HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.20.24 - Study Session NotesCITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
STUDY SESSION NOTES
Hybrid - Virtual Meeting
May 20, 2024
1. Call to Order
Mayor Starker called the Study Session to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Attendance
Council Members present: Scott Ohm, Jenny Snell, Korey Stites, Amanda Weaver, Leah
Dozeman, Dan Larson, Janeece Hoppe, and Rachel Hultin.
Also present: City Manager, Patrick Goff; Director of Community Development, Lauren
Mikulak; Park and Recreation Director Karen O’Donnell; Sr. Deputy City Clerk Margy
Greer; Grant and Special Project Administrator, Brandon Altenburg; Senior
Neighborhood Planner, Ella Stueve; Director of Public Works, Maria D’Andrea;
Neighborhood Engagement Specialist, Ashley Holland, other staff and interested
residents.
3. Public’s Right to Speak
None.
Wheat Ridge Speaks:
There were no public comments from Wheat Ridge Speaks.
4. Appointment of the Presiding Judge – City Council Interviews
Issue: - Pursuant to Sec.8.2 of the Municipal Charter, the City Council shall appoint a
presiding judge. The top two candidates have been referred to City Council to be
interviewed for the position of Presiding Municipal Judge. Staff Reports
City Manager Patrick Goff explained that the Municipal Charter Section 8.2 dictates that
the City Council appoints the municipal judge. Staff put together a selection committee
with Councilors Stites and Dozeman, community members Chris Hoppe and Diana
Lopez, Retired Municipal Judge Ann Savage, City Attorney Gerald Dahl, Assistant City
Manager Marianne Schilling, Division Chief Eric Kellogg, City Manager Patrick Goff, and
Court Administrator Kersten Armstrong. Goff stated they put together an RFP and
received five proposals, those were narrowed to three, and from those three interviews,
it was narrowed down to two to present to Council. The interviews at the Study Session
are scheduled for approximately one hour each. He stated that after the interviews a
special meeting would be called, and Council will into executive session. If ready to
decide, then will go return to the regular session and make a motion to appoint.
The first applicant was Judge Jonathan Lucero. Judge Lucero gave a statement with his
background and experience with Municipal Law and explained why he was the best
candidate for the position. He explained he has been a judge, a municipal prosecutor, a
public defender, and private council, and advised how each case presented to him, he
looks at as each of these backgrounds and experiences in mind when deciding the
outcome of the case. Judge Lucero also explained the cities across Colorado where he
has worked in various capacities and how that has shown him different ways cases can
be handled and has observed ways that work and ways that don’t. Judge Lucero took
time to point out his legal and non-legal volunteerism.
Council Members were each given questions to ask of the candidates. The Council
member asked a question, and the Judge gave the response accordingly. Once all
questions were concluded, Judge Lucero gave a closing statement, again explaining
why he is the best candidate for the position, and thanked Mayor and Council for the
opportunity.
Mayor Starker explained that there is another candidate they will be meeting with, and
then will deliberate and come up with a decision. A ten-minute break was taken between
candidates.
The second applicant was Judge Paul Basso. Judge Basso explained that he has been
the interim Judge, since Judge Randall’s Retirement, he is also the relief Judge for the
City of Wheat Ridge since 2016, and that he is the City of Wheat Ridge Administrative
Hearing officer for Code Violations and has been the Liquor Hearing officer for the last 2
months. He went on to say he was in Firestone for 17 years, and during that time he
was also a relief Judge for the City of Westminster. He also spoke to his activity in the
Colorado Municipal Judge’s Association, to include acting as President, and has several
chapters he authored in the Judge Book, of laws that Judge’s need to reference quickly.
He also referenced several committees he is on and closed stating he has been a judge
for the last 28 years. Judge Basso reviewed and email received regarding preparing for
the interview and went over the questions one by one giving answers accordingly.
Council Members were each given questions to ask of the candidates. The Council
member asked a question, and the Judge gave the response accordingly. Once all
questions were concluded, Judge Basso gave a closing statement, again explaining why
he is the best candidate for the position, and thanked Mayor and Council for the
opportunity.
Mayor Starker gave a summation of the process, and thanked Judge Basso for coming
in.
5. Staff Reports
None.
6. Elected Officials Reports
None
7. Adjournment
Mayor Starker adjourned the meeting at 8:26 pm.
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Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
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Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem