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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Brighton City Council Meeting - May 19, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, May 19, 2026

BodyBrighton, Colorado

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, May 19, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:33:47

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1:49

Evening.

1:50

I'd like to call to order our city council meeting for Tuesday, May was today, nineteenth, twenty twenty-six.

1:57

Let's have who hasn't said it in a while.

2:00

Let's have Council Member Carball say the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:30

All right, thank you.

2:32

Next, uh Madam City Clerk, please call roll.

2:34

Mayor Mills.

2:35

Here.

2:35

Mayor Pro Tempadilla.

2:37

Here.

2:37

Councilmember Carvajal.

2:39

Present.

2:40

Councilmember Collins.

2:41

Here.

2:42

Councilmember Fiddler.

2:43

Here.

2:44

Councilmember Green.

2:46

I am here.

2:47

Councilmember Snyder.

2:48

Here.

2:49

Councilmember Tobayo.

2:50

Present.

2:51

Councilmember Wirth?

2:52

Here.

2:52

You have a quarter.

2:54

All right.

2:54

Thank you.

2:55

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

3:00

Item two A, approval of the April twenty first, twenty twenty-six city council minutes.

3:05

Item two B, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Brighton, Colorado, authorizing assignment to Brighton leased housing associates, one LP, the private activity bond allocation of the city for the benefit of the Dominion Development Project.

3:25

Authorizing the mayor to execute set assignment on behalf of the city, and authorizing the city manager to execute such documents and undertake undertake such tasks as may be required to effectuate set assignment.

3:38

Item two C, a resolution of the city council of the City of Brighton, Colorado, accepting the proposal of asphalt specialties company incorporated and approving the procurement of the asphalt portion of the transportation preservation and improvement project for the contract amount of one million eight hundred and ninety thousand eight hundred and twenty-five dollars and authorizing the city manager to execute the contract on behalf of the city.

4:33

Moving ahead.

5:06

Motion passes nine to zero.

5:09

Moving ahead into ceremonies.

5:11

Item four A.

5:13

Public Works Week Proclamation.

5:16

Councilmember Green.

5:18

We'll read that into the record.

5:21

Thank you, Mayor.

5:23

Public Works Week, May 17th through May 23rd, 2026, rooted in service and powered by community.

5:30

Whereas public works services are essential to the health, safety, comfort, and quality of life for the residents of the city of Brighton.

5:37

And whereas the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the city's transportation network, water and wastewater systems, stormwater infrastructure, solid waste operations, facilities, and fleet services are vital to sustaining and improving our community.

5:52

And whereas the dedicated professionals in the City of Brighton Public Works Department serve our community every day with commitment, technical expertise, and a strong sense of public service.

6:03

And whereas the theme for the 2026 National Public Works Week highlights the importance of the skilled and diverse workforce that builds, maintains, and enhances the infrastructure that supports our daily lives.

6:15

And whereas it is fitting to recognize and honor the contributions of our public works staff who ensure that the City of Brighton remains a safe, accessible, and resilient community for all residents, businesses, and visitors.

6:29

Now, therefore it be resolved that Gregory Mills, mayor of the City of Brighton, on behalf of the City Council, does hereby designate the week of May 17, 2023, 2026 as National Public Works Week, and urges all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association and government agencies and activities, events, and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public works and utilities professionals and recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our health, safety, and advancing quality of life for all.

7:02

Dated this 19th day of May, 2026.

7:06

Thank you, Councilmember Green.

7:09

Deputy City Manager Falkenberg, who is here to receive us tonight.

7:13

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

7:15

Happy to have up uh director Greg Labree and his entire team, as well as Bob Younger.

7:23

Bob Younger.

7:25

Good evening.

7:26

Mayor, Mr.

7:28

Pro Temp.

7:29

Uh first time I've actually got to speak to you guys formally, so a little nervous.

7:33

Uh thank you for taking the time to recognize the National Public Works Week.

7:37

That's very important to us.

7:39

Uh to recognize and give time and thanks to our crew members for all the work they do.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Fiscal Sustainability█████████████████████████████████████37%

Procedural███████████████████████████27%

Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████13%

Historic Preservation████████8%

Water And Wastewater Management██████6%

Public Safety████4%

Community Engagement████4%

Parks and Recreation█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Brighton City Council Meeting – May 19, 2026

The Brighton City Council met on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, ceremonial proclamations, a public comment, an ordinance on term limits, a resolution for Sable Boulevard improvements, and an informational budget update. All votes and key discussions are summarized below.

Consent Calendar

Item 2A: Approval of the April 21, 2026 City Council minutes.
Item 2B: Resolution authorizing assignment of private activity bond allocation to Brighton Leased Housing Associates I, LP for the Dominium Development Project.
Item 2C: Resolution accepting the proposal of Asphalt Specialties Co., Inc. for the asphalt portion of the Transportation Preservation and Improvement Project (contract amount $1,890,825).
All consent items were approved by a vote of 9‑0.

Proclamations & Ceremonies

Public Works Week (May 17‑23, 2026): Councilmember Green read the proclamation. Deputy City Manager Bob Younger accepted and presented commemorative hats to council members, marking the completion of the Bridge Street widening project.
National Police Week: Deputy Chief accepted the proclamation and highlighted the department’s recognition events and the 345 names added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in 2025.
Historic Preservation Month (May 2026): Councilmember Taddeo read the proclamation. Historic Preservation Commissioner Sophia Imperioli accepted and distributed window signs with QR codes linking to the city’s preservation website.

Public Comments & Testimony

Tom Lampo offered a prayer for the city, asking for wisdom, continued moisture, and peace for families during summer break.

Discussion Items

Ordinance 7A – Term Limits for Boards, Commissions, and Authorities: Deputy City Manager Falkenberg and City Attorney Calderon presented the ordinance, which creates consistent four‑year terms and establishes term limits for various boards and commissions (Sustainability Advisory Board from three‑year to four‑year terms; Adult Youth Commission from two‑year to four‑year terms). Councilmember Green moved to approve; Mayor Pro Tem Padilla seconded. Approved 8‑1 (Councilmember Carbajal opposed).
Resolution 9A – Sable Boulevard Improvements Contract: Public Works Director Greg Labree presented the project, which includes a new roundabout at 136th Avenue, widening and turn‑lane additions at 144th Avenue, left‑turn lanes at 132nd Avenue, and signal upgrades at Bromley/4th Avenue. The contract was awarded to SEMA Construction for $7,716,512. Completion of all intersections except Bromley/4th is expected by December 2026; the Bromley/4th intersection will be completed by Q1 2027. Councilmember Green moved to approve; Councilmember Fiedler seconded. Approved 9‑0.
Q1 2026 Budget & Financial Update (Informational): Deputy City Manager Falkenberg and Budget Manager Rebecca Hefty presented the quarterly update. Key points:
- Governmental fund revenues showed a strong development quarter: use taxes up $1.6 million due to one large permit; sales tax up 4.6%; property tax collections down due to timing but expected to increase 2% for the year; investment earnings down due to market volatility.
- General fund spending: personnel costs up 5.4% (reflecting a 4% salary increase and higher benefits), operating costs flat, capital outlay increasing.
- General fund balance at Q1 was $36.7 million, composed of Tabor reserve, emergency reserve, general fund stabilization reserve (together covering three months of budgeted spending), restricted funds (e.g., bag fee), and about $18 million in unassigned fund balance. Staff cautioned that the unassigned balance is one‑time money and should not be used for ongoing expenses.
- Top 20 taxpayers provide nearly 50% of tax revenue; sales tax growth of 4.5% slightly trails personnel cost growth of 5.4%, a trend council members noted as a concern.
- Q1 expenditures by fund were 12% of budget overall, with operating items at ~20% and capital spending expected to ramp up in Q2/Q3. No action was taken.

Utilities Updates

Lead Service Line Inventory: Utilities Director reported 26 addresses remain to be characterized; one lead service line was already replaced. Three galvanized lines (downstream of former lead lines) require replacement. A new federal “Lead and Copper Rule Improvements” requires verification of 341 meter pits. Compliance by November 2027.
Sable Outfall Project: Part of the larger Sable corridor work. Traffic impacts: alternating single‑lane closure on Sable south of the storage facility starting mid‑June (about 40 days); full closure of 144th Avenue at Sable starting mid‑July (about 40 days). Completion expected in October 2026. Contractors are coordinating with SEMA Construction.
Water Quality Report: The annual Consumer Confidence Report will be available on the city website in the coming weeks, with notices in utility bills in English and Spanish.

Council Reports

Mayor Mills: Attended State Transportation Advisory Committee; spoke to 8th graders at 27J Online Academy (topics included sidewalks, community greenhouse, traffic, drought, housing costs, underage drinking); attended National Day of Prayer events, Riverdale Post Acute Center tour, Aurora State of the City, Rec Center grand opening, Chamber Top Golf event, Rotary Club presentation, and Brighton Fire Training Center tour. Reminded public to delay lawn watering due to recent rain.
Councilmember Collins: Parks and Rec Board is nearly full (one youth spot open); Youth Commission interviews completed; noted Ravenfield groundbreaking on May 27 at 10 a.m.
Councilmember Snyder: Burr downtown improvements moving forward; contract for landscaping at Bridge & 85 expected to be signed; new “Welcome to Brighton” sign was reduced from 30 ft to 20 ft by CDOT (city working to increase to 24 ft). Provided Colorado Municipal League legislative wrap‑up: HB 1257 left massage regulations to local control; HB 2613 adjusted affordable housing requirements favorably for statutory cities; alcoholic entertainment districts bill died; retail theft prevention advisory board created; metal theft now a Class 6 felony; school traffic safety bill modified to apply only to new facilities.
Councilmember Fiedler: Congratulated Brighton High School baseball team on league championship (first since 2002) and season (19‑5, 12‑0 league).
Mayor Pro Tem Padilla: Attending quarterly airport coordinating committee meeting; reminded of Ravenfield groundbreaking.
Councilmember Taddeo: Attending Dr. Cog meeting.
Councilmember Green: Promoted Ozzy Osbourne tribute band concert at the Armory on May 23.
Councilmember Worth: Reported from E‑470 board (new gas/convenience locations, Sable Boulevard exit opening soon, Colorado State Patrol agreement); BYC recruitment (seven new youth commissioners and two adults); Sustainability Board update (city replacing federal EV purchase rebate); Legacy Foundation grant updates with gratitude statements from Brothers Redevelopment, Food for Hope, Ralston House, Bird Conservancy, Meals on Wheels, Junior Achievement, Food Bank of the Rockies, and Laradon Hall.
Councilmember Carbajal: Attended 27J internship celebration (over 230 interns); reminded of “Garden in a Box” pickup on May 20; asked businesses to turn off sprinklers given recent rain; promoted Vaughn’s Vision, providing free eyewear for youth.

Key Outcomes

Consent Agenda: Approved 9‑0.
Ordinance 7A (Term Limits): Approved 8‑1.
Resolution 9A (Sable Boulevard Improvements): Approved 9‑0.
Q1 Budget Update: Received as information; no action taken.
The next regular city council meeting will be in two weeks (June 2, 2026).

Meeting Transcript

Evening. I'd like to call to order our city council meeting for Tuesday, May was today, nineteenth, twenty twenty-six. Let's have who hasn't said it in a while. Let's have Council Member Carball say the Pledge of Allegiance. All right, thank you. Next, uh Madam City Clerk, please call roll. Mayor Mills. Here. Mayor Pro Tempadilla. Here. Councilmember Carvajal. Present. Councilmember Collins. Here. Councilmember Fiddler. Here. Councilmember Green. I am here. Councilmember Snyder. Here. Councilmember Tobayo. Present. Councilmember Wirth? Here. You have a quarter. All right. Thank you. And then next, uh, Madam City Clerk, please read the consent agenda into the record. Item two A, approval of the April twenty first, twenty twenty-six city council minutes. Item two B, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Brighton, Colorado, authorizing assignment to Brighton leased housing associates, one LP, the private activity bond allocation of the city for the benefit of the Dominion Development Project. Authorizing the mayor to execute set assignment on behalf of the city, and authorizing the city manager to execute such documents and undertake undertake such tasks as may be required to effectuate set assignment. Item two C, a resolution of the city council of the City of Brighton, Colorado, accepting the proposal of asphalt specialties company incorporated and approving the procurement of the asphalt portion of the transportation preservation and improvement project for the contract amount of one million eight hundred and ninety thousand eight hundred and twenty-five dollars and authorizing the city manager to execute the contract on behalf of the city. Moving ahead. Motion passes nine to zero. Moving ahead into ceremonies. Item four A. Public Works Week Proclamation. Councilmember Green. We'll read that into the record. Thank you, Mayor. Public Works Week, May 17th through May 23rd, 2026, rooted in service and powered by community. Whereas public works services are essential to the health, safety, comfort, and quality of life for the residents of the city of Brighton. And whereas the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the city's transportation network, water and wastewater systems, stormwater infrastructure, solid waste operations, facilities, and fleet services are vital to sustaining and improving our community. And whereas the dedicated professionals in the City of Brighton Public Works Department serve our community every day with commitment, technical expertise, and a strong sense of public service. And whereas the theme for the 2026 National Public Works Week highlights the importance of the skilled and diverse workforce that builds, maintains, and enhances the infrastructure that supports our daily lives. And whereas it is fitting to recognize and honor the contributions of our public works staff who ensure that the City of Brighton remains a safe, accessible, and resilient community for all residents, businesses, and visitors. Now, therefore it be resolved that Gregory Mills, mayor of the City of Brighton, on behalf of the City Council, does hereby designate the week of May 17, 2023, 2026 as National Public Works Week, and urges all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association and government agencies and activities, events, and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public works and utilities professionals and recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our health, safety, and advancing quality of life for all. Dated this 19th day of May, 2026. Thank you, Councilmember Green. Deputy City Manager Falkenberg, who is here to receive us tonight.

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