Board of Trustee Spring Meetings recap
TOWN OF LYONS – BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETINGS, April, May, June 5
(1) EXECUTIVE WORKSHOPS: they are still having “executive workshop meetings” prior to their normal bi-monthly meetings regarding the Boulder County IGA Negotiation Parameters /and/ legal discussion and negotiation strategies regarding the energy cost-savings contract with Honeywell. See the Town’s web pages for brief details. == In the June 5th meeting: The Board of Trustees (BOT) held a workshop to discuss two items via executive session. One was related to the upcoming Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Boulder County. The previous IGA was negotiated in 2012 and has been extended through November 2023.=== Another workshop April 17th had a discussion regarded alignment considerations for the St Vrain Trail extension and cost implications.
(2) TIME OFF: The BOT also approved closing Town Hall to the public on Fridays at noon during the summer. And moved the July 4th BOT meeting to July 5th.
(3) TAXES: Sales tax revenue was down last month, but not to the extend that it is worrisome. Working with Air BnB and VRBO on them educating users in Lyons on lodging taxes; new platform may be ready next year that would make this automatic — and staff will educate food trucks on sales tax requirements.
(4) Signs need to be put up for mountain bikers to park on 2nd Ave lot and biking app can be updated for parking. The new Ordinance officer will be addressing parking violations; and dogs on leases.
(5) STREETS: The BOT supported the recommendation of the Town Engineer and the engineering assessment that provided a pavement analysis report detailing a paving, painting and striping plan of Town streets. Many of the streets that are in need of major rehabilitation are north of Main Street. However, significant drainage improvements are also needed along several of these streets prior to the roadway and pavement upgrades. The Town has applied for grants to help obtain the necessary funding for the drainage plans along 2nd and 3rd Avenues. If successful, this will be a major step forward in beginning the process of improving the streets on the north side of Town.
(6) Mayor Rogin has asked for an update on the new hotel on Main Street at the next BOT meeting June 19th.
(7) AFFORDABLE HOUSING: BOT awarded a contract to Bohannon Huston for a grant funded housing assessment. Mayor Pro Tem Farrell recommended that staff ask the consultant about the possibility of in-fill affordable housing in any of the previous buyout properties. (see below under HHSC)
COMMISSIONS & BOARDS:
(8) The Historical Preservation Commission/HPC got a $25,000 grant to study the history in Lyons and will be preparing a “historic context report.” RFP was sent out in April, and they will have 60 days after state funds grant to sign a contract. The Historic Designation Program will start with the depot building and aim to get eligible tax credits after it receives “designation”. This will be a test case to work out any issues before moving on to homeowners who may be eligible. Also, HPC will work with the planning department to see if they can add these into the GIS program. And, they are working on the possibility of historic designation plaques.
(9) The Parks & Recreation Commission/PRC is looking for one more member of the commission. They did not meet in May, and will not meet in June.
(10) The Housing & Human Services Commission/HHSC is hopeful that the first move in date for the Summit Housing will be in late June, with possibly 6 families scheduled to move in then. Highland Property Management was commended on its good work.
(11) The Economic Vitality Commission/EVC had a presentation from the consultants from the Colorado Tourism Office and reviewed data from visitors to Lyons.
(12) Kathy Carroll was appointed officially to the Sustainable Futures Commission/SFC. The SFC discussed at its meeting an environmental film series.
(13) The Student Advisory Commission/SAC committee is on summer break and will reconvene in the fall. The BOT is to prepare agenda items, or a project for next year.
(14) SOLAR/ENVIRONMENT NEWS: — The BOT also agreed to a letter of support for a Boulder County Electric Vehicle Charging Grant submission to the Federal Dept of Transportation. — The Utilities & Engineering Board/UEB is looking to bring back a solar project. Studying demand rate for EV chargers. Discussion of fire sprinkler suppression systems. NEVA project is on hold. The solar project grant from the State has been extended through June 2025.
(15) the Planning & Community Development Commission/PCDC was looking into short term rental considerations. Also, they had a meeting with the BOT discussing annexations in more detail, including the Martin Parcel.
(16) A committee has been formed, and headed by trustee Tanya Daty that will put together a “reflection of the 2013 flood” as a 10 year anniversary.
(17) NO Report from Library District Board /or/ Ecology ADVISORY Board
VACANCIES:
According to Town of Lyons web page 6/1/23, there are the following vacant seats: Board of Adjustments – 2 // Historic Preservation Commission – 1 // Housing & Human Services – 2 // Parks & Recreation Commission – 1 == Contact Town Administrator for questions, or Mayor to discuss your application.
ADMINISTRATOR’s STAFFING & PROJECTS REPORT:
PARKS/VISITORS & SIDEWALKS/STREETS:
The administrator’s update included information that the Visitor’s Center plans to be staffed, Friday through Monday, from 10 am – 4 pm. In addition, 4 seasonal staff have joined the Parks and Public Works Department. All parks are staffed with camp and park hosts and summer is in full swing. Contract with Ray’s River Rentals as a concessionaire in LaVern Johnson Park.
Boulder County is spearheading a North Foothills Highway cycling feasibility study and Lyons staff is included in the planning meetings.
Staff to move forward with a new option #5, providing a separated bike/ pedestrian lane from vehicle traffic along the 200 block of Railroad Ave.
The staff will be working on a sidewalk assessment RFP, from the direction of the BOT which budgeted for this.
Raul Vasquez/Blue Mt Stone has donated labor and materials to expand the Sandstone Park stage; and it will be done on time for summer concerts.
The BOT approved closing Town Hall to the public on Fridays at noon during the summer.
The BOT advised staff to proceed as discussed in the executive session regarding the SpiritHounds lease.
“Mayor Pro Tem Farrell recommended that staff ask the consultant about the possibility of in-fill affordable housing in any of the previous buyout properties.” I find it hard to believe that MPT Farrell is unaware of the restrictions of the buyout properties. Not so much as a picnic table can be permanently placed on them. The Feds spend millions to buy out the landowners in Lyons so that they would never again have to pay out flood insurance claims. I am quite certain they would NOT change the provisions of the buyouts to accommodate yet more affordable housing in Lyons (we haven’t yet finished the 40 Summit units and the 9 PArk St. units).