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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Castle Rock Town Council Meeting: March 19, 2024 – T-Mobile Tower, Grants, and Intersection

Town Council — Tuesday, March 19, 2024

BodyCastle Rock, Colorado

SessionTown Council

DateTuesday, March 19, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:28:10

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

0:01

Good evening, everyone.

0:02

Thank you for being here tonight with us.

0:05

I would like to please ask Dave if you would do us the honor and start us off with the invocation.

0:11

Thank you.

0:12

Almighty God and Heavenly Father, we uh we praise you for the blessings that you continue to bestow upon us individually and as a community.

0:21

We seek your guidance, wisdom, and support in all of our meetings, including the meeting this evening for the town council.

0:29

We gather here today, all intent to do good work to uh to listen and fairly and uh equitably and to um uh use your uh use your guidance as appropriate.

0:43

Help us engage in a meaningful discussion, give us clarity and strength uh to use our best skills and judgment.

0:51

We offer up a particular prayer for our first responders of police and fire that uh protect our community and bring them home safely.

0:59

Uh bless our community, our residents and and visitors, and and help us to continue to do uh good work in your name.

1:07

Amen.

1:08

Amen.

1:09

I would like to call this meeting to order.

1:11

Robbie, can you please take roll call?

1:14

Councilmember Holling's head, councilmember KV.

1:18

Yes, Councilmember Bracken, present.

1:21

Councilmember Brooks, present.

1:23

Councilmember Deeds.

1:24

Here.

1:25

Mayor Pro Tam Lafloor.

1:27

Here, Mayor Gray.

2:22

Okay, we'll check.

2:23

We can check back in uh with Mayor Gray.

2:25

Um, would everybody please stand and join us for the Pledge of Allegiance?

2:31

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the requirement for which it stands.

2:39

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:51

Uh I don't believe Ryan's gonna be joining us tonight.

2:53

So, Laura, would you like to start us off with council comments?

2:57

Thank you.

2:58

Um I just want to give a shout out to Dan Seller and his team for the incredible work that they did over this monster snowstorm.

3:08

Um I actually got stuck um in Las Vegas and didn't get home.

3:13

Um but I know they worked hard, and actually when I got home, there was one of those big graters going through my uh my cul de sac to remove, I think I got 36 inches of snow.

3:25

So um I just want to give a shout out to all of those folks that work so tirelessly for a good I don't know, two to three days, making sure the roads were clear for all of us.

3:36

So thank you very much.

3:39

Thank you, Councilmember KV.

3:40

Councilmember Bracken.

3:43

Thank you.

3:43

Um yes, same uh same sentiment, Dan.

3:46

Great job.

3:47

When in the midst of all that, we had some pothole complaints and snow removal complaints, and and everything was dressed um relatively quickly.

3:58

Um I also want to bring up uh so that so thank you very much.

4:01

Thank you for your leadership and and your staff as well.

4:04

Um so I also want to bring up there there's a meeting that's happening um right now at the Rock Church that is a community meeting that is not a town of Castle Rock meeting, and the Rock Churches apparently um contacted the the residents that are surrounding them and and uh talking about a plan that they would like to propose in the future.

4:29

So, one thing to note that that the Rock Church has not proposed a plan and submitted it to the town of Castle Rock for uh for a neighborhood meeting.

4:39

So if they were to submit that the proposal that they had on their flyer, it would come through the town and follow our process, and then it would count as one of three meetings that would need to take place within 500 yards of their facility or their or their property um and be able to field questions and then be able to follow our town process.

5:00

But that hasn't happened.

5:02

This is on their own.

5:03

Um I've gotten um copious emails and phone calls and communication concerning uh that project and what their intention is that has nothing to do with the town at this point.

5:16

Uh and if it does have to do with the town uh in the future, then we'll let you know and offer some updates.

5:23

But uh a lot of a lot of stir out there.

5:26

If you are here to talk about that project tonight, um, I think you're at the wrong meeting.

5:32

They're they're kind of over at the rock church.

5:34

So um hopefully uh hopefully you're in the right spot and uh and just wanted to let everybody know that that that's not part of the town.

5:42

So uh that's all I have for tonight.

5:44

Thank you.

5:46

Councilmember Brooks.

5:48

Thank you for that clarification.

5:50

I've had a couple of those emails as well.

5:52

And um, you know, despite despite what anybody decides to do on their own in any application process prior to beginning the process with the town, it's just above and beyond.

6:02

Uh but it doesn't change the town processes, and I'll absolutely be going through that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Technology and Innovation███████████████████████████████31%

Procedural██████████████14%

Community Engagement█████████9%

Land Use█████████9%

Public Safety█████████9%

Parks and Recreation█████5%

Privacy Concerns█████5%

Public Engagement████4%

Legislative Updates████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Castle Rock Town Council Meeting – March 19, 2024

The Castle Rock Town Council met on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 6:00 PM in Town Hall Council Chambers. Council approved a lease and use by special review for a T-Mobile wireless tower in Butterfield Crossing Park, awarded four community grants, and authorized a construction contract for the Wolfensberger Road and Park Street intersection improvement project. Mayor Gray, Mayor Pro Tem LaFleur, and Councilmembers Cavey, Bracken, Brooks, and Dietz were present; Councilmember Hollingshead was absent.

Consent Calendar

Approved a proclamation designating April as Water Conservation Month (Mayor's Challenge).
Approved the draft minutes from the March 5, 2024, meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

John Neumeier (nonresident, President of Castle Rock Artists Alliance) and Dane Robinson (resident) urged the Council to allow citizens to vote on inclusion in the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), citing democratic principles and cultural benefits.
Fred Walhof (resident, 4441 Trailside Lane) spoke in favor of the T-Mobile tower, citing poor cell service, dropped calls, and safety concerns for his elderly wife.
Abbey Meraz (resident, adjacent to Butterfield Park) asked the Council to deny the tower, citing health risks from wireless radiation, property value decreases, and lack of notification.
Brian Skelton (resident, Starflower Court) opposed the tower, raising health concerns for children at nearby Meadow View Elementary and noting that multiple carriers could later co-locate.
Monica (resident, near Butterfield Park) opposed the tower, concerned about RF radiation for her 6-year-old daughter and the park as a technology-free outlet.
Katie Mackwitz (resident) supported the tower, arguing that RF frequencies are similar to AM radio and that health concerns are unproven; she emphasized the need for reliable service.
Kathy Fritzler (resident, Golden Valley Trail) opposed the tower, citing studies showing property value declines of 2.46% to 20% near cell towers, and shared a family experience of health issues after a 5G tower was installed near their home.
Edward Castellana (Director of Engineering Operations, T-Mobile, nonresident) highlighted additional benefits including a handicap-accessible walkway and noted that property values near the existing Verizon small cell in the park have increased since 2017.
Devin Jansen (resident) supported the tower, pointing to benefits for the Internet of Things, telematics in snowplows, and police technology.

Discussion Items

Appointment to Douglas County Housing Partnership: Council reappointed Brad Boland as staff appointee to the Board of Directors (unanimous vote).
Town Manager's Report: Dave Corliss reviewed the calendar for board and commission recruitments (April applications, May interviews). Councilmember Dietz requested a future review of board attendance requirements and term limits.
Legislative Update: Assistant Town Manager Kristin Read presented recommended positions on state bills. Council voted to oppose four bills (mandated background checks, single-stairway exits, climate action element in master plans, prone restraint restrictions) and to support House Bill 1362 on gray water systems. Council deferred signing a Colorado Municipal League letter to the next meeting.
Town Attorney's Report: Mike Hyman summarized the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Linde v. Freed, clarifying that government officials may block or delete comments on personal social media pages if they are not speaking in their official capacity.
T-Mobile Lease and Use by Special Review:
- Lease Agreement (RES 2024-031): The Council approved a 5-year lease with T-Mobile West LLC for a 35-foot stealth wireless tower at Butterfield Crossing Park. The lease includes automatic four 5-year renewals, initial monthly rent of $3,500 with 3% annual increases, and T-Mobile's responsibility for construction, maintenance, and ADA trail improvements. The vote was 6-0.
- Use by Special Review (RES 2024-032): The Council approved the land use application for the tower after a quasi-judicial hearing. The tower meets all zoning criteria (height, setback, compatibility). Council members noted that health concerns are preempted by FCC regulations and cannot be considered in the vote. The vote was 6-0.
Community Grant Program (DIR 2024-005): Four applications were presented and funded equally at $1,000 each:
- Castle Rock Artists Alliance (art therapy for veterans and first responders)
- Castle Rock Orchestra (music purchase for spring concert)
- Douglas County High School After Prom Committee (drug- and alcohol-free after-prom event)
- Honor Bell Foundation (Welcome Home Celebration for veterans, gold star families, and first responders) The vote was unanimous (6-0).
Wolfensberger Road and Park Street Intersection Improvement (RES 2024-033): Council awarded a construction contract to TechCon Infrastructure, LLC for $899,993.75 to widen the intersection, improve pedestrian access, and increase turning radius. The project is scheduled for April through summer 2024. The vote was 5-0 (Mayor Gray and Councilmember Hollingshead absent).

Key Outcomes

Approved reappointment of Brad Boland to Douglas County Housing Partnership Board (6-0).
Approved consent calendar items (proclamation and minutes) (6-0).
Approved legislative positions: oppose four bills, support HB 1362; deferred CML letter (6-0).
Approved T-Mobile lease agreement (RES 2024-031) (6-0).
Approved T-Mobile use by special review (RES 2024-032) (6-0).
Awarded $4,000 in community grants to four organizations (6-0).
Approved construction contract for Wolfensberger Road intersection (RES 2024-033) (5-0).
Adjourned at 8:27 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Thank you for being here tonight with us. I would like to please ask Dave if you would do us the honor and start us off with the invocation. Thank you. Almighty God and Heavenly Father, we uh we praise you for the blessings that you continue to bestow upon us individually and as a community. We seek your guidance, wisdom, and support in all of our meetings, including the meeting this evening for the town council. We gather here today, all intent to do good work to uh to listen and fairly and uh equitably and to um uh use your uh use your guidance as appropriate. Help us engage in a meaningful discussion, give us clarity and strength uh to use our best skills and judgment. We offer up a particular prayer for our first responders of police and fire that uh protect our community and bring them home safely. Uh bless our community, our residents and and visitors, and and help us to continue to do uh good work in your name. Amen. Amen. I would like to call this meeting to order. Robbie, can you please take roll call? Councilmember Holling's head, councilmember KV. Yes, Councilmember Bracken, present. Councilmember Brooks, present. Councilmember Deeds. Here. Mayor Pro Tam Lafloor. Here, Mayor Gray. Okay, we'll check. We can check back in uh with Mayor Gray. Um, would everybody please stand and join us for the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the requirement for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Uh I don't believe Ryan's gonna be joining us tonight. So, Laura, would you like to start us off with council comments? Thank you. Um I just want to give a shout out to Dan Seller and his team for the incredible work that they did over this monster snowstorm. Um I actually got stuck um in Las Vegas and didn't get home. Um but I know they worked hard, and actually when I got home, there was one of those big graters going through my uh my cul de sac to remove, I think I got 36 inches of snow. So um I just want to give a shout out to all of those folks that work so tirelessly for a good I don't know, two to three days, making sure the roads were clear for all of us. So thank you very much. Thank you, Councilmember KV. Councilmember Bracken. Thank you. Um yes, same uh same sentiment, Dan. Great job. When in the midst of all that, we had some pothole complaints and snow removal complaints, and and everything was dressed um relatively quickly. Um I also want to bring up uh so that so thank you very much. Thank you for your leadership and and your staff as well. Um so I also want to bring up there there's a meeting that's happening um right now at the Rock Church that is a community meeting that is not a town of Castle Rock meeting, and the Rock Churches apparently um contacted the the residents that are surrounding them and and uh talking about a plan that they would like to propose in the future. So, one thing to note that that the Rock Church has not proposed a plan and submitted it to the town of Castle Rock for uh for a neighborhood meeting. So if they were to submit that the proposal that they had on their flyer, it would come through the town and follow our process, and then it would count as one of three meetings that would need to take place within 500 yards of their facility or their or their property um and be able to field questions and then be able to follow our town process. But that hasn't happened. This is on their own. Um I've gotten um copious emails and phone calls and communication concerning uh that project and what their intention is that has nothing to do with the town at this point. Uh and if it does have to do with the town uh in the future, then we'll let you know and offer some updates. But uh a lot of a lot of stir out there.

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