Loading...
03.05.19 UHCAMC Minutes CITY OF BOULDER,COLORADO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES UNIVERSITY HILL COMMERCIAL AREA MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEMBERS,STAFF,AND INVITED GUESTS PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS: Liguori,Luff,Nelson,Schneider,Soifer STAFF: Danunann,Wiebenson,Yates(left at 4:26) PUBLIC: none PERSON PREPARING SUMMARY: Rachel Dainmann,303-441-4191 TYPE OF MEETING: Regular Meeting March 5,2019 Meeting called to order at 4:03 p.m. Roll Call: Completed Approval of the February 5,2019 Minutes • Liguori motioned to approve as amended. Schneider seconded.All present approved. Public Comment Wiebenson presented Blackwood's email update from UHNA.They support a public art project at Beach Park.They encourage commissioners to attend the student's midterm presentation on March 81h 4-8 pm. Their Spring general meeting will be on Thursday,April 25 at the Academy from 5:30-7:00 p.m.UHNA opposes sale of Harbeck House to a private entity with no public access to the interior.They continue to support the Hill hotel. Planning September Beach park on Sunday,September 9. Matters from Staff: UHGID Maintenance Update Melissa Yates,Access and Parking Supervisor,was present to talk about maintaining levels of service with Hill maintenance with the retirement of one of the Hill maintenance staff.There is new flexibility with rotating maintenance staff as needed. Snow removal starts at 4:00 a.m.The additional help will begin with the next snow storm.There are five applicants for the currently open position.For the malfunctioning light poles at 131'and College,staff reached out to WL but has not gotten a response.The city is prepared to go with another electrician if needed to move forward with the repair. Hill Hotel Update Wiebenson reported on the January 22,2019 city council discussion at which council requested an independent appraisal of the Pleasant Street lot in addition to other items to help them move forward with a decision whether to support the project.The appraisal is expected to be complete within another week or two. Staff will send council a confidential memo with the results and an updated proposal from Nichols Partnership.The memo is confidential as it contains information related to a land sale negotiation.The memo will also include information from Housing to respond to interest from some members of city council in developing affordable housing on the Pleasant Street lot. Wiebenson will request a memo from CAO with information on council's role as the UHGI❑board of directors when making this decision. Liguori asked if the hotel doesn't happen,would the City try to aggregate the Pleasant Street lot with the adjacent private lots to support an affordable housing project. Wiebenson recalled no mention of pursuing this approach. Wiebenson noted that there would be an 18-24 month gap between approval of an agreement to sell the lot and the sale closing(when the funds would go to UHGID)because the sale will likely be contingent on design and entitlement approval.This would allow time to plan for the best use of the funds. Liguori recommended using some of the funds for light poles. Schneider offered to pay for a pole for a test to make sure the new lights meet the needs of the district. Wiebenson will look into the proper process for a donation. Wiebenson said the cost is$7,000 per pole,plus installation. Schneider said the city's Dark Skies initiative is requiring him to reduce the height of his private property light poles before November. Citywide Retail Study Wiebenson gave an update on the Citywide Retail Study. Surveys will go live on Friday,March 8.There are two different surveys. One is for retailers to help the city understand the current cost of doing business in Boulder.The second survey is for Boulder shoppers Can residents,students,workers and visitors meet their basic shopping needs in Boulder?There will be a large campaign to collect data. Brenda Ritenour will send it to neighborhood groups.The survey will be open for a month.CU students will have an opportunity to respond.The survey and engagement communications will be in Spanish too. Liguori noted in Fort Collins retail spaces seem smaller,and not many vacancies. She pointed out free parking and a variety of small stores. Nelson said the 7-11 store was sold and is no longer being run by 7-11 corporate. Commissioners expressed interest in visiting other college towns.Wiebenson has talked with Fort Collins, who the city recently hosted in Boulder.Nelson said Susan Stafford travels to college towns and could offer insights.Wiebenson also offered a tour of the Tennyson Retail district in Denver,possibly First Fridays in the summertime. Commissioners talked about student housing and lack of code compliance. Soifer said the Hill needs an identity. Liguori suggested the identity of a music and food district.The CU light pole banner agreement expired in November. CU would like to replace them. Wiebenson said banners are about$150 each.Commissioners suggested a historic theme. Soifer recommended Grenadier to brand the Hill like they did the Hill Boulder. Discussion about places on the Hill that do music. Discussion about the ownership group and their willingness to improve their properties and decrease vacancies. Matters from Commissioners: 2019 Hill Event Update April 12 CWA Wednesday night--private party at C66 Aion and Jazz event Friday night-at the Event Street 2 Fraternity and Sorority contest July August- Summer Sundays for four weeks. W-Th-Friday outdoor concerts in August FMQB in August 7-9 at University Parking Lot Block Party in late September September UHNA Party at Beach Park Schneider reconunended a$5 at 5pm deal for discounted food.Nelson said discount night for Hill neighbors. Wiebenson said there is$7,000 in the 2019 Hill Reinvestment budget to put toward something. She will bring this up at the quarterly meeting on March 215'. Discussion about the promotional Hill video being created by Hill stakeholders. Meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m.—Schneider made a motion to adjourn. All conunissioners in attendance were in favor. Next Meeting: April 2,2019 APPROVED BY: UNIVERSITY HILL COMMERCIAL AREA MANAGEMENT COMMISSION Attest: Rachel Dammann, Secretary 9840F, 3