Greeley City Council Work Session Summary - March 24, 2026

The Greeley City Council held a work session on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The agenda included a legislative update, a downtown stormwater improvements plan, shared micromobility program recommendations, the formation of a citizen oversight committee for the West Greeley project, and the process for filling a council vacancy. Six council members were present.

Reports from Mayor and Councilmembers

• Councilmember Olson (Ward III) reported on the MERG project, noting partnerships are growing but progress is delayed due to contract rewrites. He defended the West Greeley committee, stating its purpose is to find solutions, not manipulate, and that the council faces an $80 million debt and 110 acres of land out west. He emphasized that this debt cannot be separated from downtown projects.
• Councilmember DeBeauty (Ward II) reported on an abandoned hotel on Highway 34 with $241,000 in unpaid fines, and expressed strong support for striking JBS workers, stating they are seeking better pay and safe equipment.
• Mayor Pro Tem McDonald announced $3.75 million secured from Gabe Evans for airport tower design, new fire trucks, and upcoming youth commission events.
• Mayor Hall noted the successful Greeley Day at the Capitol on March 18.

Legislative Update

Stacey McNamara, Matt LeCrue, and Ellie Reynolds provided an update on the legislative session. The city has taken positions on roughly 600 bills.

• Bills Supported: HB 1330 (entertainment districts, expanding local control), HB 1030 (data center incentives), SB 98 (noise abatement).
• Bills Opposed: HB 1001 (Home Act, preempting local housing zoning), SB 70 (restrictions on license plate reader data sharing).
• Process Discussion: Councilmember Olson expressed significant discomfort with the current legislative position process, calling it a "staff position more than a council position" and stating he cannot answer constituents on why positions are taken. Council members discussed the need for improved council input in future sessions.

Downtown Stormwater Improvements Update

Adam Pryor, Aaron Reynolds, and Bryce Janes presented a PMGC (Program Manager General Contractor) model to accelerate downtown stormwater projects. Councilmember Olson questioned the level of owner control in the PMGC model. Staff clarified that the city retains an Independent Cost Estimator, leads the design, and has the ability to accept or deny Guaranteed Maximum Prices, making it a "hybrid" PMGC with strong city controls. The top priority is the downtown City Campus project ($60-80 million), which is at 30% design.

Shared Micromobility Pilot & Program Recommendations

Hannah Feldman presented findings from the SPIN shared micromobility pilot, which has generated over 30,000 trips since October 2024. Staff and the Citizens Transportation Advisory Board recommended continuing the program and implementing dedicated street corrals using a "mixed approach" where the city installs them and the vendor pays a percentage of the cost. Council feedback supported continuing the program and moving forward with the mixed funding approach for parking infrastructure.

Follow Up - West Greeley Citizen Oversight Committee

Council debated the timeline and structure of the committee.

• Councilmember DeBeauty argued for a slower process to ensure experts (accountants, economists) are part of the committee.
• Councilmember Olson argued for speed, stating that delays increase debt costs on the COPs and are detrimental to the city's bonding and financial standing.
• Councilmembers Roth and Rudy proposed extending the application deadline to allow for broader outreach.
• Outcome: The application period was extended to April 17, 2026. A special meeting for public interviews is scheduled for April 16, with final selection on April 21. The committee will consist of nine members plus a non-voting council member.

Discussion of Council Vacancy and Appointment Process

Council discussed the process for filling the Ward I vacancy left by Tommy Butler.

• Outcome: Applications will be accepted from March 27 to April 17, 2026. Public interviews and the appointment will take place at a council meeting on May 5, 2026. Eligibility requirements include being 21 years old, a Greeley resident for one year, a Ward I resident for 90 days, and having no felony convictions.

Key Outcomes

• West Greeley Oversight Committee: Application deadline extended to April 17, 2026 (was March 31). Public interviews scheduled for a special meeting on April 16. Committee selection set for April 21.
• Council Vacancy (Ward I): Application window set for March 27 to April 17. Appointment scheduled for May 5.
• Downtown Stormwater: PMGC contract approach presented; independent cost estimator contract previously approved by council.
• Shared Micromobility: Council consensus favored continuing the program and the "mixed approach" for funding street corrals.