City News
This is news from the city of Boulder, about the city or any of its departments
Boulder proposes to close all outdoor public areas at night
Dec 16th
City manager proposes closing parks and recreation areas at night
Concerned about safety and health risks associated with encampments and other activities after nightfall, Boulder City Manager Jane S. Brautigam announced Friday that she is considering closing parks, parkways, recreation areas and open space between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The proposed rule, issued according to authority granted to her under city code, is subject to a 15-day period for public comment.
Members of the public may file written comments with the city beginning on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, when notice will be published in the newspaper, and ending on Jan. 2, 2012. The city manager will consider all comments before deciding whether to impose the rule as written or make changes to it. The rule would take effect once she submits a final decision to the City Attorney’s Office.
The proposed rule would not apply to individuals passing through the affected areas on foot or bicycle or in cases where permitted events are being held. In addition, it would allow police to consider personal property left behind during these hours to be abandoned.
While the most visible use of these areas in recent days have been protestor encampments outside the Municipal Building, the rule is not intended to curb free or constitutionally protected speech. Individuals would remain welcome to congregate in city parks during daytime hours for these and any other lawful activities.
“The City of Boulder values the rights of all of our community members, including those who wish to use our public property,” Brautigam said. “We need to ensure that all people are able to do so safely and work hard to protect our public spaces for future generations to enjoy.”
“Closing our parks for a limited number of hours each night will help us address the important health and safety concerns while still providing for meaningful access during the day,” the city manager said. “I believe this is a balanced approach.”
Brautigam made the decision after consulting with City Attorney Tom Carr and Police Chief Mark Beckner and taking into account recent court decisions related to access to public property. Carr said the rule, which would impose reasonable time, place and manner restrictions, is similar to provisions for closures in other cities.
Copies of the rule are available for public review at Central Records on the second floor of the Municipal Building at 1777 Broadway. Individuals who wish to comment on the rule may send their written remarks by U.S. mail to Parks Closure Rule, City of Boulder Box 791, Boulder, CO 80306, or e-mail them toparksclosurerule@bouldercolorado.gov before or on Jan. 2, 2012.
Boulder renters get a new rate on security deposits
Dec 16th
New interest rate on tenant security deposits for 2012
The City of Boulder has calculated the interest rate for tenant security deposits for the 2012 calendar year to be 0.3 percent, effective Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. This is the mathematical average of the one-year certificate of deposit from the top three financial institutions in Boulder, based on market share data as of Dec. 15, 2011.
This calculation has been prepared in accordance with Ordinance 7320, which was adopted on Feb. 17, 2004. Relevant code language may be found in sections 12-2-2 and 12-2-4 through 12-2-7 of the Boulder Revised Code.
Tenants may contact their landlord if there are questions about their lease. The city offers support for lease questions and tenant/landlord issues through Community Mediation Services at 303-441-4364. Another resource for tenants who are University of Colorado students is Off-Campus Student Services –www.colorado.edu/OCSS.
Boulder’s Chautauqua –Change it? Protect it? Get you 2 cents in
Dec 11th
Meeting on Chautauqua 2020 Stewardship Framework next Wednesday; public input opportunity
The City of Boulder and the Colorado Chautauqua Association (CCA) are working together to develop a “Chautauqua 2020 Stewardship Framework” to help guide their collaborative management of the Chautauqua area, and to inform any future decisions about its use and enhancement.
The city and the consultant team of Anderson Hallas Architects, PC and Mundus Bishop Design, Inc. will host a public meeting for the public to learn more about the draft Stewardship Framework and provide feedback. The meeting will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at the West Senior Center, 909 Arapahoe Ave. The public is invited to provide input on:
- The draft principles and evaluation criteria; and,
- The draft framework approach to parking, access, and potential physical changes.
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This collaborative effort is taking place in order to develop a Stewardship Framework for the Chautauqua area, located at 900 Baseline Road. The effort arose in response to CCA’s “Chautauqua 2020 Plan” that was brought to the city in February 2011. The 2020 Plan identifies the CCA’s priorities as it strives to continue its mission “to preserve, perpetuate and improve the site and spirit of the historic Chautauqua by enhancing its community and values through cultural, educational, social and recreational experiences.”
The overall purpose of the Stewardship Framework is to establish a shared understanding and approach to Chautauqua’s stewardship, including a process by which potential changes to facilities and the adjacent historic area could be considered. It also seeks to lay the foundation for continued success of the Colorado Chautauqua through coordination of uses and a shared management philosophy and practice between the city and the CCA.
To learn more about the stewardship framework, visit www.BoulderColorado.gov/Chautauqua, or contact Louise Grauer at 303-441-3134 orgrauerl@bouldercolorado.gov
