City Council Meeting Recap
May 4, 2021
Stay engaged and keep informed of the issues your Lafayette elected officials are working on by following the City Council Meeting Recap. Subscribe here.
PRESENTATIONS
COVID-19 recovery and sustainment update
Boulder County is currently experiencing a seven-day positivity rate of 5.93% in the State and 4.2% in Boulder County. Still seeing disparities in vaccines in underserved populations. We will be in modified Level Blue until May 16, then anticipate moving to Level Clear. The Mask Order was extended by the State. Boulder County may have an update to their Order tomorrow.
Individuals aged 16 and over are now eligible to get a vaccine, and 67% of eligible Boulder County residents have received at least one vaccination dose. Information for vaccination sign up is available at lafayetteco.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=5974.
Water supply update
The City relies on snowpack that develops each winter in the South Platte River Basin on the eastern slope and Colorado River Basin on the western slope to provide water for domestic and irrigation use. April is historically a key month for accumulation of snowpack with the peak typically occurring around May 1. The March 29 water supply overview update to City Council showed key indicators including snowpack, reservoir storage levels, and anticipated water available from Northern Water sources were all below average. As of May 4, indicators have improved and are showing that snowpack and demand are at an average level of concern while reservoir storage and Colorado Big Thompson (C-BT) water share availability are at a heightened level of concern.
In March, the City initiated measures to prepare for potential drought conditions including increased public outreach and assessment of existing and anticipated uses at the City’s own facilities. Staff is continuing to monitor runoff timing, reservoir levels, residential demand, availability of C-BT shares, and summer temps/precipitation to inform future decisions.
US Drought Monitor – Colorado Map
USDA Snowpack Summary - South Platte River Report
New employee introduction: Elizabeth Szorad, Sustainability Coordinator
Following a nationwide search with 168 applicants and comprehensive interview process, Elizabeth Szorad has been selected to be Lafayette’s next Sustainability Coordinator. Additional information included in the press release may be found at lafayetteco.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=6184.
REGULAR BUSINESS
Approved 6-0: Ordinance No. 10, Series 2021 / Extending Moratorium on Land Use Applications for Oil and Gas Operations Until November 30, 2021
The City’s current moratorium on the acceptance of land use applications related to oil and gas activities will expire on May 31, 2021. Revisions to the City’s draft oil and gas land use regulations are underway and City planning staff anticipates a final ordinance implementing the revised regulations will be ready for adoption no later than November 2021. A six-month extension of the moratorium is needed to accommodate drafting and review by special counsel and staff, consultation with the City Council and Planning Commission, public comment, and the Code’s required procedure for amendments to Chapter 26.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approved the balance of the consent agenda 6-0.
Item H pulled from the consent agenda: Approved 6-0: Boulder County Open Space and Trails Recommendations
Council inquired about the priority of the recommendations being made.
STAFF REPORTS
City Administrator’s Report
Republic Services will be releasing a new/corrected newsletter to customers and will offer a rescheduled Spring Cleanup event for Republic customers on May 15 and 22. Updated information can be found at republicservices.com/municipality/lafayette-co/events-services.
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
LESAC appointments
City Council approved 6-0 the reappointment of Tom Hardie and Neal Kruis to the Lafayette Energy Sustainability Advisory Committee (LESAC). Two alternate LESAC seats remain vacant. Interested applicants may learn more and apply at lafayetteco.gov/JoinLESAC.
COUNCIL REPORTS
LURA Interview committee
The Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority (LURA) serves as the lead public entity to affect revitalization and redevelopment in the Old Town area. The Authority works in partnership with property owners to attract capital investment, and to assist in the retention and expansion of existing small businesses, strengthening the City’s economic base. Councilors Briggs and Mangat volunteered to participate on the committee to interview and appoint three open positions.
Councilor Barnes:
Councilor Mangat:- Call Councilor Mangat if you need help with or have any questions about COVID vaccination clinics 303-731-9460. There is a free Vaccination Clinic from 9-3:30pm on May 9 at Angevine Middle School.
- LYAC is hosting Teen Talks substance abuse, mental health. More info: lafayetteco.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=8679
Mayor Pro Tem Walton:- Clarifying a comment from the last Council meeting: I am passionate about emergency response and preparedness and have continued confidence in Chief Bashor and the Police Department in their positions of responding to emergencies.
- Will share an invitation for staff to attend: Innovative Solutions to Water and Growth in Colorado – CML two-part workshop on May 11 and 13.
- DRCOG will be awarding some transportation grant funding for projects that were on the wait list. All Boulder County requests were funded. They are opening up additional TIP Funds, Set Aside Project funding, and CDOT safer Main Streets opportunities.
- Asked for tonight’s public comments to be sent to staff and responded to.
Councilor Wong:- Human Rights Committee (HRC) met last week and will be scheduling a special meeting to firm up their recommendation for naming historical places and specific guidance regarding the Mary Miller name.
- Highlighting a couple national observations:
- Nat’l Police Officers week is next week. Councilors Wong and Walton are participating in ride-alongs to see first-hand and better understand their job.
- May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email 
