HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-2025 City Council Meeting MintuesCity Council Meeting Minutes
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 WEST 29TH AVENUE, MUNICIPAL BUILDING June 9, 2025 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, Amanda Weaver, Korey Stites, Janeece Hoppe, Leah Dozeman, Rachel Hultin, and Dan Larson.
Absent: None. A quorum was established. Also present: City Manager Patrick Goff; Public Work, City Attorney Gerald Dahl,
Deputy City Manager Allison Scheck, Police Chief Chris Murtha, Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak, and Sr. Deputy City Clerk Margy Greer 4. Approval of Minutes City Council Meeting Minutes, May 12, 2025
Minutes were approved by general consent. 5. Approval of Agenda Without objection or correction, the agenda stood as presented. 6. Proclamations A. Mayor Starker proclaimed June 2025 National LGBTQI+ Pride Month and presented the proclamation to Council Member Jenny Snell. Council Member Snell thanked the Mayor, Council, and community for their support and spoke in favor of the community’s efforts and the work yet to be done regarding the LGBTQI+ community.
B. Mayor Starker proclaimed the Month of June 2025 as National Safety Month and presented the proclamation to the City’s Risk Manager Kelly McLaughlin. Ms. McLauglin introduced some of the members of the team who were present and spoke to the many activities of the Safey Committee and the economic benefit to the City for following prescribed safety programs. Deputy City Clerk Allison Scheck stated
that Kelly McLaughlin was given an award from CIRSA, the City’s insurance provider, for her work in the area of workplace safety. C. Mayor Starker proclaimed June 19th as Juneteenth day in Wheat Ridge
and encouraged every person to celebrate and recommit to working together to
eradicate systemic racism and inequity in society. Police Chief Chris Murtha introduced the Police Department’s newest officers Kinsey Jamieson, Don Jones, and Taylor Riley. They each gave a brief bio on themselves and
thanked the Mayor, Council, and residents for the opportunity to serve the City.
7. Public’s Right to Speak In Person Julie Clark, resident, spoke in favor of the Anderson Pool being remodeled.
Taylor Tait from Representative Patterson’s Office’s spoke about Representative Patterson’s legislative agenda and encouraged communication from the public directly to her office.
Wheat Ridge Speaks
Item No. 2 - ORD - Freestanding Emergency Departments (FSED) Martin R Harrison - 3836 Taft Ct Wheat Ridge, 80033 Councilors, I have serious concerns about the proposal to end the moratorium on Free Standing Emergency Departments (FSEDs) in Wheat Ridge. Many people will go to a
FSED expecting the full range of ED treatment only to find that some conditions e.g. stroke, heart attack, will necessitate their urgent transfer to a hospital ED. The extra time needed for transfer before treatment might worsen their condition or even cost them their lives. I feel FSEDs are a fundamentally bad idea for Wheat Ridge, especially as Wheat Ridge is well served by a hospital for major emergencies and urgent care
facilities for minor needs. Many of us in Wheat Ridge are retired or elderly and may be confused by the difference between a FSED and a true ED. To prevent such confusion, it would be better if FSEDs were not allowed. However, I understand that Wheat Ridge is always needing to increase its tax base and that in a free market Health One/Rose should be able propose one of its facilities wherever it can. Perhaps dropping the FSED
would be the best course. Why does it always have to be about money? Should the council not consider safety and best practices, too? Lastly, I presume the Health One/Rose women's facility would siphon off some of Lutheran Hospital's business, which would be sad since Lutheran has always been such an integral part of the Wheat Ridge community. Sincerely, Martin R Harrison
Item No. 2 - Freestanding Emergency Departments Catherine Brookler Shupe - 3815 Robb St Wheat Ridge, 80033 Prior to 2018
A June 2, 2025, article in the Jeffco Transcript stated the City of Wheat Ridge prohibited
free standing emergency departments (FSEDs) in 2018. The topic has recently been
reviewed by the Planning Commission with approval to remove the prohibition. The
subject is up for City Council approval of the Planning Commission recommendation.
The Jeffco Transcript article further stated that in 2015 there was a rapid proliferation of
FSEDs throughout Colorado and a lack of transparency in billing practices but that the
Colorado Legislature was considering action to protect Coloradans. The Wheat Ridge
FSED prohibition was therefore put on hold until 2018 at which time FSEDs in Wheat
Ridge were specifically prohibited because Lutheran Medical Center was in full
operation and because Wheat Ridge is not a particularly large city needing additional
emergency departments.
Since 2018
Since that time Colorado has instituted laws protecting Coloradans regarding price
transparency, surprise billing and insurance company denials for services provided by
non-network providers when patients have no choice as to the provider when presenting
for care (e.g. radiologist, pathologist, emergency department physician, etc.). While
laudable these new laws do not go far enough to be of use to those in an emergency
situation or to persons unfamiliar with the health care systems and their billing practices
(A personal experience at the end of this document demonstrates my experience).
Additionally, a drive around the metro area now shows the FSEDs have continued to
proliferate. The only thing that has changed since 2018 is the Lutheran Medical
Center’s name and location. The health care center has moved three miles west. I
believe the reasons the Planning Commission did not approve the original request still
exist and I have additional concerns about placing a FSED in Wheat Ridge.
Following are my specific concerns
1. I think there will be a lot of people who will find out insurance will not pay for the
FSED service because it is an emergency department instead of an urgent care center
when the reason for visiting is not deemed an emergency.
There is confusion as to whether or not an issue is an emergency or can be addressed
at a physician’s office or urgent care center. If my child breaks his arm, it is an
emergency for me. The FSED will not tell me insurance probably will not pay because a
broken arm is not considered an emergency. The FSED will set the broken arm and bill
the insurance company who will then deny payment because a broken arm is not an
emergent situation. The parent must then pay the bill. And the same confusion and
problem exist for the elderly.
FSEDs may not be a participating provider in an all-insurance company resulting in the
insurance company denying care payment. I also question whether or not most people
truly understand the difference between a FSED and an urgent care center which would
compound the charges issues.
If the patient’s condition cannot be treated at the FSED or requires hospital services
after treatment there must be a transfer to a hospital. The resulting ambulance charges
may or may not be covered by insurance. The HCA HealthONE representative stated
to the Planning Commission that the “ambulatory service” is paid for by the FSED in
cases where ambulances are used to get more serious patients to a hospital. If the
FSED is approved I would like to see this in writing from HCA HealthONE and institute
verification with patients to assure they are not charged for the ambulance or
MetroWest services.
2. FSEDs usually charge much more for their services than urgent care centers. When
people use FSEDs instead of urgent care centers or physicians’ offices for non-life-
threatening conditions. This in turn raises the cost of living in terms of higher taxes (to
pay for indigent, Medicaid and Medicare recipients) and higher health insurance
payments. Hospitals in Colorado own most of the FSEDs. Colorado Medicaid offered
hospitals a financial incentive to convert their FSEDs to urgent or primary care centers
several years ago for this exact reason.
A Colorado health care claims study showed patients can pay 10 times more in a FSED
than in an urgent care center for the same condition according to a 2021 Denver Post
article (https://www.denverpost.com/2021/05/21/colorado-pay-to-close-free-standing-
ers/).
3. An HCA HealthONE representative stated that FSEDs are a great safety net for the
community because they can treat life threatening needs. The term safety net sounds
good, however the presence of an FSED will not be a safety net for the community.
Health care safety nets serve people who experience barriers to getting needed care
such as the uninsured, Medicaid and other vulnerable patients. FSEDs in Colorado
cluster in the wealthiest neighborhoods (median household income >$100,000)
according to a study updated and published in 2023 by the Colorado Health Institute
(https://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/research/targeted-growth). Wheat Ridge
residents do not experience barriers to care with a full-service hospital located here.
4. The proposed zoning is Mixed Use-Commercial (MU-C). I believe the MU-C
designation is for commercial buildings rather than high level health care facilities. A
FSED is much more like a hospital with ambulance bays as opposed to a physician
office building or the surgery center located one block from the proposed FSED site. If
approved, this zoning opens the door for many similar facilities.
5. There is already a significant number of emergency vehicles (ambulances and fire
trucks primarily) running with sirens on 38th Avenue. The addition of an FSED will
exacerbate the already noisy and frustrating emergency vehicle traffic. At times sirens
can be heard from east of Kipling. I do not want this to increase as it would if an FSED
is located on 38th.
I think the community would be much better served by an urgent care center for the
times the doctor’s offices are closed, and health condition is not an emergency. I do not
believe Wheat Ridge has an urgent care center.
Item No. 2 - Freestanding Emergency Departments Douglas Martell, MD - 46 Lark Bunting lane Littleton, 80127
I practiced interventional cardiology for 30 years at Lutheran Hospital. The standard of care for an acute heart attack (MI) is an emergent catheterization laboratory procedure with angioplasty and stenting with the goal of opening the culprit artery within 30
minutes from time of presentation. Chest pain is a very common presentation to an
emergency department because it could be a real MI. The average citizen assumes going to a free-standing emergency department (FSED) is the same as going to a real hospital ED. It is not! The delay in care occurs with the need to transfer a patient to the closest real hospital (Lutheran) so the catheterization can be performed. This delay will
result in more heart damage and increases the risk of death. I have experienced these
delays myself when waiting for a patient to be transferred from a FSED. Additionally, Stroke care also employs emergent catheter-based intervention that will be delayed. This also increases the risk for worsened neurologic outcomes and also increases the risk of death. Sepsis (very severe infection), too, is a medical emergency that increases
the risk of death if care is delayed. Wheat Ridge has an elderly population that will likely
be confused thinking that a FSED will provide the same level of care in a timely fashion that a real hospital ED does. This confusion can and will increase the risk of death! Placing a FSED in Wheat Ridge will be to the detriment of your constituents. Thank you for your attention.
Item No. 2 - ORD - Freestanding Emergency Departments Lindsay Reinert - 3880 Garrison Street Wheat Ridge, 80033 Dear Mayor and Councilors: I want to share some concerns about the idea of lifting the moratorium on Free Standing Emergency Departments (FSEDs) here in Wheat Ridge.
These FSED facilities are often pitched as a way to improve access to emergency
care—but based on my experience, they can actually create more confusion and problems than they solve. As many of you know, I spent over eight years working in community outreach and health education at Lutheran Hospital. A big part of my job was helping to educate our residents about health issues, how to navigate the
healthcare system, and understand where to go for care—whether that’s primary care, walk-in clinics, urgent care, or emergency services. One of the most common issues I ran into was confusion around FSEDs. A lot of folks, especially older adults, thought they were going to an urgent care clinic, only to find out later they’d been treated at an emergency room—and got a bill to match. I remember a story a man shared with me,
where he told me he went in to get a goat head burr removed from his foot and ended up with a bill for thousands of dollars. That kind of surprise can really hurt people financially and make them hesitant to seek care in the future. There’s also the issue of what FSEDs can and can’t do. They don’t have surgical suites, ICUs, or full access to specialists. So, when someone comes in with something serious—like a stroke or heart
attack—they often have to be stabilized and then transferred to a hospital. That delay can be dangerous. A few years ago, I saw a helicopter land in the parking lot of a FSED to transfer a patient, most likely to the hospital system affiliated with the FSED, instead of transferring them to the closest full-service hospital for treatment in care. It made me wonder: are these decisions being made based on what’s best for the patient, or what’s
best for the business? And then there’s the cost. People often end up with three separate bills—one from the FSED, one from the ambulance or helicopter for the transfer, and one from the hospital they’re transferred to. That’s a lot to ask of anyone,
especially those on a fixed income. Lastly, I worry that FSEDs duplicate services we already have, without really improving access. And with the ongoing shortage of healthcare workers, spreading our resources even thinner doesn’t seem like the best
move. I hope you’ll take all of this into account as you consider whether to lift the
moratorium. Emergency care should be clear, affordable, and focused on what’s best for patients, not profits. Thanks so much for your time and for all you do for our community. Sincerely, Lindsay Reinert District IV
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Council Member Hoppe read the Consent Agenda, which consists of Items 8a and 8b,
as well as the accompanying Issue Statements into the record.
a. Resolution No. 31-2025 - a resolution amending the 2025 Public Art Fund budget to reflect the approval of a supplemental budget appropriation in the amount of $250,000 for the purpose of funding public art associated with the Youngfield
Beautification project Issue: The public art associated with the Youngfield Beautification project was budgeted in the Public Art Fund in 2024. Because a contract was not awarded until 2025, the funds were not carried forward into the 2025 budget. This resolution will amend the
2025 Public Art Fund budget to fund this project as planned. b. Resolution No. 32-2025 - a resolution amending the fiscal year 2025 Open Space Fund budget to reflect the approval of a supplemental budget appropriation in the amount of $254,299 for the purpose of accepting a
Colorado State Forest Service grant in the amount of $380,350 Issue: The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) awarded the City a reimbursement grant of $380,350 for forestry work through October 31, 2025. To invest the funding, and subsequently request and receive reimbursement, this budget appropriation is
required. Council Member Hoppe made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. It was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Stites.
Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING 9. Council Bill No. 08-2025 – an ordinance amending Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge
Code of Laws regarding freestanding emergency departments
Mayor Starker opened the public hearing on this matter.
City Attorney Jerry Dahl stated that the ordinance was a legislative matter and was not
changing the Municipal Code. He went on to have a question-and-answer period with
Council Member Dozeman, as she is an employee of Intermountain Health, to ensure
that there is not a conflict of interest and that she was able to vote on the matter. After
the question-and-answer period, the City Attorney saw no reason why Council Member
Dozeman could not vote on the matter. There was no motion made to preclude
Dozeman from voting on the matter.
Lauren Mikulak, Director of Community Development, read the issue Statement and
gave a brief history of the moratorium and current request from HCA HealthOne, stating
that the City received a request from HCA HealthONE LLC and its affiliate HCA
HealthONE Rose to amend the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to allow for freestanding
emergency departments (FSED) in the city and for the development of a medical
campus at the northwest corner of 38th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. She stated
that this item had been discussed extensively during a prior Council Study Session.
Public Comment:
Homi Kapadia - spoke in opposition to lifting of moratorium Douglas Martel – spoke in opposition to lifting the moratorium
Jessica Telesco – resident - spoke in opposition to lifting the moratorium
Chantelle Cobourm – spoke in opposition of free-standing emergency rooms
Carol Thomas – spoke in opposition of free-standing emergency rooms
Arem Neuschetz – spoke in opposition of the matter Jeff Bontrager – spoke in opposition to the ordinance
Julie Clark – spoke in favor of the ordinance Valeria Hartford – spoke in favor of the ordinance Adam Weingart – spoke in favor of the ordinance Gary Bryskiewicz – spoke in favor of the ordinance
Casey Guber – spoke in favor of the ordinance
Council Comments: Council Member Dozeman asked about the plan for the current tenants at Wilmore, stating concern about misplaced tenants. Casey Guber, CEO of HealthOne, stated they
have begun talking to the tenants and finding out whether they wish to stay on the
complex or perhaps relocate. Council Member Larson stated that the issue is allowing something that is not currently in our zoning code, to a conditional use by right based on certain conditions. He asked
why MU-Commercial Interstate zoning was not included. Mikulak stated that it was not
part of the final consensus from Council’s March Study Session. Mayor Pro Tem Stites asked about projected sales tax. It is unknown at this time.
Council Member Ohm asked about the proposed use and how it fit within the City Plan
and how is “conditional use” structured. Lauren Mikulak, Director of Community Development, explained conditional use requirements.
Council Member Hoppe asked about new employment and the representative answered that there would be 35 employees at the FSED plus more as the clinics open. There will be six of seven new clinics.
Mayor Starker closed the public hearing. Council Discussion Council Member Hultin Rachel stated that this gives people choices and the waiting
times for emergency rooms is long right now.
Council Member Hoppe stated that the moratorium was put in place ten years ago and things have changed now.
Council Member Dozeman stated she was on Council when the permanent moratorium
was put in place; practices are still predatory, and the community is served well by Lutheran. Council Member Larson stated he supported removing the moratorium.
Council Member Snell stated that the city is growing with new residents and young families, and it is important to have a choice in health care. Council Member Weaver stated that this is not a political decision. Lutheran provides
great care. There is a confusion about medical choices: hospital ER’s and non-urgent
care facilities. Mayor Pro Tem Stites stated that he wasn't sure how he was going to vote and understands there is confusion and stated this will be a significant investment in the City
and residents need a place for non-emergent patients. Council Member Ohm made a motion to adopt Council Bill No. 08-2025 – an ordinance amending Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws regarding freestanding emergency departments It was seconded by Council Member Hoppe.
Vote: 7 Ayes (Stites, Weaver, Snell, Hoppe, Ohm, Hultin, and Larson ) 1 Nay (Dozeman). The motion carried. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING
10. Council Bill No. 11-2025 – an ordinance amending Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning multi-unit residential parking requirements and making conforming amendments therewith
Mayor Pro Tem Stites read the Title of the Bill into the record and made a motion to approve Council Bill No. 11-2025, an ordinance amending Chapter 26 of the Wheat
Ridge Code of Laws concerning multi-unit residential parking requirements and making
conforming amendments therewith, on first reading, order it published, public hearing
set for Monday, June 23, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.as a virtual meeting in the City Council
Chamers, and that it takes immediately after final publication. It was seconded by Council Member Hultin.
Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried.
11. Council Bill No. 12-2025 – an ordinance amending Section 26-502 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning procedural updates to landscaping requirements
Council Member Dozeman read the Title of the Bill into the record and made a motion to
approve Council Bill No. 12-2025, an ordinance amending Section 26-502 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning procedural updates to landscaping requirements, on first reading, order it published, public hearing set for Monday, June 23, 2025, at 6;30 p.m. as a virtual meeting and in City Council Chambers, and that it takes effect
immediately after final publication. It was seconded by Council Member Ohm.
Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried. DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND MOTIONS
12. Following a PowerPoint presentation regarding the commissioned artwork, Council Member Hultin made a motion to approve the selection of public art titled “Fun, Fun, Fungi” by David Farquharson of Farhorizon Studios LLC to be installed at the Green at 38th project site. It was seconded by Council Member Ohm.
Vote: 8 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried.
13. City Manager’s Matters No report. 14. City Attorney’s Matters
No report. 15. Elected Official’s 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.
16. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before Council, Mayor Starker adjourned the
meeting at 8:56 p.m.
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Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
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Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem