Greeley City Council Regular Meeting - May 5, 2026

The Greeley City Council convened a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting featured proclamations for Small Business Week, Economic Development Week, Mental Health Month, and National Police Week. All six council members, led by Mayor Dale Hall, were present. Key actions included the selection of Craig Huddleston to fill the Ward I council vacancy, approval of an intergovernmental land exchange with Weld County for the downtown campus, and unanimous votes on fifteen annexation eligibility findings for the Great Western Industrial Park (GWIP). The council also addressed the Uptown Rezone and Delantero Metropolitan District amendments before entering executive session for collective bargaining negotiations with the Greeley Fire Fighters IAFF Local 888.

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Small Business Week: Mayor Hall read the proclamation for May 4-7. Kimberly Ponce (Kimberly's Events Center) and Jamie Henning (Greeley Chamber) accepted. Ponce noted there are over 3,700 small businesses in Greeley.
• Economic Development Week: Derrek Jerred (Interim Deputy Director, EDUR) accepted and introduced the department team and partners for the May 4-8 proclamation.
• Mental Health Month: Micaela Sanchez (North Range Behavioral Health) accepted, emphasizing the importance of reducing stigma and providing access to care regardless of ability to pay.
• National Police Week: Deputy Police Chief Mike Zeller accepted the May 11-16 proclamation and invited the community to the Weld County Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony on May 14.
• What's Great About Greeley: Councilmember Roth presented the report, highlighting staff emergency management credentials, student scholarships (Sofia Vasquez, Daniels Fund Scholars), Aims Community College workplace health designation, and a national Fields of Excellence Award.

Ward I Councilmember Appointment

• Mayor Hall and City Clerk Heidi Leatherwood conducted a panel interview with six finalists: Robert Casey, Craig Huddleston, Gabriel Llanas, Kyle Rush, Kimberly Soper, and Gregory Yielding. Candidates answered questions on critical city issues, Ward I successes, and ward priorities.
• On the first ballot, Council selected Craig Huddleston to fill the vacancy. His oath of office and formal ratification resolution are scheduled for the May 19 council meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Connie Garcia discussed right-of-way restrictions preventing fence installation on her property and criticized the abandoned Marriott Hotel on Highway 34. Mayor Hall directed staff to follow up.
• Bill Gillard expressed strong support for the Catalyst project, estimating it could generate $13.5 million in annual net revenue for the city, and called the oversight process a sign of transparency.
• Steve Teets voiced opposition to expanding the Delantero service plan and the GWIP annexation, citing budget constraints and Highway 34 congestion. He also raised safety concerns regarding VIA transit wheelchair access and bus brake noise.
• Rachel Burdan urged the West Greeley Oversight Committee to thoroughly read feasibility studies, claiming multiple studies indicated the water park and hotel components would not be financially viable.
• Mary Metzger (virtual) argued the West Greeley Oversight Committee lacked diversity and did not include long-time project opponents.
• Evan Peterson (virtual) criticized the Ward I appointment process and spending priorities, arguing the city focuses too much on corporate interests rather than core public services.

Discussion Items

• Downtown Campus Land Exchange (Item 13): Council considered the IGA with Weld County for property exchange. Deputy City Manager Kelli Johnson confirmed the agreement only facilitates the land swap for the Judicial Center, City Hall, and School Administration Building and does not commit the city to any specific development path. Johnson clarified the $10.7 million predevelopment budget funded land acquisition, demolition, and soft costs, not payments to private developers. Councilmember Olson stressed ongoing budget concerns and received confirmation that the land trade was independent of any development decision.
• Uptown Rezone ZON2024-0002 (Item 17): Councilmember DeBoutez questioned the rezoning of approximately 290.56 acres from Holding Agriculture to Commercial High Intensity and Industrial Medium Intensity. She expressed concern about the lack of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) for design control over this key gateway corridor and whether the zoning was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Interim Director Don Threewitt responded that the applicant's proposed base zoning met their needs for highway-level commercial, the community separator would be maintained, and the zoning was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and adjacent land uses. DeBoutez urged the applicant to prioritize creative and distinctive design.
• Delantero Metro District Amendment (Item 21): Don Threewitt presented an amendment to expand the Delantero Metropolitan District service plan by roughly 300 acres (Delantero South). Councilmember Olson highlighted the need for right-of-way dedication to support planned transportation improvements. Threewitt confirmed the developer was supportive of these improvements. Public comment included opposition from Steve Teets and Bill Gillard regarding traffic and budget.
• Great Western Industrial Park (GWIP) Annexation Eligibility (Item 22): Don Threewitt presented the eligibility hearing for the 15-part serial annexation (325.85 acres). He clarified the hearing was to establish eligibility under state statute, with official annexation scheduled for June 16. Applicant representative Mark Savala (Burrow Real Estate Group) stated the project is viewed as a major economic development opportunity leveraging the city's water bank. In response to Councilmember Olson, Savala stated the applicant chose Greeley over Windsor due to Greeley's water resources and an intentionally designed corridor to allow choice of municipal provider. Scott Ballstadt (Town of Windsor) formally requested the council pause the application and meet with the Windsor Town Board to explore partnership opportunities.

Key Outcomes

• Ward I Vacancy Filled: Craig Huddleston appointed by Council ballot. Formal resolution and oath scheduled for May 19, 2026.
• Consent Agenda (Items 10-12, 14-16, 18-19): Approved 6-0 at 6:50 p.m., including the appointment of Brian McBroom as City Manager.
• Downtown Land Exchange (Item 13): Resolution adopted authorizing the IGA with Weld County. (Motion passed 6-0 at 6:55 p.m.)
• Uptown Rezone (Item 17): Ordinance introduced for first reading. Public hearing and second reading scheduled for May 19, 2026. (Motion passed 6-0 at 7:07 p.m.)
• Delantero Service Plan (Item 21): Resolution approving amendment adopted. (Motion passed 6-0 at 7:11 p.m.)
• GWIP Annexation Eligibility (Item 22): All 15 individual resolutions making findings of fact and conclusions regarding eligibility adopted. (All motions passed 6-0 between 7:22 and 7:30 p.m.)
• Executive Session: Council voted 6-0 at 7:33 p.m. to enter executive session to receive legal advice and determine strategy regarding the 2026 collective bargaining agreement with the IAFF Local 888.
• Clerk Authorization: Motion passed authorizing the City Attorney to prepare documents reflecting council action.