Longmont City Council might decide whether to ask voters to invest in libraries, recreation and/or culture at their meeting on Tuesday.
Council is expected to make a decision on how to move forward with various facility funding options, which could be to direct staff to begin drafting wording for one or more ballot questions that could go to voters in November or to drop or delay any action.
Staff outlined in a memo to council five options for moving forward:
- Facing economic uncertainty and a lack of significant public support, do nothing.
- Do nothing yet, but engage boards and commissions to create a community campaign to gain support for projects.
- Wait until the 2024 election, when voter turnout will be greater, demographics will be different and allow additional time to garner community support.
- Bring back ballot wording for four separate ballot asks, including the New Branch Library, New Recreation Center at Dry Creek and existing Recreation Center Rehabilitation, Dry Creek Park and Center for Arts and Entertainment.
- Bring back ballot wording on any project council directs.
In March, Magellan Strategies presented to council the results of a poll that found that Longmont voters were favorable of various options for potential library, recreation and culture facilities, but no one project stood out with overwhelming support.
Since then, staff has shared the results with the city’s library board, parks and recreation board and museum advisory board. A few things have changed since the topic was last brought up as well, according to a memo from city staff.
For example, the council dedicated additional funds to the expansion of the Longmont Museum. Staff has applied for a significant grant, and the Stewart Family Foundation pledged an additional $4 million toward the project.
“Rather than include this project on a ballot issue, staff recommends City Council endorse a capital campaign to raise the additional funds needed,” the memo said. “Once capital funds are raised, it will be important to fund the additional ongoing maintenance, programming and replacement costs, which currently have no identified funding source.”
Staff has also learned of additional potential funding for water storage expansion at Union Reservoir and is asking council to approve a focus on the water storage at this time rather than recreational enhancements.
Many community members raised concerns about converting Centennial Pool into a court space, with many asking for more focus on North Longmont and traditionally underserved areas of the community.
“Staff had a meeting on Thursday, April 20 and was presented with an option from an outside entity that addresses many of these issues,” the memo said. “Staff will present this information to City Council on Tuesday during the presentation.”
The memo concluded that the projects that appear ready to move forward with support include the new library branch, new recreation center bundled with rehabilitation of the current center and Dry Creek Park, possibly along with a new opportunity at the Centennial Pool location.
As for the Center for Arts and Entertainment, which has seen a vocal outpouring of support, staff said it will need additional cost estimates beyond what was included in the original study. Staff is currently working with a consultant to obtain more current cost estimates.
When considering delaying any asks until 2024, Magellan Strategies looked at the likely voter demographics in 2024, which is a presidential election year. The share of voters ages 18-34 in that election is expected to nearly double, leading to large increases in support on the parks projects.
