09.03.19 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: Nelson, Schneider,Luff(left at 5:01),Liguori(absent)
STAFF: Dammann,Wiebenson,Wagner
PUBLIC: none
PERSON PREPARING SUMMARY: Rachel Dammann, 303-441-4191
TYPE OF MEETING: Regular Meeting September 3,2019
Meeting called to order at 4:10 p.m.
Roll Call: Completed
Approval of the August 6,2019 Minutes
Nelson had one change under Public Comment. Approval was tabled for quorum since Luff wasn't at the
June meeting
Public Comment
• None
Matters from Staff:
Presentation:New City Sales Tax System
Wagner presented on the new City sales tax system to UHCAMC for an opportunity to provide input on
the proposed policy changes. It will go live in February 2020. It is the same system the State uses and is
intended to be less labor intensive than the current system.Business licensing will be integrated into the
portal. September 13 is deadline for comment,with a request for approval going to Council in October.
They will beta test the new system in November and are looking for businesses to participate.The
program is called Boulder Online Tax,`BOT."They will be able to email 13,000 users in their system.
They will include inserts in tax returns to promote the program and changes.
Proposed Policy/Code Changes:
They looked at best practices across many cities.The current business licenses don't expire unless you
move or change business type. Finance is proposing a two-year term business license that would align
with the timing of state renewals on odd years. If you renew on time,there is no fee.This applies to any
business that has a business license.
The current code says the CMO can deny a license if it violates the Land Use Code.They are proposing
to change the requirement to compliance with the`Boulder Revised Code."The changes would also
clarify the word"vendor";define tax due date as postmark date; and eliminate mailing of tax returns.
Code charges for late filing would be 10%penalty and I%interest per month.These would apply across
the board and no*depend on individual situations.
Pleasant Street Sale Update
Wiebenson updated the commission that a Letter of Intent to purchase the UHGID Pleasant Street parking
lot was still being negotiated and presented the latest Hill Hotel studies. Council had asked for two studies
in April;an economic impact study and a parking projection analysis.The economic impact assessment
looked at three areas of impact: fiscal to the city,overall economic,and spill-over effects into the UHGID
commercial area.The assessed the impact of four scenarios: hotel use,affordable housing,status quo,and
office.The hotel would have the largest one-time impact,the largest spillover effects and would be the
second highest impact for multiplier effects. Office use was the largest overall economic impact,however
there are no proposals for an office use.
The parking demand projections looked at parking demand both during construction of the proposed hotel
use and after hotel construction was complete.The analysis assumed 100%occupancy in the study to
determine maximum parking impact under both scenarios.The analysis found it would be necessary to
relocate 30 employee permit holders.During construction,utilization of the entire district would be at or
close to capacity.After construction,additional public parking spaces constructed by the hotel would help
alleviate overall district parking. Problems would remain,however,after 7:00 pm when hourly fees for
parking in the district end,and neighboring residents use the spaces to park overnight.
Presentation: Citywide Retail Study Findings and Next Steps for the Citywide Retail Strategy
Wiebenson reported the findings and feedback from Council on the retail study. It examined the current
retail base and its performance;how Boulder's retail performs relative to neighboring communities and
peer communities nationwide;whether the current retail base meets the needs of Boulder residents and
employees;and what challenges Boulder retailers face. The report is posted to the city's website,along
with a five-page summary of input from council on next steps.
Next Steps: look at retailer challenges,look at unmet needs,continue to monitor trends. Staff will develop
a strategy and return to council later in the year,with implementation expected to begin in 2020.
Matters from Commissioners:
Board Retreat Planning
October 1 from 4-6 pm at Gaku Ramen's upstairs space,including a happy hour with Hillanthropy awards
and recognition for former UHCAMC members.
Available Hill Reinvestment Strategy Funding
Nelson would like funding for the UHNA newsletter printing. Remaining funds could go toward
supporting a pop-up concept for empty retail spaces. Wiebenson said she would work with UIINA to get
a printing cost estimate.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Next Meeting: October 1,2019
APPROVED BY: UNIVERSITY HILL COMMERCIAL AREA
MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Attest:
Rachel Dammann, Secretary Lisa Nelson,Chair
2