HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.18.24 Study Session NotesCITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
STUDY SESSION NOTES
Hybrid - Virtual Meeting
March 18, 2024
Mayor Starker called the Study Session to order at 6:32 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 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, Jenny Snell, Korey Stites, Amanda Weaver
(virtual attendance), Leah Dozeman, Dan Larsen, Janeece Hoppe, and Rachel Hultin.
Also present: City Manager, Patrick Goff; Deputy City Manager Alli Scheck: Director of
Community Development, Lauren Mikulak; Director of Public Works, Maria D’Andrea;
Renewal Wheat Ridge Executive Director, Steve Art; Assistant City Manager, Marianne
Schilling; Sr. Deputy City Clerk Margy Greer; Senator Jessie Danielson; Representative
Monica Duran; Colorado Municipal League (CML) Legislative Advocacy Manager
Heather Stauffer; Legal Counsel RWR, Corey Hoffman, other staff and interested
residents.
Public’s Right to Speak
Ihor Figlas – Resident – asked Council to encourage CML and the state representatives to
oppose mandated parking requirements or other zoning issues, as it would handcuff the City
Council. He asked Council to take into consideration the needs and desires of the neighbors on
the west and south sides of Lutheran Legacy Campas, as again, parking will be an issue.
He said, in a desire to make things modern, high-density housing is not wanted in residential
areas. He asked the legislators to not pass legislation on climate issues that are not supported
by scientific evidence; stating wind and solar energy is not working. He also stated that
electronic vehicles are not considered clean energy, due to the problems with chemical disposal
from the energy used.
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 Colorado Legislative Update
Issue
The Legislative Update is an opportunity for the City’s elected officials and staff to
discuss legislative priorities, current legislation, and Wheat Ridge positions and priorities
for the 2024 session. Senator Jessie Danielson and Representative Monica Duran will
be in attendance, and CML Legislative Advocacy Manager Heather Stauffer will be
available to review legislation and answer questions.
Heather Stauffer presented the 2024 Priority Legislative issues, which included but were
not limited to:
• HB1007 – Home occupations passed second reading in the House but not apply
to group homes.
• HB24-1152: Allowing ADUs as a Use by Right, (CML Opposes Unless Amended)
• HB24-1313: Minimum Housing Density in Transit Oriented Communities, (CML
Opposes)
• SB24-174 Requiring Local Governments to Complete a Housing Needs
Assessment, (CML Supports)
• HB24-1304 Eliminating Minimum Parking Requirements, (CML Opposes)
• HB24-1007 Eliminating Residential Occupancy Limits, (CML Opposes Unless
Amended)
• SB24-048 Sober Living Homes, (CML Supports if Amended)
• SB24-106 Allowing Mediation for Construction Defects, (CML Supports)
• SB24-005 Nonfunctional & Artificial Turf, (CML Opposes)
Those items along with Public Safety and City Administration Related bills to include:
• SB24-131 Prohibiting the Possession of Firearms in “Sensitive Spaces”, (CML
has No Position. Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police Opposes)
• HB24-1284 Minimum Bond Requirements for Persons with a History of Violence,
(CML has No Position. Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police Strongly
Supports)
• SB24-107 Prohibiting Firearms Possession by Persons Convicted of Specific
Crimes, (CML has No Position. Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police
Supports)
• HB24-1168 Requiring Local Governments to Allow Virtual Access &
Accommodations to Public Meetings, (CML Opposes)
• HB21-110 Web Accessibility Requirements for Governments, (CML has No
Position)
Also included was an overview of and a discussion of specific Tax and Finance and
Parks and Recreation Bills for:
• SB24-033 Property Tax Status of Short-Term Rentals, (CML has No Position)
• SB24-113 Safer Youth Sports, (CML has No Position)
• HB24-1080 Youth Sport Personnel Requirements, (CML has No Position)
Senator Jessie Danielson and State Representative Monica Duran spoke to Council about bills they are sponsoring this year that impact municipal governments and their efforts to improve the quality of life in Colorado.
CM comments and feedback
Mayor and City Council Members spoke to some of the upcoming bills that will benefit
local government, local preemption issues, transportation, and the issues surrounding
the needs of older adults.
Amanda Harrison, Wheat Ridge’s Communications and Engagement Manager stated
that HB21-1110 states it is a civil rights violation to not be in compliance with the
accessibility guidelines for website communications. She stated that the City has made
great progress, but an extension is needed in order to be in compliance by the deadline.
More information will be sent to legislators regarding this issue.
2. Lutheran Legacy Campus and Carr Street Urban Renewal Plans
Issue
Consideration of two resolutions adopting new urban renewal plan areas for the
Lutheran Legacy Campus and the industrial area west of Wadsworth at I-70 to Garrison
Street (Carr Street Plan).
Staff Reports
Presentation on the issue was provided by Renewal Wheat Ridge (RWR) Executive
Director Steve Art gave a PowerPoint presentation which included a brief background
on the two plans; the plan formation requirements including an overview of the Colorado
Renewal Law; and the forming of an Urban Renewal Plan.
Mr. Art reviewed the Lutheran Legacy Urban Renewal Plan, the area containing 21
parcels and 146 acres; the blighting conditions of the property; the vision of the Plan to
create a flexible mix-ed use development in the center with medium and higher density
between North Lutheran Parkway and Lutheran Parkway West; and the Plan goals and
conformance. He reviewed the 2022 mills levies assessed on the property; and the
assumption of $3.6 million in assessed value of land in the plan area. Steve Art stated
there is much more detail in the Impact Report.
Steve Art stated that the next steps would be to conduct a public hearing and adopt
separate resolutions approving the two plans.
CM had comments and questions:
CM Larson asked about the definition of blight, as he lives in the area and wanted to
know if his home was considered blighted. Steve Art explained that the blight refers to
very specific issues within the plan area, and the area itself is not considered blighted.
CM Larson stated that homes are in the flood are and some owners have difficulty in
obtaining flood insurance. Mr. Art explained that the flood issue will be repaired by one
entity or another.
Several CM and the Mayor thanked them for the informative presentation.
CM engaged in a discussion and exchange with the staff and among themselves,
addressing the flood insurance, building height and other issues.
MPT Stites proposed a consensus for City Council to move forward with a formal
presentation at a future Council meeting to conduct a public hearing and adopt separate
resolutions approving the two plans. Consensus from City Council was obtained.
3. Staff Report(s)
No report.
Elected Officials’ Report(s)
Mayor and Council Members reported on their various activities including ribbon cutting
ceremonies, their attendance at other agency meetings, and items of personal interest.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Starker adjourned the Study Session at 9:15 pm.
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Margy Greer, Sr, Deputy City Clerk
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Bud Starker, Mayor