Greeley City Council Regular Meeting – January 6, 2026

The Greeley City Council met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, in Council Chambers at City Center South, 1001 11th Avenue, Greeley, with virtual participation via Zoom. Mayor Dale Hall presided, and all seven councilmembers were present. The council heard citizen input on growth, water, and the Catalyst/Cascadia project, approved routine consent items, and separately considered and approved the Island Grove Master Plan contract, the 2026 Three-Mile Plan, and findings denying historic designation of 1000 10th Street. The meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved Items 9–14, 16, and 19–21 by a 7-0 vote at 6:42 p.m. after Councilmember DeBoutez pulled Items 15, 17, and 18 for separate discussion. Approved actions included: approving the December 9, 2025 work session proceedings and the December 16, 2025 meeting proceedings; canceling the February 24, 2026 work session because of the special election; adopting the amended resolution calling a February 24, 2026 special municipal election on the referendum to repeal Ordinance 30, 2025; designating the city website and City Hall public lobby as official posting locations for meeting notices; delegating election judge appointments to the City Clerk; authorizing a Bolton & Meek, Inc. design services contract for the Wing Way at Greeley-Weld County Airport; authorizing an S&P Global Ratings agreement; adopting the Private Activity Bond Affordable Housing Program resolution; and introducing ordinances on floodplain management and additional FY2026 appropriations, with public hearings and second readings scheduled for January 20, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mary Metzger said growth is being done to the community rather than with it. She raised concerns about large-scale projects and data centers consuming water, a lack of assurances about living-wage jobs, the camping ban, and downtown redevelopment pressure on the historic round building. She described herself as pro-community rather than anti-growth.
• Kathy Hasch, a Greeley resident for over 50 years, expressed concern about city spending and the use of Certificates of Participation (COPs), saying the Catalyst project is projected to cost at least $1.1 billion and that $115 million in COPs have already been allocated. She called for more transparency on financing terms, noted the Blue Arena did not show a profit, and urged the council to slow down.
• Peggy Sue Squares asked what the plan is for the homeless shelter, said new unhoused residents are arriving, and argued the Cascadia project is putting the cart before the horse. She also urged support for Greeley's women's hockey team.
• Tiffany Simmons opposed the inclusion of the Carestream property, the former Kodak campus, in the 2026 Three-Mile Plan. She said 99% of the property is bordered by Windsor, Windsor has sent two formal requests for removal, and CORA documents show the city paid a $200,000 deposit and over $68,000 in due diligence costs under a letter of intent with the developer. She called the arrangement a bargaining chip related to Cascadia and urged pulling the item from consent for full transparency.
• Mike Cullup, a 50-year Greeley resident, objected to stormwater rates of $70-$80 per month on his property and four neighboring homes that lack curbs, gutters, and sewers. He said the city bypassed their homes during road widening and asked for a refund and removal of the charge.
• Bill Gillard insisted on his right to ask questions during public input, asked when actions are administrative versus legislative, and said the city spent $350,000 when it did not need to.
• Scott Ballstadt, Director of Planning for the Town of Windsor, said the Great Western Industrial Park property has been in Windsor's growth management area for decades and that annexation to Greeley would be inconsistent with Colorado annexation statutes, would create a disconnected satellite, and raises sewer service questions.
• Rachel Burdan said the new feasibility study shows the proposed arena and indoor water resort will not generate enough revenue to meet debt obligations. She cited EBITDA falling below required debt service for the first 16 years in scenario one and the first nine years in scenario two, noting the hotel would need 82% occupancy versus a current best of 76% and the arena would need 244 events per year.
• Karen Jarman, a Greeley resident for nearly 50 years, expressed concern about the council's 5-2 vote to move Cascadia forward despite objections and without a public vote. She questioned optimistic revenue projections, the risk of drawing from the general fund, and assumptions such as two professional teams for the arena.
• Rhonda Sizemore of Ward 4 raised water concerns, noting rates have already increased before Cascadia is built and asking where water for new development will come from.
• No virtual audience member signed up to speak.

Reports from Mayor and Councilmembers

• Councilmember Brian Rudy presented the What's Great About Greeley report, recognizing the City Attorney's Outstanding City Attorney of the Year award, a Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce communications director's 40 Under 40 recognition, and Aims Community College's FAA aircraft maintenance school certification.
• Mayor Pro Tem Melissa McDonald announced Commander Fred Meyer's retirement after 41 years with the Greeley Police Department, invited residents to City of Greeley Night at the UNC men's basketball game on January 8, and thanked Will Jones for 14 years of city service.
• Councilmember Deb DeBoutez announced regular office hours after business meetings, beginning January 7 at 9 a.m. at Margie's Java Joint.

Initiatives from Mayor and Councilmembers

• Councilmember Johnny Olson proposed monthly updates on the MERGE project; the council reached consensus, and Councilmember Tommy Butler added that quarterly public updates should also be provided.
• Mayor Dale Hall proposed creating a Mayor's Economic Development Task Force focused on business retention, business attraction, workforce development, and housing, with members including business leaders, educators, developers, small businesses, and residents. Council reached consensus.

Discussion Items: Pulled Consent Agenda Items

Item 15 – Island Grove Master Plan with Design Workshop

Councilmember DeBoutez asked about Weld County's partnership, financial participation, and role in the Island Grove master plan, noting the park has over 700,000 visitors annually and requesting an economic analysis. Deputy City Manager Kelli Johnson and Culture, Parks, and Recreation Director Diana Frick said Weld County, the Greeley Stampede, Island Grove board members, CSU Extension, the County Fair, and large event promoters would be engaged through project and stakeholder groups, and that economic impact analysis by subconsultant Crossroad Consulting is part of the study. Councilmember Butler thanked staff and emphasized the master plan's importance. The motion passed 7-0 at 6:50 p.m.

Item 17 – 2026 Three-Mile Plan

Councilmember DeBoutez requested more information after public comments. Interim Director of Community Development Don Threewitt explained that the Three-Mile Plan is a long-range planning exercise identifying land beyond established growth boundaries that could be eligible for future annexation, and that it evaluates utilities, infrastructure, and land uses without requiring property owners to annex. He confirmed there is no pending annexation application, noted that the Carestream property owner retained a strip of land connected to Greeley in the past, and said the plan is updated annually in January. He also said a property owner could submit an annexation application outside the three-mile area, which would trigger a plan update. Councilmember Olson asked whether the plan determines if the city can service an area; Threewitt said yes and noted the property's water rights have been separated and it is not currently served by water, though Greeley has capacity to serve it. Councilmember Butler said he was not entirely sure the decision was right but voted yes because annexation could happen regardless and the plan comes back yearly. The motion passed 7-0 at 6:59 p.m.

Item 18 – Historical Designation Findings for 1000 10th Street

Councilmember DeBoutez asked for clarification. City Attorney Stacey Aurzada explained that the resolution documents the findings from the December 16, 2025 public hearing where the council voted 5-2 to deny historic designation for City Hall, and that it does not reopen the decision. DeBoutez expressed continued disappointment, saying City Hall belongs to the people. The motion passed 7-0 at 7:02 p.m.

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda, Items 9–14, 16, and 19–21, passed 7-0 at 6:42 p.m.
• The Island Grove Master Plan contract with Design Workshop passed 7-0 at 6:50 p.m., with economic impact analysis included.
• The 2026 Three-Mile Plan passed 7-0 at 6:59 p.m.; it is a planning exercise updated annually and does not bind property owners to annexation.
• The resolution adopting findings denying historic designation of 1000 10th Street passed 7-0 at 7:02 p.m.
• The motion authorizing the City Attorney to prepare required resolutions, agreements, and ordinances and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign them passed by voice vote 7-0 at 7:03 p.m.
• Council established monthly MERGE project updates with quarterly public updates and approved the Mayor's Economic Development Task Force. The February 24, 2026 work session remains canceled due to the special election.