City Council Meeting Recap

Aug. 16, 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
 
PRESENTATIONS
Future 42 Corridor Study / Intersection Design Concepts
The Future 42 project was initiated in 2021 as a collaborative effort between the Cities of Lafayette and Louisville to establish a vision for the Highway 42 (95th Street) corridor. The project received partial funding through a Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Transportation Improvement Program grant.
 
The process to date has included field surveys, two community engagement windows, and stakeholder meetings. This information has informed the technical analysis of various alternatives along the corridor intended to service all users: automobiles, transit, bicycles, and pedestrians. This agenda item provides an opportunity for Council to review the recommended conceptual design prior to the project consultant preparing final documents for formal consideration.
 
Lafayette Local History Organizations
The work of the Lafayette Historical Society, the Lafayette Public Library, and the Historic Preservation Board was presented to outline how efforts to preserve local history is currently happening. 
 
APPROVED 6-0: CONSENT AGENDA
Contract for State Highway 7 and 119^th Street intersection pulled for discussion

• August 2, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes
• Resolution No. 2022-44 / Grant Agreement / Great Outdoors Colorado
• Resolution No. 2022-45 / Second Amendment to Agreement Between the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District and City of Lafayette Regarding the Funding for Design and Construction of Drainage and Flood Control Improvements for Coal Creek at Centaur Village
• Contract / Otak, Inc. / State Highway 7 and 119th Street Intersection Improvement Project Construction Management Services
• Purchase Orders and Amendments

 
REGULAR BUSINESS
APPROVED 6-0: Contract / Biohabitats, Inc. / Citywide Wildlife Plan
Biohabitats, Inc. has been selected through an RFP (request for proposal) process to develop a Wildlife Plan for the City. The purpose of the plan is to address wildlife and habitat conservation holistically in order to preserve and protect local ecosystems. Development of the plan begins with a series of ecological assessments within the urban growth boundary to determine current habitat conditions, inventory vegetation, as well as wildlife and ecological resources, and assess climate vulnerability. With the data collected, Biohabitats will create a Wildlife Plan that provides guidelines, ecological principles, restoration recommendations, and an overall framework to address conservation through the lens of wildlife equity.
 
Public engagement is a major component of the plan development and Biohabitats has outlined a robust community outreach plan in their proposal that ensures all members of Lafayette’s community will have an opportunity to provide input. The finalized Wildlife Plan will be utilized by land managers to make informed decisions and ensure that Lafayette’s native flora and fauna will be prioritized and protected long-term
 
APPROVED 6-0: First Reading / Ordinance No. 29, Series 2022 / 2022 Mid-Year Budget Supplemental
During a fiscal year, municipalities are often faced with challenges and/or opportunities that require an appropriation to various funds within the current year’s budget. State budget law prohibits a municipality from exceeding appropriated expenditures, even if a new revenue source is identified. Thus, adjustments to the budget are a necessary part of governmental business. Ordinance No. 29 provides authorization for the City to modify portions of its 2022 Budget based on changes that have occurred since the 2022 Budget was approved in fall 2021.
 
The requested 2022 additional expenditures in this supplemental total $53,786,833, the majority share coming from bond proceeds that were appropriated in 2021. In addition to the expenditures, there are also revenue increases totaling $141,847 in support of various expenditures. In cases where supplemental expenditures exceed supplemental revenues at the fund level, fund balance is being utilized to fill the gap and maintain a balanced budget. 
 
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
Appointments to the Public Art Committee and Cultural Arts Commission
Council appointed Ellen Pierce as a regular member of the Lafayette Public Art Committee for a three-year term; and Melissa Wall as an alternate member of the Lafayette Cultural Arts Commission for a three-year term.
 
STAFF REPORTS
City Attorney’s Report
The Lafayette Municipal Judge Bailhache is in need of a relief judge to provide coverage in the event of an absence. There are two ways to conduct this; publish a request for proposal (RFP) or seek recommendations from Judge Bailhache on colleagues she is familiar with. Council is interested in reviewing Judge Bailhache’s recommendations.
 
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Mangat

• Proposed that Council engage in a discussion to consider ways to expand the distribution of Lafayette’s youth initiative funding while continuing to meet the spirit and intent of the ballot initiative. Councilor Walton was interested in a follow up on the idea of a youth-oriented police officer.

 Councilor Barnes

• Along South Boulder Road near Ardenne Apartments, there is a sidewalk closed sign that’s in the gutter near the crosswalk.
• Inquired about the patron glass accidents at the Great Outdoors Waterpark.
• Councilor Briggs and Barnes attended the Lafayette/Louisville joint Council meetings. All are excited to resume these meetings.
• We were in a flash flood warning this morning. Community members should prepare to have a plan in place.

 Councilor Medrano

• Peach Festival is this Saturday
• Community Police Academy starts Aug. 24 and runs for 13 weeks. This program provides great insight into our Police Department. 

 Councilor Samson

• Shout out to the Historic Preservation Board and their efforts.
• Wanted to mention that Boulder County didn’t receive as many requests as they had anticipated for emergency water bill assistance funding.

 Councilor Walton

• Boulder County is conducting community engagement sessions for their Age Well Plan in Lafayette on Aug. 30 and Sept. 6. There are additional dates and locations. Details
• Ice cream social on Aug. 25 at the Senior Center 

 Mayor Pro Tem Wong

• Chat with Council at Art Night Out. Appreciative of residents who stopped by with questions. Upcoming events lafayetteco.gov/chat 
• Tonight’s historical presentation was well done. Let’s keep thinking about how we work to synergize all of these efforts.

 ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes section 24-6-402(4)(a) and (4)(e)(I) regarding the potential acquisition of real property located in Section 2, Township 1 South, Range 69 West, and to determine positions relative to matters subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations, and instructing negotiators regarding such real property.