Brighton City Council Meeting – February 17, 2026

The Brighton City Council met on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered consent items, ceremonial recognitions, public comment, first readings of ordinances, resolutions, and a discussion on board appointment policy, followed by a study session with updates on the pension board and a new utility billing system. All votes were recorded with eight members present (Councilmember Ann Taddeo absent) unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the January 13 and January 20, 2026 City Council minutes.
• Approved Master Price Agreements for utility repair and construction services with Timber Wolf Excavating LLC, C&L Water Solutions, and American West Construction, LLC, each for an initial not-to-exceed amount of $2,000,000.
• Reappointed Andrew Sword to the District Plan Commission (term to January 2029) and Stephanie Ohm as Ward 2 Planning Commission member (term to January 2030).
• Appointed Grace Sullivan, Arielle Gerstein, Dennis Gibbons, Wasim Jabed, and Roma Rodriguez-Rock to the Sustainability Advisory Board, with terms to January 2028 or 2029. All consent items passed 8-0 with one absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Lampo offered a prayer for the city, state drought relief, and community comfort. He spoke for about three minutes.

Ceremonies & Proclamations

• Swearing-in of New Board Members: The inaugural Sustainability Advisory Board members and District Plan Commission member Andrew Sword were sworn in.
• Gilbert Padilla Legacy Pathway Plaque: A resolution approved placing a plaque on the Brighton Legacy Pathway recognizing Gilbert Padilla for community service. Mayor Pro Tem Peter Padilla recused himself. The motion passed 7-0 with one recusal and one absent.
• National Engineers Week Proclamation: Recognized February 22–28, 2026 as Engineers Week, honoring city engineers. Presented to Engineering Manager Noe Martinez.

Discussion Items

• Wildfire Resiliency Code (Ordinance ID-67-26): First reading to adopt the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, required by state law by April 1, 2026. Chief Building Official Andy Ulmer explained that 3.6% of Brighton (primarily Jacob's Run subdivision) falls within Wildland-Urban Interface map classes 1 and 2. The code mandates structure hardening and defensible space for new construction and major renovations. No immediate impact on existing homes. Passed first reading 7-1 with one absent, setting a public hearing for March 17, 2026.
• Downtown Development Authority (Ordinance ID-56-26): First reading to create a DDA board for economic vitality in downtown Brighton. Voters approved the DDA in November 2025 by ~80%. The DDA will have seven members (six qualified electors, one council member). It will use tax increment financing, similar to the existing Urban Renewal Authority (BURRA), which sunsets in 2027 for the downtown zone. Councilmember Green expressed concern about board composition but the ordinance passed 8-0.
• US Highway 85 & 120th Avenue IGA (Resolution ID-48-26): Approved an intergovernmental agreement with Commerce City for the Great Crossing project (bridge over US 85 and railroad). Brighton's contribution is $2.1 million, due February 28, 2027, as part of a $11.192 million match for a CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements) grant. Preliminary design is complete; final design may extend to 2030. Passed 8-0.
• Graywater Prohibition (Ordinance ID-51-26): First reading to prohibit graywater treatment works and use in Brighton, opting out of state permissive legislation. Staff cited significant resources required for regulation and potential impacts on water return flows. Passed 8-0.
• Metro Water Recovery Feasibility Request (Resolution ID-57-26): Authorized the city manager to submit a request to Metro Water Recovery to explore treating all Brighton wastewater (currently split with Town of Lochbuie, whose plant is at capacity). Passed 7-0 with two absent.

Key Outcomes

• Wildfire Code: Ordinance adopted on first reading (7-1); public hearing set for March 17, 2026.
• DDA Board: Ordinance adopted on first reading (8-0); final reading scheduled for March 17, 2026.
• US 85 IGA: Resolution approved (8-0) to fund $2.1 million for the project.
• Graywater Prohibition: Ordinance adopted on first reading (8-0); second reading on March 17, 2026.
• Metro Water Recovery Feasibility: Resolution approved (7-0) to initiate the request.
• Board Appointment Policy: Discussed but no vote. Council directed staff to incorporate feedback and bring back revised policy. Key points: ensure board input in interviews, retain city council final approval, and consider a panel of four council members (one per ward) for interviews.

Study Session Items

• Pension Board Update: Finance Director Katrina Leskozik presented on the city's retirement plans (401A and 457B) and proposed updates to municipal code to reflect current practices: rename from pension to retirement board, set city contribution at a minimum of 9% (currently 11% and increasing), remove specific retirement age, and clarify appointed positions. Council expressed support; ordinance for first reading expected March 3, 2026.
• New Utility Billing System Overview: Revenue Manager Anna Leskozik demonstrated the new integrated system (replacing InnoPrize and eBill Express). Go-live date: March 31, 2026. Key features: unified portal, hourly usage data via SmartMeter, redesigned bills, and tap-to-pay terminals. Customers will receive new account/customer numbers and must re-register. Late fees will be waived for April and May bills. The city will hold help sessions at the Eagle View Adult Center and Rec Center. Council praised the project and noted the system's mobile-friendly web interface.