City Clerk Steve Kirkpatrick was re-elected during the November 7, 2023, Election. City Clerk Kirkpatrick tragically passed in February of 2025. An initiative was added to the ballot during the November 4, 2025, Election to have both the City Clerk and City Treasurer positions appointed following the completion of the term. This ballot initiative failed, and therefore it is necessary to appoint a City Clerk to finish out the term ending in November of 2027. Wheat Ridge City Charter Section 3.11 (c) states that “If a vacancy occurs in the office of the City Clerk or City Treasurer, no special election shall be called but such vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the council for the remainder of the term”. After advertising the vacancy, one qualified application was received from an interested candidate for the vacant seat. An interview will be conducted by City Council at the February 2nd study session and appointment will be made at the February 9th regular meeting.

The purpose of this study session is to discuss proposed amendments to the Wheat Ridge sign code and to receive City Council direction prior to initiating the formal public hearing process for a code amendment. This memorandum is organized in two parts. The first focuses on whether and under what conditions digital billboards should be allowed in Wheat Ridge. The second outlines additional, non-billboard sign code amendments intended to modernize the code and improve flexibility for local businesses, regardless of whether digital billboards are allowed. At the February 2, 2026, study session, Council will be asked to provide directions on the following: • Whether there is interest in allowing digital billboards in Wheat Ridge; • If so, what limitations should apply (e.g., quantity, spacing, and selection method); and • Whether Council supports moving forward with other proposed sign code amendments that are intended to be more business friendly.

City Council approved a resolution in June 2024 authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Tax Increment Revenue Agreement allowing for Renewal Wheat Ridge (RWR) to retain 100% of the City property tax increment generated within the Lutheran Legacy Campus redevelopment. Because the Lutheran Legacy Campus Urban Renewal Plan was not approved until 2025, an amendment is required to change the duration of the tax increment period to 2050, to ensure RWR is capturing the full 25-year period of tax increment as provided by Colorado Urban Renewal Law.

The City is required to provide workers’ compensation insurance to its workforce. In 2020, the City contracted with Pinnacol Assurance to provide workers compensation coverage. The January through December billing for 2026 is estimated and budgeted in the amount of $343,510. Staff requests approval of the estimated 2026 total expenditure so that monthly payments can be made in a timely manner.

The City of Wheat Ridge was awarded $180,099.50 from Jefferson County Parks and Open Space (JCPOS) Trails Partnership Program. The award is approximately 25% of the estimated cost for asphalt mill and overlay work at Anderson and Prospect Parks parking lots in 2026. To receive the funding as reimbursement after the project is completed, the City must accept the grant award by directing the Mayor to sign the attached Grant Agreement.

On May 14, 2013, an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) was reached between the County of Jefferson and the Cities of Arvada, Lakewood, and Wheat Ridge establishing the Jefferson County Regional Crime Laboratory (JCRCL) to regionalize forensic crime laboratory services. This will be the 3rd Amendment to the original IGA between the lab and all regional partners, including the City of Wheat Ridge which adds a definition of end-user agencies and procedures to join the JCRCL via a board vote versus an amendment to the IGA and removes the on-gong annual $10,000 fee that was initially charged to Boulder County to join the IGA.

This ordinance amends the penalty authority of the municipal court for municipal code offenses which are identical to state law offenses (including, importantly, theft and shoplifting). This change is required as a result of a December 22, 2025, decision of the Colorado Supreme Court.

Noise produced by motor vehicles with noncompliant, altered, or missing mufflers is injurious to the public health and welfare. This ordinance adopts muffler-specific Code requirements to better address vehicular exhaust noise and its control.

The 38th Avenue Corridor, between Wadsworth and Sheridan Boulevards, has long been recognized as a priority redevelopment area in Wheat Ridge. In 2011, the 38th Avenue Corridor Plan confirmed the area east of Wadsworth as a redevelopment priority and set forth a vision to transform the corridor into the community’s Main Street. In November 2023, Wheat Ridge voters approved the 2J sales tax extension, which focuses on funding critical public infrastructure projects including a “refresh” of 38th Avenue to achieve connectivity, safety, and placemaking goals. RVi Planning and Landscape Architecture was selected after a thorough request for proposal process as the contractor for this project.

The Parks and Recreation and Community Development Departments seek to apply for funding from the Jefferson County Parks and Open Space (JCPOS) Land Conservation Partnership Program to purchase an approximately 1.15-acre parcel at Taft Ct. and W. 51st Ave from the Regional Transportation District (RTD) for a future neighborhood park. The program will fund up to 25% of the cost of land acquisition, provided the land becomes a public park or open space area. A resolution of support is required from City Council to apply for this funding program.

State statutes require that each municipality annually establish the location for posting public notices, as well as the newspaper in which the notices will be published. Local government entities are also allowed to publish notices online for public meetings. These include meetings at which the adoption of any proposed policy, position, resolution, rule, regulation, or formal action occurs or meetings at which a majority or quorum of the body is in attendance.

The City Council Study Session on March 16, 2026, currently coincides with the NLC Conference located in Washington D.C. As multiple members of the City Council will be attending the NLC Conference when this meeting is scheduled to occur, staff is requesting to cancel the March 16, 2026, Study Session.

The City offers employees a number of benefits in order to attract and retain a high-quality workforce. In 2023, the City joined the Colorado Employer Benefit Trust (CEBT) to provide a greater choice than previously offered of medical plans along with dental, vision, employee assistance program (EAP) and life insurance coverage. January through December billing is estimated and budgeted in the amount of $2,775,977. Staff requests approval of the estimated 2026 total expenditure so that monthly payments can be made in a timely manner.

The Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA) provides property and casualty coverage for the City of Wheat Ridge. The total premium payment due for 2026 is $720,064 and is split into quarterly payments.

This ordinance amends the penalty authority of the municipal court for municipal code offenses which are identical to state law offenses (including, importantly, theft and shoplifting). This change is required as a result of a December 22, 2025, decision of the Colorado Supreme Court.

Each year City Council Members elect by a majority vote a Mayor Pro Tem who serves until their successor is elected. The election is conducted according to Section III (B) of the City Council Rules of Order and Procedure as follows: B. MAYOR PRO TEM 1. At the first or second Regular meeting in January of each year, the Council shall elect a Mayor Pro Tem who shall serve until their successor is elected. The procedure shall be as follows: a) The Chair will announce that the floor is open for nominations for the position of Mayor Pro Tem. b) Nominations will be taken from City Council members by voice. No second is needed. c) Each nominee will have the opportunity to address the Council. d) A motion and second is then in order to elect one of the nominees to the position of Mayor Pro Tem. If the motion is not carried, additional motions are in order until a Mayor Pro Tem is elected by a majority of Council present.

While reviewing the licensing procedures for amusement arcades, it became apparent that this section of the Code of Laws is outdated and no longer necessary for the protection of the public health, safety or welfare of the residents of Wheat Ridge.