09.03.19 UHCAMC Packet
UNIVERSITY HILL COMMERCIAL AREA MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
September 3, 2019
4:00–6:00 p.m.
Broadway Conference Room, 1777 Broadway
AGENDA
4:00 p.m. Roll Call Staff
4:00-4:05 Approval of the August 6, 2019 Meeting Minutes Board
4:05-4:15 Public Comment
4:15-5:30 Matters from Staff
• Pleasant Street Sale Update Staff
• Presentation: New City Sales Tax System Wagner
• Presentation: Citywide Retail Strategy Wiebenson
5:30-6:00 Matters from Commissioners Board
• Board Retreat Planning (October)
6:00 p.m. Adjourn
Attachments:
- August 6, 2019 Draft Meeting Minutes
Commission Members
Lisa Nelson, Chair
Term ends:2020
Robin Luff
First Term: 2021
KC Schneider
Term ends: 2022
Cheryl Liguori
Term ends: 2023
2019 Commission Priorities
1. Seek funding to replace the aging UHGID streetlights
2. Support the Hill Hotel project
3. Continue to pursue strategies to address transients
4. Continue to pursue Alley Plan implementation
5. Collaborate with CU programs and organizations.
Upcoming Meetings
October 1, 2019 (Retreat)
November 5, 2019
Staff Liaison
Sarah Wiebenson, Hill Community Development Coordinator
wiebensons@bouldercolorado.gov
UHCAMC Charter
The University Hill Commercial
Area Management Commission
(UHCAMC) is appointed by the
Boulder City Council under
B.M.C. Section 2-3-20 to advise
on parking and related
improvements in the University
Hill General Improvement
District (UHGID). The five
members must consist of three
district property owners and two
at-large members. All must be
residents of the City of Boulder.
CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
UNIVERSITY HILL COMMERCIAL AREA MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
MEMBERS, STAFF, AND INVITED GUESTS PRESENT:
BOARD MEMBERS: Liguori, Nelson, Schneider, Luff (absent)
STAFF: Dammann, Wiebenson, Bowden
PUBLIC: Blackwood
PERSON PREPARING SUMMARY: Rachel Dammann, 303-441-4191
TYPE OF MEETING: Regular Meeting August 6, 2019
Meeting called to order at 4:15 p.m.
Roll Call: Completed
Approval of the June 4, 2019 Minutes
• Liguori motioned to approve minutes. Schneider seconded. All in favor.
Public Comment
• Nancy Blackwood gave an update on University Hill Neighborhood Association (UHNA)
activities. She will send the UHNA minutes to UHCAMC once they are approved. They are
concerned about potential apartment development on 12th and Aurora. Working with the HRWG-
Neighborhood working group (HRWG-N) on neighborhood enforcement. Weiant is organizing a
Hill block captain list to distribute a handout to educate students on their responsibilities.
Wiebenson recommended coordinating with the Interfraternity Council, which will be distributing
door hangers about litter removal as part of their fall Hillanthropy cleanup in October. UHNA will
print a newsletter this summer. Blackwood asked for an update on Harbeck House. Bowden said
they did an RFP for a broker to lease the space and have selected the Colorado Group. Blackwood
reported the public art installation in Beach Park has been stalled because of height issues. UHNA
is disappointed that despite a lot of public input and support, Planning deemed it an accessory
structure that only allows a maximum of twenty feet. Bowden said she thinks Council member
Brockett asked for Council to review Planning’s review process regarding public art.
Matters from Staff:
Use Table Changes Update
Wiebenson reported on the Use Table update. The University Hill General Improvement District (UHGID)
is excluded in the current draft from the office use restriction.
Wiebenson said there are two new tenants coming to the Hill – an Indian restaurant across from Gaku on
13th Street and a fried chicken place on College Avenue.
The public hearing for the use table updates will be held on August 27th. Nelson suggested Schneider
invite property owners to go to the meeting to support the Hill’s position or write an email to Council prior
to the meeting.
2
Hill Event Street Skateboard Mitigation
Wiebenson said that two business owners have complained about the lack of signage at the Event Street to
demonstrate that skateboarding is not allowed. The new signs will look like the ones on Pearl Street. Staff
will also look into installing deterrents on the benches and curbs to make them less appealing to
skateboarders. The liquor fencing has been ordered: it is the same design as that used for Band on Bricks
on Pearl. UHGID Maintenance will deliver and pick up the fencing for events. The event host will need to
install the fence and break it down. The remainder of the funding for the event street may go toward fixing
the irrigation that is not working properly.
Hill Hotel Update
Wiebenson reported that Council asked staff in April to return with two third party studies to inform their
decision whether to sell the Pleasant Street parking lot: an economic impact study to assess whether a hotel
would have the desired catalytic impact for UHGID and a parking demand projection to determine what
the parking need will be if the hotel is constructed. Both studies will go to Council in an information
packet (IP) prior to the August 20th council meeting. Wiebenson said the parking study erred on the side of
caution by projecting full occupancy of the hotel (a scenario that would arise very rarely). It also looked at
impacts during construction versus ongoing once the hotel is operational. The land appraisal remains
confidential. If Council does not have further questions, staff will wrap up the term sheet and move
forward with a public hearing. Schneider is concerned that as a UHGID landowner, he does not get to
know the appraisal amount. Staff reiterated that it is Council’s authority as the UHGID board to make the
decision of the sale price. Schneider feels that he knows the history of the area, and the value, better than
Council. Liguori suggested a letter to Council as a property owner. Schneider requested staff to check with
CAO about restrictions for UHGID landowners to know about the appraisal.
Nelson asked how the UHCAMC commission will know how Council wishes to proceed after the IP.
Wiebenson said the IP will be made public when the Council packets go out. The item is not on the council
agenda for further discussion. Liguori asked whether Council’s lack of action to proceed with the project
after four years could constitute negligence to the UHGID stakeholders. There is concern that Nichols may
walk away because Council was not able to make a decision. Bowden said we have a 4-4 vote from
Council on record. Wiebenson indicated she talks with Nichols every week and thus far they have
expressed they are interested in proceeding.
UHCAMC expressed concern about the length of time it is taking to make a decision. Schneider pointed
out that some of the tenants have moved out already without city help and some tenants have gone out of
business.
Liguori asked if there is an update on the University conference center. Wiebenson said the developer is
expected to take control of the land in January 2020 and the Starbucks building has been taken down.
Nelson said it appears that the City does not seem to want to help a community in dire condition.
Wiebenson asked about distributing the Hill video. The original intent was to gain grass roots support for
the project prior to the public hearing. Bowden said if Council schedules an action as a result of the IP,
staff will tell UHCAMC.
Matters from Commissioners:
Commissioner Recruitment
3
Wiebenson reminded the commission that there is still a vacancy for a business or property owner. Liguori
reminded that Soifer represented a restaurant. Liguori asked what kind of representation would add to the
commission and recommended someone with a fresh perspective. Liguori will check with Heinritz.
2019 Hill Reinvestment Priorities
Wiebenson reported that there are remaining funds in the Hill Reinvestment Strategy budget. She offered
this could assist with the printing of the HRWG-N handout. The UHGID light pole replacement project is
proceeding, with UHGID spending $15,000 to determine that the wiring is not in good condition. The
lighting control center (LCC) will also need to be reconstructed at a cost of $32,000. CU has indicated in
the past that it would be willing to make a one-time contribution to the district in lieu of contributing to
UHGID as a property owner. This might be a good project to help fund. Liguori recommended making the
ask. Schneider and Nelson concurred.
The next meeting will include a staff report on the citywide retail study and economic impact study.
There is concern about quorum on September 3. Staff will check with Luff since Liguori will be absent.
Wiebenson said BizWest is doing a profile on the Hill.
Bowden invited the commission to provide input into the city retail needs.
Wiebenson said power washing will be done before school starts. Community Vitality will also implement
a maintenance schedule rotation which should benefit everyone with improved service.
Schneider asked about the pilot light pole. Wiebenson said the funds have been going toward the wiring
issue right now. Bowden emphasized that we should figure out the entire situation before we start piecing
things together.
Meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m.
Next Meeting: September 3, 2019
APPROVED BY: UNIVERSITY HILL COMMERCIAL AREA
MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Attest:
Rachel Dammann, Secretary Lisa Nelson, Chair