HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-08-2024 - City Council Meeting MinutesCity Council Meeting Minutes
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 WEST 29TH AVENUE, MUNICIPAL BUILDING
July 08, 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 6:30 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, Dan Larson, Amanda Weaver, Janeece Hoppe, Korey Stites, Scott Ohm, and Leah Dozeman. Council Member Rachel Hultin joined virtually on zoom. A quorum was established.
Also present: City Manager Patrick Goff; Deputy City Manager Allison Scheck, Director of Public Works Maria D’Andrea; Parks and Recreation Director Karen O’Donnell; and Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak. Other staff, guests and interested members of the public were also present. Attorney Gerald Dahl was present virtually on
Zoom. 4. Approval of Minutes City Council Meeting Minutes, June 24, 2024 Without objection or correction, the minutes were approved as presented.
5. Approval of Agenda Without objection or correction, the agenda stood as announced. 6. Proclamation –Park and Recreation Month – Parks and Recreation Director
Karen O’Donnell and several of her staff accepted a proclamation in honor of Park and Recreation Month. Director O’Donnell remarked that this year’s theme “Where you Belong” is fitting for Wheat Ridge and invited the community to get involved this month by visiting a park, taking a free special class being held in celebration of this special month. For every park visited in the month of July, visitors can complete a form
available online. Director O’Donnell introduced various members of her staff and mentioned special initiatives they work on.
7. Proclamation – Mayor’s Monarch Pledge – Sustainability Coordinator Mary Hester joined Mayor Starker at the podium for a proclamation honoring the monarch
butterfly. The proclamation called upon residents to get involved in monarch butterfly
preservation. Ms. Hester thanked Council and residents for their participation in sustainability initiatives in Wheat Ridge and for the continued preservation of pollinators. 8. Public’s Right to Speak
Russell Sillman spoke about the 1,000-foot tobacco retail prohibition from youth
oriented facilities. He remarked this is a noble cause, but that the law should
grandfather the business, not strictly existing owners, to allow existing businesses to
continue retailing tobacco when they change hands. Mr. Sillman remarked that this
ordinance is ruining people’s lives. He liked this to eminent domain, where people are
made whole. Under the current law, this is devasting to the owner’s life because they
are not made whole.
Wheat Ridge Speaks:
No comments from Wheat Ridge Speaks or via Zoom.
9. Consent Agenda
None PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING
10. Resolution No. 33-2024 – resolution approving the assignment to the Jefferson
County Housing Authority, D/B/A Foothills Regional Housing of $1,963,487 of the City of
Wheat Ridge, Colorado’s 2024 Private Activity Bond Volume Cap Allocation from the
state ceiling for private activity bonds; and authorizing the execution and delivery of an
Assignment and other documents in connection therewith.
This Council Bill was introduced into the Record by Council Member Dozeman.
Issue
The City of Wheat Ridge has received an allocation of $1,963,487 for the purpose of
issuing Private Activity Bonds (PABs) in 2024 under the state ceiling imposed by the Tax
Reform Act of 1987. Staff recommends assigning the City’s allocation to Foothills
Regional Housing which has agreed to issue PABs for The Ives affordable housing project
at the corner of 44th and Wadsworth Boulevard.
The Mayor opened the public hearing, which was not a quasi-judicial matter.
Staff Presentation Mr. Goff introduced Amy Case Miranda, deputy CEO of the Jefferson County Housing Authority who addressed Council. Ms. Case Miranda spoke about the private activity bond cap and that it expires at the end of the year if not assigned.
Private activity bonds are an “allowance” per capita to issue tax exempt debt between a
public entity (such as the housing authority) and private entity. This is a perfect program for a project such as The Ives for phase II (phase I is now open). Public Comment
None Council Comments Council Member Dozeman asked for clarification as to which project this will be
assigned to. Ms. Case responded it will be assigned to The Ives (Phase II).
Council Member Larson asked for a description of where The Ives’ second phase is in terms of progress. Ms. Case responded that designs are in progress for approximately 79 or 80 units mixed between one, two and three bedrooms. It will range 30-70 percent
of the area median income. This phase would likely be three floors on top of parking,
although nothing has been through the permitting process yet. Council Member Dozeman made a motion to approve Resolution No. 33-2024, a
resolution approving the assignment to the Jefferson County Housing Authority, D/B/A
Foothills Regional Housing of $1,963,487 of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado’s 2024
Private Activity Bond Volume Cap Allocation from the state ceiling for private activity
bonds; and authorizing the execution and delivery of an Assignment and other documents in connection therewith. It was seconded by Council Member Ohm. Vote: 8-
0. The motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING 11. Council Bill No. 12-2024, an ordinance amending Chapters 1 and 13 of the
Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the acceptance of electronic signatures. This Council Bill was introduced into the Record by Council Member Hoppe.
Issue
The City’s current Code of Laws does not address the use and acceptance of electronic
signatures for summonses issued by the Wheat Ridge Police Department (WRPD).
However, the WRPD is planning to implement the use of electronic summonses by
August 2024. To match those practices of the WRPD, the enclosed ordinance amends
current regulations to allow the Municipal Court to accept electronic signatures for all
types of summonses issued by the WRPD.
Council Member Hoppe made a motion to approve Council Bill No. 12-2024, an ordinance amending Chapters 1 and 13 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the acceptance of electronic signatures, on first reading, order it published by title and in
full on the City’s website as provided by the Home Rule Charter, public hearing set for
Monday, July 22, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. as a virtual meeting and in City Council Chambers, and that it take effect 15 days after final publication. It was seconded Council Member Stites. Vote: 8-0. The motion carried.
DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS
12. MOTION – a motion approving a contract amendment with Architerra Group for
construction support services for the Green at 38th Project in the amount of $111,855.
This Resolution was introduced into the Record by Council Member Ohm.
Issue
The Architerra Group was hired by the city in July 2022 to prepare final design documents
for The Green at 38th project. Since that time, city staff and members of Architerra Group
have worked extensively with the Jefferson County School District and other stakeholders
to develop two phases to the project to minimize the impacts to the adjacent school,
Stevens Elementary. Phase I, the parking lot project, is currently underway and Phase II,
the park site, is scheduled to begin construction in August 2024. A contract amendment
with Architerra Group, in the amount of $111,855, is being requested to provide
coordination, support and assistance during the construction phase.
Staff Presentation
None
Public Comment
None Council Comments
Mayor mentioned that he saw heavy equipment at Stevens Elementary and asked for
an update. City Manager Goff mentioned that work is underway on the parking lot, with the goal to be complete by the start of school and will roll directly into the park project. Council Member Hoppe remarked on how excited she is for this project.
Council Member Ohm made a motion to approve a motion approving a contract
amendment with Architerra Group for construction support services for the Green at 38th
project in the amount of $111,855, seconded by Council Member Hoppe. Vote: 8-0.
The motion carried.
13. Resolution No. 34-2024 – a resolution amending the 2024 Housing Fund
Budget to reflect the approval of a supplemental budget appropriation in the amount of
$20,000 for the purpose of funding an inclusionary housing economic analysis.
This Resolution was introduced into the Record by Council Member Snell.
Issue
Staff is in the process of procuring a consultant to complete an economic analysis of the
impact of an inclusionary housing ordinance. The 2024 Housing Fund Budget currently
includes $20,000 for this task. Upon reaching out to four qualified consultants, two have
since replied that the budget of $20,000 is not adequate to complete the analysis.
Therefore, staff is requesting a supplement budget appropriation in the amount of $20,000
from the Housing Fund Budget undesignated reserves to fund these professional services.
Staff Presentation
City Manager Goff remarked that Council was briefed on this topic approximately one month ago. Public Comment
None.
Council Comments
Council Member Dozeman asked if the total cost will be $40,000. Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak remarked that it will be more than $20,000 but not more than $40,000.
Council Member Hultin asked if any unused funds would go back to the Housing Fund.
City Manager Goff confirmed that yes, funds would go back to the fund. Council Member Snell made a motion to approve Resolution 34-2024 – a resolution
amending the 2024 Housing Budget to reflect the approval of a supplemental budget
appropriation in the amount of $20,000 for the purpose of funding an inclusionary
housing economic analysis, seconded by Council Member Stites. Vote: 8-0. The
motion carried.
CITY MANAGER’S MATTERS
None
CITY ATTORNEY’S MATTERS
None.
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ MATTERS
Councilor Hultin asked for an update on the Wadsworth Improvement Project. Public
Works Director remarked that we are making good progress. Currently, southbound
lanes are divided so that the center section north of 44th Avenue can be completed. In
late August, we expect to put all northbound traffic onto the new pavement. Sample
panels are now going up on the noise wall to test for design and materials. The public
have been patient and adaptable. We are preparing for the Carnation Festival to ensure
traffic is not impacted. We are currently working to open access to the shopping center
at 44th and Vance. Council Member Hultin asked that we open the multiuse trail when
northbound traffic shifts to the new pavement.
Council Member remarked that Ridgefest was great and commended Localworks and
volunteers for a fantastic event. She is happy to celebrate Park and Recreation month.
She encouraged everyone to be safe with the heat and walk dogs early in the morning.
Council Member Dozeman hoped everyone enjoyed July 4th and that Carnation Festival
offers fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights. The festival is August 9, 10 and 11 and
there is still time to register for the parade. She gave kudos to Localworks for Ridgefest
and noted that this coming Saturday is the first Makerspace mural painting. She gave
kudos to the Parks and Recreation team and enjoyed this evening’s proclamation.
Council Member Larson acknowledged the hundreds of people that attended Ridgefest
and that people were very happy and enthusiastic.
Council Member Ohm remarked on the great Ridgefest turnout and thanked the staff at
Localworks and Wheat Ridge Police Department. He remarked on the importance of
water conservation during this hot weather and to water after 6 p.m.
Council Member Weaver thanked everyone who came and walked the goats at the first
Goat Parade of the year. The goats are doing their job and eating the grass. She also
remarked that Ridgefest was fantastic.
Mayor Pro Tem Stites thanked all who participated in the Goat Parade. He remarked
that Ridgefest was a lot of fun. He was thrilled to see Let’s Talk and Parks and
Recreation booths at the event. He thanked Localworks and the Wheat Ridge Police
Department and remarked that it showcased local businesses.
Mayor Starker welcomed everyone back after the Independence Day holiday. He
appreciated Council Member Weaver for Five Fridges Farm and the goats. He
remarked that we have great parks and a great parks department. He thanked Mary
Hester for being here and the parks team that support pollinators in our community. This
Saturday, Mayor is hosting Coffee with the Mayor at 9 a.m. at Vinolla’s. He announced
that the new hospital will open on August 3 with a ribbon cutting on Saturday, July 20 at
8:30 a.m. He asked that everyone drive home safely.
ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
_______________________________
Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
_________________________________
Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem