HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-26 Special Study Session NotesPage 1 of 2
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
SPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES
Hybrid – Virtual Meeting
Monday, January 12, 2026
Call to Order
Mayor Korey Stites called the City Council Special Study Session of January 12, 2026, to
order at 7:19 p.m.
Attendance
Councilmembers present: Rachel Hultin, Dan Larson, Kathleen Martell, Scott Ohm, Mike
Okada, Patrick Quinn, Jenny Snell, and Susan Wood.
Also present: City Manager Patrick Goff, Deputy City Manager Marianne Schilling, City
Attorney Gerald Dahl, Manager of People and Culture Carli Seeba, and Interim Senior
Deputy City Clerk Onorina Maloney.
Public Comments on Agenda Items
Morgan Richards provided her comments during the Regular Meeting Session.
1. Equity Audit
Marianne Schilling and Carli Seeba presented information on a proposed equity audit. Ms. Schilling provided background on the Race and Equity Task Force established in
2021, which met for two years and produced 101 recommendations across 11 focus areas. To date, 35 recommendations have been completed or are in motion, including
joining the Government Alliance on Racial Equity, updating the website for Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, and creating the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.
Ms. Seeba discussed the IDEA Committee's activities, including tabling at community
events and providing feedback on City projects. She outlined internal successes such as
hiring a bilingual judge, launching the Blue Envelope campaign for those needing special accommodations during law enforcement interactions, creating a bilingual incentive
program, and offering sensory kits and adaptive swim programs. The presenters explained that an equity audit is a systematic examination of City
policies, procedures, practices, and culture to identify disparities affecting certain
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groups. The goals include finding blind spots, producing overarching themes, and
developing strategies for creating an inclusive community.
The proposed audit would include four components: evaluation of City policies and
practices, public engagement and outreach, report and presentation, and recommendations.
The evaluation would review City policies, organizational structure, communications, demographics, and community programming.
Council discussion occurred regarding the audit’s scope and implementation. Mayor
Pro Tem Hultin proposed focusing initially on six key areas: City policies, practices, and
training; organizational structure; communication protocols; City staff demographics; and community engagement. After discussion, Council provided direction on this scope
with the addition of comparing City staff demographics to community demographics.
Council further provided direction to pursue a phased approach, with an initial focus on
internal operations followed by a potential second phase addressing external community factors. Direction included consideration that a second phase could be
funded in a subsequent year.
Staff was directed to return with a contract and budget supplemental for the audit
focusing on the agreed-upon scope.
2. Staff Reports
No reports were presented.
3. Elected Officials’ Reports
No reports were presented.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before Council, the Mayor adjourned the
Special Study Session at 8:14 p.m.
_____________________________
Rachel Hultin, Mayor Pro Tem
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Onorina Z. Maloney, Interim Senior Deputy City Clerk