HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.02.26 Study Session NotesPage 1 of 6
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
STUDY SESSION NOTES
Hybrid Meeting
Monday, February 2, 2026
The study session was held both in person and virtually at 7500 West 29th
Avenue, Municipal Building, Council Chambers. Councilmembers and City
staff were present in the Council Chambers. Members of the public were
able to observe and participate either in person or virtually.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Korey Stites called the City Council Special Study Session of February 2, 2026, to
order at 6:30 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, Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak, Planning
Manager Janna Easley, Senior Management Analyst Cole Haselip, and Interim Deputy City
Clerk Onorina Maloney.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
In person
Steve Shinn from Outfront Media, which owns seven of the 15 existing billboards along
the I-70 corridor, expressed interest in learning more about the proposed lottery process,
maximum height requirements, number of allowable conversions, and concerns about
the recommended one-mile spacing between billboards.
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Marcus Daniel from Mile High Outdoor supported the Colorado Department of
Transportation's (CDOT) spacing guidelines, which he described as fair but stringent. He
also expressed interest in the lottery system and suggested an alternative approach in
which each company could select one location.
Cliff Moak, General Manager of Lamar Advertising, echoed support for the previous
speakers' comments and expressed interest in hearing more about the lottery process.
Via Zoom
Jacob Aragon had signed up online to speak; however, he was not in attendance.
Wheat Ridge
No comments were submitted.
1. City Clerk Interviews
City Manager Goff explained that the City Clerk position has been vacant since the
previous clerk, Steve Kirkpatrick, passed away in 2025. A ballot measure to eliminate the
elected City Clerk position failed in the November election. The city received one
application for the position from Janeece Hoppe.
Ms. Hoppe provided a brief presentation explaining that she applied for the position to
ensure the City Clerk's office is set up for future success. She noted that the City Clerk
position is the only staff position mandated by state statute. She explained that while
most municipalities hire trained professionals with certifications like Certified Municipal
Clerk (CMC) or Master Municipal Clerk (MMC), Wheat Ridge is unique in having an
elected City Clerk.
Ms. Hoppe outlined her goals for the position over the next year and nine months:
1. Solidify roles between the City Clerk, Senior Deputy Clerk, and Deputy Clerk
2. Work with City Council on the future of the office
3. Set up professional firewalls to maintain the office's integrity
She emphasized her deep knowledge of the city, consensus-building skills, and
experience creating standard operating procedures. She stated her commitment to
ensuring the clerk's office would be fair, honest, and helpful to the community.
During questions, Ms. Hoppe clarified that her concept of "firewalls" involved creating
clear separation between elected and operational roles to ensure appropriate grievance
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processes for community members. She also discussed her interest in working with
high school seniors to engage them in the election process.
Council will vote on Ms. Hoppe's appointment at next Monday's regular meeting.
2. Digital Billboards and General Sign Code Amendments
Janna Easley, Planning Manager, presented on two related topics: digital billboards and
local sign amendments.
Digital Billboards
Janna Easley, Planning Manager, provided background on billboard regulation in Wheat
Ridge, noting that prior to 1991, billboards were unregulated. Currently, there are 15
static billboards in the city, with digital billboards prohibited. The billboard industry had
requested reconsideration of the digital billboard prohibition.
Ms. Easley showed maps of existing billboards along I-70 and I-76, including digital
billboards in neighboring Arvada. She presented information about modern digital
billboard technology, including light mitigation and automatic dimming capabilities. She
also explained spacing considerations, showing that the city's existing billboards are
clustered in four groups approximately one mile apart.
The lottery process was discussed as the most equitable method for selecting which
companies could convert their billboards to digital, given past legal challenges.
Council members raised several concerns and considerations:
• Potential light pollution near residential areas
• Visual distraction for drivers on highways
• Spacing requirements between digital billboards
• Potential benefits to the city, such as emergency notifications and public
messaging
After extensive discussion, Council reached consensus on allowing digital billboards
with the following parameters:
• 2,500-foot minimum distance between digital billboards, including
measurements from existing digital signage in adjacent jurisdictions
• Maximum of 4 single-sided conversions (no new billboards)
• 10-second minimum message hold time
• Regulations for light adjustment in residential-adjacent neighborhoods
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• 30-day period for billboard operators to negotiate an equitable distribution of
licenses before implementing a lottery system
• Some form of public benefit requirement to be researched by staff
General Sign Code Amendments
Ms. Easley presented five areas for sign code amendments to provide more flexibility
for local businesses:
1. Wall signs: Allow signs to face any direction rather than only public streets or
major internal drives, while maintaining the maximum total square footage.
2. Painted murals: Allow murals that include business-related imagery, addressing
content neutrality requirements.
3. Roof signs: Allow roof signs in cases where there is no other practical alternative
for signage.
4. Window signage: Allow window signs on exterior glass for spandrel windows that
cannot be accessed from inside.
5. Changeable copy signs: Clarify regulations for signs showing time, temperature,
fuel prices, and lottery amounts.
Council reached consensus to move forward with all of staff's recommendations on
these sign code amendments.
3. Draft 2026 Resident Survey
Haselip and Schilling presented the draft 2026 Resident Survey. Haselip explained this
would be the city's ninth resident survey and emphasized it's just one of many
community engagement opportunities the city provides.
The survey consists of two parts: a "consumer report card" section that remains
consistent year to year, allowing comparison with previous results and other
communities, and policy questions that change with each survey.
The survey's scientific methodology was explained, including random sampling, neutral
questions, representative data weighting, and transparency in reporting. The timeline
includes sending pre-survey postcards in March, surveys shortly after, and reminder
postcards in April, with results to be presented to Council in July—August.
Staff requested Council input on:
1. Whether to increase the sample size from 4,500 to 5,000 households
2. The proposed policy questions about capital funding priorities
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Council provided feedback on the survey, including:
• Flipping the order of the two proposed policy questions
• Breaking out Anderson Pool as a separate item in the capital projects question
• Consolidating sidewalks and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility
options
• Reordering the capital project options based on priorities
• Adding stormwater infrastructure to the project options
• Reviewing language in question number 21 about "promoting" efforts
Council reached consensus to increase the survey size to 5,000 households and to
implement all the suggested changes to the policy questions.
4. STAFF REPORTS
Housing-related zoning code amendments
Mr. Goff briefly noted that housing-related zoning code amendments will be coming
forward for first and second reading at upcoming Council meetings. These
amendments are necessary to comply with state laws and qualify for Department of
Local Affairs (DOLA) funding for housing projects, including an application for the Ridge
Road project with Foothills Regional Housing.
City Attorney Dahl also mentioned two other upcoming ordinances:
1. An amendment to the Model Traffic Code regarding vehicle registration
requirements, allowing the police to continue ticketing expired plates as
municipal offenses.
2. An ordinance requiring write-in candidates to file an affidavit of intent at least 64
days before an election, which would simplify the election process and vote
counting.
5. ELECTED OFFICALS’ REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Hultin reported on legislative committee activities and her appointment
to the National League of Cities Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee.
She and Councilmember Snell announced a Community Safety Information Fair on
February 11 at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center.
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Councilmember Okada announced that he’ll be joining Councilmember Larson for a
District 4 meeting at the Makerspace on Tuesday, February 17 at 6 p.m.
Councilmember Larson reported on attending the Colorado Business Roundtable's
Annual Legislative Preview session and the Denver Press Club's legislative preview.
Councilmember Quinn reported on a District 3 meet and greet with Councilmember
Wood, noting good discussions about speed cameras, red light cameras, and business
openings.
Councilmember Snell recognized the homeless navigation program and volunteers who
participated in the point-in-time count. She and Councilmember Martell announced
office hours on the first and third Tuesdays at Mountain Milk Coffee.
Councilmember Martell shared the Grange chili cook-off fundraiser and the city's winter
mental health and wellness series with Jefferson Center, including a book club at the
Active Adult Center.
Mayor Stites announced Wheat Ridge High School Key Club's bingo fundraiser every
Tuesday in February at 4:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. The event, organized by Citizen Hoppe,
requires a $10 buy-in with proceeds supporting the Key Club. He also reflected on the
District 3 meeting, praising the passionate discussions and reinforcing the importance
of real-world community dialogue versus social media interactions, emphasizing
community care and local purchases.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Stites adjourned the February 2, 2026, Special Study Session at 9:07 p.m. with a
reminder that the next City Council Meeting would be Monday, February 9, 2026, with
the following Monday off for Presidents Day.
____________________________
Rachel Hultin, Mayor Pro Tem
__________________________________________________
Onorina Z. Maloney, Interim Senior Deputy City Clerk