HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.10.22 DMC MinutesCITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
NAMES OF MEMBERS, STAFF, AND INVITED GUESTS PRESENT:
BOARD MEMBERS: Poe, Trees, Kalvin
STAFF: Jones, Pinkal, Brown, Landrith, Wuycheck
GUESTS: Chip (Downtown Boulder Partnership), City of Boulder Officer Jack Walker
PERSON PREPARING SUMMARY: Lisa Wuycheck, (303) 441-3254
TYPE OF MEETING: Regular May 10, 2022
Don called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
Roll Call:
Approval of the March 8, 2022 Minutes
In the absence of Commissioner Nuzum, Poe moved to table the approval of minutes until the July 12
meeting. All agreed.
Swearing in of New Commissioner: Justin Kalvin (2 minutes)
Welcome New Commissioner (10 minutes)
The commissioners introduced themselves to Kalvin. Jones introduced staff and attendees.
Officer Elections (10 minutes)
In the absence of Commissioner Nuzum, Poe moved to table ‘Officer Elections’. All agreed.
Public Participation
None.
Public Safety Update (Officer Walker)
Poe said he and a group met with Officer Trujillo to tour the 15th street block of Pearl Street. Poe said the
officer suggested the business cameras concentrate on locking doors and acquiring cameras. Officer
Walker offered to meet with Poe.
Officer Walker said there was one crime in the downtown area over the past 30 days, which was a
burglary at Ben & Jerry’s. He said the Circle K (15th & Canyon) has been identified as a problem
location. Poe agreed.
Walker reported that the city now has an encampment team, so the mall officers will be present at the
mall more often. Walker said, as summer approaches, there will be 2 clean-ups each week. Officers will
notify people on Friday to vacate the area within 72 hours.
Walker said arrest standards have gotten better, and jails will not take municipal offenses.
Trees asked about the existence of noise ordinances in the west end area of Pearl Street. Chip said
ordinances do exist in the west end which prohibit amplified music. Chip said the enforcement of the
ordinance is complaint-based. Chip said training for the ambassadors regarding ordinances is ongoing.
Landrith said the noise ordinance encompasses the entire downtown business district. Landrith shared that
the city has three noise regulations.
1. “Disruption of quiet enjoyment of the home” prohibits loud behavior that disrupts neighbors in
their own home.
2. “Unreasonable noise” applies to amplified sounds after 11 p.m., loud car stereos on public
property anytime, limited construction activity between 5 and 9 p.m., use of lawn maintenanc e
equipment between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., car alarms lasting more than 5 minutes and other similar
noise.
3. “Excessive sound levels” is applied to any loud noise that exceeds 55 decibels between the hours
of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., lowering to a maximum of 50 decibels after 11 p.m.
Walker said decibel meters don’t lead to convictions. Walker said a new ordinance may be coming soon
that extends the current nightly noise ordinance (from 11 pm to 5 am) to an all-day noise ordinance that
will cover larger areas. Walker will research if this change applies to the business districts or only to
residential areas.
Poe shared a dashboard that lists the downtown criminal reports.
https.//experience.arcgis.com/experience/0b731bfe749044a797c512e8a7a0725a/
Poe told Officer Walker that his business has cameras to assist with violations.
DBP Update (Chip)
Downtown Boulder Ambassadors (5 minutes)
Chip presented slides highlighting recent downtown events, a ‘stats overview’ regarding ambassador
interactions and activities, and positive feedback on the pilot program of the ambassadors. He is hoping
to continue the ambassador program next year based on the positive feedback. Chip said staffing for the
ambassador program will increase this summer and training will be ongoing. In 2023, Chip wants the
ambassador program to increase support on University Hill and to include dedicated homeless outreach
positions.
Downtown Vision Plan (10 minutes)
Chip reviewed the 5-year Downtown Vision Plan to prepare for the 50th anniversary of the Pearl Street
Mall. There was a joint board meeting that addressed identity, programming and activation,
transformative public enhancement projects, climate resilience, equity and inclusion, and funding &
management.
The Vision Plan’s next steps include:
• Engage consulting group
• Convene steering committee
• Integration of existing work
• Schedule focus groups, stakeholder interviews, and other inputs
• Design community engagement opportunities
West End Closure to Vehicle Traffic (10 minutes)
The Downtown Boulder Partnership distributed surveys to downtown businesses regarding the extension
of the west end street closure. Data was collected from April 26 through May 2, 2022. There were 177
respondents. (Chip said 53% of the total respondents represented businesses located in the West End
district.)
Chip said overall survey results showed 44.1% of downtown businesses were in favor of a permanent
year-round closure of the west end to vehicle traffic. He reported that 30.5% of respondents were in favor
of a permanent re-opening of the west end (back to pre-COVID).
When focusing only on the responses from the west end businesses, 43% were in favor of a permanent re -
opening and 37% were in favor of a permanent closure. The other responses included season closure and
mixed/hybrid.
Chip reported that 64% of west end restaurants want a permanent re-opening and 0% want a permanent
closure. He said 38% of the west end retail businesses want a permanent re -opening and 38% want a
permanent closure.
Chip said survey results indicate that the west end restaurants were most impacted by the street closure
and they wish to re-open to traffic. The larger community has more interest in extending the street
closure.
Chip said the final data report shows 48.1% of west end businesses want to re-open the streets and 27.8%
want to permanently close the street.
Poe shared positive feedback regarding the ambassadors. Trees said her family enjoyed the ‘Fairy Elf
Festival’.
Trees said she’s enjoying the downtown happy hour link created by the DBP.
https://boulderdowntown.com/dining/happy-hours#filter=.day2.
Trees asked about summer activities and the goals of the events regarding the community. Chip said the
downtown events committee focuses on engaging visitors and the local community and on bringing
people to the downtown area to support the businesses.
Core Purposes of DBCI Events are to:
• Provide a vibrant, enjoyable, engaging experience that brings people (locals and visitors) together
• Provide a strong connection to the place and people: enriches the experience of Boulder
• Provide collaboration and/or partnership with non-downtown related entities
• Be accessible (physically/ economically), inclusive and diverse community-driven experiences
• Celebrates art, culture and/or innovation
Upcoming downtown summer events include:
• Pearl Street Arts Festival (July 16 & 17)
• ‘Bands on the Bricks’, an 8-week series, will return on Wednesday nights, beginning June 15
• Downtown Fall Fest (September 16-18)
Chip said big events typically help restaurants but not retail businesses. He added that the events bring
awareness and exposure to the retail businesses.
Consent Items
Consent Agenda – Topics will not be discussed unless there are questions posed by the Commission.
Please reference the consent agenda memo.
Matters from Staff
Outdoor Dining Update (5 minutes)
Jones said on April 19, staff presented outdoor dining questions to council that related to the west end
closure. Jones said council provided direction to the staff for further steps and research. Council asked
staff to look a city-wide program, including public and private properties.
Jones talked about the need for ordinance relaxing related to the current specific use review requirements
for outdoor dining. He said it takes time for revokable permit applications from restaurants to go through
the Planning Department. Jones said he is aware there is a desire for the program to happen quickly. He
said staff is working with the City Attorney’s Office on ordinance language that will relax use review for
5-year outdoor dining pilot program.
Jones said staff has a first reading on the ordinance changes on June 7, and the second reading is on June
21. The second reading will be a public hearing including a staff presentation. He said staff presented
draft design criteria to balance, safety, accessibility, equity, and operations. He said council expressed
support regarding the direction of the design requirements.
Jones said staff will draft a request for proposal (RFP) for a pre-fab parklet infrastructure that meets all
requirements. He said there will a list of pre-approved vendors that businesses can hire to convert their
current structures to meet city-approved infrastructure.
Pinkal said the RFP for parklets may be finalized today. She said proposals are due May 24.
Jones said council approved the use of ARPA dollars to help businesses with acquiring or
converting current outdoor dining infrastructure. He said the parklet infrastructure will cost
around $30,000. He said there may an option for businesses to lease the parklets from the city.
Jones said staff asked council about the future of outdoor dining in the west end. He said council
requested more information, about the desires of the businesses and the community. This request led to
Chip’s survey distribution. Jones said a city-wide survey has not been conducted yet but suspects the
overall community would be in favor of outdoor dining.
Jones said west end businesses are mostly in favor of re-opening the streets to traffic. He said council
communicated a preference towards modifying the current west end closure regulations but also not
returning to pre-COVID conditions.
Thoughts and questions from commissioners
Trees asked if council advised on more parklet options rather than working with only one vendor. Jones
said council wants flexibility regarding parklets. Trees asked about the price points.
Jones said a business purchasing their own equipment will be charged $13.13 per sq foot if the space is
off of the bricks. The rate on the bricks is $18.75 per sq foot. Jones said the same rates apply to existing
outdoor patios. He said businesses participating in the city’s bulk purchasing program (the city owns the
parklet) will be charged a proposed $35 per sq foot.
Poe asked how many west end restaurants did not participate in the survey. Jones said one survey was
done by the city and one by the DBP. Chip said 16 of 18 restaurants participated in the DBP survey. Chip
was not sure how many retail businesses participated.
Jones said, prior to the April 19 council meeting, Community Vitality’s intern team surveyed the first-
floor businesses and the results were similar to the DBP results. Jones said second-floor business
responses were limited.
Jones said the city’s survey results presented to council showed that restaurants wanted the streets to be
opened and retailers were mixed.
Jones said staff did some analysis on sales tax revenue. In 2021, he said the west end restaurants
generated a sale tax revenue at 59% of 2019 levels. Jones said restaurants city-wide were at 88% of 2019
levels.
Kalvin asked about parking activity with the west end closure. Jones said prior to the pandemic, the west
end parking spaces generate the highest level of revenue in the on-street parking program.
Kalvin asked if parking activity during the west end closure was redirected to the parking garages. Jones
said parking garage occupancy activity is significantly down compared to pre-pandemic levels. Jones
said the number of day-time employees has decreased due to hybrid work. He added that this affects
parking activity and lunch-time revenue for downtown businesses.
Jones said take-out orders is challenging for restaurants in the west end.
Trees asked Chip about hybrid options in the DBP survey. Chip said the hybrid option in the surve y was
intended to mean a seasonal option or an option offering flexibility during the week.
She asked if council will make a decision based on survey feedback. Jones said that is unclear. Jones said
the immediate goal is for the west-end restaurants to follow the same guidelines that all restaurants on
Pearl Street follow.
Jones said a winter-time option for outdoor dining needs to be determined. Jones said staff capacity is
limited on this single project.
Gateless Installations (5 minutes)
Jones said CV is pursuing gateless installations in the Randolph garage and the RTD garage. An RFP will
be formed to advertise for vendors to install gateless systems in those two garages.
Community Vitality Strategic Plan Update and 2022 Work Plan priorities (10 minutes)
Jones discussed recent Community Vitality Strategic Planning Sessions that focused on better defining
the department's (3) goals and objectives which are:
1. Access for people
2. Vision for place
3. Pursuit of Vitality
The meetings have also focused on adequately reflecting the additions of Arts & Culture and Special
Events to the goal areas.
Jones said CV's economic vitality function elevated to the city manager’s office.
Community Vitality is working on modifying the (3) focus areas to:
1. People and Access
2. District Vitality
3. Cultural Vibrancy
Jones said staff is working with the DBP and other city departments on a long-term vision
regarding the level of transformation of the downtown area and the other districts served by the
department.
2023 Preliminary Budget Proposals (15 minutes)
Pinkal presented slides that reviewed the Preliminary Budget Overview for 2023.
Pinkal said the 2023 base budget will mostly stay consistent with the 2021 budget, with the addition of
the Capital Improvement Plan and additional staffing requests.
Pinkal said the 2023 Capital Improvement Projects will total $1,474,000.
$400,000: Gateless Garages (1500 Pearl, 1100 Spruce, St. Julien)
$300,000: 1500 Pearl HVAC Repairs
$250,000: Elevator Repairs
$40,000: Spruce Lot Paving
$100,000: Affordable Commercial
$50,000: T2 Parking Software Replacement Analysis
$300,000: Randolph Garage Repairs
$34,000: Access Management and Parking Strategy (AMPS)
Pinkal reviewed staffing requests which total $329,000. She also reviewed new parking program requests
which total $783,000 for 2023.
Pinkal said there will be a more comprehensive overview of the budget in July.
Trees said she is intrigued regarding the $300,000 funding for ‘Experiments in Public Arts’. Jones said he
and the Arts Commission will share more in the future. Trees promotes adding art in the parking garages.
Poe asked about the development of an affordable commercial program. Jones said $100,000 has been set
aside annually for the past several years for the program. These are CAGID dollars. Jones said council
supports the program. He said capacity is limited, but some affordable commercial components exist to
support retail businesses in the city-owned commercial spaces. He said there is affordable commercial
work in partnership with Housing and Human Services & Planning and Development Services in the
Boulder Junction area. Jones said there is not a formalized program. Jones said that work will start with
the update to the city’s Economic Sustainability Strategy. Jones will share more details when they become
available.
Trees asked about the possibility of affordable hybrid working options downtown. Jones said
that can be considered moving forward.
DMC Meetings: Remain Virtual/Move to Hybrid (10 minutes)
Poe prefers continuing with virtual meetings. Jones said the current decision can always be altered and
there can be flexibility. Trees would like to return to in-person meetings. Trees asked about holding
outdoor meetings. Kalvin prefers in-person meetings.
The commission did not make a final decision.
Matters from Commissioners None
Meeting Adjourned:
Poe moved to adjourn. Kalvin seconded. Meeting adjourned at 5:35 pm.
NEXT MEETING: July 12, 2022
APPROVED BY: DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Attest: ________________________ ________________________
Lisa Wuycheck, Secretary Susan Nuzum, Chairperson
Susan Nuzum (Jul 15, 2022 08:38 MDT)
5.10.22 DMC Minutes FINAL
Final Audit Report 2022-07-15
Created:2022-07-13
By:Lisa Wuycheck (wuycheckl@bouldercolorado.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAA95y7P5Wl0Z_TrCTXuEOrKcX0T_HxG9db
"5.10.22 DMC Minutes FINAL" History
Document created by Lisa Wuycheck (wuycheckl@bouldercolorado.gov)
2022-07-13 - 3:54:44 PM GMT
Document emailed to susan@nuzum.com for signature
2022-07-13 - 3:56:48 PM GMT
Email viewed by susan@nuzum.com
2022-07-13 - 4:18:03 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Susan Nuzum (susan@nuzum.com)
Signature Date: 2022-07-15 - 2:38:32 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Agreement completed.
2022-07-15 - 2:38:32 PM GMT