HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.22.24 - Special Study Session NotesSpecial Study Session – City Council CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO City Council Chambers 7500 W. 29th Avenue
April 22, 2024
1. Call to Order
Mayor Starker called the Special Study Session to order at 7:28 pm.
2. Roll Call
Council Members present: Scott Ohm, Jenny Snell, Korey Stites, Amanda Weaver,
Dan Larson, and Rachel Hultin.
Absent: Janeece Hoppe and Leah Dozeman
Also, present: City Manager Patrick Goff; City Attorney Gerald Dahl; Deputy City Manager Alli Scheck; Sr. Deputy City Clerk, Margy Greer; Parks and Recreation Director, Karen O’Donnell; Brandon Altenburg, and Garden Coordinator Krystyn Yy Dennis.
3. Public’s Right to Speak
None.
Wheat Ridge Speaks:
None.
4. Happiness Gardens Update
Issue
Councilmember Hultin requested a special study session on Happiness Gardens.
Members of the Parks and Recreation Department will discuss how the garden has
fostered community building across generations, honoring the rich history of agriculture
in Wheat Ridge. Staff provided information on how Happiness Gardens has transformed
in recent years through grants and partnerships. Additionally, staff shared future plans
for Happiness Gardens, as well as the future garden on the Randall Park property.
Staff Report
Parks and Recreation Director, Karen O’Donnell, Garden Coordinator Krystyn Yy Dennis, and Brandon Altenburg gave detailed presentations and overviews of the
Gardens update. Where Happiness Gardens has existed in some capacity for
approximately 51 years, and under the City’s ownership, the primary purpose was rental garden plots for residents and market gardeners until recent years. Through innovation, hard work, successful grant applications, and partnerships, Happiness Gardens has flourished to be much more than rentable garden plots.
While no action was requested at this time as many of the initiatives discussed would
unfold in the coming months and years. If the USDA grant application for the Randall
Park community garden is successful, the Parks & Recreation team will return to Council for grant approval, as well as future construction contract approval.
Discussion on the items included but were not limited to the following topics:
Regenerate Wheat Ridge, Additional Grant Funding, Food Forest, Partnerships and
Initiatives, Randall Park – Future Projects Schedule, and Project Funding and Preliminary Cost Estimates
Council Comments
CM Hultin stated that perhaps the signage could be turned so people could see it as
they drive by. She stated the Garden is a hidden gem, something is happening every
day at the gardens, the people and programs are phenomenal, it is the best of community helping community. She thanked the staff for all their work, for collaborating on the grant and stated she couldn’t wait to see what happens next at Randall Park.
CM Ohm stated the garden is so vibrant now and is looking forward to the second one.
He stated that people are excited to come on board and see the greenhouse open its
doors. Answering his question, staff stated that vertical planting will take place in the
greenhouse.
CM Weaver stated this property is now a new story. She stated that having a vision at
different levels has allowed Parks and Recreation to truly see what it means to be
environmental stewards. She stated that so many people are being served by the City’s
green spaces.
CM Larson asked if the current amenities would be retained at Randall Park. Staff
stated that they would. The garden space would be an addition to the park.
CM Snell gave a huge thank you to the staff. She spoke about the great combination of
gardening and how it bonds people to agriculture and growing. She stated there is a
great combination of programs and she is excited and proud.
Mayor Starker thanked the staff for the work they are doing and stated there are a lot of
gardeners in Wheat Ridge and he is excited to see the energy around the garden
spaces.
5. Adjournment
Mayor Starker adjourned the Special Study Session at 8:04 pm.
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Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
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Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem