Grand Junction City Council Regular Meeting - August 19, 2026

The Grand Junction City Council met in regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in the Auditorium at 250 North 5th Street. Council President Laurel Lutz presided; members present were Robert Ballard (virtual), Scott Beilfuss, Cody Kennedy, Jason Nguyen, Anna Stout, and Ben Van Dyke. The agenda included a consent calendar, two public hearings on ordinances, an emergency procurement ratification, two Orchard Mesa Pool ballot resolutions, public comments, and other business. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. after unanimous votes on all action items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the August 3, 2026 workshop, August 5, 2026 regular meeting, and August 14, 2026 special meeting.
• Approved a revocable permit for an existing historic encroachment within 19.1 square feet of Colorado Avenue right-of-way at 251 Colorado Avenue.
• Approved acceptance of FAA Airport Improvement Program grant offers No. 3-08-0027-091/092/093/094-2026, a resolution supporting future 2026 FAA AIP grants under grant language 92 and 93, and amendments to AIP grant 3-08-0027-089-2025.
• Approved unanimously by one motion (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident raised concerns about identity theft and Social Security fraud, saying authorities should act.
• Several residents spoke in support of preserving and repairing the Orchard Mesa Pool. A retired District 51 science teacher argued the pool gives youth healthy options and noted the new recreation center is about four miles from the 29 Road bridge and difficult to reach by bicycle. A 35-year pool user and Special Olympics coach said he was willing to accept a tax increase to save the pool. A retired Orchard Mesa resident said the pool is his 'happy place,' serves seniors and children, and should be placed on the ballot.
• A regular Orchard Mesa Pool user described the facility as poorly maintained, with cold water, broken equipment, and inadequate cleaning, and urged investment in locker rooms and the whole facility rather than only the pool.
• One resident supported the pool tax measure, said they were happy to pay the increase, and referenced a Grand Junction Daily Sentinel poll showing 72% opposition to Flock use in the community, suggesting that money could instead support community needs.
• Multiple speakers from D Flock Mesa County and other residents opposed automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), including Flock and Axon cameras, citing privacy, Fourth and Ninth Amendment concerns, warrantless data collection, and possible targeting of women, immigrants, and protesters. They noted Denver ended its Flock contract and Fort Collins voted to remove its cameras, and urged the city to cancel ALPR contracts. One speaker said a Sheriff's Office presentation obfuscated AI tracking capabilities and misrepresented constitutionality.
• A resident requested safer turning and pedestrian infrastructure at North Avenue and 28½ Road, including a left-turn arrow and painted barriers.
• In non-scheduled comments, residents asked how the school district factors into the pool project, requested clearer ballot language communicating the cost as roughly seven cents per $100 and explicitly covering 'complete renovation without expansion,' and thanked council for advancing the measure.

Reports and Updates

• City Manager Mike Bennett provided a Strategic Plan dashboard update and showed the public how to access it at gjcity.org; he introduced Thomas Lloyd as Interim Community Development Director and thanked Tamara Allen for nearly nine years of service.
• Councilmember Beilfuss reported on a Homeless Coalition effort pairing EMS with frequent 911 callers, which reduced calls 20% among those served, and on the Avalon Foundation's sold-out fundraiser.
• Councilmember Kennedy reported on a Grand Junction Economic Partnership study identifying aerospace/defense and wind/power transmission manufacturing as the best-fit industries for Mesa County, with housing costs a key retention constraint; the study was funded through OEDIT, which may provide up to another $500,000 to implement recommendations. He also reported on FAA airport improvement grants, including approximately $13.3 million for the next phase of runway replacement, $5 million for air traffic control tower rehabilitation, $2.4 million in internal terminal improvements, and $855,000 for design work associated with navigational aids.
• Councilmember Van Dyke promoted APEX Day at the Business Incubator Center, with CFO Jay Valentine as keynote.
• Councilmember Stout reported on Colorado Municipal League activities, including her appointment as CML Policy Committee Chair, and on Parks and Recreation and Forestry Board discussions, including a review of the downtown core identifying 181 properties with 373 trees receiving insufficient water; 42% of those properties are rentals, and the city forester measured a 54-degree temperature difference between sun and shaded asphalt.
• Council President Lutz updated council on the Grand Junction Housing Authority's rural homes deed restriction work and the new 'The Current' housing project.

Discussion Items

Certificates of Participation, Series 2026 (Ordinance No. 5338)

• Staff requested approval of a second issuance of $9,312,127 in Certificates of Participation to complete the city's Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), covering building and site improvements and equipment installation. CFO Jay Valentine said the estimated par amount is $9.15 million, with a $670,000 premium and about $9.5 million deposited to the project fund; the two issuances would have combined annual debt service of $1.8 million. General Services Director Jerod Timothy said construction is on schedule for operations in late December 2026.
• Councilmember Stout commended the project as a game changer and praised the public-private partnership. No public comments were offered. The ordinance passed 7-0 on a roll call vote.

Supplemental Appropriation for Solid Waste Fund (Ordinance No. 5339)

• CFO Jay Valentine presented a $3,158,341 supplemental appropriation to provide legal spending authority for MRF completion costs, trucks and equipment, single-stream recycling bins, and the 2026 interest payment on the first COP tranche, with some costs reimbursable by Extended Producer Responsibility funding.
• No council comments or public comments were offered. The ordinance passed 7-0 on a roll call vote.

Emergency Replacement of Aeration Basin Influent Piping at Persigo WWTP

• Interim Utilities Director Ashley Firl reported that the 40-year-old A-Basin influent piping at the Persigo Wastewater Treatment Plant has multiple active leaks and severe deterioration, creating an immediate operational risk. The City Manager approved an emergency procurement with Garney Construction for $1,094,157.00; Garney is already on-site and can sequence replacement while maintaining treatment. Parts are expected within six weeks, with excavation beginning around August 29, 2026.
• Council ratified the emergency purchase unanimously (7-0). Councilmember Beilfuss asked about consultants who missed the condition; Firl said the pipe could not be inspected while in service. Councilmember Kennedy said he would ask the City Manager for a broader review of similar risks.

Orchard Mesa Pool Special Election Resolution (Resolution No. 76-26)

• This resolution called a special election on November 3, 2026, coordinated with Mesa County, and authorized the intergovernmental agreement with the Mesa County Elections Department. Interim City Attorney Jeremiah Boies presented it; the deadline for the IGA is August 25, 2026.
• The resolution passed 7-0.

Orchard Mesa Pool Ballot Title Resolution (Resolution No. 77-26)

• After a community survey showed majority support for a ballot question and the council directed staff at the August 3, 2026 workshop, the council set ballot title language asking voters to increase the city sales and use tax from 3.39% to 3.46% beginning January 1, 2027; reduce the rate by 0.04% once the authorized debt is paid in full, with a final step-down date of December 31, 2047; keep the remaining 0.03% for ongoing pool operation and maintenance; and authorize $12 million in bonded debt with a repayment cost of $19 million to repair, renovate, and equip the Orchard Mesa Pool. The measure would not allow expansion beyond the existing six-lane, 25-yard by 25-meter pool configuration.
• Boies said the question combines the tax increase, step-down, and debt into one Tabor-compliant question and uses the community recreation center measure as a model. Councilmembers asked whether the hot tub and locker rooms would be covered; Parks and Recreation Director Ken Sherbenou confirmed they are included in the total project cost, with no expansion beyond the current pool configuration.
• The resolution passed 7-0.

Other Business

• Interview teams were assigned: Downtown Development Authority/Business Improvement District - Council President Lutz and Liaison Van Dyke; Visit Grand Junction - Councilmember Stout and Liaison Lutz.
• For the Mesa County Regional Opioid Abatement Council (MCROAC), council members discussed appointing the City Manager or a staff designee rather than an elected official. Councilmember Stout supported the staff representative model because it avoids political conflicts and keeps operational expertise in the city's participation. Staff was directed to explore whether a council member is required and report back if so.
• Councilmember Stout requested a future council conversation about Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs), including Flock and Axon, and a workshop discussion on how council conduct affects staff. Council generally agreed, with some members emphasizing the need to avoid overstepping the City Manager's operational lane and to ensure any discussion is within the city charter.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously (7-0).
• Ordinance No. 5338 (COPs for MRF) adopted unanimously (7-0).
• Ordinance No. 5339 (Solid Waste Fund supplemental appropriation) adopted unanimously (7-0).
• Emergency Persigo WWTP piping replacement with Garney Construction ratified unanimously (7-0).
• Resolution No. 76-26 calling the November 3, 2026 special election adopted unanimously (7-0).
• Resolution No. 77-26 setting the Orchard Mesa Pool ballot title adopted unanimously (7-0).
• Interview team assignments approved for DDA/BID and Visit Grand Junction.
• Staff directed to evaluate MCROAC representation; future council discussions on ALPRs and council conduct were requested.