City Council Meeting Recap

August 3, 2021

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

OPENING OF REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
 
PUBLIC INPUT
 
REGULAR BUSINESS
Approved 7-0: First Reading / Ordinance No. 12, Series 2021 / Fair Campaign Practices; Enforcement of Municipal Campaign Finance Complaints: This ordinance provides the legal framework and process for individuals to file complaints with the City Clerk regarding violations of the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act in city elections.
 
Approved 7-0: First Reading / Ordinance No. 13, Series 2021 / Amendments to the Home Rule Charter Pertaining to Gender Neutral References: Proposes amendments to the Home Rule Charter to remove masculine and feminine pronouns and replace them with neutral, gender-free designations.
 
Approved 7-0: First Reading (with direction to staff to bring back clarifying ballot language) / Ordinance No. 14, Series 2021 / Amendments to the Home Rule Charter Pertaining to Removal of Archaic Language: Proposes amendments to the Home Rule Charter to remove and replace archaic language with more modern terminology, including certain instances of the word “citizen” and the term “master.” Staff will bring clarifying language to the next meeting for approval on second reading.
 
Approved 7-0: First Reading (with direction to staff to bring back clarifying ballot language / Ordinance No. 15, Series 2021 / Amendment to the Home Rule Charter to Shorten the Residency Qualification for City Councilors to One Year: Proposes an amendment to the Home Rule Charter to align the residency qualification for City Councilors with statutory provisions. Section 5.1 of the Charter states that a Councilor must be a resident of the City for at least one year immediately prior to the last day for filing original petitions for such office. This requirement is in conflict with, and longer than, statutory provisions requiring residency for one year immediately prior to the date of the election. Staff will bring clarifying language to the next meeting for approval on second reading.
 
Ordinances approved on first reading will return to Council for second reading on August 17. If passed on second and final reading, the approved ballot language will be submitted to Boulder County no later than September 3, and the questions will appear on the November 2, 2021 ballot.
 
CONSENT AGENDA
Item F pulled from the consent agenda for discussion: Approved 7-0 Resolution No. 2021-45 / Approving the Second Amendment of Intergovernmental Agreement for Hazardous Materials Management (HMM) and Contribution to HMM Facility Expansion
Approved the balance of the consent agenda 7-0.
 
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
Motion approved 5-0 to appoint Branden Morhous and Ellen Dugan for two alternate positions on the Lafayette Energy Sustainability Committee.
 
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Harkins

• COVID situation is evolving. No meeting changes for right now, will look for guidance from Boulder County Public Health. Please get vaccinated. Information available at https://www.bouldercounty.org/families/disease/covid-19/vaccines/
• Involved in a successful letter campaign to the Governor asking to extend rental assistance.
• Requested a follow-up up on the brick retaining wall along Hwy 287.

Councilor Barnes

• Requested a Public Road construction update. Xcel is targeting an August timeframe for completion, but could run into delays before the end of the project.
• Library Board to potentially meet in person in September.
• The Cultural Arts Commission’s Community Grants program is now open. Intended to bring arts and culture to the community. Details at: https://www.lafayetteco.gov/695/Arts-Grants

Councilor Behanna

• Senior virtual Social Hours are held Thursdays at 1pm: https://www.lafayetteco.gov/2546/Social-Activities
• LESAC is posting for an intern to help implement neighborhood sustainability programs.
• Looking at the possibility of performing a greenhouse gas inventory and management plan. Final decision on August 10.
• Joint project with Louisville on Sept. 24 to showcase electric vehicles. Details at https://www.lafayetteco.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=8799&month=9&year=2021&day=24&calType=0
• The Senior Advisory Board drafted a letter supporting affordable housing. Will make sure it is circulated. There are five open positions on the Board. Members do not need to be a senior. Details at www.lafayetteco.gov/JoinSAB

 Councilor Briggs

• The Historic Preservation Board held interviews for an open seat. They also awarded five properties with the Heritage Award.

Councilor Mangat

• We have submitted a request to join the Rocky Mountain Airport Consortium discussions on behalf of Lafayette.
• Public Art Committee inspected the Art on the Street sculptures and there will be some maintenance and repairs performed on 19 sculptures.
• The See and Respond program is accepting submissions through Sept. 7. The award ceremony will be held on Oct. 16 from 6-9pm at the Library. https://www.lafayetteco.gov/795/See-Respond
• Due to shorter meetings recently, inquiring if the fourth Monday workshop items can be moved to the next regular meeting.

Councilor Wong

• There are three Picnic on the Plaza events left – Thursdays at noon through August 19. www.lafayetteco.gov/Picnic
• Work to encourage more events like National Night Out and do a proclamation next year.
• The Lafayette Chamber safety first recognition award was given to the Police Department last month.