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Home My WebLink About01-26-26 City Council Meeting MinutesPage 1 of 7 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO Monday, January 26, 2026—6:30 p.m. The meeting was held in a hybrid format, with Councilmembers, City staff, and members of the public participating either in person at the Municipal Building (7500 W. 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado) or virtually. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Korey Stites called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 6:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Those present stood, if able, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Present: Rachel Hultin, Dan Larson, Scott Ohm, Mike Okada, Patrick Quinn, Jenny Snell, Susan Wood. Absent: Kathleen Martell A quorum was established. Also present: City Manager Patrick Goff, City Attorney Gerald Dahl, Director of Parks and Recreation Karen O’Donnell, Director of Public Works Kent Kisselman, Director of Community Development Lauren Mikulak, and Interim Senior Deputy City Clerk Onorina Maloney. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Council approved the Study Session Notes of January 5, 2026, the City Council Meeting Minutes of January 12, 2026, and the Study Session Notes of January 12, 2026, without changes. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES Proclamation – Holocaust Remembrance Day Mayor Stites presented a proclamation recognizing Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, 2026, to Guy Nahmiach. The proclamation acknowledged the Holocaust as Page 2 of 7 the state-sponsored persecution and murder of European Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945, and recognized that other groups, including Roma, people with disabilities, Poles, gay men, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Soviet prisoners of war, and political dissidents, were also persecuted and killed. The proclamation encouraged reflection and remembrance. PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO SPEAK In person Ronna Burrows, a Wheat Ridge resident, spoke regarding government accountability. Christopher Johnke, a Wheat Ridge resident, spoke regarding an interaction with an individual identifying as a federal law enforcement officer and requested Council review the matter. Deborah Harper spoke regarding a proposed memorial for her late father at the future Wheat Ridge Corner park site and raised questions regarding a local development project. Staff indicated both matters were under review. 1. CONSENT AGENDA a. Resolution No. 02-2026 – a resolution adopting a first amendment to Tax Increment Revenue Agreement between the City of Wheat Ridge and the Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority d/b/a Renewal Wheat Ridge pertaining to the Lutheran Legacy Campus Urban Renewal Plan. Councilmember Wood read the title into the record. b. Motion to approve monthly payments to Pinnacol Assurance for 2026 Workers Compensation Insurance in an amount not to exceed $343,510. Councilmember Wood read the title into the record. c. Resolution No. 03-2026 – a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Jefferson County Parks and Open Space to accept a 2026 Trails Partnership Program grant in the amount of $180,099.50 for asphalt mill and overlay rehabilitation at Anderson and Prospect Parks parking lots. Councilmember Wood read the title into the record d. Resolution No. 04-2026 – a resolution approving a third amendment to Intergovernmental Agreement to establish the Jefferson County Regional Crime Laboratory. Councilmember Wood read the title into the record. Motion: Councilmember Wood moved to approve Consent Agenda Items 1a through 1d. Page 3 of 7 Second: Councilmember Ohm. Vote: 7 ayes; 0 nays. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING 2. Council Bill No. 01-2026 – an ordinance amending the Code of Laws to align with certain provisions of state law ISSUE: This ordinance amends the penalty authority of the municipal court for municipal code offenses which are identical to state law offenses (including, importantly, theft and shoplifting). This change is required as a result of a December 22, 2025, decision of the Colorado Supreme Court. Councilmember Quinn read the title and issue into the record Mayor Stites opened the public hearing. City Attorney Dahl explained that a recent Colorado Supreme Court decision requires municipalities to apply the same sentencing authority as state courts for municipal offenses that mirror state law. He advised that the ordinance amends the Wheat Ridge Municipal Court penalty schedule to align with state statute and preserve the enforceability of municipal convictions, and that the change is expected to have minimal impact on court operations. With no public comments, the public hearing was closed. Motion: Councilmember Quinn moved to approve Council Bill 01-2026, an ordinance amending the Code of Laws to align with certain provisions of state law, on second reading, and that it takes effect fifteen days after final publication as required by the Home Rule Charter. Second: Councilmember Okada. Vote: 7 ayes; 0 nays. Motion carried. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING 3. Council Bill No. 02-2026 – an ordinance amending Chapter 13 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning vehicle muffler requirements. ISSUE: Noise produced by motor vehicles with noncompliant, altered, or missing mufflers is injurious to the public health and welfare. This ordinance adopts muffler-specific Code Page 4 of 7 requirements to better address vehicular exhaust noise and its control. Councilmember Larson read the title and issue into the record. Council noted a typographical error in the date on the document, which staff stated would be corrected. Motion: Councilmember Larson moved to approve Council Bill No. 02-2026, an ordinance amending Chapter 13 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning vehicle muffler requirements, order it published and public hearing set for February 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, and that it take effect immediately upon adoption at second reading and signature by the Mayor. Second: Councilmember Okada. Vote: 7 ayes; 0 nays. Motion carried. DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND MOTIONS 4. Motion awarding a contract to RVI in the amount of $636,100 for the West 38th Avenue Refresh project. ISSUE: The 38th Avenue Corridor, between Wadsworth and Sheridan Boulevards, has long been recognized as a priority redevelopment area in Wheat Ridge. In 2011, the 38th Avenue Corridor Plan confirmed the area east of Wadsworth Blvd. as a redevelopment priority and set forth a vision to transform the corridor into the community’s Main Street. In November 2023, Wheat Ridge voters approved the 2J sales tax extension, which focuses on funding critical public infrastructure projects including a “refresh” of 38th Avenue to achieve connectivity, safety, and placemaking goals. RVI Planning and Landscape Architecture was selected after a thorough request for proposal process as the contractor for this project. Councilmember Ohm read the title and issue into the record. City Manager Patrick Goff introduced RVI representatives. RVI representatives provided a brief overview of the project approach. Council discussed the project scope and goals, including corridor connectivity, pedestrian and bicycle access, parking considerations, coordination with recent improvements along Wadsworth Boulevard, and alignment with the City’s Main Street vision for 38th Avenue. Motion: Councilmember Ohm moved to award a contract to RVI in the amount of $636,100 for the West 38th Avenue Refresh Project. Second: Mayor Pro Tem Hultin. Vote: 7 ayes; 0 nays. Motion carried. Page 5 of 7 5. Resolution No. 05-2026 – a resolution of support for an application to the Jefferson County Parks and Open Space Land Conservation Partnership program for funding to support the acquisition of a remnant RTD parcel at the Wheat Ridge Ward Commuter Rail Station. ISSUE: The Parks and Recreation and Community Development departments seek to apply for funding from the Jefferson County Parks and Open Space (JCPOS) Land Conservation Partnership Program to purchase an approximately 1.15-acre parcel at Taft Ct. and W. 51st Ave from the Regional Transportation District (RTD) for a future neighborhood park. The program will fund up to 25% of the cost of land acquisition, provided the land becomes a public park or open space area. A resolution of support is required from City Council to apply for this funding program. Councilmember Okada read the title and issue into the record. Karen O'Donnell, Director of Parks and Recreation, explained that the Jefferson County Parks and Open Space Land Conservation Partnership Program will fund up to 25% of land acquisition costs if the property becomes a public park or open space. She noted the northwest portion of Wheat Ridge has experienced significant residential growth and lacks park amenities. Lauren Mikulak, Director of Community Development, stated that applying for funding now ensures the City can pursue the opportunity, and that staff would engage the community to determine appropriate park amenities if the parcel is acquired. Council noted that $1 million has been set aside in the proposed 2027 budget to help with either acquisition or development of this parcel and noted many young families in the area would benefit from having a playground, as the existing Metro District park only has exercise equipment. Councilmember Wood disclosed that she works for Regional Transportation District (RTD) but has no influence over this process and no financial interest. The City Attorney confirmed no recusal was necessary. Motion: Councilmember Okada moved to approve Resolution 05-2026, a resolution of support for an application to the Jefferson County Parks and Open Space Land Conservation Partnership Program for funding to support the acquisition of a remnant RTD parcel at the Wheat Ridge Ward Commuter Rail Station. Second: Councilmember Snell. Vote: 7 ayes; 0 nays. Motion carried. 6. Resolution No. 06-2026 – a resolution amending the fiscal year 2025 General Page 6 of 7 Fund budget to reflect the approval of a supplemental budget appropriation in the amount of $381,881 for contractual Building Division services. ISSUE: Charles Abbott Associates, Inc. (CAA) provides contractual Building Division services for the city. Payment to CAA occurs monthly and is based on permit-related revenues. The 2025 budget approved $868,000 for building division services; however, actual permit activity exceeded estimates resulting in higher contract expenses. This resolution amends the 2025 budget to reconcile revenues and expenses and to allow payment of year-end invoices. Mikulak provided background on the City’s contractual partnership with Charles Abbott Associates (CAA) for Building Division services, noting that the contract was renewed last year following a competitive process. She explained that payment is tied to permit revenue and that the supplemental budget reconciles higher-than-anticipated activity. Council confirmed that payment to the contractor would adjust proportionally if permit revenue declines. Motion: Councilmember Snell moved to approve Resolution 06-2026, a resolution amending the fiscal year 2025 General Fund budget to reflect the approval of a supplemental budget appropriation in the amount of $381,881 for contractual Building Division services. Second: Councilmember Quinn. Vote: 7 ayes; 0 nays. Motion carried. CITY MANAGER’S MATTERS No matters reported CITY ATTORNEY’S MATTERS Attorney Dahl briefed the Council on the administrative pause of the 2024 telecommunications tax due to a recent Colorado Supreme Court decision that invalidated a similar tax in Lakewood. He explained that the city has reverted to its pre-2024 version of the tax, which was not within the scope of the Supreme Court decision. The city is considering whether to place a ballot question on this tax in November. ELECTED OFFICIALS’ MATTERS Councilmember Okada reported on attending the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board, noted the board now meets every other month, and highlighted community engagement and accessibility efforts at the chili cook-off at the Grange. Page 7 of 7 Councilmember Larson had no matters to report. Councilmember Wood shared her experience touring the Makerspace and encouraged community awareness of the program. Councilmember Quinn announced a District 3 update meeting at the Recreation Center and noted attendance at the Mayor’s Coffee event. Councilmember Snell recognized volunteers for the point-in-time homeless count, thanked community members for their engagement, and highlighted participation in office hours with staff. Councilmember Ohm discussed his work with the Jefferson County EDC Board, community unity initiatives and efforts to improve Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility at public facilities, including the Grange. Mayor Pro Tem Hultin reported on the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) board meeting, upcoming community safety events at the Recreation Center, and participation in the point-in-time homeless count. Mayor Stites shared updates from the Metro Mayors Caucus and Colorado Municipal League (CML) Mayors Summit and highlighted the "Gone Boarding" Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program at Wheat Ridge High School. He announced the next Coffee with the Mayor and acknowledged the passing of community leader Loretta Ditirro. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before Council, Mayor Stites adjourned the regular meeting at 8:11 p.m. _____________________________________ Rachel Hultin, Mayor Pro Tem ___________________________________________ Onorina Z. Maloney, Interim Senior Deputy City Clerk