Meeting of the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners

Tuesday, April 01, 2025 at 9:30 A.m. - 10:30 A.m.

Tuesday, April 01, 2025 at 1:00 P.m. - 2:00 P.m.

Third Floor Hearing Room

County Court House

1325 Pearl Street, Boulder

Members Present:

• Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann
• Commissioner Marta Loachamin
• Commissioner Claire Levy

All documents referred to in these Minutes of Commissioners’ Proceedings are on file and may be reviewed online or in the Office of the Boulder County Commissioners.

Boulder County wants to ensure that everyone has equal access to our documents, programs, activities, and services. To request an Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accommodation, please email , or call 303-441-1386.

Artificial intelligence (AI) captions are provided during this video recording as an assistive aid, not as a legal transcript.

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1.

Call to Order

The Board of County Commissioners of Boulder County met in Regular Meeting in full conformity with the law and resolution of said Board at the regular place of hybrid meetings, 1325 Pearl Street, Boulder and on Zoom Webinar, on April 1, 2025. 

The meeting was called to order at approximately 9:31 a.m. by Chair Marta Loachamin.

2.

9:30 a.m. Business Meeting

3.

Commissioners' Consent Items

• Moved by Commissioner Levy
  Seconded by Commissioner Stolzmann

  to approve the Commissioners' Consent Agenda as a whole.

  Carried Unanimously

3.a

Clerk & Recorder's Office - RFP-131-25 Elections Ballot Print Vendor Award Recommendation ($391,920)

The evaluation committee recommends awarding RFP-131-25, Elections Ballot Print Vendor, to Runbeck Election Services, LLC, based on the evaluation criteria presented in the RFP.

• Staff Contact(s):
  
  • William Wayne, Clerk & Recorder's Office
  • Kelsey Coghlan, Office of Financial Management

3.b

Human Resources - First Quarter FTE Requests

The Office of Financial Management (OFM) has verified the funding, and Human Resources (HR) has approved the classifications for several new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. Under the General Fund (101), the County Attorney’s Office requires two new positions to manage the increased workload resulting from the recognition of the Boulder County Employees Union. These positions include one FTE Labor Relations Administrator and one FTE Assistant County Attorney II. Additionally, under the Dedicated Resources Fund (117), the Parks and Open Space Department plans to use savings from existing grant funding to create two new term positions aimed at enhancing planning efforts and preparing more projects for implementation. These positions include two FTE Term Forestry Resource Technicians, with a term ending on June 25, 2026. The funding for all of these positions was discussed during the public hearing on March 27, 2025, and will be formally approved at the same business meeting through Resolution 2025-016.

• Staff Contact(s): B.J. Lambden, Human Resources

3.c

Office of Financial Management - Resolution 2025-016

Resolution 2025-016 appropriating additional sums of money for the calendar year 2025.

• Staff Contact(s): Emily Beam, Office of Financial Management

3.d

Office of Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience - Climate Equity Fund ($341,160)

The Evaluation Committee recommends awarding RFP-103-24, Climate Equity Fund, to JSI Research & Training Inc. JSI scored the highest in the sum of the evaluation criteria with an emphasis on Fiscal Responsibility. The pool of applicants was extremely competitive, with many very impressive proposals and teams. JSI provided amble evidence of experience and competencies in the categories we established for scoring, including: Community Knowledge and Relationships, Equity and Justice Lens, Experience with climate Action and Resilience, Fiscal Responsibility and the Overall Interview. JSI's proposal aligned with our vision and provided the various elements of the project a plan with clarity, structure, and capacity.

• Staff Contact(s): Brett Fleishman, Office of Sustainability, Climate, Action & Resilience; Brandon Mitchell, Office of Financial Management

3.e

Parks & Open Space - Bearberry Acquisition - ($1,650,000)

On March 11, 2025, the Board of County Commissioners approved the acquisition of an open space property at 6201 Coal Creek Canyon Drive, 0 Coal Creek Canyon Drive, and 5614 Highway 72. This Purchase Agreement needs to be signed to complete the transaction.

• Staff Contact(s): Aaron Clark, Parks & Open Space

4.

Commissioners' Discussion Items

4.a

Community Planning & Permitting – Commissioner’s Call-Up of SPR-24-0070 Ritzer Additions

Staff request that the Board of County Commissioners determine whether nor not a public hearing shall be held for SPR-24-0070 Ritzer Additions.

Presenter: Pete L'Orange, Community Planning & Permitting

• Moved by Commissioner Levy
  Seconded by Commissioner Stolzmann
  Carried Unanimously

4.b

Sheriff's Office - Ratification of Commissioner Signature for Scope of Work with Motorola Solutions Public Safety Communications Products in the amount of $2,837,788.32.

The Boulder County Sheriff's Office is requesting ratification of the Commissioner signature for the Scope of Work entered into by Boulder County and Motorola Solutions under the NASPO ValuePoint Public Safety Communications, Products, Services, and Solutions Administered by the State of Washington with Motorola Solutions, Master Agreement #00318 and the State of Colorado's Participating Addendum - Contract #173765.  The Scope of Work was signed on March 27, 2025, in the amount of $2,837,788.32.

Pages and portions of this contract are not being published at this time as they may contain protected trade secret information. Members of the public may request a more complete version of this contract through the Boulder County Open Records Center

Presenter: Carey Weinheimer, Sheriff's Office

• Moved by Commissioner Levy
  Seconded by Commissioner Stolzmann
  Carried Unanimously

5.

Authorization for Executive Session

Authorization for the Board of County Commissioners to go into Executive Session for Legal Advice on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. with Ben Pearlman, County Attorney.

Presenter: Natalie Springett, Commissioners' Office

The topic to be discussed during the aforementioned Executive Session, pursuant to § 24-6-402(4)(e), C.R.S. - matters subject to negotiation, is:

1. Development of bargaining positions related to the Boulder County Employees Union collective bargaining agreement negotiations

• Moved by Commissioner Levy
  Seconded by Commissioner Stolzmann
  Carried Unanimously

6.

Scheduling & Communications

6.a

[Canceled] Commissioners' Office - Cancelation Notice of Public Hearing for Docket SPR-25-0004 on April 3, 2025

The Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing for Docket SPR-25-0004: Erickson Residence Appeal that was scheduled for Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. has been canceled. The applicants have chosen to withdraw their appeal request, so this hearing is no longer necessary. 

Item No. 6.a. was noted for the record.

Presenter: Jon Yslas, Commissioners' Office

6.b

[Tabled] Commissioners' Office - Tabling Notice of Public Hearing for Docket SE-23-0009 on April 3, 2025

The Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing for Docket SE-23-0009: Walker Lot Recognition scheduled for Thursday, April 3 at 1:30 p.m. has been tabled to a date uncertain.

Item No. 6.b. was noted for the record.

Presenter: Jon Yslas, Commissioners' Office

7.

Public Hearing - Orris/Big Lake LLC Residence & Driveway

7.a

Community Planning & Permitting Docket LU-23-0019/SPR-23-0036: Orris/Big Lake LLC Residence & Driveway

Limited Impact Special Use Review to permit 4,023 cubic yards of non-foundational earthwork for the development of a driveway, and Site Plan Review for the construction of a new 2,990-square-foot residence with 220 square feet of covered porch area on an approximately 37.7-acre parcel with a presumptive size maximum of 2,500 square feet. The application submitted by Stapp Lakes LLC & Big Lakes LLC c/o Christine B. Orris (applicant/property owner) and is in the Forestry (F) zoning district at 3310 County Road 96J, approximately 4.0 miles from Peak-to-Peak Highway in Section 22, Township 2N, Range 73W.
Public testimony will be taken.

This public hearing was called to order at 9:38 a.m.

Staff Presenter(s):
Summer Frederick, Community Planning & Permitting

Other Presenter(s):
Christine Orris, Applicant/Owner
Sam Nishek, Agent
Heather Houston, Ecologist

County Attorneys Present:
Liana Larremore, County Attorney
Erica Rogers, County Attorney

Public Speaker(s):
No members of the public spoke to this agenda item.

The commissioners' public hearing adjourned at 10:44 a.m.

• Moved by Commissioner Levy
  Seconded by Commissioner Stolzmann

  to conditionally approve Docket LU-23-0019 / SPR-23-0036 in accordance with staff recommendations, commitments of record by applicant, and with additional conditions as discussed and contained within the official record. 

  For (2)	Commissioner Loachamin, and Commissioner Levy
  Against (1)	Commissioner Stolzmann

  Carried (2 to 1)

8.

1:00 PM Public Hearings

Commissioner Levy is excused for Agenda Items 8.a. and 8.b.

8.a

Community Planning & Permitting Docket LU-25-0002: Stone Earthwork and Grading

Limited Impact Special Review for approximately 2,100 cubic yards of non-foundational earthwork on a 1.34-acre parcel. The application is submitted by Robert & Diana Stone (owners/applicants) and Stewart Architecture, c/o Peter Stewart. The subject property is in the Estate Residential (ER) zoning district at 650 Longs Peak Drive, a 1.34-acre parcel located approximately 300 feet west of the intersection of Longs Peak Drive and Paragon Drive, in Section 12, Township 1S, Range 70W.
Public testimony will be taken.

This public hearing was called to order at 1:02 p.m.

Staff Presenter:
Pete L'Orange, Community Planning & Permitting

Other Presenter(s):
Jim Rostovich, Civil Resources
Robert Stone, Owner/Applicant

County Attorneys Present:
Erica Rogers, County Attorney

Public Speaker(s):
No members of the public spoke to this agenda item.

The commissioners' public hearing adjourned at 1:37 p.m.

• Moved by Commissioner Stolzmann
  Seconded by Commissioner Loachamin

  to conditionally approve Docket LU-25-0002 in accordance with staff recommendations, commitments of record by applicant, and with additional conditions as discussed and contained within the official record. 

  Carried

8.b

Community Planning & Permitting Docket LU-24-0017/SPR-24-0081: Starlings CO LLC Equestrian Center and Ag Worker ADU

Limited Impact Special Review for an Equestrian Center with more than 25,000 square feet of floor area, an Agricultural Worker Accessory Dwelling Unit, and non-foundational earthwork exceeding 500 cubic yards, and Site Plan Review for a new 5,352-square-foot residence where the presumed compatible size is 5,934 square feet at 8130 N 73rd Street. The application is submitted by Starlings CO, LLC (applicant/owner) and Johnson & Repucci LLP, c/o Stephen Larson and ShelterBelt Design, c/o Paige Shavey (agents). The subject property is in the Agricultural (A) zoning district at 8130 N. 73rd Street, a 68-acre parcel located approximately .75-mile north of the intersection of N. 73rd Street and Nimbus Road, in Section 24, Township 2N, Range 70W.
Public testimony will be taken.

Commissioner Loachaminn called for a recess at 1:37 p.m. and the hearing resumed at 1:41 p.m.

This public hearing was called to order at 1:41 p.m.

Staff Presenter:
Pete L'Orange, Community Planning & Permitting

Other Presenter(s):
Scott Peppet, Owner
Paige Schavey, Architect 
Francisco Zambrano, Architect 

County Attorneys Present:
Erica Rogers, County Attorney

Public Speaker(s):
Debbie Lane, Boulder County

The commissioners' public hearing adjourned at 2:57 p.m.

• Moved by Commissioner Stolzmann
  Seconded by Commissioner Loachamin

  to conditionally approve Dockets LU-24-0017 / SPR-24-0081 in accordance with staff recommendations, commitments of record by applicant, and with additional conditions as discussed and contained within the official record. 

  Carried