BEC takes back $10,000 donation to group opposing 2A ballot issue

BOULDER ? The $10,000 it donated to a local ballot initiative is now back in the Boulder Economic Council?s checkbook
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The economic council had given $10,000 to ?No on 2A,? a group opposed to a Boulder ballot measure that, if approved, would require a vote of the citizenry prior to the city?s annexation of parcels greater than five acres.

The donation came into question when former City Councilman Steve Pomerance, a spokesman for the group that put 2A on the ballot, contended it violated an ordinance that bars city contractors from donating to city political campaigns.

Pomerance contended that since the economic council has a $5,500-per-month contract with the city of Boulder to work on economic vitality issues, it broke the law when it made the contribution.

City Attorney Ariel Calonne is investigating whether the ordinance applies to organizations like the economic council. But the council decided to ask for its money back before he makes a ruling.

Both Frances Draper, the economic council?s new director, and Boulder Chamber President Susan Graf said they asked for the money back to avoid the appearance of impropriety. The economic council is an arm of the chamber and is funded by primarily by its members? dues.

?The contract that we have (with the city) makes no mention of restrictions around political investments,? Draper said. ?We had made the donation and thought we were in the clear. We felt rather than wait for Calonne to see if this applies to us or not we would ask the No on 2A people to return the money. They were able to return it no problem.?

Said Graf, ?We never would have contributed the money had we known about the ordinance or if it applies to us.?

The Boulder County Business Report is a member of the Boulder Economic Council.

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