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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Notes 01-30-2017SPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO City Council Chambers 7500 W. 29th Avenue January 30 , 2017 Mayor pro tern George Pond called the Study Session to order at 6:30 p.m. Council members present: George Pond, Janeece Hoppe, Kristi Davis, Monica Duran, Tim Fitzgerald, Zachary Urban, Genevieve Wooden, and Larry Mathews Absent: Mayor Joyce Jay Also present: City Clerk, Janelle Shaver; City Manager, Patrick Goff; guest, Heather Bergman; and interested citizens. CITIZEN COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS Guy Nahmiach (WR) addressed good schools as they relate to the City's vision. He noted the school district's plan to close five schools in pursuit of $20.4M for teacher raises -including Pennington and Stober Elementary schools, which serve Wheat Ridge. Other cuts include eliminating the GT program at Wheat Ridge High School. People move here for this. This is the only GT program the County has and eliminating it will lead to closing the GT program at Everitt Middle School. He just came from a community meeting about this; people are very upset. He reminded that Martensen and WR 5-8 have already been closed. He encouraged people to get involved. Jesse Hill (WR) praised the good efforts that have been made in pre-planning for the retreat. This is good information for citizens. He suggested that notes be taken at the retreat so citizens can know what was discussed. He likes the idea of focus and would like to see closure on the issue of ADU's. He wished Council good luck in their discussions. APPROVAL OF AGENDA .1.:. Staff report( s) none 2. Strategic Planning/Retreat Preparation -Heather Bergman Ms. Bergman opened with suggestions for how to make the discussion be productive. 1) Her job is to help Council decide what it wants as a foundation for the strategic plan. SPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES: January 30, 2017 Page -2- 2) Be willing to accept other people's ideas 3) Stick to the concepts -do not focus on individuals words. She, Mr. Goff and Mr. Pond can wordsmith your shared thoughts later. She spoke briefly about what a vision document should say and that there are things the City can influence and things it cannot. Councilmembers shared their views about preparing a vision, whether it should be comprehensive or restricted only to things the City has direct influence over, and whether it should be general or specific. Ms. Bergman guided a lengthy discussion through the Wheat Ridge Vision 2025, which included existing wording and the suggestions that had been submitted by some of the councilmembers and the mayor. Councilmembers offered their thoughts on each point. Ms. Bergman took notes on areas of agreement and wording that could be deleted or massaged. This will all be re-worked and prepared for the retreat. Ms. Bergman solicited input on the next steps between now and the retreat for how to address the goals and challenges. Councilmembers offered their thoughts. The retreat will focus on action items. Mr. Goff reviewed the schedule for the next study sessions and the two days of the retreat (Friday evening and Saturday, March 3 and 4). COUNCILMEMBERS' MATTERS Larry Mathews reported that the RTD representatives had been in Washington last week. There will be a public meeting on February 9 at 2:00pm at 1600 Blake Street. The Gold Line problems will be on the agenda and the meeting is open to the public. George Pond thanked Ms. Bergman for her work and the Council for a good discussion. ADJOURNMENT The Special Study Session adjourned at 9:32 p.m.