The Boulder Growth Policy Update and Downtown Master Plan both took another step toward final adoption at the October 15 city council meeting.
The council voted to pass a resolution of intent on each of the planning documents. That resolution is intended to notify the public of the plan to adopt the documents in November after a period for public comment.
During council discussion, the council decided to continue with the effort even though updated city limit maps are not completed. A draft map of city limits is scheduled to be presented to the council in November, with finalization in December.
The council also agreed the proposed growth policy will include updated language on extraterritorial application of the city’s authority. While the policy will acknowledge that the city does not currently have that authority, it will also state that the authority could be obtained in the future with the proper process.
Also part of the proposed growth policy is keeping the designation of some property owned by Kevin and Janice Campion as residential.
Perhaps the part of the growth policy that had attracted the most public comment as it was developed deals with Veterans Park. A rendering of possible changes to the park that was included in the first version of the policy drew strong opposition from area veterans and others. They called for exclusion of construction of sidewalks, a gazebo and other structures in the park, citing a preference for the open green space now in the park. As tentatively approved by the council last week, plans call for improvements to the restrooms, some lighting improvements, an informational kiosk, and the purchase of a portable stage. Painting and staining city hall are also under consideration.
One other change that got the nod from the city council calls for moving the RV dump station away from the city hall.
In other business conducted October 15, the council:
- approved the expenditure of $13,020 for three new computers (two in the office and one in the shop) and two tablets to be used by the maintenance department. The current equipment is about 18 years old, said Mayor Rusty Giulio. Maintenance will cost $3840 per year after the first year. The adopted budget for the year included $25,000 for the equipment.
- heard that City Attorney Jana McGill has been meeting with Jefferson County Planner LaDana Hintz to complete a map of the city limits. A draft of that map should be available at the November council meeting, they said.
- discussed and approved the installation of five receptacles for dog waste at the city parks and cemetery.
- heard that the full amount of $5000 budgeted for a new office copier will not be needed. The city will purchase a $4100 color copier and pay $53 per month on a maintenance agreement for a total of $4736 the first year.
- heard from Chief of Police Joe Canzona that he is working on the junk vehicle issue, lining up help from the county to haul vehicles with a value of up to $500. “I don’t want to have to strong arm people into getting rid of their vehicles,” said Canzona. It may come to that, he said, but for now he is trying for a community effort. He has also identified a means of getting tires removed at a cost of $1 each.
- heard that a draft policy on the cost for copies of public records will be available at the next council meeting.
- approved pay increases of two percent for the public works staff retroactive to July 1 at a cost of $2172 for the year and a retroactive increase for the city assistant of about $1123 for the year.
- revised a policy on overtime pay for police officers to comply with federal standards.
- approved spending up to $5000 for contracting for financial training and services for city staff.
- discussed allowing overnight camping at Veterans Park but limiting the length of stays.
- agreed to move some speed limit signs near the bottom of Depot Hill Road.
- decided to continue to plowing sidewalks in the downtown business district, something that is in the budget and cost about $6000 last year.
- noted a lack of monthly reports from public works and the ambulance.
- and agreed to put a discussion of city cell phones on the next agenda.
