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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.09.24 - Special Study Session NotesSpecial Study Session – City Council CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7500 W. 29th AVENUE SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 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. 1. Call to Order Mayor Starker called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call Council Members present: Scott Ohm, Jenny Snell, Korey Stites, Amanda Weaver, Dan Larson, Janice Hoppe, Leah Dozeman and Rachel Hultin. Absent: None. Also, present: City Manager Patrick Goff; City Attorney Gerald Dahl; Deputy City Manager, Allison Scheck; Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak; and Housing Program Administrator Terrance Ware. 3. Public Comment Russell Stillman – from Sub & Sam Sinclair Gas Station requested that Council change the tobacco ordinance to allow a tobacco license to be transferred to a new owner within the 1,000 foot buffer of a youth-oriented facility. 4. Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH ) Program Issue The purpose of this memo and the September 9 study session is to discuss the use of the $2 million Community Project Funding (CPF) grant the City was awarded from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The stated purpose of the grant request was to use the funds for implementation of the NOAH (Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing) program to preserve existing affordable rental housing in Wheat Ridge. The City expects to receive a grant agreement shortly from HUD, and the City must provide a ‘Scope of Work’ providing specifics on the use of funds including outcomes, criteria for distribution, monitoring and compliance, etc. The recommendations in this memorandum will serve that purpose assuming Council concurs with its content.  Staff Report Terrance Ware, Housing Program Administrator, presented options for the NOAH program, focusing on possible uses for the $2 million in congressionally directed funding and aligning its uses with the Affordable Housing Strategy and Action Plan (AHS) adopted by City Council in January of 2023. Staff recommends seeking partners to expand staff capacity and expertise in implementing the NOAH program. Partnering with an existing affordable housing operator will minimize the long-term administrative burden while achieving the goal of the program. If approved, staff would submit a scope of work to HUD to receive the congressional funds; draft a request for letters of interest from prospective partners; evaluate proposals; and negotiate with respondents. Council Comments Council Member Hoppe inquired if grant funds are used as loans, if the first use is considered using the funds. Council Member Hultin requested that data use all zip codes to evaluate housing in Wheat Ridge. She also inquired about alignment with HB 24-1313. In this case, we do not yet have enough information about the bill to comment. Finally, she asked about how this aligns with Proposition 123. Mayor Starker inquired about the need for additional staff. City Manager Goff responded that we are looking to partner with other organizations in order to reduce the administrative burden on staff. Council Member Larson inquired about the AMI. He also inquired about marketing and outreach for this kind of program given market conditions. Council Member Hoppe asked if we have a guiding philosophy on this program to ensure we are getting the “most bang for our buck.” For example, should we consider if multi family units are the best approach for this program. Council gave consensus to move forward with the program as presented, ensuring it aligns with HB 24-1313 5. Tobacco Product Retailer Locations Issue The Code prohibits tobacco product retailers from operating within 1000 feet of a youth- oriented facility (such as schools, parks, recreation facilities, etc.). The “grandfathering" clause of Code section 11-534(d) nevertheless exempts those retailers who were in place on the effective date of Ordinance 1710 Series 2021, which created the thousand-foot limit. However, if that retailer sells the business, the buyer of the business is not eligible for the grandfathering protection of that Code section. Councilmember Hoppe, supported by Councilors Dozeman and Hultin, requested that Council consider an ordinance expanding the grandfathering scope of Code 11-534(d) to include purchasers of a protected location. Jerry Dahl, City Attorney, gave an overview of the issue. Council Comments: Council Member Hoppe asked for support for this amendment because it supports small business. Council Member asked if the language “school” should be expanded to include all youth-oriented facilities. Mr. Dahl commented he will take a closer look at that prior to presenting an ordinance on first reading. Council provided consensus to move forward as recommended and to look into the language and definition of schools and youth-oriented facilities. 6. Staff Report None. 7. Elected Officials’ Reports Council Member Hultin reminded Council and the community that there is a community paint day to paint a cross walk and no parking spots near 47th and Miller streets on Saturday, September 14 from noon – 2 p.m. 8. Adjournment Mayor Starker adjourned the Special Study Session at 8:16 pm. _________________________________ Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk _________________________________ Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem