HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/06/1975
MINUTl5
October 6, 1975
The Study Session for the month of Dctober was called to order
by Mayor pro tem Joseph Donaldson at 4355 Field at 7 35 p.m.
An Executive Session on land acquisition had been held prior to
this meeting.
Councilmen attending were Joseph Donaldson, Calvin Hulsey, Larry
Merkl, Louise Turner and Mary Jo C~ arra. Councilman Robert Howard
and Mayor Homer Roesener were absent.
Also attending were City Administrator John Jerman, City Attorney
Maurice Fox, City Clerk Elise Brougham, staff and interested citizens.
A letter from rhe Denver Water Dept. urging the City of Wheat Ridge
and/or the Wheat Ridge Water District to assume responsibility of
the smaller water districts especially in the southeast corner of
the city because they are very small and have poor water lines, few
fire hydrant;s and limited resources etc. was scheduled for discussion.
Ralph Johnson of the Wheat Ridge Water District stated they had takerl
the position that they will work with anyone who wants to join the
district. They have absorbed several districts and prefer gradual
absorption and do not wish to force or pressure anyone to join.
Councilman Turner recommended that the City do nothing and that this
gradual absorption be allowed to continue.
Mr Jerman recommended the City assist in a joint meeting of all the
water districts. Councilman Hulsev expressed concern if the city
sponsored the meeting the people might think the City wants to take
over the business and that this was definitely not the case.
A letter from the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District questioning
Wheat Ridg@ntheir opinion regarding a 3D year bond issue which would
require a 1 mill increase for funding for the entire drainage district
was scheduled. It would be a $55 million bond with the project benefits
for each county approximating their tax contribution which would be
$10.2 million in Jefferson County.
Councilman Hulsey questioned the direct benefit to
and Mr. Jerman stated Wheat Ridge would receive $1
not be adequate for all of our drainage projects.
stated the advantage of the bond would be that all
done quickly.
Wheat Ridge citizens,
million which would
Councilman Cavarra
the work would be
It was agreed that Mr. Jerman would write a letter asking for more
specific information from the District before a decision could be made.
An ordinance for preservation of heritage trees and their identification
was scheduled for discussion.
City Attornev Fox again expressed dissatisfaction with the ordinance
stating it is hard to define trees etc. and felt this could be arbitrary
if differentiating ~tween developed and undeveloped land. He also stated
restricting chemicals by the tree could involve commercial fertilizers.
Councilman Merkl objected entering a person's yard and identifying
a heritage tree with a placque and people having to ask permission
to cut down their own trees. Councilman Turner stated the City requires
building permits, excavating permits etc., and this would not prohibit
the cutting of trees, but they would hav'to ask permission.
Councilman Cavarra this ordinance would make people more aware of
the value of saving their trees, especially on undeveloped land.
Rich Bredt, City Arborist stated there are not that many trees with
60" circumference that would be heritage trees in the City.
Councilman Hulsev agreed with Mr. Merkl's objections and stated he
would like an inventory done of these trees, and when planned developments
come before the Council they should be told of existing trees.
MINUTES - 10/6/75 - Continued
-2-
Dennis Zwaqerman, Director of Community Development stated the
tree5 could be preserved by amending the existing zoning ordinance
and subdivision regulations. It was agreed that this should be
done and brought back before Council, and that the tree inventory
be done.
An ordinance amending Ordinance No 84 the Building Ordinance
was discussed. City Attornev Fox stated thai ihis changes the
provision of licensing electrical contractors which can no longer
be done by the City. This ordinance is to be scheduled for first
reading on 10/13/75.
An ordinance amending Ordinance No. 108 by adopting a new flood
plain map was scheduled for discussion. Councilman Turner
requested that, rhe map be attached to the ordinance. This ordinance
is scheduled for action next week.
An ordinance amending
Codes was scheduled.
reading next week
Ordinance No. 106 by adopting 1975 Electrical
It was agreed that this would be on first
A reques~ from the Colorado Municipal League requesting an appointment
to the League's Policy Committee was scheduled. It was suggested
that Mary Jo Cavarra be the representative since she is on the League's
Board.
A request for a representative to the~ansportation Advisory Committee
of DRCOG was scheduled. Councilman Turner stated she felt Charles
Lerch might be interested in serving. This is scheduled for action
next week.
Announcement of a Hearing on RTD's level of servict to the District
on 10/7/75 at 10 30 a.m. in Room 320E at the State Capitol Building
was given. Councilman Donaldson stated ~ could attend.
Mr. Jerman suggested October 14, 1975 at 7 DO p.m. for a date for
the operating budget hearing. Councilman Merkl suggested that an
alternate budget be prepared in case the sales tax fails and that
each director be asked to cut his budget.
Councilman Cavarra requested that an inventory of the unpaved streets
in the City showing which have development on each side opposed
to undeveloped land be prepared.
A letter from HUD indicating new federal insurance providing protection
against burglary and robbery losses was acknowledged. Chief Pinson
reported that for Wheat Ridge burglary is up 11.8% and robbery up
11.4% which is under some other areas.
A letter from representative Tim Wirth indicating he was sponsoring
a bill to ffiarge Rocky Mountain National Park was acknowledged.
Stan Hubbell, Parks Employee and member of the Employee Co~ncil
stated the Council had had a questionnaire filled out by employees
and essentially they desired a 5% cost of living raise the first
of the year. He did state other items were covered also in the
questionnaire, and that the Mayor had seen the results
Councilman Merkl stated it is hard to say whether or not Lhere will
be a raise because "they don't know the full picture yet", and
that if there isn't the money there, it can't be spent.
Councilman Cavarra requested that the department heads work with
Mr. Jerman on the problems brought out in the questionnaire.
Council requested that the results of the survey be distributed
to them.
Meeting was adjourned at 9 35 p.m.
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