HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-24-23 - Special Study Session NotesSpecial Study Session – City Council
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
City Council Chambers 7500 W. 29th Avenue
July 24, 2023
Upon adjournment of the Regular City Council Meeting, and after a short recess, the
Mayor called this Special Study Session to order at 7:08 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, presiding official 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.
Councilmembers present: Scott Ohm, Rachel Hultin, Janeece Hoppe, Korey Stites, and
Valerie Nosler Beck (virtually).
Absent: CM Hutchinson, CM Weaver and CM Dozeman.
Also, present: City Manager Patrick Goff; City Attorney Gerald Dahl; City Clerk, Steve
Kirkpatrick; Business Development Manager, Steve Art; Public Works Director Maria
D’Andrea, Director of Parks and Rec, Karen O’Donnell; Director of Community
Development, Lauren Mikulak; other staff, guests and interested citizens.
Public Comment on Agenda Items –
No one came forward to speak. Please, also see the minutes of tonight’s regular
Council session.
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, but there were at this evening’s regular Council Meeting. Those comments
appear in the minutes for tonight’s regularly scheduled City Council business
meeting.
1. Comprehensive Plan and Other Planning Efforts Update
Issue
The purpose of this item is to share information with City Council about the upcoming
comprehensive plan update. Staff plans to bring a consultant contract award
recommendation and comprehensive plan scope of work to council in fall of 2023, with a
project kickoff by the end of 2023.
Staff Report
Mr. Goff introduced Ms. Mikulak, who gave a detailed presentation and explanation.
She described the history of planning, the plans for the renewed, current effort to update
various plans.
Ms. Mikulak also listed the plans that will appear in the Comprehensive Plan when
drafted and the process for writing the Comp Plan. She also reviewed the timeline for
completing the Comp Plan.
Councilmember questions and comments:
CM asked about contractors, staff, Council and their respective roles and
responsibilities during the planning process.
CM expressed our sadness with the departure of Jeff Hurt from Comm Dev and wished
him luck.
CM encouraged staff to include Local Works in the Comp Plan process.
CM commented on the amazing progress and future plans for engaging our residents.
CM and Mayor Starker thanked the staff for all of their hard work in preparing for this
update of the Comp Plan, a process that will continue over the next 2 years.
2. Staff Report(s)
Nothing more.
3. Elected Officials’ Report(s)
City Clerk Kirkpatrick reminded all that the Cultural Commission Art Drop event
continues this weekend and the first weekend in August.
CM Hultin commented on how enjoyable a visit to Happy Gardens these days is. She
acknowledged the work of volunteers for their work at the Gardens.
ADJOURNMENT
The Special Study Session adjourned at 7:29 pm.
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON August 14, 2023.
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Steve Kirkpatrick, City Clerk
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Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem