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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.15.24 - Study Session NotesCITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO STUDY SESSION NOTES Hybrid - Virtual Meeting July 15, 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, Dan Larson, Janeece Hoppe, Rachel Hultin, and Leah Dozeman Also present: City Manager, Patrick Goff; Deputy City Manager Allison Scheck; Assistant City Manager Marianne Schilling; Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak; Management Analyst Cole Haselip; Senior Planner Scott Cutler; Treasurer Chris Miller; and other staff, guests and interested residents. 3. Public’s Right to Speak None. Wheat Ridge Speaks: There were no public comments from Wheat Ridge Speaks. 4. 2025 Budget Requests – Wheat Ridge Business District, Carnation Festival Committee, and Localworks Issue Representatives from Wheat Ridge Business District, Carnation Festival Committee and Localworks have submitted 2025 budget requests for Council’s consideration. Staff requests feedback on the attached proposals with consensus to proceed so that the appropriate levels of funding are included in the 2025 proposed budget if funding allows. Representatives from all three organizations will give brief presentations highlighting achievements and impacts of previous funding levels along with justification for their respective 2025 requests. Wheat Ridge Business District Report Mayor Pro Tem Stites spoke on behalf of the Wheat Ridge Business District. He talked about the grants that have been given to a number of businesses in Wheat Ridge. He noted that the District submits to the City in two invoices. The District is requesting $90,000 in funds in the 2025 Budget. Chelsea Bunker, contractor for the District, joined the call and discussed the various types of grants that are available. She stressed that the criteria include commercial property owners and businesses who have the sign off of the property owner. The board reviews applications and dives into costs, awarding up to a 50% match in the project. Council Comments Council Member Hultin asked how new businesses know about this program. Mayor Pro Tem Stites replied that they reach out to new businesses and conduct mailers. Council Member Hultin also asked if we are targeting outreach to areas of Wheat Ridge that need investment or are negatively impacted due to construction (such as businesses on Wadsworth.) Mayor Pro Tem Stites mentioned that this might require a bylaw change. Council member Hoppe mentioned that this program used to be restricted to 38th Avenue only but then expanded to include the entire City. At that point, the District added the façade program. She asked about how much funding is actually available and not yet committed. Mayor Pro Tem Stites, having not planned to present, was not aware of the number. Council Member Dozeman asked about businesses that are duplicated. Can a business apply multiple times in any year? Is there any kind of waiting period? Mayor Pro Tem Stites responded that if there are duplicates, it is because they are asking for different grants. Chelsea Bunker, contractor for the District joined the call, and mentioned she could look into possible mistakes about duplicates, particularly an example from 2018. Council member Dozeman also stressed that this is a matching program, incentivizing investment in Wheat Ridge. Council Member Larson asked for clarification on the best way to find information on the program (WRBusinessDistrict.org). Council Member Larson also asked about the conditions. Ms. Bunker said that a contract with general conditions is provided for each award and that it is possible a business might need to repay the grant. Council Member Snell asked if pending applications are included in the packet information. Ms. Bunker answered that no, only dispersed grants are included. Council Member Dozeman asked if there are other funding sources other than the City. The answer is no – the City is the only funding source. Consensus was reached to bring the request forward in the 2025 Budget. Carnation Festival Report Treasurer Chris Miller gave a presentation about the Carnation Festival and the $135,000 2025 request. The 2023 attendance was approximately 33,400. Many residents from District IV, Arvada and west Denver. Mr. Miller remarked that much of the revenue is shared and goes back to local business and service groups. Overall, the goal is to break even which is approximately $253,500. Approximately $35,000 is in reserves. The request of $135,000 is approximately 53% of the budget. The City also provides staffing and other infrastructure on top of the Council request. Council Comments Mayor Pro Team Stites asked about sponsorship status. Mr. Miller remarked that sponsorship comprises approximately $25,000 of the revenue. The festival contracts with a company to help with this. Council Member Ohm asked about the security line item (contracted or City.) Mr. Miller remarked that this is private security. Council Member Ohm also asked how the festival committee evaluates success. Mr. Miller mentioned that they consider local businesses that are successful and might want to participate as sponsors or vendors. Council Member Larson remarked he is impressed with the scale of the festival. He asked how was much was appropriated in 2024 – requested $150,000 but were appropriated $125,000. He asked why expenses are reduced this year. Mr. Miller mentioned that the committee is trying to right size the budget to available resources. Council Member Hultin thanked Mr. Miller for the data included in the presentation. She asked if the 53% request is similar to past years. Yes – the budget is similar. Consensus was reached to bring the request forward in the 2025 Budget. Localworks Report Paige Piper, Executive Director and Jeremy Laufer, Board Chair, presented the budget request of $329,700. Ms. Piper described the strategic planning efforts recently undertaken. Localworks is moving out of the growth phase and into a calmer phase of strategic service delivery. There are four pillars, neighborhood, civic engagement, neighborhood revitalization and arts and culture. Ms. Piper reviewed the 2024 work thus far and how the City’s contribution was used. The $329,700 will optimize existing programs including the growth of Live Local (has doubled in size and impact,); add more diverse waste options to TLC Cleanup Days, such as electronics; operate a neighborhood block party library; continue the Business Block Party (Golds in 2023, West 29th in 2024); hold second class of Wheat Ridge 102; continue business corridor support; and continue educational events similar to the Housing Tour. Ms. Piper discussed the financial position of Localworks. In 2022, the City was responsible for 99% of Localworks’ revenue. By 2024, it was responsible for 70% of annual revenue, with 15% in private grants and 15% in public support. Localworks’ reserve has been spent down by 40% with approximately one year of reserve available - $600,000. Council Comments Council Member Hoppe asked about efforts on 38th Avenue. Ms. Piper says the organization plans to dedicate efforts to Ridge and 38, especially with the opening of The Green. Mayor Pro Tem Stites remarked that Ridgefest went very well and asked about plans to utilize both Anderson and The Green. Ms. Piper remarked that they could not do two events with the current budget request. Council Member Larson asked how much of the 2024 budget is capital versus operating for the Clear Creek Makerspace. Approximately 90% was capital. Council Member Snell asked about equipment management in the Clear Creek Makerspace. Ms. Piper responded that members can request equipment and the advisory committee monitors requests. A maintenance budget exists to repair equipment. Council Member Dozeman asked if the change in Ridgefest location (from The Green to Anderson Park) resulted in a different audience. 43% of this years’ attendees were from Wheat Ridge and the rest were from surrounding committees. Council Member Ohm remarked that he thinks Localworks has really stepped up to respond to community needs. He asked if Localworks is still adding new components. The answer is yes – examples include the Block Party Library and Business Block Parties. Council Member Hultin remarked on the good use of funds. She reminded her colleagues that we should make sure we use The Green for future events. Consensus was reached to bring the request forward in the 2025 Budget. 5. Community Partners Grant Program Committee 2025 Budget Recommendations Issue The Community Partners Grant Program Committee is presenting its annual funding recommendations and seeking consensus to consider them in the 2025 City Budget. Staff Reports Community Partners Grant Program (CPGP) committee members Stephanie Thanner and Rio O’Neal presented information to Council about the CPGP program. In 2024, the City received 43 grant applications with $524,416 requested for the allocation of $200,000 (approximately 38%). The recommendation is to award funds to 39 different organizations. Council Comments Council Member Dozeman thanked the committee members and asked if there was prioritization of criteria. Ms. Thanner said that there are several metrics that would give higher priority – such as Wheat Ridge residents served. Mr. O’Neal remarked that they considered percentage of operating budget served. Council Member Dozeman further asked about organizations outside of Wheat Ridge and Jeffco and how they serve our community. Ms. Thanner remarked that yes, the committee asked if money is earmarked for Wheat Ridge residents. Council Member Ohm asked how much time the committee spent on this process. Five presentation nights that were 2.5 hours each plus additional meetings. Council Member Hultin asked how we might make this process more efficient and might look at changing the application criteria and process. She asked for support for a study session to further evaluate this program. She would like to see a one-page summary of each grantee and the impact the dollars are having in the community. Council Member Hoppe agrees with Council Member Hultin and asked how we make sure we are dialing into the programs that need support in Wheat ridge. Council Member Larson asked about the application timeline. Cole Haselip said we held an initial webinar meeting in February 2024. We released the application on March 1 which closed on April 26. Applicants presented to the CPGP committee in June and a deliberation followed. Following tonight’s meeting, applicants will be invited to a feedback meeting with staff. Awardees are notified after the budget is adopted. In January, awardees will enter into the contracting process. Funds will be distributed in February 2025 and they will be required to file a final report in January 2026. He remarked he does not support giving to advocacy organizations, but rather to programmatic causes. Council Member Dozeman said that the goal here is to give back to organizations in Wheat Ridge who is giving back to our residents. She remarked that Council should see the one-page report. She asked to what extent organizations might be “double dipping” because they receive funds elsewhere in the organization. For example, one school is receiving $15,000 between two different “clubs” within the school. Ms. Thanner remarked that two Wheat Ridge organizations did not receive funding because they did not appear for their presentation slots. Mr. O’neal remarked that they considered the overlap and/or duplication of services. Council Member Hoppe cautioned against not funding “advocacy” because plenty of local organizations do advocacy and programs. The Mayor thanked the committee members for their time. Consensus was reached to bring the request forward in the 2025 Budget. (Council Member Dozeman not present for the consensus). 6. Lutheran Legacy Campus City-Initiated Rezoning Issue On May 13, 2024, City Council passed Resolution 26-2024 in support of initiating a legislative zone change for the Lutheran Legacy Campus. The legislative zone change will be based on the Lutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan, adopted by City Council on October 25, 2021, through creation of a new mixed use zone district specifically for the campus. Staff Reports Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak shared the history of the process thus far, from initial master planning to today’s discussion about a legislative rezoning. As a reminder, the vision is for a perimeter that serves as a buffer and transition; future development should integrate existing assets; and the central area of the property should be afforded greater flexibility in order to accommodate more space on the outside. The existing hospital is 91 feet. The Charter limits new structures to 35 feet residential and 50 feet commercial. The master plan calls for tapering. Senior Planner Scott Cutler discussed density. The outside of the property includes a low-density overlay which applies to the first row of development of the campus with a 30 feet (2.5 story) limit. The team is proposing a regional approach to open space – at the campus level. Mr. Cutler discussed that existing assets, which include the Blue House, Chapel and TB Tent, are proposed to be included in requirements for integration. Regarding uses, Mr. Cutler expressed that staff are proposing that allowed uses will mirror that of the mixed-use zoning code with proposed limits on auto-oriented uses. Finally, Mr. Cutler mentioned signage and expressed that there is little guide signage from past discussions. Staff is aiming for flexibility without being overly prescriptive. Council Comments 1. Is there consensus on the zoning framework? Council Member Hoppe asked for clarification on the overlay zoning. Ms. Mikulak commented that the details have not yet been figured out (i.e. the depth of lots) and will come through more discussion. Council Member Ohm asked more about maximum heights, that have not yet been determined. Council Member Hultin remarked that in general this is great but would like to contemplate a lower height along 38th Avenue. Mayor asked if the existing road network will remain. Ms. Mikulak noted that yes, the infrastructure that exists will likely suffice and should be maintained privately. Council Member Larson in support of question 1. Unanimous consensus on the zoning framework. 2. Should the framework prohibit auto-oriented uses? Council Member Larson does not support this and remarked that prohibiting auto- oriented uses is short-sighted. Council Member Hultin asked for clarification on what could be included. Mr. Cutler said this includes gas stations, car washes, etc. Council Member Hultin remarked that these types of uses often create noise and light pollution and we should consider that. Consensus provided. Council Member Larson did not concur. 3. Should the developer create a plan to reserve, rehab or reuse existing “assets”? Council Member Larson remarked that providing flexibility here is key and we should allow developers to propose ideas. Unanimous consensus provided. 4. Does Council agree with staff’s approach on signage? Council Member Hultin asked for further clarification on lessons learned. Mr. Cutler remarked that other developments have requires that are too prescriptive too early before final uses were understood. Unanimous consensus provided. 5. Should the code require a mix of uses in Zones 2 and 3 with flexibility? Council Member Hoppe asked for further clarification. Ms. Mikulak remarked that there should be a requirement for mixed use and some flexibility with more research and work to do to be appealing to developers. Mayor asked if government use is considered non-residential. The answer is yes. Council Member Larson affirmed that a number of residents are unhappy about the lack of commercial uses at the Wheat Ridge station development. Mr. Cutler remarked that some communities require a mix of “active” uses; some require percentages which is more prescriptive. Council Member Ohm asked if horizontal or vertical uses matter here. Mr. Cutler remarked it doesn’t matter for this discussion. Unanimous consensus provided. 7. City Charter Update Draft Ordinance Issue Amendments to the City Charter to update and modernize the language, including provisions to remove ambiguities, clerical errors, and outdated provisions, provide additional flexibility in City operations, and ensure gender and citizenship neutrality. Staff Reports Mr. Goff reminded Council that they discussed this topic in June. He stated he was here to get direction on a potential ballot question and a few other items. Mr. Dahl summarized examples of the proposed changes per Council’s earlier direction. He noted that the forthcoming Resolution, Ordinance and full redline of the Charter will be published in full. Council Comments Council Member Hoppe asked if the full red line will be posted in the “Blue Book.” Answer by Mr. Dahl – no. Council Member Hoppe recommended the use of semi colons between each category. Council Member Hultin noted we should retain the language “Colorado legislation.” Unanimous consensus to move forward. 8. Staff Reports Mr. Goff noted there were Wheat Ridge appreciation coins that may be distributed to members of the community. He also noted there was another stormwater pipe failure today on 44th Avenue. It will likely be repaired tomorrow. 9. Council Reports Council Member Hultin noted the passing of Ken Johnstone, former Community Development Director. Council Member Ohm thanked staff for opening up Vance for better business access. He encouraged cyclists and neighbors to be civil. Council Member Larson participated in the Localworks mural project at the Clear Creek Makerspace. He also attended the Jeffco Public Health mobile van which will provide services around the County for immunizations, sexual health, outbreaks and other services. He reminded the community to dispose of litter properly. Council Member Snell reminded the community about the ribbon cutting for “Dancing Pony” near Prospect Park at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16. She noted the great efforts of the Police Department for helping members of the community during the heat. Mayor Starker noted a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 16 for Taco Block. 10. Adjournment Mayor Starker adjourned the meeting at 9:35 pm. _________________________________ Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk ________________________________ Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem