OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Brighton City Council Study Session Summary – July 14, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, July 14, 2026
BodyBrighton, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:54:19

Transcript — Verbatim
1:19

Good evening or afternoon.

1:21

Uh like to call to order our study session for Tuesday.

1:24

What is today?

1:25

July 14th, 2026.

1:28

Let's call on Council Member Green to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:01

It will soon do it the way everybody else in the country does it.

2:05

All right.

2:06

Thank you for all right.

2:08

Thank you for leading the pledge.

2:11

First item, monthly contract leasing, deputy city manager Falkenberg.

2:17

And we have our finance director here to address any questions you might have.

2:22

Questions on the attachment.

2:24

I think there was like five or six items when I looked earlier.

2:27

Anybody have any questions or comments?

2:29

Relatively short list this month.

2:30

Yeah.

2:32

Thank you.

2:33

Thank you.

2:34

All right.

2:35

That's the kind of presentations you like.

2:40

Don't let her leave.

2:42

Okay.

2:43

She's got another presentation.

2:45

Yes.

2:46

Next, uh the Metropolitan District's presentation.

2:51

Deputy City Manager Falconberg.

2:53

City Attorney's City Attorney Calderon, yes.

2:56

Should have known.

3:00

Actually, yes, our presenter should come.

3:04

Any one of those first couple seats, if you would, please.

3:09

And make sure your mic is on when you talk.

3:11

It'll be a green light.

3:13

Thank you.

3:14

So as an introduction, as you all recall, we have outside counsel for things like advising us on Metro District Service Plans.

3:25

Um there also are bond council, Butler Snow is the law firm.

3:29

And we have with us this evening Dylan Peters, who is going to go over a bit of the basics of Metro District and and then we have some a policy question at the end for you all to answer.

3:45

Good evening, Mayor Mills, Council members.

3:48

Um as Alicia described, we're gonna do a a primer on Metro Districts as we're coming into the season where we start seeing more applications coming across and what you're gonna be asked um to approve um in the future.

4:02

And we've been we've presented in the past on some of these issues, so I'm gonna hit it on a high level.

4:08

But if there's any detailed questions or if you want to um go into anything in more detail, we can do that at the end, or even if you want to interrupt if you have a question that's pertinent at the time, please feel free to do so.

4:44

So Metro Districts are independent uh quasi municipal corporations and public uh political subdivisions of the state.

4:53

They can provide a variety of services, and they're all listed here, and those services are also included in your service plan.

5:00

So when they come to form a metro district, usually they are entitled to provide two or more of these services.

5:09

So how are they formed?

5:11

Um when a metro district is submitting its application and all of its boundaries are located wholly within the city, then they must submit the service plan to the city council for approval, and they have to comply with certain criteria set forth in the statute.

5:27

And after we look at the service plan, the council has the authority and undergoing a public hearing to either approve the service plan without condition or modification as presented, they can disapprove the service plan, or the third option is you can conditionally approve it, subject to the submission of additional information, modification, or revisions of that service plan.

5:50

And the city has a model that was adopted by council back in 2021, and that is really the basis for each of the metro districts proposed.

6:00

So applicants see that service model service plan and they revise it to fit their specific application, and then that's what they will present.

6:11

So how are they formed?

6:13

Um at the organizing election vote in favor for organization, then the district court declares the metro district organized.

6:22

And it's that order of the district court that finally establishes the organization of the metro district.

6:28

Um at that point, it is then vested with the rights of a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of the state.

6:38

So they the service plan is submitted and it requires city council approval, and then they get the petition of the owners of taxable property.

6:45

And here are some of the thresholds that are set forth, and and metro district and their council will make sure that they hit all of those requirements before they submit it.

6:55

And then they go and they get the order of the district court, which makes it official.

7:00

So metro districts are governed by a board of directors of five to seven members, and those are elected by the eligible electors of a district.

7:09

Um then once that's formed, they have all the powers given to it under Title 32, which is the Special District Act, but the limitations there are what is included in the service plan.

7:22

So they can do anything otherwise limited by their service plan.

7:25

And so that's that's that's why the service plan is the council's number one sort of um oversight or anything on metro districts, and that's where we can incorporate the city's policies and your all wishes on how you want to see metro districts utilized and what protections we can put in place.

7:44

So why do we have metro districts?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Technology and Innovation███████████████████████23%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████15%
Municipal Districts████████████12%
Elections████████████12%
Procedural████████8%
Public Engagement█████5%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Community Engagement█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Brighton City Council Study Session Summary – July 14, 2026

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the Brighton City Council held a study session beginning at 6:00 PM in the Study Session Room. Mayor Gregory Mills presided. The council reviewed monthly contracts, received a presentation on metropolitan districts, discussed RecPlex naming rights, considered a South Brighton General Improvement District (GID) ballot measure, and reviewed proposed amendments to the land use code for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Council also discussed appointments to the new Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

Consent Calendar

  • Monthly Contract Listing (ID-206-26): Deputy City Manager Falkenberg presented the executed contract listing for May 2026. Council had no questions or comments; it was noted as a relatively short list.

Discussion Items

Metropolitan Districts (ID-212-26)

  • Dylan Peters of Butler Snow, outside counsel, presented a primer on metropolitan districts. He explained that metro districts are quasi-municipal corporations formed through a service plan approved by city council, with a model service plan adopted by the city in 2021. Key features include a maximum combined mill levy cap of 60 mills, a 40-year debt term (extinguishable after 40 years), and requirements for annual audits, reports, and intergovernmental agreements.
  • Council Member Green asked about refinancing and the 40-year clock. Peters clarified the clock starts at initial debt issuance, and resident-controlled boards can approve extensions. Green also asked who reviews metro district audits; City Attorney Calderon acknowledged there is no formal review process, and Green proposed developing one.
  • Council Member Worth asked about board elections and transition from developer to resident control. Peters explained that initial boards are typically developer-controlled, with property owners voting. He also confirmed that after 40 years, unpaid debt is extinguished, meaning bondholders bear the loss.
  • Council Member Taddeo expressed general skepticism about metro districts but favored applying the model to new districts only, keeping it simple.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Padilla said he supports holding to the standard where enforceable, but trusts staff recommendations when deviations benefit the city.
  • The policy question posed to council was whether to require new or amended metro district service plans to match the city's model. Council generally indicated support for requiring the model where appropriate, with flexibility for existing districts.

RecPlex Naming Rights (ID-208-26)

  • Ryan Smith, Parks Planning, Development, and Grant Manager, presented a proposal to sell naming rights for the future Brighton RecPlex (670 South 40th Avenue, approximately 41.5 acres). Proposed packages: entire complex naming rights at $750,000 over a minimum of five years ($3.75 million total); Triplex field naming at $250,000 for five years ($1.25 million); multi-purpose field ("pods") naming at same terms ($1.25 million). Payments could be spread over construction.
  • Council Member Green questioned why the city needed this money. Smith confirmed the project has a funding shortfall and is undergoing value engineering; sponsorships would supplement city funds and grants. Green asked about restrictions; Smith said sponsors must meet city values (e.g., no tobacco, cannabis, adult entertainment, gambling, or political organizations).
  • Council Member Snyder asked if there was evidence of market interest. Smith said no outreach has been made yet but cited 43 tournaments and 56,000 visitors annually, with some ESPN coverage. Travis (likely a staff member) shared an example from Hays, Kansas, where a 10-year naming right sold for $500,000 each from two donors.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Padilla expressed support for exploring naming rights as a creative funding source, but asked about conflicts between sponsors (e.g., Coke vs. Pepsi) and what happens if a sponsor goes defunct. Smith said the city could negotiate exclusivity and include reversion clauses.
  • Council member Fiedler asked if the project has a budget shortfall; Smith confirmed. Fiedler also asked whether sponsorships would fully cover the shortfall; Smith said a combination of sponsorships, grants, and possibly reserves would be needed, with a new cost estimate in August.
  • Council consensus was to allow staff to explore naming rights further and to place an item on the next consent agenda.

South Brighton GID Ballot Measure Proposal (ID-214-26)

  • Finance Director presented a proposal to hold a November 2026 election for the South Brighton General Improvement District (GID). The GID was formed in 2004 by property owners and has never levied taxes. The proposal would replace the current $400,000 annual revenue cap with a 15-mill cap, allowing revenue to grow as new parcels join while protecting property owners from unlimited mills.
  • The GID board is the City Council. There are 11 parcels owned by three property owners; each parcel has one vote. Council Member Snyder expressed concern that future residents would have no say, but acknowledged the necessity.
  • Council Member Green noted the $400,000 cap could be changed; finance director confirmed the 15-mill cap is intended. A study projected 15 mills could generate roughly $30 million over 30 years, with year-one revenue estimated at no more than $50,000 due to vacant land.
  • Council Member Snyder also raised concern about layering GID, URA (TIF), and metro districts potentially over-taxing the area and disincentivizing development. The finance director clarified TIF does not add tax, and the 15 mills would bring the area to around 195 mills, comparable to other districts.
  • Next steps: a resolution authorizing the election would be brought to the GID board (council) the following week. Ballot language would come August 18, election November 3, and if approved, mill levy and budget approval December 1.

Colorado Electric Vehicle Charging Model Land Use Code (ID-215-26)

  • Tracy (Sustainability) and Kim Bauer (Community Development) presented proposed amendments adopting the Colorado EV Charging Model Land Use Code, developed after House Bill 24-1173. The law requires municipalities to either adopt the model code, adopt substantially equivalent standards, or formally opt out.
  • Staff recommends adopting the model code integrated into Brighton's land use code. The amendments would add definitions, set standards for accessory and primary EV charging station uses, and apply existing landscaping, lighting, and screening requirements.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Padilla questioned how accessory EV charging would work in R1 zones. Staff explained it would be permitted as an accessory use but still subject to zoning rules; they acknowledged concerns and offered to bring a redline version with a visual use table.
  • Council Member Green expressed concerns about operating hours, transformer screening, and allowing commercial charging in residential zones. He noted other cities have restricted it. Council Member Snyder suggested explicitly excluding single-family residential from publicly available charging.
  • Staff stated the code allows some latitude, and they have already requested changes (e.g., making some uses conditional). If council opts out, no penalty exists, but staff recommends adopting.
  • Council asked for a redline version distinguishing amendments to the model code from amendments to Brighton's code. Staff will take feedback, go to planning commission, then return to a future study session.

Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Appointments (Additional Discussion)

  • Mayor Mills raised an issue from the prior week regarding DDA appointments. The original proposal had Council Member Green as primary and Mayor Mills as alternate, but the appointment failed on a 5-to-3 vote.
  • Council Member Snyder stated he would like to serve but is currently on the Borough board, creating a conflict. He expressed confidence in Council Member Green and would support the original consent agenda item.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Padilla suggested allowing Snyder to resign from Borough and join the DDA, given Snyder's significant work on creating the DDA. He also thought naming the Mayor as alternate was inappropriate given other interested council members with fewer appointments.
  • Council Member Fiedler noted the original rationale was not known to all, and the conversation should happen with full council. Council Member Taddeo supported Snyder serving.
  • Snyder agreed to discuss potential resignation with Borough board members and would update the Mayor on Thursday morning. No final decision was made.

Key Outcomes

  • Metropolitan Districts: No formal vote. Council indicated general support for enforcing the model service plan for new districts and amendments where feasible; staff will continue using the model as the baseline.
  • RecPlex Naming Rights: Council consensus to proceed with exploring naming rights; an item will be placed on the next consent agenda for approval.
  • South Brighton GID: Council directed staff to bring a resolution authorizing the November election to the next GID board meeting (July 2026), with ballot language to be finalized on August 18, 2026.
  • EV Charging Model Code: Council provided feedback, including concerns about residential zoning and the need for clarity on deviations from the model. Staff will refine the amendments and return with a redlined version and visual use table for a future study session.
  • DDA Appointments: No final appointment made; Council Member Snyder will consult with Borough board members and report back, after which the Mayor may bring a revised nomination.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening or afternoon. Uh like to call to order our study session for Tuesday. What is today? July 14th, 2026. Let's call on Council Member Green to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. It will soon do it the way everybody else in the country does it. All right. Thank you for all right. Thank you for leading the pledge. First item, monthly contract leasing, deputy city manager Falkenberg. And we have our finance director here to address any questions you might have. Questions on the attachment. I think there was like five or six items when I looked earlier. Anybody have any questions or comments? Relatively short list this month. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. All right. That's the kind of presentations you like. Don't let her leave. Okay. She's got another presentation. Yes. Next, uh the Metropolitan District's presentation. Deputy City Manager Falconberg. City Attorney's City Attorney Calderon, yes. Should have known. Actually, yes, our presenter should come. Any one of those first couple seats, if you would, please. And make sure your mic is on when you talk. It'll be a green light. Thank you. So as an introduction, as you all recall, we have outside counsel for things like advising us on Metro District Service Plans. Um there also are bond council, Butler Snow is the law firm. And we have with us this evening Dylan Peters, who is going to go over a bit of the basics of Metro District and and then we have some a policy question at the end for you all to answer. Good evening, Mayor Mills, Council members. Um as Alicia described, we're gonna do a a primer on Metro Districts as we're coming into the season where we start seeing more applications coming across and what you're gonna be asked um to approve um in the future. And we've been we've presented in the past on some of these issues, so I'm gonna hit it on a high level. But if there's any detailed questions or if you want to um go into anything in more detail, we can do that at the end, or even if you want to interrupt if you have a question that's pertinent at the time, please feel free to do so. So Metro Districts are independent uh quasi municipal corporations and public uh political subdivisions of the state. They can provide a variety of services, and they're all listed here, and those services are also included in your service plan. So when they come to form a metro district, usually they are entitled to provide two or more of these services. So how are they formed? Um when a metro district is submitting its application and all of its boundaries are located wholly within the city, then they must submit the service plan to the city council for approval, and they have to comply with certain criteria set forth in the statute. And after we look at the service plan, the council has the authority and undergoing a public hearing to either approve the service plan without condition or modification as presented, they can disapprove the service plan, or the third option is you can conditionally approve it, subject to the submission of additional information, modification, or revisions of that service plan. And the city has a model that was adopted by council back in 2021, and that is really the basis for each of the metro districts proposed. So applicants see that service model service plan and they revise it to fit their specific application, and then that's what they will present. So how are they formed? Um at the organizing election vote in favor for organization, then the district court declares the metro district organized.

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