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City Council – City Council Meeting
Mon, Dec 9, 2024 at 6:30pm
16 Agenda Items
Virtual and In-Person
Public's Right to Speak
Item No 1a - MOTION - amend HDR contract for Ward Station
Additional services are needed from HDR, Inc., to complete the valuation and acquisition negotiation for various land parcels needed to construct the Ward Station Multi-Modal Improvements project.
Item No. 1b - MOTION - amend contract with HDR for Wadsworth
On-going design support services are needed from the design engineer, HDR, Inc., through the remainder of the construction phase for the Improve Wadsworth project.
Item No. 1c - MOTION - contract with SEH for Ward Station
The design plans and associated documents for the Ward Station Multi-Modal Project are approximately 90% complete. Due to on-going coordination issues with various agencies, it is necessary to approve a contract with Short-Elliot-Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) for professional design services to complete the design of this project.
Item No. 1d - MOTION - contract with AECOM for Wadsworth
On-going construction management services are needed from AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for the 2025 construction period of the Improve Wadsworth project. A new contract has been established to specify deliverables associated with these efforts.
Item No. 1e - MOTION - adopt 2025 City Council Mtg Calendar
The calendar of the City Council meetings is adopted by a motion of the City Council annually. Adopting the meeting calendar for the year is more efficient and enables the Mayor, Council, and staff to schedule other events and travel in advance. The Council will be able to amend the calendar by motion throughout the year, if necessary. The following City Council meetings that conflict with observed City holidays or other known events during the year are recommended for cancellation. • Study Session, January 20, 2025 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day • Study Session, February 17, 2025 – President’s Day • Regular City Council Meeting, May 26, 2025 – Memorial Day • Study Session, September 1, 2025 – Labor Day Council may want to also consider the following City Council meetings that conflict with other meetings or community events: • Regular City Council Meeting, March 10, 2025 – National League of Cities Conference • Regular City Council Meeting, March 24, 2025 – Jeffco Schools spring break • Regular City Council Meeting, December 22, 2025 – Christmas holiday
Item No. 1f - MOTION - contract with Paycom for HRIS system
Over the course of the last three years, the City has evaluated its systems and business processes in order to streamline and modernize essential organizational functions. The City has selected five systems to drive efficiency and modernize business practices across the enterprise. The fourth system to be purchased and implemented is Paycom which will modernize employee operations and practices including personnel, payroll, recruiting, onboarding, performance management and training.
Item No. 2 - ORD - amend WR Code of Laws muni contractors
• Open for comment
Chapter 21 of the city’s municipal code provides for construction and other work activities within or upon the public right-of-way while protecting the integrity of the roadway network and city-owned infrastructure. This ordinance adds or modifies language to the municipal code to address various construction-related provisions and streamlines the licensing provisions.
Item No. 3 - ORD - amend WR Code of Laws bldg contractors
• Open for comment
The City’s Community Development Department manages the licensing of building contractors. Currently there are 14 license categories and over 3400 active licenses. This ordinance simplifies the licensing framework.
Item No. 4 - ORD - sale of city-owned property on 38th
• Open for comment
The City was approached by Kyle and Erin Ballew for a proposed retail development, DOP’s Sweet Spot, at the southwest corner of 38th Avenue and Johnson Street. The 29,810 square foot parcel is owned by the City of Wheat Ridge and was rezoned to Planned Commercial Development in 2008. Permitted uses on the subject property include any land use allowed in the City’s Restricted Commercial zone district. This proposed retail use would be a permitted use. Only 25,378 square feet of the parcel would be sold and the remaining 4,432 would be retained by the City for regional drainage. Section 16.5 of the City Charter states that “The City shall not sell or dispose of municipally owned buildings or real property for a public purpose, without first obtaining the approval, by ordinance, of three-fourths of the entire council.”
Item No. 5 - amend PMUD zoning at Clear Creek
The applicant is requesting to modify the underlying zoning for certain areas of Clear Creek Crossing to refine allowed uses, setbacks, street, plaza, and multi-modal requirements. The intent of these changes is to relocate the main restaurant and entertainment district to the western edge of the site and to create a premiere pedestrian corridor to connect users from W. 40th Avenue.
Item No 6 - ORD - WR Code of Laws re: Natural Medicine
In 2023, the Colorado General Assembly approved the Colorado Natural Medicine Act, creating a regulatory structure for natural medicines and the operation of licensed healing centers. Under the Act, the city may regulate the time, place and manner of healing centers licensed by the state, but the City may not prohibit the uses entirely. This ordinance allows healing centers in the City’s commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zone districts in a manner similar to medical offices. The ordinance also memorializes the state-enacted separation from schools and daycares.
Item No. 7 - ORD - Amend Prospect Park development plan
Applewood RV Resort, LLC is requesting approval of an amendment to the Prospect Park Place ODP at property located at 11600 W. 44th Avenue. The purpose of the request is to amend the existing zoning to expand RV camping uses onto Lot 1, located on the northernmost portion of the site.
Item No. 8 - MOTION - install traffic calming devices
• Open for comment
During the 2024 Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP), four roadway segments met the criteria to receive traffic calming based on the program’s eligibility requirements. These four projects will be constructed in 2025.
Item No. 9 - RESO - amend budget transfer 2E to CIP fund
• Open for comment
The 2E fund, established to separate and track revenues and expenditures commensurate with the 2017 sales tax bond issuance, has a remaining balance of approximately $12.6 million. In discussions with Council prior to the 2J bond issuance, it was agreed that $7.4 million would be used to pay down the 2017 bonds and approximately $5.2 million would be transferred to the CIP Fund to defray remaining costs of the Improve Wadsworth project. This resolution authorizes the necessary supplemental appropriations to defease the remaining debt service on the 2017 bonds, complete the transfer to the CIP Fund and close the 2E Fund.
Item No. 10 - MOTION - transfer property from MHFD
• Open for comment
The Mile High Flood District and City staff have recently been working with the property owner of 4131 Kipling Street to acquire a portion of the parcel which is located within the Clear Creek floodway. The floodway is a critical area within the floodplain which cannot be developed and is essential to carry flood flows. Acquiring this property allows the City to manage flood risk, protect the floodway’s functionality, and provide trailhead improvements.
Planning Commission – Regular Meeting
Thu, Dec 19, 2024 at 6:30pm
1 Agenda Items
Virtual and in-person. Click for more information.
Specific Development Plan at 4001 Clear Creek Dr
• Open for comment
Request for approval of a Specific Development Plan for a Bonfire Burritos drive-thru restaurant in Planning Area 6 of the Clear Creek Crossing development.
Past Meetings
City Council – Study Session
Mon, Dec 2, 2024 at 6:30pm
4 Agenda Items
Virtual and In-Person
Public's Right to Speak
Item No. 1 - MEMO - Model Traffic Code
“Because of the significant mobility of today’s traffic and the influx of motorists from many areas, every driver has a right to expect the rules governing the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on streets and highways are clearly defined and reasonably uniform throughout the state and the nation. The General Assembly of the State of Colorado has recognized that conflicts between the state’s traffic laws, and municipal traffic ordinances lead to inconsistencies in the movement of traffic and has strengthened the requirements for uniformity of traffic regulations.” (Model Traffic Code for Colorado 2024-Colorado Department of Transportation) The City of Wheat Ridge is bound by the laws and guidance of the State of Colorado and as such, we are required to periodically review the City of Wheat Ridge Municipal Traffic Code to ensure conformance with the state mandate as a subservient or secondary traffic management plan to the State of Colorado Traffic Ordinances. The Wheat Ridge Police Department periodically reviews the City of Wheat Ridge Municipal Code to align with state traffic code changes and ensure consistency across all Colorado roads. The newest version of the Colorado Model Traffic Code was adopted and installed in 2024. The updated Model Traffic Code re-enforces and provides additional guidance and resources to serve more comprehensively those who use the roads in Colorado as well as those who utilize the roads within Wheat Ridge. The newest guidance, changes, and updates along with the addition of new technology and resources will allow Wheat Ridge employees (Police and Courts) to address emerging trends and driving behaviors that have become problematic within Wheat Ridge. The addition of new vehicle technology, cultural attitudes, and intentions was the impetus of many of the changes in the 2024 Model Traffic Code. The ability to address more comprehensively those driving behaviors and trends allows Wheat Ridge employees the opportunity to ensure our community safety and advance the city’s core values with persons using the roads within the Wheat Ridge community.
Item No. 2 - MEMO - Natural Medicine Regulation
The Colorado General Assembly has recently enacted Senate Bill 23-290, codified at CRS 44- 50-101, creating a regulatory structure for the operation of licensed facilities for the supervised use of natural medicines by individuals age 21 and over. The Act creates a state agency responsible for licensing and registration of facilities and related businesses that provide for the use, cultivation, manufacture, and testing of these substances. Further, the state licensing authority will not issue licenses for any building which is within 1000 feet of a childcare center, preschool, elementary, middle, junior high school, or residential childcare facility. While the state statute does not require local governments to enact any local regulations of natural medicine businesses, the City has the authority to do so, and several municipalities across the state have chosen to enact various forms of regulation, while other communities have decided not to. Under the Act, the City may regulate the time, place and manner of the operation of healing centers licensed by the state but may not prohibit the uses entirely. The City may not prohibit licensed health care facilities or individuals from providing natural medicine services within the City, nor may it prohibit the transportation of natural medicine on public roads within the City. Finally, according to the Act, the City may not impose regulations that are “unreasonable or in conflict with the [Act].”
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Item No. 3 - MEMO - Unclaimed Property
Aaron McCauley of the state treasurer's office has written to advise of a state statute govering unclaimed property. A copy of his letter is attached. The statute referenced is the Colorado Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, CRS 38-13-101 et seq. (the “Act’). The Act generally requires holders of unclaimed property, such as the City, to disburse unclaimed cash and cash instruments to the state treasurer. I conclude the City may exempt itself from the Act, but only if it has adopted a local ordinance concerning unclaimed property which conflicts with the Act. The Act codifies a common law rule that unclaimed property escheats (is forfeited to) the state. The focus of the Act is unclaimed money, in all of its various forms, including cash, checks, deposits, gameplay cards, currency, financial loyalty cards, gift cards, money orders, mineral lease royalties, etc. The sole exception is in the definition of tangible property: exclusively to the contents of an abandoned or unclaimed safe deposit box. Clearly, the state does not want unclaimed motor vehicles, bicycles, furniture, or any other form of abandoned property. The state treasurer only wants cash or cash equivalents.
City Council – City Council Meeting
Mon, Nov 25, 2024 at 6:30pm
8 Agenda Items
Virtual and In-Person
Public's Right to Speak
Item No. 1 - RESO - Budget Adoption
Approved
Sections 10.7 and 10.9 of the Wheat Ridge City Charter require that a public hearing on the proposed budget be conducted before its final adoption and that the budget be adopted by resolution on or before the final day (December 15, 2024) established by state statute for the certification of the next year’s tax levy to the county. The proposed 2025 budget includes the following: • A General Fund budget in the amount of $48,765,853 • An unrestricted fund balance of $8,312,000 or 17% of expenditures plus 3% emergency reserves ($1,462,976) • Proposed CIP Fund in the amount of $12,443,000 • Proposed Renewal Wheat Ridge Bonds Project Fund in the amount of $13,560,000 • Proposed 2J Fund in the total amount of $12,829,361 • Special Revenue Funds in the amount of $8,027,596 • Proposed budget (all funds) in the amount of $95,625,810 Additionally, this resolution establishes the 2J Next Chapter Bond Fund and authorizes spending in 2024; authorizes the General Fund portion of short-term rental lodgers’ tax to remain in the General Fund to be used for general operating expenditures in 2024 and 2025; and reduces the Renewal Wheat Ridge Bond Fund 2024 budget so that the budgeted ending fund balance is $0.00.
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Item No. 2 - ORD - amend WR Code of Laws ROW and licensing
Approved
Chapter 21 of the city’s municipal code provides for construction and other work activities within or upon the public right-of-way while protecting the integrity of the roadway network and city-owned infrastructure. This ordinance adds or modifies language to the municipal code to address various construction-related provisions and streamlines the licensing provisions.
Item No. 3 - ORD - amend WR Code of Laws contract licensing
Approved
The City’s Community Development Department manages the licensing of building contractors. Currently there are 14 license categories and over 3400 active licenses. This ordinance simplifies the licensing framework.
Item No. 4 - ORD - sale of City property
Approved
The City was approached by Kyle and Erin Ballew for a proposed retail development, DOP’s Sweet Spot, at the southwest corner of 38th Avenue and Johnson Street. The 29,810 square foot parcel is owned by the City of Wheat Ridge and was rezoned to Planned Commercial Development in 2008. Permitted uses on the subject property include any land use allowed in the City’s Restricted Commercial zone district. This proposed retail use would be a permitted use. Only 25,378 square feet of the parcel would be sold and the remaining 4,432 would be retained by the City for regional drainage. Section 16.5 of the City Charter states that “The City shall not sell or dispose of municipally owned buildings or real property for a public purpose, without first obtaining the approval, by ordinance, of three-fourths of the entire council.”
Item No. 5 - RESO - Mill Levy
Approved
This resolution authorizes the levying of property taxes for the 2024 fiscal year to help defray the cost of government in 2025.
Item No. 6 - RESO - amend Parks and Rec Master Plan
Approved
The 2015 Parks and Recreation Master Plan was adopted by City Council on April 27, 2015. The Plan designates certain parcels in the City as park land. In 2008, City Council approved an ordinance rezoning the property which is now Discovery Park. The Outline Development Plan included a condition that up to 36,000 square feet of the northern portion of the site may be used for commercial uses. However, the park land designation on this portion of the site was not removed. This resolution will amend the 2015 Parks and Recreation Master Plan to remove the park land designation from this remanent parcel.
Item No. 7 - MOTION - OpenGov contract
Approved
Over the course of the last three years, the City has evaluated its systems and business processes in order to streamline and modernize essential organizational functions. The City has selected five systems to drive efficiency and modernize business practices across the enterprise. The third system to be purchased and implemented is OpenGov Financials which will modernize financial practices and improve budgeting and procurement processes.
Planning Commission – Regular Meeting
Thu, Nov 21, 2024 at 6:30pm
3 Agenda Items
Virtual and in-person. Click for more information.
Download Packet
Outline Development Plan at 11600 W 44th Ave
Approved
Case No. WZ-24-07 is an application for approval of an amendment to Phase II of the Prospect Park Place ODP for property located at 11600 W. 44th Avenue. The purpose of the request is to amend the existing ODP to allow RV camping uses on Lot 1, Phase II, located on the northernmost portion of the site.
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Outline Development Plan at Clear Creek Crossing
Approved
Request for approval of an amendment to the underlying zoning to revise uses and standards impacting Planning Areas 3 and 6 at Clear Creek Crossing.
Specific Development Plan at SEC 40th Ave and Clear Cre...
Approved
Request for approval of a Specific Development Plan (SDP) for a Home2 Suites Hotel in the Clear Creek Crossing Planned Mixed Use Development (PMUD).
City Council – City Council Study Session
Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 6:30pm
3 Agenda Items
Virtual and In-Person
Public's Right to Speak
Item No. 1 - MEMO - Stormwater Master Plan Update
Staff will present the outcomes and recommendations of the draft Stormwater System Master Plan along with recommendations for implementation of various capital projects focused on system enhancements to prevent flooding, maintenance of the existing system, and various operational needs. A stormwater utility is recommended to be established which would provide a dedicated funding source for the operational and capital needs of the overall program.
Item No. 2 - MEMO - Residential Waste Engagement
The purpose of this study session is to provide City Council with a final update on the Residential Waste Engagement Project. This session will focus on the results from the Phase 3 public engagement and present the final recommendations developed based on the comprehensive public input and data gathered throughout the project. Council will also have the opportunity to provide feedback on these recommendations, and staff will seek consensus on moving forward with the immediate next steps identified at the end of this memo.
Planning Commission – Regular Meeting
Thu, Nov 7, 2024 at 6:30pm
2 Agenda Items
Virtual and In-person. Click for more information.
Download Packet
Specific Development Plan at 3905 Clear Creek Drive
Pending
Approval of a Specific Development Plan (SDP) for a Primrose School daycare center in the Clear Creek Crossing Planned Mixed Use Development (PMUD).
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Study Session - Lutheran Legacy Campus Updates
Pending
The purpose of this study session is to present an outline of the updated draft Lutheran Legacy Campus zoning requirements to Planning Commission, which will serve as a preview of the full ordinance that will be presented at future public hearings at Planning Commission and City Council. This outline is similar to the one presented to City Council on October 7, 2024. A rough draft of the regulations is also provided for Planning Commission's review.
View all past meetings