Mid-August 2021

Hi everyone — Here’s my update for mid-August 2021.   Read on below to find out more about COVID in Boulder County, a sales tax ballot question on November’s ballot, affordable housing, parks updates, awesome events coming this Fall, a new business in Rock Creek Village, and more…

COVID-19 Update

In Boulder County, and throughout the state, COVID-19 cases are on the rise.  Our seven-day rolling average daily case count is about 40.6 cases per day. This number has been rising since the end of June and is higher than last week’s average of 39.4 per day. The one-week cumulative incidence rate is 84.1 per 100,000 (which is considered substantial according to the CDC website) compared to 82.2 per 100,000 last week. We have been in Substantial Transmission Orange since 7/26/21.  Testing positivity and hospitalizations are both rising.  

80.0% of eligible Boulder County residents are at least partially vaccinated.  Over 232,000 Boulder County residents have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose (80.0% of eligible population) and over 215,000 (74.3% of eligible population) have received a full course of the COVID-19 vaccine.  

On Monday, August 9, Boulder County Public Health issued a public health order that requires everyone to wear masks in schools, regardless of vaccination status.  BCPH is also “strongly encouraging” everyone to wear masks while indoors in order to protect children who are not yet eligible for vaccines.  

Back to School

Wednesday, August 18 is the first day of school for the BVSD school year.  As you drive around town, please mind your speed in school zones and pay attention to those who are walking and biking to school.  Here’s hoping we’ll have a full school year with minimal disruptions from COVID. 

Ballot Question – Net .28% Sales Tax Increase

On this November’s ballot, the Town of Superior is proposing a 0.28% net sales and use tax rate increase to fund transportation projects.  For the taxpayer, that amounts to about 28 cents for every $100 spent in Superior.  For the Town, it will mean an additional estimated $1 million in revenue for 2022 and $1.6 million in 2023 (and each year thereafter) to fund transportation projects.  Spend some time on the Superior Streets website for a long and helpful list of FAQs such as who pays sales and use tax, which transportation projects will be funded with this tax increase, a breakdown of the sales tax that you pay right now, how Superior’s tax rate compares to other municipalities, and much more.  

Discussions between Town Staff and Board members about raising our sales tax and/or our property tax mill levies began earlier this year.  I wrote about our discussions in February, March, and April in an effort to be the transparent about the proposed tax increase and to engage with the community. There were several alternatives that were considered, including increasing our property taxes by up to 4.197 mills.  Doing so would not require a vote of residents because the Town is already authorized to collect over 11 mills, but the Town Board has voluntary chosen not to collect the full amount of property taxes that we can.  

Personally, I believe that the Town Board made the right decision by putting this issue on the ballot, which will allow the voters to decide.

Parks, Parks, and Parks

One of the main reasons my wife and I chose Superior for our family was its amazing parks and family-friendly spaces.  We have so much going on right now in our Parks department.  Here is a small snippet of activity:

• New Parks 1 and 2 – Work continues including grading, drainage and topsoil work, boulder placements, and sidewalk forming.  We should see some major changes in the next few months as these new parks take shape.

• New Central Park – At the August 9, 2021 Town Board Meeting, we heard a presentation on a concept plan from the developer for the new Central Park in Downtown Superior.  I’m excited to see more green space, a dog park, and places to gather for our downtown residents.  Plans are still being finalized and a formal development plan will be submitted at a later date. 

• Purple Park – Our Parks and Rec Committee (PARC) has been busy finalizing the design to overhaul the playground equipment at Purple Park.  They presented a few options at our July 12th Board Meeting.  Members of the Town Board really liked this option pictured here.  What do you think?  I have no doubt this will be an amazing park, however, I do have some concerns about the height of the structure and whether Purple Park will still be small-kid friendly.  PARC is still tweaking the design and I appreciate their hard work.  Please participate in their next meeting on August 18th if you want to provide feedback or shoot an email to the townboard@superiorcolorado.gov. 

• Wildflower Park – A landscape improvement plan has been created by a consultant hired by the town which includes removal of failing plant material, installation of turf sod, and installation of new plant material.  The consultant is also working with the Town to help improve irrigation coverage in the central areas of the park and weed mitigation continues.

• New Tract H Park – Construction drawings have been received for the New Tract H Park near Lanterns Lane.  Grading of the site is estimated to start in the next month with equipment delivery in 3-4 months.

Update: Here’s a map that shows where these new parks will be located.

Community Center Room Reservations & Programming

All fees to use rooms in the Superior Community Center by Town residents and resident businesses/organizations are waived, for up to two reservations per month!  Room bookings/availability is published online.  To book a room, please visit:  https://www.amilia.com/store/en/town-of-superior/shop/facilitybookings

Are you interested in knowing what programming is available at the Community Center right now?  Head over to the recreation programming page on the Town’s website and filter on location = Community Center.  https://www.superiorcolorado.gov/departments/parks-recreation-open-space/recreation-programs

I’d also highly recommend following the Town of Superior’s Facebook page which advertises Community Center programs and special events (like live music) weekly: https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorColorado

BCHA Affordable Housing

At the August 9, 2021 Town Board meeting, Boulder County Housing Authority (BCHA) presented a concept plan to build an affordable housing development at the Superior Marketplace near the RTD bus station.  It would be beneficial to watch this portion of the Town Board meeting to see and listen to the full presentation. 

I have many questions and concerns regarding this possible development.  How will this impact traffic in this area?  Will a 4-story building be too tall?  How many RTD parking spaces will be eliminated?  How would commuters and residents “share” spaces in the parking structures for each building?  Is this the appropriate location for this type of project?  Can we investigate using Brixmor’s vacant property within the Superior Marketplace instead of eliminating RTD parking spaces?  What will be the ultimate ask of the Town? (i.e., what will be the expected financial commitment from the Town?  Waiving sewer/water tap fees?  Waiving property taxes?  Something else?)  

I also have questions about aesthetics, density, and what community engagement BCHA intends to do to make sure our residents are appropriately informed of the full scope of this project.  Most importantly, will our community (one that is certainly “development fatigued”) support any new project right now, even if it’s for the noble goal of affordable housing?  BCHA stated that this is the very beginning of their process and they are planning on robust community engagement before submitting any formal development plan to the Town.  Overall, I feel like I walked away from the discussion with more questions than answers, but again I was told it’s the very beginning of the process and I am open to learning more about this project.

Welcome Vetka Flowers

We have a new business in the Rock Creek Village shopping area.  Please welcome Vetka Flowers!  Located in the former Subway space next to PJ’s.  Met the owner yesterday who is planning a Grand Opening event within the next week. 

Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability

Our ACES committee is hard at work developing the Town’s first Sustainability Action Plan.  They already have held work sessions with our Sustainability Analyst, Town Staff, and regional sustainability experts and are planning workshops and online community engagement through ShapeSuperior.com.  Stay tuned for more details or visit https://www.superiorcolorado.gov/community/sustainability/planning-for-sustainability for more information.

Mark Your Calendar

We’ve got some amazing events planned for this Fall.  On September 18 at Purple Park, we’ll be posting the Superior En Plein Air — Superior’s first ever “paint out” which will feature over a dozen artists painting live in the park and DIY stations so you can try your hand at painting en plein air with the pros.

On October 1 at the Superior Community Center, the Superior – Khandbari Sister City Project will present: “A Taste of Nepal.”  At this ticketed event, you can enjoy Nepalese food and drinks, live entertainment, a silent auction, and an exclusive preview of the Nepal Art Show.  The art show will continue at the Community Center on Saturday and Sunday (October 2-3), and will be free and open to the public.  Be sure to like this Facebook page for updates on our Sister City program.  Thank you to the Superior – Khandbari committee for their hard work getting this program off the ground.  (https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorKhandbariSisterCities)

Last but certainly not least, on October 9 at Community Park, we’ll host the annual Superior Chili & Beer Fest.  It’s great to be able to bring this event back this year after we were forced to cancel it last year due to COVID.  And we heard you loud and clear, Superior!  You love your chili and beer and so this annual tradition will continue!  More details to follow soon on the Town’s website and Facebook page.

Air Quality Monitors

I wrote about this back in January, but just a good reminder that the Town has installed air monitoring sensors in three different locations throughout Town (Town Hall, North Pool, and South Pool).  These monitors measure the air quality in real time.  Information from the air sensors can be viewed through the Purple Air website.

Verizon

The latest update we received from Verizon is that the new macro cell facility in Community Park is expected to be activated and go live on September 2nd.  I hope everyone who has struggled with cell reception in Superior will notice better service once the tower is live.  Thanks for all your patience on this project.  

Brightview

At the June 28th Town Board meeting, I made a Motion to terminate the Town’s contract with Brightview. The Motion failed 2-4, with a majority of the Board voting against terminating the Brightview contract.  Please continue to send the Town Board feedback on how Brightview is doing so we can review their work at the end of this year and discuss whether we will continue with them in the future.

Thirsty Thursday and Lowdown with Trustee Lacis

On August 12, I tried something new and hosted a “Thirsty Thursday” at the Community Center.  Our most recent First Fridays was unfortunately cancelled, so I wanted to give people an opportunity to meet and speak about town issues.  Topics included: airport noise, traffic calming initiatives, development, Downtown Superior, investing in our pools, affordable housing, etc.  Thanks for joining me!  

If group meetings aren’t your thing, and if you would you rather meet with me one-on-one, email me at markl@superiorcolorado.gov and we’ll find time to schedule a Lowdown with Trustee Lacis.  And P.S. If you find yourself constantly complaining on Facebook about Superior, you’re exactly the person I want to meet with.