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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-13-2025 City Council Meeting MinutesPage 1 of 8 Minutes City Council Meeting CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO DATE: October 13, 2025 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO DATE: October 13, 2025 TIME: 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 also attended person. Before calling the meeting to order, Mayor Starker stated the rules and procedures necessitated by this meeting format CALL TO ORDER Mayor Bud Starker called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Those present stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tem Korey Stites, Leah Dozeman, Rachel Hultin, Janeece Hoppe, Dan Larson, Scott Ohm, Jenny Snell, Amanda Weaver. A quorum was present. Also in attendance: City Manager Patrick Goff, City Attorney Gerald Dahl, Division Chief Shawn Ray, Interim Public Works Director Kent Kisselman, Parks and Recreation Director Karen O’Donnell, Deputy City Clerk Onorina Maloney. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There were no minutes presented for approval. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Without objection or correction, the agenda stood as announced. PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES None. PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO SPEAK The following individuals addressed the Council: Page 2 of 8 Minutes City Council Meeting CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO DATE: October 13, 2025 Becky Blackett, a Wheat Ridge resident, spoke to the Council about receiving a nuisance citation due to her rooster’s crowing. Despite restricting the bird’s outdoor time to 9 a.m.–5 p.m., she was told any crowing could still trigger penalties. Becky noted that while roosters are technically permitted, enforcement makes ownership impractical. She criticized the system as unfair and complaint-driven and urged the Council to adopt objective standards—such as decibel limits or permitted hours—to ensure consistent and equitable treatment. Anemone Salome, a former Wheat Ridge resident and business owner shared that she left the city after receiving repeated racially charged death threats, which she said police dismissed as vague. She also spoke in support of Nerissa Rivera, an Indigenous food steward removed from Happiness Gardens, accusing the city of exploiting her work and failing to protect her. She criticized the city’s symbolic land acknowledgments and urged the Council to pursue real accountability by working with groups like the Jefferson County Food Policy Council. Osu Nanpa, voiced strong frustration over the city’s treatment of Indigenous people, especially Nerissa Rivera. He said her contributions at Happiness Gardens were ignored and disrespected and criticized the city for breaking verbal agreements and allowing others to take credit for her work. He condemned the absence of a land acknowledgment and called for real recognition of Indigenous sovereignty, urging the city to take meaningful action to repair the harm. Shana Ariel, a nature guide and local worker, spoke in support of Nerissa Rivera and the Indigenous community. She said Nerissa was given access to Happiness Gardens for two seasons under an informal five-year agreement but was later removed without a contract. Shana accused the city of benefiting from Nerissa’s work without keeping promises and forcing her to deal with abusive individuals. She called it coercion and urged the Council to create policies that protect Indigenous-led projects and ensure accountability. Amber Ehrman, Wheat Ridge resident, expressed strong support for Nerissa Rivera and concern over the city’s handling of the situation at Happiness Gardens. She was disturbed by the city’s public response on social media and emphasized the importance of Indigenous farming practices in addressing climate change. Amber highlighted the educational and cultural value of Nerissa’s work and urged the city to take steps to repair the damage done. She called for action that reflects the city’s stated values of inclusion and equity. Riley Sinberg, a former Wheat Ridge resident and former city employee, reflected on the broader historical context of broken promises to Indigenous people. He described the situation with Nerissa Rivera as another example of this pattern and criticized the city for failing to protect her from threats and harassment. Riley emphasized the importance Page 3 of 8 Minutes City Council Meeting CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO DATE: October 13, 2025 of restoring relationships with the land and community and called for the city to return land and give Indigenous people real decision-making power. He urged the Council to move beyond symbolic gestures and take concrete steps toward restorative justice. John Marriott, a City Council member from Arvada and a long-time Wheat Ridge business owner, offered words of appreciation for Mayor Starker and Councilwoman Dozeman. He praised their professionalism, collaboration, and leadership over the years, particularly in areas like park improvements, the comprehensive plan rewrite, and the Carnation Festival. John highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and thanked both officials for their service and dedication to the community. Susan Wood, a Wheat Ridge resident, planner, and member of the Planning Commission, spoke about her recent advocacy work in Washington, D.C., where she supported the Road to Housing Act of 2025. She explained that the bill promotes housing development and local innovation and aligns with Wheat Ridge’s own affordable housing goals. Susan encouraged the Council to stay informed about federal housing efforts and noted that the bill had been included in the National Defense Authorization Act, increasing its chances of passage. Sharon Outland, a member of Happiness Gardens, shared a more neutral perspective. She thanked city staff and the Parks and Recreation team for supporting the gardeners and helping to build a strong, diverse community. Sharon expressed disappointment that the conflict over the garden had become public and divisive. She emphasized that the garden is a place of learning and connection for many residents and hoped that future disagreements could be resolved through dialogue rather than public confrontation. Valerie Nosler-Beck, a Wheat Ridge resident, condemned recent hate speech in the region and expressed solidarity with Jewish and Indigenous communities. She emphasized the importance of making Wheat Ridge a safe and inclusive place for all. Valerie also encouraged the Council to involve the IDEA Committee in resolving the Happiness Gardens issue and praised the city’s efforts to foster equity. She reminded residents to vote and honored the legacy of former City Clerk Steve Kirkpatrick, who was passionate about civic participation. Victoria Vasquez, an Indigenous community member, shared her personal connection to Happiness Gardens, describing it as the first place in 40 years where she felt a true sense of belonging. She said that sense of community was taken away when the city removed Nerissa Rivera and ignored the experiences of Indigenous people. Victoria accused the city of siding with a single white woman over an entire Indigenous community and called the city’s actions predatory and exploitative. She urged the Council to engage in honest dialogue and take steps to repair the harm done. Page 4 of 8 Minutes City Council Meeting CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO DATE: October 13, 2025 Alex Zelanis (via Zoom) spoke online and reminded the Council of its previous public statements supporting Indigenous food sovereignty. He criticized the city for failing to formalize a contract with Nerissa Rivera despite two growing seasons of work and investment. Alex called for the city to apologize, return land access to Nerissa, and take accountability for the harm caused. He warned that continued inaction would contribute to a climate of racism and exclusion. Aspen Stoyer (via Zoom) expressed support for Nerissa Rivera and Chill Indigenous Foods. They said the city broke its promise of a five-year agreement and urged the Council to repair the relationship and return the land. Aspen emphasized the importance of honoring commitments made to Indigenous community members. Kezia Lozano (via Zoom) joined online to show solidarity with the Indigenous community. She criticized the city for failing to have a formal contract in place and said this oversight placed an unfair burden on BIPOC communities. Kezia called for an investigation into how the situation was handled and urged the city to stop using bureaucracy as a barrier to equity. Myranda Dominquez (via Zoom) a Chicana farmer and community member, spoke about the hard work and care Nerissa Rivera put into Happiness Gardens. She said the city allowed manipulation and micromanagement by staff and failed to protect Nerissa’s autonomy. Myranda called the situation harmful and urged the city to support Indigenous land access and food sovereignty as part of its climate and equity goals. Councilmember Hultin began by acknowledging the significance of Indigenous Peoples Day and expressed that the city should not conduct official business on this day in the future. She thanked the individuals who shared their stories and committed to continuing dialogue, particularly in smaller, more constructive settings. She also expressed her willingness, along with Councilor Snell, to meet with the Jefferson County Food Policy Council to begin a healing and educational process. Councilmember Weaver addressed the concerns raised by the first speaker, Becky Blackett, regarding the rooster ordinance. She questioned the fairness of the current enforcement system and asked city staff for clarification on what options are available to residents who have gone through the court process. She expressed concern that the ordinance may allow for selective enforcement based on neighbor complaints and asked whether more objective standards could be implemented. City Attorney and City Manager responded by explaining the separation between the judicial and legislative branches. They noted that while the court process is independent, the Council does have the authority to revise the ordinance. They confirmed that a draft ordinance addressing animal-related nuisances, including roosters, is in progress and will be presented to Council soon. Councilmember Snell offered a heartfelt statement acknowledging her privilege and the importance of listening to marginalized voices. She emphasized her commitment to Page 5 of 8 Minutes City Council Meeting CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO DATE: October 13, 2025 fairness, truth, and continued learning. As liaison to the city’s IDEA Committee, she shared that the committee is working on a Land Acknowledgment Action Plan and is committed to collaborating with Indigenous leaders to ensure the city’s actions align with its values. Mayor Starker closed the public comment section by thanking all speakers for their courage and honesty. He emphasized the Council’s desire to hear from residents and acknowledged the emotional weight of the evening. He reiterated the city’s commitment to providing a safe and respectful space for public dialogue. CONSENT AGENDA None PUBLIC HEARING AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING 1. Council Bill No. 20-2025 – An ordinance adopting by reference the 2024 editions of the International Building and Related Codes, including local and conforming amendments. Issue: The City currently enforces the 2018 International Building Codes, and this ordinance adopts the 2024 editions. Chapter 5 of the Municipal Code functions as the building code, and this update improves usability, provides better procedural clarity, and streamlines administration. Councilmember Hoppe read the title of the bill and Issue into the record Motion: Councilmember Hoppe moved to approve Council Bill No. 20-2025, an ordinance adopting by reference the 2024 editions of the International Building and related codes, including local and conforming amendments, on first reading, order it published, public hearing set for Monday, October 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. as a virtual meeting and in City Council Chambers, and that it takes effect immediately after final publication. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Hultin. Vote: 8 Ayes; 0 Nays. The motion carried. DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND MOTIONS 2. Motion to cancel the November 3, 2025, City Council Study Session Issue: Page 6 of 8 Minutes City Council Meeting CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO DATE: October 13, 2025 City Council is scheduled to hold a study session on Monday, November 3, 2025. Because the regular municipal election will be held the following day, November 4, staff is recommending that City Council cancel the November 3 study session to allow members, candidates, and the community to focus on election day activities and participation. Councilmember Hultin read the motion and issue into the record Council Questions: None Motion: Councilmember Hultin moved to cancel the November 3, 2025, City Council Study Session. Motion seconded by Mayor Pro Temp Stites Council Discussion: None VOTE: 8 Ayes: 0 Nayes. The motion carried 3. Motion awarding a contract to TCC Corporation in the amount of $625,044.18 with a contingency amount of $62,504 for a total approved amount of $687,548.18 for the Clear Creek Crossing Bus Terminal. Councilmember Weaver read the motion into the record. The issue was not read into the record as a discussion and presentation followed. Kisselman presented the recommended contract for the Clear Creek Crossing Bus Terminal. He explained that TCC Corporation had the lowest qualified bid and met all requirements. He went over the project’s timeline, budget, and expected benefits for the community, and confirmed that the contract includes performance standards and accountability measures. Council Questions: Council asked whether the RTD routes would begin service immediately upon completion of the terminal. Staff responded that RTD only updates its schedules three times per year, so service would likely begin in May following the February completion. A question was raised about access to the driver relief station. Staff confirmed that access would be controlled and limited to RTD drivers and city staff. Council also inquired about the existing relief station at Lutheran Hospital. Staff clarified that RTD drivers now use hospital facilities, so the city no longer maintains a separate structure there. Council asked who would maintain the new terminal. Staff explained that the City of Wheat Ridge would handle maintenance initially and is currently soliciting bids for a maintenance contract. Page 7 of 8 Minutes City Council Meeting CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO DATE: October 13, 2025 Motion: Councilmember Weaver moved to award a contract to TCC Corporation in the amount of $625,044.18 with a contingency amount of $62,504 for a total approved amount of $687,548.18 for the Clear Creek Crossing Bus Terminal. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Hoppe. Council Discussion: Council expressed strong support for the project. Members highlighted the importance of restoring transit access, particularly for high school students affected by previous RTD service cuts. The project was also praised for aligning with development at Clear Creek Crossing and for being a proactive solution to a long-standing transportation gap. Vote: 8 Ayes; 0 Nays. The motion carried. 4. RESOLUTION NO. 50-2025– A resolution approving the First Amendment to the agreement for radio specialist services to establish a full-time radio systems administrator. Issue: The Wheat Ridge Police Department is currently a party to an agreement with West Metro for Radio Specialist Services, dated July 22, 2019. Due to the retirement of the current part-time Radio Specialist, West Metro is transitioning the position into a full-time Radio Systems Administrator. With the transition of the role, an amendment must be made to the current agreement in place for adjusted role and salary requirements. Councilmember Dozeman read the title and Issue into the record. Council Questions: Council asked how the City of Wheat Ridge’s cost share (25%) for the radio systems administrator was determined. Staff responded that the cost allocation was based on the number of radios in use. West Metro Fire has approximately 420 radios, while Wheat Ridge has about 214, which equates to roughly 33% of the total. The 25% share was considered equitable based on usage and the anticipated workload of the administrator. Motion: Councilmember Dozeman moved to approve Resolution 50-2025, a resolution approving the First Amendment to Agreement for Radio Specialist Services to have a Radio Systems Administrator. The motion was second by Mayor Pro Tem Stites Council Discussion: None Vote: 8 Ayes; 0 Nays. The Motion carried. Page 8 of 8 Minutes City Council Meeting CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO DATE: October 13, 2025 CITY MANAGER’S MATTERS City Manager Patrick Goff deferred comments, noting a special study session would follow. CITY ATTORNEY’S MATTERS None. ELECTED OFFICIALS’ MATTERS Deferred until after the study session. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Starker adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m. to allow for a short break before the special study session. Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem Onorina Maloney. Deputy City Clerk