HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-06-23 - Study Session NotesSTUDY SESSION NOTES
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
Hybrid - Virtual Meeting
November 6, 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 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, Korey Stites, Amanda
Weaver, Leah Dozeman, Valerie Nosler Beck, and Rachel Hultin.
Also present: City Manager, Patrick Goff; City Clerk, Steve Kirkpatrick; Deputy City
Manager, Allison Scheck; Jefferson County School District, COO Jeff Gatlin; COS, Lisa
Relou; other staff and interested residents.
Public’s Right to Speak
Kat Martell, 6455 W. 31st. came to discuss sustainability programs and to recommend
that an expansion of those efforts would improve our quality of life. She also wants to
involve the Cultural Commission in projects related to agriculture as well as art and
culture.
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 Jefferson County School District
Issue
On November 10, 2022, the Jeffco School Board voted to close sixteen elementary
schools, of which, there served Wheat Ridge students. New Classical Academy at
Vivian was closed and has consolidated with Stober. Wilmore-Davis has closed and has
consolidated with Stevens. Kullerstrand has closed and has consolidated with Prospect
Valley. Jeff Gatlin, Chief Operating Officer, and Lisa Relou, Chief of Staff, from the
Jefferson County School District, will provide an update to City Council concerning the
disposition of the closed schools at the November 6th study session.
This item is intended to be informational only. Therefore, there are no specific
recommendations from staff and no specific direction requested of Council.
Staff Reports
Jeff Gatlin, Chief Operating Officer, and Lisa Relou, Chief of Staff, from the Jefferson
County School District, provided an update to City Council concerning the disposition of
the closed schools.
Mr. Gatlin reminded everyone of the items that required these actions, which included
but was not limited to:
• JeffCo residents have grown by 55,854 but school-aged children has declined by
more than 29,000.
• The District, for a multitude of reasons, has lost more than 5,000 students
between 2019-2022.
• Finances and operation challenges need to be addressed.
Other items included the following topics:
• Regional Opportunities for Thriving Schools
• Property Disposition Process
• Community Engagement Priorities
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Target times for Solicitation
CM had comments and questions:
Several CM and the Mayor thanked Mr. Gatlin and Ms. Relou for the informative
presentation.
CM engaged in a discussion and exchange of questions and proposals with the
representatives from Jefferson County Schools.
CM asked a number of questions about the future uses of the closed elementary
schools. The discussion focused on the process of declaring properties surplus, and
how a municipality might obtain ownership of one of those properties.
CM also asked whether the closed schools might be held by Jeffco Schools in reserve
for the potential need of more classrooms in the event our population of school age
children increases.
CM also opined that the lack of communication and community engagement was a
serious problem earlier this year. How has the feedback on those events and lack of
community involvement been received by the school administration?
CM engaged in a detailed discussion about the future prospects of the City acquiring a
closed school property. CM also discussed where the funds would go a school in WR
that has closed is sold.
The school representatives also discussed the proposed improvements to Wheat Ridge
High School, to renovate several parts of the facility that have not been upgraded in 50
years.
3. Staff Report(s)
Mr. Goff announced that our grant application for improvements in The Green has
received favorable response, an $850,000 grant!
4. Elected Officials’ Report(s)
City Clerk Kirkpatrick announced an open seat in District III on the Cultural Commission
where applications should be received by November 19, and he reminded everyone to
make sure they got out and voted. Election day is tomorrow with the ballot boxes and
voter service polling centers open from 7am-7pm, and residents may register to vote
and cast a ballot as late as 7:00 pm, if they are in line to vote at 7:00 pm.
CM Hultin reported on progress and new opportunities at Happiness Gardens.
MPT Stites reported on an event he attended.
CM Weaver noted that her goat herd makes great garden compost.
CM Nosler Beck commented on the school district presentation.
CM Dozeman reminded us of the Turkey Trot; registration ends on November 15.
CM Ohm thanked the staff for all of their hard work, and thanks to his neighbors for their
engagement with the City.
CM Hutchinson thanked staff for their hard work after the last snowfall.
Mayor Starker recognized and thanked the speakers from the school district. Saturday,
November 11 is the next Coffee with the Mayor.
ADJOURNMENT to Special City Council Meeting
The Study Session adjourned at 7:45 pm.
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON December 11, 2023.
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Steve Kirkpatrick, City Clerk
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Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem