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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. I APPROVED /.,./ IJ~ 0,> , , / , ~. """':_,j- > I' ,') v / ) ~'----'