HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 08-23-21City Council Meeting Minutes
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 WEST 29TH AVENUE, MUNICIPAL BUILDING August 23, 2021
Note: This meeting was conducted both as a virtual meeting and hybrid, where some
members of the Council or City staff were physically present at the Municipal building, and
some members of the public attended in person as well. All eight members of Council
were present in Council Chambers for this session. 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; Mark Westberg, Project Manager, Karen O’Donnell, Director of Parks and
Recreation other staff, guests and interested citizens.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Without objection or correction, the City Council Minutes of August 9, 2021 the Special
Study Session Notes of August 9, 2021, and City Council Study Session Notes of
August 2, 2017 and August 16, 2021 were approved as published.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Without objection or correction, the agenda stood as announced
PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES
Mayor Starker read and presented two Proclamations:
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Week – September 5-11
Samantha Taylor, Youth Suicide Prevention Manager, Jefferson County Mental Health
came to accept the Proclamation. The proclamation focuses on both Suicide
Prevention Month and Suicide Prevention Week, to use every available means to
prevent suicides. The first celebration of these events was in 1975. The Proclamation
encourages everyone to take action to reach out to their friends and loved ones to get
them help when we think they need help. Ms. Taylor expressed her gratitude for the
City Council Minutes August 23, 2021 page 2
Proclamation, but more so the message that the Proclamation sends to us all to be
aware and helpful when we see the need or the possibility of a need.
Constitution Week – September 17–23
The Proclamation celebrates the 233-year-old Constitution of the United States, which
is the oldest and most comprehensive political document to protect individual rights and
liberties, the rule of law and free and fair elections in the world.
PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO SPEAK
Second Opportunity for Members of the Public input on the 2022 Budget
Development of the 2022 budget is underway. An important phase of this process is
inviting the public to provide input to City Council prior to the presentation of the 2022
proposed budget. This public input opportunity is the second of two; the first opportunity
for public input was during the regular City Council meeting on Monday, July 26, 2021.
Members of the public are also able to provide input via the City’s community
engagement platform at WhatsUpWheatRidge.com
Julie DiTullio, Jefferson Center for Mental Health, 4851 Independence St., came to
report on the Carnation Mile fund raiser held this past weekend. She thanked the
volunteers, City staff and Councilmembers who made the event not only possible but
also successful. She thanked Councilmembers who donated their discretionary funds
to support the event, and by that generosity support the Jefferson Center.
Note about Wheat Ridge Speaks:
Members of the Public 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 members of the public 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 address a public hearing (verbatim, if the comments do not
contain lascivious language or unlawful hate speech).
No comments appeared in Wheat Ridge Speaks related to this Council session.
1. CONSENT AGENDA
Discussion began at approximately 7:14 PM
Councilmember Nosler Beck introduced the consent agenda.
a. Motion to award a contract and to approve payment to Mid-America Pool
Renovation, Inc. for the leisure pool resurfacing in the amount of $125,000
City Council Minutes August 23, 2021 page 3
b. Resolution No. 41-2021 - a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2021
General Fund Budget to reflect the approval of a supplemental budget
appropriation in the amount of $33,534 for the 2020 workers’ compensation
insurance premium adjustment
c. Resolution No. 42-2021 - a resolution in support of an application to the
Jefferson County Open Space Trails Partnership Program for Clear Creek Trail concrete, signage, and safety improvements Motion by Councilmember Nosler Beck to approve Consent Agenda Items a.), b.), and
c.) Seconded by Councilmember Stites; motion carried 8-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING
None for tonight
ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING
Discussion began at approximately 7: PM
2. Council Bill No. 14-2021 - An Ordinance approving an Intergovernmental
Agreement with the Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority and in connection
therewith approving the conveyances of real property to and from the City.
Councilmember Stites introduced Council Bill 14-2021.
The Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority dba Renewal Wheat Ridge (RWR) owns
property located at 7690 W. 38th Avenue which has been under active environmental
remediation since 2013. The Colorado Legislature passed Senate Bill 14-073 which
provides a state income tax credit for the environmental remediation of contaminated
land. State law requires that the City both pay for the remediation and own the land to
be eligible for the tax credits. The City has on an annual basis provided funding to RWR
to pay for the environmental remediation of the property. This ordinance will convey the
property to the City in order to obtain the tax credit certificate and then convey the
property back to RWR once the tax credits are secured so that RWR can sell the
property to the Wheat Ridge Corners development for future redevelopment.
Motion by Councilmember Stites to approve Council Bill No. 14-2021 - an ordinance
approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal
Authority and in connection therewith approving the conveyances of real property to and
from the City, on first reading, order it published, public hearing set for Monday,
September 13, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. as a virtual meeting, and that it take effect fifteen days
after final publication, seconded by Councilmember Hoppe, motion carried 8-0.
City Council Minutes August 23, 2021 page 4
DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS
Discussion began at approximately 7:22 PM
3. Motion to award a contract to Concrete Works of Colorado for phase I of the
Improve Wadsworth Project in the amount of $34,971,468.01 with an
additional contingency of $1,500,000 for a total of $36,471,468.01
Councilmember Hultin introduced the motion.
Issue
The Improve Wadsworth Project was advertised for bids in mid-April 2021 and bids
were opened on July 1, 2021. Staff is recommending that the lowest responsive bidder,
Concrete Works of Colorado, be awarded a contract in the amount of $34,971,468.01,
which includes the base bid, all four bid options, related water, and sanitation work and
an additional $1,500,000 in contingency for a total award of $36,471,468.01.
Staff Presentation
Project Manager Mark Westberg, gave a detailed presentation on the advertisement,
bidding and construction process, including the financial impacts and scope of work to
be involved.
Public Comment
No one came forward to speak.
Council Questions
Councilmembers thanked the staff for their work long and hard work on this project.
Councilmember Hultin asked what the plans are for resident education and community
outreach focused on the plans and impacts of the construction. Mr. Westberg
addressed the issues related to traffic on Wadsworth and detours through
neighborhoods. The Councilmember then asked about specific methods to curtail
diverted traffic during the construction phase, such as speed bumps and temporary
signals. Again, Mr. Westberg gave a detailed explanation supported by an explanation
of next steps from Mr. Goff.
Councilmember Nosler Beck asked that the City prioritize and act on temporary speed
limit reductions in neighborhoods especially near schools, to protect the public,
especially our children.
Councilmember Urban asked a detailed question about the $1.5 million contingency
fund. Mr. Westberg explained who controls this fund and how.
Councilmember Hutchinson asked about the estimated timeline to complete the entire
project. Mr. Westberg gave a date of the end of 2023.
City Council Minutes August 23, 2021 page 5
Motion by Councilmember Hultin to award, pending CDOT’s concurrence, and approve
subsequent payments to Concrete Works of Colorado, Lafayette, CO for the Improve
Wadsworth Project in the amount of $34,971,468.01 with an additional contingency of
$1,500,000 for a total of $36,471,468.01, seconded by Councilmember Urban, motion
carried 8-0.
Councilmember Hoppe asked about when the hotline for residents will open; Mr. Goff
answered this October.
Councilmember Hultin thanked the staff for their hard work and for including bicycle
pathways in both directions along Wadsworth.
CITY MANAGER’S MATTERS
Nothing this evening.
CITY ATTORNEY’S MATTERS
Nothing tonight.
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ MATTERS
City Clerk Kirkpatrick provided an update on the November 2, 2021 municipal election. Today was the last day for prospective candidates to submit nominating petitions to the Office of the City Clerk. One race, if all petitions are found sufficient, will have to
candidates, Mr. Ihor Figlus and Councilmember Amanda Weaver. The other three
Council seats and the Office of Mayor will be uncontested, unless write-in candidates come forth before August 30, 2021.
Councilmember Nosler Beck announced the Mid-Century Modern Home tour, this Saturday, August 28 in person from 1:00-5:00 pm, and online August 28 through
September 4.
Councilmember Dozeman welcomed our youth back to their schools and asked the public to drive carefully. This Thursday evening Local Works will host any event from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Clear Fork Cider along with a food truck offering street tacos.
Councilmember Hultin announced that a local business, Rhythm Cycles, has moved to
a larger building on 44th Avenue. She also thanked Councilmember Weaver for leading a community Regenerate Wheat Ridge event on bees and beekeeping as part of the urban agriculture efforts. Harvest Festival is scheduled for October 16th.
Councilmember Weaver thanked our Parks and Recreation staff for all of their work and support of the Regenerate WR programs. She announced a dumpster day and district
3 meeting at Louise Turner Park this Saturday August 28 from 9 to approximately noon. Electronics and mattresses are ineligible for this program.
Councilmember Stites echoed Councilmember Weaver’s announcement. Applewood is having an open house on Wednesday, September 1st. from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Church and Wednesday, September 8, also 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Wheat Ridge Rec
Center. These sessions will conclude the second phase of What’s Up Applewood, and all residents and other members of the public are welcome to attend.
City Council Minutes August 23, 2021 page 6
Councilmember Hoppe reminded us that we have a 24-hour walk-in Crisis Center operated by Jefferson Center for Mental Health at 46th Ave and Wadsworth; at 4643 Wadsworth Blvd.
The Mayor thanked the folks who put on the event last Wednesday related to bees and
beekeeping, He wished Mr. Westberg and the Comm Dev staff good luck on the Wadsworth redevelopment project. Please, be aware that we have traffic diverted by construction in our City, so please, drive carefully, especially for our children.
The meeting adjourned at 7:47 pm.
_____________________________ Steve Kirkpatrick, City Clerk
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON September 13, 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.