Grand Junction City Council Regular Meeting – February 18, 2026

The Grand Junction City Council held its regular meeting on February 18, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the City Hall Auditorium. The meeting included a proclamation, appointments, public comments, consent agenda approval, and a quasi-judicial rezoning public hearing. Councilmembers Robert Ballard, Scott Beilfuss (virtual), Laurel Lutz (virtual), Jason Nguyen, Ben Van Dyke, and Council President Cody Kennedy were present; Councilmember Anna Stout was absent. The meeting adjourned at 6:16 PM.

Proclamations

• Council President Kennedy read a proclamation declaring February as Black History Month in the City of Grand Junction. David Combs of Black Citizens and Friends accepted the proclamation, and Stan McNeese also acknowledged the recognition.

Appointments

• The council reappointed Cameron Reece and appointed Kelly Favale to the Horizon Drive Association Business Improvement District for terms expiring April 30, 2030. (Note: The official minutes state these appointments were for the Grand Junction Housing Authority Board, but the agenda and transcript clearly indicate the Horizon Drive Association BID. This discrepancy is noted.) The motion carried 6-0.

Public Comments

• Ed Kowalski (43-year resident) commented on public safety concerns, specifically noting vehicle noise and speeding on North Avenue, and urged better enforcement.
• Thomas Copp (resident) addressed the upcoming National Guard deployment of Councilmember Ballard, urging the council to treat it with respect and not as a procedural trap for missed meetings. He emphasized that the city charter provides for excused absences and that military service should not be penalized.
• Alexa Sanador (Post Office employee) requested city support for the upcoming food drive, noting last year's collection of 12,000 pounds and aiming to exceed that this year with seven food banks and collaboration with Food Bank of the Rockies.

City Manager Report

• City Manager Mike Bennett announced a Community Conversation event on February 24, 2026, at the Art Center of Western Colorado (2:00–3:30 PM). The 2026 Annual Budget is available online at gjcity.org. He also invited the public to the Fire Chief Pinning Ceremony for Chief Pete Scaris on February 19, 2026, at 4 PM in the same room.

Boards and Commission Liaison Reports

• Councilmember Lutz reported that Visit Grand Junction saw year-over-year lodging tax revenue up 0.7% and a 2025 hotel occupancy rate of 65.3% (third highest in city history). She also relayed appreciation from the Grand Junction Housing Authority for the city's collaborative efforts.
• Council President Kennedy reported on the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) and the Grand Junction Regional Airport Authority. GJEP 2025 highlights included: 224 net new jobs with an average wage of $68,000; $48 million in capital investment; 29 new prospects. For 2026, GJEP targets $130 million economic impact. The airport reported December 2025 as the 36th consecutive month of year-over-year passenger growth, with 2025 enplanements exceeding budget by 9% and serving nearly 640,000 passengers. Covered parking with solar canopies is under construction, and a new fire apparatus was purchased. Transit accessibility improvements were discussed.

Consent Calendar

• All items on the consent agenda were approved by a single motion (6-0). Items included:
  1. Approval of minutes (February 2 workshop, February 4 regular meeting, February 4 special meeting executive session).
  2. Setting public hearings for March 4, 2026, on:
     • Amendments to Zoning and Development Code (Right-of-way dedication, acceptable plant material, street frontage landscape).
     • Water Enterprise Loan ordinance.
     • Amendment to Section 21.05.020 on pedestrian access.
     • Planned Development Outline Development Plan for Camelback Gardens Development (10.29 acres at 381 and 409 High Desert Road, 17-year timeframe).
  3. Procurements:
     • Change Order #8 with Burns & McDonnell for Persigo Wastewater Plant Phase 1 Expansion.
     • 2026 Liquid Polymer Chemical Purchase for Persigo WWTP.
     • HVAC Rooftop Unit Replacement at Grand Junction Convention Center.
  4. Resolutions:
     • Supporting grant application for Highway Safety Improvement Funds for 28 Road & Orchard Avenue Intersection Improvements.
     • Authorizing Grand Junction Regional Airport Authority Grant.
     • Authorizing City Manager to sign Purchase and Sale Agreement with Public Service Company of Colorado for Four Canyons Parkway real property acquisition.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing: Rezone 3.60 Acres at Patterson Road and 29 Road (File RZN-2025-293)
  • Planning Manager Thomas Lloyd presented a request from Lucky Me Premises, LLC to rezone 3.60 acres from MU-1 (Mixed-Use Neighborhood) and RM-8 (Residential Medium 8) to MU-2 (Mixed-Use Light Commercial). He corrected an agenda title error (listed as RM-12, should be RM-8; all notices and packet correctly used RM-8).
  • Staff analysis found the rezone consistent with the Comprehensive Plan (commercial land use designation), logical and orderly development patterns (infill on a major corridor), and providing benefits (diverse housing, commercial redevelopment, efficient infrastructure use). The Planning Commission had recommended approval 7-0.
  • Public comment: Stephanie Deadwong (resident) asked how the existing gas station would affect future housing development on the site. Staff responded that environmental review would occur at the site plan stage.
  • Council discussion: Councilmember Nguyen clarified that the review criteria (consistency, development patterns, benefits) are evaluated based on the proposed zoning, not compared to existing zoning. Council President Kennedy noted that the intersection of 29 and Patterson has challenges, but those are separate from this quasi-judicial decision.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Ordinance No. 5309 (Rezone to MU-2): Motion by Councilmember Van Dyke, second by Councilmember Nguyen. Roll call vote: 6-0 in favor. The ordinance rezones 3.60 acres at the northeast corner of Patterson Road and 29 Road from MU-1 and RM-8 to MU-2, allowing mixed-use light commercial development.
• All consent agenda items approved unanimously.
• Appointments to Horizon Drive BID approved 6-0 (with noted discrepancy in minutes).

Other Business

• Councilmember Lutz announced she would attend Denver Chamber Legislative Days on February 19 and March 4, 2026. Council President Kennedy noted Councilmember Stout was attending the Colorado Municipal League conference in Denver.