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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Session Notes 09/15/2014STUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO City Council Chambers 7500 W. 29th Avenue September 15, 2014 Mayor Jay called the Study Session to order at 6:32p.m. Council members present: Bud Starker, Zachary Urban, Tracy Langworthy, Tim Fitzgerald, George Pond, and Genevieve Wooden Absent: Kristi Davis, Jerry DiTullio Also present: City Clerk, Janelle Shaver; Treasurer, Larry Schulz; Public Works Director, Scott Brink; Police Chief Daniel Brennan; Parks Director, Joyce Manwaring; guests and interested citizens PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS none APPROVAL OF AGENDA .L Staff Report(s) a) Ridge Road Catalytic Project Update Scott Brink gave an update. The City got some funds from DR COG for the study which focuses on what we want Ridge Road to look like in the future between the Arvada Ridge Station and the Ward Station. Arvada has participated. There have been meetings and data collection. • Multi-modal transportation is being taken into concern. • A traffic signal on Ward Road is likely. • A public information meeting will be held -probably in October. Council questions and discussion. • How robust of a thoroughfare will it be? Staff is still trying to flush this out. It's tight now; a boulevard is possible. The public process will help. It's likely to be a main artery. • Will Arvada or RTD share in the cost? Funding for the study is through DRCOG. • Ridge Road is a city street. • Potential funding sources for improvements are being explored and will vary depending on the zoning, what improvements are done, and what the development looks like. • Data collection will help determine the average daily trips. Determining the maximum appropriate ADT will help determine what types of development we want to do there. • The bike/ped master plan is being used for a reference. • There was a request that the Transportation Advisory Team be consulted. STUDY SESSION NOTES: September 15,2014 Page -2- b) Clear Creek Crossing Traffic Study Update Scott Brink reported that a traffic study is underway. He went through an illustration of proposed improvements from the 2006-07 Environmental Assessment that was done for the Cabella's project. • Cabella's Drive was a proposed new street crossing Clear Creek from Hy58, with a new interchange on Hy58 east of Macintyre also proposed • Proposed improvements at 32nd & Youngfield have been completed. • Proposed underpass (under 1-70) at 40th Ave. has been completed. • Additional proposals are hook ramps from 32nd Ave. to get on and off 1-70. • The traffic study is being revisited due to recent interest in development. • Looking at 3 phases, as development will probably happen in phases. Trying to decide what those phases will include. • COOT has been engaged as they have a stake in this. • A revision to the earlier EA is underway. When that is finished a public meeting will happen. Councilmember Urban had the only questions. • The Federal Highway Administration is already involved in the process. • A few of the traffic counts are on streets outside the city boundaries. • Current work that's been done will suffice for Phase 1. ~ Animal Welfare Commission Update Chief Brennan introduced the discussion. At issue is the role of the Animal Welfare & Control Commission. June Ramos (J Ramos Associates) was hired by the City as a facilitator. She gave a power point presentation outlining the results of her interviews with the 8 commission members and 6 City staff members (2 CSO's and 4 other staff). All interviewees received the same questions and were done anonymously to encourage candidness. Evident trends were: • A passion for animals and commitment to service to the City and the citizens • Variety of accomplishments such as the dog park • Very proud of Carmen Beery's legal assistance -providing direction and conversation about the Charter and how they need to operate • All shared common interest and (for some) a sense of compatibility Issues/Key concerns 1) Change: • The world has changed • Mission changes • The expanded role of the Police Department /CSO's • Liability issues • Advisory vs Policy Making Role • STUDY SESSION NOTES: September 15, 2014 Page -3- 2) Change of Mission • MissionNision and Roles and Responsibilities have become murky o Lack of clarity, uncertainty or conflict o Lack of acceptance about new mission and roles o Working with Carmen in this area has created a sense of progress with commissioners o No goals in place; no way to measure success 3) Roles & Responsibilities • Commission's accountability to Council? Role of Council? • Who do commissioners represent? Their particular animal area of interest or the needs of the larger City? • No unified agreement about the evolution of the City and WRPD • Advisory Role vs. Policy Making • Enforcement role or just giving advice? • Accountability? No strong goal and objectives • Willingness of members to commit to new roles (education, creating events, etc.) is unclear 4) Team Dynamics • Meeting management issues -lack of leadership at meetings and knowledge of Robert's Rules • Role of PO in meetings and role of leadership • Lack of ground rules/ code of conduct • Commission is a passionate group of people struggling with mission/roles 5) Full Commission Representation • No veterinarians on the Commission (Charter requires 2)per Charter Council questions Regarding the original role of the Commission (advisory or enforcement) Chief Brennan elaborated on the history he is familiar with . The Chief confirmed that staff has reached out to other entities, municipalities and counties, and no other city has what we have. Chief Brennan said our professional staff participates with statewide groups for training. Councilmember Urban suggested discussing a long term process to examine a review and sunsetting process for Commissions. Ms. Ramos gave her recommendations (options) for next steps • Maintain current Commission with marked improvements • Disband Commission (It exists by Charter.) • Change the Commission --What does the City need today? • Be creative about channeling the expertise and commitment of a passionate and knowledgeable citizenry? Councilmembers shared their thoughts and concerns. Rhonda Champion , commissioner, was asked to speak. Her points: STUDY SESSION NOTES: September 15, 2014 Page -4- • Commissioners are more than just passionate citizens; they are knowledgeable and there have been instances when staff did benefit from their knowledge. • Commissioners are interested in training and education but those opportunities are all on weekdays in the daytime making it hard for members to attend. • She believes a majority of Commissioners wants to continue, but not in the current structure. She suggests being accountable to City Council and having a councilmember on the Commission. • The Commission has asked to create a mission statement, but previous requests for that have been dismissed by staff. • New members receive no training on meeting management or Roberts' Rules. Bea Slingsby, a new Commissioner, thinks the Commission is creating extra work for City Staff. She was on it in the early 1970's and it was different-they could do things. Now they are only advisory. She sees no use for the Commission. Lengthy discussion followed. Councilmember Starker received consensus to prepare a matrix of the roles and responsibilities of the staff and the Commission to analyze what is mandated by the Charter and Code vis a vis present reality (Who is now doing what?) to clarify those roles and responsibilities for further assessment. Chief Brennan clarified that the consensus would also look at how to sunset the commissions that exist. Ms. Champion noted that present and former Commission members have expressed interest in continuing to work for the City with citizens for the welfare of animals. The passing of long time Animal Commission member Bob Hance was acknowledged. ~ Carnation Festival/Circus Update -Joyce Manwaring • Gina Hallisey reported on the Zoppe Circus. The Circus and the festival have successfully joined their efforts. One recommendation is to decrease the number of days of the Circus to decrease expenses. • Joe DeMott, 2014 Chair, reported from the Carnation Festival. • This year's goal was to grow the event and create sustainability. • The Festival received 501 (C)(3) status last year, which had to be set up with limited time and budget. • He reported some new things were unsuccessful and will not be done again; the things that went well will be built on next year. • The festival raised and spent $100,000 but the other big benefactors were the non-profits (Rotary, Optimists, the schools) who, along with food vendors, probably made over $75,000. (Merchant vendors were not tracked.) • The carnival things and children's activities need improvement. • Their recommendations are: STUDY SESSION NOTES: September 15, 2014 Page -5- • Join the Festival and the Circus • Have a shorter Circus (4 days) • Add daily Festival shows over the 4 days that will benefit non-profits. • Plan to use less City resources (Redundancies were discovered) • A shorter circus will have less impact to the park • Maintain the City as a Presenting Sponsor (to help fund big ticket items like the main stage, the fireworks , the Circus) and then be able to back off There was discussion with Council and clarification about the City's contributions of cash and in-kind services for 2014 and suggestions for 2015. Staff Report Follow-up Chief Brennan reported hearing back from the City Attorney Jerry Dahl who said the Animal Welfare and Control Commission does not have Charter commission status and can be disbanded by ordinance. 4. Elected Officials' Report Tracy Langworthy reported it is her understanding the Fruitdale School has been sold and will no longer belong to the Wheat Ridge Housing Authority. Treasurer Larry Schulz reported the investment policy has been updated and gone through legal review. It will be coming to the Council for approval. Genevieve Wooden said the Summit on Education in Wheat Ridge is this Wednesday at the Rec Center from 6:30-8:30. It will include talks by the principals of 17 Wheat Ridge schools, a panel discussion , and hand-out information from the schools. Mayor Jay encouraged councilmembers to submit ideas for discussion. Some warning would be appreciated so we can prepare. Zach Urban noted the Ridgefest was a great event. He suggested that we need to update our ordinances regarding food trucks. Clerk Shaver reminded everyone that Pro & Con statements for the 2A ballot issue are due in to the Clerk's office by 5:00pm this Friday, September 19th_ -An Election Forum has been scheduled for Thursday, October gth here in the Council Chambers. Wheat Ridge United Neighborhoods will be the host. ADJOURNMENT The Study Session adjourned at 8:33p.m.