Castle Rock Town Council Meeting - September 20, 2022: Budget, Water Conservation, and Police Improvements
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Castle Rock Town Council Meeting - September 20, 2022: Budget, Water Conservation, and Police Improvements
The Castle Rock Town Council met on September 20, 2022, starting at 6:05 PM and adjourning at 10:13 PM, with recesses for the Urban Renewal Authority and Festival Park Commons GID meetings. The council adopted the 2023 fiscal year budget on first reading, approved water rate increases, a new landscape and irrigation manual limiting turf in new developments, a construction contract for police department renovations, and numerous resolutions and ordinances. Key votes included a 6-1 decision to place a resolution supporting Douglas County School District ballot measures 5A and 5B on the October 4 agenda, and a 6-1 vote to adopt truck route restrictions on second reading.
Public Comments & Testimony
- George Wood (resident since 1978, business owner): Expressed safety concerns about recent road work on Gilbert Street that forces vehicles to go right but requires crossing a double yellow line to turn left. He stated if any drivers get into an accident, he will hold the town responsible. Mayor Gray directed staff to follow up and report to council.
- Don Stork (resident): Thanked council for opening with prayer and the 'In God We Trust' display. Voiced opposition to a recent Drag Queen show, stating it should be an 18+ event without children.
- Shawn L'Esperance (resident): Expressed overwhelming support from her family and neighbors for the construction of Plum Creek North Park, noting the neighborhood lacks a park and is grateful the town purchased the land and included it in the 2023 budget.
- Morgan Cullen (Home Builders Association of Metro Denver): Supported water conservation but opposed requiring builders to install backyard landscaping and the associated $15,000 fee for homeowners not using builders. Requested an exemption for alley-loaded garages (Exhibit A).
- Tom Warnke (Water Commission member): Stated the ordinance does not make builders responsible for backyards but offers an incentive. Emphasized the program will reduce summer water use by 10 million gallons and eliminate the need for more infrastructure.
- Matt Valence (Taylor Morrison, speaking as resident): Supported water conservation methods but argued the fee credit withholding is punitive and not reflective of true administrative costs. Asked to remove the backyard installation requirement and use a master template for communities instead of individual lot submittals.
Discussion Items
- 2023 Budget Overview (David Corliss): The $315.3 million budget reflects council priorities: public safety, transportation, water, parks and recreation, economic development, conservative finances, and preserving community character. The operating budget is a 7.75% increase over 2022, with a 6% sales tax growth estimate. Property tax mill levy remains at 1.139 mills. A shift of 4.46% of sales tax from Transportation to General Fund (~$3M annually) is proposed. Top infrastructure priority is Crystal Valley Interchange. Parks include renovation of Butterfield and Mitchell Gulch parks, construction of Plum Creek North Park, and synthetic turf at Matney Park. Compensation includes 4% increase for general staff and 7.5% for public safety. No health insurance premium increases.
- Water Rates and Fees (Mark Marlowe): Proposed 4.5% water rate increase ($1.73 average), 7.5% water resources increase ($2 average), 0% wastewater increase, and 4.5% stormwater increase (33 cents). System development fees increase 10-15%. Total average residential bill increase of 3.9% ($4). Rate increases needed for next four years to fund capital projects like Castle Rock Reservoir 2 ($19M), WISE investments, and doubling water purification capacity. Councilmember Bracken confirmed rates are compounding and could decrease if expenses decline.
- Property Tax Mill Levy (Trish Muller): Mill levy remains at 1.139 mills due to preliminary assessment increase below 5.5%. Average home pays $35/year to the town.
- Service Contract Funding Requests: Presentations from Chamber of Commerce (Pam Ridler, Kris Brader), Downtown Development Authority/Downtown Merchants Association (Kevin Tilson), Economic Development Council (Frank Gray), Castle Rock Museum (Ron Clausen), Senior Center (Debbi Haynie), Douglas County Community Foundation (Michael Waid), Douglas County Housing Partnership (Maria Ciano), and Douglas County Youth Initiative (Councilmember Dietz as liaison). Council directed the Town Manager to execute contracts for requested amounts.
- Downtown Enhancement Grant Program (Kevin Tilson): Proposed program funded from DDA special fund ($100,000/year) to support small-scale development (projects at least $250,000, max grant $50,000 or 2.5% of cost). Preference for locally owned businesses, must receive building permit within 12 months. Examples: Scileppi's expansion, Perry Street Social historic preservation. Council approved the program.
- Police Department Improvements (Matt Gohl, Chief Cauley): Construction contract with MW Golden for $1,956,342 (including contingency) for ADA accessibility improvements on first floor and basement renovations (lockers, fitness space, quiet rooms, restrooms). Funded by $2M TABOR surplus. Expected 7-month construction. Councilmember Cavey noted a new station may be needed eventually.
- Community Grant Program (Trish Muller): Four applications each for $500: A Precious Child, Castle Rock Band, Clothes to Kids Denver, Douglas County High Schools Academic and Athletic Association. Council awarded grants.
- Truck Routes Ordinance (Dan Sailer): Second reading of ordinance defining truck routes to protect pavement lifespan and quality of life. Trucks over 10,000 lbs restricted to recommended routes (Highway 86, Ridge Road, Plum Creek Parkway, Wolfensberger). Final route resolution to come October 4. Approved 6-1 (Councilmember Johnson opposed).
- Landscape and Irrigation Criteria Manual (Mark Marlowe): First reading of ordinance limiting turf to 500 sq ft in backyards, eliminating front yard turf for new homes, and eliminating non-functional turf on commercial properties. Effective for new houses permitted after January 1, 2023. Incentives for builders to install front and back yards. Estimated water savings of over 1,600 acre-feet. Councilmember Cavey expressed concerns about homeowner compliance and HOA issues, citing Macanta. Councilmember Hollingshead considered a percentage approach but staff recommended 500 sq ft. Mayor Pro Tem Bracken supported the move as necessary for water conservation. Councilapproved 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution of Support for School District Ballot Measures 5A and 5B: Motion to place a resolution on the October 4 agenda passed 6-1 (Councilmember Cavey opposed, citing conflicts of interest and jurisdictional concerns; Town Attorney Hyman stated it is an authorized practice).
- Plum Creek North Park Construction in 2023: Motion by Councilmember Dietz to ensure the park is built in 2023 passed 7-0.
- Executive Session for Property Acquisition: Motion to hold an executive session on October 4 at 5:30 PM passed 7-0.
- 2023 Budget (First Reading): Ordinance 2022-021 passed 7-0.
- Stormwater/Water/Wastewater Rate Changes (First Reading): Ordinance 2022-022 passed 7-0.
- Property Tax Levy Ordinance (First Reading): Ordinance 2022-023 passed 6-0 (Councilmember Hollingshead not present; council voted to place on consent calendar for second reading).
- Service Contract Funding: Directed Town Manager to execute contracts for requested amounts, passed 7-0.
- DDA 2023 Budget (Resolution 2022-104): Passed 7-0.
- DDA Mill Levy (Ordinance 2022-024, First Reading): Passed 7-0.
- Downtown Enhancement Grant Program: Council supported the program as presented, passed 7-0.
- Miller's Landing BID 2023 Budget and Operating Plan (Resolution 2022-105): Passed 7-0.
- URA Minutes and Budget: Approved 7-0 during recess.
- Festival Park Commons GID Minutes, Budget, and Mill Levy: Approved 7-0 during recess.
- Ratification of Festival Park Commons GID Budget and Mill Levy (Resolution 2022-106): Passed 7-0.
- Police Department Construction Contract (Resolution 2022-107): Passed 7-0.
- Community Grant Awards: Passed 7-0.
- Truck Routes Ordinance (Second Reading): Ordinance 2022-019 passed 6-1 (Councilmember Johnson opposed).
- Landscape and Irrigation Criteria Manual (First Reading): Ordinance 2022-025 passed 7-0.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I had Pastor Jack Serr of Castlewood Canyon Church. Thanks, Jack. Let's pray together. Father, we thank you for this day that you made that we could live it out. I thank you for all these elected officials here that you have brought to Castle Rock for such a time as this. And I just pray, God, that you give them your wisdom, your insight, your understanding, your patience, your grace, and your love and your help as they're guiding this amazing community. And so we pray that your will be done right here on Earth as it is in heaven. And we give you all the praise for it. We ask this in your name. Amen. Thank you, Jack. This meeting is being held as a connected meeting in accordance with town council electronic participation connected and a hybrid meeting policy. I'll town clerk for roll call. Councilmember Hollingshead. Here. Councilmember KV. Yes. Councilmember LaFleur. Here. Councilmember Johnson. Present. Councilmember Deeds. Yes, here. Mayor Pro Tem Bracken. Present. Mayor Gray. Here. All are present and Councilmember Johnson is attending remotely. Thank you. Please join me in the Pledge Leaders. Real quick before we start, um we had Douglas County School District School District School District Board present. Michael and Becky, you guys want to come up. Thank you, Mayor. We'll keep this quick. Treasurer Becky Myers. And you think I would know that by now. So I will start quickly. Myself and Becky Myers are here representing the Douglas County School Board. As you all know, we do have two measures on the November ballot, 5A and 5B. The first one is a mill levy override, and the second one is a bond pass, a bond initiative. And I'm here to ask for uh future support of this council in supporting both of those measures. Uh reason behind that, uh Douglas County School District is the economic engine of the county. We their largest employer by far. Charles Swab is a far number two, and the mill levy override ultimately will make us more competitive for our teachers. As everyone knows here, no surprise, we have a national shortage of teachers uh nationally in Colorado in Douglas County, and we're really competing for some limited resources. We are currently $18,000 average salary behind Cherry Creek and $11,000 uh average behind Littleton Public Schools. So all we're looking to do is uh approve a mill levy, which would be one dollar per week per $100,000. So quick math there is uh for a $500,000 home. We're looking at uh approximately $250 per taxpayer, and that would go directly uh to compensation benefits for all our teachers, staff, licensed, unlicensed bus drivers, nutritionalist, everyone that supports the school district.
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