Louisville, Lafayette city job searches continue; Boulder eyes expansion

Gov't watch: What your local officials are up to

By Tyler Hickman - November 6, 2024
Louisville-City-Hall
Louisville is still in search of a new city manager. Courtesy: City of Louisville

Boulder County Commissioners

On Nov. 12, commissioners will:

  • Hold a public hearing for Boulder Rural Fire Protection District to adopt the 2021 International Fire Codes and amendments. Several fire protection districts in the county, most recently Lefthand and Fourmile, have already adopted the fire codes, which include several amendments that regulate safety during alcohol production and cannabis cultivation.

On Nov. 14, commissioners will:

  • Hold a public comment session at 9:30 a.m. for residents to address any issues that are not currently being discussed in other public hearings. Sign up ahead of time to speak at the meeting in-person: bit.ly/BOCCNov14BW
  • Review the county’s 2025 budget during a public work session. The recommended budget for next year is $644.4 million, a 1.3% decrease from 2024 that includes more than $4 million in cuts for safety net programs across the county. There will be no public testimony during this meeting.

    The budget is on track to be adopted at a public meeting on Dec. 3. 

Boulder City Council

On Nov. 14, council will:

  • Hold a public hearing during a joint meeting with the Planning Board to consider moving into next steps for activating the Area-III Planning Reserve.

    The Area-III Planning Reserve is a 500-acre portion of largely rural public and private land located in north Boulder between Broadway and Jay Road. The city estimates this parcel could accommodate up to 6,700 housing units. 

    On Nov. 7, the city will make a decision on whether or not to “accept” the recently completed Urban Services Study, which determined the costs and challenges of bringing city services — such as police, fire, water, etc. — to this area. If there is sufficient interest, council will vote Nov. 21 to add a study of unmet community needs — the next step in the process — to the ongoing update of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. 

Longmont City Council

On Nov. 5, council:

  • Canceled their meeting due to the general election. No members of council, including the mayor, were up for reelection this year. Council will reconvene for a regular session Nov. 12.

Lafayette City Council

On Nov. 4, council:

  • Appointed Zachary Cartaya as the city’s new Chief Financial Officer. Cartaya was selected from 43 applicants to replace former CFO Devin Billingsley, who left the city in August.
  • Held an executive session to discuss potential land purchase for a new water treatment plant. Executive sessions are not open to the public.
  • Scheduled a special meeting and executive session for Nov. 15 to interview applicants for city attorney. In the 2025 budget, council approved bringing legal services in-house; the city currently contracts outside attorneys for legal matters. 

Louisville City Council

On Nov. 4, council:

  • Approved the city’s 2025 budget, which includes more than $90.5 million in spending. Items of note include a projected two-year deficit for the municipal golf course fund due to capital projects in excess of $1.6 million, and $95,666 in nonprofit grants for 2025-2026. Successful applicants include the Community Food Share, Sister Carmen Community Center, Coal Creek Meals on Wheels and nine other organizations. 
  • Discussed the residency requirement for the hiring of a new city manager. Right now, the city’s charter requires the city manager to become a resident within a time period set by council. Staff said housing prices in Louisville are too high for many people to afford, which may limit the pool of candidates. Louisville’s search for a new city manager comes after the previous manager, Jeff Durbin, resigned while under investigation for an undisclosed matter.
  • Took a preliminary vote on code changes for regulation of natural medicines, as well as establishing penalties for unlawful use and cultivation of natural medicines. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3.
  • Approved a planned unit development and 728 square feet of additional building on the site of the old Shamrock Gas Station at Front and Pine streets. The new location will become The Birdie Bar, a golf- themed bar and restaurant.

Town of Superior

  • On Wednesday, Nov, 13, the Town of Superior’s planning and building department is hosting an open house for residents, contractors and developers to learn about rebuilding efforts following the 2021 Marshall Fire. Staff will be on hand at 100 Superior Plaza Way, Suite 200 from 1-4 p.m. to answer questions about permitting and inspections. Learn more: bit.ly/SuperiorOpenHouseBW.

All agenda items are subject to change. Karen Norback and Mark Cathcart contributed reporting.

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