Lafayette City Council Meeting - January 21, 2025

The Lafayette City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on January 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting included public input, a consent agenda, a proclamation, staff and council reports, and adjournment to four executive sessions. The meeting was adjourned to executive sessions at 6:36 p.m. and did not return to open session.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rick Schwalski (resident, 2409 Wanaka Lake Trail, Lafayette) spoke in support of community efforts to increase safety on Baseline Road west of 95th Street, specifically at the King Street and Rosart Drive pedestrian crossings. He recounted witnessing a serious accident involving a young woman (Bree) and expressed his support for prompt and effective solutions.
• Ron Spaulding (resident, 1326 Otorado Way, Lafayette) spoke in support of Consent Agenda Item C (Ordinance No. 01, Series 2025) regarding administrative review of site plan and architectural review applications for minor expansions of commercial and industrial developments. He noted he attended the planning commission meeting and believed there are plenty of safeguards in the proposal.
• Cindy Beelard (resident, 27 years in Lafayette, lives along Baseline) advocated for reducing the speed limit on Baseline Road from 287 to the railroad tracks west of 95th Street back to 35 miles per hour. She noted the speed was previously increased from 35 to 40 mph and cited safety concerns and the city's sustainability and climate action plans.
• Stacy Green (resident, 3081 Red Deer Trail, Indian Peaks West, 10 years) described the September 5th accidents where two young people from her neighborhood were hit by speeding drivers less than 18 hours apart. She expressed gratitude for council's attention but argued the city's recommended solutions are insufficient. She requested a public forum and a reduction in speed through the corridor, including visual narrowing of the road.
• Elizabeth Hall (resident, Indian Peaks West for 9 years, mother of Bree, a crash victim) spoke about her daughter's injuries and the need to protect children. She supported reducing speed on Baseline Road and noted that even with police presence, drivers are ticketed for going almost 20 miles above the posted limit.
• Kristen Zangreley (resident, Indian Peaks West) spoke on behalf of her daughter and the community, describing the ongoing dangers on Baseline Road. She called for a pilot program to narrow lanes and reduce speeds, stating the current solutions are "band-aids for a hemorrhaging situation." She also mentioned that the city has the power to act immediately.
• Kevin Kriesick (resident of Boulder, transportation/urban planning expert) spoke in support of the community's effort to reduce speed on Baseline Road. He described the problem as a "social epidemic" and advocated for non-constructive methods like barrels and cones to reduce travel lanes, noting they are low-cost and effective.
• Tila Duane (resident of Boulder, transportation advocate, founder of Emergency Three Partnership) spoke about the need to reduce vehicle speeds on Baseline Road. She cited the Vision Zero approach and noted the city has already approved projects (Safe Streets for All grant, South Boulder Road Multimodal Improvement Project, Future 42 project) that acknowledge the need to reduce speeds. She recommended immediate lane narrowing using barrels, cones, or flexible delineators.
• Jessica Piquet (resident, 3030 Shoshone Trail, Indian Peaks) asked the council two questions regarding the proposed annexation off Hwy 287 and whether those cars would eventually cut over to Baseline Road. She also relayed a question from Myers Graham (accident victim) asking why the city is still working on solutions. She advocated for speed reduction.
• Elliot Beckwith (resident of Boulder) noted the lack of sidewalks on Baseline Road and the danger of crossing.
• Dana Morton (resident, 309 Caribou Pass Circle, Lafayette) described witnessing Myers' crash and expressed concern about the lack of movement on solutions. She urged the council to listen to traffic experts and reduce speed.
• Kelsey Ross (resident, 2851 Clear Creek Lane, Lafayette, Indian Peaks South) expressed support from the south side of the neighborhood for speed reduction measures, including suggested barrels and other recommendations.
• Jamie Harriman (resident, 288 Shoshone Trail, Indian Peaks West, 20 years) recounted witnessing the first accident and volunteered at crosswalks. She supported a pilot program to narrow lanes and reduce speed, and urged immediate action.
• Elizabeth Neeman (resident, 445 Indian Peak Rail West) shared her 12-year-old son crosses Baseline Road daily and voiced support for lane modifications and other safety measures.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda included: A) Approval of January 7, 2025 City Council meeting minutes; B) First reading of Ordinance No. 02, Series 2025 amending Section 10-10 "Tastings"; C) Second reading of Ordinance No. 01, Series 2025 amending Chapter 26 regarding administrative review of site plan and architectural review applications for minor expansions; D) Contract with Alfred Benesch & Company for ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. The consent agenda was approved unanimously without discussion.

Proclamations

• The Great Kindness Challenge Week (January 27-31, 2025) was proclaimed by Mayor JD Mangat, on behalf of Peak to Peak Elementary School. The proclamation was approved unanimously.

Staff Reports

• City Attorney's Report: No report tonight, but reminded council that each executive session would require a separate motion.
• City Manager's Report: Thanked snow plow crews for working in sub-freezing temperatures; noted the MLK celebration had an estimated 222-225 attendees; announced a new collective installation on Coal Creek Trail from January 23 to March 9, 2025, with an opening reception on January 24, 5-7 p.m.; opened applications for the new Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors (applications close February 5, 2025; Councillor Barnes has volunteered as council liaison); announced AARP free tax prep sign-up opened, with services from February 5 to April 12 at Lafayette Public Library; and provided a preview of upcoming meetings (January 28 workshop on capital financing options and council contingency; February 4 staff introductions and Black History Month proclamation).

Council Reports

• Councillor Tapia Vega: Thanked Lafayette Youth Advisory for the MLK event.
• Councillor Gallegos: Congratulated youth advisory board and noted a full house at the celebration.
• Mayor Pro Tem Wong: Nothing to report.
• Councillor Samson: Announced that the city is already working with a consultant on designs for modifications to Baseline Road west of State Highway 42, as reported at the January 7 meeting. Noted state legislature is in session with no immediate action items.
• Councillor Barnes: Thanked attendees of the MLK rally; reported on the Senior Advisory Board retreat and goals; noted 2024 was the warmest year on record (1.5°C above pre-industrial), but Earth is still fighting back (between 1.2 and 1.4°C); spoke about high winds in Colorado.
• Councillor Friedland: Nothing to report.
• Mayor Mangat: Mentioned one-on-one priority meetings with each councilor and the upcoming Metro Mayor's Caucus retreat on Saturday.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Proclamation for Great Kindness Challenge Week approved unanimously.
• Four executive sessions were authorized unanimously, covering: annexation and development review procedures for property at the southwest corner of Hwy 287 and Arapahoe Road; Sundar Phase 1 Subdivision Development Agreement for a multi-family residential development at the northwest corner of SH 287 and Dillon Road; personnel matters regarding appointment of a Presiding Judge for Lafayette Municipal Court; and terms and conditions for the City Attorney. The council adjourned to executive sessions and did not return to open meeting.

Adjournment

• The council adjourned to executive sessions at 6:36 p.m. on January 21, 2025, and did not return to open session.