OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Castle Rock Town Council Meeting: September 5, 2023

Town Council — Tuesday, September 5, 2023
BodyCastle Rock, Colorado
SessionTown Council
DateTuesday, September 5, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:40:12

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Matter of concern cross rock water under CRS twenty four six four zero two for EI.

0:07

The time is now five fifteen.

0:12

Um with no exception.

0:14

We're gonna exactly session proposed uh just running positions relative to the water matters.

9:25

Good evening.

9:33

Oh god, we thank you for uh the wonderful people of Castle Rock.

9:37

We thank you for all of the folks who work to make um this town human the staff of the town.

9:46

Thank you also for our council members.

9:48

And uh we pray that you would give them discernment and wisdom as they make decisions that affect the whole community and uh you would bless this community.

9:56

We ask in Jesus' name.

9:58

Amen.

10:00

Thank you, Sean.

10:01

This meeting has been held in a connected meeting in accordance with town council electronic participation and connected and hybrid meeting policy.

10:09

Also town clerk for roll call.

10:11

Councilmember Hollingshead.

10:13

Here councilmember KV here, Councilmember LaFleur, here, Councilmember Brooks.

10:17

Present.

10:18

Councilmember Deeds.

10:19

Here.

10:19

Mayor Pratim Bracken.

10:20

Here.

10:21

Mayor Gray.

10:21

Here.

10:22

All are present.

10:23

Thank you.

10:24

Please join me in the pleasure.

10:34

And two remote.

10:36

One nation.

10:38

Under God.

10:50

First up, I have a number 23 2023 902 presentation by Dumb Friends League, Colorado Humane Society, and Buddies Center, Katie Parker.

11:21

Okay.

11:58

We'll find right now.

11:59

So we've started.

12:00

Okay, well, that's fine.

12:01

I can start anyway because I know you have a big agenda.

12:03

I'm Katie Parker.

12:05

I'm the vice president of sheltering for the Dumb Friends League.

12:08

And we are the organization that runs the Buddy Center in Castle Rock, which does the animal sheltering for the city of Castle Rock.

12:15

And so I'm going to tell you a little bit about the Dumb Friends League.

12:18

We are an organization that has been in Colorado since 1910.

12:21

And so we have a long history of animal welfare.

12:25

Our primary operations are animal sheltering based, and we have expanded that in recent years to providing subsidized medical care for pets owned by community members.

12:36

And to equine welfare.

12:40

So as you may or may not know, we operate Harmony Equine Center, which is in Franktown, so nearby here.

12:46

And we also operate Colorado Humane Society, which has contracts in most of the counties in Colorado to assist law enforcement with animal cruelty investigations and housing for animal cruelty cases.

13:02

And so those animals are housed in our shelters or in our equine facility.

13:13

And I have stats in my presentation, which I'm sure we'll see soon.

13:18

But it houses somewhere between 4,000 and 7,000 animals each year.

13:24

We also have a small newer shelter in Alamosa, Colorado.

13:28

That's our first shelter in rural, Colorado, and that opened during the pandemic.

13:32

And then we have our largest shelter in Denver, which is the Malone Center.

13:36

And that shelter serves about 16,000 animals a year and is the hub of our resources.

13:42

So most of our medical and behavior resources for animals as well as the headquarters of our organization are located there at our Denver facility.

13:49

And we support the animals that come through Alamosa and through Castle Rock with the resources located there.

14:00

Yay.

14:02

That's okay.

14:02

Thank you.

14:03

All right, here we go.

14:04

Um so this is our mission.

14:06

Working with our compassionate community, we will end pet homelessness and animal suffering.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████21%
Land Use███████████11%
Parks and Recreation█████████9%
Public Safety████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis████████8%
Animal Welfare███████7%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Public Engagement██████6%
LGBTQIA Plus Community Support███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Castle Rock Town Council Meeting: September 5, 2023

The Castle Rock Town Council met on September 5, 2023, at 6:00 PM at Town Hall. The meeting included presentations, public comments regarding PrideFest, financial reports, and votes on multiple resolutions and ordinances, including land acquisitions, budget amendments, and affordable housing commitments. The meeting adjourned at 9:42 PM.

Presentation: Dumb Friends League

  • Katie Parker, Vice President of Operations, presented on the Buddy Center's operations. She reported that the Buddy Center served 3,561 animals in the last fiscal year, but has had to limit intake over the past six months due to a 44% increase in stray dogs, staffing shortages, and rising costs. Councilmember Cavey encouraged community adoption and donations. Councilmember Brooks noted approximately 120 dogs, 400 cats, and 90 small animals are available for adoption across all three shelters.

Council Comments & Discussion on Meeting Extensions

  • Mayor Pro Tem Bracken requested staff to provide data on the frequency of meetings extended past 9:30 PM, the subject matter, and whether extensions were due to public comment or agenda management. Councilmember Dietz suggested changing the extension rule from unanimous to majority vote after 10 PM. Council reached consensus to direct staff to prepare a report on meeting extensions and the history of the rule change.
  • Councilmember Hollingshead praised the success of PrideFest and urged caution with rhetoric. Councilmember Cavey supported public comment rights. Councilmember Brooks noted the library grand opening had 10,000 attendees and encouraged public input on the library naming. Councilmember Dietz motioned to increase quarterly community grants from $2,000 to $4,000; the motion passed unanimously.

Unscheduled Public Appearances

  • Multiple residents spoke about the September 2 PrideFest at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Speakers described threatening behavior by protestors from groups including Able Shepherd, Patriot Front, and Proud Boys. They claimed protestors intimidated children, blocked walkways, and used children as human shields. Speakers called for Councilmember Cavey's resignation, alleging she and Councilmember Dietz put families in danger, and urged the town to adopt hate crime ordinances and enforce laws against disruption of lawful events.

Town Manager's Report

  • Calendar Reminders: Upcoming council open houses and events.
  • Presentation of 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR): Auditor Marcy Arden reported a clean (unmodified) opinion on the town's financial statements. The town has no general obligation debt; debt increased due to $25 million in water fund issuance. The Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) was also presented.
  • Second Quarter Financial Review (2023): Finance Director Trish Muller noted sales tax revenue is up 3% (budgeted 6%), development revenue is down, and water fund revenue is down 5% due to reduced irrigation. The 2024 budget will prioritize police and fire staffing, open space acquisition, and community grants.
  • Development Services and Quasi-Judicial Updates: Provided by staff, no action taken.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (7-0):
    • ORD 2023-019 (Second Reading): Eminent domain for Fifth Street Widening.
    • ORD 2023-020 (Second Reading): Eminent domain for East Plum Creek/Sellars Gulch Confluence.
    • ORD 2023-021 (Second Reading): Eminent domain for Plum Creek to Rueter-Hess Reservoir Pipeline.
    • PROC 2023-010: Proclamation honoring Mental Health Co-Responders and Crisis Clinicians.
    • MIN 2023-016: Minutes of August 15, 2023.
  • Item 11 (RES 2023-107, Axon Enterprise agreement) was removed from the Consent Calendar for reconsideration. Councilmember Cavey recused herself due to a business relationship. The resolution passed 6-0 (with Cavey recused) on a separate vote.

Quasi-Judicial Hearings

  • RES 2023-108 (Crowfoot Valley Road Annexation): The council found the annexation petition in substantial compliance with state law and set the eligibility hearing for October 17, 2023. Passed unanimously (7-0).

Advertised Public Hearings & Discussion Action Items

  • DIR 2023-025 (Douglas County School District Mill Levy Override and Bond Initiatives): The council voted 5-2 to direct staff to prepare a letter of support for the school district's ballot measures. Councilmember Hollingshead spoke in favor, citing the need for a new elementary school in Crystal Valley and better teacher pay. Councilmembers Cavey and Brooks opposed, with Brooks stating it was not the council's role to influence voters.
  • RES 2023-113 (Lost Canyon Ranch Grant): The council unanimously approved a resolution supporting a $2 million GOCO grant application for acquisition of 681 acres of open space. The total project cost is estimated at $14.1 million, with contributions from the town ($6M), Douglas County ($6M), and the Conservation Fund ($0.1M). Castle Rock Water will retain water rights.
  • RES 2023-111 (Industrial Tributary Trail IGA): Unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with CDOT for a $4.9 million grant to design and build a trail connecting Philip S. Miller Park to downtown. Construction is planned for 2025.
  • RES 2023-112 (Centennial Park Grant): Unanimously approved a grant application to the Land and Water Conservation Fund for $800,000 to refurbish tennis courts, add pickleball courts, and improve accessibility. Total project cost is $1.75 million, with the balance from Conservation Trust Fund.
  • RES 2023-106 (Recreation Center Slide Tower): Unanimously approved a sole-source construction contract with Saunders Construction for $2.49 million plus contingency to replace the slide tower. Completion expected by April 2024.
  • ORD 2023-022 (Third Amendment to 2023 Budget): Unanimously approved on first reading, appropriating $6.1 million for slide tower, trail design, fire software, and school resource officer costs.
  • ORD 2023-017 (The View at Castle Rock Amendment): Approved on second reading 5-2 (Cavey and Dietz opposed), extending the occupancy permit deadline by eight months to the end of 2024. Council discussed that denial could lead to legal disputes over the parking garage agreement.
  • ORD 2023-018 (Skyline/Ridgeline Variance): Approved unanimously on second reading, amending procedures for variances from ridgeline protection regulations.
  • RES 2023-109 (Affordable Housing Commitment): Unanimously approved authorizing the town manager to file a commitment with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs under Proposition 123. The town commits to 277 affordable housing units by 2026 in partnership with Douglas County Housing Partnership. The program does not affect local zoning. Councilmember Cavey clarified that the 0.1% income tax set-aside is permanent and opting out would not redirect funds to TABOR refunds.
  • RES 2023-110 (Crystal Valley Shops Metropolitan District): Unanimously approved the service plan for a 5.17-acre commercial site at Crystal Valley Parkway and Plum Creek Boulevard. The district will have a maximum debt mill levy of 50 mills and a total of 60 mills, with a 35-year debt term. A regional mill levy of 5 mills will be paid to the town. Councilmember Cavey questioned the impact on tenants, but staff explained the costs are passed through regardless of financing method.

Additional Unscheduled Public Appearances

  • None.

Key Outcomes

  • All agenda items were approved, with the following votes:
    • RES 2023-107 (Axon): 6-0 (Cavey recused)
    • DIR 2023-025 (School District Support): 5-2
    • RES 2023-113 (Lost Canyon Ranch): 7-0
    • RES 2023-111 (Industrial Tributary Trail): 7-0
    • RES 2023-112 (Centennial Park Grant): 7-0
    • RES 2023-106 (Slide Tower): 7-0
    • ORD 2023-022 (Budget Amendment): 7-0
    • ORD 2023-017 (View at Castle Rock): 5-2
    • ORD 2023-018 (Ridgeline Variance): 7-0
    • RES 2023-109 (Affordable Housing): 7-0
    • RES 2023-110 (Crystal Valley Shops Metro District): 7-0
  • The council directed staff to prepare a report on meeting extension history and consider ordinance changes regarding meeting end times.
  • The council increased the quarterly community grant program from $2,000 to $4,000 for the remainder of 2023, included in the 2024 budget.

Meeting Transcript

Matter of concern cross rock water under CRS twenty four six four zero two for EI. The time is now five fifteen. Um with no exception. We're gonna exactly session proposed uh just running positions relative to the water matters. Good evening. Oh god, we thank you for uh the wonderful people of Castle Rock. We thank you for all of the folks who work to make um this town human the staff of the town. Thank you also for our council members. And uh we pray that you would give them discernment and wisdom as they make decisions that affect the whole community and uh you would bless this community. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you, Sean. This meeting has been held in a connected meeting in accordance with town council electronic participation and connected and hybrid meeting policy. Also town clerk for roll call. Councilmember Hollingshead. Here councilmember KV here, Councilmember LaFleur, here, Councilmember Brooks. Present. Councilmember Deeds. Here. Mayor Pratim Bracken. Here. Mayor Gray. Here. All are present. Thank you. Please join me in the pleasure. And two remote. One nation. Under God. First up, I have a number 23 2023 902 presentation by Dumb Friends League, Colorado Humane Society, and Buddies Center, Katie Parker. Okay. We'll find right now. So we've started. Okay, well, that's fine. I can start anyway because I know you have a big agenda. I'm Katie Parker. I'm the vice president of sheltering for the Dumb Friends League. And we are the organization that runs the Buddy Center in Castle Rock, which does the animal sheltering for the city of Castle Rock. And so I'm going to tell you a little bit about the Dumb Friends League. We are an organization that has been in Colorado since 1910. And so we have a long history of animal welfare. Our primary operations are animal sheltering based, and we have expanded that in recent years to providing subsidized medical care for pets owned by community members. And to equine welfare. So as you may or may not know, we operate Harmony Equine Center, which is in Franktown, so nearby here. And we also operate Colorado Humane Society, which has contracts in most of the counties in Colorado to assist law enforcement with animal cruelty investigations and housing for animal cruelty cases. And so those animals are housed in our shelters or in our equine facility. And I have stats in my presentation, which I'm sure we'll see soon. But it houses somewhere between 4,000 and 7,000 animals each year. We also have a small newer shelter in Alamosa, Colorado. That's our first shelter in rural, Colorado, and that opened during the pandemic.

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