“Economic Vitality”
That’s one of the priorities (along with infrastructure and fire risk mitigation) I’m focusing on in my mayoral campaign, because I believe those are the priorities citizens have identified.
I waited to post this until after the two-night candidates’ forum on business issues. (Thanks Eric Kean, RiverBend and others for doing that). For those who couldn’t make it, I’ll summarize a few issues discussed at the forum and then list some additional ideas I have.
BUSINESS FORUM ISSUES
Communication/Transparency – “No last-minute surprises” was a concern of businesses and property owners. Getting info about BOT agenda items on Thursday or Friday before a Monday meeting isn’t enough notice. And “first discussions”, even if no decisions are made, can be important. My response: mayors (along with the Town Administrator) set agenda topics on the Mondays before BOT meetings. Trustees and those who an issue may affect (businesses, neighborhoods) can be alerted earlier – at least a week ahead – about what’s coming.
Ombudsperson – Several candidates suggested a Town “ombudsperson” to help guide businesses and citizens through Town processes. It’s a good idea. It’s what I proposed as a BOT member 6 years ago when we went from a part-time outside contractor “Code Enforcement Officer” to an in-house “Code Compliance Officer”, with the difference being that the new officer would help people comply with the Code, not just do enforcement for violations. That service needs to be emphasized and communicated to businesses and residents. We have a good Code Compliance person who can do that job.
Complex Processes – How to streamline things like development applications? I was part of a Town task force in 2021 to revise the Code to streamline the review process after complaints about how long it took (88 days) to approve a pole barn ar the Farmette. We put staff response deadlines and some shortcut-the-red-tape provisions into the Code. It took 51 days to approve the big hotel application, 62 days for 402 Main and 69 days for RiverBend’s new PUD. Then RiverBend utilized one of the new shortcuts to avoid a second extended review process for its development plan. So we streamlined and it seems to have worked (shorter approval times). I’ve got a few tweaks for further streamlining, which I’ll be glad to discuss with business owners and Town staff.
Budgeted Business Support – It was suggested the Town budgets only $12,000/yr for business support. Not so The “Economic Development” budget section totals $104,000. Another $55,000 is budgeted to landscape Main Street, Lyons’ main commercial drag There are more business-related items in the budget. Finite Town resources limit what we can do, but we do try. A re-born Chamber of Commerce will help.
OTHER IDEAS
I’ve got a some other economic vitality ideas that weren’t the subject of questions at the forums:
Vacant Spaces – A problem downtown is too many vacant spaces, reducing foot traffic. Borrowing an idea from other places (see Lafayette’s”Vacant to Vibrant” program), we should offer incentives – reduced permit fees and use taxes – to new or relocated businesses that fill vacant commercial spaces.
Event Tie-ins – When special events (Old Man Winter, Summer Vibes) are permitted or sponsored by the Town, we should require tie-ins to local businesses. Food or drink concessions should be offered first to local restaurants. Event promoters should document their outreach to local businesses for promotions (like discount coupons) for event participants. Getting visitors to parks isn’t enough. Getting them to also visit local businesses is important.
Promote Business Sectors – The Town can’t use tax money to advertise individual businesses, but we can promote business sectors (restaurants, shops, music venues), identifying businesses within those sectors. We should do more of that.
Outdoor Recreation Destination – We need to do a better job of working with Boulder County on a regional trail system. BC Parks & Open Space is getting a new director and we need to re-engage. If a Town-to-Hall-Ranch connector trail below Crona Hill is still a “no”, we need to start working on Hall Ranch II (former Andasite mine) connections & use.
Sundance – Lyons’ ability to capitalize on the Sundance Festival is limited compared to other places because we have only one small hotel for overnight guests. We can still do promotional things though, and we can make it easier (waive license fees, for ex.) to temporarily offer more Airbnbs in homes during Sundance. I’ve requested a BOT agenda item to discuss that and hope the Economic Vitality Commission will work on ideas.