What Are They Missing? Essential Points About Boulder’s Municipalization Analysis – May 22 Luncheon

Bob Bellemare

Bob Bellemare

The potential for Boulder City Council to become the exclusive authority overseeing & providing electric service in Boulder deserves the serious attention of the business community. 

Come hear from Bob Bellemare, current Chief Operating Officer of Mykrobel, Founder of Utilipoint International and Xcel Energy consultant who is a certified business appraiser, engineer, 25-year utility professional and expert witness in municipalization cases around the country. He has analyzed the city’s feasibility report and found new reasons to question the city’s assumptions about rates, operations and renewable energy.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 – 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM at the A Spice of Life Events Center in Boulder. REGISTER NOWCost: $20 for all attendees includes a lunch buffet.

Or – to pay by check or cash day of event: Please RSVP (required) to 303-448-2201 or info@bouldertomorrow.com.

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March 19, 2013 Luncheon with Guest Speaker Will Toor

As Boulder County’s growth and economic issues continue to be shaped by questions of

Will Toor

Will Toor

appropriate development, energy efficiency, housing issues and transportation projects, Will’s insight provides a pragmatic vision for what Boulder and surrounding communities must consider to create balance between economic prosperity and social and environmental goals.

Come hear insights from Will Toor, former 8-yr Boulder County Commissioner and new Director of the Transportation Program at the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP).

See more details and register here>>>

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Municipalization Update: Business Conference Call March 12

The City of Boulder staff is Hosting a Business Conference Call on Options for Moving Forward re: Municipalization of the Electric Utility.

Various experts will speak with people who have phoned in to answer questions about reliability, rates, and the options for moving forward that were provided to City Council at the Feb. 26 Study Session.

Tuesday, March 12
Noon to 1 p.m
Register for the event so you can dial in to the call

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Boulder’s Sales Taxes Increase in 2012

The city of Boulder’s sales- and use-tax collections increased 12.9 percent in January, pushing total 2012 tax revenue 3.9 percent higher than 2011 tax revenue, according to the latest report from the city’s finance department. Read more in the Boulder County Business Report>>

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Can Boulder Take Over the Electric Utility from Xcel Energy?

Boulder City Council Considers Taking Over Electric Utility

Is there any way Boulder could create an electric utility that would meet its energy objectives and requirements established in the city charter? This is the question being discussed by city officials. Do you or your tenants pay an eletric bill in Boulder? You better pay attention.

Boulder City staff presented detailed analysis on February 26 to City Council – read more in the Boulder County Business Report>>>

Watch the presentation online (Click the Feb 26 video link) and read the full report.

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Conventional Suburban Zoning Has Failed Boulder

“Choices matter. When employees drive until they qualify, they are trading housing costs for commuting costs. Pick a vector: if they’re sleeping in Longmont, Niwot, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville or Superior, their commute to Boulder is only going to get worse and more expensive.” Read the Guest Opinion in the Camera by Ed Byrne>>>

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Boulder Mayor & Councilor Describe 2013 Goals

Boulder Tomorrow hosted Mayor Matt Appelbaum and Councilwoman K.C. Becker for the Boulder City Council Update on January 24th at the Spice of Life Events Center. The conversation included an update from the Mayor and Councilwoman on work that had taken place over the prior weekend during the Council’s yearly retreat, as well as progress on some of the city’s most pressing issues for 2013.

Boulder Mayor Matt Appelbaum

Boulder Mayor Matt Appelbaum

The Mayor shared some of the Council’s top goals for the year, including Boulder’s energy future, the Climate Action Plan, affordable housing, and the Civic Area Plan. Other important issues for the city that received attention during the audience question and answer session included homelessness, affordable housing, fracking (hydraulic fracturing), and a potential transportation fee.

Boulder City Councilor KC Becker

Boulder City Councilor KC Becker

There were a variety of questions fielded relating to the work being conducted towards the municipalization of Boulder’s energy grid. There was an evident interest in this issue among most audience members, and the importance of this work was echoed in Councilwoman Becker’s statement that “the energy future clearly is the lead effort of the city.”

One audience member urged the Council to remember the importance of off-ramps as due diligence is being conducted on the feasibility of municipalization. Mayor Appelbaum reassured the crowd that off-ramps are in fact being taken seriously, and explained that at this point there are two pieces to the municipalization puzzle that are being worked on. The first is the condemnation of the existing system, of which the community will receive a report on sometime in February or March. The second piece is the issue of stranded costs, something that is dealt with by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

“We don’t know if municipalization is going to work,” said Mayor Appelbaum. “We have to be open to other solutions.”

Issues of affordable housing and homelessness also received much attention. Councilwoman Becker noted that homelessness has been on the work plan since last year, triggered by events such as Occupy Boulder and certain park closure rules, however admitted that “we don’t have a comprehensive housing plan – for a city that really likes to do planning, it’s really a big gap.”

Both the Mayor and Councilwoman did stress the need for more proactive measures to address these issues, including looking specifically at affordable housing for middle class citizens to address the fact that over 50,000 people commute into Boulder daily to work. In addition to local government efforts, there is work being conducted and services being provided by other local organizations such as the Bridge House’s “Ready to Work” program, and the need to address homelessness as a region was stressed in order to solve some of these tough issues.

One audience member was curious on the city’s position regarding fracking. The Mayor noted that Boulder has been lucky in the sense that they have not had to deal with this issue too much as there do not seem to be any great resources. However, he said that the city is going to look at the issue, specifically at the current protections in the code that date back to pre-fracking days that are not tailored to the current environment. Ft. Collins is currently looking at banning fracking, and the city of Longmont is still waiting on the courts to weigh in on various issues. These are local examples of how fracking still is a pretty grey area.

“There are a lot of moving parts on this,” said Mayor Appelbaum. “For me right now, something like a moratorium makes some sense just because there are so many moving parts. I don’t want to start inventing this when I don’t know what I’m allowed to do.”

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Boulder City Council’s 2013 Goals Update

Boulder Tomorrow invites you to our first luncheon meeting of the year!

The Boulder City Council will meet on January 18-19 to discuss the workplan and priorities for this year: what new programs or changes could affect your organization? Be first to hear details of the regulations and policy issues that will shape Boulder this year.

Boulder Mayor Matt Appelbaum

Boulder City Councilor KC Becker

Come hear from Mayor Matt Appelbaum and Councilor K.C. Becker. Q&A will be included for you to provide insight and ideas to the Councilors about issues that could affect your business.

Municipalization, Land Use Codes, Energy Regulations, Transportation Funding,  Economic Vitality Programs, and much more will be discussed at their Retreat. Register today>>>

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Economists predict stronger CO growth in 2013

The University of Colorado’s Leeds School of Business released its Colorado Business Economic Outlook 2013 on Dec. 3. The forecast Economists predict stronger growth in 2013predicts strong growth in almost all industries and sectors and employment growth that beats the national average. If the forecast is accurate, Colorado’s unemployment rate will fall from 8 percent in 2012 to 7.4 percent in 2013, and the state will gain over 42,000 jobs. Read more in the Boulder County Business Report>>>

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The Fiscal Cliff & Other Bright Ideas

2013 Economic Outlook Luncheon with Lou Barnes

Lou Barnes of PMG Lending

Lou Barnes of PMG Lending

Thursday, December 6, 2012 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

12.6.12 Lou Barnes – Cliffs presentation

Will the self-imposed fiscal cliff really drive Congress to compromise and avoid recession? Does our long-term debt challenge have any chance of a Simpson/Bowles-type solution? And how about California’s Prop 30 coming to a state near you, Fed QE policies and good ol’ money-printing? There’s plenty to talk about re: the economy in 2013!

Please join this special luncheon with renowned economist Lou Barnes of PMG Lending. Come with your questions and expect a provocative discussion.

Boulder Tomorrow members will recall his insightful presentation in September 2008 as the United States financial system was on the verge of imploding during the collapse of Lehman Brothers and in December 2011 in the midst of a mounting European debt crisis and our last US debt ceiling debate. We only half-jokingly expect a bond market collapse for this presentation!

Register Today! $20 includes buffet lunch at A Spice of Life Event Center.

 

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