City of Brighton
500 S. 4th Avenue
Brighton, CO 80601
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
6:00 PM
Virtual Meeting
City Council
MAYOR - GREGORY MILLS
MAYOR PRO TEM - MATT JOHNSTON
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
CLINT BLACKHURST, ADAM CUSHING,
MARK HUMBERT, KRIS JORDINELLI, MARY ELLEN POLLACK,
ANN TADDEO, TIM WATTS
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Mills called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
A. Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag
Mayor Pro Tem Johnston led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
B. Roll Call
Present: 9 - Mayor Mills, Mayor Pro Tem Johnston, Councilmember Blackhurst,
Councilmember Cushing, Councilmember Humbert, Councilmember Jordinelli,
Councilmember Pollack, Councilmember Taddeo, and Councilmember Watts
2. APPROVAL OF REGULAR AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Watts, seconded by Councilmember Humbert, to amend the Regular Agenda and move Item 14A Executive Session after Item 11C. Motion passed by the following vote:
Aye: 9 - Mayor Mills, Mayor Pro Tem Johnston, Councilmember Blackhurst, Councilmember Cushing, Councilmember Humbert, Councilmember Jordinelli, Councilmember Pollack, Councilmember Taddeo, and Councilmember Watts
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of the March 16, 2021 City Council Minutes
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Johnston, seconded by Councilmember Jordinelli, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion passed by the following vote:
Aye: 9 - Mayor Mills, Mayor Pro Tem Johnston, Councilmember Blackhurst, Councilmember Cushing, Councilmember Humbert, Councilmember Jordinelli, Councilmember Pollack, Councilmember Taddeo, and Councilmember Watts
4. CEREMONIES
A. Arbor Day Proclamation
Mayor Mills read the Proclamation into the record.
Motion by Councilmember Humbert, seconded by Councilmember Blackhurst, to approve the Proclamation. Motion passed by the following vote:
Aye: 9 - Mayor Mills, Mayor Pro Tem Johnston, Councilmember Blackhurst, Councilmember Cushing, Councilmember Humbert, Councilmember Jordinelli, Councilmember Pollack, Councilmember Taddeo, and Councilmember Watts
B. Arbor Day Poster Contest Winner Recognition
Open Space Manager Kyle Sylvester and City Forester Adam Rhodebeck recognized the 5th Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest winner Lucy Ratkiewicz from Pennock Elementary.
C. Suicide Prevention Education Awareness Knowledge (SPEAK) Week Proclamation
Mayor Mills read the Proclamation into the record.
Motion by Councilmember Watts, seconded by Councilmember Taddeo, to approve the Proclamation. Motion passed by the following vote:
Aye: 9 - Mayor Mills, Mayor Pro Tem Johnston, Councilmember Blackhurst, Councilmember Cushing, Councilmember Humbert, Councilmember Jordinelli, Councilmember Pollack, Councilmember Taddeo, and Councilmember Watts
D. Recognition of Brighton Youth Commission Daniels Fund Recipients
Youth Services Manager Tawnya Russell recognized Daniels Fund Scholarship Fund recipients Ashley Settergren and Tessa Davis.
5. PUBLIC INVITED TO BE HEARD ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA (Speakers limited to five minutes)
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. ORDINANCES FOR INITIAL CONSIDERATION
8. ORDINANCES FOR FINAL CONSIDERATION
9. RESOLUTIONS
A. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO, APPROVING THE ADAMS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT SUBGRANTEE AGREEMENT FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM YEAR 2020 AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE GRANT AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY
Mayor Mills read the title of the Resolution into the record.
City Manager Bais DiSessa introduced Senior Management Analyst Nicole Samson.
Senior Management Analyst Nicole Samson asked for approval for the acceptance of the 2020 Community Block Grant (CDBG) Funds. The project being completed with the funding will be to create restrooms on the main floor of Historic City Hall that meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The City will be reimbursed up to $257,850 for this project. CDBG funds are federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds may be used for activities, which include economic development that leads to job creation and retention for low and moderate-income individuals, rehabilitation or improvement for affordable housing, construction or improvements for facilities such as water and sewer facilities, sidewalks, neighborhood centers, establishment of new public services, as well as ADA improvements and energy efficiency improvements. CDBG funded projects must meet one or more of the national objectives of the grant. These include benefitting low and moderate-income persons, aid in the prevention or elimination of slum and blight and meet urgent community needs. With federal grants, the eligibility criteria regulations layer on top of each other, so regulations from other agencies influence this grant. The funding will be used to design and construct ADA restrooms on the main level of Historic City Hall. The existing restrooms are not accessible for people with disabilities. HUD views this project as removing barriers for those people with disabilities who are receiving services from the non-profit organizations currently operating out of this facility. The City applied last spring for the funding and HUD approved the project last fall. Earlier this year the State Historic Preservation Office approved the City starting the project in the historically designated building. The City will rehabilitate the primary restrooms for the public, as they are critical amenities. The needs of a person using a wheelchair, scooter, walker or other assisted device must be contemplated when ensuring restrooms are accessible for use. The men’s restroom does not meet current ADA standards. The women’s restroom has been disassembled due to flooding of the area in 2019 and needs to be rebuilt to meet current ADA standards. An architecture firm will complete the plans for construction; this will be funded through the grant. Staff recommends entering into an agreement with Adams County. The grant funds will allow the City to complete ADA accessible restrooms on the main floor of Historic City Hall. The project will be fully funded with the grant. Senior Management Analyst Samson answered questions from Council regarding:
• The cost of the project.
• The amount spent on the restrooms.
• A plan for any remaining funds.
• The ability to make the men’s restroom ADA compliant.
• The way the grant money is funded.
• This item coming back to Council for recommendation after the bids come in.
• The number of people using the facility each day.
• Low-income residents visiting the Housing Department each day.
• The organizations serving low-income residents at Historic City Hall.
Motion by Councilmember Jordinelli, seconded by Councilmember Taddeo, to approve Resolution 2021-29. Motion passed by the following vote:
Aye: 9 - Mayor Mills, Mayor Pro Tem Johnston, Councilmember Blackhurst, Councilmember Cushing, Councilmember Humbert, Councilmember Jordinelli, Councilmember Pollack, Councilmember Taddeo, and Councilmember Watts
Mayor Mills left the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
10. UTILITIES BUSINESS ITEMS
11. GENERAL BUSINESS
A. Review of COVID Statistics
Assistant City Manager Michael Martinez updated City Council on the COVID-19 statistics, vaccinations and the Public Health Order limiting COVID-19 restrictions.
B. Schedule a Special City Council Meeting on April 27, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. for an Executive Session regarding City Attorney Recruitment
Motion by Councilmember Watts, seconded by Councilmember Blackhurst, to schedule a Special City Council Meeting on April 27, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. for an Executive Session regarding City Attorney Recruitment. Motion passed by the following vote:
Aye: 8 - Mayor Pro Tem Johnston, Councilmember Blackhurst, Councilmember Cushing,
Councilmember Humbert, Councilmember Jordinelli, Councilmember Pollack,
Councilmember Taddeo, and Councilmember Watts
Absent: 1 - Mayor Mills
C. Water Bill Update
City Manager Bais DiSessa explained that staff will do everything they can to not shut off the water of any customer and will work with anyone willing to work with the City to set up payment schedules.
Finance Director Maria Ostrom reviewed the actions that were taken in 2020 including temporarily reducing rates, delay of bills, late fees suspended through June 30, 2020, and a state public health order to suspend shutoffs through June 2020. This order did expire on June 30, 2020. The Ordinance approved in April 2020 stated that for bills generated after the temporary reduction period, all rates, fees, and charges would revert to what was in place in the 2019 Ordinance. This Ordinance states that prolonged delinquencies are subject to a late fee, Finance is to administer programs to disconnect delinquent users, reminder notices will be sent for past due accounts, and amount past due must be made in full before service is reconnected. Staff has contacted customers that have the highest amounts outstanding to work on a payment plan. If the customer continues to pay according to the payment plan, they will not receive late fees or have their water shut off. Staff will then follow up with all customers that received a mailed notice and provide information regarding the Water Assistance Program. A number of jurisdictions have or will be reinstating shutoffs.
City Council directed staff to implement the door hanger policy and asked that the date of shutoff be included.
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Councilmember Humbert, seconded by Councilmember Watts, to go into Executive Session at 8:12 p.m. for the purpose of determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations, and/or instructing negotiators, under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(e) regarding Leases at 1750 East Egbert Street, 11890 Peoria Street, 1594 East Bromley Lane, 49 South 5th Avenue, 14605 Sable Boulevard, and 36 South Main Street. Motion passed by the following vote:
Aye: 8 - Mayor Pro Tem Johnston, Councilmember Blackhurst, Councilmember Cushing,
Councilmember Humbert, Councilmember Jordinelli, Councilmember Pollack,
Councilmember Taddeo, and Councilmember Watts
Absent: 1 - Mayor Mills
Mayor Mills returned to the meeting during the Executive Session.
Mayor Pro Tem Johnston reconvened the meeting at 10:19 p.m.
12. REPORTS
A. By the Mayor
B. By Department Heads
Assistant City Manager Karen Borkowski Surine updated Council on the Request for Proposal for the Presiding Municipal Judge position. Presiding Municipal Judge Kristin Brown resigned.
C. By the City Attorney
D. By the City Manager
City Manager Bais DiSessa reported that she is working on having City Council meetings in person. The City Council Goal Session will be held at the Armory.
13. REPORTS BY COUNCIL ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Mayor Pro Tem Johnston attended the E-470 meeting.
Councilmember Cushing has been working on the City Attorney search.
Councilmember Humbert attended the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting.
Councilmember Taddeo attended the Historic Preservation Commission meeting and the Legacy Foundation meeting.
Councilmember Watts reported that the SPEAK Walk is on May 1, 2021.
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
This Item was moved after Item 11C.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Mills adjourned the meeting at 10:32 p.m.
CITY OF BRIGHTON, COLORADO
_____________________________
Gregory Mills, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Natalie Hoel, City Clerk
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Approval Date