Note: The following is the output of transcribing from a video recording. Although the transcription, which was done with software, is largely accurate, in some cases it is incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or [software] transcription errors. It is posted as an aid to understanding the proceedings at the meeting, but should not be treated as an authoritative record.
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Unknown Speaker 0:07
And we’re live.
Unknown Speaker 0:09
Great. Good evening, everyone. I’d like to call the February 22 2022 long lat City Council regular session to order. These meetings are being held remotely due to the ongoing novel Coronavirus pandemic to view the live stream go to Longmont colorado.gov forward slash agendas, or you can watch it on the city’s YouTube channel. Also Longmont public media.org or Comcast channels eight or eight ad could be placed with the roll call dot Absolutely.
Unknown Speaker 0:46
Mayor back here. Councilmember Duggal fairing. Here, Councilmember Martin. Here. Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez.
Unknown Speaker 0:56
Here.
Unknown Speaker 0:57
Councilmember waters here. Councilmember Yarborough? Here. Mayor, you have a quorum.
Unknown Speaker 1:03
Thank you. Let’s start with the Pledge of Allegiance. I’ll start us off. I pledge allegiance, allegiance to the flag, United United States of America
Unknown Speaker 1:15
and to which it
Unknown Speaker 1:18
stands one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty liberty.
Unknown Speaker 1:27
Thank you. As a reminder to the public, anyone wishing to provide public comment during the public invited to be heard, must watch the live stream of the meeting and call in only when I open the meeting for public comment. callers are not able to access the meeting at any other time. Anyone wishing to provide comment on second reading or public hearing items should call in at that time and not during first call public invited to be heard anyone calling during first call public invited to be heard. I’m sorry, with comments about second reading or public hearing items will be asked to call back in when second reading and public hearings are announced. To call in. Look at the at your screen the toll free call in number is there it is 888-788-0091. Watch for the instructions to be displayed and write down the meeting ID when it’s displayed at the very beginning of the meeting. Wait for me to open public comment and direct callers to call in. When I say to call in dial the toll free number. Enter the meeting ID and we’re going to ask for your participant ID press the pound sign. Please mute the live stream and listen for instructions on the phone. callers will be called upon by the last three digits of their phone number. And Comments are limited to three minutes per person. Each speaker must state their name and address for the record prior to proceeding with their comments. Once done speaking, simply hang up. We don’t have any minutes to approve tonight. So we are going directly to motions to direct the city manager to agenda items to future agendas. Do any councillors have any agenda items they would like to add? Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez
Unknown Speaker 3:21
Thank you, Mayor Peck. First, I’d like to start off with a little bit of a status update and then I’ll possibly be making some motions. So on the October 5 2021 agenda meeting, that’s where we spoke about updates to inclusionary housing ordinance as well as some other amendments as far as the land development code is concerned. So I saw that the inclusionary housing ordinance and related items were supposed to come back in front of us first or second quarter, according to the the meeting. So I was wondering where we were on that item.
Unknown Speaker 4:03
Um, I Z’s coming into March correct, Karen? I’m pretty sure I’m
Unknown Speaker 4:14
here. I’m here. Sorry. So yeah, I think well, we were bringing one of the items back the end of March, march 29. Or it could go into that first regular meeting in April. But, but that’s the that’s the next update.
Unknown Speaker 4:33
Okay, so I’m looking for on the
Unknown Speaker 4:35
horizon.
Unknown Speaker 4:37
Hopefully to be you know, sooner rather than later. Ideally. Part of that discussion was also design standards and it was specific to industrial design standards. I was hoping that and that that said second quarter in the the meeting and so I’m hoping to add not just commercial industrial but also over Residential Design Standards to that. So I will be making a motion to add residential design standards to the conversation in the second quarter. As far as industrial and commercial design standards are concerned,
Unknown Speaker 5:13
that is motion. Do I have a second Callister Hidalgo firing made the second.
Unknown Speaker 5:23
So for instance, I just want to give quickly before we make that vote, an example being that I believe in current towed, there’s something like 30% of a building’s facade can be steel, for instance. And we understand that came from the fact that older buildings that were corrugated steel or are kind of ugly, I get that, but there are a lot of new products that are steel based, that are not that same corrugated steel look. And so to really, you know, dive deeply into that, not just for commercial industrial, but also for residential. So that’s the impetus behind that motion. So, and then I do have one more thing after after this vote if there’s no discussion.
Unknown Speaker 6:07
Okay. Does anybody else have a comment? Councillor waters?
Unknown Speaker 6:10
Yeah, is I assume Glenn’s on the call. I haven’t looked at the
Unknown Speaker 6:14
roster. He’s not on the call. Glenn’s not on the call tonight.
Tim Waters 6:18
Well, Harold, can you give us an update or maybe Joanie. In the in the body of work? I’m recalling the conversation and the presentation in October from October as well, in the body of work, are in terms of design standards? Is what Mayor Pro Tim’s asking for not included in the work they’re doing now? And if we’re going to add that, is it delay? Because we’re already pushing into the first meeting in the second quarter? What was projected for the first quarter? Is it going to create any kind of a delay in, in what we’re going to see?
Unknown Speaker 6:57
Oh, we’ve got some I’m gonna let Joni come in. So I’m design standards that are more in infrastructure work that I know that Jim and Chris were working. That came up in the agenda meeting. Last Thursday, I’ve talked to Jim, I’m pushing for in March to have a final public final conversation with the impacted parties. And that’s more engineers, developers on that one. And then moving quickly to bring that back to you all, I think Aaron’s talking about design standards, right, related to the solid construction, is that correct? Aaron, or councilmember?
Unknown Speaker 7:37
Not just facade, but general building materials as far as trying to figure out ways to open up possibilities for bringing into our portfolio. Newer materials, be it 3d printed materials, things like that, that could bring us some of these products for housing. That’s why I wanted to add residential to the already scheduled conversation on industrial commercial. Because obviously, we understand the housing crunch and crisis. And so that’s why I wanted to include that in what was already supposed to be scheduled a second quarter discussion on Building Standards design standards, I mean, which could also possibly include some other some other ideas, such as landscaping issues. Also the Martin
Unknown Speaker 8:28
and I could get an answer to my question.
Unknown Speaker 8:30
Oh, I’m sorry. I got it. Yeah.
Unknown Speaker 8:34
Jeremy. So mirror pick council member Rodriguez. So I’m looking at Glen’s schedule that he has set forward. And we were going to begin the design standards for industrial buildings in the second quarter. So that was a start date for that item. We also have some updates for historic east side and West Side, compatibility updates, we’ve started looking at those and hope to have those completed by the end of the second quarter. So I think that goes to your comment about residential design standards and adding back in to certain areas of town. Some of those, we do have a pretty lengthy list of code updates. And we also continue to have the steam and Sugar Mill project moving forward. So when Glen is able to return next week, we can perhaps update the schedule and see what we can do. But I don’t want to speak out of turn this evening and say that that’s exactly where that’s tracking today.
Tim Waters 9:41
I just want to say if if adding to this at this point delays, that entire body of work. I’m going to be concerned about I’d like to know that before I cast a vote on the motion tonight.
Unknown Speaker 9:56
Councillor Martin? Oh, I’m sorry, Councillor waters is Are you finished with Your questions?
Unknown Speaker 10:00
Yeah, it sounds like there isn’t an answer. So I’m probably going to vote no on the motion because I don’t, I’m not going to add to the scope of that work.
Tim Waters 10:10
And then delay, if it means delaying the schedule and getting to us, the things that were proposed or described back in October. That’s, that’s, it seems to me, that’s what we do on Tuesday nights at times. And it’s, it’s what keeps stuff from getting done. And back to us. I just don’t want to contribute to that.
Unknown Speaker 10:28
Councillor Martin. Um, I understand Dr. Waters concern very much is I am frustrated with the slippage rate that we’re experiencing, even though I understand why it’s happening. And yet, maybe it’s a matter of reprioritization, like, not so much looking at facade standards, but rather core building material standards. Because we do have a sense of urgency in terms of getting a building stock, whether it’s housing or industrial stock out of the ground. And we do have a problem where, you know, it’s predicted that the that the supply of lumber, our standard, most standard building material is going to be constrained for years. But we have new 3d printed metallic structural design materials coming up, and and again, using those for 3d printed buildings and manufactured buildings. And if we, you know, we don’t want to find that there are code barriers to using that stuff. So I’m not sure whether the Mayor Pro Tem would like to revise his his motion so that it leaves the staff more more leeway in terms of reprioritizing. But getting the most important materials, revisions to us early so that we can work on it. But I just I just feel that it is so important that it needs consideration.
Unknown Speaker 12:13
Thank you. Are there any other comments? Mayor Pro Tem, I mean, yes, I’m sorry, Mayor Pro Tem.
Unknown Speaker 12:20
Thank you. As to revising the the motion, I guess, in a certain way, I thought that would be utilizing the current direction and just adding onto it. But it really needs the reprioritization to say that we need to evaluate residential before we, before we evaluate industrial commercial, I’m happy to take that amendment. Because the second, or the next thing I want to talk about is also reprioritization. And so it kind of fits into where I think we are at as a crisis or Crux point in talking about this, because the other thing I want to talk about is secondary uses. But first, I will say if councilmember Martin is proposing it, you know, a friendly amendment, if you will, to my motion, or if you just like me to rephrase my motion, I would like that opportunity.
Unknown Speaker 13:24
You know, I’m going to vote for what you moved anyway for considering the new material options that we have in some form as early as possible. So however, you phrase it is pretty much fine with me, but I just wanted to express my concurrence with your sense of urgency. And, you know, we’ve we’ve had two years of being frustrated by code not matching our objectives. And I don’t want to be taking in new technology for building things faster, and then be stymied by code that doesn’t match once again. So do what you think you think you should
Unknown Speaker 14:10
thank you. So in essence, you know, I was adding it to what was already supposed to be scheduled discussion of this, as far as design standards are concerned for industrial commercial use, and adding residential to it. But I would like to prioritize residential when we talk about it because we’re facing more of that crunch than we are industrial commercial crunch as far as design standards and unsafe facade features and so that I would amend my motion to prioritize residential in the conversation scheduled for approximately the second quarter for design standards.
Unknown Speaker 14:50
I so you’re gonna second his new motion. So are you taking your first motion off the table? Mayor Pro Tem Is this a new one?
Unknown Speaker 15:00
I was just amending the motion, but we can. Okay,
Unknown Speaker 15:03
that sounds good. Um, what I the way I interpreted the the motion was basically listening to the conversation we’ve had over the past two years during COVID, that our codes are not, they’re not up to date. They’re not usable. We’ve got, we’ve got developers in the queue. So for me, the motion was about let’s, let’s amend the code to help developers get products that are faster, easier, and help get our housing stock and move these move these, I’m sorry, these developers through the queue, if that’s possible, faster. For me to be quite honest. I love the steam project. I think it’s great. But I feel that this ICAO and our housing crunch, should it at this point, getting those amendments in getting the codes changed or amended is a priority if we are actually going to work with developers to to make it workable. So that’s just it’s not a motion or anything. It’s just a an opinion, to the planning department that I think that the housing crunch is a priority group steam. I know we’re going to work on it all the time. But that’s why I would like it prioritized. So um, we have a motion and a second on the floor.
Unknown Speaker 16:37
Let’s take a vote. So Mayor Pro Tem, you want to restate your motion?
Unknown Speaker 16:46
Yes, I moved to prioritize residential design standards, conversation before industrial commercial design standards conversation, which is scheduled sometime in the second quarter, according to the October 5 2021. Meeting.
Unknown Speaker 17:03
Great, thank you. And that has been seconded by council, Councillor Martin, all those in favor? Please raise your hand. All those opposed? So that passes with Councillor waters in opposition? Mayor,
Unknown Speaker 17:21
one more thing? Yes. Okay. And this, this relates to a lot of the consternation that I think we’ve heard from Planning and Zoning Commission as well as some members of our, you know, some of our residents as far as the RIVERTOWNE annex that we put forward and approved. And that was the concept of condition, conditional uses or secondary uses. And that was mentioned also in the October 5 2021. Meeting as date to be determined to have that discussion, I would like that prioritized up a little further to maybe second or third quarter, or at least a date, certain in concept, maybe not directly a date certain but a second or third quarter concept as a reprioritization. Because I feel that it’s likely we’ll see more of these as more annexations are considered not just along the river. But in some other mixed use development areas, where folks such as the sugar mill area, where some excuse opportunities might be utilized more for multifamily residential, which is technically in some mixed use cases, a secondary use or a conditional use. And so I just would like to maybe move that up in the priority list to second or third quarter to address that before we continue to get arguments based on the fact that it is a conditional or secondary use just so we can make things very clear for the public as well as for each other, and for the Planning and Zoning Commission. So that’s that’s my motion,
Unknown Speaker 18:56
your motion is to move the primary and secondary use discussion, us that can third quarter,
Unknown Speaker 19:03
a secondary or conditional use discussion, which was only to be determined at the time to second or third quarter, depending on staff availability.
Unknown Speaker 19:13
Do we have a second for that? I’ll second it in and the reason that I will is that when I read the annexation for the aggregate concrete parcel, I saw the frustration in the planners in in their discussion that they didn’t really know what primary and secondary uses were. And I’d also talked to staff who said cities other cities don’t do this. They just have uses, they don’t have primary and secondary. So I think this is a discussion we do need to have to Mayor Pro Tim’s point that we’re going to have more annexations and it needs to be made pretty clear for the planning and zoning board. As to what they’re Voting on what they’re discussing Councillor Martin? Yeah, I would just like to say, in support of the planners, I thought that the definition that was given was clear and useful, although perhaps not that accessible to the public. So what I would like to say is, I would vote to get that clarified, I hope that we can minimize the amount of effort to, you know, a clearer statement of what we already have rather than a redesign. But, but again, that I’m just commenting on it, and and again, trying to respect the amount of work that the planning staff has to do in parallel. I just want to say that, in my mind, the existing definition is workable, implementable, maybe needs to be stated more clearly. Or maybe we just don’t need to try to dance so many angels on the head of the same pin. Are there any other comments from council? So this is a motion by Councillor Yarborough? Yes.
Unknown Speaker 21:26
So I guess I kind of wanted to know, maybe I’m just trying to make sure I understand. We are trying to make sure that the definition is stated better for the community so they can understand more or, and have planning and development to make sure that it’s more transparent. Is that? Is that what you’re asking? Me or protein?
Unknown Speaker 21:50
Yes, so I believe it’s stated that, for instance, with the river town ag annex that that particular mixed use zoning allows for a high density residential as a conditional use. Or secondary use maybe possibly. The point being is that there’s debate amongst Planning and Zoning Commission. It sounds like there was some debate among staff and I know that there was some debate amongst council members, as we, as we, you know, deliberated upon the annexation itself. And so I think clarity is necessary, especially as we’re likely to get more of these possible annexations or possible mixed use developments proposed in front of us, and so at least to allow potential developers to allow the Planning and Zoning Commission to understand at least our thought process as the city council, when they’re making their deliberations is, I think, a prudent path forward as far as the decision making process is concerned. Because if if we have clearly delineated one way or another, what we think it’ll at least allow the process to work in a way that there’s no confusion, and that’s the probably most efficient and effective way to move forward in any of these things. So the residents, you know, our our constituents all know the the business community knows our boards and commissions. No. It just providing clarity provides efficiency, and that’s where I was going in also not like I said to necessarily Laden, the staff with too much extra work. That’s why I said second or third quarter, depending on the the the workload of the staff, as already mentioned. Harold.
Unknown Speaker 23:51
No way I under freaking out bring. I need some clarity. I think what I heard was the item that we had set to discuss that had a TVA, Councilmember Rodriguez wanted to see if we could schedule that in the third quarter or second quarter. But also based on availability with the other items. And that would give us a chance to kind of look at what we structure and things that aren’t as important to counsel we can slide down. I mean, there’s everything’s important, but things that aren’t as urgent, we can look at the schedule and adjusted. That’s the way I understood the motion. Is that correct?
Unknown Speaker 24:28
Yes. For clarification, there was I think, for four other items that were all TBD, from that meeting that we had talked about. And so sliding that one to the top of his four or five DVDs, would be basically what I’m getting at, okay.
Unknown Speaker 24:46
Counselor, Doc authoring. I didn’t have my hand up. Oh, you didn’t. Okay. So I’m just to move a little bit off for clarity. I also think that if we get this clarified for the Planning and Zoning Commission, it will help us not set a precedent over one development over the other because we would be using the same standards for each development, each annexation and not have it be interpreted differently. Every time it needs to be used. And I and I what that that’s what I want is that they know exactly how it’s to be used. And it’s not really going to be super flexible, depending upon what what development it is that there’s not a precedent set. Does that make sense? Councillor waters?
Unknown Speaker 25:46
What you just said make sense to me? If that was, if that was a question to what you wanted to respond.
Tim Waters 25:53
I appreciate Mayor Pro tems concern about staff load I obviously I’m concerned about that as well. Is there any Harold or Joanie since guns on the call? Those those four items were left. If we now if we if we start to put those onto a calendar, I would be helpful to know what slips back. Right? If, if anything, or what doesn’t get done. If anything, if we now say by the end of the second quarter, or third quarter, put that on the on the in the queue on the calendar.
Unknown Speaker 26:30
Anything slips,
Unknown Speaker 26:32
anything that doesn’t get done or just tell us what isn’t going to get done? Or what’s going to get delayed because we move something else up?
Unknown Speaker 26:40
I think when when Glen gets back, if counsel does this, we can come back and give you that, okay, if we move this one up here, it’s gonna look like this. And here’s what’s going to happen. And that’s that’s our deliverable to you.
Tim Waters 26:53
So I’ll say again, I, I’m sympathetic, I appreciate the interest in getting this done. I just it’s frustrating to be voting and not knowing what the implications are for work that has already been scheduled, and either gets delayed or doesn’t get done, because we’ve added something else not to do something else wasn’t going to be added at some point. I just, it’s it’s voting without all the information I’d like to have.
Unknown Speaker 27:21
So I would like, let me I’m thinking this. I agree with you counselor waters. And I’m also concerned about some work that’s being done that a third party is waiting for an answer on. And if it is, again, slip back at the bottom of the queue. Again, that would be a problem. So um, would it be a better a better motion to say that we would like a list of priorities and which how they can be juggled from Glenn according to the schedule? Before we make a motion for date certain. Is that making any sense at all?
Unknown Speaker 28:12
That would be helpful to me?
Unknown Speaker 28:15
And yeah, and I would like to Mayor Pro Tem put
Unknown Speaker 28:21
Well, the basis of that motion was to prioritize it over other TBD items, not ones that already had dates certain.
Unknown Speaker 28:33
Okay, that’s much more. Okay.
Unknown Speaker 28:37
That was that was the concept of it. Because to me, when they all say due to be determined, I have no reasonable way of knowing where anybody’s at on that, as far as staff is concerned. That’s why I did not try to prioritize it over other items, such as the compatibility for Easton and West Side historic neighborhoods, for instance, that had a date certain on it. So I didn’t try to prioritize it above that in the motion. So that that was why I phrased it the way I did.
Unknown Speaker 29:12
Okay, thanks. That’s much more clear to me. So we have a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Rodriquez for the primary and secondary and conditional uses to be prioritized above the TBD item items on Glenn’s priority list planning list. And I didn’t say it the way he did, but I’m trying to make it clear to myself and I second to that motion. All those in favor, please raise your hand. All those opposed? That passes unanimously, Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem was that your last motion? Okay. I have I’m not even sure I’m not, I’m not so sure this is it is an emotion. But it is a direction. And I’m going to do it at this part of the agenda because it makes sense. I have been or several people have been contacted by residents of Firestone, because there is a huge I’m trying to pull it up here, there is a huge oil and gas development going in, and it’s very close to the Sell, sell back golf course, it’s 33 wells that have been in front of in front of the Colorado, gas GRCC. And they push back the hearing date, because they’ve had so much input from the public. And I would like to have a voice in that, because it is too close to houses. It’s it’s almost on the airport. If you Google it, it looks like two of the wells are right on the green, the end of the Greenway. CO JCC is giving they’re not really following SB 181, to the letter of the law. And there is a point in SB 181 that I want to read to you, if you give me a minute. It is section 25 Dash seven dash dash 128. And it says that this subsection is is not to minimize the adverse impacts to public health, safety and welfare. And the environment and nothing in this subsection is intended to alter, expand or dismiss the authority of local governments, which we are to regulate air quality under Section 25 711 28. For purposes of this subsection, minimize adverse impacts means to the extent necessary and reasonable to protect public health, safety and welfare and the environment by avoiding adverse impacts from oil and gas operations. What I would like to direct staff to do, because I think it’s very important that we help our regional communities when they are asking for help in in anything that is going to impact the health, safety and welfare not only of their municipality, but of the region. I so what I would like to do is make a motion to direct staff to become a motion to write co GCC as a concerned party, citing the adverse impacts statement in SB 181, section 25 711 28 to Longmont using our boulder.com boulder err.com data that we are gathering constantly. We have tons of data showing the impact to our air to the environment to everything and this statement in SB one is specific to the adverse impacts to other municipalities and local governments. So I would like to make the motion this is this is in no way. Joining a lawsuit or anything it’s nothing more than saying to co GCC do your job that this is too close too close to houses too close to the airport. I mean, I’m sorry, the golf course too close to Longmont. It is on where is this? It’s on. County Road 20 and Colorado Boulevard. If you know Firestone at all you know where Colorado Boulevard is in our county route 20. So they’re having their last hearing on March 10. So that’s the motion I want to make that they write as, as concern party as long one as a concern party. Citing SB 181. Councillor Yarbro?
Unknown Speaker 34:28
I appreciate Mayor pack all that you know what you’re saying and what I would like to hear from city attorney Eugene may to find out if just to make sure that that’s feasible if we can do that and I’m sure we we want to support but I just want to make sure that I would like to hear from him. So make sure we stick our feet into something that may get us in trouble later.
Unknown Speaker 34:56
Good point. Eugene.
Unknown Speaker 34:58
Mayor and council you May city attorney I have to say I don’t know what that development is I focused on areas in development inside law months borders, but we can certainly comment to the CEO GCC. You know, I don’t think that would risk any oil and gas development issues in Longmont,
Unknown Speaker 35:22
if we just comment as a concern party,
Unknown Speaker 35:25
it’s basically a testimony at when when you testify at the hearing, as that, since we have the data, which is why we’re collecting it to begin with, as what it’s doing to our air quality. And we’ve all heard and read the statements in in the newspapers and other air quality monitoring stations about how bad the air quality is in our area. So anything, it doesn’t matter, and the air quality that we are gathering, the air quality monitoring is also coming from the cement plant. It’s it’s basically saying, Please don’t add anything else to to make our air quality worse than it is as we are trying to clean it up. And pay attention to what the law says, which is SB 181. About the health, safety and welfare of residents as Councillor Hidalgo fairing so I do have a point of order for us to continue with discussion. Don’t you need a second? Oh, thank you. I’ll second it. And now you can make your comments. Um, yes. So, um, you know, I get I wanted to hear at, you know, so we’re writing the letter to cog CC. And then all I see on there is as a concern party, but what, you know, in reference to following Senate Bill 181 legislation, and what other component because I also heard you mentioned something about including the data from our air quality. Yes. And that would just be to prove the point that the air quality is being affected by oil and gas operations, as well as other other things to fire the so pay attention, follow the law. No, and I agree, I think one of the most disturbing pieces of information that I learned was that how, where geographically where Longmont sits or Boulder County where we sit, we are kind of like a pit that collects that, you know, that polluted air? And it’s, and I mean, I see it, you know, anecdotally I see with my son every time he has an asthma attack, it’s like jump on and see what what the air quality is. And it is low. It is I mean, I’m sorry, the numbers for was it the methane and benzene, benzene, the one that was really affected him. So we just we, you know, I mean, we collect this polluted air. So we, you know, I think it’s very appropriate that we do state our concerns. So I guess that’s all it is, is Holding, holding their feet to the letter of the law, which is SB 181. So do we have any other comments? Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez.
Unknown Speaker 38:43
Thank you my back. So I would say that based on the fact that this really isn’t going to cost us, you know, special counsel time, things like that. Also the fact that because of our charter in the fracking ban within our charter, to a certain extent, until that gets made pulled out of the charter by a vote, we to a certain extent, have a mandate to voice our opinion about any oil and gas development that’s done that affects the city of Longmont and the residents of Longmont. And so based on the assumption that it will come, it’ll be very limited as far as cost to voice our opinion as a, you know, body testifying about potential impact to our municipality. I would support this motion. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker 39:42
Councillor Martin. I just like to point out that it was not many years ago that we, in fact, voted a resolution of support for SB 181. And so we’re being completely consistent in in expressing our deep desire that be enforced as written. Thank you. And as far as staff time, you know Janie Turner has been collecting this data for almost two years. So it wouldn’t be hard at all for her to pull it all together and throw it in a letter before the hearing on March 10. So was there any more discussion? So the I made the motion to direct staff to write this letter to co GCC as a concern party citing the adverse impacts statement per SB 181. And it was seconded by Councillor Hidalgo, fairing, all those in favor? Raise your hand. Thank you all those opposed? That passes unanimously, thank you very much. So very important to me. And hopefully to all of us. So we are now at the wait, let me get this heck out. Of Public invited to be heard.
Unknown Speaker 41:07
We have a presentation on the on the agenda. Do
Unknown Speaker 41:10
I thank you, sir. It’s the long run public media update. No, first we need to go back to the city manager’s report here. Oh, do you have a report for us tonight?
Unknown Speaker 41:23
No, Mayor, other than we’re still above. We’re not getting the same presentations we used to but we’re still above the high transmission rate, but we’re continuing to dive down on when we hit that point.
Unknown Speaker 41:37
Okay, thank you. So now we do have a special report. Thank you, Councillor waters. For that reminder. I would like Sergio Angeles to come up. He’s the Executive Director and general manager of Longmont public media. And he has a presentation for us. Sergio, are you here?
Unknown Speaker 41:56
I am. Yeah. Hello? Hey, good evening. Yeah, good evening, mayor and council as mayor Peck mentioned, my name is Sergio Angeles. I’m the Executive Director and general manager of llama public media. And I’m here to give you all an update about what we’ve been up to in 2021. So if Dallas if you could put the presentation up, and go to the next slide, please. So a lot more public media, or lpm for short is Walmart’s media maker space and public access TV station. Next slide. As a 501 C three nonprofit our mission is to educate, produce and to distribute local media. Next slide. And we do this by providing a media maker space to our community to teach media creation to produce and to distribute local content. Next slide. So the agenda for tonight will be to just briefly go over the 2021 scope of services, and then discuss our accomplishments last year, to provide metrics and viewership to excuse me to provide metrics on viewership and membership, as well as to discuss opportunities and challenges and risks moving forward. Next slide. So what you see here on the screen is just part of the scope of services, I won’t go over all of it, I’ll just highlight certain things I’ll start off with. Part of our scope was to broadcast quality programming on the current Comcast Cable channel eight, which is standard definition 80, which is HD, YouTube, Roku and on our own website, as well as two broadcasts only generated content on channels 14 and 16. There was also to produce a variety of different programming and live stream events from city council meetings, pnz meetings, sports, our history and entertainment programs, how to classes such as cooking and painting classes, other types of performing arts programs, videos created by the city of Longmont, staff submitted to lpm for distribution, recording all the boards and commissions, and then converting those via AI voice and text software into searchable text. As well as having an open to the public podcast studio and a live streaming radio station, also to produce up to 20 hours a week of videography time. That is at the discretion of city staff tech slide. Additionally, it was to do a whole bunch of community outreach to coordinate a public access program, trained residents on how to use publicly owned equipment, as well as work with other local outlets and organizations to produce innovative programming. It was to develop an ongoing marketing plan as well as to capture and then share those metrics to all of you and to the community. Excellent So in 2021, we of course maintain and broadcast channel eight and 80 and 2021 with minimal downtime. We did begin broadcasting channel 14, which is education and channel 16, which is the government channel, to Comcast, our website and Roku. So as of the summer of last year, we are now running all three public access channels. And they originate out of law, public media, all running independent programming. We of course continue to broadcast city council, like we are tonight and planning and zoning live. Of course, we continue to record transcribe and broadcasts all of the boards and commissions when they were held in person and when they’re not obviously due to COVID. Once those were sent over to us, we did process those for transcription and post posters up on our website. And we did continue to operate a streaming radio station. Next slide. We also, as I mentioned, operate a membership base media maker space. So we’re open to the public 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, with free access to studios, video editing software and hardware, video equipment such as cameras, mics, mixers, lights, and of course an open to the public podcasting studio. In 2021. Our public membership increased by 157%. At the end of the year, we had 201 members. Additionally, in October of last year, we did join Boulder County Public Health vaccine verified facilities program. Next slide. We continue to provide
Unknown Speaker 46:42
videography services of up to 20 hours per week to the city of Longmont. Last year, every Monday we lpm staff along with city staff met to discuss upcoming projects, as well as work on you know, other projects, edits, etc. We hosted several events such as member content screenings, weekly member meetings and post sessions and movie nights. We also started working on creating an audio studio that will be open to the public based on feedback that we received. And we of course taught a variety of different classes. Next slide. Some of those classes include but not limited to Premiere Pro one on one, our live stream on Zoom intro to YouTube shorts live streaming on Facebook, live streaming on YouTube, Lights Camera right which is a screen writing one on one class. Next slide. We also taught and hosted a premiere pro editing club amigo start one on one class, video post production and intro to editing with Adobe Premiere, as well as a bunch of other video production classes from a 10 one one V mix one to one, and also started doing a photo printing class online. So all of these classes were just focused obviously on the technology on the equipment on hardware, and those were taught either by staff or other members that also know how to use that hardware or software to other members of the public. Next slide. Continuing with our accomplishments, we also launched an equipment rental system, so residents can now rent and check out video audio and photography equipment directly from Longmont public media. And as a paying lpm member you do get free equipment rental to use anywhere you’d like. We currently have three full time employees including myself and one part time employee, we cover 99% of health insurance, we offer a flexible PTO and a 401k. And more importantly, we are the go to destination for Longmont specific content, either on Facebook, on our YouTube channel and on our Roku app. Excellent. So now I want to talk a little bit about our MakerSpace. We did make a bunch of changes last year. So just want you guys to see some of what we’ve done. So when you see here, this is our podcasting room supports up to four people we spruced it up with some paint as well as put in some audio panels. So it sounds amazing. We have this really easy to use road caster pro so all you really need to do is come in and hit record and you have an amazing sounding podcast. We do have a video in several other video classes upon on equipment like this, when we’ve had a bunch of different people come in and create podcasts or use the room for voiceovers. The law public library actually uses the podcast studio here for their podcast book chatter. Next slide. In addition to it being a podcast room, I can also serve as a set. So these are three local high school students that produce their own TV show called Tech bat, and they use the room as a set. Next slide. This is our largest studio which has been the office Part of the building completely opened it up, we added a white vinyl roll for more professional shoots black and white curtains and extensive lighting grid, and just made it very flexible for content creators to come in and use the space really depending on whatever they’re wanting it for. And I’ll show a little bit later on some examples of what those sets look like. Next slide. As I mentioned, we also have a whole bunch of equipment. So this is our equipment room. Pretty much anything you can think of we have from iPads and studio lights, teleprompters, shoulder shoulder rigs for cameras, TVs, camcorders, wireless microphones, as I said, you name it, we probably have it. And all of this is available for people to come in and in use or also rented use outside of LPN. Next slide. We also have an editing room with one, one Mac and two PCs that come fully loaded with all the video editing software from Premiere Pro DaVinci Resolve with a speed editing keyboard, Final Cut Pro iMovie. And more recently, we did acquire two printers there. So if anyone is interested in photography, we do teach a class on how to use that so that you can print your own prints. Next slide. So now I want to talk a little bit about the programming that we broadcast last year. Next slide.
Unknown Speaker 51:35
So on channel eight at 14 and 16. We do distribute and broadcast state, national and global content, such as content from Colorado Parks and Wildlife from the Denver Zoo. Excuse me, CDOT actually reached out to us about broadcasting their new winter wise campaign. We continue to broadcast Democracy Now Monday through Friday. And as you know, our sister city with Chino, Japan. So we have the US Consulate here in Japan and Denver’s send us Japan video topics of a variety of different videos about that. Next slide. But more importantly, I really want to highlight just the wide variety and diversity of local programming across all three of these public access channels. I don’t want to go through all of them. But I do want to highlight some some for you all. So of course continuing with City Council pnz boards and commissions coffee with council those are held virtually all the Longmont museum Thursday night the museum shows and the summer concert series all broadcasts and produced remotely. Of course his sister cities in Northern Arapaho signing ceremony, we did produce Longmont Startup Week 2021 That was live for five days of six hours of content per day. The Longmont City Council 21 candidate videos and debates both in English and Spanish Boulder County tonight, which was a late night show created by Andy Eppler. And Andy also put on a Election Night Special Report. We continue to get weather for weekly weather forecasts from local meteorologist John Unsworth. And he continues to do a monthly astronomy show called skies over the Colorado a new show called property time with local realtor Sarah Morrow is a really awesome show all about the local realtor market and information to people wanting to purchase homes. Abbott and Wallace a local distillery did an incredible holiday series about how to mix cocktails, which is really fun to watch. Anytime we get a new piece of gear, we produce a video called lpm unboxing so viewers and residents can know what the equipment is and how to use it. The sound post sessions which is an intimate concert experience, held that lpm which is recorded and then later broadcasts and later date. Humans Obama which is a new show about getting to know a residence better logo and love which is a local dating show to help Longmont residents find love if you’re single, a cooking show the backstory with Tim waters mukha moment a kid’s yoga and mindfulness show what’s on our air which was a three part series submitted to us by the Longmont climate community. Textpad a local technology show. And as you can see just a whole bunch of local content. There is a bunch more that I didn’t put on here from music videos, locally produced music videos to people going on on a hiking, climbing along speak and then we broadcast it. So just a lot of diversity in our local programming backside. So now just want to show a little some behind the scenes of Somalia. stuff here at the studio. So this was the llama EDP economic summit of what the set look like in 2021. We will also be producing the 2022 summit, which is on Thursday.
Unknown Speaker 55:12
Next slide.
Unknown Speaker 55:14
This is behind the scenes of Longmont Startup Week 2021. We had three different sets that we swapped out throughout the week. Next slide. This is Crystal she is a shop captain at Tinker mill. And every month she holds a shop talk where you can learn about the latest jewelry making techniques. So we live streamed one of them one month last year Exide. As I mentioned, we host the sample sessions at La Public Media. This is run and produced by a Tim gold’s run there at the studio and it turns the room into an intimate 40 person concert, which sounds beautiful. And you really just get to experience some music. We do record it and then we broadcast it later on all the public access channels as well as video on demand. And more recently, we also convert that into a podcast so people can listen to it. Next slide. This was a GIF about of the sample sessions of just some of the footage that we captured that night. Obviously it’s a much better quality if you watch it online, just compressed GIF. Next slide is behind the scenes of Andy blurs late night show Boulder County tonight. Next slide. And another photo of Andy during his Boulder County Election special. Next slide. As I mentioned, we did a cooking show. So we partner with the times collaborative, they have an amazing test kitchen in the back. So we a couple members went in produced and recorded this cooking show and just had a lot of fun as well as ate some really delicious food.
Unknown Speaker 56:59
Next slide
Unknown Speaker 57:01
is a behind the set behind the scenes set of property time the local realtor show was there Morrow. Next slide. We also hosted a wide variety of different movie nights, where we would watch movies of different genres and then talk about them afterward. Next slide. We also held member screenings. So whenever members completed content, we would hold like a little celebration to just to see what they’ve accomplished and to just celebrate just the content that they’ve created. Next slide. More recently, we also started doing film screenings and fundraising events. So Brian hadden here is a local filmmaker producing fracking the system which is a feature documentary on Colorado’s oil and gas wars. Next slide. And last but not least lpm staff alongside sister cities and city of Longmont staff, traveled up to the Northern Arapaho tribe in Wyoming and recorded a lot of footage did a lot of interviews for a documentary that will be released later
Unknown Speaker 58:09
this year. Next slide.
Unknown Speaker 58:13
So now I want to talk about metrics. Excellent. So in 2021 1,094,617 minutes of content was watched on La public media. So all this data is from our YouTube channel, our Facebook page, Vimeo, Roku, and our website. What isn’t included in here is viewership from Comcast, as Comcast has told us that they don’t have metrics on that. Also not included on here is city of Longmont viewership and data from any videos that we produce for the city. Next slide. So in 2021, we had 31,166 total viewers, so about a third of the city, reaching total impressions, meaning the number of times that content was displayed to people of 641,616 times the average percentage viewed is a little bit under 13%. And the average view duration is five minutes and 26 seconds. So I do want to note that while made it may seem low, we do have a wide variety of different content that spans from 30 seconds or a minute long all the way to three, four plus hours. And that does alter those statistics and metrics. We also ended the year with almost 1600 installs of llama Public Media’s Roku app Exide. In terms of website metrics, we ended the year with a little over 87,000 pageviews, almost 20,000 users and a little bit under 28,000 sessions. Next slide. In terms of the most popular videos or shows watched online on public media Not surprisingly, it was the 2021 long month City Council mayoral debate, followed by the app arch candidate debate, followed by broadcast script writing 101. This was a classic LP and produced followed by meet the candidate Tim waters and then our cooking show chef Glenn makes the best Gumbo and no go. Next slide. The least popular videos and shows watch on lpm are a variety of different boards and commission videos as well as one random weather forecasts for the week beginning November 17th. Next slide. The ranked list of shows based on the total number of likes is our cooking show. Followed by meet the founders a local entrepreneur show, local logo and love our dating show. Of course the mural world at large debates Meet the Candidates Boulder County tonight, rational politics future we deserve the backstory skies over Colorado and then mukha moment. Next slide. So the most like videos and you might start to see a trend here is again a cooking show and number one followed by excuse me broadcast script writing one on one meet the founders also with Glen our dating show is she killed the one for you. And the city city Valmont candidate forum at large candidates next slide. In terms of the most disliked videos, the 2021 city council election in interview with Diane Chris Boulder County tonight live election night special report a free outdoor concert, a specific planning and zoning meeting on May 19, and a rational politics video. What I do want to mention here is that YouTube doesn’t tell us why these were the most disliked videos, it could be that the user simply didn’t like the producer or the content or who was on it, we simply have no way of knowing they they were just the most disliked. So just something to keep in mind. Next slide. So now I want to talk about some opportunities as well as some challenges and risks. Next slide. So as of 2022, an average person is predicted to spend 100 minutes per day watching Online Video with 85% of the internet audience in the US already watching video online. And more importantly, viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video. So there’s so many people watching just so much video, I really believe this is an opportunity for them to be watching local content, either produced for the city or informational city content, or other content produced by former public media or members. Next slide.
Unknown Speaker 1:02:51
I truly believe also due to pandemic that the future is hybrid meaning both in person and having a digital video option. As a member to the local YMCA YMCA here in Longmont. I know that they recently started offering a digital digital option for their classes. It made me think about you know, why couldn’t the city of Longmont offer more content like that? So I believe that we have an opportunity here to really produce more programming for the city of Longmont, either informational, educational, or other entertainment based programming. I was just looking also at the senior senior services calendar, and all the other classes they offer. And there’s so much incredible in person programming. And I just thought, you know, why isn’t some of that offered digitally. And there’s also just so many local stories to tell here locally. Next slide. Additionally, with 74% of US households having at least one internet connected TV device, such as a smart TV, or an over the top player, the future of public access is not cable. It’s online and on TV apps such as Google TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, you name it, law on public media should be on it to allow for additional distribution mechanisms so that more residents in town can see all of this amazing content from the city for members and other local content creators. Next slide. Additionally, I think the COVID pandemic showed that we were severely lacking in media literacy. And we have an opportunity to provide additional resources, training and knowledge on how to use the latest media technology. How to produce content, increase self expression, develop critical thinking and be more civically responsible. Media literacy is extremely important in keeping our local community well informed and well represented Exide Additionally, we should we also have an opportunity to make content even more accessible with last month’s Latino population hovering around 30% There’s a strong need to produce Spanish speaking Sorry Spanish speaking content and be more inclusive to the city’s demographics, we should look at also providing more closed captioning across all the videos produced, as well as digital live channel stream, such as on our website and Roku app. Excellent. And more importantly, I really think that by being at the intersection of aspiring content creators and more experienced filmmakers, while I’m on Public Media’s media maker space can become where the next generation of content creators and filmmakers come from. I think we have an opportunity here to provide you know, other local content creator incentives or other type of funding opportunities, as well as create more local jobs. Next slide. With these opportunities also come challenges and risks and as you know, COVID continue to rage on in 2021. With you know, different strains from delta to Omicron. And COVID did continue to affect our media maker space activities. So our plan to replace dropping franchise and peg fees with maker space membership is very unlikely to happen this year, unless there is a drastic change in the public health environment. Maker Space in co working space model simply don’t work in a pandemic. Even if you are part of the vaccine verified program like we were. As you know, this funding was part of how we plan to replace dropping franchise fees. Next slide. As I mentioned earlier on total membership had increased 157% from 76 members in 2020 to 201 in 2021. With paying memberships increasing 262% from just eight paying members in 2020, to 29 and 2021. Next slide. Using the past two years as data we are projecting that we’ll be doubling our paid memberships over the next three years with 300 paying members by 2025. Next slide.
Unknown Speaker 1:07:04
Another challenge in risk is that nationally Comcast lost another one and a half million residential video subscribers in 2021, or about a 7.8% loss. So as of now there are about 17 and a half million video subscribers. So franchise fees will continue to decline as Comcast loses Vu subscribers which affects local funding. Next slide. As a refresher of peg versus franchise fees franchise fees are the fees a municipality charges a cable company for use of the public right away, and Longmont public media currently receives 25% of those franchise fees from the city. Peg fees or fees levied as part of a franchise agreement and revenue must be used for for the capital costs incurred by peg media infrastructure. These peg fees are passed on to local Comcast customers at a rate about 75 cents per per month, or nine bucks a year. Next slide. So when you see the graph that you see here, this is the decline in peg fees since we were awarded the contract and started in 2020. So in q1 of 2020, we received a little bit under $25,000. For the peg fees in q4 of last year, we ended the year with 20,840 $1,000 worth of peg fees. Next slide. So based on those peg fees, we estimated that in 2021, we have about 9600 Comcast subscribers in Longmont, which is down from 10,481 in 2020. Next slide. So my question to council is, you know, does the city of Longmont want to continue investing in a media Makerspace in a public access TV station? And if so, the current 25% allocation of the franchise fees isn’t enough, especially if additional COVID 19 support ends later this year. Next slide. So I want to thank you all for your time, and I’m available to answer any questions that you might have.
Unknown Speaker 1:09:25
My unmute wasn’t unmuting Councillor Hidalgo. fairing? Thank you, Mayor. So um, the slide. So I caught the first question is, you know, if we still want to continue funding. The second question, what was that?
Unknown Speaker 1:09:42
I didn’t get to finish writing it down.
Unknown Speaker 1:09:45
The second question on the on the last slide on the
Unknown Speaker 1:09:47
last slide. Was that a second question or was it No,
Unknown Speaker 1:09:50
it was just stating that the current franchise fee allocation of 25% won’t be enough.
Unknown Speaker 1:09:57
Okay. Okay, and then Have, do you know of any? What numbers are you looking at? for the city to contribute?
Unknown Speaker 1:10:07
Yeah, I mean, ideally, we, you know, we would really like for council to consider, you know, given us 50 to 100% of those franchise fees so that a media maker space like LA public media can continue to exist past has my time and for future generations.
Unknown Speaker 1:10:25
Okay. And then I do have a comment I appreciate about adding the Spanish language in your programming. You know, my other thing, you know, a comment I wanted to point out was, rather than, you know, making sure that it’s not just translation of our, you know, our the typical programming, but actually that the program is culturally relevant, that will appeal to our Latino community to get them interested in, in even just in participating as well, you know, how much of reach Have you been able to have to our Latino community in utilizing the MakerSpace? Or having youth come out and and actually explore what what you have available? So, yeah. I think Councillor waters,
Unknown Speaker 1:11:28
thanks for your pick, in nice presentation. Sergio. Thanks. I have two questions for you. The first is this. It’s always interesting to me, following the number of hours we spent in these meetings, and in you live streaming and in the both along my leader in the Times call coverage in the in as news how varied understanding or interpretation of what we do is in the public.
Tim Waters 1:12:02
So the first question, is this, are we making the best and highest use of lpm? Or maybe what would you recommend to be the best and use of best and highest use of lpm to make certain that accurate information is easily accessible by the public? Number one, about what’s going on what we do about what the citizen second question is, in addition to franchise fees? What else do you need from us to help help Longmont? Help Longmont try to help for lpm to help online accomplish the ends that the city establishes two questions.
Unknown Speaker 1:12:41
Yeah, Councilmember waters? So the first first question, so the firt the my first answer to your first question would be no, I don’t believe that the city of Longmont is using lpm to its highest and fullest potential. I think, you know, obviously, depending on the priorities of what the city would like for us to focus on, I do believe sometimes that should be more PSAs, it should be more informational, instead of less. You know, entertainment based programming, I think, even just looking online today on one of the Facebook groups here in town, with people being confused about how the LH a lottery works. And I think Marshall was commentating on on that, you know, I think that was an opportunity for, you know, just just make, let’s just make a quick video, you know, could take under 30 minutes to an hour, and just say, you know, here’s, here’s the information that you need, and we could distribute it everywhere. I think a really good example, last year, an informational piece, and I believe Harold Dominguez or sandy cedar had the idea, but we did a tour of the Walmart Public Library when I was going through all this construction, and that now has, you know, 1200 1300 views, and it, you know, just showed what was going on. And I really think that, as a city, we should be looking at producing more videos like that.
Unknown Speaker 1:14:14
Certain question was, what do you what can we do to help you help us?
Unknown Speaker 1:14:19
Yeah, so as I Yeah, another great question. So as I mentioned, again, I think we’d really like for city council to consider more franchise fees. But additionally, I mean, just obviously getting the word out about La Public Media and also individually coming in and use the space either, you know, a weekly conversation with the mayor, or just councilmember thoughts, you know, we could interview each one of you or, or something like that, right. I mean, I think there’s a wide variety of different opportunities to engage obviously, as a as a council with the public and just get the public more familiar about us being here.
Unknown Speaker 1:14:58
Thanks for doing it.
Unknown Speaker 1:15:00
Any other comments? Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez.
Unknown Speaker 1:15:04
Thank you very much Mayor PAC. So it was outlined that they’re currently receiving 25% of the fees. Right. So my question is, what is the allocation of the other percentage of those fees? And so that’s not necessarily for Sergio.
Unknown Speaker 1:15:22
I’ll let Sandy jump in. So So part of it is to they receive 25% of the fees last year. And then Council, in addition, allocated 117,000, the year before and 120,000 since then. So there’s been additional allocations beyond the 25% of the franchise fees. The remit of that is calculated into the general fund budget, correct?
Unknown Speaker 1:15:54
That’s right, we treat that, like we do general property taxes and sales taxes. It’s not earmarked
Unknown Speaker 1:16:00
for anything specific. Okay, but it goes into the general fund is what what I’m hearing? Right. So that technically, is Council prerogative, if they choose to, if we choose to change. Okay, very good. Thank you for that. Second question would be this one, I think we’ll go to Sergio. You showed a proposed increase in I guess you’d call them subscribers or members. As well as also the decrease in percent in what you get from the percent the 25%. What is is the gap there? You know, let’s say if we’re just trying to keep even, which we know that’s not really sustainable. But let’s just say we’re trying to keep even what’s what’s the gap there as, as you see one climbing and one decreasing?
Unknown Speaker 1:17:01
Yeah. Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez. Yeah, good question. So I believe, obviously, in the target, as shown in just a peg fees has been, we’ve dropped about $4,000 so far. And then in terms of actual franchise fees, and Sandy, maybe correct me if I’m wrong, I believe in 2020, the franchise fees that we collected was about 155,000, this year was going to be 145,000. So that it’s going to continue to drop. I don’t know exactly how much. But we are trying to offset that obviously, with with membership dues. But I think the thing to keep in mind is that as we’re increasing membership dues, I mean, the the services that we would be able to provide to the city for those franchise would still continue to go down. So unless the city would want additional, you know, services or to maintain the same level of services, it would still have to maintain, so that we could provide the same level of quality.
Unknown Speaker 1:18:05
Okay, is lpm allowed advertising space, for instance, to possibly help help offset? Some of those? We
Unknown Speaker 1:18:15
do have sponsors that we can put on the channel. Yes.
Unknown Speaker 1:18:20
So you’re allowed to do that. Okay. There’s nothing that prohibits you from doing that. Okay. Thank you very much. I would also just like to state that, I believe it’s a very necessary and vital service, that lpm provides the city. I was a member of public access long, many years ago, when it was, you know, the cable trust, if you will, when I was in middle of high school. And so I think it’s a really great thing. And I actually plan, especially now that I had a little tour recently, where lpm is adding facilities for audio recording. And as a musician, and somebody who was formerly an audio engineer at a recording studio, that very much interests me, and, you know, I with the additional facility, I’d very likely be adding a membership to it. So just want to say that they’re doing great work and not just maintaining what they have as services, but adding additional services that we haven’t seen yet in the community that I think could be a net boon, if you will. So I think it’s important for council to consider making sure that we continue the viability of LPN. So thank you
Unknown Speaker 1:19:53
Councillor Martin? Thank you, Mayor Pat. Um, I think also that. I mean lpm has done a tremendous amount and tremendous variety of things of all working when, you know, the number of people who could, who could meet in the in the public space was limited when people were reluctant to meet in the public space. Immediately before the pandemic, we held public meetings that would have you know, 2030 people present. And then of course, you know, that dropped off to the to the real diehards once we had to meet virtually or with masks on and so I propose that the council consider that we need to increase the city subsidy at USCIS at a level that will at least, you know, sustain the current level of of growth for another year, with the understanding that lpm needs to run a membership campaign run sponsorship campaigns and get back on the post pandemic road to becoming more self sustaining as the cable trust revenue inevitably tails off. Thank you, Councillor Martin. Any other comments? Um, I would like here’s my perception Sergio and I am speaking of people who were used to channel eight before before long public media took over the the perception of people my age and older is that this is a Longmont city. It’s another service that the city provides. But I see the name public in there. And I think that may be more advertising that this is not just a long month channel a long month, public media. It is it encompasses it could encompass Firestone or Frederick or me what’s going on in other cities? And that, and that is where I’m wondering, are you reaching out as far as advertising goes as far as membership drives? Reaching out to explain the difference between Longmont public media to perhaps the majority? I don’t know that it’s the majority, but a substantial number of people who still think this is a service that the city provides. This is a different entity, it’s a different package that you’re presenting, and I’m not sure that that is understood. What do you think about that? I?
Unknown Speaker 1:23:06
Yeah, that’s a great question. Mayor Peck. So we primarily in terms of advertising, try to target mostly Longmont residents, for use of the maker space for shows such as sample sessions, right, where it can cater to a larger audience. We do, you know, advertise and 510 15 mile range to try to bring in other people into Longmont. So then they’re at least downtown. I do think, yeah, that’s a great idea to run additional ad campaigns. And now that hopefully, we’re on the upswing of, you know, kind of returning back to normal. I do think that will encourage you know, more people that come out, as well as utilize the space. Well,
Unknown Speaker 1:23:51
I I agree and I look at CPR and NPR and how they run their their public media, and how they run their ad campaigns, but also, some of their program reaches out to subjects people not necessarily have ever considered listening to or watching and those might actually be in other cities like what’s happening in Boulder, how does that affect Longmont? Does it affect Longmont? I guess that’s what I would like to see a little bit diversity and maybe during a program that gets a lot of attention throwing up an advertisement that says I don’t know how you would say it, but try to explain that it is not a service that their taxes pay for. This is a public media. And we need your help. All right.
Unknown Speaker 1:24:46
Yeah. Sounds good. Yeah. Thank you mirror back. Yeah. Well, we’ll be working on doing that.
Unknown Speaker 1:24:51
Okay, thanks. You were unmuted, Mayor Peck I think you say my name. I’m trying to read your lips. And I think you say, counsel when
Unknown Speaker 1:25:05
you did read my year.
Unknown Speaker 1:25:09
All right, I just want to say thank you so much Sergio for all that you’re doing. To may have picked point, I think, as she was speaking, it will be awesome to see like TVs in establishment, like huge buildings that have Longmont public media stuff going like those, the music and things like that going up and maybe in the where people pay their bills, have a TV up and just showing some of the shows. But I also believe, and I also agree with councilmember waters that we need to inform our community education, education, education, and I believe that’s what you do a lot of, but with all the new projects and everything that’s going on, you know, or concerns and things like that, it would be nice to have stuff, you know, more of that on lpm. And I think the problem is to how we, how we get in our youth involved. And I know you and I talked about that in the past, but I think that’s something we can continue to work on. But it’s just exposure and letting every city know what all you do and what you provide. Because your your places. It’s amazing over there. And and I love it myself. And so maybe if we can some of our local establishments where we can get up some TV screens, and have this rolling some of the programs that you do, and we you know, and then when we talk about the weather, or when you have the news that’s coming from lpm. You know what I’m saying? And that’s within our city. So I would like to see something like that. That would be awesome. I don’t know, if we, you know, I don’t know if that’s feasible. But that would be nice. But thank you for everything you do. I agree with everyone. And I definitely however we can make that happen for you. I’m all on board,
Unknown Speaker 1:27:08
counseling writing it has everybody spoken once, because I want to, you know, yes. Okay. Um, I would just like to clarify something. And I think I think Sergio did make it clear, but the end of the popular assumption would be the opposite. When we say that long public media is a maker space, that means that the public is the content creator lpm records, the city events, and the producers who work at lpm do some mandated work for the city that creates content, but most of what Sergio listed is the content from Longmont residents. And they are the creators, they’re the makers. So the the five person staff at lpm does not isn’t going to create a lot more content than they are creating now. They’re going to buy outreach and get the collective public of Longmont to create a lot more content. And, you know, the the tremendous amount of work that existing members have done in terms of creating classes and other instructional opportunities, is I think the biggest pandemic level accomplishment that the organization has achieved. And now it’s time to capitalize on that because people can begin coming in and taking advantage of that, and and really allowing the creativity of the city as a whole to blossom, because this maker space is here. Thank you, Councillor Mike. Mayor Pro Tem wherever you
Unknown Speaker 1:29:08
like your quick question. It might have been in the presentation, and I missed it. But when is the contract up for renewal?
Unknown Speaker 1:29:20
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez I believe the contract is up for renewal every year so I believe in Sandy maybe correct me if I’m wrong and believe once budgeting process starts is that correct?
Unknown Speaker 1:29:34
Mayor Pro Tem Sandy Cedar City Managers and Sergio is right. The contract is a January to December contracts. You just approved this contract in December. You may remember and as part of the contract was not only the franchise fees, which were about $140,000 served us right they’ve continued to decline, but also the city council have sided during the budget season. You know which we usually ask you for this feedback and May or so, but during the budget season You all allocated $120,000. Additionally, and if you’re one time in order to stave over what you’re hearing from Sergio right now about their declining membership, the original RFP basically was one that would hopefully make Longmont public media sustainable in the long haul with the membership. But of course, with COVID, as Sergio said, that’s been impossible. And so the council has, in 2021, gave $117,000 out of one time budget and 2020 to 120,000. So sure, we’ll have the conversation again, during the budget season, this presentation that Sergio is giving you as a contractual requirement of that December contract.
Unknown Speaker 1:30:42
Thank you as part of parsley, just to clarify that we will have another crack at this this year. As far as yes, we will be taking another look at this at a later date. So thank you. That’s that’s what I also wanted to clarify. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker 1:30:59
So Sergio, do you did you get the direction that you wanted this conversation to go in? Or is there something that we haven’t given you that you need?
Unknown Speaker 1:31:12
Mayor Peck? No, I think I got a lot of great feedback. So thank you, thank you to all of you for providing that feedback. I’ll be starting to work on that. And then yeah, as I mentioned, as I mentioned, it was just, you know, for the council to reconsider just a franchise fee allocation, which, based on my understanding is something that sounds like you all do in May. So thank you.
Unknown Speaker 1:31:35
And I want to say the presentation was great. It’s amazing everything you do. So thank you, America. Yep. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, it’s now time for our public invited to be heard. So it is time to dial in now can you There you go. Please call our number I don’t see the number because I have my screen up there 1887880099 into the meeting ID and press the pound sign don’t forget to mute your live stream we’ll be back in five minutes. Hello, hello, am I allowed to speak I think we’re all in the waiting room and so okay, I was here. Okay. I need to mute myself. Well, you need to mute the live stream video we will call on you by the last three digits of your phone number and allow you to speak at that time?
Unknown Speaker 1:35:15
Hello? Mr Peck, we are about 10 seconds out from the five minute mark. And as you saw, we do have some callers eager to talk.
Unknown Speaker 1:37:00
Yes, I do see that. So is has everybody been entered into the waiting room?
Unknown Speaker 1:37:08
So I see let me go through check. Yeah, so we do have 10 callers. I’m going to drop the slide now that I see counsel coming back online.
Unknown Speaker 1:37:17
Great. So let’s, let’s get started and close. The public invited to be heard. Sure.
Unknown Speaker 1:37:26
All right. Sounds good. Yeah. So caller number 203 Caller with the last three digits 203. Please hit star six to unmute if you have the live stream going on in the background. Please mute it and state your name and address for the record. Hey there color two, three. Can you hear us? Was that 6203203 The last three digits. Yep, I can hear you now.
Unknown Speaker 1:37:57
I think that would be me. Hi, my name is Sarah Dawn Haynes. I’m the chair of the nene peaks group Sierra Club, and I reside in South Boulder, Colorado and I’m also happy that my mom has been Longmont resident for the last year. And I got to do some research on everyone through the election. But this is my first Longmont council meeting. And that I wanted to call in support of the work you’ve been already doing on affordable housing, and specifically with a Costco site but reading the agenda, I’m seeing more projects and hearing Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez speak about different issues and the council support to make sure that your codes are matching your intentions. We just every day are facing so many really difficult decisions on how to provide housing for our workers and for our community to do it equitably and to do it in a way that protects what so many of us love living here for which is our open spaces natural spaces. And I just went to the Longmont museum on Sunday for the beautiful installation of Japanese work and you know, I think councilmember Yarbro idea about putting up a TV in there you know, to help people know about the media programs would be really great. And my auntie and I hadn’t seen each other for two years and went for a walk along the local pedestrian stroll so I just have a growing love and appreciation for all the leadership and work what you’re doing there and I just want you to know that the Sierra Club is paying attention, looking forward to support and keep up the good work. Thank you, Sarah. next caller.
Unknown Speaker 1:40:21
Okay, we’re going to move on to color with the last three digits 499. Color 499 Please hit star six to unmute yourself. Can you hear me? Yes, we can.
Unknown Speaker 1:40:37
Okay, this is doe Kelly of barberry drive in Longmont. And these remarks are for the highest good of all being. I’ve spoken to you in the past about dangers and risks of wireless infrastructure and devices that use microwave microwave carrier waves to transmit data. At our request you did to your credit hold an AMI study session in late 2020. Sadly, you dismiss the learned advice of Dr. Tim shakily an expert participant that the meters will soon be obsolete to carry big risks. And that later that safer wired technology of the future is nearly here. You took the bad advice on health effects of non ionizing microwave radiation of a self admitted non expert Bill Hayes, the air quality coordinator for Boulder County Public Health. He’s a very nice man albeit not qualified to a pine on this matter. And so no knowledge of the updated science on wireless harms. You simply parroted the FCC stance that non ionizing wireless radiation is safe for humans. He can be forgiven that at least he was honest in stating he really was not an expert. And now we are facing the impending addition of another layer of radio frequency Electrosmog from the smart meter rollout in Longmont. So a question, do you really think the general public knows what a smart meter is and that it carries real risks and dangers? And if residents were fully informed? Do you really think that you would have only a half percent opt out rate? As you’ve estimated, I warned you of a possible landmark win against the FCC that would place existing FCC radio frequency safety guidelines under scientific scrutiny and then a kind of limbo, Friday the 13th of August last summer was a very lucky day, plaintiffs side one and the FCC essentially was ordered by the second highest US court to return to the drawing board to do its homework by considering all the science that had been submitted to the agency, but for the most part, was ignored by FCC and its abject failure to adequately update its radio frequency guidelines. A winning attorney on this case, Daphna taco over said, MICROWAVE SICKNESS is likely the most immediate and widespread manifestation of the adverse health effects from radiation emitted from wireless devices and infrastructure. At least 10% of the population has already developed symptoms, the rates are likely higher and quote, As for the opt out, is it fair that people like me with EHS with a toxic response to things wireless should be forced to pay for protection against having a wireless meter? Or should people instead be given the choice to opt in with no cost to those who say, No, I have close neighbors? What if they don’t? Thank you very much for that information, but your three minutes is up. Okey dokey. Bye bye. Bye bye.
Unknown Speaker 1:43:52
Okay, and moving on to our next color colored with the last three digits seven to two. Color seven to two. Would you hit star six to unmute yourself please. Are there can you hear us? Yes.
Unknown Speaker 1:44:11
Perfect. Hello, Mayor pack and city council. I’m like Lynette McLean and I live on Sandpoint dryer in Longmont. I just want to say a few words about the benefits of AMI or advanced metering infrastructure or also smart meters, which have become a popular replacement to traditional analog meters across the country to read and capture information about electricity and gas use and in some cities even water usage. Smart Meters are used in about 75% of all the households in the US. They emit the same radio frequency waves as cell phones and Wi Fi modems. Here are a few advantages. And my meters eliminate manual meter reading and reduce city employees work related injuries from slips and falls, handling heavily heavy manhole covers and equipment, violent attacks whether by dogs or human being vehicle accidents extreme weather exposure and repetitive motion injuries also prevent stressful encounters with agitated customers that traffic dangerous construction sites and alike. With shorter trips and the number of vehicles on the road reduced, the utility will reduce vehicle maintenance needs fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions. Integrating AMI into the internal and public facing processes will improve the resolution of customers inquiries, and cost savings and continuous use cases and stabilized rates. The AMI system will allow the city to give better customer service fewer conventional meters to retranslate to shorter routes with more scheduled flexibility to make repairs and as a result, response times to repair a stock or damage meter will be much quicker. customer care representatives will be more responsive to customer inquiries. Access to high frequency historic data on customer use from the AMI system allows City representatives to identify the dates of high usage events, and ask follow up questions to identify common causes or help to diagnose potential problems that can contribute to high bills. And my meters enable real time remote detection of an automatic alerts for continuous usage. This enhanced detection of continuous usage reduces waste, and the resulting cost savings accrue to both the customer and the utility. And my systems can help address losses by improving meter accuracy, reducing billing and data handling errors and reducing unauthorized connections. And my support efforts to improve efficiency decrease the demand on limited resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move towards 100% renewable energy. So beyond reducing waste through timely detection of continuous usage, real time high frequency meter data will empower customers to understand their bills and adjust their usage accordingly. Ami meters does complement other efficiency and conservation initiatives such as public education, low use based incentives, and the promotion of efficient appliances and fixtures. Thank you for implementing AMI metering. Thank you Lynette Thanks. Bye bye. Hi. next caller please.
Unknown Speaker 1:47:11
Your thing. Our next caller has the last three digits 073 callers. 073 Please hit star six to unmute yourself. Hey, caller 073 Can you hear us? Hey, yes. Great. We can hear ya.
Unknown Speaker 1:47:30
Awesome. Hi, city council. My name is Michelle Jones. I live on Grant Street in Longmont and I am here to quickly voice support for Agenda Item nine G. The resolution approving intergovernmental agreement and easement for the Longmont Art in Public Places mural partnership on the spoke building. And I am a commissioner on the art in public places commissioned, newly appointed and just excited to get more involved. In general in the community of Longmont. I think the mural will add a prominent and visible art presence to a new and exciting building spoke on Kaufman, I’m excited that we will have the community help us choose an artist. The mural will be part of the greater theme of transportation, and the hub and kind of a central piece I think of the Longmont Main Street area. It will be funded by the art in public places budget. And I think it will enhance the area as a whole bring more attention to art in public places, which is always working to add more art to our community, which we hope enhances the lives of community members and visitors alike. That’s all I have. Thank you. Thank you, Michelle. next caller please.
Unknown Speaker 1:49:11
Sure thing, we’re moving to the caller with the last three digits 878 Color 878 If you are there do you mind hitting star six to unmute yourself. Hey, caller 878. Can you hear us? I can. Great. We can hear you.
Unknown Speaker 1:49:33
Okay, thank you so much. My name is Cecilia Doucet from Ashland, Massachusetts and I’m the director of Massachusetts for safe technology and the international nonprofit wireless education. Like some of you I had no idea there could be health, safety or welfare issues with wireless technology until an engineer friend tipped me off. I’m a tech writer by trade so I investigated and was astounded to discover literally 1000s Peer Reviewed published studies showing biological harm. I helped my school’s become the first in the nation to take precautions I have worked on wireless radiation bills in several states. New Hampshire is the first in the nation to investigate and they have issued a groundbreaking commission report from highly qualified doctors, scientists, engineers and legislators. They document the science showing its sense of harm from Electrosmog. As well as conflicts of interest between the industry and our captured federal agencies, I will send that report out to you. As the pandemic taught us, we need to be vigilant about invisible toxins. Science indicates we should be at 0.1 microwatts per square meter of radiation indoors. When I measured the radiation pulsing into my home from to digitally electric meters, there were 500 microwatts per square meter, which is 5000 times too high. They pulsed this invisible radiation 17,000 times per day, there is no estate and the damage is cumulative. We are seeing radiation harm play out right now. Right now in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where children and adults were injured, and pollinators disappeared when Verizon turned on a cell tower on top of their neighborhood. Their Board of Health just voted unanimously to issue a cease and desist order. We can have excellent technology and close the digital divide, but only with future proof high speed cable or fiber to and through the premises. The industry will sell you what is easiest and most profitable for them. But our public servants goal should be responsible technology, with radiation levels as low as reasonably achievable. That’s the ALARA principle as low as reasonably achievable, which the Centers for Disease Control already uses for ionizing radiation from the sun X rays and gamma rays, it’s time to add common sense Olara protections for toxic non ionizing wireless radiation to which is what smart meters constantly emit today. The retired president of Microsoft Canada, Frank Clegg indicates the industry can do much better if given a nudge. This applies to smart meters, cell towers and 5g small cells as well as the networks and devices throughout our towns, schools, homes and offices. We should really be measuring the radiation from the wireless tablets issued to students during the pandemic and teaching families how to use them safely. Please, no.
Unknown Speaker 1:52:39
Thank you for your comments. Your three minutes are up. Right. I’d be honored to join you to co host a community education. Thank you. Thank you. Next caller please.
Unknown Speaker 1:52:52
Sure thing we’re moving on to the caller with the last three digits 119 caller 119 Which unmute yourself. Hey caller
Unknown Speaker 1:53:05
Hello, Mayor and Council, mayor and council members. This is Karen dike I live at 708 Hayden cork, I’m co chair of the Sustainable resilient long months Renewable Energy Committee. I’m speaking tonight in support of the ordinance regarding the AMI metering opt out plan. It is exciting to see that long run power communications is ready to roll out an advanced metering infrastructure. A move that like to build out our next like fiber optic system will pay many dividends. Utilities have installed over 100 million smart meters on homes and businesses nationwide. And like all of those, this continued evolution of the city’s infrastructure will provide a 21st century tools to keep pace with a rapidly changing world. Ami will give the city much more flexibility in structuring variable rates that can help consumers maximize use at times when electricity use is at its lowest, such as in the early morning, or when supply is highest, such as during high wind production. I’m excited to have access to technology that in the end can help consumers use electricity more efficiently and save money. Knowledge is power. And AMI provides greater control over electricity bills, allowing customers to see in detail how much energy they’re using. Ami also brings Longmont one step closer to achieving 100% carbon free energy. The way the world manages and generates electricity is changing rapidly. And the future is going to be quite different from our present. power production will be less centralized than it is now. and Ami gives Longmont the ability to manage him. Innovations Empower productions as they develop. Of course, there are skeptics, but the widespread adoption of AMI has proven it to be a safe and reliable technology. fears about fire and radiation risks have proven to be completely unfounded. an opt out plan will be available for those who remain skeptical. Ami keeps Longmont ahead of the curve on power infrastructure, giving our growing city a big economic advantage. Longmont has a history of making and supporting good choices on infrastructure investment. It’s gratifying to see that legacy continues with AMI. Thank you very much. Thank you, Karen.
Unknown Speaker 1:55:46
All right. And moving on to our next caller caller with the last three digits 240 Color 240 Would you hit star six to unmute yourself. Hey there, can you hear us? Yes, I can hear you. Great. We can hear you. All right. My
Unknown Speaker 1:56:03
name is Kim Edmondson I live in bittersweet lane here in Longmont, Colorado, and I’m calling about the smart meters. And I’m very concerned about them I see are all very concerned about the health and well being of our community. But yet you seem to ignore this in physical danger. Smart meters and cell phones occupy similar frequency bands for electromagnetic spectrum meaning that all data on the effects of cellphone radiation equally applies to that smart meters. Prolonged pulses from these meters can average occur 9600 times a day on average, and can lead to cancer as on May 31 2011. The who is classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields as a class to be carcinogen. Marvine is operated with much more frequency pulses and cell phones. Cell phone radio frequency radiation is concentrated to the head and body part which is in contact with rest smart meters expose the entire body. I can minimally or not use my phone but I won’t be able to shut off your smart meters. And I shouldn’t help cannot afford to opt out of them either. There’s no safety level of exposure safe of exposure established for radio frequency radiation. I learned that when I was an x ray tech over 20 years ago Olara Delta Massachusetts she brought that up, I learned that it’s real pulse create more directory electricity in our homes as well. There was even one point where a patent was taken out to use millimeter waves as an insecticide because it’s so effective at killing the insects. If it’s can do that to the pollinators, what’s that going to do for the rest of the ecosystems? Our whole ecosystem is going to collapse if we continue this push for all of this 5g Smart Meter who flock Daniel Hirsch, who was retired professor from the program on environmental and nuclear policies at UC Santa Cruz stated that the analysis of misleading reports on smart meter radiation by the EPRI correct for two factors whole body Kingdom tip doses, smart meters turned out to be roughly 100 times more exposure than a cell phone. Marcia Martin has many times stated on social media the complete opposite his cell phones give 100 times more radiation. It’s not true. She’s spreading lies. Radiation from smart meters absorbed at faster rates and children are more intense in their body. Twins that I’m very concerned about. Okay, you gave the guy how many minutes for his little presentation, I think I can finish. There’s 113 peer reviewed studies on the effects of birds, insects and other vertebrates, organisms and plants. 70% of those show the negative impact on reproduction of birds and insects are most strongly affected. So basically, we’re going to kill the entire ecosystem before climate change will. So therefore I don’t think that’s a good trade off party free at what expense? Seriously, think about it. Thank you, Kimberly.
Unknown Speaker 1:58:50
Okay, and moving on to our next caller. Caller. Where’s the last three digits? 879 Color 879. Please hit star six to unmute yourself. Hello, hello. We can hear you.
Unknown Speaker 1:59:04
Can you hear me? Yes, yes. All right. Good evening. Thank you for all of your service. And I would also like to talk about smart meters. I want to bring to your attention. A few points have been left out. Excuse me. Can we have your name first? Certainly Christina Williams, saying I live on quail in Longmont. Okay, thank you. Alright, um, so I’ve heard people talking about breach of privacy. And I looked into what exactly they’re talking about. I have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from CU Boulder. And I would like to point out that every time a piece of equipment with a motor comes on it causes a small back EMF. Each motor has a type of signature voltage when it comes on. So I could actually watch the voltage fluctuation of power and see that oh, your furnace just came on, or oh, your refrigerator just came on. In fact, I can even see that your refrigerator might need repair. So Are you guys going to sell that information so that I will start getting ads for refrigerators? Why not? That’s exactly what Google did. And they made millions of dollars doing it. My personal EMF signature information is not for sale. And it’s none of the city’s business or anyone else’s business. This type of espionage is not possible with the old fashioned analog meters. Let’s talk about transmission of privacy concerns. In less than an hour, I found several videos on YouTube about how to hack spread spectrum technologies and smart meters specifically, Mike, you know who he is reassures me that the spread spectrum technology use is encrypted and safe. Sure, it is it safe is any transaction is online or on any computer, and computers are all subject to hacking. But the old fashioned analog meters were not subject to this, you’ll introduce these risks with the smart meters. The smart meters have switches in them, which allow the city to turn the power on and off. This introduces the possibility of drawing too much current, which leads to fire. Again, not a problem in the old analog meters. Let’s talk about carbon footprints. How exactly are smart meters going to reduce carbon emissions? Do your voters know that in order to avoid firing up another gas generator during peak hours, that the city could decide to impose rolling blackouts? Like they already do in California? You know, the state whose tyrannical practices are the reason why a lot of people have moved along in the last five years. I don’t need any help maximizing my use. Am I supposed to eat dinner at 11 o’clock pm when it’s cheaper? This brings me to how does this bring Longmont closer to 100% renewable energy, exactly how we still use natural gas to generate electricity. We don’t need smart meters for solar panels or for wind. Your voters know that you plan to pay for this $14 million installation by increasing the electricity prices when it right when everyone needs them. And of course, I don’t even need to talk about the increase of force radiation exposure, which we already know is a documented health hazard. Christina, thank you so much. Your three minutes are up. Thank you for the information. Have a good evening. I would like to mention that I think you should vote that I think we should bring this on the ballot in Longmont. The citizens of Longmont should vote on whether or not we want. Good comment. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker 2:02:30
Okay, moving on to the next color color. 569. Color 569 Would you please hit star six to unmute yourself. Hello, we can hear you.
Unknown Speaker 2:02:40
Can you hear me? Yes. Hi, my name is Steve Pittman. I’m a residence along bot and a member of long about public media. I’m actually proud to be helping produce content. They’re all I should emphasize helping I’m not one of the people doing a lot. But I’d like to highlight in Sergios presentation that one of the more popular programs was the candidate debates that long public media put on prior to last election, which I think was very helpful. And I’m proud to say that I was helping Kim waters with his backstory series and trying to increase the profile of that content. I
Unknown Speaker 2:03:25
think he has at least a dozen episodes out there probably more. But with all sorts of information about Longmont infrastructure and things like the supply of water for long mots and how we’re looking relative to a lot of cities in the West, as far as our water supply goes. So I would hope that listeners would look at the longest Public Media YouTube channel and find Kim’s backstory series and enjoy them and learn from them. Thank you. Thank you very much.
Unknown Speaker 2:04:08
All right. And moving on to our last caller caller 798 color with the last three digits 798. Hey there, can you hear us?
Unknown Speaker 2:04:19
Yes. Can you hear me? Yes, we can. My name is Virginia Farber. I’m from Fort Collins. I would like to I want to talk about AMI meters. Just to let everybody know, the the smart meters were never meant to be an opt out. They were always to be an opt in that this was something that was never brought to the public. And besides the obviously surveillance issues, smart meters also have many other problems. They met lots of radiation. One smart meter can transmit 1.8 miles of radiation and this is pulsed in there, and it’s very, very dangerous. And I’ve got I’ve actually met with pooter valley fire here in Fort Collins and I have confirmed that there have been house fires. And I actually suspect that these, the smart meters do not have surge protectors in them. So I actually am thinking that this might have been some of the problem with the boulder fires by the way. Utilities they own, maintain and operate their utilities and smart meters are part of their equipment. And so the residents are actually paying around an estimate of $100 a year to run these little computers on the sides of their homes. On August 13 of 2021. The CHD, the Children’s Health defense counsel with Robert Kennedy Jr. won a case against the FCC for health effects of wireless. I was one of the plaintiffs on the case. And this was a landmark case, Attorney attorneys Dafne attack over and Scott McCulloch did a stellar job at this. And I’m in the film called Take back your power. And you can access this online. It’s Take back your power dotnet. And this is a film about an investigation into the smart grid and the smart meters itself. And so I just I really urge you guys to watch the film and you’ll see a lot of the other problems that are involved. On April 6 of this year in Tennessee, there will be a case that goes to the courts there over the health effects of the smart meters and several of the other states are finding out that these cannot be mandatory. And this should have always been brought to the public as an opt in issue. Thank you very much. Thank you, Virginia.
Unknown Speaker 2:07:00
All right. And that was the last of our callers.
Unknown Speaker 2:07:03
Oh, great. So I’d like to thank all the caller’s who called in and took the time to address Council. We now are at the consent agenda and introduction reading by title of first reading ordinances. Don Would you please read the items on consent into the record?
Unknown Speaker 2:07:23
Absolutely. Mayor Beck resolution 2020 Dash 16 a resolution of the Longmont City Council approving the intergovernmental agreement between the city and the Longmont Downtown Development Authority for support and services. Nine B is resolution 2022 Dash 17 a resolution of the Longmont City Council approving the amended and restated Special Counsel contract between the city and Kaplan Kirsch and Rockwell LLP for development, redevelopment and urban renewal Special Council services. Nine C is resolution 2022 Dash 18 a resolution of the Longmont City Council approving the intergovernmental agreement between the city and Weld County for the provision of county reimbursable childcare at the Longmont summer day camp. 90 is resolution 2020 dudash 19. A resolution of the Longmont City Council approving the intergovernmental agreement between the city and Boulder County for the provision of county reimbursable childcare at the long month summer day camp. 90 is resolution 2022 Dash 20 a resolution of the lung Matt City Council approving the intergovernmental agreement between the city of Longmont and Boulder County for the lease of the Boulder County Fairgrounds for rhythm on the river. Nine F is resolution 2022 Dash 21 a resolution of the Longmont City Council approving the intergovernmental agreement between the city and the state of Colorado for grant funding for restoration and preservation of the Callahan house through the History Colorado State Historical Fund. Nine G is resolution 2020 to 22. A resolution of the Longmont City Council approving the intergovernmental agreement and easement between the city and the housing authority of the county of Boulder for a long month Art in Public Places mural partnership on the spoke building. Nine H is resolution 2022 Dash 23 A resolution in the Longmont City Council approving the intergovernmental agreement between the city and the state of Colorado. For grant funding for housing needs assessment and incentive updates. Nine eyes resolution 2022 Dash 24 a resolution of the Longmont City Council approving the intergovernmental agreement between the city in the department in the city of Lewisville, Colorado for disaster assistance, and nine j is approved for capital improvement program amendments.
Unknown Speaker 2:09:32
Are there any items that counselors would like to pull from the consent agenda? I actually would like to pull nine eyes for just a statement. With that may I have a motion to move the consent agenda agenda minus nine I Councillor Martin? Move the Consent Agenda minus Item nine I thank you I have a second second. Thank you so that the consent agenda has been moved minus nine. I by Councillor Martin and seconded by Councillor waters. All those in favor please raise your hand. All those opposed? That passes unanimously. Thank you. We now have four capital improvement program amendments. No, I’m sorry, that’s wrong. We now we now have ordinance on second reading and public hearing on any matter. If you would like to speak on any of the second reading and public hearing items, please call in now to speak on any of them. The information is being displayed on the screen, please mute the live stream and dial in now. That number is 1-888-788-0099. We’ll take a five minute break to give everyone time to get dialed in.
Unknown Speaker 2:15:36
Mayor Peck we’re about 15 seconds out from the five minute mark. Currently no callers.
Unknown Speaker 2:15:47
No callers. Thank you very much Dallas. Um, let’s go ahead and
Unknown Speaker 2:15:54
close that short thing. And we will
Unknown Speaker 2:15:58
get started on the items on the second agenda the ordinances on second reading and public hearing. The first item is ordinance 2022. Dash oh five. It’s a bill for an ordinance making additional appropriations for expenses and liabilities of the city of Longmont for the fiscal year beginning January 1 2020. To the public hearing and second reading scheduled for February 22 2022. Do we have anybody from staff Jim? Golden? Would you like to make any remarks about this?
Unknown Speaker 2:16:32
No presentation mayor.
Unknown Speaker 2:16:34
No presentation. Okay. Thank you. Um, is there’s no one on the phone but I would like to open the public hearing on ordinance 2220 22 Dash oh, five. No one in the room
Unknown Speaker 2:16:49
to cut is that is correct there. No.
Unknown Speaker 2:16:51
Okay. Thank you. Um, so I’d like to close the public hearing. Um, I would like a motion for council member to move ordinance 2022 Dash oh five.
Unknown Speaker 2:17:02
On board this 2022 Dash. Oh, five.
Unknown Speaker 2:17:06
And thank you. Thank you, Councillor waters. And thank you, Susie Hidalgo. fairing for seconding. That can we have a motion on 20? I’m sorry. We have the motion. All those in favor, please raise your hand. All those opposed? Thank you That passes unanimously. Item B and the second reading is 2022 Dash oh six a bill for an ordinance amending chapter 14.2 of the Longmont municipal code on service charges to create an AMI electric meter opt out program, public hearing and second reading scheduled for February 22 2022. There is no there are no presentation from this. Are there any questions from Council? Seeing none, we will open the public hearing on ordinance 2022 Dash oh six Dallas, do we have anybody on the phone?
Unknown Speaker 2:17:59
There are no colors. No.
Unknown Speaker 2:18:01
Thank you. So at this time, I’d like to close the public hearing. And can I have a motion for 20 2206? Councillor Martin move 20 2206 Thank you. Do I have a second? I’ll second. Thank you Councillor waters. It’s been moved by 20 2206 a bill for an ordinance amending chapter 14.2 of the municipal code was Moved by Councillor Martin and seconded by Councillor waters. All those in favor please raise your hand. All those opposed? That passes unanimously. So now we are on items removed from the consent agenda which was nine I removed that. And that was a resolution of a Longmont City Council approved me IGA between the city our city and the city of Lewisville. The reason I remove this is that the mayor stoltmann The mayor of Lewisville called me before the meeting and she wanted me to extend her heartfelt thank you to council in city staff for all the help that they have received through through this horrible episode of the fire destruction. It’s heavy on her heart. And she said I love Longmont which made my heart feel good. So with that I would like to move or resolution 2022 Dash 24 Can I have a second? It’s been seconded by Suzy doggo fairing, all those in favor please raise your hand. All those opposed. Thank you That passes unanimously. We are now at the end almost an hour meeting we are now at general business we need to recess as the long run city council and convene as the Board of Directors of the Longmont general improvement district number one, can I have a motion to recess as the city council and convene as the board of directors for Longmont, general improvement district number one. So moved. Thank you. Um I’ll take Mayor Pro Tem Rodriquez that has been Moved by Councillor waters seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodriquez. All those in favor please raise your hand. All those opposed. Thank you That passes unanimously. We have the resolution of our LGI D Dash 2022 Dash oh one. It’s a resolution resolution on the board of directors of the Longmont general improvement district number one approving an integrable intergovernmental agreement with the Longmont Downtown Development Authority for administrative services. Do we have anyone that wishes to speak on this? Kimber, Kimberly, are you do you have anything you would like to say on this? Are you good to go? It looks like there’s no comments. Oh, no, ma’am. Good. Okay. Thanks, Kimberly. Um, so can I have a motion to move our dash LG ID 2022 Dash. Oh, one. Every Raimi that motion? Tim waters did. There you go. And Who seconded that. That’s right. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. It’s been a long day. So it has been moved by Tim waters to move our LG ID Dash 2022 Dash o one and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez. All those in favor? Raise your hand. All those posed? Thank you That passes unanimously. unanimously. Can I have a motion to adjourn as the Board of Directors of the Longmont general improvement district number one and reconvene as the Longmont City Council. Councillor Yarborough, you’ve had your hand up several times. Dr. Would you move this make this motion?
Unknown Speaker 2:22:30
I move that we adjourn. What was all that to say? we adjourn and move back into City Council.
Unknown Speaker 2:22:36
Thank you. She makes the motion to adjourn as the Board of Directors of the Longmont general improvement district number one and reconvene as the Longmont city council, may I have a second counselor to doggo fairing seconded that. All those in favor, raise your hand. All those opposed? Thank you very much. Now we have a general business we have the bass South Clover bass and neighborhood park master plan and consideration of Clark Meadows Park as the official Park name. Steve rands viler would you like to come on camera and give this presentation
Unknown Speaker 2:23:19
Thank you, Mayor Peck, Mayor council members, Steve rands Wyler, Senior Project Manager with Public Works and natural resources. I’m pleased to bring to you tonight’s a master plan and a proposed name for our what we’ve been using a working title called southover base and neighborhood park. This park has been acquired. It’s been in long plan going back about 15 years. And we have property that was dedicated by two different developers to the city for the construction of this park. It’s about seven acres in size. And we are Yeah, we went through a nice public process with the with the community held meetings at Blue Mountain elementary school trying to engage youth and different property owners in that area, but it was open to the whole city. city wide it was advertised city wide. This is back in 2019 and came up with some concepts. If you wouldn’t mind go into next slide Dallas, please. Sorry, yeah. Next slide. This is located in a newer part of the city. along the western side of this map is North 75th Street. So the very western edge of the city. I’m sorry to take that back. That’s plateau. It’s plateau. It’s not 75th. This is south of pike road. And unfortunately, this is right within 300 feet of the horrific shooting that happened earlier this year. And give you a little bit of context with the postal carrier. You You can see the location of the park site right in the center of your screen. And a lot of this stuff that is shown is under construction or under review is already built and people live in there. So we are pleased to be able to bring this facility to the public at some point in the future, well, future starting this year, if one more thing before I switch sides, in order for the the one thing that’s not done yet is the North Star development, which is in the bottom left of that corner, they are still installing their utilities and doing the grading. And speaking with a developer, you can see their development abuts the south and part of the western side of the future park, we need for them to build the roads and utilities and get the grade set in order for us to start construction the park. So that is something that is outside of our control. And speaking with the developer, they hope to have the site ready for us to start using in July or August this year. So that is one thing that will be holding up we are working on design and have been coordinating for years as developers to make sure their plans meshing with what we’re trying to do. But there is a little bit outside of the cities control but the site is not quite ready for construction yet. Next slide. Hard to read this one, I apologize. It’s just the these designs came up in a vertical or portrait in the landscape. So I couldn’t make them all that big. But like I said, we came up with three different concepts, brought those three concepts back to the public through the website and through public meetings. They gave input on the three we combined it into a single plan brought that back to the the the public and asked for input on that brought that plan to the parks and recreation advisory board. And now I’m pleased to bring it for your review tonight and see if you’d like to accept this plan as is I’d like to suggest some changes. Some of the things that are included in this master plan are typical park improvements such as a restroom and shelter, an open turf area. And the playground. Now one thing we’re going to do in here, we’re going to try to build another nature themed play area. Those are becoming quite the rage around the Front Range these days and seem to be well liked by the public. So that’s the concept behind this. The playground at this location. Residents wanted to have some outdoor fitness stations. And you remember those were very favorable back 3540 years ago in parks sort of fell out of favor, but the technology and quality of those have come a long way. And so the residents were interested in having those interspersed throughout the park. Like you saw with Nino gala park that we visited last month, this will also include posts for people to install their slacklines and hammocks, that’s probably going to be something you’re going to see almost every part because it’s really like $500 to put in to posts. So it’s a really it’s a no brainer, and people like to use those up. And especially in Boulder County area. There’s an existing ditch through the center of the site sort of runs diagonally from about 10 o’clock down to four o’clock, the rest of the ditch has been abandoned. With all the development the irrigation ditch doesn’t
Unknown Speaker 2:28:22
function anymore, but it was desired by the thought by people to try to keep that historic agricultural feel of the area in what we could left so we’re designing a bridge over that dry digital have water in it when it rains, but it’d be a place for kids to get down and maybe find some little small animals into the nooks and crannies. I understand that kids get out there and try to catch fraud now while they’re you know, before the park is even built so there is some wildlife out there small. Again, we have a concrete Loop Trail and then some soft surface trails. And then one of the the the things that the public really wanted to see what we’re lacking here is bike skills areas. We have got one a Dickens farm matr area. If you remember several years ago, there was an impromptu one near lefthand Creek Park that was built by some members of the public. But which was has since been removed to protect that wildlife over there that habitat. But this is an area it’s sort of a smaller pump track, but it is going to be something for mostly the youth. It’s not like anything like South Boulder, or I’m sorry, not South Boulder, but some of the bikes skills areas in Boulder that have these big large piles of dirt, nothing like that this is something that’s more geared toward kids that are two to 10. And that’s literally what we got out of the public meetings. So this is the master plan as presented as you’ll see with some of the coloring there. We are trying to preserve as much of the native grasses as pop as possible. For water reduction purposes, but we will have an open turf area as we include with most all of our parks for people to picnic and, and play with their their dog and throw frisbee and things like that. With that I present this draft master plan and willing to take any sort of questions or suggestions from Council.
Unknown Speaker 2:30:23
We have any Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez.
Unknown Speaker 2:30:27
Thank you, Mayor Peck. Just a quick question as far as the adjacent out lots A, B and F on the maps, which is three different subdivisions. They seem to also be specifically adjacent to what you were also talking about as native grasses. Is there going to be some continuity as native grasses in those outlets? Are they going to be turf and then we’ll have native grasses? All three
Unknown Speaker 2:30:51
of those outlets. Thank you for bringing that up. Mayor Peck Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez, all three of those outlets, three different developments but they all are planted with native grasses already. So we’ll be tying in with those. We have been working council may be ramped me remember from late last year, we did work with a local group and trapped and transported prey dogs from this site over to Rocky Flats, which was successful relocation effort that we went through. It was a lot. Most of the volunteer was or most of the labor was volunteered, so it was a good deal for the city. And there’s still some prairie dogs out there that were were trying to work around trying to work with the ruminant prairie dogs. Of course, prairie dogs don’t understand property boundaries. And so we’re trying to work with OzAsia ways to remove the prairie dogs once and for all in this area. So it can be a finished urban developed Park. So that is the plan.
Unknown Speaker 2:31:45
All right. Thank you. I’m just wondering, are any of those outlets, detention ponds
Unknown Speaker 2:31:51
the outlet be Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez outlet be to the West it has a detention pond in it. Alright, thank you. That being said, there is likely some storm drainage capacity in the other two outlets of some type, but not they’re not pawns themselves.
Unknown Speaker 2:32:14
It looks really interesting. Steve, I I really liked the outdoor area where the kids can it’s not the typical playground. I really like that. So you need to have us consider the clover Meadows Park as the official Park name. Can I have a motion from somebody to move that forward? Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. And I heard Okay. Councillor Yarborough seconded that. So all those in favor of consideration of clover Meadows Park as the official Park name, please raise your hand. All those opposed. Thank you. That passes unanimously. Thank you, Steve.
Unknown Speaker 2:32:56
Thank you, Mayor Peck and Councilman if I could just are we also providing approval of the master plan itself? Oh, two action items on the communication. So if we can just get confirmation that the plan is approved with changes or with as is I’d helped that helped me.
Unknown Speaker 2:33:10
So once again, do we have a motion to approve the master plan for the basic neighborhood park? Oh, although Councillor Martin is moving that do I have a second? Okay, seconded by Councillor Hidalgo. Hearing all those in favor, please raise your hand. Great. That passes unanimously. You got it, Steve.
Unknown Speaker 2:33:34
Thanks, Mayor Peck. I appreciate it.
Unknown Speaker 2:33:35
You’re welcome to YouTube. So now we have two resolutions of the Longmont City Council authorizing agreements between city and the estate of Joseph Callen, Keller her for the purchase of real property. The first resolution is 2020 to 25. It’s a resolution of the Longmont City Council authorizing agreements between the city of Longmont and the state of Joseph P. Kelleher, for the purchase of real property for preservation of agricultural land surrounding union reservoir. Can I have come to you have anything to say about this?
Unknown Speaker 2:34:16
Yes, I do have a short presentation. If we could load that up, please.
Unknown Speaker 2:34:24
So this presentation is also going into the second resolution as well. Is that correct?
Unknown Speaker 2:34:30
That is correct. The there are two resolutions for this will accomplish this one item. What we wanted to do first before we get into the specific acquisition, we’re proposing is give city council and show a quick update on really what the union reservoir land acquisition plan is. And on our next slide, we have give you a little bit of background on the union reservoir land Aqua plan. In 1986, the city along mutt voters passed a bond issue to allow the city along ma to acquire controlling interest in the shares of the Union reservoir company, which we did. Also at the same time in 1986, the city alone filed a foreign conditional water storage right to allow us to enlarge union reservoir to provide additional water storage for the future. Over the last 30 years or so, Longmont has also accepted a number of the shares in the company as part of non historical water rights dedication, through development of parts of the town, and as a result long currently has 86% ownership in the Union reservoir company itself as part of that enlargement, filing, Longmont needed to look at the land around the reservoir, and make sure that we could preserve and protect that. And so in the early 1990s, city council directed staff to initiate land acquisition program around the reservoir. And the next slide will show you a map of that area that we’ve been working on. If you can see the area around the reservoir. Those areas that are marked with the angled line are areas we have not acquired, but the remainder the areas with the dots and are areas that low mod has already acquired. So this has been really one of the very effective projects that Longmont has done over the years. The purpose of having the union reservoir land acquisition program, obviously, the very first and most important purpose is to preserve this area for the future enlargement of union reservoir. But it also accomplishes a number of other goals for the city, including it created helps create an urban buffer east to Weld County Road one, which ties in well, if you look on the right side of the map, parcels SNR, as well as the double six in the newly open space, our open space parcels we’ve acquired and these properties around the reservoir tie in without well to create that buffer on the east side along mud. Also, a lot of these parcels are in wildlife habitat areas and preserve those. A lot of it is prime agricultural land, especially on the east side of the reservoir. And we’ve been able to preserve that agricultural land. There are also two major trail corridors through this area. And acquiring these properties will allow us to continue our trail construction and connection programs around the reservoir. And also from from the east side, especially looking to the west horizontal mode, it preserves the view shed of the reservoir itself, especially for those who recreate in the area. And finally, almost as equally as important as as the enlargement is the fact that by preventing development immediately around the reservoir, the land around the reservoir, almost all of it drains into the reservoir. And so if that already been developed, there would be additional water quality impacts from any development that occurred around there. That’s really one one of the problems that occur in a lot of the Front Range reservoirs and by keeping that development further away from the reservoir, it helps keep the water quality much higher. So this program has been exceptional today. The next slide I’ll will show you kind of a blow up of the area right where the proposed acquisition is it’s marked on there as the health our parcel which is shown as parcel II.
Unknown Speaker 2:39:23
And if if the city are is able to acquire this, it really kind of helps complete other parcels we’ve already purchased as you can see, north and south D F, G and H have all been purchased by the city. There is one parcel J south that we still need to acquire. But this is one of the critical parcels on the west side of the reservoir. As you may recall, recently we opened up the spring gold’s number two trail and that trail goes across parcel lnn which are our have previously been purchased. But as part of the city’s long range planning for trails around union reservoir, there are really two trails. One is the perimeter trail around the entire reservoir. And this parcel II is one of the few parcels that we really need to acquire, before we could complete that entire perimeter trail. It also they’re part of that trail is is to make a connection between the spring gold’s trail down on parcel L, up through parcel D, and then across county line road one to Jim ham pond nature area. So this one particular parcel property will allow that connection to be made, as well, which really will help that out. Primarily, we’re trying to get this parcel to protect the west side of the reservoir, there is one house on the property that will be acquired. And as part of the negotiations with the estate, the current owner passed away this last year. But the state as part of that negotiation, we have negotiated a three year lease for the relative of the owner, who is currently living in the house that really helped Longmont move forward with being able to be the, I guess, the chosen purchaser. This is a pretty pristine, great, there’s a really great parcel property. And it was so good that we were able to do that. So if the city retains ownership of that parcel, then after the three year period, we’ll be able to work with affordable housing, folks and see how we can work that into our system. As far as the actual funding for this project for this purchase, it was approved earlier on the on the council agenda tonight on second reading, the money was appropriated. So we’re ready to go on that. And really on the next slide, we just want to forward both waterboard and staff recommendation is to acquire this additional parcel of property out of union reservoir. And we’re requesting two things. One is to approve the resolution number 25, which authorizes the city to enter into the sales contract. Once we, the state has already signed a sales contract. So once you approve it tonight, it’ll be signed and then the sales contract will be finalized. And we’ll close later in this week. And then the second resolution we ask is number 26, which authorizes a short term to month lease of that property for the current tenant in it. So next slide is just close will close it down. And thank you for your for your time tonight. And I’d be happy to answer any questions about either the land acquisition program or the particular parcel we’re looking at purchasing at this time. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker 2:43:24
You counselors have any questions about this. Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez.
Unknown Speaker 2:43:31
Thank you, Mr. Peck. First of all, I just like to let it be known that the late Joseph Kelleher was my childhood dentist, as also the family were neighbors of my family when I was growing up. That being said, I have not spoken to the family in nearly two decades. But my condolences on the passing of both Lynn and Joe to the Keller family. As such, though I would move that we go forward with the acquisition of the Kelleher property.
Unknown Speaker 2:44:03
I’ll second that. I do have a question for you can it does say for the preservation of agricultural land, is this land considered openspace or is there something in the documentation that it cannot be developed on? Like Do we need a conservation easement?
Unknown Speaker 2:44:25
So this the funding for this acquisition will be coming out of the water acquisition fund. Okay. It’s it would not be classified as an open space parcel of property, but it would be limited to using the water system because we have our our fun funding it out of water acquisition. It really is up to city council how we operate maintain this over future times.
Unknown Speaker 2:45:00
Okay, I just, I just want to make sure that it’s preserved for what the intended purposes as councils come and go, that it is the city that has control over this land. Yes, I’m not a developer. Dale,
Unknown Speaker 2:45:18
if I could just real quick, Mayor pack, I think you bring up a good question. As Council knows, we always work with another agency, typically either Boulder County or the Soil Conservation District to place conservation easements overall, the city’s open space properties for that very purpose to aid in the long term preservation of the property for its intended use. We haven’t historically done that on on properties acquired by the water utility. But that may be something the city wants to look at the future, we would have to do it in a way though, that would preserve the city’s prerogative to utilize the property for water storage. But, you know, I think you’re bringing up a point that we might want to consider if that’s something council wants us to look at?
Unknown Speaker 2:46:18
Well, Dale, since we’re going to be losing you, and I don’t know who’s going to replace you, we might have to want to preserve this land. There could be something in the documentation that basically says I’m just thinking aloud really, that it is not to be sold, period. So anyway, I’m, I just think we should think about that for the future. So this thank you for the presentation. Does anyone else have any remarks that didn’t? At first? Okay. Thanks, can thank you. I’m glad that you’re purchasing that you’re doing this. So can we move 20 resolution 25 A resolution along my city council, this is for the purchase of the real property for preservation of agricultural land surrounding us and our union is born. Do I have a motion to move that? So we moved? Yeah. So all those in favor, please raise your hand. All those posts. Thank you. That passes unanimously. The second resolution is our 26th. A resolution of the Longmont City Council authorizing a short term lease agreement between the city of Longmont and Christopher Keller, who is the tenant on the Cal her property premises. Do I have a motion? So moved. Okay, that’s been moved by Mayor Pro Tem and seconded by Councillor Yarborough. All those in favor, please raise your hand. All those opposed? Thank you. That passes unanimously. Thanks, Ken. Thank you. So now we go to the 2022 legislative bills recommended for city council position. Sandy cedar. There you are. Mayor Peck and members of council Sandy cedar assistant city manager, I only have one bill for you today. And this was actually brought by a resident group that’s interested in us supporting this CMS also supported this. This is the pupil and pollinators bill. So this is Senate Bill 22 Dash 131 concerning measures to improve pollinator habitats, for the protection of the environment. What this bill does is it makes a number of changes to our state laws to be able to protect the health of pollinators and pesticide use. What I found when we conferred with our Public Works Natural Resources partners is that many of the practices in this bill are already done by our parks and forestry folks. And what this bill actually would do is increase municipal control around pesticide use outside of this now, one of the questions that I have gotten is whether this would allow them to council to be able to pass ordinances should this pass that would help to regulate other areas like HOA parks and other things. And depending on how the ordinance would be written, then that would be interesting that that is something that you’d be able to have additional local control about, because currently there’s a preemption on that. So this bill not only puts into practice new protections, but also opens up municipal control to be able to provide even even more oversight from a municipality. So because of that, and because it does support the council’s work plan with respect to maintaining the balance between the built and natural environment Staff recommends Council support Senate Bill 22 131 Great Do I have a motion to support this bill? Councillor Hidalgo fairy I think I read your lips. All right. I have a second. Okay, Councillor waters so it’s been moved by councillors Hidalgo firing seconded by Councillor waters. All those in favor? Aye. Raise your hand all those post. This is going to make Ingrid more very happy. Thank you. So now we are at the final call public invited to be heard it’s time to call in now for final public comment. The information is on the screen again, the number to call in is 1-888-788-0099. Please mute the live stream and dial in now we’re going to take a five minute break to give everyone time to get started to get dialed in.
Unknown Speaker 2:55:28
Mayor Peck, we’re approaching the five minute mark. Currently there are no callers.
Unknown Speaker 2:55:35
Okay, thank you, Dallas. We will move on then. Sounds good. So since we have no callers, there will be no public invited to be heard tonight. We’re going to have Marion County comments. Anybody want to make your comment? Nothing to say. I will make a comment. I wanted to say per the our Executive Session, one thing that was mentioned in there is transit. And I just want to say that Councilwoman Martin and I are working on interest city, transit, shuttle and other services. We’re on the the committee that is exploring that and it’s very exciting. So our meeting is going to be March 2. So we’ll look forward to that. Harold, do you have any comments from the city manager?
Unknown Speaker 2:56:29
No comments, Mayor Council.
Unknown Speaker 2:56:31
Thank you, Eugene. Oh, comments, Mayor. Thank you, Eugene. It looks like we’re ready to adjourn. Can I have a motion to adjourn? I’m Councillor Hidalgo fairy.
Unknown Speaker 2:56:47
I move to adjourn.
Unknown Speaker 2:56:49
Thank you. I’ll second that. All those in favor, raise your hand. Good night.