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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-22-21City Council Meeting Minutes CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 WEST 29TH AVENUE, MUNICIPAL BUILDING March 22, 2021 Note: This meeting was held virtually, using Zoom video-teleconferencing technology. As duly announced and publicly noticed, Council previously approved this format in order to continue with normal business and respond to the CoVid-19 Pandemic and the related public emergency orders promulgated by the President of the United States, the Governor of Colorado, and the Wheat Ridge City Council. Before calling the meeting to order, Mayor Starker stated the rules and procedures necessitated by this meeting format. Mayor Starker called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Janeece Hoppe Judy Hutchinson Zachary Urban Rachel Hultin Amanda Weaver Korey Stites Leah Dozeman Valerie Nosler Beck Also present: City Clerk, Steve Kirkpatrick; City Attorney, Gerald Dahl; City Manager, Patrick Goff; City Treasurer, Chris Miller; Administrative Services Director, Allison Scheck; Community Development Director Ken Johnstone; Police Chief Chris Murtha; Zachary Lovato of Public Works; Director of Public Works, Greg Knudsen; Amy Case and Lori Rosendahl of Foothills Regional Housing Authority (FRH); other staff, guests and interested citizens. PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES Councilmember Hultin read a proclamation thanking our Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments for their outstanding performance during the severe weather we experienced recently. She read a report on the extent of their effort to remove more than 27 inches of snowfall, not only from our arterial and neighborhood street but also from parking lots. Councilmember Hultin said she echoed the repeated sentiments of our citizens who expressed their appreciation and amazement at the quick and thorough job done by City staff. Greg Knudson, Director of Public Works and Karen O’Donnell, Director of Parks and Recreation responded with appreciative comments on behalf of their two departments. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Without objection or correction, the City Council Minutes of March 8, 2021 and Special Study Session Notes of March 8, 2021 were approved as published. City Council Minutes March 22, 2021 page 2 APPROVAL OF AGENDA Without objection or correction, the agenda stood as announced. CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO SPEAK This item began at 7:07 PM. City Treasurer Chris Miller spoke about the mass shooting today in Boulder, and the resulting tragic sadness. Note about Wheat Ridge Speaks: Citizens may visit the Wheat Ridge Speaks website and enter written comments of up to 1,000 words on any Council agenda item. The deadline for citizens to submit comments is 12:00 Noon Mountain Time on the day of a Council session so that Council members, other elected officials and City Staff have time to review the comments before the meeting on Monday evening. The City Clerk’s Office transcribes those Wheat Ridge Speaks comments into these minutes, placing each comment along with the record for that agenda item, including items that include a public hearing (verbatim, if the comments do not contain lascivious language or unlawful hate speech). There were no comments entered in Wheat Ridge Speaks for this Council Meeting. 1. CONSENT AGENDA Discussion began at approximately 7:08 PM Councilmember Stites introduced the consent agenda. a. Motion approve the purchase and payment of single axle equipment upfit to auto truck group of Colorado Springs, Colorado at a total cost not to exceed $98,238. b. Motion to award the 2021 Concrete Rehabilitation and ADA Improvements Project Base Bid and Bid Alternates 1, 2 & 3 to Majestic Concrete Contractors, Inc. of Wheat Ridge, Colorado and approve subsequent payments in the amount of $271,010, with a contingency amount of $27,101 for a total not to exceed $298,111 Motion by Councilmember Stites to approve Consent Agenda Items a.), and b.), Seconded by Councilmember Urban; motion carried 8-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING Discussion began at approximately 7:12 PM 2. Resolution No. 14-2021 – A Resolution approving the assignment to the Jefferson County Housing Authority d/b/a Foothills Regional Housing of $1,733,069 of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado’s 2021 private activity bond City Council Minutes March 22, 2021 page 3 volume cap allocation from the state ceiling for private activity bonds; and authorizing the execution and delivery of an assignment and other documents in connection therewith. Councilmember Hutchinson introduced Resolution No. 14-2021 Mayor Starker opened the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. Mr. Goff reprised the discussion in Study Session on this item, explaining that the Jefferson County Housing Authority d/b/a Foothills Regional Housing (FRH) is the housing authority serving Colorado’s 774 square mile Jefferson County. FRH provides housing opportunities including affordable apartments, rental assistance vouchers, emergency home repairs, housing navigation, new development and redevelopment in both incorporated and unincorporated areas of Jefferson County. He introduced Amy Case and Lori Rosendahl of FRH, who recounted the details of this allocation. Public Comment No one came forward to speak. Council Questions and comments Councilmembers asked about the portion of the project that will accommodate low income housing needs. Councilmembers expressed their support for the proposed resolution. They also asked about details of the financial transactions described in the staff memo for this item and got satisfactory responses. Mayor Starker closed the public hearing. Motion by Councilmember Hutchinson to approve Resolution No. 14-2021 – A Resolution approving the assignment to the Jefferson County Housing Authority d/b/a Foothills Regional Housing of $1,733,069 of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado’s 2021 private activity bond volume cap allocation from the state ceiling for private activity bonds; and authorizing the execution and delivery of an assignment and other documents in connection therewith; seconded by Councilmember Stites, motion carried 8-0. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING 3. Council Bill No. 04-2021 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, amending Chapter 11, Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations, with the addition of new Article XV regulating tobacco product retail licenses and conforming changes in connection therewith. City Council Minutes March 22, 2021 page 4 Councilmember Hultin introduced Council Bill 04-2021 The rates of tobacco use and youth vaping continue to rise in Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County. The City of Wheat Ridge does not currently regulate its tobacco retailers. The purpose of this ordinance is to create licensing regulations for tobacco retailers. Motion by Councilmember Hultin to approve Council Bill No. 04-2021 - an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, amending Chapter 11, Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations, with the addition of new Article XV regulating tobacco product retail licenses and conforming changes in connection therewith, on first reading, order it published, public hearing set for Monday, April 12, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. as a virtual meeting, and that it take effect on July 1, 2021, seconded by Councilmember Urban, motion carried 8-0. CITY MANAGER’S MATTERS No Council meeting on March 29, as it is the fifth Monday. Mr. Goff expressed his condolences and sadness over the tragic mass shooting today in Boulder. He took particular note of the loss of a police officer. He reported on a tour he took today at Clear Creek Crossing and reported that he was both excited and happy to see the progress. CITY ATTORNEY’S MATTERS Nothing tonight. ELECTED OFFICIALS’ MATTERS Councilmember Nosler Beck took the opportunity to express her grief and sadness about the shooting at the King Soopers in Boulder today. These frontline grocery workers have been essential in helping us to endure the pandemic. She also noted that once again our first responders have had to put their lives on the line today. Councilmember Dozeman also extended her condolences to those impacted by the mass shooting today. Councilmember Stites echoed the same sentiments, recalling the day of Columbine. He echoed his father, the late former Councilmember Mike Stites, who frequently expressed his sentiments that we all take care of one another. Councilmember Weaver echoed the preceding condolences. She wants to add to a future Study Session an item focusing on dead trees throughout the City including both public and private property. Several neighbors have expressed concerns about the danger of dead trees and our commitment as Tree City USA. The Mayor asked that the item be added to a future Study Session agenda. Several Councilmembers expressed their support for taking up this question in a Study Session. City Council Minutes March 22, 2021 page 5 Councilmember Hultin also expressed her sadness about today’s events. She also announced that Wheat Ridge is a finalist for the All-American City Award, a highly competitive process with many, many applicant cities across the country vying for the honor. We are one of 20 finalists for 10 awards nationwide. We have another round of application documents to submit and we will learn which are the winning cities sometime in June 2021. At 6:30 pm on Wednesday Councilmembers and key staff will hold a virtual meeting on the Wadsworth Project. Notice will be posted on the city website with details. Councilmember Urban repeated the sentiments expressed earlier about the massacre in Boulder this afternoon. Councilmember Hutchinson expressed appreciation for the Frank DeAngelis Center located in Wheat Ridge, where law enforcement from all over the region can come for training. She also lamented that these mass shootings and the fact that they continue to cost so many lives. Councilmember Hoppe also expressed her condolences and concerns for those impacted today in Boulder. Councilmembers Hoppe and Nosler Beck will host a town hall on Wednesday, April 13th at 6:00 PM, a session in which several county executives and several City department directors will participate. Chief Murtha expressed his condolences and heartfelt grief for the loss of both a sworn officer in Boulder tonight and the impact the incident has had and will have on the loved ones and friends of the people who were killed as well as those who were injured, their families and the Boulder community. Chief Murtha also acknowledged the importance of the Frank DeAngelis Center for training officers how to respond to such critical active shooter incidents. He also reminded us that following the Columbine incident in 1999 police officers across the nation committed to entering places where an active shooter incident is ongoing when they arrive on site, without waiting for back-up or SWAT. They risk life and limb to protect their fellow citizens and prove their courage and commitment to protecting us not only today but also every day. The Mayor acknowledged the service and protection our police provide for us. We are all Boulderites tonight, and mourn with our neighbors, relatives and friends who live there He reported on several efforts to work with persons experiencing homelessness and expressed his gratitude to all who are working so hard on this issue. City Council Minutes March 22, 2021 page 6 Take care on one another, be safe and safeguard our children. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:42 pm. _____________________________ Steve Kirkpatrick, City Clerk APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON April 12, 2021 ______________________________ Janeece Hoppe, 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 by contacting the City Clerk’s Office, as well as copies of Ordinances and Resolutions.