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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-28-2024 - City Council Meeting MinutesCity Council Meeting Minutes CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 WEST 29TH AVENUE, MUNICIPAL BUILDING  OCTOBER 28, 2024 Note: 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. Before calling the meeting to order, Mayor Starker stated the rules and procedures necessitated by this meeting format. 1. Call to Order Mayor Starker called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Those present stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 3. Roll Call Council Members present: Jenny Snell, Scott Ohm, Rachel Hultin (via zoom), Amanda Weaver, Korey Stites and Dan Larson (arrived at 6:41 pm via zoom). Absent: Janeece Hoppe and Leah Dozeman A quorum was established. Also present: City Manager Patrick Goff; Deputy City Manager Allison Scheck; City Attorney Gerald Dahl, Police Chief Chris Murtha, Director of Public Works Maria D’Andrea; and other staff, guests and interested members of the public. 4. Approval of Minutes Study Session Notes, October 7, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes, October 14, 2024 Special Study Session Notes, October 14, 2024 Study Session Notes, October 21, 2024 Without objection or correction, the minutes were approved as presented. 5. Approval of Agenda Without objection or correction, the agenda stood as announced. PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES 6. National Native American Heritage Month Mayor Starker read a Proclamation recognizing November 2024 as National Native American Heritage Month and presented the Proclamation to Ms. Navarro who spoke about the strife of the Native American people and thanked the City of Wheat Ridge for their continued support. 7. National Veterans and Military Families Month Mayor Starker read a Proclamation proclaiming November 2024 as National Veterans and Military Families’ Month and presented the Proclamation to Commander Weimer of the Wheat Ridge Police Department. Commander Weimer thanked the Mayor and Council and stated it was an honor to serve in the armed forces and the Wheat Ridge Police Department. 8. Public’s Right to Speak Wheat Ridge Speaks Kelly Blynn - 4175 Brentwood Street Wheat Ridge, 80033 Comment: I support this effort -- automated traffic enforcement has been found to reduce speeds, crashes, and other unsafe driving behaviors, in a way that dramatically reduces racial bias in traffic stops. These code changes can help the city improve traffic safety, reduce speeding, and ultimately reduce injuries and fatalities. In Person – Brett Paglieri, candidate for RTD Board of Directors, District M, introduced himself. Via Zoom – None. 9. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Weaver read all items in the Consent Agenda into the Record. a. Motion to award the Youngfield bridge scour repair project to West Fork Construction, LLC of Colorado Springs, Colorado and approve subsequent payments in the amount of $149,725 with a contingency amount of $14,975 for a total not to exceed the amount of $164,700 Issue The base of the piers for the Youngfield bridge over Clear Creek have been exposed due to erosion from high water flows. This project will remove some material and then add large boulders to protect the area around the base of the piers from future erosion. Five bids were received and opened on September 25, 2024. Staff recommends the lowest responsive bidder, West Fork Construction, LLC of Colorado Springs, Colorado be awarded the contract in the amount of $149,725, plus a contingency of $14,975, for a total project cost of $164,700. b. Motion to approve a contract amendment with A-1 Chipseal Company for the 2024 asphalt crack seal project in the amount of $87,242 with a contingency amount of $6,725 for a total not to exceed the amount of $93,967. Issue The City periodically performs asphalt crack sealing as part of the annual preventive maintenance program to help maintain pavement condition and prevent more costly pavement repairs. Zone 1 of the city’s six maintenance zones was inspected by city staff. Various street segments with significant cracking were identified for inclusion in the proposed contract to receive a crack sealing treatment. The 2022 contract with A-1 Chipseal Company is being amended per the terms of the contract for the 2024 crack sealing project. The contract amendment also includes work to be performed in the City of Edgewater. Wheat Ridge will be reimbursed for all work performed within Edgewater. c. Motion to approve a contract with and subsequent payments to Sunland Asphalt & Construction Inc., for construction of the Hayward Park walking trail project in the amount of $238,259 with a contingency of $16,678 for a total not to exceed amount of $254,937 Issue The Hayward Park walking trail has deteriorated over time, creating an uneven surface with large cracks, resulting in safety concerns for trail users. The City received grant funding from the Jefferson County Open Space Trails Partnership Program to fund a portion of this trail replacement project. Approval of this contract will allow the City to complete this important work. Council Member Snell made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as read into the Record. It was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Stites. Vote: All Ayes. No Nays. The motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING 10. Council Bill No. 21-2024 - an ordinance amending relevant sections of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the City’s general business license requirements Mayor Pro Tem Stites read the Bill and Issue Statement into the Record. Issue This ordinance makes several amendments to the City’s Business Licensing Code. These changes are designed to ensure compliance with state legislation, transition to bi-annual business license renewals, introduce an inspection fee, and consolidate certain special licenses with regular business licenses. Cole Haselip, Management Analyst, explained the proposed amendments, the proposed amended fee schedule, and compliance. He explained the cost to the City if license renewal time periods were different for different licensees. Council Comments Council Member Weaver received clarification on renewal dates from Haselip. Mayor Pro Tem Stites made a motion to approve Council Bill No. 21-2024, an ordinance amending relevant sections of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the City’s general business license requirements, on second reading, order it published, and that it takes effect fifteen (15) days after final publications as provided by Section 5.11 of the Charter. It was seconded by Council Member Ohm. Vote: All Ayes. No Nays. The motion carried. 11. Council Bill No. 22-2024 - an ordinance adopting a new Article VI in Chapter 13 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning Automated Vehicle Identification Systems City Manager Patrick Goff introduced the topic and stated that the presentation would cover both the ordinance and the contract, which was also on the Agenda. Issue Traffic issues, primarily excessive speeds and red-light violations are a continual complaint from the public. Residents contact various departments, primarily the police department, to request speed and other traffic enforcement on their streets to address the increased hazards these violations tend to create. Wheat Ridge is a smaller community impacted by major roadways and highways often used by community members and non-community members alike. This volume of traffic makes it difficult for an agency, sized to serve the community of residents and businesses, to adequately meet the demands of traffic control and safety. The use of technology in law enforcement continues to be one of the more impactful changes to modern day policing. One of those innovative technologies that is expanding nationwide is the use of Automated Vehicle Identification Systems (AVIS). Staff is requesting City Council to adopt a new Article VI in Chapter 13 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to allow for the use of AVIS in Wheat Ridge to address these traffic concerns. Chief Christopher Murtha spoke briefly on the subject and turned the presentation over to Division Chief Eric Kellogg, who gave a PowerPoint presentation which included explaining the research completed by the Police Department, the contract provisions, the assistance with traffic enforcement, the use of police discretion, the equipment itself, and speed limits wherein ticketing is done. Council Comments Councill Member Weaver – asked about how tickets would be written into the courts if the speed is above the 25 mph over the limit. Division Chief Kellogg explained that upon review, the officers may issue a ticket for careless or potentially reckless driving, depending upon the infraction. Weaver then asked about payment for tickets. Kellogg explained that tickets can be paid for by credit card or check and only the service fee of $12 would be charged for credit card use, not a percentage of the fee. Council Member Larson – asked if someone pays a ticket, if they automatically have points taken off their license. Kellogg stated that does not happen. Larson then asked about distance requirements for the equipment surrounding intersections. Kellogg stated there are specific distance requirements which will need to be followed. Council Member Snell – asked if the equipment would remain stationary or moved from one place to another. Kellogg explained that there will be one that will be semi-permanent; trailers which can be easily moved; and a hand-held unit. The contractor would be moving the equipment as requested by the Department. Council Member Hultin – asked about the system to follow up on people going 25 mph over the speed limit. She asked about the warning ticket vs. a violation. Kellogg explained that there is discretion built-in with the Department to write a ticket for aggressive speeding, as every ticket is reviewed by staff. Hultin expressed concern about not ticketing someone until they had gone over the speed limit by at least 10 mph. She asked to strike paragraph A2 in Section 13-92 to delete the language for less than ten mph. Council Member Ohm – spoke to the 10 mph over the limit issue stating that it could prove to be very dangerous in a 25-mph zone. Kellogg explained that the officers will retain their discretion regarding whether the driver will receive more than a warning. In answer to another question, Kellogg stated that the system will not ticket left turn violators on 38th/Kipling and Director of Public Works Maria D’Andrea stated that they work closely with the Police Department regarding the signals at those intersections. Mayor Starker – asked if the system would help with stolen vehicles. Kellogg stated that if they are seeing stolen vehicles pass through, the officers will address the issue and have the skills to hopefully find those vehicles. Council Member Snell made a motion to adopt a new Article VI Chapter 13 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning Automated Vehicle Identification Systems, second reading, order it published, and that it takes effect fifteen (15) days after final publication, as provided by Section 5.11 of the Charter. It was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Stites. Council Member Hultin – stated that while she is concerned about the 10 mph over the speed limit being an issue; after hearing the presentation, she withdrew her question regarding amending the ordinance. Council Member Snell – stated that since has been on Council, speeding is the number one complaint she receives from her constituents. She thanked the Police Department for the presentation and their work on making the community safer and better. Vote: All Ayes. No Nays. The motion carried. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING None DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND MOTIONS 12. Motion to approve a Service Agreement between the City of Wheat Ridge and Altumint Incorporated, to provide automated vehicle identification services Issue The use of technology in law enforcement continues to be one of the more impactful changes to modern day policing. One of those innovative technologies that is expanding nationwide is the use of automation within traffic enforcement. Wheat Ridge is a smaller community impacted by major roadways and highways often used to transit the city of Wheat Ridge by community members and non-community members alike. This volume of traffic makes it difficult for an agency, sized to serve the community of residents and businesses, to adequately meet the demands of traffic control and safety. The use of Automated Vehicle Identification Systems (AVIS) to promote traffic safety, greater accountability, and more responsiveness to community concerns would fill a necessary void. To leverage the current AVIS technology the Wheat Ridge Police Department researched the use and implementation of AVIS technology. During the research the Wheat Ridge Police Department met with Altumint, Incorporated, a leader in the provision of AVIS technology since 2005 with a proven track record. We believe Altumint best serves the needs of the Wheat Ridge Police Department. Council Member Ohm made a motion to approve the Service Agreement between the City of Wheat Ridge and Altumint Incorporated, to provide automated vehicle identification services. It was seconded by Council Member Weaver. Council Comments Council Member Ohm and Mayor Pro Tem Stites thanked Division Chief Kellogg for his research into the subject, stating it was phenomenal. Vote: All Ayes. No Nays. The motion carried. 13. City Manager’s Matters City Manager Patrick Goff summarized the bond closing; $34.845 million which netted $33.345 in project funds. The net effective rate of 3.96% interest. 14. City Attorney’s Matters City Attorney Jerry Dahl summarized the closing on The Green and spoke about the negotiations with Open Space. 15. Elected Officials’ Matters Mayor and Council reported on open houses, award ceremonies, shared parking at businesses, and events they participated in the last week. 16. Adjournment There being no further business to come before City Council, Mayor Starker adjourned the meeting at 8:20 pm and stated a Study Session would follow. _________________________________ Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk ______________________________ Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem