City Council Minutes 2021 06 17 SP

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City Council Meeting Minutes June 17, 2021 Page 4 of 5 Mayor Pro Tern Maloney stated he supports asking for a very modest tax increase combined with what we know we can already pay for. This won't pay for all of the them so prioritization will be important. It is likely we can only afford three of the six. City Manager Balser noted that the ballot language will need to ask for the entire amount Council wants to borrow, regardless of what funds will be used to pay for it. If a tax increase pays part and existing revenue pays a part the entire amount still needs to be noted in the ballot language. The Council can list out the priorities resolution of intent so residents know how the money will be spent. Councilmember Leh stated the underpasses are for connectivity and safety as well as to help revitalize the downtown areas. We can't afford to build these in our current budget so this is the best way to get these done and bring them to the community. Mayor Stolzmann stated she hears from residents how much they want these underpasses. Now is the time to do this with low interest rates. The mill levy increase is needed to make up the difference of what we can't pay in cash but we need to pick a reasonable number and try to get as many done as we can for that amount. Members agreed on prioritization to be 1) Main and South Boulder Road; 2) Dillon Road & the Powerline Trail; 3) Via Appia and Main; 4) Bullhead Gulch; 5) Hwy 42 & South Street; and 6) South Boulder Road & Hwy 42. Mayor Pro Tern Maloney asked if the ballot language can be broad enough to allow for money that may not go towards underpasses but rather be used for transportation projects such as at grade crossings. Kim Crawford, bond counsel, stated the language can be broad enough for that and the accompanying resolution of intent can layout more details. Members agreed on a ballot issue amount of $50M. Members were concerned the LRC would not be as interested in giving funds with only one underpass in the URA likely to be completed with this prioritization. Mayor Stolzmann noted the first priority is Main and South Boulder Road which is the LRC's highest priority. Councilmember Lipton asked if the Dillon Road underpass could be safely completed as a surface crossing to save funds. Director Kowar stated that is an option, it is up the Council on how they want to proceed. Councilmember Lipton reiterated his concerns about the designs being overly complicated and expensive. He would prefer functional and nice without extraneous design features. Councilmember Leh would like to see the resolution of intent include at grade improvements at South Street if the underpass there is not higher on the priority list.