HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/06/2009
STUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO April 6, 2009 Mayor DiTullio called the Study Session to order at 6:30 p.m. Council members present: Karen Adams, Karen Berry, Lena
Rotola, Wanda Sang, Tracy Langworthy, Mike Stites, and Terry Womble. Council Member Dean Gokey was absent. Planning Commission Members present: Anne Brinkman, Davis Reinhart, Steve Timms,
James Chilvers, Richard Matthews, Henry Hollender, Marc Dietrick, and John Dwyer. Also present: City Clerk, Michael Snow; City Treasurer, Larry Schulz; City Manager, Randy Young; Deputy
City Manager, Patrick Goff; Director of Community Development, Kenneth Johnstone; Public Information Officer, Heather Geyer; Director of Economic Development, Ryan Stachelski; Senior
Planner, Sally Payne; staff; and interested citizens. Item 1. Staff Reports a) Open House Ms. Geyer discussed Staff plans to combine this year's Annual Open House with the Police Department's
National Night Out event on August 3rd from 4-7pm. This year's event will involve a broader broader range of activities for participants of all ages and interests, including celebrations
acknowledging the 40th Birthday of the City of Wheat Ridge. Mayor DiTullio proposed providing a BBQ at the event, hosted and served by the City Manager and various Elected Officials.
b) Transaction Fees Mr. Young reiterated the plans to bring the discussion on Transaction Fees to the Citizen's Budget Oversight Committee for analysis and recommendations before Council
consideration.
c) Business Awards Mr. Stachelski briefed Council and attendees on the plans for the Wheat Ridge Business Awards event taking place on Friday, August 7th at the Wheat Ridge Recreation
Center. This year the number of awards will be reduced from 8 to 5. Also, the longevity of businesses that have been in the City of Wheat Ridge for 20 years or longer will be recognized
(list included in this packet). Mr. Stachelski also asked Council to provide a proclamation at the April 2ih Council Meeting to recognize "Celebrate Wheat Ridge Business Week", April
27th-May 3'd. A Business Showcase, titled "Wheat Ridge Spring Green Business Showcase" will take place on April 28th, 2009 from 7:30am-9:30am at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center. The
showcase will highlight a wide range of businesses in the City. Item 2. Comprehensive Plan Update -Joint Study Session with the Planning Commission Mr. Johnstone introduced Clarion Consultants
Ben Herman, Lesli Elilis and Arlene Tanawaki, who reviewed the process and progress of the Comprehensive Plan Update efforts (PowerPoint included in this packet). Citizen input, feedback
and ideas obtained in the Citizen Advisory Committee and Community Open House meetings were summarized. Mayor DiTullio called for a break at 7:35pm; to resume at 7:50.
Item 3. Community Development Block Grant Allocation (CDBG) Mr. Johnstone spoke about the requirements and deadlines in filing for CDBG funding grants, informing Council that up to $308,000
of CDBG funds may be available in the near future. Council discussed various options in using these funds as well as potentially available matching Federal funds from the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act. A majority of the Council Members present expressed support for directing CDBG funds towards obtaining matching Federal funds for the $700k District 4 storm water
drainage project on the Colorado Department of Health & Environment Wastewater Revolving Fund list. If determined that the District 4 project is not eligible for Federal Matching Funds,
the majority of Council supported using CDBG funds for Staff's choice of one of two storm sewer projects: either 48th Avenue west of Wadsworth or Garrison Street; each project estimated
to cost approximately $250k. The majority of Council then expressed support in directing the remaining CDBG funds to backfill Code Enforcement projects. If Code Enforcement projects
prove to be ineligible for CDBG funds, the Council was unanimous in supporting those remaining funds to be used for a pilot Rental Unit Enforcement project. Meeting adjourned at 8:21
pm. Michael Snow, City Clerk