OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Lafayette City Council Meeting - March 4, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, March 4, 2025
BodyLafayette, Colorado
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, March 4, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
4:26

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

4:28

We are gonna go ahead and get this meeting started.

4:30

I will call to order the Lockheed City Council meeting for March fourth, twenty twenty-five.

4:35

And we will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance.

5:00

Hello.

5:01

Councillor Barnes.

5:02

Good evening.

5:03

Councillor Friedland.

5:04

Here.

5:04

Councillor Gallegos.

5:06

Good evening.

5:06

Councillor Sampson.

5:08

Good evening.

5:08

And Councillor Tapia Vega.

5:10

Here.

5:10

Mayor, we have a quorum.

5:12

Sounds good.

5:13

Thank you so much.

5:14

All right.

5:15

Well, we will begin tonight's meeting with uh public input.

5:19

Um, if you wish to speak during this time, uh, please grab one of these yellow speaker forms that you can access through the glass doors in the back and pass it over to Clerk Beck here, and we can get you on the list.

5:31

Uh, you may also call in it, call in as well.

5:35

Uh, you'll have five minutes to speak, but please state your name and address before you do so.

5:40

And uh for tonight, I know several of you are here for one particular topic.

5:45

Um, so the council did also place one of these uh white um uh info sheets uh near um the speaker forms out there to give you all more info and context uh behind that particular issue that you may take a look at as well.

6:02

All right, uh so we'll begin tonight with Karen Norbeck.

6:17

Karen Norbeck, 800 East Genesee O.

6:20

Good evening.

6:20

On March 5th, 2024, I stood here to talk about House Bill 241313 and the continued actions from the state government diluting our home rule status.

6:30

What I hope to see from you is a plan to push back.

6:33

Tonight, the opportunity to do that has arrived, although you have already signed a resolution against it.

6:39

The bully has come for us, and we need to say stop and loudly.

6:43

I have watched Lafayette work for decades to address affordable housing.

6:46

We are looking at a contribution from our small city of over 11 million dollars to help build the largest net zero affordable development in the state and possibly the country, Willoughby Corner.

6:56

We gave half a million dollars to the La Luna Collective to help them buy their mobile home park.

7:01

We are walking the walk, and we need to tell those at the State House so and in no uncertain terms.

7:07

We spent thousands of dollars to write our comprehensive plan, as well as other guiding documents.

7:12

These continued demands from the state will overrule them.

7:15

It's a delicate balance to provide services to the community with a large portion of the funding coming from sales taxes, not property taxes.

7:23

Rooftops don't pay for themselves.

7:24

The more you add, the more services you need.

7:27

More police and fire, more city staff, a larger library and rec center, more wear and tear on everything, and let's not forget water.

7:34

There is more to water than just having a supply.

7:37

We must store it and clean it and dispose of the waste.

7:40

This all comes with a cost to the city, which of course means the residents.

7:44

We must prevent reaching a point where the balance tips, and the only solution to funding the needs of the community becomes ongoing property tax increases.

7:52

Currently, you are considering asking the voters to approve a property tax increase to fund three potential capital improvement projects with costs in the millions.

8:01

That's nothing compared to what we could face if we just do what the state says.

8:06

City staff puts it plainly in their memo.

8:08

If realized, this growth would significantly strain city services, requiring substantial increases in infrastructure funding and staffing to maintain service levels.

8:18

I was surprised to read these words from the staff memo.

8:21

The state's prohibition on growth management in 2023 also removed the city's ability to phase development predictably, limiting the city's control over the pace of housing construction after rezoning.

8:33

My experience with the city's attitude to our growth management was it being a nuisance that got in the way, and every opportunity to kick holes in it was taken.

8:41

This going back to the beginning when residents wrote a ballot question for the amendment and gained voters' approval.

8:47

I'm glad to see this change in attitude acknowledging the value of the people's amendment.

8:52

On July 24th, 2024, you discussed the loss of our managed growth amendment during a workshop.

8:58

Various responses to the state's actions were discussed, but eventually you settled on a two-year moratorium on residential plans and instructed staff to draft an ordinance, which they said would return for a vote in September.

9:11

I searched for that ordinance, but I've been unable to find it.

9:14

Did that vote ever happen?

9:16

We should be touting ourselves as an example of what can be done.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use███████████████████████23%
Affordable Housing█████████████████17%
Home Rule█████████9%
Board And Commission Appointments███████7%
Minimum Wage██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Procedural████4%
Land Use Code Update████4%
Personnel Matters████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Lafayette City Council Meeting - March 4, 2025

The Lafayette City Council held its regular meeting on March 4, 2025, starting at 5:30 PM. The agenda included public input on several state land-use bills, a presentation on the implementation of 2024 state legislation, first reading of a collective bargaining ordinance for police officers, and appointments to the Downtown Development Authority board. The meeting featured extensive public comment, primarily opposing House Bill 24-1313 (transit-oriented communities), and unanimous approval of consent items, a proclamation, the collective bargaining ordinance, and board appointments.

Consent Calendar

  • February 18, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes approved.
  • Change Order No. 1 with Merrick & Company for Goose Haven Cell 2A Construction Support approved.
  • Consent agenda passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Karen Norbeck (resident) urged council to push back against state overreach on home rule, citing Lafayette's record on affordable housing (Willoughby Corner, La Luna Collective) and concerns about infrastructure and water.
  • Steve Solar (1405 Lander Lane) opposed HB 24-1313, arguing it undermines home rule and would harm Lafayette's character with high-density development.
  • Twila Ryan (resident) opposed HB 24-1313, citing water scarcity and unsustainable growth.
  • Joel Paulis (resident) focused on water supply analysis, arguing the state's approach ignores drought risks and called for planning based on worst-case drought events.
  • Francis Free (low-wage worker, 711 Kimbark St) supported a minimum wage increase, stating it boosts loyalty and economic activity, and criticized the stagnant federal minimum wage.
  • Paula Kelly (912 Harrison Dr) urged non-compliance with HB 24-1313 and supported joining a lawsuit against the state.
  • Todd Grant (509 East Elm St) requested council uphold Lafayette's vision statement and reject forced high-density plans.
  • Several other residents (Laura Winfield, Sally Samansky, Chris Smith, Vicky Euland, Joseph Smith, Cindy Larry, Linda Starkey, Naomi Edelberg, Ron Spaulding, Steve Stahl, Nicole Radway, Seth White, Paul Resch, Robert Tierney, Jennifer Albert) spoke in opposition to HB 24-1313, emphasizing concerns about infrastructure, water, law enforcement, traffic, and loss of home rule.
  • Bonnie Brindle (South Carr Ave, via phone) opposed HB 24-1313, citing destruction of east Lafayette and wildlife corridors.
  • Alejandra Beatty (Boulder Area Labor Council, via phone) urged council to put minimum wage back on the agenda, advocating for higher wages to support workers.
  • Gregory Sartucci (304 West Oak St, late speaker) argued Lafayette needs to build more housing to address regional shortages, expressing frustration with aging residents opposing growth.
  • Krista Chapel (Aaron Way, reopened public input) expressed support for council's actions against HB 24-1313.

Proclamations

  • Council proclaimed March 2025 as "23rd Annual March for Meals Month" in support of Coal Creek Meals on Wheels, which has served over 70,000 meals in 2024 (57% to Lafayette residents) and will surpass one million meals served since 1972. The proclamation was approved unanimously.

Presentation: Update on Implementation of 2024 State Legislation

  • Phil Pleiser (Planning and Building Department) presented five bills requiring local implementation:
    • HB 24-1152 (Accessory Dwelling Units): Requires ADUs by right in single-family zones, eliminates additional parking requirements, and overrides HOA covenants. Compliance deadline: June 30, 2026.
    • HB 24-1304 (Minimum Parking): Prohibits minimum parking requirements for multi-family/mixed-use projects within transit areas (map defined by state). Compliance deadline: June 30, 2026.
    • HB 24-1313 (Transit-Oriented Communities): Requires cities to create zoning capacity for an average of 40 dwelling units per acre near transit corridors. For Lafayette, this could increase population from ~30,600 to potentially 76,000 (including existing growth). The city may deny projects based on water supply or infrastructure, but must submit a preliminary Housing Opportunity Goal (HOG) by July 2025, with full compliance by 2028.
    • HB 24-1174 (Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance): Requires updated comprehensive plans with water and strategic growth elements, and a housing action plan by 2028. Regional housing assessments can satisfy this requirement.
    • SB 24-005 (Landscaping): Prohibits non-functional turf, artificial turf, and invasive species on certain properties; a water-wise landscaping ordinance is in development. Compliance deadline: end of 2026.
  • Council Discussion: Councilors expressed support for ADU and landscaping bills, but strong opposition to HB 24-1313. Councilor Sampson raised concerns about potential litigation and home rule. Councilor Wong proposed an executive session to discuss legal options regarding HB 24-1313 and broader home rule authority. Council reached consensus to schedule an executive session.

Regular Business: First Reading - Ordinance No. 04, Series 2025 (Police Collective Bargaining)

  • Megan Davis (Deputy City Manager) presented the ordinance to enact Chapter 87, establishing collective bargaining for police officers, modeled after the firefighters' framework. The process follows a November 2024 ballot measure approved by 62% of voters. The ordinance passed unanimously on first reading; second reading is scheduled for March 18, 2025.

Council Appointments: Lafayette Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board

  • Mayor Mangat recommended seven appointments:
    • Tim Barnes (Council member)
    • Faith Rogers (term ending June 30, 2025)
    • Janae Lako (term ending June 30, 2025)
    • Ian Mundy (term ending June 30, 2026)
    • Tom Hardy (term ending June 30, 2026)
    • Ty Hubbard (term ending June 30, 2027)
    • Joanna Kagan (term ending June 30, 2027)
  • All appointments were confirmed unanimously.

Staff Reports

  • City Attorney's Report: No items.
  • City Manager's Report: Announced kickoff of the city's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) strategic plan; spring recruitment for boards and commissions (applications due March 21, 2025); update on City Fiber project (51,000 feet, connecting 13 facilities, completion by end of 2026); and annual staff retreat on March 11, 2025.

Council Reports

  • Mayor Pro Tem Wong: Expressed frustration over state legislative vacancies (former Senator Joquez Lewis), criticizing the vacancy committee process and lack of voter representation for unaffiliated voters (49% of district). Urged action for change.
  • Councilor Barnes: Reported positively on IDEA session with Senior Advisory Board.
  • Mayor Mangat: Announced a Women's History Month recognition (poet laureate performance) at the March 18, 2025 meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda passed unanimously.
  • Proclamation for March for Meals Month passed unanimously.
  • Ordinance No. 04, Series 2025 (Police Collective Bargaining) approved on first reading (7-0); second reading March 18, 2025.
  • DDA board appointments confirmed unanimously.
  • Council directed staff to schedule an executive session to discuss legal options and home rule authority regarding HB 24-1313 and related state mandates.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We are gonna go ahead and get this meeting started. I will call to order the Lockheed City Council meeting for March fourth, twenty twenty-five. And we will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. Hello. Councillor Barnes. Good evening. Councillor Friedland. Here. Councillor Gallegos. Good evening. Councillor Sampson. Good evening. And Councillor Tapia Vega. Here. Mayor, we have a quorum. Sounds good. Thank you so much. All right. Well, we will begin tonight's meeting with uh public input. Um, if you wish to speak during this time, uh, please grab one of these yellow speaker forms that you can access through the glass doors in the back and pass it over to Clerk Beck here, and we can get you on the list. Uh, you may also call in it, call in as well. Uh, you'll have five minutes to speak, but please state your name and address before you do so. And uh for tonight, I know several of you are here for one particular topic. Um, so the council did also place one of these uh white um uh info sheets uh near um the speaker forms out there to give you all more info and context uh behind that particular issue that you may take a look at as well. All right, uh so we'll begin tonight with Karen Norbeck. Karen Norbeck, 800 East Genesee O. Good evening. On March 5th, 2024, I stood here to talk about House Bill 241313 and the continued actions from the state government diluting our home rule status. What I hope to see from you is a plan to push back. Tonight, the opportunity to do that has arrived, although you have already signed a resolution against it. The bully has come for us, and we need to say stop and loudly. I have watched Lafayette work for decades to address affordable housing. We are looking at a contribution from our small city of over 11 million dollars to help build the largest net zero affordable development in the state and possibly the country, Willoughby Corner. We gave half a million dollars to the La Luna Collective to help them buy their mobile home park. We are walking the walk, and we need to tell those at the State House so and in no uncertain terms. We spent thousands of dollars to write our comprehensive plan, as well as other guiding documents. These continued demands from the state will overrule them. It's a delicate balance to provide services to the community with a large portion of the funding coming from sales taxes, not property taxes. Rooftops don't pay for themselves. The more you add, the more services you need. More police and fire, more city staff, a larger library and rec center, more wear and tear on everything, and let's not forget water. There is more to water than just having a supply. We must store it and clean it and dispose of the waste. This all comes with a cost to the city, which of course means the residents. We must prevent reaching a point where the balance tips, and the only solution to funding the needs of the community becomes ongoing property tax increases. Currently, you are considering asking the voters to approve a property tax increase to fund three potential capital improvement projects with costs in the millions. That's nothing compared to what we could face if we just do what the state says. City staff puts it plainly in their memo. If realized, this growth would significantly strain city services, requiring substantial increases in infrastructure funding and staffing to maintain service levels.

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