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