Brighton City Council Regular Meeting – March 17, 2026

The Brighton City Council met on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers, 500 S. 4th Avenue. Mayor Gregory Mills presided with a quorum present. The meeting covered consent items, ceremonial recognitions, public comment, four public hearings, utility business, reports, an executive session, and a study session on housing stability services. Notable actions included approval of the Brighton Crossing Filing No. 9 subdivision plan, denial of the state-mandated Wildfire Resiliency Code, approval of the Bromley Park PUD 36th Amendment, and postponement of the Grein Property annexation items to April 21, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• The City Clerk read consent agenda items 2A (approval of February 17, 2026 minutes), 2B (final reading of retirement plan ordinance amendments), and 2C (final reading of criminal code amendments). Items 2D–2F (reappointment of Lisa Snyder to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, appointment of Jonathan Travis to the Historic Preservation Commission, and appointment of Barb Baca to the Brighton Housing Authority) were listed on the agenda. No separate roll call vote on the consent calendar was captured in the transcript; the meeting proceeded directly to the regular agenda. This procedural discrepancy is noted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Lampo delivered an invocation-style prayer, asking for cooler weather and moisture, noting the region remains significantly below average snowpack for the time of year.
• Robin Crean presented a petition to restore, secure, and promote occupancy of the historic building at 575 South Bush Street, asking the city to honor the protective landmark designation approved by the council on October 7, 2014, avoid demolition, redirect demolition/hazard remediation funds toward repair and reuse, and consider historic preservation grants and cost recovery from the person who caused vandalism.
• Annalie Barrie, Community Services Director for the Brighton Housing Authority, expressed support for partner organizations Almost Home and Growing Home, noting that rental assistance availability has shrunk to a tiny fraction of prior levels, creating challenges for keeping residents stably housed. She stated the Housing Authority provides vouchers and a tenant-based rental assistance program with a preference for survivors of domestic violence across Adams County.
• Gail McGaugh spoke in opposition to demolishing 575 South Bush Street, stating she had canvassed 75 homes door-to-door and only one person was not concerned about the building being taken down. She noted neighbors had not received survey letters and expressed concern that demolition would be an injustice to the historic neighborhood.
• The Mayor noted no decision or meeting is currently scheduled on the 575 South Bush Street matter, but stated a public hearing is expected next month (April 2026).

Ceremonies & Recognitions

• Swearing In (4A): Lisa Snyder was sworn in as a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member. She thanked council and said she looks forward to serving another four years. The Mayor noted Barb Baca (Housing Authority) had already been sworn in previously. (Note: transcript has "Lisa Sniped" for "Lisa Snyder" per the agenda.)
• Government Procurement Month Proclamation (4B): Kelsey Archuletta, Procurement and Contracts Manager, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the procurement team and expressed gratitude for the recognition and interdepartmental collaboration.
• Performance and Leadership Academy Graduations (4C): Pierce Miller presented six graduates: Becca Hefty (budget projection sheets), Laura Hernandez (utility billing review process), John Waynes (building permit fee calculators), Armando Guxo (Transportation Preservation Improvement Program bidding process), Anna Liskozik (sales/use tax refund process), and Detective Valerie Rolfe (standardized detective training program).

Public Hearing – Brighton Crossing Filing No. 9 Subdivision Plan (ID-97-26)

• Staff planner Gray Shipman presented the proposal for an approximately 9.095-acre property north of East Bridge Street, south of Royal Pine Street, east of Apache Plume Street, and west of the Speer Canal. The plan creates 60 single-family detached lots in two phases (17 lots in phase one, 43 in phase two). Off-site improvements include a missing trail connection along the Speer Canal and a median extension on East Bridge Street. Staff noted North Golden Eagle Fork would be a privately owned, one-way road maintained by the Metro District because it does not meet city design standards.
• Anastasia Urban, agent for Brighton Crossing LLC, stated the applicant agreed to all proposed conditions and provided context on how Filing 9 fits within the Brighton Crossing Master Plan.
• Councilmember Padilla asked clarifying questions about the Golden Eagle Fork design, characterizing it as a creative solution to an access problem created by earlier council decisions. Councilmember Green expressed concerns about left-turn movements, parking on the private road, and fire truck access.
• The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval on February 26, 2026. No public comment was received. Councilmember Padilla moved approval; Councilmember Taddeo seconded. Motion passed 9–0.

Public Hearing – Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Adoption (ID-107-26, Final Reading)

• Chief Building Official Andy Ulmer presented the ordinance adopting the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, required by Senate Bill 25-142 by April 1, 2026. He clarified previously raised questions: only one builder currently uses cement-based siding voluntarily; insurance companies were not yet aware of the code; the map updates every three years; the code has no immediate impact on existing structures; Class 1 areas cause no significant cost increases; Class 2 areas add costs (e.g., approximately $350 per unit for 20-minute exterior doors); dual-pane glass (not tempered) will satisfy requirements; and defensible space requirements apply in zones from 0–5 feet, 5–30 feet, and 30–100 feet. Staff recommended adoption as written.
• Councilmember Green opposed the ordinance, arguing that the claim of no immediate impact is misleading because remodels and additions would need to conform. Community Development Director Holly Prather noted additions over 500 square feet would also have to comply, affecting areas including Jacobs Run, the Homestead neighborhood, and the Corbin Kidder subdivision, with some entitled but unbuilt properties at higher densities than estate residential.
• Councilmember Padilla moved to deny, calling the code an unfunded state mandate that could add over 15% to the cost of a single-family home and inconsistent with affordability priorities. Councilmember Green seconded. Motion to decline passed 7–2.

Public Hearing – Land Use Code Wildfire Resiliency Amendments (ID-95-26, First Reading)

• Director Holly Prater noted this ordinance references the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, which council had just declined to adopt, and recommended pulling the item. Councilmember Padilla expressed interest in retaining landscape-related requirements that do not add significant cost, but not building material requirements. Councilmember Padilla moved to postpone the item to a later date to be determined by staff; Councilmember Green seconded. Motion passed 9–0.

Public Hearing – Bromley Park PUD 36th Amendment (ID-99-26, First Reading)

• Senior Planner Summer McCann presented the request for a 1.650-acre property northeast of Bowie Drive and North 50th Avenue to permit a daycare as a permitted use with associated development standards. The site is significantly impacted by roughly 60 feet of drainage and gas easements. The proposal reduces the parking setback from 40 feet to 18 feet (building setback increased to 85 feet), adds an eight-foot masonry wall, and applies reduced parking consistent with operational needs of a daycare. Provisions apply only to a daycare; future use changes would trigger site plan review.
• Lucy Denin of Cadence Development LLC identified Kindercare as the intended occupant, a national provider with approximately 38 schools in Colorado and 1,600 daycares nationally. She stated two neighborhood Zoom meetings were held (one with a single family in attendance) and that gas utility and metro district support had been obtained.
• Councilmember Snyder expressed concern about reduced parking for events, but accepted applicant and staff explanations that a traffic study showed sufficiency for daycare operations. Councilmember Padilla asked about future use changes; the applicant noted the site could adapt (e.g., playground areas could be converted to parking). Councilmember Green voiced support, noting the orientation protects children and the adjacent King Soopers lot provides overflow parking.
• No public comment was received. Motion by Councilmember Green, seconded by Councilmember Fiedler. Motion passed 9–0.

Grein Property No. 2 Annexation (ID-73-26, Final Reading) – Continued

• City Manager Martinez requested that this item also be continued to April 21, 2026, to keep all three Grein Property items together (after 7B and 7C were earlier continued). Councilmember Padilla moved to continue; Councilmember Collins seconded. Motion passed 8–1 (Councilmember Green dissenting).

Utilities – Water Dedication and Extraterritorial Service Ordinance (ID-92-26, First Reading)

• Utilities Director Scott Olson presented amendments to Article 13-4 (water dedication and service outside the city) and 13-12-55 (wastewater service). The ordinance extends water dedication tiers for higher densities (currently all densities above 11 units per acre dedicate 0.4 acre-feet per unit; the new schedule reduces requirements to as low as 0.19 acre-feet per unit for densities greater than 18 units per acre). The ordinance also requires city council approval of written agreements for extraterritorial utility service, with an example involving a property needed for right-of-way at a proposed Sable intersection improvement.
• Councilmember Padilla expressed support for adjusting water dedication based on actual usage but questioned whether extraterritorial service decisions and rates should be made administratively rather than through the political process, noting code currently requires outside-city customers to pay double the market rate. City Attorney Calderon noted rates are set by council through the annual rate resolution. Councilmember Green supported making it a staff decision, while Councilmember Carbajal suggested a fiscal cap on administrative approvals to protect city resources.
• Councilmember Padilla initially moved to postpone for 30 days to develop amendments but withdrew. Councilmember Green moved to approve the ordinance as written with amendments to be brought back at second reading; Councilmember Carbajal seconded. Motion passed 7–2.

Utilities – Brannan Sand and Gravel Lease Amendment (ID-93-26)

• Councilmember Taddeo recused herself, stating a family member works for Brannan Sand and Gravel.
• Utilities Director Scott Olson presented the first amendment to the lease for the Plant 3 site and a portion of Phase 18 of Ken Mitchell Lakes. The city purchased the property from ReadyMix Concrete (a Brannan subsidiary) in 2020 with a seven-year leaseback (approximately $19,000 in rent for 84 months). The amendment provides a six-year initial term with three optional three-year extensions (up to 15 years total). Rent would be $14,734 per month through August 17, 2027 (reduced to account for prepayment toward property purchase), then $34,000 per month, increasing 2.5% per renewal term. The city has no immediate plans for the site, with surface water treatment plant design not starting until approximately 2045.
• Councilmember Green asked whether operations would affect future water treatment plans; Olson confirmed no detrimental effect and stated continuing operations would generate roughly $400,000 per year (approximately $2.4 million over the initial six-year term).
• Motion by Councilmember Green, seconded by Councilmember Fiedler. Motion passed 8–0 with 1 recusal.

Reports

• Mayor Mills: Reported attending the Adams County Regional Economic Partnership State of the Region event and the Metro Mayors Municipal Leadership Academy graduation (noting Mayor Pro Tem Padilla was a graduate). No meetings are scheduled the week of March 23 or March 31 (fifth Tuesday); the next regular meeting is April 7, 2026.
• Department Directors: Scott Olson reported completion of the Bridge Street widening project (final stormwater pipeline and trail connection) on time and under budget, and that the Lutz pump station reservoir is full with all pumps operational. Parks and Recreation staff noted the concrete trail from 27th Avenue to the Lutz Reservoir parking lot is complete, with soft-surface trail plans in progress and signage forthcoming. City Manager Martinez indicated more restrictive drought-related water restrictions may be brought to council within the next month.
• City Council: Padilla praised the Metro Leadership Academy (run by Civic Results) and encouraged colleagues to apply. Green reported on a future Apple Green convenience center on E470. Worth reported on the inaugural Sustainability Advisory Board meeting and the Brighton Legacy Foundation. Collins noted Youth Commission Speak Week planning and a 5K on May 2, and that Platte Valley's Ladies Night Out was postponed. Snyder reported on the Highway 85 Committee meeting, including that Greeley secured funding to rebuild 11 failing bridges and that Union Pacific would contribute 5% of the cost of grade separations.

Executive Session

• Council recessed to executive session under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(e) and Charter Section 5.4(C)(1) to determine a position on negotiable matters and instruct negotiators, by motion of Councilmember Padilla, seconded by Councilmember Taddeo. Motion passed 8–1. Participants included all council members, City Manager Martinez, City Attorney Calderon, Budget Director Catherine Mortenson, Housing Coordinator Sean Weisman, Deputy City Manager Mark Falkenberg, and Community Development Director Holly Prater. No concerns about improper executive session discussion were raised.

Study Session – Almost Home and Growing Home Presentation (ID-108-26)

• Almost Home staff (presenter identified as Delaney) presented on the loss of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) contracts, non-renewed by Adams County in late 2025, eliminating just under $3 million in annual funding for housing stability services across the county. Almost Home's contract alone was $1 million per year.
• Key statistics presented: Adams County has 9% of the state's population but 15% of its evictions, ranking 3rd in Colorado behind Denver and Arapahoe counties; eviction filings for Brighton residents nearly doubled from 2024 to 2025; filings in zip code 80602 more than quadrupled; 80601 saw a 74% increase; and 80–85% of evictions are solely for non-payment of rent.
• In 2025, the two organizations combined served 90 Brighton households. Average rental assistance in Brighton was approximately $2,500 per household, versus a countywide average of $3,200. Almost Home stated that nearly 100% of participants remain stably housed three months after assistance, and Growing Home reported 91% stably housed at program exit and 80% three months after exit, with 69% of households reducing housing cost burden.
• Almost Home's service capacity has dropped from approximately 50 households per month in 2024–2025 to 5–10 per month. The presenter cited research that homelessness costs governments roughly $30,000 per person over two years, compared with $2,500 to keep someone housed. Commerce City invested $1.9 million in a resident rental assistance program; Westminster is considering approximately $400,000.
• The recommendation to council was to assign a city staff person to investigate Brighton-specific homelessness inflow and coordinate with providers. Mayor Pro Tem Padilla disclosed he sits on the Almost Home board, praised the presentation, and criticized the county's inability to reallocate budget funds to address the TANF gap. Councilmember Fiedler asked about the Commerce City program's investment level.
• The second planned study session item (Municipal Service Center Denver Street Improvement Project, ID-68-26) was not presented; the Mayor indicated it will be presented at a future date.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the regular agenda as amended (continuing items 7B and 7C to April 21, 2026) — 9–0.
• Approved the Brighton Crossing Filing No. 9 Subdivision Plan and acceptance of public lands/facilities — 9–0.
• Denied adoption of the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (Item 6B) — 7–2.
• Postponed the Land Use Code wildfire resiliency amendments (Item 6C) to a later date to be determined by staff — 9–0.
• Approved the Bromley Park PUD 36th Amendment (daycare use) — 9–0.
• Continued the Grein Property No. 2 Annexation (Item 7A) to April 21, 2026 — 8–1.
• Approved the Water Dedication and Extraterritorial Service ordinance on first reading, with amendments to be brought back at second reading — 7–2.
• Approved the Brannan Sand and Gravel lease amendment resolution — 8–0 with 1 recusal.
• Authorized the executive session — 8–1.
• The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2026.