Department of Utilities
Reference: Cherry Meadows Pond Maintenance
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Scott Olsen, Director of Utilities
Date Prepared: September 1, 2026
PURPOSE
Requesting City Council’s consideration of a resolution for the City of Brighton to take over maintenance responsibility from the Cherry Meadows Homeowners’ Association for the City of Brighton owned parcel identified as Tract A in the Cherry Meadows Subdivision Filing No. 1 Plat.
BACKGROUND
The Cherry Meadows Subdivision is comprised of residential homes and a neighborhood park in the northern portion of Brighton city limits. Per City of Brighton Municipal Code and Standards and Specifications, a drainage facility was required as part of the residential development to ensure storm drainage is properly conveyed and detained so as not to impact the new development and existing storm drainage infrastructure.
The Cherry Meadows Subdivision Filing No. 1 Final Plat, executed May 15th, 2006 platted the drainage facility as “Tract A”. The tract was dedicated as public open space to the City of Brighton with indication that the tract would be maintained by the Cherry Meadows Homeowners’ Association until such time as the City of Brighton enacts an ordinance assigning maintenance of the drainage facilities and lands situated therein to the City of Brighton.
Although a time frame was not provided in the final plat, the City believes taking over maintenance responsibility of the drainage facility and Tract A is necessary now that the public park located in Tract B of the Cherry Meadows Subdivision Filing No. 1 Final Plat is completed and under the maintenance responsibility of the City. The Homeowners’ Association has completed all requested repairs to the pond represented as necessary for the City to move forward with this resolution. The Cherry Meadows Subdivision is close to completion with approximately twenty lots remaining under construction by Risewell Homes at the time of this preparation.
It should be noted that, although the plat references an “ordinance,” the City Attorney’s Office has determined that a resolution is an acceptable method of taking over maintenance responsibility since ordinances are not needed for assumption of such an obligation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Due to the drainage facilities’ elevation being lower than the storm drainage infrastructure in Baseline Road, an industrial pump is located within the base of the facility to allow stormwater that has not infiltrated as designed to be pumped into the City of Brighton owned and maintained storm drainage infrastructure within Baseline Road. With the passing of this resolution, the City would take over financial responsibility for the United Power meter that powers the pump. It is anticipated that annual costs for routine mowing and monthly billing of the meter will not exceed $1,500.00. The Stormwater Professional Services budget contains sufficient funds to cover these costs.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
At a future City Council meeting, City staff recommend approval of the resolution as drafted.
ATTACHMENTS
• PowerPoint presentation