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.