Councilmember Weaver has taught a project-based course in the spring for graduate students from CU Denver to tackle current geographical issues with geospatial tools such as GIS. Over the past few years, the course has partnered with City staff to create and address city-specific projects as part of the curriculum. The students will be presenting the outcomes of this semester’s projects to City Council.

Several years before RTD constructed its commuter rail line in the northwest corner of Wheat Ridge, the city initiated several projects to construct a variety of public infrastructure projects that would facilitate and catalyze private sector investment in the area surrounding the Ward Station. One of these projects would construct a pedestrian bridge over the rail tracks and a multiuse trail to connect the area south of the rail tracks directly to the RTD Ward Station. The bridge would include elevator access on both sides as well as a pedestrian plaza with public art, irrigated landscaping and pedestrian lighting to create a high-quality pedestrian amenity. The city agreed in early discussions with RTD staff to maintain the structure. This infrastructure would allow area residents and employees to more safely and conveniently access the station. The city has faced many obstacles in bringing this project to fruition. Also, the costs of the project have escalated significantly since the initial concept was developed leading to staff’s recommendation, at this time, to delay the project and return the TIP grant to DRCOG. Staff are seeking concurrence from the City Council on this recommended action.

In order to implement the Lutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan, the city intends to legislatively rezone the former hospital campus to the newly-created Mixed Use –Lutheran Legacy Campus (MU-LLC) zone district.

In 2015, the Colorado Legislature passed HB15-1348 amending the urban renewal statute requiring certain processes occur upon the adoption of a new plan area or a substantial modification to an existing plan. One requirement is the addition of new board members representing the affected taxing entities. This expands the Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority, dba Renewal Wheat Ridge, membership to thirteen. This ordinance will amend the current code section in the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to provide for the new members.

The City received a request from HCA HealthONE LLC and its affiliate HCA HealthONE Rose to amend the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to allow for freestanding emergency departments (FSED) in the city and for the development of a medical campus at the northwest corner of 38th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.

This ordinance amends Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to update Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) requirements to comply with state legislation and recent policy direction from City Council.

This ordinance amends Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to update residential occupancy limits to comply with a recent update to the City Charter and state legislation.

The Legislative Committee recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution in opposition of HB25-1220 Regulation of Medical Nutrition Therapy.

The Legislative Committee recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution in opposition of HB25-1300 Workers’ Compensation Benefits Proof of Entitlement.

The City is a member of the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation (Jeffco EDC). Councilor Hoppe is Council’s liaison to the EDC and serves as the municipal representative on the board’s executive committee. Jansen Tidmore, President and CEO of the EDC, will provide an overview of the organization’s work including sectors and initiatives, and a recap of 2024 at the study session.

The City of Wheat Ridge’s procurement program supports departments across the City by ensuring millions of dollars in project, supplier and contractor spending is properly solicited and reported, and that best value is achieved. Staff is working to implement software improvements to streamline and modernize this program. In preparation for these changes, staff has revised the existing procurement guidelines to provide increased clarity, improved procedures, increased thresholds to streamline the process, and additional information about legal and ethical requirements.

The Wheat Ridge Police Department applied for and was awarded a grant in the amount of $11,269 from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program for police officer laptop computers. A budget supplemental appropriation is required to amend the budget to accept these funds.

A contract was awarded to Colorado Designscapes, Inc. for the Panorama Park Tennis Courts project by City Council on February 10, 2025. This project was budgeted in the Open Space Fund in 2024; however, the funds were mistakenly not carried forward into the 2025 budget. This resolution will amend the 2025 Open Space Fund budget to fund this project as planned.

A contract was awarded to JOC Contracting, LLC for the Tabor Lake Trail project by City Council on February 10, 2025. This project was budgeted in the Open Space Fund in 2024; however, the funds were mistakenly not carried forward into the 2025 budget. This resolution will amend the 2025 Open Space Fund budget to fund this project as planned.

NOTICE: On Thursday, April 10, the city received a protest objecting to the rezoning of the Lutheran Legacy Campus. A zone change protest is a process created in the City Charter and detailed in the zoning code that gives adjacent property owners the right to protest a zone change. This kind of protest can impact the timing of the public hearing and the number of votes required by Council to approve a zone change. In this case, the public hearing date has been changed from Monday, April 14 to Monday, April 28. Per city code, this change occurs automatically based on the timing of when the protest was submitted. This means no public comment, presentation, discussion, or decision will take place on Monday, April 14. Public comment will be accepted on this item when it is reposted for the April 28 meeting. Links to learn more about zone change protests and how to participate in the April 28 hearing are available here: https://whatsupwheatridge.com/lutheran

The West Metro Fire District has initiated a Community Crisis Response Pilot Program to evaluate a regional team approach to address the rising need for mental health assistance in Jefferson County. The Pilot Program would pair a licensed mental health clinician with EMS personnel and only require police response when necessary. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlines the mission, purpose, and protocols of the Pilot Program.

Staff has completed the second Boards and Commissions Annual Report, highlighting the achievements of each public body through the 2024 calendar year, outlining anticipated activities for 2025, and providing information about current members. Staff liaisons and commission members will attend the April 7, 2025, Study Session to present their updates.

On October 25, 2021, City Council passed ordinance 1723, adding new article XIV to Chapter 11 and updating use schedules in Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to establish a hotel licensing program. Sec. 11-569 of the Code requires the Council to review the implementation of the ordinance every 18 months. This report provides an update about the progress and current status of the hotel licensing program. There are no recommendations for code amendments at this time.