Agenda Memo

City of Boulder City Council Agenda Item Meeting Date: November 20, 2025 Agenda Title Consideration of a motion to approve and authorize the city manager to execute an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Boulder and the Board of Commissioners of BURA, establishing a framework for the allocation of costs for administrative services and any designated work project for the Urban Renewal Plans for BURA to properly function as an entity, in substantially the same form as in Attachment A to this Memorandum

Staff Contact • •

Jennifer Pinsonneault, Economic Vitality Manager, City Manager's Office Mark Woulf, Assistant City Manager

Draft Motion Language Staff requests council consideration of this matter and action in the form of the following motion: Motion to approve and authorize the city manager to execute an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Boulder and the Board of Commissioners of the Boulder Urban Renewal Authority (BURA), establishing a framework for the allocation of costs for administrative services and any designated work project for the Urban Renewal Plans for BURA to properly function as an entity, in substantially the same form as in Attachment A to this Memorandum Executive Summary The purpose of this item is to authorize the city manager to execute an intergovernmental agreement between the city and BURA, establishing a framework for

the allocation of costs for administrative services and any designated work related to Urban Renewal Areas, including, but not limited to, conducting condition studies, creating Urban Renewal Plans, negotiating agreements to allocate Tax Increment Financing, and other urban renewal activities. An agreement for allocating administrative and other costs is necessary for BURA to properly function as an independent entity and would be in substantially the same form as Attachment A to this Memorandum.

Council Action Options Option

Outcome

Approve motion language as drafted

If the motion is approved, the City Manager is authorized to execute an agreement between the city and BURA for reimbursement of administrative and other expenses paid by the city for expenses related to BURA activities.

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 of the agreement.

Deny the motion or take no action

If this motion is denied, the City Manager will not negotiate and execute an agreement between the city and BURA. This will impact the city’s ability to be reimbursed for staff time and expenses related to urban renewal activities and may restrict BURA’s ability to operate as an Authority and delay any actions designed to facilitate targeted investment and revitalization efforts across the city.

Refer back to staff

If council refers this item back to staff, further research will be conducted to identify other options for funding BURA activities and may delay actions designed to facilitate targeted investment and revitalization efforts across the city.

Alignment with City Plans and City Council History Sustainability, Equity, and Resilience (SER) Framework and Citywide Strategic Plan Alignment SER Framework Goal Area The initiative outlined in this memorandum aligns with the Economic Vitality goal area of the SER Framework. Citywide Strategic Plan Enabling BURA to become a more effective economic development tool aligns with Strategy 14 in the Citywide Strategic Plan. Staff Notes Supporting urban renewal activities through BURA may facilitate the expansion of existing businesses and attraction of new businesses, increased commercial vibrancy, economic growth in alignment with community values and goals, and further diversification of the local economy.

Alignment with Additional City Plans Support and activation of BURA aligns with the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan and Economic Vitality Strategy.

City Council History This item is related to the 2024-2025 City Council Priority: Economic Development Plan and Program Enhancements, and the initiative to expand BURA to comply with current state urban renewal law enabling the Authority to consider and establish urban renewal areas to support targeted investment and revitalization efforts.

Analysis Urban renewal authorities have proven to be an effective economic development tool. The Boulder Urban Renewal Authority (BURA or Authority) was established in 1979 by City Council ordinance to implement urban renewal initiatives in Boulder. The city has established two urban renewal area plans, the Boulder Valley Regional Center (BVRC) plan which was established in 1979 and the Ninth and Canyon plan which was established in 1995. Although the Authority played a key role in the redevelopment of Crossroads Mall into the Twenty-Ninth Street Shopping District and development of the St. Julien Hotel & Spa, the Authority has been relatively inactive over the past several years. During that time, Colorado urban renewal law was updated to expand the number of commissioners required for urban renewal authorities. BURA has been able to operate on a limited

basis without expanding its board of commissioners to comply with new state regulations. However, for the Authority to consider and establish additional renewal areas, which would help facilitate redevelopment in areas seeking investment and economic activity, BURA will need to appoint additional commissioners. BURA commissioners volunteer to serve on the Authority, and the Authority has no employees. Additionally, BURA has no funds to cover expenses for urban renewal activities such as consultants and other specialists to assist the Authority in conducting condition studies to determine whether areas in the city meet requirements for urban renewal areas, developing urban renewal plans, or pursuing other urban renewal activities. To enable BURA to properly operate as an independent entity, city staff would be used to perform administrative and other activities related to the urban renewal activities and the city would advance funds to the Authority to cover certain operating costs and contract services up to $250,000 a year. BURA would reimburse the city for staff time and other expenses paid by the city to cover the Authority’s operating costs and other expenses related to BURA activities if BURA ultimately accrues revenue in the future by virtue of Tax Increment Financing revenue or other means. Council is being asked to authorize the city manager to execute an intergovernmental agreement between the City and BURA to establish a framework allocating costs for administrative services and any designated work related to urban renewal activities. The agreement will be in substantially the same form as Attachment A.

Equity Analysis Staff and financial support for BURA would enable the Authority to become an effective economic development tool used to facilitate investment and revitalization efforts in areas throughout the city, supporting economic health and sustainability. A strong economic base, supported by a robust and growing economy, is essential for the city’s overall well-being and to generate the taxes that fund vital city services and programs such as public safety, social services, and many others. As potential urban renewal areas are identified and urban renewal plans are developed, staff will use the Racial Equity Instrument to evaluate inclusivity and equity to ensure that support for a diverse business ecosystem, equitable access to economic opportunities, and benefits of economic development and growth are broadly shared.

Fiscal Note Estimated Fiscal Impact Narrative Under the proposed intergovernmental agreement between the city and BURA, staff time and expenses for studies and other expenditures related to urban renewal,

including those related to the exploration and establishment of new urban renewal areas, would be reimbursed by BURA through revenue they receive from urban renewal plans and projects. The cap on annual expenditures is anticipated to be $250,000 within the IGA. The city will make expenditures within existing budgeted and appropriated staff time and resources for the 2025 and 2026 budgets. The updating of the of URA was an anticipated item on the workplan. This proposed IGA simply allows the city to be reimbursed for any expenses incurred directly on behalf the Authority until such time as the Authority has revenue. Fund(s): Multiple Department(s): City Manager’s Office Program(s): Office of Cultural & Economic Development

Climate, Resilience, and Sustainability Considerations The expansion of economic tools, such as revitalizing BURA, is strongly aligned with the city's Sustainability, Equity, and Resilience (SER) Framework and broader climate goals, and are designed to support a more resilient and sustainable economy. Development or redevelopment in specific areas that align with Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan (BVCP) guidance can significantly contribute to broader sustainability outcomes by promoting compact, mixed-use development, reducing vehicle miles traveled and optimizing existing infrastructure. Urban renewal can be used to actively incentivize projects that demonstrate strong environmental stewardship, including sustainable building practices, reduced energy and water consumption, integration of renewable energy, and support for alternative transportation. The tool can also contribute to a more diversified and resilient local economy, better equipped to withstand future environmental and economic shocks, and to advance Boulder's leadership in climate action.

Community Engagement Expansion of BURA and exploration of potential new urban renewal areas will involve working with residents, businesses, community groups, commercial property owners and brokers, and partner organizations such as Boulder Chamber, Boulder Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Downtown Boulder Partnership, The Latino Chamber of Boulder County, Visit Boulder, and others.

Workplan Considerations The expansion of BURA and exploration of potential new urban renewal areas is currently in the 2025 staff workplan and proposed 2026 staff workplan.

Next Steps for City Council If council approves the IGA and a motion to authorize the city manager to execute the agreement, staff will finalize it for execution by the city manager and BURA.

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Attachments A – Intergovernmental Agreement