HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-20-2024 - Special Meeting MinutesCity Council Special Meeting Minutes
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 WEST 29TH AVENUE, MUNICIPAL BUILDING
May 20, 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. Before calling the meeting
to order, Mayor Starker stated the rules and procedures necessitated by this meeting format.
1. Call to Order Mayor Starker called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 8:18 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance Those present stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 3. Roll Call
Council Members present: Jenny Snell, Scott Ohm, Janeece Hoppe, Amanda Weaver, Korey Stites, and Dan Larson, and Leah Dozeman. Absent: Rachel Hultin
A quorum was established. Also present: City Manager Patrick Goff; City Attorney Gerald Dahl; Sr. Deputy City Clerk Margy Greer; Director of Community Development Lauren Mikulak; Director of Parks and Recreation Karen O’Donnell, Police Division Chief Jim Lorentz, other staff,
guests and interested members of the public. 4. Approval of Minutes None 5. Approval of Agenda Without objection or correction, the agenda stood as announced. 6. Public’s Right to Speak None
Wheat Ridge Speaks: No comments from Wheat Ridge Speaks or via Zoom.
7. Motion to Enter into Executive Session
Council Member Hoppe made a motion to go into an Executive Session for conference
with City Manager, City Attorney, and appropriate staff per Charter Section 5.7(2) and
C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(f) for the purposes of discussing a personnel matter related to the
appointment of the presiding municipal judge. She further moved to return to the open
meeting at the conclusion of the executive session to take any action deemed
necessary. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Stites. Vote 7-0. The motion
carried.
Council entered Executive Session at 8:28 p.m.
Council exited Executive Session and resumed the City Council meeting at 9:40 p.m.
Council Member Hoppe made a motion to direct staff to negotiate a contract for our
Municipal Judge to include the compensation amount not to exceed $110 an hour and
that six months prior to contract renewal there is a presentation made by the appointed
judge to City Council in a Study Session with Judge Lucero, and to bring forward to a
future business meeting of Council in the form of an Ordinance. It was seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Stites.
Council Member Hoppe shared there were two very fine candidates. Further stated she
appreciates both candidates but will support Judge Lucero as we are able to bring in
new energy as we move into the next chapter of Wheat Ridge.
Council Member Weaver shared it has been a very tough choice, as candidates were
great. Agreed that she will be putting her support for Judge Lucero and was excited
about what he presented.
Mayor Pro Tem Stites stated he enjoyed being a part of the process and stated both
candidates did a great job. Given what he saw tonight, he stated he believed Judge
Lucero would be a great Judge for the City of Wheat Ridge and looks forward to what
he does with his courtroom.
Council Member Ohm gave thanks to the candidates and showed his support for Judge
Lucero.
Council Member Dozeman thanked both candidates, and stated she enjoyed the
process of selecting the next judge. She shared that she was leaning toward Judge
Basso due to his experience in Wheat Ridge, and is a resident expert in Jefferson
County, and has served Wheat Ridge very well. She stated she thinks he would
continue the excellence that Judge Randall set in Wheat Ridge. Speaking to
colleagues, and considering all of Judge Lucero’s role, she commented that he has the
expertise to move Wheat Ridge forward. She stated she would support Judge Lucero
and thank Judge Basso for his service.
Council Member Larson spoke to both candidates and their respective experiences.
Given the qualifications and having watched Judge Basso in action in court, he stated
he would support Judge Basso.
Council Member Snell stated she appreciates the process, is grateful for all of the time
taken to interview two great candidates and was thankful to the committee that did the
work to get here. She stated it is an important thing for the community and is in support
of Judge Lucero. She feels as Wheat Ridge moves into the Next Chapter; new eyes will
help move them into that next chapter.
Vote: 6 Ayes (Stites, Weaver, Hoppe, Ohm, Snell, Dozeman) 1 Nay (Larson). The
motion carried.
Mayor Starker thanked everyone for all their work and stated he felt they had made a
responsible decision.
CITY MANAGER’S MATTERS
City Manager Patrick Goff stated that the court structure had changed, and court staff
will now report to Marianne Schilling, Assistant City Manager. He reported the city had
also appointed Kendra Carberry as the Administrative Hearing Officer for the Liquor
Licensing. He reported that the Liquor Authority meetings would mostly be virtual,
unless requested otherwise by the applicant.
CITY ATTORNEY’S MATTERS
No report.
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ MATTERS
Council Member Ohm reported on attending his daughter’s graduation ceremony at
Wheat Ridge High School, and stated it was the 125th graduation ceremony at the high
school.
Mayor Starker stated there would be no meeting the following week in observance of
Memorial Day, and asked residents to be careful and to remember those who have
given all for us to be free which allows Council to have the discussions they have.
ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned at 9:51p.m.
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Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
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Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem