HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.02.26 Study Session NotesPage 1 of 4
NOTES
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
Hybrid Meeting
Monday, March 2, 2026
The study session was held in a hybrid format, with Councilmembers and
staff participating in person at the Municipal Building (7500 West 29th
Avenue) in Council Chambers, and members of the public able to observe
and participate either in person or virtually.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Korey Stites called the City Council Study Session of March 2, 2026, to order at
6:31 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, Deputy City Manager Marianne Schilling, Chief
of Police Chris Murtha, Community Development Director Lauren Mikulak,
Communications and Engagement Manager Amanda Harrison.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
In person
No one signed up to speak.
Via Zoom
No one signed up to speak.
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Via Wheat Ridge Speaks
No one submitted comments online.
1. 2026 Legislative Forum
Patrick Goff introduced the topic to City Council to introduce the topic, and turned it
over to Bev Stables, Legislative Advocacy Manager with the Colorado Municipal
League (CML), who gave a high-level overview of these high priority bills. Staff and
Council also asked questions and provided feedback:
• Land Use: House Bill (HB) 24 1285 – Admission to Mental Health Residential
Facility; Senate Bill (SB) 24 098 – Noise Abatement; HB 24 1001 – Home Act;
HB 24 1114 – Minimum Lot Sizes; not yet introduced – Lot Splitting Bill; HB
24 1206 – Create Special District as a Strategy to Reduce and Prevent
Homelessness.
• Public Safety: SB 24 024 – Drone Bill; SB 24 070 – Flock Camera/Access
Historical Location Information Database; HB 24 1037 – Ban Government
Purchase of Personal Data from Third Parties; SB 24 097 – Decriminalizing
Adult Commercial Sexual Activity; HB 24 1257 – Local Regulation of Massage
Facilities.
• Sustainability: HB 24 1030 (sponsored by Representative Duran) – incentive-
based model to attract data centers into Colorado; SB 24 102 – intended to
deter data centers.
• Accessibility: HB 24 1130 – baby diaper changing station required for
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible bathrooms.
• Transportation: HB 24 1269 – Transit Access and Equity; not yet introduced –
limiting Automated Vehicle Identification System (AVIS) use and fine caps; HB
24 1071 – allow local governments to deploy AVIS technology (sponsored by
Representative Duran and supported by Wheat Ridge).
• Urban Renewal: SB 24 129 – Urban Renewal Authority/Tax Increment
Financing (URA/TIF) reform.
2. Municipal Bonds
Patrick Goff introduced the topic and presented a municipal bond overview and
current bonds update.
Following that presentation, representatives from Piper Sandler Companies,
including underwriters Andrew Ma and Robyn Moore, provided a current financial
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and market update, as well as financing options for the City. The three financing
options presented to City Council to fund large capital projects included:
• Certificates of Participation (COPs)
• Sales and Use Tax Revenue Bonds
• General Obligation (GO) Bonds
The presenters concluded by discussing taxable and tax-exempt interest rates over time, as well as future Federal Reserve expectations.
3. Wadsworth Grant Program
Councilmember Martell introduced the topic and summarized the implementation of the $75,000 Wadsworth Recovery Grant Program to date. She met with the Wheat
Ridge Business District (WRBD) board and saw the opportunity to fund additional businesses. She would also like Localworks to administer the expansion and would
like them to oversee it as well.
City Manager Goff shared that $45,000 was funded through the WRBD building
façade program, and it could potentially be repurposed for this grant.
Council provided consensus to repurpose the $45,000 funds to expand the program.
STAFF REPORTS
No matters to report
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ REPORTS
Councilmember Okada - no report.
Councilmember Larson shared an announcement from the Governor’s Office regarding
the Transit Oriented Affordable Housing grant that Wheat Ridge was awarded. He also
provided information regarding emission testing for older vehicles. He noted that there
is progress being made on the American Hotel demolition.
Councilmember Wood shared that the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) is
sponsoring an e-bike initiative that supports affordable housing communities.
Councilmember Quinn no update
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Councilmember Ohm hosted a District II meeting. Shared that the community wants to
be notified when construction is going on. Would like to have a District-specific sign up
for text/email.
Councilmember Martell shared that in addition to the events mentions by
Councilmember Snell, she attended an open house at City Council Chambers hosted by
Representative Petterson’s office.
Councilmember Snell thanked Administrative and Information Technology (IT) staff for
their quick support with her finicky laptop. She and Councilmember Martell toured the
Public Works space. They have office hours at Mountain Milk on Tuesday from 9-11.
The next quarter’s office hours are at Anne’s Pie Café.
Mayor Pro Tem Hultin hosted District II meeting. Shared how impressed she is by the
dialogue in the community. On the west side of Wadsworth Boulevard there are six to
seven A-frame signs that were in the bike pathway and are now in the landscaping.
Mayor Stites concluded with information regarding next week’s session.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Stites adjourned the March 2, 2026, Study Session at 8:47 PM.
_____________________________
Rachel Hultin, Mayor Pro Tem
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Onorina Maloney, Sr. Deputy City Clerk