OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings
Grand Junction City Council and Dos Rios GID Meetings - December 3, 2025
City Council — Wednesday, December 3, 2025
BodyGrand Junction, Colorado
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, December 3, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Transcript — Verbatim
Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural23%
Personnel Matters13%
Budget Equity Analysis13%
Zoning And Development11%
Fiscal Sustainability7%
Community Engagement6%
Arts And Culture5%
Affordable Housing5%
Transportation Safety4%
Summary of Proceedings
Grand Junction City Council and Dos Rios General Improvement District Meetings - December 3, 2025
The Grand Junction City Council held its regular meeting on December 3, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the City Auditorium. The meeting featured presentations, appointments, public comments, a special tribute to retiring City Attorney John Shaver, and action on three ordinances. Following adjournment at 6:45 PM, the council reconvened as the Dos Rios General Improvement District (GID) Board, adopting the 2026 budget and rejecting a property tax exemption request from the Confluence Center.
Presentations
- 2026 Calendar Artist Recognition: Communications Supervisor Hannah Key introduced the 14 artists whose photographs were selected from over 500 submissions for the city's annual calendar. Council President Kennedy praised the calendar as a reflection of the community's spirit and noted that 50,000 copies will be mailed to residents.
Appointments
- Mesa County Building Code Board of Appeals: A unanimous voice vote ratified the appointment of Burke Martin for a term expiring December 31, 2028.
- Urban Trails Committee: A unanimous voice vote appointed Anna Quach (named as "Annaquatch Burnham" in the transcript) for a partial term expiring June 30, 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Henry Brown opposed widening 29 Road, stating it would repeat Denver's traffic mistakes. He urged the city to prioritize pedestrian safety and maintain slim roadways within existing right-of-way, and asked council to learn from Denver's congestion.
- Mary Ann Taigman (Save the Pool Committee) requested that the city continue discussions with School District 51 to take ownership of the OM pool and prioritize funding for it in the parks and recreation budget before the opening of the Community Recreation Center.
- Karen Barenger expressed gratitude for the city calendar, council members, and city staff, and thanked them for their service.
City Manager Report and Special Tribute
- City Manager Mike Bennett honored retiring City Attorney John Shaver, who served for 35 years (starting March 1990, as City Attorney since November 2000). Council President Kennedy read a proclamation declaring December 3, 2025, as "John Shaver Day," highlighting his role in the Community Recreation Center, riverfront revitalization, the Persigo Agreement, and never missing a council meeting in 25 years. All council members offered remarks of appreciation, and a street sign "Shaver Way" was presented.
Boards and Commission Liaison Reports
- Councilmember Beilfuss reported on: a homeless informational meeting in Fruita (60 attendees), joining the National Vehicle Residency Collective to explore safe parking, the Business Incubator Christmas Fair (three times more attendees than last year), Avalon Foundation updates, and a ribbon-cutting for the Horizon Drive roundabout.
- Councilmember Van Dyke promoted the Parade of Lights on December 6, 2025, starting at 4 PM at the Avalon Theater.
- Councilmember Lutz reported that the VOA application for the Salt Flats (veteran/senior housing) was denied by CHFA, placing that project on hold.
- Council President Kennedy noted: a productive Downtown Development Authority parking meeting (op-ed published), a Museums of Western Colorado workshop scheduled for December 15, GJEP Director Curtis Englehart earning Certified Economic Developer (CECD) designation, and the airport runway project accelerated by two years (expected completion 2028).
Consent Calendar
- Items 1-3 (Minutes, Setting Public Hearings, Resolution for Liquor Hearing Officer): Adopted unanimously by voice vote.
Discussion Items
4.a.i. – Zoning Code Amendments (Landscaping, Buffering, Screening)
Principal Planner Tim Lehrbach presented a text amendment to Title 21 to comply with 2024 and 2025 state laws prohibiting nonfunctional turf installation after January 1, 2026, on commercial, institutional, industrial, common interest community properties, and certain multi-unit residential (>12 units), plus street rights-of-way and parking lots. Additional changes included: clarifying street frontage landscape requirements to align with recent front setback reductions (allowing 5-foot landscape areas where buildings have 5-foot setbacks), striking planting requirements near structures (fire safety), and updating irrigation zone and certification provisions. Staff found the amendment consistent with the comprehensive plan. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5-1. The public hearing opened and closed with no testimony. After council discussion (including questions about applicability to 3-4 unit buildings, certification requirements, and enforcement), the ordinance passed 4-2, with Councilmembers Ballard and Van Dyke voting no.
4.a.ii. – Lease for 2057 South Broadway (Cell Tower)
City Attorney John Shaver explained the lease transfer to NCWPCS/CCATT for a telecommunications facility at 2057 South Broadway (Tiara Rado golf course). The new lease is for 25 years (the prior lease had 5 years remaining; the tenant wanted 30 years but was limited by city charter). The ordinance authorizes the lease. No public testimony. Council unanimously approved Ordinance 5287 (6-0).
4.a.iii. – Supplemental Appropriations for 2025 Budget
CFO Jay Valentine outlined three fund appropriations: Solid Waste Fund ($18,091,000) to repay the short-term loan for the Material Recovery Facility; General Fund ($73,919 for Liberty Apartments, $52,933 for a September 17 council-authorized project, $20,986 for the Counseling and Education Center); ARPA Fund ($1,697,529) to transfer funds to the sales tax capital improvement fund and for housing initiatives (Salt Flats). No public testimony. Council unanimously approved Ordinance 5288 (6-0).
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance 5283 (Landscaping/Zoning Code Amendments): Adopted 4-2 (Ballard and Van Dyke dissenting). Final publication ordered.
- Ordinance 5287 (Broadway Lease): Adopted 6-0. Final publication ordered.
- Ordinance 5288 (Supplemental Appropriations): Adopted 6-0. Final publication ordered.
- Appointments: Burke Martin and Anna Quach confirmed unanimously.
Dos Rios General Improvement District Meeting (Immediately Following)
The council, acting as the GID Board, convened at 6:58 PM. Council President Kennedy served as Chair. All six members present (Stout absent).
Approval of Minutes
- Minutes of the December 4, 2024, regular meeting were approved unanimously.
Resolution 01-2025 – Meeting Schedule and Notice Posting
Adopted unanimously, designating the location for posting meeting notices for 2026 and establishing procedures for calling special meetings.
Public Hearing – 2026 Budget and Tax Levy (Resolutions 02-2025 and 03-2025)
CFO Jay Valentine presented the proposed budget: the mill levy remains at 7 mills (maximum 50 mills allowed). The 2026 Debt Service Fund budget is $940,150, of which the GID will cover $81,150, and the city will contribute $859,089 from the sales tax capital fund. A $6,363 amendment to the 2025 Capital Fund budget was also noted. The public hearing opened and closed with no testimony. Councilmember Van Dyke moved, seconded by Ballard, to adopt Resolution 02-2025 (adopting the 2026 budget) with an amendment reflecting the $6,363 increase, which passed unanimously. Resolution 03-2025 (levying taxes for 2025) also passed unanimously.
Request from the Confluence Center of Colorado – PILOT Exemption
Representatives Rusty Lloyd and John Gormley requested an exemption from the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for their nonprofit facility within the Dos Rios development. They expressed concern that a future default could increase the mill levy to 50 mills, straining their finances. City Manager Bennett and City Attorney Shaver (speaking as city staff, not GID counsel) noted that the GID covenant allows an annual exemption, but it could complicate bondholder obligations. Board discussion acknowledged the exemption would set a precedent and might impact bond ratings. Councilmember Van Dyke moved to adopt the request (to grant the exemption). The motion failed 5-1 (only Van Dyke in favor). Subsequently, Councilmember Ballard offered a caution about government intervention in development, citing the unbuilt zipline and contract extensions as signs of shaky progress.
Other Business and Adjournment
No further business. The meeting adjourned.
(Note: The Dos Rios GID meeting is recorded in the transcript but not in the official Council minutes; it was held after the main council meeting on the same date.)
Meeting Transcript
Okay, it is five thirty PM on Wednesday, December third, and I'm going to call the Grand Junction City Council meeting to work. We'll start with a pledge of allegiance and followed by a moment of silence. And to the Republic for which it stands a nation under God. We have a few things happening tonight, and I'm glad you're all here to uh partake. Um, so this will be a little bit out of our general um order of operation. Uh but we have a presentation here and a lot of special guests that I want to uh I'm gonna be calling up here momentarily. Um this is going to be for our uh twenty twenty-six calendar artist recognition program. And I think we have Hannah Key um ready to give us an introduction, whenever you're ready. This evening we have fourteen artists who we are pleased to share their work and have it showcased in our annual city calendar, a favorite item that many look forward to each and every year. The twenty twenty-six calendar features photos from all over Grand Junction, highlighting our scenic landscape and energetic outdoor lifestyle. It's always exciting to see the submissions and how these artists highlight our community. And I must say it's been a privilege to see so many different lifestyle photos this year, and I thank all of you for all of your various submissions. The calendar is one of our most widely requested publications, reaching thousands of residents, and even sent to those who are outside of our community. Featuring local artists celebrates community talent and fosters civic pride. The calendar also serves as a visual reminder of the places, people, and moments that make our city a welcoming and exp in an aspiring place to live. Each year the city initiates a call for artists and submissions during the summer months, and after the submissions have closed, city staff review those and select initial categories for seasons, cityscapes, events, and wildlife. Over the past few years, the number of submissions has increased with over 500 photos to review this year, making the selection no easy task. Not only does the calendar provide a glance at the beauty captured by these artists, but also includes a letter from the mayor, a review of the city's 2025 projects and accomplishments, a directory of city services, a list of boards and commissions, and their meeting dates, as well as dates for city council meetings, trash and recycling delays, and holiday closures for city offices. Great, thanks, Hannah. I just I do want to make a few comments about this. The calendar certainly has a special place in my heart. It was one of the things when I became a Grand Junction City employee in 2005 that I just thought was so great. It was really the first time I really started paying attention to that. And over the years, seeing uh that calendar um just meant a lot. And this year, I I've been able to see uh see the uh photographs, and they're they're beautiful. The they really reflect I think the Grand Valley uh and our spirit here. So um this is I and I and I have a few notes here, but really we're talking about seeing the Grand Valley through the community's eyes and capturing the places, people and uh moments that matter most to us to matter the most to us uh for those that call Grand Junction home. Um within the calendar, of course, we take the opportunity as mayor. I I write a letter about uh the things that I find uh important for the year ahead. We also have our strategic uh plan and priorities for uh 25 through 27, and this is uh this is something that will arrive in homes around Grand Junction for 50,000 residents uh in their mailboxes very soon. So this is this is important, um, and there will be obviously extra copies at the city offices. I've already heard people talking about how they can get additional copies to uh share with family and friends. So um I'm going to uh call forward our our artists, and I think you know who you are, but I'm I want to go through the list just to make just to read you into our record here. Um everything that we say in an official meeting is is of record for Grand Junction. So in addition to your record being in the uh calendar itself, I'm going to go through the names of our selected artists this year. Um Amanda Helmlick, Susan Justice, Chris Atkinson, um Rick uh Ahern, uh Marianne Tagman, uh Rosita uh Molia, uh Renee Adele, Amanda Cook, Tara Flagerty, Angela Stack, Kelsey Bell, Christine Noel, English Cloth, and Keran Estes. So at this time I'd like to invite you all up. Uh we'll take we'll do a picture with City Council, and um please please come forward. Thank you for your contribution to uh Grand Junction in this year's calendar. All right. Okay, thank you. Thank you all so much. Congratulations. All right. Well we'll give it just a minute.
SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com
openpublica.com