HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 10-24-16@m@@l!J]~~~ IIJ~M®
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
7500 WEST 29rH AVENUE, MUNICIPAL BUILDING
October 24, 2016
Mayor Jay called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at ?·OO p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
Monica Duran Zachary Urban
Tim Fitzgerald George Pond
Absent: Kristi Davis
Janeece Hoppe
Larry Mathews Genevieve Wooden
Also present: City Clerk, Janelle Shaver: City Attorney, Jerry Dahl, City Manager, Patrick
Goff; Community Development Director, Ken Johnstone: Public Works Director, Scott
Brink; other staff, guests and interested citizens.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of October 10, 2016 and Study Session Notes of October
3,2016
There being no objection, the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 10,
2016 and the Study Session Notes of October 3, 2016 were approved as published.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES
Small Business Saturday
Mayor Jay read a proclamation honoring local small businesses and declaring the
Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 26, as Small Business Saturday.
CITIZENS' RIGHT TO SPEAK
Dorothy Archer spoke about building heights She is sad that this issue is not being
published to the citizens Our history is disappearing. People come here because they
like the small town atmosphere and community -which is being destroyed. Allowing
these 3-story buildings is like a cancer It's damaging, and needs to go to the citizens.
John Clark (WR) found that pot money doesn't go to any schools. In WR it goes into the
general fund. State pot revenue was to go to "education", but it actually goes to educate
people about the harm marijuana can cause -not general education. Were we duped?
He urged people to do homework on the 6 ballot measures that will increase taxes -
property tax, income tax, tobacco tax and sales tax "Tax and spend" has become
"borrow, spend, tax and repay debt". People can't afford six new taxes, and then trust
the government to spend it wisely. Folks shouldn 't be duped. Don't be afraid to vote no.
Natalie Menten (LW), RTD Board member, announced a public meeting she's holding
this Wednesday, October 26 from 6:30 - 8 PM at the Rec Center. It will cover:
City Council Minutes October 24, 2016 Page 2
• An update on the Gold Line (opening now delayed until the A line is fixed)
• Information about the problems with the A Line -which has the same system
• A new bus route (Federal Center to Red Rocks to Youngfield to Ward to Ward
Station to Westbrook)
• Proposed schedule changes for the W Line (due to low ridership at peak times)
• Citizens can also bring any other concerns
Public comment on Study Session items
Dorothy Arc her (WR) said she supports 2E. She thinks the raise from 3% to 3.5% is not
much to do the things that are needed. She noted the 381h & Wadsworth development
will help pay off the bonds after the TIF 1s paid. She doesn't favor 10 ft sidewalks on
Wadsworth or taking property to put in a bike path. That will be expensive and she's
concerned for the businesses that will have to relocate. -Finally, she's against 3-story
houses. Stop it.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
1. CONSENT AGENDA
a) Motion to approve award of a Contract to All Copy Products, Inc., Denver, CO,
in an annual amount not-to-exceed $65,000 for the lease of multi-function
copier equipment and service, and to approve a three-year term with the option
to extend for two additional one-year periods [budgeted; scheduled
replacement of obsolete eqwpment more than five year old]
b) Resolution 42-2016 -amending the Fiscal Year 2016 General Fund Budget to
reflect the approval of a Supplemental Budget Appropriation for a 2016 Police
Officer Standards and Training Grant in the amount of $2,976.19 [unexpected
grant for training and arrest control equipment]
c) Resolution 43-2016 -between the City of Wheat Ridge and the West Metro
Fire Protection District approving a Revocable License Agreement concerning
an Emergency Siren Location [reqwred resolution; Wazee Partners to pay for
relocation of City-owned siren from 381h & Upham to 3880 Upham Street]
Councilmember Pond introduced the Consent Agenda.
Motion by Councilmember Pond to approve the Consent Agenda items a). b) and c).
Seconded by Councilmember Wooden; carried 7-0
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING
£ Council Bill 24-2016-an Ordinance amending Chapter 16 of the Wheat Ridge
Code of Laws to add a new Section 16-68, entitled Removal of Snow and Ice from
Sidewalks
City Council Minutes October 24, 2016 Page 3
Approval of this ordinance will require property owners to remove snow and ice from
sidewalks within twenty-four hours after each snowfall of 2 inches or more.
Counc1lmember Urban introduced Council Bill 24-2016
Clerk Shaver assigned Ordinance 1611 .
Mayor Jay opened the Public Hearing.
Scott Brink gave a brief staff report. He gave a short narrative about the history and
reason for the ordinance Our snow removal policy 1s s1m1lar to that of other cities; it will
now be codified and administered through code enforcement Per Council's direction the
first year will focus on heavy education and softer enforcement.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Jay closed the Public Hearing
Motion by Councilmember Urban to approve Council Bill 24-2016, an ordinance
amending Chapter 16 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to add a new Section 16-68,
entitled Removal of Snow and Ice from Sidewalks on second reading, and that it take
effect 15 days after final publication; seconded by Councilmember Hoppe, carried 7-0.
ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING
~ Council Bill 25-2016 -An ordinance amending Articles I, II and IV of Chapter 26 of
the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the implementation of a Residential
Bulk Plane Development Standard (Case No ZOA-16-06)
This ordinance amends the development standards for the R1 -C zone and single-family
dwellings in R-3 zones to add bulk plane regulation. This will reduce the mass and scale
of new development in the smallest lot single-family zones. Currently the only standard is
a 35 foot height maximum.
Councilmember Hoppe introduced Council Bill 25-2016.
Motion by Councilmember Hoppe to approve Council Bill No. 25-2016, an ordinance
amending Articles I, II and IV of Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning
the implementation of a residential bulk plane development standards on first reading,
order it published, public hearing set for Monday, November 14, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in City
Council Chambers, and that it take effect immediately upon adoption and signature by
the Mayor; seconded by Councrlmember Pond .
Councilmember Mathews announced for the record that the Planning Commission just
voted 5-1 not to approve this ordinance He thinks people should know that staff is
City Council Minutes October 24, 2016 Page 4
recommending this against the wishes of the Planning Commission and the many
residents of District 1 that are affected by this, and he'd like to know why.
Ken Johnstone remarked that the Planning Commission has expressed they have a
difference of opinion and want to look at a broader city-wide approach to this and other
issues related to residential development --such as architectural design standards and
overlay districts. He outlined the challenges of addressing the District 1 issue in 90 days;
there wasn't time to address larger issues. Bulk plane was all that was considered, so as
to get something before Council by Nov 141h when the emergency ordinance runs out.
He isn't surprised that the Planning Commission voted against the ordinance because
they want to look at it in a different way.
Mr. Johnstone verified that if nothing is done and no changes are made, when the
emergency ordinance expires the previous regulatory frame work would resume.
Councilmember Fitzgerald announced he would be voting no on this. Besides the
competing values of the citizens not wanting the feeling of their neighborhood to change
and the City's priority to do revitalization, he also feels it penalizes people who have
sloping lots.
Councilmember Pond believes this is a compromise and is timely, and will support it.
Councilmember Duran announced she would be voting no because there are so many
issues and Council has not done their due diligence with community outreach.
Councilmember Hoppe supports moving this to second reading. She believes it is a
compromise between 35 ft straight-up buildings and not being able to build anything over
1 Y2 stories. She believes it's important to maintain smart growth -specifically on these
small lots, to get people to invest their time, lives and money in the community.
Councilmember Mathews announced he will vote no. He's encouraged that some
progress has been made, people are learning about it, we've learned some things and
we can continue. He never really liked the false sense of urgency.
The motion failed 3-4, with Councilmember Mathews, Fitzgerald, Urban , and Duran
voting no.
Mr. Goff clarified for the public that the emergency ordinance expires November 21 . Any
application that comes in after November 21 will follow current codes.
CITY MANAGER'S MATTERS
Patrick Goff reported that the 2017 Budget is now on the City website. Council
discussion will be Nov 7 , with a public hearing Nov 14. Citizens can comment at both of
those meetings. He also urged citizens to check out the program "Balancing Act" on the
City website where citizens can learn about balancing the budget and offer input.
CITY ATTORNEY'S MATTERS
City Council Minutes October 24, 2016 Page 5
ELECTED OFFICIAL'S MATTERS
Larry Mathews encouraged staff and Council to come up with some action on this issue
of tall buildings as quickly as possible. It's an obvious priority for the people.
Zach Urban received verification from the City Attorney that counc1lmembers can attend
meetings of outside organizations without public notice. The flier for Yes on 2E with a
picture including several councilmembers is proper A Colorado Supreme Court decision
has upheld such gatherings.
Janeece Hoppe announced that October is also Domestic Violence Awareness month.
If people are inclined to support victims of domestic violence they can contact Family
Tree at 381h & Marshall at 303-422-2133. They are doing a number of educational
programs this month
Monica Duran invited everyone to a District 1 Neighborhood Watch Meeting she is
hosting this Saturday, October 291h from 1-3 OOpm at Ye Olde Firehouse at 3227 Chase.
Joyce Jay has heard concerns from citizens about the businesses on Wadsworth. She
has spoken to 15-20 of them to help them understand that the City tries very hard to take
care of them. We try not to harm their businesses and if they have to relocate we offer
relocation services. Many of them realize the widening of Wadsworth needs to be done
and many are looking forward to it.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council Meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m followed by a Special Study
Session.
UNCIL ON November 14, 2016
George Pond, Mayor pro tern
City Council Minutes October 24, 2016 Page 6
The preceding Minutes were prepared according to §47 of Robert's Rules of Order, 1.e.
they contain a record of what was done at the meeting, not what was said by the
members. Recordings and DVD's of the meetings are available for listening or viewing in
the City Clerk's Office, as well as copies of Ordinances and Resolutions.