Erie Town Council Meeting Summary

The Erie Town Council met on May 26, 2026, at 2:30 PM MT to address a full agenda. Key topics included a presentation on e-bike education and enforcement, the annual presentation by Erie Youth for Change, adoption of a water allocation policy to manage the town's remaining water supply (749 acre-feet) amid delays in the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP), and approval of the 22nd interim agreement for NISP. The council also approved a consent agenda covering multiple routine items and heard public comment (none offered).

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (motion by Councilmember Pessimarelli, seconded) with items 2026-347 through 2026-343, including approval of previous meeting minutes (August 26, 2025; December 2, 2025; December 9, 2025), a Memorial Day proclamation, a Pollinator Proclamation, an easement agreement with United Power, an eighth amendment to the lease with Vector Air Management, the amended 2026 Council Work Plan, professional services agreements for design services at Compass Park and Morgan Hill Neighborhood Park, and modifications to Erie Cemetery rules and regulations. (All in favor; no opposition noted.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment was offered.

Discussion Items

E-Bike Education and Enforcement Presentation (Item 2026-345)

Police Chief Mathis presented an update on the town's e-bike education and enforcement efforts. He noted that the town receives 2-3 calls per day regarding youth on e-bikes, with officers making 3-4 contacts per day. Enforcement is approximately 80-90% warnings, with a focus on education and repeat offenders. A few tickets have been issued. The chief highlighted the challenge of parents buying unclassified bikes online. Council discussed the importance of parent education, the potential for a community conversation between youth and adults, and the need for additional signage on trails. The chief confirmed that most kids know the rules but may ignore them, and that a safety course for e-bikes is being purchased for future bike rodeos.

Erie Youth for Change Annual Presentation (Item 2026-330)

Savannah Schiffrain (Parks & Rec) introduced the Erie Youth for Change (EYC), the town's informal teen town council now in its second year, with 13 members representing four local schools. The group's main goal is intergenerational connection. Accomplishments included hosting TechFest (helping seniors with technology), a gingerbread-making activity at Camp Erie's winter camp, and a summer reading buddies program at the library. The new leadership team for 2026-2027 announced future events: a "Pickleball Under the Lights" tournament for teens on June 5, 2026, and a PG-13 family movie night planned for next year. Council members praised the group's work and emphasized the importance of youth input on policy issues like e-bike safety.

Water Allocation Policy and Implementation (Item 2026-338)

Sarah Normala (Planning & Development Director) and Todd Fessenden (Utilities Director) presented a multi-departmental policy to allocate the town's remaining 749 acre-feet of water supply over the next six years, while awaiting delayed water projects (e.g., NISP, Windy Gap). Due to delays in the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) and other projects, the town has been purchasing Colorado-Big Thompson (CBT) water (123 shares this year at $7.2 million total). The policy sets an annual allocation of about 125 acre-feet for 2026, distributed as: 10% contingency (town manager's use), 10% public projects (capital improvements), 15% economic development, 65% residential development, and 0% affordable housing (no project at this time). To implement the policy, the council passed two emergency ordinances reducing building permit application and issuance timelines from 180 days to 90 days, and removed the preference for fee-in-lieu of water dedication, allowing developers to bring their own water. The water dedication fee was increased from $31,400 to $52,200 per tap to match current raw water costs. Council discussed the impact on development costs, affordability, and the need to incentivize water conservation and native landscaping. Staff will hold stakeholder meetings this week and office hours to answer developer questions.

NISP 22nd Interim Agreement (Item 2026-259)

Todd Fessenden presented a resolution to approve the 22nd interim agreement with Northern Water for the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP). Brad Wind, General Manager of Northern Water, provided public comment, noting that NISP has shrunk from 15 participants to 9, and from approximately 40,000 acre-feet of yield to roughly 20,000 acre-feet. Erie's participation is currently 4,500 acre-feet (23% of the project), up from 16.25% due to other participants leaving. The town has invested $29.1 million in NISP over two decades. Council debated the financial viability of the project, with projections that capital costs could reach $85,000–$95,000 per acre-foot, potentially doubling with financing to approximately $180,000 per acre-foot, compared to CBT water costing roughly $116,000–$125,000 per acre-foot. Staff noted that the draft 2027 budget from Northern Water includes approximately $28 million total, with Erie's 23% share being about $6.44 million. Council members expressed concerns about the impact on water rates for current residents (potential double-digit increases), the loss of participants driving up costs, and the absence of a clear alternative supply of the same scale and quality. Others argued that water is essential for growth, economic development, and resiliency, and that walking away after $29.1 million would be risky. Councilmember O'Connor was absent. After a roll-call vote, the motion passed 4-2 (Councilmembers Mortalero and Mayor Moore opposed).

Key Outcomes

• E-Bike Enforcement: Police will continue education-first enforcement, with directed enforcement activities planned for summer. A safety course for e-bikes is being purchased.
• Water Allocation Policy: Approved items 2026-338 (four ordinances/resolutions) establishing a six-year allocation of 749 acre-feet. The water dedication fee is now $52,200; building permit timelines shortened to 90 days.
• NISP Interim Agreement: Resolution 26-099 passed 4-2, authorizing the 22nd interim agreement and continued participation in NISP. The next major financial decision is expected in early 2027 with a draft budget of $28 million (Erie's share: ~$6.44 million).
• Consent Calendar: Approved all items via voice vote.
• Next Meeting: Study session on June 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM to discuss Draco negotiations.