Posts tagged City Manager
City giving incentive rebates to high-tech company
Jan 5th
City Manager Jane S. Brautigam has approved a flexible rebate application for Boulder-based Tendril for up to $85,000 in rebates. The rebates were authorized for sales and use taxes, and permit-related fees.
The flexible rebate program is one of the city’s business incentives, covering a wide range of fees, equipment and construction use taxes. Under this program, the city manager may consider a specific incentive package for tax and fee rebates to meet a company’s specific needs. The company is then eligible for the rebate after it has made its investment and paid the taxes or fees to the city.
“The City of Boulder is pleased that Tendril, a company founded in Boulder, is growing and able to maintain operations in the city, in part, due to city-offered incentives,” said City Manager Jane S. Brautigam. “Tendril is at the forefront of energy technology and represents the future of the industry.”
Tendril is transforming the way the world interacts with energy. The company’s technology allows consumers to modify their behaviors to reduce both their costs and energy usage and allows the utility to speak with the consumer during peak periods in order to reduce demand. Tendril is expanding and recently renovated and moved into an approximately 52,000 square-foot space at 2560 55th St.
“We are proud to be a Boulder-based company. Boulder provides access to great talent, an unmatched quality of life for our employees and a vibrant technology community that is quickly becoming a center of clean tech innovation,” said David Rayner, chief financial officer at Tendril. “As a leader in clean technology, it is important to us that we ‘walk the walk’ on green initiatives and we’re thrilled to receive recognition from the City of Boulder for our sustainability efforts.”
The flexible rebate program uses social, community, and environmental sustainability guidelines. Companies choose the guidelines that best fit their circumstances, but must meet minimum requirements in order to receive the rebate. Tendril has exceeded the minimum community sustainability guidelines. Of note, Tendril participates in RTD’s Eco Pass program and has a Green Team responsible for managing environmental initiatives, including holding in-house educational sessions, purchasing energy-friendly appliances, and maintaining composting and recycling programs. The company will participate in energy efficiency programs such as receiving an energy assessment for its new facility and participating in the 10 for Change challenge.
Tendril’s flexible rebate application is one of six submitted to the city in late 2011. Five 2011 applications are pending. The city’s approved 2012 budget includes $350,000 in funding for 2012 flexible tax and fee rebates for primary employers.
Boulders’ Capt. Underpants ( Seth Brigham) rides again
Oct 15th
Why did the Boulder Police Department stop at two witnesses being interviewed when I gave them three additional witnesses that also had a recollection of events similar to mine?
Chief Beckner? is it because you might be getting too close to the truth, that your officer actions were uncalled for and she lied about the incident after the fact to cover her own wrongdoing.
Seth Brigham
720-298-6711
On Oct 15, 2011, at 10:01 AM, SETH BRIGHAM wrote:
It seems my written request to The Boulder Police Department changed their mind, when I received a call to pick up some materials, no thanks to Tom Carr, who denied my request.
Still, they claimed to have no documents in the property/evidence department. There are no documents, notes, e-mails, communications other than the Police Report 11-6851?
I would expect there must still be a file of documents, something, that pertains to the case, like detective notes, e-mails, for example, between myself and Chief Beckner and Yamaguchi?
I have those e-mails.*
But, there is no record of that?
As well, I made an official complaint of the actions of the arresting officer to Sgt. Kerry Yamaguchi who was supposed to investigate such complaints. I never got a response from Yamaguchi.
So, no investigation was pursued or Beckner took it upon himself to have two witnesses I identified to be contacted and interviewed? He e-mailed a response to me but that’s not part of the record?
Isn’t any action by The Police department or public officials in regard to my charges, arrest, saved as evidence? And, I expect, suspect, that there was some communication between public officials about my arrest.
Surely, there is more that the Boulder police department has than this “evidence” on CD of two interviews* of two witnesses and photographs* of the “scene” that came about due to my advocacy, my complaint.
So, my request is down to any documents or e-mails, communications between the parties; The City of Boulder, any public officials, City Manager, even Carr… The Boulder Police department? in regard to my arrest on June 3rd, 2011.
Strange, I thought they saved any and all, as required in case there is a defense ? I suspect some “meddling” by Boulder Public officials ( that includes member or members of City Council, City Manager and/or City Attorney as evidenced by the reckless and defamatory Press release ), so I ask, request, that you fish for all “documents” other than that I have described as getting *.
Seth Brigham
3383 Madison Avenue #W225
Boulder, Colorado
80303
720-298-6711
On Oct 14, 2011, at 12:07 PM, North, Sandy wrote:
C I T Y O F B O U L D E R, C O L O R A D O
Office of the City Manager
Municipal Building
1777 Broadway
Post Office Box 791
Boulder, Colorado 80306
Telephone (303) 441-3059
Facsimile (303) 441-4925
Date: 10/14/2011
Recipient: Seth Brigham
Address:
E-mail reply only: Sethbrigham@gmail.com
Re: Open Records Request: duplication of all the documents, photographs, interview of witnesses, everything and anything related to my arrest on June 3rd, 2011, case/ report 11-6851
Dear Mr. Brigham,
The City of Boulder has received your open records request, pursuant to C.R.S. 24-72-201. This request was received in the office of Central Records on October 13, 2011 at 12:14 PM.
The City’s policy on open records requests is to assess a reasonable charge for research, retrieval and copying of records to allow recovery of the value of a portion of staff time required to respond to open records requests. An estimate of the cost of this request will follow and compiling of the requested information will begin as soon as we receive payment. Because this request is considered voluminous in the amount of time required, you have the opportunity to review your request and determine if you would like to revise, redefine, and narrow the scope of your request.
The city can provide only public records that are not privileged and documents that already exist. The city does not have the resources to compile information in all forms requested, but will provide the records only in the form maintained by the city. Common privileges for documents include and are not limited to attorney/client work-product. Work product and drafts which are advisory or deliberative in nature and which are created for the benefit of elected officials are not public records. Furthermore, documents where release is contrary to the public interest may be withheld in accordance with the Colorado Open Records Act, C.R.S. 24-72-201, et seq.
An additional per page fee for copying may be assessed at .25 for a letter size black and white copy, and payment for the copies is required prior to pick up.
Sincerely,
Sandy North
To: North, Sandy
Cc: Council; Brautigam, Jane; Urie, Heath; Erica Meltzer; Pamela White; Jefferson Dodge; Christopher Dodd; David Lane; juddgolden@hotmail.com golden; Philip M Bienvenu; Smoke, Rob; Jann Scott; OpenForum; Erika Stutzman; Michael Roberts
Subject: Open records request for all documents, duplication of materials related to Police report/ case 11-6851
Dear City of Boulder Records,
I am requesting a duplication of all the documents, photographs,
interview of witnesses, everything and anything related to my arrest
on June 3rd, 2011, case/ report 11-6851 …
I am requesting anything pertaining to the case, other than the police
report itself, from the Boulder Police Department, The City of Boulder
and any public officials who may have become involved in any way,
shape or manner.
I have previously agreed to a deferred prosecution, which means that
the case is not pending, and I am considered innocent until proven
guilty.
There is no trial set. And, if there were, I would have the right to
these materials, evidence. If the charges were dropped, I would still
have that right.
Under law, the person, I, Seth Brigham, to whom the records pertain
has the right to obtain the records.
A criminal justice record means any writing made, any materials,
evidence, maintained, or kept by a criminal justice agency.
I believe this also goes for Boulder City Government.
It is my suspicion that public officials may have intervened in my
case and their may be communications between the parties; Boulder
Police department, City Attorney, City manager, City Council member(s)
that may have “prejudiced” my case,
as a Press release was released by the City attorney with consent from
The City manager and /or other public officials immediately after I
agreed to a deferred prosecution.
I had no idea there was a vendetta against me, retribution for finding
the City of Boulder at fault in another arrest of myself, Seth Brigham.
I believe charges would have been dropped had I not been Seth Brigham.
Review the Police report and you will see what a weak case the
prosecution had.
Records of official actions must be disclosed by the criminal justice
agencies when requested. I believe the same goes for The City of
Boulder and Boulder public officials.
It is a basic right. And, one would wonder why our fair city would
deny me this right except that they are covering up their own
wrongdoing(S).
So, what is the City of Boulder and the Boulder Police department
afraid of. They have already convicted me in the press.
Do I not have the right to the information needed to clear my name and
show that wrongdoing by the Boulder police department; false arrest
and infringement on my right to free speech.
Does the city have a right to cover their “tracks” in fear that they
will be sued??? The City Attorney refused to back off his statement
which was filled with lies and slander and now he is afraid that the
evidence will show otherwise.
Is this open government in action in Boulder? I think not.
Seth Brigham
3383 Madison Avenue #W225
Boulder, Colorado
80303
720-298-6711
City staff recommends that voters be asked to support a local power utility
Jul 15th
City Manager Jane S. Brautigam
Brautigam also said she is confident that the process following a vote for municipalization will provide adequate opportunities to address concerns raised by some that the cost of purchasing the system from the current provider, Xcel, could exceed current estimates.
A positive vote is required before the city can enter into acquisition negotiations and/or condemnation proceedings. During this process, the city would determine what the final price would be. If the costs of buying Xcel’s system turned out to be significantly higher than anticipated or would result in rate increases that were unacceptable to the community, council would be under no obligation to issue the bonds necessary to pay for buying the system and launching a utility. The city could then re-consider how to proceed.
“There are off-ramps in place that allow the city to move forward with its eyes wide open,” the city manager said. “Our community has spelled out both its goals and its expectations. City staff and elected officials take the responsibility of balancing these very seriously.”
The recommendation follows more than two years of discussions about whether to enter into another 20-year franchise agreement with Xcel Energy. In 2010, City Council rejected that option, determining that a business-as-usual contract for two decades was too long and would limit Boulder’s ability to take advantage of exciting changes in the energy industry. Since then, the city and the community have been involved in an intensive study and discussion of other options.
The Boulder community has set clear energy future goals. These include cleaner energy, with as much local generation as possible; reliability; rate stability and more local decision-making and control.
The city hired industry specialists to conduct a detailed financial assessment of the possible creation of a local utility. They have concluded that Boulder could buy the system from Xcel, pay off the debt associated with those costs, start a utility and operate it reliably while still making money. The local utility would be able to keep customers rates lower or equal to what they would be under Xcel, maintain emergency reserves and still have a net present value of $112 million over 10 years. The cost model developed by the consultants has some room for increased costs. This flexibility is spelled out in more detail in a staff memo to council.
The staff recommendation also includes support for an increase and extension of the Climate Action Plan tax. While a locally owned power utility would cover its costs entirely through its revenues once it was up and running, the city would need additional money to cover engineering and legal expenses before that time. It is estimated that the city would need about $1 million a year for three to five years before a final determination could be made about whether to issue bonds to buy Xcel’s system. This funding mechanism would allow the city to continue this process without impacting existing programs and services.
City Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, July 19, starting at 5 p.m., to discuss items for the November ballot. The full memo and other valuable information about the energy future project are available at http://www.boulderenergyfuture.com. There is also a comment form on this website if community members wish to give input to the staff team and City Council.