September 5, 2023 — University Hill Commercial Area Management Commission Regular Meeting

Transcript

Captions from City of Boulder YouTube recording.

[0:05] Alright. Now Lisa is out 6, so we'll just kind of we'll get through the the standard procedure stuff I'll take. I'll take over for that. And Leslie, so you want to lead roll call. and seeing you're muted I will. I'm sorry I was just coughing alright. Go for it. I can read the I can. I can read the role if you'd like. Thank you. Okay, we are recording. It is 408 PM. Welcome to the University Hill Commercial Area Management Commission meeting. It's Tuesday, September fifth. 2023, and I will call Roll Cheryl Ligori. She's not present. Trent bush.

[1:04] Ted Rockwell can hear me. Present. Andrew Shoemaker here. Okay, and tell Jones thank you. And I'll turn the meeting over to our commissioners for procedural items. Okay, seeing that Cheryl is not here and I'm Co. Chair. I'll be chairing the meeting from here forward. First thing in our procedural items list is the approval of the August first meeting minutes. Is there anything anyone wants to bring up around the meeting minutes from our August first meeting? Seeing none. I am accepting a motion to accept the meeting minutes as presented. and Trent moves. And do I have a second Andrew seconds?

[2:03] All in favor? I alright, it goes through perfect. So meeting minutes are accepted. We are going to now move into the wonderful section of our meeting agenda, which is welcoming. Tell Jones from Sync to our commission here. Thank you. Tell you for your future, you leadership and service to this commission. And I guess there's a swearing in procedure that needs to happen here. So do I. Turn that over to you, Chris. Alright. I have a swearing in statement that you can repeat after me, Tom. I tell Jones, tell Jones do solemnly swear or affirm, that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America, and of the State of Colorado, and of the State of Colorado, and the charter and ordinances of the city of Boulder, and the charter and ordinances.

[3:05] it will. and faithfully perform the duties of the office. faithfully perform the duties of the office of a member of the University Hill Commercial Area Management Commission. I'm a member of the University, Hilton commercial area which I am about to enter. All right. Congratulations. I just need you to sign this sheet. and it's official. So thank you. All right. So next agenda item is elections for chair and vice chairs. Everyone knows Cheryl Lagore served as chair for many years, and she is going to step down from that role. I've been serving as vice chair. and so we will now accept nominations for the chair of this commission, as well as Nominations for Vice Chair.

[4:08] I'll nominate Ted Rockwell as chair. We need it. I would like to nominate Ted Rockwell as chair of the University Hill commercial management. commercial area management. Alright. Well, we have a nomination for chair. do I? Are there any other nominations for chair? Seeing none. I'm going to ex. How about we? Let's do nominations for vice Chair, and see if we can do a clear slate here. So nominations for Vice Chair. We'll nominate Trent

[5:06] dismissed. Oh, gosh! I just unmuted. Alright! So we have a nomination for chair Ted Rockwell. I would like to entertain nominations for Vice Chair. See if we can come up with a slate that we vote on all at once. So any nominations for vice chair dominate Trent Bush. We have a nomination for Trent Bush for Vice chair. I will also nominate Trent Bush. Okay, let's discuss the nominations at this point. I I'll just go ahead and answer for chair. I'm happy to service chair and I'll do my best, my ability to to show up for all. Y'all, I know you're all busy, so I'll do my best to kind of fill in those gaps, Trent. as vice chair.

[6:02] I'm worried about travel commitments, but honestly, and my ability to serve as chair if and then these things change, and that's I can see it on. So I'm very much I appreciate it, but I'm very concerned that I'm not going to be able to live up to what it requires. I mean, II don't want to put anybody in a position that they're not comfortable. Being vice chair. I'm gonna I'm gonna nominate Andrew Sherman, shoemaker as well. breaking parliamentary procedures slightly. Andrew shoemaker discussion around vice chair. I'm happy I yeah, I'm happy to do it. And

[7:00] and yeah, so we have mute your. we have a nomination for Trent Bush that I will withdraw. Andrew, will you withdraw your nomination as well? Sure. Yep, alright. So we have nominations for Ted Rockwell as chair, and then Andrew Shoemaker as vice chair. Any further discussion on these nominations? All right, seeing none, I would like to entertain a motion to accept the slate of Ted Rockwell's chair, and Andrew Shoemaker as vice chair. Do I hear a motion so moved? Trent moves. Do I have a second tell you can do it. Yeah. I'll move. Tell Jones is our second any further discussion before we move on to a vote.

[8:02] Alright, I'm gonna call for a vote. We'll do it. Roll call style. Trent bush. Yes. Andrew Shoemaker. Tell Jones yes. and Ted Rockwell. Yes, we now have a chair and vice chair. Thank you for your patience as we work through that sticky wicket who is going to be vice chair. Thank you, Andrew Alright. Let's see, we have reached the portion, the agenda, where we have public participation. Do we have anyone, many members of the public present for the public participation portion of our agenda. We do have a member of the public and the attendees. If anybody in the any members of the public would like to speak. If you could raise your hand. We can allow you to speak at this time. Mister Chair. I'm not seeing any hands raised.

[9:03] Okay, excellent, thank you, Chris. Let's see in consent. Consent, agenda, do we have anything in the consent, agenda that we want to be dealing with. or any questions around fund financials. seeing none. We're going to move to the Hill boulder update from Jake Jake. Present? Jake is out sick. He did, he said. He did not have any updates to bring to us today. So we can move into matters from staff unless there are any questions you'd like us to pass on to Jake. Any questions for Jake Hill. Give me a lot of activity up there this weekend. Alright. let's move into matters from staff. Thank you. Alright. I'm gonna ask all the commissioners to keep your if you're in the room. Keep your mics on mute.

[10:02] For Carl as he's gonna go through a presentation from my computer because he's also having technical difficulties. So I do, you wanna just drive from here. The presentation is gonna show up on your screen. So I'm gonna share the presentation shortly. So if everybody could follow the presentation from Zoom, let me get that going. Oops. Are you gonna use your notes? What are there we go. Thank you, Chris. Good afternoon, Commissioners. My name's Carl Geiler, senior policy advisor with the Department of Planning and Development services. We wanted to come before you this afternoon to talk about some code changes that we're working on for our land use code. This is where, like zoning regulations

[11:08] apply to different parts of the city. This is a project called the Use Table and Standards Project. We've been working on it actually, since 2,018. It's had probably, I think, 5 ordinances to date that have made changes to our use standards for different parts of the city. So right now we're working on. We're in the second phase of the project. We actually call it Module 3. Now, because, like, we're on our. I think our fourth ordinance for this phase, and it relates to University Hill. So we wanted to get your feedback so as far as the initial goals of the project. It's really been about taking a look at our land use code and seeing where we could simplify standards and make it more readily understandable. Adding more predictability and certainty to our use standards but also taking a look at the latest update to the Boulder Valley Conference of plan that was done in 2015 added some policies that relate

[12:09] to mixed use industrial areas neighborhood centers and really trying to update our land use code. So it's in line with the Boulder valid Conference plan. That's the whole point of planning in the city is that the the vision is set by the Conference of plan. And then we change the the land, use code to align with that. So any areas where we see any kind of gaps that don't meet the plan or anything where we could allow more uses more readily what what people are looking for. We we do that through these types types of updates. So the focus of this, what is really hoping to be the final ordinance of this project is looking at neighborhood centers. So if you've been following this project we we did a phase where we looked at the opportunity zone, which is like the Northwest. I'm sorry. North East quadrant of the city, and

[13:00] looking at the use of regulations there and updating those to be more friendly, to retail trying to get more housing opportunities we worked on the industrial zones several months ago, or the Comp plan was updated to basically allow more mixed use and allow more housing, but also try to preserve industrial uses. So we updated the code along those lines. So the focus of this particular part is on neighborhood centers and and University Hill's one of the neighborhood centers. And and really, what we're trying to get at is trying to make sure these neighborhood centers have a mix of uses that is conducive to people wanting, or being able to walk to to those uses, rather than having to drive everywhere, making sure our zoning is allowing these uses and removing barriers from uses that people like a small hardware store or retail things, that where you can encourage people to walk to those centers. This is the concept of 15 min Neighborhoods. It's something that we'll probably have to keep doing. Obviously, there's a lot of parts of town that are, you know, singular use, you know, like single family areas. I think we've been asked to look at, you know, opportunities for for trying to get more nodes of commercial. I think it's gonna be an on

[14:16] going conversation. But the focus of this particular part of the code is really have been on restaurants, duplexes, and townhouses because they're considered middle housing. We're trying to get more middle housing, which is like most of the housing that we get in the city is single family or stacked housing apartments 3 and 4 story buildings. We're trying to get more of the duplexes, triplexes, 4 plexes and town homes which are kind of scaled more like single family homes, but allow more modest sized homes. So that's one area we've been looking at just a any kind of uses that can encourage walkable centers. So this map that you see in in the presentation is the identified Neighborhood centers in the city of Boulder University Hill is one of those.

[15:03] These are the zoning districts that are identified as neighborhood centers or Boulder Valley. Regional center commercial area. So we're talking about the Bms zone, which is business. Main Street. That's University Hill. So the draft ordinance that we have now is really taking a hard look at restaurants. We've heard some concerns on the hill that the the regulations that we have in place now are overly prohibitive and maybe impacted the economic health of the hill. I actually worked on code changes like over 10 years ago that related to things that council at that time had asked us to look at. What we've been asked by the current council is to to re-look at those standards, and maybe treat them more in line with what we have in the areas that surround the downtown maybe have similar type regulations. But really, when we look at

[16:00] restaurants in the land use code right now, it's very complicated. There's 12 different categories that basically for restaurants that we look at that relate to the standards of their overall size. If they're over a certain size, they might require a different process. We look at patio size, and we also will get hours of operation. And it's different for all these different parts of the city. So that's something that we've been trying to simplify. So obviously like I said, University Hill is one of the more unique restaurant standards that exist today. What was past 10 years ago. Was that all restaurants on the hill require a conditional use, which is a staff level review. It doesn't require any public process, but it does require public notice for a good neighbor meeting. So a good neighbor meeting is required for every restaurant. What the code says now is that if there's a liquor license that, the establishment has to close at 11 pm. If it doesn't have a liquor license, it's ours are unlimited.

[17:05] There is no use. Review option again. This was something that the Council 10 years ago had requested. We've been hearing some concerns about that, and how it's impacted the hill really quick. We've also made some changes to regional parks related to restaurants. We've also made some changes in the industrial zones related to restaurants. So what the current ordinance has in it is it would treat the hill similar to some of the interface areas that are around downtown boulder. So we have very flexible restaurant regulations, for, like the Pearl Street Mall area, and like a long canyon, but when you get into those interface areas that are adjacent to residential. There's more restrictive standards. What this ordinances do is loosen up some of those standards to be more conducive to restaurants, but also trying to get at some of the impacts that those restaurants might have on surrounding areas. And putting those

[18:05] rules in the code, we already get a lot of use reviews in that area. And a user view is basically an application that does have public noticing and sometimes might have to go in front of a planning board sometimes might get called up to city council. Usually the the conditions of approval that get approved with a user view, relate to trash, pick up their hours of operation things like that. So we've tried to take a lot of those requirements and put them into a more straightforward staff level process. So what's being proposed for the hill is basically keeping the 4,000 square foot maximum for the hill which exists today. And the 11 pm. Close, but make it by right rather than a conditional use. It could just if they're not over that size, or they close at 11 pm. It could be a buy right? Situation. This is also proposed for the the other zones that you see on the screen.

[19:02] If they wanna have a larger establishment or be open after 11 pm. It would be a use review. So we haven't been reviewing user views on the hill for for over 10 years. So we we do wanna get some feedback from the Commissioners on this particular change. We've also changed out the automatic requirement for user view for any outdoor seating within. I think it's 500 feet from a residential zone. What we're proposing is that any establishment that's closer than 300 feet from a residential zone. Just have to have to meet some standards related to outdoor seating. They have to, you know, turn the the noise off at, or any kind of audible sound by 11 Pm. These are a lot of these are standards that we already have in the code, but we're making it a little bit more streamlined. So we've gotten a lot of feedback from the community on restaurants broadly in the community. We've been hearing a lot of since Covid, basically trying to loosen up regulations for restaurants. You could. If you're familiar with the outdoor seating program in the city. There's a lot of appetite now to be a little bit more flexible with outdoor seating and and just in general

[20:16] for the restaurants. And that's what we've been hearing across the board. We do have a public working group where we heard support for these changes. There have been some concerns from some members related particularly to the Hill and loosening up the standards. On the Hill University Neighborhood Association sent a letter on this topic as well, being opposed to changing the regulations on the hill. We've also talked to the community connectors and residents again, trying a lot of support for restaurants. Comments about simplifying food truck regulations, since a lot of restaurants make their start as food trucks and ultimately become bricks and mortar establishments.

[21:04] So when we talked about this particular project with City Council at a study session on July twenty-seventh, they were in support of streamlining the standards and the review processes for restaurants Council specifically had asked us to streamline the regulations for the hill based on the concerns that they've been hearing. So that's what is currently within the the draft ordinance again. That's what we wanna get your feedback this afternoon on. When we went to planning board on August fifteenth. Planning planning board recommended approval of the ordinance, but they explicitly wanted. The university held changes to be removed. From the ordinance, so we'll be conveying that to city Council. They recommended that Council direct staff to actually make any changes to the Hill regulations, a separate work program item, to be prioritized with other program work program items in January during the retreat, and something that we maybe take up later and do more public process to determine what changes should be made

[22:08] so as far as the next steps. We're still working on the ordinance preparation. We wanna get your feedback on that on those changes on the hill we're we're scheduled to take the ordinance through first reading at City Council on October nineteenth, and then November second would be the second reading and public hearing before Council. So again, we'll convey any feedback from the Commission to City council. So that concludes my presentation. The question that we have for the Commission is, Does Ucmi have any comments related to the proposed changes related to restaurants, proof pups, and taverns in the University Hill General Improvement District. And I might start before we get into discussion from Commissioners. Let's try to use the microphone on my computer so we don't have to deal. I wanna make sure that Andrews able to chime in easily. So if you could just speak up we'll see if that works

[23:07] any questions. Quick question. I apologize. If it wasn't, I might have missed it. And they I was looking through the packet right now. What was the planning boards vote. And what was the rationale for that they expressed for that for doing a separate hill process? Let me check. Yeah, II actually wasn't present at that meeting, and I'm I'm actually covering for well, then, I'm happy to time in. That'd be great. And I don't recall the exact vote, but essentially they voted to approve the changes for all of the areas under consideration, with the exception of the University Hill General Improvement District

[24:01] and this was based on feedback received from a few residents who testified at the public hearing. For they've brought up all of the issues from about 1015 years ago in their testimony. And so the the Planning Board recommended to council that that the University Hill area not be considered for these changes. And was it? I guess the it sounds like they're. you know. They're from what you said. They're they're interested in a public process which obviously, that that's that's important. But what what would be lacking about the current public process as opposed to a separate public process for the hill? You know, cause it would still be a public hearing for an council, as I understand it.

[25:01] Correct? Correct? Yeah. I mean, II think the the issue related to the hill kind of came up later in this particular project. I think we did look at ways to streamline the University Hill regulations early on, and and got general feedback through our questionnaire online. But there wasn't a a lot of direct feedback with the neighborhood, or or with this board, or or the university. He'll, you know. Revitalization group because we didn't really know exactly what changes would happen on the hill until the Council had directed us explicitly to really try to be. Make the University Hill regulations uniform with those of like around the downtown, like in the Dt. 1, 2, and 3 zones. So I think there's some concern that maybe because it came up, you know more later in the process that we should do more outreach before those changes are made.

[26:02] and the final question, Do you have a I heard the reference to you know a retreat, do you? Do you have us sense of what this schedule would be if if this were put on a separate track. I think it really depends on on what other work pro program items come up for the retreat, and how the Council prioritizes them. I think you know, we'd have to determine at that time what what a reasonable timeline would be. But I think the changes are relatively focused to a you know, a small area of the city. And and II think we could try to do it in, you know. Maybe like a 6 month timeframe. Right? And I know I said that was the last question. But sometimes I'm wrong so it yeah, it sounds like, I mean, really what what might be involved here is some I if if this is the way that it happens to go would be a an additional public process. But it sounds like Staff might have already, because of this other work. Staff's already done a lot of the work, so it

[27:09] perhaps could be move a little more quickly if if we did get bumped to a second track move more quickly than something typically might. But it's possible. I mean again, we don't know what the composition of of council is gonna be after the election, and what they prioritize, or whether or not this council opts to include these changes or not. I'll be quiet and just to clarify. We didn't get specific feedback for the zone for or yeah. So because I was looking through the packet, it looked like there was feedback for every other zone. But there was a story map that was done online that had some general questions that related to like neighborhood center. So I think it. there was a lot of feedback that just talked about simplifying and streamlining process. I believe it did include the Bms. But I'd have to go back and

[28:06] double check that, because I think it was looking at Bms and a number of other zones where we have neighborhood centers. Yeah. And looking into Mapers, you know. feedback from the entire universe, including the residential zone. There's no PIN drop there. I was just interested to see those all like specific feedback. Yeah, yeah, II don't know that we we got anything like that on the dropped pins. Yeah. so this is basically saying that we don't want to change. So the hills policies right now, liquor licenses is that what we're so I think we want to keep it where we want to make it easier. Yeah, I mean the proposal now in in the ordinance that we have now, the draft would actually significantly streamline it. So it would remove the the requirements for food sales.

[29:05] for instance, like 50% of sales, have to be from food it would remove. you know, 11 pm. Closure. If you have a liquor license. I would add that after the planning team went to Council on this topic. We then went to council, related to the universal revitalization work that Regan's been leading and post some of these questions to counsel as well in addition to some other university health specific regulations that aren't, you know, aren't tied to restaurants, but more tied to affordable housing requirements, and there is also still. the 500 foot rule for schools

[30:00] For liquor licenses. This this work, the planning's been leading around neighborhood centers didn't touch That will still be a requirement on the hill that's limited currently, or to beer and wine for any new liquor licenses. So I bring this up because, even if you know, counsel says, Thanks, no thanks to the planning board and their recommendations to eliminate University Hill. From these current changes we still are wanting to continue a conversation regarded regarding other regulatory circumstances in the hill area in the future work plan. As long as the new council agrees with us, continuing to prioritize that work. So no matter what happens with these changes. we know that there's still some other regulatory nuances that exist on the University hill that don't necessarily exist in other parts of the city that we wanna make sure we don't lose in the context of the good work that planning is done around neighborhood centers citywide, that might

[31:08] through their process, make some steps for improvements and streamlining on the hill, but doesn't necessarily. It didn't bring up all of the other regulatory nuances that we want to make sure don't get lost, and all that. Chris, could you do a quick like bullet point? Take away from what? What are the what are the other regulatory, potential regulatory areas of exploration based on that cause. I don't think we've had a meeting since that study session. Sure. So it's pretty much the the 500 foot rule that in the city there. Well, it's a State law that no liquor licenses can be issued within 500 feet of a public school that was rescinded for the University of Colorado in for beer, wine, and liquor.

[32:01] It was re established for liquor 10 years ago. So right now any new liquor licenses on the hill are that could be considered would be limited to beer and wine. So the conversation we wanna have on that front is is that still appropriate and then, of course, the other one is just knowing that the the previous affordable or previous housing moratorium on the hill that lasted for a few years, that got translated into a requirement that any new housing on the hill be a hundred percent affordable. Just knowing that that is a another unique regulatory consideration for Hill that we don't have in other places. Maybe it continues, and that's fine. But we we did raise those with counsel. They weren't super compelled to. The current council was not super conce compelled to explore changes on the affordable housing front, but they were very interested in pursuing changes on the restaurants, group hubs and tavern requirements.

[33:13] Okay? And then follow up what? What rules? I guess. See, you would have no rules, as I understand it, or correct me if I'm wrong on the limelight relating to any restaurant on their site. These rules. these rules we're talking about would not apply to them. Is that right? Yes and no, in the sense of II think that that's what needs a little bit more analysis, because. the limelight hotel is is part of city annex space. It's not in the same realm of State property, if I understand correctly. That's where I think we need to make. We need to be really sure, for their benefit, that the limelight hotel can operate a liquor license

[34:04] and to the degree that we would all think would be appropriate for that type of facility. And I don't know that that has been explored fully yet to understand what the implications of our current regulations within State law. how that's going to impact the limelight and their ability to get to serve liquor. so they may be very interested in the result of all this as well. Depending on whether or not the on their status in light of the land. Exactly. And I would note that any existing liquor licenses, licenses that exist prior to the new rules in 2013 can be transferred to others. And so I'm not. That's again, there's there's stuff that has happened. There are still liquor licenses. I believe, that are great. I mean, the sink has one and there are other establishments that may have liqu access to liquor licenses that could be transferred.

[35:03] For instance, I'm not sure what happened with the the bars at the where the New Hill Hill Hotel is going, and if they were able to somehow transfer their liquor licenses to the Hill Hotel then, maybe it doesn't impact that facility and their ability to serve liquor and be open later than 110'clock. But that's that's work that we want to to dive into on this, just to be sure that we're not on and unintentionally burdening some establishments that probably would be reasonable to expect. Folks would like to order liquor beverage. At least up to 11 pm. And if not after. Okay, let's. That was my follow up question in that. And the that's seems like a critical issue as well. And then we've got a timing issue right in light of everything that's been talked about in terms of sidetracking this discussion. Also.

[36:04] it seems like I'm surprised. I mean, I guess I would expect the the New Hill Hotel to be very interested in this in light of their anticipated opening date. and and it seems like it shouldn't the the wha whatever whatever track this gets put on it would be useful to get this resolved before. certainly before the limelight and and the Hill Hotel, opened their doors in Carl's defense. So you know it. He doesn't set the work plan but I have had conversations with Brad Mueller many times the planning director on this front, and unless we get some sort of significant swing from a new council. I do know that Brad intends to work with community vitality. And various boards and commissions to get this work. Accomplished in 2024. If yeah. Especially depending on what happens with this particular neighborhood centers. Conversation.

[37:11] Yeah, I concur with what Andrew was just saying about the relative urgency. I work a block away, and the Hill Hotel is turning corner. I would add to that question, whether or not we'd engage as city the business owner tell and limite in discussions with, say council or planning board around this. It seems like their voices are not present here. II didn't see any packet. I think that they would have a lot to say about what what this outcome may be, and ways to maybe support that, and also address any sort of public interest would be

[38:00] that end? I know just getting to the place and having until construction start. was something that involved a lot of process. and other than those individuals who are involved are very keen on making sure. You know, we'll we'll reach out to them for sure. Any any other. Did you get the comments you were looking for. Is there anything else you wanted us to specifically provide anything back on? I mean, just in general, is is the Commission supportive of loosening the rules, or is there concern with loosening the rules? I am? I'll voice my position, and I'll open it up for the Commission as well generally supportive.

[39:00] also wanting to make sure these voices heard in this process. But want to reflect the urgency of making sure that we take advantage of set of businesses starting on the hill. That that is a once occurring opportunity that does not just hang around. So we need to make sure that we do this in a way that expedites the process. Anyone else have comments I would definitely concur with that. You know, the hill has seen a steady decline sort of its vibrancy over many years. This isn't the only thing you know. The regulatory side isn't the only thing that has caused that, but it also hasn't helped it. And so I think. you know, looking at revisiting what decisions were in the past. you know, really, looking at, did that make an impact? Did that actually change things for the better? Or did it just make more right? Take for businesses to be able to succeed? What did it do to our tax base

[40:01] up there? You know. I mean, all these things are are things that that I think we need to do. Some little look at and I'd also just add and I guess a question real quick was the the ui tap study result represented at that meeting as well at the study session. Yes. So anyway. I'm II concur. The public, you know, needs to be a huge part of this. But that includes losing everybody that currently does business up there. And especially new hotels. for sure. And just 1 point of clarification. And so school that term is any. It's not just Pbsd. Europa and exemption as well. I'm sorry. Neuropa is also considered a school that needed required an exemption. So yeah, it's not just. It's not just Bbsd.

[41:02] okay? So the CEO has a exemption. Sorry for the oh, sorry. So on cu campus. Yeah. So they handle their own because they're a state entity. The the board of Regents, I think, has a lot to say about alcohol sales on camp on main campus it's the properties that they have purchased that are outside of their State main campus, that it's a bit ambiguous in my mind right now of where the city's regulations come in, and the State has control. So like, I guess my question. He said, that there was a some sort of exceptions, and 60 s. For 500 foot rule outside the boundaries of a public school. Which would forward just for them the hill? Any? Yeah, exactly. The whole boundary all the way around. See you, campus, there's a 500 foot rule that liquor licenses

[42:04] cannot be issued for anything other than beer online. Currently, I was just trying to parse the difference between see you. So there's a difference. That's another thing. please, there. but if there's not, then it's totally there would be a difference. And so that would need to be, we would need to make sure that that's taken into consideration as well of the proximity to see you or to boulder high. I compare with that entrance. Let's do it. Great. Thank you. Thank you, Carl. We appreciate this presentation. Let us know what how we can support your work. I appreciate. Thanks for all. Thank you. Thank you very much for that. No problem

[43:02] sharing all right next up. hope everyone missed Mark Wolf. I'm not sure how much overlap we have on our Uc. Since. Mark Wolfe was a member of the community vitality team. But the Commission will recall that our last meeting we got together and discussed the proposed budget. It's now been measured against all of the other proposals and needs across the city, and we are making some adjustments before the final budget goes to council. And Marcus here now is the chief budget officer for the city to talk with you all about our long term approaches to the the you did fund, and some changes that are gonna be included. that we'd like your consideration on for the the budget to Council sound good. Mark sounds good alright. I'm gonna no, I'm gonna mute and turn myself. Oh, you're not on then. Yes.

[44:08] Darwin's not seeing everybody. I'm Mark Wolf, budget officer for the city was recovering community vitality staff. I can be pretty pretty brief. I think the the main reason I'm here is just to talk about the the change and big change that impacts you did is the approach on the General fund. Transfer it to to you. So annually. There's a, as you probably know very well from Theresa. Run through the fund financials the General fund transfer to you is important for the help of the fund to be able to help support operations on the hill

[45:02] and appreciate that you all did the work and kind of determining what that recommended level of funding was from the general fund for 2,024, and going forward. as Chris mentioned, a tougher budget year than we've had over the last couple coming out of the pandemic, as revenues have been recovering. In the general fund in particular, we're weighing a number of different a number of different challenges related to and I could get into some of the detail, but II think bottom line is. There were a number of new expenditures that Council approved in 2023, 2022 for 2023 budget that impacted our flexibility. We also are budgeting for a degree of caution related to the expiring point 1 5 sales and use tax. So that tax is expiring at the end of 2,024. There's a ballot item

[46:04] on valid in November that would dedicate 50% of that general fund tax to arts with the remaining 50 staying as a general fund revenue. So if that does pass, we have to essentially replace that ongoing revenue in some way to fund current ongoing operations. And that's balanced with some flexibility on the property tax side. That's been well publicized up into property valuations going way up. So that impacts property tax revenue is a positive way. So all of that was kind of weighed as we were looking at all the various different needs in the general fund and the recommended budget that is going to city council keeps the level of of subsidy, or the level of transfer from the general fund to Eugit, at the same as it was in 22, and 23, that is recognizing that there still is this long-term issue. So

[47:02] I think that's one thing we wanted to just make sure it's clear it's not just. Oh, sorry. No, thanks. See you later. It's more of an invitation and continue the conversation. In a variety of different ways. I mean one I think the difference is like maybe about $75,000 between the recommended budget and the request that have. Probably that's not going to solve the long-term issue in the fund. So there's there's that factor. And then, knowing that you all have had some discussion about what does it take to potentially look at the tabor restrictions in the district, and generate some degree of incremental additional revenue. The the combination of of those approaches in the general fund. What does that mean for long term fund health. And so II think the conversation and and the research has already started with partnership with our city attorney's office is looking at. What are those long term strategies for the district to make sure that there are those resources and if it if it is general fund. Being kind of the only solution. Then what is that level of support needed for for what and for what period of time versus

[48:13] you know, property, tax solutions, so on and so forth. so happy to kind of have more of a discussion about what that that looks like in advance of the next budget cycle, and I think we just wanted to deliver that news in person instead of just saying, Here's here's the budget. See you later. See you next year. but but have a an open dialogue about long term fund health, and what those mechanisms might be as we prepare for the future. in in short, acknowledging that by ordinance, part of the responsibility of Ucamc is to approve or recommend a budget to city council for the you should fund and the budget that you considered and and voted unanimously to recommend at our last meeting at a $350,000 general fund transfer proposal in it.

[49:06] and that's been adjusted back to the 2 70. We just wanted to daylight that with you all before it is in front of council and if there was a desire of a majority to to recommend a different motion, then then so be it. But we didn't want to presume that you all were gonna be just yeah. Okay. Would that change without us? Day letting with you before it goes to Council appreciate it. so where? Where was our recommendation? It's interesting how these things work.

[50:00] Just talking about zoning regulation potentially so classroom area. so I appreciate the the daylighting of this. I'm not sure there's much I'm gonna try to push back on here. I know that we were looking at additional funds, particularly this year going into you know, probably within this fiscal year. So I think that that was portion of what we were looking at their institution sources. And just to, you know, reiterate what Mark shares the intent is certainly not to to suggest that that there is an understanding across the whole organization that we need to be really thoughtful and careful. In maintaining a good healthy district. And so

[51:04] The the sentiment is not too bad. We're not giving you my year. It's it's more. Let's make sure that we're taking a exploring all avenues approach as opposed to. Hey, we've always gotten this amount from the general. Not always, but previously. We have this amount, and we should. We need just need more money from the general fund. And then everything's great cause. Even when we were funded at that level. It's not like everything was great. So it's acknowledging that that yeah, we could work the general fund transfer to make the fund balance over time seem healthier. But we're not necessarily getting to the level of service that I think everybody's been suggesting that they would like to see up there. And so it's more instead of just you know, duct taping and trying to to hold everything together and and have the fun. Financial. Look good. It's more. Let's have this broader conversation. Understand? How do we actually pursue long term health for the the district.

[52:03] So my big question, yes, is, Will. This didn't have. So does Yuga does not contribute anything to the Ambassador program. That is 100%. General. Well, about a hundred 1,000 of it is general fund dollars and $45,000. Is CEO for the health portion? Yeah. And to be clear, we didn't. There was no reduction in operations on the hill based on that that increase. Just it impacts the fund as overall. But again, the difference between you know what makes a healthy commercial district versus a healthy fund. I mean, those are 2 2 different questions. Certainly they're related, but I think the strategies are different, for sure. Well, I mean, in terms of long term, financial health for this district that's obviously something grappling with.

[53:06] and all that I would say that we need to consider, you know, try to figure out how we can actually tactics there, so that we're not just, you know, another study on show. that's goes without saying right? If what we're seeing is that cities, general funds, sustainable districts, and the asset that we have balance of the sale right month would be essentially jeopardized. No. take some action. produce additional revenues. The only be saying. Spend down on this earth potentially be doing something drastic. so that

[54:09] alright missing. Most of the meetings over the last couple of months have been like on the rain cloud that comes from each route. So request for speaking up to just we move into the last item. So apologies for the the microphone challenges. Alright. Last, not least, we have Lane landruth on remote to share some updates around some changes for the Rtd ecopass program. Thank you, Chris. And all the Commissioners. as some may be already well aware. And I'm thinking I'm gonna pick on Ted here. Because I believe the university has already transitioned perhaps even your buff one card to be your new ego pass. So I'm seeing a little bit of agreement there. No, yes, no, maybe so

[55:09] fast. Forward we've been on the RFID. Chipped Eco. Pass card since 2013. So 10 plus years. As with many software issues, it's out the door. And Rtd has chosen a new vendor. And we they are moving everyone mandatorily, of course, over to a basically a app based QR code to scan onto all Rtd services, whether it's rail or bus. And that is definitely coming to all of our Gid districts. imminently. We have been one of the last to get brought on board by it. Rtd, simply because we represent so many different small businesses under what is called a Rtd Eco. Pass master contract agent and you know. So whereas I see you, or the city of Boulder has easy way to track through. Hr.

[56:16] that as to who their folks are, who is who are the ray payers we have. We get our information very much second and third hand from each employer. So in any case, in the coming weeks like should be meeting with Regan tomorrow to come up with a communications plan, but I did share with you all in the chat there a sample of what we would probably be sending out to all employers. Very soon of note. It does require for each and every writer to be associated with an email address which is never been the case with the current pass program. So along with this message, they will be given a basically a spreadsheet where they're to enter email addresses, and first and last name of the employees that qualify.

[57:13] Rtd's desire, of course, is that these be, you know, company issued email addresses, and I have repeatedly told them that it's not going to be the case with small business. That's just not how it works. So that's the the basic premise. We have a lot of challenges ahead of us in terms of getting this data in a short amount of time. And then what operationally happens is these spreadsheets got get uploaded into this Rtd portal, which then pushes out the initial email to each writer and explains to them how to move forward by putting an app on their their smartphone and then going through the the detailed

[58:01] sign up program. I myself have done it, and one of my biggest concerns among others is that this is in a London based software company. The terminology is not at all intuitive. They use, as my Rtd. Rep. Tells me the King's English. So something that's one of the most well, one of many troubling items is they've got this message that shows up on the app that says. pop up your account. And I'm gonna try to share my screen. And you guys are gonna have to tell me if we have any luck. Post-disabled purses on screen sharing. Oh, all right. we need to make you a Co. Host in order to on the flip side, Chris, if if it's up to you, I emailed you these 2 images to your your work email. So if that's easier for you to open them.

[59:10] But I'm happy to do either way. I can try just a moment in any case. So yeah, interesting. So Ted says, if they've made this move you're not yet in the loop yet. So I'm not sure like maybe it was students awesome. Thank you so much. So once you've done the app and gotten oh, and in any case, so the the employees gonna get an introduction and saying, Here's how you go in and start the process. One of those is, you ask it to add a token to your account. What that does is then it pings basically. Now the city of Boulder to say, Okay, now, this employee wants to get their pass, and I have to go in and say, Okay, we approve this and that funds their account with yet another step in the process

[60:02] once that's completed, this is what your app would look like on your phone. And you've got that QR code that is scannable on all the Rtd services. One of many problematic things, as you can see is there's that that command that says, top up your account, which, if it's your Eco pass, it's paid for. So why would you want to do such a thing? And why is that message there? So that's one of the many requests we've already made to our TV's vendor is to first of all, make it somewhat understandable, and then, secondly, just take it off their excuses. That should the employee leave the districts leave our program. They maintain this account in perpetuity, and then they can just add funds to continue riding the bus or the train. So there's a lot of details that I don't want to get into the weeds with with you all, but just to put out the general idea. And luckily II was able to, ben tell Jones Ear on Saturday up on the hill. And it's like, Okay, you wanna be my guinea pig, and he's like. Sure. Let's do it. So we'll be. We'll be reaching out to the sink hopefully this week and see what we can get done.

[61:23] Any questions that this doesn't affect the availability implementation right? The way correct. It does. It's the but the devils and the details. It doesn't limit the availability depending on technology. It's not like. you know, every server at the Sync as a sync.com email address. So it doesn't sound to me. According to what Lane has just said that Rtd has figured out how to accommodate personal emails. and the current contract ecopass program.

[62:04] They're they're okay with it. It's just not their first desire, for obvious reasons, that then we can easily track who works where, if they have an affiliated company email. But I've already told them I'm I would be shocked if we can even get 40% of our districts to have a work assigned email address because of our small and independent and our service and hospitality based businesses is just not. It's not gonna happen. I wanna point out, it sounds like Rtd suggested that they need this conversion to happen by the end of this month. I don't know that that is a practical request, and I think we're also going to be pushing hard back on them so that folks can continue to use their old Eco passes for a longer amount of time, so we can adequately get folks converted over to this medium is that's just not enough time for the thousands of of users that we have in the downtown University Hill and Boulder Junction

[63:08] Lee. When when did this all start coming down? I and so I'm curious. What timing has been in in bulk. Oh, good in bulk. We were told that this is coming down the pike. I believe it was in May of 2023, and at that point I was on that meeting with some colleagues of mine. And then they're like, okay. But wait, you know, we're gonna start with an shoots campus. We're gonna roll them out. We're gonna troubleshoot before we move down to other levels. And they admittedly said the general improvement districts in Boulder that are a master contract where we literally have hundreds of different employers under the umbrella.

[64:00] We're gonna save you for the very last, because it's just gonna be the most challenging to Chris's point they have. They're giving everybody this September thirtieth. You gotta have it done. We as city employees, we're given that date as being. That's it. Your Eco pass will not work. Your current. RFID Pass will not work past September thirtieth. That motivates folks, of course, and go get it done but is not going to be the case with our district writers. We also know even is that that this is the business ecopass program. There's also a Nicopas that some of you may enjoy as well your neighborhood Eco pass program. You've already admitted that they're gonna be the big push right now is to the business. They haven't even talked to or notified any of the neighborhoods. Hence the old product with the chip is going to have to be continued to be accepted on their services. guessing through the end of the year. having been through the process with the RFID ship in 2013 Rtd. Pushed out, I believe, 3 extensions with no fare, no ride, no problem. They just because

[65:10] they knew that not enough foxes had enough time to get it done. So I would anticipate that this. This could be the case. One quick point I want to make, too. That was flashed on one of the images is part of the new fare structure that our Cds Board voted on includes a 0 youth fare, and that goes up to age 19. So for any of you who got, you know primary middle school high schoolers, or college freshman or sophomore. They don't have to. They don't have to have an Eco pass or a card. It's they just show explicitly. Prove, I guess, prove their age. They're writing for free, and that's already started. That's September of 2,023 through, I believe. August of 2,024. That's already underway.

[66:02] I guess the only other question is there some sort equity piece for people who don't have phone? Is there an alternative to this. Thank you for that question. So, yeah, that was one of the very first ones, as I said, you know, not everyone. or they're not going to be willing to provide one? If so. But there is a my ride physical card that we can get, and then, as opposed to them, using the app based service. They can get this, my ride code that I believe has a QR code on. I've actually never seen one. That's, II guess also problematic, because we have to keep like a supply of them at our customer service desk at Fifteenth and Perl, so that folks could then come in person and say, You know I'm not. I don't have a smart phone or I don't have an email address or both. And that is the the option that was offered.

[67:01] So it exists. It exists. Yeah. Elaine, when will you? Be getting me this spreadsheet or portal for the emails? I'll let you know after I meet with Regan tomorrow. Spreadsheet. It's not a stretchy thing. Yeah. Drop like drop one which are gonna be sending folks. Oh. language, right and and and well, what I looked at in the packet was basically a very rudimentary spreadsheet where they're to put, you know, the email address and column A and the employees name and column B, and then send it

[68:00] to our email. And then we I are going to upload that into the rt, the portal. Oh. so yeah, I'm sorry. There's a lot of unknowns, and but we wanted to at least introduce you to the concept that this is rolling out and will be We're start specifically with the huge writers. it seems like less onerous job to tackle on our downtown folks so expect hopefully to see that later this week, early next week and we'll see what we can get rolling. So thank you. Thanks, Lane. sure

[69:01] that concludes matters from staff. Thank you, Chris. There's this in the manners from Commissioners. We don't have anything you want to burn up here at this point earlier. I just want to recognize the sink again. A lot of fun. You know, between that and the game, resolved. You know, the the hill definitely had more energy, positive energy that I've seen in a long time. I saw the the the Vent street was really, I know it sounds like that. It was difficult. The permitting process is still a little difficult. But I'm really happy to have them pull that off. It's really really cool. I work hard as opposed to other days.

[70:03] Had reporters up there. It actually reached out to the Commission through city potentially. Have a Commissioner available to talk. No one was available. I was out of town. Cheryl was out of town. and so, unfortunately, that was the case. But it was very positive. So news coverage about activities on the hill exciting around football team. That kind of thing. So the inside coverage was was super good. It works, and 3 meals in one day. but any damage anybody knows from activity on the weekend. The only damage I saw was on Barcelona bus. Right? That's our I saw attempted damage. It is yeah.

[71:04] there's much of that bread. No, I didn't notice anything. It seems pretty well it was excitement. But again there was there was some damage. There's not damage some of the planters in front of specifically Lab and pucker Junkie. Those planners are really bloody. and there's on the tree. Well, the tree? Yeah, which I wasn't sure are there? Greats that are missing now? I thought that that was all like sorted out. but they seem to go missing. Great. No, there's never been great. So these to be great big trees in those the standard tree grate that the city has does not fit into the size of the squares. And so over time we want to upgrade those tree wells so that they can get our standard great, and then baby tree in them again, but

[72:05] passed from a mud pit to that. sometimes we have that condition in a lot of places around the city at the very least. we could consider filling it with asphalt or concrete until we're at a point where we can upgrade it with irrigation and tree grade. So remove the tree. So is there a tree in and training? Oh, then, yeah, then. then, yeah, probably it's going as long as there's a tree in it, especially mature tree. Yeah, then there won't be any. We we let that tree live outside and try to interfere with it as little as necessary. What if it is safety concern stepping into a big phone? Probably. Then we we can talk to our forestry folks and see they, it's challenging because we've got again. It's a condition that we have

[73:05] in a number of places, and and we try to be really careful around older, mature trees. But as you've seen on the hill, there's been there used to be a lot of trees on that block of college. Sorry that block of thirteenth and we have some work to do some years to go before it's gonna be that help you with the treat canopy again. I don't think if it's you know, you should probably you should probably ask for it so, and our and our forestry folks yeah. So our forestry folks handles all of the the tree. Removal replacement throughout the city. And so we partner with them on that we try not to spend district dollars in the public right of way unless it's unless it's a physical improvement that the city wouldn't otherwise support.

[74:00] But we do have a forestry program that does provide trees and and improvements throughout the city. So trying to lean on them. But as you can imagine, the number of trees that we have in the city. getting these particular locations to the top of their list. Sometimes it it can take something actually happening and and getting reports of the the are risk assessor at the city to to make a change. Are you referring to the plan or to the squares of albatross. Yes. Okay. yeah. We will not be putting asshole around any squares. I think this last weekend is a good data point on what we should be expecting the next couple of years in that district. You know, with increased interest. Football, home game, this weekend against Nebraska. There's some big activity happening the next month. Let alone the next couple of years we we hotel and Conference Center showing up so maybe that could be helpful and getting forestry to.

[75:07] But put a fine point on. It's probably just a maritime there's or, you know, there's other things that happen so right. And that's the flip side is is wanting to explore, maybe a long longer term. Capital major capital investment, leveraging some, maybe some huge dollars, but also other capital projects at the city to do a comprehensive redo on the house. It's been, you know, 25 years now since last one nice hurt I'm has there been discussion about. you know? Yes, trying to make the hill to the hotel to downtown boulder. Then one kind of transition welcoming transition.

[76:09] Yes. So there's a lot of work happening on that front currently in this mission world. Once the staff is ready to bring some questions and considerations to this and other boards that are also concerned about the same thing, and transpose Advisory Board Planning board, downtown Management Commission. So there is work plan in 2024 to to move that along. So you'll be hearing more about. Yeah, that's exciting. And one thing I mean, we've we've heard a long time trying to bring people. I'm I'm saying, bring about up to the hill. because it's the obvious path to go downhill to downtown. It would be great if reciprocal. So something power and and easy for people to imagine.

[77:03] I think that that's one of the things. Now we're currently lacking so exciting to hear parents there, matters people would want to bring up Andrew remotely. Just quick question have we gotten in response or feedback of the was it September first food. Scooters were like everybody's. I think it was actually week before. Yeah. yeah, it's I think, around then. Yes. I have not heard Any news, good or bad. This could that Lyme school just allowed west of Thirtieth Street? 23, including canvas. There's I've noticed, on campus. There's a bunch there all over the place. And it's so far so good. I read my bike every day to work, and I have a headache.

[78:05] real issues in terms of people just parking them willy, nilly which I think generally ends up being the biggest complaint is that there's something in the right away. and they're they're, you know, fully activated. And I think it's been about 2 weeks. Yeah, curious. You haven't heard anything good or bad so far, that's good. And then one other thing. So the Hill Hotel, if you're looking north from the alleyway, is that main entrance right there, right? Yep. Are they going to be? I've heard that they were going to be doing something with that alleyway? Or is it just staying the way it is? They're very interested in doing something with that alleyway, and they would possibly That maybe contribute resources is what I've heard in conversations past, but they are not

[79:03] required, or they've not committed to doing anything with that alleyway. We have approached the Transportation Mobility Department. They oversee, you know, all infrastructure in the public right of way. The challenge with that alleyway is. It's in better condition than most of the alleys throughout the city. And so working with our partners internally to prioritize additional improvements to that ally? You. when it compares to other alleys that the transportation's been targeting. We are very interested in in having every pedestrian connection to the new hotel is pleasant and and save as possible. So we'll continue to explore ways to implement the alley. The alley plan that was produced. How many years 2018 which certainly includes some proposals for that there has been improved lighting. There were some trash enclosures, some combining, you know, combination of trash and closures for businesses. So there might be a few other strategies that's that are still low hanging fruit for us to to push along. But so. Yes, there are. There are a lot of eyes on

[80:16] potential additional improvements to that alleyway. But nothing that the Help Hotel is required to do as part of it. Just a general observation. Maybe there's a way of closing matters. Missionaries And so Alice, in a rose, I believe, has opened at this point very long. Build out charming space. If you have an opportunity, you should definitely go and check it out. It's a nice high-end fingers crossed. These guys survive because it's it's a nice space. And then the

[81:13] they look like they're pretty close. Yeah mobile, maybe. But no, I have not heard. do know that they wanted James Beard. Yeah. for the 10. Really. So these are exciting things happening on the hill. I mean as much as we want to like. You know, there's a bug. And Gee did something. A damage. Business is open currently, and lots of activity happen. So lots of things we can lean into. It's positive. Still, continue that momentum morning. All right. Anything else from the Commissioners. Thank you. The last. Just sorry on that point. anything box having. Yeah, I think. Do we know what? There's a sign on the door? The same thing owners hospitalized?

[82:05] I guess that was a question for Jake. I was just. And did you all know that Chipotle has leased the Rosenberg Space Bill loves? It'll be challenging for legal peace. That'll be some really close competition. Yeah. it's a that's a big space. Yeah. And they're they're still. They're just starting the city process. So Rosenbergs, okay, are they going in there with their a beer license, I guess, or whatever kind of probably whatever was already tied to the the space. But I'm not sure I knew. I know that Rosenbergs was, did get to a place where they able to serve alcohol, not sure if it was just beer and wine, or that they had liquor, so they were able to get their hands on one of the

[83:06] the legacy permits. Licenses district only chronicle of both here here have. Okay. So a reminder that our next mission meeting is on election day. Tuesday, November seventh, 2023. Mail and balance. So everyone should be done. If there's no other matters from the Commissioners going to join the meeting alright. Very much. Thanks for bearing with all the technical issues that we had today. Thank you staff for pivoting Chris. There.