City of Lafayette

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City of Lafayette

MAJORITY OF CITY COUNCIL WILL BE NEW FOLLOWING 2005 ELECTION
Four seats are up for election this fall on the seven-member Lafayette City Council. Incumbents Becki Beckham, Dan Cartin, Jeff Monica and Kim Andresky have announced they will not run in the November election, so the City Council’s complexion could change markedly depending on who is elected. The proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter, a request for a smoking ban and controversy over affordable housing are some of the big issues the City Council will consider in the coming year.

EFFORTS TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TAKING A BEATING
Despite a 2001 citizen approval for more affordable housing in Lafayette, City Council has voted against two recent affordable housing proposals. At the same meeting in early August, council members voted against a request to defer $88,000 to support a rent-subsidy development, and also voted against participating in a countywide study. Those who voted against the proposals said the reasons included fiscal issues and the fact that Lafayette already provides affordable housing options. Critics claim the city’s affordable stock is older housing that will not meet the needs of working families or renters. Given that the next council will have a majority of new members, folks are taking a wait and see attitude, believing the recent votes may not be the last word. Complicating matters, the boulder county Housing Authority (BCHA) recently closed its Lafayette office and moved all the employees to its Boulder location. Those employees handle property management and section 8 subsidized housing vouchers. The BCHA is working its way through a financial recovery and adjustment that prompted the decision.