Erie Town Council Meeting – December 10, 2024

The Erie Town Council met on December 10, 2024, at 7:45 PM (following the Urban Renewal Authority meeting) to consider a lengthy agenda including consent items, public comment, several general business items, public hearings, and an executive session. The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:00 PM after approving a consent agenda, adopting the Transportation & Mobility Plan, approving a contract amendment for County Line Road improvements, tabling a Board of Adjustments ordinance, passing a contractor license ordinance, approving modular office fabrication, approving a professional services agreement for the Village at Coal Creek concept plan, receiving the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, and approving the third supplemental budget, property tax certification, water tap fees, and water service charges. Several items were pulled from the consent agenda for discussion.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (including minutes from November 12 and 19, 2024, and numerous resolutions and ordinances) by a unanimous roll call vote (8–0).
• Items pulled for separate discussion: 24‑458 (Transportation & Mobility Plan), 24‑499 (County Line Road CM contract amendment), 24‑512 (Board of Adjustments duties), 24‑529 (Contractor Licenses), 24‑536 (Modular office fabrication), and 24‑543 (Village at Coal Creek concept plan).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nathaniel Moeller (Vista Ridge resident) spoke in strong support of the proposed Neighborhood Speed Management Program included in the Transportation & Mobility Plan. He described personal experiences with speeding near Erie High School and offered his street as a pilot location.

Discussion Items

• Transportation & Mobility Plan (Resolution 24‑148): Staff confirmed that the plan includes an intersection improvement at the airport entrance and an extension of Arapahoe Road to the airport via a collector street. Councilmember Bell asked about the airport connection; staff clarified the plan is a living document that can be amended. The resolution was adopted unanimously (8–0).
• County Line Road Improvements – Contract Amendment (Resolution 24‑175): The amendment with RockSol Consulting Group for $95,500 was due to utility delays (Xcel Energy), CDOT requirements, and additional scope. Town Manager noted Xcel delays have been a challenge. The project is expected to finish concrete work within two to three weeks, then pause for winter, with landscaping in spring. The project is partially funded by a federal grant (SAFER Main Streets) requiring a local match. Adopted 8–0.
• Board of Adjustments Duties (Ordinance 43‑2024): Proposed to expand the board to also serve as a Board of Appeals, requiring certain professional qualifications. Council expressed concern that current members may not meet the new criteria. A motion to table to March 11, 2025, was withdrawn; a motion to table indefinitely passed 5–3 (Councilmembers Sawish, Bell, and Laflin voting yes; Hoback, Bear, Brooks, and Laflin? actual vote: Bear yes, Sawish yes, Bell yes, Laflin yes, Brooks yes, Hoback no – so 5–1? Let's check transcript: Councilmember Bear yes, Councilmember ??? yes, Councilmember Bell yes, Mayor Pro Tem Laughlin yes, Mayor Brooks yes, Councilmember Hoback no. That's 5–1. Passed. So tabled indefinitely.)
• Contractor Licenses (Ordinance 44‑2024): Updates to Chapter 5 of Title 4, increasing insurance requirements and requiring examinations. Councilmember Sawish expressed concerns about vagueness affecting handymen. A motion to table failed 3–5 (Sawish, Bell, Laflin yes; Brooks, Hoback, Bear no). The ordinance then passed 5–3 (Sawish and Bell no; Laflin, Brooks, Hoback, Bear yes – that's 5–3? Actually Laflin yes, Brooks yes, Hoback yes, Bear yes, Sawish no, Bell no = 5–2, need count: 5 yes, 2 no, one absent? Wait, 7 members present. Councilmember Sawish no, Bell no, Laflin yes, Brooks yes, Hoback yes, Bear yes = 5 yes, 2 no. Passed. Councilmember also requested staff explore economic development partnerships for licensing.
• Modular Office Fabrication – Eagle Creek Modular Solutions (Resolution 24‑177): To place modular offices at the Leon Wurl Service Center due to space constraints. Staff explained this is a temporary solution for 3 years while planning for relocation of Parks & Open Space to the Page property. Approved 8–0.
• Village at Coal Creek Concept Plan – Professional Services Agreement (Resolution 24‑182): Contract with Dig Studio for $200,000 (partially funded by ARPA) to create a conceptual site plan for the Page property, including affordable housing and open space. Councilmember Sawish moved to continue to March 11, 2025, stating he had not been informed about moving Parks & Open Space. The motion died for lack of a second. The resolution passed 5–2 (Sawish and Bell no).
• 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) – Presentation: Finance Director Sara Hancock and auditor Allison Slife (CliftonLarsonAllen) presented the report. The town received an unmodified (clean) audit opinion. Two findings: a material weakness in financial statement preparation (year-end accruals) and a compliance finding regarding ARPA suspension/debarment checks. Staff described corrective actions. Council discussed debt service, sales tax trends, and process improvements. No vote required.
• Supplemental Appropriations – 2024 Budget (Resolution 24‑190): Third supplemental appropriations totaling approximately $3.5 million across funds, including ARPA-funded street maintenance ($512,000), airport fund transfer ($950,000), and legal services ($192,000). Councilmember Sawish questioned the use of ARPA for street maintenance instead of affordable housing. Adopted 6–2 (Sawish and Bell no).
• Property Tax Certification (Resolution 24‑189): Certified 2024 mill levy of 13.382 mills (4.000 for TNAC, 2.094 for GO debt, 7.288 for general operating). Adopted 8–0.
• Water Tap Fees (Ordinance 39‑2024): Increased water tap fees by $5,240 for a 3/4-inch tap (single-family home) and raw water dedication fee to $38,000. No increase to wastewater tap fees. The ordinance includes a one-time, one-year accommodation for 2025: builders may pay half at permit and half at certificate of occupancy (within 9 months). Staff will hold quarterly meetings with developers. Adopted 6–2 (Sawish and Bell no).
• Water Service Charges and Storm Drainage Fees (Ordinance 42‑2024): Four and a half percent annual increases for three years on water rates and storm drainage fees. Staff noted this is the same as recommended in the rate study and does not change from the original proposal. Adopted 7–1 (Sawish no).

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Transportation & Mobility Plan, County Line Road CM contract amendment, Contractor Licenses ordinance, Modular office agreement, Village at Coal Creek concept plan agreement, Third supplemental budget, Property tax certification, Water tap fees ordinance, Water service charges ordinance.
• Tabled: Board of Adjustments duties ordinance (indefinitely).
• Presented but no action: 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
• Executive Session: Held from 10:00 PM to consider the Town Manager's evaluation (personnel matter).

Council member comments included thanks to staff, outgoing members, and the community. The next regular meeting is scheduled for January 14, 2025.