Brighton City Council Meeting Summary: September 2, 2025

The Brighton City Council met on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered routine approvals, ceremonial proclamations, a public hearing on a metropolitan district service plan, several resolutions including annexation, ballot certification, a striping contract, a home rule support resolution, and the purchase of property for police expansion. The meeting lasted approximately 2.5 hours, with a roll call showing 7 present and 1 absent (Councilmember Wirth).

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved (7-0-1) the August 5, 2025 City Council minutes.
• Appointed Mark Humbert to the District Plan Commission with a term to January 2028.
• Approved on final reading the repeal of Article 1-27 of the Brighton Municipal Code related to public records.
• Approved on final reading the vacation of a non-exclusive permanent easement for wet utilities located in Section 20, Township 1 South, Range 66 West.

Ceremonies

• Mark Humbert was sworn in as a new member of the District Plan Commission. He encouraged residents to apply for vacancies on boards and commissions.
• A proclamation was read recognizing September 6, 2025, as Brighton Knights of Columbus Day, celebrating the 75th anniversary of Council #3285. Grand Knight Ken Kerwin accepted, noting the council's charitable work and a gathering on Saturday.
• A proclamation was read declaring September 8–14, 2025, as National Patriotism Week in Brighton, presented by the Brighton Elks Lodge. Tim Watts, Leading Knight, accepted and thanked the city.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Lampo offered a prayer for the city, leaders, and families, asking for wisdom and effective communication.
• Jackie Phillips (Colorado House District 31 representative) introduced herself, noted her district includes part of Brighton’s Ward 3, and offered to support the city’s work. She later spoke during the public hearing on the Kestrel Metro District, highlighting her role in sponsoring a 2025 transparency bill for metro districts (HB25-1219).

Public Hearing – Kestrel Metropolitan District Service Plan

• Staff Presentation: Shannon McDowell (Assistant Director of Community Development) presented the proposed service plan for the Kestrel Metropolitan District, a 25.83-acre property at 120th and Peoria Street (zoned Kestrel Plan Development). The district would finance $9.7 million in infrastructure (roads, drainage, water/sewer, parks) with a borrowing authority of $13 million. Key features: a combined mill levy cap of 60 mills (50 for debt, 10 for O&M), 40-year debt repayment, and estimated annual tax increase of about $2,000 per residential property. The district would serve approximately 500 people at build-out.
• Applicant Presentation: Sean Allen (White Bear Ankele) emphasized that the district is critical for funding attainable housing (cottage-style homes). He outlined transparency requirements under recent state law, including website disclosures and seller obligations. The plan complies with the city’s model service plan.
• Public Comment: None signed up initially, but Jackie Phillips spoke in support, noting the transparency bill she co-sponsored was mentioned in the presentation.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Padilla asked if the plan varied from the model service plan; staff said no. Councilmember Fiedler asked about voter eligibility (initially 5-10 developer representatives). Councilmember Green expressed concern about traffic at Thunderhawk Place and Peoria.
• Vote: Approved 6-0-1 (Councilmember Snyder recused; Councilmember Wirth absent).

Consolidated Items for Sequential Review

• 7A – Building Code Update (Final Reading): Ordinance amending Article 15 of the Brighton Municipal Code related to buildings and construction. Approved 7-0-1.
• 7B – Appeals Hearing Officer: Resolution appointing Doug Saba as the hearing officer for appeals under Article 15. Saba has lived in Brighton for 36 years and is a volunteer. Approved 7-0-1.

Resolutions

• 10A – Brighton Crossing Annexation: Resolution finding substantial compliance of an annexation petition for a 7.712-acre property (mixed-use commercial and open space) near I-76 and Bridge Street. The property is 46.8% contiguous with city limits. Set a public hearing for October 7, 2025. Approved 7-0-1.
• 10B – Ballot Content Certification: Resolution certifying the ballot order for the November 4, 2025 coordinated mail ballot election, including candidates for mayor and council members. Approved 7-0-1.
• 10C – Striping and Signage Contract: Resolution awarding a $618,212 contract to Riders Construction (French-Jones LLC) for signage and striping as part of the 2025 Transportation Preservation and Improvement Project. The project includes 1 mile of new bike lane markings, 13,630 sq ft of pavement markings, and 30 miles of roadway striping. Approved 7-0-1.
• 10D – Home Rule Support: Resolution supporting six municipalities (Arvada, Aurora, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Lafayette, Westminster) in litigation against the state over land use laws that override home rule authority. Councilmember Green asked the state representative to take the message back. Approved 7-0-1.
• 10E – Police Building Purchase: Resolution approving the purchase of property at 133 S. 27th Avenue for $2.1 million for police expansion. The police chief cited space constraints (overflow parking, converted closets, lack of training space) and plans to use the building for dedicated training and staff relocation. Councilmember Green voted no, stating the location is not the right solution. Approved 6-1-1.
• 10F – Reimbursement Resolution: Resolution expressing intent to be reimbursed for expenses related to the police building purchase and renovations, using a certificate of participation (up to $7 million) over 15 years. The resolution does not obligate borrowing but allows reimbursement of costs incurred before closing. Approved 6-1-1 (Councilmember Green dissented).

Reports

• Mayor Mills: Reported attending NATA meeting, introducing himself to the new CDOT commissioner, advocating for I-76 and Bromley projects; attended DRCOG awards and Touch-a-Truck event; upcoming Metro Mayors Caucus.
• City Manager Martinez: Announced construction projects nearing completion: 8th Avenue and Bridge Street by September 14, 2025; 4th Avenue final phase by next weekend. Encouraged residents to apply for board vacancies: Parks and Rec (1 at-large, 1 alternate), Historic Preservation (3 members, 2 alternates), Housing Authority (2 alternates plus 1 member), District Plan Commission (filled), and new Sustainability Advisory Board (5 members, 2 youth members).
• Councilmember Padilla: Attended Almost Home thank you breakfast; noted financial challenges for the organization. Promoted Art in the Park weekend. Will attend Brighton Housing Authority meeting in place of Councilmember Green.
• Councilmember Green: Looking forward to car show at Sue Corbett Active Adult Center. Clarified his vote against the police building purchase, stating he supports the police but not the location.
• Councilmember Pawlowski: Attended South State Bank ribbon cutting (with Councilmember Wirth) and E470 operations meeting. Will attend E470 board meeting with Councilmember Taddeo. Upcoming Parks and Rec board meeting.
• Councilmember Fiedler: Thanked Representative Phillips for transparency bill. Commended staff for social media communication on construction; noted public feedback. Thanked those who filed petitions for the upcoming election.
• Councilmember Snyder: No comments.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items approved unanimously.
• Kestrel Metropolitan District Service Plan approved (6-0-1).
• Building code update and appeals hearing officer approved.
• Annexation petition for Brighton Crossing found substantially compliant; public hearing set for October 7, 2025.
• Ballot content certified for November election.
• Striping and signage contract awarded to Riders Construction ($618,212).
• Resolution supporting home rule litigation approved.
• Police building purchase approved (6-1-1).
• Reimbursement resolution for future borrowing (up to $7 million) approved (6-1-1).
• Construction updates: 8th and Bridge Street by September 14; 4th Avenue final phase by next weekend.
• Board vacancies: Sustainability Advisory Board (5 members, 2 youth) and others open for applications.