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Record of Proceedings

Brighton City Council Meeting - May 20, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, May 20, 2025
BodyBrighton, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 20, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:16:58

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:12

Mayor Mills.

0:14

He is at his child's graduation from high school tonight.

0:18

Mayor Pro Tempadilla.

0:19

I am here.

0:20

Councilmember Fedler.

0:22

Here.

0:22

Councilmember Green.

0:24

He is speaking at a high school graduation this evening.

0:27

Councilmember Pulaski.

0:29

I'm here.

0:30

Councilmember Snyder.

0:31

Here.

0:32

Councilmember Tedeo.

0:34

Present.

0:34

Councilmember Wirth.

0:36

Here.

0:36

You have a quorum, Your Honor.

0:38

Thank you very much.

0:40

Next step, would you please, the City Clerk, would you please read into the record the consent agenda?

0:46

Item 2A, approval of the April 15th, 2025 City Council minutes.

0:51

Item 2B, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Brighton, Colorado, approving an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement number 23-04.24 between the City of Brighton and the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District doing business as Mile High Flood District regarding regional planning studies, design, construction, and maintenance of drainage and flood control improvements for the Brighton South Outfall and authorizing the city manager to execute set amendment.

1:19

Item 2C, an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Brighton, Colorado, adopting Article 2-33 of the Brighton Municipal Code related to the creation of a sustainability advisory board.

1:32

This is a final reading.

1:33

Thank you very much.

1:34

The consent agenda is before council.

1:36

Councilmember Pulowski.

1:38

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

1:39

I'd like to motion for approval of the consent agenda as read.

1:43

Thank you.

1:44

Councilmember Fiddler.

1:45

Thank you, Mayor Bro Jim.

1:47

Happy to second.

1:48

Hey, thank you.

1:49

This is before council.

1:52

Roll call vote.

1:59

Okay, our motion passes six to zero with two absent.

2:04

Next item is our regular agenda.

2:08

For council.

2:10

Councilmember Pulowski.

2:12

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim.

2:13

I'd like to move for approval of the regular agenda.

2:15

Okay, Councilmember Wirth.

2:18

I move to approve that.

2:20

Thank you.

2:20

That's before council.

2:22

Now roll call vote.

2:28

And that passes six to zero with two absent.

2:31

So we will proceed with our agenda.

2:34

Next item on the agenda is uh ceremonies, and we have a public works week proclamation, and I've asked uh councilmember Worth to read that into the record.

2:46

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

2:48

Uh this is a proclamation for the public works week of May 18th through May 24th, 2025.

2:56

People, purpose, presence.

2:59

Whereas public works and utilities professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to the public health, high quality of life and well-being of the people of the City of Brighton.

3:16

And whereas these infrastructure facilities and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works and utilities professionals who are engineers, scientists, managers, and other dedicated employees at all levels of government and the private sector, who are responsible for building, improving and protecting our city's transportation, water supply, wastewater and solid waste systems, stormwater systems, public buildings and other structures and facilities essential for our citizens.

3:48

And whereas it is in the public interest for the citizens, civic leaders, and children in the city of Brighton to gain knowledge of and maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works and utilities programs in their respective communities.

4:05

And whereas the year 2025 marks the 65th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association slash Canadian Public Works Association, be it now.

4:20

Uh now therefore be it resolved that on behalf of Gregory Mills, Mayor of the City of Brighton, and on behalf of the City Council, do hereby designate the week, May 18th through 24th of 2025 as National Public Works Week.

4:35

I urge all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association and government agencies in activities, events, and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public works and utilities professionals and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our health, safety, and advancing quality of life for all.

4:58

Dated this 20th day of May of 2025.

5:02

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Accessory Dwelling Units████████████████████████24%
Fiscal Sustainability███████████████████19%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Public Works██████6%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Nonprofit Funding████4%
Signage Regulations████4%
Public Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Brighton City Council Meeting - May 20, 2025

The Brighton City Council met on May 20, 2025, with Mayor Pro Tem Padilla presiding in Mayor Mills' absence (Mayor Mills and Councilmember Green absent due to high school graduations). The meeting covered a consent agenda, public comments, multiple ordinances and resolutions, a quarterly budget update, and council reports. All votes were 6-0 with two absent.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved April 15, 2025 City Council minutes.
  • Approved an amendment to IGA 23-04.24 with the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (Mile High Flood District) for the Brighton South Outfall drainage and flood control improvements, authorizing the city manager to execute.
  • Adopted Ordinance (final reading) creating Article 2-33 of the Brighton Municipal Code establishing a Sustainability Advisory Board.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Will Webb (volunteer, Adams County Emergency Food Bank) reported that the food bank serves approximately 1,400 Brighton residents annually. He stated the food bank is facing a funding crisis due to cuts to Food Bank of the Rockies and loss of grants, and requested the city's assistance in coordinating food drives and grant opportunities. The assistant city manager is already following up.
  • Tom Lampo led a prayer for the city, invoking wisdom from James 3:17 and Isaiah 40:29-31.

Discussion Items

  • Ordinance – Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Manufactured Homes (First Reading): Staff presented amendments to the land use and development code to comply with state House Bill requirements effective July 1, 2025, and to support housing goals. Key changes: ADUs allowed up to 750 sq ft (state minimum) or 1,200 sq ft max (whichever smaller); no additional parking required unless no existing parking; lot open space not applied to ADUs unless built with new construction; ADUs limited to 2 stories/35 ft; manufactured home minimum size/area requirements removed; plumber’s water demand report accepted instead of professional engineer report; child care regulations removed (now state-handled); shed size aligned from 120 sq ft to 200 sq ft. DOLA review required minor corrections, including allowing ADUs in all districts where primary homes exist (not just residential) and not holding ADUs/manufactured homes to higher design standards. Planning commission recommended approval. Councilmember Tadeo queried about existing illegal duplexes – staff noted DOLA will provide guidelines to legalize as ADUs via compliance steps. Councilmember Snyder asked about water/sewer tap fees – Director of Utilities confirmed no additional fee if water tap size unchanged; clarified that Metro Wastewater fees are based on water tap size, so no change means no extra fee. Impact fee reductions for ADUs will be studied in step two. Homestead property tax reduction may be portable to ADU on same lot. The 1,200 sq ft max may allow converting an existing smaller house to ADU and building a new primary residence. Motion to approve passed 6-0.
  • Ordinance – Affordable Housing Definitions (7A, First Reading): Amended municipal code definition of affordable housing: increased qualifying AMI levels, adopted Chaffa's Adams County income limit table, set minimum 30-year affordability duration, accepted various affordability mechanisms, refined fee reduction qualifications, and organized application process. Staff recommended approval. Motion to approve passed 6-0.
  • Resolution – Affordable Housing Fee and Dedication Reduction Table (7B): Adopted a revised table that includes average AMI component and specifically addresses affordable senior housing. Motion to approve passed 6-0.
  • Ordinance – Nomination Petitions (8A): Amended Section 24-13 to match statutory language requiring petitions be submitted 71 days before the election. Passed 6-0.
  • Ordinance – Lodging Tax (8B): Updated code to redirect 50% of lodging tax from communications/engagement and economic development departments to the Economic Development Corporation, reflecting prior practice. Also allows those departments to delegate lodging tax reserves. Passed 6-0.
  • Ordinance – Fireworks (8C): Updated citations to correct state statute and municipal code references; allowed code enforcement officers to issue citations and cease fireworks. Did not change permissible fireworks definition (deferred to post-July 4). Increased penalties. Passed 6-0.
  • Resolution – 2025 Fees and Charges Amendment (10A): Clarified/corrected wastewater-related impact fees: reduced pass-through from Town of Lochbuie to match cost, added single-family residential equivalent calculation clarification, added maps for South Brighton Infrastructure wastewater development fee zones. No rate increase from Lochbuie. Passed 6-0.
  • Resolution – Change Order for Colorado Front Range Trail Veterans Park Trail Connection (10B): Approved Change Order #2 with Hallmark Inc for $109,610 (traffic control, waterproofing concrete culverts, additional asphalt patching, realigning RCP pipe). Resetting change order allowance to 10% for any future orders. Construction began April 14, expected completion in about a month. Staff noted CDOT-required changes were out of city control. Passed 6-0.
  • First Quarter 2025 Budget and Finance Update: Presented by Finance Director Katrina Asher and Budget Manager Catherine Mortensen. Governmental fund revenues (excluding transfers) totaled $17.5 million for Q1, up $2.3 million over Q1 2024. Key points: property tax up $888k due to timing but expected to be down annually; investment earnings up; use tax down due to 2024 anomaly (large multifamily permit); sales tax flat based on cash received but up 6.8% based on returns filed; retail in-person sales +2.9%, retail grocery -8.3%, online retail strong. 460+ new business accounts added. Spending up across categories due to capital projects (Bridge Street, Municipal Service Center, Rec Center expansion, Cherry Meadows Park opening, E470/Sable improvements). Budget utilization at 14% overall, normal for Q1 (capital projects ramp up in summer). Water enterprise fund largest at 46% of city budget due to water treatment plant project ($87M). General fund break-even budgeted. 2025 capital budget $200M (64% of total). Councilmember Snyder confirmed E470/Sable project design phase underway, water line relocation visible. Councilmember Wirth inquired about online sales tracking – Director Asher explained state centralized filing and city audit program ($135k assessed).

Key Outcomes

  • All eight ordinances and resolutions passed unanimously (6-0, with two absent).
  • ADU ordinance (first reading) approved; second reading and publication to follow.
  • Affordable housing code amendment and fee reduction table adopted.
  • Trail change order approved; project completion expected June 2025.
  • Budget update noted strong sales tax growth (6.8% year-over-year) but flat in-person retail and declining grocery sales.
  • Next regular meeting: June 3, 2025 (no study session May 27). A tour of the water treatment plant and Lutz Reservoir is scheduled for May 27 at 4 p.m.
  • Councilmember Pulaski acknowledged her daughter's 54th birthday and reported on parks/recreation board, E470 meetings, Olive Garden and In-N-Out openings, and a CML meeting.
  • Councilmember Snyder reported 13 youth commissioners graduating, only 7 applications received to replace them; a contest is underway to recruit more.
  • Councilmember Fiddler announced cancellation of the May 22 Lochbuie Sewer Board meeting; next meeting tentatively June 19.

Meeting Transcript

Mayor Mills. He is at his child's graduation from high school tonight. Mayor Pro Tempadilla. I am here. Councilmember Fedler. Here. Councilmember Green. He is speaking at a high school graduation this evening. Councilmember Pulaski. I'm here. Councilmember Snyder. Here. Councilmember Tedeo. Present. Councilmember Wirth. Here. You have a quorum, Your Honor. Thank you very much. Next step, would you please, the City Clerk, would you please read into the record the consent agenda? Item 2A, approval of the April 15th, 2025 City Council minutes. Item 2B, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Brighton, Colorado, approving an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement number 23-04.24 between the City of Brighton and the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District doing business as Mile High Flood District regarding regional planning studies, design, construction, and maintenance of drainage and flood control improvements for the Brighton South Outfall and authorizing the city manager to execute set amendment. Item 2C, an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Brighton, Colorado, adopting Article 2-33 of the Brighton Municipal Code related to the creation of a sustainability advisory board. This is a final reading. Thank you very much. The consent agenda is before council. Councilmember Pulowski. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. I'd like to motion for approval of the consent agenda as read. Thank you. Councilmember Fiddler. Thank you, Mayor Bro Jim. Happy to second. Hey, thank you. This is before council. Roll call vote. Okay, our motion passes six to zero with two absent. Next item is our regular agenda. For council. Councilmember Pulowski. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. I'd like to move for approval of the regular agenda. Okay, Councilmember Wirth. I move to approve that. Thank you. That's before council. Now roll call vote. And that passes six to zero with two absent. So we will proceed with our agenda. Next item on the agenda is uh ceremonies, and we have a public works week proclamation, and I've asked uh councilmember Worth to read that into the record. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

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