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Boulder council makes city responsible for Main Street sidewalk snow removal; approves fee, legal rate increase
Summary
At its Dec. 16 meeting the Boulder City Council voted to make the city responsible for clearing sidewalks on Main Street, set a $250 administrative fee for minor subdivision reviews, and approved a $25-per-hour increase for city legal services. All motions passed with four affirmative votes.
The Boulder City Council voted Dec. 16 to make the City of Boulder responsible for clearing sidewalks on Main Street and approved several routine administrative measures, including a $250 administrative fee for minor subdivision reviews and a $25-per-hour increase for the city's outside legal services.
Council member Tim Graff told the council he had plowed the Main Street sidewalks twice this season after a prior employee retired and estimated each session took about two hours. City Administrator Brian Bullock said the city should have the ability to plow sidewalks and proposed purchasing a used side-by-side from Rory Parsons for $10,500. Public Works Director Dennis Wortman said hiring a contractor would ensure earlier service but worried that advertising for bids could delay the work. Council President Drew Dawson suggested leasing the machine from Parsons until the city could hire a contractor.
Dawson moved that the City of Boulder be responsible for snow removal on Main Street sidewalks. Mike Taylor seconded the motion and it carried with four affirmative votes. The minutes record the outcome as "carried with 4 aye votes"; the record does not provide roll-call vote names for each motion.
The council also set an administrative review fee for minor subdivision applications at $250 after City Administrator Bullock noted the subdivision updates lacked an established fee. Drew Dawson moved to set the fee, Mike Taylor seconded, and the motion carried with four affirmative votes.
Separately, Mayor Russell Giulio introduced a two-year appointment for E.J. Guza & Associates to provide legal services and reported that Guza had been effective and saved the city money. Drew Dawson moved to approve a $25-per-hour increase to the firm's rate; Mike Taylor seconded and the motion carried with four affirmative votes.
Votes at a glance - Motion: Set minor subdivision administrative review fee to $250. Mover: Drew Dawson; Second: Mike Taylor; Outcome: approved (4 ayes). Provenance: SEG 002 (topicintro) to SEG 002 (topfinish). - Motion: City responsible for Main Street sidewalk snow removal. Mover: Drew Dawson; Second: Mike Taylor; Outcome: approved (4 ayes). Provenance: SEG 002 (topicintro) to SEG 002 (topfinish). - Motion: Approve $25/hour increase for E.J. Guza & Associates legal services. Mover: Drew Dawson; Second: Mike Taylor; Outcome: approved (4 ayes). Provenance: SEG 003 (topicintro) to SEG 003 (topfinish). - Motion: Authorize payment of presented bills (checks and ACH). Mover: Mike Taylor; Second: Tim Graff; Outcome: approved (4 ayes). Provenance: SEG 003 (topicintro) to SEG 003 (topfinish).
Why it matters Clearing Main Street sidewalks affects local businesses, pedestrian safety and winter access in downtown Boulder. The council's decision to assume responsibility centralizes that duty within city operations while staff evaluate whether to buy, lease or contract equipment and services. The fee and legal-rate adjustments are routine administrative actions that update city practice and vendor compensation.
What happens next Council discussion recorded proposals to purchase a used side-by-side for $10,500, to lease it short-term from Rory Parsons until a contractor is hired, and to advertise for a long-term contractor; the minutes do not record a final procurement decision. The council will meet next on Jan. 21, 2025, when follow-ups and updates can be requested.
