HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Session Notes 06/20/2011
STUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO Council Chambers 7500 W. 29th Ave. June 20, 2011 Mayor DiTullio called the Study Session to order at 6:30 p.m. Council Members present:
Davis Reinhart, Karen Adams, Tracy Langworthy, Wanda Sang, Mike Stites, Karen Berry, Joseph DeMott and Joyce Jay. Also present: City Manager, Patrick Goff; Administrative Services Director,
Heather Geyer; Community Development Director, Kenneth Johnstone; Parks and Recreation Director, Joyce Manwaring; Economic Development Manager, Steve Art; Senior Planner, Sally Payne;
Planner, Sarah Showalter; Deputy City Clerk, Bruce Roome; City Treasurer, Larry Schulz; staff and interested citizens. Planning Commission members present: Scott Ohm, Alan Bucknam, Tracy
Guildner, George Pond, Anne Brinkman, Steve Timms and Marc Dietrick APPROVAL OF AGENDA .1. Staff Report(s) a) Columbus Day Parade Mr. Goff informed the Council that the City has been
approached by the organizers of the annual Columbus Day Parade. The parade is usually in Denver but this year the organizers would like to move the venue to the City of Wheat Ridge.
Mr. Goff estimated direct costs to the City at $8,000 which includes barricades, traffic control, dumpsters, trash clean-up, and Police Department overtime, plus an additional $8,000
of in-kind expenses such as overtime in other departments, equipment, and usage of the equipment which can be absorbed in the budget. The parade is held annually in October and the organizers
need a decision as soon as possible. Should Council want to proceed, a Resolution approving closure of the street would be placed on the agenda at the June 2th Council meeting. The majority
of Council was not in support of the parade moving to Wheat Ridge at this time.
b) Wheat Ridge Foundation Update Mrs. Manwaring discussed the background of the Wheat Ridge Foundation which was set up in 2003 by the City of Wheat Ridge for the purpose of having a
charitable organization in place that could accept tax deductible donations to support city programs. Since then the organization has evolved and their structure has allowed them to
change their articles of incorporation and their bylaws which allows them to make decisions independently without City Council approval. Their current direction is to focus on becoming
more of a community foundation. They currently work with the Carnation Festival, high school booster clubs, and the feed the future backpack program which are broader scope than only
City programs. In the future the Board of Directors of the foundation would like to attend a study session when they have completed the changes in mission statement, name, and articles
of incorporation to provide Council with a more in depth report. 2. 38th Avenue Corridor Plan/Joint Session Item Mr. Johnstone, Ms. Payne and Ms. Showalter presented a summary of the
38th Avenue Stakeholder meetings that have been held. It is anticipated the final plan will be completed and ready to go before the Planning Commission and City Council for adoption
this fall. Mr. Johnstone asked for policy direction from Council whether they want the committee to proceed with the design of the road diet as well as continuing with the Civic Center
concept on 38th Avenue and if the proposed sub-districts make sense. Council was in support of staff moving forward with all facets of the plan as presented. ~ Comcast Franchise Issue
Ms. Geyer discussed the current situation regarding the Com cast franchise agreement. The current Comcast franchise expires on April 1, 2013 and the negotiation process for renewal will
commence soon. City Attorney Dahl prepared a memo outlining three options for handling a renewal of the franchise, which are: 1. Do not hold an election on the franchise renewal, relying,
instead, on the likelihood of federal law preemption of the Charter requirement. This is Mr. Dahl's recommended option. 2. Require an election for renewal, which may well trigger a legal
challenge from any potential franchisee, or
3. Place a ballot question on the November 2011 ballot to repeal Charter Section 15.6(a), which requires an election for approval of franchises in the City of Wheat Ridge. Council was
unanimous in support of moving forward with option 1 and also option 3. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM. Bruce Roome Deputy City Clerk