Posts tagged removal
Noxious weeds on the city’s “hit” list
0May 2, 2013
As a result of a state mandate to eliminate “List A” noxious weed species from all public and private property in Colorado communities, the City of Boulder is proposing an update to its existing weed ordinance to require property owners to remove the weeds from all properties.
“List A” weed species, as provided in the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, are plants that have yet to be well established in Colorado but are either present in small populations or are invasive in nearby states. There are two species of “List A” weeds that are of most concern within Boulder’s city limits: myrtle spurge and Japanese knotweed. The city was awarded a grant through the Colorado Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Management Fund to assist in an educational plan.
“Early detection and eradication of these particular species can prevent them from becoming a major problem in Colorado,” said city Integrated Pest Management Coordinator Rella Abernathy. “Most of these plants are ‘escaped’ ornamental plants and many residents may not realize that they present a threat to the natural lands surrounding Boulder and are illegal to grow here.”
These noxious, invasive plants can negatively impact biodiversity, threaten endangered species, degrade native habitat, displace wildlife, increase soil erosion, damage streams and other wetlands and increase the risk and frequency of wildfires if allowed to spread. Boulder is in compliance with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act on city-owned properties but has not been enforcing the statue on private property.
The city will focus on education and outreach to notify the public of the requirements and to provide information for identification, environmentally-sound weed removal and suggested replacement plant options.
“A soft enforcement approach is being implemented with voluntary compliance being the goal and enforcement action being a last resort,” said Code Enforcement Supervisor Jennifer Riley. “However, ticketing is possible if property owners do not comply with repeated requests from officers to address illegal weeds.”
Education will begin with a “Purge Your Spurge” event on May 18 where residents are encouraged to pull their myrtle spurge and exchange it for free native plants. This event will occur as part of Boulder Community Day at the East Boulder Community Center, 5660 Sioux Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other education efforts will include a webpage; fact sheets; media engagement; outreach to nurseries, landscapers and lawn care companies; and code enforcement officers who assist with education in the field.
“Identifying and removing noxious weeds from private property can take some effort, but it’s important to prevent these weeds from spreading to our neighbors’ yards and ultimately to natural areas,” said Abernathy. “Fortunately, only two of the weeds from the list are widespread within the Boulder city limits, myrtle spurge being the most common. We want to make sure people can easily identify the weeds, know how to remove them safely and know what native plants can be used to replace them.”
Myrtle spurge has been commonly used as a decorative plant. People should be aware that it contains a white sap that can cause skin irritation including blistering if touched. Those removing it should wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves and eye protection. Removing at least four inches of the root is recommended to prevent its return. It should be placed in a plastic bag and tightly fastened. DON’T compost noxious weeds as that will cause the weed to spread.
The city’s weed ordinance is expected to be modified through a City Manager rule change, which will be published in the Daily Camera on May 3, as well as on the city’s website. Public feedback will be accepted until May 20. The rule is anticipated to go into effect on June 1, 2013.
For more information or to provide feedback on the proposed City Manager’s rule, contact Rella Abernathy at 303-441-1901.
– CITY OF BOULDER NEWS RELEASE –
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City of Boulder: Nightmare on Arapahoe postponed due to snow
0April 8, 2013
Temporary lane closures for tree removals along Arapahoe Avenue rescheduled for Monday, April 15
With a winter storm warning in effect for Boulder, the tree removal work that was planned for Tuesday, April 9, and Friday, April 12, has been rescheduled to April 15 due to the inclement weather forecast.
On Monday, April 15, there will be intermittent lane closures in both directions on Arapahoe Avenue between 18th and 19th streets from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Contractors working for the City of Boulder Urban Forestry Division will be removing three high-risk trees in preparation for the upcoming Arapahoe Avenue Reconstruction project. The two-lane section of Arapahoe Avenue, between Folsom and 17th streets, is in poor condition and in need of a reconstruction.
During the tree removals, traffic will be directed into the center lane. The work schedule is weather-dependent.
In the 1800 block of Arapahoe Avenue, two silver maple trees with significant trunk cavities and restricted root zones will be removed for safety reasons. In the 2100 block, a Siberian elm will be removed due to past storm damage. These are the only large trees planned for removal as part of the Arapahoe Avenue Reconstruction. The city has contacted adjacent property owners in advance and will explore opportunities to plant replacement trees.
The city’s Urban Forestry Division inspects street trees in neighborhoods and parks for structural integrity and safety using industry-set standards and techniques. For more information about the tree removals, contact Patrick Bohin with the Urban Forestry Division at 303-519-8750 or watch the video at vimeo.com/63247248.
The Arapahoe Avenue Reconstruction project includes reconstruction of the street into concrete, storm drainage improvements, and sidewalk, bus stop, and landscaping improvements, as space and funding allow.The reconstruction is planned to begin in late May 2013 and will be completed in fall 2013. The project is funded by the 2011 voter-approved Capital Improvement Bond, which allowed the city to leverage existing revenues to bond for approximately $49 million to fund projects that address significant deficiencies, such as this one, and high priority infrastructure improvements. A community stakeholder committee prioritized projects to be funded by the bond and Arapahoe improvements were given a high priority due to current deteriorating conditions.
For more information about the Arapahoe Avenue Reconstruction project, contact Noreen Walsh at 303-441-3266 or visit www.bouldertransportation.net > “Projects & Programs” > “Arapahoe Avenue.”
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City of Boulder: Input on prairie dog relocation sought
0April 8, 2013
900 Prairie dogs slated for move
A public meeting is scheduled to discuss a city proposal to relocate up to 900 prairie dogs from city-owned land around Foothills Community Park and from additional open space colonies to city open space land east of Highway 93, south of Coal Creek, and north of Highway 128, south of Boulder. This number has been scaled back to reflect on-the-ground and projected drought conditions. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 9, in the Foothills Elementary School Cafeteria, 1001 Hawthorn Ave. Staff from the city will be available to answer any questions, and to receive comments and feedback.
The city is intending to apply for a State of Colorado permit to relocate the prairie dogs from these areas, which are designated as removal areas in the Urban Wildlife Management Plan and the Grassland Ecosystem Management Plan.
The proposed receiving site was previously the site of an extensive 155-acre prairie dog colony that has since died off. The prairie dogs are being removed from multiple city sites with the dogs near Foothills Community Park being moved first.
CITY OF BOULDER PRESS RELEASE– FOR THOSE TOO IGNORANT TO KNOW HOW THE BUSINESS WORKS
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Teens and adults can apply for summer jobs with Boulder County Youth Corps
0March 19, 2013
Deadline approaching; corpsmember applications must be submitted by Friday, March 29
The Youth Corps offers one of the best first-job opportunities available in Boulder County. Teams have completed projects such as constructing nearly a mile of trail at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat, replacing the residential fence at a Boulder County low-income housing development in Louisville and preserving the McDonald Cabin at Betasso Preserve Open Space. Parks and Open space is now accepting applications for Youth Corps members and team leaders.
Who: The Youth Corps will hire 180 teenagers to work 30 hours per week.
- Boulder County residents ages 14-17 have until Friday, March 29 to apply for summer jobs with the Boulder County Youth Corps. Boulder County is especially in need of female Corps members.
- Applicants can apply online at http://www.bouldercounty.org/youthcorps. Applications can also be picked up at counseling offices in Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley schools; city and town personnel offices; most local recreation and youth centers and libraries; and the Boulder County Human Resources Department, 2025 14th St. in Boulder.
What: Corps members will work on a variety of community service projects such as forest thinning, historic preservation, construction and repair of fencing, trail maintenance, removal of Russian olive trees and noxious weeds, landscaping and replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescents.
When: Youth Corps members are expected to work Monday through Thursday, from June 10 to July 31.
Where: Teams will work in unincorporated Boulder County as well as in cities and towns within Boulder County.
Compensation: This year, Corps members will earn a starting wage of $7.78/hour, with the possibility of earning a $100 bonus at the end of the program based on merit and strong attendance.
- Teens who have worked for the Corps in past years can earn up to $8.28/hour.
- Corps members are eligible for reimbursement for the purchase of work boots and gloves.
- RTD bus passes for the purpose of traveling to and from centralized work meeting places may be subsidized.
The Youth Corps is also hiring team leaders, who must be high school graduates at least 21 years old with two years of college coursework or more, among other qualifications. A list of full qualifications is available online. Team Leaders start at $13.50/hour. These positions remain open until filled.
For more information, visit http://www.bouldercounty.org/youthcorps or call the Youth Corps office at 303-678-6104.
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Rob Smoke questions city of Boulder methods snow removal
0February 23, 2013
Rob Smoke , a barb to the city council.
Below, council member Ken Wilson openly confesses to the “liberal” use of de-icing material — or “salt.”
Regardless of the brand or quality of the product, this behavior can lead to consequences on several levels — here’s a quote from a standard reference:
“Environmental impact
Deicing salts such as sodium chloride or calcium chloride leach into the soils, where the ions (especially the cations) may accumulate and eventually become toxic to the organisms and plants growing in these soils.[4] The chemicals could also reach water bodies in concentrations that are toxic to the ecosystems. Organic compounds are biodegraded and may cause oxygen-depletion issues. Small creeks and ponds with long turnover time are especially vulnerable.
Propylene glycol used to de-ice aircraft can contaminate drinking water supplies and harm aquatic life. Some airports are now capturing and treating de-icing runoff before allowing it to enter waterways.[5]”
Certainly there’s a range of possible impacts — council members, particularly ones who claim a “science” background, as Ken Wilson most certainly has on many occasions, should be AWARE of what they are doing and promoting as it affects the surrounding community.
A response is always welcome.
BY THE WAY…. there are recommended alternatives — one that I personally prefer are an add-on to shoes (sometimes called “crampons”) that are available at shoe, department stores, and running stores here in Boulder and online. They provide excellent help for situations where you can’t predict the snow or ice shoveling proficiency of neighbors.
Happy snow day. Cheers!
Rob Smoke
City Council Barb
Sender: Brautigam, Jane
Thanks for your email, Ken. I spoke with Chief Beckner and learned that we do not have Code Enforcement officers assigned to work weekends. Code enforcement
will begin again on Monday. Our code enforcement team does an excellent job of addressing issues and will do all they can within the strictures of the ordinance to handle snow removal calls.
Jane
From: Wilson, Ken
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2013 9:49 AM
To: HOTLINE
Subject: Snow shoveling enforcement
Jane,
I am wondering if we will have snow shoveling enforcement tomorrow (Saturday). We have a situation which I was concerned about when Matt made a motion to change the ordinance from
a “morning after” requirement to a 24 hour requirement as we were doing second reading several years ago. Because of the way this snow fell, enforcement won’t begin today (Friday) as there were a few flakes falling late yesterday. Will there be any enforcement
over the weekend? If not, then it would begin on Monday. Of course, more snow is expected Monday, which would reset the clock on all the offenders. We could have slippery sidewalks for a week.
I thought of this all the way to the bus stop this morning as I was trying not to slip and fall on all the uncleared sidewalks. I don’t heal like I used to and it was almost enough
to make me want to turn around and drive instead. Fortunately I didn’t fall – yet.
My sidewalk is clean and dry – which the Camera can verify if they like. We shoveled twice as it was coming down and used salt liberally.
Ken Wilson
Rob smoke is a sometime columnist for Boulder Channel 1
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Boulder County: Teens and adults can apply for summer jobs with Youth Corps
0January 28, 2013
Deadline to submit youth applications is Friday, March 29
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County residents ages 14-17 can now apply for summer jobs with the Boulder County Youth Corps. Boulder County is also hiring adults to be team leaders. Boulder County is especially in need of female Corps members and leaders.
The deadline to submit youth applications is Friday, March 29. Other positions are open until filled.
The Youth Corps will hire between 160-180 teenagers to work 30 hours per week, Monday through Thursday, from June 10 to July 31 on a variety of community service projects. Team leaders will be employed from May 29 to August 2 to work up to 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Projects will include such activities as forest thinning, historic preservation, construction and repair of fencing, trail maintenance, removal of Russian olive trees and noxious weeds, landscaping and replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescents. Youth Corps teams will work in unincorporated Boulder County as well as in cities and towns within Boulder County.
Applicants can apply online at www.bouldercounty.org/youthcorps. Applications can also be picked up at counseling offices in Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley schools; city and town personnel offices; most local recreation and youth centers and libraries; and the Boulder County Human Resources Department, 2025 14th St. (Boulder).
This year, Corps members will earn a starting wage of $7.78/hour, with the possibility of earning a $100 bonus at the end of the program based on merit and strong attendance. Teens who have worked for the Corps in past years can earn up to $8.28/hour. In addition, Corps members are eligible for reimbursement for the purchase of work boots and gloves. RTD bus passes for the purpose of traveling to and from centralized work meeting places may be subsidized.
Team Leaders must be high school graduates at least 21 years old with two years of college coursework or more, and Assistant Team Leaders must be high school graduates at least 18 years old, among other qualifications. A list of full qualifications is available online at www.bouldercounty.org/youthcorps. Team Leaders start at $13.50/hour and Assistant Team Leaders at $11.50/hour.
The Youth Corps offers one of the best first job opportunities available in Boulder County. Teams have completed projects such as constructing almost a mile of trail at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat, replacing the residential fence at a Boulder County low-income housing development in Louisville, and preserving the McDonald Cabin at Betasso Preserve Open Space.
For more information, visit www.bouldercounty.org/youthcorps or call the Youth Corps office at 303-678-6104.
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Here comes the snow City of Boulder warning
0October 24, 2012
City prepares for snowfall and reminds people to remove snow from sidewalks
Current weather forecasts indicate that an incoming storm may produce accumulated snow in Boulder beginning the night of Wednesday, Oct. 24, and continuing through Thursday, Oct. 25. The City of Boulder is preparing snow response crews in advance. Community members are asked to be mindful of the conditions, to prepare their vehicles as appropriate and to plan for extended commute times.
OK, it’s not that deep yet, but we likey. 
Snow Removal on City Streets
The city’s Public Works Department has snow crews on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to changing weather conditions. During snowstorms, 16 plow trucks are active on Boulder’s streets. Six of the trucks distribute a liquid deicer, four spreader trucks distribute traction materials, and six trucks can distribute either material. Fifteen of the plow trucks drive predetermined routes while one “floater” truck responds to problem areas.
During the snowstorm, the city may spot-treat bridges and overpasses as needed to help reduce the buildup of ice and snow. Depending on the weather conditions, a liquid deicer may also be applied to streets and multi-use paths to continue melting the snowpack throughout the snowstorm. Spreader trucks will dispense a crystallized deicer for traction, where appropriate.
consistent with other Front Range communities, the city does not plow all residential streets since Boulder’s sunny climate typically melts most snow within a day or two and because residential plowing would increase costs by an estimated 200 percent. Plowing residential streets would also block driveways and cars parked on the streets. However, problem areas like particularly icy slopes, blocked storm drains or impassable sidewalks can be reported to the city for response. To report roadway or path problems, call the Street and Bikeway Maintenance Hotline at 303-413-7177.
Sidewalk Snow Removal
The Boulder Police Department is responsible for enforcing the city’s sidewalk snow removal ordinance. Property owners, tenants and landlords must clear their sidewalks within 24 hours after snow stops falling. Official snowfall reports are available on the National Weather Service website. Failure to remove snow from sidewalks before the 24-hour deadline may result in a summons and/or an abatement process. Abatement includes the use of a private snow removal contractor to clear the sidewalk. The property owner will be charged a $50 administrative fee, along with the contractor’s fee for removing the snow. To report a sidewalk snow violation, call Code Enforcement at 303-441-3333. Snow should be shoveled onto landscaping, not into the streets. Pushing snow into the streets creates hazards for bike commuters and pedestrians, and gutters clogged with snow may cause ice to form on the sidewalks.
The ICEBUSTERS program pairs residents who are physically unable to clear snow from their sidewalks with someone who can do the work for them. Seasonal and substitute volunteers are needed for this community program. To volunteer or learn more, please call 303-443-1933.
For more information about the city’s snow removal or for winter driving tips, visit www.bouldercolorado.gov/
For code enforcement information, call 303-441-3333 or visit the Boulder Police Department’s website at www.boulder-police.com.
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Boulder completes project to modernize historic hydroelectric facility
0October 4, 2012
The City of Boulder recently completed a 2.5-year modernization project of its historic Boulder Canyon Hydroelectric (BCH) facility with the help of a $1.18 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Originally built in 1910, the BCH facility was in need of upgrading if it was to continue to be operable. Without a new turbine and generator, operation of the facility was expected to cease within five years or less.
“Hydropower resources are an important part of President Obama’s all-of-the-above energy strategy to develop all of America’s energy resources. The completion of this important water power project in Colorado demonstrates how investments in America’s clean energy economy are helping to create jobs, diversify America’s energy portfolio and strengthen American energy security,” said David Danielson, assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy at the U.S. Energy Department.
Boulder’s historic hydrppower plant
The BCH facility was originally built by the Central Colorado Power Company for the sole purpose of hydroelectric power production as part of the Boulder Canyon Hydroelectric System. The system began delivering water for Boulder’s municipal water supply in the 1950s. Over the years, the system was owned and operated by numerous companies, and in 2001, the City of Boulder purchased the system from Public Service Co. of Colorado and incorporated it into its hydroelectric program.
“The Boulder Canyon Hydro Facility is extremely unique due to its age, its history, and where and how it was constructed,” said Director of Public Works for Utilities Jeff Arthur. “The effort to upgrade the turbines was arduous and complex. Obviously, the city was concerned with continuing operations at the facility, increasing power generation, and improving safety, but equally as important, was preserving the historical significance of the plant itself. This is a facility the community should be proud to own.”
The modernization project included removing one of two pre-existing 10 megawatt turbine/generators and replacing it with a new five megawatt turbine/generator. The new five megawatt turbine/generator is more appropriately sized for the plant’s power generation and will generate up to 583,000,000 kilowatt hours of electricity during its 50-year lifespan. This will, in effect displace the need to burn more than 300,000 tons of coal (the amount needed in a traditional coal-fired plant to produce the same amount of energy). Despite its smaller size, it should also generate up to 30 percent more energy because it is more efficient. The pre-existing turbine/generators were more than 70 years old. One of the original turbine/generators failed in 2000 and was not repaired at that time, but it will remain on site for historical purposes.
Other improvements to the facility included enhanced lightning protection; removal and replacement of aging transformers and an old oil storage tank; upgraded wiring; installation of a state-of-the-art turbine isolation valve; and installing remote monitoring and operation equipment.
The total project cost was approximately $5.155 million and was funded by city water utility funds in addition to the ARRA grant. The ARRA funding was announced by the DOE in November 2009 when it awarded grants to seven different hydropower projects throughout the country.
Approximately 35,000 new work hours were created as a result of the project, or approximately seven full-time jobs. This number does not include the hours needed by subcontractors or the associated work hours created or preserved by using materials that are manufactured in the United States, as this project did.
“The city is grateful for the funding support we received from the Department of Energy,” said City Manager Jane Brautigam. “Without that support, completing this complex project would have been difficult, if not impossible. As with most of our capital projects, Boulder places a high level of importance on leveraging local funds with other funding sources so that we can make improvements that appeal to the greater good of the community. We are all proud of this project and expect to see this facility continue its important role of providing our community with clean energy well into the future.”
Boulder’s Hydro Program
Beginning in the early 1980s, Boulder recognized the potential for hydroelectric energy generation within its water system and began developing facilities to produce electricity as a by-product of its water utility operations. Today, Boulder owns and operates eight hydroelectric facilities. These hydroelectric plants produce environmentally friendly hydroelectricity by making use of pressure developed in the water supply pipelines due to the large elevation drop between the city’s water sources in the mountains and delivery points on the plains. This pressure must be reduced to treat and deliver the water and would otherwise be wasted through pressure-reducing valves. Revenue from the sale of the electricity produced by the hydro plants allows the city to maintain lower water rates for its customers.
By the end of 2011, the city had generated approximately 612,531,577 kilowatt hours (kwh) of electricity since its first hydroelectric project began operation in 1985. Sale of this power has produced approximately $27,095,110 of revenue and has also provided environmental benefits by displacing the need to burn approximately 306,266 tons of coal, preventing the greenhouse gas emissions that would have resulted from traditional coal-fired power generation facilities.
The BCH facility is located on Boulder Creek west of the city. The plant’s power is generated using water diverted at Barker Reservoir that is transported approximately 11.5 miles in the Barker Gravity Pipeline and experiences a 1,800-foot elevation drop to the BCH building.
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Tree removals in early July to impact traffic along the Boulder Creek Path and West Pearl Street
0June 27, 2012
Tree removals in early July to impact traffic along the Boulder Creek Path and West Pearl Street
There will be minor and temporary traffic impacts as the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department’s Urban Forestry Section will have a contractor pruning and removing trees for safety reasons from Monday, July 2, through Tuesday, July 10 (dates are tentative, as work is weather dependent).
On Monday, July 2, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Tuesday, July 3, between 8 a.m. and noon, a large cottonwood with advanced decay will be removed at 646 Pearl St.—the historic Arnett-Fullen house. The eastbound lane of Pearl Street will be closed in the 600 block and flaggers will be used to channel traffic into the westbound lane of Pearl Street on an alternating basis. The property owners are aware of, and in support of, the tree removal for safety reasons. There is a large beehive in the trunk, and as per normal operations, a beekeeper has been contracted to attempt to relocate the beehive during tree removal. A replacement tree has already been planted near this tree’s location.
Tree removals along the Boulder Creek Path include:
● Thursday, July 5, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.: Two large willow trees will be removed south of Boulder High School, 1604 Arapahoe Ave. One tree is mostly dead and the other tree fell over earlier this year.
● Friday, July 6, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.: One large cottonwood tree will be removed on the west side of 6th Street, south of the Boulder County Justice Center, 1777 6th St. The tree has advanced decay. A replacement tree will planted nearby in spring of 2013.
● Monday, July 9 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Tuesday, July 10, between 8 a.m. and noon: Two large willow trees will be removed west of Scott Carpenter Park, 1505 30th St. Both trees have advanced decay in their trunks.
There will be intermittent closures on the Boulder Creek Path, and flaggers will be used to direct bicycle and pedestrian traffic through work zones.
For more information, please contact the City of Boulder Park Operations and Urban Forestry: 303-441-4406.
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Boulder County has teen jobs next summer
0January 30, 2012
Teens, adults can now apply for Youth Corps summer jobs
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County residents ages 14-17 can now apply for summer jobs with the Boulder County Youth Corps. The program is also hiring adults to be Team Leaders and is especially in need of female corps members and leaders.
The deadline to submit youth applications is Friday, March 30. Other positions are open until filled.
The Youth Corps will hire up to 160 teenagers to work 30 hours per week, Monday through Thursday, from June 18 to Aug. 8 on a variety of community service projects. Team leaders will be employed from June 6 to Aug. 10 to work up to 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.
Projects include forest thinning, historic preservation, construction and repair of fencing, trail maintenance, removal of Russian olive trees and noxious weeds, landscaping and replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescents. Youth Corps teams work in unincorporated Boulder County as well as in Lafayette, Longmont and Superior.
Applications are available at www.bouldercounty.org/youthcorps and can also be picked up at counseling offices in Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley schools, city and town personnel offices, most local recreation and youth centers and libraries, and at the Boulder County Human Resources office at 2025 14th St. in Boulder.
This year, corps members will earn a starting wage of $7.64 per hour, with the possibility of earning a $100 bonus at the end of the program based on merit and strong attendance. Teens who have worked for the corps in past years can earn up to $8.14 an hour. In addition, corps members are eligible for reimbursement for the purchase of work boots and gloves. RTD bus passes for the purpose of traveling to and from centralized work meeting places may be subsidized.
Team Leaders must be high school graduates, at least 21 years old, and have two years of college coursework or more, and Assistant Team Leaders must be high school graduates and at least 18 years old, among other qualifications. A full list of qualifications is available at www.bouldercounty.org/youthcorps. Team Leaders start at $13 per hour and Assistant Team Leaders at $11 an hour.
The Youth Corps offers one of the best first job opportunities available in Boulder County. Teams have completed projects such as building the new Fourmile Trail connector at Betasso Preserve Open Space and preserving the historically significant lower barn at Walker Ranch Open Space.
- Building trails is just one of many outdoor tasks Job Corps teen undertake
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Native Boulder sacred site to be cleaned
0December 15, 2011
Valmont Butte settlements reached; cleanup to begin
The City of Boulder, Honeywell International Inc. and Tusco, Inc. recently reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in the amount of $350,000, to resolve the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) costs for its past investigations at the Valmont Butte.
The Valmont Butte property, located at the intersection of 63rd Street and Valmont Road in Boulder County, is comprised of an abandoned ore milling complex and associated tailings ponds. The city purchased the property in 2000. In 2004 and 2005, the EPA investigated the site and prepared a site assessment report.
The City of Boulder also recently reached settlements with Honeywell and Tusco to resolve their liabilities as past owners and operators of the Valmont Butte mill site. Under those settlement agreements, Tusco will pay $300,000 and the remaining costs for remediation will be split 50/50 between the City of Boulder and Honeywell, with the option to resolve the final allocation of costs between the city and Honeywell in an abbreviated, mini-trial process. Honeywell will also be responsible for covering the EPA costs.
The city is now preparing to move forward with cleanup activities at the property. These activities will include the consolidation of contaminated soils into the area of the primary tailings pond, the placement of an engineered cap over the contaminated soils, and the preservation or removal of buildings and structures. Work is expected to begin January 2012 and is expected to be complete in late summer 2012. When work is being conducted in sensitive areas, a tribal monitor and/or an historic archaeologist will observe the excavations.
More information about the settlement agreement and about the Valmont Butte is available at www.valmontbutte.net. For questions about the upcoming work at the Butte, contact Bill Boyes at 303-441-4125.
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Avanti Skin Center of Boulder
0November 26, 2011
AVANTI Skin Care & Rejuvenation Center of Boulder specializes in skin and beauty rejuvenation, health, and wellness through treatments such as laser (7 types), BOTOX®, DYSPORT®, Juvederm™, PEARL™, Restylane®, SCULPTRA®, TITAN™, collagen enhancement, permanent hair removal, skin tightening & resurfacing, wrinkle reduction, fat sculpting, Liposulpture, Liposcuction, corrective facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, makeovers, and more.
2595 Canyon Blvd, Suite 350
Boulder, CO 80302
303-440-7546
Email : info@avantiboulder.com
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Ma Nature to dump on Front Range
0October 24, 2011
Snowstorm forecast for mid-week; city prepares, reminds residents to clear snow from sidewalks
Colorado weather can be unpredictable. Recent warm temperatures are forecasted to change drastically and potentially drop several inches of snow on Wednesday, Oct. 26. The City of Boulder is doing everything it can to prepare for whatever winter might have in store.
Snow removal procedures on city streets
The city’s Public Works Department has snow crews on-call 24-hours a day, seven days a week to respond to changing weather conditions. During snowstorms, there are 16 plow trucks on Boulder streets. Six of them distribute a liquid deicer, four spreader trucks distribute traction materials, and seven can distribute either. Fifteen trucks drive predetermined routes while one “floater” responds to problem areas.
Plows push the snow to the center lane where space is available. If space is not available, the snow is pushed to the side of the street. A liquid deicer is used on both streets and bike paths.
The city also applies deicing agents to streets and bridges for ice and snow control. Streets may be pretreated before a storm to reduce the build-up of snow and ice, depending on weather conditions. The liquid deicer may also be applied throughout a storm to continue melting the snow pack. Spreader trucks put down a crystallized deicer and lightweight, porous rock for traction, where needed.
Snow removal on city streets depends on the amount of snow and length of the storm, time of day, temperature and traffic conditions. Because most snow melts within a day or two in Boulder’s sunny climate and because plowing costs would increase by 200 percent, the City of Boulder does not plow residential streets. Plowing residential streets also blocks driveways and parked cars.
Sidewalk snow removal information
The Boulder Police Department recently took over the enforcement of a number of city code violations from the Public Works Department, including enforcement of the sidewalk snow removal ordinance.
The Boulder Revised Code (8-2-13) states that owners, tenants and landlords must clear their sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of a snowfall. Residents will be responsible for checking with the National Weather Service for specific snow fall completion information. Failure to remove snow before the deadline may result in a summons and/or an abatement process.
Each property will receive only one warning per snow season before the abatement process begins. A warning does not have to be issued in order for a code enforcement officer to issue a summons. Abatement includes the use of a private snow removal contractor to clear the sidewalk; the property owner will be charged a $50 administrative fee along with the contractor’s fee for removing the snow.
If a summons is issued, the maximum fine is $1,000 and 90 days in jail as determined by a municipal judge. The fine for a first-time offense is $100.
For people who are physically unable to clear snow from their sidewalks, the ICEBUSTERS program may be able to pair them with someone who can do the work for them. Volunteers are needed for this program. To volunteer or learn more, please contact the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at 303-443-1933 or email richardvarnes@rsvp.org.
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Boulder cops get noise, trash duties
0October 10, 2011
In an effort to better serve residents, the city is restructuring the way code enforcement services are provided to the community. Beginning today, Monday, Oct. 10, the Boulder Police Department wil
l assume responsibility for quality-of-life code enforcement items, which will help to streamline service d
elivery to th
e community.Code enforcement previously had been provided in the Planning & Development Services (P&DS) area. P&DS will continue to enforce building, housi
ng and zoning related codes.To ensure program efficiency, the police department has created a Code Enforcement Unit that will take over a number of enforcement items. The Code Enforcement Unit consists of two Code Officers and a Code Supervisor to enforce the following types of violations:
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The Boulder Police De
one in the community,” said Beckner.partment will continue to enforce violations for issues such as blocked rights-of-way, inoperable vehicles and visible emissions.Police Chief Mark Beckner says the changes will allow the city to enforce code violations in a more efficient manner. “We want to maintain and improve Boulder’s high quality of life for residents and businesses, and this focused approach to code enforcement will make that process more effective for every
P&DS will continue to provide inspections for concerns related to building safety, rental housing and zoning. This includes code violations such as:
| Building Safety | Zoning | Rental Housing |
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For more information about P&DS code violations, visit www.boulderplandevelop.net
and click on “Report a Violation,” or call 303-441-1880.
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CU: “Our Hill” gets pilot project
0September 28, 2011
“Our Hill, Our Home:” Pilot project planned for high-density residential services district
The City of Boulder and a group of engaged University Hill community members are launching a pilot program this fall that will test-drive the creation of a new services district concept in the Hill neighborhood to support ongoing revitalization efforts. The idea of the district is to share costs and create economies of scale for basic maintenance services, such as litter, graffiti and snow removal. The target area is the neighborhood zoned as high-density residential, adjacent to the Hill commercial district.
This concept is one of two “big ideas” presented to City Council in April 2010 by the Hill Ownership Group, an ad-hoc group of University Hill property managers, residents, business owners, CU employees and students, and city staff working together to support neighborhood improvements. The other “big idea” is the creation of an innovative/creative/arts district in the Hill commercial area.
The high-density residential services district is conceptual at this point, with boundaries, services and governance structure still to be determined. The Hill Ownership Group is continuing to explore the concept of a taxing district that could potentially address the following services:
· Litter pickup in the public right of way and potentially, with appropriate waivers, in specific areas on private property, such as front yards;
· Graffiti removal in the public right of way and potentially, with appropriate waivers, on specific types of private property;
· Weed removal in the public right of way;
· Sidewalk snow removal;
· Notification procedures for more serious quality of life offenses;
· A coordinated approach to recycling; and
· Additional trash service pickups at specific times, such as during move in and move out periods.
“Most of the property owners and managers on the Hill are already paying individually for these services. By pooling funds to purchase the same services, the district could create economies of scale,” said Ron Mitchell, Hill property owner and committee member.
The pilot project, which will run from Sept. 30 through Nov. 7, 2011, is designed to gather information and determine whether there are positive effects of coordinated maintenance in a limited area. The area covered by the pilot program will generally be between 10th and 13th streets, and between College and Pleasant avenues. The services provided during the pilot project include litter pick-up, graffiti removal, limited landscaping clean-up, and limited snow removal, depending on weather.
A subcommittee of the Hill Ownership Group is in the process of contacting property owners and managers in the pilot area to inform them of the project and obtain permission to remove litter and graffiti from portions of their properties.
The city will provide supervisory staff, and donated funds will pay for temporary labor and supplies (paint, garbage bags and tools). Sponsors of the pilot project include University of Colorado administration and student government, Roche Colorado, the University Hill Neighborhood Association, Boulder International Youth Hostel, Four Star Realty, Michael Boyers and Western Disposal Services. The pilot will include students from the restorative justice program for a few larger clean-ups. An important component of the pilot project will be documentation of before and after conditions and accounting for budgeting and planning purposes.
If, after the completion of the pilot program, there is support from property owners and residents to create a taxing district, the city will put the concept to a vote. The election, likely to occur in November 2012, would be limited to voters and property owners within the proposed district boundaries.
“This is an idea created by a cross-section of the Hill community, the very people who make the Hill the vibrant and innovative community it is. The city is excited to see what types of impact a residential services district can have,” said Molly Winter, director of Boulder’s Downtown and University Hill Management Division. “We are hopeful that if the Hill is a cleaner and well-kept community, those who live, work and play there will want to become partners in upholding a more desirable quality of life for everyone.”
For more information about the pilot program, the work of the Hill Ownership Group or the possibility of a taxing district, please contact Jennifer Korbelik,
