Lafayette City Council Meeting – February 4, 2025
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Lafayette City Council Meeting – February 4, 2025
The City Council met on February 4, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned to executive session at 6:29 p.m. The agenda included a proclamation for Black History Month, a presentation on the municipal court, the reappointment of the presiding municipal judge, approval of a new in-house city attorney, and several consent agenda items. Public input featured a historical presentation on the Marquis de Lafayette and a citizen’s comments on capital projects.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously: January 21, 2025, meeting minutes; January 28, 2025, workshop summary; Second Reading of Ordinance No. 02, Series 2025 (amending Section 10-10, “Tastings”); Resolution No. 2025-10 (appointing City Attorney Marilyn McSalta and approving employment agreement); Resolution No. 2025-08 (cancellation of three temporary water use permits); Resolution No. 2025-09 (approving an annually renewable perpetual water contract for Colorado-Big Thompson Project water).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alenka in Dressic (or Alinkash Nidashich) introduced the next speaker, Jay Ruggieri, who presented a historical account of the Marquis de Lafayette, emphasizing his role as an abolitionist and his contributions to inclusion. No position on city business was stated.
- Ron Spaulding (1326 El Dorado Way, Lafayette) commented on the January 28 workshop concerning capital projects. He stated that the Service Center is the most important priority (estimated $6 million), followed by the Bob Burger Rec Center (options A at $34 million or B at $17–18 million), and City Hall (up to $40 million). He expressed concern about high taxes and doubted voters would approve all three projects, suggesting a single bond issue for the Service Center and delaying the others. He also noted the importance of public outreach and a tour of the Service Center.
Proclamations
- Black History Month (February 1–28, 2025) was proclaimed by Councilor Tim Barnes, who highlighted the achievements of Black Americans and the city’s commitment to inclusivity. The proclamation passed unanimously.
Staff Introductions
- Erin Poe was introduced as the new Deputy City Attorney. She has 25 years of experience with the City of Boulder, including expertise in employment law, affordable housing, open meetings, and general municipal law. Council welcomed her and emphasized early notification for legal questions.
Presentations
- Municipal Court Update by Presiding Judge Amanda Bailhache. She reported on court operations: two sessions per month (second Thursday and fourth Tuesday), transition to in-person appearances (still offering Zoom by request), and docket scheduling to improve efficiency. Key initiatives included participation in a procedural fairness challenge, text message notifications for defendants, collaboration with the Humane Society for animal behavior evaluations, and updating administrative orders. Goals for 2025 include updating the court webpage, evaluating docket efficiency, applying for a grant for first appearance bond hearings, revising the mission statement, and pursuing live-streaming (likely by 2026) and a paperless system. Judge Bailhache noted that ticket numbers are rising and that the team has grown with new clerk Emily Collier and court coordinator Genevieve. Council commended the court’s efforts.
Regular Business
- Reappointment of Presiding Municipal Court Judge Amanda Bailhache: Resolution No. 2025-07 was approved unanimously, reappointing Judge Bailhache for a two-year term commencing February 1, 2025, and authorizing an amendment to her employment agreement.
- Salary Adjustment for Presiding Municipal Judge: Ordinance No. 03, Series 2025, setting the annual salary and repealing conflicting ordinances, passed on first reading unanimously.
Staff Reports
- City Attorney’s Report: Marilyn McSalta thanked the council for approving her contract and expressed excitement about transitioning to an in-house office, which she believes will improve service.
- City Manager’s Report: The city manager announced that Lafayette was named one of the most livable cities by Go Banking Rates. Upcoming work includes asphalt paving on South Boulder Road (closing Avalon Drive and one lane) on February 5. A farmer’s market is expected to begin in May 2025, and a Lafayette Listens survey for the 760 West Baseline urban renewal project is open until February 9. Future meeting items include a public hearing on the Kensington annexation, purchase orders over $100,000, a land use code update, and a downtown development authority plan. The Thomas Farm lease will be extended by one year while feasibility is studied.
Council Reports
- Councilors reported on upcoming meetings: Councilor Wong attended a Chamber board meeting; Councilor Barnes noted the Senior Advisory Board meeting next week; Councilor Samson mentioned the Colorado Municipal League legislative workshop on February 20. Mayor Mangat reminded council of travel deadlines for conferences and flagged a discussion on contingency funds for the next meeting, with a decision needed to respond to school requests for after-prom support.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
- Black History Month proclamation approved unanimously.
- Resolution No. 2025-07 (reappointment of Judge Bailhache) approved unanimously.
- Ordinance No. 03, Series 2025 (judge salary) passed first reading unanimously.
- Council adjourned to executive session at 6:29 p.m. to receive legal advice on department reorganization under Section 4.6 of the Lafayette Home Rule Charter.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I will call to order the Lafayette City Council meeting for February 4th, 2025. We will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God in the visible delivery and justice for all. Thank you so much. Clerk Beck, we do a roll call, please. Mayor Monguette. Here. Councillor Barnes. Good evening. Councillor Friedland. Here. Councilor Gallegos. Good evening. Councilor Samson. Good evening. And Councilor Tapia Vega. Here. Mayor, we have a quorum. Amazing. Thank you. I will begin tonight's meeting with uh public input. If you wish to speak during this time, uh, you can grab one of these yellow speaker forms that you can access through the glass doors in the back. You'll have five minutes to speak, please state your name and address before you do so. You may also call in as well, and we can get you on the on the speaker phone. Uh tonight we will begin with Alenka in Dressic, and please correct me on how to pronounce your name. Thank you. Alinkash Nidashich, one three, four, six, wasach point, Lafayette, Colorado. Mr. Mayor, City Council, dedicated staff and residents of Lafayette, Colorado. Greetings. I am a member of Speak With Is Lafayette's most award-winning Toastmaster Club. I'm here to introduce the next speaker, Jay Ruggieri. As you will remember, we are reporting on the history of our city's namesake, the Marquis de Lafayette, as we follow his footstep on his two hundredth year anniversary and his famous American guest tour. During the public input portion of this meeting, we would like to present some brief but very interesting Lafayette historical moment for the benefit of council and the Lafayette community. Each time we meet on our tour. Thank you, J. Regarde. Jay Regary, 501 North Vermont, in the beautiful family friendly city of Lafayette, Colorado. Lafayette, we are here, Lafayette, we are here. The most famous words about the most famous man, the Marquis de Lafayette. Thank you, Alanka for putting us back to place time and on topic. America in the late 70s, 70s. The topic is inclusion. The Marquis de Lafayette, the man in his legend, our champion of liberty, he was often called a proud abolitionist. Yes, the Marquis de Lafayette was a committed abolitionist. Let me share some facts and accomplishments of the Marquis. First, early opposition. Lafayette's opposition to slavery began in his youth and was solidified during the Revolutionary War with his unique experience with the former slave, James Armistead. Secondly, he wrote the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen with Thomas Jefferson.
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