Agenda Memo

City of Boulder City Council Agenda Item Meeting Date: January 22, 2026 Agenda Title Consideration of a motion to authorize the City Manager to convey a non-exclusive easement over the city-owned property located at intersection of Broadway, Balsam, and Alpine streets, commonly referred to as “Alpine Balsam” to Xcel Energy for the installation, operations, and maintenance of utilities.

Staff Contact •

Adam Goldstone, Facilities Principal Project Manager

Draft Motion Language Staff requests Council consideration of this matter and action in the form of the following motion: Motion to authorize the City Manager to convey an easement over the cityowned property located at intersection of Broadway, Balsam, and Alpine streets, commonly referred to as “Alpine Balsam” to Xcel Energy for a non-exclusive utility easement for installation, operations, and maintenance of utilities.

Executive Summary This agenda item is for the consideration to authorize the City Manager to convey a non-exclusive easement over the city-owned property located at the intersection of Broadway, Balsam, and Alpine streets, commonly referred to as “Alpine Balsam” to Xcel Energy for the installation, operations, and maintenance of utilities. The easement request was received by Facilities & Fleet from the Public Service Company of Colorado (dba Xcel Energy).

The proposed easement is approximately 742 square feet and is located on a portion of Lot 1 located in the northwest corner of the site. The physical address is 915 Aspen Place. Rights granted to Xcel Energy under this easement are to install, operate, repair, replace, and maintain utility lines and associated facilities. Xcel will restore the surface of the easement area to its original condition post-construction, considering the presence of utility infrastructure. This easement is necessary for Xcel Energy to install, access, and maintain utility infrastructure on city-owned property. It supports the city’s redevelopment goals for Alpine-Balsam, which include mixed-use development, civic facility, and housing. Granting the easement ensures that utility services can be reliably provided to future buildings and public spaces on site.

Council Action Options Option

Outcome

Approve motion language as drafted

If the motion is approved, staff will work with the City Attorney’s Office and Xcel to draft and execute the permanent utility easement.

Define and adopt a modified motion

Council would need to define any modifications or amendments to the draft motion language. This will likely require staff to bring back an amended version which will cause a delay in the process. Delay to the process will have schedule and financial impacts to the Alpine Balsam project.

Deny the motion or take no action

If this motion is denied this will cause schedule delays and financial impact to the Alpine Balsam project.

Refer back to staff

If council refers this item back to staff this will cause a delay in the process which will have schedule and financial impacts to the Alpine Balsam project.

Alignment with City Plans and City Council History Sustainability, Equity, and Resilience (SER) Framework and Citywide Strategic Plan Alignment SER Framework Goal Area Development of the Alpine-Balsam site and construction of a new Western City Campus realizes the vision, goals, and objectives of both the Alpine-Balsam Area Plan and Key Initiatives of the Facilities Plan. Consolidation of city services and staff to this single location achieves many objectives of the SER Framework, most notably in the areas of Safe, Livable, Environmentally Sustainable, and Responsibly Governed. The development of the whole Alpine-Balsam site achieves additional SER Framework goals, including Accessible and Connected, for the community. Citywide Strategic Plan This easement will allow for the Western City Campus project to operationalize the citywide customer experience principles including through the implementation of the “one-stop-shop" center for the Western City Campus as stated in Strategy 12a. Staff Notes Facilities & Fleet staff have reviewed and supports Xcel Energy’s easement request.

Alignment with Additional City Plans N/A

City Council History This easement is necessary for Xcel Energy to access and maintain utility infrastructure on city-owned property as similar to other easements with Xcel Energy.

Analysis This easement is necessary for Xcel Energy to install, access, and maintain utility infrastructure on city-owned property. It supports the city’s redevelopment goals for Alpine-Balsam, which include mixed-use development, civic facility, and housing. Granting the easement ensures that utility services can be reliably provided to future buildings and public spaces on site.

Equity Analysis Not applicable.

Fiscal Note Estimated Fiscal Impact Narrative There is no cost associated with this easement. Current Year Estimated Fiscal Impact Fund(s): $0.00 Department(s): N/A Program(s): N/A

Climate, Resilience, and Sustainability Considerations Development of the Alpine-Balsam site and construction of a new Western City Campus realizes the vision, goals, and objectives of both the Alpine-Balsam Area Plan and Key Initiatives of the Facilities Plan.

Community Engagement The Alpine-Balsam development project has undergone extensive community engagement prior to commencing construction. There was no community engagement specific to this easement.

Workplan Considerations Staff time towards this project is part of the normal 2026 work plan for the Facilities & Fleet Department.

Next Steps for City Council Motion to authorize the city manager to convey an easement over the city-owned property located at intersection of Broadway, Balsam, and Alpine streets, commonly referred to as “Alpine Balsam” to Xcel Energy for a non-exclusive utility easement for installation, operations, and maintenance of utilities.

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Attachments Attachment A: PSCo Distribution Easement – 915 Aspen Place