HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.01.24 Study Session NotesCITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
STUDY SESSION NOTES
Hybrid - Virtual Meeting
April 1, 2024
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 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,
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; Superintendent, Tracy Dorland Sr. Deputy
City Clerk Margy Greer; Management Analyst, Cole Haselip, 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.
There were no public comments from Wheat Ridge Speaks.
1. Update from Jeffco Schools – Superintendent Tracy Dorlan
Issue
Leadership from the Jefferson County School District provided a “State of the District”
presentation to City Council at the April 1st study session.
Staff Reports
Superintendent, Tracy Dorland, who along with Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Gatlin and
others, shared the presentation which primarily covered the following topics:
1. Vision, Mission, Values, Priorities
2. Major Accomplishments
3. Property Disposition Process
4. School Funding
5. Mill Levy Overrides
6. School District Employee Compensation
7. 2023/2024 Major Initiatives
They also shared their items with the District Profile and the Strategic plan for Jeffco
Public Schools, Jeffco Thrives 2025 which focused on:
• Our Learners, Our Future
• Our People. Our Strength
• Our Operations, Our Foundation
• Our Community Our Legacy
Chief of Staff, Lisa Relou gave a PowerPoint presentation showing:
• Property Disposition Process
• How the School are Funded
• Challenges of District Funding
• Teacher salaries
CM comments and feedback
Councilmembers asked detailed questions about several topics, engaging in discussion among themselves and with the school district officials including the process for school
closures and how the schools play into the City’s Master Plan, working with the Parks &
Recreation Department utilizing the schools’ properties; relieving waitlists at Warren Tech with more hands-on learning experiences for the students; demographic changes that impact the school population; specialized education experiences; funding opportunities for the school programs; and working together with the City on
collaborative projects.
2. Board, Commission, and Committee Updates
Issue
Staff has completed the first Boards and Commissions Annual Report. This report
details the achievements of each public body included in the report through the 2023
calendar year, anticipated activities in 2024, and provides information regarding the
members of each public body. Staff has also prepared a presentation to accompany the
delivery of the report.
Staff Reports
Presentation on the issue was provided by Management Analyst, Cole Haselip and
included the background of the issue where this development of the first Boards and
Commissions Annual Report was a collaborative, cross-department effort, involving the
staff liaison to each board, commission, committee, and authority included within. A
testament to the community’s willingness to contribute toward the next chapter of Wheat
Ridge, these public bodies are comprised of approximately 70 volunteers from across
the City.
Mr. Haselip described the nine public bodies, where each are committed to addressing
unique issues. Some engage in quasi-judicial land-use and building decisions, while
others provide recommendations to staff or the City Council. Certain public bodies
allocate grants to community partners or organize community events. Some engage in a
combination of each of these activities. Enhanced by the diversity of their focus areas
and roles within City processes, the value of these bodies, their dedicated volunteers,
and the staff that support them are indispensable to the City’s success.
He finished by saying that these presentations are designed to complement the report
by addressing potential questions and facilitating conversation. The respective
members of the public bodies being showcased have been invited to attend each
presentation and will be available for questions as well.
Cole Haselip began with the Community Partners Grant Program Committee, explaining
it is a grant program supporting locally focused non-profit agencies and programs. The
Committee reviews the applications and presents its award recommendations to
Council. He explained the evaluation criteria used. In 2023, the Committee reviewed
28 applications and had funding requests in the amount of $284,330 for the 2024 grant
cycle. The Committee ultimately recommended awarding $200,000 in awards, an
increase of $40,000 compared to the last grant cycle. In 2024, the program is
introducing new contracting and reporting requirements for recipients. Several
instructional materials have been issued to help applicants meet the new requirements.
Lauren Mikulak, Community Development Director, spoke about the Building Code
Advisory Board. This Board did not meet in 2023. The Board is required by not only
the city Code, but also the International Building Code. The Board has the authority to
review appeals of the decisions and determinations of the Chief Building official. In this
capacity, they make decisions on Code interpretations, contractor license suspensions,
and suitability of alternate building materials and construction methods. The board is
required to include specific experience in the construction industry. In 2024, they will be
adopting new bylaws and advising on the City’s adoption of the 2024 International
Codes.
Jana Easley presented an update on the Board of Adjustment stating their mission is to
make quasi-judicial decisions on requests for variances and waivers from the Zoning
Ordinance and Sign Code and officially interpret those regulations. They met once in
2023 and have already had two variance cases in 2024. Ms. Easley explained the
variances and waivers the Board reviews and what can be handled administratively by
staff.
Jana Easley then proceeded to give Council an update on the Planning Commission
whose responsibility is to advise staff and make legislative recommendations to City
Council regarding long-range planning and amendments to Chapter 26 of the Municipal
Code. They met 9 times in 2023 and conducted 20 public hearings. Ms. Easley
reviewed the Code Amendments, Land Use Cases, and Long-Range Planning items for
2024. She stated the Board’s role in each of these areas and spoke to the
Commission’s, the public’s, and the Council’s role in the processes.
Mary Hester, Sustainability Coordinator, gave an update on Sustainability Wheat Ridge
stating their mission is to advise Wheat Ridge on matters pertaining to environmental
sustainability and promotes sustainability programs to residents and businesses within
the City of Wheat Ridge. She spoke to the 2023 achievements of the Committee
including e-waste recycling, paint recycling, yard waste composting and the attendance
at these events. Other activities included mentoring businesses, EV charger grant, turf
replacement grant, awarding annual Green Business Awards, installing air quality
monitors, and other projects. Ms. Hester stated that the focus areas for 2024 include
residential waste engagement project, sustainability action plan update, Green Business
program, expanding resource central programming, continuing to seek grant funding
and offering community-facing programs and events.
Public Comments:
CM had comments and questions:
CM Hultin asked if the presentation could be put on the website so Council members
could point the website when residents ask about the various boards and commissions.
3. Liquor Licensing Authority Review
Issue
The City has an eight-member, Council appointed Liquor Licensing Authority (LLA) that
is vested with the authority to grant and refuse liquor licenses and other types of
applications and permits, and hold show cause hearings for alleged violations, all in the
manner provided by law. Over the past few years, the eight-member board has
struggled at times to reach a quorum, delaying Wheat Ridge businesses from obtaining
licenses or permits in a timely manner.
Council may consider appointing an Administrative Hearing Officer (AHO) in place of
the eight-member board, as is becoming more standard across the Denver metro area.
Staff Reports
Presentation on the issue was provided by Assistant City Attorney Joe Rivera, Sr.
Deputy City Clerk, Margy Greer and included the background on the LLA which is a
quasi-judicial board comprised of 8 members: two from each of the City’s four districts.
This board is responsible for licensing liquor establishments in the city and for
conducting show cause hearings for alleged liquor license violations.
The board is vested with the authority to grant and refuse licenses and special permits,
approve, and deny applications for renewal and transfer of licenses for the sale of retail
malt, vinous, or spiritous liquors and fermented malt beverages, designate and assess
fees, promulgate reasonable rules and regulations, conduct investigations, and to
suspend or revoke such licenses for cause, all in the manner provided by law.
Items included in the presentation included:
1. Law Governing Liquor in Wheat Ridge
2. Current Challenges
3. Administrative Hearing Office Model (AHO)
They stated the with the AHO, who must be an attorney licensed to practice law in
Colorado, as the LLA hearings would be scheduled monthly and canceled if no
applications or cases are pending. Staff would work with the AHO to define a division of
responsibilities through policy, an example of which follows, which will create for more
efficient processes for businesses and complies with state law.
LLA Chair Morgan Richards spoke in favor of an Administrative Hearing Officer.
The group finished the presentation with recommendations to move to an AHO model
for the LLA and stood by to answer questions.
CM had comments and questions:
There was general consent from Council Members to move forward with the proposed
ordinance moving from the residential board to an Administrative Hearing Officer.
There was General Consent from City Council to move forward with the proposed
ordinance.
4. Staff Report(s)
No Report.
5. 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 8:40 p.m.
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Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
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Bud Starker, Mayor