Greeley City Council Regular Meeting - October 6, 2026

The Greeley City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers and via Zoom. The meeting included proclamations for Hispanic Heritage Month, Week Without Driving, and Fire Prevention Week, followed by extensive public comment and council actions on consent items, a resolution supporting ballot question 2F, and a public hearing on an alley vacation. The council voted 5-2 to adopt a resolution declaring support for the November 3, 2026 ballot question 2F, which would increase the sales and use tax by 0.60% to fund capital projects.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the City Council Work Session proceedings of August 25, 2026, City Council Meeting proceedings of September 1, 2026, Special Meeting proceedings of September 8, 2026, and City Council Work Session proceedings of September 8, 2026 (Item 9).
• Approved the 2027 Council Meeting and Work Session schedule (Item 10).
• Approved a resolution authorizing a contract with Mueller Engineering Services for intersection improvement design services (Item 12).
• Approved a resolution authorizing legal action associated with the Halligan Water Supply Project Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification (Item 13).
• Introduced the first reading of an ordinance ratifying the first amendment to the collective bargaining agreement with the Greeley Firefighters Union IAFF Local 888 for 2027-2028 (Item 14), with a public hearing and second reading scheduled for October 20, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Patty Harrell (President of Friends of the Greeley Museums) expressed concerns about proposed museum budget cuts, stating staffing would drop from 19.5 to 9.5 employees (a cut of more than 50%), leaving only 7 non-facility staff. She noted that the city's own compensation study led to higher personnel costs, not new positions, and that museum staff's alternative proposals were disregarded. She asked council to request a clear budget breakdown, fund sufficient staffing, and allow meaningful board participation.
• Nancy Usher urged across-the-board cuts rather than drastic cuts to museums, recreation, and parks, suggesting salary reductions for high-earning city employees.
• Spencer Milne argued against the Flock ALPR cameras, citing a recent federal court ruling (U.S. vs. Kyle) that such searches require warrants and constitute mass surveillance. He claimed the cameras erode public trust and reported that a local Facebook poll showed 162 of 174 respondents opposed Flock. He announced a petition for a charter amendment to restrict surveillance.
• Marcus Embry (Chair of the Museum Advisory Board) stated the board sent reports and resolutions to council about museum budget impacts but received no reply. He questioned the lack of responsiveness and cited a vote of no confidence in the Culture, Parks and Recreation Department.
• Bill Gillard spoke on the Cascadia Catalyst project and initially supported the tax increase but opposed it after reading the resolution, arguing it includes other capital projects beyond the original scope.
• Jeffrey Havens (former city staff and museum employee) noted that the council provided no answer to how the 2027 museum staffing model would fulfill the 2024 museum ordinance, and that the board's alternative staffing model was not carried forward. He characterized the lack of responsiveness as a failure of leadership.
• Josh Masey argued that ballot question 2F replaces financing that voters stopped when they repealed Ordinance 30 in February 2026, and that voting no on 2F is the appropriate response.
• David Simmons spoke about light pollution, noting harm to wildlife and human enjoyment of the night sky.
• Alex Lavelle criticized Councilmember Ryan Roth's tone and approach, advocating for systemic solutions to poverty (e.g., city jobs and housing programs) over charitable efforts. He also raised concerns about cooperation with ICE and called for no Flock cameras, no Cascadia, no data centers.
• Zachary Lipkowski, a pedestrian with epilepsy, shared his experience and called for more housing and shelter options for homeless individuals, urging the council to rescind the camping ban.
• Betty Squires expressed concern about homelessness, suicide, and drug overdoses, and questioned the need for the tax increase.
• Steve Teats criticized the bus system and called for better transit, housing, and employment opportunities.
• Lisa Bernal thanked the council for Hispanic Heritage Month but criticized elected officials for being dismissive of public input, specifically referencing sarcastic comments from the dais.
• Bob Block supported the 2F resolution, arguing the city needs revenue and that building the Catalyst project is financially superior to eating the debt.
• Mary Mesker raised concerns about police surveillance after she was approached about stickers she posted; she asked for transparency on how the police obtained the video.
• A speaker (unintelligible name) complained about confusing traffic signage at pedestrian crossings.
• Kathy Hush opposed the 2F measure, stating it bundles essential infrastructure with the Catalyst entertainment project, creating a funding sequence that prioritizes the commercial venue and leaves critical services underfunded.
• Kyleen Rush (from Milliken) opposed Flock cameras, citing privacy concerns and misuse by law enforcement.

Discussion Items

Item 11: Resolution Supporting Ballot Question 2F (0.60% Sales Tax Increase)

Councilmember DeBoutez pulled this item from the consent agenda and explained her opposition. She stated she supports investing in Greeley's infrastructure but objects to bundling legitimate needs (parks, recreation, deferred maintenance) with the controversial West Greeley Catalyst Project, which carries different financial commitments and community debate. She noted the tax could continue until 2067 and that voters cannot evaluate projects separately. Councilmember Olson moved to adopt the resolution as written; Mayor Pro Tem McDonald seconded. The motion passed 5-2, with Councilmember DeBoutez opposed and all other members (Huddleston, McDonald, Olson, Rudy, Roth, Hall) in favor.

Item 16: Public Hearing on Alley Vacation for Weld County Justice Center

Don Threewick (Community Development Director) presented the request to vacate an 8,040-square-foot alley in Block 66 to accommodate the new judicial center. Staff reported that 230 notices were mailed, signs posted, and no public comments were received. The Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat on September 8, 2026. No one spoke during the public hearing. Council moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion passed 7-0.

Initiative from Councilmember Olson: Response Process for Boards and Commissions

Councilmember Olson initiated a discussion on lacking council responses to reports from boards and commissions, specifically referencing the Museum Advisory Board. He asked the city manager to develop a formal process for council to respond. City Manager McBroom agreed to bring alternatives to a future work session. Council consensus was reached to pursue this.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar Approved (Items 9, 10, 12, 13, 14): Approved 7-0, except Item 11 was pulled.
• Resolution Supporting Ballot Question 2F Adopted (Item 11): Passed 5-2 (DeBoutez dissenting). The resolution expresses council support for the November 3, 2026 ballot measure raising the sales and use tax by 0.60% to fund capital projects.
• Alley Vacation Ordinance Adopted (Item 16): Passed 7-0, vacating a portion of the alley for the Weld County Justice Center.
• Executive Session (Item 17): Voted 7-0 to enter closed session for legal advice regarding pending litigation.
• Authorization for City Attorney (Item 18): Passed 7-0, authorizing preparation of documents reflecting council actions.
• Council Initiative on Board Responses: Council agreed to develop a formal process to respond to boards and commissions reports.