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PLAN-Boulder CountyThe Boulder County Peoples Advocate Jan. 1, 2006Boulder County public affairs news and analysis |
In this issue
PLAN-Boulder County Annual Dinner Speaker to discuss the True Costs of Big Box Retailers
Stacy Mitchell, author and senior researcher with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (www.ilsr.org), will speak at the PLAN- Boulder County (PBC) Annual Dinner on The True Cost of Big Box Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses." The PBC annual dinner will be held on Sunday evening, Feb. 12, at the Spice of Life Events Center (5706 Arapahoe Ave) starting at 5 pm. This event is open to all, and costs $35 per person for a beef or vegetarian dinner.
Stacy Mitchell is author of "The Hometown Advantage: How to Defend Your Main Street Against Chain Stores and Why It Matters," which provides essential guidance for grassroots groups and elected officials who wish to understand the true costs of mass merchandise chain retailers, local policies that encourage such development to the detriment of local businesses, and the overall effects on quality of life in communities.
This topic is particularly relevant because the Boulder City Council voted on September 20, 2005, to
Purchase Stacy Mitchell's book
Approval Process Begins for OSMP Visitor Plan Details
The Boulder City Council began the process of implementing the recently approved Open Space and Mountain Parks Visitor Master Plan (VMP). At its December 6 meeting council members considered several motions prior to approving the first phase of staff's proposed implementation details. The phase-one details include dog control, designation process for Habitat Conservation Areas and management of newly acquired properties.
Council member Crystal Gray offered several amendments to clarify VMP regulations on dogs that will be allowed off-leash on some trails. A motion by Gray to set higher fees for non-Boulder residents was rejected on a 6 to 3 vote, with council members Ageton, Gray and McGrath in support and council members Bohannon, Eldridge, Polk, Ruzzin, Schultheiss and Stoakes opposed.
A motion by Gray to lessen the penalty for dog guardians who did not have a leash in their possession was rejected by a 5 to 4 vote. Supporting the Gray amendment were council members Eldridge, Gray, Polk and Schultheiss. In opposition were council members Ageton, Bohannon, McGrath, Ruzzin and Stoakes.
Council members unanimously approved an amendment by Shaun McGrath that would retain the final approval for designation of Habitat Conservation Areas by City Council. Staff had recommended that the Open Space Board of Trustees should approve any designations prior to council consideration. The phase one implementation details were approved, with the McGrath amendment, unanimously.
Council Approves New CATV Operator
The Boulder City Council approved a new operator for Channel 54, the city's community access television station. At one time the council was on the verge of shutting down the channel but responded to public pressure by having city staff provide other options. City Manager Frank Bruno offered council three options at its December 6 meeting: operating the channel with reruns only, selecting a new "sole source" operator immediately or advertising for proposals from interested operators.
By a 6 to 3 vote council selected Tony Perri and his BTV group to operate Channel 54 for at least six months. The proposal by Councilman Shaun McGrath contained several requirements that BTV must meet. Voting to approve BTV as the operator were council members Bohannon, Gray, McGrath, Polk, Ruzzin and Stoakes. Voting against the "sole source" award to BTV were council members Ageton, Eldridge and Schultheiss.
Boulder Community Network Community Media page
City Council School Issues Committee hotline meeting notice
Boulder Council Addresses Alcohol Issues
The Boulder City Council considered a range of approaches to the problem of alcohol abuse in the community, responding to concerns raised by recent high-profile incidents involving University of Colorado students. At a special meeting on December 13 council members unanimously approved various concepts relating to education and early intervention. The Council also approved adding several items to Boulder's state legislative agenda, including statewide registration of beer kegs, increasing the state liquor excise tax and requiring mandatory training of servers.
The only controversial aspect of the deliberations was whether restaurants that serve liquor should be made subject to a conditional use review in all parts of the city. Other options under consideration are a moratorium on new liquor licenses in parts of Boulder (especially University Hill) and prohibiting new licenses within 500 feet of CU property.
On a motion by Mark Ruzzin the Council voted 6 to 3 to instruct city staff to analyze the issue of conditional review and to implement a process of involving the public in the discussion. Staff will start the process by the second quarter of 2006. Council members Bohannan, Eldridge, Gray, Polk and Stoakes supported the Ruzzin motion. In opposition were council members Ageton, McGrath and Schultheiss.
Higher Education Center for Alcohol Abuse
City of Boulder Board Positions Come Available
The City of Boulder has twenty volunteer public boards and commissions that provide advice to City Council. Each year the City Council solicits applications from citizens interested in serving on the bodies, with appointments usually made in March. This year there will be a number of seats available, including at least one each on important boards such as the Beverage Licensing Authority, Downtown Design Advisory Board, Downtown Management Commission, Environmental Advisory Board, Human Relations Commission, Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board, Open Space Board of Trustees, Planning Board, and Transportation Advisory Board.
Most of the vacancies are open to any citizen of Boulder, although some require certain professional qualifications, such as the seat on the Downtown Design Advisory Board being reserved for a "design professional"like an architect. It is very important that Boulder citizens consider applying for these positions and advocate for appointment of qualified applicants to these important boards and commissions.
City Board and Commission Openings
Boulder County Also Seeks Board Volunteers
Boulder County has vacancies coming up this year on 13 boards and commissions, including important ones such as the Housing Commission, Board of Adjustment, Board of Review, Planning Commission and the Parks and Open Space Advisory Commission. The deadline for applying for a position on a county board or commission is February 18. Interested citizens can obtain information on the openings and their membership requirements from Cecelia Lacy at 303/441-4504.
County Board and Commission Openings
Fire Training Center Alternative Site Considered
The City of Boulder found a possible alternative site for a planned Fire Training Center. The original proposal placed the center at Valmont Butte, but that location was strongly opposed by American Indians, nearby residents, historic preservation advocates and environmentalists. City Council authorized staff to consider alternative locations for the center.
At the December 6 meeting of City Council staff reported that the best alternative to Valmont Butte was a city-owned site adjacent to the water treatment facility at 63rd Street and Diagonal Highway, just east of Boulder Reservoir. Staff will do an analysis of the site, seek public comment and bring the issue back to council for a final decision, probably in February.
Colorado Daily story on the Training Center
Boulder Council Amends Ethics Code
At its December 6 meeting the Boulder City Council approved minor changes to its code of conduct for elected and appointed officials. Changes offered by City Attorney Ariel Calonne were approved on an 8 to 1 vote, with council member Richard Polk opposed.
During the discussion of the changes councilman Andy Schultheiss offered an amendment that would allow city council members to accept free tickets to University of Colorado athletic events. The Schultheiss motion was rejected on a 5 to 4 vote with council members Ageton, Bohannon, Eldridge, Gray and Ruzzin voting against. Supporting the Schultheiss motion were McGrath, Polk, Stoakes and Schultheiss.
Mall Study Committee Fades Away
In early 2005 several Pearl Street Mall merchants complained to City Council about alleged instances of disorderly conduct and "aggressive begging by homeless people." Council immediately reacted by appointing a study committee to determine what kind of additional laws might be required to rid the mall of "undesirables." By the end of the year, however, the committee simply faded away without taking any action.
City staff supported the merchants' complaints, developing a series of possible ordinances designed to address the reported problem. One of the committee members, Boulder County ACLU chairman Judd Golden, began to raise questions about whether the problems actually existed. At Golden's insistence the Boulder Police Department provided the committee with a report showing that few crimes or arrests had occurred on the Pearl Street Mall in recent years, especially once the police had assigned more officers to patrol the street. Had City Council members asked the same questions as Mr. Golden, the apparent need for yet another study committee would have been significantly diminished.
Erie Considers Comprehensive Plan Update
An update of the comprehensive plan for Erie has entered the public comment process, which will lead to important decisions by the Town's Planning Commission and Council. The Town's Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee has been meeting for over a year updating the current plan, which was adopted in 1999.
The proposed update accommodates housing for about 37,000 more residents and commercial development that may result in approximately 10,000 additional jobs. One area of concern among some residents is an increase in allowable residential densities in certain residential zones, which could lead to a population well beyond the 49,500 projected for 2030.
Boulder artist Elizabeth Black's pictures depicting the changing Boulder environment have been placed on display in city offices at the Park Central Building, 1739 Broadway, across Boulder Creek from the Municipal Building. Black's paintings were displayed during the Boulder Creek Festival last year with the public having the opportunity to select their favorite. That painting and four others selected by the Boulder Arts Commission and the Boulder County Arts Alliance are now on display.
PLAN-Boulder County is pleased with the response to the Peoples Advocate from Boulder County residents. We'll keep working to let you know how your city and county representatives are voting on important issues, especially since local news coverage in Boulder County is often lacking in details.
In order to spread the word we encourage those of you who are receiving this publication to pass it around. Forward the email to your friends. Encourage any community organizations in which you are a member to distribute the Peoples Advocate to their membership. Let us know what you think about the publication. Contact PBC Board Member David Cook at cookdw21@cs.comto be added to the distribution list or to provide feedback.
| The Boulder County Peoples Advocate is published monthly by PLAN-Boulder County and distributed free to persons interested in local public affairs issues. Eric Karnes, Editor
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