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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-10-2025 City Council Meeting MinutesPage 1 of 6 City of Wheat Ridge Colorado, Council Meeting Minutes – 11-10-2025 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO DATE: Monday, November 10, 2025 Note: This meeting was conducted in a hybrid format, with some members of the Council and City staff were physically present at the Municipal Building, located at 7500 W. 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, and others attending virtually. Members of the public also participated both in person and online. Before calling the meeting to order, Mayor Starker outlined the rules and procedures required by this meeting format. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Starker called the City Council meeting to order the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 6:30 PM. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Present were Councilmembers Leah Dozeman, Rachel Hultin, Janice Hoppe, Dan Larson, Scott Ohm, Jenny Snell, and Amanda Weaver. A quorum was established. (Korey Stites had resigned his District III Council seat preparing to be sworn in as the Mayor.) Also present: City Manager Patrick Goff, City Attorney Gerald Dahl, Presiding Judge Jonathan Lucero, Interim Deputy City Manager Marianne Schilling, Deputy City Clerk Onorina Maloney, and other staff and interested residents. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Hoppe, to amend the order of the agenda by moving the consent agenda before proclamations and ceremonies. Seconded by Councilmember Snell. Page 2 of 6 City of Wheat Ridge Colorado, Council Meeting Minutes – 11-10-2025 Vote: 7 ayes; 0 nays. The motion carried. 6. CONSENT AGENDA 1a: MOTION TITLE: MOTION TO APPROVE CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ISSUE Amendments to the City Manager’s Employment Agreement including increasing compensation, retirement plan contribution, technology stipend, and other conforming changes. 1b: MOTION TITLE: MOTION TO CANCEL THE NOVEMBER 24, 2025, CITY COUNCIL MEETING ISSUE: There currently are no agenda items scheduled for the November 24, 2025, City Council meeting. To give City Council and staff more time to spend with family and friends during the Thanksgiving holiday week, staff recommends canceling the November 24, 2025, City Council meeting. Councilmember Hoppe read the title and the Issue for Consent Agenda Items 1a and 1 b into the record. Motion: Councilmember Hoppe moved to approve consent agenda items 1a and 1b. Seconded by Councilmember Dozeman. VOTE: 7 ayes; 0 nays. The motion carried 7. PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES A Swearing-In Ceremony for Newly Elected Officials Judge Lucero administered the oath of office to newly elected officials: Korey Stites was sworn in as Mayor of Wheat Ridge. Kathleen Martell was sworn in as District I Councilmember Scott Ohm was sworn in as District II Councilmember. Patrick Quinn was sworn in as District III Councilmember. Mike Okada was sworn in as District IV Councilmember. Page 3 of 6 City of Wheat Ridge Colorado, Council Meeting Minutes – 11-10-2025 The new Mayor and Councilmembers took their places at the dais. B. Recognition Ceremony for Outgoing Elected Officials Outgoing Mayor Bud Starker was presented with photos and a certificate from Congresswoman Brittany Patterson thanking him for his service. Mayor Starker expressed his gratitude, stating that it had been "an honor of my lifetime" to serve as the Mayor of Wheat Ridge. He praised the residents, council, and city staff. Councilmember Janice Hoppe gave farewell remarks, thanking the community for the opportunity to serve. She reflected on her term, noting that serving on City Council had been one of the greatest honors of her life. She encouraged the new council members to "lean in, show up for the hard conversations with courage and compassion, fight for policies that reflect our shared values, and be willing to compromise when it leads to progress." Councilmember Amanda Weaver expressed gratitude for serving the Wheat Ridge community, calling it "the best community in Colorado." She thanked city staff for making a hard job easier. Councilmember Dozeman reflected on her eight years of service, noting how quickly the time had passed. She expressed appreciation for her colleagues and the opportunity to serve the city she has lived in her entire life and represent District IV. She thanked her parents for choosing Wheat Ridge as a place to raise a family and giving her the opportunity to raise her kids in her childhood home. C. Small Business Saturday Mayor Korey Stites read a proclamation declaring November 29, 2025, as Small Business Saturday in Wheat Ridge. The proclamation highlighted that there are 36.2 million small businesses in the United States, representing 99.7% of firms with paid employees and employing 45.9% of employees in the private sector. It also noted that 68 cents of every dollar spent at small businesses stays in the local community, and every dollar spent creates 48 cents in additional local business activity. 8. PUBLICS' RIGHT TO SPEAK Several residents addressed concerns about noise from Auto Wash at Lakeside on Gray Street: Gretchen Josten, a resident living across from Auto Wash, presented a timeline of events since the business opened. She noted that Auto Wash had been cited for noncompliance of their special use permit in June for door operations and operational noise impacts. She requested that the city require Auto Wash to close its north-facing doors during the dryer function to contain noise. Page 4 of 6 City of Wheat Ridge Colorado, Council Meeting Minutes – 11-10-2025 Austin Caldwell, who lives near the car wash, expressed frustration that residents have had to address this issue, claiming that Auto Wash has been deceptive in their operations. He questioned why the business was allowed to self-monitor sound levels without supervision. Mike Josten, who also lives across from Auto Wash, said residents are not trying to shut the business down but want to find common ground, suggesting that closing the north- facing doors would be a simple solution to the noise problem. Chris Nietzold raised questions about the sound test methodology, asking whether it accurately represented the car wash operating at full capacity and how sound restrictions varied depending on direction toward residential versus commercial properties. Jan Facinelli, who operates a veterinary consulting practice that shares a fence with the car wash, expressed disappointment that the noise had resumed after a quieter summer. She noted that the fence installed by Auto Wash was not an effective sound barrier, and the noise was affecting her business. Michael Trujillo, a 41-year resident who owns property approximately two blocks from the car wash, expressed concern about the noise impacting his peace and property values. He stated he had confidence that the city would resolve the issue. Sandra Sands, a 10-year resident, compared the situation to "letting the fox watch the chickens," arguing that Auto Wash should not be monitoring their own noise levels. She mentioned that veterans in the area have experienced PTSD flashbacks due to loud car wash noises at night. Scott Galloway, who lives 8 houses south of the car wash, confirmed he could hear the business from his property. He suggested the business either close its doors during operation or not run the blowers. 9. CITY MANAGER'S MATTERS City Manager reported on two matters: A. Due to Mayor Stites resigning his council seat to become Mayor, there is now a vacancy in District III. The City Charter requires appointment of a new council member within 30 days. Applications will be accepted through November 21st, with interviews scheduled for December 1st and appointment on December 8th. B. He noted that ballot question 2b, which would have amended the charter to appointing the clerk and treasurer positions, was defeated in the recent election. Chris Miller will continue as treasurer through November 2027. The city clerk position remains Page 5 of 6 City of Wheat Ridge Colorado, Council Meeting Minutes – 11-10-2025 vacant following Steve Kirkpatrick's passing. Staff will propose a schedule for filling the position at next week's study session. 10. CITY ATTORNEY'S MATTERS No matters were presented. 11. ELECTED OFFICIALS' MATTERS Councilmember Snell deferred her comments until after the special study session. Councilmember Hultin thanked outgoing council11members, noting the collective experience of 45 years being lost with their departure, compared to only 14 years of experience on the new council. She also addressed the Auto Wash situation, informing residents that she and Councilmember Ohm have been working with them and city staff to arrange a meeting. She noted that Auto Wash has voluntarily closed between 10 PM and 7 AM. Councilmember Larson recognized outgoing councilmembers and welcomed new ones. He also acknowledged Veterans Day (November 11th), providing historical context about the holiday and thanking veterans for their service. Councilmember Okada thanked District IV for their confidence and support, expressing that he was honored and humbled to join the Council. He committed to always doing his best for the district. Councilmember Quinn thanked citizens who spoke about the car wash issue and voters who participated in the recent election. He also thanked volunteers who helped with campaigns and ballot counting and recognized the Wheat Ridge 101 program for helping prepare citizens for civic service. He noted that November 10th is also the Marine Corps birthday. Councilmember Ohm thanked voters in District II and confirmed he would continue working with residents and Councilmember Hultin on the Auto Wash noise issues. Councilmember Martell thanked District I for turning out to vote and acknowledged outgoing Councilmember Hoppe, whose "big shoes" she would be filling. She thanked Councilmember Snell for mentoring her during her campaign and expressed excitement about the numerous coffee meetings already scheduled with community members. Mayor Stites mentioned attending the Gateway Awards event honoring outgoing Mayor Starker. He announced upcoming ribbon cuttings for new businesses: Wheat Ridge Poultry and Meats, a liquor store on 44th and Field, and T-Birds. He thanked the outgoing councilmembers, describing each one's contributions to the City. Page 6 of 6 City of Wheat Ridge Colorado, Council Meeting Minutes – 11-10-2025 12. ADJOURNMENT With no further business before the Council, Mayor Stites adjourned the regular meeting at 7:26 p.m. and Council went into a Study Session. Korey Stites, Mayor Onorina Maloney. Deputy City Clerk