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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Notes 04-03-2017STUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO City Council Chambers 7500 W. 29th Avenue April 3, 2017 Mayor Joyce Jay called the Study Session to order at 6:31 p.m. Council members present: Monica Duran, Janeece Hoppe, Kristi Davis, Zachary Urban, George Pond, Tim Fitzgerald, Larry Mathews, Genevieve Wooden Also present: City Clerk, Janelle Shaver; City Manager, Patrick Goff; City Attorney, Jerry Dahl; Public Works Director, Scott Brink; Community Development Director, Ken Johnstone; and a guest CITIZEN COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS none .£. Sheridan and 29th Closure Update -Denver Water Project -Scott Brink Scott Brink gave an update on the upcoming repair project at 29th & Sheridan • Denver Water is replacing three inoperable water flow control valves in the water vault and repairing a 36-inch water conduit. • Both streets will be affected with closures. He introduced Jim Light from Denver Water who has been working with the City. • The plan is to start April 17 and should take a couple of weeks .. • Temporary water services will be provided to 20 houses on each side of Sheridan. • Denver Water is doing the communication, but Mr. Brink also provided an extra communications memo outlining our City's communications efforts. • There will be some lane closures, with one line maintained in each direction. • The heavy work in the middle of the intersection will start on April 29th_ • There will be a couple of days that require full closure of the intersection, with closures during the following week. • COOT and the City & County of Denver have been working closely with us on this. • It will be painful, but every effort is being made to minimize the inconvenience. • COOT will follow this project with an overlay of Sheridan from 26TH to 1-76. • There will be a public information campaign. From Council questions: • This project is not related to Ashland Reservoir. The work at 29th & Fenton is. • Information about this project will be on the website. It's been on social media. • The postcards should have a survey monkey on them to solicit opinion from citizens about their preferences for durations and levels of impact. • A soft closure allows for some access to residence and businesses, with lane reduction. A hard closure is closed to everything. • The plan is very defined, but it's possible something could arise that potentially prolongs the timeframe. They have tried to anticipate surprises, but won';t know until they do it. STUDY SESSION NOTES: April 3, 2017 Page -2- • The lines are 5-7 feet to the top of the pipe. • No other surrounding utilities should be affected --that they anticipate. • There will be access to all fire hydrants and no impact on their level of demand. • The water will be tested by Denver Water. Their standards are stringent. • The affected residents will not be charged for their water during this time. ~ Ashland Reservoir Pump House Update -Kenneth Johnstone Mr. Johnstone explained that the Ashland project is nearing completion. The original pump house is still there and a decision about its fate is needed. Denver Water had originally said they were open to preserving it. Then they didn't; then they did. In the last 30 days, the City has learned that they now desire to remove it. Funding is an obstacle. Staff has explored several grant and philanthropic possibilities, but the response has been negative or the timeline is not helpful. Denver wants to get this done. The issue is funding and design resources. It has been an iconic structure and staff would like to preserve it. Would Council be willing to do a supplementary budget appropriation for it. Opinions and questions followed. Main points included: • The entire area will be landscaped and include a wrought iron perimeter fence. • There will be no public access. Security is a very important concern. • Staff has had internal discussions about the possibility of having a small pocket park related to it. • Restoration is not included at this point. That would be later. • The adjacent support system is underground and would be historic as well. • Denver Water owns it, but has been honest about saving it. Their demolition costs of $12,000 could go towards preservation -which could go up to $25K, maybe. • How could our public use it? It would only be a visual icon. • Even though it's historic, if we can't own it, don't want to spend any money on it. • Tonight staff is asking for preliminary consensus if Council is willing to keep the conversation going. • Who will maintain it? None of this will be open to the public. • Relocation would be difficult and probably require moving it brick-by-brick.? • What is exposed is part of the historic structure built in 1890. • If left in place, some extra fill is anticipated compared to the picture. There was unanimous consent to continue the conversation with Denver Water and learn what they would commit to contribute towards preservation of the Ashland pump house. 4. Mayor Pro Tern Procedure Discussion -Patrick Goff Patrick Goff went through the procedure for electing the mayor pro tern. He reported not all of the procedure was followed correctly. The "nomination" step did not happen the last two years. STUDY SESSION NOTES: April 3, 2017 Page -3- Councilmember Duran reported researching back to 2010 and found that only twice was the procedure followed. She wanted to know if Council plans to follow the procedure as written, or should the rules be changed. There was some discussion. It was stated that the non-compliance wasn't intentional. Councilmember Duran received unanimous consent to retain and follow the existing procedure for electing a Mayor Pro Tern in the future . .L Staff Report(s) Mr. Goff solicited feedback on the retreat summary. He thinks it's pretty detailed and should be pared down. Staff will do this, create something manageable and bring it back. Brief discussion followed. Councilmember Wooden suggested councilmembers each offer suggestions for priorities. Councilmember Pond supports putting it on the website with the caveat that it a work still in progress. Councilmember Duran received consensus to put it on the website as is. 5. Elected Officials' Report(s) Genevieve Wooden asked about the results of the Show Cause Hearing for Big Willie's. Clerk Shaver reported it had been continued to April 13. Zach Urban shared with Council that the use of a secret ballot is permitted by state statute, but only for the purpose of selecting leadership. Genevieve Wooden also wanted the public to know that Council occasionally changes their rules to adjust to their working procedures. Clerk Shaver noted the Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday at Panorama Park at 10:00am sharp! The Baugh House is also open this Saturday from 10-2 for open house and tours. Mayor Jay reported that the Capture Wheat Ridge event was fun. ADJOURNMENT The Study Session adjourned at 7:33 p.m. OUNCIL April 10, 2017