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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-25-2024 - City Council Meeting MinutesCity Council Meeting Minutes CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 WEST 29TH AVENUE, MUNICIPAL BUILDING  NOVEMBER 25, 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. Eight members of Council were present in Council Chambers for this session.  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, Amanda Weaver, Korey Stites, Janeece Hoppe, Dan Larson (via Zoom), and Leah Dozeman 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; City Clerk Margy Greer, and other staff, guests and interested members of the public. 4. Approval of Minutes City Council Meeting Minutes, October 28, 2024 City Council Study Session Notes, October 28, 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 Mayor Starker proclaimed November 30th at Small Business Saturday in the City of Wheat Ridge, encouraging everyone to shop at local small businesses. Present to accept the Proclamation were Dominic Breton, President of the Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce and Lowery Burnett with the Wheat Ridge Business Association. 7. Public’s Right to Speak Wheat Ridge Speaks: Item No. 1 - RESO - Budget Adoption Posted by Jordan Landgrebe Nov 22, 2024 at 12:29pm Address: 6615 W 45th Ave Wheat Ridge, 80033 Comment A few comments on items contained in the annual budget: Housing Fund and Development Policy Concerns The Wheat Ridge Housing Fund, while well-intentioned, fails to address the root causes of rising housing costs and doesn't fully recognize the limitations of a small municipality in influencing market forces. Many city actions, including the housing fund itself, restrict the availability of market-rate housing through development restrictions, zoning laws, and even rent control policies. By holding receipts in the general fund, the housing fund acts as an additional tax on residents, with funds that are essentially free for the city to spend at will. If the city does not intend to use these funds in 2025, they should be returned to residents or businesses via a mill levy reduction. The city should also consider whether maintaining dedicated housing staff is necessary if there’s no clear plan to deploy these funds effectively. Roundabout at 26th & Harlan and Infrastructure Priorities The proposed roundabout at 26th and Harlan seems misaligned with the city’s priorities. For example, Wheat Ridge lacks protected bike lanes and has made limited progress on its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Connecting key areas of the city for safe, non-vehicular travel should be a higher priority, especially for residents with disabilities or limited mobility. Similarly, 44th Avenue between Harlan and Wadsworth is a critical gap in the city's transportation network. This area lacks connections to the new development on 38th Avenue and makes it difficult for residents to move beyond their neighborhood by bike or foot. A more integrated approach to multimodal transportation is necessary—particularly in the 38th Avenue corridor, which should be a focus of the city’s downtown revitalization efforts. Sales Tax Decline and Economic Development The city’s flat or declining sales tax revenue is a troubling indicator that Wheat Ridge is not making sufficient progress in fostering economic growth. This stagnation is especially concerning when neighboring cities, like Arvada, are actively developing and attracting investment. If Wheat Ridge doesn't adopt a more aggressive development strategy, it risks falling behind. The decline in sales tax revenue is a clear warning that the city is not doing enough to attract new businesses, support existing ones, or develop in general. Status Quo and Vision for the Future The city seems to be stuck in a pattern of preserving the status quo, driven by a fear of upsetting residents who feel the city is fine now or better a decade ago. While it’s understandable to value city character and culture, it’s clear more must be done to move the city forward. Simply maintaining current policies without actively pushing for improvement will not yield positive outcomes. There is a disconnect between what the city council and staff say they want to achieve and what’s actually being delivered. Wheat Ridge is missing opportunities for growth, and this inaction is allowing surrounding communities to outpace the city in terms of development and investment. The city cannot afford to continue on this path of complacency. 8. CONSENT AGENDA None. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING 9. Resolution No. 48-2024 – a resolution adopting the City budget and appropriating sums of money to the various funds and spending agencies for the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado for the 2025 budget year, establishing the 2J Next Chapter Bond fund in 2024 and other budget amendments Mayor Pro Tem Stites read the Resolution into the Record. Mayor Starker opened the public hearing at 6:37 pm. City Manager Patrick Goff introduced the Budget into the Record and spoke about the 2025 Proposed Budget. He gave an overview of the last five year’s projects, programs, and associated expenditures. Sections 10.7 and 10.9 of the Wheat Ridge City Charter require that a public hearing on the proposed budget be conducted before its final adoption and that the budget be adopted by resolution on or before the final day (December 15, 2024) established by state statute for the certification of the next year’s tax levy to the county. The proposed 2025 budget includes the following: • A General Fund budget in the amount of $48,765,853 • An unrestricted fund balance of $8,312,000 or 17% of expenditures plus 3% emergency reserves ($1,462,976) • Proposed CIP Fund in the amount of $12,443,000 • Proposed Renewal Wheat Ridge Bonds Project Fund in the amount of $13,560,000 • Proposed 2J Fund in the total amount of $12,829,361 • Special Revenue Funds in the amount of $8,027,596 • Proposed budget (all funds) in the amount of $95,625,810 Goff and Deputy City Manager Alli Scheck gave a PowerPoint presentation which spoke to the 2024 Original Budget vs. Estimated Budget and the proposed 2025 Budget. They spoke to the Fund Balances, the Total Proposed Budget, General Fund Budget, Projected Revenues and Expenditures, as well as the 2J Fund. Goff made recommendations to balance the budget which included leaving all lodgers’ taxes generated from short-term rentals in the General Fund; leaving some vacant positions open, decreasing across the board travel and conferences, utilizing ARPA funds for general operating purposes, and reducing outside agency contributions. He then reviewed the outside agency contribution reductions with council. Director of Public Works Maria D’Andrea gave a presentation on the Capital Improvement Programs, the 2J Fund, Open Space, and the Conservation Trust Fund. She presented a list of projects completed, yet to be completed, projects scheduled for 2J Fund use, the Renew Wheat Ridge Projects, stormwater projects, and the need to do a utility rate study regarding stormwater. She stated that grant opportunities are always being pursued. Goff stated that while acquisition of school properties (Kullerstrand Elementary and Wilmore Davis Elementary) is not budgeted, he had met with the school district and have asked them to hold off on adding the school to their surplus list. He stated he hoped to be able to come back to Council with recommendations and options after budget is implemented next year. Scheck gave a wrap-up and overview of the Budget Resolution stating that the resolution establishes the 2J Next Chapter Bond Fund and authorizes spending in 2024; authorizes the General Fund portion of short-term rental lodgers’ tax to remain in the General Fund to be used for general operating expenditures in 2024 and 2025; and reduces the Renewal Wheat Ridge Bond Fund 2024 budget so that the budgeted ending fund balance is $0.00. Public Comment None. Council Comment Council Member Hultin asked about revenues from online sales. Scheck stated she would get back to her on the question. Hultin asked carryover funds. Scheck explained it goes back to the fund balance and is reappropriated each year. Mayor Starker asked about revenues from the Solar Garden. Goff explained that the solar garden had not been working for 1-2 years, but now that it back to normal, the City is receiving credits. Council Member Larson asked about stormwater repairs and how the priorities were determined. D’Andrea explained how the priorities are set and the funding for same. She also stated that some pipes would need to be replaced, while others may just need cleaning, and others will need repairs. There is not enough money in the budget to do all the stormwater work that needs to be done. Mayor Pro Tem Stites made a motion to approve Resolution No. 48-2024 – a resolution adopting the City budget and appropriating sums of money to the various funds and spending agencies for the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado for the 2025 budget year, establishing the 2J Next Chapter Bond fund in 2024 and other budget amendments. It was seconded by Council Member Hoppe. Council Member Hultin – thanked staff for working through a tough budget cycle and for protecting housing affordability fund and remaining competitive for grant funding, which may be sparse. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING 10. 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. Public Comment None. Council Member Dozeman made a motion to approve 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, on first reading, order it published, public hearing set for December 9, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. as a virtual meeting and in Council Chambers, and will become effective January 1, 2025. It was seconded by Council Member Ohm. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. 11. 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 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. Council Comment Council Member Hoppe made a motion to approve 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, on first reading, order it published, public hearing set for December 9, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. as a virtual meeting and in Council Chambers, and will become effective January 1, 2025. It was seconded by Council Member Dozeman. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. 12. 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 Bill and Issue Statement 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.” Council Comment 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, on first reading, order it published, public hearing set for December 9, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. as a virtual meeting and in Council Chambers, and will become effective January 1, 2025. It was seconded by Council Member Ohm. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND MOTIONS 13. Resolution No. 49-2024 – a resolution levying general property taxes for the year 2024, to help defray the costs of government for the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado for the 2025 budget year Council Member Larson read the Resolution and Issue Statement into the Record. Issue This resolution authorizes the levying of property taxes for the 2024 fiscal year to help defray the cost of government in 2025 Public Comment None. Council Comment Council Member Larson made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 49-2024 – a resolution levying general property taxes for the year 2024, to help defray the costs of government for the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado for the 2025 budget year. It was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Stites. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. 14. Resolution No. 50-2024 – a resolution amending the 2015 Parks and Recreation Master Plan Council Member Snell read the Resolution and Issue Statement into the Record. Issue The 2015 Parks and Recreation Master Plan was adopted by City Council on April 27, 2015. The Plan designates certain parcels in the City as park land. In 2008, City Council approved an ordinance rezoning the property which is now Discovery Park. The Outline Development Plan included a condition that up to 36,000 square feet of the northern portion of the site may be used for commercial uses. However, the park land designation on this portion of the site was not removed. This resolution will amend the 2015 Parks and Recreation Master Plan to remove the park land designation from this remanent parcel. City Manager Patrick Goff gave a brief description of the remnant parcel of Discovery Park which he stated was mistakenly shown as park land in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, as it should have been zoned commercial. He stated it is the piece of property at 38th and Johnson, which Council just voted on the Purchase and Sale Agreement. He stated that a super majority vote will be needed by Council in order for the Resolution to pass. Public Comment None. Council Comment Council Member Snell made a motion to approve Resolution No. 50-2024 – a resolution amending the 2015 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. It was seconded by Council Member Ohm. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. 15. Motion to approve the contract with OpenGov for the financial system in the amount of $424,070 Council Member Hultin read the Motion and Issue Statement into the Record. 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 third system to be purchased and implemented is OpenGov Financials which will modernize financial practices and improve budgeting and procurement processes. City Manager gave his thanks for City staff, as it was a huge lift for them. Deputy City Manager Alli Sheck stated it is part of the System Transformation Project, which was Council’s direction to improve permitting and licensing. She gave a PowerPoint presentation which spoke to all five systems. The first two systems to go live are Permitting and Tax & Licensing. Staff is just beginning to be trained on the system and involves several employees. She spoke to the future HRIS, Finance, and Court Systems. Public Comment None. Council Comment Council Member Larson spoke to the ongoing annual cost of the system. Over three years, the City will be spending almost $700,000. He stated the transparency built into the system will help with public trust and the interactive approach is a great feature. Scheck explained that there should be no other costs in those future years. She said the biggest lift is the implementation of the system which takes approximately 15 months. The software and service costs of $120,000+ each year will be budgeted. She stated that staff will continue to try to secure grant funding for these type of projects and has already procured about half a million dollars. Council Member Hultin made a motion to approve the contract with OpenGov for the financial system in the amount of $424,070. It was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Stites. Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. 16. City Manager’s Matters Deputy City Clerk Alli Scheck stated that the Code states that a Board of Commission member who moves out of their district has to resign their seat. Staff does not believe that was the intent of Council. Since members are appointed to fill an out-of-district seat, staff believes it was the intent of Council to have them remain in that out-of-district seat until the term ends. She asked for direction from City Council. Council gave consensus to move forward with amending the Code as stated. Policy will also include that we ask members to keep their address on file updated. 17. City Attorney’s Matters None. 18. Elected Official’s Matters Mayor and City Council Members gave updates on their attendance at various meetings, events, and happenings around Wheat Ridge. They wished the residents a Happy Thanksgiving. 19. Adjournment There being no further business to come before City Council, Mayor Starker adjourned the meeting at 7:55 pm. _________________________________ Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk _________________________________ Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem