Castle Rock Town Council Meeting: October 15, 2024 – Approvals, Water Partnerships, and Lost Canyon Ranch Annexation

The Castle Rock Town Council met on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included council comments, a proclamation, approval of the Lost Canyon Ranch annexation and zoning, adoption of budgets for special districts, approval of water partnership agreements, and a contract for Centennial Park court replacement. All votes were 6-0 (with Councilmember Hollingshead absent and Councilmember Bracken arriving at 6:20 PM).

Consent Calendar

• Ordinance 2024-021 (second reading): Approved the grant of a cable franchise to Comcast Colorado IX, LLC and the franchise agreement.
• Minutes 2024-019: Approved the draft minutes from October 1, 2024.

Public Comments & Testimony

• FPC GID Meeting (Parking Garage Issues):
  • David Miles, resident of Encore, urged council to vote yes on the mill levy but raised concerns about vandalism, safety, and residents paying 49% of cleanup costs after town events. He recommended enforceable parking regulations, zero tolerance for bad actors, more signage, and increased monitoring/patrols.
  • Ann Midgley, resident, questioned budget variances (ranging from $255,749 to $378,772 over three years) and the extension of the payment term from 2038 to 2040. She asked whether the GID could be expanded to share costs with broader public users.
• Sabrina Wright Hobart (via unscheduled public appearance) spoke on behalf of the Crisis Center, thanking council for the Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation and promoting the 24/7 crisis line (303-688-8484).

Discussion Items

• Town Manager’s Report:

  • Calendar Reminders: Upcoming neighborhood meetings and the Your Town Academy graduation. Councilmember Brooks was appointed to interview applicants for the Douglas County Library Board of Trustees.
  • Monthly Department Reports: Noted as received.
  • Your Town Academy: Assistant Town Manager Matt Gohl presented the 2024 graduating class, who completed eight 2.5-hour sessions on town operations.
  • Third Quarter Major Projects: Report provided.
  • Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space Master Planning: Parks & Rec Director Jeff Brauer updated on the 681-acre property acquired for $15.1 million (with partners). A master planning process is underway, with public meetings held and more scheduled. Councilmember Cavey asked about feedback from a September 12 neighborhood meeting; Brauer noted neighbors are appreciative but concerned about traffic and want thoughtful planning.
  • Water Court Cases: Update provided.
  • Quasi-Judicial Projects & Development Services: Updates given.

• Lost Canyon Ranch Annexation (ORD 2024-022) and Initial Zoning (ORD 2024-023): Presented by Director of Development Services Tara Vargish. The town-owned property in unincorporated Douglas County was annexed and zoned Public Land 1 (PL1), consistent with conservation easement restrictions. Planning commission had recommended the zoning unanimously. No public comment. Both ordinances passed 6-0 after separate motions.

• Miller’s Landing BID Budget (RES 2024-104): The 2025 fiscal year operating plan and budget were approved. Pete Managers, Assistant Finance Manager, presented; no public comment.

• Festival Park Commons GID Budget and Mill Levy (FPC GID meeting):

  • FPC RESO 2024-001 (2025 budget of $266,313) and FPC RESO 2024-002 (levying 45 mills for 2024, collectible in 2025) were approved after public comments. Town Manager David Corliss explained the history: the GID funds public parking spaces at the Encore development, with 45 mills paid by the private development. He noted the town cannot disband the GID and that the entire downtown helps pay maintenance costs. Councilmember Cavey expressed the situation is unfair to residents and suggested charging for parking or expanding the district. The motion passed 6-0 with a directive for staff to explore ways to address resident concerns about cleanup costs and safety. Later, as town council, the same budget and mill levy were ratified (RES 2024-105).

• Budget Amendment (ORD 2024-024): Presented by Finance Director Trish Muller. The third amendment for FY2024 increases revenues by $3.4 million and expenses by $4.2 million (net $1.2 million increase). Key items: $2.1 million for WISE water opportunities, $407,000 for water conservation rebates, and increased budgets for golf course and community center operations (offset by higher revenues). Approved 6-0.

• Centennial Park Court Replacement (RES 2024-106 & RES 2024-107): Jeff Brauer presented the project. A construction contract with L.E.R., Inc. d/b/a Renner Sports Surfaces ($564,300) and an amendment to the concrete services agreement with SaBell’s ($644,275) were approved separately for a total project cost of $1.28 million. The project includes three regulation tennis courts, one basketball court, ADA walkways, additional parking, and shade structures. Both resolutions passed 6-0.

• Water Partnership Agreements:

  • Platte Valley Water Partnership (RES 2024-108): Director Mark Marlowe presented an IGA with Parker Water and Sanitation District. Castle Rock will pay $280,000 to join as a 25% partner in a long-term project to develop unappropriated water from the Lower South Platte River. No buy-and-dry provisions; the project will also benefit local agriculture. Approved 6-0.
  • Central Colorado Water Conservancy District Agreements (RES 2024-109, 110, 111): Three agreements were presented: (1) a general partnership framework, (2) an exchange of water rights (Roth water for Chatfield storage) to improve water quality and generate revenue, and (3) a spot lease of 800 acre-feet from Chatfield to the district for $110/acre-foot (generating $88,000). All approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• All motions passed 6-0 (Councilmember Hollingshead absent; Councilmember Bracken present after 6:20 PM).
• Lost Canyon Ranch successfully annexed and zoned to facilitate public open space development.
• Festival Park Commons GID budget and mill levy approved; staff directed to report on ways to mitigate resident burden from event-related cleanup and safety issues.
• Centennial Park court replacement authorized with two contracts totaling $1.28 million; construction to begin in late 2024 and finish in early 2025.
• Water partnerships advanced, positioning Castle Rock toward its 2065 goal of 100% renewable water in average years.
• Executive Session: Council adjourned to executive session at 8:08 PM to receive legal advice on the Pine Canyon Development Rezoning and Water Appeal.