Greeley City Council Regular Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Greeley City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers and via Zoom. Mayor Dale Hall presided. All six council members were present. The meeting included several proclamations, public comments, and unanimous approval of consent agenda items, resolutions, and ordinances. Key actions included naming Brian McBroom as the sole finalist for City Manager, approving annexation and zoning for the West Lowell area (56.66 acres), reappointing Municipal Judge Mark Gonzales, authorizing $100 million in water and sewer bond issuances, adopting a $59 million supplemental appropriation, and clarifying election definitions in the municipal code.

Recognitions and Proclamations

• Ed Clark National Youth Service Day Proclamation (April 21, 2026): Awarded to Moises Guzman Gamino, including a $1,000 scholarship. Youth Commission Chair Damian Sanchez presented.
• Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation (April 2026): Accepted by Allison Jones-Lockwood from SAVA Center, who noted the center has educated over 1,000 middle and high school youths in Greeley.
• Arbor Day Proclamation (April 25, 2026): Accepted by Forestry Manager Shiloh Hatcher. Celebration at Centennial Park at 9 a.m.
• Records and Information Management Proclamation (April 2026): Accepted by Mandy Brigham and Pax Faulconer, highlighting the three-person records team managing records for 20 departments and over 1,400 employees.
• "What's Great About Greeley" Report: Presented by Councilmember Olson celebrating Aims Community College's military-friendly designation, Greeley West High School's avid national demonstration school recognition, UNC graduate program rankings, and downtown Greeley rebranding as a finalist for the 2026 Downtown Excellence Award.

Consent Calendar

• Approved City Council Work Session Proceedings of March 24, 2026
• Resolution authorizing competitive bids for Water Revenue Bonds, Series 2026
• Resolution authorizing competitive bids for First-Lien Sewer Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series 2026
• Resolution accepting right-of-way dedication for 83rd Avenue at US Highway 34
• Resolution adopting the 2025-2030 Weld County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Resolution appointing citizens to the West Greeley Project Citizen Oversight Committee

All consent items (9-14) were approved 6-0 at 7:02 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tiffany Simmons thanked Councilmembers DeBoutez and Rudy for responsiveness and willingness to engage in difficult conversations.
• Kathy Hasch spoke about financial hardships many residents face and urged council to consider the burden of large projects.
• Bill Gillard criticized the oversight committee formation, noting it took a petition, referendum, and a $350,000 special election for the council to listen. He expressed concern about the committee's composition and lack of transparency.
• Steve Teets presented documentation on squeaky bus brakes as a health hazard, urging the city to fix existing infrastructure before expanding.
• David Heald used the Titanic analogy to discuss economic concerns, arguing the West Greeley project is a "big porthole" that could harm the community.
• Peggy Sue Squires praised Greeley (UNC football players in NFL draft, Andrew Alirez) and supported Brian McBroom as city manager.
• Mary Metzger raised diversity concerns about the oversight committee, noting the majority are white men and criticizing the application process for rejecting a candidate due to an unspecified deadline.
• Jennifer Andrews echoed diversity concerns, noted only one of the community's recommended candidates was selected, and called for a community benefit agreement.
• Robert Lewis (representing Girl Scout Troop 18) explained the scouts attended to complete a communications merit badge, and promoted scouting.
• Evan Peterson spoke about labor movement history, questioned council's representation, and expressed concerns about the oversight committee providing cover for the West Greeley project.
• Alexandra Lavelle criticized the council's choices for the oversight committee, referenced the JBS strike, and demanded statements on ICE abolition.

Discussion Items

• City Manager Finalist (Item 16): Human Resources Director Martha Lanaghen presented Brian McBroom's background. Mayor Hall explained that over 60 applications were received, but no suitable external candidate was found. Councilmembers praised McBroom's steady leadership. The resolution passed 6-0.
• West Greeley GID Inclusion Area Amendment (Item 17): Interim Planning Manager Caleb Jackson presented revisions excluding Poudre Heights and adding Great Western Industrial Park and Hankins property. Councilmember DeBoutez questioned the process of including unannexed properties. The ordinance passed 6-0.
• West Lowell Annexation and Zoning (Items 18 & 19): Interim Director Don Threewitt presented annexation of 56.66 acres east of North 59th Avenue, with proposed zoning of holding agriculture and conservation districts. No council questions. Public comment: Steve Teets urged fixing existing infrastructure before annexing. Both ordinances passed 6-0.
• Reappointment of Municipal Judge Mark Gonzales (Item 20): Presenter highlighted achievement of 101% case resolution efficiency, reduction of disposition time from 83 to 67 days, and collection of over $5 million in revenue. Councilmembers Olson and Rudy praised his professionalism. Passed 6-0.
• Supplemental Appropriation (Item 21): Deputy Director Kalen Myers presented $59 million in expenditures, including $34 million carryover and $22 million in new requests ($521,000 from general fund offset by grants). Key items: Cameron Peak fire mitigation ($4.2 million), victim services, school resource officers, Keep Greeley Moving ($5.9 million), 83rd Avenue improvements, Red Tail Park, and 16th Street enhancements. Public comment: Peggy Sue Squires asked about homeless shelter funding; staff confirmed it was in the 2026 budget. Passed 6-0.
• Water Revenue Bonds (Item 22): Division Treasurer Robert Miller presented $50 million bond issuance (20-year maturity, average annual payment $4.1 million, total cost $74 million) for water rights, system improvements, and Terry Ranch Aquifer access. Interest rate estimated just over 4% (max 5.25%). Public comment: Steve Teets urged saving money instead of issuing bonds. Passed 6-0.
• Sewer Revenue Bonds (Item 23): $50 million issuance for wastewater treatment rehab, generator replacement, trunk sewer expansion, and regional capacity. Councilmember Olson noted the rehabilitation completes phase 2 of regulation compliance, earning star credits that pushed $100 million in future costs from early 2030s to late 2030s. Director Sean Chambers noted annual O&M of $16.5 million and replacement cost of $250-300 million. Public comment: Kathy Hasch questioned why the $100 million combined bond issuance wasn't put to public vote; City Attorney explained enterprise funds don't require voter approval under state law. Passed 6-0.
• Election Definitions Amendment (Item 24): City Clerk Heidi Leatherwood proposed defining "general municipal election" as elections for council members or mayors (odd-year elections), with all others as "special elections." Councilmember DeBoutez questioned effect on citizen initiative signature thresholds. Public comment: Bill Gillard criticized the rushed process; City Attorney clarified. Tiffany Simmons suggested more specific language to prevent ambiguity regarding recall elections. Passed 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval (6-0) of all consent agenda items (9-14) at 7:02 PM.
• Resolution naming Brian McBroom as finalist for City Manager and authorizing conditional offer of employment passed 6-0 at 7:09 PM.
• Ordinance amending West Greeley GID inclusion area passed 6-0 at 7:15 PM.
• Ordinance annexing West Lowell (56.66 acres) passed 6-0 at 7:23 PM.
• Ordinance establishing zoning for West Lowell passed 6-0 at 7:25 PM.
• Ordinance reappointing Municipal Judge Mark Gonzales for a four-year term passed 6-0 at 7:31 PM.
• Ordinance for supplemental appropriation of $59 million passed 6-0 at 7:40 PM.
• Ordinance for Water Revenue Bonds (up to $50 million) passed 6-0 at 7:48 PM.
• Ordinance for Sewer Revenue Bonds (up to $50 million) passed 6-0 at 7:58 PM.
• Ordinance amending election definitions passed 6-0 at 8:11 PM.
• Motion authorizing City Attorney to prepare required documents passed 6-0 at 8:12 PM.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM.