Golden City Council Regular Business Meeting – June 30, 2026
Golden City Council Regular Business Meeting – June 30, 2026
The Golden City Council met on June 30, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers for a regular business meeting. The meeting included public comments, a drought update, strategic plan update, adoption of two ordinances (GURA membership expansion and budget amendment), and approval of an economic incentive agreement for affordable housing. All votes were unanimous, with 7 council members present (Knecht, Cameron, Evans, Weinberg, Vitry, Pfau, Kurzinski). The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m. after entering executive session.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes of June 9, 2026 – Unanimously approved.
- Resolution No. 3322 – Authorized contract renewal with Kronos Sasshr, Inc. (UKG Company) for IT services.
- Resolution No. 3331 – Approved update to Comprehensive Rules of Procedures for City Boards, Commissions, and Authorities.
- Resolution No. 3332 – Amended Intergovernmental Agreement with Jefferson County Department of Public Health regarding the Love My Air Program.
- Resolution No. 3333 – Approved a Master Services Agreement with South Paw Electrical Corporation for municipal electrical services.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Robert Howe (homeless community member) spoke about being unable to shower before 8 a.m. at the community center and being trespassed from the premises. He alleged staff prejudice and requested the council reverse the decision. Councilor Vitry assured him leadership had heard his issues.
- An email public comment was received in support of Resolution No. 3324, noting difficulty finding permanent housing for individuals at 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). Councilor Cameron highlighted the link between affordable housing and homelessness.
Discussion Items
- Drought Update (Anne Beierle, Public Works Director): The city is under Stage 1 drought restrictions. Year-to-date precipitation is just over 50% of normal (compared to 115% last year). Clear Creek flows are at 20% of average and below the historic low for this date. Storage is at 97% in reservoirs. The city plans to tighten restrictions in early July, requiring all outdoor watering (including drip and hand watering) to occur on the same two days per week (currently unlimited for drip/hand). The golf course reduced irrigation by 16% year-over-year. Council emphasized the need for clear rules rather than guidelines.
- Strategic Plan Q2 Update (Clare Nowalk, Management Analyst): Key progress included adoption of the comprehensive plan (May 6), Highway 93 North alternative design engagement, ongoing affordable housing funding, regional homelessness projects, and monitoring federal grant rule changes. Wildfire management: forestry canopy study under contract, 16 battery backup rebate applications ($40,000 still available), Beverly Heights emergency egress route planning (access permit submitted to CDOT), adoption of Golden Wildfire Resiliency Code (March 10), and Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) launched with Ember Alliance (anticipated completion late 2027). Heart of Golden: police/municipal building on schedule for late spring 2027, East Amenity Zone concept plan approved, Lions Park design in progress (community preferred concept selected), Clear Creek South Trail final public meeting scheduled for August 13.
- Public Hearing – Ordinance No. 2293 (GURA Membership Expansion): Rick Muriby presented an amendment to expand the Golden Urban Renewal Authority board from 7 to 13 members, per HB 1348, to include representatives from Jefferson County, Jeffco Schools, and a special taxing district. This is needed for a new urban renewal plan area (Church of the Nazarene property, to be reviewed July 14). Council discussed term staggering and quorum. The public hearing was opened and closed with no comment. The ordinance was adopted 6-0 (Councilor Kurzinski not voting? Minutes show 6 yes, none no).
- Public Hearing – Ordinance No. 2296 (2026 Budget Amendment): Joseph Allaire presented a supplemental appropriation increasing expenditures by $1,800,844 in the general fund, $154,000 in the IT fund, and $43,768 in the capital programs fund. Funds cover low-income housing economic incentives, continuation of planned projects, and fiber infrastructure. Money is shifted from the affordable housing trust fund to the general fund to avoid required perpetual deed restrictions on the incentive. The public hearing was opened and closed with no comment. The ordinance was adopted 6-0.
- Resolution No. 3324 (Economic Incentive for Golden Apartments): Lauren McKinney (Affordable Housing Policy Coordinator, in her last city council meeting) presented an agreement with the owner of 2401 East Street. The property owner already placed deed restrictions at 80–100% AMI and kept rents below 60% AMI. The city will provide a 13-year deed restriction at up to 100% AMI for all 26 units, plus two units at 60% AMI for two years, and referral rights for two units. Funding (from the lodging tax fund) is on a reimbursement basis for future renovations. This also counts toward the city’s Prop 123 affordable housing commitment. Council praised the creative, collaborative approach. The resolution was adopted 6-0.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar – Approved unanimously (7-0).
- Proclamation – July 4, 2026, proclaimed as Independence Day in Golden.
- Ordinance No. 2293 (GURA Membership) – Adopted 6-0; expands board to 13 members and opens new appointments.
- Ordinance No. 2296 (Budget Amendment) – Adopted 6-0; authorizes $1,998,612 in additional appropriations.
- Resolution No. 3324 (Economic Incentive) – Adopted 6-0; approves $1,800,844 from the economic incentives program for the Golden Apartments affordable housing project.
- Executive Session – Motion passed (7-0) to enter executive session for evaluation of City Manager and City Attorney, followed by adjournment.
Meeting Transcript
All right. Good evening, everyone. Um it is John at 6 30. I welcome everyone to our regular city council business meeting for June 30th, 2026. And we'll start by standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge for the students of the United States of America. And to republic for religious one nation, under God, individual with liberty and justice for all. Next up is roll call. Counselor Kinneck? President. Counselor Cameron. Here. Councillor Evans? Here. Here. Mayor from Tim Patrice. Here. Counselor Powell? Here. Counselor Kazinski. Here. And then here you have one. Thank you. Um, having received no changes to the agenda, the agenda is approved as has been presented. And we'll move directly into public comments. Um, we do have a couple of public hearings tonight on specific items later in the agenda. So this is for general public comments. Um please do um approach the podium, state your name and your address or your neighborhood, and you have three minutes to direct your remarks to city council. I have one person signed up, and um after that, anybody else is welcome to come up. Uh Robert H. Come on up. Hi, my name is Rob. I um homeless, but before I was homeless, I was in this community from I don't even know, 2004. And I was just kind of uh living under a rock doing my own thing, minding my own business. And um had some things happen that knocked me homeless, and uh I go to the community center to shower, long story short. I have to do this by I don't know, seven in the morning. I have to be on the bus at 7 a.m. to get down to work. And um I had Bodie's help because in between jobs, uh Bodie, I imagine you know that is and um she's buying me shower passes at the community center, so I was going there using those on a Tuesday. I walk in, and there's some staff there that doesn't like me, but and I've wanted to approach you sooner and talk to you about this, but how do you do that? I mean, really, it's just he said she said, and blah blah. But there are people there, and I can name them that have a prejudice. Um just automatic stereotype. This is what it is, and this is what you are because this is what it is. And um one in particular works there Tuesday mornings. Very, very difficult human being, at least for me of my personality. Maybe you guys enjoy it. But um this person goes, you can't use the showers till eight. Highly unlawful. I mean, really, guys, like every other human being, like I know Joe goes and showers his mom first thing in the morning.
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