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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.