Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Session Notes 04/01/2013STUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO City Council Chambers 7500 W. 291h Avenue April 1, 20 13 Mayor DiTullio called the Study Session to order at 6:30p.m. Council members present: Davis Reinhart, Bud Starker, Joyce Jay, Kristi Davis, George Pond, Mike Stites, Joseph DeMott, and Tracy Langworthy. Absent: Mayor DiTullio Also present: City Clerk, Janelle Shaver; City Attorney, Jerry Dahl; City Manager, Patrick Goff; Parks and Recreation Director, Joyce Manwaring; Community Development Director, Ken Johnstone; Public Works Director, Tim Paranto; staff and interested citizens. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS Mayor Pro Tern Reinhart called the meeting to order at 6:33pm. There was no Public Comment. The agenda was approved. 1. Review of Master Plan for 44th & Kendall Park -Joyce Manwaring Bill Neumann of OHM Design went through the process and goals for the design on the park. Three public meetings were held to get input, ideas and review from the community. A website was also set up to receive public comment. Some of the goals include a wide range of activities, water conservation landscapes, handicapped accessibility, safety and high visibility. It will include: • Open multi-use play areas • Picnic area with shade, shelter, and tables • Playgrounds for all ages • Trails & walks • Landscaping, including shade trees • Benches & seating areas throughout • Hard-court basketball • Undeveloped areas • Possible interpretive displays • Public art • Screened portable toilet STUDY SESSION NOTES: April1 , 2013 Page -2- • No potable water or drinking fountains (requires an extra tap) • Parking on 44th Ave. & 44th Pl. Discussion followed . Council approved of the plan and staff will move forward 2. 38th Avenue Streetscape -Tim Paranto Mr. Paranto went through alternatives for consolidation of the existing planters on 38th west of Pierce. A ll four plans suggest moving the wooden Bison planters that are located west of Pierce to places between Upham and High Ct. The relocated concrete planters would be used along the east- bound lane and taper just west of Upham, or to define on-street parking between High Ct. and Pierce. The planters will be relocated May 1, followed by the addition of new plants. The banner poles will be located near Teller. There was discussion about the various options. Balance on both sides of the street at the entry-way seemed preferable. Mr. Paranto ind1cated the current striping would stay in place. There was consensus to proceed with Option 1 because it provides balance, with the added direction that these revisions be accomplished with our staff at no extra cost. 3. Sustainability Plan update/discussion -Joyce Manwaring Mrs. Manwaring went through the basic points of the Sustainability Policy and Plan. The Plan was prepared at the request of Council at its 2012 retreat. An intra-departmental committee was created to address the operations of each department in an effort to: • Set sustainable goals • Formalize current programs and sustainable actions • Consolidate operations and maximize efficiency where possible • Create best practices for a sustainable operation The report includes existing programs and future opportunities that contribute to and support sustainability. The mission is to have the City manage its resources in a responsible way-focusing on the long-term environmental, economic and social well-being of the City and staff. The Action Plan addresses the following categories of municipal operations: • Waste Reduction and Recycling • Natural Resource Conservation • Energy and Transportation The next steps will be to identify indicators and metrics (baseline data) so progress can be measured. The indicators must be measurable and relevant. STUDY SESSION NOTES: April 1, 2013 Page -3- Discussion followed and there was consensus for staff to continue with the program using existing staff. Mr. Goff also announced an E-Recycling program on~? at Anderson Park. This will allow community members to bring in electronic equipment they can't put in their regular trash. Per Mrs. Jay's suggestion there was consensus for Mrs. Manwaring to put together a job description for a part time Sustainability Coordinator. 4. Staff Report(s) a) Community Forum/Council Retreat Planning -Patrick Goff Mr. Goff presented some ideas and dates for coordinating a Community Forum and the Council Retreat. He suggested the long-term fiscal viability of the city should be one topic of focus. Discussion followed. There was general agreement that the Community Forum should be a facilitated event without the presence of councilmembers. It was agreed to have the retreat Friday evening and Saturday morning May 17-18. The facilitated community event will be scheduled for either May 14, 15, or 16. It will be open to the public with councilmembers also sending invitations to specific people. Mr. Reinhart and Mr. Goff will work out an outline for the forum and an outline for the retreat. b) Massage therapy regulation -Jerry Dahl Mr. Dahl gave an update on the regulation of massage therapy businesses. He noted that the regulation of massage parlors remains in the code and is not at issue. The licensing of massage therapists is controlled by the state. The City has control by way of zoning and law enforcement. Mr. Dahl recommended against trying to craft extra regulations for massage therapists because it would bring the City too close to acting as a licensing agent, and you can't do that. It would also have unintended consequences by causing unnecessary restrictions on other kinds of businesses. c) Metro Mortgage Assistance Plus Program -Patrick Goff Mr. Goff explained that Mayor DiTullio has been working with the Denver Mayor's office on our participation in Denver's mortgage assistance STUDY SESSION NOTES: April 1, 2013 Page -4- program. A handout was distributed. All that would be necessary for the City to participate is for Council to adopt the attached Tax Delegation Participation Agreement. We have participated in a similar program through the Metro Mayors in the past. This program has a few differences, but there is no financial liability to the City. It provides competitive 30- year loans and grants for down payment assistance to qualified buyers through US Bank. There was some discussion. Mr. Goff said he would get extra information for the Council before they approve participation. d) Rep. Conti's bill that relegates sales tax collection to the State This bill would put forward a statewide tax rate and take away our home rule status for tax collection and tax auditing capabilities. This would be very bad for the City. It appears th1s bill may actually come out of committee, and if it does, CML has warned they will need everyone's help opposing it. There was agreement to have Mr. Reinhart respond on behalf of the Council through the CML committee with strong opposition to this bill. 4. Elected Officials' Report(s) Tracy Langworthy reported from the Wheat Ridge Aging Needs Task Force. The Task Force has met a few times and they will be having a couple of outreach meetings with seniors to get input about what their needs are. Kristi Davis has been approached by citizens about paint1ng arrows in bike lanes to better clarify their location. She asked that this be a future study session item. The Study Session adjourned at 8:41 pm.