HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Study Session Notes 07/23/2012
SPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO July 23, 2012 Mayor DiTullio called the Study Session to order at 8:53p.m. Council Members present: Davis Reinhart, William
"Bud" Starker, Joyce Jay, Kristi Davis, Mike Stites, George Pond, Tracy Langworthy, and Joseph DeMott. Also present: City Clerk, Janelle Shaver; Bruce Roome, Deputy City Clerk; City
Treasurer, Larry Schulz; City Manager, Patrick Goff; City Attorney, Gerald Dahl; Administrative Services Director, Heather Geyer; Public Works Director Tim Paranto; staff and interested
citizens. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS Jesse Hill spoke about the possible ballot question. He is more concerned about the process. There are no records on the retreat and no records
of what has been going on in the process. People often want to know more about specifics (what their tax dollars are going for) rather than the general vision. They want honesty in practice,
sun-setting, openness and transparency. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Elected Officials Reports Mr.Starker informed Council that Mr. Paranto has negotiated with Denver Water to turn over to the
City the conduit from the Ashland Reservoir project. There is money set aside to address the flooding problem on Chase Street south of 29th. When the conduit is turned over in 2013 he
would like to see a drainage project for that Chase location. There was consensus to have Mr. Paranto pursue that drainage project in 2013, a year ahead of the original schedule of 2014.
Mr. Reinhart reported that additional pressure from Lakewood and the County Commissioners (on behalf of residents of unincorporated Jefferson County) has led RTD to reconsider the complete
elimination of the 32 bus. Mr. Reinhart hasn't seen the schedule but thinks the route will running from 6 am to 7 pm . .L Phone Poll Results Presentation At the annual retreat in May
Council focused on the financial sustainability of the City, and directed staff to conduct a phone poll of WR citizens to ascertain their level of support for new or increased revenue
sources for capital improvement projects. Lori Weigel of Public Opinion Strategies reviewed the results of the phone poll which surveyed 300 residents. Citizens were questioned about
two issues: 1) Raising the city
SPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES: January 9, 2012 Page -2-sales tax from 3/4% to 1%, and 2) The idea of an increase in property taxes. Opinions were evenly split on both issues. Mrs. Weigel
suggested the City might consider: • Adding accountability provisions to overcome concerns about government waste. • Stating that funds can only be used for a specific purpose • Adding
a sunset provision -which is popular with citizens. • Proposing revenue increases in general election years (even years) rather than odd years. • A citizen support committee would be
helpful in passing a revenue increase. There was general concern by council members that there isn't enough time to put a decent plan together for putting this on the ballot. Council
needs to do more homework and identify specific projects. This just isn't the year to do it. 2. Noise Ordinance Mr. Dahl reported on the process of writing the ordinance changes and
went over the major provisions. • There are two major portions to the ordinance: the existing noise regulations, and the new administrative permit process for amplified sound events.
• The 25 feet limit in the current ordinance will continue to apply to most circumstances even if an amplifier is involved. If the sound is not audible outside the 25 feet, there is
no need to go through the permit process. • The definition of unreasonable sound is not changed. • The permit process is administrative. • Exemptions include school and church bells,
city sponsored events Discussion followed focusing on conditions of the permit process including the issues of the 25 feet distance limit; the number of hours a permitted amplified sound
event can be held; the lateness of the hours for an event; the number of times allowed per year; what should be administrative and what should go in the ordinance; whether private, permitted
events held on City owned property are exempt; loud vs unreasonable. There was consensus to proceed to first reading and to include in the ordinance: • 4 hours per event, with administrative
discretion discretion to go above this amount • 4 permits per year, with administrative discretion to go above this amount • Neighborhood notification • A 25 feet distance limit for
unreasonable noise. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.