Golden City Council Special Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Golden City Council held a special business meeting on September 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 911 10th Street, Golden, Colorado. All seven councilors were present, and Mayor Weinberg declared a quorum. The primary action was adoption of Resolution No. 3357, authorizing a contract with Hoffmann Parker Wilson & Carberry, P.C. for outside legal counsel to advise on a third-party investigation. The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of the September 8, 2026 City Council meeting were approved unanimously (7-0) via a motion by Councilor Cameron, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Vitry.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No in-person public commenters attended. Emailed comments received before 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting were acknowledged and had been published on the city website. The public comment period was opened and closed at 6:31 p.m.; no council/staff response was given.

Council/Staff Comments & New Business

• Councilor Kurzinski reported that Ward 1, District 1, and District 2 meet-and-greet locations were still being confirmed.
• Councilor Pfau provided the subcommittee update: all interviewed firms had been informed of the council's decision regarding outside counsel; city staff advised that the City Clerk is the best point of contact for sharing information with outside counsel, and this was communicated to Corey Hoffman; City Attorney Sandra Llanes completed negotiating the contract with Hoffmann Parker Wilson & Carberry, P.C.; the subcommittee recommends an executive session at the September 22, 2026, City Council meeting for Hoffman to provide legal advice.
• Councilor Cameron reported that an unhoused individual who had resided in Golden for 16 years found permanent supportive housing, crediting the persistence of city co-responders and the homeless navigator. He also expressed strong frustration over vandalism, stating that e-moto riders tore apart a demonstration crevice garden at White Ash Park and turned it into ramps, and that Ulysses Park sustained tens of thousands of dollars in damage shortly after reopening. He said this affects the city budget and urged parents to talk to their children about appropriate behavior.
• Councilor Evans requested an update on e-moto enforcement. Acting City Manager Carly Lorentz said an internal working group met that day and will present the issues and potential options to the MTAB in the next month or two, followed by a City Council study session (currently scheduled for December 8). In response to Councilor Evans' question, Lorentz confirmed increased enforcement presence, including at White Ash Park, with new signage.
• Mayor Weinberg noted that September 15 is National Voter Registration Day and encouraged residents to check their JeffCo voter registration status and sign up for ballot notifications (ballots begin mailing October 5).

Discussion Items

• Resolution No. 3357 — Contract with Hoffmann Parker Wilson & Carberry, P.C. for Third-Party Investigation Support
  • The subcommittee explained that outside legal counsel will advise the council on proceeding with a third-party investigation. The firm was selected from several strong contenders based on references, subject-matter expertise, live experience within the firm, and cost management. Councilor Vitry noted for the record that Kendra Carberry is a partner in the firm and that the city already contracts with her as hearing officer, with her performance and compensation determined solely by City Council.
  • Contract terms: hourly billing with a $20,000 cap for legal counsel and a $35,000 cap for the third-party investigation (referred to in the transcript as the "ILG" investigation); if the caps are reached, the parties must return to council for reauthorization of an extension. Councilor Cameron calculated that $20,000 equals roughly 82 hours at a blended rate. The cost estimates were derived from HR guidance on prior investigations and expected interview hours multiplied by hourly rates.
  • Positions: Councilor Vitry expressed support for a neutral third-party legal team but voiced concern that the resolution's language could introduce confirmation bias and promote anxiety in the workplace, citing the word "consequences." Councilor Cameron moved to strike the 4th and 5th whereas clauses from the resolution, with Councilor Knecht seconding; Cameron then amended his motion to also strike the word "consequences" from the 6th whereas clause, with Knecht seconding.

Key Outcomes

• The motion to amend the resolution (striking the 4th and 5th whereas clauses and removing the word "consequences" from the 6th whereas clause) passed unanimously (7-0).
• Resolution No. 3357, as amended, was adopted unanimously (7-0), authorizing the contract with Hoffmann Parker Wilson & Carberry, P.C. to assist in conducting a third-party investigation.
• Next steps: the council subcommittee will remain the single point of contact with outside counsel, and an executive session with Corey Hoffman is planned for the September 22, 2026, City Council meeting to discuss the contract and the scope of the investigation.
• Note on discrepancies: the agenda spells the firm name "Hoffmann Parker Wilson & Carberry, P.C." while the minutes use "Hoffman Parker Wilson & Carberry"; this summary uses the agenda spelling. The agenda also lists item 8 (Resolution No. 3357) twice, while the minutes reflect a single consideration of the resolution.