Erie Town Council Meeting - February 25, 2025

The Erie Town Council met on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including approvals of several resolutions for community projects, a public hearing on the Erie West Annexation, and a discussion on the Erie Town Center Urban Renewal Authority (URA) tax increment revenue agreement. Notable actions included approving a fiber optic license agreement with LightGig Communications, authorizing a home repair program through Brothers Redevelopment, and advancing the Schofield Farm rehabilitation. The council also heard public comments from residents and a young child advocating for park improvements.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the February 11, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes.
• Approved a License Agreement with the Regional Transportation District (RTD) for Canyon Creek Lombardi Street Crossing.
• Approved a License Agreement with RTD for Colliers Hill Weld County Road 5 Stormwater Culvert Improvements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dave Sullivan (President, Erie High School Education Foundation) thanked the council for a community grant, highlighting that 95-97% of funds go directly to students, staff, or alumni. He noted 115 applications this year and a focus on trades, nursing, and teaching.
• Lisa Knutson (and Cammy Nima) thanked the council for a grant to Erie Uplink, which provides food assistance to 73 families and 175 children, distributing $75,000 worth of food and seasonal items this school year.
• Sashi (age 6, resident of Morgan Hill) expressed sadness and upset that the mayor said there is not enough money for parks in Compass or Morgan Hill. She stated there are over 500 children who cannot walk to a park and urged the council to fix the parks before she grows up. The mayor responded that the topic will be discussed on March 11th.

Discussion Items

• 90-Second Celebration Video: Staff presented a video highlighting women in Parks and Recreation who received awards and recognition for their leadership and innovation. No action taken.
• LightGig Communications License Agreement (Resolution 25-039): The council discussed the non-exclusive limited license for fiber optic network in greenfield developments. The agreement is for 10 years, allows competition, and requires permitting for any work in existing rights-of-way. Questions focused on scope and franchise distinctions. Approved unanimously.
• Brothers Redevelopment Professional Services Agreement (Resolution 25-010): Authorizes a contract to administer the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) home repair program for low- and moderate-income mobile/manufactured home owners in Old Town Erie. The program provides up to $15,000 per home for 10 homes, focusing on critical health and safety repairs. Outreach will include direct mail and partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Approved by roll call (7-0).
• CDBG Programmatic Agreement (Resolution 25-011): Establishes a three-party agreement among the Town, Weld County, and the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office to comply with Section 106 historic preservation requirements for the home repair program. Approved unanimously.
• Form+Works Design Group Amendment for Schofield Farm (Resolution 25-035): Amends the professional services agreement to advance construction documents for the big barn, loafing shed, silo, and site restroom at Schofield Farm Historic Building Rehabilitation. Total project funding includes $1.1 million from the trails and natural areas fund and $9.3 million from the parks improvement fund, plus $318,000 in state grants. Completion timeline estimated at 2028. Approved by roll call (7-0).
• Intergovernmental Agreement with Boulder County for Prairie Run Connector Trails (Resolution 25-036): Approves trail construction and ongoing management on Town of Erie open space and connections to Boulder County Open Space. Trails will be soft surface and ADA accessible. Approved unanimously.
• Sublease Agreement with Plum Creek Garden Market (Resolution 25-023): Approves a sublease at 130 Wells Street for a pop-up garden market. The town is the primary leaseholder. Approved unanimously.
• Erie Highlands Filing 18 Final Plat (Resolution 25-038): Accepts dedications and approves the development agreement for 116 townhome lots, the final residential plat in Erie Highlands. Staff provided an update on the successful plugging of the William Pell Tier oil/gas well, completed to modern standards. Approved unanimously.
• Public Hearing: Erie West Annexation (Resolutions 25-019 and 25-017): Continued from January, the public hearing considered the annexation of approximately 86 acres of agricultural land (Lindow property) at the northwest edge of town. The annexation included findings of fact and an annexation agreement. Public comments (Lisa Langer, Greg Langer, Bob Jensen, Kendra Carberry) expressed strong desire to join Erie, citing longstanding community ties and contributions. Council discussion included contiguity, costs (estimated $150,000 road resurfacing within 5 years), and potential historic preservation. Both resolutions were approved unanimously. Zoning will be considered on March 11th.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of 90-Second Celebration Video – Informational only; no vote.
• LightGig Communications License Agreement – Approved unanimously.
• Brothers Redevelopment Agreement – Approved 7-0 roll call.
• CDBG Programmatic Agreement – Approved unanimously.
• Form+Works Design Group Amendment for Schofield Farm – Approved 7-0 roll call.
• Intergovernmental Agreement with Boulder County for Trails – Approved unanimously.
• Sublease Agreement with Plum Creek Garden Market – Approved unanimously.
• Erie Highlands Filing 18 Final Plat – Approved unanimously.
• Erie West Annexation Findings of Fact and Annexation Agreement – Both approved unanimously. Zoning hearing set for March 11, 2025.
• Conditional Tax Increment Revenue Agreement for Erie Town Center URA (Resolution 25-044) – Approved by voice vote. The URA will capture half the town’s sales tax rate (1.75% of 3.5%) and the unrestricted general fund mill levy (approximately 7.25 mills) to generate an estimated $1.5 million in property tax and $11 million in sales tax revenue over 25 years to support development costs, including mitigation of historic coal mining hazards.

Council Member Reports and Announcements

• Mayor Pro Tem Bell recognized Erie High School graduate Jacob Slavin, two-time winner of the NHL’s Lady Byng Trophy, for representing Erie in professional sports.
• Councilmember Baer reported on the Historic Preservation Advisory Board’s exploration of a local historic district and potential relocation of the railroad depot, and reminded residents to winter-water trees.
• Councilmember Bear provided updates from DRCOG meetings, including pending legislation on vulnerable road user fees and a paratransit bill. She also announced a polar plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics on April 5.
• Mayor Moore highlighted upcoming study sessions on March 4 (comprehensive plan, affordable housing, transportation), March 13 (capital improvement needs: public works, parks, rec center, police station, etc.), and March 18 (oil and gas, legislative agenda, I-25 gateway).

Executive Session

• The council voted to enter executive session to receive legal advice on specific legal questions, as allowed by C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(b). The meeting was adjourned at that point.