City Council Meeting Recap

Dec. 6, 2022

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

OPENING OF REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
APPROVED 6-0: CONSENT AGENDA

• November 15, 2022, City Council Meeting Mintues
• November 28, 2022, City Council Workshop Summary
• Second Reading / Ordinance No. 36, Series 2022 / 2022 Budget Supplemental
• Resolution No. 2022-70 / Appointing Substitute Municipal Court Judges
• Resolution No. 2022-71 / Appointing Special Counsel to Provide Legal
• Representation to the City with Respect to Public Works Construction and Design Services Contracts and Related Legal Issues, Claims, Mediation, and Litigation, and Setting the Rate of Compensation Therefor
• Contract / Merrick & Company / Goose Haven Cell 2A Reservoir Construction Support
• Contract / Eide Bailey, LLP / Financial Auditing Services

 
PRESENTATIONS
Building Code Update
Lafayette periodically adopts a suite of international codes, together referred to as I-Codes (e.g., International Building Code). The City has currently adopted the 2015 version of the I-Codes and is beginning the process of adopting the 2021 I-Codes. As part of the adoption process, jurisdictions routinely include amendments to the base codes to align procures and requirements to local conditions and to introduce strengthening amendments to advance specific City policies.
 
The City is considering local strengthening amendments to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code as part of the broader I-Code adoption to further the City’s sustainability goals and to align local codes with a new Colorado state law (HB22-1362).
 
2023 Utility Rate Communication Plan
A comprehensive utility rate and fee study is underway to develop strategies to close the significant gap between the City’s current utility revenues and projected utility expenses. The greatest concern is associated with major water supply projects.
 
Council approved a 5% increase to monthly rates in each of the three utility funds effective January 1, 2023, to help offset erosion of City purchasing power due to market-driven inflation and cost escalation. Once the fee study is complete in late spring, any revenue and expenditure gap will be better defined and identified. Staff will summarize plans to communicate information to the public.
 
REGULAR BUSINESS
APPROVED 6-0: Resolution No. 2022-72 / Approval and Acceptance of Temporary Construction and Permanent Easements from Indian Peaks Filing No. 15 Homeowners Association for Public Right-of-Way Improvements for the RTD Route 228 Extension Infrastructure Project
This easement will allow the City to install and maintain a sidewalk connection between a proposed bus stop on RTD Route 228 and the existing sidewalk on the west side of 95^th Street north of Baseline. City staff worked with Indian Peaks Filing No. 15 homeowner association (HOA) to procure the easements from the HOA.
 
APPROVED 6-0: Adoption of Legislative Agenda
At its 2022 Retreat, City Council discussed and approved staff’s recommendation to create a ‘legislative agenda’ to help guide staff and Council on matters before the State Legislature each year. Legislative agendas serve as a foundational document and are intended to be high level policy statements.
 
Once Council approves the agenda framework, it also helps the City be responsive on legislative issues as they arise without having to formally check in with Council. This can considerably speed up representing the City’s interests on matters as they are considered by the General Assembly, which are often fluid and can move (and change) quickly throughout the legislative session.
 
APPROVED 5-0: Contract / Segal Group, Inc. / Classification and Compensation Study
The City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional services related to the completion of a citywide Classification and Compensation study. Through a competitive procurement process, staff has selected Segal Group, Inc. as the successful respondent.
 
APPROVED 6-0: Items Pertaining to the Water Reclamation Facility Improvements Project
1. Change Order No. 2 / RN Civil Construction
2. Change Order No. 1 / Merrick & Company
During the course of construction of the Water Reclamation Facility improvements, a previously unidentified Xcel Energy (Xcel) high pressure gas line and easement were discovered within the City’s property west of East County Line Road. A construction pause, materials for structure and pipeline relocations, and increased safety measures have resulted in the need for a contract change order.
 
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
APPROVED 6-0: Appointments to the Senior Advisory Board
Council approved the reappoint of Carren Williams and Bob Magin to new three-year terms through December 31, 2025.
 
APPROVED 6-0: Appointments to the Library Board
Council approved to reappoint Randy Bender and Olivia Ameigh to the Lafayette Public Library Advisory Board for three-year terms.
 
STAFF REPORTS
City Administrator’s Report: Language access has been a discussion of ours for some time and we are continuing to make progress. Would like to acknowledge City staff and the valuable work they perform. From Police incidents to water main breaks to snow removal. Staff runs leans and maintains a high level of performance on behalf of our community.
 
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Mangat

• Pro Tem Wong is going to Washington DC in February to meet with federal representatives to lobby for transportation issues.
• There is a training program for people of color interested in running for office on Jan 21. The application period is now open. www.bocodems.org/br-train

Councilor Barnes

• Shared a Washington Post graph that illustrates 400M tons of carbon is released into the atmosphere per day post-COVID. Electrification will help leverage improvements.

Councilor Briggs

• Human Rights Commission held a retreat on Saturday and it went well.
• Attended an Open Air virtual session on carbon removal. Political will is the biggest challenge.

Councilor Medrano

• The Lafayette Youth Advisory Commission will be providing input on the Bronco money.

Councilor Samson

• Dec. 9: 6-7pm for Carols and Cookies/ Villancicos y galletas event at the Collective. lafayetteco.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=9558
• A Hanukkah celebration will be held on Dec. 18 at Festival Plaza.

Councilor Walton

• Will review the DRCOG IGA and approve if appropriate.
• May need to review Northwest Parkway agreements to inform us regarding direction as project decisions arise.

ADJOURNMENT