City Council Meeting Recap

February 15, 2022

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City Council has resumed in-person meetings. View ways to participate remotely and in person at lafayetteco.gov/CityCouncil  

PUBLIC INPUT

SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Congressman Joe Neguse Update on the Marshall Fire and Federal Response
Many thanks to Congressman Neguse for joining us and updating Council on response efforts.
 
APPROVED 5-0: CONSENT AGENDA

• February 1, 2022, City Council Meeting Minutes
• Second Reading / Ordinance No. 06, Series 2022 / Amending Chapter 110, “Taxation,” of the Code to Implement an Oil and Gas Pollution Severance Tax
• Second Reading / Ordinance No. 07, Series 2022 / Extending the Deadline for Compliance with Conditions in Ord. No. 29, Series 2021, Pertaining to Silo Subdivision Filing No. 1 and the Vacation of Certain Rights-of-Way and Public Easements
• Resolution No. 2022-08 / Supporting a Lafayette Poet Laureate Program
• Resolution No. 2022-10 / Setting the Rate of Compensation for Oil and Gas Special Counsel Elizabeth Paranhos and Delone Law, Inc.
• Resolution No. 2022-11 / World Migratory Bird Day 2022
• Contract / Altitude Athletic Surfaces, LLC / Pickleball Courts
• Purchase Orders and Amendments

 
PRESENTATIONS
Zoning Code Rewrite Overview
A draft scope of work was presented for a re-write of the Lafayette Development and Zoning Code. The project leads with the community’s values and details expectations for an inclusive community engagement and technical code drafting process. This project will be one of the most impactful implementation items of the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan.
 
REGULAR BUSINESS
APPROVED 6-0: First Reading / Ordinance No. 08, Series 2022 / Lease / Thomas Farm
Three qualifying bids were received by the City through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for a new farm tenant. After careful consideration and individual interviews with potential tenants, Red Wagon Organic Farm LLC was selected as the new lessee.

This is a 3-year lease with a term of March 1, 2022, to March 1, 2025, providing for Red Wagon Organic Farm LLC to manage and operate the Thomas Open Space Farm for the City of Lafayette. The tenant will have access to approximately 13 acres of farmland and an 80x40 foot barn structure which includes a processing area, indoor storage, refrigeration, and retail sales area. 
 
APPROVED 6-0: Resolution No. 2022-12 / Establishing Fees for Oil and Gas
On November 1, 2021, City Council adopted new regulations pertaining to the development and regulation of oil and gas development, facilities, and operations. The new regulations contemplate fees for registration and the various application types. Resolution No. 2022-12 establishes revised fees for the processing of these applications.
 
These regulations set forth provisions for annual registration and ongoing inspections of existing and new operators, permitting requirements for seismic testing and abandonment, decommissioning and reclamation of facilities and pipelines, and a special use review process for new facilities. Each of these requirements anticipated the establishment of fees to cover the cost of staff time for review, approval, and inspections. The regulations also enable the City to pass on costs for consultants that may be needed for the review of technical documents. 
 
APPROVED 6-0: Resolution No. 2022-15 / Joinder to the Intergovernmental Agreement Establishing the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport Community Noise Roundtable
In late 2021, the City Council authorized staff to submit a formal request to the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport Community Noise Roundtable (“Roundtable”) due to the direct impacts on the Lafayette community from the airport operations. The Roundtable approved the City’s request for membership.
 
This Joinder agreement formally allows the City membership in order to address impacts on the Lafayette community. Two Councilors were appointed to serve on the Roundtable; Councilor Briggs (primary member) Mayor Mangat (alternate member).
 
STAFF REPORTS
City Attorney’s Report
City Administrator’s Report

• The Feb. 22 workshop topic will be the Multimodal Transportation Plan.
• Yesterday Boulder County Public Health voted to remove the mask mandate. Working on public messaging. The pandemic isn’t over, so we need to continue to be aware of health considerations. Would like to discuss re-opening our closed facilities and return to adjusted hours of operations. We will be messaging masking compassion for those who choose to continue wearing masks.
• Council decided to resume in-person meetings beginning with the Feb. 22 workshop. Boards and Commissions may determine if they prefer to meet remotely or in-person.

COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
MOTION APPROVED 7-0: Staff Recommendation and Appointments to the Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment (BOA) is the decision-making body for variances to zoning standards or appeals for certain exceptions in the Lafayette Zoning Code. Given that a full board has not been seated for several years and the infrequent variance requests, staff is recommending that City Council appoint the Planning Commission as the sitting BOA until a more permanent fix can be presented with the Zoning Code rewrite project.
 
Appointment to the Lafayette Cultural Arts Commission
Council approved a motion to appoint Bryn Pennington as a regular member of the Lafayette Cultural Arts Commission.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Mayor Mangat

• Had a conference call with regional leaders regarding gun control initiatives. Looking at May or June as a timeline to look at enacting a resolution.
• Attended the virtual Boulder County Public Health meeting last night. Mask mandate removal decision follows science. Look forward to Council meeting in person.

 Councilor Barnes

•  Happy Black History Month.
• Adderly Grant has a show at Thistle Community Art Gallery (4871 Broadway). She is a local Black artist.
• Dr. Marshall Shepherd lecture “The extreme weather-climate gap” on Feb. 18 at 1pm: https://scied.ucar.edu/wor-distinguished-lecture-series  
• Negro Creek and Negro Mesa name change will be discussed in Delta County.
• Watch for the Earth Day celebration on April 30 at the Outdoor Classroom.

Councilor Briggs

• Spoke with LOSAC about their preference for alternate members vs. full members. Feel there are some advantages to having alternates; meeting commitment, learning curve, Leaning to keep alternates, but is open to discussion.
• Watched the Boulder County Health Dept. meeting last night. Great child tax credit available for $3,000 or $3,600, includes undocumented parents. Visit www.getaheadcolorado.org to learn more.
• CU is hosting Roots of Today’s Racial Exclusion - The Latino Experience. March 16 at 7pm with a zoom option. Lafayette resident Frank Archuleta will be participating. https://lawweb.colorado.edu/events/mediaDetails.jsp?id=8492

Councilor Medrano

• Library lecture event w/Centaurus High School and author Sonia Nazario, who will be discussing her award-winning book "Enrique's Journey" on Feb. 17 at 6pm. Registered participants will receive a free copy of the book. https://lafayettepubliclibrary.libcal.com/calendar/main/enriquesjourney

Councilor Walton

• Snow Angels needs 21 more volunteers. Visit https://www.lafayetteco.gov/2619/Snow-Removal-Program
• One Lafayette update may be showing up on an upcoming workshop agenda. Councilors Walton and Samson can answer questions.
• Offered to pay for the DRCOG awards celebration attendance for Louisville and Superior in April. Both Mayors graciously accepted the offer.  
• Would like to maximize Council Chambers space for social distancing during in-person meetings.

ADJOURNMENT