HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-01-23 Study Session NotesSTUDY SESSION NOTES
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
Hybrid - Virtual Meeting
May 1, 2023
Mayor Starker called the Study Session to order at 6:30 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, guests 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: Scott Ohm, Judy Hutchinson, Leah Dozeman, Valerie Nosler
Beck, and Rachel Hultin (who joined virtually).
Councilmembers Hoppe, Stites, and Weaver excused themselves.
Also present: City Clerk, Steve Kirkpatrick, City Manager Patrick Goff; Director of
Community Development, Lauran Mikulak; Civil Engineer, Jordan Jefferies, PE; West
Metro Fire Chief, Don Lombardi; Will Wagenlander with RVi consultants and Jeff Snelling
with David Evans & Associates, also consultants; other staff and one interested resident.
Public’s Right to Speak
None tonight.
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. Update from West Metro Fire District
Issue
West Metro Fire Rescue is a full service, all hazard and rescue agency, headquartered in
Lakewood, Colorado. West Metro covers more than 108 square miles in two Colorado
counties and serves nearly 300,000 residents with crews at 17 fire stations staffed 24/7.
West Metro responds to an emergency every 12 minutes, averaging more than 41,000
calls annually.
Staff Reports
Chief Lombardi provided an update on West Metro Fire, one of just 301 accredited fire and
emergency services agencies in the world. West Metro is also ISO Class 1 certified – one
of just 114 agencies to achieve both accreditation and the top ISO rating. The rating is a
gauge of a fire agency’s ability to serve its residents and business owners and is awarded
based on a number of key factors including staffing, apparatus, training, 911
communications and water supply.
For business or homeowners in West Metro’s district, the Class 1 rating results in millions
of dollars in savings on property insurance. In April of 2016, Wheat Ridge Fire merged
with West Metro Fire Rescue.
Chief Lombardi spoke on the feasibility study where it concluded that the merger would
result in cost savings for taxpayers and more robust service for the cities of Wheat Ridge
and Edgewater. Voters officially approved the merger in October 2016. West Metro
generally serves Wheat Ridge south of Clear Creek.
Other items spoken about included:
Peer Communities and National Standards
Recommendations
Next Steps
Councilmembers had questions and comments:
Several CM thanked Chief Lombardi for his time and the update.
CM asked detailed questions about City policy options and how our policies impact our
interactions with West Metro Fire.
Another CM question concerned the danger from high winds and wildfires, and measures
West Metro Fire takes to mitigate that risk.
Can one of West Metro’s fire fighters afford to buy a home in Wheat Ridge? Chief
Lombardi gave a detailed answer, including the provisions in a recently negotiated labor
contract with West Metro Firefighters and EMT.
2. Youngfield Street Beautification Update
Issue
Renewal Wheat Ridge, the City’s urban renewal authority, issued bonds in the amount of
$37.5 million, in September 2021, for public improvement projects throughout the I-
70/Kipling Corridors Urban Renewal Plan area. Five million dollars from these bond funds
have been allocated for beautification of the Youngfield Corridor. Improvements to the
Youngfield Corridor is a priority project for those residents who participated in the Let’s
Talk Applewood Neighborhood program
On August 22, 2022, City Council awarded a contract to David Evans & Associates, Inc.
(“DEA”), a professional design firm, to refine the conceptual design and to provide
preliminary design, final design, and permitting for the Youngfield Beautification project
and the associated 32nd Ave Bike Lanes project.
Staff Reports
Civil Engineer, Jordan Jefferies provided City Council with an update on the Youngfield
Beautification project and gave CM the opportunity to provide feedback on the thematic
concepts that will inform the preliminary design.
The Youngfield Beautification project is focused on improving the aesthetics of the
Youngfield corridor from 30th Avenue to 40th Avenue, particularly in the area between
Youngfield and I-70. DEA1 had previously developed a design concept booklet for the City
as a part of a separate project in 2021.
Topics addressed in the update included:
Project Scope
Project Status & Public Engagement
Next Steps
Mr. Jeffries explained that while this session is largely focused on updating the status of
the Youngfield Beautification project, the 32nd Bike Lanes project is another nearby project
under development with DEA1 as the design consultant. DEA’s scope on the 32nd Avenue
project is to develop final design plans to add much-needed bike lanes under I-70 to
provide a safer experience for bicyclists along the very popular 32nd Ave bike route. Bike
lanes that currently terminate just west of Xenon Street, will be extended west under I-70
to Zinnia St/Clear Creek Drive.
Councilmembers asked detailed questions about several topics, engaging in discussion
among themselves and with staff including:
Several CM expressed their support for the staff recommendations.
How will the construction impact traffic on Youngfield St.? Staff gave a detailed
reply.
If there were funding for multimodal and sidewalks along Youngfield, would that be
along the east side of Youngfield. Again, staff provided details.
Mr. Goff reported on a funding application for more improvements is in the queue
awaiting approval.
Will CDOT cooperate with our efforts to complete the Plains to Mountains bicycle
route? Mr. Jefferies reported about why and how we will work closely with CDOT
directly and in conjunction with DEA1.
Will the plans include lighting under overpasses, signals for pedestrians and
cyclists, and other safety protections? Staff gave a detailed answer.
1 DEA refers to David Evans and Associates, not the Federal agency with the same acronym.
Staff is recommending that ongoing maintenance of these improvements should be
contracted with a local firm because the City does not have the resources to do it.
Consensus attained.
3. Staff Report(s)
Mr. Goff announced that the City received a Starburst Award for wise use of funding.
The City received a Program Excellence Award for our hotel licensing program from the
Colorado City and County Managers Association.
Elected Officials’ Report(s)
CM Nosler Beck again reminded us of the upcoming Willmore Davis alumni event.
CM Hutchinson announced a rummage sale this Saturday at the Active Adult Center.
CM Ohm recognized the parents and other volunteers who worked many hours to create
decorations, set-up the space and in doing so created a safe and attractive environment
for the Wheat Ridge High School After Prom Party on Saturday, April 29th. He particularly
emphasized the creativity and artistic flair they demonstrated in making scores of paper
flower decorations, many of them as large and 18” to 30” across.
CM Hultin reported that Local Work has launched an app that will allow you to learn more
about the City and its history. If you visit the site and download the app you will receive a
coupon good for purchases from a local business. Please, use it!
CM Dozeman reported that Local Works has a great local calendar of events. This
Wednesday, May 3 we will have a Farmers Market from 5 to 7 pm in the 5000 block of W.
29th. Ave.
Mayor Starker reported on a great groundbreaking for the project at 44th and Wadsworth.
Mayor Pro-Tem Stites will sit in for the Mayor at Coffee with the Mayor on May 13th.
(Coffee with the Mayor is scheduled monthly on the second Saturday.)
ADJOURNMENT
The Study Session adjourned at 7:49 pm.
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON May 8, 2023.
_________________________________
Steve Kirkpatrick, City Clerk
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Korey Stites, Mayor Pro-Tem