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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Castle Rock Town Council Meeting – November 15, 2022

Town Council — Tuesday, November 15, 2022

BodyCastle Rock, Colorado

SessionTown Council

DateTuesday, November 15, 2022

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:26:27

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

For the uh police department.

0:02

Thank you, Mark.

0:03

Thank you, Mayor.

0:04

Let's let's pray.

0:07

Uh Father, we come before you tonight and are excited about all the wonderful changes that are going on around our town as we're watching decorations go up for a huge event that's going to take place on Saturday.

0:20

Just ask your blessings and presence and all of that.

0:24

We thank you, Lord, for all our downtown businesses that participate in that and seem to have a great hit economically on that day.

0:33

And Lord, I thank you for that uh next week, next couple weeks we have some new council members coming, and so we're gonna be saying goodbye to some and saying hello to some others.

0:43

So I just ask a blessing, Lord, on those that have served our town for so long here.

0:49

I just pray, Lord, that uh the new ones that come in, there will be uh great wisdom and understanding about our town and the folks that live here and the and the decisions that they make.

1:00

So we pray for your wisdom and presence here tonight as we walk through all the issues of our town.

1:06

We thank you and we praise you in Jesus' name.

1:10

Amen.

1:11

Amen.

1:11

Thank you again, Mark.

1:14

This meeting is being held in a connected meeting in accordance with town council electronic participation, connected hybrid meeting policy.

1:20

I'll ask the town clerk for roll call.

1:23

Councilmember Hollingshead.

1:24

Here, Councilmember KB.

1:26

Yes, Councilmember LaFleur here, Councilmember Johnson, present.

1:29

Councilmember Deeds, Mayor for Tim Bracken.

1:32

Present Mayor Gray.

1:33

Here all are present.

1:34

Thank you.

1:35

Please rise to please allegiance.

1:39

Okay.

1:45

And to the republic for which it stands, one nation under liberty and justice for all.

1:59

Uh also our comment council comments.

2:01

Um, you know, we have starlighting this this Saturday.

2:03

It's uh one of the premier events in Castle Rock.

2:07

Hopefully, everyone can come and come early and bundle up because it's gonna be cold.

2:10

Um, it's just such a great event, and uh I hope that everybody who wants to be there can be there.

2:16

Um I want to also thank uh Parks and Rec and Public Works for all the work they've been doing, really hard work.

2:22

Well, Jeff and Dan's group getting uh all the stuff ready for downtown and and really hustling on the lights across uh Wilcox as well.

2:30

Um I know that's a lot of work, and thank you very much.

2:33

Um, also want to mention um yesterday's Denver Business Journal.

2:37

Um, Castle Rocks Downtown was mentioned.

2:40

Um Parker, it was actually more of an article about Parker on their downtown and how they took cues and how other other communities have taken cues um from Castrox down camp downtown.

2:51

It's just a really nice um article in the Denver Busin Business Journal.

2:55

Um next up is Ryan Holland.

2:57

No comment tonight, thanks.

2:59

Thank you, Laura Cavey.

3:01

No comment tonight, thank you.

3:03

Design the floor.

3:05

No comment tonight, thank you.

3:07

Karen Johnson, thank you, Mayor.

3:12

Um excuse me, I do have some comments.

3:15

Um I want to start tonight saying it's been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of Castle Rock these last four years, especially those in District Five.

3:25

I've can I've served this community with care and consideration for the people to be their voice, not the voice of developers, downtown stakeholders, or political parties.

3:37

I've held staff accountable for quality the quality of information and services they provide the public.

3:43

I've instilled the need to look at our town's fiscal responsibilities long term, not just the here and now.

3:51

I've asked numerous questions many times because I've wanted you, the people, to know and understand our government process.

4:04

I've expressed the points of view of the people that if it were let left to the majority on this council would go unsaid.

4:19

I've tried to be kind to others up here during my term, but it's been extremely difficult these last two years.

4:27

Since this is one of my last council meetings, I'm going to take prerogative tonight to say several things I've been wanting to say for quite some time.

4:39

All of us seated up here deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.

4:46

It's so oxymoronic to hear the mayor start our meetings saying we all need to be kind to one another, and then let there be so much hatred and angst spewed by other by some on this council.

5:05

We're all aware of how selected how select the few how a select few have carte blanche to do whatever they want.

5:15

The select few can make all the personal attacks they want, but when a member that is not one of the select few tries to make a statement in defense, they're immediately shut down.

5:29

This is favoritism.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural█████████████████████████████29%

Public Works██████████10%

Community Engagement█████████9%

Historic Preservation█████████9%

Traffic Management████████8%

Public Safety███████7%

Budget Equity Analysis██████6%

Economic Development████4%

Public Engagement████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Castle Rock Town Council Meeting – November 15, 2022

The Castle Rock Town Council met on November 15, 2022, at 6:00 PM in Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, an appointment, public comments, a contentious debate on political rhetoric from the dais, a budget amendment, the purchase of the historic Cantril School building, approval of the 2023 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program, an agricultural lease, and an executive session for performance evaluations. All regular votes passed unanimously (7-0) except one motion.

Consent Calendar

Ordinance 2022-029 (Second Reading) – Amending eminent domain authority for the Crystal Valley Interchange project (Hyperian Fund property).
Resolution 2022-129 – Purchase agreement with McCandless Truck Center for one dump/snow removal truck.
Resolution 2022-130 – Waiving formal bidding for sole-source Calgon Carbon filter media replacement at Plum Creek Water Purification Facility.
Minutes of the November 1, 2022 Town Council meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

Traffic Safety on North Meadows Drive: Residents Michael Beermann, Jeff Douglas, and Chris Visaya described serious accidents, speeding (40–50 mph in a 15 mph zone), and risks to children and pedestrians near a walking trail. They requested traffic calming measures. Town Manager David Corliss said the Public Works director would follow up through the existing Traffic Calming Program.
Bruce Johnson (husband of Councilmember Caryn Johnson): Thanked the town and citizens for his wife’s service, defended her record, and criticized her opponent’s campaign mailer for misrepresentations. He also noted that Councilmember Johnson donated her salary to downtown businesses during COVID and read traffic studies in detail.

Discussion Items

Council Comments & Motion on Political Rhetoric: Councilmember Johnson delivered a lengthy statement accusing the Mayor and some council members of favoritism, allowing personal attacks, and permitting campaigning from the dais. She made a motion to direct staff to place an ordinance on the December 6 agenda prohibiting political rhetoric, partisan issues, or campaigning from the dais. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Dietz. After debate, the motion failed 3-4 (Yes: Cavey, Johnson, Dietz; No: Gray, Bracken, Hollingshead, LaFleur). Councilmember Dietz then accused Mayor Pro Tem Bracken of lying about Dietz’s support for a homeless shelter; Bracken pointed to a video recording of the May 12 Homeless Initiative meeting.
Proclamation: Mayor Gray proclaimed November 26, 2022, as Small Business Saturday.
Appointment: Daniel Steixner was appointed to the Board of Building Appeals for a term ending May 31, 2024 (7-0 vote).
Town Manager’s Report:
- Calendar reminders: Upcoming events, open houses, holiday closures, and the December 6 meeting with group photos at 5:00 PM.
- Monthly Department Reports and Development Services project updates.
- Third Quarter Financial Review (through September 30, 2022): Sales tax revenue remains strong; building permit slowdown lowers impact fees; some capital projects may need re-prioritization. Conservative fiscal management allows special projects like the Cantril building purchase.
Town Attorney’s Report – Dawson Ridge Metropolitan District No. 1 Bond Issuance: The district proposes issuing $85 million in Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds (capital appreciation bonds, convertible) at 7.5% over 30 years. The funds will finance public improvements, including $50 million for the Crystal Valley Interchange project. Staff reviewed and confirmed compliance with the service plan; no public comment; council allowed the issuance to proceed.
Ordinance 2022-030 – Fourth Amendment to the 2022 Budget (Emergency Adoption): Supplemental appropriations totaling $12.6 million, primarily for the purchase of the Cantril building ($4 million), water projects, fire mitigation, and a new fire apparatus. Approved 7-0 on first and final reading.
Resolution 2022-131 – Purchase of Cantril School (312 Cantril Street): The town will buy the historic 1887 school building (2-acre block) from Douglas County School District for $3,525,000, based on an independent appraisal. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The town will have 60 days of due diligence, lease the building back to the school district through early 2023, and hold a community open house on November 30. $500,000 was set aside for capital and operating costs. Approved 7-0.
Discussion/Direction – 2023 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program: The Public Safety Commission recommended $45,000 in grants: $5,000 to American Legion Post 1187, $17,500 to the Crisis Center, $17,500 to Help and Hope Center, and $5,000 to New Hope Presbyterian Church. Councilmember Cavey noted the high need for food assistance. The motion to direct staff to proceed with the recommendations passed 7-0.
Ordinance 2022-031 – Agricultural Lease with Rupple Farms, LLC (First Reading): The town owns 850 acres in Weld County as part of the Box Elder water project. The lease continues farming and livestock operations; generates $14,608 in annual income plus reimbursement for water assessments. Water Commission and staff recommended approval. Approved 7-0 on first reading.
Executive Session: The council recessed at 7:23 PM to hold an executive session for the annual performance evaluations of the Town Manager and Town Attorney, as permitted by Colorado law. The session concluded at 9:10 PM.

Key Outcomes

Failed Motion: The motion to direct staff to create an ordinance restricting political rhetoric, partisan issues, and campaigning from the dais failed 3-4.
All Other Votes Passed Unanimously (7-0): Consent Calendar, Board of Building Appeals appointment, budget amendment (emergency adoption), Cantril building purchase, grant program recommendations, agricultural lease, and executive session report.
Executive Session Outcome: Council directed the placement of a resolution on the December 6 consent calendar to approve contract amendments for the Town Manager (5% salary increase effective June 1, 2022) and Town Attorney (4.5% salary increase effective July 2, 2022), along with vacation accrual and legally required amendments. The motion passed 7-0.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:11 PM.

Meeting Transcript

For the uh police department. Thank you, Mark. Thank you, Mayor. Let's let's pray. Uh Father, we come before you tonight and are excited about all the wonderful changes that are going on around our town as we're watching decorations go up for a huge event that's going to take place on Saturday. Just ask your blessings and presence and all of that. We thank you, Lord, for all our downtown businesses that participate in that and seem to have a great hit economically on that day. And Lord, I thank you for that uh next week, next couple weeks we have some new council members coming, and so we're gonna be saying goodbye to some and saying hello to some others. So I just ask a blessing, Lord, on those that have served our town for so long here. I just pray, Lord, that uh the new ones that come in, there will be uh great wisdom and understanding about our town and the folks that live here and the and the decisions that they make. So we pray for your wisdom and presence here tonight as we walk through all the issues of our town. We thank you and we praise you in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Thank you again, Mark. This meeting is being held in a connected meeting in accordance with town council electronic participation, connected hybrid meeting policy. I'll ask the town clerk for roll call. Councilmember Hollingshead. Here, Councilmember KB. Yes, Councilmember LaFleur here, Councilmember Johnson, present. Councilmember Deeds, Mayor for Tim Bracken. Present Mayor Gray. Here all are present. Thank you. Please rise to please allegiance. Okay. And to the republic for which it stands, one nation under liberty and justice for all. Uh also our comment council comments. Um, you know, we have starlighting this this Saturday. It's uh one of the premier events in Castle Rock. Hopefully, everyone can come and come early and bundle up because it's gonna be cold. Um, it's just such a great event, and uh I hope that everybody who wants to be there can be there. Um I want to also thank uh Parks and Rec and Public Works for all the work they've been doing, really hard work. Well, Jeff and Dan's group getting uh all the stuff ready for downtown and and really hustling on the lights across uh Wilcox as well. Um I know that's a lot of work, and thank you very much. Um, also want to mention um yesterday's Denver Business Journal. Um, Castle Rocks Downtown was mentioned. Um Parker, it was actually more of an article about Parker on their downtown and how they took cues and how other other communities have taken cues um from Castrox down camp downtown. It's just a really nice um article in the Denver Busin Business Journal. Um next up is Ryan Holland. No comment tonight, thanks. Thank you, Laura Cavey. No comment tonight, thank you. Design the floor. No comment tonight, thank you. Karen Johnson, thank you, Mayor. Um excuse me, I do have some comments. Um I want to start tonight saying it's been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of Castle Rock these last four years, especially those in District Five. I've can I've served this community with care and consideration for the people to be their voice, not the voice of developers, downtown stakeholders, or political parties. I've held staff accountable for quality the quality of information and services they provide the public.

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