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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-9-2024 - City Council Meeting MinutesMINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO Monday, December 9, 2024 6:30 p.m. 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, Dan Larson, Amanda Weaver, Janeece Hoppe, Korey Stites, Scott Ohm, and Leah Dozeman. Council Member Rachel Hultin joined virtually on zoom. Absent: None A quorum was established Also present: City Manager Patrick Goff; Deputy City Manager Allison Scheck; City Attorney Gerald Dahl, Assistant City Manager Marianne Schilling, Director of Public Works Maria D’Andrea; Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak, City Clerk Margy Greer, and other staff, guests and interested members of the public. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES City Council Study Session Notes, November 18, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes, November 25, 2024 Without objection or correction, the Notes were accepted as presented. . 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Without objection or correction, the agenda stood as announced. 6. PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES A. Wheat Ridge 101 Graduation – Mayor Starker and Assistant City Manager Marianne Schilling presented graduation certificates to members of the Class of 2024 Wheat Ridge 101. B Police Recruit Graduation – Mayor Starker and Police Chief Murtha introduced the class of new police recruits to City Council and welcomed them to the City of Wheat Ridge. 7. PUBLICS’ RIGHT TO SPEAK Wheat Ridge Speaks: Amy Primrose Address: 11710 Teller St. Broomfield, 80020 My name is Amy Primrose with Denver Precision Products, a precision machine shop in Broomfield. I have worked with Mr. Sprauge and WRHS since August of 2018 with the National Robotics League (NRL). This program is a stem-based program that connects local high schools with local machine shops to engineer, machine, and build a 15 lbs. robot. The goal is to expose students and parents to the importance of the manufacturing industry. WRHS has won multiple years in the Colorado NRL due to their ingenuity and commitment. WRHS has partnered with two machine shops for this program. The school has received grants, machined pieces, and volunteer time. At least one student graduated and started working with a partnered machine shop. Currently Cherry Creek Innovation Center, Epic Campus, Legacy, Wheat Ridge, Stem Highlands Ranch, and Weld Central High, are registered for this year's program. It is truly a great program, and local businesses need schools to participate. Amy Primrose Denver Precision Products Vice President Past Co-Chair of Colorado National Robotics League. Item No. 8 Kelly Blynn (on behalf of the Wheat Ridge Active Transportation Advisory Team) Address: 4175 Brentwood St Wheat Ridge, 80033 Thank you for the opportunity to comment, and thanks to the city for continuing to improve the NTMP program to calm traffic and make our streets safer. I'm commenting on behalf of the Wheat Ridge Active Transportation Advisory Team, which advocates for safer ways to get around our city by biking, walking, and taking transit. We support the segments included, which have identified significant safety issues. We also applaud the city for making the NTMP program somewhat more accessible by lowering the signature threshold. We also hope council will continue to consider ways to make the NTMP program more proactive and effective. We hope that the segments where neighbors did go to the trouble to collect signatures, but where the 85th percentile speed wasn't significant enough, will nevertheless remain on the city's list to consider in the future. While we agree with prioritizing the highest speed corridors, it only takes the 5th or 10th percentile of drivers significantly speeding to cause a safety issue. If neighbors went to the trouble of collecting signatures, there is likely some safety issue, and it is likely pretty frustrating to go to that effort and not have any resolution. In the future, it would be great if the city could publish the full distribution of speed data, so neighbors who went to the trouble of collecting signatures can see the full data of what's happening on their street, and the city could prioritize those corridors in the future as time and budget allow. Additionally, we hope the city will consider how it can be proactive to address neighborhood safety issues in the future. It's a significant burden for residents to have to convince over 50% of their neighbors to sign a petition, one which may benefit neighborhoods where residents have more time or resources. We hope the city will use its speed monitoring equipment to identify and proactively address other segments besides just those that meet the NTMP signature threshold. Gary R Williams, PE Address: 8308 Cole St Arvada, 80005 Thank you for this opportunity to talk about why I think the Wheatridge STEM program is so valuable to our community. I am Gary Williams, a registered and published Chemical Engineer who has worked as an international pulp and paper engineer for over 40 years. I have been invited to work in most of the world's paper and recycling mills in North, South, and Central America, Asia, Western Europe, and Australia – I have not worked in Africa or Antarctica. My expertise is helping other engineers with problems. I have had two granddaughters in the Wheat Ridge STEM program, and I have watched and listened to them talk about what they were doing, how they were taught to solve problems, and how they were given the tools to solve those problems. Why I am so impressed with what they learned as high school students is I went to Oregon State University, which was rated as one of the top three chemical engineering programs in the US at that time. The problem-solving skills I saw and heard the kids learning, I was not exposed to until my Junior year at OSU and through working in the industry. One of my granddaughters is now a Sophomore at Colorado State University with a four-year full-ride scholarship in Mechanical/Aerospace engineering. I believe that it is because of the education she received in the Wheat Ridge Stem program that provided her the skills to both receive the scholarship and a job working for the US Navy on a hydrogen project. When I heard Wheat Ridge High School is considering changing the STEM program that gave my granddaughters such outstanding problem- solving skills, I felt I had to let people know what a very special program Wheat Ridge High School STEM program is. I wish more young engineers around the world, and even myself had exposure to a program like what we have here in Wheatridge. In person comments Connor Denney, Danelle Denney, Jessica Fasy, Zahran Bergtheld (resident), Gary Williams, Erine Bradmon, Susan Miller, Melissa Figurski (resident), and Griff Wirth all spoke in favor of keeping the Wheat Ridge High School STEM program at the school and asked for Council’s support for the continuance of the program. 8. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member read the Consent Agenda and Issue Statements into the Record. The Consent Agenda consists of Agenda Items 8a through 8f, inclusive. a. Motion to amend a contract with HDR, Inc., for land acquisition services for the Ward Station Multi-Modal Improvement project, in the amount of $76,474.12 for a total contract amount of $370,143.27 Issue Additional services are needed from HDR, Inc., to complete the valuation and acquisition negotiation for various land parcels needed to construct the Ward Station Multi-Modal Improvements project. b. Motion to amend a contract with HDR, Inc., for design support services for the Improve Wadsworth project, in the amount of $44,751 for a total contract amount of $403,992.79 Issue On-going design support services are needed from the design engineer, HDR, Inc., through the remainder of the construction phase for the Improve Wadsworth project. c. Motion to award a contract and subsequent payments to Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $385,841 for professional design services for the Ward Station Multi-Modal project Issue The design plans and associated documents for the Ward Station Multi-Modal Project are approximately 90% complete. Due to on-going coordination issues with various agencies, it is necessary to approve a contract with Short-Elliot-Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) for professional design services to complete the design of this project. d. Motion to award a contract and subsequent payments to AECOM Technical Services, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $1,272,034 for construction management services for the Improve Wadsworth project Issue On-going construction management services are needed from AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for the 2025 construction period of the Improve Wadsworth project. A new contract has been established to specify deliverables associated with these efforts. e. This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and was voted on separately below. f. Motion to approve the contract with Paycom for the HRIS system in the amount of $146,843 Issue Over the course of the last three years, the City has evaluated its systems and business processes in order to streamline and modernize essential organizational functions. The City has selected five systems to drive efficiency and modernize business practices across the enterprise. The fourth system to be purchased and implemented is Paycom which will modernize employee operations and practices including personnel, payroll, recruiting, onboarding, performance management and training. Council Member Hultin asked to have Item e. removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. Public Comments None. Council Comments Council Member Hultin made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda, Agenda Items 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d and 8f (removal of Item 8e) as presented. It was seconded by Council Member Hoppe. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. Item 8e. Motion to adopt the 2025 City Council Meeting calendar This Item was removed from the Consent Agenda for a separate vote by Council Member Hultin. Issue The calendar of the City Council meetings is adopted by a motion of the City Council annually. Adopting the meeting calendar for the year is more efficient and enables the Mayor, Council, and staff to schedule other events and travel in advance. The Council will be able to amend the calendar by motion throughout the year, if necessary. The following City Council meetings that conflict with observed City holidays or other known events during the year are recommended for cancellation. • Study Session, January 20, 2025 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day • Study Session, February 17, 2025 – President’s Day • Regular City Council Meeting, May 26, 2025 – Memorial Day • Study Session, September 1, 2025 – Labor Day Council may want to also consider the following City Council meetings that conflict with other meetings or community events: • Regular City Council Meeting, March 10, 2025 – National League of Cities Conference • Regular City Council Meeting, March 24, 2025 – Jeffco Schools spring break • Regular City Council Meeting, December 22, 2025 – Christmas holiday Council Member Hultin made a motion to approve January 20, February 17, May 26, September 1, and December 22, 2025, as canceled meetings. It was seconded by Council Member Hoppe. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING 9. Council Bill No. 23-2024 – an ordinance amending Chapter 21 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning work in the public right-of-way and licensing of municipal contractors Council Member Dozeman read the Bill and Issue Statement into the Record. Issue Chapter 21 of the city’s municipal code provides for construction and other work activities within or upon the public right-of-way while protecting the integrity of the roadway network and city-owned infrastructure. This ordinance adds or modifies language to the municipal code to address various construction-related provisions and streamlines the licensing provisions. Mayor Starker opened the public hearing. Staff Presentation Public Works Director Maria D’Andrea stated that while the ordinance regards licensing in the public rights-of-way, they also reviewed the Code in regard to how the contractors clean up and do their work in the public rights-of-way. Public Comments None. Mayor Starker closed the public hearing. City Council Comments None. Council Member Dozeman made a motion to adopt Council Bill No. 23-2024 – an ordinance amending Chapter 21 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning work in the public right-of-way and licensing of municipal contractors. It was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Stites. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. 10. Council Bill No. 24-2024 – an ordinance amending Chapter 5 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the registration and licensing of building contractors Council Member Hoppe read the Bill and Issue Statement into the Record. Issue The City’s Community Development Department manages the licensing of building contractors Currently there are 14 license categories and over 3400 active licenses. This ordinance simplifies the licensing framework. Mayor Starker opened the public hearing. Staff Presentation – Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak stated that this issue was discussed with City Council at an October Study Session and the proposed changes aligns the City license types and fees more closely with the city’s peers and the fees will go into effect along with the Budget in January 2025. Public Comments None. Council Member Hoppe made a motion to adopt Council Bill No. 24-2024 – an ordinance amending Chapter 5 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the registration and licensing of building contractors. It was seconded by Council Member Weaver. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. 11.Council Bill No. 25-2024 – an ordinance approving the sale of city-owned real property at the intersection of West 38th Avenue and Johnson Street and, in connection therewith, authorizing execution of a purchase and sale agreement Council Member Weaver read the Bill into the Record. Issue The City was approached by Kyle and Erin Ballew for a proposed retail development, DOP’s Sweet Spot, at the southwest corner of 38th Avenue and Johnson Street. The 29,810 square foot parcel is owned by the City of Wheat Ridge and was rezoned to Planned Commercial Development in 2008. Permitted uses on the subject property include any land use allowed in the City’s Restricted Commercial zone district. This proposed retail use would be a permitted use. Only 25,378 square feet of the parcel would be sold and the remaining 4,432 would be retained by the City for regional drainage. Section 16.5 of the City Charter states that “The City shall not sell or dispose of municipally owned buildings or real property for a public purpose, without first obtaining the approval, by ordinance, of three-fourths of the entire council.” Mayor Starker opened the public hearing. Staff - City Manager Patrick Goff stated that this proposal was brought to Council on October 14th and there was consensus to bring back an ordinance to approve the purchase and sale agreement. He introduced the proposed buyer Kyle Ballew. The proposed buyer of the property Kyle Ballew stated that nothing has changed since the proposal he showed Council in October and there has been a lot of pre-work done on his part and offered to answer questions from Council. Goff gave additional background information on the particular piece of land stating it is a 25,000-sf excess piece of property that was purchased by the City as part of Discovery Park construction on Kipling and 38th Ave. The land was not needed for the park. Council approved a resolution to remove the park land extension. The property was zoned commercial in 2018. The appraisal was received for $425,000 and the purchase/sale agreement does reflect that amount. The money would have to go back to the Open Space Fund since it was originally purchased with Open Space Funding. That money can be used for future Open Space projects. Public Comments None. Council Comments Council Member Larson asked for a synopsis of the business and a timeline. Ballew stated that it is going to be a business serving soft serve snoball and mini donut but will hopefully be a community gathering place. There is no inside seating. Outdoor seating only with lawn games and other activities for families. Council Member Hultlin asked about bike parking. Mr. Ballew stated that there will more than enough bike parking. He is also looking at working with another business to help provide additional car parking. Mayor Starker closed the public hearing. Council Member Weaver made a motion to adopt Council Bill No. 25-2024 - an ordinance approving the sale of city-owned real property at the intersection of West 38th Avenue and Johnson Street and, in connection therewith, authorizing execution of a purchase and sale agreement. It was seconded by Council Member Ohm. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING 12.Council Bill No. 26-2024 – an ordinance approving an amendment to the existing Planned Mixed-Use Development (PMUD) zoning at Clear Creek Crossing Mayor Pro Tem Stites read the Bill and Issue Statement into the Record. Issue The applicant is requesting to modify the underlying zoning for certain areas of Clear Creek Crossing to refine allowed uses, setbacks, street, plaza, and multi-modal requirements. The intent of these changes is to relocate the main restaurant and entertainment district to the western edge of the site and to create a premiere pedestrian corridor to connect users from W. 40th Avenue. Mayor Pro Tem Stites made a motion to adopt Council Bill No. 26-2024 an ordinance approving an amendment to the existing Planned Mixed-Use Development (PMUD) zoning at Clear Creek Crossing on first reading. It was seconded by Council Member Hoppe. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. 13.Council Bill No. 27-2024 – an ordinance amending Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws, concerning regulation of natural medicine services and healing centers 7. Council Bill No. 28-2024 – an ordinance approving an amendment to the Prospect Park outline development plan for property located at 11600 W. 44th Avenue Council Member Snell read the Bill and Issue Statement into the Record. Issue In 2023, the Colorado General Assembly approved the Colorado Natural Medicine Act, creating a regulatory structure for natural medicines and the operation of licensed healing centers. Under the Act, the City may regulate the time, place and manner of healing centers licensed by the state, but the City may not prohibit the uses entirely. This ordinance allows healing centers in the City’s commercial, industrial, and mixed- use zone districts in a manner like medical offices. The ordinance also memorializes the state-enacted separation from schools and daycares. Council Member Snell made a motion to adopt Council Bill No. 27-2024 - an ordinance amending Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws, concerning regulation of natural medicine services and healing centers 7. Council Bill No. 28-2024 – an ordinance approving an amendment to the Prospect Park outline development plan for property located at 11600 W. 44th Avenue. It was seconded by Council Member Hoppe. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. 14.Council Bill No. 28-2024 – an ordinance approving an amendment to the Prospect Park outline development plan for property located at 11600 W. 44th Avenue Council Member Larson read the Bill and Issue Statement into the Record. Issue Applewood RV Resort, LLC is requesting approval of an amendment to the Prospect Park Place ODP at property located at 11600 W. 44th Avenue. The purpose of the request is to amend the existing zoning to expand RV camping uses onto Lot 1, located on the northernmost portion of the site. Council Member Larson made a motion to adopt Bill No. 28-2024 - an ordinance approving an amendment to the Prospect Park outline development plan for property located at 11600 W. 44th Avenue. It was seconded by Council Member Dozeman. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND MOTIONS 15.Motion to approve installation of traffic calming devices on 41st Ave., Nelson Street, Quay Street, and Teller Street, in accordance with the requirements of the Neighborhood Traffic Management program Council Member Ohm read the Motion and the Issue Statement into the Record. Issue During the 2024 Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP), four roadway segments met the criteria to receive traffic calming based on the program’s eligibility requirements. These four projects will be constructed in 2025. Public Comments None. Council Comments Council Member Hultin asked if data collection is done after installation of speed humps/bumps regarding seeing how effective the devices are. Mikulak stated that they have been meeting regularly to create a more robust program regarding data collection and follow up. In answer to a question from Council Larson, Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak stated that the difference between a speed bump and a speed hump is that a hump is wider, and a bump is narrow. Council Member Larson asked about if lack of curbs and gutters makes a difference as to where the devices would be placed and if there was a list available of planned installations. Mikulak stated that curbs and gutters does not make a difference. She also stated that the program is designed for local neighborhood streets. Council Member Ohm made a motion to approve installation of traffic calming devices on 41st Ave., Nelson Street, Quay Street, and Teller Street, in accordance with the requirements of the Neighborhood Traffic Management program. It was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Stites. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. 16.Resolution No. 51-2024 – a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2024 2E budget in the amount of $9,404,727 to defease the 2017 bonds and transfer remaining funds to the Capital Improvement Program fund Council Member Ohm read the Resolution and Issue Statement into the Record. Issue The 2E fund, established to separate and track revenues and expenditures commensurate with the 2017 sales tax bond issuance, has a remaining balance of approximately $12.6 million. In discussions with Council prior to the 2J bond issuance, it was agreed that $7.4 million would be used to pay down the 2017 bonds and approximately $5.2 million would be transferred to the CIP Fund to defray remaining costs of the Improve Wadsworth project. This resolution authorizes the necessary supplemental appropriations to defease the remaining debt service on the 2017 bonds, complete the transfer to the CIP Fund and close the 2E Fund. Public Comments None. Council Comments None. Council Member Ohm made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 51-2024 - a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2024 2E budget in the amount of $9,404,727 to defease the 2017 bonds and transfer remaining funds to the Capital Improvement Program fund 10. Motion to accept the transfer of property from Mile High Flood District for a parcel of property along Clear Creek on the west side of Kipling Street. It was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Stites. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. 17.Motion to accept the transfer of property from Mile High Flood District for a parcel of property along Clear Creek on the west side of Kipling Street Council Member Weaver read the Motion and Issue Statement into the Record. Issue The Mile High Flood District and City staff have recently been working with the property owner of 4131 Kipling Street to acquire a portion of the parcel which is located within the Clear Creek floodway. The floodway is a critical area within the floodplain which cannot be developed and is essential to carry flood flows. Acquiring this property allows the City to manage flood risk, protect the floodway’s functionality, and provide trailhead improvements. Staff Presentation – City of Wheat Ridge Parks Manager gave a brief PowerPoint presentation showing a timeline throughout 2024 which includes property owners reaching out to the City, completing a coordinated interest and feasibility study, Mile High Flood District’s interest through their Floodplain Acquisition program, completing a land survey, negotiating the price, closing on the property, finalizing the parcel boundaries and site remediation and minor demolition. He showed an aerial view of the 4131 Kipling Street property as well as surrounding buildings and property. Public Comments None. Council Comments Council Member Hoppe asked about the potential purchase of the property in the rear. There is a possibility of future purchase. She then asked about the reduction of insurance for the owner if a piece of that property is purchased. Mikulak stated that more than likely the insurance is on the building rather than the property, therefore it is unlikely. Council Member Weaver made a motion to accept the transfer of property from Mile High Flood District for a parcel of property along Clear Creek on the west side of Kipling Street. It was seconded by Council Member Ohm. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. 18. CITY MANAGER’S MATTERS City Manager Patrick Goff thanked all of staff for their help, especially Beth June, with the lighting ceremony. 19. CITY ATTORNEY’S MATTERS None 20. ELECTED OFFICIALS’ MATTERS Mayor and City Council Members stated their pride in the City, thanked staff for their hard work, and reported on events and activities they attended over the past weeks. 21. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before City Council, Mayor Starker adjourned the meeting at 8:25 pm. ________________________________ Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk _______________________________ Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem