Greeley City Council Meeting Summary: August 4, 2026

The Greeley City Council convened for a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Mayor Pro Tem Melissa McDonald chaired the meeting in the absence of Mayor Dale Hall. The meeting featured several proclamations, a major downtown development agreement, annexation discussions, and the approval of federal HUD funds. The council also authorized an executive session to discuss legal strategy regarding the West Greeley Catalyst Project.

Note on meeting timing: There is a discrepancy between the official meeting minutes, which record the executive session beginning at 8:29 PM, and the meeting transcript, which states it began at 8:17 PM.

Note on HUD funding amounts: There is a discrepancy in the stated funding figures. The meeting minutes record Housing Director Deb Callies stating the allocation was $2.4 million against $4.4 million in requests. The meeting transcript records her making the same statement, followed by Housing Investment Manager Cece Cervantes stating the allocation was $2.48 million against $4 million in requests.

Proclamations, Recognitions, and Presentations

• Mayor Pro Tem McDonald presented the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the GFOA to Finance Director Kirk Jones and the finance team for the city's 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
• A proclamation was read declaring August 2026 as National Emergency Management Awareness Month, accepted by Emergency Management Director Peter Perez and partners from School District 6, Aims Community College, UNC, and area hospitals.
• A proclamation was read for the 10th Anniversary of Greeley Monster Day, accepted by co-creators Ed and Marsha Edmonds. Daniela Hernandez announced the event for August 21-22.
• Councilmember Roth presented the "What's Great About Greeley" report, highlighting the restoration of the "Prize Catch" statue, the opening of UNC's new College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the 50th anniversary of Centennial Village Museum.
• Dr. Michael Welsh presented the second edition of Confluence, The Story of Greeley Water in collaboration with the City of Greeley Water and Sewer Department.

Consent Calendar

The following items were approved unanimously (6-0) as part of the consent agenda (Items 9-13, 15-17, 19-21):

• Approval of proceedings from the July 7 and July 14, 2026 meetings.
• A work order with Na Ali'i Companies for Cameron Peak Fire Mitigation design services.
• A settlement agreement resolving claims against the city.
• An Intergovernmental Agreement with the Greeley Urban Renewal Authority.
• Authorization for the City Attorney to take legal action on property at 2495 28th Street.
• Authorizations to provide fire protection services and commence court action to exclude properties from the Windsor-Severance and Eaton Fire Protection Districts for the Cache, Seeley Lake, Willow Vista, Schmerge, and Kinnison Annexations.
• First reading of an ordinance changing the official zoning map for the Great Western Industrial Park (GWIP) property to I-H and C-D (Item 19).
• First reading of an ordinance annexing the Arroyos del Sol property (Item 20) and its associated zoning map change to C-D (Item 21).

Note: Items 14 and 18 were pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathy Hasch criticized the city's risk-taking on the Catalyst project, supporting Weld County's decision to decline participation in financing.
• Bill Gillard spoke against potential regulations on artificial turf and expressed privacy concerns regarding the Flock Safety camera system.
• Ashley White (Butterfly Pavilion) advocated against budget cuts to the Natural Areas and Trails department, emphasizing its ecological and community benefits.
• Kevin Pierce (Wildlands Restoration Volunteers) urged the council to avoid additional cuts to Natural Areas and Trails, citing over 1,700 hours of volunteer service and strong community partnerships.
• Scott Royer requested the painting of an unpainted speed bump on 16th Street and spoke about his plans for the 100th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's flight.
• Kenneth Howell criticized city staff for failing to answer council questions during budget presentations, urging accountability at the September 11th budget retreat. He later commended Housing Solutions staff during the HUD hearing.
• Tiffany Simmons questioned the timing and motivations of the GWIP annexation, raising concerns about enclave creation, service capacity, and links to the Catalyst project and Global AI.
• Peggy Sue Squires called for a public vote on the Cascadia project.
• Louise Wilson reported increased accidents on 23rd Avenue and opposed a potential data center over water contamination fears.
• Mary Metzger urged humility and stewardship over ambition regarding the GWIP annexation and data center.
• Kris Simmons (spoke during council initiatives after being missed in regular citizen input) urged termination of the Flock Safety contract, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling.

Discussion Items

Item 14 – Civic Campus Development Services Agreement Deputy City Manager Kelli Johnson and Senior Strategic Advisor John Hall presented the agreement for the downtown project involving the City, Weld County, and School District 6.

• Richmark Vertical would serve as development manager (5% fee on hard costs) and Thrash Development as general contractor (4% fee).
• Incentives for a minimum 80-room hotel include $4.7 million in gap funding, a 10-year lodging tax rebate capped at $1.5 million, and a $200,000 land sale.
• Incentives for ~160 market-rate apartments include $4 million in gap funding and fee rebates.
• Councilmember Huddleston confirmed $8.7 million of the incentives were already designated in the city's redevelopment fund since 2023. Adam Frazier of Richmark Vertical confirmed the project was not bankable without incentives, citing a ~20% increase in steel costs since year-end.
• Councilmember Olson noted the total incentives amounted to approximately $24 million (~28% of the overall budget) and voted no, arguing the city should resolve the West Greeley Catalyst budget issue first.
• Outcome: The motion passed 5-1.

Item 18 – GWIP Serial Annexations (First Reading) Interim Community Development Director Don Threewitt answered questions.

• Councilmember DeBoutez confirmed the city can provide adequate services and that no enclave is created.
• Councilmember Olson confirmed the annexation was petitioned by the property owner (Bro).
• Mr. Threewitt was asked to research whether a gas turbine or energy facility is a permitted use under the proposed I-H zoning for the second reading.
• Outcome: The motion to introduce the 15 ordinances and schedule the second reading for August 18, 2026 passed 6-0.

Item 23 – 2026 HUD Annual Action Plan Housing Director Deb Callies and Housing Investment Manager Cece Cervantes presented the plan.

• A proposal to change the HUD program year from a calendar year to a fiscal year (ending June 30) was included to better align with HUD regulations.
• The public hearing featured support from Kenneth Howell (Housing for All Advisory Board) and Melanie Faure (Upwards), as well as criticism from Ashley Fusco regarding the disparity in scrutiny between this item and the Civic Campus incentives.
• Outcome: The resolution was approved 6-0.

Item 24 – Third Supplemental Appropriation Ordinance (2026) Budget Director Nathan Mosley presented an $84.815 million appropriation.

• $84.65 million for the Civic Campus project and COP issuance costs.
• $41,250 local match for a DOLA housing needs grant.
• Councilmember Olson asked to separate the items but was told only an ordinance amendment could do so.
• Outcome: The ordinance was adopted 5-1.

Key Outcomes

• Civic Campus Dev Agreement (Item 14): Approved (5-1).
• GWIP Serial Annexations (Item 18): First reading approved (6-0). Second reading scheduled for August 18, 2026.
• 2026 HUD Annual Action Plan (Item 23): Approved (6-0).
• 2026 Supplemental Budget Appropriation (Item 24): Approved (5-1).
• Executive Session (Item 25): Authorized (6-0) to discuss legal strategy for the West Greeley Catalyst Project.