HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-10 Special Study Session NotesSPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
Monday, August 10, 2026
The Special 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 Special Study Session of August 10, 2026, to
order at 9:15 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; City attorney Gerald Dahl; Senior Deputy City Clerk Onorina
Maloney; Deputy City Clerk Lucy Spalenka.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
1. Consensus on 2027 Outside Agency Budget Requests
City Manager Goff summarized the five outside agency funding requests totaling
approximately $707,000, which had been presented in full at the prior week's
study session. Council was asked to provide consensus direction on funding
levels to be included in the proposed 2027 budget.
Ralston House — $44,250 (requested)
Council expressed unanimous support for the requested amount. City Manager
Goff noted this is a one-time capital grant for building renovations, with all
Jefferson County municipalities contributing.
Consensus: Fund at $44,250.
Local Works — $377,200 (requested)
Mayor Pro Tem Hultin proposed approving the amount as presented, noting it
includes a $50,000 business grant program. She suggested that if the city's
financial position is strong at the mid-year check-in, council could consider a
second tranche of business grant funding, given the importance of that program
and the tight nature of the overall budget. Council Member Ohm concurred.
Consensus: Fund at $377,200, with the possibility of an additional business
grant appropriation at mid-year.
Wheat Ridge Historical Society — $100,780 (requested)
The request includes approximately $11,000 in base operating funds for the
Historical Society and an estimated $89,000 for a new full-time city employee
who would support the Historical Society, the city's Public Art Program, and the
Cultural Commission.
Council Members Quinn, Okada, Snell, and others expressed strong support for
both components. Mayor Pro Tem Hultin and Council Members Martell and
Larson noted that while they support the FTE in concept, the decision to add a
new position appropriately belongs within the broader FTE discussion during the
full budget process. Council Member Okada expressed appreciation for the
Historical Society's coordination and commitment to reaching this point.
Consensus: Fund the base operating budget; include the FTE for
consideration as part of the full budget process.
Carnation Festival Committee — $125,000 (requested)
Multiple council members expressed support for the Carnation Festival as a
valued community institution but indicated they were not prepared to increase
funding from the prior year's $100,000 level without a more detailed budget
presentation. Council Members Okada, Martell, Ohm, Wood, and Mayor Pro Tem
Hultin all expressed that the presentation lacked sufficient budget detail and did
not clearly justify the $25,000 increase. Council Member Larson was the sole
voice in support of the full $125,000, citing rising costs and the importance of
maintaining the committee's financial reserve.
Council Members Martell and Quinn both suggested establishing clearer
parameters and reporting expectations for outside agency presenters in future
years. City Manager Goff noted that city staff costs (police, public works, parks
overtime) associated with the festival are estimated at approximately $25,000 or
more and are budgeted separately within department budgets.
Consensus: Fund at $100,000.
Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce — $60,000 (requested)
This was the most debated request. Council Member Martell proposed a
significantly reduced amount in the $10,000–$15,000 range, noting difficulty
connecting the Chamber's presentation to specific budget line items. Council
Member Ohm raised concerns about apparent redundancies in the request and
suggested removing items such as the 5K event subsidy. Mayor Pro Tem Hultin
proposed a one-time investment in the $10,000–$15,000 range, contingent on
the Chamber using the funds for strategic planning to build long-term alignment
with city priorities, Local Works, and community partners.
Council Member Larson expressed reluctance to provide any funding beyond city
membership dues, citing equity concerns about funding the Chamber but not the
Wheat Ridge Business Association (WRBA) and noting that the Chamber had
requested merger funding with WRBA without first consulting that organization.
The Mayor offered a broader perspective, acknowledging the Chamber's value to
the business community and the Board's hard work following the loss of its
longtime executive director, while agreeing that a one-time strategic
investment—rather than ongoing operational funding—was appropriate.
Consensus: Fund at $12,500 as a one-time investment, with the expectation
that funds are used for strategic planning and alignment with city and
community partners.
2. Staff Report(s)
No staff reports were provided.
3. Elected Officials’ Report(s)
Council Member Okada thanked Rainbow Ridge residents for their engaged and
well-organized participation in the evening's hearing, and encouraged neighbors
to continue being good neighbors when walking through each other's
communities. She also expressed regret at missing the Carnation Festival
parade.
Council Member Larson reported on a Renewal Wheat Ridge Commission
meeting at which City Manager Goff delivered his state-of-the-city address, and
the Commission approved a five-month consulting engagement to develop
economic development strategies for the city. He also shared highlights from the
Carnation Festival, including the parade and Big Wheels on the Farm event.
Council Member Wood praised the Carnation Festival as well-attended through
the final hours of Sunday, and expressed how much she enjoyed handing out
candy in the parade.
Council Member Quinn echoed festival comments and humorously noted his
intention to drive the front-end loader in next year's parade.
Council Member Martell thanked Mayor Pro Tem Hultin for bringing dog treats to
the parade and highlighted the Big Wheels on the Farm awards ceremony, noting
that trophies were crafted by Warren Tech students.
Council Member Snell noted she was unable to attend the festival due to a sick
pet but appreciated colleagues' reports.
Council Member Ohm reflected on improved engagement with parade attendees
this year, and expressed enjoyment of the live music at the festival over multiple
evenings.
Mayor Pro Tem Hultin thanked all who attended the evening's meeting and
engaged in the zoning discussion, commending the council for its collaborative
approach to imposing conditions rather than simply voting up or down. She noted
that this case represented an early test of the newly adopted City Plan, and
expressed pride in the way council used that framework to navigate a complex
situation.
The Mayor thanked all participants in the evening's proceedings, expressed
appreciation for city staff and volunteers who made the Carnation Festival
possible, and noted that the event—now in its 57th year—represented its usual
warm community atmosphere. He also noted that he and Council Member
Larson had the honor of burying a time capsule on behalf of the Historical
Society following the parade, to be opened in 2076.
The Mayor announced the next meeting would be a study session in one week,
and adjourned the Special Study Session.
ADJOURNED AT 10:00 pm
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Rachel Hultin, Mayor Pro Tem
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Lucy Spalenka, Deputy City Clerk