February 2021
January 2021
January 1, 2021
March 2021
February 28, 2021
Hi everyone — Here’s my update for February 2021. Want to know where most people spent their Superior Cash? What’s up with the new Airport Noise Roundtable? Is Verizon finally going to build a new tower in Superior to improve cell service? Read on!
Superior Cash – Review
The Superior Cash program was a great success. Utilizing CARES Act funding, the Town sent $20 gift certificates to every household in Superior, which could only be used in local small businesses who signed up for the program. So how did the program do and where did the money flow? The total amount of certificates redeemed was $34,610. Special thanks to Trustees Ken Lish and Neal Shah for suggesting the idea and to Town Staff for successfully executing on the program! A breakdown of how people spent their Superior Cash appears in the pie graph above.
COVID-19 in Superior
Through January 28, 2021, we have had 315 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Superior. Across Boulder County and statewide, rates are going down. While we are still currently in the Orange level of restriction on the State dial, the Governor has indicated loosening the restriction levels as more people are vaccinated — likely at the end of February. Vaccines are now being given to those in category 1B (moderate risk health care workers, first responders, and those age 70+). For more information on obtaining a COVID vaccine, please visit: www.boco.org/COVIDVaccines
Boulder County Public Health continues to encourage everyone to get tested for COVID if there is any chance that you have been exposed. Please note that there have been 2 cases of the new variants that have been found in Boulder County and the CDC has taken over that investigation. Please continue to wear your masks, wash your hands, and maintain 6 feet of physical distance.
Airport Noise Roundtable
On January 11, 2021, the first meeting of the newly formed Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport Community Noise Roundtable was held. This meeting was mostly for introductions and sorting out the logistics going forward. The next meeting will be on February 8 at 9:00am and will include: Roundtable facilitator interviews and an update from RMMA Director Paul Anslow. Future agenda items will include: FAA briefing, noise complaints and noise monitoring, development plans for the airport, and more.
Public Art
The last prairie dog sculpture will be installed at Community Park the week of February 1. This artwork includes motion-activated sound. I wrote previously about this project in September 2020.
Also in February, artist Chris Weed will re-install the “Coal Carts” sculpture next to Panera in the Superior Marketplace.
A temporary art project called “What Makes Your Heart Soar?” by Superior resident Daryl McCool was partially installed at Eldorado PK-8. This project consists of two Adirondack “selfie” chairs with angel wings and students will be invited to paint as many as 700 small wooden stars that will be installed in the chain link fence on the North side of the school. Visit Daryl’s website https://artinsuperior.com/ for more information about art in our community.
At the Town Board meeting on December 14, 2020, the Board approved a new public art installation at the Oerman-Roche Trailhead along McCaslin Blvd called “This Must Be The Place.”
Also, the Grasso Parks lights show (located at Grasso Park, 100 E. William Street) has transitioned to a “Winter Blues” theme on Friday, January 15th. The light show runs daily from 5-10pm and will run until April 20, 2021. Our CAPS Committee website is also filled with a lot of great information, visit it at https://www.superiorcolorado.gov/community/cultural-arts.
Verizon Macro Tower Update
Verizon has confirmed that they intend to start construction of the macro facility in Community Park at the end of February, weather permitting. Verizon submitted their building permit application to the Town, which is currently being processed by the Town. I wrote about this project most recently in January 2020 and February 2020. It will be great to have improved cell service for a majority of Superior residents after this tower is installed.
Tour of 1500 Coalton
I had the chance to tour 1500 Coalton a couple weeks ago with Town Manager Matt Magley and Parks & Rec Director Leslie Clark. I can’t wait for you all to see the transformation! Installation of Wi-Fi, security cameras, broadcast and IT equipment is underway. Interior painting and carpet installation will be completed this week and the Louisville library bookcase installation (where you’ll be able to receive deliveries of books checked out through the Louisville Library) is complete. Exterior site work continues as well, weather permitting, including repair and painting of building siding and steel work. Paving and striping will take place when warmer weather permits.
Funding Capital Improvement Projects
An agenda item to be discussed at the February 1, 2021 Town Board Quarterly Work Session will be various options to fund capital improvement projects around Town. A list of unfunded projects is available here.
The Town typically funds capital projects on an annual basis with available funds within each year’s budget. However, the number of capital projects exceeds the funding that is available. A few options we are looking at involve: (1) modifying the Town’s cash reserve policy; (2) asking the voters to approve a new sales/use tax and perhaps a bond issuance due to the fact that the existing Superior/McCaslin Interchange Metropolitan District (SMID) .16% sales tax is set to expire in 2022 (which would generate $600,000 annual and could support a $7 million bond); and/or (3) increase property taxes by up to 4.197 mills (which would increase property taxes on an average Superior home by approximately $150-$200). This would not require a vote of residents because the Town has already received authorizing to collect up to 11 mills, but has simply elected not to collect the full amount of property taxes approved over the past several years. This would generate $1.05 million annually could support a $16 million bond. I look forward to hearing the thoughts and opinions of my Board members tomorrow during the Work Session.
For a list of currently funded capital projects, please see here.
Carmel Partners – Downtown Superior Update
On December 31, 2020, Carmel Partners acquired the downtown commercial core of the Downtown Superior development from Morgan-Ranch. On January 25, 2021, the master developer Ranch Capital and Carmel presented an update of the Downtown Superior development to the Town Board. A slide deck of the presentation is available here.
Morgan-Ranch received approval of their Final Development Plan for their Main Street project in November 2019. I wrote about this project in November 2019 and the broader project in May 2020. This is a great step in the right direction for this project. After receiving approval in late 2019, the commercial core development stalled as Morgan-Ranch struggled to finance the project. Carmel Partners has indicated that it already has the means to finance the entire project and that it will not be seeking changes to the plans that have already been approved by the Town Board. Infrastructure work has already started. Carmel expects to be digging foundations later this year and expects that it will take 2 years from the start of its construction to complete the Downtown Superior commercial core — sometime in late 2023.
Goat Grant
Vinny and the Goats will be back with a vengeance in 2021! This year, Superior is a recipient of a Boulder County Environmental Sustainability Matching Grant, which will allow us to triple the amount of goat grazing this year. I wrote about our goat grazing project in January 2020 and July 2020. Using goats to graze in our open space areas allows us to avoid the use of herbicides and the need for mowing to control noxious weeds and other pests. Stay tuned for more information about when and where Vinny and the goats will be this summer.
Stay Connected
If you are looking for additional ways to stay informed about things going on around Town, here are some helpful resources to do so:
- e-Notifications (sign up for emails from the Town on any number of specific issues you are interested in): http://www.superiorcolorado.gov/services/enotification
- ShapeSuperior.com (a community engagement platform providing a place for your voice to be heard. When you visit ShapeSuperior.com you will find the latest projects and initiatives the Town is working on and tools for you to help shape their outcomes): https://shapesuperior.com/
- CAC Listserv (an un-moderated way to communicate directly with residents via email): https://www.superiorcolorado.gov/community/community-bulletin-board
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorColorado
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/townofsuperior
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/townofsuperior/
Low Down with Trustee Lacis
Would you like to meet with me one-on-one to discuss anything related to the Town of Superior? If so, consider signing up for a “Virtual” Lowdown with Trustee Lacis. We’ll set up a Zoom Meeting. Please shoot me an email at markl@superiorcolorado.gov and we’ll find time to meet.
