An update to the City Plan process, including an overview of the public review draft; a discussion with Planning Commission to receive a final round of feedback on the plan content before anticipated adoption

In June of 2025, the resignation of two Cultural Commission and one Planning Commission member was received leaving vacancies on those Commissions. In addition, during the review period, it was realized that a Planning Commission member currently serving in a District IV seat, resides in District I. Staff proposes moving the District IV member into the correct District I vacancy and appointing a new member into the District IV seat. Inclusive of the reappointment of an existing Planning Commissioner to the district in which they reside, there are four appointments to make at this meeting.

The Parks and Recreation Department is in the final stages of completing a 10-year master plan update, The Parks and Recreation Pathway. The document is currently in draft form, and the project team is seeking feedback from City Council and staff before compiling the final document.

On April 7, 2025, the resignation of one Sustainable Wheat Ridge member and one IDEA Committee member were received leaving two open vacancies on the City of Wheat Ridge, Board, Commissions, and Committees.

During the 2022 budget process, City Council asked staff to prepare a Facilities Master Plan (FMP) to assess the current and future needs of City facilities. The City contracted with Stantec to develop a comprehensive FMP for all primary City functions, with the goal of developing a roadmap and living documents for facility decisions over the next decade. City Council consensus was reached at the February 5, 2024, study session to move forward with the recommendations of the FMP and to bring back next steps. One recommendation from the FMP is to co-locate and expand the Public Works and Parks Shops at one site. The recommended direction is to acquire a parcel(s) directly south of the existing Public Works Shop space, off 44th Avenue, to make this expansion possible. The City was contacted by a broker representing the property owner of 11221 W. 44th Avenue to determine if the City would be interested in purchasing the property. Since the purchase of this property would further the goal of co-locating and expanding the Public Works and Parks Shops, staff has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to purchase the property for $2.1 million. The purpose of this study session agenda item is to determine if City Council would like to proceed to an official contract to purchase this property.

The Green at 38th project includes funding for public art. The process for selecting public art is defined in the Public Art Management Plan. Per this process, a public art piece called “Fun, Fun, Fungi” has been commissioned. David Farquharson’s proposal was selected by an appointed committee for recommendation to the Cultural Commission. The Cultural Commission reviewed the proposal and per the defined process would like to make a recommendation to City Council for acceptance and purchase. The purchase price of $60,000 includes design, construction, installation, and documentation.

In response to a request from Swiss Flower and Gifts, Staff proposes changes to the City’s Social Club License to allow low-impact social club activities and to exempt them from the standard application process, associated fees, and various social club regulations.

As drones become more prevalent in society, for both commercial and private use, the adoption of an ordinance to assist in governing the use of drones within the Wheat Ridge City limits may be necessary to ensure those flying drones will honor the city’s values, culture and peace. Currently, the City depends primarily on the FAA rules as it pertains to the appropriate operation of drones. Staff are seeking council guidance regarding the potential adoption of an ordinance governing the use of drones within the City and will present information, options and examples for the discussion.

This ordinance corrects minor discrepancies in the city's landscaping regulations and clarifies how maximum allowable limits are calculated.

The Wheat Ridge Police Department and the Jefferson County R-1 School District have worked together for several years and participated in the School Resource Officer Program. The primary mission of the School Resource Officer Program is to provide formal instruction, informal consultation and mediation, enforcement, and problem solving for the school communities. A formal, written, intergovernmental agreement between the City and the District concerning School Resource Officers has been in place for over ten (10) years. The District has requested the intergovernmental agreement be reviewed and re-accomplished. As part of the Police Department’s commitment to national accreditation, an intergovernmental agreement between the District and the City is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. The attached intergovernmental agreement is similar to formal written agreements established between other national accredited police departments and public-school districts.

Chapter III of the City’s Charter establishes that there shall be an elected City Clerk (sec. 3.7-3.8) and an elected City Treasurer (sec 3.9-3.10). Qualifications for each role match that of the members of Mayor and Council: • Registered voter • 18 years of age • Resident of the City of Wheat Ridge for at least one-year preceding election day • Maintain residency throughout the term of office • May not be a candidate for more than one office at the same election or hold two municipal offices simultaneously In recent years, Council has shown interest in proposing a charter amendment to the Wheat Ridge electorate that would eliminate the elected roles of Clerk and Treasurer. With the tragic passing of Clerk Steve Kirkpatrick and the resulting vacancy, members of Council requested a timely discussion on the matter.

The Legislative Committee recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution in support of SB25-030 Increase Transportation Mode Choice Reduce Emissions.

On January 31 and February 1, 2025, City Council held a retreat to discuss their aspirations for Wheat Ridge over the next 15 years. At the retreat, Council worked on creating new vision and mission statements and agreed that Councilors Hoppe and Hultin would propose a final version of each for consideration. Included with this report are the final draft statements, ideals to support and operationalize the vision and mission, and priorities for 2025 and 2026 that draw from the existing workplan. While staff is focused on a lengthily immediate workplan, city management recommends Council move forward with a final version of the vision and mission and allow the next Council to finalize specific goals and priorities for 2027 and beyond.

This ordinance will make changes to the city's current ADU regulations to comply with state law and Council policy direction. The ordinance will clarify what sizes of ADUs are allowed, what types of owner occupancy requirements will or won't apply to ADUs, and where ADUs are allowed in planned development districts.

Jefferson County Open Space’s Land Conservation Partnership Program allows communities within the County to apply for funding in the amount of up to 50% of the acquisition cost of parcels provided they become public parks, open spaces, trail corridors, or greenways/greenbelts. A City Council Resolution of Support is required as part of the application. Staff would like to apply for this funding in order to acquire property at 4150/4152 Kipling Street.

Anderson Outdoor Pool, a beloved community asset since its opening in 1979, has served residents each summer for decades. While the pool received a facelift in 2008, much of its original infrastructure, including its foundation, remains unchanged and is now approaching the end of its functional life. Within the next 3-5 years, the pool will need to be either replaced or closed indefinitely. In 2025, the Parks and Recreation Department is seeking community input on two key questions: (1) Do residents support replacing the outdoor pool? (2) If so, what amenities and features would they like to see in a new facility?

The Legislative Committee recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution in opposition of Senate Bill 25-001, Colorado Voting Rights Act.

The State of Colorado Legislature passed several bills in the 2024 Legislative Session related to land use and housing. The specific bills that have direct impacts to Wheat Ridge are: • SB24-005: Landscaping Practices for Water Conservation • HB24-1313: Transit-Oriented Communities • HB24-1007: Prohibit Residential Occupancy Limits • HB24-1304: Minimum Parking Requirements • HB24-1152: Accessory Dwelling Units The purpose of this memo is to present a summary of the bills to Council and to confirm Council’s direction for the city to respond to the legislation.

The purpose of this study session is to provide Planning Commission with an update on the City Plan process and to have a discussion with commissioners regarding the content included in the fourth phase of City Plan public engagement.

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 health park at the northwest corner of 38th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.