Greeley City Council Regular Meeting – February 3, 2026

The Greeley City Council met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in a hybrid format in Council Chambers at City Center South, 1001 11th Avenue, Greeley, CO. Mayor Dale Hall presided; six council members were present, with Councilmember Olson excused. The council approved routine consent items, heard extensive citizen comment on the West Greeley/Cascadia project and Ballot Question 1A, adopted a resolution urging a 'No' vote on that ballot question, received a Homeless Solutions update, discussed performing arts funding options, and then entered executive sessions for annual performance reviews. The meeting moved into executive session at approximately 8:15 p.m.

Recognitions & Proclamations

• Mayor Hall proclaimed February 2026 as Black History Month in Greeley. Greeley West counselor Marlene Rich introduced student Shiloh, who spoke about Black history as a story of pain, survival, resistance, and empowerment; Autumn Houston of the UNC Marcus Garvey Cultural Center thanked the council for making students feel valued, seen, and heard.
• Councilmember Roth presented 'What's Great About Greeley?' honors, including Greeley West students winning first place in a national gingerbread competition, Aims Community College's five-year agreement with AllQuest 3D as the first industry tenant at the Workforce Innovation Center, and WeldWerks Brewing being named Mid-Size Brewery of the Year at the 2026 Colorado Brewers Cup.

Consent Calendar

• Council approved the Consent Calendar by a 6-0 vote, covering: approval of the January 13, 2026 work session and January 20, 2026 meeting proceedings; professional services contracts with Mark Thomas & Company Inc. (downtown campus project), RS&H, Inc. (MERGE Project), AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (Milton Seaman Reservoir Gate Repair), and Providence Infrastructure Consultants (60-inch Bellvue-Gold Hill Pipeline); a second amendment to the intergovernmental agreement with Weld County for the O Street & 59th Avenue intersection improvements; an external grant agreement with United Way of Weld County to fund a shelter; and Homeless Solutions Department grant award/spending authority for the Fines grant 2025/2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

Citizen input was taken from in-person speakers under the 3-minute limit. No virtual speakers signed up.

• Anarelli Morales, a Greeley Museum advisory board member, opposed board consolidation and said 2025 attendance data (seven quorum meetings, one non-quorum, three canceled for lack of quorum, two canceled for holidays) lacked context. She said museum board concerns were not accurately represented on January 27 and asked council to give Director Bowles time to improve.
• Heather Utrod, chair of the Urban Renewal Authority and vice chair of the Greeley Art Commission speaking as a community member, questioned the legal defensibility of using 1% capital improvement/public art funds for private or non-city performing arts projects, citing impact and development fee issues and potential legal action. She also questioned whether the 1% for art fund and Art Commission were correctly adopted in code rather than the charter.
• Bill Gillard criticized the special election cost, saying the question should have been placed on the general election ballot, and urged residents to use 24-hour ballot boxes. He said council members are representatives of the whole city, not just donors or political allies.
• Kathy Hush asked why voters were not allowed to vote before the project was approved on May 15, 2025. She raised concerns about taxpayer risk, water supply, the economy, and whether council works for constituents or developer Martin Lind.
• Mary Mitzger called on council to serve all residents, including immigrants, working families, the unhoused, and small businesses, rather than prioritizing developers, data centers, arenas, and large business interests. She said many in the community feel dismissed and unheard.
• Tiffany Simmons criticized coordination between sitting council members and the issue committee Greeley Forward on the 1A campaign, alleged campaign finance irregularities and out-of-town donations, and said Greeley Forward suppresses resident questions on social media. She opposed the council passing a resolution urging a 'No' vote on 1A.
• Dennis Houston, representing Water Valley Company, urged a 'No' vote on 1A, saying the project delivers benefits without new taxes, includes a 40-year Colorado Eagles lease, and places risk on landowners and bondholders. He said overturning zoning would halt traffic improvements, burden taxpayers, and impair Greeley's borrowing capacity.
• Tony Belfiore, a longtime Greeley resident and businessman, supported the project, saying it went through the proper planning commission and city council process, and asked where opponents were during the public process.
• Steve Keats, a homeless advocate, announced the Night of Remembrance event on Thursday, February 19 at Lincoln Park. He criticized the camping ban, said one more person died during recent cold weather, and urged the city to remove the camping ban and focus on housing, homelessness, infrastructure, and transit.
• Tom Donkle supported 'No' on 1A, saying the ballot question is confusing by design and that a 'Yes' vote would disrupt project financing, certificates of participation, and the city's credit rating. He argued the zoning process had already been completed properly.
• Brianna Harris, a Greeley musician and resident since 2012, said she supports expanding arts funding conversations but worried that shifting 1% public art funds could reduce current Art Commission projects and public art accessibility.
• Peggy Sue Squares asked for a public debate and hard copies of the feasibility studies so both sides could be evaluated. She also mentioned recall discussions and the cost of a special election.
• Kendra Alby, an Art Commission member speaking as a resident and artist, supported performing arts organizations but opposed reducing public art funding, which she said remains accessible to everyone regardless of income.
• Luisa Anderson, speaking as a citizen, raised legal concerns about using 1% for art money from enterprise funds, noted the lack of a clear definition of performing arts, opposed relying on city manager discretion, and suggested discounts for new and up-and-coming performing groups rather than only legacy groups.
• Connie Garcia criticized agenda item 18 as partial and trust-eroding, said much of the money spent against 1A came from outside Greeley, and asked council to remove the resolution from the agenda.
• David, a Ward 4 resident, compared the proposal to Loveland's Ranch Events Complex, which was voter-approved with a dedicated sales tax and has not traditionally generated a net profit. He noted its planned expansion and hotel could compete with the West Greeley project.
• Ben Bernhardt, executive director of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, asked for sustainable and predictable funding. He noted the orchestra's 114-year history, that the UCCC was built with the orchestra in mind, and that the orchestra spends about $36,000 per year on UCCC venue costs, roughly 6% of its annual budget. He said they want a partnership, not a free ride.
• Rhonda Silise, a Ward 4 resident, said the Epic Water Park example in Grand Prairie, Texas was an $80 million project approved by voters. She accused the council of finding a way to go around voters and encouraged a 'Yes' vote on 1A.
• Tom Shanner, a 30-year resident, said the special election could have been avoided if the question had been placed on the November ballot. He cited paid canvassers, a project cost that began at $1.2 billion, and asked who would pay if costs increase.

Councilmember Reports

• Councilmember DeButy announced office hours from 9 to 10 a.m. the next morning at Margie's Java Joint.
• Mayor Pro Tem McDonald announced nominations are open for the 2026 Ed Clark National Youth Service Day Awards, due March 27, with a $1,000 scholarship. She also promoted the Greeley Philharmonic's 'Wines of Note/Uncorked Romance' event on February 7, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel.
• Councilmember Roth reported on a rapid rehousing ride-along with the Homeless Solutions team and praised the staff's work with clients.
• Councilmember Rudy reported attending his first Clearview Library District meeting and a Greeley police ride-along with Officer Vasquez, praising the police department.
• Councilmember Butler reported attending the Colorado Farm Show Scholarship Awards dinner at Island Grove.
• No council initiatives were offered.

Discussion Items

Resolution Urging 'No' Vote on Ballot Question 1A

• City staff explained that the resolution was requested through an initiative by Councilmember Olson and advanced by a council majority on January 20. Staff noted state law authorizes the council to take a position on a ballot measure by resolution.
• Ballot Question 1A is a citizen referendum seeking to repeal the planned unit development (PUD) zoning approval for the West Greeley/Cascadia project.
• A motion to table the resolution failed 4-2. During debate, Councilmember Butler opposed the resolution, saying the process lacked legitimate community input, the financing was structured to avoid asking voters, and the project was a gamble with taxpayer dollars. Councilmember DeButy opposed, arguing the council should remain neutral and not campaign against a citizen initiative. Councilmember Rudy supported the resolution, saying the PUD met legal zoning criteria and that overturning it would set a harmful precedent for land-use decisions. Mayor Pro Tem McDonald supported it, emphasizing the importance of protecting the zoning process and Greeley's attractiveness to developers. Councilmember Roth and Mayor Hall also supported the resolution.
• The resolution was adopted 4-2, with Councilmembers Butler and DeButy voting no and Mayor Hall, Mayor Pro Tem McDonald, and Councilmembers Rudy and Roth voting yes.

Homeless Solutions Update

• Mandy Shreve presented the Homeless Solutions Department update.
• The 2026 operating budget is approximately $6.2 million, including $1.4 million in grant funding. About $1.2 million in state rent vouchers also come into the community, bringing total resources to roughly $7.4 million.
• For the first time, the shelter is open year-round, using $1 million in one-time general fund money, and current shelter capacity is considered sufficient.
• Federal and state funding has become more constricted. The department applied for a $1 million state grant and received $125,000. It applied for a $750,000 opioid-related grant over three years to serve homeless individuals with substance use disorders.
• A HUD funding opportunity initially shifted toward outreach and transitional housing but was sent back due to litigation; the department filed a renewal grant to continue rapid rehousing.
• Medicaid reimbursement for tenancy support services dropped from an estimated $500,000 to about $70,000, making it not worth the compliance return on investment.
• Rapid rehousing served 97 households, successfully exited 30 people, and expected six more exits within two weeks. Funding runs through September.
• Permanent supportive housing used about 67 vouchers. The outreach team provided approximately 6,000 services and helped 114 people obtain housing from April through the end of 2025.
• The United Way of Weld County housing navigation center has a budget of about $1 million; its funding is expiring later this year, and the city is seeking another nonprofit partner.
• Shreve highlighted success stories including Elijah, who experienced homelessness for four years and is now pursuing peer specialist certification, and Tim, a veteran connected to housing.
• Councilmember DeButy confirmed the navigation center budget is about $1 million. Mayor Hall noted that a task force is working on homelessness solutions and that a meeting with potential navigation center providers had occurred that afternoon.

Culture, Parks & Recreation Performing Arts Funding

• Diana Frick, Culture, Parks & Recreation Director, and Megan Wheeler, Cultural Affairs Division Manager, presented the follow-up on performing arts funding.
• The UCCC legacy partner program was established in the 2025-2026 season. Current partners receive reduced rent, marketing support, fundraising opportunities, and ancillary services. Commercial rent is $2,250, nonprofit rent is $1,450, and legacy partner rent is $1,200.
• Three funding options were presented:
  • Option A: UCCC rental waiver for legacy performing arts partners. This is targeted but would require general fund backfill and does not change the public art fund.
  • Option B: Transfer a limited percentage (illustrated at 1%, 3%, and 5%) of the anticipated public art fund to performing arts organizations. This would require a code amendment and funding would fluctuate with capital construction activity.
  • Option C: City manager discretionary sponsorship. This is flexible but not predictable or recurring.
• Councilmember DeButy said her initiative was to expand the 1% public art fund by removing the cap that excludes projects over $50 million from contributing, estimating that 1% of upcoming large capital projects could generate about $9 million. She wanted to support legacy nonprofit performing arts groups without touching the general fund.
• Councilmember Butler supported exploring Option B and removing the cap, and asked that performing arts funding include open-access components such as reduced-price or free events. He also asked the legal team to examine the legality of using impact fees for performing arts.
• Councilmember Roth supported exploring Option B, saying the general fund is not appropriate in a difficult budget cycle and that city manager discretion would not provide reliable funding.
• Mayor Pro Tem McDonald supported Option B, saying performing arts is an art form and should be included in the public art fund.
• Mayor Hall expressed reservations about all options, particularly general fund backfill, but council ultimately reached consensus to direct staff to explore Option B further, including legal analysis of cap removal, development/impact fees, bond restrictions, and grant restrictions. No percentage was selected.

Executive Sessions & Administrative Motions

• Council voted 6-0 to enter executive session to complete the annual performance review of Municipal Judge Mark Gonzales.
• Council voted 6-0 to enter executive session to complete the annual performance review of City Attorney Stacey Aurzada.
• Council approved the motion authorizing the City Attorney to prepare required resolutions, agreements, and ordinances and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign them, with a 6-0 voice vote.
• During scheduling discussion, staff indicated the West Greeley update was not ready for the February 10 meeting and would be placed on the February 17 agenda. Council did not reach consensus to move it earlier.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved 6-0.
• Motion to table the Ballot Question 1A resolution failed 4-2.
• Resolution urging voters to vote 'No' on Ballot Question 1A adopted 4-2.
• Council directed staff to further explore Option B for performing arts funding, including removing the capital project cap and addressing legal questions around funding sources.
• Two executive sessions were approved 6-0 for annual performance reviews.
• The administrative documents motion was approved 6-0.
• The meeting entered executive session at approximately 8:15 p.m.; after the executive sessions, the meeting was scheduled to adjourn.