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Commerce City URA board asks staff to draft IGA, revise bylaws and set regular meeting cadence
Summary
Board members agreed the Urban Renewal Authority should meet more regularly, asked staff to draft an intergovernmental agreement to clarify roles with the city, and to revise URA bylaws on procurement and procedures; staff will return with recommended cadence and draft documents.
Commerce City’s Urban Renewal Authority told staff on Tuesday to return with formal proposals to make the authority more operational and transparent.
Board members pressed for a regular meeting schedule and clearer division of responsibilities after several described past URA meetings as irregular or scheduled at inconvenient times for outside taxing entities. Multiple members asked that URA meetings be held on study‑session nights or on a consistent separate night so residents and external board members can plan to attend.
City staff said the URA’s current bylaws and state procurement policies limit how quickly the authority can act on opportunities. The urban renewal director noted many procurement and contract decisions must now come before the full board, stretching decision timelines. City Manager Rogers and the director recommended drafting an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that would spell out which city departments provide staff, how legal counsel is funded, and procedural roles so the URA can operate more nimbly.
The city attorney’s office and special counsel briefed the board on legal-counsel options adopted by other Colorado cities following a 2015 change in state law (House Bill 1348). Staff said some jurisdictions have moved URA legal representation to separate outside counsel to avoid conflicts with city attorneys; others retain in‑house counsel with special counsel for conflict matters.
Board direction: the URA asked staff to prepare draft documents to (1) establish a regular meeting cadence (members discussed quarterly or every-other-month), (2) draft an IGA to codify relationships and staff roles, and (3) revise URA bylaws to address procurement and administrative procedures. Staff also committed to preparing recommended vision and strategic objectives for each of the city’s four URA districts.
The board then approved a motion to enter executive session to receive legal advice on a special warranty deed (pursuant to CRS 24‑6‑402(4)(b)).
What’s next: staff will return with draft IGA and bylaw revisions and with options for a consistent meeting schedule to allow the URA to respond faster to development and acquisition opportunities.
