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Record of Proceedings

Brighton City Council Meeting - December 17, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, December 17, 2024
BodyBrighton, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, December 17, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:06:20

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
2:23

It's quiet, please.

2:23

I'd like to call to order our city council meeting for Tuesday, December seventeenth, twenty twenty-four.

2:30

And I'm gonna ask Councilmember Fiddler to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:58

All right, thank you.

2:59

Uh Madam City Clerk, please call roll.

3:02

Mayor Mouse.

3:03

Here.

3:03

Mayor Pro Tempity.

3:05

Here.

3:05

Councilmember Fiddler.

3:07

Here.

3:07

Councilmember Green.

3:09

Councilmember Johnston.

3:11

He had uh a family thing come up.

3:14

Councilmember Pelaski.

3:15

Here.

3:16

Councilmember Snyder.

3:18

Councilmember Tadea.

3:20

Present.

3:21

Council Member Worth.

3:22

Here.

3:23

Have a quorum, Your Honor.

3:25

Thank you.

3:25

And then next, Madam City Clerk, please read the consent agenda.

3:30

Item two A, approval of the November nineteenth, twenty twenty-four city council minutes.

3:35

Item two B, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Brighton, Colorado, appointing current alternate Megan Mothershead as an at-large member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to fill an unexpired term to January twenty twenty-six.

4:57

Rocall vote.

5:02

Motion passes 8 to 0 with one absent.

5:06

Next, under ceremony is item 4A, swearing in of new board and commission members.

5:12

City Manager Martinez.

5:14

Thank you, Mayor.

5:14

Good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, members of Council.

5:17

At this time, I will turn it over to our city clerk.

5:24

If the individuals that are new to the boards will come up.

5:31

Okay.

5:33

Raise your right hand, repeat after me.

5:35

I state your name.

5:36

I Wilton Webb.

5:38

Do you solemnly declare?

5:39

Do solemnly declare.

5:40

And affirm.

5:41

And affirm.

5:42

That I will support the Constitution.

5:44

That I will support the Constitution.

5:46

Of the United States.

5:47

Of the United States.

5:48

The Constitution.

5:49

The Constitution.

5:50

Of the State of Colorado.

5:51

Of the State of Colorado.

5:53

And the Office of Brighton Housing Authority member.

5:57

Brighton Housing Authority member.

5:59

And will faithfully perform.

6:00

And we'll faithfully perform.

6:03

The duties of the office.

6:05

The duties of the office.

6:06

I'm about to enter.

6:07

I'm about to enter.

6:09

Thank you.

6:14

Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████28%
Parks and Recreation██████████████14%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████10%
Public Works███████7%
Zoning and Land Use███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Transportation Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Brighton City Council Meeting - December 17, 2024

The Brighton City Council met on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, a public hearing on a $1 million budget amendment, final consideration of land use ordinances, approval of several resolutions for capital projects, and a public comment period. Council also recessed into executive session for negotiations. All votes were 8-0 or as noted, with Councilmember Johnston absent.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes of November 19, 2024 approved.
  • Appointment of Megan Mothershed as an at-large member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (unexpired term to January 2026) approved.
  • Appointment of Wilton Webb as a member of the Brighton Housing Authority (unexpired term to November 2028) approved.

Ceremonies

  • Swearing-In: Wilton Webb was sworn in as a Brighton Housing Authority member. He expressed gratitude and noted the impressive work of the city.
  • American Public Works Association (APWA) Awards: Pete Adler presented the Outstanding Public Works Employee Award to Joseph Huerta (Signal Crew Leader) and the Outstanding Manager of the Year Award to Joseph Leon (Construction and Infrastructure Manager). The APWA also recognized Brighton’s LED streetlight conversion project with an award for sustainability. Councilmembers praised the recipients.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Tom Lampo: Offered a prayer for the city and council, emphasizing faith and guidance.
  • Mike Beltwell (353 North Tenth Avenue): Raised concerns about a fatal drug overdose (fentanyl and methamphetamine) of a 35-year-old man, criticizing the city's complacency and urging council to address street-level drug issues. He also commended longtime employee Bob Younger.

Discussion Items

  • 6A – 4th Budget Amendment (2024): City Budget Manager Catherine Mortensen presented a $1,000,000 appropriation to cover increased benefit costs ($500,000), an irrigation leak at Elmwood Cemetery ($100,000), and increased fleet maintenance costs ($400,000 across multiple funds). Councilmember Green asked about the cemetery leak duration and benefit fund corrections. The public hearing was opened and closed with no public comment. Approved 8-0.
  • 8A – Missing Middle Housing (Final Reading): Ordinance amending land use and development code related to public land and missing middle housing. Staff available for questions; no discussion. Approved 8-0.
  • 8B – Right-of-Way Vacation (Final Reading): Ordinance vacating approximately 0.012 acre of right-of-way north of West Bromley Lane. Approved 8-0.
  • 9A – Ken Kreutzer Plaque on Legacy Pathway: Parks and Recreation Director Travis Haynes presented a petition for a plaque honoring Ken Kreutzer (former teacher, council member, mayor). Councilmember Pawlowski shared his history and noted the 2020 forensic audit cleared him of prior accusations. Pawlowski recused from voting. Approved 7-0 (one recusal, one absent).
  • 9B – Brighton Recreation Center Expansion Phase 2: Staff recommended accepting FCI Constructors, Inc. for the guaranteed maximum price of $11,641,771. The project includes a new auxiliary gym, renovated cycling studio, and staff offices. Councilmember Green noted the value compared to original rec center cost ($4.8M). Approved 8-0.
  • 9C – Colorado Front Range Trail (CFRT) Veterans Park Connection: Parks Planning Manager Ryan Smith presented a $948,214 contract with Hallmark, Inc. for 400 linear feet of trail and stormwater improvements ($450k for culverts). Adams County grant covers $226,115; city portion $722,099. Councilmember Green opposed, wanting an assessment of economic impact on nearby businesses. Approved 7-1 (Green dissenting).
  • 9D – Brighton Crossing Filing 2, 8th Amendment Final Plat: Continued from November 4 meeting. Planner Nick DiMario and applicant Brookfield Residential described revised plan: now single-phase (Phase 13), requiring construction of North Golden Eagle Parkway to Bridge Street before any residential permits. Traffic circles at two intersections and Spear Canal crossing provide traffic calming. City staff to explore a north-south pedestrian crossing with CDOT. Community member Steve Parker (Metro District 7 president) spoke about strain on facilities from growth. Approved 8-0.
  • 9E – 2025 Fees and Charges Amendment: Catherine Mortensen presented minor corrections, wording consistency updates, removal of obsolete fees, and addition of parking permit fees. No questions. Approved 8-0.
  • 9F – Water Treatment Plant Reimbursement Resolution: Finance Director Katrina Asher explained the resolution declares intent to reimburse the city from future bond proceeds for costs incurred before bond closing (expected February 2025). Second round of financing was planned; no rate changes proposed. Councilmember Fiddler asked about bond premium. Approved 8-0.
  • 10A – Venture Park Non-Potable Irrigation Lines Reimbursement: Utilities Director Scott Olsen presented a reimbursement agreement with Brookfield Residential for ~$314,000 to install non-potable water mains through Venture Park during park construction. City will later connect missing links (in 15-year CIP). Councilmember Snyder noted cost savings of installing now. Approved 8-0.

Reports

  • Mayor Mills: Reported on CML meeting (support for local enforcement of vehicle registration and prescribed burns), events attended (Tip-a-Cop, parade, etc.), and thanked staff for parade success.
  • City Manager Martinez: Announced Employee of the Year (Aaron Kelm), Supervisor of the Year (Shiloh Howlett), and Project of the Year (Cisco integration). Noted the fire district impact fee increase (50% this year, phased to 100% over three years). Thanked staff and residents.
  • Councilmember Reports: Members shared attendance at various community events (parade, housing authority, employee awards), expressed appreciation for parade turnout, and highlighted upcoming projects (South Main project permits approved by CDOT).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda, ceremonies, and all business items approved except for Councilmember Green’s dissenting vote on 9C.
  • Executive session (8:41 PM, under C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(e) and Charter § 5.4(C)(1) for negotiations) approved 8-0 and concluded.
  • Next regular meeting scheduled for January 7, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

It's quiet, please. I'd like to call to order our city council meeting for Tuesday, December seventeenth, twenty twenty-four. And I'm gonna ask Councilmember Fiddler to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. All right, thank you. Uh Madam City Clerk, please call roll. Mayor Mouse. Here. Mayor Pro Tempity. Here. Councilmember Fiddler. Here. Councilmember Green. Councilmember Johnston. He had uh a family thing come up. Councilmember Pelaski. Here. Councilmember Snyder. Councilmember Tadea. Present. Council Member Worth. Here. Have a quorum, Your Honor. Thank you. And then next, Madam City Clerk, please read the consent agenda. Item two A, approval of the November nineteenth, twenty twenty-four city council minutes. Item two B, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Brighton, Colorado, appointing current alternate Megan Mothershead as an at-large member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to fill an unexpired term to January twenty twenty-six. Rocall vote. Motion passes 8 to 0 with one absent. Next, under ceremony is item 4A, swearing in of new board and commission members. City Manager Martinez. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, members of Council. At this time, I will turn it over to our city clerk. If the individuals that are new to the boards will come up. Okay. Raise your right hand, repeat after me. I state your name. I Wilton Webb. Do you solemnly declare? Do solemnly declare. And affirm. And affirm. That I will support the Constitution. That I will support the Constitution. Of the United States. Of the United States. The Constitution. The Constitution. Of the State of Colorado. Of the State of Colorado.

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