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Record of Proceedings

Erie Town Council Meeting - March 26, 2024: Police Facility, Annexation, and Legislation

Town Council — Tuesday, March 26, 2024
BodyErie, Colorado
SessionTown Council
DateTuesday, March 26, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim
3:03

Hello, and welcome to the Tuesday, March twenty-sixth, twenty twenty-four, town of Erie Town Council meeting.

3:11

I am your presiding officer, Mayor Justin Brooks.

3:13

I will now call the meeting to order and ask that everyone please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3:47

Councillor Harrison.

3:48

Here.

3:51

Councillor Laughlin.

3:54

Councillor Hoback.

3:57

Councillor Salish.

3:58

Coming live from Town Hall.

4:00

All right.

4:01

You have a quorum.

4:02

Do we have a motion to approve the agenda?

4:05

So move.

4:06

Second, Harrison.

4:07

Okay.

4:08

Show of hands to approve the agenda.

4:10

All right, unanimous.

4:16

So moved, Harrison.

4:17

Second.

4:19

Okay.

4:28

Counselor Bell?

4:29

Yes.

4:30

Counselor Laughlin.

4:32

Mayor Brooks?

4:33

Yes.

4:34

Counselor Hobeck?

4:35

Yes.

4:36

Counselor Sawish?

4:37

Yes.

4:37

Counselor Harrison.

4:39

Yes.

4:40

Passes unanimously.

4:42

All right.

4:42

Thank you.

4:45

Okay.

4:46

So we have now reached the public comment portion of the agenda.

4:51

Please remember public comment is not an interactive question and answer forum, but rather a time for you to state state your comments on a particular item or issue.

4:58

These are for non-agenda items or consent items only.

5:01

There are some public hearing items on the agendas tonight.

5:04

There will be public hearing during that actual session.

5:07

So don't don't worry, you will have an opportunity to be heard.

5:12

Public comment provides the opportunity to discuss items, like I said, not on the agenda or consent items only.

5:18

If you're joining virtually and like to speak, just use the raise hand feature in your webinar control panel.

5:22

And if you're using a telephone, please hit star nine.

5:25

If you're joining in person, please sign up in the back of the room and come to the podium when your name is called.

5:30

Once you're called, uh please state your full name and address for the record.

5:35

Public comment is limited to three minutes per person.

5:37

You'll be given a 20-minute warning when your three minutes are almost up.

5:40

You'll also see a light that'll go on on the podium there.

5:44

At the three minute mark, I'll ask you to wrap up your final sentence, mute your microphone, and you may resume watching the meeting or end your participation at that time.

5:52

Do we have anyone who's signed up for public comment?

5:56

We have no one that signed up for public comment that's present.

5:59

All right.

5:59

So I will close public comment at 6 38 p.m.

6:02

And we will now move on to general business.

6:04

And the first item we have a presentation from United Power.

6:08

Uh we'll welcome Mr.

6:09

Bill Meyer, if you wouldn't mind coming on up.

6:12

And I will let you say some words, I guess, and then we'll come around the dais.

6:20

Thank you, Mayor Brooks.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning And Development██████████████████18%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Transportation Safety█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Urban Planning████████8%
Water And Wastewater Management██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure████4%
Public Engagement████4%
Zoning Regulations███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Erie Town Council Meeting - March 26, 2024: Police Facility, Annexation, and Legislation

The Erie Town Council met on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, for a regularly scheduled meeting that included a United Power rebate presentation, a police facility expansion evaluation, a contested public hearing on the 111th and Arapahoe annexation and initial zoning, and discussion of pending state legislation. The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda, accepted the rebates, approved the annexation and related agreements, continued the zoning decision to May 28, 2024, and entered executive session on the municipal airport.

Consent Calendar

  • The council voted unanimously to approve the meeting agenda.
  • A proclamation recognizing United Power's 85th anniversary was noted as part of the consent agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No speakers signed up for the non-agenda public comment portion.
  • During the 111th and Arapahoe public hearing, 16 members of the public spoke. The majority expressed opposition to the high-density residential zoning and the annexation process. Key positions included:
    • Michael Barrow (Lafayette) opposed high density as inappropriate across from open space and urged following the comprehensive plan process first.
    • Beth Meyer (Arapahoe Ridge) raised concerns about water drainage and wildlife, requesting studies and humane prairie dog relocation.
    • Clifford Zwart (Erie) opposed, citing incongruity with adjacent properties, lack of pedestrian access, and insufficient notification to homeowners.
    • Deborah Gonzalez (landowner) supported the project, stating that the area is appropriate for apartments and that her property has already lost privacy to the Nine Mile development.
    • Tim Scherr (Arapahoe Ridge) opposed, citing traffic and flooding, and requested a delay until after spring break.
    • Courtney Rella (Lafayette) opposed, advocating for prairie dogs and the broader wildlife ecosystem.
    • Andrew Moore (Erie) opposed the process, stating the parcel is outside the current comprehensive plan and lacks adequate public input.
    • Rhonda Grassi (Arapahoe Ridge) detailed ongoing drainage issues from the Nine Mile development and concerns about the 111th ditch and flooding.
    • Scott Griffith (Arapahoe Ridge) questioned traffic data and housing mix, asking for alternative development scenarios.
    • Mike Stone (Erie) discussed traffic safety and flooding concerns.
    • Fred Walsh (Arapahoe Ridge) opposed, requesting proactive management and security for affordable housing units.
    • Janice Moore read a statement from former mayor Jennifer Carroll asking to delay the annexation until the comprehensive plan is updated.
    • John Mortalaro (Arapahoe Ridge) cited growth outpacing infrastructure.
    • Alex Schatz (Arapahoe Ridge) opposed the rezoning, emphasizing stormwater and traffic problems.
    • Sheena Brown opposed, citing quality of life and generational concerns.

Discussion Items

  • United Power Rebate: Bill Meyer presented rebates totaling $12,187: $2,599 for a ClearComfort technology installed at the community center pool and $9,588 for an LED retrofit. He noted that energy and demand are down 13% over the last three months compared to the same period a year ago, representing an average monthly savings of $585.
  • Police Facility Expansion Evaluation: Chief Mathis, with Wold Architects and town staff, presented a space needs analysis and conceptual plan. The current facility is 17,000 square feet, built in 2014, and originally designed for 21 officers; the department now has 46 officers (48 authorized). Space conversions have eliminated storage, wellness rooms, and meeting rooms. Evidence storage is two-thirds full and projected to reach capacity in two to three years. The proposed concept includes a freestanding addition connected by a walkway, a second floor for training, fitness, and wellness, expanded evidence and holding areas, and secure parking. It is designed to serve up to 80,000 residents and 90+ officers for 20-25 years. Sarah Hancock outlined potential financing through Certificates of Participation (COPs) with 20 or 30-year terms, estimated annual payments between $2.2 and $2.7 million, and no tax increase. Council questions addressed refinancing, geotechnical conditions, utility impacts, and timeline. The next step is an RFP for design services in July/August.
  • 111th and Arapahoe Annexation and Initial Zoning (Public Hearing): Staff and applicant Thompson Thrift presented a request to annex approximately 19 acres and apply high-density residential (HR) zoning, permitting 10-25 dwelling units per acre. The project would include about 336 units at 17 units per acre, with 12% affordable at 80% AMI. The applicant highlighted housing need, road improvements, and a design with 80-foot setbacks along Arapahoe and two-story building edges. Council deliberation focused on statewide annexation criteria, comprehensive plan consistency, traffic impacts, drainage, and water infrastructure. The council voted to continue the zoning ordinance to May 28, 2024, with conditions, and then approved the annexation and related agreements.
  • Proposed Legislation: Staff presented three bills:
    • SB 24-106 (Right to Remedy Construction Defects) – Council indicated support; a letter had been sent to the legislature.
    • HB 1230 (Protections for Real Property Owners) – Staff recommended an "amend" position; council agreed to craft amendment recommendations while maintaining support for the bill's intent.
    • HB 1304 (Minimum Parking Requirements) – Council agreed to monitor the bill.
  • Staff Report: The ADU legislation staff report was not available; it was deferred to the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved the meeting agenda unanimously.
  • Accepted United Power rebate checks.
  • Approved ordinance 004-2024, resolution 24028, and resolution 24029 (annexation of 111th and Arapahoe and related agreements) unanimously.
  • Continued ordinance 005-2024 (initial zoning for 111th and Arapahoe) to May 28, 2024, subject to conditions including: town staff traffic summary, four public meetings by the applicant, public notice to HOAs within a quarter mile, and staff analysis of water, wastewater, and drainage infrastructure.
  • Moved to support SB 24-106, amend HB 1230, and monitor HB 1304.
  • Moved to executive session concerning the Erie Municipal Airport.

Meeting Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Tuesday, March twenty-sixth, twenty twenty-four, town of Erie Town Council meeting. I am your presiding officer, Mayor Justin Brooks. I will now call the meeting to order and ask that everyone please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councillor Harrison. Here. Councillor Laughlin. Councillor Hoback. Councillor Salish. Coming live from Town Hall. All right. You have a quorum. Do we have a motion to approve the agenda? So move. Second, Harrison. Okay. Show of hands to approve the agenda. All right, unanimous. So moved, Harrison. Second. Okay. Counselor Bell? Yes. Counselor Laughlin. Mayor Brooks? Yes. Counselor Hobeck? Yes. Counselor Sawish? Yes. Counselor Harrison. Yes. Passes unanimously. All right. Thank you. Okay. So we have now reached the public comment portion of the agenda. Please remember public comment is not an interactive question and answer forum, but rather a time for you to state state your comments on a particular item or issue. These are for non-agenda items or consent items only. There are some public hearing items on the agendas tonight. There will be public hearing during that actual session. So don't don't worry, you will have an opportunity to be heard. Public comment provides the opportunity to discuss items, like I said, not on the agenda or consent items only. If you're joining virtually and like to speak, just use the raise hand feature in your webinar control panel. And if you're using a telephone, please hit star nine. If you're joining in person, please sign up in the back of the room and come to the podium when your name is called. Once you're called, uh please state your full name and address for the record. Public comment is limited to three minutes per person. You'll be given a 20-minute warning when your three minutes are almost up. You'll also see a light that'll go on on the podium there. At the three minute mark, I'll ask you to wrap up your final sentence, mute your microphone, and you may resume watching the meeting or end your participation at that time.

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