Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-13-23 Special Study Session Virtual Hybrid FINALSPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO City Council Chambers 7500 W. 29th Avenue February 13, 2023 Upon adjournment of the Regular City Council Meeting, and after a short recess, the Mayor called this Special Study Session to order at 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. After calling the meeting to order, Mayor Starker stated the rules and procedures necessitated by this meeting format. Mayor Starker welcomed the Council, other elected officials, staff and interested citizens. The Mayor 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: Judy Hutchinson, Amanda Weaver, Scott Ohm, Janeece Hoppe, Rachel Hultin, Korey Stites, Valerie Nosler Beck, and Leah Dozeman. Also, present: City Manager Patrick Goff; City Attorney, Gerald Dahl; City Clerk, Steve Kirkpatrick; Deputy City Manager, Allison Scheck; Assistant City Manager, Marianne Schilling; Interim Community Development Director, Lauren Mikulak, guests and interested citizens. Public Comment on Agenda Items – No one came forward to speak. 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 citizen comments entered into Wheat Ridge Speaks related to this session. 1. Let’s Talk Resident Engagement Program Update Issue The purpose of this study session agenda item is to update City Council on the Let’s Talk Resident Engagement Program and to: 1. Share detailed reports from the recently completed Paramount Park and Southeast Wheat 2. Ridge neighborhood resident engagement “blitzes”; and 3. Provide an update on the Let’s Talk Program Work Plan following completion of neighborhoods seven and eight of ten. Staff Report Neighborhood Engagement Specialist, Ashley Holland gave a detailed report on the topic, where the Let’s Talk Program has an evolving work plan that is updated at the end of each blitz. This work plan reflects the action items that residents have weighed in on through the program from 2020 to present, as well as background on the issue. Ms. Holland spoke on the following topics as well:  Needs and desires in those neighborhoods where we have help dialogues and the neighborhoods that will gather later this winter/spring. Councilmember questions and comments: CM discussed a variety of issues related to the staff presentation. Topics discussed included  How do we take advantage of this effort to expand participation and particularly how to encourage the public to bring their big ideas in addition to the neighborhoods?  At the outset of this program we were concerned that this might appear to be all talk and no action. Your work has been fantastic and has already made a difference.  Staff have done excellent work on this project. This data is highly valuable to us even though there are no surprises, because we now have data and intelligence to inform us even better going forward.  Clarify the numbers of participants in the report. How many individuals participated? What to the figures represent? Staff gave a detailed answer.  CM profusely and repeatedly thanked the staff for their hard work and mostly for the invaluable information this process has gathered.  Call upon us members of Council if you need introductions or contacts with residents CM know in these neighborhoods. Do not hesitate to knock on doors and ask residents for this input. 2. Draft 2023 Resident Survey Issue The enclosed survey is the eighth iteration of the City’s biannual survey. The most recent resident survey was conducted in 2021, which was delayed one year due to the covid pandemic. The City is conducting the 2023 survey earlier than in years past to have results by May. The new questions for the 2023 survey are related to a potential ballot measure scheduled in 2023 and the May timing is designed for City Council to have ample time to review resident feedback. Staff Report Assistant to the City Manager, Marianne Schilling gave a detailed report on how the resident survey serves as the City’s “consumer report card.” The purpose of the survey is as follows:  To assess resident satisfaction with community characteristics and amenities  To evaluate Wheat Ridge local government and employees  To further understand the resident’s priorities regarding government services in Wheat Ridge Historically the City has had a high rate of participation, with a response rate of 25% in 2021 and 26% in 2018. The average response rate for a survey of this type ranges from 20 - 30%. By mailing the survey to 4,500 households, the city can expect to receive 900 to 1,200 completed surveys. The City is mailing the same number of surveys as 2018 and 2021 and 1,500 more than in previous years. Topics discussed included:  History of the survey  How are the questionnaires distributed?  The process of preparing residents to receive the survey and encouraging them to respond.  Are the topics and questions in the packet tonight on target? Councilmember questions and comments: A lengthy and detailed discussion of topics and specific question word-smithing followed among and between staff and CM. CM thanked staff for their hard work and good work product to date, and looked forward to the next iteration of the survey questionnaire. Mr. Goff then discussed the public opinion poll planned to gauge residents’/voters’ views on the sales tax proposition Council is considering putting on the November 2023 general election ballot. The Mayor proposed a consensus to direct staff to move forward with their suggestions on the public opinion poll. Consensus attained. 3. Staff Report(s) Nothing more. 4. Elected Officials’ Report(s) City Clerk Kirkpatrick encouraged all to attend the current production by the WR Theater Company, Cyrano de Bergerac, which runs this week only, with a final performance matinee on Sunday, February 19. The Mayor noted our progress on important matters this evening and thanked the staff for their hard work. ADJOURNMENT The Special Study Session adjourned at 8:49 pm. APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON February 27, 2023. _________________________________ Steve Kirkpatrick, City Clerk _________________________________ Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem