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Minutes - Downtown Management Commission - 04/04/2011 CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING: MINUTES FORM NAME OF BOARD/COMMISSION: DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT COMMISSION NAME/TELEPIIONE OF PERSON PREPARING SUMMARY: Ruth Weiss - 303-413-7318 NAMES OF MEMBERS, STAFF, AND INVITED GUESTS PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS: CORNELIUS, DAHL, KOVAL, McMULLEN, PATTERSON STAFF: R'INTER, CUNNINGHAM, JOBERT, WEISS, LANDRITH, MATTHEWS, WEINHEIMER, MARTIN, LA HALE GUESTS: SEAN MAHER, BILL TREADWELL TYPE OF MEETING: MINUTES REGULAR MEETING: April 4, 2011 AGENDA ITEM 1- Roll Call: Meeting called to order at 5:33 p.m. Swearing in of New Commissioner: Christopher Cornelius was sworn in. AGENDA ITEM 2 - Approval of the March 7, 2011 Minutes: (See Action Item Below) AGENDA ITEM 3 - Public Participation: None AGENDA ITEM 4 -Police Update: Weinheimer mentioned that calls were down 10% with the largest decline in Disturbances. Trespass was down slightly as well. There was nothing substantial to report. Patterson commented that it seems to be a smooth start to the year. AGENDA ITEM 5 - Parks Update: Martin offered that the progress on the Family Gathering Center is going very well particularly with the good weather and completion is anticipated for early May. The 1300 block tree removal of Linden trees will be done tomorrow with larger grates to be installed. The new trees will be planted in the next few weeks. The hope is to have all the trees lined up. Callie LaHaie is the new supervisor of the Pearl Street Mall. AGENDA ITEM G - BID Update: Maher mentioned that BID is currently in its shoulder season. April 23~`' is the Fairy Parade and the Taste of Pearl is on May I". Maher offered that it will be a busy summer. Banners have been destroyed due to the high winds and will be replaced when the wind dies down sometime this week. Boulder Boulder banners will up shortly. Maher offered that BID and DBI voted unanimously to have the Carriage House find an alternative site to the Yocum site. AGENDA ITEM 7 - Carriage House Presentation: Bill Treadwell approached the podium and began with a historic presentation, mentioned that their current location is overloaded. Treadwell continued that they approached the Yocum site two years ago, are working on the use review process, will have a good neighbor meeting on the 13'h at the West Senior Center, would like a partnership with the city and downtown organizations to help the "underserved". Treadwell continued that the site in question has been vacant for 5 years and they plan to use the first floor, have no loitering on Broadway, provide for 250 people daily, will have bathrooms and showers, and mentioned that the Central Park population are about 10% of the homeless. Treadwell continued that there will be food service, case management services, the ability to provide a positive model, the site is not near a lot of residences, it is not a residential location, and used the building of the Pearl Street Mall as an analogy. Cornelius asked about the size of the Boulder homeless population and Treadwell replied that it was about 1200 in Boulder County with 70% residents of Boulder and 25% are veterans, Chronic homeless were 10%. It is the 70% that they are trying to help. Koval asked about success stats. Treadwell replied that the success ratio was 1/3. Yocum site would be open from 9 am to 3pm with entrance on the creek. Koval voiced concern with the long wait lines at the site and Treadwell replied that they will try to manage it. Patterson commented that the proposal to take care of this population and the issues that Downtown has endured throughout the years, Broadway is a major access to downtown and funds the location is not a good one for downtown. Patterson continued that she knows how difficult it is to find a location and does not know the answer. Patterson mentioned that she has 25 years of experience with the homeless; they were primarily men with addictions to drugs and alcohol and do not feel that downtown is the location to help the homeless. Dahl mentioned that she is supportive of helping the homeless but that they are too lenient and in her bus travels, they come downtown to pan handle and get inebriated and start all over again the next day and would like to see volunteering by the homeless to help out the community. Treadwell offered that their main mission is transition services to get them the things they need, to get a j ob, get mental health services, dentistry, etc., give them clothing to get j obs; the main key is case management. Treadwell offered that 10% locate in the park, another third will come and cat and get a sense of community, but the larger picture is to make it attractive to help manage. McMullen thanked the Carriage House and Community Table for their work with the homeless. McMullen continued with a question: is it the right location? McMullen questioned if the economics of the deal driving the location or is it the right location? Treadwell offered that a final decision on the Yocum site hasn't been made yet since repairs and maintenance issues/costs have not been determined. Treadwell mentioned that he is looking for financing from Boulder Housing Partners. McMullen questioned what happens in the off hours, after 5pm until 10 am and there are issues with people sleeping on the patio from his years of running a restaurant on the site. Treadwell remarked that it is all a matter of management and it will be a challenge at any site selected. McMullen suggested that this isn't the right location, they provide an incredible service, and suggested that the city and downtown community be engaged to assist in their growth. McMullen is most concerned with the relationship of the site and the creek, its proximity to the high school and the issues with high school students and the homeless population. Treadwell offered that they are looking for others to step up and move forward whether at this site or another, its not a social situation and offered that prominent Boulderitcs are behind them. Patterson moved to table this matter from consideration. Patterson offered that its not only downtown Boulder's problem. Winter mentioned that there are other groups engaged in this issue and that it needs to be coordinated with other service providers for a long term solution for housing for the homeless. Winter suggested looking at the city's plan for the homeless. Maher commented that both boards are interested in finding solution to the issue but that it couldn't be done by May 15t". Winter mentioned that it's about finding resources for permanent housing. Koval commented that needs to be done in a more fluid process, it is a very complicated issue and DMC would like a seat at the table. Winter offered that there are lots of agencies and lots going on, and DMC knows there is a problem and would like to be of assistance. Koval mentioned that we need leadership from them. Maher commented that he spoke with other downtown groups around the country, and they offered that if it is built, they will come. Maher continued that it will become a burden to other services such as the police. AGENDA ITEM 8 - Public hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Recommend to City Council the DUIIMD/PS Capital Improvement Program Proposal for 2012: Winter offered that this somewhat of a change to the process of the Capital Improvement Program and a request for feedback from commissions. One: resurface the three parking lots downtown that are used by employees, these lots are owned by the general fund and used for downtown parking. The other project is the downtown amenities and to create a replacement fund for downtown and mall infrastructure such as the pop jet fountain, pylons, and benches and receptacles downtown. One component of the replacement fund was the Farmers Market on 13`h street and those improvements are almost done; 15`h, West Pearl streetscape and pedestrian improvements around the RTD site; Central Park area and it future with the Farmers Market. Improvements are about maintaining the downtown area and to be proactive with public projects. Meter revenues on Saturday would finance mall improvements. Winter stated that the lots are owned by the City of Boulder and not by CAGID, city maintains permitting of the garages and we are managing them but there has never been a replacement budget and the new CIP helps to identify it. Jobert offered that pay stations are managed by DUHMD/PS and the revenues were for maintenance. Patterson asked that if the lots belong to the city, and has the city stopped moving forward with a conference center. Winter mentioned that the parking lots have to be reinvested to avoid them falling apart. Koval asked about particulars for the breakdown of the $1.2 million in requested funds. Winter asked the commission for a participant to help decide and review the RF P's which firm to contract for services, such as signage and painting. Koval asked if the Parking Task Force could be involved with the process. Winter mentioned that they are looking for downtown participation. No public offered suggestions. Jobert offered that the deadline for the proposals is April 7`h. Matthews continued that the first chore is to review the RFQ's and select a consultant. Matthews continued that there are firms that specialize in parking garages; branding and design which are the focus. Patterson motioned to approve, Dahl seconded. All in favor. Koval and Dahl volunteered to be CIP Committee representatives/evaluators. 2 and suggested reviewing it. AGENDA ITEM 10 -Matters from the Staff: Winter mentioned the downtown improvements on 13'h Street, Cafe Seating and Mobile Food Vending are moving forward, Civic Use Task Force subcommittees are meeting on the 12`h to make things happen. Meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m. ACTION ITEMS: MOTION: Dahl motioned to approve the March 7, 2011 meeting minutes. Koval seconded. Approved unanimously. MOTION: Patterson motioned to recommend to City Council the DUITMD/PS Capital Improvement Program Proposal for 2012. Dahl seconded. All commissioners approved unanimously. FUTURE MEETINGS: May 2, 2011 Council Chambers Regular Meeting APPROVED BY: DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT COMMISSION Attest: Ruth Weiss, Secretary Mat cMullen. Chair 3