Too Long Didn’t Listen

* Ranked choice voting cleared first reading, 6-1. The ordinance submitting ranked choice voting to voters passed its first of two required readings. Crist in opposition. Second reading August 11th. If it passes, voters decide November 3rd. Takes effect 2029 if approved.

* The election cycle realignment ordinance also cleared first reading, unanimously. This is the companion measure that would reorganize which seats appear on the ballot in which year. Contingent on RCV passing. Second reading August 11th.

* The open space charter amendment cleared first reading, 6-1. Would add open space to the list of city assets requiring voter approval before they can be sold or repurposed. Currently only parks and water have that protection. Crist in opposition. Second reading August 11th. Voters decide November 3rd if passed by council.

* Inclusionary housing fee updated for the first time in three years. The fee developers pay when they don’t build affordable units on-site went up slightly for for-sale homes and down significantly for rentals. Two optional policy adjustments also adopted. Passed 6-1, Popkin in opposition. Takes effect January 1, 2027. No further council action required.

* The rates and charges study for Vance Brand Airport was finally presented. Landing fees will likely be needed. Annual lease increases of 2-3% recommended. A late-night spreadsheet error was discovered during the presentation, leading to a contentious 4-3 direction vote at nearly 1am. Crist, Popkin, and Kalkhofer in opposition.

Timestamps

01:22 Ranked Choice Voting Explained

02:44 Election Cycle Realignment Debate

07:23 Costs And Council Dynamics

09:09 Public Comments On RCV

11:34 Open Space Charter Amendment

13:28 Inclusionary Housing Fee Updates

20:33 Airport Noise Study VNAP

27:36 Rates And Charges Findings

30:07 Late Night Airport Fee Vote

33:01 Quick Hits Consent Agenda

34:31 Final Comments

Links

Ranked Choice Voting Longmont:

https://www.rcvforlongmont.org/

Sister Cities: https://longmontcolorado.gov/news/in-historic-first-longmont-to-establish-sister-cities-relationship-with-sovereign-tribal-nation/

Longmont City Council Meetings: https://longmontcolorado.gov/government/city-council-meetings/

Coffee with Council: https://longmontcolorado.gov/government/coffee-with-council/

Mayor and City Council Members: https://longmontcolorado.gov/government/mayor-city-council-members

Finding Your Council Representative: https://longmontcolorado.gov/government/mayor-city-council-members/mayor-or-city-council-representative/

This is an independent recap. We do our best but we are not the official record. Please see links to official documents, meeting minutes, and other resources above.

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