Castle Rock Town Council Meeting Summary – May 21, 2024

The Castle Rock Town Council met on May 21, 2024 at 6:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation for National Public Works Week, appointments to boards and commissions, public comments, and several discussion items and votes. A major focus was a presentation on a potential fall 2024 ballot measure to increase the town sales tax by 0.2% to fund public safety, including additional police and fire personnel. The council approved multiple resolutions and ordinances, including the Crystal Valley Interchange Package 2 construction contract and a supplemental budget appropriation.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution RES 2024-048: Consenting to the dissolution of the Crystal Valley Shops Metropolitan District – approved unanimously.
• Resolution RES 2024-049: Approving a construction contract with Critical Pipeline Repair LLP for the 2024 Bridge Rehabilitation Project – approved unanimously.
• Minutes MIN 2024-010: Draft minutes from May 7, 2024 – approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident named Richard spoke during unscheduled public appearances. He read a statement regarding homelessness, criticizing government and community responses, and proposed legalizing euthanasia for homeless adults. His statement was entered into the record. No other public speakers were present for any agenda item.

Discussion Items

• National Public Works Week Proclamation: Mayor Gray read a proclamation declaring May 19–25, 2024 as National Public Works Week, recognizing the town's Public Works Department for achieving APWA reaccreditation with 100% compliance.
• Appointments to Boards and Commissions: Council approved all appointments as recommended, except the Election Commission appointments which were deferred to a future meeting. Motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Bracken absent for vote).
• Firefighter Memorial: Fire Chief Croom presented a proposal to construct a new firefighter memorial on the north side of the Douglas County Libraries building, relocating the existing memorial. The design would use no public funds, relying on grants and donations. Council expressed support.
• Capital Carryforward: Town Manager David Corliss noted that unspent capital expenditure authority automatically carries forward to the next year, as most capital projects span multiple years. No action required.
• Potential Fall 2024 Ballot Measure:
  • Fire Chief Croom detailed needs including a fourth ambulance (medic unit) to reduce ambulance depletion times; in December 2023, the town lacked a medic unit 36 times (about once per day) for an average of 16 minutes each time. He proposed 18 new fire positions over five years, including staffing the fourth medic unit.
  • Police Chief Jack Cauley outlined needs including additional School Resource Officers (SROs), more patrol officers (at 1.1 officers per thousand residents, one of the lowest ratios among front-range communities), and traffic safety officers. He noted Castle Rock was named the safest city in Colorado and 37th safest in the U.S. in 2024.
  • Town Manager Corliss explained the financial context: slowing sales tax growth, inability to fund 40 public safety positions from existing revenues, and internal measures already taken (e.g., reducing road maintenance funding). A 0.2% sales tax increase (20 cents per $100) would generate funds for 22 police and 18 fire positions over five years, plus $200,000 annually for arts and cultural grants.
  • Ryan Winger of Magellan Strategies presented polling results from 1,092 Castle Rock voters. Uninformed support was 53%; after detailed information, support rose to 57%, with strong majorities favoring funding for a fourth ambulance and additional personnel. The most compelling message was the need for a fourth medic unit (75% more likely to approve).
  • Council directed staff to follow the proposed calendar for placing a measure on the November ballot, with formal decision expected in July/August. Motion passed 6-0.
• School Resource Officer IGA Amendment: Resolution RES 2024-050 amended the intergovernmental agreement with Douglas County School District RE-1. The school district will fully fund two additional SROs (personnel and equipment) for one school year (2024-2025) at no cost to the town. If a future ballot measure passes, the town would move to a 50% cost share. Approved unanimously.
• Supplemental Appropriations: Ord 2024-007 approved a $176.6 million budget amendment, primarily for the Crystal Valley Interchange (CVI) Package 2 project ($96.5 million), offset by funding partners including Dawson Trails Metro District ($50 million), Douglas County ($24 million), and state/federal grants. Internal loans were created for cash flow purposes. Approved on first and final reading as an emergency ordinance. Vote 6-0.
• Crystal Valley Interchange Package 2 Construction Contract: Resolution RES 2024-051 approved a $78.4 million contract with Kraemer North America, LLC for the remaining interchange work (package 2). The project is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2027. Approved unanimously.
• Dawson Trails Boulevard IGA: Resolution RES 2024-052 approved an intergovernmental agreement with Dawson Trails Metropolitan District No. 1 for management of the Dawson Trails Boulevard project, at a cost of $455,000 (3.5% of estimated construction). The metro district will oversee construction, with town oversight. Approved unanimously.
• Chatfield Storage Water Agreement: Resolution RES 2024-053 approved Amendment No. 6 to the water provider agreement with the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The town will purchase an additional 129 acre-feet of storage space in the Chatfield Storage Reallocation Project for $16.6 million, financed over 15 years with no interest. The town has already purchased about half its allocation. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All motions and votes passed unanimously (6-0 or 7-0) with Councilmember Bracken absent for one vote on appointments. Councilmember Cavey attended remotely.
• Council initiated a teen youth council (motion by Councilmember Dietz, passed 7-0) after Council comments.
• Council approved appointments to boards and commissions (except Election Commission deferred).
• Council directed staff to proceed with the timeline for a potential November 2024 ballot measure on a 0.2% sales tax increase for public safety.
• All consent calendar items, resolutions, and ordinances were approved without amendment or public opposition.