HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04-26-21City Council Meeting Minutes
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 WEST 29TH AVENUE, MUNICIPAL BUILDING
April 26, 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;
Director of Parks and Recreation, Karen O’Donnell; Director of Public Works, Greg
Knudsen; Division Chief, Darrel Guadnola; Deputy City Clerk, Robin Eaton, other staff,
guests and interested citizens.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES
Mayor Starker read a proclamation declaring April 30, 2021 as City of Wheat Ridge
Arbor Day Celebration day. Whereas trees have always been regarded as an important
asset to the residents of the community of Wheat Ridge, providing one of the first
business opportunities in the 1860's. He encouraged community members and
businesses of Wheat Ridge to care for, enjoy and appreciate trees in your yard and
neighborhood.
Ms. O’Donnell and two of her staff, Mr. Jim Roemmelt and Mr. Zach Lovato, graciously
acknowledged the proclamation, and thanked the Mayor and Council for their
acknowledgement of this long-standing and important Holiday.
Mayor Starker proclaimed the week of May 2 – 8, 2021 as Municipal Clerks Week
where the duties of the Municipal Clerk are many including serving as the official record
keeper for the municipality, issuing licenses and permits, facilitating the annual board of
City Council Minutes April 26, 2021 page 2
review and municipal redistricting project, attending meetings, and serving as a
community resource.
City Clerk Steve Kirkpatrick and Deputy City Clerk Robin Eaton acknowledged the
recognition, saying a few words of appreciation and gratitude for the proclamation.
Mayor Starker then proclaimed the week of May 2-8, 2021 as Public Service
Recognition Week. Where the dedicated employees and volunteers of Wheat Ridge
are an integral part of improving the quality of life in our City by being responsive to the
needs of residents and businesses, and by supporting City services, thus making Wheat
Ridge a special place to live, work and play. He called upon all members of the
community and civic organizations to acquaint themselves with the issues involved in
providing our public services and to recognize the contributions that public service
employees and officials make every day to our health, safety, comfort, and quality of
life.
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.
A number of their staff attended the session to accept the proclamation’s acknowledge-
ment of their dedication, professionalism and service.
Mayor Starker Proclaimed the month of May, 2021 as Mental Health Month and called
upon all residents, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses,
and schools to recommit our communities and resources to increasing awareness and
understanding of mental health, providing appropriate and accessible services for all
community members, and making mental health a priority.
Susan Anderson of Parks and Recreation and Julia Marvin from the Jefferson Center
thanked the Mayor and Council for this important proclamation.
Mayor Starker also proclaimed the Month of May 2021 as Asian/Pacific American
Heritage Month and encouraged everyone to commemorate this important occasion in
recognition of the numerous contributions made by the Asian American and Pacific
Islander communities locally, nationally, and globally.
Members of the Wheat Ridge Equity Task Force attended to thank the Mayor and
Council for this proclamation: Saha Amara Singham and Ed Nepomuceno. Morgan
Richards also attended to acknowledge this proclamation.
Mr. Singham and Mr. Nepomuceno graciously accepted the proclamation, each briefly
commenting on the contributions the APIC makes to our inclusive and diverse City, our
state and our nation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Without objection or correction, the City Council Minutes of April 12, 2021 and Study
Session Notes of April 5, 2021 and April 19, 2021 were approved as published.
City Council Minutes April 26, 2021 page 3
Councilmember Hoppe noted that a clerical error required that the Clerk re-send the
Study Session notes of April 5; those are herewith approved with the other two listed.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Without objection or correction, the agenda stood as announced.
CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO SPEAK
No one came forward to speak this evening.
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 7:19 PM
Councilmember Hoppe introduced the consent agenda.
a. Motion to approve payment to Bank of Oklahoma for 2021 principal and interest payments in the amount of $3,497,100 for the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado Sales and Use Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2017A
b. Resolution No. 17-2021 - a resolution designating the Municipal Building main entrance as the official public notice posting location and the Jeffco Transcript as the official newspaper of general circulation for City publications in 2021
c. Resolution No. 18-2021 - a resolution amending the fiscal year 2021 General Fund budget to reflect the approval of a supplemental budget appropriation in the amount of $31,845 and the addition of one full time employee for the licensing technician
d. Motion to approve the appointment of Councilmember Amanda Weaver to the City of Wheat Ridge Seizure and Forfeiture Committee Motion by Councilmember Hoppe to approve Consent Agenda Items a.), b.), c.) and d.)
Seconded by Councilmember Stites; motion carried 8-0.
City Council Minutes April 26, 2021 page 4
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING
None for tonight
ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING
None for tonight
DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS
Discussion began at approximately 7:28 PM
2. Resolution No. 19-2021 - A Resolution amending the 2021 Open Space
Fund Budget to reflect the approval of a supplemental budget appropriation in
the amount of $516,100 for the purpose of the Prospect Park Phase II project.
Councilmember Nosler Beck introduced Resolution No. 19-2021
The Open Space Fund Budget in 2021 includes $1.8 million for the Prospect Park
Phase II project. Construction costs have increased significantly since this project was
designed in 2018. Therefore, we are requesting a supplemental budget appropriation in
the amount of $516,100 from the Open Space Fund undesignated reserves to complete
this phase of the project in 2021.
City Manager Patrick Goff reported on some of the prior actions, along with the financial
impacts and introduced Director of Parks and Recreation, Karen O’Donnell who spoke
on the topics, including the new fishing dock and shelter area.
Where design and construction of Prospect Park Phase I was approved in August 2016
and the design of Phase II was approved in January of 2018. Construction was delayed
until 2021 to allow for funding to be diverted to complete the Anderson Park project.
Prospect Park Phase II includes the addition of lighted pickle ball courts, an improved
park entrance drive and improved access to the north side of Prospect Lake with the
addition of a fishing dock and a small shelter. Also included are a new picnic pavilion,
resurfaced trail, and relocation of the playground in the south area of the park.
The city received new funds from GOCO Resilient Communities Grant in the amount of
$197,179, for the fishing component, and from Jefferson County Open Space Trail
Partnership Program Grant for the Wadsworth Improvement project, which will decrease
expenditures in the Open Space Fund Budget by $250,000.
Public Comment
No one came forward to speak.
Motion by Councilmember Nosler Beck to approve Resolution 19-2021- a resolution
amending the 2021 Open Space Fund Budget to reflect the approval of a supplemental
budget appropriation in the amount of $516,100 for the purpose of the Prospect Park
Phase II project, seconded by Councilmember Urban; motion carried 8-0,
City Council Minutes April 26, 2021 page 5
3. Resolution No. 20-2021 - A Resolution approving a Memorandum of
Understanding between Porchlight, a Family Justice Center and the City of
Wheat Ridge
Discussion began at approximately 7:35.
Councilmember Weaver introduced Resolution No. 20-2021
PorchLight, a Family Justice Center began operations on February 25, 2021 and has
been open serving victims and survivors since that time. The attached memorandum of
understanding (MOU) is proposed in an effort to establish the expectations and
commitments of service providers affiliated with PorchLight
Division Chief Darrel Guadnola spoke in reference to the MOU as where more than 75
partner agencies have been working together to provide coordinated services for victims
of violence. Violence can include physical abuse, emotional abuse, harassment, threats,
strangulation, murder, elder and at-risk adult abuse, human trafficking, property
damage, and child abuse. The advantage of the Family Justice Center is for victims of
crime to have one-stop access to essential services. The City of Wheat Ridge is an
important and participating partner in Porchlight.
Porchlight opened its doors to victims and survivors on February 25, 2021. In an effort
to set expectations with regard to participating organizations, a memorandum of
understanding was drafted outlining expectations of all service providers affiliated with
PorchLight.
This memorandum of understanding assures PorchLight that when Wheat Ridge PD is
needed at their facility, WRPD will endeavor to arrive within one hour of being
requested, and that Wheat Ridge PD will assign a staff liaison to serve as the primary
point of contact between Wheat Ridge and PorchLight.
Public Comment
No one came forward to speak.
Council Questions
Councilmember Hultin commented that she has visited the new center and is very
pleased that the Center is open and operating. She was very impressed with the
facilities, the array of services and the professionalism of the staff.
Councilmember Hoppe echoed Councilmember Hultin’s comments and noted that the
services offered are vitally important to our City. She expressed the hope that similar
Centers will open in surrounding cities.
Motion by Councilmember Weaver to approve Resolution 20-2021- a resolution
approving a Memorandum of Understanding between Porchlight, a Family Justice
Center, and the City of Wheat Ridge, seconded by Councilmember Hoppe; motion
carried 8-0,
City Council Minutes April 26, 2021 page 6
CITY MANAGER’S MATTERS
Mr. Goff reported on progress with the application submitted through Congressman
Perlmutter’s Office for funding of the Wadsworth project under the newly passed
Federal legislation. By June or July, we should know more.
A community meeting is scheduled on May 11 on the subject of homelessness. The
public is invited to comment and participate. The virtual session will be recorded.
Details for those who would like to participate appear on the City’s website.
Chief Murtha thanked Councilmember Weaver for stepping forward to join the Seizure
and Forfeiture Committee.
CITY ATTORNEY’S MATTERS
Nothing tonight.
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ MATTERS
Councilmember Stites reminded us to support Wheat Ridge businesses.
Councilmember Weaver noted that last year she got to know the Jefferson Center in
some detail. She lauded both their array of services and the depth of their
professionalism.
Councilmember Hultin emphasized her gratitude for the performance, professionalism
and enthusiasm for our City staff. She also expressed her support for the Tree City
USA proclamation and the effort it represents to improve our cityscape. She also asked
whether anyone who has experienced homelessness will participate in the
homelessness session next month.
Councilmember Hutchinson reported that anyone who has branches or limbs to recycle
may bring them to Anderson Park.
Councilmember Hoppe announced that May 1, 9 AM to Noon will be the first, self-
guided walking tours of the Lutheran Medical Center campus.
She also thanked Mayor Starker for his work on the several proclamations issued this
evening.
The Mayor acknowledged the great resources represented by the folks who were
recognized in this evening’s proclamations.
He also emphasized the importance of the homelessness forum on May 11. This is a
key issue for City residents and our residents’ input will be warmly welcomed.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:53 pm.
City Council Minutes April 26, 2021 page 7
_____________________________ Steve Kirkpatrick, City Clerk
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON May 10, 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.