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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