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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-25-2024 City Council Meeting MintuesCity Council Meeting Minutes CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 WEST 29TH AVENUE, MUNICIPAL BUILDING  March 25, 2024  Note:    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. Eight members of Council were present in Council Chambers for this session.  Before calling the meeting to order, Mayor Starker stated the rules and procedures necessitated by this meeting format.  Mayor Starker called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Those present stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Jenny Snell Scott Ohm         Rachel Hultin Janeece Hoppe Amanda Weaver     Korey Stites       Dan Larson Leah Dozeman A quorum was established. Also present: City Manager Patrick Goff; Deputy City Manager Allison Scheck; City Attorney Gerald Dahl; Sr. Deputy City Clerk, Margy Greer; Director of Public Works, Maria D’Andrea; Director of Community Development, Lauren Mikulak; Management Analyst, other staff, guests and interested citizens.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Study Session Notes of March 4, 2024 • City Council Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2024, and February 25, 2024 The above Notes and Minutes were approved without changes. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Without objection or correction, the agenda stood as announced. PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES Sexual Assault Awareness Month Mayor Starker proclaimed the month of April 2024 “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” and April 24, 2024 “Colorado Denim Day.” He presented the written proclamation to Candace Cooledge, Executive Director of Porchlight, A Family Justice Center. Porchlight’s Board Member Janeece Hoppe joined them at the podium. Mr. Cooledge spoke a few about the center and thanked Mayor and Council for the proclamation. Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month Mayor Starker proclaimed the Monday of April 2024 “Child Abuse Prevention Month” in the City of Wheat Ridge and presented the written proclamation to Jennifer Kemps, Development Officer of the Ralston House Child Advocacy Center. Ms. Kemps spoke a few words about the Ralston House and thanked Mayor and Council for the proclamation. PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO SPEAK Scott Peak with Intermountain Health/Lutheran Medical Center and spoke to the Grand Opening of their new facility in Clear Creek Crossing and the Lutheran Legacy Campus. He stated that they are working hand-in-hand with the City of Wheat Ridge during the decommission process of the Lutheran Legacy Campus and the redevelopment of same. Lynn Browning stated she is a new resident and wanted to see how local government in Wheat Ridge works and thanked Council for their Proclamation regarding child abuse. 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 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 address a public hearing (verbatim, if the comments do not contain lascivious language or unlawful hate speech). No comments appeared in WR Speaks for this session of Council. 1. CONSENT AGENDA CM Snell introduced the consent agenda reading each Item and Issue Statement into the Record: a. Resolution No. 12-2024 – a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2024 budget to reflect the approval of a supplemental budget appropriation in the amount of $75,000 for improvements to Council Chambers. Issue The City receives approximately $27,000 per year from the Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) access channel fee assessed by the local cable franchising authority (Comcast) for costs associated with the channel. Staff recommends some improvements and upgrades to equipment in Council Chambers so that public meetings can be more effectively managed, presented and televised. This request appropriates funds restricted for these purposes to make the improvements. b. Motion to approve the contract with GovOS for the tax and licensing revenue system in the amount of $95,626. Issue In 2021, City Council determined a priority of the City must be to streamline permitting and licensing to assist the business community in working with Wheat Ridge and provide greater customer service. Following a two-year evaluation period of systems and existing business processes, the City has selected five systems to drive efficiency and modernize business practices. The first system to be purchased and implemented is GovOS which will facilitate tax and business licensing filing and collection. c. Resolution No. 13-2024 – a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget to reflect the approval of a supplemental budget appropriation in the amount of $233,025 for the purposes of accepting an Urban Forestry Grant and authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with the Urban Sustainability Directors Network in the amount of $669,073 for Expanding the Urban Tree Canopy in Wheat Ridge Issue The City of Wheat Ridge was awarded $669,073 in funding from the USDA Urban and Community Forestry grant program to plant approximately 1,180 trees in Wheat Ridge parks, open spaces, and rights of way and as part of several capital improvement projects across the City. To receive and appropriate the funding, the City must accept the grant award by directing the Mayor to sign the attached Grant Agreement and approve a supplemental budget appropriation. CM Snell made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda Items 1a.), 1b.), and 1c.). It was seconded by CM Larson. Vote: 8-0. The motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING There were none tonight. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING There were none tonight. DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS 2. Motion to approve a Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate from Jefferson County School District for the Green at 38th. CM Hoppe introduced Item 2 and read the Issue Statement into the Record: Issue Staff received direction from City Council in 2018 to engage a designer to develop conceptual designs for a community gathering space at The Green on 38th Avenue in front of Stevens Elementary. The final design is now nearly complete, and construction is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2024, when the school closes for summer break. Staff signed a nonbinding Letter of Intent with the Jefferson County School District which set forth the terms under which the District would convey the property necessary for The Green to the City in exchange for the City constructing a new parking lot for Stevens Elementary. The terms of the Letter of Intent have been incorporated into a Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate. Staff Presentation City Manager, Patrick Goff presented to Council where the City and the School District have an existing agreement that allows for shared use of The Green, which has been in place for several years. The District continues to be very supportive of this redesign and continued shared use, which as noted above, meets important goals for both the City and District. The original intent was for the City to enter into a long-term lease with the District to utilize the District’s property for this project. However, the District has now agreed to convey the property to the City in exchange for the City paying for and constructing a new parking lot for Stevens Elementary. He stated that this final design has several advantages: • Meets the School District’s security/safety goals by providing a parking lot and circulation area that is protected from the street, more convenient to the building entry and will be perceived as being safer by providing a buffer between the elementary school and its outdoor playground and the various activities that occur on The Green. • Provides a more efficiently designed parking lot, while maintaining approximately the same number of spaces. • Gives The Green a stronger street presence and visibility, furthering the City’s goal of highlighting 38th Avenue as the City’s “main street.” • Provides a logical extension of streetscape improvements that were installed as part of the West 38th apartments immediately to the west. Jeff Gatlin, CCO for Jefferson County School District was in attendance to help answer questions. Afterwards he stood by to answer questions. Public Comment None. Council Questions and comments None. CM Hoppe made a motion to approve a Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate from Jefferson County School District for The Green at 38th. It was seconded by CM Dozeman. Several CM thanked everyone involved in having this agreement come to fruition. Vote: 8-0. The motion carried. CM Ohm introduced Item 3 and read the Issue Statement into the Record: 3. Motion to award The Green at 38th Project - Phase 1, Stevens Elementary parking lot replacement to ECI Site Construction Management Inc., of Loveland, Colorado, and approve subsequent payments in the amount of $1,386,590. Issue A project to create an urban park along 38th Avenue between Upham Street and High Court was budgeted several years ago. Staff recommends awarding a contract to ECI Site Construction Management, Inc. of Loveland, Colorado in the amount of $1,386,590. This contract is associated with the first phase of construction, which includes the Stevens Elementary parking lot. Staff Presentation City Manager gave an update on the schedule and the site plan. Director of Parks and Recreation, Karen O’Donnell, stood by to answer any questions. Public Comment None. Council Questions and comments CM Holtin asked if the pedestrian walkway could be a hump or slightly elevated to protect children and slow down traffic. The contractor’s representative stated that they usually use a different color on the crosswalks so people can have a visual, but he stated he would take the idea of an elevated bump back to his team. CM Ohm made a motion to award The Green at 38th Avenue – Phase 1 Project to ECI Site Construction Management, Inc. and approve subsequent payment in the amount of $1,386,590. It was seconded by CM Holtin. The motion carried 8-0. CM Weaver introduced Item 4 and read the Issue Statement into the Record: 4. Motion to award a contract and approve subsequent payments to Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker, LLC, in the amount not to exceed $249,999 for professional services for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update. Issue The City has determined that it is time to update the parks and recreation master plan. This decision is supported by the CAPRA (Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies) recommendation of updating the document every 10 years. Funds were previously budgeted for this update, and the City is seeking consultant services to complete this plan update for a total cost not to exceed $249,999. On March 14, 2024, the firm Berry Dunn was selected by the City’s established procurement process to perform the required professional services for completion of the parks and recreation master plan update. Staff Presentation Director of Parks and Recreation, Karen O’Donnell competitive bid process, creative approach with Berry Dunn, looking forward to kicking off next month. This plan will work together with the comp plan, economic development plan, and the neighborhood plans. BerryDunn will work with staff to ensure the community is engaged in the entire process. Staff presented to Council the background where the current parks and recreation master plan is based on a comprehensive planning process that took place from September 2014 through March 2015 and involved extensive staff and community input as well as research and analysis of the existing parks and recreation system in Wheat Ridge. It includes key findings and information gathered from the demographic and trend analysis; a public input process; a statistically valid resident survey; and inventory and analysis of existing Wheat Ridge’s parks, open space, and facilities. The project also incorporated a review of the Parks and Recreation Department’s programs and general financial resources. Based on this analysis, recommended goals and strategies were crafted to address the key issues identified in the needs assessment and findings phase of the project. Public Comment None. Council Questions and comments None. CM Weaver made a motion to award a contract and approve subsequent payment to Berry, Dunn, McNeil, and Parker, LLC, in the amount not to exceed $249,999 for professional services for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update. It was seconded by CM . Vote: 8-0. The motion carried. CM Stites introduced Item 5 and read the Issue Statement into the Record: 5. Motion to award the Stormwater Master Plan Project to RESPEC Company, LLC of Denver, Colorado, and approve subsequent payments in the amount of $189,755, with a contingency amount of $10,245, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $200,000. Issue The City experienced a series of storm sewer pipe failures in 2023. It was determined that an increased level of investment in maintenance, repairs and upgrades to the system is necessary to provide adequate protection to life, safety, and property. A previous Stormwater Master Plan was created in 1979. Since that time, minimal planning and analysis has been completed, therefore, a comprehensive evaluation is required. Staff Presentation Maria D’Andrea, Director of Public Works presented to Council the details of this Award, stating The City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on January 11, 2024, to solicit proposals from engineering firms to prepare a Stormwater Master Plan to address the maintenance, infrastructure and capital needs of the stormwater system. The goal of the Stormwater Master Plan is to create a blueprint for rehabilitation and/or improvement of the existing stormwater system within the city. The Plan will include an assessment of the current system, development of immediate and future needs with recommendations for prioritization of improvements, a capital plan, and a schedule for implementation of the program over the next 10 years. Council Questions and comments Council Members asked about the possible stormwater utility fee and how the list of priorities would be determined. D’Andrea answered their questions and stated Council will continue to be informed of the progress. Motion by CM Stites to award the Stormwater Master Plan Project to RESPEC Company, LLC of Denver, Colorado, and approve subsequent payments in the amount of $189,755, with a contingency amount of $10,245, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $200,000. It was seconded by CM Hoppe. Vote: 8-0. Motion carried. Mayor Starker introduced Item 6 and read the Issue Statement into the Record 6. Motion to appoint members to Boards and Commissions, the Community Partners Grant Program Committee and Sustainable Wheat Ridge. Issue Council appoints members to the City’s Boards and Commissions annually and as needed throughout the year to fill vacancies. There are three Board and Commission appointments to consider at this time. Council appoints members to the Community Partners Grant Program Committee. There are four appointments to make at this time. Council must also ratify staff’s nominations for appointments to Sustainable Wheat Ridge (SWR). Staff has prepared a list of SWR nominations for the Council to consider. There are five Staff nominations for Council to ratify and one District appointment to make at this time. Staff Presentation None. District I CM Hoppe made a motion to appoint Amanda Rodriguez to fill the vacant District I position of the Board of Adjustment, term to expire March 1, 2027; AND moved to appoint Jeffrey Richards to the Community Partners Grant Program Committee District I seat, term to expire February 28, 2027. It was seconded by CM Snell. Vote: 8-0. The motion carried. District II CM Hultin made a motion to appoint District III resident Lindsey Schwerman to the Community Partners Grant Program Committee District II seat, term to expire February 28, 2027 and District III resident Adam Wakefield to the Community Partners Grant Program Committee District II seat, partial term to expire February 28 2025. It was seconded by CM Ohm. Vote: 8-0. The motion carried. District III CM Weaver made a motion to appoint Ryan Schwerman to the District III seat of the Sustainable Wheat Ridge Committee, term ending February 28, 2027. It was seconded by MPT Stites. Vote: 8-0. The motion carried. District IV CM Dozeman made a motion to reappoint District I resident Brendan Kelley to the District IV seat of the Cultural Commission, term to expire March 1, 2027; AND moved to appoint District III resident Rio O’Neal to the District IV seat of the Community Partners Grant Program, term to expire February 28, 2027. Seconded by CM Larson. Vote: 8-0. The motion carried. Sustainable Wheat Ridge CM Weaver made a motion to ratify the staff-nominated appointments of the Sustainable Wheat Ridge Committee as follows: • Reappointment of Betsy Coppock of District III for an at-large position, term ending February 28, 2027. • Appointment of Mike Stewart of District II for an at-large position, term ending February 28, 2027. • Appointment of Conner Denton, Non-Resident representative, for an at-large position, term ending February 28, 2027. • Appointment of Amanda Burch of District II for an at-large position, term ending February 28, 2027. • Appointment of Sara Nepomuceno of District II for an at-large position, term ending February 28, 2026 Seconded by CM Hultin. Vote: 8-0. The motion carried. CM Dozeman introduced Item 7 and read the Issue Statement into the Record 7. Resolution No. 14-2024 – a resolution in opposition to State Legislation infringing upon Home Rule authority Issue The City’s Home Rule authority was adopted by its voters in 1976 and is enshrined in the Colorado Constitution. The City Council may pass a resolution in opposition to state legislation infringing up its Home Rule authority. As a result, elected officials and staff could oppose such legislation on behalf of the city without returning to Council to discuss specific bills. Staff Presentation City Manager Patrick Goff and City Attorney Gerlad Dahl stood by to answer questions. Council Questions and comments CM Hultin expressed her concern about Council reviewing Bills that have good merits and perhaps they would vote in favor if it were not for the Home Rule issue. Patrick Goff stated that each Bill would be looked at individually and could possibly come before Council, merits warranted that. CM Dozeman made a motion to approve Resolution No. 14-2024- A Resolution in opposition to State Legislation infringing upon Home Rule authority. It was seconded by MPT Stites. Vote: 8-0. The motion carried. CITY MANAGER’S MATTERS City Manager Patrick Goff gave an update on the parking lot at The Green and stated a new traffic study would be done. He stated there would be over 100 new trees planted on The Green. He also stated that the branch drop-off program was a great success over the weekend. Congress approved a new budget packet which includes $200,000 for Maker’s Space. There is a ribbon cutting at 10 am on Saturday for the Maker’s Space. CITY ATTORNEY’S MATTERS No report. ELECTED OFFICIALS’ MATTERS 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 meeting at 7:48 pm. ________________________________ Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk _________________________________ Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem