OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Castle Rock Town Council Meeting: September 19, 2023

Town Council — Tuesday, September 19, 2023
BodyCastle Rock, Colorado
SessionTown Council
DateTuesday, September 19, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:31:19

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Thank you for everyone attending tonight.

0:05

My name is Mayor Jason Gray.

0:07

I will open for the invocation.

0:16

Heavenly Father, we seek your we ask your for your guidance, guidance, wisdom, and support as we begin this meeting.

0:25

Please help us with our intention to do good work.

0:30

We seek to represent fairly and well for those who have given this task.

0:34

Help us engage in meaningful discussion.

0:36

Give us clarity and strength to only use our best abilities.

0:50

Please use his community and bless his communities, residents, businesses, and visitors, and help us continue doing the good work in your name.

1:00

Amen.

1:02

Roll call, please.

1:05

Councilmember Hollingstad.

1:06

Here.

1:06

Councilmember KV.

1:07

Yes.

1:08

Councilmember LaFleur here.

1:09

Councilmember Brooks.

1:10

Present.

1:11

Councilmember Deeds?

1:12

Yes.

1:12

Mayor Potembrakin.

1:15

Is he online tonight or just not here?

1:19

Okay.

1:19

Mayor Gray?

1:20

Yes.

1:21

All are present with the exception of Mayor Potembracket.

1:24

Thank you.

1:24

Please rise for Pledge Allegiance.

1:54

Again, I want to thank everyone for coming tonight.

1:58

You know, I I I hate hate uh opening like this sometimes, but uh I wanted to say it.

2:03

I said it a lot lately.

2:05

Um just in the last couple of days, we've lost yet another teacher and another student at uh our school district.

2:11

Um it happens way too much.

2:15

Um and it just uh it feels like it's every few days um we hear something about like that happening.

2:23

And so again, I I ask um and plead um for kindness um for our town to rally around people who need it because everyone needs it.

2:39

Um everyone needs being uh kindness and kind words, latitude, grace, um, because everybody's hurting.

2:48

I don't know.

2:48

I again I I can't stress enough that I don't know anybody who hasn't gone through something um or is not not still going through something that's really difficult.

2:58

Um so I appreciate that.

3:01

Um and also I I um just want to thank every everyone for coming again and and uh I know we have a lot of good work to do tonight and uh I know we I know that we'll be respectful to each other and I do appreciate that.

3:13

With that, Ryan Hollinshead.

3:16

Thanks, Mayor.

3:16

No comment tonight.

3:18

Councilmember Kavey.

3:20

No comment tonight, thanks, Mayor.

3:22

Councilmember LaFleur.

3:24

Uh no comment tonight, thanks, Mayor.

3:26

Councilmember Brooks.

3:28

I I just want to mention one last time uh before next Wednesday, the meeting at the Parker Library to discuss as a public agenda item the naming of the Philip S.

3:40

Miller Library here in town.

3:42

There is a thought, if you have not yet heard, that the Board of Trustees for the uh library, they have uh complete control of this.

3:52

Uh they may not carry forward the Philip S.

3:55

Miller name on the outside of the library.

3:57

I find that to be particularly concerning given the uh the money that to this day the library still receives.

4:04

It's market-driven, but uh in the neighborhood of 125, 130,000 a year uh from the Philip S.

4:10

Miller Charitable Trust.

4:12

Um the Philip S.

4:13

Miller, the man, the family, uh, has had left an undilible mark in Castle Rock, and I believe that that should be something that we continue to recognize.

4:24

Uh the agenda item again uh will be at the Parker Library the 27th.

4:30

That's a week from tomorrow at 5 30.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████27%
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Community Engagement██████████████14%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Mental Health Awareness███████7%
Historic Preservation███████7%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Legal and Judicial███3%
Fiscal Sustainability██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Castle Rock Town Council Meeting: September 19, 2023

The Castle Rock Town Council met on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 6:00 PM at Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, unscheduled public appearances, consent calendar approval, several public hearings, and discussions on council community grants, a Verizon lease amendment, public indecency code provisions, and meeting time protocols. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Ordinance 2023-022 (Third Amendment to FY2023 Budget, supplemental appropriations) – Approved 7-0 (Second Reading).
  • Resolution 2023-115 (Service agreement with Fehr & Peers for Safety Action Plan) – Approved.
  • Resolution 2023-116 (Amendatory agreement with SaBell's Civil and Landscape for concrete services) – Approved.
  • Resolution 2023-117 (Second Amendment with Techneaux for SCADA Water Treatment Plant upgrade) – Approved.
  • Proclamation 2023-011 (Fire Prevention Week, Oct 8–14, 2023) – Approved for presentation on October 3.
  • Minutes 2023-017 (September 5, 2023 meeting) – Approved. All consent items passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Brooke Bernstein (unscheduled) – Expressed upset over actions at Pridefest by Councilmembers and community; called for acknowledgment of harmful protest and emotional abuse.
  • Marie Brom (representing Fairway Vistas HOA) – Requested a fence between their backyards and the new Plum Creek North Park, citing privacy and trespass concerns.
  • Mary Wilson (unscheduled) – Urged Council to focus on metro district debt (combined $943 million) and lack of oversight; noted 48% of debt is accrued interest.
  • Unknown resident of The Meadows – Thanked Council for construction projects and asked where construction workers come from.
  • Anya Zavadil and Jay Griebling (Item 17) – Zavadil (Castle Rock Pride president) discussed seeking common ground; Griebling apologized for past remarks and expressed desire for harmony. Both urged non-discriminatory application of any new laws.
  • Dana Bonham (Item 17) – Described feeling bullied by parasol patrol at Pridefest; stated men in white shirts protested peacefully and were insulted.
  • Brooke Bernstein (Item 17) – Supported the proposed ordinance; noted her two trans children are healthy and transitioning.
  • Mandy Mouw (Item 17) – Mental health professional; argued early exposure to sexuality harms children; cited increased confusion and mental health issues.
  • KC Neel (Item 17) – Thanked Council; questioned need for new law, citing only six indecency citations in five years; urged less regulation.
  • Brad Berkford (Item 17) – Represented a group; supported proposal but recommended including simulated intimate parts; expressed concern about exceptions for free speech/worship.
  • Mary Wilson (Item 17) – Stated issue is about sexual identity, not indecency; argued protest was about masculinity, not protecting kids.
  • Pam Long (Item 17) – Veteran/mental health professional; said gender dysphoria is a mental illness; urged risk assessment and protecting children from exposure.
  • Chad Cox (online, Item 17) – Criticized a Councilmember for asking prayers while at Pridefest, putting families at risk; questioned definition of indecency and asked about consistent enforcement.
  • Brad Berkford (Item 18) – Advocated for ample public comment time; cited earlier speakers who built common ground.
  • Dana Bonham (Item 18) – Complained about not being called to speak despite signing up online; requested guaranteed time for online sign-ups.
  • Charcie Russell (Item 18) – Thanked Council for resolving issues; noted packed house as positive engagement; glad no sexualized behavior at Pridefest this year.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamation Honoring Mental Health Co-Responders & Crisis Clinicians (Pre-approved Sept 5) – Mayor Gray read; Police Chief Cauley recognized co-responders from CRPD and Sheriff’s Office.
  • Resolution 2023-118: Support for Douglas County School District Mill Levy Override & Bond – Councilmember Hollingshead clarified misconceptions: property tax increases do not fund schools; bond needed for new buildings. Councilmember Dietz supported. Motion passed 5-2 (Gray, Bracken, Hollingshead, LaFleur, Dietz yes; Cavey, Brooks no).
  • Resolution 2023-119 & Ordinance 2023-023: Historic Landmark Designation for McMurdo Gulch CCC Drop Structures – Development Services Director Tara Vargish and consultant Leslie Moore presented. Structures built 1936-1938; need rehabilitation; landmarking required for state historical fund grant. No public comment. Both passed 7-0.
  • Direction 2023-026: 2023 Third Quarter Council Community Grant Program – Four applications (Castle Rock Community Band, Castle View High School TSA, Clothes to Kids of Denver, Denver Regional Mobility and Access Council). Councilmember Dietz motioned to increase award to $1,000 each (raising quarterly disbursement to $4,000). Motion passed 7-0.
  • Resolution 2023-114: Verizon Wireless Lease Amendment at 472 Ridge Road – Director Mark Marlowe presented: extending lease with 3% annual escalation, $12,500 renewal payment. Councilmember Cavey recused. Passed 6-0.
  • Direction 2023-027: Town Code Provisions on Public Indecency – Town Attorney Michael Hyman recommended adopting state public indecency and indecent exposure laws (excluding felony enhancement), and a public nudity ordinance similar to Parker/Fort Collins (excluding female breasts, including simulated below-waist parts). He also recommended amending town facility permits to require compliance. After public comment and council discussion (Councilmembers LaFleur, Dietz, Hollingshead, Bracken), two motions passed 7-0: (1) direct staff to prepare ordinance as presented; (2) direct staff to amend policies/permits for facility use.
  • Direction 2023-028: Council Meeting Time Protocols – Town Manager David Corliss reviewed history: current code requires majority vote at 9:30 PM and unanimous vote after 10 PM to extend; 11 extensions in 5 years (avg 2–3/year). Council discussed options. Motion by Councilmember LaFleur, seconded by Dietz, to change code to simple majority vote at 9:30 PM to extend meeting (no additional votes). Several councilmembers supported, noting importance of public comment. Motion passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

  • RES 2023-118 adopted (5-2) supporting DCSD MLO and bond.
  • RES 2023-119 and ORD 2023-023 adopted (both 7-0) for historic landmark designation of CCC drop structures.
  • Council directed staff to increase quarterly community grant pool to $4,000, awarding $1,000 per applicant (7-0).
  • RES 2023-114 approved (6-0) for Verizon lease amendment.
  • Council directed staff to prepare a public indecency ordinance and amend facility use agreements (both 7-0).
  • Council directed staff to prepare code amendment allowing simple majority vote at 9:30 PM to extend meetings (7-0).
  • Meeting adjourned at 8:32 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you for everyone attending tonight. My name is Mayor Jason Gray. I will open for the invocation. Heavenly Father, we seek your we ask your for your guidance, guidance, wisdom, and support as we begin this meeting. Please help us with our intention to do good work. We seek to represent fairly and well for those who have given this task. Help us engage in meaningful discussion. Give us clarity and strength to only use our best abilities. Please use his community and bless his communities, residents, businesses, and visitors, and help us continue doing the good work in your name. Amen. Roll call, please. Councilmember Hollingstad. Here. Councilmember KV. Yes. Councilmember LaFleur here. Councilmember Brooks. Present. Councilmember Deeds? Yes. Mayor Potembrakin. Is he online tonight or just not here? Okay. Mayor Gray? Yes. All are present with the exception of Mayor Potembracket. Thank you. Please rise for Pledge Allegiance. Again, I want to thank everyone for coming tonight. You know, I I I hate hate uh opening like this sometimes, but uh I wanted to say it. I said it a lot lately. Um just in the last couple of days, we've lost yet another teacher and another student at uh our school district. Um it happens way too much. Um and it just uh it feels like it's every few days um we hear something about like that happening. And so again, I I ask um and plead um for kindness um for our town to rally around people who need it because everyone needs it. Um everyone needs being uh kindness and kind words, latitude, grace, um, because everybody's hurting. I don't know. I again I I can't stress enough that I don't know anybody who hasn't gone through something um or is not not still going through something that's really difficult. Um so I appreciate that. Um and also I I um just want to thank every everyone for coming again and and uh I know we have a lot of good work to do tonight and uh I know we I know that we'll be respectful to each other and I do appreciate that. With that, Ryan Hollinshead. Thanks, Mayor. No comment tonight. Councilmember Kavey. No comment tonight, thanks, Mayor. Councilmember LaFleur. Uh no comment tonight, thanks, Mayor. Councilmember Brooks. I I just want to mention one last time uh before next Wednesday, the meeting at the Parker Library to discuss as a public agenda item the naming of the Philip S. Miller Library here in town.

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