City Council Meeting Recap

June 7, 2022

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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 
 
APPROVED 7-0: CONSENT AGENDA

• May 17, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes
• May 23, 2022 City Council Workshop Summary
• Second Reading / Ordinance No. 14, Series 2022 / Amending Chapter 75, “Offenses - Miscellaneous,” of the Code of Ordinances
• Second Reading / Ordinance No. 15, Series 2022 / Repealing and Re-enacting Chapter 10, “Alcoholic Beverages,” of the Code of Ordinances
• Second Reading / Ordinance No. 17, Series 2022 / Vacating a Portion of a Utility Easement Within Certain Real Property Located in Boulder County, Commonly Known as 712 South Cherryvale Road
• Second Reading / Ordinance No. 18, Series 2022 / Amending Article XIV of Chapter 30, “Buildings and Building Regulations,” of the Code of Ordinances to Enact a New Section 30-406 Regarding Fee Waivers
• Resolution No. 2022-25 / Establishing the Boulder County Region Opioid Council
• Resolution No. 2022-29 / Appointing an Interim Local Licensing Authority Hearing Officer
• Resolution No. 2022-30 / Subordination Agreements (Deeds of Trust) / 900 S. US. Hwy 287 (JAX Outdoor) and 400 W. South Boulder (JAX Farm and Ranch)

 
PROCLAMATIONS

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+ Pride Month / June 2022
• Juneteenth / June 19, 2022
• Gun Violence Awareness Day / June 3, 2022

 
REGULAR BUSINESS
Items Pertaining to Firearm Regulations
The purpose of these agenda items is to address the regulation of firearms following the Colorado General Assembly’s passage of Senate Bill 21-256, which partially removed state preemption of local firearms regulations. Resolution No. 2022-33 expresses City Council’s strong support for Colorado local governments enacting and enforcing local firearms regulations, and implores the Colorado legislature to enact statewide laws to address gun violence and prevention. Ordinance Nos. 20, 21, 22, and 23 will enact new firearms regulations in the Lafayette Code of Ordinances in the following ways:
• Prohibiting possession of unfinished frames and receivers and unserialized firearms (a/k/a “ghost guns”);
• Requiring firearms dealers to post signage at points-of-sale warning of the risks of having a firearm in the home;
• Prohibiting open carrying of firearms in public places throughout the City;  and
• Prohibiting the open or concealed carrying of firearms on public property.
 
The full content of each ordinance may be found in the City Council meeting packet: https://www.lafayetteco.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5282.

1. APPROVED 7-0: Resolution No. 2022-33 / Expressing the City Council’s Strong Support for Colorado Local Governments Enacting and Enforcing Local Firearms Regulations, and Imploring the Colorado General Assembly to Enact Statewide Laws to Address Gun Violence and Prevention. Expresses City Council’s strong support for Colorado local governments enacting and enforcing local firearms regulations, and implores the Colorado legislature to enact statewide laws to address gun violence and prevention.
   
   
2. APPROVED 7-0 with an amendment: First Reading / Ordinance No. 20, Series 2022 / Amending Chapter 75, Article IX, of the Lafayette Code of Ordinances to Regulate the Possession of Unfinished Frames and Receivers and Unserialized Firearms: Prohibits the possession of unfinished frames and receivers and unserialized firearms - also known as “ghost guns. An amendment was added to include an exception for residents bringing weapons or parts to the Police Department for destruction.
   
   
3. APPROVED 6-1: First Reading / Ordinance No. 21, Series 2022 / Amending Chapter 75, Article IX, of the Lafayette Code of Ordinances to Require All Firearm Dealers to Post Signs at All Locations Where Firearm Transfers Take Place: Requires firearms dealers to post signage at points-of-sale warning of the risks of having a firearm in the home.
   
   
4. APPROVED 7-0: First Reading / Ordinance No. 22, Series 2022 / Amending Chapter 75, Article IX, of the Lafayette Code of Ordinances to Prohibit the Open Carrying of Firearms in Public Places: Prohibits open carrying of firearms in public places throughout the City.
   
   
5. APPROVED 5-2: First Reading / Ordinance No. 23, Series 2022 / Amending Chapter 75, Article IX, of the Lafayette Code of Ordinances to Prohibit the Carrying of Firearms on City Property: Prohibits the open or concealed carrying of firearms on public property, which includes facilities and land owned by the City.

 
APPROVED 7-0: Resolution No. 2022-31 / Revocable Right-of-Way License Agreement with Teocalli Cocina Tequileria, LLC d/b/a Teocalli Cocina for Use of Certain City-Owned Right-of-Way Adjacent to 103 N. Public Road
 
Items Pertaining to Water Use
Available water supply is currently projected to be insufficient to meet unconstrained demands due to below average snowpack, hot/dry weather, and loss of soil moisture due to persistent high winds. Water demand has also exceeded projections, with the peak summer irrigation season commencing approximately one month sooner than normal. Actions are required to curtail demands to ensure that sufficient water remains available to meet essential indoor uses such as drinking, cooking, bathing, and cleaning until such time as additional supply becomes available.
 
APPROVED 7-0: Resolution No. 2022-32 / Imposing Additional Time Restrictions on the Use of Water from the City’s Municipal Water System to Irrigate, Sprinkle, or Otherwise Apply Water to Any Outdoor Vegetation, Pursuant to Section 120-13(a) of the Code of Ordinances
This resolution restricts outdoor irrigation to a maximum of three days a week per customer. Customers may select their desired watering days. Limiting watering to a maximum of three days per week is considered a best practice and is consistent with baseline regulations imposed by Denver Water and other providers in the front range. This resolution goes into effect immediately.
 
In the event the additional restriction does not sufficiently reduce demand, Council will be asked to consider additional resolutions such as assigning specific watering days by address and/or further reducing the allowable number of watering days. If necessary, a resolution prohibiting all outdoor use could be implemented to ensure adequate supply remains available for essential uses until such time as supplies are replenished. 
 
APPROVED 7-0: First Reading/ Ordinance No. 19, Series 2022 /Amending Chapter 7, “Administrative Citations,” and 120, “Water,” of the Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Watering Restrictions and Enforcement This ordinance allows for staff to retain the discretion to issue a warning before issuing a municipal court summons or citation for violations. Council approved the ordinance, with directions to staff to bring recommendations to adjust (lower) the fee structure for consideration on second reading.
 
 
STAFF REPORTS
City Administrator’s Report
For the past few meetings we have been talking about water and drought which also leads us to a discussion about fireworks. The City has enacted an ordinance that prohibits the use and sale of fireworks in the City and has developed a video to help communicate this information to the community:  https://youtu.be/QEnRQrnYPc0
 
 
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
Appointment to the Open Space Advisory Committee: Council appointed Grant Swift as a new committee member.
 
Appointment to the Human Rights Commission: Council reappointed Vijay Arora as a regular member.
 
Appointment to the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority: Council reappointed Marlene Martin and Kate Williams.
 

COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Mangat

• Came up with a solution regarding the Public Input emails to Council. We will continue to receive input emails and they will be included in the packet, but not read during the meeting. No longer necessary since meetings are back in person. This does not create barriers or restrictions for the public to communicate their thoughts.

Councilor Barnes

• We should consider relationships with those corporations who advance a sustainable climate.
• WRAC and LESAC are considering combining forces to become one board.
• Looking to support Plastic Free July and discussing a Plastic-Free Ordinance.

 Councilor Medrano

• Attend the June 18 Police Department youth Bike Rodeo https://www.lafayetteco.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=9349&month=6&year=2022&day=7&calType=0

 Councilor Samson

• ANO is this Friday www.lafayetteco.gov/ANO
• Drag Queen Storytime this Saturday https://www.lafayetteco.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=9371
• Thank you to everyone who submitted comments on our topics tonight.

 Councilor Walton

• Bike to Work Day is June 22 and the City is hosting a breakfast station.  https://www.lafayetteco.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=9390&month=6&year=2022&day=7&calType=0
• The Boulder County Transportation sales tax polling showed support. The current tax expires in June 2024. There’s a virtual informational meeting on June 14 from 5:30-7pm. Register at https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_WmMxJWICSw2lTCS92IqU6w
  
  

Mayor Pro Tem Wong

• Appreciated tonight’s discussion
• Stop by to talk with Council at Art Night
• $11,250 grants were awarded to restore older buildings in Lafayette by the Historic Preservation Board.
• Requested $350 contingency to purchase a table at the Chamber of Commerce. Council approved.
• June 6 was the remembrance of D-Day.

 
ADJOURNMENT