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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 10/13/2008CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO October 13, 2008 Mayor DiTullio called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers present: Karen Adams, Karen Berry, Dean Gokey, Tracy Langworthy, Lena Rotola, Wanda Sang, Mike Stites, and Terry Womble. Also present: City Clerk, Michael Snow; City Treasurer, Larry Schulz; City Manager, Randy Young; Deputy City Manager, Patrick Goff; Assistant City Attorney, Carmen Beery; Director of Community Development, Kenneth Johnstone; Police Chief, Dan Brennan; Director of Public Works, Tim Paranto; Assistant to the City Manager, Heather Geyer; staff; and interested citizens. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF September 22, 2008 Motion by Mrs. Sang for approval of the Minutes of September 22, 2008; seconded by Mr. Stites; carried 7-0 with Council Member Langworthy abstaining due to her absence. PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES MADD Award Emily Thompkins, State Executive Director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, spoke appreciatively of the efforts and accomplishments of the Wheat Ridge Police Department in their outstanding fundraising for the organization. Chief Brennan commended his Leadership Team for their strides in community involvement and support, especially Lieutenant Dave Pickett for his support of MADD. Proclamation for National Save For Retirement Week, October 19-25, 2008 Mayor DiTullio read the proclamation. CITIZENS' RIGHT TO SPEAK Rhonda Champion of Wheat Ridge spoke in opposition to Ballot Question 2C. Her comments were that the ballot question is misleading in that it gives the voter the impression it will put height and density limits in place. She is very disappointed in the Council not clarifying the wording of the ballot question, citing the Council Members that voted for changing the question and those that did not. Mrs. Champion also spoke of the detriment to her home and her quality of life there because of the overly large home that was allowed to be built next to hers. She strongly encouraged voters to vote against Ballot Question 2C. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: October 13, 2008 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING Item 1. Public Hearing on Proposed 2009 Budget. The Public Hearing on the 2009 Proposed Budget was introduced by Council Member Stites, who read the Executive Summary. Mr. Goff presented to Council a PowerPoint summary of the proposed budget (included in this packet). The following citizens were present and spoke on matters of the Proposed 2009 Annual Budget: Gretchen Cerveny, Terrell Williams Their comments included, but were not limited to: They do not believe the budget should be cut back on Police services or Parks maintenance and development; Wheat Ridge 2020 has proposed adjustments that would be made if funding were decreased, but more funding is needed than what's proposed as this organization is doing what's needed to attract more businesses and strong communities; though Wheat Ridge 2020 was never proposed to receive perpetual funding from the City, it is only 2-3 years into mission of 10 years. It (WR2020) has accomplished a great deal, including "flipping" properties in stressed areas of the City, and acquired commercial property for redevelopment; if anything, funding should be increased at this time of depressed property values. A cut of 2/3rds funding at this time is unwise and too harmful to the organization's operations and to the overall efforts to revitalize the City. Motion by Mrs. Berry to extend the budget discussion to include two more Study Sessions before considering approval and to vote on Council approval no later than December 8th and no earlier than November 10th, 2008; seconded by Mr. Womble; carried 8-0. DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND MOTIONS Item 2. Acceptance of the 2007 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Council Member Adams introduced Item 2 and read the Executive Summary Wendy Swanhorst of Swanhorst & Company, LLC presented the 2007 Financial Audit Report and provided a summary of findings and recommendations. Motion by Council Member Adams to accept the 2007 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report from Swanhorst & Company; seconded by Council Member Sang; carried 8-0. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: October 13, 2008 3 Item 3. Approve Quit Claim Deed for Youngfield Street Wastewater Metering Station to the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District and accept Quit Claim Deed for abandoned Youngfield Street Wastewater Metering Station. Council Member Adams introduced Item 3 and read the Executive Summary. Motion by Council Member Adams to approve the Quit Claim Deed for the Youngfield Street Wastewater Metering Station. I further move to authorize the Mayor to accept a Quit Claim Deed from the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District for an abandoned Wastewater Metering Station; seconded by Council Member Stites; carried 8-0. CITY MANAGER'S MATTERS Mr. Young asked Council whether it would be wise to reinstate the November 3rd Study Session, originally cancelled from the Council calendar. Motion by Mrs. Sang to reinstate the November 3`d, 2008 Study Session; seconded by Mr. Stites; carried 8-0. ELECTED OFFICIALS' MATTERS Mr. Snow informed citizens that all Mail-in Ballots for Wheat Ridge voters have now been delivered to the Post Office. Those voters that are expecting Mail-in Ballots but do not receive them should contact the County Clerk's Office at 303-271-8111 and can verify their Mail-in voting status online at www.votejeffco.com. Mayor DiTullio informed citizens that the Senior Resource Bus Pilot Program has cancelled its pickup at Cambridge due to low ridership and expanded pickups at Highlands West and Highlands South with two buses, two times per week. He also mentioned that Arvada has formed a Citizens Capital Improvement Committee modeled after Wheat Ridge's D.I.R.T. Task Force. The Public Art fund-raising project has received contributions of $5,200 cash and the artist's supplier will donate up to $7000 in steel, leaving $37,000 yet to be raised for the project. Mrs. Adams invited citizen comments via email or phone on the Proposed 2009 City Budget. Mr. Stites reminded citizens to vote. He also emphasized how important it is for community members to do positive things for family and neighbors especially in these tough times. He asked everyone to do 4-5 positive things this month and as always, to "find it and buy it in Wheat Ridge". CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: October 13, 2008 4 Mrs. Berry mentioned Valente's Restaurant closing today and acknowledged their contributions to the community over so many years. She wished the family well. Mrs. Rotola also wished the Valente family all the best. She is sad to see the restaurant go. She also wanted to tell citizens that community food banks are in need of a lot of help at this time and asked everyone to please donate Mrs. Langworthy mentioned the International Walk-to School Day on October 8th, 2008 and thanked participants and service of Police to make the event safe. Mrs. Sang commented that Valente's has been a great establishment in Wheat Ridge. She is sorry to see it go but acknowledged that as we all get older it's harder to work so hard. Mr. Womble noted the contributions of Mark and Ray Valente to the community and that their shoes will be difficult to fill. Mr. Gokey noted the city will miss the Valente family's restaurant. He also mentioned his attending a free global warming change convention last week where he learned Colorado is advanced in the Green efforts compared to the Nation. Meeting adjourned at 8:10p.m. P Michael Snow, City Clerk APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 27, 2008 BY A VOTE OF 'S' to a Mike Stites, Mayor pro tem The preceding Minutes were prepared according to §47 of Robert's Rules of Order, i.e. they contain a record of what was done at the meeting, not what was said by the members. Recordings and DVD's of the meetings are available for listening or viewing in the City Clerk's Office, as well as copies of Ordinances and Resolutions.