[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6281467,"mediaKeyId","2604632-bde0cb22ff4fb7ec7bf8de6a754bb7bb","parentId",2604632,"title","Council discusses supporting small businesses, ARPA funds; TLC Learning Center outlines early-learning public‑private project","audioSeconds",125,"startMs",1995000,"endMs",2120000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2604632-bde0cb22ff4fb7ec7bf8de6a754bb7bb&start=1995&end=2120","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2604632-bde0cb22ff4fb7ec7bf8de6a754bb7bb/thumbnail_1995000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6281467/Longmont/Boulder-County/Colorado/Council-discusses-supporting-small-businesses-ARPA-funds-TLC-Learning-Center-outlines-early-learning-publicprivate-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281467-d147fea70409cca00592b7a7f390c70a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175308&Signature=ef2nEBjOUTWxPtZwvm0BV5YG2o5EvKag8e93QpmLT0C~k~hio0lCe8tqOfTXpH0nrWGPbWQ9lEdLEadEFueq8QULVE2JsmKKmoUQgy2fV009iP4~EPtwrK~3yUOvA5-HM~F4oD-K8Xj1AB1AWxLWEONCVoZ~UhTyK5TQxIjzBq6yzcSkLmkhrsCEVO-uw7IeGrq5StcWs9PY9EKEEWzfPhjekVpcDGh0hsNnspmHCYB7lj22dX0eTVaptjyzBpdVS1JpDNmBcDuFsWWPXK7rTGzv5VP1qDd14kUTjeuDwzfGA9YnvO1SxvtsKKOUA3cU7meV7C5W~z04Ioq-eoZD2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Longmont Colorado","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","Councilors on March 4 discussed whether to hold a study session to identify ways to support small businesses in Longmont with the twin goals of promoting business activity and increasing sales-tax revenue.

Councilor Chris proposed directing staff to convene 2–3 local organizations to develop a plan that would help small businesses and potentially raise sales tax revenue; councilors questioned whether the goal was to increase sales-volume for local businesses (and thus sales-tax receipts) or to consider tax-rate increases. Council requested greater specificity and suggested meeting with the Chamber of Commerce to refine goals. Councilor Chris ultimately withdrew the motion and said she would return with a more focused proposal.

Council members also discussed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money previously earmarked for business recovery, and staff said the city has used some ARPA dollars for Main Street “parklet” projects and said duplication-of-benefits rules affected prior CARES-era grants. The city manager and CFO were asked to clarify remaining ARPA availability and constraints for business-assistance programming.

In public comment, Matt Eldred, CEO of TLC Learning Center (a 69-year nonprofit), told the council that TLC has broken ground on an early-learning collaborative at Third and Ken Pratt and intends the project to include affordable child care, mental-health and health services, a community gathering space and a workforce-training component. Eldred said TLC has spent about $417,000 on permitting and security fees and reported cost savings from hauling 13,000 cubic yards of dirt to a nearby housing project; he said a first-reading ordinance on a public-private partnership will be in the council packet ahead of a future council hearing.

Several business owners urged the city to work directly with local businesses and the Chamber to better understand needs and to promote shopping in Longmont, and a number of speakers offered to volunteer on advisory panels.

Council agreed to take more time to refine any study-session request and to involve staff and stakeholders before bringing a specific proposal back to a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Longmont City Council Regular Session 03/04/25","oneSentenceSummary","Council debated a proposed study session on ways to boost sales-tax revenue by supporting small businesses and discussed ARPA fund uses; public comment highlighted a private TLC Learning Center early-learning collaborative project seeking a public‑private partnership.","taxTitle","Longmont, Boulder County, Colorado","taxId",3876,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6281472,"Council sends gas-station policy question to Sustainability Advisory Board for recommendations",763,3493000,4256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2604632-bde0cb22ff4fb7ec7bf8de6a754bb7bb&start=3493&end=4256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2604632-bde0cb22ff4fb7ec7bf8de6a754bb7bb/thumbnail_3493000.jpg","/articles/6281472/Longmont/Boulder-County/Colorado/Council-sends-gas-station-policy-question-to-Sustainability-Advisory-Board-for-recommendations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281472-3943a458cc6e8752257f049a3529c090/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175308&Signature=ik7r8y~Qg6poy-NEeyUU0W1TR9GtIrzg3U7otA6gPPhlfPG8kQ4uooyQc6~n0vQSIuNOr7ZSK20wJdiN7oKflWzOcW-16U~zCwYkTAtYJ6jITalBaIFCBVQIgc6mD6mGSu37S6Pm5G76Q3wXjHbxQGoWq0vQfuVJwwRCQJ1BOswkN0V~iHzH0ciw~6Ygjqts-Uyk~5SeU9tMbN9LWV9zBPaxZmWgqRBL1Rb-wBl0KkNWUc4hBq9eHkA420hldH-nruw6olilnVdS5~7pdgNfpFA6xAy7GQ~tj4UgIXPOaULwQh0F1KGNWpqOShc5nsCJGdJ5VSgx7swsEKDPPdBQAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Longmont City Council voted on March 4 to ask the Sustainability Advisory Board to provide recommendations about language the council might use to limit or regulate new gas stations in the city planning area.

The referral followed a detailed exchange among council members about whether restricting new gas stations would advance the city’s climate goals or simply shift retail demand to neighboring towns. Councilor McCoy introduced a motion to have the sustainability advisory board review and propose ordinance language limiting future gas-station development; Councilor Rodriguez amended the motion to ask the advisory board to produce recommended language and guidance for Planning & Zoning and council review.

Council discussion covered competing policy goals: climate action and transitioning to electric vehicles versus land-use competition and the city's development standards. Some members suggested any code changes should first be developed as land-development-code amendments rather than ad-hoc reviews of individual applications.

The motion passed with a roll-call tally reported by the mayor: the referral carried with a 6–2 vote (Councilor Popkin in opposition; one member absent for portions of the discussion). Staff said the advisory board will prepare recommendations on possible ordinance language, definitions (e.g., whether to treat group homes or fuel retailers differently), and programmatic actions the city might take.","After debate on whether to limit new gas stations to meet climate goals, the council asked the Sustainability Advisory Board to advise both the Planning & Zoning Commission and council on possible ordinance language and policy trade-offs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6281477,"Longmont council accepts Transportation Mobility Plan, directing phased implementation",196,4272000,4468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2604632-bde0cb22ff4fb7ec7bf8de6a754bb7bb&start=4272&end=4468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2604632-bde0cb22ff4fb7ec7bf8de6a754bb7bb/thumbnail_4272000.jpg","/articles/6281477/Longmont/Boulder-County/Colorado/Longmont-council-accepts-Transportation-Mobility-Plan-directing-phased-implementation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281477-6d51c8681cb92bcfc3099dc7814cce7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175308&Signature=XqhH92w-zm3uy~tKb7TS3ITNtpDilJOQicW10fZ9MqO-pNeH3F9IqHy~GPtaMMxlLE7ymJExERUfEze7TIA2HydYRYafXvGB7Y0bj-Hyho6NJPz5Z7tYR-xoQH1LFWfANPsrB4utP8jZK6qMBCglvLvtLix5no-qgpx14zMPFMlmYwY01UvjXiR~SuTgNfUVO3Qt~aSJxERvaSh0X133OdVa5e2dLfvgvA7q6an5884at~2juATQGeOGWP8sR1HGpry12N-mKu~2B0haP8wwy4Iq1UJS29thme4RA6Hte1MgiCLwCB-QnsUt0EEDV73Y32zrxU91gvh~G9fJEk2fYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Longmont City Council on March 4 accepted the Transportation Mobility Plan, a 16-month planning effort that lays out walking, biking, transit and roadway priorities for the next 25 years.

City staff and consultants told the council the plan is a data-driven framework combining an inventory of existing conditions with community outreach, prioritization and cost estimates. The consultant team said the plan includes an interactive story map and a PDF report; staff urged the council to use the plan’s priorities when assembling future capital-improvement programs.

The plan emphasizes safety, connected bike facilities intended to lower traffic stress for riders of all ages, microtransit and transit-stop improvements, and targeted roadway and intersection investments. Carly Seif of the consultant team said the plan sets standards for sidewalk prioritization, upgrades to bus stops and a goal to raise the level of comfort for bike routes from higher-stress segments to “Level of Traffic Stress” 1–2 where feasible.

Council members asked for clarifications and minor corrections. Councilor Popkin said RTD ridership numbers in a table needed clearer labeling and asked staff to verify the underlying counts; staff acknowledged revised numbers were requested and said several datasets required verification. Councilor Rodriguez and others asked staff to bring bike-parking code updates and other follow-up items back as implementation steps.

The council voted to accept the plan; Mayor Peck announced the measure carried 6–1, with Councilor Popkin voting in opposition. Staff said they will incorporate edits and programmatic priorities — including a Vision Zero action plan and a proposed bike-share pilot — into the city’s implementation schedule and link the document into the larger Envision Longmont process.

Council members and staff said the plan will inform future funding applications and the city’s five-year CIP prioritization while not mandating an exact ordering of projects. Staff noted the plan contains planning-level cost estimates and recommended priorities, not binding capital commitments.","Council accepted the city’s 25-year Transportation Mobility Plan after consultants summarized 16 months of outreach. Council asked staff to use the plan to guide CIP decisions and requested minor edits and follow-up items before full integration into Envision Longmont.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6281482,"Longmont council asks staff for options on residency-distance rules for registered sex offenders",1118,2767000,3885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2604632-bde0cb22ff4fb7ec7bf8de6a754bb7bb&start=2767&end=3885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2604632-bde0cb22ff4fb7ec7bf8de6a754bb7bb/thumbnail_2767000.jpg","/articles/6281482/Longmont/Boulder-County/Colorado/Longmont-council-asks-staff-for-options-on-residency-distance-rules-for-registered-sex-offenders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281482-a8fe0685eb3e4800a2e8a4310297fdf6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175308&Signature=ILqMlmsXHctmzPxnC0MecxfM5iFNtO7ZZoU2ezwQ~tclb~c7sv~EYCeViuXzBIeo4S1tN-ctaivV2v7kk-F0A~-Y3WxYSSuYdHCCaFFF2KZJFtLrezSVZe0aMe6KVogmiEU4Pg17H4vSxoN-vdtFEHcEpwWlj8qxxzdS3deUwErHudMR5u0pQ8sMqfF~dptOW1KMGuuRSwiMc~ENu3gUbdmPqLLcSRLX4meXjSFpmpRSIIcqloQGK6k3zbrOViCisPaKsXkRSgeii1pYTmQV3Hhu4YYG0UcM2Wcp0ehiiIsyO5LyQBX7xwhSYVCjg9~6BzV7~-ZjFcAc9W5aI0zj6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Longmont City Council on March 4 directed staff to draft and map options for a local ordinance that would restrict where registered sex offenders may establish residences in the city.

The discussion followed public comments from neighborhood residents concerned about multiple registered offenders living at a single address near a school and park. City staff presented legal and operational constraints, crime-class definitions and local registry counts, and asked the council whether it wanted staff to develop specific distance-based proposals for further review.

Public safety chief Zach Artis and assistant city attorney Jeremy Terrell outlined the limits of local authority and what state law already requires. Artis told the council the city has 286 registered offenders in Longmont and that “181…have felony offenses and fixed residences,” with 18 identified as having multiple offenses. Terrell said Colorado has no statewide residency rule and that roughly 35 Colorado jurisdictions have adopted local restrictions of varying scope.

Council members debated the scope and targets for any ordinance — whether to apply only to felony convictions or to all registrants; whether to cover only crimes against minors; and which public sites should be protected. Several council members urged a narrow initial focus on locations associated with children, such as schools, day-care centers and playgrounds.

Council gave staff direction to prepare map overlays illustrating how different buffer distances would affect the city. Staff said they would produce alternatives showing 1,000-foot, 750-foot and 500-foot buffers and would provide versions that include and exclude parks and public trails so council can see likely “pocket” effects. Council also asked staff to include the city’s youth/family center and to gather further information on school-bus stops if feasible.

City staff said the operational code check on the house that prompted the discussion is proceeding: if a property requires different building- or fire-code treatment (for example, as a congregate living facility) the city will follow normal code enforcement and permit procedures. Council was repeatedly advised that any new local residency restriction would not retroactively displace residents who lawfully lived in a location before the ordinance took effect; staff said state and constitutional limits counsel against retroactive application.

Council did not vote on an ordinance at the March 4 meeting. Instead it asked staff to return with mapped options, legal analysis, definitions for which offenders would be covered, and a draft timeline for public review and a potential first reading.

The council’s request sets up a more detailed staff report and a future policy vote once elected officials can review buffer maps and legal constraints.","After resident complaints, council heard a staff briefing on state rules and local limits and asked staff to return with mapped buffer options and legal analysis for a possible ordinance limiting where registered sex offenders may live relative to places children gather.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council discusses supporting small businesses, ARPA funds; TLC Learning Center outlines early-learning public‑private project

Council sends gas-station policy question to Sustainability Advisory Board for recommendations

Longmont council accepts Transportation Mobility Plan, directing phased implementation

Longmont council asks staff for options on residency-distance rules for registered sex offenders