Workforce Housing Planning Agreement between the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Town of Frisco

Included in Town Council’s approval of the consent agenda was an agreement between the Town and CDOT to share costs for planning a workforce housing project on the lot owned by CDOT, located at 619 Granite Street.

• This agreement directs CDOT and the Town to share costs and jointly design and plan the project which, if constructed, would increase the number of workforce housing units in Frisco.
• The agreement covers planning for the project only, and does not bind CDOT or the Town to the actual construction of the project.
• The Town of Frisco will use the 5A housing funds for Frisco’s portion of the costs associated with this phase of project planning.

Discussion of the Frisco Pedestrian Promenade and Winter 2020 Business Outlook:

• The Frisco Pedestrian Promenade opened on June 12, 2020. Opening Main Street to pedestrians allowed for expanded restaurant seating areas and retail space, while providing residents and guests with the ability to access Main Street businesses while maintaining social distancing protocols mandated by State and County public health orders.
• In response to a survey of Frisco businesses conducted between August 13 and August 18, 2020, an overwhelming majority of respondents (67.5%) said that they would like to see the promenade remain open as long as feasible, with a flexible end date based on weather and business levels.
• Recognizing that there are no foreseeable changes to public health orders related to COVID-19, as well as the need to prepare for unpredictable fall weather and the winter season, Council decided to keep the Main Street Promenade open until the end of September. Council will make a final decision about the closing date during their September 22 Town Council meeting.

Love Frisco Program Update:

On June 12, 2020, the Town of Frisco launched the shop and stay local program, Love Frisco, Shop/Stay Frisco, on LoveFriscoCO.com. The program, intended to provide economic stimulus to aid recovery, provides bonus gift cards valid at local businesses when participants bought a gift card through Yiftee, the Town’s designated technology partner on this program.

• Town Council dedicated a total of $125,000 to this program, divided between bonus cards and subsidizing purchasing fees.
• $54,000 of the original $107,000 set aside for bonus gifts remains, and $8,400 of the original $18,000 set aside for subsidizing purchase fees remains.
• As set up by the Town, gift card sales end on August 31, 2020, and all bonus cards must be used by September 15, 2020 and cannot be extended. Purchased cards do not expire.
• As there has been positive response to the program, Council decided to retain the leftover funds for future programs for the winter season. A possible relaunch of this program will be discussed at a future Council meeting when pandemic and economic conditions are better understood and future needs are better understood.
• Council discussed offering the option for customers to donate remaining balances below a certain amount on purchased cards to selected local non-profits.

Emergency COVID-19 Order

The Town’s emergency COVID-19 order, 2020-1, authorized the Town Manager to allow businesses temporary relief from and simplification of, certain Town regulations, signage requirements, and codes to support business recovery and better allow businesses adjust to winter operating restrictions.

• The order was set to expire at midnight on October 31, 2020.
• Council approved to extend the order to March 31, 2021.

Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending the 2020 Annual Budget

Council approved the second reading of Ordinance No. 20-19, authorizing a revision of certain appropriations and a transfer from the Capital Fund to the General Fund in order to offset anticipated losses of revenues brought about by the 2020 pandemic. For details on the approved changes, visit the July 30 edition of Catchup on Council.

Staff’s financial projections indicated there are sufficient funds available to navigate the rest of this year, even if the Town were to experience a 50% loss of revenue. These adjustments to the 2020 General Fund budget will allow the Town to enter 2021 with a stable fund balance.

General Discussion / Action on COVID-19 Response

• Council acknowledged that the next priority for the Town is to complete the 2021 budget. With a projected total revenue loss of 15% being less drastic than originally expected due to COVID-19, staff anticipates that the Town is in a good position to move forward with a full budget.
• Staff reiterated the need for feedback and ideas from businesses about how the Town can best support and prepare them for the winter season.
• The Town received a $50,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation to aid COVID-19 recovery by acquiring and/or building more parklets – small decks placed in parking spaces to provide safe spaces for customers and to increase business occupancy.  These parklets still allow for snow removal operations.
• A general COVID-19 agenda item will no longer be included on the Council agenda for each meeting. Instead, Council has directed staff to put specific topics and decisions regarding COVID-19 response on the agenda as needed.