Grand Junction City Council Regular Meeting – April 15, 2026

The Grand Junction City Council held its regular meeting on April 15, 2026, convening at 5:40 PM following an executive session. Seven councilmembers were present, with Councilmember Ballard attending virtually. The agenda included proclamations, appointments, a consent agenda, a contested procurement for water tank recoating, and the approval of a major contract for the Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Public comments addressed a potential pool property transfer, proposed changes to parental leave policies, and concerns over local versus out-of-state contracting.

Note on Discrepancy: The published agenda and meeting minutes contain a typographical error listing the Arbor Day Proclamation as April 25, 2025. During the meeting, the proclamation and related events were discussed in the context of the 2026 Arbor Day celebration.

Proclamations and Appointments

• Arbor Day Proclamation: Councilmember Stout read a proclamation declaring April 25, 2026 as Arbor Day. Forestry Board Vice Chair Kamie Long accepted, noting Grand Junction’s 43 consecutive years as a Tree City USA and the city’s canopy of over 57,000 public trees.
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Appointments: Councilmember Stout moved to reappoint Bill Findlay, Nancy Strippel, and Byron Wiehe for full terms expiring June 30, 2029, and to appoint Cayman Haltiner for a partial term expiring June 30, 2027. The motion passed 7-0.

Public Comments

• Theresa Cambron: Shared a personal anecdote on tourism and economics, advocating for lower gas prices to attract visitors.
• Maryann Taigman (Save the Pool Committee): Urged the Council to provide a transparent public update on the status of negotiations between the City and School District 51 regarding the possible transfer of the pool property. Expressed disappointment in receiving only one response to the committee’s emailed questions and called for an open public meeting.
• Raigan Long (Spouse of GJPD Officer): Strongly opposed the potential reduction of parental leave for non-birthing parents of city employees, arguing that 12 weeks is essential for family stability, postpartum recovery, and bonding, particularly for first-responder families.
• Charles Lerr: Raised concerns about excessive traffic noise on Patterson Road, linking modified exhaust systems to reckless driving, and provided suggestions for addressing the issue.
• Dennis Simpson: Criticized the City’s contract approval process regarding the MRF Phase 1 contract, arguing that authorizing the City Manager to sign a contract without the final document being available for Council or public review lacked transparency and accountability.
• Ed Kowalski: Echoed the noise complaint and called for collaboration between law enforcement and city leaders to address traffic speed issues.

City Manager Report and Liaison Reports

• City Manager Mike Bennett: Reported March sales tax revenue up 7.47% (year-to-date 4.8%) and lodging tax up 13.35%. Highlighted upcoming community engagements: Arbor Fest (Apr 25), a "Meet You There" event with Councilmember Lutz (May 1), and a Town Hall (May 11). Also recognized retiring Utilities Director Randi Kim for her 8+ years of service, noting her leadership in financial management, asset management, and conservation.
• Councilmember Lutz: Announced that Grand Junction was featured on two prestigious New York Times travel lists ("52 Places to Go" and "36 Hours"). Updated on the Grand Junction Housing Authority’s "Current" project, anticipated to complete in January 2027.
• Councilmember Stout: Reported on Colorado Municipal League (CML) advocacy, noting the state legislative budget shortfall is expected to negatively impact municipalities and that key CML bills died in committee.
• Council President Kennedy: Announced that Egnest AI selected Grand Junction for its headquarters, Soft Gel Technologies ("Project Moose") is proceeding with expansion tied to 403 new jobs, and a local startup (Sensory Store) was approved for a GJEP Jump Start grant.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (Items 1-5) was approved by a unanimous 7-0 vote, excluding Item 4c.
• Item 4c Removed: Item 4c (Water Treatment Plant South Tank Interior Recoating contract) was removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion at the request of the Council President.

Discussion and Action Items

Item 4c: Water Treatment Plant South Tank Interior Recoating

• Staff Presentation: CFO Jay Valentine explained that the low bidder, Mandros (Wyoming), was initially deemed non-responsive for failing to include a staffing plan for the Keep Jobs in Colorado Act, but this was ruled a minor irregularity which they cured. No formal local preference policy exists in the city's purchasing code.
• Public Testimony on 4c:
  • Whitman Robinson (Attorney for WBS Codings): Argued that the City’s best interest rule (Section 2.49 of bid documents) allows the Council to prioritize the local company (WBS Codings), whose bid was approximately $55,000 higher. He challenged the validity of Mandros’ compliance with the 80% Colorado residency requirement.
  • Aaron DeRose (WBS Codings): Emphasized WBS’s 38-year history in Grand Junction, the economic multiplier effect of local hiring and spending, and the structural disadvantage Colorado companies face against Wyoming firms due to state income tax differences.
• Council Deliberation:
  • Councilmember Stout: Stated she felt bound by the existing purchasing policy, which lacks a local preference provision, and initially supported the staff recommendation.
  • Councilmember Van Dyke: Expressed being moved by the public testimony and indicated support for developing a local preference program (PLP) for the future.
  • Councilmember Ballard: Sought clarity on the City’s ability to enforce the Keep Jobs in Colorado Act.
  • Council President Kennedy: Expressed discomfort with the lack of oversight on compliance and sought legal advice.
• Outcome: Councilmember Stout moved to table the item to allow the City Attorney to research the Council’s legal options regarding the award. The motion passed 7-0.

Item 6a: Award of Construction Contract for Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Modifications Phase 1

• Staff Presentation: General Services Director Jerod Timothy presented the project. Phase 1 includes critical building modifications (demolition, concrete pits, MEP/FP upgrades) to prepare for equipment arriving August 3rd. Only one responsive bid was received (KR Construction Group, Colorado Springs). The contract amount is $4,281,380.
• Council Deliberation: Councilmembers discussed the compressed schedule as the reason for the single bid. Councilmember Ballard inquired about the contract not being included in the packet, and staff explained the practice is to not make contracts public until an award is made.
• Outcome: Councilmember Stout moved to authorize the City Manager to enter the contract. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lutz and passed unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0 (Items 1-5, minus 4c).
• Item 4c (Water Tank Recoating): Tabled 7-0 to allow the City Attorney to provide legal counsel on Council’s options regarding the award.
• Item 6a (MRF Phase 1): Approved 7-0. City Manager authorized to execute the contract with KR Construction Group, Inc. for $4,281,380.
• Public Engagement: Multiple upcoming events announced (Arbor Fest, Meet You There, Town Hall).