Posts tagged Boulder Chamber

Boulder Creek Path closed west of 30th Street; bridge washed out in Boulder Canyon
A culvert-style bridge near the Red Lion Restaurant, located at 37400 Boulder Canyon Dr., in Boulder Canyon partially washed out overnight. Debris has plugged up the culvert and water has backed up behind the bridge.
The water and debris have begun to wash through, and CDOT is working to create a diversion to reduce flooding. There are concerns that a surge of approximately 2 feet of water could come down the canyon. Because of already high levels, the creek is likely to spill its banks along the Boulder Creek Path.

The Sheriff’s Office and Boulder Police Department are concerned about the bike path area near Boulder Creek. Currently, officers are clearing the bike path of all users. No other evacuations have been called for at this time.
The Boulder Creek path is now closed between Boulder Canyon and 30th Street and community members are urged to avoid areas near Boulder Creek until further notice. This includes all areas along the creek between Eben G. Fine Park and Scott Carpenter Park.

Boulder Creek is currently running at the 3.6 feet stage. A level of 4 feet is when the creek will spill its banks.

The main branch of the Boulder Library is partially opening. Patrons can access the south door on Arapahoe Avenue and use the south side of the library. The bridge over Boulder Creek and the north side of the library building are closed.

Everbridge emergency notifications have been sent out to residents and businesses along the creek corridor. This is an emergency notification system that sends text messages to all landlines plus mobile devices for people who have registered in advance.

The media is asked to not go up the canyon to get footage. Officials need to keep that route clear for emergency responders. Reporters can stage at Eben G. Fine Park to get footage of the water. They are urged to use caution and stay some distance from the creek.

The City of Boulder and Boulder County Emergency Operation Center has been activated. No other formal press releases will be sent out. Status updates will be posted at http://boulderoem.com/.

June 8, 2010
Boulder Chamber
Latest: 1 discussion | 1 Job

Discussions (1)
Save the date for the June Business After Hours @ Gateway Park on 6/16! Add a comment »
Started by Stephanie Alexander Milliman, Social Media Strategist, Developer & Communication Manager @ the Boulder Chamber

Come on out for networking at its most entertaining and join in on group games of mini-golf, spins in the go-carts, or hitting fast-balls in the batting cages. To quell the appetite you’ll work up, beer, wine, and barbecue will be served out back.

Cost for Boulder Chamber members is $15 if you register before Wednesday, June 16. Day of and walk-in cost is $20.

See you there! Register at http://bit.ly/8YxipV.
By Stephanie Alexander Milliman, Social Media Strategist, Developer & Communication Manager @ the Boulder Chamber
Job Discussions (1)
Sales Rep TV advertising, web commercials, video, internet, links, banners Add a comment »
Posted by Jann Scott, CEO at Channel One Networks llc

Do NOT seek shelter from storms in underpasses

High temperatures today are expected to increase the rate of snow melt in the high country, and the weather forecast calls for potential thunderstorms this afternoon and tomorrow. This raises the risk of potential flooding in the Boulder area. Some of the city’s underpasses are already experiencing low-lying flooding due to high water levels in creeks and drainageways.

Most of the city’s underpasses are meant to help carry floodwaters during a flood event. The community is reminded NOT to seek shelter from a rainstorm in an underpass. Bike and pedestrian commuters are encouraged to use caution when approaching underpasses.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office has issued a tubing ban on Boulder Creek today.

The city would like to remind residents to use safety when they are near any of Boulder’s numerous creeks and floodplains. Flash floods can occur literally IN A FLASH during a severe storm. It’s important that residents, visitors and people who work in Boulder familiarize themselves with their surroundings, keep track of the weather and know the dangers.

The city maintains a flood information website that can help residents prepare before, during and after a flood event. Visit www.boulderfloodinfo.net to see floodplain maps, watch informational videos and obtain a family flood action plan that should be filled out prior to a flood event and posted in homes. The family flood action plan can also be picked up in the Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway. For more information about personal preparedness, visit www.readycolorado.com, or contact the Office of Emergency Management at 303-441-3390.

Boulder Parks and Recreation launches two construction projects

The Parks and Recreation Department is launching two construction projects that are designed to improve the community’s recreation facilities and options. The first, Valmont City Park Phase I bike park construction, has already started. The second, Harlow Platts Park irrigation renovation and exercise par course replacement will begin this month.

Valmont City Park Phase I bike park

Valmont City Park Phase I bike park construction started in May and is expected to last until Spring 2011, depending on weather and contractor progress. The new development will include building an off-road terrain park, bike trails and a bike pump track; a “tot-lot” play area and plaza; gravel parking lot (off Airport Road); restroom facility, landscaping and irrigation.

The area north of Valmont and Airport roads will be closed during construction, but the dog park will remain open. This project is funded by city tax revenue and contributions from area businesses, foundations and individuals in partnership with the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance. The Parks and Recreation Department also received a grant of $200,000 from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) in 2009 for the park, which will be used to supplement the existing capital funding allocated for this park development.

Work updates and information are located at www.ValmontCityPark.org

Harlow Platts Park irrigation renovation and exercise par course replacement

Updating and renovation of the Harlow Platts Park irrigation system is scheduled to begin later this month and last for approximately a year. The park’s exercise par course equipment will also be replaced later this summer. That project is expected to take approximately two months.

Irrigation system renovation will include component replacements and upgrades, turf re-seeding and sod restoration, as needed. There may be temporary detours for some of the park’s features, including the disc golf course.

Construction updates on these projects are located at www.BoulderParkNews.org.

Council pushes for clean energy outcomes in franchise talks

Boulder City Council on Thursday, June 3, directed staff to continue negotiating a possible franchise with Xcel Energy while still pushing for a two-year extension and environmental side agreements that would help the community meet its clean energy goals.

Five members of council directed staff to move forward on discussions with Xcel, although some expressed concerns about the utility’s commitment to an environmental partnership with the city and questioned whether voters would approve a renewed franchise if it were to be placed on the ballot for the Nov. 2 election.

Council members agreed their preference would be for Xcel to grant a two-year franchise extension and commit to partnering in a study that could outline the course for rapid decarbonization during that time. The energy company has previously indicated that it is not interested in an extension of that length.

On Thursday, prior to the study session, officials with Xcel notified the city manager that the company will agree to an extension of the current franchise agreement until Dec. 31, 2010, to allow more time for negotiations. Under this extension, Xcel will be permitted to continue using public rights-of-way under the terms detailed in the 1993 franchise agreement. Council will still have to make a decision by mid-August about whether to put a franchise agreement on the ballot for voter consideration on Nov. 2.

The issue of whether to renew a franchise agreement with Xcel has financial, legal and environmental implications for the city and its goals of providing reliable and affordable energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

If approved by the voters, the franchise would grant Xcel the right to use streets, alleys, rights-of way and other public property for the purpose of providing utility service to the residents and businesses. In return, Boulder would receive a franchise fee equal to 3 percent of the company’s sales of gas and electricity within the city each year. This currently totals $3.9 million. This fee is used to fund key city services. State law allows Xcel to pass the franchise fee onto Xcel’s Boulder customers because they are the ones who gain the benefits of that revenue. The passed-through cost appears as a line item on Boulder customers’ Xcel bills. The city also receives other benefits from a franchise agreement with Xcel, such as access to a 1 percent “undergrounding” fee, which is used to underground overhead power lines, and the right to place city signs and fiberoptics equipment on Xcel’s utility poles free of charge.

Because of the financial implications to the city of losing the franchise fee if the franchise is not approved, council on Thursday also instructed city staff to continue researching alternative sources of revenue. This could include the possibility of an occupation or excise tax, which would have to be approved by voters, but would be collected only if there is no Xcel franchise.

For more information about the franchise and clean energy issues, please visit http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/energyfuture.

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