Greeley City Council Regular Meeting - July 21, 2026

The Greeley City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers and via Zoom. The meeting included recognitions and proclamations, citizen input on budget cuts and transparency, public hearings on municipal code amendments, and a resolution for legal services related to the West Greeley project. The council approved the consent agenda, adopted two ordinances, approved the legal services work order, and made multiple appointments to boards and commissions. An executive session was held to discuss litigation and negotiations with the Town of Windsor. All votes were unanimous (7-0) where recorded.

Recognitions and Proclamations

• Mayor Hall read a proclamation declaring July 21, 2026, as "America 250 Colorado 150 Day" in Greeley. Representatives from the Greeley Exchange Club and Union Colony Exchange Club accepted. Karen Zach announced the Field of Flags event at Bittersweet Park from July 31 to August 2, with a formal program on August 1 at 10:00 AM.
• Councilmember Olson presented the "What's Great About Greeley" report, highlighting Aims Community College's designation for supporting student basic needs, the city's Excellence in Community Engagement award from the American Water Works Association for lead service line outreach (one of only three communities nationwide recognized), and employee Chris Regal's GIS professional certification (fewer than 5,500 holders worldwide).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathy Hasch expressed concern over increased utility costs and city spending, urging a conservative approach to avoid bankruptcy.
• Bill Gillard praised the Link Library and opposed Item22 (legal services contract), citing a conflict of interest.
• Marshall Clough opposed proposed budget cuts to museums, emphasizing their role in preserving Greeley's unique historical heritage.
• Paula Ikenoriye spoke against cuts to natural areas staff and proposed a cannabis tax for revenue.
• Marcus Embry (Chair of the Museum Advisory Board) stated that the Culture, Parks, and Recreation Department (CPRD) excluded the board from budget deliberations and requested documents by July31; noted a proposal to cut museum staff from 16 to five.
• Geoffrey Havens supported the board's request for information and asked council to direct staff to provide the requested documents and involve museum professionals.
• Steve Teets requested updated contracts for transit programs and regulations for e-bikes and e-scooters, citing safety concerns.
• Gabrial Llanas criticized CPRD leadership for not considering alternatives to museum cuts and asked council to review a museum-prepared budget.
• Scott Royer commented on declining water levels at Lake Loveland.
• Eli Wilcox criticized budget cuts while the city continues spending on the Cascadia project and a $200,000 consultant, calling for fiscal responsibility.
• Peggy Sue Squires urged council to pause the Cascadia project until basic needs are met.
• Tiffany Simmons highlighted loss of trust in council, cited lack of transparency, and the conflict-of-interest perception around the legal contract with a former council member.
• Mary Monohan spoke about proposed budget cuts and trail maintenance concerns.
• Kris Simmons urged council to reject Item22 outright and establish a cooling-off period for former elected officials receiving city contracts.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of Carmody Lee as Region4 Trustee to the High Plains Library District Board was ratified (part of consent agenda).
• Public hearing and second reading of an ordinance amending city code references to City Hall (procedural update for temporary location) was adopted 7-0 after no public comment.
• Public hearing and second reading of an ordinance amending contractor licensing requirements extended licensing to general contractors and roofing contractors, with three-year licenses, ICC certification for most classes, and a three-stage enforcement process (withhold permits, stop-work orders, referral to advisory board). Councilmember DeBoutez asked about homeowner notification; Councilmember Huddleston asked about certification costs and license revocation. Members of the public spoke in support, with suggestions to require liability insurance. The ordinance was adopted 7-0.
• Resolution authorizing a work order with Coan, Payton & Payne, LLC for legal services on the West Greeley project (maximum $125,000 through end of October 2026). City Attorney Stacey Aurzada explained the need for specialized local real estate and land use expertise after the PUD was repealed in February 2026. She addressed conflict-of-interest concerns, stating no legal prohibition and that the firm conducted an ethics review. Councilmember DeBoutez said she was now comfortable given leadership changes and the reduced scope. Councilmember McDonald expressed confidence in Brett Payton's expertise and advocacy for Greeley. The resolution passed 7-0.
• Appointments to boards and commissions: Sonya Oster (Citizen Budget Advisory Committee,3-year), Ib Meyer (Human Relations Commission,3-year), Dr. Carmody Lee and Nancy Masimer (Museum Board,3-year), Gil Astorga, Daniela Hernandez, Marielle Waller (Union Colony Civic Center Advisory Board,3-year), and Maria Duran (Youth Commission,2-year). Recruiting continues for the Judicial Review Board.
• Initiatives from council: Councilmember Roth requested an update on the abandoned hotel at Highway34 and 23rd Avenue; Councilmember Olson requested briefings on the O Street/59th Avenue roundabout and83rd Avenue intersection design; Councilmember DeBoutez requested an update on Merge project financing. Council agreed to address these in an August work session.

Consent Calendar

• Appoved (7-0) items9-14 and18: Council meeting minutes of June16,2026; ratification of Carmody Lee to the Library Board; contract with ICON Engineering for stormwater master plan; contract with Martin and Wood for water resources engineering; contract with Mark Thomas & Company for downtown infrastructure design; grant agreement for housing planning funds; and first reading of an ordinance appropriating additional FY2026 funds (public hearing scheduled for August4,2026). Items15,16,17 were removed from the agenda due to minor corrections.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (9-14,18) passed 7-0.
• Ordinance updating city hall references adopted 7-0.
• Ordinance extending contractor licensing adopted 7-0, with a30-day public notice and60-day grace period for ICC certifications.
• Resolution approving legal services work order for West Greeley project adopted 7-0 (maximum $125,000 through October2026).
• Appointments to boards/commissions approved as listed.
• Executive session authorized (7-0) to discuss litigation and negotiations with the Town of Windsor (wastewater lawsuit Case No.25CV30355 and annexation objections). The session was held from7:38 to8:31 p.m.n- Motion to authorize city attorney to prepare documents reflecting actions taken passed 7-0 by voice vote.
• Scheduling and other events: none noted; meeting adjourned at7:28 p.m. (regular portion).