Castle Rock Town Council Meeting: December 20, 2022

The Town Council met on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 6:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations on the 2023 major projects list, legislative priorities, water rights acquisitions, a metro district financial summary, and multiple public hearing items. All votes were unanimous (7-0).

Consent Calendar

• Approved the nomination of Patti Hostetler to the Douglas County Open Space Advisory Committee.
• Approved a resolution for the first amendment to the services agreement with DRC Construction Services for storm sewer video inspections.
• Approved the first amendment to the agreement with Calgon Carbon Corporation for installing additional granulated activated carbon filter media at the Plum Creek Water Purification Facility.
• Approved the resolution designating the public place for posting notices per Colorado law.
• Approved the minutes from the December 6, 2022 Town Council meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made on any agenda item during the unscheduled public appearances or during the advertised public hearings.

Discussion Items

• 2023 Council Meeting Schedule: Town Manager David Corliss proposed a schedule with meetings on the first and third Tuesdays, with a special meeting on May 9 at 5:00 PM for Boards and Commissions interviews, and cancellations on July 4 and August 1 (National Night Out). Council approved as recommended.
• Boards and Commissions Liaisons: Council discussed appointments to various boards and commissions; formal decisions will be made on January 3, 2023. Councilmembers were encouraged to communicate preferences via email.
• Calendar Reminders: Town Hall closures for Christmas, New Year’s, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and President’s Day were noted, along with upcoming events and neighborhood meetings.
• 2023 Major Projects List: Corliss highlighted top priorities: public safety (new positions, financial incentives), transportation (Crystal Valley Interchange, pavement maintenance, roundabout), water (landscape criteria changes, long-term renewable water, expansion of the Plum Creek Water Purification Facility, reservoir construction, infrastructure upgrades), parks and recreation (Butterfield Park, Mitchell Gulch, Plum Creek North Park, front range trail, sports development center design), economic development (fulfilling existing agreements), financial (conservative policies, Tabor restrictions), and community character (Cantrill School acquisition, Metzler open space).
• State Carryout Bag Fee: Corliss explained that the 10-cent per bag fee is a state mandate, with 60% of revenue returning to the town. The town will direct businesses to the state for information. Councilmembers noted Parker’s actions and Jackson Hole’s reusable bag program as examples.
• Legislative Update: Assistant Town Manager Kristin Read outlined three proposed bills: making all auto thefts a felony, allowing local control over psychedelic mushrooms, and opposing statewide land use regulations. Council unanimously passed a motion to support the first two and oppose the third.
• Water Court Cases: Mark Marlowe, Castle Rock Water Director, updated on the Box Elder Creek augmentation plan (with potential settlement with Central), the Platte Valley Water Partnership project near Nebraska, and the total allowed withdrawal case from groundwater wells (scheduled for Supreme Court summer 2023).
• Customer Financial Hardship Program: Marlowe proposed converting the COVID assistance program into a permanent hardship program. Customers qualified through the Help and Hope Center would receive a $300 credit ($150 grant, $150 repaid interest-free over 12 months). Annual budget was set at $5,000. Council expressed support.
• Metropolitan District Summary: Pete Mangers presented the 2021 summary showing total debt of $943 million across 37 active metro districts. Of that, $451 million (48%) is accrued interest. Property taxes collected by metro districts in 2021 totaled $32 million, compared to the town’s $1.4 million. The new model service plan limits the debt service mill levy to 50 mills and the term to 35 years. Council acknowledged concerns about high interest and limits on refinancing.
• Development Services Project Updates: Tara Vargish reported 19 new pre-applications since November and reviewed a long list of quasi-judicial projects, including ongoing annexations, subdivision plans, and commercial developments.

Key Outcomes

• Approved 2023 Council Meeting Schedule (7-0).
• Approved legislative positions: support for auto theft felony and local control on mushrooms; opposition to statewide land use regulations (7-0).
• Approved Resolution 2022-140: Economic Development Assistance Agreement with Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, providing $367,182 in fee reimbursements (one-third at permit, two-thirds at certificate of occupancy) to bring oncology services to Castle Rock (7-0).
• Approved $2,000 grant to the American Legion for the Boys State program from the Council Community Grant Program (7-0).
• Approved Resolution 2022-141: Construction contract with Kraemer North America, LLC, for the Crystal Valley Parkway and Plum Creek Boulevard roundabout, totaling just over $3.5 million (7-0).
• Approved Ordinance 2022-032 (first reading): Agricultural lease agreement with Sublette, Inc., for property in Weld County (7-0).
• Approved Resolution 2022-142: Purchase agreement with Roxborough Water and Sanitation District for water rights and infrastructure, including 424 acre-feet of groundwater capacity, 50 acre-feet of senior water rights, and various infrastructure, at a price of $2.273 million (7-0).