HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-03-2025 - Study Session NotesCITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
STUDY SESSION NOTES
Hybrid - Virtual Meeting
February 3, 2025
1. Call to Order
Mayor Starker called the Study Session to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Attendance
Council Members present: Jenny Snell, Rachel Hultin, Amanda Weaver (via Zoom), Korey
Stites, Dan Larson, Leah Dozeman, and Scott Ohm.
Absent: Janeece Hoppe
Also present: City Manager Patrick Goff, Assistant City Manager Marianne Schilling,
Management Analyst Cole Haeslip, Director Community Development Lauren Mikulak,
Senior Deputy City Clerk Margy Greer, and other staff and interested residents.
3. Public Comment
Via Zoom
Steve Shinn – Out Front Media representative – operate seven of the 15 billboards along
the I-70 Corridor. Shinn stated that if Council moves forward with allowing digital messaging
on public property, Out Front Media would like to be at the table to discuss a private/public
partnership.
4. Digital Billboards and Signs
Issue
City Manager Patrick Goff stated that City Council and staff have been approached by
advertising companies requesting code amendments that would allow digital signs in two
specific contexts. First, they are requesting the city to consider expanding allowances for
digital signs on city-owned property, including right-of-way and to allow for a public-private
partnerships related to digital ad signs.
Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak stated that the staff was not making a
recommendation regarding amending the code but provided information to Council to help
them in making a decision moving forward Mikulak presented information regarding CDOT’s
regulations, asked Council to review the distance requirements, the number of signs, and
other potential regulations. She posed the question regarding digital signs on city-owned
property, whether Council wished to establish a new sign category that would allow such
signs and provide consistent standards across all city-owned properties. She also asked
Council to discuss changing the code to allow off-premises signs and the potential for ad
sales and revenue-sharing public-private partnership arrangements for city-owned property.
Mikulak also spoke to whether permissions would be granted on a first-come first-served
basis or a lottery.
Todd Messenger, representative of Lamar Advertising, spoke in favor of first-come first-
served regarding spacing requirements. He spoke to the possibility for public messaging
such as Amber Alerts as well as other public service announcements.
Council Comments
Council Member Hultin spoke in opposition of digital advertising, finding it distracting and
dangerous while driving. She stated that Council has spoken in the past about making the
Wheat Ridge corridors attractive and inviting places and she does not believe the digital
billboards are either. She stated that if local businesses were wanting it, she would be glad
to sit down and visit the issue again, but the businesses wanting the larger signage are
coming from outside Wheat Ridge.
City Attorney Gerald Dahl stated that the City can be very stringent about the limitations of
content they can put on the signage on public property. He stated that the categories would
be similar to what is allowed by RTD on their buses.
Mayor Pro Tem Stites stated he was in favor of moving forward with having another avenue
to push out messages to the public, particularly in the case of emergencies, in real time.
He stated that the billboards on the highway look old and tired, and the digital ones are
more modern, and the lighting concerns have been addressed by the providers.
Council Member Dozeman asked about the materials that the advertising is made. A
representative from Lamar stated that they are made of vinyl and are recyclable. Answering
another question, the representative stated that the cost difference between static and
digital is nearly the same; however, the savings is in the cost of not having to print the
materials. The advantage is having instantly changeable signs. The same advertisement or
announcement can be placed on several digital signs in different cities. She spoke in favor
of moving forward with the code amendment. She spoke in favor of the public-private
partnership.
Council Member Weaver spoke in favor of moving forward with the possibility of allowing
digital signs and public-private partnerships. She stated there is a larger conversation on
signage which needs to take place with City Council.
Council Member Larson stated that billboards are closely monitored and restricted and are
along I-70. Signs are regulated differently. He explained that the City does get sales tax
from the use of billboards. He stated his support of digital billboard signs along I-70.
Council Member Hultin stated that looking at the sign code more holistically is important.
She stated she does not like digital signs, especially while driving at night. There is industry
representative in the room, but changing our regulatory environment there are other people
with vested interests that Council needs to hear from.
Council Member Ohm stated that billboards stated that he would not be in favor of all the
billboards becoming digital, perhaps 1-2 per district. He stated he would be in favor of
public service announcements and partnerships for same. He stated he advocates for
better communication with residents and businesses. He stated he wants to have additional
conversation regarding digital signage.
Mayor Starker asked Lamar about the public-private partnership and locations in which they
were interested. Lamar representative stated that wherever the City wants the message is
the place they want to put it. Lamar answered the Mayor’s questions regarding size of
billboards and the speed of travel resulting in readability of the advertisement.
Mikulak and Dahl spoke to the issues with the lottery system and the first-come first-served
system.
Mikulak stated that an overhaul of the entire sign code in the short term.
Council reached consensus on moving forward with the pursuing 1) digital billboards, 2)
amending the code to create signs on city-owned property; and 3) public-private
partnerships.
5. 2025 Legislative Agenda
Issue
Management Analyst Cole Haselip gave a brief overview of the Legislative Advocacy
program consisting of a Legislative Agenda, the Legislative Committee, and potential
lobbying on legislation. He presented the Legislative Agenda stating there are ten focus
areas in the Agenda including Home Rule, Economic Development, Community
Development, Affordable Housing, Homelessness, Public Safety, Infrastructure &
Transportation, Sustainability, Parks & Rec, and Administrative Services. Haselip stated
that the Legislative Agenda included are five key themes: Community-centered solution,
Equity and Accessibility, Statewide Collaboration, Local Control, and Opposing
Unfunded Mandates.
Haselip asked Council for comments regarding the proposed Legislative Agenda, including
anything that they may want added, removed, or amended. He asked for consensus to
move the Legislative Agenda forward for adoption at the February 10, 2025, Regular
City Council Meeting.
Council Member Hultin thanked Cole Haselip for his work on the Legislative Agenda.
Council Members thanked the Legislative Committee which consists of Mayor Starker and
Council Members Larson and Hultin and there was consensus to move forward toward
adoption of the Agenda.
6. Staff Reports
City Manager Patrick Goff stated there was a Service Plan presented to the City regarding
the creation of Metropolitan Districts for services on the Lutheran Legacy Campus. Legal
requirements including notices being sent to the adjacent neighborhoods. Approximately 80
notices were sent which caused some confusion. He stated that the creation of a
metropolitan district will only affect the properties within the boundaries of the Lutheran
Campus, but adjacent neighbors had to be noticed according to state law. A follow up letter
will be sent for further explanation by Intermountain Health and Mikulak’s staff has put
clarifying information on the city’s website as well.
7. Elected Officials Reports
Mayor and Council Members reported on recent meetings and events they attended and
upcoming activities in the community.
8. Adjournment
With no further business to come before Council, Mayor Starker adjourned the meeting
at 7:38 p.m.
Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem