Revitalization Commission Agenda and Packet 2024 09 18

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Revitalization Commission Minutes August 21, 2024 Page 6of9 extend the path to Highway 42 to connect to a future trail connection. This will be a really important connection for Ironton to connect to downtown and create a safe crossing at Highway 42. He noted that there are also ditch, irrigation, and drainage improvements that are currently in need of repair for drive access on the north and south sides of the property. He added that they have worked with Boulder County on the north irrigation ditch which will be piped the full length of the Ironton property. There is also a city -owned parcel along Highway 42 at Pine the project is proposing to landscape into an orchard for ingredients as well as beautification of the parcel. They feel this property is an entry point to downtown and it's important that the development be unified with the community. Commissioner Harald made a motion to advance the Ironton Distillery request and directed staff to bring back a formal agreement for approval at the September 2024 meeting for public infrastructure support not to exceed $650,000. Chair Adler seconded. Roll Call vote: unanimously approved. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Lipton expressed recognition of the importance of having connectivity at Highway 42 and a safe way to cross the highway. He feels this is a very important connection and he would like to see this remedied. He asked if any of the proposed items in the request are included in the city's anticipated CIP plan in the next few years. The EV Manager will contact Public Works and provide the commission with this information. Commissioner Lipton feels if the LRC provides funding for this project there should be recognition of their support. He asked if any of the proposed improvements covered in this request are project specific or if they are long-lasting public infrastructure which will benefit the city long-term with or without the development. He also asked what the timing needs are for providing funding. The EV Manager responded that the proposed improvements are meant to remain should Ironton vacate the property, adding that new private investment often initiates public infrastructure improvements. Her recommendation is to have an agreement where costs are paid once the public infrastructure improvements have been installed and have received a certificate of occupancy so that this would be a reimbursement request. The project will construct the improvements and dedicate them back to the city upon completion. Mayor Leh commented that the CIP budget item will be addressed by council at the September 3 Council Meeting. Commissioner Lipton commented that this is a large request and the signal the LRC should send to council is that the LRC is not an endless funding entity for things that benefit the city in terms of connectivity. The point is to message to City Council that the LRC is putting in perhaps another $650k in connectivity funding for Highway 42, maybe not for the underpass project, but is still money we are committing to the district for these kinds of things. If council wants the LRC to contribute more to, say, the underpass project, it's going to start to come at the expense of other things that we think are important in terms of our longer -term investment strategy. He asked that this be mentioned when council starts reviewing the CIP plan and look at the issue of the underpass again. The EV Manager commented that staff will bring a budget amendment to the LRC to review amended budgets for both 2024 and 2025 at an upcoming meeting.