Study Session Memo

City of Boulder City Council Study Session Summary Meeting Date: May 7, 2026

Agenda Title Consideration of a motion to accept the April 9, 2026, Study Session Summary regarding the Facilities Investment Strategy

Staff Contact • • • • •

Michele Crane, Deputy Director Facilities & Fleet Department Joanna Crean, Director Facilities & Fleet Department Ali Rhodes, Director of Parks & Recreation Charlotte Huskey, Budget Officer Krista Morrison, Chief Financial Officer

Draft Motion Language Staff requests council consideration of this matter and action in the form of the following motion: Motion to accept the April 9, 2026, Study Session Summary regarding the draft Facilities Investment Strategy.

Presentation Summary Staff presented to council on the draft Facilities Investment Strategy with a focus on the 15 buildings that should be prioritized for investment. The goal of the study session was to present council with a building roadmap and a 20-year planning horizon for every priority building. Staff presented the current conditions in city buildings and what is needed to keep these buildings operational for the next 10-15 years. Feedback from this

study session will help staff develop a mix of investment scenarios across priority buildings which council will consider as part of the potential 2026 ballot measures at the May 14 Study Session and the city’s annual budget process.

Questions for Council and Direction Received Council was asked to provide feedback on the following questions: 1. Does council have any questions on what was presented on both the Facilities Investment Strategy and Recreation Center Scenarios? Council members had questions relating to the total cost of building ownership, how staff can work towards less expensive buildings, and how staff are recommending new versus renovations of buildings. Staff explained that each building is different and that the decision to renovate or build new is determined from many points including age of building, shape of existing building, ability to adapt to the current building codes, etc. Individual council members expressed interest in staff using the SER framework when working through the different building scenarios; exploring other ways to fund these large capital projects, either with CU or other potential partners; and understanding the financial impact of the 11 vacated buildings when Western City Campus is occupied. Staff will investigate these options. There was concern expressed by some members about how council is to make choices between the public safety building, fire stations, and recreation centers. Staff will move forward with the different investment scenarios and recommendations to help council prioritize the building infrastructure. 2. Does council agree with staff’s recommendation to prioritize investing in minimum infrastructure (Major Maintenance) needs first with currently available funding? Council members supported staff moving forward with the minimum infrastructure needs proposed in the presentation. More information was requested to help understand the whole picture of these investments. Several council members would like to have information to reference when talking to the community about these infrastructure needs. 3. Does council agree with staff’s proposed next steps to further develop a mix of investment scenarios across the priority buildings including recreation center options based on Parks and Recreation Advisory Board’s (PRAB) feedback? Council members were in agreement with staff’s proposed next steps on investment scenarios for the priority buildings. Council members generally expressed support with PRAB’s recommendations to not reduce the level of

service in the recreation centers. Several members suggested staff develop a matrix of options to help with the city’s goals and grading each scenario as staff develop these options. There was a desire expressed by several council members to have great stability financially with the city’s building portfolio and a request to go to the public once with this large problem.

Next Steps for City Council Based on council feedback at the Study Session, staff will develop a mix of investment scenarios across the priority buildings demonstrating how projects may be accomplished over time utilizing existing funding and potential funds raised by proposed ballot measures. These scenarios will demonstrate what options are available and the tradeoffs that are needed depending on what levels of funding are available. The mix of investment scenarios will be considered by council as part of the potential 2026 ballot measures May 14 Study Session and the city’s annual budget process.

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