Grand Junction City Council Regular Meeting – November 19, 2025

The Grand Junction City Council met on November 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM for its regular meeting, led by Council President Cody Kennedy. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, a city manager report, board liaison reports, a consent agenda, and four items on the regular agenda (including a zoning code continuation, a lease assignment, a wastewater code amendment, and the final approval of the 2026 budget). Key discussions centered on a resident’s flood damage claim, homelessness and the status of Homeward Bound, and the adoption of a $316.5 million budget.

Proclamations

• National Hospice and Palliative Care Month – proclaimed for November 2025; accepted by Jenny Marquez (Vice President, HopeWest).
• Interfaith Awareness Week – proclaimed for November 19–25, 2025; accepted by Sharon Brocious and John Ainslie on behalf of the Grand Valley Interfaith Network.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes for the November 3 workshop, November 5 regular meeting, and November 5 executive session.
• Set public hearings for the Ricciardella Annexation (7.37 acres at 2716 B ¼ Road) on January 7, 2026; a communication equipment lease at 2057 South Broadway on December 3, 2025; and supplemental appropriations on December 3, 2025.
• Approved a contract amendment for design and engineering services for the city’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
• Adopted a series of resolutions: amending the Dos Rios subdivision sale terms; conveying an easement to the Bureau of Reclamation for Lateral 1A; issuing a revocable permit for a building encroachment at 410 Hill Avenue; finding that downtown redevelopment projects support the plan of development; levying 2025 taxes for the city and Downtown Development Authority (DDA); adopting 2026 rates, fees, and charges; and allocating property/sales tax revenues for the DDA.
• Approved the 2026 operating plans and budgets for the Downtown Grand Junction and Horizon Drive Business Improvement Districts.
• All consent items were approved unanimously by voice vote (5–0, with Councilmember Nguyen absent and Councilmember Stout joining later).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Douglas Hornok (resident of Canyon View Drive) – Described a September 4 flood that filled his basement with nearly 8 feet of water due to a blocked culvert and drainage ditch he claims were not maintained by the city and School District 51. The city’s insurer denied his claim, stating the culvert is the school district’s responsibility. He asked the council to investigate and ensure fair treatment.
• Mark Buchanan (homeowner at 2813 Columbine Park Court) – Reported that the homeless encampment at Columbine Park has prevented him from selling his house since July; families cited safety concerns (needles, discomfort). He urged the city to address the park’s use and to find alternative housing for the homeless.
• Nathan Jukes (recovery coach, Pair 180) – Provided updates on unhoused services: the annual point-in-time count will now be conducted annually for both sheltered and unsheltered individuals (date: January 27, 2026); a task force is raising $120,000 to keep the Homeward Bound North Avenue shelter open through January and February; a recent cold-weather gear distribution served 236 individuals; and mobile outreach continues.
• Judy Dyrud (public hearing on the budget) – Supported the additional $30,000 for the Arts & Culture Commission, noting that arts grants enable daytime matinees that are accessible to elderly and disabled residents who avoid driving at night.
• Porcia Silverberg (public hearing on the budget & member of Arts & Culture Commission) – Thanked the council for restoring arts and culture grants to $70,000, which is less than 0.1% of the city budget but supports a sector generating nearly $29 million in annual economic activity, over 550 jobs, and $800,000 in local tax revenue.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Code Amendment (Landscaping, Buffering, Screening, Measurements, Definitions) – Item 6.a.i was continued to the December 3, 2025 regular meeting by a unanimous vote (5–0) because a key stakeholder was unavailable.
• Lease Assignment from Gray Media Inc. to Scripps Media Inc. – (Item 6.a.ii) City Attorney John Shaver presented the straightforward transfer of a long-standing lease for a television/radio transmitter site on Grand Mesa. Terms ($4,637 per year plus escalator) remain unchanged. The public hearing opened and closed with no comment. Ordinance No. 5284 was adopted 5–0.
• Wastewater System Code Amendment (Connection to Sewer Mandatory) – (Item 6.b.i) Utilities Director Randi Kim explained the change: property owners building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a parcel with a functioning septic system serving the primary residence may connect only the ADU to the public sewer; the primary residence can keep its septic until it fails. The Perigo Board had recommended the change. Public hearing: none. Ordinance No. 5285 was adopted 5–0.
• 2026 Budget – Appropriation Ordinance (Second Reading & Public Hearing) – (Item 6.b.ii) City Manager Mike Bennett presented. The total 2026 Recommended Budget is $316.5 million, a decrease of $42.6 million (11.9%) from the 2025 adopted budget due to completion of Phase 1 of the Persigo Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion and the major construction phase of the Community Recreation Center. Key updates since prior hearings: council directed $698,443 from general fund reserves for attainable/affordable housing incentives and $450,000 for unhoused services (Hilltop, United Way, Joseph Center, Catholic Outreach); an additional $30,000 was added to the Arts & Culture Commission (for a total of $70,000). The general fund balance is $46.7 million with $29.3 million in minimum reserve and $16.4 million available for future needs. Public comments supported the arts funding. The hearing closed at 6:47 PM. Ordinance No. 5286 was adopted 6–0 (with Councilmember Stout present).

Key Outcomes

• Zoning code amendment continued to December 3, 2025 (5–0).
• Lease assignment to Scripps Media approved (Ordinance 5284, 5–0).
• Wastewater code amendment approved, allowing ADU sewer connections while retaining septic for primary residences (Ordinance 5285, 5–0).
• 2026 Budget adopted (Ordinance 5286, 6–0). Total budget $316.5 million; includes housing incentives ($698,443) and unhoused services ($450,000) from general fund reserves.
• Shoshone Water Rights Update – Councilmember Stout reported that the Colorado Water Conservation Board voted unanimously to clear the way for the Colorado River District’s acquisition of water rights associated with the Shoshone hydroelectric plant, a historic step for Western Colorado.
• Discussion on Homeward Bound – Councilmember Beilfuss called for a special meeting, but Council President Kennedy and Councilmember Van Dyke noted that Homeward Bound is scheduled to present at the December 1 workshop and that the organization had previously deferred. The council agreed to continue the discussion at the workshop.
• Flood claim follow-up – Council President Kennedy stated he will reach out to Mr. Hornok, noting the city is assessing responsibility while fulfilling its fiduciary duty.