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Home My WebLink About04.20.26 Study Session NotesPage 1 of 5 NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO STUDY SESSION Monday, April 20, 2026 The Study Session was held in a hybrid format, with Councilmembers, City staff, and members of the public participating either in person at the Municipal Building (7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado) in Council Chambers, or virtually. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Korey Stites called the City Council Study Session of April 20, 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. Absent: None Staff in Attendance: City Manager Patrick Goff; Deputy City Manager Marianne Schilling; City Attorney Gerald Dahl; Housing Navigator Kory Kolar; Division Chief Shawn Wray; Director of Community Development Lauren Mikulak; Senior Deputy City Clerk Onorina Maloney; and other staff as needed. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS No public comments were received in person, via Zoom, or through Wheat Ridge Speaks. 1. Community Partners Grant Program Updates Deputy City Manager Marianne Schilling and Housing Navigator Kory Kolar presented proposed updates to the Community Partners Grant Program. Staff provided background on the program’s growth over the past eight years, during which the number of applicants has nearly doubled, and total funding requests have nearly tripled. Page 2 of 5 Updates implemented in January 2025 included a two-tier review process, timeline adjustments aligned with the budget schedule, elimination of duplicate funding, disclosure requirements for affiliated organizations, and mandatory grant reporting. Staff presented three additional considerations for Council direction: limiting applications from the same entity, further simplifying the tiered application process, and aligning grants with City Council strategic priorities. Discussion included restructuring award tiers, establishing a maximum award cap, and consideration of whether organizations seeking funding above the cap should be designated as strategic partners funded outside the grant pool. Councilmembers also examined options for simplifying applications for smaller grant requests and discussed challenges related to multiple applications from the same entity. Consensus Council reached consensus on the following. • Implement a two-tier system: o Tier 1: Up to $7,500 with simplified applications and no presentations; o Tier 2: $7,500 to $12,000 with presentations required • Adopt simplified application processes aligned with equity-focused approaches used by other foundations • Apply strategic priority alignment criteria only to Tier 2 grants • Establish a 10% off-the-top block grant to Wheat Ridge High School, contingent upon submission of a sub-grant distribution plan prior to budget approval. • Continue existing policies on disclosure statements and grant reporting requirements 2. Vacant Buildings and Properties Division Chief Shawn Wray and Director of Community Development Lauren Mikulak presented a seven-level progressive enforcement framework to address vacant and abandoned non-residential properties contributing to blight and public safety concerns. Staff noted that current code does not comprehensively track vacant properties or incentivize timely resolution. The seven levels range from maintaining existing code enforcement tools through formal tracking, owner outreach, escalating fees based on calls for service, lien assessment, registration requirements, and abatement authority. Staff organized the levels into three implementation approaches: • Light touch (Levels 1–3), • Mid-level, including fee assessment and collection • High-level representing the most resource-intensive and untested approach. Page 3 of 5 Discussion included escalating fee structures as a deterrent to chronic vacancy, distinguishing normal commercial vacancy cycles from long-term vacancy, and ensuring clear definitions and documentation for property owners. Councilmembers also reviewed hardship exception procedures, the feasibility of scaling fees relative to property size, and the treatment of partially occupied buildings with deteriorating vacant units. Staff confirmed that appeal and deferral procedures could be incorporated into the program framework. Consensus Council reached unanimous consensus to direct staff to develop the mid-level enforcement approach, including: • Formal vacancy identification and tracking • Structured outreach to property owners • An escalating fee schedule based on calls for service • Authority to assess liens for unpaid fees • Hardship exception procedures • Returning to Council with a detailed implementation plan as a pilot program 3. Transferring Board of Adjustment Duties Director of Community Development Lauren Mikulak presented a proposal to transfer Board of Adjustment responsibilities to the Planning Commission. Staff noted that the Board did not meet in 2024 and has convened only twice in the past three years, largely due to code amendments made approximately 20 years ago allowing more variances to be approved administratively. The Planning Commission, which regularly conducts quasi-judicial proceedings, would convene as the Board of Adjustment when needed. The City Attorney advised that required code changes would be straightforward, with existing voting requirements and supermajority thresholds remaining unchanged. Staff proposed honoring current Board of Adjustment appointments through March 2027 and suggested a temporary dual-service exemption to maximize opportunities for current volunteers during the transition. Discussion included attendance requirements, supermajority voting thresholds, impacts on current Board members, and the code amendment process and effective date. Consensus Page 4 of 5 Council reached consensus to proceed with transferring Board of Adjustment duties to the Planning Commission, with implementation through March 2027 to honor current appointments and allow for a proper transition. Staff will prepare necessary code amendments and consider exemptions allowing current Board members to serve on additional boards during the transition period. Staff Reports City Manager Goff provided several updates: • RidgeWest Festival is scheduled for June 6, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Green at 38th • LocalWorks launched a new 38th Avenue marketing program, “Shop Ridge at 38th,” offering 20% coupons (up to $20) at participating locations along 38th Avenue, available on its website • The Green at 38th received the People’s Choice Award at the Downtown Colorado, Inc. celebration in Grand Junction • Economic Development Manager Steve Art received the Downtowner of the Year Award Elected Officials’ Reports Councilmember Ohm thanked parents who assisted with post-prom activities and recognized Public Works Director Kent Kisselman for providing safety cones for a high school tricycle race. He suggested exploring the creation of a board focused on public health and mental health. Councilmember Quinn reported on the Parks and Recreation Board meeting, including new member swearing-ins and oﬃcer elections. The Board discussed drought restrictions, collaboration with other committees, and upcoming Earth Day events from 8:30 a.m. to noon. He noted that Parks and Recreation is one requirement away from achieving Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) accreditation (44 of 45 requirements met). He also acknowledged the 27th anniversary of the Columbine tragedy. Mayor Pro Tem Hultin announced a District 2 meeting scheduled for Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at the Grange, featuring Parks and Recreation staff. She also attended the CAPRA certiﬁcation event and noted positive feedback regarding the City’s collaborative culture. Councilmember Martell reported attending the CAPRA event and her appointment as liaison to Sustainable Wheat Ridge. She highlighted a successful native plant giveaway event and announced a May 9 workshop at Clear Creek Makerspace on constructing bee hotels. Page 5 of 5 Councilmember Wood announced she will miss next Monday's meeting to attend the American Planning Association National Conference in Detroit, seeking professional development and takeaways beneficial to local planning work. Councilmember Snell reported attending Jefferson Center for Mental Health Spring Soirée, emphasizing the organization's importance to the community and its innovative approaches including art therapy. She announced District 1 office hours on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Anne's Pie Café next to Wheat Ridge Meats on 29th Avenue. Councilmember Larson reported attending the 12th annual Energy and Environment Symposium on the Western Slope. The symposium featured presentations on economics, nuclear energy, geothermal advances, and water management. He volunteered at the semi-annual paper shred and electronics recycling event at the fairgrounds and attended the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week kickoff at Porchlight Family Justice Center, featuring remarks from the Colorado Attorney General and crime survivors including a Columbine survivor. Mayor Stites reflected on attending Jefferson Center's gala on April 20th, noting the significance of discussing mental health on the Columbine anniversary. He observed positive business activity along 38th Avenue with long lines at Mr. Biscuits and other establishments, indicating strong community engagement. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Stites adjourned the April 20, 2026, Study Session at 8:51 p.m. _____________________________ Rachel Hultin, Mayor Pro Tem _____________________________________ Onorina Z. Maloney, Senior Deputy City Clerk