tab representative on the steering committee for this study, as well as Darcy for representing the Boulder Chamber Transportation connections on this committee as well.

[62:05] So I won't read this vision to you as it's shown up here on the slide. But I just want to point out that it hits on common themes. We prioritize for all of our regional corridors right? So, starting with safety for all users, and including an emphasis on connectivity for pedestrians, for bicyclists and enhancing bus service and transit passenger comfort with an eye toward the future implementation of Bus Rapid transit on the South Boulder Road corridor. So you know, table mesa would be table mesa to Broadway would be the western extent of this corridor study. And while Table mesa is not on the city's can network, it's important that we continue to make limited improvements across our entire transportation network. And this quarter study has honestly provided a great opportunity for us to both. Think about how we document longer range transportation master plan improvements such as planned underpasses shown here in the green circles with a youth

[63:05] as well as respond to community input with smaller scale improvements that can be done faster, such as installing automated speed enforcement on table mesa, or even evaluating left. Turn operations to reduce conflicts at specific intersections like the Icon, you see, pointing to turning movements at Tantra Drive. So the final corridor study is expected to be released publicly in the coming weeks, and we'll be working with Boulder County to scope the next phase of study for this regional corridor with an emphasis on identifying safety projects and transit speed and reliability projects that could be packaged for upcoming regional grant opportunities. And then I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that related to the study is the transit priority intersection improvements currently being designed for the southbound buses. Turning from Broadway onto table mesa, which Garrett also referred to in his cip presentation.

[64:04] And we're pretty excited about. Okay. So now, I'm going to move from roadway based corridors to our rail corridor and this project. The next and final regional project. I'd like to provide. Just a brief update on is the Northwest Rail Peak Service study. So this is an Rtd Led study that's identifying what's needed to upgrade existing railroad tracks. develop rail stations and extend the B rail line from where it currently ends at 70 70 Second Avenue in Westminster to downtown Westminster Broomfield, Louisville boulder, which is the concept plan that you see here on this slide at Boulder Junction and on up to Longmont. The Peak service would operate 3 trains into Denver in the morning, and 3 trains out of Denver. In the evening they would share tracks with the Burlington northern Santa Fe, who owns these railroad tracks. With freight trains essentially pulling over and parking while commuter rail passenger trains are operating

[65:08] while the study advances and will is expected to conclude this fall. It's becoming more and more clear that there are exciting opportunities to make Northwest Rail a reality by partnering with agencies like the Front Range Passenger rail district, seeking to build and operate passenger rail between Pueblo and Fort Collins. Earlier this frontier range passenger rail district learned that they'd be they'd been accepted into a Federal program which essentially develops a pipeline of commuter rail projects. And one leg of this project would be Northwest Rail, between Denver Boulder and Longmont. They are in the initial stages of service planning which they expect to complete later this year, and as of now, Governor Polis is keen to go to the ballot in the coming years. We expect 2026, perhaps, to be that magic year to ask voters for additional funding for this project. In addition to funding that has

[66:03] from the State via legislation that was passed earlier this year. So with this opportunity on the horizon, we are working closely with Rtd. And the Front Range Passenger Rail district to ensure the design of the Boulder Junction and Depot Square Station, could accommodate the Front Range passenger rail but we operate on parallel tracks if you will, right. So we're also very much advocating to Rtd that they reopen Boulder Junction bus Station as soon as possible. so with that I am going to stop talking. Thank you and open it up to any questions. Thank you, Jean. any questions you were so thorough. We have no questions.

[67:01] I just asked if you could send us a copy of your presentation. Yeah, absolutely. I'm going to be sending that to Meredith who will send it on to you. Yeah, thanks. Great. Thank you, Jen. I see your hand up. Yeah, sorry I was slow, Jean. Thank you. And Jasmine would like to help open them to Baldo Junction Station. So if there's anything we can do. Let me know. Dan, I really appreciate that. In fact, we and I, if Council Member Spears, is still in the meeting, you know we've had converse very recent conversations with Councilmember, Spear, and Mayor Brockett about how to to elevate the the request to reopen the station sooner rather than later, and I will, we will certainly take you up on that offer to assist in that request.

[68:00] It is. I am a resident at Dirty Pearl, and I know lots of people who are upset by it, so I'm sure we could do a petitioner whether we need it. Yeah, I think it would be a very effective voice for that. Jen, yeah. I. Yeah, I agree. In fact, Jen, your name even came up in a meeting last week on this topic, because, quite frankly, you know, since the station has been closed. I mean, there's just been a tremendous amount of new development that's either in construction or has opened, and residents and residents like yourselves, and they need to hear your voices. So I look forward to strategizing on that with you. Yeah, just 1 point is they develop it so much that Rtd needs to resume services cause we are gonna have more and more people moving here because of the station, so we needed to open that up.

[69:04] Absolutely thank you for that. So, Jane, I know we've we talked last month or the month before about new legislation, reducing parking minimums and near transit rich neighborhoods and transit oriented development stuff. What do we know and and what are we gathering? And how can I find out more about the demographics of people who live in these sort of transit, rich neighborhoods of transit, oriented developments. Yeah, that's a great question. Are you speaking specific to city of Boulder. City and county. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, you know, we can help pull that information. We we have a wealth of data available to us on by certain, you know certain softwares like Remix and such. And so I guess I would ask. You know, what types of demographic information would you be interested.

[70:03] I'm quite curious about sort of. I mean, these are new developments. And so aging in place isn't so relevant. But I'm quite curious about how many people are moving out of sort of single family homes into apartments, because there's no, you know, landscaping needs. And there's elevators and services. And so I'm really quite curious if we see a concentration of people with mobility issues because of age or physical disability, or, you know, whatever it is. because I think that would help strengthen a case to to reignite service when you say this is not actually your standard, brighter population. That's. Excluded. But you're actually disproportionately disadvantaging people who rely on public service. Yeah, yeah, for sure. I'll have to give that some thought. Because, you know, data that we have on things like, you know, 0 car households and such is fairly limited to census. But let me let me circle back with you and talk with our team about what data might be available to start, you know.

[71:14] thinking through how to make that case. Yeah. We know it's true, right? Right. Yeah, right? It's being able to back that up with, you know, quantitative data and pure. Yeah, yeah. Let's work on that. Okay. Terrific. Thank you. Any other comments. Tab, Mike, go ahead! Following up on your question, Tila My understanding is that with the new State laws nearly all of the city of Boulder would be required to repeal or or not enforced parking minimums. Is that correct things. I? I can answer that. Yeah.

[72:01] Thanks. Chris, yeah. Yeah, sure thing. Chris Hagelin, principal planner. So we've done some initial estimates based on the House Bill. And you know, the official maps will come out later, but we estimate about 81% of the city parcels would fall within the transit service area, and therefore, we would not be able to have the any parking minimum standards for those parcels. I hope I hope the city repeals all parking minimums. Well as I understand it, Chris, the statistic, came up on the August 8.th amps update to council. Yes. And in fact, a proposal underway is to just go ahead and eliminate them citywide, because might be more effort than it's worth to parcel out that 19% that doesn't need it. Yeah, that is the that's where Staff is leaning right now, for sure.

[73:01] Yeah. It's. I hear. Here's what I'm here. Across the whole city. Yeah. So here's my question. Why? Why, Why was that update not sent through tab first, st or scheduled to come through tab. I can skip, or I can speak to this. You knew I was gonna do this. So the the intention of that conversation with Council was really to just have like a scoping conversation. We weren't. We weren't sharing so much like where Staff has arrived on things. The information that we shared it was really about like just initial kind of data and research, and how that's going to shape the scope of work. But as we get further along in the process, we will certainly, you know, come to town before the Council with any recommendations around the the 3 focus areas of the work.

[74:01] Okay? Well, you know, I love you. But those 3 focus areas have been the subject of multiple tab letters to council. As you know, priority setting areas. In advance of of council. board retreats. Yeah. And so it's not like we haven't thought about it and don't have ideas about it, and so I was kind of surprised to hear from city Council members that this had come to them, and and none of us had had a whiff of that and that there was some evidently very new thinking about where Staff direction might be, and it seemed an opportunity ripe for tab. Input that does not seem to have happened, and I will leave it there. Okay? Well, yeah. And I also think you know. you all can certainly talk about that under management board. And if there's

[75:01] information for us to take back, then we can certainly. Yeah. we have, we have thoughts. So maybe, are we done on regional transportation? I will quickly go over streetlights, and then we'll get over to that. I think so. Anyone else have anything else for for Jean. Okay, great. Alright! Thanks everyone. Thanks, Steve. Thanks, Jane. so I'm going to. We are way way. So I'm going to attempts to not spend a whole bunch of time on this. just give me a moment to get my screen share.

[76:04] Okay? Or what can you see? Can you see the presentation. We see the presentation. But there's other stuff, too. I don't know how to describe this view. Hmm. okay. I'm gonna. Natalie, would you like for me to share slides. Yeah, that would be awesome. Thank you. No worries, one second. There we go. Thank you. Thank you. And you can skip ahead to the next slide. So I'm just gonna provide a quick update on the street lay acquisition project. You certainly saw it as a line item in the Cip and we have provided updates in the past or the last couple of years around this project. We are finally coming to kind of the culmination of the

[77:20] kind of legal acquisition from excel. So it's just an exciting milestone. And it seemed like a good time to to share an update. just for kind of a refresher. You all remember where you were acquiring about 5,000 street lights from Excel. And you go ahead to the next slide. Valerie. We. This was really driven by a kind of a climate initiatives project from the beginning. But also there were a lot of other benefits from a customer experience and reliability of the system.

[78:05] obviously, the environmental side of things. And then also, there was a big economic benefit for transportation and taking over the system from excel. So there were a lot of good reasons to do this, and ultimately it was a community culture resilience and safety fund project. And that's how the acquisition is being paid for. Go ahead and go to the next slide. The last time we actually probably spoke about this with Tab was around the community engagement. as we were kind of queuing up for community engagement and thinking through how we were going to get community input on the color temperature of the lights. so we completed community engagement in 2023 and and it just helped, but helped us kind of determine

[79:02] what the what the color, temp and temperature would be of the lights, and people overwhelmingly just preferred warmer lights for both the residential streets and major roadways, and that was where we landed. next slide. And now this is just a summary of kind of where we've been and where we're going. We are at the official acquisition approval. We went through the Poc. And was approved at the PC. On July 31.st So we are just finalizing paperwork and the purchase and then we'll officially kind of own, and operate the system going forward, and the 1st step is really to separate the lights from Excel's infrastructure, so that work will begin in October, as we get contractors underway to to separate the system, and then we'll be able to convert the lights to Leds, and then start operating and maintaining them as we do. A subset of street lights in the system already today. So

[80:11] it's very exciting, and I can. Oh, there's 1 more slide. Sorry I was gonna wrap it up. But this is a great blog where? The Business Services Division has been the asset management kind of planning for and program for the streetlight acquisition. And we're really just taking the opportunity to kind of do it right from the beginning, and really have all of the assets in the system, and then come up with a really, you know, thought through thoughtful kind of planning around how we're going to take care of the system more proactively than excel is doing. So. yeah, that's I think that's it that covers it. Thank you. Any questions. Thanks, Natalie.

[81:01] But. So this was described by Garrett earlier in the cip discussion. As you know, it's gonna be a net savings for us instead of writing a big fat check. What? What's the like ballpark of that big fat check that's been going on. Well, so the total cost of the acquisition and conversion, I think, is 7 million, and Mary Martin's here so she can correct me, cause. Oh, he was just saying, like the annual check to. Yeah. So the annual cost to take care of the system today when Excel owned it, or yesterday when Excel owned it, was about a million dollars a year, and so there will be a significant savings. And the cip line item is what we expect will be to maintain the system ongoing. And that's what's being built into that line. Item, so the difference is really that savings that, you know. I say that with a bit of a caveat, because we also needed to hire an asset manager to, you know, help with the, you know, care of the system and there are other costs associated with it, but we certainly are still coming up. In the positive.

[82:15] You're okay. And then the one of your slides was like community engagement on the color temperature. And you describe that what level of community engagement. Was this project. That's a great question. I think we were probably in the consult area of the project or of the spectrum. But Mary Martin feel free to jump in here. If you want to clarify my estimation. Yeah, not a super well versed on the exact terminology there, but it was inform and and consult.

[83:02] Yeah, it felt it felt like a combo of inform and consult. And again, I'm just stymied by this concept because it doesn't seem like, we have a clear methodology for determining what projects go into, consult, which ones go into inform which ones go into involve, etc. So just lodging my continuing complaint on that. Thank you. Any other questions for Natalie on this. That might be the last time you hear from her. Does anyone want to say anything to Natalie? To do that. Bye. Now. Natalie, we love you. We're gonna miss you very much, and I don't know if you can see me because my computer died and I, and I can't find my charger. So I'm on my phone. Oh, you're on your phone. Okay? So. But yeah, but it's been amazing. We're gonna miss you very, very much. And we wish you the best.

[84:05] Thank you, too. No. Yeah. You're oh, sorry, Mike, go ahead. I would just say, not only it's been wonderful to work with you and know you, but recognize how much you've achieved with our tall curbs on baseline and our protected intersection, and our massive vision, 0 Grant. So thank you for all your work. Team, effort, first.st I knew you would say that. Darcy. And just thank you for your leadership. I'm hoping that you'll still live in boulder with your new role, or are you moving. She's in 9 months, anyway. Yeah. That's okay, or just, you know, yeah, nearby. But yeah, thank you for your for your leadership and

[85:02] we've enjoyed working with you. I've enjoyed working with you in both of my roles. Thanks, thanks. Hmm. yeah, I'm losing a friend, but I'm not losing a friend, but I'm losing a friend. Yeah. You know. and I and I've told you this privately as well. I think what sets you apart from your predecessors is both like the confidence that staff has in you, and the trust that they have in you and your plain spokenness you. You have a nice way to give a hard answer, but no means no for you, and it's not beating around the bush. And it's not. you know. Maybe. Yes, but maybe later, kind of you know things you you're telling us really straight what your constraints are, what your concerns are, what you're balancing and that really helps.

[86:02] Now brush your teeth. Okay. Me explain, you know, to other other people and me have confidence that that the decisions that you're making right, and so I just can't thank you enough for your candor in general and your plain spokenness. It's gonna it's gonna serve you well. Thanks, Taylor. Best of luck to you. Thank you. Okay. Okay, let's go to matters from the board. yeah, we're behind, but we'll get there. Cip bike tour. We all did it. I don't. I thought it went great. I thought, Garrett did a great job. Explaining stuff. Thanks for the staff that met us at the stops. It was like little special guest stars at the stops. And thank you in particular, for making sure that it was an accessible ride for everyone. I have already sort of talked to to Meredith and Valerie about the communications problems that happened. And I'm sure that's not gonna

[87:13] recur in the future we'll we'll be more on top of that. But you know, everything got salvaged, and it went really really well, and I appreciate that. Iris Avenue City Council study. Okay? So after this meeting, I am gonna send tab members stuff with links. So don't stress about this stuff, because I'm going to combine the next couple of things about iris Avenue upcoming engagement opportunities and hybrid 1 19, which were on the agenda under Mattis and the board 2, 3, and 4 So next month we will have our public hearing on the seat, the

[88:00] environmental impact study. And that's not the right words, cause that those don't make the acronym seep. But we will be having the public hearing on Iris and on Staff's recommendation for option, B for Iris Avenue. We will, of course, continue to talk to members of the public, receive and respond to emails on it. Man on the street stuff. I had a couple of conversations yesterday at the Magnus White event. and I encourage all of you to continue to amplify the decision and the considerations. As we talked about in our retreat to make use of your own personal networks and personal connections and ability to both listen to and respond to public feedback on this items. But in advance of our public hearing I would like all of you, if you haven't already to listen to the City Council study sessions.

[89:06] that happened? Oh, what's the date? In June? on Iris Avenue? So it was an update. But then there was a very, I think, fruitful discussion and a question and answer, period by council, and I will send you the link to that as well as a couple of time signatures, for you know, if if it's too long, can't read the whole thing like, just go to the City Council colloquy afterwards. Otherwise I thought Lindsey's presentation was phenomenal. Really covered a lot of ground. But I want you to be up to speed on. What city council has heard so far before we take on Lindsay's. Gonna I believe Lindsay's gonna present again. And that's going to be our, you know, time to take in the last bit of public input. But I think. And councils. Perspective, in the meantime, will be useful.

[90:02] so I'll send you the link on that also on Iris. There's a virtual open house. It's open now until the Friday. So August 15.th And so it's kind of the 3rd virtual open house. My understanding is this, this is basically the last kind of scrape of of public input before preparation of the final presentation for us and for council and memo and all that and so if you haven't, or if people haven't that, you know, in your networks haven't weighed in on Irs Avenue, and there's still people who say I haven't really looked at it. Give them the link that I will send you for the virtual open house they have until Friday to fill that out. we're going to have our public hearing on September 9, th and I believe this will go before city council on the 19.th Is that right? Yeah. Natalie's nodding. That's a 19. So that's the upcoming stuff on Iris.

[91:02] tomorrow. And I think Alexandra Phillips talked about this. There's a hearing before the Boulder County Commissioners about the north foothills. Feasibility study. So this is not the highway 1, 19 bike way. But this is the bike way that would trace Broadway along Highway 36 up to lions. There's been a feasibility study. We've talked about it here, but there's a hearing tomorrow with the County Commissioners at one Pm. It is both in person in the at the courthouse at 14th Street and the Pearl Street Mall and also virtual. I believe if it's virtual, you need to sign up to speak before midnight tonight, I need to double check. Well, if I'm wrong, I'm wrong. I plan to be there in person. But hearing more more people is always helpful on that.

[92:02] Let's see, Highway 1, 19. I said we were talking about that, of course. Jean covered that a little bit as well. She talked about the survey that's online, about the new bridge at 63rd Street. So you know, having the bike way across, all of those major intersections has been a focus of of the study and the and the feasibility and the planning for a long time. But it's become clear that we need some kind of overpass or a bridge at 63rd street. And so there's a survey about that that's available online. Right now I will send you a link to that. I walked the route with Alex Phillips and others. From Boulder County. Sue prant was there? A bike shop owner from Naiwa? So a nice little cross section of people who would be interested in this and in in endorsing this as a as a commuting bike way. So we walked the route. It was very interesting. You have to see like how it interacts both with the highway. And it's not really a wildlife quarter. But there was some. I did get some vertebra from a a deer or an elk that was

[93:14] in the middle there and just seeing how the routing is going, and how careful they have been to to preserve without disturbing with existing trees, and all of that construction will start soon. As Alex mentioned, and we are hoping completion in fall of 2027 as part of that walk. I and Alex discuss sort of messaging to the public about it. To describe it as Gene very well did this evening as just sort of a a multimodal effort. That's gonna serve all kinds of users, and to not focus so much on sort of the phasing, and which construction portion is serving, which which section, but to just treat it all as part of a cohesive whole. I saw Alex the following week at an event in Colorado Springs. She said she had talked to Cdot, and that that had that conversation had gotten well, and so that maybe they were

[94:10] gonna be better about not separating out the bit different bits, because what the last thing I want to have happen is, you know, some of this look like a giveaway to cyclists or a giveaway to bus users. But to to kind of say, this is, gonna make things better for everybody using this corridor. And I think that's the same kind of messaging we we should be encapsulating on Iris Avenue. Finally, there's a webinar on all of this tomorrow. Alex mentioned that that's at 6 o'clock. So tomorrow, before the Boulder County Commissioners, the North Foothills thing, and then at 6 o'clock, a webinar on the highway. 1, 19 bike way. and then the last one that I wanted to point out in terms of opportunities for engagement is that baseline phase 2. The Open House. Garrett mentioned it. But it's happening in person at the Meadows Library Branch on August 19, from 4 to 6 pm. I think it would be exceedingly valuable if one or 2 members of Tab were there.

[95:20] To talk about phase 2 of baseline. And again, the messaging, I think, is going to be. This is going to make life better for everybody using the corridor. It's not a giveaway. This is going to be, I think, more transit oriented sort of improvements. But it's not just for bus users, like, if if people driving can see that everyone using the bus is getting out of their way. That would be a helpful kind of cohesive message to send. So we'd love to see some tab members at those. I think that's all I have about upcoming engagement opportunities and kind of stuff that's that's ripe for for discussion and input. From us. And then I know darcy and Trini were on the vision 0 community partnership meeting. I will also mention there was a representative from Michael Doherty's office there. Cause. I happened to have a meeting with him the day before talking about traffic violence, and he was asking, How can how can the district attorney's office be more involved in this kind of stuff? And I was like, well, you could join the vision 0 ship partnership. And sure enough. They sent someone the next day.

[96:28] So I hopped on to make sure she got on. Okay. And then I saw the 2 of you were there, and so I didn't hear what happened. So how did it go. Well. how did it go, Darcy? It was interesting. I mean, I think, that there's like some debate about how we're gonna rebrand. So we can be more. I mean, that was, the conversation is around around rebranding what vision 0 looks like. Currently. So because there's a lot of

[97:01] confusion to the general public. So there was some discussion about that. but nothing concrete. Can you. Explain it better to the public. Yeah, because it seems to be that a lot of people don't understand what is meant by that, that it's just like a very broad statement, and that a lot of people don't think that it's even feasible. So like parting from that, you know, stance it's just like negative. From that moment forward for a lot of people right? But there was really nothing concrete to come of it. So I think we're gonna meet again and just kind of discuss. not necessarily rebranding the whole thing, but kind of maybe focusing on one message. I mean, someone contacted me post meeting and said that one of the things that they loved about my organization about it could be me was that it was so incredibly like

[98:02] to the point, right, that it was just very, very straightforward and to the point. So there's conversations to be had. But that was basically what the meeting was about like who agreed, who didn't agree, and. Yeah. And it was a re, you know, a reinvigorating of the process that had been dormant for a while. So it'll you know it'll continue and be connected to specific projects. And you know. Yeah. But it was sort of that reinvigorating conversation about what do we need to emphasize initially. But yeah, we'll be on successive calls for sure. Okay. Great. Yeah. I think we're all really passionate people trying to do the right thing. And it's just, you know, sometimes. Oh, it's just we get stuck on one thing, and I think we just need to move forward so we can advance. But

[99:01] but it's great, you know. I mean to have so many people involved. Okay. Great, thank you. Open board. Comment. Anyone have anything new to raise. Bring. Well, I wanted to say something after the Magnus event yesterday. and it's, you know, right for Magnus, right for your life, and it's a series of events that are. And but I just wanted to thank everybody. I found this on the Web for a series of events that are going to happen, Bob. Thank you, siri. Same escape. I don't know how to. Okay. so sorry. But anyway, I just want to thank all like the city of boulder for sponsoring the event, and everybody that helped Justin, Justin Greenstein, Leslie Mace for designing the route. Natalie. Obviously, Valerie, everybody that had something to do with it. I mean it.

[100:02] It was something that just went beyond our expectations. I mean, just I got to write a little bit of it. I was in charge of the stages and a lot of things that were happening at the same time. So I did get to write a little bit of it, and just coming back, I rode all over to Pearl, and on the way back to seeing the sea of cyclists I mean, it was just. It was just not nonstop, and you know, I mean and then the the rally for change, I mean, I think the there's 3 very clear asks, and it was very empowering for people to know that there's an immediate thing that they can do to. you know. engage and change. So thank you so much to everybody that was involved. It meant obviously everything to the whites and and to everybody that was involved. I mean, we were. We worked really hard for 5 months. So thank you. Thank you. You did. You did a great job, Trini. It was really powerful.

[101:01] Thank you. Thank you so much. And yeah. Okay. So we're at future agenda topics. Like I said, we're we're gonna have our public hearing on Irs. That's probably overshadowing a whole bunch of it. Does anyone have any burning issues to put on the list? As always? You can email me after after the meeting, if something occurs to you. We will be meeting next week. To set the agenda for the following meeting. alright. Then. seeing nothing further, I will entertain a motion to say goodbye to Natalie. and to adjourn. I move to adjourn the meeting. I think you have to second it, but and I didn't want to second it. But. You just did. You said the word second.

[102:03] Hi Natalie! All right, all adjourned. Thank you. Bye. Thank you. Good night. No.