Lafayette City Council Meeting - July 1, 2025

The Lafayette City Council met in regular session on July 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting featured public comments on a proposed cemetery memorial, two proclamations, a sustainability update, a capital bond package discussion, and a first-reading ordinance for a land lease. Councilor Samson was excused by unanimous vote. The council adjourned to executive session at 7:19 p.m. without returning to open session.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the June 17, 2025 City Council meeting minutes and the June 24, 2025 City Council workshop summary.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Multiple residents spoke regarding the lack of recognition for approximately 200 individuals buried in unmarked graves at the Lafayette Cemetery. Andy Valenzuela, Frank Archelletta, Lewis Abila, Phyllis Rodriguez, Pete Salas, and David Simano (speaking online) all expressed strong support for installing a physical plaque listing the names and opposed the previously approved QR code, arguing it is inaccessible to older residents and an inadequate memorial. Frank Archelletta noted that the Lafayette Human Rights Commission, Cultural Art Board, and Historical Museum Board support a plaque, and that a donor, Tom Razzle, has offered to pay for it.
• Pete Salas also raised concerns about Flock camera data sharing agreements and the burden of property taxes on fixed-income residents.
• Ron Spalton suggested the council consider a temporary moratorium on three annexation requests (The Range, Gateway Lafayette, and Indian Peaks) to analyze infrastructure and financial capacity, and proposed displaying American flags along public roads from mid-May through mid-July to cover patriotic holidays.

Proclamations

• Day of Compassion / Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday (July 6, 2025): Presented by Councilor Gallegos and passed unanimously. Tashi, representing the Tibetan Association of Colorado, thanked the council and noted the community of 600–700 members in the area. Councilor Barnes recognized the Tibetan Souvenir shop in Lafayette.
• Plastic Free July (July 2025): Presented by Councilor Gallegos and passed unanimously. Council members encouraged residents to reduce single-use plastics; Councilor Gallegos noted she brought a glass mason jar instead of disposable water bottles.

Presentations

• Recognition of Civics Bee Winner Cameron Parker: Cameron Parker, a Lafayette resident and 2025 Colorado Civics Bee winner, presented his project on improving wildfire evacuation alerts. He will compete in Washington, D.C., in November. The council presented a certificate and encouraged him to consider speech and debate and the Daniels Fund Scholarship.
• Sustainability Update: Sustainability Director Elizabeth and Specialist Lisa provided an overview of 2024 highlights and 2025 year-to-date accomplishments, including adoption of the Climate Action Plan, the Universal Recycling Ordinance, EV infrastructure grants, diversion of 28,000 pounds of hard-to-recycle material in 2025, the e-bike rebate program (91 applications), and the HEPA Air Purifier Pilot Program (240 applicants, 50 air purifiers distributed). Upcoming work includes bicycle infrastructure, greenhouse gas inventory, and a community climate action campaign.
• Capital Bond Project Package Discussion: Assistant City Manager Alex Nelson presented two packages for a capital bond ballot measure. Package A includes the Bob Elbert Recreation Center renovation/expansion, a new civic center, and the parks/public works service center renovation, with $74 million in debt. Package B includes only the recreation center and service center, with $40 million in debt. Council direction was sought on package selection.

Regular Business

• Ordinance No. 13, Series 2025 (First Reading): The council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance authorizing a lease of less than one acre of city-owned real property to Three Leaf Farms, LLC, for horse pasturing and rotational grazing at Cole Creek Open Space. Councilor Barnes praised the farm as an example of sustainable land management.

Staff Reports

• City Attorney’s Report: No report.
• City Manager’s Report: Noted the successful July 4th community event, the upcoming closure of 120th Street beginning July 7 for five weeks for the Cole Creek Bridge replacement, Take Your Kid to Work Day, Art Night Out on July 11, and facility closures for July 4th.

Council Reports

• Councilors Tapia Vega, Fridland, and Gallegos had no reports.
• Mayor Pro Tem Wong shared an article about housing affordability, emphasized the importance of water requirements as a check on development, and criticized comments made by a Douglas County commissioner as offensive to the AANHPI community.
• Councilor Barnes reported on a Commuting Solutions meeting, including state budget challenges, Front Range Rail progress, eco-pass changes, and a regional bike share program.
• Mayor Mangat reported on the Colorado Municipal League conference and encouraged participation in future CML events.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• The two proclamations were approved unanimously.
• Council reached consensus to advance Capital Bond Package A (all three projects, $74 million), with staff to return with ballot language. The election is scheduled for November 4, 2025.
• Ordinance No. 13 was approved on first reading unanimously.
• The council unanimously moved into executive session to discuss collective bargaining agreements for fire and police employees.