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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.23.26 Special Study Session NotesPage 1 of 6 NOTES CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO Hybrid Meeting Monday, February 23, 2026 The special study session was held both in person and virtually in a hybrid format 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 23, 2026, to order at 8:02 PM. 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, City Attorney Gerald Dahl, Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak, Public Works Director Kent Kisselman, and Senior Deputy City Clerk Onorina Maloney. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS In person Candice Tomlinson thanked council for addressing Dover Street problems but expressed frustration with lack of communication about the sidewalk gap project. Living in a 75-year-old house, she faces impacts from right-of-way changes and Page 2 of 6 landscaping removal. She emphasized that the project doesn't address ongoing traffic issues in the Bellaire neighborhood and requested better communication and re- engagement on Dover traffic concerns. Deb Schmidt Davies questioned why the city is addressing sidewalk issues after decades of neglect. She expressed concerns about destroying neighborhood character with concrete sidewalks and wider roads, suggesting less destructive alternatives like biological swales and permeable concrete. Kim Calomino emphasized uncontrolled storm water as the primary issue, damaging streets and flooding properties. While not opposed to sidewalks and gutters, she stressed the need for traffic volume management and better neighborhood communication before proceeding. City Manager Goff noted that nothing in the proposal is final and reiterated that the purpose of the meeting is to gather council direction. He added that the city has been working with Dover residents on these concerns for several years and that planned road improvements had already been communicated. Via Zoom None Wheat Ridge Speaks: Candace Tomlinson Submitted Comment on: Feb 23, 2026, at 12:27 PM Item No.1 - MEMO - 2J Bond Fund Sidewalk Gap program Comment My comments concern the curb, gutter, and sidewalks on Dover from 38th to 44th. I live on the southwest corner of 41st and Dover. This project will have a large impact on my property. I am not against the curb, gutter, and sidewalks on Dover because they will hopefully solve the storm water drainage issues and provide some pedestrian safety and some separation of my yard from the street traffic and prevent cars from parking and driving into my yard. However, I and my neighbors are completely caught off-guard by the lack of communication from the city concerning this major infrastructure project. My house is 75 years old, and we have lived in this house for 25 years this May. I have made major landscaping improvements in the ROW to protect my property from the storm water drainage damage from Dover and the noise and commotion of the traffic. Other neighbors have built retaining walls, fences, concrete and asphalt swales, parking Page 3 of 6 areas in the ROW to protect their property, provide off-street parking, etc. What if a property owner had planned and contracted for a landscaping project this spring? There has never been any indication from the city in my 25 years here that there was any interest or money for any infrastructure improvements on Dover. Now I recognize that times are changing and new infrastructure improvements and upgrades are warranted, and I certainly want better storm water drainage. But sidewalks are a heavy lift and a big change for this old neighborhood and certainly warranted more proactive communication and notification from the city about the possibility of this project, which has been under consideration since May 2025 if I understand the memo correctly. We are all busy and can't attend and follow city council proceedings constantly so the city has got to work on being more proactive when communicating with residents on possible projects that will impact them and not just the Wadsworths and Lutherans. After city council approves this project, I request the city quickly provide us 1) a city point of contact; 2) a construction schedule and start date; and 3) most importantly, mark the ROW so we know the specific impacts to our properties so we can start moving any landscaping etc. that we wish to save. The big remaining issue on Dover is the volume of cut-through traffic since Dover is the one of only two streets (the other is Carr) that provides connectivity between 38th and 44th from Wadsworth to Youngfield. We have tried to work with the city on this traffic volume issue on Dover, as well as the entire Belaire neighborhood (includes both District II and IV), for the past three years to no avail, and then, suddenly, we find out that we are getting sidewalks. Will sidewalks turn Dover into a Pierce or Harlan? What about the volume and noise of cut-through traffic and cars not stopping at the 4-way stop at Dover and 41st? 41st Ave in Belaire is the dog walking capital of Wheat Ridge. Pedestrian safety is a huge issue at 41st and Dover as well as 41st and Dudley. These are some of our questions and concerns, but we seem to have no mechanism to get the city to listen or address these issues and concerns as a whole. Instead, speed humps are put in here and there based on neighborhood petitions versus looking at the issue holistically. Our neighborhood has had to deal with the years of impact from the Wadsworth construction, and now we have the Lutheran redevelopment looming and maybe a new city hall and police department on the Lutheran campus as well. Wilmore-Davis Elementary was just declared surplus. If that property is developed, then there is even more traffic for Belaire to deal with. Much of this new traffic will use Dover as their transportation corridor. Then there is the new huge apartment complex on the corner of Kipling and 44th. Traffic from that complex will absolutely cut through on Dover to reach 38th or 32nd and avoid Wadsworth if they are heading south. Dover is not designed or capable of handling that much traffic, but that won't stop the cut-through traffic from continuing unless the city takes proactive measures. The Belaire neighborhood should not be left to deal with all Page 4 of 6 these issues on our own. The entire Belaire neighborhood needs proactive help from the city to address the ongoing and upcoming traffic volume issues. The bottom line is that there is still a lot of work to be done on Dover to start addressing some of the traffic issues in Belaire. Can some of the 2J money for curb, gutters, and sidewalks be used for traffic issues, which would also improve pedestrian and bike safety? Or can traffic improvements be addressed under the Dover mill and resurface? Two of the speed humps on Dover are old and useless at slowing cars down and need to be upgraded to the new standard. I also request two more speed humps be added for a total of six. We used to have six, but they were removed and never replaced. Our neighborhood should not have to petition for more speed humps. This is a city issue, not a neighborhood issue. What about raised sidewalks at the corner of 41st and Dover to encourage cars to stop at the four-way stop? What about a camera similar to a red-light camera at Dover and 41st for the four-way stop? What about traffic narrowing at the corner of 41st and Dover similar to what the city of Denver has done on 29th Ave going east? Sidewalks, curbs, and gutters are a start, but please add some traffic improvements to the Dover mill and resurface project. I also hope the city will continue to address the Belaire traffic issue in a more holistic manner and communicate more effectively with the residents who are impacted. Nikki Larsen Submitted Comment on: Feb 23, 2026, at 10:43 AM Item No.1 - MEMO - 2J Bond Fund Sidewalk Gap program Comment As a resident and volunteer with the ATATs, I very much appreciate the attention to sidewalks in our city, it has been a long time coming. Regarding the installation of HAWK signals, I wanted to bring to your attention the placement of the existing signal at Upham and 38th. With the lane-narrowing, Steven’s traffic, and deployment of fire & EMT vehicles at that spot, the signal adds to visual confusion and is rarely observed by drivers who are trying to manage so many distractors at once. The completion of The Green has increased pedestrian traffic and while we need a reliable HAWK signal in the vicinity, I suggest moving the existing signal to Teller and 38th to provide for safer passage. Many residents come from the neighborhoods to the south and east of The Green and Teller St provides a low-stress route to the park. Having to go north on Teller, cross left to the sidewalk on the south side of 38th, then head 1 block west to the HAWK signal only increases the danger to walkers & rollers - cars turning south on Teller from 38th are not prepared for a single pedestrian or cyclist to be crossing their path ON Teller in that small stretch of about 10 feet. With these other initial 2J projects slated to Page 5 of 6 begin, it seems like a good time to make this relatively simple fix that will have a big impact. Regarding residents using Teller to get to our main street, the ATATs urge the city to look at addressing key unsignalized pedestrian crossings as part of the Pierce project, especially at 35th Ave where people walking often wait a long time to try to cross safely to try to access parks, the Active Adult Center, local businesses, etc. Lastly, it would be very helpful to have some communication released regarding how the remaining funds will be programmed or where some of these other priority projects stand, such as the multi-modal improvements for 35th Ave from Pierce to Sheridan. Thank you for taking the time to consider my feedback. 1. Sidewalk gap scope and schedule for 2026 City Manager Goff provided an overview of the 2J Bond Program, noting that voters approved $75 million in bonds for infrastructure, sidewalk repair, bike lanes, and filling sidewalk gaps with emphasis on routes to schools and major pedestrian corridors. With additional grants, approximately $94 million is available, with $42 million allocated for sidewalk projects. Staff presented 15 evaluated projects spanning the city, developed through community feedback and long-range planning. Six segments were recommended as priorities for 2026-2027 construction: Parfet Street, Harlan Street, Miller Street, 26th Avenue, Dover Street, and Pierce Street, plus two HAWK signal installations on 40th Avenue. Dover Street Project: Public Works Director Kisselman explained Dover Street's poor pavement condition (index of 39) and ongoing drainage issues requiring frequent staff response. The project would coordinate mill and overlay repairs with sidewalk, curb, gutter, and storm drainage improvements. Several residents had expressed concerns about communication and impacts on existing landscaping and fencing. HAWK Signals: Two High Intensity Activated Crosswalk signals were proposed at 40th and Miller (near schools and Fruitdale Park) and 40th and Lamar (near Park Church). Staff applied for Highway Safety Improvement Program grants to fund these at approximately $250,000 each. Council Feedback: Councilmembers offered extensive input on project priorities and locations, including a request to reconsider the South Frontage Road segment from Garrison to Holland. Several members suggested this segment could replace the Parfet project due to safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists. Council also discussed potential alternative locations for HAWK signals, with interest in placing them at Reed Street and Newland to better serve neighborhoods north of 40th Avenue. Page 6 of 6 Members emphasized the need for stronger community outreach, particularly for complex projects such as Dover Street that will significantly affect nearby residents. They stressed the importance of holding neighborhood meetings before advancing design work. Preliminary Costs and Timeline: The recommended first phase carries a preliminary cost of approximately $11.9 million. Staff indicated they could complete 2-3 projects in 2026 with the remainder in 2027, beginning design work immediately and seeking grant funding to leverage bond dollars. IRS requirements mandate spending 85% of bond funds within three years. City Manager Goff confirmed staff received sufficient direction to proceed with investigating the frontage road segment, exploring HAWK signal location alternatives, and conducting neighborhood outreach for Dover Street and other impacted areas. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Stites adjourned the February 23, 2026, Special Study Session at 9:07 PM. _____________________________ Rachel Hultin, Mayor Pro Tem __________________________________________________ Onorina Z. Maloney, Senior Deputy City Clerk