HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-18-23 - Study Session NotesSTUDY SESSION NOTES
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
Hybrid - Virtual Meeting
September 18, 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.
All Council Members were present: Scott Ohm, Judy Hutchinson, Korey Stites, Amanda
Weaver, Leah Dozeman, Janeece Hoppe, and Rachel Hultin. Valerie Nosler Beck attended
virtually
Also present: City Clerk, Steve Kirkpatrick, City Manager Patrick Goff; Deputy City Manager,
Allison Scheck; Mark Colvin, Finance Manager; Lauren Mikulak, Director of Community
Development; Karen O’Donnell, Director of Parks and Recreation; Maria D’Andrea, Director of
Public Works; Christopher Murtha, Chief of Police; Christopher Randall, Municipal Judge; other
staff and interested residents.
Public’s Right to Speak
No one came forward 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. 2024 Proposed Budget Presentation
Issue
City Manager Patrick Good presented the proposed 2024 City Budget to council which
included both the prior and future actions that will occur with it. One being where the budget
process page was previously launched on WhatsUpWheatRidge.com
Future milestones include:
September 18, 2023– City Manager and staff presents budget to City Council during the
study session and City Council takes comment from the public.
October 9, 2023 – as required by Section 10.7 of the Wheat Ridge City Charter a public
hearing will be conducted to provide an additional opportunity for residents to comment
on the proposed budget prior to its adoption. Notification of the public hearing will be
made on the City Website, City Facebook page, and in the Jeffco Transcript.
October 9, 2023 – as required by Section 10.9 of the Wheat Ridge City Charter, the
budget shall be adopted by resolution on or before the final day (December 15, 2023)
established by state statute for the certification of the next year’s tax levy to the county.
Other items included, but were not limited to the following topics:
Overall Summary of the proposed budget
General Fund revenue
Capital Improvement Program Fund (CIP)
Renewal Wheat Ridge Bond Projects Fund
Open Space Revenue
Conservation Trust Revenue
Special Revenue Funds
CM had comments and questions:
Several CM thanked Mr. Goff, Ms. Scheck and the Executive Management Team for their
informative presentation.
CM, the Executive Management Team, including Mr. Goff and Ms. Scheck, who presented the
proposed budget in detail, addressed a number of issues, priorities, and financial projections.
The TABOR question that will appear on the November 7, 2023 will appear on the ballot as
issue 2J, it was announced by Jefferson County Elections Division, today.
For an extended period, the City’s leaders engaged in a wide-ranging discussion,
deliberations, and considerations that addresses the Council’s priorities, strategic plans, and
spending to support these efforts. Several issues CM discussed focused on public safety, in
particular on pedestrian and cyclist safety, drainage problems, and pavement striping to guide
people walking, cycling and driving.
CM Hoppe proposed a consensus to bring the proposed budget to the October 9, 2023 regular
Council Meeting, when the required public hearing on the proposed budget will be held and
Council will consider a resolution to approve the 2024 budget.
Consensus achieved.
2. Staff Report(s)
Mr. Goff had nothing further.
3. Elected Officials’ Report(s)
CM Hultin thanked Ms. D’Andrea for completing a project in District II. All is well at Happiness
Gardens as the harvest continues and people literally enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of their
labor.
ADJOURNMENT
The Study Session adjourned at 9:18 pm.
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON September 25, 2023.
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Steve Kirkpatrick, City Clerk
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Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem