Greeley City Council Work Session - July 28, 2026

The Greeley City Council held a work session on July 28, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM and adjourning at 7:24 PM. The session included reports from councilmembers, a discussion on the Landscape Code Update, and a review of the proposed 2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). No formal votes were taken, as this was a work session intended to gather council feedback.

Reports from Mayor and Councilmembers

• Mayor Hall reported that CDOT completed a traffic study on 10th Street (43rd to 71st Avenue) and reduced speed limits: the previous 55 mph zone is now 50 mph, and the 45 mph zone is now 40 mph.
• Councilmember Roth recognized outgoing UNC President Andy Feinstein for eight years of service, noted the ribbon cutting for the new Osteopathic Medicine School, thanked Parks and Recreation for the Arts Picnic, and the Water Department for a prompt response to water system issues.
• Councilmember Rudy attended a ride-along with the Greeley Police Department, thanking Chief Turk and Officer Julian Vasquez for their professionalism.
• Councilmember Huddleston attended the Weld County Fair, highlighting youth participation and the community's agricultural heritage.

Landscape Code Update

• Interim Planning Manager Caleb Jackson and Senior Manager of Code Compliance Buxton Demers presented a draft landscape code update and compliance strategy. The draft clarifies that the required 50% live planting in front yards must be perennial plants (annuals allowed but not counted), and recodifies tree mitigation provisions inadvertently omitted from prior updates.
• Artificial Turf: Council had diverging views. Councilmember DeBoutez opposed artificial turf citing impervious surfaces, urban heat, microplastics, and harm to trees. Councilmembers Olson, Rudy, Roth, and Huddleston supported allowing turf with strict standards (permit, licensed installer, permeable base, drainage, and continued tree/live planting requirements). Mayor Hall wished to review specific code language before committing. Staff will refine the draft and return for Planning Commission review and formal adoption.
• Compliance Strategy: Staff recommended a priority-based approach focusing on nuisances (bare dirt, erosion, tall weeds, dead landscaping, abandoned yards) over maintained but technically non-compliant yards. Council generally supported this. Councilmember Olson raised concern that city-owned properties often fail to meet the same standards, undermining enforcement credibility, and suggested escalating fines for non-cooperative owners. Staff will explore alternative compliance or minor variance pathways for properties seeking to go below the 50% live planting threshold.
• Statistics: In 2025, 200 landscape cases were opened, 99 scheduled for hearing; through June 2026, 66 cases had already been opened.

2027 Capital Improvement Plan Budget Review

• Deputy Director of Budget and Policy Kalen Myers presented the proposed 2027 CIP, noting it is more constrained due to three simultaneous large capital commitments: the West Greeley project (20-year debt), downtown revitalization (new city hall via COP and utility work), and the MERGE project (Highway 34 interchange improvements). These consume substantial flexible funding (food tax, quality of life), leaving limited capacity for other priorities.
• The proposed 2027 CIP includes approximately 150 projects across 24 funds, with over 80% allocated to water/sewer/stormwater and transportation categories (largely restricted funding). Annual maintenance and replacement funding was reduced by 25% (from $5.6 million to $4.2 million per year for three years) to maintain cash flow for strategic projects.
• Deferred projects include HVAC replacements, facility upgrades, irrigation systems, playground replacements, and a water/sewer facility campus. Staff emphasized these are deferred, not removed, and will be monitored.
• Councilmember Olson urged prioritizing deferred maintenance (e.g., moving it up before major debt payments in 2028/2029) and questioned large cash balances in food tax ($2.9 million) and quality of life ($4.4 million) funds, suggesting those funds should be programmed for projects. Myers explained that balances are being conserved for future debt obligations and that as costs firm up, additional appropriations may be possible.
• Councilmember Huddleston asked about lead times for critical equipment (transformers ~52 weeks, ice rink refrigeration ~48 weeks) and suggested phasing large projects like the Highland Hills Golf Course irrigation replacement ($6.5 million). Staff confirmed proactive procurement and phasing discussions are underway, and an asset management framework will be presented to council soon.
• Councilmember DeBoutez noted that some smaller dedicated funds carry significant balances and could be redirected. She also expressed concern about the September 11th retreat being late for major budget changes; Mayor Hall clarified that statutory deadlines allow for later adoption this year.
• Mayor Hall acknowledged the structural deficit discussions and that departments have worked to address it. Staff will incorporate council feedback and bring an updated CIP to the September 11th work session retreat.

Key Outcomes

• Landscape Code: Council supported: (1) clarifications to front yard standards requiring 50% perennial live planting and recodifying tree mitigation; (2) allowing artificial turf in front yards via permit with strict installation and design standards, contingent on reviewing final code language; (3) adopting a priority-based compliance strategy focusing on nuisance conditions, and exploring variance pathways for properties below 50% live planting. Staff will present a refined ordinance to Planning Commission and then to Council for formal adoption.
• 2027 CIP: Council provided initial feedback, including emphasis on deferred maintenance, phasing large projects, and evaluating fund balances. Staff will refine the proposal and present a detailed review at the September 11th retreat, with formal budget adoption expected later in the fall.