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.

Councilmember Stites was elected as Mayor at the November 4, 2025, election. Mr. Stites resigned from his District III City Council seat on November 10, 2025. Wheat Ridge City Charter Section 4.5 states that “within thirty (30) days after a vacancy occurs on the council, the remaining councilmembers shall choose by majority vote of a duly qualified person from the property district to fill such vacancy”. After advertising for the vacancy, five qualified applications were received from interested candidates for the vacant seat, and interviews were conducted by City Council at the December 1 study session.

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 19, 2026 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day • Study Session, February 16, 2026 – President’s Day • Regular City Council Meeting, May 25, 2026 – Memorial Day • Study Session, September 7, 2026 – Labor Day • Regular City Council Meeting, October 12, 2026 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day • Regular City Council Meeting, December 28, 2026 – Christmas holiday

In 2015, the Colorado Legislature passed HB15-1348 amending the urban renewal statute requiring the expansion of board membership, among other things, upon the adoption of a new plan area or a substantial modification to an existing plan. City Council amended the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws on May 12, 2025, to comply with HB15-1348. This motion will ratify the Mayor’s recommendations to appoint three new members to the Urban Renewal Authority dba Renewal Wheat Ridge (RWR).

The state legislature created the Transit Oriented Communities Infrastructure (TOCI) grant program, as part of House Bill 24-1313, to fund eligible public infrastructure projects that support affordable housing for state-certified Transit Oriented Communities (TOC). The city is pursuing early certification and plans to apply for the first round of grant funds to support Foothills Regional Housing (FRH) in upsizing sanitary sewer lines to construct phase two of the Ives affordable development. The city will serve as the pass-through entity on behalf of Foothills Regional Housing. The grant would cover 75% of total project costs and FRH will provide the required 25% local match. A City Council resolution of support is required for the TOCI application.

The state legislature created the Transit Oriented Communities’ Infrastructure (TOCI) grant program, as part of House Bill 24-1313, to fund eligible public infrastructure projects that support affordable housing for state-certified Transit Oriented Communities (TOC). The city is pursuing early certification and plans to apply for the first round of grant funds to support Foothills Regional Housing (FRH) in providing major infrastructure improvements to three main roadways as part of the Ridge Road Master Plan Redevelopment. The city will serve as the pass-through entity on behalf of Foothills Regional Housing. The grant would cover 75% of total project costs and FRH will provide the required 25% local match. A City Council resolution of support is required for the TOCI application.