City Council Meeting Recap

July 20, 2021

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City Council has resumed in-person meetings. View ways to participate remotely and in person at lafayetteco.gov/CityCouncil  

PRESENTATIONS
2021 Draft Tax Ballot Presentation
Council has held discussions at public meetings on Feb. 22, May 24, and July 6 regarding their desire to place two measures to fund public safety and mental health/human service needs on the 2021 Lafayette ballot. In June, staff engaged with a consultant to deploy a statistically valid survey to determine voter support and opposition for these two potential ballot measures.
 
The Public Safety measure expenditure items include: 1) hiring mental health co-responder clinicians to accompany police response teams; 2) the replacement of aging and outdated fire ladder trucks fire engines, and ambulances; 3) the hiring of firefighters/medics to bring Fire Station #2 located by Good Samaritan Medical Center up to full staffing levels; 3) replacement of aging, critical firefighter breathing equipment; 4) the hiring of police officers to assist with 9-1-1 response, back-up response, and community policing and 5) the maintenance of police body-worn cameras and costs associated with video maintenance and file storage.
 
The Mental Health and Human Services measure seeks to implement mental health and human services objectives through partnerships with nonprofit agencies to provide emergency food, shelter, rent, utility, mental health, medical, domestic abuse, and other safety net services through contracts with local community agencies.
 
City Council unanimously approved a motion to move forward with both ballot measures and to develop final ballot language. The draft ballots are included in the July 20 meeting packet. The final ballots will be presented for approval at the Aug. 17 Council meeting and submitted to the Boulder County Elections office on Sept. 3.
 
REGULAR BUSINESS
Approved 7-0: First Reading / Ordinance No. 11, Series 2021 / 2021 Mid-year Budget Supplemental
Each year at least two supplemental appropriation ordinances are presented to City Council for review and approval. Adjustments to the budget are a necessary part of governmental business as Colorado law requires an annual budget appropriation by December 31 each year, but government business necessarily continues year-round. The requested 2021 additional expenditures total $1,445,191. In addition to the expenditures, there are also revenue increases totaling $2,099,386 for 2021.
 
CONSENT AGENDA
Approved consent agenda 7-0

STAFF REPORTS
City Attorney | Update regarding Oil and Gas Regulations
A joint workshop will be held on Aug. 11 with Planning Commission and City Council to discuss oil and gas regulations. While public input will not be held during this workshop, a three-week public information period will commence afterwards to provide the public an opportunity to review and provide written comments. The next step will be a Planning Commission public hearing on Sept. 22 with public comment. Planning Commission will then make a recommendation to Council. Regulations are scheduled to be reviewed by Council on October 19 at first reading, with second reading/adoption occurring at the first November City Council meeting.
 
City Administrator | Update regarding the reopening of City Hall
This month, the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce moved their offices to E. Simpson St. allowing the City to take possession of the space they utilized in City Hall. Aug. 23 is the target date to re-open City Hall to the public. Operating days and times may be adjusted due to remodeling activity and anticipated traffic.

Aug. 3 Council meeting – Charter amendment for ballot questions
Aug. 11 Joint meeting with Planning Commission to discuss upcoming oil and gas regulations
Aug. 17 Business licensing program update and electric vehicle/photovoltaic discussion
Aug. 23 – 2022 Budget introduction
Aug. 26 – Council Candidate orientation
 
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
Council approved 7-0 the following Lafayette Cultural Arts Commission appointments: Ellen Eherenman and Danielle Bellamy-Mann as full members, and Diana Brintnall as an alternate member.
 
COUNCIL REPORTS
Motion approved 7-0: Consideration for support of Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA) 2021/2022 Policy Statement  The City of Lafayette is a member of Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA). CC4CA’s 2021-2022 Policy Statement update reflects unanimous agreement among the coalition members on steps that should be taken at the state and federal level, often in partnership with local governments, to enable Colorado and its communities to lead in protecting the climate. 

Councilor Barnes

• Major heatwaves are a problem. Concerned about climate change events like this. Hope we can continue discussing mitigation actions such as cooling stations, tree canopies. Our new shingle ordinance will help.
• There is a bush that needs to be trimmed on the Coal Creek path. Under 287 coming up on the ramp where the trail heads east. Also inquired about a bicycle accident on Baseline/287.

• WRAC is working on exciting projects and legislative ideas. May hold a retreat depending on progress. New Sustainability Coordinator has brought a positive energy.