HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Session Notes 07/16/2012
STUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO July 16, 2012 Mayor DiTullio called the Study Session to order at 6:30 p.m. Council Members present: Davis Reinhart, William "Bud" Starker,
Kristi Davis, Joyce Jay, Mike Stites, and George Pond. Members absent: Joseph DeMott and Tracy Langworthy. Also present: City Clerk, Janelle Shaver; City Treasurer, Larry Schulz; City
Manager, Patrick Goff; Police Chief, Daniel Brennan; Community Development Director, Ken Johnstone; Public Works Director, Tim Paranto; Administrative Services Director, Heather Geyer;
staff, and interested citizens. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS Nancy Snow addressed some issues she had regarding the adoption of the 201 0 Model Traffic Code. For the misuse of handicapped
parking passes she encouraged Council to adopt the fine schedule provided in state statues, which has stiffer penalties, rather than allowing our municipal judge to decide the fines.
Moe Keller had a handout containing concerns in the draft noise ordinance. She said the definition of unreasonable noise is good. The wording that allows for an amplified sound event
is confusing and seems to allow a special use permit for amplified sound every day of the year, and exempt these events from the noise ordinance. That is a great concern for the neighbors.
Regarding amplification, it isn't the amplification itself that's the issue, it's the volume of the noise --whether it's a barking dog or a band. It also appears that enforcement is
only for amplified sound and does not apply to all the other violations of noise. The neighbors have questions about what is a mobile noise source. Arvada, Golden. Lakewood, and Denver
all have specific language addressing mufflers, pipes, etc. The problem of cars and motorcycles that either don't have mufflers, or have modified mufflers is not addressed in the ordinance.
She encouraged Council to consider these comments. Steve Keller spoke on the noise ordinance. He referenced an email Council has about Wednesday evening, July 11, when their neighborhood
experienced the most significant noise disturbance they've had in 34 years-with the exception of some 41h of July fireworks. It was motorcycles. In that light he emphasized the importance
of including vehicular noise. He also pointed out that amplified sound at restaurants and outdoor events only needs to reach the patrons of the business, not further away. Laura Jenkins
reported that she has researched noise ordinances in cities in northern Colorado, cities our size, and adjacent cities. She encouraged Council members to research some of these other
towns. In many cases amplified sound is not allowed; if it is -decibels are given or there is a designation of distance. The one protection the neighbors had -distance, has been done
away with now and that is scary to them.
Study Session Notes: July 16, 2012 APPROVALOFAGENDA To accommodate interested citizens that were present, it was agreed to discuss the noise ordinance (Item 6) right after the school
presentation (Item 2). 1. Elected Officials' Report(s) Treasurer Larry Schulz went over an Investment Status Report that he passed out. 2. Jefferson County Schools Presentation Representatives
from Jefferson County School District presented to City their proposal for a Mill Levy Override and Bond election in November 2012. Speakers included: Cindy Stevenson, Superintendent
Jill Fellman, School Board Griff Wirth, Principal, WR High School Warren Blair, Principal, WR 5-8 John Martinez, Principal, Wilmore-Davis Elementary Handouts in the packet included:
• R-1 Budget Highlights 2012-2013 • Jeffco: Just the Facts-May 2012 • Jeffco Fast Facts • Proposed 2012 Bond scope, May 23, 2012 • Mill Levy Override and Bond Ballot Questions R-1 superintendent
Cindy Stevenson focused on the grim financial situation for R-1 . She detailed examples of how the principals are doing more with fewer resources. Things in jeopardy include class size,
396 teachers' jobs, 85 librarians, music programs, outdoor lab, and instructional coaches. In 2013-14 more deductions will come and there will be no more federal money and no more reserves
available. Of note is that Jeffco schools are tied for second in graduation rate of the 50 largest school districts in the nation. Jill Feldman asked for the City's endorsement of the
ballot issues they will be putting before the voters this fall. The $39 million Mill Levy will be used to sustain staffing and programs. The $99 million in Bonds will be for deferred
maintenance on buildings. Council members had questions and shared their thoughts. Guests joined in the discussion. Ms. Stevenson reported she has a resolution available if Council would
like to use it. 3. (Original Item 6) Amendment to the Current Amplified Sound Ordinance Mr. Dahl explained the changes he prepared to the current noise ordinance that would cover amplified
sound. Chief Brennan went over some aspects of the changes. He Page 2 of4
Study Session Notes: July 16, 2012 recommended that after this noise issue is addressed that Council consider addressing the topic of Special Events in general and include noise in that
process. A lengthy discussion addressed various questions and observations made by council members. There was consensus to have staff make further changes to the ordinance, include the
definitions of events and assemblage, and add an administrative permit process for larger events. The issue of mufflers will be addressed in a separate ordinance in the traffic code
at a later date. Before going to 1st reading these changes will be discussed at a special, short study session next week after the Council meeting on July 23. Mayor DiTullio left the
meeting at approximately 8:25PM. After a 5 minute break Mayor Pro Tern Mike Stites resumed the meeting. 4. Staff Report(s) a) Closure of City Parking Lot-381h Ave. Events The owners
of Right Coast Pizza have requested a permit to use the City-owned parking lot next to their business for four special Saturday events during the summer of 2012. Council approval will
be required. Council was supportive of this but doesn't want them to use the date that competes with the Carnation Festival. Mr. Paranto will ask Right Coast Pizza to change their September
25 date and he will prepare the required Right-of-Way Use Permit for the next council meeting. There was a suggestion that Right Coast contact neighboring businesses so they can also
plan something on those dates and times if they wish. b) Architectural and Site Design Manual Update Ken Johnstone reviewed the new version of the Architectural and Site Design Manual
and thanked planner Sarah Showalter for her work on this. • Content hasn't changed that much, but he thinks the new version is more organized and user-friendly. • Most of the updates
deal with architectural requirements and design standards for industrial, commercial and residential -removing the one-size-fits-all model. • It expands the applicability for fa~de modifications
which will be friendlier to new businesses. No formal action is technically required, but given the policy significance of what this document applies to staff asked for a consensus from
Council to print th is document and begin using it. Council agreed. Page 3 of4
Study Session Notes: July 16, 2012 5. Foothills Animal Shelter IGA Heather Geyer asked for consensus to approve a new IGA for the county animal shelter. The IGA merges the previous IGA's
that established Table Mountain Animal Shelter and implemented the Dog License Program into one I GA. Highlights of the new IGA include: • Officially changing the name of the shelter
to Foothills Animal Shelter • Establishes a capital reserve of $500,000 • Establishing an operating reserve equivalent to 25% of annual operating expenses -roughly about 3 months of
operating expenses. • Allocate the Dog License Program revenue (net of administrative costs incurred by the County who currently administers the program) to the operations of FAS • Allocate
the annual City assessments to the annual debt services obligation Council agreed to proceed with the resolution to approve the IGA. 6. Discussion of 2010 Model Traffic Code Chief Brennan
presented the most recent Colorado Model Traffic Code. The City traditionally re-adopts this this every few years and we have not done this since 2003. As a Home Rule municipality this
allows us to adopt a Code that is current with state statutes. He noted the 13 amendments that staff is suggesting. He addressed Mrs. Snow's suggestions during public comment and reminded
Council that Wheat Ridge, by charter, adopts its own fine schedule. The chief would like to put this into effect by November 1. This will give staff time to update the tables and records
management, and use up old citations (tickets) before new ones are ordered. There was consensus to have first reading next Monday, July 23. Additional Note Proposed City ballot issue
Mr. Dahl explained that in writing the ballot question for popular vote election of the mayor, clerk, and treasurer he discovered that the wording for electing city council members actually
did not provide for winning by popular vote. Mr. Dahl will create wording that will provide for popular vote for all municipal elected offices. The study session was adjourned at 9:05
p.m. Page 4 of4