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Home My WebLink About10-05-2026 Study Session Agenda PacketSTUDY SESSION AGENDA CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO Monday, October 05, 2026 6:30 p.m. This meeting will be conducted as a virtual meeting, and in person, at: 7500 West 29th Avenue, Municipal Building, Council Chambers. City Council members and City staff members will be physically present at the Municipal building for this meeting. The public may participate in these ways: 1. Attend the meeting in person at City Hall. Use the appropriate roster to sign up to speak upon arrival. 2. Provide comment in advance at www.wheatridgespeaks.org (comment by noon on October 05, 2026) 3. Virtually attend and participate in the meeting through a device or phone: Click here to pre-register and provide public comment by Zoom (You must preregister before 5:00 p.m. on October 05, 2026) 4. View the meeting live or later at www.wheatridgespeaks.org, Channel 8, or YouTube Live at https://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/view Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all public meetings sponsored by the City of Wheat Ridge. The City will upon request, provide auxiliary aids and services leading to effective communication for people with disabilities, including qualified sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, documents in Braille, and other ways of making communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments. To request auxiliary aid, service for effective communication, or document in a different format, please use this form or contact ADA Coordinator, (Kelly McLaughlin at ada@ci.wheatridge.co.us or 303-235-2885) as soon as possible, preferably 7 days before the activity or event. Public Comment on Agenda Items 1. Event Venue Businesses 2. Homeless Navigation Program Update 3. Staff Report(s) 4. Elected Officials’ Report(s) ITEM NO. 1 Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager Lauren Mikulak, Community Development Director FROM: Marianne Schilling, Deputy City Manager Scott Cutler, Senior Planner Jana Easley, Planning Manager DATE: September 28, 2026 SUBJECT: Event Venue Businesses ISSUE: The City’s current social club regulations were adopted to address potential impacts associated with private event venues; however, the licensing and operational requirements apply uniformly regardless of a venue’s size, frequency of use, or actual community impact. As a result, the existing framework creates unnecessary barriers for small businesses while providing limited flexibility to address the varying characteristics of modern event venues. This memo contains a summary of the proposed code changes to streamline event venue regulations and ensure proper enforcement mechanisms are available. PRIOR ACTION: At the June 2, 2025 Study Session, staff presented a proposal to amend the existing social club code by reducing application requirements for “low-impact” social clubs. City Council then directed staff to return with a proposal to eliminate the social club requirements altogether and establish an alternative framework for regulating event venues. At the June 15, 2026 Study Session, staff presented a proposal to repeal the existing social club regulations and define event venues in the zoning code, thereby establishing an alternative zoning framework for regulating event venues. Council gave consensus to proceed with creating an outline for an ordinance to be presented at a follow-up study session, along with additional clarification on enforcement and communication to businesses. The approach in this memo reflects the discussion and direction from the June 2026 study session. September 28, 2026 Page 2 FINANCIAL IMPACT: Should City Council move forward with staff recommendations, there would be no additional fees outside of the existing business license fee and if applicable, the review fees for special use permits. BACKGROUND: Provided below is a list of proposed regulations based on the discussion at the June 15, 2026 Study Session, as well as continued research into the enforcement strategies available to the city. The proposed framework acts as a “term sheet” which defines the scope of the ordinance. The list is divided into proposed changes for each applicable chapter of the code. As discussed with Council, this ordinance takes a regulatory approach through the zoning code, with applicable amendments to licensing and nuisance codes to ensure that bad actors of venues and related uses can be cited appropriately. Under the new approach, each chapter more clearly serves its purpose: • Chapter 26 (Zoning) determines where event-related uses are allowed and under what land use approvals. • Chapter 16 (Noise) regulates how outdoor events operate with respect to amplified sound, hours, and neighborhood impacts. • Chapter 11 (Business & Liquor Licensing) regulates what license is required for operating a business or serving alcohol. • Chapter 15 (Nuisance) regulates how a nuisance or other code violation is enforced. The city code is proposed to be amended as follows: • Repeal the existing “social club” regulations from Chapter 11, Article XI and remove the definition of “social club” from Chapter 26 and its associated permitted use charts. • Zoning Code Regulatory Approach (Chapter 26): Create definitions for various type of “event venues” following the four-tiered categories: o Indoor Event Venues  Fully contained within a building  Primary use of property or tenant space  Allow in commercial, mixed-use, and industrial zones  Limit capacity in lower-intensity zones  Business license required o Outdoor Event Venues  Outdoor only, or hybrid of indoor and outdoor  Primary use of property or tenant space  Allow in more intensive commercial, mixed-use, and industrial zones September 28, 2026 Page 3  Require Special Use Permit (SUP) or Conditional Use Permit (CUP) if adjacent to residential use  Amplified noise permit required (if applicable)  Business license required (plus SUP/CUP if applicable) o Accessory Outdoor Entertainment  Accessory use of a property to a primary commercial use (such as eating/drinking establishment or retail)  Event area must be clearly delineated and on all-weather surface  Amplified noise permit required (if applicable)  Covered by primary use’s business license o Residential/agricultural properties with Accessory Outdoor Entertainment  Accessory use of a property to a primary residential or agricultural use  Only applicable to properties of one (1) acre or greater  Require Special Use Permit (SUP) to allow public input and staff to review site plan and business model against SUP criteria; not all sites will be approvable  Business license required (after SUP approval)  Note: This was expanded from agricultural properties over 1 acre to agricultural and residential properties over 1 acre after staff became aware of some residentially-zoned properties that may be suitable for this type of use. • Zoning Conforming Amendments (Chapter 26): o Update SUP enforcement provisions for clarity. • Licensing Conforming Amendments (Chapter 11): o Sec. 11-31: Move applicable old social club language to the general business license section to expressly allow revocation of a business license if operations continue during a period of suspension. o Sec. 11-22: Add to violations section that it is unlawful to operate without a liquor license if necessary for operations. This section already states it is unlawful to operate a business without a business license. o Sec. 11-52: Add to liquor licensing/permit section that it is a violation to sell alcohol beverages without the applicable liquor license/permit. • Nuisance Conforming Amendments (Chapter 15): o Modify definition of “Nuisance Violation” to include violations of Chapter 5 (Building Code) and Chapter 11 (Licensing). Although excessive noise is often associated with event venues, special events, or private parties, the City Attorney has determined that noise is a broader topic that is relevant to other uses and will require a separate ordinance. The City Attorney’s office is coordinating an ordinance to amend Chapter 16, Article V concerning noise regulations to conform to the state statute on noise abatement as interpreted by the Colorado September 28, 2026 Page 4 Supreme Court in the recent decision of Hobbs v City of Salida (September 8, 2025). RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommend proceeding with the code changes as proposed in this memo. NEXT STEPS: A Planning Commission recommendation hearing will be required for the zoning code (Chapter 26) changes. If recommended for approval by Planning Commission, the full ordinance will proceed to City Council for review, anticipated for a public hearing on November 9. Staff recommend creating a landing page on the city’s website for planning events; draft content is attached. This webpage will be targeted to a wide range of audiences, from a business owner planning a one-time event, to someone interested in liquor licensing requirements. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Draft Website Content – Planning an Event The process of updating social club regulations has illuminated how many considerations are involved in hosting events, on a routine or occasional basis. The interdepartmental staff team is proposing a website update that will help individual and business owners more easily navigate the range of considerations. The text below is a draft of that content. Planning an Event? Whether you're planning live music at your business, an occasional vendor market in your parking lot, opening a new event venue, or prepping a block party, this guide will help you determine what approvals you may need. Depending on your situation, you may need: ✓Zoning Review ✓Business License ✓Outdoor Ampliﬁed Sound Permit ✓Liquor License ✓Building Permit ✓Street Closure Permit ✓Fire District Review/Permit ✓Parks Review/Permit ✓Zoning Approval The city’s zoning code determines where event-related uses are allowed and whether a land use approval is required, depending on the type of event: •Indoor event venues are allowed in most commercial zone districts. •Outdoor event venues are more limited and may require a Special Use Permit. Contact the Planner-of-the-Day for zoning requirements. •Occasional outdoor entertainment or events are allowed as an accessory use to an existing business with no requirement for additional zoning review. ✓Business License All businesses in Wheat Ridge are required to have a city-issued business license. If an occasional event brings in vendors like a food truck, then temporary business licenses may be required for each vendor. •Apply for a business license here. •Obtain temporary licensing for vendors here. DRA F T ATTACHMENT 1 ✓ Outdoor Ampliﬁed Sound Permit The city’s noise regulations are important in protecting quality of life and peaceful coexistence between businesses and residents. Outdoor ampliﬁed noise is allowed but regulated on all properties. City code allows: • Any individual, business or organization may obtain up to eight (8) Outdoor Ampliﬁed Sound Event Permits in a single calendar year. Apply here. • More than eight (8) ampliﬁed noise events requires additional approval steps and a neighborhood meeting. Learn more here. ✓ Liquor License or Permit The City Clerks office manages local liquor licenses and permits: • A liquor license allows a business to regularly sell or serve alcohol at an approved premises. Learn more here. • A special event liquor permit allows an eligible organization to serve or sell alcohol at a particular event on speciﬁc dates and times. Learn more here. If your business already has liquor license, and you’re planning an occasional outdoor event, please contact the Clerks office to understand whether or not liquor may be served outside at the event. ✓ Building Permit New businesses are inspected by the Building Division before a business license is issued to conﬁrm life safety requirements are met. If a building permit is required for any updates, the inspector will notify you. For occasional events that include the assembly of a temporary outdoor stage, a building permit and inspections are also required. Contact the Chief Building Official for questions about a speciﬁc event. ✓ Street Closure Permit If an occasional event or block party is proposing to close a public street, then a street closure request must be submitted to the Public Works Department at least 10 days prior to the event. Apply here. ✓ Fire District Review/Permit The West Metro and Arvada Fire Districts serve Wheat Ridge and inspect all businesses annually for life safety requirements. For occasional events in a parking lot, emergency responders must be able to service the building and event, so ﬁre lanes, emergency access, and accessible parking must remain clear. Fire Districts also regulate certain types of activities, which may require review or permits: • Temporary tents over 400 square feet, • Open burns (including pig roasts, bonﬁres, and ditch clean-up), DRA F T • Special events (including haunted houses, carnivals, festivals, and large assemblies/gatherings), and • Installation of propane tanks (temporary and permanent). For West Metro Fire (properties south of Clear Creek), learn more about operational permits here. For Arvada Fire (properties north of Clear Creek), learn more about outdoor events or contact the Fire Marshal’s office. ✓ Parks Review/Permits If an event is proposed to be hosted in a city-owned park, then an event permit is required. Permit applications are required at least 90 days prior to the event date. Learn more here. DRA F T ITEM NO. 2 Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager Marianne Schilling, Deputy City Manager Wyatt Peterson, Assistant to the City Manager FROM: Maddy Horgan, Homeless Navigator Kory Kolar, Housing Navigator DATE: October 5, 2026 SUBJECT: Homeless Navigation Program Update ISSUE: The purpose of this study session item is for the Navigators to provide a general update to City Council regarding the Homeless Navigation Program. PRIOR ACTION: N/A FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. BACKGROUND: As part of a regional effort throughout Jefferson County, in December 2020 Wheat Ridge hired a Homeless Navigator to serve the cities of Wheat Ridge and Edgewater. A Housing Navigator was then hired in July 2022. Together, the Navigators work closely with local businesses, constituents, metro-area non-profit providers, government agencies, and other partners. The work of the Navigators includes: • Weekly outreach efforts which consist of contacting individuals living unsheltered and offering resources and basic need items such as socks, water, snacks, etc., to build trust and rapport October 5, 2026 Page 2 • Attending Municipal Court to make contact with and provide support for justice- involved people experiencing homelessness • Assessing peoples’ needs and completing intakes in the collaborative Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) • Assisting clients with obtaining vital documents (e.g., photo ID, birth certificate) • Making referrals for healthcare, mental health, substance misuse, legal, and other issues • Helping clients obtain/retain public benefits they are eligible for (e.g., SNAP, Medicaid) • Working with clients to identify a pathway towards housing • Providing financial assistance for client housing searches, applications, and deposits • Actively participating in Jefferson County’s regional efforts, as well as statewide efforts, to address homelessness PROGRAM UPDATE: Client Updates Since its inception, the City of Wheat Ridge Homeless Navigation Program has served nearly 400 clients and interacted with hundreds more referrals, directing ineligible referrals to other resources and service providers as appropriate. To date, the Program has achieved 207 housing placements into either transitional or permanent, stable housing. There have been 33 housing placements since the last update to Council in October 2025. Each client is different, and the Navigators work to provide appropriate resources and identify a pathway towards housing that is unique for each person. Some examples include providing security deposit and first month rental assistance, purchasing a bus ticket to another state to reunite a client with their family, assisting with applications to any available housing voucher waitlists/lotteries, and assisting clients with housing search and move-in. Staff also complete assessments with nearly all clients, entering them into Coordinated Entry through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which will then determine their eligibility for certain housing vouchers. The median cost for the Program to achieve a housing placement is $1,550 per household, with Bridge Housing (motel vouchers) and move-in costs (security deposit, first month rent, etc.) making up the vast majority of expenses. The median amount of time client households spend with the Program before achieving a housing placement is 119 days; the longest wait has been 1,025 days. October 5, 2026 Page 3 Drop-in Hours This year, the Program initiated Drop-in Hours at two locations in the City. Every Monday and Tuesday from 1:00-3:00 one of the Navigators is at either the Recreation Center or Holy Cross Lutheran Church, respectively. The Drop-in Hours are intended to connect with more potential clients while also providing law enforcement and other City staff with a reliable location to direct individuals who may need assistance. By establishing a regular presence in the community, the Program aims to make navigation services more accessible and easier for individuals to obtain. Grants and Partnerships In June, Colorado Gives Foundation awarded the Program $50,000 over two years, which will be used primarily for bridge housing efforts. The Program has also applied for $100,000 in operational support from Intermountain Health. Award notifications will be made soon. The Program continues to maintain and strengthen relationships with local service providers, nonprofit organizations, community partners, and the faith-based community in Wheat Ridge to improve coordination, reduce gaps in services, and connect individuals more effectively with available resources. Severe Weather The 2026–2027 Cold Weather Response service period will run from October 1 through April 30. On September 28, 2026, City Council approved a new Intergovernmental Agreement between Jefferson County and the cities of Arvada, Edgewater, Golden, Lakewood, Westminster, and Wheat Ridge to continue a coordinated regional response for individuals and families experiencing homelessness during severe and extreme cold weather. The agreement is intended to build on the regional response established during the previous cold weather season. Under the proposed agreement, the participating jurisdictions will share $1.624 million in costs for a range of cold weather sheltering and support services. These resources include the Jeffco Family Shelter, an emergency shelter for families with dependent children; approximately 200 motel vouchers per night during severe and extreme weather activations; funding for congregate shelters operated by faith-based and community organizations; the City of Westminster's MAC shelter and motel program; and staffing for motel voucher administration and the after-hours Severe Weather Hotline. Wheat Ridge's share of the regional cost is $97,440, based on its proportion of the county-wide population. October 5, 2026 Page 4 Jefferson County will activate the regional Cold Weather Response based on weather forecasts and public health alerts. Severe weather activation generally occurs when overnight temperatures are forecast at 32 degrees or below with more than one inch of snow, with discretion during other wet precipitation such as rain or sleet, or when temperatures are forecast at 20 degrees or below regardless of precipitation. Wind conditions may also be considered. An extreme weather health alert is triggered at 10 degrees or below regardless of wind or precipitation. Activation decisions will generally be made approximately 72 hours in advance by a team representing Jefferson County Public Health, Human Services, and Emergency Management. During an activation, Wheat Ridge's Homeless Navigators will coordinate with regional outreach teams, nonprofit partners, law enforcement, and other first responders to identify people experiencing unsheltered homelessness and connect them with available shelter. Motel vouchers will remain available for eligible individuals and families connected to navigation services, while congregate shelters will provide an additional option for individuals who are not connected to navigation services or do not qualify for motel vouchers. An after-hours Severe Weather Hotline will also provide information and referrals to available shelter resources. For the most extreme conditions, Jefferson County has also budgeted $250,000 for mobile shelter operations when temperatures are forecast at 10 degrees or below for at least 48 hours. Deployment of these resources would occur at the discretion of the County Office of Emergency Management through an emergency or disaster declaration. The County is also proposing $200,000 in separate funding for the Evergreen Christian Outreach shelter, which operates nightly from October through April and can accommodate up to 20 individuals. RECOMMENDATIONS: None. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Q2 2026 Homeless Navigation Program Data & Demographics Report W H E A T R I D G E • E D G E W A T E R HOMELESS NAVIGATIONDATA & DEMOGRAPHIC REPORT Quarter 2 - 2026 ATTACHMENT 1 Introduction The Homeless Navigation Program serves people experiencing homelessness in the cities of Wheat Ridge and Edgewater. This Program Data & Demographic Report contains the following information: •Program Referrals •Program Exits and Housing Placements •AfterCare Data •Program Expenses •Select Client Demographic Data Demographic data is self-reported by individuals during the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) intake process. The Homeless Navigation Program does not verify or validate the information. Power BI DesktopProgram Referrals by Quarter Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 2023 2024 2025 2026 48 67 56 58 42 47 63 69 45 68 68 85 49 Referral Sources 21% 18% 17% 14% 9% 7% 5%4% 3% Community Partner City Staff Police Current/Former Client Municipal Court Internet Search Resident Co-Responder Drop-in Hours 17.9% of Referrals become Clients Primary reasons a referral does not become a client: they are already working with other service providers or Navigators • they are not primarily a resident of Edgewater or Wheat Ridge • they have household members under the age of 18 • they are not currently experiencing, or at imminent risk of, homelessness • they are not (yet) interested in our services• Power BI Desktop Auto-Exit Permanent Housing - Voucher Permanent Housing - Self Pay Transitional Housing Permanent Housing - Subsidized Deceased Permanent Housing - Family/Friend 117 83 61 35 12 9 9 Program Exits since December 2020 326 Total 200 Housing Placements Housing Placements by City 43 40 29 24 8 7 5 5 3 3 1 City Arvada Wheat Ridge Lakewood Denver Out of State Englewood Golden Westminster Edgewater Littleton Aurora Number of days before housing placement 936 Maximum 119 Median An "Auto-Exit" occurs after 180 days of no contact with the client. Transitional Housing is often time-limited and involves certain behavioral expectations and signed agreements. Examples include sober living and residential work programs. Typically, a voucher is functionally the same as subsidized housing; both mean that only a ﬁxed percentage of the client's gross income is paid as rent. But a voucher is often portable whereas subsidized housing is usually tied to a particular property or unit. Power BI Desktop Bridge Housing Move-in Costs AfterCare Outreach Supplies Gift Cards Furnishings Housing Search Lyft/Uber Vital Documents Bus Tickets Client Transportation Family Reunification $144.7K $91.6K $87.5K $18.9K $12.9K $10.9K $4.3K $3.9K $3.4K $3.3K $1.6K $1.4K $282.6K $62.5K $51.5K Budget Source Operational DOLA HRP Colorado Gives Total Expenditures since January 2023 $396,621 Cost to reach housing placement, per household $43 Minimum $10,490 Maximum $1,587 Median Program Expenses by Categor y, Source, & Year Year: All 2023 2024 2025 2026 Power BI Desktop Issues by Topic Finances Logistics Eviction Adjustment Basic Needs Employment Habitability Benefits 28% 16% 14%10% 10% 10% 6% 6% Actions Taken 0%10%20%30% Facilitation Financial Aid Advocacy Resources Support Material Goods New Placement 83% AfterCare is a light form of Case Management, a process of checking in on clients to see what issues are arising after their housing placement. Some issues pose a serious threat to the client's housing, while others do not, but reasonable eﬀorts are made to assist the client in any way possible, regardless of the issue's severity. AfterCare Expenses $43.1K $16.5K $12.0K Utilities $3.4K Other $1.9K Rental Assistance Transportation New Placement of households still housed after 1 year Power BI Desktop Disability 66% 34% Yes No Year: All 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Age Range 0% 10% 20% 30% 18 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 - 54 55 - 61 62+ Race/Ethnicity White Multiracial Hispanic/Latina/e/o Black, African American, or African CLIENT DEMOGRAPHIC DATA Power BI Desktop Total Months Homeless in the Past Three Years More than 12 MonthsOne month (this is the first month) Two Months Five Months Nine Months Six Months Four Months Seven Months Three MonthsTen Months Year: All 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 CLIENT DEMOGRAPHIC DATA Household Income 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% $0 $1 - $10K $10K - $20K $20K - $30K $30K - $40K $40K - $50K