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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Session Notes 09/20/2010 STUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO September 20, 2010 Mayor DiTullio called the Study Session to order at 6:30 p.m. Council Members present: Joyce Jay, Tracy Langworthy, Wanda Sang, Karen Adams, Davis Reinhart, Karen Berry and Mike Stites. Also present: City Manager, Patrick Goff; Interim Administrative Services Director, Heather Geyer; City Clerk, Michael Snow; Community Services Director, Kenneth Johnstone; Police Chief, Dan Brennan; Parks and Recreation Director, Joyce Manwaring; IT Director, Mike Steinke; Staff and interested citizens. Council Member Joseph DeMott was absent. Mrs. Langworthy asked to add to the Agenda discussion of the process of selecting the Mayor Pro-Tem during the Council Rules, Item 3. 1. Staff/Council Report(s) a) Johnson Park (memo amended to this packet) Mrs. Manwaring discussed with the Council the options and challenges facing Johnson Park, which was recommended for closure in the Parks Master Plan of 2006. The park currently needs extensive repairs, maintenance maintenance and investment or facilities be considered for removal and park closure. Council expressed unanimous support to phase-in the removal of the bathroom and playground facilities in the park while leaving the road accessing the park open. b) Senior Center Sign Mrs. Manwaring reviewed the options and proposed design of the replacement sign at the Senior Center (now called the Active Adult Center). The recommended LED sign would cost approx $29,000 and would be paid for using funds raised by the Seniors in recent years. c) Verified Alarm Response Chief Brennan reviewed the Police Department plans to implement the Verified Intruder Response plan, which was previously approved by Council. d) Wireless Service in City Council Chambers Mike Steinke and Ms. Geyer reviewed the options and recommendations to enable wireless internet access in Council Chambers. Council expressed support of staff’s recommended Option #3 in the packet to install a public, unsecured internet access that would allow all visitors to the Council Chambers access to the internet. e) International Property Maintenance Code Update Mr. Goff and Mr. Johnstone discussed with Council considerations for implementation of maintenance standards in the City. Council supported staff to explore the issues further and for Council to consider options for implementation after the first of the year. f) September 27th Council Meeting – Addition of Study Session Council agreed to hold a Study Session following an expected short Council Meeting on September 27th, 2010 to tend to a long list of issues for Council considerations. 2. Liquor Code Amendment – distance from schools Mr. Goff reviewed options for a staff proposed liquor code change allowing liquor establishments to be licensed within the current 500-foot limit of schools. Council expressed support in considering the removal of distance requirements from schools only for Hotel/Restaurant licenses and requested consideration and input from the Liquor Authority before an Ordinance is brought before Council. 3. Council Rules a) Responding to citizens during Right to Speak Mr. Reinhart led discussion in considering whether to establish a Council Rule restricting Council members from responding to citizens during Citizen Comments at Council Meetings. Staff and several Council Members expressed a desire to maintain their prerogative whether to respond to citizens’ comments. Council agreed to maintain their choice whether to respond to citizens after the closure of the Citizen Comments portion of the meeting. b) Outside testimony during study sessions Council agreed to set a rule to not allow public testimony during Study Sessions unless approval to waive the rules by Council. c) Selection of Mayor Pro Tempore Council discussed and agreed to keep negotiations for the selection of Mayor Pro-Tem transparent, holding open discussions in a Study Session before the election. Council then agreed to Mrs. Langworthy’s suggestion to elect the Mayor Pro-Tem in the future by a secret paper ballot, then to formalize the election by a unanimous vote on the dais. Meeting adjourned at 8:29p.m. Michael Snow City Clerk