|
PLAN-Boulder CountyThe Boulder County Peoples Advocate May 1, 2006Boulder County public affairs news and analysis |
In this issue
City Poll Says Public Rejects Big Box Stores
A public opinion survey of Boulder voters found strong opposition to allowing additional "big box" retailers to locate in Boulder. Opposition was even stronger to the idea of providing subsidies or incentives to attract such stores, according to the survey by Talmey-Drake Research and Strategy. The survey was commissioned by the City of Boulder as part of a "retail strategy" push by some members of City Council and senior City staff.
According to the survey, only 35% of voters wished to see more "big box" stores in Boulder. A majority of citizens opposed subsidies, which even City staff now concedes is bad public policy. Nonetheless, City Council will continue its consideration of bringing more out-of-town stores to Boulder in order to generate more sales tax revenue while competing with local retailers. The proposed Palmos "big box" shopping center in the Planning Reserve at 28th Street and Jay Road remains on the table.
Poll: Big Box Not Favored
Big Box Store Development Feasibility Analysis — Don't miss Attachments A and B
RE/MAX Research Blog — 5th story down
Boulder Council May 2, 2006
Council Gives Directions on Transit Village
At its April 4 meeting the Boulder City Council gave directions to City staff on various design and process issues regarding the proposed Transit Village at 30th and Pearl streets. On unanimous 7 to 0 votes (council members Ageton and Eldridge absent), the Council approved the following policies:
Council Direction to Staff on the Transit Village Area
Boulder Council Agenda Packet on the Transit Village
Navigate to City Web Page on the Boulder Transit Village Area Plan
Citizens Group Begins Annexation Initiative Drive
Volunteers have begun collecting signatures on a petition to place on the November ballot an initiative requiring public votes on major annexations. The Boulder City Council, by a vote of 6 to 3, refused to place the issue before voters so the citizens group sponsoring the plan was forced to go through the petitioning process. The initiative would require that all major annexations be put up for vote of the people before they become final. Exceptions would be City-owned property, enclaves within Boulder city limit, parcels for which annexation agreements were made prior to January 1, 2006 and parcels less than five acres in size. The initiative effectively would deal with large annexations such as the CU-South property and the proposed Palmos big-box shopping center on 28th Street near Jay Road.
The citizens group sponsoring the initiative includes former Boulder City Council members Allyn Feinberg, Jane Greenfield, Spense Havlick, Don Mock, Lisa Morzel and Steve Pomerance. Other long-time Boulder civic activists on the committee are Sue Anderson, Al Bartlett, Dick Harris and Pat Shanks.
Citizens (and registered electors) of Boulder can contact the group by visiting their website. Petitions bearing the names of at least 3,800 registered voters must be presented to the City Clerk by June 23 in order to place the issue on the November ballot. If you would like to collect signatures, please email or call Allyn Feinberg at 303-447-8513.
PLAN-Boulder County Endorses Annexation Initiative
The board of directors of PLAN-Boulder County voted unanimously to endorse the proposed citizen initiative on major annexations. Board members felt that allowing residents to vote on important community issues was a long tradition in Boulder, and that the City Council was in error in not placing the issue on the November ballot. Instead, the citizens group will work to collect the number of signatures needed to place the issue on the ballot through the initiative process.
Council Authorizes Revenues Study Commission
The Boulder City Council approved a recommendation from City Manager Frank Bruno to create a Blue Ribbon Commission on Revenue Stabilization. The body, composed of Boulder citizens and "technicians" familiar with municipal finance, will work during a twelve to eighteen month period to review issues such as municipal revenues and options (like a head tax), Boulder's financial structure and financial challenges facing the City.
Council members, at their April 4 meeting, approved Bruno's proposed scope of work and purpose. They also agreed to make recommendations for appointments to the commission. Bruno will compile a slate of nominees to submit to Council for its approval. Council members did voice opposition to serving on the commission, citing concerns over time constraints and the need for independent views.
April 4, 2006 City Council Agenda Packet
April 4, 2006 City Council Minutes
Revenue Stabilization Commission Scope of Work and Commission Composition
Council Refuses to Adopt Resolution on Iraq War
Boulder City Council members, at their April 18 meeting, refused to adopt a citizen petition calling for a resolution against continued American involvement in the war on Iraq. The proposed citizen-drafted resolution seeks withdrawal of US troops within six months and a commitment by the Bush administration not to build military permanent bases in the war-torn country.
Council members generally voiced displeasure with the war and with the Bush administration. They were, however, unsure whether a withdrawal was feasible or whether the City of Boulder should take a stance on the issue. Instead, council members agreed unanimously (Tom Eldridge being absent) to hold a "town hall" meeting in several months at which Boulder residents could voice their concerns about the war. After that meeting council may vote on the issue, considering either the citizen petition or a more "moderate" council-drafted resolution.
April 18, 2006 City Council Agenda Packet
April 18, 2006 City Council Minutes
Withdrawal of Troops from Iraq Resolution
Boulder County Troops Home Coalition
Camera: Boulder to Consider Iraq Resolution
Council Postpones Zero Waste Resolution Vote
The Boulder City Council, at its April 18 meeting, postponed consideration of a resolution committing the City to a goal of zero waste by 2017. Instead, council members voted unanimously, with Tom Eldridge absent, to approve a master plan for waste reduction, following through on a goal of 50% reduction in waste set by City Council in 2000. In 2004 the previous City Council asked staff to develop a plan for a higher recycling goal. The master plan has a goal of 60% reduction by 2007 with no additional funding from the City of Boulder's trash tax.
City staff recommended approval of the zero waste resolution, following in the footsteps of Boulder County commissioners who passed a similar resolution earlier this year. At the suggestion of Councilman Mark Ruzzin, however, council members decided to postpone consideration of the zero waste resolution until their May 2 meeting. Council members seemed supportive of the philosophy behind the resolution but were concerned about the cost of increasing Boulder's commitment to recycling beyond 60%. Staff stated that, in reality, a zero waste goal would be realistically 85%.
Daily: Zero Waste for Boulder?
Council: Adopting a Zero Waste Goal?
Eco-Cycle on Zero Waste Goal
Trash Tax Q and A
Council Overrules Landmarks Board on Depot
Boulder City Council members, at their April 18 meeting, voted unanimously to overrule the Landmarks Board recommendation on preserving the Boulder Union Depot. The historic railroad station currently is located in the Crossroads Commons shopping center at 30th and Pearl streets. The Florida owner of the shopping center wants to move the depot so the center can be expanded.
The Landmarks Board voted unanimously to require the depot to be moved intact. The shopping center owner, Regency Centers, is willing to partially fund the move, but only if the depot is dismantled and stored until it can be possibly reconstructed as part of the RTD commuter rail station across 30th Street. The RTD facility is not scheduled to open until at least 2014.
Council members "called up" the issue from their consent calendar, voting (with Tom Eldridge absent) to instruct City staff to provide options on funding and timing for either moving the building or dismantling it. Preservationists have strongly recommended keeping the building intact. The depot has been used for over 30 years by the Boulder Jaycees and other organizations. Demolishing or "moth-balling" the building would eliminate a community meeting venue.
Boulder Jaycees Depot
Historic Depot May be Bound for Storage
RE/MAX Research Blog - Transit Village Update and More
City of Boulder Board Dismissals
In the last issue of the Peoples Advocate we reported on the Boulder City Council's dismissal of three members of boards and commissions who sought to be reappointed. All three had excellent records for attendance and involvement. Council gave no explanation for dismissing Tom Sanford from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Brett Parnes from the Beverages Licensing Authority and Bill Roettker from the Transportation Advisory Board. Parnes and Roettker had been serving partial terms, replacing members who had resigned. It is extremely rare for City Council not to reappoint diligent members of boards and commissions who apply for reappointment and were filling out unexpired terms.
City Plans Affordable Housing in Palo Park
The City of Boulder agreed to acquire a 3.2-acre parcel of land in the Palo Park neighborhood for construction of affordable housing. City Council gave initial approval to the $1,250,000 purchase at 4525 Palo Parkway. The City of Boulder plans to issue requests for proposals from developers who would construct 25 to 30 units on the site, of which 60% to 80% would be rented or sold to low and moderate-income residents. At their meeting on April 4 council members gave unanimous approval to the acquisition. Council members Ageton and Eldridge were absent.
City Housing and Planning Policy
Across the country people are voicing concerns about the lack of good journalism in their communities. In many cases the problem revolves around corporate ownership of newspapers, radio and television stations that puts the highest priority on profit instead of quality. The concentration of so much of the nation's media under a few corporations also limits the diversity of views and often results in a pro-business slant on the news.
Two recent examples of those problems arose locally, pointing out the need for independent media sources such as the People's Advocate, KGNU-FM and the Boulder Weekly. The Denver Post announced plans to cut at least 25 newsroom jobs and the Boulder Daily Camera was unable to cover the recent political party county assemblies because of a lack of resources.
Denver Post Offers Buyouts to Cut 25 Editorial Jobs
Boulder County Democratic Party Assembly Minutes
Boulder County Republicans
htm
PLAN-Boulder County is pleased with the response from Boulder County residents to the Peoples Advocate. We'll keep working to let you know how your city and county representatives are voting on important issues, and we'll continue to provide detailed information on the nuts and bolts of public process.
In order to spread the word we encourage those of you who are receiving this publication to pass it around. Please forward the Peoples Advocate to your friends and associates. Encourage any community organizations in which you are a member to distribute the Peoples Advocate to their membership.
If you like what you read, please sign up to receive the newsletter directly to ensure continuity and simplify our process by contacting PLAN-Boulder board member David Cook. And most importantly, let us know what you think about the publication and the issues we cover.
| 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
|