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Home My WebLink About2026-07-27 City Council Meeting MinutesPage 1 of 5 MINUTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Monday, July 27, 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) in Council Chambers, or virtually. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Stites called the City Council Regular Meeting to order on July 27, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Those present stood, if able, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Councilmembers Present: Rachel Hultin; Dan Larson; Kathleen Martell; Scott Ohm; Mike Okada; Patrick Quinn; Jenny Snell; and Susan Wood A quorum was established. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE City Manager Patrick Goff; Deputy City Manager Marianne Schilling; City Attorney Gerald Dahl; Director of Parks and Recreation Karen O’Donnell; Director of Public Works Kent Kisselman; Senior Deputy City Clerk Onorina Maloney; and other staff members, interested citizens, and guests. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Stites noted the packet included City Council Meeting Minutes from July 13, 2026, and Special Study Session Notes from July 13, 2026. Councilmember Martell explained that an amendment had been requested to the July 13, 2026, City Council Meeting minutes related to Item 5 concerning funding for the equity audit. She stated that the amended minutes more completely reﬂected the discussion that occurred during Item 5. No further changes were requested. The minutes and notes were approved. Page 2 of 5 APPROVAL OF AGENDA No changes to the agenda were proposed. PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES 1.Mayor’s Community Champion Award Mayor Stites invited Dominick Breton’s parents, Nancy and Paul Breton, and his sister, Janelle Breton, to join him at the podium. The previous month, he had selected Dominick Breton as the inaugural recipient of the Mayor's Community Champion Award, intending to present it at the June 22nd City Council meeting. Sadly, Dominick passed away before the presentation could take place. Mayor Stites offered a tribute to Dominick Breton, describing him as someone who was consistently present at community events, supportive of local businesses, and among the first to offer assistance when ideas arose to improve Wheat Ridge. He recognized Dominick's leadership through the Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, and numerous other organizations, noting that Dominick brought people together and reminded the community that its strength comes from neighbors who care for one another. On behalf of the Wheat Ridge City Council, Mayor Stites extended condolences to Dominick's family and announced that the Mayor's Community Champion Award would henceforth be permanently renamed the Dominick Breton Community Champion Award. The Mayor stated that each month when a community champion is recognized, the award will also serve as a reminder of the standard Dominick set through his service, leadership, and love of Wheat Ridge. 2.Kiwanis International Day Proclamation Mayor Stites invited Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain District of Kiwanis Kirstin Litz and Wheat Ridge Kiwanis Club President Bruce Simmons to the podium and read a proclamation recognizing Kiwanis International and the Kiwanis Club of Wheat Ridge. The proclamation recognized Kiwanis International’s global membership of more than 430,000 members across 80 nations, its commitment to improving the world one child and one community at a time, and the founding of the local Kiwanis Club of Lakeside on May 29, 1958, which was later renamed the Kiwanis Club of Wheat Ridge. The proclamation encouraged Wheat Ridge residents to support Kiwanis members in their service to local homes, schools, and the community. Ms. Litz thanked the Council and highlighted the club’s ongoing community involvement, including partnerships with Stevens Elementary, Everett Middle School, and Wheat Ridge High School, as well as support for programs such as The Hub Feed the Future, after-school clubs, Builders Club, Key Club, and annual scholarships. Ms. Litz also noted the club’s participation in City Parks and Recreation events, including the Easter egg hunt, Carnation Festival, Movie in the Park, and Performance in the Park, and Page 3 of 5 invited residents to attend the upcoming Performance in the Park event, where Kiwanis members would be grilling food for attendees. PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO SPEAK In person Dan Kuckes, a Wheat Ridge resident, addressed the Council regarding signage at the City's conservation area. Mr. Kuckes, who volunteers with Adaptive Adventures, expressed interest in hosting an event at the site and stated that existing signage regarding bicycles used as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mobility devices is misleading. He explained that the prominent "no bicycles" symbol, accompanied by a small ADA notation and wheelchair icon, has led some individuals to believe that only wheelchairs are permitted. Mr. Kuckes expressed concern that the signage does not clearly reﬂect ADA requirements and could discourage or create confrontations for individuals using bicycles as mobility devices. No additional speakers signed up to speak in chambers. Via Zoom No speakers signed up Wheat Ridge Speaks (The following comment was reproduced verbatim as submitted through the Wheat Ridge Speaks platform.) Civic Growth Alliance - Michael Moody Comment received on Jul 24, 2026 at 11:10 a.m. Item Public's Right to Speak I appreciate the thoughtful and constructive comments submitted by the Active Transportation Advisory Team. Much of ATAT’s feedback aligns with concerns that parents and nearby residents have raised for some time, particularly the need for stronger pedestrian protection, improved crossing treatments, and greater attention to the number of children and families using the Stevens corridor each day. While the Refresh concepts include promising elements, they still do not fully address the speciﬁc safety challenges at 38th and High. Families continue to experience turning conﬂicts, driver noncompliance, red-light running, and unsafe conditions during school arrival and dismissal. These concerns require a more direct, intersection-speciﬁc response rather than relying only on broader corridor improvements and placemaking. I was encouraged to see ATAT support median refuge, painted crosswalks, and stronger signal treatments near Stevens. Their comments show clear alignment between active transportation advocates and parents. I hope the City will treat the Stevens segment as a distinct priority and commit to measures designed around the real-world conditions at this school crossing. I remain grateful for the City’s efforts and supportive of ATAT’s recommendations, while continuing to believe that the school-zone concerns at 38th Page 4 of 5 and High need a more focused response. Thank you for your continued attention to this issue. CONSENT AGENDA None PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING None DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND MOTIONS Item Number: 1 Motion Title: Motion awarding a contract to LG Contractors in the amount of $278,129.25 with a contingency amount of $27,812.93 for a total approved amount of $305,942.18 for the 2026 Residential Concrete Program. Issue: Nine (9) bids were received in response to the city’s Invitation for Bids to complete the 2026 Residential Concrete Program project. The lowest responsive bidder is LG Contractors. It is recommended that the City enter into a contract with LG Contractors to perform the work for the 2026 Residential Concrete Program. Councilmember Quinn read the Title and Issue into the record Director of Public Works Kisselman explained that this year's annual maintenance program covers Zone 3, generally located in District 1. The project includes sidewalk trip hazard and crack repairs, five ADA ramp repairs, six speed humps as part of the neighborhood traffic management program, and other improvements identified through prior resident requests. Council discussed funding sources for the residential concrete program and neighborhood traffic management improvements. Director Kisselman explained that the residential concrete program is funded through the 2J Next Chapter Bond Fund, while neighborhood traffic management improvements are funded through a separate capital improvement line item. He also discussed the City's efforts to update pavement markings on existing speed humps as funding allows. Council also discussed the bid evaluation process, workmanship warranties, and inspection procedures. Director Kisselman explained that contracts are awarded to the lowest responsive bidder following a review of bid responsiveness and references, and that the City is working toward implementing a two-year right-of-way warranty under updated standards and specifications. Council sought clarification regarding sidewalk improvements and the variance between the lowest and competing bids. Director Kisselman explained that sidewalk additions and widening are addressed through the City's separate sidewalk gap Page 5 of 5 program rather than the annual residential concrete maintenance program. Discussion also included workforce classification practices and prior resident concerns regarding workmanship and site cleanup. Motion: Councilmember Quinn moved to award a contract to LG Contractors in the amount of $278,129.25 with a contingency amount of $27,812.93 for a total approved amount of $305,942.18 for the 2026 Residential Concrete Program. Second: Councilmember Ohm Vote: 8 ayes; 0 nays Motion carried. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion: At 6:56 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Hultin moved to go into executive session for a conference with the City Manager, City Attorney, special counsel and appropriate staff under Charter Section 5.7(1) and C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b) and (e), for legal advice and to instruct negotiators on speciﬁc legal questions: a contract dispute between the City and Concrete Works Colorado involving the Improve Wadsworth project, and to further move to return to the open meeting at the conclusion of the executive session to take any actions deemed necessary. Second: Councilmember Ohm. Vote: 8 ayes; 0 nays Motion carried The executive session commenced at 7:00 p.m. and concluded at 8:05 p.m. Council returned to Council Chambers at 8:06 p.m. Mayor Stites reconvened the City Council meeting in open session at 8:09 p.m. City Attorney Dahl reported that no action by Council was required at that time and that any future action, if needed, would be brought back to the Council for its consideration. ADJOURN TO SPECIAL STUDY SESSION There being no further business to come before Council, Mayor Stites adjourned the July 27, 2026, City Council meeting at 8:10 p.m., and Council convened the Special Study Session immediately thereafter. _________________________________________________ Rachel Hultin, Mayor Pro Tem __________________________________________________ Onorina Z. Maloney, Senior Deputy City Clerk