HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-22 Study Session NotesSTUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO Hybrid - Virtual Meeting October 17, 2022 Mayor Bud Starker called the Study Session to order at 6:34 p.m. 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. A quorum of members (eight) of Council were present in Council Chambers for this session. Mayor Starker welcomed the Council, other elected officials, staff and interested citizens. Mayor Starker also explained the virtual/hybrid meeting format, how citizens will have the opportunity to be heard, and the procedures and policies to be followed. Council members present Scott Ohm, Amanda Weaver, Judy Hutchinson, Korey Stites, Valerie Nosler Beck, Janeece Hoppe, and Rachel Hultin. CM Dozeman excused herself for a family obligation. Also present: City Attorney, Gerald Dahl; City Manager Patrick Goff; City Clerk, Steve Kirkpatrick (Virtual); City Treasurer, Chris Miller; Director of Administration, Allison Scheck; Chief of Police, Chris Murtha; WR Police Department; Assistant to the City Manager, Marianne Schilling; Director of Parks and Recreation, Karen O’Donnell; Andrew McDonald, Forestry Supervisor, Parks and Rec; Jeff Hurt, Senior Planner; Steve Wynn, Engineering Manager; interested citizens and guests. Public’s Right to Speak No one came forward to speak this evening. 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 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. No comments appeared in Wheat Ridge Speaks for this session of Council. 1. Department project updates Introduction City Manager Patrick Goff introduced that the last two and one-half years have been quite eventful for the City of Wheat Ridge. Starting with the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, City Council and staff pivoted through social injustice concerns, the “Great Resignation”, a police officer involved shooting, a seriously wounded police officer, employee deaths and illnesses, unprecedented homelessness issues, record growth in commercial and residential development, and a ransomware attack. In spite of all these unique challenges, the organization has continued to advance City Council initiatives and priorities. The following summary is an update on some of these major items. City Council agendas have been lighter than normal recently and several meetings have been canceled. However, the organizations plate is full, and progress is continuing to be made on important projects. Staff Reports Mr. Goff and Ms. Scheck summarized a multitude of topics related to this item. Those topics included but were not limited to: • Cyber Incident • Investing 4 the Future Bond Projects • Improve Wadsworth Project • Wheat Ridge · Ward Station • Anderson Park – COMPLETED Along with City Council Strategic Priorities which included: • New Efforts of Engagement in Government; Understanding City Processes • Implement Bulk Plane in all Residential Districts – COMPLETED • Re-examine, advance sidewalks on 38th Ave • Review the Vision, Mission, and Funding of LocalWorks – COMPLETED • Streamlining Permit Processes • Commercial Corridor Code Review • Develop Solutions and Work with Partners to Address Homelessness Current Studies and Planning Processes • Affordable Housing Strategy • 44th Avenue Corridor Plan • Open Space Management Plan • 35th Avenue Street Improvements • Let’s Talk • Ward Road Railroad Crossing • Development Update • Renewal Wheat Ridge Public Improvement Projects • 32nd and Youngfield Street Bicycle and Pedestrian and Aesthetic Improvements • Wadsworth Sidewalk – 32nd to 35th • Lena Gulch Floodplain Project • Neighborhood Traffic Management Program • Pavement Striping and Marking • Annual Pavement Maintenance Contracts are Complete • 44th Avenue Bridge Repairs • 38th Avenue Pedestrian Improvements Parks, Forestry and Open Space • Prospect Park Phase 2 • Preservation Projects at the Richards-Hart Estate and Sod House • School of Mines Team Planning a Trail Around Tabor Lake • Prospect Lake • National Public Lands Day Recreation and Play • Performances in the Park • Active Adult Center Activities • Aquatics • Wheat Ridge Recreation Center Sustainable Wheat Ridge Landscape Inspection Program Tax and Licensing • Short-term rental licensing • Tobacco retail licensing • Hotel licensing Human Resources Public Safety • Training • New Equipment • Relationship Based Policing Councilmembers had questions and comments: Councilmembers asked detailed questions about several topics, engaging in discussion among themselves and with staff, who answered their questions in detail: • Several CM thanked the staff for their report and more so for their hard work. • CM Stites opined that the newly built communications team is doing a fantastic job. He also asked Chief Murtha to comment on car thefts, the trend in those crimes and what the PD is doing to address the problem. Chief Murtha gave a detailed answer, reporting that vehicle theft is a nationwide, statewide, and countywide problem. • CM Ohm asked about the restaurant planned to occupy a space at Golds Marketplace. Mr. Goff replied that the restaurant is still coming and has been delayed by a combination of events, mostly the supply chain. • CM Ohm asked staff to discuss their plans to prevent and otherwise mitigate the ash borer pest that is decimating that tree’s population, has spread to nearby cities, and will inevitably arrive here. Staff gave a detailed answer. • CM Hultin Congratulated staff and profusely thanked them for their outstanding work over the past 30 months, from pandemic to cyberattacks. • CM Hultin then asked for an update on enforcement of the “massage parlor,” ordinance. Chief Murtha reported in detail that the ordinance has been enforced successfully enough to rid us of bad actors and give others pause before setting up shop in Wheat Ridge. She also mentioned that Sustainable Wheat Ridge will soon accelerate work on a new long-term plan. • CM Hultin opined that she has been very impressed with the newly re-built communications team. She then praised the results enjoyed by increasing that team to 3 staff from 2. 2. 2022 Budget updates Issue The 2022 Budget was adopted by City Council projecting a 4.8% increase in General Fund revenues and an 8.0% increase in General Fund expenditures compared to the 2021 estimated year-end budget, which would provide for unrestricted reserves of 25% of operating expenditures. In this document we present a budget update based on revenues received and appropriations expended through August 31, 2022 Staff Reports City Manager Patrick Goff spoke on this topic and their related items. Those topics included but were not limited to: General Fund Expenditure Analysis – 2021 and 2022 Comparison • Community Development is up 35% • Parks and Recreation is up 22% • Police Department is up 12% • General Government is up 7% General Fund Revenue Analysis – 2021 and 2022 Comparison • Total sales tax revenue is up compared to the same period last year experiencing a 5.6% increase • Other tax revenue is up 21.5% compared to 2021 • Use tax revenue is down slightly by 8.5% compared to 2021 • License revenue is up 46.8% • Intergovernmental revenue is up slightly by 4.4% • Service revenue is up 14.4% • Fines & Forfeitures revenue is down approximately 45% • Other revenue is down 3.1% American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Expenditures General Fund Reserves Councilmembers had questions and comments: • Several CM thanked the staff for their report and more so for their hard work. • CM Ohm asked about funding in the 2023 budget for ash borer treatment and prevention/defense. Staff replied in detail. Then CM Ohm asked about a budget for air quality signs at our Interstate interchanges and Mr. Goff gave a specific reply. • CM Ohm then asked Chief Murtha about a budget for additional license plate readers and training for officers to use the technology. Chief Murtha gave a detailed answer. • Mayor Starker asked about the status of the bond program that will end soon end, perhaps as soon as 2024. Mr. Goff gave a detailed reply, including the fact that the payoff is proceeding well. CM thanked Mr. Goff for his presentation along with his excellent preparation and groundwork. 3. Staff Report(s) Chief Murtha gave an account of a vehicle theft (large pickup towing a small machine trailer) that occurred yesterday along Sheridan Avenue near Edgewater. 4. Elected Officials’ Report(s) City Clerk Steve Kirkpatrick recalled that there will be a public hearing before Judge Basso at noon on Thursday, October 20, focused on the protests filed against the certificate of insufficiency issued to the petition circulators. The hearing is open to the public. Ballots for the General Election have dropped into the US Mail from Jeffco Elections beginning yesterday. Clerk Kirkpatrick also announced that minutes for all meetings from August 22 through tonight’s Study Session will go out to Councilmember for their review later this week. Once CM have reviewed the minutes and submitted their requests for corrections or changes, we will mail all those minutes in .pdf format to the list of persons who have requested to see the minutes with the draft is released. These minutes will then appear on the agenda for the next Regular Council Meeting, on November 14, 2022. Once this plan is implemented and completed, we will have recovered the minutes from the cybercrime incident August 29th. CM Hoppe reminded us that Porchlight Family Justice Center will soon hold its inaugural gala. Those interested can find more details at the organization’s website: https://www.porchlightfjc.org/ CM Ohm reported a large turnout of enthusiastic residents as he attended two City Parks grand re-openings/ribbon cuttings. CM Ohm also commented on what he believes is a noticeable increase in graffiti, not only in his D II but also in other parts of WR. Staff responded with plans for a detailed follow-up. CM Stites echoed CM Ohm’s sentiments and gratitude as he attended the park events as well. He also enjoyed the ribbon cuttings at two new businesses that have opened in Gold’s Marketplace: PDRunco and Queen City Coffee. Then CM Stites and Weaver reported that they have revised the letter to the Jeffco Schools from the members of the City Council who would like to sign it. CM who wish to sign the letter may now do so. CM Nosler Beck recalled that Trunk or Treat is this Saturday, 11/22 from 4 to 6 p.m. The organizers are still accepting volunteer help, donations (cash or in-kind as trunks) and questions about the event grand/parents might have. CM Dozeman announced that the Jeffco School Board will hold its regular meeting Thursday, October 20 in the evening. The Board will be obliged to listen to public comments about the planned school closures and the process to address the problems to date. CM Dozeman attended an event at the Peak Expeditionary School that she thoroughly enjoyed. She also had a tour of the new hospital at Clear Creek and came away impressed, not only with the design and functionality she saw but also the smart project management that has the effort ahead of schedule. CM Hutchinson also lauded the park opening events. She specifically came away very impressed with Prospect Park. She also noticed that the foliage in Discovery Park is peaking and dazzling. CM Hultin commented that for anyone who will vote in the November 8 General Election there is an event they need to check out. On November 7, election eve, Local Works is holding an event to educate voters about the many propositions and issues on the 2022 ballot. On November 8 there is a post-election pumpkin pie and social event for people involved in elections, at New Belgium Brewery in WR. The Mayor thanked everyone for a productive meeting, and encouraged us to drive, cycle and walk carefully to protect one another. ADJOURNMENT The Study Session adjourned at 8:05 p.m. APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON November 14, 2022. _______________________ Steve Kirkpatrick, City Clerk _______________________ Rachel Hultin, Mayor Pro Tem