Brighton City Council Meeting - July 16, 2024

The Brighton City Council met on July 16, 2024, with five members present (Mayor Mills, Councilmembers Fedler, Pelowski, Snyder, Tadeo) and four absent. The meeting covered consent agenda approvals, a youth entrepreneur program introduction, public comments opposing a new $25 parking permit fee near the high school, a public hearing and first reading approval of the Adams Point zoning map amendment (C3 to R3) for 180 affordable housing units, and a resolution assigning the city's private activity bond allocation ($2,587,111) to the Brighton Housing Authority. The council also heard reports and recessed into executive session for real property negotiations.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the June 25, 2024, city council minutes.
• Resolution accepting the proposal of Working Spaces Incorporated for the municipal service center furniture, fixtures, and equipment project at a contract amount of $565,250. Both items were approved unanimously (5-0).

Youth Entrepreneur Presentation

• City staff introduced the Growing Grad Young Entrepreneurs program, now in its fourth year. Twenty-five young entrepreneurs presented their businesses, selling items such as baked goods, paintings, clay figurines, bath salts, crochet items, 3D prints, jewelry, dog treats, cookies, lemonade, art prints, shirts, and barbecue seasonings. The program includes training in profit, loss, marketing, and customer service. The youth marketplace will be at the city barbecue on July 18, 2024.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Morgan Livingston (resident) opposed the new $25 parking permit fee for residents near the high school. She noted the previous free permit system worked well, the fee was not communicated to renters (only to landlords), and the fee increased from $5 to $25 since December. She argued students should pay for permits, not residents.
• Jason Beaner (20-year resident) strongly opposed the $25 fee, stating the previous free permit system was fine. He noted residents pay taxes and are the only ones in the city required to pay for permits. He requested reconsideration and said the issue was not properly communicated.
• Kathy Farner (resident) questioned the two-permit limit for a household with four cars, asked about ticketing enforcement, and noted she received no information from the city phone number.
• Tom Lampo (resident) delivered a prayer focusing on recent national events, youth safety, and seeking divine guidance for the city.
• Councilmembers expressed sympathy and support for revisiting the parking permit fee during a future study session.

Discussion Items

• Adams Point Zoning Map Amendment (First Reading) – The property (7.387 acres, currently C3 general retail) was annexed as part of the Courthouse Annexation. The applicant (Brighton Housing Authority) seeks to rezone to R3 multiple-family residential to build 180 affordable housing units (100% at 60% AMI) in two phases. Staff presented findings that the rezoning aligns with the comprehensive plan, including policies for infill, mixed-use corridors, and housing diversity. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. Two letters of support were received. Councilmember questions focused on parking (parking standards per the land use code: 2 spaces per 1-bedroom, 2.5 per 2-bedroom, etc.; surface parking planned) and the number of units (90 first phase, with potential to double). The public hearing was opened and closed with no opposition. The ordinance was approved on first reading (5-0).
• Resolution 9A: Assignment of Private Activity Bond Allocation – The city’s 2024 allocation is $2,587,111 from the state. Staff recommended assigning this bonding capacity to the Brighton Housing Authority for eligible affordable housing projects, specifically Adams Point and Ravenfield (a senior independent living project, approximately 100 units in two phases). The resolution authorizes the mayor to execute the assignment. Council approved the resolution (5-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 5-0.
• Adams Point rezoning (first reading) approved 5-0; second reading and public hearing scheduled for a future meeting.
• Resolution 9A (bond allocation assignment) approved 5-0.
• Parking permit fee – Council directed the city manager to add discussion of the $25 fee to a future study session (likely July 23, 2024).
• Executive session – Motion to recess for real property negotiations passed 5-0; session concluded at 7:36 PM.

Reports

• Mayor reported on the Regional Transportation Committee meeting, advocacy for bus rapid transit on Highway 7, and the Brighton puzzle unveiling.
• City Manager promoted the city barbecue on July 18, 2024, at Carmichael Park (5-8 PM).
• Councilmembers complimented the housing authority’s progress, the E470 widening, and the new Caliber Collision Center landscaping.