This memo follows up on the Council’s study session decision in May at which DC Kellogg, Commander Hunt, and Sergeant Bowman presented an overview of federal regulation of drones in relation to local control. The Council directed staff to move forward with case law research and possible options based on reasonableness and the degree to which any City regulations will be challenged. Drone technology over the last 15 years for civilian use has exponentially increased the number of unmanned ariel systems (UAS) flying over our municipalities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates annual drone sales at 7 million units in 2020. This has created environmental, safety, and privacy concerns for citizens, some of whom will look to the City for a solution. Many cities and towns across the country have attempted to regulate drone activity, with varying success. This memo briefly outlines the strategies that have been tried and the risks associated with different approaches. The overall guidance from Council at the May study session was to be conservative and risk-adverse in identifying elements of a drone ordinance for the City. I have created an outline of elements at the end of this memo which follows that direction.

There currently are no agenda items scheduled for the November 24, 2025 City Council meeting. To give City Council and staff more time to spend with family and friends during the Thanksgiving holiday week, staff recommends canceling the November 24, 2025, City Council meeting.

City Council approved an agreement with Altumint on October 28, 2024 to provide an automated speed camera program. This motion seeks Council’s approval to proceed with implementing additional enforcement areas. As legislatively required, each jurisdiction must approve identified speed corridors on state roadways. The proposed expansion targets the segments of CSH 121 (Wadsworth Boulevard) and CSH 391 (Kipling Street) between 32nd Avenue and 50th Avenue, which have recently received preliminary designation as speed corridors from both the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado State Patrol, as required.

Utility markings are a necessary part of construction to protect underground infrastructure: however, they often remain long after projects are completed, leaving streets, sidewalks, and public spaces with unsightly, lingering paint marks. The City of Wheat Ridge currently lacks a clear requirement for their timely removal, resulting in aesthetic and maintenance concerns across the community. Establishing formal standards for utility marking removal will ensure that construction sites are properly restored, maintain the community’s visual appeal, and align Wheat Ridge with best practices in neighboring cities.

A request by Foothills Regional Housing for approval of a zone change from Agricultural-One (A-1) to Mixed Use Commercial – Transit Oriented Development (MUC-TOD) for a mixed-use affordable housing project at 10285 Ridge Road.

The City of Wheat Ridge previously adopted a Stormwater Master Plan to address a range of critical needs, including system enhancements to prevent flooding, maintenance of aging infrastructure, and various operational requirements. Recently, the City has also experienced multiple sinkholes attributed to stormwater pipe failures, underscoring the need for sustainable, long-term investment in the stormwater system. Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. (Raftelis) has conducted a comprehensive Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study to assess the City's needs and evaluate funding options. Raftelis will present the findings and recommendations of the study, including a proposed framework for implementing a stormwater utility fee that aligns with the City's infrastructure and environmental goals.

The Wheat Ridge Police Department is currently a party to an agreement with West Metro for Radio Specialist Services, dated July 22, 2019. Due to the retirement of the current part-time Radio Specialist, West Metro is transitioning the position into a full-time Radio Systems Administrator. With the transition of the role, an amendment must be made to the current agreement in place for adjusted role and salary requirements.

On October 6, 2025, the proposed 2026 Budget will be presented to City Council for review and discussion. This memorandum includes an outline of the public engagement steps that have occurred to date and the future actions required by City Charter to adopt the budget. In addition, the 2026 Budget Message is included which summarizes the various components of the proposed budget.

The Parks and Recreation Department is applying for a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Non-Motorized Trails grant for funding to install wayfinding and safety signage along the Clear Creek Trail and throughout the Wheat Ridge Greenbelt network. A resolution of support is required from City Council to apply for this grant.

Councilmembers Larson and Dozeman requested a study session to discuss muffler requirements and regulations in the City of Wheat Ridge. Although state law requires mufflers and prohibits certain modifications, enforcement at the municipal level is inconsistent and often limited. A local ordinance would allow Wheat Ridge law enforcement and code officials to issue citations for non-compliant exhaust systems, encourage corrective action, and deter future violations.

Hank Stites Park is located at the northwest corner of W. 29th Avenue and Newland Street. There are discrepancies at the north and west sides of the park where improvements do not align with the property boundary. In 2021, this was approved by city council to be resolved by a land exchange with the adjacent property owner, however that approval has lapsed. Approval of this ordinance will reauthorize that approval and allow the land swap to be completed. Because this exchange involves park land, Section 16.5 of the City Charter requires unanimous approval by the entire council.

Request for approval of a Specific Development Plan (SDP) for the construction of a bank with drive thru located SW of the W. 40th Ave. and I-70 intersection in the Clear Creek Crossing mixed use development.

Davis Evans and Associates was awarded a contract to prepare plans and specifications for the 32nd Avenue Bike Lanes project. Plans were completed in March 2025 and the project was advertised for bids. Four (4) bids were received in response to the city’s Invitation for Bids to construct the 32nd Avenue Bike Lanes Project. The lowest responsive bidder was KECI Civil, Inc. It is recommended that the city enter a contract with KECI Civil, Inc. to complete the project.

This public hearing is for the Planning Commission to pass a resolution on whether to recommend adoption of the City Plan as the new comprehensive plan for the City of Wheat Ridge.

The City currently enforces the 2018 International Building Codes which were adopted in Wheat Ridge in 2020. The City typically updates the building codes every 4-6 years. The full suite of 2024 International Codes were released last year, and staff is proposing to adopt the updated building codes by the end of this year. This memo is organized as follows: • The Background section describes the current and proposed organization of the municipal code (Chapter 5) and lists the international, national, and state codes to be adopted. • The Local Amendments section describes the 12 local amendments (some administrative and some technical) proposed by staff and supported by the Building Code Advisory Board. The purpose of the August 18 study session is to seek Council direction on these code provisions.

The City has the opportunity to sell property acquired through the Improve Wadsworth Project known as the former Raliberto’s site. This commercial property, located at 4084 Wadsworth Boulevard, is approximately 0.5 acres. It was purchased by the City in order to facilitate the widening of Wadsworth Boulevard. The sale of this parcel, combined with another 0.7-acre former parkland site, has long been the City’s intention once the Wadsworth construction was nearing completion. 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.”

In June of 2025, the resignation of one Planning Commission member was received. 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.

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. On May 5, 2025, Council provided direction to the City Attorney to draft ballot language so that this issue could be considered for the 2025 municipal election. A draft ordinance including proposed ballot language is attached for consideration and the City Attorney and staff request feedback on the proposed language.

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