HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-2025 Study Session NotesCITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
STUDY SESSION NOTES
Hybrid – Virtual Meeting
November 17, 2025
1. Call to Order
Mayor Korey Stites called the Study Session to order at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council
Chambers at Wheat Ridge City Hall, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO
2. Attendance
Councilmembers in attendance: Rachel Hultin, Scott Ohm, Kathleen Martell, Mike
Okada, Patrick Quinn, Jenny Snell, and Dan Larson. (There is a vacant seat in District III.)
3. Public Comments on Agenda Items
None.
4 Municipal Court Updates
Marianne Schilling, Interim Deputy City Manager, introduced Presiding Municipal Judge
Jonathan Lucero and Court Administrator Roxanna Caldwell-Tillery to provide an update
on the municipal court's progress over the past 18 months.
Judge Lucero began by stating that the current state of the court is strong, efficient, and
has increased capacity for future growth. He outlined his personal goals for the court, which include safeguarding individual rights, providing efficient and fair service,
promoting rehabilitative opportunities, collaborating with community partners, and
enhancing public safety.
Judge Lucero explained key differences between municipal courts and state courts,
including:
• Municipal courts have a 91-day speedy trial requirement compared to 182 days in
state courts
• Municipal courts offer greater convenience for local residents
• Municipal judges have more time to understand cases and consider community
impacts
• Municipal courts can provide more personalized sentencing that addresses local concerns
The judge discussed how the administrative management model adopted by Council in 2023 works well for the court, as it allows Court Administrator Roxanna Caldwell-Tillery
to manage operations when he is not present, since the court has a part-time docket but
operates five days a week.
Judge Lucero praised Roxanna Caldwell-Tillery's experience and qualifications, noting
that she previously worked for 12 years in the Jefferson County court system and then as court administrator in Greeley, one of the busiest municipal courts in Northern
Colorado. Her background includes developing court operations from the ground up,
implementing technological improvements, and modernizing processes.
Since taking the bench a year and a half ago, Judge Lucero implemented several
improvements:
• Conducted a warrant review to clear outdated or no longer valid warrants
• Implemented status conferences prior to trials to reduce failures to appear and
wasted time for officers, staff, and jurors
• Expanded the use of the probation department from only 3 active cases to
approximately 26
• Utilized pre-sentence investigation reports (PSIs), particularly for juveniles, to
better tailor appropriate sentences
• Implemented fingerprinting procedures to ensure convictions are properly reported to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation
• Established a collection agency to recover outstanding fines
Judge Lucero identified several ongoing challenges:
• The Community Court program has only a 6% success rate due to low
participation
• Legislative changes affecting the court, including:
• Elimination of outstanding judgment warrants (OJWs) that previously helped enforce fine payments
• Mandatory personal recognizance for thefts under $300 without a state court
equivalent
• 48-hour requirements for seeing in-custody defendants
Judge Lucero invited the Council to attend an open house at the courthouse the following day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to meet staff and observe court operations. He
also noted that court sessions are held on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Wednesdays starting
at 8:30 a.m. and Council is welcome to attend.
During the question and answer period, Councilmember Hultin asked about data
fluctuations in the statistical report. Judge Lucero explained that some changes
resulted from shifting cases from court-supervised reviews to the probation department.
Councilmember Hultin also inquired about jury selection in the city, and Judge Lucero confirmed that jurors are selected from Wheat Ridge residents only.
Regarding comments about the unhoused population, Judge Lucero clarified that his
observations were specifically about those who interact with the court system, who often have substance use and mental health issues, whereas the homeless navigators
work with a broader population.
Councilmember Okada asked about court statistics, particularly the 6% community
court success rate. Judge Lucero explained this reflected the low appearance rate of
defendants cited to community court.
Councilmember Martell sought clarification about the mandatory personal
recognizance bond requirement for theft under $300, confirming with the judge that these are evaluated on a case-by-case basis rather than cumulatively.
Councilmember Larson asked about the Tyler Technologies contract mentioned in the
staff memo. Court Administrator Caldwell-Tillery explained that this is for a new court
management system to replace their antiquated ADG system, offering improved web-
based functionality, including a probation module.
Judge Lucero concluded by sharing a success story about a previously unhoused
defendant who completed community service at the ARC, which led to full-time
employment. The defendant later brought cupcakes and a thank you card to the court staff.
5. Options for City Regulation of Drones
City Attorney Gerald Dahl presented options for drone regulations, following up on a
previous study session presentation by the police department. Mr. Dahl noted that the
FAA has exclusive authority over aircraft flight and airspace safety, but local
governments can regulate certain aspects like land use, zoning, privacy, and law
enforcement operations.
Mr. Dahl outlined several potential elements for a drone ordinance with varying degrees
of risk of federal preemption:
Lower risk options:
• Nuisance and privacy regulations by amending existing code sections on trespass,
disorderly conduct, harassment, and privacy violations
• Unsafe operator restrictions prohibiting operation by persons under the influence
• Location restrictions for takeoff and landing in specific areas like city parks and rights-
of-way
• Enforcement through municipal court and administrative enforcement procedures
• Emergency authority for the Chief of Police to restrict drone use during emergencies
Medium to higher risk options (not recommended):
• Permitting systems for all drone operations within the city
• Prohibitions in entire residential zoning districts
Division Chief Kellogg and Sergeant Bowman provided additional input from the police
perspective:
• Flight restrictions can only apply to takeoffs and landings, not overflights
• The FAA controls navigable airspace
• Police face challenges tracking unauthorized drones during emergency operations
• Emergency authority would allow for more immediate responses than waiting for FAA
temporary flight restrictions
Sergeant Bowman explained that recreational drone pilots cause more issues than
commercial operators who have FAA Part 107 licenses. He noted that the FAA's Remote
ID system for drones is incomplete because there's no accessible platform to track drone locations.
Council members asked several questions:
• Councilmember Hulteen asked about minimum flight heights and how frequent drone complaints are
• Councilmember Larson discussed the challenges of defining drone trespass over private property
• Councilmember Ocado questioned the enforceability of potential regulations
• Councilmember Snell raised concerns about permitting for events like Ridge Fest or Carnation Festival
After discussion, the Council reached consensus to direct staff to draft an ordinance including:
1. Nuisance and privacy regulations by amending existing code
2. Unsafe operator provisions
3. Emergency authority for the Chief of Police
4. Special event permitting similar to Denver's model
The Council did not support location-based restrictions or a comprehensive permitting
system.
6. Staff Reports
Patrick Goff, City Manager, distributed a memo regarding the appointment process and
timeline for the vacant City Clerk position. He proposed waiting until after the holidays
to begin the process, with applications opening January 12, closing January 23, Council
interviews on February 2, and appointment on February 9.
Mr. Goff noted that according to the City Charter, the City Clerk must be appointed by Council rather than elected through a special election. Qualifications include being a
resident of the city for at least 12 consecutive months and being a registered elector.
A question was raised about possibly reducing the salary for the position while it is
vacant. City Attorney Dahl indicated he would need to research whether this would be
permissible under the Charter's language regarding not changing compensation during an official's term of office.
Mr. Goff also announced that Congresswoman Patterson would be holding a community resource fair on Thursday from 9-11 a.m. at the Wheat Ridge Recreation
Center, offering resources for healthcare, housing, employment, legal and tax advice,
and senior and veteran services.
7. Elected Officials' Report(s)
Councilmember Hultin reported that goats are currently at Happiness Gardens and will remain there for a few more weeks. She also mentioned a mystery regarding 22 holes
that appeared on the Kipling Street multi-use trail, noting that city staff quickly
addressed the safety hazard.
Councilmember Snell highlighted the ribbon cutting for Wheat Ridge Meats, which
offers an excellent meat market and grocery.
Councilmember Larson mentioned new businesses and ribbon cuttings in District 4, and
recommended the Atomic Theater's production of "Treasure Island Unraveled."
The Mayor thanked Local Works for including him in the Spark event with mayors from surrounding communities. He also mentioned attending ribbon cuttings at Wheat Ridge
Meats, Tiny Liquors at 44th and Field, and T-Birds. He reminded everyone that there would be no meeting the following week due to Thanksgiving, and that interviews for
the District 3 appointment would take place on December 1, with applications due by
November 21.
8. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before Council, the Mayor adjourned the
meeting at 8:17 p.m.
Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem
Onorina Maloney. Deputy City Clerk