Erie Town Council Regular Meeting: April 22, 2025

The Erie Town Council met on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 7:20 PM in Council Chambers. The agenda included consent agenda approval, public comment, multiple proclamations, a public hearing on the 2025 supplemental budget, staff reports, councilmember announcements, and an executive session. All consent items and the budget resolution were approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the April 8, 2025 Town Council meeting minutes.
• Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation (sponsored by Mayor Moore).
• Resolution approving a construction contract with JOC Construction, LLC for the Arapahoe Ridge Sidewalk Removal and Replacement Project.
• Resolution approving a development agreement and accepting dedications for the Regency at Northskye Active Adult Amenity Minor Subdivision.
• Resolution adopting an update to the 2025 Fee Schedule.
• Ordinance amending Chapter 7 of Title 3 of the Erie Municipal Code to expand the duties of the Board of Adjustment.
• Resolution approving the Eleventh Amendment to the Disposition and Development Agreement with Evergreen-287 & Arapahoe, LLC. (All items passed by voice vote with no opposition.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Resident Christine Hackett Eisenberg (ceded time by Rob Eisenberg) thanked the council for study sessions and analyzed the Cheesman Residences affordable housing model. She noted that only buyers at 90–100% of Boulder County Area Median Income (AMI) qualify—single-person household must earn $92,000–$114,000/year; four-person household $131,000–$160,000/year. Only 8 Erie residents and 4 Erie workers qualified among 33 buyers, while local workers (restaurant, retail, teachers, firefighters) earn 34–74% AMI per the town’s housing needs assessment. She proposed redirecting the $500,000/year affordable housing budget to $500/month stipends, which could assist 83 workers at a cost of $20/taxpayer/year, compared to 35 households at $131/taxpayer/year for Cheesman. She urged including stipend options in a comprehensive survey.

Proclamations

• Economic Development Week (May 11–17, 2025) – Read by Councilmember O’Connor, recognizing economic development partners.
• 56th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week (May 4–10, 2025) – Read by Councilmember O’Connor, honoring the clerk’s office.
• Older Americans Month (May 2025) – Read by Councilmember Baer, highlighting contributions of older adults.
• National Administrative Professionals Day (April 23, 2025) – Read by Mayor Moore, thanking administrative staff.
• Police Week and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day (May 11–17, 2025; May 15 as Memorial Day) – Read by Mayor Moore, honoring law enforcement.

Public Hearing: 2025 Spring Supplemental Budget

Finance Director Sara Hancock and Budget Manager Cassie Bethune presented the supplemental appropriation (Resolution 25-068), totaling $147 million across all funds, mostly water/wastewater fund rollovers. Key items included:

• New operating requests: $122,000 for transportation safety studies/software, $72,000 for a town-wide household questionnaire, $108,580 for fleet maintenance, and $52,000 for police ballistic helmets.
• New capital requests: $411,418 for an Xcel Energy reinforcement contract (council-approved, reimbursable), grants for EV chargers, increased costs for Vista Ridge Pond construction ($375,000+), and others.
• Rollovers: $855,000 for affordable housing land acquisition/incentives, $3.7 million for police/courts expansion design, $2.1 million for Town Center roundabouts, $7.5 million for town hall expansion finishing, and large water fund rollovers ($95 million).
• Grants: $3.345 million in newly appropriated grants.
• Fund balance: General fund ending fund balance stays above the minimum $14.975 million at $14.982 million. The storm drainage fund shows a negative balance partly due to $500,000+ in outstanding FEMA reimbursements.

Council Discussion:

• Councilmember Mortarolo asked about the unassigned fund balance dropping to ~$6,600; Hancock noted emergency reserves exist before that point.
• Mayor Pro Tem Bell asked about state property tax relief impacts; Hancock said it will be incorporated in the 2026 budget and no current impact.
• Councilmember Baer queried the $72,000 community questionnaire vs. the existing statistically significant survey. Staff clarified both are funded; council will decide future direction at a study session. Deputy Town Manager Hammer apologized for a miscommunication about canceling the stat survey.
• Councilmember O’Connor asked about FEMA reimbursement guarantees; Public Works Director Passick said the program remains active and communication continues.

The public hearing was closed, and Resolution 25-068 was approved by voice vote (all ayes).

Staff Reports

• No questions were raised on the quarterly reports from Utilities, Environmental Services, Public Works, and Planning & Development.

Councilmember Reports & Announcements

• Councilmember O’Connor announced the Earth Day/Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, April 26 (10 AM–1 PM at Erie Community Park), and noted that Erie Elementary student Clara Oliveri won the statewide Colorado Tree Coalition fifth-grade poster contest.
• Mayor Pro Tem Bell honored former Mayor Tom Van Lone, who recently passed away, recalling his contributions to Erie’s vision (Erie Parkway, Town Center). He also updated on cell tower efforts: a new tower at Erie Community Center has improved central coverage, and meetings are planned with St. Vrain School District and providers for two additional towers near the high school.
• Councilmember Baer thanked the police department for responding to recent serious traffic crashes. She reported on the Northwest Mayors and Commissioners trip to DC, advocating for federal funds (including US 287 safety improvements) with a strong regional coalition. She also attended Air Quality Council and Building Decarbonization meetings, and noted the Vista Parkway safety study was funded in the supplemental budget.
• Councilmember Mordolero reminded residents of the Earth Day booth and a community blood drive on May 6 at the Erie Community Center.
• Councilmember Hoback urged safe driving as weather warms and more pedestrians/cyclists are out.
• Mayor Moore thanked the Indian community for the New Year celebration at Erie High School, and noted a productive meeting with Boulder County Open Space.

Executive Session

• A motion was made and seconded to enter executive session for three purposes: (1) legal advice, negotiation strategy, and property acquisition/purchase/lease (topics that cannot be disclosed without compromising purpose); (2) negotiations regarding Erie Town Center; (3) personnel matters (town manager evaluation and contract). The motion passed by voice vote (all ayes). The meeting was adjourned following the executive session.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items approved unanimously.
• Resolution 25-068 (spring supplemental budget) approved unanimously.
• Motion to enter executive session approved unanimously.
• Proclamations were read and placed on record.