City Council Agenda and Packet 2015 03 03

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes February 17, 2015 Page 10 of 20 component is proposed to be sold to a non - profit plan and therefore would generate no tax for the City. There would also be no influence over the hours of operation, fees or access. He urged Council to reject this proposal. He stated if this project is built in phases and is not built out immediately, it would not be the first project to do so. John Leary, 1116 LaFarge Avenue, Louisville, CO did not have a position on whether the request should be approved or denied. His concern centered on the process presented and on Council not having sufficient information to make a decision. He addressed the comment that precedence is a major factor to consider this request. He stated consistency is not always doing the same thing and presented an analogy of consistency and fairness. He stated at one time there was a windfall from sales tax, but now with the recession and long lists of projects, the fund balance is lower than it ever has been. He voiced concern over the lack of taxes collected in this proposal and the City's fund balance. He stated the $400,000 waiver of fees would have come out of the unrestricted General Fund money, which would draw down the fund balance. He stressed the importance of knowing all the information and the priorities before making a decision. Debby Fahey, 1118 W. Enclave Circle, Louisville, CO agreed with the statements made by the previous speakers. She addressed the City's assistance to Lydia Morgan and Sunnyside and noted the City was waiving fees to the Louisville Housing Authority and not Boulder County. She stressed these affordable housing units will be built in Louisville, but not necessarily for Louisville residents. She stated Boulder County cannot provide for a Louisville residents preference. She reported being present at other presentations on this project and noted none of the public comments were reflected in the proposal or the design plan. COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Pro Tem Dalton commented the City has to look to its own interests. He stated the proposal will provide additional residences, but residential property does not pay for the services they require through property taxes. This project will not pay for any services because it is a non - profit. He explained the assistance the City provided to Lydia Morgan and Sunnyside afforded a Louisville resident preference however this new project will not. The commercial buildings on the property will be non - profit and will not generate any taxes for the services the City supplies. He felt the City is being asked to subsidize a section of housing set aside for artists. He was opposed to subsidizing one set of housing for a specific occupation. He noted the City's approval of business assistance is predicated on a fiscal benefit to the City. He stated he was not in favor of the proposal. Council member Leh agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Dalton and noted in the staff report there is a request for direction, but there is also a staff recommendation for what Council could do. He asked what additional information is needed. City Manager Fleming explained information needed to help Council and residents know 29