City Council Meeting Recap

April 6, 2021

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Presentations
COVID-19 Recovery and Sustainment Update
Boulder County is currently experiencing a 5.3% positivity rate, which is on the rise and of concern. COVID Dial 3.0 is expected to remain in effect through April 15 at which time the State will retire the tool and hand guidance to local public health agencies. Individuals aged 16 and over are now eligible to get a vaccine. 45.1% of eligible Boulder County residents have received at least one vaccination dose. Information for vaccination sign up is available at bouldercounty.org/families/disease/covid-19/vaccines .
 
Thorne Nature Experience / Great Outdoors Colorado Grant Programming Update
Keith Desrosiers of Thorne Nature Experience, and the Collective Impact Project Lead for Nature Kids/Jovenes de la Naturaleza (NKJN), gave an update on this amazing program. NKJN is a 5-year $10 million project designed to connect underserved youth in Lafayette to nature and outdoors. The program has just been awarded an additional $1 million and a 2-year extension. Between 2017 and 2020, there have been approximately 12,000 participants served and over 3,800 hours of programming provided. More information is available at naturekidslafayette.org and a video at youtu.be/9C35XpEEgQ4.
 
Hearings
Items Related to Lot 7,287 Commercial Center
Front Range Engineering has submitted a request for review of a Site Plan/Architectural Review for a one-story office building with fabrication shop on Lot 7, 287 Commercial Center Subdivision (725 Aspen Ridge Drive). The proposed building is 9,500 square feet encompassing 6,000 square feet of office space and 3,500 square feet of manufacturing shop area.

• Approved 7-0: Resolution No. 2021-27/Approving the Site Plan and Architectural Review for Lot 7, 287 Commercial Center and Authorizing a Development Agreement Pertaining Thereto
• Approved 7-0: Resolution No. 2021-28/Approving the Special Use Review for Lot 7, 287 Commercial Center

Regular Business
Approved 7-0: First Reading / Ordinance No. 06, Series 2021 / Budget Supplemental Appropriation - Property Acquisition
State Budget law prohibits a municipality from exceeding initially appropriated expenditures, even if a new revenue source is identified. Thus, most municipalities amend a budget at least twice during a year: once with carryforwards from the prior year, and once towards the end of the year when most of the year’s activities have materialized. This supplemental appropriation request is regarding a potential acquisition of a property located at 309 S. Public Road on the Festival Plaza property. This purchase will provide the City a permanent structure for many downtown events. It also provides the Chamber of Commerce, who currently owns the property, necessary capital to move out of City Hall. Their departure will free up 2,900 sf of space in City Hall. 
 
Approved 7-0: First Reading / Ordinance No. 07, Series 2021 / Three Leaf Farm Lease extension
Three Leaf Farms, an organic farm on the NE corner of S. Public Road and Highway 287, entered into a three-year lease agreement in 2018 for approximately one acre of Coal Creek Open Space which abuts the farm. This lease provides the farm with added space for their equestrian operation but also provides Lafayette Open Space with area to conduct many of its outdoor education programs. Lafayette Open Space receives value in outdoor education partnerships at the farm while proceeds of the lease equal $600 annually payable to the City in two biannual installments of $300. If approved, this lease extension would begin April 2021 and run through March 2024.
 
Approved 7-0: First Reading / Ordinance No. 08, Series 2021 /Code Amendment/Model Traffic Code – Failure to Appear for Traffic Offenses
The proposed ordinance sets forth a procedure for the Municipal Court to address situations where a defendant fails to appear for certain traffic offenses on the date and time set forth on the summons and complaint. If adopted, this ordinance would allow the Municipal Court Judge to enter a default judgment against a defendant who fails to appear for their arraignment or trial for these traffic offenses: 1) All traffic offenses of 4 points or less, except for offenses involving no proof of insurance; 2) Six-point offenses for speeding not more than 24 miles per hour over the speed limit.
 
Consent Agenda
Approved the balance of the consent agenda 7-0
Item L pulled from the consent agenda: Approved 7-0: Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Louisville and City of Lafayette for the Sharing of Costs of a Conceptual Design Plan for the Reconfiguration of State Highway 42
Council had questions regarding the future budget amendment information provided in the Agenda Memo.
 
Staff Reports
City Administrator’s Report
April 26 workshop topics will include: allocation of stimulus funds and what that may look like in Lafayette; current overview of the Planning and Building Department; consultant presentation regarding the water cash-in-lieu project.
 
Council Reports
Mayor Harkins:
The State is soliciting input from residents regarding how you think funding from the 2021 American Rescue Plan should be invested in Colorado. Learn more and share your input at buildbackstrongerco.com. Working on the plastics bill which is in its third committee – this is a statewide ban on plastic bags and styrofoam. Attended a Women’s History Month event with Mayor Hancock at Empower Field and received a large supply of surgical masks to distribute.

Councilor Barnes:
The Arts in Community grant program recipients will be announced soon. Need to tread lightly regarding the truth and correctness for the Miller naming survey, it is difficult to interpret history. April 22 is Earth Day.

Councilor Behanna:
Senior Advisory Board is working on walkability routes. As COVID stats rise and regulations are lowered, keep in mind children can get sick so please be careful.
 
Councilor Mangat:
Shout out to Judge Bailhache for making adjustments so early in her tenure. The Lafayette Youth Advisory Commission is completing their mural on the side of Eats and Sweets at Festival Plaza. It is meant to introduce viewers to mental health awareness and resources. We need to ensure the recent Miller naming survey information is accurately presented to the public and amended if needed.
 
Mayor Pro Tem Walton:
Lafayette Open Space Advisory Committee has been discussing possibilities at the Waneka Centennial Farm and looking at its historical importance and ways to engage the public. Thank you to our First Responders in light of the recent tragedy. Working on a proclamation for 2021 graduates. Will be participating in the April 24 Arbor Day celebration.

Councilor Wong:
HRC will be looking at the Miller naming survey and submit a formal recommendation to Council. Would like to see an official historian reference and document the history of Mary Miller. The Consortium of Cities is meeting tomorrow from 6:30-8:30 on the topic of Natural Disaster Resiliency.