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.